The Nation January 05, 2012 by The Nation

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Bank debtors get PREVIEW New Year, new pains as pay-up notice NEWS Pages 6 & 7

2012:

BUSINESS

– Page 11

petrol price hike bites

www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 7, NO. 1995 THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

•Workers to get January pay on 20th

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

marketers and labour leaders, who are believed to be planning to cause chaos nationwide. Six marketers, who are said to be under probe for alleged covert fiContinued on page 4

N150.00

Govt sets up N10b transport loan

Strike: Security agencies probe six marketers MAJOR crackdown on fuel marketers is on the way, The Nation learnt last night. Security agents are worried over what a source said they see as a covert attempt to fuel the workers’ strike due to begin on Monday. Under security watch are some

•AMCON vows to recover debts

•Aganga

FLURRY of measures to temper the fuel price anger was announced yesterday. On the list: N10b revolving loan for transporters; deployment of 1,600 mass transit buses as from Monday; and January salary for civil servants on the 20th day of the month. Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga announced these

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

measures after an “emergency” meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja. He was flanked by Minister of Information Labaran Maku and Minister of Transportation Idris Umar. The meeting was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan. Continued on page 4

ARITY FOR EVER: From left: NLC National Vice President Comrade Emmanuel Ajoku; Acting National Secretary Comrade Owei Lakemfa; President, Comrade Abdulwaheed SOLIDARITY •SOLID PHOTO: NAN Omar and Deputy President Comrade Mohammed Shuaibu after the meeting ... yesterday

Strike begins on Monday Labour orders closure of markets, airports, banks, petrol stations

ABOUR has directed workers to proceed on an indefinite strike from Monday – in protest against the government’s sudden removal of petrol subsidy. Petrol price has climbed from N65 per litre to between N138 at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stations and N200 in some states since New Year’s Day when the policy was announced.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

The government’s action has been greeted by street protests in many cities. After a meeting in Abuja, NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar read a joint statement by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). He said: “From Monday 9th January 2012 date, all offices, oil produc-

N65

•The pre-New Year’s Day petrol price which Labour says the Federal Government should revert to or face a strike as from Jan. 9

tion centres, air and sea ports, fuel stations, markets, banks, among others, will be shut down.” Omar said there was a subsisting understanding between Labour

and the Federal Government in 2009 that removal of subsidy will not begin, until certain conditions have been met. He said these conditions, which include fixing of the refineries and building of new ones, have not been met. The others are regular power supply and provision of other social infrastructure, such as railways and repairs of roads as well as eliminating the corruption associated with supply and distribution of petroleum products in the downstream sector of the oil industry. In the communiqué, entitled “In defence of the Nigerian people on fuel price increases”, labour advised Nigerians to stockpile basic needs, especially food and water. The communiqué added: “After

exhaustive deliberations and consultations with all sections of the populace, the NLC, TUC, and their pro-people allies demand that the Presidency immediately reverses fuel prices to N65. If the Government fails to do so, Labour directs indefinite general strike, mass rallies and street protests be held across the country with effect from Monday 9th January, 2012.” Labour explained that the primary objective of the call for a strike is to “reverse the fuel price to N65, restore normalcy and reclaim Nigeria for Nigerians”. NLC and TUC called on Nigerians to participate in the strike. Omar advised the police and the armed forces not to use their arms Continued on page 4

•SPORT P23 •EDUCATION P25 •N/HEALTH P43 •POLITICS P45 •E-BUSINESS P47

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NEWS OUTRAGE OVER SUBSIDY REMOVAL

Doctors vow to hit the streets

HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) yesterday promised to protest removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. According to a statement by the NMA President, Dr Omede Idris and the Secretary General, Dr Bala Audu, doctors will join other Nigerians to protest the policy, which is already impoverishing many Nigerians. The association described the action of the Federal Government as been wicked and insensitive. It also placed state branches and affiliates of NMA on the alert, pending directives from the National body. The NMA appealed to the Federal Government to reverse its action and prevent avoidable stress and strain on Nigerians. The statement reads: “The Nigerian Medical Association received with shock the news of the removal of the fuel subsidy effective January 1, 2012. The NMA views the action of the Federal Government as wicked and insensitive.” “It clearly depicts insincerity even from the sudden somersault of the intended date of commencement. This is surely an ambush against hapless masses of this country.” He went on: “The NMA condemns and rejects this criminal increase in the pump price of fuel in the midst of increasing unemployment, red-alert insecurity, exponential poverty, increasing Ill-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

health and diseases, collapsed educational systems, escalating anger and frustration in the land.” “We in the NMA will join the millions of Nigerians to resist this evil. State branches and affiliates of the NMA are directed to be ever ready for directives on the next line of action.” “Where democracy thrives, power belongs to the people, with the elected leaders listening to the yearnings of the people. This has not been so in this country, where government rules with impunity.” he noted Rather than removing the fuel subsidy now, the NMA said the Federal Government should first curb its waste, make the refineries functional and ensure accountability with verifiable audit in petroleum sector and tackle corruption in the downstream sector of oil and gas operations. The doctors also advised the government to stop frivolous foreign trips and use the savings to begin to address the palliatives in the subsidy reinvestment empowerment programme. “It should also provide support for private health sector and genuinely encourage public- private partnership in health and other sectors as palliatives.” “As a professional association, we cannot shy away from our professional dictates and responsibility to

our clients, patients and the good citizens of this country, who in addition to inflationary multiplier effects in hike of fuel price, will be worse off in procuring health in a system without safety valves for the informal sector and majority of formal sector workforce that spend heavily for the health of their children. This is more so in a country where establishing a national health system through accent to the National Health Bill cannot hold sway for reasons best known to the Executive.” “The NMA has the responsibility to stand with, by and behind the Nigerian people in genuine demands. “The NMA is consulting and partnering with other professional bodies, NBA, NLC, TUC, and civil society organisations to forge a common front on this unpopular action of government.” “The NMA calls on all Nigerians, to rise up now and put Nigeria on a better pedestal by rejecting this unpopular and unwarranted increase in pump price of fuel.” “It should now be clear to the government that the benefit of the so-called subsidy on petrol cuts across all strata of the population and impart directly more on the downtrodden. Government should reverse this action and prevent avoidable stress and strain on the good people of this country,” it stated.

David-West warns labour against dialoguing with govt From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

•David-West

ORMER Minister of Petroleum Resources Prof. Tam David-West, has warned the Organised Labour against appearing before the panel set up by President Goodluck Jonath-

an on the removal of fuel subsidy. He also criticised Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole for accepting to defend the Federal Government on the policy. He spoke with our correspondent on telephone yesterday. He said: “Labour must not appear before the panel set up by President Goodluck Jonathan. Any labour leader that does it is not only a traitor to the labour union but

he is a traitor to the entire suffering masses of this country. It is an insult because Jonathan has said that the increase would not come up until April. He has murdered sleep by what he has done. It is not only anti-people, It is anti-God. “Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, not Jonathan. And he is only a trustee of the people, not a dictator or Lord of the Manor. He has no legal or moral right to invite labour to a roundtable after doing what the people spoke against.”

Stranded holiday makers sell valuables in Delta

TRANDED holidaymakers in Asaba, the Delta State capital, are hawking their valuables to fund their return trips. Ogechuckwu Chiazor, a factory worker in one of the manufacturing industries in Lagos, said she auctioned her BlackBerry handset to fund her return to Lagos. “When I arrived in Asaba for the Yuletide, I kept N2,

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

000 aside from the money I had planned to spend for friends and acquaintances. The shock I got from the subsidy removal three days ago forced me to sell the handset I bought at N38, 000 at a give-away price of N6, 000 to meet the challenge posed by the removal,” she said. Okechuckwu Nnamdi

claimed that he sold his Dell Laptop below its cost price to find his way back to Abuja where he works as a driver to a politician. It was gathered that BlackBerry handsets are being auctioned as low as between N4,000 and N8,000 depending on its age while Laptops go for N15,000 – N20,000, depending on the bargaining power of the potential buyer.

Nigerians urged to be patient

IGERIANS have been admonished to be patient over the “unpopular and retroactive decision” of President Goodluck Jonathan to remove subsidy on petroleum despite widespread condemnation. A public affair analyst, Pa Adebiyi, in a statement, said: “Anyone who knows consciencetiously himself as indeed the image and likeness

From Bode Durojaye, Oyo

of God would know that at every moment when the envisage problem will arise, God in his infinite mercy and justice will teach those concerned what to do, and they will not miss their target in the process.” In the statement titled: Fuel Subsidy Removal: Nigerians Determine Not Your

Reactions In Advance, Pa Odekanyi noted that Nigerian have been save from three terrible events in her existence as a nation state, but which the present crop of leadership seem to know nothing about – issues. These events, according to him, were riots of 1953, western Nigerian crisis of 1960’s and the Civil war.

Lam Adesina to govt: don’t attack protesters

ORMER Governor of Oyo State Lam Adesina has cautioned the Federal Government against attacking protesters. Adesina, who is the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, advised the Federal Government to allow the people stage their protest peacefully.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

He also called on President Jonathan to reverse the decision on the removal of subsidy on petroleum products. The party leader added that it would be difficult for President Jonathan to win the fight against the masses on the deregulation of the oil sector.

•Adesina

Remains of slain youth interred in Ilorin

HE remains of a youth killed in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Tuesday were yesterday interred. Muideen Mustapha Opobiyi of Agbaji area of Ilorin was 23. He was a product of Army Day Secondary School Maitama, Abuja. He completed his computer training last Saturday. Reacting yesterday to his death, the former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Emmanuel Ayeoribe described it as a confrontation by the establishment against the citizens. He told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, saying “it is the most wicked act.”

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin His words: “People should be allowed to hold their views in a democracy. But surprisingly yesterday while some people were protesting this increment in the prices of PMS, the police came out and murdered one of us. We see it as deliberate attack on civilians who have nothing except the power of expression. What is worrisome is that it is the people’s money that is used to buy these guns but ironically they are turning the guns to maim and murder us. “We condemn in very strong term the wicked murder of Opobiyi. We want to

assure the authorities that this action can in no way intimidate us, but rather it will strengthen us. The state government should constitute a probe panel into the death of Opoboyi to determine the remote and immediate causes of the slain protester and whoever is involved must be brought to book. “Even if they like they can go and import bomb, I want to remind them that events in the Arab world where some leaders have chosen to kill, maim and assassinate the people those who are protesting have in no way stalled the protests in the Arab world. Nigeria can not be the same until the issue is resolved.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NEWS OUTRAGE OVER SUBSIDY REMOVAL

Group to police: don’t shoot protesters •Activist to lead Ondo action today From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

S the protest against petrol subsidy removal enters the third day today, an Akure-based rights group, the Movement for Better Governance (MBG), yesterday warned security agencies not to shoot protesters. The group said it would begin a peaceful protest today in Akure, the Ondo State capital. It urged traders, motorists, artisans, teachers, students, civil servants and other sections of Nigerians to participate in the mass action. Addressing reporters in Akure, a lawyer and rights activist, Morakinyo Ogele, lamented the shooting of defenceless protesters by security agencies, especially policemen. He was accompanied by the group’s Coordinator Dapo Adepoju. The lawyer urged police authorities to disallow their officers and men from carrying arms during the protest. He warned protesters not to carry weapons during and after the protest.

Agbakoba flays govt’s action

H CLOCKWISE from top left: •Youths protesting over fuel subsidy removal at Kano Silver Jubilee Square in Kano…yesterday •Comrade Kunle Okoosi, leading a one-man protest on the removal of Fuel subsidy in Sango Ota, Ogun State...yesterday •Protesters holding placards outside a besieged Total filling station overlooking the Silver Jubilee Square in Kano...yesterday •Police blocking protesters on a road leading to the state governor’s office, inKano...yesterday • Human rights activist Mr Femi Falana, President General of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Peter Esele, President, Campaign for Democracy (CD) Dr.Joe-Odumakin and Comrade John Kolawole. Sec. General TUC at a press conference on petrol subsidy removal...yesterday • Burn fire made by people protesting over removal of fuel subsidy in Ilorin…yesterday PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE, AFP, NAN

UMAN rights activist - lawyer Olisa Agbakoba has berated the Federal Government for the removal of fuel subsidy. He said he regretted taking part in the Town Hall meeting on the issue. “Had I known the meeting was going to be one, I would not have taken part. I thought it was going to be a series of Town Hall meetings. I thought after that one, there was going to be

By Muritala Omikunle

sectoral meetings; professionals, civil societies, Bar, labour and so on.” He said he was shocked to hear the sudden removal of the subsidy. “If we are to transit from state to Private Sector-led Business (PSLB), then we cannot just jump the line. There are certain things we need to get into practice, such as PIB and consultation.”

Reps seek scrapping of PPPRA From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

HE H ouse of Representatives may seek the scrapping of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Deputy Minority Leader Suleiman Kawu Sumaila has said. Over 200 members of the House of Representatives are said to have signed off on the bill. Kawu spoke with reporters yesterday in Abuja. He said: “The Act establishing PPPRA was a making of the National Assembly and we have decided to repeal the Act so that we save Nigerians from the agonies force on them by this monster agency. I am sponsoring a bill which will seek to repeal the PPPRA establishment Act or in the alternative amend the section which gives it the unilateral powers to increase prices of petroleum products. “We have obtained the consent of over 200 members of the House who have endorsed the move and we are also talking to the Senate so as to give it a concurrence as soon as we passed it because we will give the bill an accelerated passage.”

Jonathan has declared war on Nigerians, says civil society COALITION of Civil Society group yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of declaring war on Nigerians through the removal of fuel subsidy. In a statement entitled “Subsidy removal is a declaration of war on the Nigerian People”, the Coalition said the Jonathan government has not been truthful on the reason behind its decision to remove the fuel subsidy. They demanded the immediate repair of the existing refineries. The statement was signed by Festus Okoye (Human Rights Monitor) ; Y.Z Yau (CITAD); Anyakwee Nsirimovu (Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law); Innocent Chukwuma (CLEEN Foundation); Funke Aluko (Centre for Genders Rights Protection), Emma Ezeazu (Alliance for Credible Elections); Daviour Akpan (Community Policing Partners) and Faruk Umar (Secretary, Transparency in Nigeria). It reads: “The decision of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to remove the subsidy on petroleum products on New Year’s Day is insensitive, callous and a declaration of war of starva-

Kaduna police warn protesters not to disrupt peace

OLICE in Kaduna State yesterday warned would-be protesters to desist from causing the breach of the peace. Commissioner of Police Ballah Magaji Nasarawa, in a statement, said: “Any person or group of persons who attempt to disrupt the peace or cause mischief under whatever pretext will be arrested and prosecuted.” The statement reads: “The Kaduna State Police Command wishes to appreciate the peaceful and lawful conduct of residents of Kaduna State since the announcement of the removal of oil subsidy. The command, in liason with other security agencies, will continue to do its best in providing a conducive environment for public to go about their lawful business. “All hands should in fact be on deck to consolidate the peace that state has been From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

tion on the Nigerian people. “The decision has left thousands of Nigerians who travelled home for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays stranded in their hometowns and villages in different parts of the country. This is because most of them cannot afford the increase in rates being charged by motorists. “It has also left the Nigerian people despondent, afraid and nervous at what the future

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

enjoying after the April 2011 presidential election crisis and it will be most inappropriate to set back the hands of the clock. “Absolute peace is necessary to restore confidence in the victims or their relations and for the rebuilding of damaged property. The state is the home of people of diverse origins and creed to the admiration of many and there is the need to sustain this. “The Command appreciates the constitutional or fundamental rights of people to peacefully assemble or engage in lawful processions, but this will invariably be negated if it is not reasonably exercised in the light of the peculiar

holds for them given the irresponsibility of the political elite and their penchant for aggravated mismanagement of the Nigerian economy. “Since the President has, in the face of massive opposition, gone ahead to implement a policy that he knows will lead to the destitution and death of thousands of the Nigerian people it has become urgent and imperative for us as leaders in our various organisations, representing a broad spectrum of the national civil

circumstances in the state. “I want to reiterate that fact that the police is empowered by law to protect lifes and property and we will not shirk from this responsibility. Consequently, any person or group of persons who attempt to disrupt the peace or cause mischief under whatever pretext will be arrested and prosecuted. “We are therefore appealing to parents or guardians to monitor their children or wards so that they will not be used by intending mischief makers. Inciting, provocative and inflammatory statements by some groups and individuals under various guises will, no doubt be counterproductive in the state and its residents should be completely disregarded in the interest of peace, industrial; harmony and security.”

society movement, to issue this statement restating our position on the issue. “The Nigerian economy has been in a continuous crisis for years now. This crisis is the result of a number of factors, including the poor management of the economy by the government, corruption and the unfavourable positioning of the economy in the global space. Rather than tackling the economic crisis in a holistic manner, the government has instead focused on tinkering

with the economy through its fixation on the removal of fuel subsidy. “We note that government has not been transparent and honest in its disclosure about the determinants, management and utilization of previous fuel subsidy funds and cannot be trusted with the management of the present one. “Government has, while acknowledging that subsidy fund has been cornered and misused by a cabal failed to

bring those guilty of misusing and misappropriating the fund to face anti-corruption laws due to the fact that a large number of those in government are part of the cabal and complicit in the mismanagement of the funds and the Nigerian economy. “Government has been and continues to be insensitive to the plight of the ordinary people of Nigeria by asking citizens who have been groaning under increased and increasing hardship to make additional and back breaking sacrifices while government officials wallow in obscene opulence and are not called upon to make similar sacrifices in the form of reduction in their salaries, allowance and other perquisites of office. “The sense of lack of money that has gripped the government is the result of unbridled and unconstitutional juggling of the commonwealth of the Nigerian people for electioneering purposes and the lack lustre fight against corruption. It is noteworthy that the Federal and State Governments started talking about the collapse of the Nigerian economy shortly after using public funds to fund their elections and re-elections.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NEWS OUTRAGE OVER SUBSIDY REMOVAL

Six marketers under probe Continued from page 1

•A section of Ogunpa market annex gutted by fire in Ibadan ... yesterday

Govt sets up N10b transport revolving loan Continued from page 1

A meeting of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has been scheduled for January 15 to deliberate on the revenue sharing for January. Aganga explained that the N10b revolving loan is payable over a five-year period with a 5 per cent interest rate under the Urban Mass Transit Programme. The loan is to be made available to credible transporters, labour unions and other Nigerians involved in transport business. He said: “We have a duty to turn short-term pain to long-term gains. Government has placed order for massive supply of decent diesel buses to solve transportation problem. In the next couple of weeks, there will be sufficient mass transit buses. It will go on for two years. “Any moment from now, we should take delivery of these buses. As the Federal Executive Council, we are not here to punish Nigerians. “For the first time, we want to

put in place a sustainable robust mass transit programme. The loan at five per cent interest rate is to be made available to transporters to reduce the pains fellow Nigerians are going through now”. Aganga, who explained that the subsidy issue actually started in 2009, added: “We have been undertaking poverty and social impact analysis to see what impact this will have on Nigerians. That is because we realised the pain it will cause and today’s meeting gave us the opportunity to empathise and to know that it was a very painful decision. “I think we will all agree that we have a duty as government to cushion the temporary pains. We have a duty to convert the pain to long-term gains for Nigerians and the economy,” he said. Maku said: “The meeting was called to deliberate on very crucial national issue particularly on the deregulation of the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil industry” “Mr. President, he said, called the meeting to expedite ac-

tion on the measures to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.” Maku expressed regret over previous governments’ postponement of deregulation. He said: “The intended benefits did not come true because for as long as government continues to monopolise the sector, no private sector will come in and invest. “Having taken this plunge, to go back will be to cripple the economy, that is why we are calling on our citizens to bear with us. In no time, the prices will come down, unlike in the past, where marketers used to hoard fuel because government was subsidising, that will no longer be the case. The customer will be king now because if they don’t sell, they won’t recover their money.” Pleading for understanding, Maku said: “Our country is in a difficult situation and we are appealing to the citizens to appreciate this difficulty. With the measures we have taken, we are confident that we will correct the imbalance in the economy”.

“There is no way a country will survive with N5 trillion debt and using N500 billion to service debt. The entire capital budget is completely borrowed and if it continues, the economy will collapse and companies will be forced to cut work force”. On the declaration of a strike by the NLC, he said: “We believe it will be of greater harm to Nigerians for labour to insist on strike because it will further compound the sufferings of the people. If we do not support production and continue to support that one third of the budget be used to support consumption, it will spell doom”. According to him, dialogue is still on-going with labour. Umar said the government has completed the dredging of the lower Niger, adding that the Lagos-Kano-Jebba rail rehabilitation project will be completed in March. According to him, depending on availability of passengers, “Lagos to Ilorin rail transport will resume soon”.

nancial support for some trade union leaders for the impending strike, may be arrested for interrogation, sources said. Commercial banks have been under surveillance by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following reports of likely huge cash withdrawals by some marketers to back the labour movement. Security agents are said to have uncovered plans by some aggrieved marketers to bankroll the action with over N1billion slush funds. It was gathered that a secret meeting was held between some marketers and members of the National Assembly on Tuesday night till early Wednesday to lobby the lawmakers to restore fuel subsidy in the 2012 Budget. A security source, who cannot be named because of his position, said: “There is more to the strike. Some aggrieved marketers, who have been importing nothing but benefiting from fuel subsidy, are out to destabilise the government. “We may have no cause than to crackdown on a few marketers trying to destroy the nation’s economy for selfish ends. “We are probing some marketers for taking undue advantage of the issues raised by Labour to cause mayhem nationwide. “Security agencies have identified six of the marketers, who are the arrowheads of this covert plot to bring down the government. “These marketers have

voted over N1billion to hijack the labour strike to make the nation ungovernable. “Some of these marketers will soon be invited for questioning. And whoever is involved might be tried accordingly.” He did not name the marketers, who the source said “are unhappy because the removal of subsidy will put an end to cooking of records to get refund from government and diversion of subsidised imported fuel to neighbouring countries where they make triple profit”. He went on: “They are also angry that it will no longer be business-as-usual. They are some of the beneficiaries of fuel subsidy. “Unfortunately, they have made labour leaders to believe that they are backing Nigerian workers for a just cause.” Responding to a question, the source added: “These marketers do not even want labour to explore the dialogue option being offered by the Federal Government. But the CBN Deputy Governor (Operations), Mr. Tunde Lemo, said: “If anybody is concocting huge withdrawals to finance a national strike, it will fail. “I think we should all rally round the government to allow this deregulation to succeed. There will be initial pains but Nigerians will enjoy the benefits.” Pressed further on the security reports, Lemo said: “I am not aware of anything like that yet, but I will be surprised if anybody does that. I don’t think anybody should contemplate that. And whoever does that will face the wrath of the law.”

Protests in Kano, Ilorin, Abeokuta over petrol subsidy removal

LORIN streets remained busy, for the third day running, yesterday, with the police and protesters clashing. The police fired teargas canisters and live bullets to disperse the protesting youths, who are demanding a reversal of the new petrol prices. The youth virtually sacked the ancient city, making bonfire that sent thick black smoke skywards. Residents stayed indoors. A policeman attached to the Ilorin home of a former Inspector General of Police (IGP) was allegedly attacked by protesters, who injured him. Those who ventured out for work were turned back by the protesters who forced drivers to scoop out fuel from their vehicles for bonfires. Many pedestrians paid huge prices for going out of their houses, as the hoodlums who infiltrated the protesters’ ranks dispossessed them of their personal effects. The protest started around 8am from Sabon Line, OkeMalu axis of the metropolis where the middle-aged man, Mustapha Muideen Opobiyi, who was shot dead during Tuesday’s protest, was said to have lived. It was gathered that his friends mobilised themselves for yesterday’s protest to retaliate his death.

Indefinite strike begins Monday Continued from page 1

against their fellow Nigerians during the protests. “The emphasis is on peaceful protests, rallies and strikes. Labour calls on the police, armed forces and other security agencies to reject orders that they turn their weapons on fellow Nigerians. We warn that anybody who From Ernest Nwokolo (Abeokuta), Adekunle Jimoh (Ilorin) and Kolade Adeyemi (Kano)

The offices of newspapers’ correspondents on Muritala Mohammed way were not spared. The protesters, who were irked by an attempt by somebody in the frontage of the offices to film them, hurdled stones and other missiles at the offices, breaking some window panes. A retailer of GSM cards stray bullets pierced through her stand, but she was not hurt. Police Commissioner Peter Gana said hoodlums hijacked the protests, adding that the street urchins were armed with machetes and locallymade pistols. He said the command had arrested eight people in connection with Monday’s protests. According to him, because the protest turned violent, the police used minimum force. His words: “I’m aware that some media houses have

does so will be individually brought to justice.” Omar said increased petrol prices have culminated in increased cost of living, impoverishing Nigerians as predicted by the congress. He said: “Due to the untoward hardship workers and other Nigerians are experiencing based on excessive increase

given report that two or three protesters were killed. That is not true. One person was killed and it was not from the police bullet. Police had no cause to fire any bullet into the crowd and did not fire any bullet into the crowd. “We are aware that the hoodlums that hijacked the protests were armed with cutlasses, locally-made pistols and other offensive weapons. We are being careful about it and it is our responsibility to see that Kwarans are protected from the activities of hoodlums.” Gana said he had been holding meetings with all stakeholders to sensitise the youths to be peaceful and lawful in registering their grievances. Students, traders and artisans yesterday poured into the streets in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, protesting the removal of subsidy on petrol and the attendant increment in pump price. Prices of other essential services have also gone up.

in petrol prices, there have been sporadic protests by Nigerians in at least 10 cities.” Labour added that these protests, which are peaceful, have witnessed the use of unprecedented force by the police, leading to harassment, intimidation, arrests and the murder of a protester.

The placard-carrying protesters asked President Goodluck Jonathan, Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala and others to “remove the callous subsidy” on their feeding allowance in the 2012 budget. Some of the placards read: “Jonathan, remove subsidy on your callous feeding allowance in budget 2012”, among others. The protesters, under the aegis of Jerubaal’s Peace Foundation (JPF), first converged on the Iwe-Iroyin House on Gbadebo Road, Oke – Ilewo, where they chanted anti– Jonathan slogans. The JPF asked Southwest governors to support future protests against fuel subsidy removal; otherwise, they will be seen as collaborators with the Federal Government and pro – subsidy removal forces bent on foisting further hardship on already over-burdened citizens. Spokesperson of the group, Akinbode Olaniyi, said any “silence or consent of the pro-

gressive governors” at this critical moment would be interpreted as “anti-people.” Although the protesters were orderly, policemen who mingled with them while the protest march lasted, urged them to remain peaceful to make a success of the march. Olaniyi lamented that since Monday, prices of items such as Sachets of “pure water” have risen to N10 from the original N5 while transporters have jacked – up their fares by over 200 per cent. He urged the Ogun State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to mobilise workers to protest over the prohibitive increment in pump price of fuel because of the subsidy removal. Students among the protesters complained of collapsed infrastructure and exorbitant school fees. The increment in transport fares in the state capital has started taking its toll. Civil servants working in the Governor’s Office defied the resume-early order. Some of them did not get to work early

yesterday. Many were stranded at the Kuto bus stop, along the Presidential Boulevard, leading to the governor’s office. The Kano protest took a different dimension as thousands of protesters – majority of them students of tertiary institutions – converged to pray for solution to the fuel price increase and insecurity in Nigeria. They offered special prayers (two Raka’at) to God, seeking his divine intervention in the affairs of the country. The protesters blocked the Silver Jubilee Roundabout and other strategic areas, even as the police were closely monitoring their movement. The police stationed armoured tanks, truck loads of armed combat-ready officers, supported by the state owned Vigilance group, and other security agencies at the Silver Jubilee Round About. Some of the protesters said they came to the venue with their food, power generating sets, candles and blankets, insisting that they will remain at the venue until the Federal Government reverts petrol price to N65 per litre. Some unidentified people were said to have attacked the Zonal office of Daily Trust, off Zoo Road and vandalised one circulation van. Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso urged the residents to shun violence.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NEWS Tribunal strikes out ACN’s objection By Eric Ikhilae

HE Local Government Election Petition Tribunal in Lagos has struck out an objection filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) against a petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its chairmanship candidate for Agbado/OkeOdo Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Otunba Busari Ayinde. The five-man tribunal led by Justice F.A Owobiyi, in a bench ruling after entertaining arguments from parties, upheld the petitioners’ lawyer’s position to the effect that the preliminary objection was incompetent. The PDP and Ayinde are challenging the declaration of Augustine Arogun of the ACN as winner of the election held in Agbado/OkeOdo LCDA by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on October 2, last year. In their initial response, the ACN and Arogun filed the preliminary objection. They argued that the tribunal lacked the power to adjudicate on the petition on the ground that Ayinde lacked the locus standi to institute and maintain the action. Yesterday, Arogun’s lawyer, David Adeyemi urged the tribunal to either dismiss or strike out the petition on the ground that Ayinde was never a candidate and never participated in the election. Adeyemi contended that Ayinde’s failure to participate in the election denies him the locus standi to file a petition, challenging the outcome of the election. Replying, Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN), representing the petitioners, criticised Adeyemi’s arguments. He submitted that Section 3 of the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal Law grants his client the locus standi to file and maintain the petition. Kalejaiye argued that the preliminary objection was incompetent and misconceived because the defendant only filed a reply on point of law without first filing its statement of defence in response to the petition. He criticised the exhibits attached to the preliminary objection, noting that though they were public documents and ought to be certified, defendants failed to certify the documents attached as exhibits. Kalejaiye argued that the tribunal is enjoined, under Section 61 of the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal Law to assimilate the practice and procedure of the Lagos State High Court. He noted that under the rule, statement of defence must come first before the reply on point of law. He stated that the defendants failed to comply with the required procedure in filing an objection to such petition and urged the tribunal to either dismiss or strike out the objection. The tribunal, upon striking out the objection, fixed January 17 for hearing of other pending applications.

ABUAD hosts workshop

INEC retires two officials over electoral malpractices

OR involving themselves in electoral malpractices, two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were yesterday retired. A Head of Department in the Imo State office and a Principal Legal Officer in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) were sent packing. But their names were not disclosed. According to a statement by its Director in charge of Public Affairs, Emmanuel Umenger, the disciplinary action was taken at a meeting on December 23. He said: “In its continued

By Adegunle Olugbamila

•Absolves four From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja effort to reposition and reorganise the Commission, the INEC has retired two of its senior staff and absolved four others. “The disciplinary action followed a meeting of the Commission held on Friday 23rd, December 2011. “According to the Commission’s Decision Extract dated Friday, 23rd ecember 2011, those who were retired are: a Head of Department, in the Imo State office and a Princi-

pal Legal. “Those absolved by the Commission are: Mr. R.A. Adegbola, Administrative Secretary, Ekiti State; Mr. Olufusi Fredrick, Electoral Officer; Mrs Olubusi, Assistant Electoral Officer and Mr. Luke Obinna Ayogu, Electoral Officer.” He went on: “The Commission directed that Mr. R.A. Adegbola be reinstated as Administrative Secretary and be re-deployed to another state (other than Ekiti). It also recalled Mr. Ayogu from suspension with effect from 23rd

•INEC chair Attahiru Jega

December 2011.” In another statement, he spoke of INEC’s plan to take new steps to improve the working conditions of policemen attached to the Commission.

•Primate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Makinde (third left) addressing a meeting of religious leaders with Lagos State government at the Government House, Alausa, Ikeja…yesterday. With him are Rev. Emmanuel Udofia, Primate, African Church (left), Sheik A. H. Abou, Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheik Abdul Rahaman Ahmed, National Missioner of the AnsarUd-Deen Society of Nigeria and Rev. Peter Adebiyi, Bishop of Lagos West Anglican Communion PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Lagos clears silted drainage channels ahead of rains

PPARENTLY anticipating heavy rains this year, the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment has begun an all-year-round drainage cleaning and maintenance across the state. The programme is being implemented by the Office of Drainage Services. Environment Commissioner Tunji Bello said his ministry has a holistic plan to de-silt the drainage channels across the 20 local governments and the 37 local councils and development areas in the Centre of Excellence. According to Bello, the sad memories of the devastating flooding of July 10, last year was still fresh in the memory of Lagosians, stating that some

parts of the state could have been submerged but for the provision of effective drainage system. “As such, as a responsible and proactive government, the time to act and commence serious work is now, given the prediction of experts that the rainfall in 2012will be much heavier”, the commissioner said. He listed the areas where the Office of Drainage Services had deployed its men as including: Adekunle Fajuyi Road, Works Road GRA, Kodesoh Road, all in the Ikeja axis, Simpson and Sandgrouse Streets on Lagos Island. Also being cleared are the drainage channels on Lanre Awolokun Street in Shomolu,

College Road Ifako, Arowojobe Street Oshodi, Agric/Oja Road Ikorodu, Gemini/Coker Surulere, Adeniji Adele Road (both sides) Lagos Island and Ogunmokun Street Mushin. According to the ministry’s monthly work programme, the drainage services would clean drains on a monthly basis throughout the year. Listed for clearing are: Adealu Street collector, Elere channel, (Rail Line- AgunbiadeOwo) Elere Channel (OwoBalogun IIawe) Elere Channel (Balogun IIawe- Roche) Elere Channel (POWA Shopping complex to Oke-Koto) Abattoir to Oladoje Trapezoidal Katangowa/Oko Oba Canal Akilo Road.

Mba/ Cardoso Street, Tolu Road, Arakan collector, Osho Drive Collector, Ogunniyi Collector, Alafia Str. Collector Tin can Coconut Collector Drain . The following drains are to be cleaned in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government before the end of the month. In Alimosho Local Government, Ishefun Road, Potokun Collector Drain,Karimu Laka Collector- Bamisile Road, Jimoh Akinremi Road off Akowonjo, Sasa Akowonjo Road Collector, Akowonjo/ Egbeda (Isheri/ Igando), Road Collector Drain (Mosan), Mosan Collector Channel, Command Road and Abaranje Collector Drain are to be cleared.

Fuel subsidy: Governors may meet over split, strike

HERE is a sharp division among governors over the removal of petrol subsidy, it was learnt yesterday. They are to meet “in the next few days”. They are seeking ways to avert a total strike by labour that could bring down the economy. The Presidency is believed to be unhappy that some governors have backed out of their initial decision to support the withdrawal of petrol subsidy – a New Year’s Day action that has sent petrol prices tearing the roof. A Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) source said: “There is no doubt about a

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

split among the governors over the removal of subsidy. Some governors are deviating from the collective decision of the NGF to back the removal of subsidy. “If you look at the trend, most PDP governors are in support. Even if they have personal position, they have decided to abide by the policy of the party. “But those in the opposition are singing discordant tunes. We will be meeting in the next few days to iron out things. “We will use the session to find a common ground on the

way forward. It does not augur well for our security system in the country when governors cannot reach a compromise on the removal of subsidy. “We also need to bail out President Goodluck Jonathan because the centre seems to be clueless; it is running out of ideas.” On the planned strike, the source said: “We think it is better to avert a paralysis of the economy than to allow labour to go on an indefinite strike. “We will be sending a wrong signal to the rest of the world that our democracy is not working. Whereas with

dialogue, labour and the government can reach a compromise, afterall, the nation belongs to all of us.” A source in the presidency said: “It is unfortunate that some of the governors, who are complaining that the President is not carrying them along, are really working against the removal of subsidy. “We thought that they will live up to their collective decision to support the decision. “Yet, these governors will be ready to benefit from more revenue from the Federation Account, if deregulation succeeds.”

SEASONED academics will tomorrow assemble for a two-day workshop at the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, (ABUAD), Ekiti State. They are to brainstorm on how teaching can be leveraged upon in the nation’s varsities in the 21st century. The workshop, tagged: Improving teaching methods in Nigerian university, will be hosted by the three-yearold university. According to the Founder and President of ABUAD, Chief Afe Babalola, speakers from Nigeria and other countries will talk on how effective teaching could be carried out in the current technological and digital world. He named some of the speakers as Henry Akintunde, a professor of Economics from Long Island University, United States (USA), and Oluwafemi Olowolafe, of the University of Delaware, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell, also in the USA. Some of the topics for perusal include: Teaching Pedagogy and Methodology Across Disciplines; Practical Teaching and Application of Modern Teaching; and Fundamentals of Effective Teachings: Improving the development of instructional materials through research for the development of teaching and learning process”; among others. The opening remarks would be made by Chief Babalola. ABUAD’s Vice Chancellor Prof Sidi Osho will also deliver a speech.

Akeredolu disagrees with Judicial Reform Panel report By Wale Adepoju

FORMER President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has explained why he declined to sign the report of the Judicial Reform Panel. He said he did not agree with the decision. The eminent lawyer urged the public to disregard Chief Olisa Agbakoba’s statement in a daily on January 3 that he agreed with the decision of the panel. In a statement, Akeredolu said his decision on participation and serving on the National Judicial Council (NJC) should be reflected in the report. He said he would have been wrong to sign the report after disagreeing with the composition of the NJC membership. Akeredolu said: “The president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who presented the association’s position, withheld his signature for the same reason. I stand by the position of the NBA as stated by its president. “I recollected that I went further to assert that neither the panel nor the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) would have the final say on a matter which necessarily requires constitutional amendment.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NEWS PREVIEW 2012 NEW YEAR MESSAGES

New Year, new pains as fuel price Nigerians got an unpleasant new year present from the government when on January 1 the subsidy on petroleum products were removed, signifying a tough, painful days ahead, report OLUKAYODE THOMAS and JOKE KUJENYA

T all began like a fairy tale on Sunday morning. Nigerians, still savouring the joy of the New Year, made telephone calls to friends to confirm the unexpected withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. By 1pm on January 1, a statement from the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) soured the holiday. With the removal of subsidy on petrol, marketers are at liberty to dispense product at deregulated prices. In fact, some motorists, who were oblivious of the development, were shocked when a petrol attendant brought out a calculator to tell them their bill at a filling station where they stopped over to refuel in Lagos. As against the N65 a litre displayed on the fuel pump, they were asked to pay N141 a litre. The PPPRA statement was blunt. It warned that no product importer should expect any form of subsidy from the Federal Government. The motorists were not alone in their ‘ignorance’. In their boat were many Nigerians who had believed that a government they freely elected would not chose the first day in the year to inflict pains on them. But they got it all wrong. Like a thief in the night, the Federal Government had shocked the citizenry by increasing the litre price of petrol by more than 100 per cent. Like a fire in the Harmatan, queue had lengthened at filling stations, Sokoto, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Maiduguri, Ibadan, Benin, Yola and the Federal Capital City (FCT) of Abuja. Caught in the web were those who had travelled to their country homes for the Yuletide. They had to pay through their nose on return trips, as fares shot up almost immediately. For instance, the Enugu – Lagos trip which hitherto attracted about N5000 pre subsidy removal regime went up to between N10, 000 and N15, 000. In Kaduna many who could not afford the new hike in transport fare now trek long distances. In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, angry transporters protested against Sunday’s removal of fuel subsidy by the government. Fare from Ilorin to Lagos now attracts N5, 000 as against the usual N1, 600. In Lagos, motorcycles, (known in the city parlance as Okada) have gone beyond the reach of the masses as operators have raised fare astronomically. In Ondo State, a trip along the Akure - Port Harcourt route rose to N7, 000 from N2, 500, while the Akure - Abuja route went up from N3000 to N7, 500. Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olisa Agbakoba captured the experience of Nigerians thus: “It is evident that fuel subsidy removal is going to have very grave consequences. Food prices have doubled at Apapa, where a plate of rice now costs N450 as against the usual price of N250. It now costs N150 to put pressure in tyres as

against the usual N50. Transport fares and general costs of goods and services have gone up. This is in addition to the fact that we now have to buy fuel at ridiculous amounts to power our homes and run businesses. I hear that the Ketu food market has now been closed down. At this rate, I fear not only for the common man but for Nigerians as a whole. How do we get even? “But here is a question I have asked government officials. What informed the simultaneous increase in the pump price of PMS when the present stock had already been subsidized? There is no justification for the sudden increase. New prices should only take effect when the unsubsidized products come into circulation. “My view is that government should reverse subsidy immediately and think through carefully. Government can implement subsidy removal in phases but on a condition that a clear benefits programme for Nigerians is in place and is implemented in phases as subsidy is removed. At this stage, it is obvious that government has lost touch with the people of Nigeria. Government is on its own oh!!! I am really very worried.’’ An employee in the oil industry, Ademola Adedoyin, did not see anything wrong in deregulating the downstream sector of the oil economy with the faithful implementation of the policy. According to Adedoyin, Nigerians consume about 40 million litres of fuel daily and that the four refineries, even if they operate at optimal capacity, can only meet about 60 per cent of local consumption. But he lamented that the refineries are operating at about 30 per cent of their installed capacity and only producing only 15 per cent of the local demand. He said: “So we have to buy at the prevailing international rate, and anybody can confirm daily rate of refined product from PLATT. The template is very clear enough, then add the cost of freight, demurrage, and marketers’ margin. The difference between N65 and N141 is the subsidy, so the subsidy is real and government is paying.” Adedoyin believed that the present pain being experienced by Nigeria could only be temporary because, “this government has done something which the previous ones did not get right, they have given the contract for Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries to the original manufacturers of the refineries, by the time they completed their work, and the new ones to be built in Lagos, Kogi and Bayelsa are completed, we will be refining enough fuel for consumption”. He said the refineries can only perform optimally when the government hands off its management and encourage competition among investors. But a former oil minister Prof. Tam David-West viewed the development from other perspective. He said the government and its

spin doctors have been economical with the truth. David-West argumed that a barrel of crude oil is 42 gallons or 159 litres He argued that our refineries, four in all, have the capacity to produce 445,000 barrels per day. Due to ageing equipment, they are producing at 30 per cent, translating to 133,500 barrels per day. David-West argued further that 133,500 barrels equals about 21.2 million litres, more than enough to meet and local demand of a little above 12 million litres. He said the ageing refineries can still meet local consumption, giving a graphic detail of the pricing structure of crude oil (Qua Iboe crude oil) production as follows; Findings / development - $3.5, production cost - $1.5, refining cost $12.6, pipeline/transportation - $1.5, distribution/bridging fund margin -$15.69. David-West, who estimated the true cost of a litre of petroleum anywhere in Nigeria at $34.8, challenged the government to refute the above composition and tell the nation how they came about N65 per litre. As protest spreads against government’s decision, official spokesmen have not been able to advance superior arguments, other than reliving the same arguments of the days of General Ibrahim Babangida, whose regime introduced the subsidy removal idea. Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, said in Abuja on Monday, that opponents of subsidy removal are either “Mischievous or playing politics with the development.”

•A pump at an NNPC mega station showing that the new price for petrol is N138

has been discussed on the radio, in the market and has been a topic in the public place. When the Federal Government submitted its budget proposal for 2012, there was no provision in it for subsidy on PMS

CRUDE FACTS ACCORDING TO TAM DAVID-WEST •One barrel of Crude oil = 42gallons or 159 litres • Our Refineries (i.e 4) Installed (combined) capacity = 445,000 barrels per day • Actual refineries capacity due to mismanagement = 30% i.e. 133,500 barrels per day. • 133,500 barrels = 21.2 million litres • Local required consumption (F.O.S) = 12millions litres • It means that even our MORIBUND refineries can actually meet our local consumption need of petroleum. • The cost structure of crude oil (i.e. Qua Iboe Crude Oil) production; - Findings / development - $3.5 - Production cost - $1.5 - Refining Cost - $12.6 - Pipeline/transportation - $1.5 - Distribution/bridging fund Margin -$15.69 • True cost of one litre of petroleum anywhere in Nigeria = $34.8 - 1ltr cost = $34.8/159 litres = $0.219 - Naira equiv.:$.219xN160= N35.02k - Add Tax N5 + N35.02 = N40.02 Abati urged Nigerians to emulate Ghanaians, who did not protest when their government removed the subsidy on fuel last week without controversy. Abati posited that the subsidy removal did come like a thief in the night. He said: “This particular announcement had been foretold. Government had prepared the peoples’ mind that in 2012 there will be no subsidy on PMS. The thing

which means that in 2012, there will be no such thing, that is point one. “Point two is that the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) which issued a statement yesterday (Sunday) is an agency of government and the statement by PPPRA is explicit enough and PPPRA is the agency that is in charge of petroleum pricing and regulation. So, I don’t understand why you still doubt whether this is

from government or not from government.” Abati also debunked insinuations that government reneged on its promise on the safety nets to cushion the effects of the subsidy removPRICES OF PMS IN OPEC COUNTRIES • Algeria N48 “(32 cents) • Agola, N97 (65 cents) • Ecuador N79 (53 cents) • Iran N15 (10 cents) • Iraq N117 (78 cents) • Kuwait N34 (23 cents), • Libya N25 (17 cents), • Nigeria N65 (44cents) • Qatar N28 (19 cents) • Saudi Arabia N24 (16 cents), • United Arab Emirates N70 (47 cents) • Venezuela N3 (2 cents) al on Nigerians. His words: “No. Government did not say it will put the safety nets before removing the subsidy. “What government said is that the N1.4 trillion that will be rescued from the budget will reduce borrowing, create revenue and that money when rescued will be used in the areas stated and it is also stated that a committee will be put in place to monitor, a committee that will be made up of stakeholders in civil society to monitor how that money is used and this is to address the issue of trust on the part of many Nigerians who are saying the money will be wasted; the government did not say it will provide before.” Also the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Ma-

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NEWS PREVIEW 2012

hike bites

•Okonjo-Iweala

•Sanusi

petrol is N138

•Allison-Madueke

dueke, defended the government policy. She said: “The total projected subsidy reinvestible fund per annum is N1.134 trillion based on average crude oil price of $90 per barrel. Out of this, N478.49 billion accrues to the Federal Government, N41.03 billion to state government, N203.23 billion to local governments, N9.86 billion to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and N31.37 billion as transfers to derivation and ecology, development of natural resources and stabilization funds. The entire project will be overseen by a Board to be constituted by Mr. President; consulting firms with international reputation will be appointed to provide technical assistance to the Board in financial and project management. “Relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) would set up project Implementation units to drive the implementation. An independent body will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the implementation and will report directly to the board.” But Nigerians are not convinced of government sincerity. They argued that a government that renegades on its promise to remove the subsidy in April and ambushed the people in January could not be trusted. They urged government to tackle the corruption in the oil industry by check-mating the excesses of the oil marketers and combating the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.

They vowed to protest until government reverts back to the former price of N65. They could not understand why government which has what it takes to tackle corruption in the oil sector is inflicting pains on Nigeria A lawyer, Mr. Emeka Okafor, said: “About 50 per cent of what government pay as subsidy goes into the hands of thieving businessman and politician in the oil business. We know that when these oil importers bring into the country about 10,000 litres of fuel, they will collect subsidy on 500,000 litres. We also have situations in which some oil importers will just move ships from Lagos to Calabar and back to Lagos and collect subsidy. These frauds are being perpetuated by those on the corridors of power. Instead of tackling the fraud, they are punishing the masses.” He argued that a government that could not keep a simple agreement on the date agreed for the removal of the subsidy, could not trusted to apply the proceed accruing from the withdrawal wisely. “This is a government that has almost finish our foreign reserve, what tangible thing did they do with the money shared from the excess crude oil account. They are asking us to sacrifice, are they sacrificing, have cut down their security vote, they budget on travels and other frivolities, we don’t trust this government, its either they revert back to the old price or the protest will continue,” Okafor said.

‘Subsidy removal a showcase of bankruptcy’ Kayode Soremekun is a professor of Political Science at the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State. He specialises in Oil Diplomacy and Energy Politics. He has a Masters degree in Role of OPEC in International Politics; PhD in Nigerian Petroleum Policy and Post-Doctorate Studies in Legality of the Arab Oil Embargo. Is there really subsidy on fuel? Subsidy essentially originates from the government’s inability to process the crude oil within. Nigeria is something of a stand alone in OPEC. So, you can then imagine the absurdity of the concept. When they talk of removal of oil subsidy, they are actually showcasing to the rest of the world, the bankruptcy of the Nigerian political class. And in saying this, I want to repeat once more that as far as 196869, the duo of Obafemi Awololo and Abdulazeez Attah were there running the Ministry of Finance as Minister for Finance and as Permanent Secretary, respectively. They evolved a document through which Nigeria could have run a viable oil industry. That document was ignored. In fact, when they talk about removal of fuel subsidy, they are speaking indirectly to the kind of oil policy in place in Nigeria. That is, what indeed is Nigeria’s oil policy? Our oil was discovered first in 1956; it was then found in commercial quantities later in 1958. And this means that from 1958 till date, Nigeria has failed to show that it has the capacity to add value to our primary resource. Ideally therefore, those

•Soremekun

who claim to be running this country should cover their faces in shame. So, in view of their failure and bankruptcy, in terms of running the industry, rather than sitting up and doing things the right way, they begin to talk about the removal of oil subsidy. Oil subsidy in short, simply means import-inspired deregulation in an oil-producing country. So why do you think it has been hard for Nigeria to make our refineries operational? You have to appreciate the fact that though we have about three refineries, initially, and in particular, the refinery in Port Harcourt, it was not built by Nigeria. It was built by the then hegemonic company, Shell BP. And after some time, the govern-

ment took it over from them. And since then, the Nigerian factor set in and huge and huge amounts of money have gone into it. And yet, the refineries work at minimal capacity; which in itself is something peculiar to Nigeria because refineries technology as we speak is not rocket science. It is now standard technology. And as regards the Kaduna refinery for instance, the point is that, there is nothing as terrible as underdevelopment. Kaduna refinery was structured to process heavy crude. Whereas, Nigeria does not have or process heavy crude. So, Nigeria had to indulge in what we call swop-arrangement with Venezuela whereby we exchange our light crude for Venezuelan heavy crude. In the first instance, how and why should we have built a refinery that was to process heavy crude when we only possess light crude? Are you implying that our crude oil is light from source or after some refining? Of course, what we have is Bonny Light from source. And God has been so kind to Nigeria in that even in the grades of oil; He gave us what is called Sweet Bonny Light as crude oil which would require minimal efforts to process unlike the heavy crude. But despite that natural endowment, even among the other oil producing countries, we still go ahead to indulge in exporting this crude. Those fellows over there will just be laughing at us wondering how a country with so much oil can be so languishing. So, the subsidy argument is a bankruptcy one. It is like they are trying to, as it were, reframe and redefine the debate along their own line. And it is time Nigerians know about the kind of nonsense going on. And as for the Warri refinery, which we often regard as the third, it is not working as well because, though I am not very sure about this, but it is like a spill-over from the Shell BP Port Harcourt refinery. But the point is that it suffers the same kind of affliction like the others that are not working because they have not been structured to work by some status quo forces.

Venezuela: Like Nigeria, unlike Nigeria

•Arrundell

HERE are similarities between Venezuela and Nigeria. Both are sovereign, oil producing nations, and members of the Organisation of Oil Producing Countries (OPEC). But that is where the similarities end, while Venezuelans are enjoying all the benefits of oil producing country, same could not be said of

Nigerians. When Enerique Fernando Arrundell, the Venezuela Ambassador to Nigeria, paid about N12, 000 to refuel his car, e over two years ago, he had expressed shock to Mrs. Dora Akunyili, the then Minister of Information and Communication He had said: “In Venezuela, since 1999, we’ve never had a raise in fuel price. We only pay $1.02 to fill the tank. What I pay for with N12, 000 here (Nigeria); in Venezuela I’ll pay N400. What is happening is simple. Our President (Hugo Chavez) decided one day to control the industry, because it belongs to the Venezuelans. If you don’t control the industry, your development will be in the hands of the foreigners. You have to have your own country. The oil is yours. Sorry I am telling you this. I am giving you the experience of Venezuela. We have 12 refineries in the United States, 18,000 gas stations in the West Coast. All we are doing is in the hands of the Venezuelans. Before 1999, we had three or four foreign companies working with us. That time they were taking 80 per cent, and giving us 20. Now, we

have 90 per cent, and giving them 10 per cent. But now, we have 22 countries working with us in that condition. “It is the Venezuelan condition. You know why? It is because 60 per cent of the income goes to social programmes. That’s why we have 22,000 medical doctors assisting the people in the community. The people don’t go to the hospital; doctors go to their houses. This is because the money is handled by the Venezuelans. How come Nigeria that has more technical manpower than Venezuela, with 150 million people, and very intellectual people all around, not been able to get it right? The question is, if you are not handling your resources, how are you going to handle the country. So, it is important that Nigeria takes control of her resources. We have no illiterate people. We have over 17 new universities totally free. I graduated from the university without paying one cent, and take three meals every day, because we have the resources. We want the resources of the Nigerian people for the Nigerians. It is enough! It is enough, Minister!”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NEWS

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); State Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Oladele Adetunji (3rd left); State Chairman, Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Comrade Bayo Adejumo (3rd right); Head of Service Elder Segun Akinwusi (2nd left) and others, after a meeting between the governor and Labour leaders at the Government House, Osogbo...yesterday PHOTO: GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Crisis threatens PDP congresses in Southwest •Party begins sale of forms From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

HE fate of the proposed congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest, which will usher in new a leadership, is hanging in the balance. While the PDP National Secretariat wanted the state chairmen to collect and sell forms to aspirants for wards, local governments, states, zonal and national positions, reliable sources said the National Vice-Chairman, Southwest, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, wanted to collect the forms for the Southwest. Oladipo, according to the sources, demanded that the forms be given to him since he has just set up transitional committees in some Southwest states. While other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) collected their forms at the National Secretariat yesterday, those for the Southwest were not released. To resolve the issue, a meeting was said to have been held yesterday between party chairmen in the Southwest, Oladipo and the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Chief Olusola Oke, but the matter could not be resolved. The National Working Committee (NWC) will today consider the matter. PDP’s National Organising Secretary Prince Uche Secondus said yesterday: “We have a lot of issues with the Southwest. The zone is kept in view, pending the resolution of the meeting among its stakeholders.” Secondus denied any knowledge of the alleged demand by Oladipo, insisting that yesterday’s meeting was meant for state party chairmen. He urged the state party chairmen to be fair to all aspirants, warning that no aspirant should be prevented from procuring forms. Secondus said aspirants deprived of buying forms by the states would be allowed to buy directly from the National Secretariat. The prices of the nomination forms are as follows: National Chairman, N1 million; National Secretary, N500,000; other national positions, N300,000; Zonal Chairman, N100,000; Zonal Secretary, N30,000; and other zonal positions, N15,000. Others are: State Chairman, N50,000; Deputy State Chairman, N30,000; Local Government Chairman, N10,000; and Ward Chairman, N1,000.

APGA warns against ban on motorcycle operation in Lagos

HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Lagos State has warned Governor Babatunde Fashola against banning motorcycle operation. In a statement by its Chairman, Prince Adeshina Olayokun, APGA said thousands of Lagosians, who depend on motorcycle as a means of transportation and livelihood, should not be deprived because some hoodlums use motorcycles to commit crimes. The party urged government to manage this means of transportation for the benefit of every citizen. Rather than banning motorcycle operation, it suggested that it could be restricted on major roads within a particular time, say from 7 to 10am when workers are going to work and 5 to 8pm when they are returning.

Police invite Ogun PDP transition committee members HE Police High Command yesterday ordered the Chief Bode Mustapha-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Transition, Reconciliation and Congress Committee (TRCC) in Ogun State to report unfailingly at Zone 2, Police Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, for questioning over alleged illegal meeting. The committee was set up by the PDP’s National Vice– Chairman, Southwest, Alh. Tajudeen Oladipo, a few weeks back. Members are Mr.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Titus Eweje (Secretary), Mr. Fasiu Bakene, Mr. Gbenga Shobowale, Mr. Dipo Odujirin, Mr. Michael Fasinu, Mr. Dayo Adebayo, Deaconess Iyabo Apampa and Mr. Segun Sowunmi. Mustapha and four others were meeting at the former Goodluck Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Office in Abeokuta, when operatives of Zone 2, Police Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, – five

men and a woman – stormed the venue, demanding to know why they were meeting after a court order had restrained them from doing so. The committee members were about to be whisked away to Lagos, it was gathered, when a prominent PDP chieftain resident in Abeokuta intervened and prevailed upon the security operatives to let them report on their own today. It was learnt that the request was granted after Mustapha and four others wrote a letter

of undertaking that they would report at the Zone 2 Headquarters unfailingly. The invitation by the police is sequel to a petition before the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIGP) Zone 2 Headquarters, Lagos. Ogun State PDP Chairman Chief Dayo Soremi had petitioned the AIGP, alleging that the TRCC would illegally usurp the functions of his office. He urged the police to avert what he said could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

NURTW ban stands, say Oyo govt, Police

HE Oyo State Government and the Police Command yes-

terday declared that the proscription of the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state stands. Governor Abiola Ajimobi banned activities of the union on June 6, following a feud among factional members of the union at Iwo Road, in which many persons were killed. The government and the police were reacting to reports on Tuesday that a Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, nullified the proscription. In separate statements, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, and Police spokesman Femi Okanlawon said the reports are false. Ojo said: “The Federal High Court, Ibadan, never sat on January 3, as it is presently on vacation. Therefore it could not have delivered the judgment as alleged. “In actual fact, there was no suit before the Federal High Court, Ibadan, challenging the proscription of

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

the activities of NURTW by the state government. “Suit No. FHC/CS/95/ 2011 referred to in the media was filed by Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (the Applicant) against the InspectorGeneral of Police and the Commissioner of Police. In the suit, Akinsola sued for the enforcement of his fundamental rights. “Justice J. E. Shakarho of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, in the judgment delivered on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, declared

as illegal and unconstitutional the continuous threats of arrest of Akinsola, a.k.a. Tokyo, and restrained the police from arresting, detaining or threatening further arrest of the applicant and from hunting, humiliating, harassing or in any way tampering with his rights. “The court ordered that Akinsola can only be arrested in connection with the events pertaining to or connected with May 30, June 4 and 5, 2011, after seeking and obtaining leave or

order of the court. “Suffice to state that the police, who are respondents to the suit, appealed against the court’s ruling and filed an application for stay of execution of the judgment.” Okanlawon said: “The ban on activities of the NURTW in Oyo State is still in force. Therefore, any person or group of persons planning to foment or cause chaos will be dealt with according to the provision of the law, as the collective interest of the state takes precedence over any other consideration.”

Fashola advocates religious tolerance

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday met with religious leaders. He called for religious tolerance and vigilance in addressing security challenges. The meeting, held at the Banquet Hall of the Governor’s Office Complex, Alausa, was attended by the Primate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Prelate Ola Makinde; the National Imam of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Mr. Abdurrahman Ahmad; former Deputy Governor Mrs. Latifat Okunnu; and Reverend Josiah Udofia, among others. Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Makinde said the forum enabled them to discuss the rising spate of insecurity in the country.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

He said: “There is so much insecurity in the country. We do not want anybody to put religious sentiment into these. So we are appealing to both Christians and Muslims to come together and be security-conscious. If there is any issue, we simply need to talk and dialogue. Lagos is a major meeting point for all ethnic groups and we want it to remain peaceful. “ Ahmad said: “There is no problem between Muslims and Christians. We will resist any attempt by anyone to make us become enemies. We urge Nigerians to be security-conscious and report suspicious movements to security operatives, so that we will defeat the evildoers and live in peace.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NEWS

•Chime (middle) with the chairmen at the Michael Okpara Square.... yesterday

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

Chime swears in council chairmen, councillors in Enugu

NUGU State Governor Sullivan Chime yesterday swore in the newly elected chairmen of the 17 local governments. He urged them to embark on viable projects that will improve the conditions of the people. Chime advised them to always car-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

ry the people along by consulting with them before embarking on any projects or programmes. “I urge you to ensure that you do not disappoint the people and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); you must continue to consult with

your people, do not keep them in the dark, tell them what you do to carry them along,” he said. The governor warned the chairmen that the government will maintain a zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of power. “We would not hesitate to take ap-

propriate action against anyone found wanting in this regard,” he said. Chime said PDP has come to stay in the state , adding that of 260 councillorship candidates, 247 were returned unopposed. The governor described the PDP-

controlled government in Enugu State as a shining example of what democracy is all about. The ceremony was attended by National Assembly members representing the state. Exco members, PDP leadership among others.

Orji’s wife condemns hospital ‘detention’

Enugu Muslims condemn bombings

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

From Chris Oji, Enugu

IFE of Abia State Governor Mercy Orji has condemned the ‘detention’ of new mothers over non-payment of medical bills at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. She appealed to the hospital’s management to consider setting aside New Year’s Day to discharge indigent patients as part of their social services to the people. Speaking during a visit to labour wards after paying the traditional annual homage to the ‘‘First Baby of the Year’’, Master Emmanuel John Chukwu , Mrs. Orji said it was neither in the interest of the hospital nor that of the patients for patients to be held back months after delivery. She said those who were ‘detained’ over unpaid bills should be allowed to go. Mrs. Orji paid N950, 000 for 16 nursing mothers who have been ‘detained’ at the hospital to go home . Also, N1,145, 000 was paid to enable eight accident victims return home. She also paid N147,000 for a patient, Master, to under go an operation.

Funeral for woman THE funeral of Mrs. Alice Wuraola Ojo holds tomorrow at the Emmanuel Anglican Church, IgogoEkiti, Ekiti State. A wake will be held today at her residence in Ojo Compound, Odo-Ogun Area of Igogo-Ekiti . Mrs. Ojo (90) died last October. She is survived by many children, including Dr. Kolawole Ojo and Dr.(Mrs) Ololade Ojo, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State

•From left:Representative of the Ebonyi State Government, Igboke Umunna; representative of the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr. Bandele Onimode; a victim, Mrs. Mary Ebenyi; another victim, Agashi Okafor and Coordinator, Isielu Development Centre, Lawson Edeh, during the distribution of relief materials by NEMA to victims of Ezillo massacre in Ebonyi State... on Tuesday PHOTO: NAN

APGA alleges foul play in Imo governorship appeal

HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has raised the alarm over what it described as a grand plan to reverse its victory in the Imo State governorship election last April. The party’s National Chairman, Victor Umeh, who spoke in Enugu yesterday, said some strange things have been contrived against the party in the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ikedi Ohakim. Umeh said APGA petitioned the Acting President of the Court of Appeal to protest the inclusion of Justice Chidi Nwaoma Uwa among the five judges to hear the appeal. The party, in the petition, said Justice Uwa is an interested party having “had a long career in Imo State both as a lawyer and magistrate.”

From Chris Oji, Enugu

The party said: “In fact, she practised law in the firm of B. A. Njemanze who later became a judge of the High Court of Imo State and was later appointed Chief Judge by former Governor Ohakim.” The APGA national chairman said the petition dated

December 18 was served on the Court of Appeal President the following day. The affected judge was sent a copy. He said when the panel first sat in Owerri and adjourned till January 5, the party had hoped that the protest against the inclusion of Justice Uwa would have been treated by the president of the Court of

Appeal. “But strangely only yesterday, we were told that following a counter-protest by Justice Uwa over alleged threat to her life, the sitting of the Court of Appeal that will hear this petition today has been moved to Abuja. “We view this development as a confirmation that some strange things have been contrived against our party and our candidate in that appeal,” Umeh said.

Support for Imoke

GROUP, Tinkoriko Mission Hill, comprising of youths from the Southern Senatorial Distinct of Cross River State, has supported the re-election bid of Governor Liyel Imoke. Presenting Imoke with a plague, tee shirt and a cap with the inscription “Tinkoriko Imoke and Efiok for 2012” at the Millennium Park, Calabar, its leader, Antiagha Ambo, said Imoke has impacted positively on the lives of the

people. Ambo said their outing was to appreciate the governor and urge him to go for a second term because they are solidly behind him. A member of the group’s Board of Trustees (BOT), Victor Edem, said they have no option than to urge Imoke to go for a second term. Imoke said he will continue to make sure the area which they represent benefit from government in many ways.

THE Islamic community in Enugu State has condemned the spate of bombings and killings in the country. It described the incidents as uncivilised and unIslamic. The community, in a letter to Governor Sullivan Chime, signed by the Chairman of the Islamic Council of Chiefs, Haruna Sule, also said the killings were “criminal, dastardly and a sin against God”. It dissociated itself from the motives of those behind the bomb blasts, saying they were not Muslims. “We the Muslim community in Enugu State maintains that this act of killing and bombing by a handful of people belonging to one set or group is not in accordance with Islamic beliefs and teachings. These people are not Muslims and we therefore dissociate ourselves with any act of crises, killing or any form of breach of peace,” the group said.

‘Stamp out corruption’ A PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State, lawyer, Gbogboade Akitoye, has suggested ways to make the fuel subsidy removal acceptable to Nigerians. Speaking to reporters in Lagos, Akitoye said if corruption could be checked, the country would have enough resources to make life worth living for its citizens. “Personally, I see no justification in the removal, taking into consideration that nothing is presently working in the country, there are no jobs, the roads are bad while power generation is almost at a zero level. “Removal of subsidy on petroleum products will only make sense where the government is subsidising social and natural needs like housing, health care, food and transportation,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NEWS Akpabio proffers solutions

KWA IBOM State Governor Godswill Akpabio has offered a panacea to the nation’s many problems. He said Nigerians must love one another and work for the peace of the nation. The governor said there was a need for citizens to surrender Nigeria and its leadership to God. He said the business of leadership could not be left in the hands of President Goodluck Jonathan alone.

Akpabio said Nigerians need to change for the better. According to him, the way forward is unity. The governor spoke at the inter-denominational solemn assembly, with the theme: “I will do a new thing”. The Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Bishop Sunday Ola Makinde took his sermon from 2nd Chronicle 7:15. He urged the people to pray so that God will not forsake Akwa Ibom.

‘Shell, compensate us’ From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

N Ijaw group, Ogulagha Clan Youth Association, in Burutu Local Government of Delta State yesterday called on Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to compensate victims of Bonga oil spill. In a statement by the National President, John Bebapere; National Secretary Oluku Humphrey and Public Relations Officer Ebikeme Abanre, the group asked Shell to deploy relief materials to the affected communities. It said failure to do so would end the relationship between the association and the oil firm.

‘Transfer Delta CP now’ group, the Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change, has called for the transfer of the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe. In a statement by its President, Nelly Emma, Secretary John Sailor and Public Relations Officer Mukoro Stanley, the group decried insecurity in the state. It said the commissioner has lost the battle against crime. The group claimed that in December, 25 policemen and

Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

five soldiers were killed in the state by robbers. “At this point, we want to demand for the immediate transfer of the commissioner of police as he has shown that he is not capable of tackling the rising crime wave in the state. “Investors are now scared of coming to do business in the state because it has been completely taken over by robbers and kidnappers who are making life unbearable for residents.

Youths protest on East/West Road From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

OME youths who claimed to be ex-militants yesterday blocked the East/West Road to protest their exclusion from the amnesty. They blocked Oghoro junction at about 2am till 9:30am, causing a massive traffic jam. Their leader, Ramsey Umukoro, said they were being marginalised in the Federal Government programme. Umukoro said after they surrendered their arms with a promise that they would be catered for under the amnesty, they are now being subjected to undue hardship. He called on President Goodluck Jonathan to direct the amnesty office to look into their agitation, saying they surrendered their arms in the interest of peace.

Imoke picks nomination form

ROSS River State Governor Liyel Imoke yesterday collected the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship nomination form. The form, which is said to cost N5.5 million, was paid for by one of his aides. The time table for election as obtained at the PDP National Secretariat yesterday shows that sale of nomination form will hold from January 2 till January 8; return of forms January 8-12, Screening January 15, Screening Appeal to Electoral Appeal January 1625. The governorship election

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

in the state is expected to hold in April. The PDP National Organising Secretary, Uche Secondus, said yesterday that the congresses for the state executives will not hold because of the election in the state. According to sources, Imoke would fight for the party’s ticket with two other aspirants. They are Patrick Okomiso and Sunny Abang. Imoke would come with the state Executive tomorrow to return his EOI/Nomination Forms.

Uduaghan advises monarchs

RADITIONAL rulers in Delta State have been advised to work with security operatives and expose criminals living in their domains. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan gave the advice at a meeting with traditional rulers in Asaba. He said the state was facing security challenges and they should monitor the activities of their subjects and give useful information to security operatives. Uduaghan enjoined the traditional rulers to carry out advocacy on their subjects on the removal of fuel subsidy so that hoodlums do not take advantage of the situation to cause chaos.

•The celebrator, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, greeting the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos (Anglican Communion), Rev. Adebola Ademowo, at his 70th birthday service at Our Saviour’s Church, Onikan, Lagos…yesterday. With them are Akinyemi’s wife, Rowena, Rev. Adebayo Akinde (right) and Rev George Bako. PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Strike: Akwa Ibom workers adamant

S the strike called by members of Nigeria Labour Congress

(NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) enters its second day in Akwa Ibom State, the union yesterday vowed not to shift grounds until its demands are met. The State NLC Chairman, Unyime Usoro, told reporters at the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat that it would not succumb to intimidation by the government. The strike is to put pressure on the government to review the disputed salary structure, the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure and full implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure. Usoro hailed workers’ re-

•Govt: it’s unnecessary From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

sponse to the strike, despite what he called attempts by the government to blackmail the NLC leadership and divide the ranks of labour. The NLC chairman described the first day of the strike as a huge success. But a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, said the strike was unnecessary and poorly motivated. Umanah advised workers to listen to the call from youths and students and return to work. He said the Godswill Akpabio-led administration is a listening government

‘ G o v e r n o r Godswill Akpabio is the first governor to embrace the minimum wage of N18, 000. He has released N16.2 billion to settle salaries of workers and arrears with effect from last April’ and is ready to for talks with Labour to end the dispute. “Governor Godswill Akpabio is the first gover-

nor to embrace the minimum wage of N18, 000. “He has released N16.2 billion to settle salaries of workers and arrears with effect from last April.” Umanah restated the commitment of the government to consolidate on the gains of the previous four years, saying the state would record more transformation this year. He thanked the people for their peaceful dispositions throughout the yuletide and solicted support for the administration. A civil servant said: “Even as we speak some of us are yet to receive our December salaries. “The fact is this government is not interested in workers welfare.”

Outrage as man kills in-laws in Delta

HE Ogbeyije-Abraka community in Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State is mourning the death of a man and his son allegedly killed by their in-law, Thomas Akpovwovwo. Enatiru Imoniosu and his son, Martins, were said to have been shot dead by Imoniosu‘s son-in-law, who is a member of the Abraka vigilance team. It was gathered that trouble started when

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

Akpovwovwo’s wife, Arherhie, asked her husband to accompany her to the farm but he refused. When Mrs. Akpovwovwo returned in the evening, she met her husband drinking and a quarrel ensued between the couple. A source said: “Imoniosu and Martin heard them shouting and rushed in to intervene. “But to everyone’s surprise,

Akpovwovwo rushed into his room, brought out a gun and shot at his brother-inlaw and father-in-law. “Having killed them, he threatened to kill five more persons. This scared neighbours from coming close to him. “He said ‘government cannot kill me, after I have killed more. I will kill myself. “He went into hiding and later came back to his family compound where he

smuggled out his 90-yearold father, Pa. Moses Akpovwovwo.” The source said a mob razed down Mrs. Akpovwovwo‘s house, Pa. Moses’ house and the suspect’s uncompleted building. The bodies have been deposited at the mortuary by the Abraka Police Division which also confirmed the incident. The suspect is still on the run.

Mitee calls for unity at 19th Ogoni Day

GONI people should unite, one of the community’s leading lights pleaded yesterday. The outgoing President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee, made the plea at the 19th Ogoni Day in Rivers State. The ceremony took place at Bori, the headquarters of Khana Local Government, Rivers State. Mitee, who is also the Chairman of the Niger Delta Technical Committee (NDTC), was MOSOP’s Acting President between 1996 and 1999. He became substantive President in 2000. The caretaker committee, chaired by a University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) don, Prof. Ben Naanen, has as Secretary, Meshach Karanwi.

•Hands over to caretaker committee From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Bishop Solomon Gberegbara, Johnson Nnaah, Ms. Charity Nwido, M.Y. Oguru, Suanu Baridam, Young Kigbara, Elvis Nwikoma and Paul Kinee are members. Mitee also stated that his decision not to seek re-election should not be misconstrued as an indication that he was leaving the organisation. He said: “In my last Ogoni Day statement on January 4 last year, I had said that would be my last speech as MOSOP President. “Many of you have since then tried to persuade me to reconsider my position. “Whilst I feel flattered by such persuasions, I want to

restate for emphasis as I did then that, my decision is not borne out of any diminished zeal or love for the struggle, but after nearly two decades in the front row of the struggle, the time has come when one has to move on. “Having given the better part of the most productive part of my life to being part of the beginning and the sustenance of this struggle, the decision, I must confess, has been a very emotional one for me. “The best tribute we can give to the memory of those gone, those of us alive today and the many yet unborn, is to stay united and focused in our collective interest as a people, remembering that no matter our position today, we would,

• Mitee like me today, an ex-MOSOP leader, be someday an ex-this or ex-that, but ever remain Ogoni. “As we move into the future, we should remember that we have not come this far without a struggle and I assure you, we cannot go further without a struggle. “I know we are up to the task and we shall continue to create a model for others to follow.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Naira gains against dollar on forex sales

HE naira firmed against the greenback at the interbank market yesterday, owing to dollar sales by local units of multinational oil companies to lenders in Africa’s second biggest economy, dealers said. The local unit closed at N159.55 to the United States’ dollar on the interbank yesterday, up from Tuesday’s close of N160.20. It had touched an intra-day low of N163.05 on Tuesday. Dealers said Chevron sold $105 million, ExxonMobil, $24.04 million, while Total sold $24 million to lenders, increasing the dollar supply to the interbank market which helped support the local currency. At the official window, the Central Bank sold $300 million at N156.71 to the dollar, its first auction of the year, but did not disclose the level of demand as it normally does. It auctioned $200 million at N156.70 on December 21, its last auction last year, on $218 million demand. “I see they are trying to improve liquidity. In the past five auctions, they sold only $200 million, but now they didn’t give us the demand figure. It’s very difficult to analyse what CBN intends to do,” one currency trader told Reuters. “Assuming they didn’t meet demand at the auction, then that will send the wrong signal to the market,” he added. The naira lost 4.46 per cent of its value last year, owing to prolonged currency weakness and strong dollar demand that also prompted the CBN to move its target trading band for the unit on November 28 to the N150-N160 range, from N145-N155 previously

The 14-man committee is to determine the extent of metering of customers in the industry the factors, which delay the procurement and installation of meters in accordance with rules and regulations in the industry. - Dr Sam Amadi, NERC, Chairman

Shell moves to plug second leak

CBN, banks meet tomorrow over cash-less Lagos R F

OLLOWING the teeth ing problems encoun tered by bank customers in their attempt to key into the cash-less banking initiative, which started on Monday in Lagos, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has called for a breakfast meeting with all the deposit money banks in the country. The meeting, which will also have in attendance key officials of the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), The Nation, gathered, will be held in Abuja tomorrow at the CBN head office. It will be chaired by the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Bank, according to information, are expected to explain the progress so far made on the cash-less Lagos; the status of their preparedness; inter-operability challenges and actual number of Point of Sale (PoS ) terminals deployed. Other issues that will be discussed include charges for e-payment; structure of customers’ support as well as handover of Pos to the companies that will maintain and support them.

By Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor

Amid confusion occasioned by banks’ financial year end that temporarily disrupted their operations, customers encountered difficulties in trying to use online banking platform of some banks. They could not transfer funds because of network failure. Besides, customers still engaged in cash transactions above the limit. At many of the bank branches visited, customers still made deposits and withdrawals far above the N150,000 for individuals and N1 million for corporate organisations, specified by the apex bank. Managing Director, NIBSS, Mr. Niyi Ajao, said the compliance level will increase when the CBN’s penalty for defaulters begins from March 30. He said many bank customers are used to huge cash transactions, stressing that when the implementation of the pen-

alties begins, customers will adjust to the new reality. The NIBSS provides the infrastructure for automated processing, settlement of payments and fund transfer instructions between banks, discount houses and other financial institutions. Key among the factors militating against the cashless initiative is the deployment of PoS terminals – majority of which are being held at the ports by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads (CeBIH) in Lagos last month, Deputy Governor, Operations at CBN, Tunde Lemo, said NCS was constituting a roadblock to the apex bank’s target of deploying 40,000 PoS terminals by the end of last year to cater for settlement of transactions, alongside other electronic payment options Lemo said the NCS classi-

fies PoS terminals as ‘cash registers’ and so was demanding 20 per cent administrative charges on each terminal being imported by the commercial banks, and coordinated by the CBN instead of the usual five per cent. He said this has significantly affected deployment of the terminals, ahead of initial implementation of the initiative in Lagos. Lemo said attempts to make the Customs Service see reason had fallen on deaf ears, including written letters to the Comptroller-General of the Service. He, however, said CBN was ready to dialogue with the NCS but will invoke the aid of relevant political authority to arbitrate on the issue, if need be. The apex bank had set a new target for commercial banks to roll out additional 75,000 Automated Teller Machines (ATMS) across the country by 2015 to encourage the cash-less economy policy of the apex bank.

OYAL Dutch Shell’s operation in Nigeria is working to plug a leak caused by sabotage that shut its 70,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) Nembe Creek pipeline, the company said in a statement emailed to Reuters yesterday. The pipeline in the swampy creeks of the Niger Delta was shut on December 24 but went unreported, eclipsed by a much bigger leak at Shell’s offshore Bongo facility. A loading accident at Shell’s offshore 200,000 bpd Bonga oilfield on December 20 spewed up to 40,000 barrels of oil into the sea and shut off some 10 per cent of Nigeria’s crude output. Nigerian villagers say oil is still washing up on the coast, though Shell denies this. The statement said a joint investigation with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment showed oil thieves had installed valves on the pipeline. More than 200 barrels of spilled oil have been recovered, it said.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.5% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $33.01b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

0.2958 206.9 242.1 156 1.9179 238 40.472

• From left: Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai; Secretary, Visitation Panel, University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, near Warri, Delta State, Mrs. Ori Okojokwu; committee member, Prof. Ikenna Onyido, and Chairman, Prof. Olurotimi Tayo, after the committee’s inauguration in Abuja... yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Fed Govt probes Petroleum varsity over fraud, others

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the setting up of a panel to investigate financial dealings at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE) the institution from 2007 to 2011. This stemmed from the allegations of misapplication of funds and poor governance levelled against the institution. Inaugurating the sevenman panel in Abuja, yesterday, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, said the ministry has been inundated with allegations of “disregard for due process in staff recruitment, misapplication of funds, inability to deploy funds appropri-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

ately and failure by the management to midwife the successful accreditation of programmes, as well as loss of confidence by staff and students in University administration and disregard for protocol and tenets of the public service.” The development, Prof. Rufa’i disclosed, has resulted in crises that have negatively affected academic activities as well as the growth and development of the young university. She said: “Consequently, President Goodluck Jonathan has approved a visitation exercise to FUPRE from the period of 2007 –

2011. The membership of the visitation panel is as follows: Prof. Olurotimi Tayo as Chairman; Prof. Ikenna Onyido, Dr. Chris Tamino, Prof. P. Oshio, Alhaji Abdu Gimba and Dr. Adamu Ahmed as members while Mrs. Ori Okojokwu is to serve as member and Secretary of the panel.” She said the panel is to “determine the relationship between the institution and the various statutory bodies it interacts with according to its laws for purposes of supervision, planning, finance, discipline, and guidance. Such bodies include the Governing Council and the Supervising Agency; National Universities Commission (NUC) and

the Federal Ministry of Education, as well as the Visitor. Look at the leadership quality of the Institution in terms of the role of Governing Council, the Vice-Chancellor and other Principal Officers. “Look into the Financial Management of the institution over the recommended period and determine whether it was in compliance with appropriate regulations. Investigate the application of funds, particularly the special grants and loans meant for Special projects in order to determine the status of such projects and their relevance for further funding. “Examine the “Law” establishing the institution and see in what ways the law has been

observed, in all its ramifications, by the competent authorities and also suggest any necessary modification to the law in order to enable the University to achieve its objectives better. “Study the general atmosphere of the institution over the period in question. In particular, comment on the general conduct and comportment of the personnel of the Institution, especially the students, staff and managers, and advise as to whether the correct training is being given and how necessary corrections may be made. This should include the relationship between the University and the host community over the period in question.

5, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

5, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

INDUSTRY

LCCI: CBN’s policy hinders firms’ access to loan F

IRMS felt the pinch of the tight monetary policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last year, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said. The firms could not access credit because of the impossible conditions given by banks. In its Business Environment Report 2011, the chamber said collateral requirements were far beyond the capacity of many borrowers, adding that the few firms that were able to get credit did so at intolerable rates. “The CBN monetary policy tightening in the second half of the year worsened the situation. Firms also lamented the recurrent upward review of lending rates even on existing facilities. This created planning and costing problems for the

Stories by Toba Agboola

firms,” it explained. The report, signed by the Director-General, LCCI, Mr Muda Yusuf, pointed out that there were hints that some banks had set a minimum credit level for corporate bodies at between N20 million and N25 million, which meant an exclusion of many small businesses from accessing credit. It added: “The dearth of longterm funds in the banking system was also an issue for concern. “The beneficiaries of the CBN intervention fund in the manufacturing sector praised the initiative as it brought significant relief to them in reducing their cost of funds and easing their cash flow. But the concern was that the beneficiaries were very few and the facility was only for firms that had existing facili-

ties with the banks.” On exchange rate fluctuation, it said many firms noted with concern the sharp depreciation of the naira last year with its attendant implications for businesses’ operating costs. The currency depreciated from N151 in January to N162 to the dollar in December. The implications for investors, it said, included high cost of inputs, especially imported raw materials, machinery and equipment; and high import duty, Value-Added Tax

and port charges, all of which were percentages of the cost of imports. Some firms, LCCI noted, complained about the volatility of the exchange rate and the challenges it posed for business operations, especially planning. On cargo clearance at the ports, the chamber said firms that had port-related transactions during the year expressed profound discontent with the excruciating processes of clearing cargo at the ports. All respondents, it added, com-

‘This had implications for the cost of borrowed funds, which were used for the importation and demurrage charges, among others’

plained of an awful and frustrating experience in the course of cargo clearance, adding, “Prevalent issues were the multiplicity of agencies at the ports, tedious bureaucracy in documentation and rampant extortion. It takes an average of two to four weeks to clear cargo at the ports. This had implications for the cost of borrowed funds, which were used for the importation and demurrage charges, among others.” Most firms, the report noted, experienced weak consumer demand, which manifested in low patronage for many sectors and high consumer resistance. There were indications of significant contraction in aggregate demand and a deceleration in the tempo of economic activities during the year.

N100b textile fund: Operators receive N35b in four years

EXTILE sector operators have received N35 billion from the N100 billion Textiles, Cotton and Garment Revival Fund. The Federal Government released the fund in 2006, but it was not disbursed until 2008. The disbursement is fueling operators’ optimism of a repositioning of the sector, prompting local textile manufacturers to set aside 2012 as the industry is year of boom. Director-General, Nigerian Textiles Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Mr Jayeola Olarewaju, said the disbursements, however, covered only the textile sector. The fund was established by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in 2006 as a promotional facility to encourage new investments in the cotton and textile sectors. The amount initially earmarked for the programme was N70 billion, but it was later expanded to N100 billion to accommodate investments in local garment development. The development informed the change of the fund from the initial Textile Development Fund to Textiles, Cotton and Garment Revival Fund, with the Bank of Industry (BoI) being eventually appointed as its manager and the fund increased to N100 billion. Olanrewaju said: “So far, N35 billion has been disbursed to textile sector operators. Cotton is another sector involved in the fund, but I cannot talk on the cotton sector’s level of access to the fund. The reason is that while the textile subsector (including garment), appears more organised, that cannot be said of the cotton sub-sector. “Besides, it may not be proper for me to speak on behalf of those who are not members of my group.” Although he said money alone constituted a small fraction of the sub-sector’s problem, the NTMA boss noted that going by the level of impact the disbursement had had on the operations of the mem-

bers, year 2012 would witness the repositioning of the sub-sector in terms of competitiveness. Dismissing insinuations that locally manufactured textiles lack the quality required for competitiveness, Olanrewaju said although quality and pricing were main ingredients of competition, a lot of other factors make up the quality and pricing gradients. He said: “Money is just a small percentage of the problems of local textiles manufacturing. This is the reason banks are not interested in giving loans to it or investing in the sub-sector. Power is a major challenge, among others. “The TCG Fund was created to provide money to enhance refurbishment of facilities, especially machinery. With access to cheaper funds now for machinery refurbishment and upgrading, then it may not make much sense to say that the quality of local fabrics is low. That will be no more as from 2012. Certainly, products from local firms will be ready to compete against the best in the world as from next year.” Going by the declining fortunes of the textile sub-sector and in view of its economic importance to the nation as the second largest employer of labour after the agricultural sector, the Federal Government had said there is a need for a programme of national action on the industry. Obasanjo had established the Presidential Committee on the Revival of the Textile Industry to address the decades of decline. The committee embarked on a study on the state of the industry and to formulate a financing package for its revival. The Nigerian Export-Import Bank and Osprey Investments Group Limited were appointed to implement a package of financial and programme assistance to the cotton and textile industries to improve performance and competitiveness in the domestic and international markets.

•From Left: Prince Ben Koya Adako; President, Nigerian-Danish Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ms Edith Aguele; Council member, NDCC during a courtesy visit to Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs to his office in Abuja.

•From left: Public Relations Manager,Dufil Prima Foods, Mr Tope Ashiwaju; the Private Sector Partnership and Fundraising Specialist UNICEF, Ms Adejumoke Alagbe, and Area Marketing Manager, Mr Jide Adebiyi at the presentation of cheque to her in Lagos.

NASSI, NERFUND sign agreement on project funding

HE Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has entered into an agreement with the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) for the funding of projects for its members. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the NERFUND office between NERFUND Managing Director, Alhaji Baba Maina Gimba, and the National President of NASSI, Mr

Chuku Wachuku. Under the agreement, NASSI will present projects which require funding to NERFUND, which shall evaluate same, disburse required funds and insure the transactions. Speaking, Wachuku lamented that given the enormity of demand for funds and the nation’s quest for development, there were too few development finance institutions (DFIs) in Nigeria. “A country of 167 million peo-

ple with some 59 million small scale industries, having only three fuctional DFIs? That is clearly inadequate, and I am calling for more DFIs,” Wachuku said.

He said NASSI would embark on a drive to get state governments make funds available to small scale industries. These funds would be domiciled with existing

‘A country of 167 million people with some 59 million small scale industries, having only three fuctional DFIs? That is clearly inadequate, and I am calling for more DFIs’

DFIs for on-lending after project evaluation, making sure that such funds did not get sunk, but would be cyclical, benefitting many SMIs. He said it was in the interest of the state governments to do so, as the benefits would accrue directly to the investing states. Wachuku affirmed that NASSI had a great role in actualising President Jonathan’s agenda and that the signed agreement was a step towards that.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

INDUSTRY Dangote Group backs carnival

•From left: Gen. Secretary, Nigeria-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NVCCI), Mr Ayo Onakoya; NVCCI President Prince Oye Akinsemoyin; Mrs Evelyn Obidike of Nigerian Export Promotion Council(NEPC) and Chairman, Rajrab Pharmaceutical Ltd, Alhaji Rabiu Faworaja, during the chamber’s 4th quarterly meeting in Lagos. PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

Private sector seeks SON’s return to ports

EMBERS of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and the business community have requested the Federal Government to return the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to the ports. This was contained in a two-page communiqué on how to make the new SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) work. The new SONCAP regime is expected to become operational by the end of this month. Few months ago, the government ordered SON and four other agencies out of the ports. In the communiqué, the OPS said the removal of SON officials from the ports is a big challenge in the fight against importation of substandard products. “Nigeria loses over N50 billion annually to substandard, counterfeit and fake products. The new SONCAP regime will achieve optimal performance in terms of facilitating clearance of cargos at the ports and halting the entry of bad products into the country if government returns SON back to the ports.” They also recommended that SONCAP should be integrated into the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Automated System of Customs Data (ASYCUDA) while goods arriving at Cotonou Ports

Stories by Toba Agboola

destined for Nigeria should stay in their freight containers and move under Customs transparent procedures to Nigerian borders; Government should pursue the enforcement of product standards in all ECOWAS countries. The communiqué stated: “The overall level of compliance of importers with the government imports regulations is poor. Some importers specifically request manufacturers abroad to make products to their own inferior specifications in an effort to decrease their costs and maximize profit without concern for safety and performance. Some importers have worked tirelessly to circumvent SON’s requirement through our land boarders. Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) was requested to update its database of members and forward same to SON.Importers were requested to make use of technology to access SON’s regulations and requirements for imports. “Manufacturers, Importers and Consumers are critical stakeholders in ensuring that SONCAP works, hence they should embark on neighbourhood watch and offer intelligence report. “All Laboratories currently performing tests required for Product

Certification should be audited and accredited by SON and not PMCs (conflict of interest) SON should ensure Program Management Companies (PMC) verify quality of imports before shipment. PMCs should then be held responsible for any substandard products certified by them. “SON should send alert on test results to consignees with clear description of areas of failure. HS codes should be introduced in the operation of the SONCAP Scheme. Quality of products should be inspected before shipment is done. “SON officials should visit some companies abroad to ascertain their quality compliance and infrastructure. Effective and Proper communication should flow between SON and importers. SON/Stakeholders meetings such as this should be institutionalised to create a platform for reviews. “DG SON, Joseph Odumodu was commended on his efforts so far and urged to continually monitor his operatives. Exporters of substandard products to Nigeria should be blacklisted,” said the communiqué. SONCAP is a scheme put in place to identify those goods which pose the highest risks to consumers in Nigeria and ensure that their claims of safety and performance are verified before they are exported to Nigeria.

Firm, UNICEF partner on children living with HIV/AIDS

UFIL Prima Foods Plc,makers of Indomie Instant Noodles has donated N1 million to the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) to support Nigerian children living with HIV/AIDS. The company made the donation to UNICEF at its Lagos office in Surulere at an annual event organised by UNICEF to raise funds through participation of the private sector in a friendly football tournament at AstroTurf 2000, Ikoyi. Presenting the cheque to UNICEF, the Public Relations Manager of

Dufil Prima Foods, Tope Ashiwaju, said the donation is in consonance with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), policy which pays special attention to children- related courses as the main thrust of the brand’s target market. Ashiwaju also revealed that the gesture is also aimed at maintaining the long term relationship and partnership existing between DUFIL PRIMA Foods and UNICEF, while raising awareness for all the important issue of caring for vulnerable children infected with or affected by the HIV/AIDS scourge

The Private Sector Partnership & Fundraising Specialist, UNICEF, Ms. Adejumoke Alagbe, who received the cheque, commended DUFIL Prima Foods for the continued support of the company, especially to children related activities. She urged other well meaning corporate organizations to show love and affection to children by promoting initiatives such education and quality health care to help secure the future of children who are the leaders of tomorrow.

Nobel Carpets excites customers with promo

UCKY Fibres Plc, makers of Nobel premium brand of carpets and rugs, has introduced a consumer promotion tagged Festival Bonanza. It will be held in eight cities. According to the Brand Manager, Nobel Carpets & Rugs, Mr Tanuj Malkani, the promo is expected to last for two months between November 25, 2011 and January 25, 2012 in La-

gos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri and Abuja, during which customers will win lots of exciting prizes. Malkani stated that for this promo, customers are entitled to win instant prizes including foot mats, T-shirts, face caps and hot mugs for every purchase, which will also come along with a raffle ticket to qualify them for a big raffle draw.

“The raffle draws are scheduled to hold on January 31st at the firm’s head office in Lagos. Lucky customers stand the chance of winning a mega prize of a brand- new Kia Rio, return tickets to Dubai, Paris, London or Cape town” he said. He said the promo is a way of rewarding and encouraging customers to give their homes and corporate offices a new look.

HOUSANDS of gaily dressed and excited children paraded the streets of Calabar, Cross Rivers State, during the grand finale of the Dangote Group-sponsored Calabar Children Carnival. The carnival train involved children of various ages who paraded the four kilometre distance from the Botanical Garden near the Mary Slessor roundabout through the IBB Highway and terminated at the Esuene Stadium. Participating bands included Bayside, Freedom , Masta Blasta , Seagull, Passion 4 and Army Children bands. Preparatory to the Carnival parade, thousands of children attired in different creatively designed costumes gathered at the Calabar Botanical garden for final rehearsal. While at the Botanical Garden, which was fully branded with Dangote banners, the children were served thousands of packs of cooked Dangote Noodles. Dangote Noodles established a kitchen in the Carnival Village from where over five thousands plates of noodles from its stable were prepared and served to the children and their handlers.

Dansa Foods, a subsidiary of Dangote Group established various serving points along the dry run route where participating kids were served refreshing portions of various products from the company. The children reinvigorated with the drinks danced and marched with new strength to the terminating point at the Esuene stadium. The entire carnival route from Mary Slessor Avenue to the main bowel of the stadium was fully branded in Dangote colors. The main bowel had several Dangote flying banners, branded cubes and pitch panels. Dansa Foods, a subsidiary of Dangote Group was at hand in the stadium serving thousands of bottled chilled Mowa water and its range of fruit juice products to the thirsty crowd. Visibly elated at the level of support from Dangote Group, the band leaders commended Dangote Group for the sponsorship of 2011 Children Carnival Calabar. Austin Cobhom leader of Bayside band described Dangote sponsorship of 2011 Children Carnival Calabar as unprecedented.

Cadbury fetes consumers

ADBURY Nigeria Plc has sponsored four major events that made the festive period enjoyable and memorable for consumers and shoppers. The events included the 2011 Lagos Television (LTV 8) Christmas Fair and Silverbird Christmas Fair in Lagos, the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) Christmas Fair in Ibadan and Independence Television (ITV) Christmas Fair in Abuja. At the LTV 8 event, the firm’s stand showcased fanfare with an exclusively branded Father Christmas Grotto, while the Silverbird Christmas Fair featured the ‘Cadbury, ‘I Got Talent’ show, in which children got a chance to display their talents laced with vitality and won exciting branded prizes. The BCOS event in Ibadan was a musical entertainment show where

Cadbury interacted with consumers, while the Independent TV Christmas fair in Abuja featured a musical and fun filled show with lots of prizes and gift items for visitors. Speaking on the sponsorship, Brand Manager, Bunmi Adeniba, Cadbury Bournvita, explained that the sponsorship of these major events is in line with the Non-stop vitality positioning platform of the brand to constantly engage and excite its esteemed consumers. Adeniba also noted that the interaction with the consumers afforded the company the opportunity to further connect with consumers since the introduction of the new world class polypropylene (PP) pack format for Cadbury Bournvita earlier in the year. She said the all-new Cadbury Bournvita is fortified and enriched

Lafarge WAPCO gets MD

AFARGE Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, a leading cement manufacturing company, has named Joe Hudson as new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Hudson succeeds Mr Samy Abdelkader who has taken up another role within the Lafarge Group. Hudson, a British citizen, holds a BA (honours) in Education from the University of Exeter, United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development UK. He worked in different capacities in Home Grown Kenya Ltd as Head of Human Resources and Area Operations Manager in Nairobi and Nanyuki respectively. Hudson served in different capacities within the Lafarge Group. He was the Human Resources & Organisation Manager of Hima Cement Ltd, Lafarge Kampala Uganda; he was also the Regional Director for Lafarge University Americas based in Washington DC.

•Hudson

He has spent 15 years working in Africa in different capacities. Hudson served as the Vice President, Human Resources and Organisation from 2006- 2009 in Lafarge Gypsum North America Inc. Prior to his appointment to the Board of Lafarge WAPCO, he was the Regional Vice-President, Human Resources & Organisation for sub-Sahara Africa. He joined the Board of Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc on March 16, 2011 and was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer on December 16.

Firm wins award

HAMATEX Nigeria Limited has won an award of excellence. It was conferred on it by the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria ( AGPMPN). The presentation held at the annual dinner and awards night of the group in Lagos. The recipient described the award as the highest and the first of its kind ever given to a pharmaceutical

firm in the country. Its Chief Executive Officer, Prince Christopher Nebe received the award for his company. Its Assistant General Manager, Sunday Onyeke, who spoke at the event, described his organisation’s products as effective. Specifically, he said Tocovid, a brand of tocotrienols, is very good for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Right to protest •Arresting and tear-gassing protesters of the fuel subsidy saga will breed even more protests

HE show has just begun and as usual, the police and security agencies are already showing their ability to bungle minor assignments. How could the simple and peaceful act of citizens protesting a cause by signing signatures warrant the use of tear-gas and arrest of the protesters? Unless the detachment of security men who ‘quelled’ the signature gathering action at the Eagle Square, Abuja last Monday were so briefed, they ought to be answering to their bosses as to the method and tactics they deployed at that scene. According to reports, a former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, and a newspaper reporter were arrested as they attempted to show their disgust at the removal of the fuel subsidy announced last Sunday by the Federal Government. The former lawmaker had led a group known as Nigeria Unite Against Subsidy Removal (NUASR) to the public space to

‘The show has just begun and as usual, the police and security agencies are already showing their ability to bungle minor assignments. How could the simple and peaceful act of citizens protesting a cause by signing signatures warrant the use of tear-gas and arrest of the protesters?’

canvass for signatures of members of the public in protest against fuel subsidy removal. However, a team of reportedly heavily armed soldiers, policemen and state security service (SSS) men apparently got wind of the move and occupied the square ahead of the protesters. Undaunted, the protesters were said to have set up at a corner of the car park and commenced their signature gathering in earnest albeit, peacefully. It was at this point that the combined team of security men tried to stop the action by trying to block the entrance to the square. When that did not deter Nigerians from trooping in to sign the register , the men in uniform introduced other sinister tactics, including trying to fend off journalists, blocking the entire main road to the square and eventually, forcefully dispersing the protesters by tear-gassing them and picking their leaders. This show is particularly shameful and worrisome when we consider that the security team was led by senior officers of the army, police and the SSS in the persons of the Commander of the Brigade of Guards (a BrigadierGeneral), the Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the FCT director of the SSS. One would have thought that these top brasses would be at home with the rudiments of managing protests and dissents in this age. Even if they had no training in this regard, we have been witnesses to endless protests across the globe in recent times, from the ‘Arab Spring’ to ‘Occupy Wall Street’.

One lesson the world has learnt is that protests, especially of the peaceful kind, have become part of the inalienable rights of humanity. No government or force can successfully deny a people this right any longer without raising the hackles of the international community. Another lesson is that peoples across the world have become emboldened, having discovered the enormous powers inherent in peaceful protests and its potential to wrought changes even from the most recalcitrant of despots. Sustained peaceful protests will, often than not, get results; this has been proven over and again. On the contrary, force never works with protesters. Not anymore. Instead, it aggravates the situation and breeds violence. The Abuja fracas for instance could have passed as a storm in the tea cup if the security team had just kept an eye on the protesters from a distance. The duty of the police is merely to watch keenly and ensure that protesters do not break any law by way of molestation of innocent people or the destruction of property. Lastly, managing of protests and civil dissents are strictly police affair. Soldiers are not trained to handle civil matters. Neither are SSS men when people are protesting. As protests loom across the country, we want to advice that rolling out so much force will only breed violence and aggravate the situation. We ask for utmost caution and a respect for the law by all concerned.

Osun’s farmers’ project • Aregbesola has brought a creative side to agriculture NE undeniable fact about Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State is the creativity he has brought to governance since he assumed office in November 2010. Osun State, like the other states in the south-west suffered financial haemorrhage as a result of the recklessness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) impostors who ruled most of the states, especially since 2003. But Aregbesola, rather than fold his arms bemoaning the plight of the state, immediately deployed his thinking cap in his determination to make sense out of the nonsense that he inherited. An evidence of such innovativeness is the state government’s partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). Under the deal, the corporation would transport farmers and farm produce from the state to Lagos where they would sell the produce and then use the proceeds to buy manufactured products that they in turn would bring to the state to sell. The state government picks the transport bill. The idea of this arrangement tagged ‘Osun Farmers Trains Project’ is to take the burden of transportation off the farmers with a view to making the farm produce sold in Lagos and the manufactured products bought from Lagos for sale at Osogbo competitive. Towards this end, the state government has already built warehouses where the farm produce and other items would be warehoused. It has also acquired four locomotives of 40 coaches and 40 wagons that will complement those of the NRC currently de-

ployed for the purpose. The project is so dear to the government, perhaps as a result of its multiplier effect, that the state government had to mobilise the NRC to fix the Dagbolu Railway sub-station that had been abandoned for years, to facilitate the scheme. There are many advantages from this initiative. But the main attraction is the government’s intention to return Osogbo, the state capital, to its past glory as a regional market for people in Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Kwara states, among others. Needless to say it will also connect Osogbo with Lagos. So, rather than get to Lagos before buying whatever items they want to buy, prospective buyers from any of these areas would stop at Osogbo to pick the goods and farm produce. This is because there will be no price differential there with the ones bought in Lagos as a result of the absorption of the transportation cost by the Osun State government. This advantage is expected to be passed on to the buyer. Moreover, agriculture is expected to receive a boost in the state. It will encourage many to take advantage of land allocated to farmers as it will make way for storage and markets. This is something to rejoice over in a state that has comparative advantage in farming. The project would also improve transportation. The involvement of railways will somewhat correct the infrastructural decay in this aspect of transportation that had almost become moribund nationwide until recent times when the NRC was rehabilitated. It will also relieve the roads of pres-

sure and thus extend their lifespan. Many more jobs will be created in the process to absorb some of the jobless youths that are now roaming the streets. Ultimately, the impact on the economy would be great, telling substantially on income and revenue. Not a few people would have been wondering how Governor Aregbesola intended to fulfill the campaign promises he made to the people on assumption of office, especially in view of the grim financial situation of the state. The farmers train project is encapsulated in the Aregbesola administration’s six-point integral action plans that seek to banish hunger, banish unemployment, restore healthy living, promote functional education and enhance communal peace and progress.

‘An evidence of such innovativeness is the state government’s partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). Under the deal, the corporation would transport farmers and farm produce from the state to Lagos where they would sell the produce and then use the proceeds to buy manufactured products that they in turn would bring to the state to sell. The state government picks the transport bill’

A fair block on Internet piracy

ILLIONS OF DOLLARS are lost each year to online piracy, which stifles the ability of writers, songwriters and oth-

ers in the creative arts to earn the royalties they are due and drains profits from legitimate manufacturers. Consumers often find themselves saddled with shoddy products and no prospect of obtaining a refund. A broad consortium of copyright and trademark holders — corporate behemoths and small enterprises alike — is pushing for legislation to help combat rogue Web sites. Many of them, based off shore and out of reach of U.S. law enforcement, leech off of the rightful owners’ goods and talents. This group is getting considerable pushback from the likes of Google and open-Internet advocates. The opponents fear that tinkering with the infrastructure of the Internet to crack down on scofflaws could do irreparable damage to the Internet’s freedom and independence. The two forces met at an unusually raucous House hearing last month. The focal point: the House’s Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA. SOPA would allow the Justice Department or a copyright or trademark holder to seek a court order to block a rogue site or force financial companies such as PayPal or MasterCard to stop processing payments from U.S. customers doing business with such sites. The criticism of SOPA is warranted. It contains several provisions, including a definition of a rogue site, that are dangerously overbroad and could threaten legitimate Web sites. The Senate, which is further along in its proceedings, has offered a similar, but better thought-out and more prudent, approach. The Senate’s Protect IP (Intellectual Property) Act is designed to target foreign Web sites that are “dedicated to” and have “no significant use” beyond copyright or trademark infringement. Defendant Web sites would have the right to contest the allegation and would be subject to further action only if a federal judge determines that the site meets the definition above. A Web site that sold a product that turned out to be counterfeit or unwittingly linked to or posted an item to which it did not have the rights would be shielded from legal action. Only the Justice Department would have the authority to seek a court order demanding that an Internet service provider block the site from U.S. consumers. Both Justice and private rights holders would be permitted to ask a judge to compel Internet advertising agencies and financial services firms to discontinue processing payments or providing services to the rogue site. Even though Protect IP offers a more restrained approach, many open-Internet advocates worry that it still presents dangers to Internet openness and security. As lawmakers in the House and Senate work through their differences, they should continue their dialogue with stakeholders to ensure the creation of a narrowly tailored bill that preserves Internet freedom and protects legitimate businesses from being ripped off. – Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •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 •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: The argument put forward by proponents of joint ownership of LAUTECH particularly the present administrations both in Oyo and Osun is that the two states are kith and kins and that the chord of love between the owner states should not be broken over ownership of a university. Some think that the university will be well managed and adequately catered for if it is jointly owned. But recent development may be proven this love theory wrong. The government of Oyo state recently raised a panel to look into how The Polytechnic of Ibadan can be repositioned for better service. The panel in their recommendations suggested upgrading the polytechnic to a university and the governor promptly responded by

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Another look at joint ownership of LAUTECH saying that all the recommendations put forward by the panel shall be actualized. This implies that Ibadan Polytechnic shall soon become a university. The question now is why another university? What would the Polytechnic of Ibadan be upgraded to; another University of Technology or a conventional University beside University of Ibadan which

on its own cater for all round education? Why would Osun which had earlier established another university still insist on sharing LAUTECH with Oyo? I need someone who could please give a reasonable explanation. I have looked through Nigeria and have not seen where a university is jointly owned except in the case of Oyo and Osun. The love

theory being put forward now was not used when Osun was carved out of Oyo state and the Ijesas who dominated the Oyo State secretariat then were forcefully asked to pack to their states. Why are we deceiving ourselves over this issue of joint ownership that cannot last? Assuming Osun decided to withdraw later; can Oyo State cater for two Universities if Ibadan Poly-

Fuel subsidy: FG should think outside the box

IR: A country that is greatly blessed with human and natural resources like ours is still in the shadow of itself with high rate of unemployment, poverty, insecurity, incessant power failure, discouraging education system , half-hearted anti-corruption war etc to mention but a few among numerous challenges confronting us as a nation. There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria is faced with a lot of problems and distraction in year 2011. The nation witnessed distasteful situation like the election violence saga, seven-year single term and Sovereign Wealth Fund(SWF) distraction, minimum wage, ASSU and ASUP unsettled crises; Boko-Haram bombing and communal clashes e.t.c. With all these ugly experiences in 2011, it is dastardly for anyone to inflict pain on us in 2012 not even the people we trusted with our mandate. What we bargain for is a breadth of fresh air not this constant suffocation . Why should we suffer in the midst of plenty considering the fact that Nigeria is among the top 10 producers of crude oil in the world? We cannot accept the empty promises of our leaders any longer than the further looting of our re-

sources in the guise of fuel subsidy removal. We challenge the President and his economic management team led by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala to think outside the box and propagate policies that effectively banish poverty amidst us, eradicate corruption and take us to our safe haven. Without that, no amount of lofty economic policies even under combined supervision of the World Bank and IMF can sail through; a peculiar situation needs a peculiar approach by peculiar leaders in order to achieve a peculiar result. The economic team should learn from China’s economic transformation model by exploring our own version of economic revolution based on some set of unconventional routes that mirror our reali-

ties rather than continually follow the stereotyped traditional western development route as dictated through the World Bank and IMF which has failed on several occasions in the past. As a result, we call on all Nigerian students to holistically reject this ill-conceived policy called fuel subsidy removal. We advise the government to look outside the box in alleviating the pains of the masses rather than compounding it. We call on all elder-statesmen, National Assembly members, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Yoruba Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo, religious bodies and all leaders of thought across Nigeria to strongly advice President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse this policy; at a

time when unemployment is put at 21.1% with over 40 million Nigerians jobless, removal of subsidy will worsen the bad situation. If this is not done within seven days our association will not hesitate to stage a history-making revolt that the country may not forget in a hurry. Arab revolution might be a child’s play. Nigerian government should follow the example of a country like Singapore whose plan is to cut down the salaries and allowances of government officials to finance their deregulation. A word is enough for the wise. • Comrade Fawale Oluwole Jacob National President, National Association of Polytechnic Students, Fed-Poly, Bida, Niger State

technic eventually becomes a University? Let’s not politicise education in Oyo State; the last administration may have wrongly addressed the issue, but isn’t there sense in what the administration was saying? Osun asks us to eat together, and is holding our hands. Let Osun withdraw and let peace reign in LAUTECH. Those who have worked in LAUTECH before and those who are still working there can tell the kind of bitter politics, animosity, hatred and in-fighting going on between the member of staff of the university who are indigenes of the two owner states when it comes to who gets what. Ibadan should not sacrifice the good of Oyo people because of the selfish ambition of concentrating development in Ibadan alone. Oyo state is not made up of Ibadan alone. It is a vast geographical region comprising Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and others. Let put politics aside and do the correct thing. The Polytechnic of Ibadan is an institution with good history of training citizens in both management and technical education and her products are everywhere excelling. Leave it alone to cater for polytechnic education in Oyo State. The state should take full control of LAUTECH and concentrate investment on it to make it a world class university. I have strong confidence in the current Vice Chancellor of the University and I am sure if he is provided with resources and the right environment to work, LAUTECH shall rise to the zenith in academic breakthrough. • H.D Olaniran Barika, Ibadan.

Let the pains of subsidy removal go round

IR: There have been warnings that the country may experience unprecedented revolution as a result of the recent removal of subsidy on petrol. Assuming that Nigerians decided to pay the price for the government wastage and irresponsibility, what price is the President going to pay?

What prices are the governors going to pay? What prices are senators and members of the House of Representatives going to pay? The so-called big men and importers who have benefitted from the slush fund should be brought to book in order to serve as detterent. The government should

equally prune down the numbers of the ministries and agencies who carry out same functions.The refineries should be made to work while government should stop fuel importation in order to let local market forces determine the price. The rail-lines should be re-

vamped and resuscitated for better and affordable transportation of people and goods. If all these are done, government can now remove the subsidy. • Kayode Adebayo Abuja

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Ahoy Nigeria: all hands on deck

HE ship of state is in stormy waters and this is the time we as a people should rise up together to ensure that our Captain navigates the seas safely so that we can arrive in one piece on shore. It is just simply amazing to see Nigeria going through all these storms at the same time. The Boko haram manifestation is challenging the basis of our national existence. It seems some people are determined to get Muslims to fight Christians and to usher in a situation that would remove the basis of national unity. Muslims and Christians are so completely integrated in this country that physically separating them by force would be so soul- wrenching and destructive that our country will not survive. It is a shame that people have learnt nothing from similar situations in Lebanon, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Srilanka and even Northern Ireland where religious differences have ruined the lives of the people. God is almighty and awesome, at least this is the belief of Muslims and Christians and He is capable of defending Himself and His interests and does not need mere mortals to fight battles for Him. We of course know that Boko Haram does not represent the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and these terrorists are also killing fellow Muslims. Boko Haram unfortunately is a creation of politicians in the North-east especially in Bornu for fighting for political power and for knocking out members of rival political parties. When they were no longer useful to the politicians after gaining power they were cut off and deprived of the financial oxygen they used to live on. This is similar to how al-Qaeda became a global force. They were encouraged by Americans who were fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan. When the Russians left, al-Qaeda was left to their own devices

‘The problem facing the country on economy, security, development and education is legion and in order to solve these problems we have to scale down the cost of administration, the salaries of politicians, eradicate corruption and share the pains. But at the end of the day, there can be no crown without thorns’

ND so with fiat, President Goodluck Jonathan on January 1 removed fuel subsidy, setting the stage for a clash between his administration and the people. That Jonathan will remove subsidy was a foregone conclusion. The issue was when it will take off. And on that even his key lieutenants did not know the inner workings of his mind. The timing for the removal was kept close to Jonathan's chest all because of the sinister motive surrounding his action. When last the president and his men spoke on the issue, we were told that he was still consulting. As at then, he had met party leaders, labour activists, students representatives, media chiefs, a section of the organised private sector and youths, among others. It was the president's way of showing that he wanted to be guided in whatever action he took on the matter. But typical of him, he forsook all what he might have been told when the time for him to act came. He simply did what he had planned to do all along. For long, many of us have been looking at Jonathan as a man without fire in his belly. A softie who will cringe at the sight of blood; but this Jonathan has started to show that he is not that meek. All the same, we still mistakenly carry about that picture of a man who is so gentle and genial that he

until they became a global challenge. This was what happened in the case of Boko Haram in Bornu and Yobe states and possibly Bauchi. Several years ago, I and some colleagues did a study of Islamic millenarian movements in the Western and Eastern Sudan, what we found out in our study that covered a century was that these movements were related to poverty and deprivation and they always became violent during the dry season when food and water are scarce and all that was necessary to fire them up was for a charismatic leader to emerge claiming that he was the “Imam of the age” sent to purify Islam and the society. This Mahdism, because that is what it was attempted to establish pristine Islam in a political space. What is so different about Boko Haram is that their political aim is not clear. They seem to want a caliphate in a part of Nigeria or the whole of the country. Obviously they do not think too much about current Islamic leaders of the country. This is probably why these Muslim leaders are not speaking out to condemn Boko Haram. We are also not sure if their condemnation will fall on deaf ears. Whatever the case may be, Nigeria is in trouble and all leaders, political, secular and spiritual must rally round our President to put an end to this madness because that is what it is. This is not the time for sectarian and political differences. We must all be united in ensuring the success of the Jonathan administration. Failure will be catastrophic. If this administration fails because of this Boko haram challenge, militancy in the Niger-Delta will rise correspondingly. Our country seems to be on the ropes and we have to stabilize the situation. Retaliation is not the answer. Those advocating this are indirectly helping Boko Haram to achieve its aim of religious war. What is called for is for the security forces to do its work with full respect to the rules of engagement without creating more problem by massacre or pogrom on innocent people who are perceived as supporters of Boko Haram. Secondly, the deregulation of the petroleum market should not be exploited by opponents of the present administration to destabilise the country. Whatever one may feel, we should put the economy of the country in global context. The world is on its way to serious economic recession. Nigeria is not an island immune from this serious economic problem. All our trading partners with the exception of China are in dire economic problems and are sliding towards recession and possible depression. We cannot continue to behave as if we are

in a different planet or firmament. A litre of petrol is selling for 250 Naira in the Cameroons, 200 in the Ivory Coast and about the same in Chad and Niger. If we do not raise the price here, petrol importers will as usual be finding their ways to our neighbours. Jide We also know that Osuntokun Nigeria is not consuming the volume of petrol allegedly imported to Nigeria. Smart oil barons are sexing upward petroleum imports in order to collect cheap subsidy from the federal government. To solve this problem, we should allow the market full reins of operation just as we did in the telecommunication sector and competition will eventually drive price of petrol down. We must of course impress on government to fix the refineries or go back to the policy of selling the refineries to those who can run them. Deregulation should be accompanied by palpable and physical development on the highways and railways within the shortest time possible. The problem facing the country on economy, security, development and education is legion and in order to solve these problems we have to scale down the cost of administration, the salaries of politicians, eradicate corruption and share the pains. But at the end of the day, there can be no crown without thorns. All hands must be on the deck if the ship of the state is not to sink.

What if Jonathan were a general? cannot hurt a fly. ''I am not a general nor am I a Pharaoh or any of the babylonian kings in the Bible'', Jonathan once told us. If he is not any of these, how come he is acting as one? A general or a Pharaoh could not have acted worse than Jonathan in this circumstance. Jonathan enjoys being perceived as the nice guy next door when he knows he is not. He is wily, cunny and dangerous. This fuel subsidy thing has really exposed him for who he is. Forget that the removal of subsidy was announced by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). Who is PPPRA to do that without the directive of the president. The removal has the imprimatur of Jonathan, the meek and gentle king, who loves his subjects so much that he inflicted pain on them. Subsidy removal will bring pains to the people. We have been told by our president that the pains will be temporal and the gains everlasting. I wish I could believe him. I am not taking in by the argument for subsidy removal because we are not being told the whole truth. How did we come about subsidy in the first place?

‘ The president and his spin doctors say it is only subsidy removal that can bail us out of our economic doldrums. This is not true. How much did we vote for sudsidy last year. A mere N240 billion. What can that amount do in an economy like Nigeria's. Nothing.’

Was it not to encourage major marketers to participate in products importation to ensure their availability all year round? Who are these marketers? How are they paid? How much were they paid over the years? Are there records of these transactions? Were the books ever audited? If they were, was any fraud detected? If there was, were the culprits brought to book? If we are today saying that some people overdrew on the subsidy provision of N240 billion for last year, isn't it the job of the government to fish out those involved? Must the citizenry be punished for the offence of a few people? Government should carry the can for the mismanagement of the subsidy fund. It should not shift the blame for its incompetence and inefficiency to the people. A government that is worth its salt would have dug into the fuel subsidy fiasco rather than be looking for something that is not lost.The N1.3 trillion drawn as subsidy last year opened the eyes of government to the rot in the petroleum sector. Unfortunately, many of those involved are still in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), PPPRA or Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Since Sunday, many have been gnashing their teeth over the high cost of petrol. The price has virtually shot through the roof following the removal of subsidy. The price varies from one filling station to the other. In some places, it sells for N200, in others, it is either N175, N160, N155, N150, N141 or N138. It is

only NNPC that is selling for N138. Yet, we are told that our suffering (pains) will be for a while. How many Nigerian barbers, grocery sellers, tailors and the likes can afford to buy petrol at these cutthroat prices.This is one side of the coin. The other side is the multiplier effect on the economy. The prices of goods and services are bound to go up and when they do, only God knows when they will come down, that is if they will ever come down. This is the danger in what Jonathan has done. The president and his spin doctors say it is only subsidy removal that can bail us out of our economic doldrums. This is not true. How much did we vote for sudsidy last year. A mere N240 billion. What can that amount do in an economy like Nigeria's. Nothing. The problem with our leaders is that they are lazy, damn lazy. They are always looking for an easy way out of any problem. There is no doubt that the country is cashstrapped and our leaders are looking for funds at all costs to develop infrastructure.

ITHOUT much thought, someone might have drawn the president's attention to the subsidy fund, which he sees, anyway, as money just put aside for the boys. Because the money was being mismanaged, he might have been right. But he forgot something: the people were getting fuel to buy at N65 per litre because of that subsidy since the government has decided that our

Lawal Ogienagbon

lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

refineries should remain comatose. We need more than the subsidy fund to provide all the infrastructure the government is now promising us. Whether at N240billion or N1.3trillion, there is no way either of this amount could meet the developmental needs of the country. Anyway, with the removal of subsidy, which gain is the government now talking about? Where will the gain come from? Can you make profit from a business in which you did not invest? If we did not make provision for subsidy in this year's budget, what savings are we talking about that the Kolade panel will manage? Or is the government thinking of giving the panel money outside the budget and damn the constitutional consequences. Well, you can never say with this president. If he can remove fuel subsidy without the consent of the National Assembly, what can he not do. Yet, he is neither a general nor a Pharaoh! Whether or not he will win this subsidy battle is, however, a different matter. SMS ONLY: 08056504763

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

THINK the greatest strength of Alex Ibru as a newspaper manager was his capacity for wide consultation on all issues. Although he would always say with his usual disarming smile, ‘you people are the experts’, the truth of the matter however was that he was always well informed and sometimes a step ahead of the experts on various areas such as newsroom management, advert series discount, newsprint yield per ton etc. Quite often, when he engaged you in a discussion as his in-house expert, you would probably end up consolidating his unassailable position. Let me here cite two of Ibru’s major initiatives in the advert division, the ‘after sales target commission incentive’ and ‘cash and carry policy’. The former led to higher productivity and the latter liberated The Guardian from the myth of invincibility of advertising agencies. We had from onset in 1982, a policy of setting targets for our advert executives. It hardly worked especially because a new newspaper is often a hard sell. Even doing away with the services of a few that failed to meet their targets did not change the situation. But Alex Ibru changed that by attaching incentives insisting ‘sales people are supposed to work very hard and live very well’. But how did Alex Ibru get involved? Sometimes in 1986, the Finance Director had turned down my loan application for 12,000 naira needed to fence my plot of land on account of not meeting my target. I therefore decided to approach the publisher, more as an act of blackmail as we all knew he neither carried cash nor ever had personal cheque book. Of course he said no. But on his way out of the premises in the evening, he branched to say he had directed the finance director to give me the money, not as a loan but as ‘after target commission’ that must be earned by achieving the department budget at the end of the financial year. I had thought it was a set up because while we were making waves editorially, we hardly achieved the monthly advert target. But the publisher allayed my fears by saying the amount could be carried forward to the next financial year, in case the budget was not achieved. Thus a new policy was institutionalized. The advert executives were no longer driven by the fear of losing their job but by a desire to earn extra every month. Besides, nearly all the test candidates brought in by Femi Kusa to man the editorial supplement desk survived on commission. The unit was contrib-

N the last couple of weeks, Bayelsa State has treated the nation and indeed the entire world to a comedy of the absurd. In this series, we have seen a gentleman President who once lamented that he is not a lion fighting like a Spartan in his desperation to unseat an incumbent governor. We have seen the return of fiercelooking soldiers to the streets bearing guns and other vestiges of our dark days as a nation under military rule. We have seen betrayals, disunity among brothers and the shenanigans of a party that prides itself as the largest in Africa. More regrettably, we have seen the murder of democracy and the rule of law, not by a military General, but by a democratically elected President. Considering its timing, the situation in Bayelsa makes the heart sick. It is happening at a time when our nation is trying to find the right path to liberate itself from the unpleasant memories that characterised the military regime. It gets more depressing when one considers the calibre of men playing ignominious roles in the absurd drama. One of such men is President Goodluck Jonathan. You don’t have to be a wizard to understand that everything that has happened in the political landscape of Bayelsa in recent months bears the imprimatur of the President. Even though he chose to remain silent like he has done with

It is shocking to say the least that the arrow head of an administration that talks about judicial reforms does not know the implications of going against a court order.

Alex Ibru, genius in newspaper management-3 uting between 18 and 20% of the total advert revenue with little or no financial commitment from The Guardian. As Dele Babatunde who succeeded Abel Oshevire as Supplement Editor, correctly observed recently, the test candidates were making so much money that some rejected regular employment. The ‘cash and carry’ policy of The Guardian was also the creation of Alex Ibru. Our debt profile was mounting year after year. The advertising agencies were untouchable because we needed them in spite of unpaid debts. On his way home one evening, he saw me and said, ‘don’t you think you are too rigid with this idea of 15% agency commission’? I was shocked because it was NPAN directive ( By the way NPAN used to accredit advertising agencies for the purposes of commission , I think until the late Olu Adekoya went to court and liberated the advertising practitioners). There and then while standing by his car, he did the analysis of how much we would make from six pages of prepaid advert with five percent prompt payment incentive to agencies if the proceed was banked, compared to our possible loss even with 12 pages of credit advert that could end up as bad debt. The agencies jumped at the offer. We quietly operated the policy for a while after which the publisher insisted we should try ‘cash and carry policy’. While other newspapers houses being owed millions by agencies were having nightmares or threatening to go to court, The Guardian was insulated. The Publisher placed great emphasis on planning and monitoring, functions he del-

egated without abdication to his directors. He often talked of ‘back up upon back up’. This was not just in relation to machines but to human resources. Just as he ensured there were back -ups for generators; there must be deputy controller for every controller, deputy editor to every editor and deputy manager to every manager. The system worked so well that there was never a vacuum even during the turbulent transition periods of Dr. Stanley Macebuh, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and the egg heads or Bonuola and Femi Kusa with their loyalists or the rationalization of staff by as much as 40% shortly before my voluntary retirement in 2008. Much as we tried to shield the publisher from day to day operations of The Guardian between 2003 and 2007, as the debilitating effect of state sponsored assassination attempt and his illness started to take their tolls, the paper was too dear to Alex Ibru to ignore. Not even the presence of his wife as CEO could stop him. He was concerned as always with the survival of The Guardian and this came across vividly during our last encounter. “How could you have increased salary by such a percentage without informing me as the publisher ‘? I was prepared because the new structure had been in operation for six months. ‘We made savings for two years before its implementation.’ I explained. Besides, the new salary structure was within the broad guidelines of the percentage ceiling he had approved for salary and welfare. Alex Ibru, the shrewd business investor reminded me I was spending unearned funds. He was right but I quickly pointed out that our first six

Heroes of impunity By Newyear Ebiarede every other issue, the least discerning observer knows where his heart lies in the matter. He is playing a pivotal role in the plot to unseat incumbent governor, Timipre Sylva. It’s not the fact that the president does not like the governor that is disappointing, but the fact that he is allowing personal sentiment becloud his sense of judgement. For a president who talks passionately about due process the rule of law, Jonathan should not be party to a conspiracy that contravenes it. Rather than engaging in a reprehensible battle for the control of the state, Jonathan should have stood above the fray by allowing the will of the people prevail. Jonathan also failed in his role as the leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) when he applauded the party for doing a good job with the primary elections. It is shocking to say the least that the arrow head of an administration that talks about judicial reforms does not know the implications of going against a court order. Was the president praising the party for going against the injunction restraining the conduct of the primary election or for ensuring that his preferred candidate emerged? Whatever the case may be, his comments made it clear that he was pleased with the outcome of the primary even when the whole world knows it was nothing but a charade. What was worth commending in an election that was boycotted by more than half of the contestants for various reasons, an election where an incumbent governor was denied his fundamental rights without any justification? The president ought to know better.

Enter the man in the middle of it all, the one who has benefitted immensely from the impunity we have come to know in Bayelsa. Like President Goodluck Jonathan, Hon. Seriake Henry Dickson may be a good man, but his role in this sham has done irreparable damage to his reputation. It will take more than granting interviews, organising press conferences and circulating press statements to redeem his image in the eyes of the average Bayelsan. For a serving member of the House of Representative who at some point in his life was the Attorney General of Bayelsa State, Dickson’s role in this charade comes as a surprise. Not only has it soiled his reputation as a defender of the law, it has also given him away as a desperate and ruthless politician who only respects the rule of law when it favours him. There is no way Dickson can deny not been a part of plot all along. He knew he had the backing of the powers that be and constantly expressed confidence about winning the primaries. His declaration and subsequent campaigns were just a part of the script to make people believe he was an independent candidate. Even a blind man in Bayelsa knows he is the president’s stooge. How do we explain to the world that Dickson, a former chief law officer of a state can work against the law? He emerged as the PDP’s flag bearer in an election that was barred by the courts and was also not observed by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as stipulated by the constitution. For a man as learned as Dickson, flaunt-

months actual was proof enough we would achieve our target. Unsatisfied, he said ‘go and put it into writing’ adding that I must also ensure Mr. Yaya Awosanya, the executive Consultant in charge of circulation sales appended his signature. The publisher never raised the issue apparently because we achieved the budget. It became obvious to me that the publisher, faithful to his words never really cared how much you paid yourself as much as your capacity to earn and sustain it. Mr. Alex Ibru was probably a tormented soul after acquiring his stupendous wealth before the age of 30. He used to claim he didn’t know why God blessed him with such wealth. But, With The Guardian, he seemed to have found peace and his purpose in life. He wore no designer’s shoes but only white caftans. The Guardian became his obsession. At every point in time, there must always be five months of material either in the warehouse or on the sea. He was paranoid about a disaster or even a military coup that could lead to the closure of the ports thereby disrupting the smooth production of The Guardian. The only major landmark after The Guardian was the Ibru Ecumenical Center in his village inside of which he sunk his sepulcher almost 20 years before his final passage. The greatest debt the current managers and his past disciples, owe Alex Ibru is to keep his dream alive. Unlike many of his generation and today’s business elite whose sources of wealth is the state, he chose instead of life of leisure and luxury with properties all over the world, to plough everything back and in the process, gave the nation a voice and means of livelihood to thousands of Nigerians. Concluded.

‘Much as we tried to shield the publisher from day to day operations of The Guardian between 2003 and 2007, as the debilitating effect of state sponsored assassination attempt and his illness started to take their tolls, the paper was too dear to Alex Ibru to ignore’ ing a certificate obtained from an election where almost all the aspirants and party bigwigs boycotted is most ridiculous. How does he hope to convince the courts and Bayelsan about the legitimacy of his election? If Dickson wants power so desperately must he get it through the back door? If his claims of being the choice of Bayelsians and not the President are true why was he afraid of a free and fair primary election? He gladly accepted the outcome of the election even when other candidates and observers affirmed that the rule of law and due process were compromised. As the drama continues to unfold, the world is watching. We are anxiously waiting to see how and when this will end. If the president who is the leader of the executive arm of government is a part of it, we will wait to see if the courts will also uphold the impunity. • Ebiarede writes from Yenegoa, Bayelsa State

‘It’s not the fact that the president does not like the governor that is disappointing, but the fact that he is allowing personal sentiment becloud his sense of judgement. For a president who talks passionately about due process the rule of law, Jonathan should not be party to a conspiracy that contravenes it’

NFF commends Taiwo returns with ‘focus’ in Eagles Milan from Dubai tour Pg. 24

Pg. 41

Nation Thursday, January 5, 2012

PAGE 23

•Stephen Keshi

HE proposed industrial action by Organised Labour over the removal of oil subsidy scheduled to begin on January 9 across the country may affect the international friendly match between Nigeria and Angola slated for Lagos or Abeokuta on January 11. Expressing this fear in Abuja on Wednesday, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federaion (NFF), Musa Amadu said, "we are trying to put together quality friendly matches for the home-based Super Eagles, but we are afraid that the proposed industrial action may affect the matches. We are optimistic that

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

the matches would hold, but if the strike holds, there is nothing anybody can do about it." He said the federation's efforts is geared towards ensuring that a formidable Super Eagles team here at home. There have been pockets of demonstration in various parts of the country over the federal government's removal of petrol subsidy over the weekend. This action had disrupted activities in major parts of the country, this may also affect the proposed friendly encounter.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NATION SPORT Adamu tackles Lumumba Adeh •Wants him to define ‘Jamboree’

HIGHLY placed member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Executive Committee, Dr. Shehu Adamu has challenged a former NFF presidential candidate, Mr. Lumumba Adeh to define what he meant by ‘jamboree’ when referring to last week’s Annual General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation which took place in Kaduna. Adeh, also a politician, had been quoted in a section of the media as saying the 2011 NFF Annual General Assembly was a ‘jamboree’. “It is important that Lumumba Adeh defines the word ‘jamboree’, and go ahead to explain what he meant by NFF General Assembly being a ‘jamboree’. It is not enough to look up words in the dictionary and begin to mouth them. “At the NFF General Assembly, there were the chief host, Governor Patrick Yakowa (CON), members of the Kaduna State cabinet, representative of the Minister/Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC), chairmen of the Senate and House committees on sports development, NFF Executive Committee members, former NFF president Abdulmumuni Aminu, four former NFF General Secretaries, delegates comprising chairmen and secretaries of State FAs from across the country and a couple of invited guests and dignitaries. “All the people I have mentioned had business at the NFF Annual General Assembly and were duly present. We didn’t have persons who had no business there. So, the word ‘jamboree’ is a misnomer. “My advice to Mr. Lumumba Adeh is to strive to contribute more positively to Nigeria football with valid suggestions and constructive criticisms”, stated Shehu Adamu.

•Maigari

NATION SPORT AHEAD 2012 AFRICA NATIONS CUP

Keshi calls for patience •Clears the air over Ghana controversy

UPER EAGLES’ coach, Stephen Keshi believes the 31 home-based players currently in camp will come good in future. The 31 players have been in camp for over two weeks in preparation for February’s 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers against Rwanda. They have, however, been given the opportunity to prove their worth during two international friendly matches against Angola and Liberia in January. Cynics have argued that very few, if any, of the local lads will make the cut when the Euro based stars arrive for the game against Rwanda but Keshi was quick to disagree. “I am not sure I agree with those who say the locally based players don’t have what it takes to succeed,” Keshi told SuperSport.com. The coach pointed out that the players in camp, just like other domestically based players would succeed if they are given the luxury of time to blend and achieve their full potentials. “A year ago (VVV Venlo’s) Ahmed Musa was playing in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) and today, he’s one of the best young players in the African continent,” Keshi stressed. The former Nigeria captain who also led Togo to a place at the 2006 FIFA World Cup said the ever demanding Nigerian public must be patient enough to allow the players eventually become the refined article. “We need patience to build these players. We need to give them time to really show the quality they are made up of. They are hungry for success and will eventually come good,” he concluded. However, following the controversy trailing his purported writing off of Ghana’s chances at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has declared that he was misquoted. Black Stars’ assistant coach Kwesi Appiah had stoked the fire controversy last week when he said that Keshi’s statement about his team has challenged them to go further than their last silver medal finish at Angola 2010. Keshi has, however, said that he did not in any way undermine the

I’m still Bayelsa Utd chairman –Baribote N

IGERIA Premier League (NPL) Chairman, Baribote Victor Rumson insists he is still the chairman of former NPL champions, Bayelsa United. Rumson was removed from his position at United on Tuesday with James John installed as the new chairman of the club but the NPL chief claims there has been no change of the guard. “Well, I am just hearing (that I have been removed as Bayelsa United chairman) from you. I am still the chairman of the club and I am not aware that I have been removed as chairman of the club,” Baribote told SuperSport.com. The NPL chief said he was sure the news of his ‘purported sack was the mere handiwork’ of the present Bayelsa State sports commissioner, Opukiri James Ere. “I am sure he is behind this but he is too small to fight me. I have not yet been informed officially by the Bayelsa State Government of any sack so I am still chairman of the club. My tenure as chairman of the board of Bayelsa United started on 1st January 2011 and it is supposed to run for four years. So if I have been removed, then something arbitrary has happened,” Baribote said. The NPL chief also went on to reveal that he had spoken to the governor of the state (Timipre Sylva) who told

him that he (the governor) was hoodwinked by Opukiri. “I have spoken to the governor and he told me he was deceived by the commissioner who told him that I was now occupying a national position and as such was no longer interested in Bayelsa United’s affairs. “My position as NPL chairman does not affect my standing as Bayelsa United chairman because United is not a Premier League club but a side in the lower division,” he said.

•Baribote

chances of Ghana. “I was asked to name my favourite teams to win the Nations Cup and I said on paper, Ivory Coast and Senegal have the strongest teams, but tournaments like these are full of surprises,” Keshi said. “Maybe, because I did not list Ghana and the question was asked on Ghanaian soil, the journalist decided to say I have written Ghana off. How can I write off a team that made it to the quarter finals of the last World Cup?” he asked. He advised the Ghanaian team to step up preparations for the tournament, instead of wasting time reacting to what they perceived as an attack on the Black Stars. “Every team that has qualified is capable of winning the championship, but you will agree with me that some teams are rated higher than others even by FIFA, that is what I simply said.”

NFF commends ‘focus’ in Eagles T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has given thumbs up to Super Eagles’ head coach, Stephen Keshi for the seriousness he has injected into the team’s camp since resuming for duties barely two months ago. General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu made the comment on Wednesday after watching the homebased players thrash Nigeria Premier League side, Lobi Stars of Makurdi 3-1 in a training match at the mainbowl of the National Stadium, Abuja. “One can see a seriousness that is commendable and there is also good

fighting spirit in there. I think the new management of the team deserves commendation for the way they have gone about their job and letting the players know that commitment is key”, declared Amadu, who attended the match with Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and chief media officer, Ademola Olajire. Keshi ran out largely foreign-based players in two international friendlies in November – a 0-0 draw with Botswana in Benin City and a 20 defeat of Zambia in Kaduna – and

is looking forward to two more international friendlies this month as he builds a new Super Eagles ahead of the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali at the end of February. Goals by Kabir Umar, Sunday Mba and Izu Azuka gave the Super Eagles victory against the feisty Lobi Stars, also preparing for the kick-off of the Nigeria Premier League season 2011/ 2012 starting on Saturday. The Eagles will entertain Palancas Negras of Angola in Nigeria on January 11 before flying to Monrovia to take on the Lone Star at the Antoinette Taubman Stadium on January 15.

Mikel praises ‘battling’ Chelsea

IGERIAN midfielder John Mikel Obi has praised his Chelsea mates for a battling performance at Wolves after a home loss to Aston Villa in the English Premier League. Chelsea won 2-1 thanks to a late winner by England midfielder Frank Lampard after they fell 3-1 to Villa at Stamford Bridge. ‘The Blues’ are fourth on the EPL table with 37 points from 20 matches and still within striking distance of front runners Manchester City and Manchester United. “It has not been easy for us in the past weeks, but it is a good thing that we bounced back and returned to winning ways. I commend the spirit of my mates who were available for the match. I am sure we will keep fighting on,” Mikel told MTNFootball.com The Nigerian star said he remains hopeful of a return to action after a muscle tear at Tottenham Hotspur recently. “I was made to understand that my injury is not too serious and that was why I was hoping to be back ahead of time, but now I am keeping my cool

and waiting on the medical team to tell me when I can start playing,” he said. “There is an FA Cup against Portsmouth this weekend, let us see what happens if I will be cleared for it. The manager will decide that when he has information from the doctor. I know it will be very soon as I am making progress to return to full fitness.”

•Mikel

Sam Ledor returns to NPL

ORMER Rangers and Enyimba midfielder Sam Ledor has indicated interest to return to the Nigeria Premier League after a move to Tunisia collapsed. Ledor told MTNFootball.com that he is considering playing for a team in Nigeria till the summer transfer window opens, if he could not move this month. “As things are now I am may play in Nigeria league till I move to Europe, I am talking with two teams in Nigeria, Kaduna United and Dolphins. Let us see how it goes,” the experienced midfielder disclosed. Ledor, who featured briefly in Congo with Saint Michel Du Ouenze was on the verge of joining Tunisia giant, Etoile de Sahel before the arrival of a new coach who was impressed with his display during trials want him to sign a long-term contract, which Ledor’s agent refused. “Things were going on well in Tunisia with Etoile de Sahel before they changed coaches. The new coach proposed a long-term contract of four years, which I and my agent turned down because the plan is for me to move to Europe in the summer,” he said. The ex-Lobi Stars player is

managed by a Holland-based Guinean, Mr. Gomes.

Rangers to sign Togolese sensation

IGERIAN Premier League (NPL) side, Enugu Rangers are expected to complete the signing of Togolese goalkeeper, N'Souhoho Mensah this week. SuperSport.com has been informed that the 21-year-old Togolese international arrived in Enugu last Saturday and has been training with the Flying Antelopes. Rangers spotted the goalkeeper during the last WAFU Cup mini-league in Lome, Togo in December 2011 while featuring for Dyto FC of Lome. SuperSport.com has also learned that the deal to sign the former Togo Under17 and Under-20 keeper was facilitated by the scouting agency for Rangers known as Starfinders under the leadership of Honourable Patrick Nworji. If Rangers complete the signing of Mensah this week, he will be a direct replacement for goalkeeper Ebele Obi who was released by the club last month. Mensah was part of the Togolese side that defeated Nigeria's B Team in Abeokuta during the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup tournament.

Taiwo returns with Milan from Dubai tour •Gets customised wrist-watch

IGERIA international, Taye Taiwo will today return to Italy with Italian giant AC Milan from training tour of Dubai. Taiwo who has been subject of transfer speculation to English Premier League side, Arsenal, travelled with Rossoneri on December 30 winter training tour. Milan which had their training at

By Bimbo Adesina Al Ahli Stadium played international friendly matches Olhandense of Portuguese and PSG of France which was played yesterday. As part of the teams’s trip to Dubai, Taiwo and teammates alongside Milan’s officials were presented with

Home-Eagles whip Lobi 3-1 •Enugu Rangers stars dazzle

•Taiwo

FIFA referees now to handle NPL ‘Star Matches’ O

NLY FIFA-badged referees will be listed to handle those games designated as ‘star matches’ when the Nigeria Premier League season kicks off on Saturday, so says Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Alhaji Muazu Suleyman. Speaking at the badging of Nigerian FIFA referees for the Year 2012 in Abuja on Wednesday, Suleyman said this is with a view to exposing the referees in order for world football-governing body, FIFA and continental body, CAF to appreciate their quality and give them more important assignments. A total of 27 Nigerian referees received FIFA badges in various categories at the event that took place at the National Institute for Sports, inside the National Stadium, Abuja. Also speaking at the occasion, which began with a minute’s silence in honour of FIFA referee Auwalu Barau who died exactly a month earlier, NFF President Aminu Maigari challenged the referees to strive harder in their assignments in order to be accorded bigger duties by FIFA. “There is no doubt that the Nigerian referee has proved himself

time and again at international level in the past three decades. Yet, we just have to do more. Nigerian referees are not getting the kind of recognition that is deserving of the stature of Nigeria in international football. “While the Nigeria Football Federation continues to make case for Nigerian referees to be assigned more international duties than they are presently considered for, it is also continent upon our referees to help this campaign with their conduct during the international games that they get. “At every opportunity granted, Nigerian referees must ensure they comport themselves well and observe the rules of the game to the letter, which would in turn recommend them for higher responsibilities and also recommend other Nigerian referees for consideration for important assignments. “This badge is sacrosanct. It is not to be defiled through improper conduct, graceless carriage, irresponsible behaviour and uncouth utterances. It is to be respected and treated with honour and deference”, said Maigari, whose speech was delivered by NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa

Amadu. Breakdown of 27 FIFA-badged refs: FIFA Men Referees: Solomon Wokoma, Bunmi Ogunkolade, Ago Abubakar, Amao Joshua Opeyemi, Henry Ogunyamodi, Benjamin Odey FIFA MEN ASSISTANT

REFEREES: Peter Edibe, Sani Zubair, Robert Aundugh, Chukwudi Onumajuru, Abel Baba, Tunde Abidoye FIFA Women Referees: Felicia Okwugba, Folusho Ajayi, Uloma Nwogu FIFA Women Assistant Referees:

Grace Agudosi, Stella Eloji, Bosede Momoh, Agatha Iyorhe FIFA Beach Soccer Referees: Jelili Ogunmuyiwa, Suleiman Jimeta, Mike Ushie, Sani Mohammed FIFA Futsal Referees: Mark Agbo, Saheed Ayeni, Ibrahim Umar, Paul Umuago.

Ajiboye headlines NPL big movers

IGERIA Olympic team goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye was one of the major signings in the NPL as clubs like 3SC, Enyimba and Kaduna United have undergone major changes ahead of the big kick-off on Saturday. Ajiboye’s contract at Spanish Secunda Division club Pontevedra was not renewed, forcing him to head back to the NPL. Ambitious Shooting Stars, who barely avoided relegation this past season, staged a massive transfer coup when they beat NPL champions Dolphin to the former U-17 star. Ajiboye has agreed a seven-month loan deal worth 4.8 million Naira and made his debut at the weekend in a pre-season game against Kwara United in Ijebu-Ode.

He comes to 3SC will a wealth of experience and will be complimented by youngster Abiodun Akande. Shooting Stars have undergone a clean sweep by letting go more than a score of players including skipper Sakiru Lawal and striker Kabiru Alausa, while signing almost the same number for the new campaign. Besides Ajiboye, the team, who will be handled by former Bukola Babes (now ABS FC) coach, Festus Allen, in place of Fatai Amoo, have snapped up three other players from overseas. Central defender Sope Ahmed, who until recently played in Vietnam and striker Thomas Adesina who was in Cote d’Ivoire until recently. It is most likely Olympic team star Gbolahan Salami will not return to 3SC even though he has got a

conditional reprieve after he was fired recently for “gross misconduct”. He has offers from Enyimba and Warri Wolves and was not part of the team’s final training in Ijebu-Ode. Sixtime champions Enyimba will have to start from the scratch after they failed to win any trophy last season and their former stars protested against what they term as poor working conditions at the Aba club by walking out on the them. Among the key players who have departed are skipper Chiedozie Johnson, Uche Kalu, Valentine Nwaebili, Nnaemeka Anyanwu, David Tyavkase, John Agbawu, Junior Osagie and Chijoke Ejiogu. New signings include Uche Agbo, Moshood Kasali (JUTH) as well as Linus Adams, Chinedu Agwu, Richard Ochayi (Kaduna United).

NUGU Rangers forwards Ejike Uzoenyi and Kabiru Umar were on target as the local Eagles defeated NPL side Lobi Stars 3-1 in a test game Wednesday in Abuja. Uzoenyi opened scoring for the home-based national team as early as the sixth minute, before Umar doubled the team’s lead on 34 minutes. New Sunshine Stars signing Izu Azuka made it 3-0 four minutes from time, before Anthony Abawula pulled a goal back a minute later for Lobi. The local Eagles have thus won all four test games they have played since they moved into camp under new Eagles coach Stephen Keshi last month. They have also accounted for FRSC FC and Ranch Bees, Abuja Selected. They face their sternest test yet when they host 2012 Africa Cup of Nations-bound Angola on Wednesday. They will then depart Nigeria to take on Liberia on

January 15 in Monrovia as part of Nigeria’s build-up for a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali on February 29.

customised iconic Reverso watches by swiss-based watch-maker JaegerLeCoultre. The watch-maker engraved each player’s watch with the their name and adorned the timepiece with the team colors and the AC Milan inscription on the caseback. Boasting of an immense history akin to the illustrious JaegerLeCoultre that has been attaining higher echelons in fine watch making since 1833, AC Milan has enjoyed an unparalleled track record, becoming the world’s most successful club and one that has existed for the past 112 years. The event marked milestones in the history of both AC Milan’s 18th Scudetto title and the 80th anniversary of the iconic Reverso watch, JaegerLeCoultre.

IGI U-19 FOOTBALL TALENT

Manu hunts for Eaglets at grassroots tourney •As two players set to hit Europe

HE head coach of the Golden Eaglets, Manu Garba and his assistant, Nduka Ugbade were amongst dignitaries that graced the IGI U-19 Football Talent hunt which was rounded off at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos on Saturday. The NationSport gathered that that duo were at the venue to hunt for talents. Meanwhile, two outstanding players, Edafe Emmanuel and Kelvin Manuchi of the IGI U-19 Football Talent Hunt

Captain Grag team, Kelvin Manuchi left, recieving the winning trophy from executive vice chairman IGI, Mr Remi Olowude at the just concluded IGI Under19 Football Tournament Talent Hunt in Lagos. PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

By Olaitan Danmole have been selected to go to Europe for trials in clubs which may eventually sign then on. They have been scheduled to leave this January. Four other players will be picked to go to Europe within six month for trails. The industrial and general insurance (IGI) u-19 football talent hunts tournament rematch which kicked off on Friday December 30 2011 and came to an end on Saturday December 31 2011 at the onikan stadium, Lagos saw the third place been played by the blue and orange team. However the blue team (the winner of the talent hunt) came fourth in the rematch tournament after losing 3 goals to 1 to the orange team, who retained their title as the third place. The yellow team who were the fourth of the game stepped up their game and came second in the tournament by losing 1 goals to 0 to the grey team who were crowned champions of the game. Every player went home with prices at the event, the grey team went home with the trophy and ten thousand naira for each player, the yellow team went home with a sum of seven thousand five hundred naira each player, the orange team with five thousand naira each player while the blue team went home with the sum of four thousand naira each player.

THE NATION

EDUCATION Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

Despite the restoration of the accreditation for its programmes, all is still not well with the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Enugu. Its Acting Rector, Prof Mike Iloeje, is on a redemption mission, reports CHRIS OJI.

HE Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, has a rich his-

tory behind it.It is popular among the public and ranks among the first set of polytechnics and colleges of technology in the country. But despite its popularity, “IMT is sick”. The institution was pronounced ‘sick’ by its Acting Rector Prof Mike Iloeje, shortly after he assumed office. The institution is gradually bouncing back despite its travails. The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has ordered its reaccreditation which was withdrawn in October, last year and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has also withdrawn its suspension from the scheme. The NBTE has wielded the hammer on IMT for engaging unqualified lecturers and substandard classrooms and teaching aids, despite the huge money allocated to the polytechnic by the Educational Trust Fund (ETF). NBTE’s action resulted in the removal of the Rector, Dr Edwin Oyeneje, who was replaced with Prof Iloeje. With the restoration of the accreditation, the institution can resume admitting students into its National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes. Its graduates can proceed on the one-year mandatory service following the withdrawal of its suspension from the scheme. IMT has a student population of over 30,000, a figure far above that approved by NBTE. This is the main task before Iloeje, who said the institution would stick to its carrying capacity. “The restoration of full accreditation to IMT implies that we would compulsorily follow and adhere to a two-year draw-down in down-sizing our students’ enrolment from the current population of 35,321 in the 2010/2011 academic session to 7,080 in the 2012/2013 academic session,” Iloeje told the management at a meeting. For this to be achieved, the Institute can only admit 1,200 students into the ND programmes and the same number for HND 1 class for the 2011/2012 academic session. Iloeje noted the implications of this draw-down on the finances of the institution, saying steps must be taken to find alternative sources of generating revenue internally. “We generate from students’ fees and charges revenue to maintain our services at their present level, and also aspire to improve them. We must look beyond our present financial subvention strategy. I, therefore, propose we set up a task force to work out the financial implications, and recommend strategies for a way forward,” he said. The problem of over-bloated student population may not be unconnected with corruption in the admission process. Investigations showed that during the 2010/2011 admission, some workers were found to have forged ‘Notification of Results of certain polytechnics in states,

•The IMT gate

IMT: Haunted by its past •Institute to admit 2,400 for ND, HND •Students with fake results face probe

‘

We have spent a lot of money on this issue of admission. They should allow us entry whether with fake certificates or not. After all, it has been the practice in the past

The restoration of full accreditation to IMT implies that we would compulsorily follow and adhere to a two-year drawdown in downsizing our students’ enrolment

’

such as Kano, Yobe and Kebbi, which they sold to prospective HND applicants to enable them secure admission. “It is on record that many of these applicants succeeded to obtain registration numbers in their various departments but were eventually fished out during the first semester examination in an operation led by the immediate past Administrative Secretary to the Rector, Basil Offoh, and the

•Prof Iloeje

current Chief Security Officer, Peter Ene,” said a senior administrative member of staff who didn’t want to be named. The source added: “Some of the members of staff implicated are already facing police investigation while the case of a certain female staff, who allegedly forged and sold IMT’s Notification of Results to two prospective applicants is already in court.” There is concern that since the

’

former Rector, has left, chances are that some of the students caught with fake results who were given registration numbers by some HODs might have been re-absorbed. An affected female student, who gave her name simply as Chinaza, said: “Our cases should be reviewed since we have petitioned against declaring our certificates as fakes.” Another student, also a woman,

who did not confirm whether she was offered admission with fake papers, said: “We have spent a lot of money on this issue of admission. They should allow us entry whether fake certificates or not. After all, it has been the practice in the past.” Last year’s withdrawal of its accreditation was not the first time IMT would be sanctioned. In March 2009, the Education Trust Fund (ETF), a body that funds infrastructural and manpower development in tertiary institutions across the country, presented an adverse report on IMT and other institutions. ETF gave the affected institutions deadline to access their funds or forfeit their allocations by the end of April 2009. But the IMT management could not access its fund because it could not account for the previous allocations. Some academic staff, who confirmed this, said, as at 2007, “IMT was already misplacing” ETF funds. Those who spoke under condition of anonymity, refered to the N50 million released at the time for the Industrial Centre, which was never used for that purpose and the “millions of naira released” for the renovation of projects like the Second Hostel, Mass Communication Complex •Continued on Page 26

•DEFAULTING UNILORIN PG STUDENTS GET SECOND CHANCE - PAGE 28 • ASUU STRIKE, GHANA GAMES DELAY WAUG - PAGE 37

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EDUCATION

Agenda for education in 2012 The ongoing ASUU strike did not end with 2011. The New Year began with fuel subsidy removal. These issues affect every Nigerian, some of who speak on how they will impact on education in 2012.ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, MEDINAT KANABE, PASCHAL OKEZU, and JANE CHIJOKE report.

XPECTEDLY their views are not the same. From the removal of fuel subsidy to insecurity, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and funding of tertiary institutions, among others, Nigerians hold divergent views. As they bade farewell to 2011, they recalled the events that made the year rather controversial. If Mrs Titilayo Oyawoye were the President one decision she would have taken without batting an eye lid last year, was the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Her children were not among the 10 corps members killed during the post-presidential election violence in some parts of the North in April last year, yet, it seemed the 51-yearold mother of six, is emotionally attached to the deceased and their families. Besides, she nurses the fear that if the scheme continues, any of her children, as well as other children may also be victims someday. “I want the government to scrap the NYSC this year. Parents are just quiet because it has not happened in their households. The Federal Government is not doing anything about it. If they feel it (NYSC) is important, everybody should stay in their place of origin. It is very painful to kill someone after such

person had suffered through school. Some of them even do odd jobs to assist in paying their school fees. But after they have graduated and supposed to be enjoying themselves, they kill them.” A nurse, Mrs Omolara Adepitan, corroborates her. Mrs Adepitan recalled how she was gripped with horror when she watched on television some of the deceased being buried. “I couldn’t eat that day the Ekiti boy was buried. I cried all through the night. The act was man’s inhumanity to man. But I don’t blame the perpetrators. Rather, I blame the government for still retaining the scheme when in real truth. NYSC has lost its relevance. Let the government scarp it now.” Another area of concern to the two was the ASUU strike, which started in December but has now been carried over to the New Year. “The government should also see to the plight of ASUU,” added Mrs Oyawoye. “This talking and talking without results should stop. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. If the strike occurs once in 20 years, it would have been better, but it occurs often and this is not good if we must grow.” An undergraduate, who simply identified himself as Damilola, 19, is tired of the strike.

•Mrs Oyawoye

•Titilayo

•Yinka

“What concerns me the most is the strike. We were supposed to write our exams before the strike but it was not possible. When we resume, you see them rushing us to meet up with our course outline. They are dragging us back,” he lamented. Citing her school as an example Titilayo, a pupil of Oke Afa Senior Secondary School, Isolo, sLagos wants more facilities in public secondary schools. She said: “We are 105 in my classroom and more than half of the pupils in the school don’t use the toilet because it is an eyesore. Some of us go to the nearby bush. We are supposed to have three teachers taking us the English language but we have only one who, though tries, yet cannot teach 105 pupils and we expect her to get a good result. “ Titilayo has an ally in Lanre George, from Festac Grammar School, Lagos. “The government should try and

help us build more facilities in our school,” he said. Chukwuemeka Orji, a Festac College, Lagos pupil, is advocating a raise in teachers’salaries, and curtailment of terrorist groups. “Let our government increase our teachers’ salaries, so that they will teach us well. Most of them are always complaining that the money is too small. Also, I want the government to stop this Boko Haram bombing, because it is also affecting school children. “ In addition to a raise, Dorothy Amafonye, 26, a 400-Level undergraduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), advocates appropriate punishment for errant teachers. “You see lecturers demanding sex from students before marks can be awarded. This should be stopped and lecturers found guilty be appropriately punished. Cultism is everywhere. The government, parents and even students - all have a role to play here,” Amafonye said. Yinka Oladimeji, 16, from the Universityof Lagos(UNILAG) wanted admissions to be conducted thrice yearly to pave way for a legion of prospective candidates seeking admission in the country. A teacher, who simply identified herself as Nkem, called on the government to assist the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) not to have a repeat of the release of double results which embarrassed the body last year. “But the government has to look into that WAEC result issue because it affected so many students, including my daughter. The government should try and see what they can do to help WAEC overcome that problem,” she said.

Nkem also complained about poor inspection of schools. “On inspectors, some of them don’t do their work, they just come to collect money and go. I think the government should check that also,” she added. One might not be wrong to describe a teacher, Mrs Felicia Mba, as a pessimist. “Hmmmm! 2012 will not be better to tell you the truth. President Goodluck Jonathan wants to kill us in this country. We are talking about poor salaries of teachers and he is talking about fuel subsidy. In fact, I foresee our education standard falling the more with this,” she said. Ibrahim Toluwani, a 300-Level undergraduate of Theatre Arts and Music at the Lagos State University(LASU) would join the suspended Students Union Governemnt (SUG) to appeal to the Lagos State government to reduce the over 400 per cent tuition fee slammed on the students from this new academic year. “Though they (government) have reassured us that the increase will not affect those of us already in LASU but that should not stop us from appealing to the government to reduce the fees because many of those just offered admissions are still looking for the money. Their parents are too poor to pay it. Our siblings and relations are still coming into this university in future. Where will they get this huge money LASU is demanding? she asked. A worker at Oke-Afa School wants the government to implement the N18,000 minimum wage with leave allowances from this month.

‘

The government should also see to the plight of ASUU.This talking and talking without results should stop. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. If the strike occurs once in 20 years, it would have been better, but it occurs often and this is not good if we must grow

IMT: Haunted by its past •Continued from Page 25

and the construction of the ETF Female Hostel. All these projects were abandoned after the release of funds to contractors. One senior staff alleged that there are fresh intrigues and manipulations on who should be appointed project manager for ETF special intervention funds. The crisis is brewing despite ETF’s stipulation through its letter dated June 14, last year on, about who should be appointed project manager. Another issue the institute is battling is that of unqualified lecturers. Some lecturers, who spoke anonymously, said way back in 1996 and 2003, the NBTE had warned IMT’s management against what some called “indefensible infusion of lecturers” without the minimum requirement of a first degree in the teaching subject, to the point that Igbo degree holders were reportedly allowed to teach English. This, they said, had not changed as at

the time of filing this report. Some of the affected lecturers concerned confirmed the situation but claimed that they have embarked on remedial programmes in line with the directive of the Governing Council. The situation is said to be more complicated with Education degree holders in schools of Business Studies, Financial Studies, General Studies, Technology and Engineering. In 2007, the Enugu State government approved voluntary relocation of all Education degree holders teaching in IMT to the College of Education (Technical), on Abakiliki Road, Enugu. A lecturer told The Nation in confidence that the government warned through the then Governing Council that whoever stayed back was doing so at his/her own risk. The lecturer said many of the affected lecturers, about 50 of them, stayed back, including lecturers with degrees in Adult Education, Geography Education and Guidance and Counselling. “Regrettably, many of these lecturers are already chief lecturers, despite

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Council’s policy in 1996 that promotion beyond senior lecturership is unobtainable without a Master’s degree in the core discipline in the first degree course which should not be Education,” the source said. Iloeje recognises the challenges ahead and said so in his maiden address at an extra-ordinary meeting of the school’s academic board. He said: “It has become common knowledge even to the man on the streets, to our staff and students, to our alumni, to our supervisory agencies, to the tax-payer, to government and various stakeholders in tertiary education that IMT is sick. Something has gone terribly wrong here. The problems that face us are unique. While other institutions are grappling with problems of improving their global ranking, we are threatened by the stark problem of survival.” For now, a judicial panel of enquiry has been set up to look into the anomalies in the Institute. The panel set up by Governor Sullivan Chime is expected to start work this month.

“No history assignment today? ... Take note, today will go down in history!”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EDUCATION As far back as 1986, Chief Oladeji Fasuan, an elderstatesman and author, penned a poem about strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The poem and his comment (below) are in his book entitled: Flashes – Poetic Reflections of Lively Issues published in 2009. Excerpts:

UNILORIN FILE NASU supports retirees

A 1986 poem on ASUU strike rings true today T HE University Teacher - Out, out, there on strike, What is Semester What is Session What is Calendar These are common terms in Universities Sacrosanct and respected in polite, proud, urbane Ivory Towers But no, not in Nigeria While dons elsewhere Seek knowledge, advance learning Teachers here seek Power, seek money Our allowance must be paid forward:Music instruments allowances, Allowances to keep our stepmothers comfortable, Allowances for sleeping late, Allowances for magazine published in Montenegro, What about our fresh air allowances? The Nigeria Dons must be comfortable. Learning in Nigeria University By pamphlets, handouts, and lifted pages Students who are happy to cut corners relish these plagiarized papers. Contended to read for examinations

Rather than learning for knowledge Facilities, equipments rot away Antiquated, outdated instruments of learning Government and teachers trading blames On decaying and decadent system

Public Universities and their teachers Have become nightmares to Nigerians In and out of the classroom They squander the nation’s wealth on trivialities On imponderables Up, up spring new schools Private institutions With glamorous names And holistic mission and romantic vision Vowing they will reshapen education and give new directions Religions stalwarts with big hearts Ploughing, burroughing into tertiary institutions Carrying the gospel of discipline and integrity Into the educational sector

Heads must come together Or roll together Moderation in demands Renewed vigor in re-investments Structures, equipment, programmes must be reinvigorated Famished facilities brought to life Goodness! The nation must be saved From this dog fight: For a nation that toys with the education and cultivation of its youth Is heading for oblivion Comment University education, especially at public level has become a huge joke and an embarrassment to many in Nigeria. Replete with all anti-social elements, students have increasingly contributed to the problems of society. Fed with halfbaked materials, taught by teachers who regard themselves more important than the community they are out to serve, tertiary education has become a nightmare to many. More than students perhaps;

•Chief Fasuan

University Teachers have consistently diminished the aura to which these citadels are regarded. Walking out- their jobs at intervals that can almost be predicted their behaviour and social responsibility many now be seen to fall below the national average. The solution? Some solution lie in private participation in establishing and funding of tertiary education. But the cost is enormous, perhaps three times that of public system. There is the advantage however of students spending the minimum number of years (semester) in private schools whereas the period may extend to five of six years in public institutions because of the regular walk-out of academic staff in the latter.

Why we are still on strike, by ASUU

TRIKING university teachers have explained why they have not called off their strike. They said they are still on strike because the Federal Government has not implemented core components of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said the government is responsible for the problems affecting the growth of education. In a statement by Dr. Innocent Ibeawuchi, the Chairperson of ASUU Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), said the government is underfunding education to encourage its proxies to establish private schools. The statement was issued after ASUU’s last congress at its Secretariat at FUTO.

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

Government, ASUU said, wants to make education accessible to only the children of the rich to the detriment of the poor, adding that it is ASUU’s actions and inactions that have stalled the government’s plan for the collapse of the university system. It observed that after two years of signing the agreement, less than 10 per cent of it have been implemented. They accused the Federal Government also of sacking the Implementation Monitoring Committee that served as the platform for dialogue with ASUU on this dispute. They further accused the Federal Government of being insincere as demonstrated by their unwillingness to genuinely implement the

agreement it entered with ASUU. They major highlights of the agreement, they said, include funding, conditions of service, university autonomy, and academic freedom among others. The Union, however, pointed out some aspects of the agreement yet to be implemented to include the non-reversal of the rot in the university system through massive and sustained funding as well as non-review of pension laws and university laws. Other grievances include the nonimplementation of agreed retirement age for academics in professional cadre, non-review of NUC and JAMB laws and the non-payment of allowances to entitled academic and establishment of NUPEMCO. The union insisted that their resolve to embark on a strike was taken after weighing all the options before

them and that the only option is to allow the universities to collapse while noting that the option may not be the best. While regretting that the government has not been moved by dialogue, they passionately appealed to students, parents, labour unions, civil society organisations, professional organisations, corporate bodies and all individuals who value the nation’s developmental interest to prevail upon the federal government so as to honour the 2009 agreement with ASUU in the overall interest of the nation’s educational system. It is on this premise that Ibeawuchi said his members have resolved to continue to fully support the on-going total and indefinite strike called by the ASUU-NEC.

Over 1,000 unqualified teachers on Gombe payroll

VER 1,000 public primary with the hope that teachers in the vanced world. From Vincent Ekhoragbon, Gombe school teachers in Gombe He said the planned curriculum end would help those that cannot State are not qualified to curriculum to suit the modern cur- would accommodate vocational excel academically discover their teach, says Governor Ibrahim riculums as obtained in the ad- education on 18 different trades talents. Hassan Dankwambo. The Governor spoke at the Sixth PISI Tangale Cultural Festival of Tangle in Billiri, the Billiri Local Government Area headquarters. He said it was the need to remedy the situation that gave birth to the idea of establishing a stateowned College of Education which would be sited in the local government area. The governor added that the project is captured in the 2012 budget. While underscoring the advantage of such institution in the state Dankwambo told parents that “we must have value for our money.” It was in that light that he charged parents to ensure that their children are taught the right thing by checking their books or finding a way to do so, where they are not lettered. He also challenged them on visiting the schools to ensure their wards are truly learning s. Dankwambo revealed that a committee had been set up to review and update the present primary and post primary schools •The Holy Trinity Primary School at Ibejigba in Lokoja founded in 1865 by Bishop Ajayi Crowther

THE Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), UNILORIN Chapter, has presented gifts to 24 retired staff and the families of four deceased members of the union. The ceremony was part of the end of the year party/awards for the retirees of the union at the Faculty of Education Lecture Theatre. NASU Chairman, Mr. J. J. Bello, said the welfare scheme, which started in 2000 under the leadership of Mr. I. O. Agboola, is aimed at assisting members who are in difficulties by granting them interest-free loans. He assured members that once the union recovers previously mismanaged welfare funds, all those who retired since 2007 and are yet to get their benefits would be attended to. The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy ViceChancellor (Management Services), Prof. Albert Olayemi, commended the initiative.

More donations for WAUG THE University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has received more donations from good-spirited organisations and individuals towards the hosting of the 13th West Africa University Games (WAUG) billed for March. Three Jays International Limited has donated 25 Polo shirts for principal officers of the university, trophies for the basketball games, two sets of jerseys (home and away colours), warmers and Tshirts for male and female basketball teams. The Pillar of Sports, Kwara State, Chief Donatus Ejidike, has offered to donate a big billboard to publicise the games, while Prof and Mrs S. B. Agaja of the Department of Surgery, UNILORIN donated N50,000.

Students hold mock political campaign STUDENTS of the Mass Communication Department have organised a mock presidential campaign as part of the requirements of one of their courses, “Political Communication”, which is meant to showcase the subtleties of using the media in educating and influencing public opinion in a political environment. The campaign, which held last week, was a contest between two political parties, People’s Transformation Party (PTP) and National Coalition for Change (NCP). While PTP had Adeniyi Taiwo and Mayowa Ajibola as presidential and vice-presidential candidates, NCC paraded Bakare Kehinde Balkis and Akinwale Akinwunmi Ishola as flag-bearers. At the end of the campaign, the PTP was declared winner with 22 points, a slim margin over the NCC’s 20 points. The manifestoes of both political parties featured the mock politicians promising uninterrupted power supply, security, good roads, qualitative primary health care, free education and employment opportunities if elected, which were all promised by some leaders before they were elected. The judges, who assessed the performances of the two parties used such criteria as manifesto, speech delivery, radio jingles and television advertisements, billboards, clothing materials, punctuality, public opinion, among others, in determining the winner of the campaign.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EDUCATION FEDPOFFA FILE

Academic heads get new titles THE ACADEMIC Board of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (FEPOFFA) has approved the change of titles of heads of its academic directorates. According to a statement by a Senior Assistant Registrar, Mr Olusegun Oyesola, for the Registrar, “the Board endorsed the change of nomenclature of directors to deans, and also the provision of the position of sub-dean in all academic directorates.” The office of the Sub-Dean will be occupied by a senior lecturer or its superior, the statement added.

Defaulting UNILORIN PG students get second chance

E F A U L T I N G Postgraduate students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have got another chance to complete their programmes. A statement by the university said the students who have been pursuing the programmes since 2001 could now complete them on meeting the necessary requirements. The statement said stu-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

dents ‘who have registered up to date but have spent more than the stipulated number of years on their programmes; who have not been able to register for one or more academic sessions and “who have completed their programmes but whose results could not be processed” should visit the university’s website and provide necessary details about

their course. It added that they would be required to pay necessary fees and meet other conditions laid down by the university. It said it took the action following a July 27, 2011 court judgment directing the university to constitute a Panel of Examiners to examine the Ph.D. thesis of an undisclosed plaintiff. The statement read: “Consequent upon the court judg-

ment delivered on July 27, 2011, wherein the University of Ilorin was ordered by the Federal High Court, sitting at Ilorin, to set up a Panel of Examiners to examine the Ph.D. thesis of the Appellant, the University Authority, in response to the order of the Court, constituted a Panel of Examiners to examine the Ph.D. thesis of the said Appellant. “Convinced that a number

Poly expels 11 students •Withdraws admission of 373 others

Navy school hailed THE FEDPOFFA Rector, Dr Mufutau Olatinwo, has praised the Nigerian Navy School of Health Sciences for ensuring cordial relationship among the naval men personnel, the Offa people and students of the institution. Speaking at a workshop on civilian/military relations in Offa and environs, organised by the school, Olatinwo said the conduct of the naval personnel has earned them a lot of respect and admiration. The Rector, who was represented by the Dean, Directorate of Special Duties, Mr Afolabi Larongbe, further commended the Navy for deeming it fit to organise the interactive forum which he believed would further foster better understanding.

ACTU inaugurated THE FEDPOFFA chapter of the Anti-Corruption Transparency Unit (FEDPOFFA– ACTU) has been inaugurated. Its members are to help eradicate corruption. The unit inauguration coincided with the visit of the Anti-Corruption Transparency delegation to the polytechnic. The unit will serve as a strategic partner in the war against corruption in the country using preventive and proactive anti-corruption strategies, especially through public enlightenment, advocacy and sensitisation activities. The Anti-Corruption delegation comprised representatives from ACTU chapters of the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

of persons had been affected by the enforcement of the University regulation in respect of which the Court had entered judgment, and determined to ensure equal treatment to all persons in identical situations in line with its cherished commitment to one of its core values of equal opportunity for all, the University Authority decided to apply the Court order to all those in identical situations.”

•Prince Bola Ajibola (middle) with the beneficiaries.

Six pupils win Crescent varsity proprietor’s scholarship

IX of the 12 best pupils of IMA Model College, Abeokuta, Ogun State, have won the Crescent University ‘s Proprietor, Prince Bola Ajibola’s scholarship to study at the institution. The college recorded 100 per cent pass in its maiden outing in West African examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) the Senior School Certifi-

cate Examination conducted last year. The pupils, four girls and two boys, are: Toheeb Oladimeji Abiola, Bilkis Tajudeen, Widad Olohunsola Soyode, Aishat Tobi Ayedun, Aminat Omotoke Akanbi and Abdul Salam Bashir Muhammad. They were recommended by a threeman panel to study at the university. At the presentation of the

awards, Ajibola said he felt accomplished as one of the cardinal objectives of establishing the model schools and the university was being fulfilled in his lifetime. Ajibola said he had the vision about a decade ago to found an elementary and secondary school where pupils would be nurtured for a university like Crescent, stressing that the beneficiaries of the scholarship would enjoy the “education

plus” from the University of Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA). Expressing appreciation on behalf of the parents, Alhaja Abdul Salam lauded the IMA for the great opportunity given the beneficiaries. She added that she had no regret relocating her three children from the northern part of the country to Abeokuta to continue their studies as advised by her husband, a northerner.

Firm pledges support to education

HE government has been promised support in rejuvenating the education sector. Speaking at the grand finale of Bobo Annual Kiddies’ Brain Test competition among pupils in private and public schools in Lagos, Head, Sales & Marketing, Bobo Foods & Bev-

By Oluwayemisi Akinyemi

erages Ltd., Mr Curtis Adekunle, said the objective of the programme is to contribute to the education of the young who are future leaders. Adekunle added that it was designed to enable pupils across the state to be fully prepared for any examination including the West African Senior School Certificate and other en-

trance examinations. He noted that studies have shown that the education sector is facing challenges that need to be addressed, saying that the government alone cannot handle it but needs the assistance of both the private and public sectors. “This competition is to enhance critical thinking and creativity of pupils as all the questions are

‘This competition is to enhance critical thinking and creativity of pupils as all the questions are centred on Lagos because pupils need to know everything around them in order to be prepared for challenges in other climes’

centred on Lagos because pupils need to know everything around them in order to be prepared for challenges in other climes. We hope to promote education of these young ones, through provision of study materials and environment conducive to learning,” Adekunle said. At the end of the competition, Command Children School,Victoria Island, Lagos came first, with a star prize of a Bobo-branded sedan school bus while Hamadallah Group of Schools won the second prize of 10 computer sets. Initoro Progress Nursery and Primary School, Obalende, Lagos came third with a prize of a photocopier and printer.

UTHORITIES of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida in Niger State, have expelled 11 students for various examination malpractices during the 2010/2011 academic session. Alhaji Abdullahi Sule, Rector of the polytechnic, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bida, Niger, on Monday. He said the students were caught cheating during the examination and their cases were forwarded to the institution’s Exams Misconduct Committee. However, Sule said the affected students, who were on indefinite suspension, refused to appear before the committee to defend themselves on the allegation leveled against them which led to their expulsion from the institution. He also said that the admission of another set of 373 students was withdrawn for various malpractices during the last academic board meeting held recently at the school. He said the affected students had been blacklisted and informed by the management not to come into the institution, or risk being arrested for illegal entry by the security personnel and handed over to the police. “Any of them seen within the premises of the polytechnic after resumption will be shown the way out by our security personnel,” he said. Sule reiterated the institution’s determination to rid the institution of students who break the laws, especially those involved in examination malpractice, cultism and admission racketeering. He advised the students to face their studies and shun all forms of anti-social activities such as drug abuse, cultism and examination malpractices.

Varsity gives farm bicycles THE American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, has replaced the patrol horses of Benue Valley Farms with six new bicycles, donated by a faculty member. Workers at the private farmstead in Furore Local Government Area of Adamawa State hitherto used horses for patrol duties and long-distance movement within the estate. A spokesman of the Benue Valley Farms who took delivery of the vehicles from Dr. Craig Pearce, dean of the AUN School of Business & Entrepreneurship, confirmed the horses were far more expensive to maintain.

Preparing graduates for the future

*CAMPUSES

The world at their feet

*NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

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THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

With the ASUU strike streching into the new year and the removal of fuel subsidy, students are afraid that things may be worse than they were last year. HANNAH OJO (400-Level English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife), GILBERT ALASA (300-Level Foreign Languages, University of Benin) and BUSAYO DADA (NYSC, Onitsha) write.

Students to Jonathan: leave subsidy alone M

ORNING, they say, shows the day. With five days gone in the new year, students already seem to know what it has in store for them. To them, there is nothing new in the year because most of the problems of last year have been carried over into 2012. The problems, they say, have been compounded by the removal of fuel subsidy on January 1. According to them, subsidy removal will further impoverish their parents. The policy came on the heels of the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike over the non-implementation of the agreement between the group and the Federal Government. The implementation of the agreement has been a bone of contention between ASUU and the government for years. In 2009, ASUU reached an agreement with the government on some issues, including autonomous funding of universities, new salary structure and retirement age for university teachers. Before the parties signed the agreement, ASUU had declared an indefinite strike, which disrupted the academic calendar of many institutions and delayed the graduation of final year students. The industrial action was called off following the intervention of some eminent Nigerians. Two years after, ASUU is accusing the government of insincerity, saying the agreement had been implemented. The union went on a twoweek warning strike last November, to remind the government of its promise to implement the agreement . When the government did nothing, the lecturers went on indefinite strike on December 5. With subsidy removal, students of higher institutions who live off campus will face hard times. The cost of transportation and house rent are bound to rise, some of the students told CAMPUSLIFE, adding that their parents cannot cope with their meagre salaries. Also, the prices of essential commodities will go up, leading to high cost of feeding. For allowing the ASUU strike to stretch into the New Year, students chided the Federal Government, saying it has no programme to improve the education sector. Those who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE rejected the subsidy removal, adding that 2012 may be worse than the previous year.

•A busy lecture hall deserted by students

•Bayo

•David

•Precious

•Onyinye

David Dada, HND 1 Estate Management, Lagos State Polytechnic, said: “It is sad that education did not fare well in 2011 and I don’t see 2012 be-

ing any better. It appears the government has no plan for the sector by allowing the ASUU strike to spill over into the New Year. And just on the

first day in January, the government chose to remove fuel subsidy. This is unfair. I think they have failed us.” Bayo Omoniyi, 300-level Political

Science, Osun State University, said: “For ages, one major issue that has been the bane of Nigerian education •Continued on page 30

•NANS, students’ leaders donate to orphanages •Don reappointed to head department-PG 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE

Pushing Out

be decided. I am among those who have refused to believe the government’s claim that there was no way else to development without inflicting this hardship on the people. But knowing the power of a determined government, I had primed myself for April. with This is January; after the Christmas and end of year expenses, one is simply not ready to face the consequent increases in everything 08054503104 T’S a new year. Usually, at times like that we have seen in the last three (SMS only) this, people are filled with high hopes. days since the government’s They are eager to forget the struggles announcement. Parents have school •campuslife@thenationonlineng.net and pains of the past year. They dream big, fees to contend with, wards to send •ladycampus@yahoo.com make great plans and generally hope for back to school, and for most of us, the best. In this country, in line with our rent to pay. January has been rightly called channels. It was a gloomy Christmas. famed love for religion, church services and Exactly a week later, Nigerians went to the “hardship” month. To now add this on rituals heralding the New Year are big events. Many families insist on being church for the New Year service. No bomb top of all that is just too insensitive. But perhaps nothing is more callous than together as the clock ticks 12am, marking went off anywhere specifically, thank God. the suddenness of the announcement. Maybe, But one went off all the same, over all our the turn of the first day in the year. All those and many more happened last heads. No one needed the television to if we had been told about this some one or Sunday as 2012 dawned on us. The previous announce the news. We all saw it written two months back, we would have been a bit night, even with the threat of possible Boko boldly either at the petrol filling stations or prepared. All the town hall meetings and sweet talk Haram bombs going off over their heads - through the commercial bus drivers and by leading members of Jonathan’s economic okada men, as we call motorcycle operators. if somewhat remote in some parts of the The Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan-led team in December now come across as a country - many Nigerians were in churches for what has become popular as the “cross- Federal Government has removed the classical example of a massive betrayal over” night service. As many of such subsidy on premium motor spirit, commonly strategy. Only there is nothing noble or services lasted into the 12am timeline, they called petrol or fuel. Finally, the fuel subsidy distinguished about being duplicitous to your were interrupted at the dot of the time to has been removed. In an announcement by own people - people you claim to serve and allow for fireworks to welcome the New the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory protect. Now, one understands better why Year. And people soon marched home Agency [PPPRA], this automatically means Channels Television kept running the Lagos that the new pump price of the product is meeting almost daily in the last days of joyously. December and even on the New Year. The above scenario, however, did not benchmarked at N141. Some have argued that either January or Many Nigerians, like me, did not expect happen at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, and many other this. Together with my family, I had gone to April date for subsidy removal was no big churches in that town, and those in the church that Sunday morning. We were on deal in as much as it was already a given that neighbouring Suleja. The members are yet our way back when we noticed the closed the subsidy would be removed. But this line to come to terms with the tragedy that befell filling stations. There was no queue so we of argument is exactly what I have discovered them just the previous week: they were did not really take this as anything; we had to be in the core of our problem as a nation. attacked by the Islamic fundamentalist dismissed it as part of the New Year’s eve To spring the removal on us three months group as they were leaving after their hangover. It was just 9am. It was not until forward is to exhibit the utmost disrespect later when we tried to buy fuel that we for us. The Federal Government has, by this Christmas mass. The rest of the country, the luckier ones, realised we had been hit. The last I heard decision and action, shown that it has no got home to learn about the tragedy about the debate over the removal of the regards for the people it purports to serve. To think that it is the same Jonathan that through the television and other media subsidy, the date was to be April 1 or yet to

Hoping against hope

Ngozi Agbo

‘Gay marriage is barbaric’ •Faith

HY did you redeploy to Anambra State from Katsina? I relocated to Anambra State on health grounds. Do you have broadcasting experience? Not at all. I read Computer Science and not Mass Communication. Do you wish to go into broadcasting after service? Yes, I do love that. I have a passion for broadcasting What is your driving force? My driving force is my zeal to rule my world. People run abroad for better life neglecting the fact that we can make this nation a better place to be. How do you balance broadcasting and your primary assignment? I cope well with both because their timing is well spaced out. My time to teach the students and also time to be in the studio for production are not the same. So, I have time for each. What are your challenges? My challenge in broadcasting which is my Community Development Service (CDS) is unavailability of electricity and studio for productions. What does it take to anchor

If one’s smile could secure employment, Faith Ezechukwulo will not need to write an application. The fair corps member graduated in Computer Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). She anchors “Kopa’s forum” on the Anambra Broadcasting Corporation, Radio II, Onitsha. She speaks with JASPER DADA (colleague) on her driving force and challenges.

programmes? It takes passion for broadcasting, your morale, your voice and personality. Do you support gay marriage? No! It is barbaric and against every known scripture.

has been harangued for being mostly indecisive on burning national issues, especially in handling the Boko Haram nightmare, that is doing this! To think that just last week, I had for the umpteenth time decried the man’s continued silence on his own famous quest on the restoration and reclamation of our lost ethics and values in education, not least being his refusal to deal with the ASUU debacle that has sent the lecturers on another strike even as I write. Who would have thought that while the man, who like me went to school without shoes, was commiserating with bereaved families and victims of the Christmas day bombing last Saturday, he had already signed the document authorising the PPPRA to announce the withdrawal within hours? Who would have imagined that our lamb-like-no-general-noNebuchadnezzar president had it in him to give us this bombastic New Year bombshell? Today, here we are, with organised labour threatening to literarily make the country ungovernable. Perhaps the government would have had some sympathy from this reporter if it had kept to its part of the FGN/ASUU agreement, or at least tried to do so in the course of last year to ensure that the teachers remained in the classrooms. Or even tried to do or start something tangible in our education sector. We are Nigerians, famous for our resilience and faith in God. Already, the prophesies have come forth from the pulpits: 2012 is the year of Upliftment, of Laughter, of Glory, of Divine Intervention, of Unlimited Favour. So, we are buffeted and tossed on every side. So, we turn to God, as our government, security and economy are not determined by the men and women in Aso Rock, but by Him. So...we hope against hope....clinging on to God, for dear life and for sustenance. Welcome to 2012. Ciao!

‘I play politics every day’ Surajudeen Musa, 500-Level Civil Engineering, is the Students Union Government (SUG) president of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). He was recently suspended by the Students Representative Council (SRC) but was reinstated by the SUG court. He told MICHAEL ADEBAYO (200-Level Computer Science) the issues surrounding his suspension

AS your suspension by the SRC personal? The unconstitutional suspension was as a result of unproven allegations by some people in the house. Some of them took it as a personal fight against me. So, it was shocking when I heard of the suspension. What lesson did you learn from your suspension and reinstatement? I realised that some people love to see others’ downfall. But life is not always like that. One needs to be diplomatic when dealing with

such issues. People say you are passive to problems facing the students. Is it true? I believe there are steps you must take in tackling some issues. If you must regulate the price of commodities on campus, you must write the Student Affairs Unit. This, we have done. On transport, we are not resting on our oars as you can see. You have been quoted as saying that you are not a politician. What do you mean by this?

•Surajudeen

That was then; before the unconstitutional suspension. But, now, I can say I am a politician. I am occupying an office that needs to be well managed by politics. So, by virtue of this, I can say I now play politics every day.

Students to Jonathan:leave subsidy alone •Continued from page 29

is incessant strikes. Not only do strikes disrupt academic calendars, they also affect the students in negative terms. This year, I want the Federal Government to do whatever it can to honour the agreement it had with ASUU in 2009. This is because, as it is, students are fast losing confidence in the administration of Goodluck Jonathan. Let them go back to the negotiation table so that lecturers will go back to their classes. “I don’t think there is a government in place in this country. We have so many universities in Nigeria, yet Jonathan’s administration still thought more varsities will solve the lingering crisis in the edu-

cation sector. I must say that 2011 is bad for Nigeria’s education sector, because it was the year students started rushing down to Malaysia to acquire quality education. Yet, the government expects us to welcome subsidy removal with laughter. I don’t see any end to the problems bedeviling education in 2012 because the year started on a bad note,” said Precious Ibekwem, a 300-Level Foreign Languages student at the University of Benin(UNIBEN). Peter Edochie, a 400-Level student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said: “The removal of oil subsidy has shown that the government is not concerned about the wellbeing of students. They have mismanaged our economy through policies that are anti-people. The education sector is the most affected because students

will start complaining about inability to pay school fees and buy books. The government should revisit this policy and listen to the voice of the masses.” Miss Oyinye Niri, a corps member serving in Onitsha, Anambra State, said: “Government should look into the demand of ASUU to reverse the tide in education sector. My take on subsidy removal is that the money should be returned so that prices of commodities won’t be hiked. We have other issues crying for government’s attention, but because our leaders probably don’t care about our welfare, they chose to turn deaf ears to our plight. They should allow students to resume and leave subsidy alone.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE

For female students only The Students Union Government (SUG) of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has held a soccer competition for female students. MICHAEL ADEBAYO (200Level Computer Science) reports.

HE sight of female students running up and down on the football field is not common in universities. This is because female soccer competition is a rare event in higher institutions. Soccer is generally believed to be the exclusive preserve of men because of its strenuousness. Right from secondary school and home, the girlchild is discouraged from venturing into the game, a factor contributing to the low participation of women in football. However, female students at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have chosen to play the game and with the fervour of their male counterparts. Recently, the UNILORIN Student Union Government (SUG) organised the maiden edition of 5-aside female soccer competition to encourage women’s participation in the game. The event was held from December 1 to 21, last year. Eight faculties of the institution participated in the contest. They are: Law, Arts, Education, Science, Communication and Information Science (CIS), Business and Social Sciences (BSS), Agriculture and Engineering teams. Each faculty produced a team of five female

At a lecture in Lagos, graduates and students of higher institutions learnt the rudiments of safety in school and industry. WALE AJETUNMOBI was there.

T was a forum to hone the business skills of graduates. Since they are the future in whose hands business will be tomorrow, teaching them today the nuances of business, it is believed, will prepare them for the task ahead. At the Safety Platform-Series 6, held in Lagos, some university and polytechnic graduates gathered to learn how to grow a business using four inputs. These inputs are quality, health, safety and environment management. The safety platform is a forum established as a corporate social responsibility by Finsbury Heinz Limited to develop quality, health, safety and environment (QHSE) and human performance expertise and seek QHSE solutions to enhance business continuity and train students and graduates. The mission of the platform is to support and achieve a workplace where nobody gets hurt through qualitative and effective training/awareness, knowledge sharing, effective communication and strategic alliance with both

•Prof Umoh presenting the cup to Captain Kenny. With him are Dr. N. T. Yakub, Sub-Dean Students’ Affairs and Musa Surajudeen (right), SUG President

•Law team in blue and Arts team with officiating referee

players with a goal keeper to compete for the trophy. In the preliminary stages, the game was tough for all the participating faculties. CIS, BSS, Agriculture and Engineering teams were knocked out while Law, Arts, Education and Science fac-

ulties proceeded to the next round. The semi-final game held on December 15, amidst excitement by the students who came to cheer on their faculties’ players. After the match, Arts defeated Science by a lone goal while Law routed its opponent from Education in a

decisive 2 –1 penalty. The final of the tournament took place on December 21. Prof Sunday Umoh, UNILORIN Dean of Student Affairs, watched the match and presented the trophy to the winner. Lecturers also came from each faculty to watch the game. The first match was the

third-place one between Education and Science teams. Education won by a lone goal. The high point of the soccer fiesta was the battle for the trophy between the Law and Arts teams. Student supporters, mostly male, trooped to the field to cheer on their teams. Drumbeats and songs suffused the air as spectators watched with agitation. Each team played with zeal and vigour. The officiating team comprised Bolaji Awodiji, 400-Level Human Kinetics, who was the referee; Sadiq Abayomi, 400-Level Human Kinetics, linesman 1 and Kola Ade, a Law student, was the linesman 2. However, the match ended goalless. After the extra time, a penalty shootout was declared by the officials. The Law team scored one out of all kicks it played during the penalty shootout. All the kicks by Arts team went over the bar. After the final whistle, there was jubilation as supporters ran into the field uncontrollably to carry their players. The captain of Arts team was adjudged the Most Valuable Player in the competition. The trophy was presented to the captain of the Law team by Prof Umoh. Kolapo Are, the SUG Sports Secretary, who was the brain behind the competition, said the idea was conceived through an interaction with a female friend who challenged him on the issue. He thanked God for the success of the competition. “The competition was basically to advance the concept of gender equality among students and to encourage our female students in physical fitness through soccer,” Kolapo told CAMPUSLIFE, adding: “I am taking this as a challenge to ensure that this tradition continues even when I am out of office.” Omokorede Olaniran, a 200Level Linguistic student, told CAMPUSLIFE: “It is a nice competition, though my faculty lost. It is a step in the right direction. This shows that what a man can do, a woman can also do. Football is not a game for guys alone, but also girls.”

Preparing graduates for the future local and international consultants at no cost. Facilitators at the 6th Series with the theme: Achieving a Sustainable QHSE Management in 2012 included Mrs Dominga Odebunmi, Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission; Dr Olugenga Bejide, Managing Consultant, Jabulani Consult Limited; Dr Mohie Bakinson, an occupational health consultant; Mr Lawrence Ogudu, a quality management expert, Mrs Monica Nwosu, an executive of Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals (NISP) and Mr Adekoyejo Fetuga of Niko Consults, Warri. According to Mr Matthew Odili, the head of Operations and Customer Fulfillment of Finsbury Heinz Limited, the seminar is part of the series of lectures organised for students and graduates, who have passion for accident prevention and safety culture. He lamented the attitude of employers and employees in Nigeria to workplace safety, which, according to him, has inflicted lifetime injuries on many workers. He thanked the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, for establishing a safety commission. Participants included graduates, young professionals and experienced professionals who came from various sectors of the economy. Mrs Dominga said there was fu-

•Participants at the seminar

ture in safety, adding that there would be an outburst in the demand for safety professionals in Nigeria. She said: “People spend fortunes to acquire HSE knowledge abroad and the result is what we see every day in the way they do things in the United Kingdom and other western world.” She added that Lagos State Government would soon start to register safety training centres and professionals and thanked the organiser for bringing safety to

the doorsteps of everyone without any cost implication. In his lecture titled Occupational Health and Safety in the 21st Century, Bakinson said about two million people die as a result of workrelated illness every year. He said: “Work can affect health of the worker and health of the worker can also affect the work.” He called for review of Factory Act of 1990 that allows firm to pay N5,000 as compensation for any injury sustained by workers as a result of unsafe working condi-

tions. Bakinson continued: “Experience shows that the majority of accidents at work place are always preventable but because the company management and workers pay little attention to safety rules, accidents occur.” He called for the inclusion of HSE in the national education curriculum, so that “safety culture can be inculcated right from the young.” •Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08022664898

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Respirators (5) 5. Cluster (5) 8. Cereal (3) 9. Stroll (5) 11. Speck (3) 13. Nothing (3) 14. Without End (7) 16. Broad (4) 18. Faulted (6) 21. Unfortunately (4) 23. Radio Device (5) 24. Get With Difficulty (3) 25. One (2) 28. Final (3) 29. Before (3) 31. Capital (4) 33. Ourselves (2) 34. Run (3)

1.Skinny (4) 2. Illustrious (5) 3. Woman (3) 4. Precipitous (5) 5. Unite (5) 6. Naked (4) 7. Headgear (4) 10. Center (6) 12. Willow (5) 15. Metal (4) 17. Relax (4) 18. Trade Mark (5) 19. Production Factor (4) 20. Create (4) 22. Similar (4) 26. Robe (4) 27. Newt (3) 30. Flee (3) 32. Perform (2)

WORD WHEEL Form as many words as you can with the letters in the wheel. Every word must make use of the letter at the center, i.e. the letter T. 2-letter words and proper nouns are not allowed. Hidden in the grid is a 9-letter word meaning ‘forward in manner’. This is the star word.Words from forty score excellent.

Wanted Urgently: UNDERTAKER

ShoWBitZ

Behind the Phrase

Denzel Washington stars in ‘Flight’

Life’s not all beer and skittles Meaning ‘Beer and skittles’ is shorthand for a life of indulgence spent in the pub. Origin Skittles, also known as Ninepins, which was the precursor to ten-pin bowling, has been a popular English pub game since the 17th century. The pins are set up in a square pattern and players attempt to knock them down with a ball. It is still played but not so much as previously. The game was referred to in Footman’s History of the Parish Church of Chipping Lambourn, 1894, which reprints a piece from 1634: “William Gyde... for playing at skittolles on Sunday.” Citations of beer and skittles and variants appear in literature from the 19th century. For example, Dickens’ Pickwick Papers, 1837: “It’s a reg’lar holiday to them - all porter and skittles.” Thomas Hughes’ Tom Brown’s Schooldays, 1857: “Life isn’t all beer and skittles.”

ROCKY MARCIANO

Academy Award winner Denzel Washington starred in director Robert Zemeckis’ upcoming film “Flight,”. The film, written by John Gatins, is began production in October in Atlanta Georgia, Paramount Pictures said in a release. The story follows “Whip,” played by Washington, a commercial airline pilot who manages to fly a damaged plane, saving 98 lives on a flight, the release said. The pilot then struggles with his newfound hero label as an investigation brings into question his behavior the night before the flight. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald produced the feature along with Zemeckis, Steve Starkey, and Jack Rapke.

Pep Talk

WEIRD WORLD Crash throws marijuana into the street Police in California said a truck crashed and many of its bags of illegally carried marijuana were snatched up by bystanders before officers arrived. San Jose police said the crasshed truck wound up on its side nearOakridge Mall, was abandoned by the time police got there and many large bags of marijuana were taken by pedestrians and motorists, the San Jose Mercury News reported. Investigators said the remaining bags were rounded up by officers and they found a loaded handgun inside the truck. Police said they were searching for the driver of the truck and the people who picked up the bags of marijuana.

HUMOUR Maid Talk “Hey, Mom,” asked Johnny “Can you give me twenty dollars?” “Certainly not.” “If you do,” he went on, “I’ll tell you what dad said to the maid when you were at the beauty shop.” His mother’s ears perked up and, grabbing her purse, she handed over the money. “Well? What did he say?” “He said, ‘Hey, Marie, make sure you wash my socks tomorrow.’ “

Entertaining Guests After dinner one evening a the president was entertaining their house guest by playing the piano. At one point he turned to the visitor, a fat conservative talk show host, and said, “I understand you love music.” “Yes,” murmured the guest politely. “But never you mind. Keep right on playing ...”

If we do not plant knowledge when young it will give us no shade

when we are old. – Lord Chesterfield

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE

The world at their feet They are three young Nigerians who have made impact on their generation. DAYO IBITOYE (recently graduated from Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) met them.

BDULAZEEZ Idiaro is popular for establishing one of the foremost and multifaceted educational website services in the country, ediaro.com. The Computer Science graduate of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)is making tremendous impact as an entrepreneur. He is a hardworking, innovative, intelligent, cool-headed and fun-loving young man. Idiaro describes his vision for life as simply “employing ICT to change the world.” He is inspired by doing what he loves and people (most especially Nigerians) appreciate him for it. “I have a lot of people who call to appreciate my effort and initiative of the ediaro e-library which has a compilation of Nigerian and international undergraduate and post-graduate research works free for download; to foster further research and development. I love touching lives positively. I love standing for the right causes, even if am standing alone,” he said. What are the challenges as a young entrepreneur? “The challenge I have with ediaro.com is that Nigerians are very ignorant about computer and ICT. This is further compounded by the rate of cyber crime in the country. This is what spurred my interest to work on a book which is yet to be published. I titled it Safeguarding yourself from fraud and cybercrime in a cashless economy”. Idiaro wants to be known as a religious, rich and noble man, even

after his death. He added: “I want to put a blueprint in this world, build up a business empire where I will promote businesses, ICT, touch lives, create employment, lift Nigeria’s image positively and make the world a better place.” His message to Nigerian youths: “I want the youth to believe in themselves, think out of the box, set-up individual plans in life and move passionately towards achieving the objective. The beginning might be rough, I mean very rough, but, over time, they would get to their dream land if they do not relent.”

•Idiaro

•Obajeun

•Psalm

Ayodele Obajeun Former CAMPUSLIFE correspondent Ayodele Obajeun is a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife. He has proven his mettle many times as a man to beat in the literary world. In 2008, he beat 3,800 other participants from over 145 countries to be among the best eight at the World Bank International Youth Essay Competition. From there, he set up a pet project “Tolerance Academy”. According to him, the academy provides young people with access to unconventional ethno-religious education, social integration internship as well as support to pass on the knowledge using existing knowledge transfer structures. What inspires him most in life? Ayo responds: “Unusual creations

- madmen and death. When I see madmen, I get inspired by their vocalizations, I get inspired by their zeal and I get inspired by their unusual ways of engaging life. I believe there are many positives with mad men. When you have them as friends by studying them, you would realise what I mean. My final year project in school was dedicated to these men”. Continuing, he said: “Death also inspires me; it has taught me how to live my daily life. It guides me to achieve my daily goals; this makes me live as if I would die tomorrow”. Ayo who has dedicated his life to doing unusual things added: “I don’t want to end up as a footnote in history. I want to be in the chapters. I won’t do things that would make my head to be heavier than what my shoulders can carry”. He surprised this correspondent when he was asked what he would want other youths to emulate from him. He answered: “Nothing. I

hate to tell people to emulate me. If I should do that, I would be doing more harm than good. Everyone has been given a life to live. They should create their styles; how they choose to live their life is dependent wholly on them. An attempt to live like another person may land you in trouble; you would be a second class citizen, and you would end up in the pool, not among the few at the top of the pyramid because you have not created anything new with your life. Hesitate to be like someone, be unique,” he concluded.

light with his hit single “Ebube” which received a massive airplay on local and international radio and television stations. Immediately the hit single was released, it became an anthem, chorused in every gospel gathering. It has recorded over 300,000 Internet downloads and counting. Psalm Ebube has worked with many big names in the industry such as the Midnight Crew, Bola Mogaji, Infinity, Kenny Kore, Lara Gorge Wole Oni, Mickky Mee, Akin Alabi, Adunni, Nill Oka (Ghana) and Maretous Arunda (Kenya). Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Psalm describes his style as a blend of African and western contemporary music. He said his vision is to see his music transform lives within and outside Nigeria. “When I see my songs minister to people, especially the youth, I am always glad. I believe it is my own little way of making the necessary impact this country needs to grow. I dream of a Nigeria where God’s praise will be made glorious through gospel music.”

•Funmi

•LASU gate

Samuel Akinyemi Popularly known as Psalm Ebube, gospel music crooner Samuel Akinyemi has proven his mettle as one of Nigeria’s fastest rising singers. He is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke. According to him, music is what he was born to do as he started his musical career at 13. Psalm Ebube came into the lime-

The graduating students of Lagos State University (LASU) have written their final exams. Some of them told KEHINDE AJOSE (graduating student of English) their experience.

HE buzz usually starts immediately after the final examination. Some may even express it during the exam. But, in all, one could see the anticipation on the final year students’ faces. Why? They are graduating and ready to launch their skills in the labour world. A chant of “congratulations” usually rents the air, and it is always followed by a dose of laughter and excitement. This is usually the mood when final year students in higher institutions write their final examination to round off their study. Then, they breathe the air of freedom. Students always schedule programmes and events to mark their exit from school. From department to department, students clad in various Aso Ebi, ranging from traditional attires to T-shirts and Polos, go to the exam hall to announce their departure school. This was the mood at the Lagos State University (LASU) when the graduating students wrote their exams a fortnight ago. Though the finishing date varied from department to department, the merry

mood of the students could be noticed throughout the campus. Amidst the euphoria, some graduating students have realised that life after school is not divided into semesters. They have become conscious of the fact that the world outside is another school on its own, where one must apply what he has learnt in the university. Some of the students relived lessons they learnt out of the classroom. Oyeyinka Giwanson, a graduating student of English Studies, described her university experience as motivating. She said: “The university has taught me patience, tolerance and doggedness. Sometimes, I got discouraged and I felt like giving up, but the hope for a better future kept me motivated. It is beautiful passing through school and I have been inspired by my lecturers and friends.” “Life is a stage play and everyone is a cast in the play,” said Agbolade Omowole, a graduating student.

Reliving varsity life He said: “My five-year university experience was a challenge. I learnt how to cope with the struggles of life on campus.” On his view about life after school, he said: “To cope in the real world, one needs God, his brain, other people’s time and resources.” Funmi Gaji, another graduating

student, said: “I have learnt to make hay while the sun shines. I learnt to be prepared always: you don’t wait until exam is one week away before you start reading. I learnt to work under pressure. These are lessons I believe can be applied to life. I learnt to fully maximise time for optimal result.” Sikiru Lamidi, graduating En-

‘It made me a better person as I now understand that my destiny is in my hands. I have been equipped with the theoretical knowledge needed to confront the world, now I realise that every man has a choice to break even in life, or to remain tied to penury for life’

glish student, said: “While so many have been carried away by the glitz and glamour, a selected few have always seen it as a challenge, an avenue where the wheels of a bright future is set in motion. The university experience has opened my eyes to things I have been happily ignorant about. It made me a better person as I now understand that my destiny is in my hands. I have been equipped with the theoretical knowledge needed to confront the world, now I realise that every man has a choice to break even in life, or to remain tied to penury for life.” When asked about her post-university plans, Oyeyinka said: “I have plans to go to a French school and enroll in a photography academy, since I have a flair for the media.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE

T is difficult for me to describe the depth of my grief as I write this piece. I am overwhelmed by anger, despair and resignation to fate that I cannot utter a word. But I take solace in the understanding that I am not alone in this mess. Sometimes, the feeling that I was probably unfortunate to be born in Nigeria crops up in my head. But I ask, what power does the clay have over a pottery maker? Of course, the terracotta assumes whatever shape the potter deems fit. And just like clay, we seem to be helpless in this part of the world. On the national front, we get bundles of disappointment from those who are supposed to cater for our welfare, but we appear to enjoy the game and play along. Darkness, for instance, is a recurring decimal in our schools, homes, offices, churches and mosques. Even when we growl at it, heavens never fall. But only a presidential broadcast on NTA is enough to calm our nerves, with assurance to boost power generation to 10,000 megawatts. The megawatts of blackout follow and, like a strainer, we take it in without jabbing the air. As young people, we attend amusement parks in the name of universities and polytechnics. Even neighbouring Ghana dwarfs Nigeria on education. When we gradu-

HE road to success, they say, is very narrow. But all we desire in life cannot be achieved through a facile venture. The road to success is paved with hurdles that can only be overcome by determination and strong will. This is not peculiar to human lives alone, it also applies to countries. Nigeria, in recent times, is being visited by unpleasant situations which have thrown majority of us off the track of optimism, believing that those who do not wish the country well are taking the lead and the government is powerless to tackle the problem. Governance in Nigeria seems to follow one pattern. A government comes to power after it claims to identify the challenges of the nation. However, after four years of

I need education ate from the parks, employers never think twice to brand us “halfbaked”. And yet, we celebrate graduation. Later, we will fasten a big, brown envelop between the chest and arm, begging some slave masters to give us a lifeline. At home, we are scorned by our parents. We continue to be their burden even after years of labour and trainings. To our siblings, we seem to be the symbol of curse itself and shame is the next to our wounded pride. Whether we deserve this contempt is not the reason for this discourse. The Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are in a showdown. Is it not said that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers? In this situation, the proverbial grass is the Nigerian education system. Who retains the belt after the tussle? Shall we flintily watch the fight with the assurance that education will fare better in 2012? These are questions burning in the hearts of many. But one thing is clear: the consequences would sure be dire. Presently, thousands of graduates lay idly at home. They cannot be

engaged because graduates are still struggling to get jobs that have consistently remained unavailable. The idle youths are not reading either, because of addiction to Facebook, 2go and twitter. They are bemused because they are in a country where government speaks from both sides of the mouth - never keeping its word. The Poet, Thomas Gray, probably had Nigerian youths in mind when he said: “Too many a flower is borne to blush unseen, and waste away their sweetness in the desert air.” No wonder, when ASUU goes on strike, students are not always bothered because “aristos” and “gigolos” would resume to give these students what they want. The monthly allowances that cease to flow would be paid by these lascivious men. Others take to internet fraud. Every night, we take long stares at the naked clouds and hope some persons in Aso Rock would hear our sobs. We need libraries to read but government has not equipped the existing one with modern books. We want to rub shoulders with Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Bryn or better still, Mark

Zuckerberg. But government provides no scholarship or grant for research. We are amazed by America’s start-ups stories but Nigeria keeps ranking as one of the worst places to do business. I am no Octopus but as far as Nigerian population explodes with little or no attention to education, the future is bleak and all hope seems dim. As New York Times David Brooks noted, America and Germany would continue to lead wealthy economies because they place a high premium on “value, habits and social capital”. Aside education, I don’t know any other secret behind the magic. We can expend the whole budgetary allocation on security but without education, Boko Haram would continue to recruit new bombers. We can rebrand Nigeria all over again and assert our competitive stance at ECOWAS roundtable. But without education, unemployment would soar above the current 23 percent and Human Capital Index (HDI) will nosedive. We can tell the world that Nigeria is “safe” but that would not stop a digruntled Niger Delta rebel from kidnapping a Fillipino.

By Gilbert Alasa humble_gilby@yahoo.com

I need an education. I want leaders and not rulers that grind my future into dust. I want a level-playing field such that through guts and sweat and smarts, we can realise the life of our dreams irrespective of our cadre on the social strata. Only education prides itself as that leveler. I need a government that truly understands what I need – education! Gilbert, 300-Level Foreign Languages, UNIBEN

Let’s imbibe positive thinking By Nnamdi Johnpaul keep2jaypee@yahoo.co.uk

politicking, the government leaves office without achieving its set goals even as the successor comes in without novel ideas. This trend goes on and on and the result: the mountain of problems we are facing now. Despite that some people want us to believe Jonathan’s administration is slow, it is imperative for well-meaning Nigerians to contribute to the development process through constructive criticisms and positive support. This will, to a

large extent, strengthen the government, instead of concentrating on its weaknesses and magnifying it in the eyes of those making the country ungovernable. The reality is that no society can thrive where political instability, religious unrest and communal crisis prevail. It is not just the duty of the government to create a society where peace will reign for things to go well; we must also lend our support. Good followership is an essential ingredient for nation building. Thus, leaders of religious and traditional

institutions as well as the various ethnic groups should call their subjects to order and imbibe in them, the culture of oneness. While making case for national unity through a framework of law that will give equal right all, religious tolerance should be the sermon from the pulpit to the minbar. Dialogue should be employed by faithful of Christianity and Islam to settle differences no matter the level of provocation. Meanwhile, the overwhelming support which the president enjoyed before and during the April

polls should be brought to bear now that the country is in security quagmire. President Jonathan should make a bold step by engaging the people directly and give his administration a human face. I conclusively abide by the words of Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”. To this effect, we can make head way and attain success only if all well meaning Nigerians not only believe, but also habituate positive attitudes. Nnamdi, 300-Level Television Journalism, NTA TV College, Jos

Turning Poly Ibadan to university

By Jeremiah Oke lexy4u2006@yahoo.com

ECENTLY, the Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Abiola Ajimobi, set up a committee to suggest ways to improve the Polytechnic, Ibadan. When the committee, led by Prof A. Akintunde, concluded its findings and observations, it sug-

N the thinking of some people, journalism is meant for busybodies. But methinks it is a profession that informs, entertains and educates the public. Journalism is information and communication. It is said to be about events of the day, which are put into few words with clear pictures to satisfy human curiosity. Journalism is like an idol served by millions of people every day. It is like a picture of a

gested that the polytechnic has all facilities required to be upgraded to a degree-awarding institution. Oyo State is believed to be political nerve centre of the Yoruba people, and it remains the only one in the Southwest without a personal university. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho is jointly owned by Oyo and Osun States. In the past, several governments had wanted to convert the institution to a degree-awarding institution but their effort to get it done was proved abortive. In March 1987, during the administration of Col. Adetunji Olurin as the military governor in the state, he tried to empower the institution to run courses leading to award first degree but the effort did not succeed. When he assumed the leadership of the state, ex-governor Lamidi Adesina, also accepted the recommendation of Prof Taoheed

Adedoja’s visitation panel and approved that the institution to award degree. Senator Rashidi Ladoja also tried to no avail. The incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi has dabbled into the issue with Prof Kolawole panel recommending that the polytechnic be converted to university. The question is: will the report not end up in shelve? I admit that the reason why many of us want the poly converted to university is because of the discrimination in the labour market. And if looked closely, the indigene of the state are populated in the poly than in University of Ibadan (UI). So if polytechnic certificates are being rejected in labour market, then it means many Ibadan HND holders would be left without jobs. A graduate of the school told this writer his experience in the labour market recently. He complained about discrimination against HND

holders. He relayed a story of two corps members that were posted to one of the new generation banks. One graduated from the university while the other went to a polytechnic. On getting to the entrance of the bank head office, the first person to discourage the poly graduate was a security man on duty. When the corps member eventually manoeuvre his way to the admin department of the bank, the officer made it clear that the polytechnic graduate are always rejected, so they could not accommodate him and issued him a rejection letter. This and many more are the problems facing the polytechnic graduate in the country presently. Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while delivering his speech at the convocation of Osun State Polytechnic, Ire recently, he said in order to reduce the problem facing the polytechnic graduates in the country, and

the federal government should upgrade all polytechnics in the country to degree awarding institution. If truly the Oyo State government IS serious about the conversion, let Gov. Ajimobi takes the bull by the horn and tackle the corrupt cabal who refused to update themselves in the institution. Most of these people have limited themselves to the environment and cannot look beyond. Most of them do not have the required certificates to teach in a higher institution while others are not qualified to be in academic environment. Alas, these people are the one dictating the affairs of the institution. Ajimobi is expected to expedite actions on the conversion so that the recommendations of the latest visiting panel will not vanished like the ones in the past. Jeremiah, is a corps member, NYSC Lagos

What is Journalism? man stepping on the surface of the moon, seeing millions of homes and events happening in each. Years ago, most people in the developed world got news from newspapers. The process of printing hardly changed at all, and the only modernisation has been in the machinery to produce and distribute a greater number of copies of each issue

before Guglielmo Marconi invented a long distance radio transmission. Journalism is about people. It helps to shape society into a model we proud. Through its large audience, the media has the obligation to chart a cause towards the betterment of the society. The power of the infor-

mation is all people need to effect a change that will change their lives. Journalism is the conscience of the society. Therefore, people must protect it and ensure its ideals and values are not tainted to serve the cause of few. Abolanle, ND II Mass Comm., LASPOTECH

By Abolanle Adewunmi adewunmiabolanle@yahoo.com

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE

Final year students donate to department

HE pioneer graduates of the department of Local Government Studies of the Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe penultimate week celebrated their graduation in style. The 30 graduates of the department did not only celebrate with food and party like their colleagues in other departments; they left a lasting legacy by building a relaxation centre named “Pioneer’s Lounge” for the use of students and staff of the department. Welcoming the guests to the launching of the lodge which is strategically located between the lecture rooms, the acting Head of Department, Dr. Isiaka Aransi said he had been watching the class since the beginning of the project with keen interest. “With this development, I am of the opinion that the sky is the beginning for them. There are only 30 students in the class but their impacts are more than that of 100 students”, he said. According to him, “with my inquiry, this project becomes first of its kind in the history of this university where a single class will embark on a capital project of this magnitude. This shows that our students are not known for cultism and other malpractices but for creativity and good practices. They have indeed learned and imbibed a good culture in line with the motto of the

From Sikiru Akinola OAU

university which is “for learning and culture”. Present at the event was the Vice-Dean, faculty of administration, Dr A. Agboola, his counterpart from the Division of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Yinka Adesina and Dr. Francis Fagbohun. Others are; the immediate past president of the department, Oluwaloseyi Babaeko, the chairman of the Final Year Brethren(FYB), Olabisi Seriki and others. Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Babaeko said he was grateful to God for the completion of their studies after passing through a rigorous diploma programme before gaining admission. He also thanked their lecturers, colleagues and staffs of the University for their Cooperation. In his own remark, the FYB chairman, Olabisi Seriki commended his mates for their steadfastness and doggedness throughout their stay on campus At the end of the programme which lasted for about an hour, they were presented with certificates of merit. “Their names will be written in gold in the history of this department. Their initiatives will never be forgotten”, said the Dr. Aransi

•NANS officials with some of the children

NANS, students’ leaders donate to orphanages

HE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has donated foodstuff and toiletries to the less-privileged. NANS officials and students’ union leaders in higher institutions in Edo State donated the items to Edo Orphanage Home and Amadin Orphanage Home, in Benin City. The NANS group was led by the incumbent president, Dauda Mohammed. Others included immediate past NANS president, Jude Imagwe, Vice President of NANS, Ehimemenn Moreno, and Edo chairman of Joint Campus Committee, Godfrey Iso. The Students’ Union leaders were led by President of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY), Louis Osaro, president of College of Education, Ekiadolor, and Augustine Oriakhi, president of College of Education, Igueben. Former senate president of AUCHI POLY, Armstrong Ovie-Afabor anchored the ceremonies. At separate donations, the students presented bags of rice, cartons of Indomie, tubers of yams, soaps, tissue papers, and bath soap, among others to the orphans. Dauda said their visit was to identify with the less privileged especially during yuletide when love has to be shown to people regardless of their background. Funmilayo Bello, a Primary 4 pupil who was excited by the gift, said: “Your coming has made us to be lively. It indicates there is hope for us tomorrow and that it is possible that our dream can be fulfilled.” Dauda added: “Unlike many who cel-

From Nosakhare Uwadiae BENIN

ebrated the season with their love ones, friends and relatives, we the students’ leaders make it a duty to ensure less-privileged people in the society have a sense of belonging and given the needed care.” Jude said: “The activities have been undertaken with the solemn belief that we must put smile to the faces of the underprivileged. We must care for them so as to reduce their sufferings.” While welcoming the students to the Edo Orphanage Home, the Public Relations Officer of the home, Mr Shedrack Ikharo, told the students that they did what Napoleon could not do. “The wind of change is gradually spreading wide in the society. This kind of welfare service is a thing that government officials cannot do.” Also, the Public Relations Officer of the Amadin Orphange Home, Mrs Mary Enuma, thanked the students for the honour done on them, saying with the actions, NANS had written its name on gold. Dauda, however, promised to partner with orphanage homes, especially in the area of education. He pointed out that sound education is the bedrock of success in life. Hundreds of students who graced the presentation of the gift items, chanted solidarity songs and the children who were full of joy joined in applause.

Don reappointed to head department •The concrete seat built by final year students

On and Off Campus

By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

HE management of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY) has appointed Mr Abraham Obaze head of Mass Communication department. The appointment is part of the management strategy to redefine departments that need effective leadership to achieve the polytechnic’s goals. To many students and staff, Obaze’s reappointment was due to his achievement during his first tenure in office, which included the inauguration of the radio station of the polytechnic and quick release of students’ results. The president of Association of Mass Com-

From ‘Tosin Ajuwon AUCHIPOLY

munication Students (AMCOS) in the poly, Jolly Aiwekhoe, told CAMPUSLIFE that the reappointment of Obaze was expected because of his character and achievement. “Mr Obaze’s reappointment was because we all believe in his leadership during his first stay in office,” Jolly said. Abdulazeez Umaru, the Students’ Union Government information officer, said the management should be praised for the appointment, saying “If Obaze’s method in his previous tenure had been based on favoritism, he would not have come back.”

Preparing graduates for the future •Continued from page 31

During the interactive session, a participant, Mary Izuzu, said she resigned her appointment in a Service Company last week because “doctor told me that my health is deteriorating due to accumulated illness from the kind of job I was doing.” She said: “A friend told me about this programme and I am faced, after Dr. Bakinson’s lecture, with the reality of damage in my body system.” Mr Ogudu, who spoke on the integration of quality management into businesses to enhance profit maximisation, advised the unemployed among the participants to look for “payless” jobs to acquire necessary experience that would give them advantage over their peers in labour market. Mrs Monica Nwosu and Mr Fetuga spoke on Environmental Management Systems Audit and compliance in line with ISO 14001:2004. They took a cursory look at EMS Implementation, Audit and Compliance in Nigeria and gave

pragmatic solutions to all identified lapses. Dr. Bejide, who spoke on Safety Culture, said lack of necessary laws to safeguard Nigerian workers from sever condition of work place led to the decline in the life expectancy of Nigerians, which according to him, was put at 51.9 years by the 2011 UN Quality of Life Index with Libya and Mauritius having 74.0 and 73.4 respectively. “The safety seminar is an eye-opener for me. As a Civil Engineering graduate, who is hoping to work in oil company, this forum has given an opportunity to see thing from different angle. HSE has opened my eyes to opportunities in Nigeria and I don’t think I have qualms in searching for job,” said Folagbade Awolesi, a corps member who attended the seminar. All the participants including the speakers implore the State Government and all other corporate organisations to join hands with the organisers for successful continuation of this unique social responsibility and worthy cause in 2012.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EDUCATION Caleb Varsity holds first graduation

EKSU FILE New pre-degree courses

S Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, holds its maiden convocation on January 21, its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ayodeji Olukoju, has assured the graduating students will contribute to national re-birth given their training. In a statement signed by the Public Affairs Officer, Mr Abimbola Olulesi, Olukoju said the university, through the Caleb Leadership Academy, has been preparing its students to give selfless service, be team players, appreciate the dignity of labour and respect human lives since inception in 2007. With this training, they will distinguish themselves in their places of primary assignment during their National Youth Service which begins next month, he said.

•Prof Oloyede inspecting the new volleyball court

ASUU strike, Ghana games delay WAUG

•Prof Olukoju

Leeds Varsity appoints supervisor

EEDS University, United Kingdom(UK), has appointed Dr Fakunle Odifa Director of Academic Supervisor of its doctoral degree. Odifa is the Director Leadmode Academic Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos a consultancy outfit for some UK university outreach centres across West Africa. Odifa, who holds a doctorate in Economics from Leicester University UK, will oversee doctoral students at the Faculty of Business and Law of the Leeds Metropolitan University outreach centres across West Africa.

HE 13th West African University Games (WAUG) earlier billed for this month at the University Ilorin (UNILORIN) has been postponed till March. The postponement followed the outgoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike and 22nd Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games also holding this month in Kumasi. UNILORIN management, staff and student unions and WAUG Local Organising Committee agreed to the postponement after a meeting. They noted that the 12th WAUG was hosted by the University of Ghana in March 2008. UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, buttressed the need for the participation of Ghana, saying WAUG was started by Nigeria and Ghana, through the universities of Ibadan and Ghana. Other West African universities later joined the games. Oloyede said since most other West African countries have one or two universities each, the non-participation of Ghana, which has several, will make the Games look like an expanded Nigeria University Games

•UNILORIN set to host games (NUGA). The Executive Council of WAUG will consider the proposed date of March 27 to April 7 at its meeting holding in UNILORIN this week. At the stakeholders meeting where the threats were identified, the UNILORIN Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Albert Olayemi, who is also the Chairman, WAUG LOC, said almost all infrastructural and logistic facilities are in place for a successful competition. He said another modern pavilion has been constructed while the old one has been upgraded at the university stadium. He added that work was almost complete on the eight-lane tartan track and some other indoor and outdoor sporting facilities. Olayemi said many sub-committees were working to ensure the success of the various components of the Games. The sub-committees, according to him, include Ceremonials and Protocol, Medical, Accommodation, Accreditation, Documentation, Publicity, Environ-

mental Health, WAUG Forum, Feeding, Technical, Transport, Facilities, Security and Immigration. Oloyede applauded members of the WAUG LOC for their efforts, especially as hosting WAUG has given the university an opportunity to develop its sporting infrastructure. He thanked the Kwara State Government for granting UNILORIN the use of facilities at the Kwara State Stadium. Expanding the Strategic Marketing Sub-Committee, Oloyede charged the LOC to work harder at improving revenue generation, saying while the university continues to spend on infrastructure, recurrent expenditure should be driven by the committee such that logistics would be taken care of. He then appealed to the friends of the university to take advantage of the opportunity offered by WAUG to show solidarity trough the donation of cash and materials. The high points of the meeting included an assessment tour of the structures and facilities already on ground at the University Stadium.

Ex-LASU Registrar speaks on development plan

FORMER Registrar of the Lagos State University (LASU), Mr Owolabi Amisu, has advised the school management to review and implement the 2005 fiveyear Strategic Development Plan. Amisu, who served between 1997 and 2000, was delivering a paper entitled: “Driving the university registry on a corporate planning approach” at the first annual distinguished lecture and award of the Association of Nigerian Universities Professional Administrators (ANUPA), LASU chapter.

Amisu said driving the university system on a corporate planning approach should be seen as part of the imperatives of the moment. He urged the association to stay true to its objectives of: “Promoting the professional administrative knowledge and practices in Nigerian universities; pursuing the individual and corporate welfare of its member” among others. The Chairman, ANUPA LASU, Mr Akinwunmi Lewis, a Deputy Registrar in the Academic Establishment

(ASE) Unit, encouraged members to work as professional administrators to raise the university’s profile. The Registrar, Mr Lateef Animashaun, while declaring the event open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa, urged members of staff to fly the flag of the university high in making the mission statement of ANUPA a reality. The event featured the presentation of awards to past administrators including the late Mrs Bola Elusade (posthumous award), represented by

her daughter, Mrs Omotayo Iyiola; Mrs Olasumbo Bello and Mrs Aramide Masha, a permanent secretary in the state. Others included former Deputy Registrar Mr Babalola Sanusi and Mr Adelaja Olojede. Also in attendance were registrars of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/ Ijanikin, Bola Disu and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Mr Bola Shittu and many senior administrative staff from seven states and federal universities.

Fed Poly Rector wins NATE award

HE Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Bali,Adamawa State Dr Saidu Umaru Jen, has won the Best Rector of the Year award of the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE). Dr Jen received the award at the 28th Conference of Technologists in Engineering and Annual General Meeting of NATE in Kano. The National President of NATE, Chief Leo Okereke, who made the presentation said Jen’s selection was informed by his tremendous transformation of the institution

from a virgin land into a fantastic and very conducive academic environment for learning. Besides, the President noted that the Rector’s faith in the elimination of the HND/B.Sc dichotomy was commendable and lauded his effort in inculcating entrepreneurial spirit among students and contributions to the development of Technical and Vocational Education. While responding,Jen thanked NATE for finding him worthy of the award and promised not to relent in his determination to trans-

form the institution and uplift technical and vocational education in the country. He also thanked members of his management whose co-operation, he said, contributed immensely to all the successes he recorded at the institution. This year’s conference and yearly general meeting which had as theme: Adaptive technology for national economic transformation, was chaired by a former minister of power and steel, Air Vice-Marshal Nura Imam (rtd) and attended by NATE members from all parts of the country.

•Dr Jen

THE scope of the pre-degree programme in Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, is to be expanded to accommodate many disciplines. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Patrick Oladipo Aina, made this known when he toured the Pre-degree Office headed by Prof Eddy Olanipekun. Aina said students of the programmes in other universities perform better than those who got direct admission. He said that training of students from pre-degree level will ensure productive graduates who would be useful to the society. At the Part Time Programme (PTP) office, Aina told the Director, Prof Oladipo Ogunleye, that the university would sanitise the admission process. He said it was worrisome that the university did not know the actual number of students in the programme, flaying the students for not paying their fees regularly. At the School of Postgraduate Studies, he praised the Dean, Prof Gbenga Aribisala, for his innovations and promised to provide a befitting accommodation for the school. Aina also visited the faculties of Management Sciences and Social Sciences where he emphasised that he was in the school to serve and make it a 21st Century institution

Exams to go online ALL examinations and admission screenings in EKSU will, henceforth, be done online, Prof Aina has said. Also payment of fees will be online. Aina spoke while inspecting the Information Comminunication Technology (ICT) facilities in the school. He promised that “Google Nigeria”, an ICT organisation, will soon visit EKSU to contribute its quota in making the university a 21st century institution. “ICT is central to our transformation agenda in the university,”he said. At the Faculty of Agriculture, he said he would soon unfold a five-year strategic plan to serve as a roadmap for making the university the nation’s pride.

VC’s wife hosts children FOR the first time in the history of EKSU, staff’s children below 10 and pupils of the university staff school have been treated to an end-of-the-year party by Mrs Olabisi Aina, wife of the ViceChancellor. The party, which took place at the Staff School, featured dancing, speechmaking, and Bible reading. Mrs Aina advocated that all Nigerians should make their children’s education and good upbringing a priority. She urged Nigerians to work towards building a violence-free society. “Children are so precious, we have to care for them because they are the leaders of tomorrow,” she said. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina, who was at the party with his principal officers, urged Nigerians to instill discipline in their wards in the nation’s interest.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5 , 2011

EDUCATION ACE FILE

SCHOLARSHIP

Registry holds party THE Registry Division of the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, will hold its yearly party tomorrow. The thanksgiving will be attended by all Registry staff. According to a memo from the Registry Ceremonial Committee, the party begins at noon at the guest house.

Workers’ children party CHILDREN of members of staff will be hosted to a party on Saturday at the college quadrangle. Activities, such as games, bouncing castle, dancing competitions, have been lined up for the event meant for children between the ages three and 12. The Provost, Prof Adeyemi Idowu, and other members of management are expected to attend.

SSUCOEN election Jan 10 THE Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education (SSUCOEN), ACE Chapter, will elect new leaders on January 10. The Electoral Committee has declared the positions of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Public Relations Officer vacant and invited entries for the posts. Interested members are expected to collect nomination forms before the election date.

APPROACHING DEADLINES Scholarship Description: A postgraduate scholarship for a woman graduate is being offered by the University Hall St Andrews Graduate Association (UHStAGA) for two semesters of study in the academic session 2012-2013. The University of St Andrews, Scotland’s oldest University, founded in 1411, enjoys a high reputation for excellence in learning. In 1992 it celebrated the centenary of the admission of women as graduating students, and in 1996 the centenary of University Hall, the oldest purpose-built Hall of Residence for women students in Scotland. The Association for graduates of University Hall (UHStAGA) was founded in 1898. In offering this scholarship, UHStAGA wishes to continue its tradition of furthering friendly relations and international relations among students. To that end it is open to postgraduates both from home and from overseas. It is also open to current postgraduates who are experiencing financial difficulty in completing their research at St Andrews. How to Apply: By Post Scholarship Application Deadline: April 16, 2012. 2012-2013 International Student Entrance Scholarship at National University of Ireland, Ireland Undergraduate or Postgraduate Scholarship for students from Canada , China , India , USA in Different subjects at National University of Ireland, Galway 2012 Study Subject(s):Various Course Level:Undergraduate, Postgraduate Scholarship Provider: National University of Ireland, Galway Scholarship can be taken at: Ireland Eligibility: 1. Applicants must be normally resident in one of the following countries prior to commencing their programme of study at NUI Galway: • Canada • China • India • United States 2. Applicants must be new entrants and categorised as Non-EU students for fees purposes. 3. Applicants must not be in receipt of a merit based scholarship or award from any other institution worth more than •3,000 (per anum). 4. Applicants must hold a full or conditional offer for admission to one of the eligible full time undergraduate or postgraduate degree programmes listed overleaf. Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries:• Canada, China, India, United State Scholarship Description: Students awarded an International Student Entrance Scholarship have the value of the award automatically deducted from the standard non-EU tuition fee for the first year of study. The student will pay the balance of their tuition fee as normal in line with the normal rules and regulations of the University. How to Apply:By Post Scholarship Application Deadline: May 4, 2012. 2012 ICRAR International Postgraduate Scholarship, Australia

Merit Based Postgraduate Scholarship in Engineering Science or Mathematics at Curtin University, Australia 2012 Study Subject(s):Engineering Science or Mathematics Course Level:Postgraduate Scholarship Provider: Curtin University Scholarship can be taken at: Australia Eligibility: Applicants should: -be international candidates; -have excellent undergraduate academic record with a First Class Honours or its equivalent in the area of physics, astrophysics, ICT or electronic engineering; -meet the Curtin’s level of English language proficiency requirements; -and have excellent academic references Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Description: A scholarship is currently being offered to international students wishing to commence a PhD in radio astronomy at ICRAR in 2012. You are required to nominate one or more research projects that interest you. Example projects are: -Analysis of galaxies in the GAMA database - Radio astronomy (VLBI, MWA) technology and algorithms -Supermassive black holes, galactic X-ray binaries and pulsars - Aperture arrays in radio astronomy -Dynamics and star-formation in galaxies -Galaxy evolution driven by mergers The scholarship consists of a stipend valued at $30,000pa plus a tuition fee waiver for a period of three years with a possibility of a six-month extension. How to Apply: Email, Post Scholarship Application Deadline: January 31, 2012. National Scholarship Programme at the University of Worcester, UK University of Worceste offers National Scholarship Programme 2012, UK Study Subject(s):Courses offered by University of Worceste Course Level:Higher Education Scholarship Provider: University of Worceste Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility: Those students not eligible for a scholarship under the National Scholarship Programme are; NHS Funded students Students funded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools Students directly continuing from one course to another (eg from a foundation degree or HND to the final year of an honours degree) Students transferring in from another institution Students taking a postgraduate qualification Part-time students studying at less than 25per cent intensity of the full-time equivalent Any other students whose fees are paid or part-paid through a sponsorship arrangement Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes

Nekede Poly now ACTU compliant, Rector tells visitors

HE Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State, Dr Celestina Njoku, has confirmed the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU)-compliant status of the school. She spoke while receiving a team comprising officials of the ACTU of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Dr Njoku explained that because of her belief in doing things transparently, she strengthened the unit, in compliance with the directive of the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation for all Ministries,Departments Agencies (MDAS) to establish ACTU.

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

She told the team that she involved ACTU in all official transactions for integrity and transparency before assenting to them. She promised to do more for the ACTU. Presenting the team’s compliance monitoring and evaluation observation, its leader Alhaji Jauro Jibrin, expressed satisfaction with the polytechnic’s management and ACTU members for

establishing an effective anti-corruption unit. He said some unique attributes of the polytechnic’s ACTU were that the unit comprised the required personnel, very active and up and doing. Jibrin, however, noted some of its challenges, listing them as lack of permanent office accommodation/equipment, creation of budgetary sub-head and payment of sitting allowances for ACTU members as contained in

ICPC’s standing order and operational guidelines in MDAs. He enjoined the management to look into the challenges. Representatives of the two antigraft bodies praised the management and ACTU for the synergy and general awareness created for the prevention of corruption. They encouraged the rector to keep the flag flying. The team was in the polytechnic as part of ACTU’s monitor-

ing of the Southeast and Southsouth federal polytechnics. The visit was aimed at providing a platform for anti-corruption advocacy, public enlightenment, system study and review. It was also to create the opportunity for an interactive meeting between the ACTU-NBTE/EFCC/ICPC team and ACTU members of polytechnics as well as administer the compliance monitoring and evaluation questionnaire instruments.

Dept sends off secretary THE Department of Physiology, University of Ilorin, has held a send-off party for its former Secretary, Mrs L. A. A. Adeyemi, who retired last October 18, after 35 years service. Speaking on the occasion the Acting Head of Department, Dr B. V. Owoyele, said it was an achievement to put in 35 years of service and retire gracefully as Mrs Adeyemi has done. Owoyele said the occasion was to reward Mrs Adeyemi, who distinguished herself with the quality of service rendered to the department. Responding, Mrs Adeyemi thanked the university administration for nurturing her to retirement.

•Front row (from left): Kingsley Ekwem, Dr. Chimezie Anyakora, Lt. Col. Paul Obi, (Rtd), Mr Darlington Agholor, Mr Victor Braimah, all members of the Governing Council, the Institute for Industrial Technology (IIT), with guests and graduating students of Mechatronics during the Ninth Graduation of the institute in Lagos.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EDUCATION

Why poor pupils are victims of mass failure, by NECO official

HO are the ‘victims’ of mass failure in public examinations? They are pupils whose parents are poor without means of sending them to top grade private schools, an official of the National Examinations Council (NECO) has said. Mrs Ijeoma Iheanacho, at a stakeholders’ forum organised by Lagos State Education District V, said pupils from humble background are the ‘victim’ of mass failure because of the poor quality of education they receive. She also spoke on the common errors pupils make during examination, which could result in failure. Mrs Iheanacho, who represented the National Examinations Council (NECO), also brought them face to face with common errors they often make during examinations, which could result in failure. She said: “Most times, when people talk about mass failure in NECO or WAEC, I often ask myself “who are the very victims?” My findings over the years revealed that they are pupils whose parents are poor and so could not send to high flying private schools. Unfortunately, the leadership has created a gulf between their children and you, so much that they enroll their children in private schools which have better facilities. So, tell me why children in such schools will fail? The leadership has deprived the education sub-sector of certain needs, and this created more challenges for children in public schools who want to

•Some of the participants at the workshop By Adegunle Olugbamila

come out in flying colours in their exams.” Mrs Iheanacho said pupils’ inability to transfer knowledge acquired from their teachers is the first step to failure. “Inability to read or understand instructions on the first page of every examination paper is another sure step to going astray.” She identified other factors, such as lack of understanding of the ques-

tions, answering more than the required number of questions, not writing examination number, illegible handwriting; writing someone else’s examination number, not going to the examination halls with photo cards during external exams; cheating during examination and acts of insubordination as causes for failure. Another resource person, Mr Shemudara Tolu Benson, NUT Chairman, Ajeromi/Ifelodun chap-

ter, argued that pupils from public schools are equally intelligent, noting that parents must understand their strong points and channel their energies in such direction. “You may ask a child the name of his local government chairman, and he may not know. But ask him about his favourite foreign club or ask him to talk about Premiership or Champions league. The fact that such child can mention more than 20 foreign clubs and other latest developments in football clearly shows him or her as intelligent. Since children of these days have passion for football, such passion can be used to develop them academically,” he said. In his submission, Bello Umoru, a Superintendent of Police representing Ajegunle Division, called on parents to bring their children up the same manner they were brought up by their parents. “Today, we as parents tend to give less attention to morals. Nowadays, we groom children that are so smart – children that we think are in school but are busy doing something else.

I have seen cases of parents wanting to arrest teachers who flogged their children. But in our own time, you dare not tell your parents you were flogged in school. The irony is that some of the parents are later invited by the police when these same children were caught smoking hemp, fighting or stealing or doing Yahoo Yahoo (internet fraudsters).” It appeared, however, that more than the pupils, the parents whose attendance was scanty were meant to be the main target of the meeting. Their low turnout drew the ire of the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS) of the district, Mrs Mary Iji, who lamented their indifference to such interactive meetings. “We anticipated at leas 100 parents from each of the six districts but see how many of you are here. This workshop is ideally meant for parents to discuss how they can help us monitor their wards because these children only spend few hours in school but use the rest of the day at home with their parents. Earlier the Education Commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, represented by Alhaja Wuraola Idris, TGPS District III, said the workshop forms part of measures by the Lagos State government to tackle the wave of mass failure in public examinations among secondary school pupils. “We have been recording progress in WAEC and NECO until in 2009 when mathematics brought us down. Our plan before then was to maintain 50-50 in both Mathematics and English. The incident made the government to call a meeting with stakeholders where we decided to organise this kind of workshop across the six education districts. I am happy that District V has given a challenge by commencing it. We are anticipating a 90 per cent success in WAEC and NECO by 2015,” she said. Some other topics handled by seasoned experts include Parents duties regarding students study habits; Role of parents in students regularity and punctuality in schools; Societal pressure on children and students and how to handle them.

Ogun spends N1.8b on textbooks

•Mrs Orelope-Adefulire presenting one of the participants with his certificate. With them is Dr Olatunde

Mega school teachers get digital training

EACHERS of the newly-completed mega schools, Birch Freeman High School, Mushin and Gaskiya High School, Badiya, have undergone a digital literacy training, courtesy of Deux Project. Deux built the schools for the Lagos State Government in partnership with Microsoft and Infographics. They were presented with their certificates at a ceremony graced by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, at Birch Freeman High school, Mushin. She thanked the teachers for moulding youths of the state. However, she urged them to do more than teach but go the extra mile to investigate social problems that their pupils may have. She said without such investment, they would become a menace to the society. “It is very key for us to put in more effort to develop these young people. The way we train them here will determine the lives they will

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

live. If we don’t train them, they will become a threat to our own (well-trained) children,” she said. In the course of the two-week training, the teachers learnt all they needed to know about computer basics, and how to use Microsoft software applications as well as other platforms to enhance teaching and learning, and prepare school records and administrative documents. With the training, Project Director of Deux Project, Dr Walter Olatunde, said the two schools, and Agidingbi Grammar School, which was the first model school to be built last year, are now Microsoft IT Academies. He said the aim was to enhance teaching and learning in the three schools such that the pupils would compete favourably world over. “It is important to use technology to bridge the gap and improve

teaching skills and the learning experience. Teachers can help students to be exposed. We are focusing on the teachers because they are the ones that deliver the curriculum. Deux Project was involved in the construction of the model schools and one of the facilities is an IT laboratory. We gave 50 laptops to each of the three schools and we invited Microsoft and Infographics to provide training. “When we did a pre-training assessment we had an average score of 53 per cent. But after 10 days the teachers have improved to 70 per cent,” he said. Mr Patrick Akaenwenkwu, VicePrincipal (Academics) of Birch Freeman High School, said the training has provided a platform for interaction and competition among the three model schools to help them build on what they have learnt, while Mr Kenneth Desmond, Head of Languages at Gaskiya High School, thanked the Lagos State government for investing in teachers and schools.

HE Ogun State Government has taken delivery of 10 lorry loads of textbooks worth N1.8 billion for its free education, programme. The books, which have been distributed to secondary school pupils, were delivered by Longman Nigeria Plc to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The textbooks, 117,000 copies in all, are on English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Yoruba for junior secondary schools; those for senior secondary include English Language, Mathematics, Government, Physics and Literature-inEnglish. The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Odubela; Director of Education, Curriculum Development and Evaluation, Mrs Kike Akinwande; Zonal Education Officer of Abeokuta North, Mrs Funmi Ogunaike and her counterpart in Odeda Local Government area, Mrs Victoria Olabisi Boye, received the consignment. Speaking with reporters at St Peter’s College, Olomore, before the distribution of the books, Longman’s Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mr Fred Ijewere said the exercise was in fulfillment of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s campaign promise of providing free and qualitative edu-

cation to public primary and secondary school pupils. “This is a laudable project. We should commend the administration for providing free education to students. Education is the bedrock of any nation and any investment in education is a worthy investment. Teacher and students are, however, admonished to make judicious use of the instructional materials,” he said. Sales Director, Longman Mr Oladipo Olusegun, lauded the government for lifting the financial burden of buying textbooks off parents. He noted that though capital intensive, the project is “a worthy investment”. However, beneficiaries of the books are to return them at the end of the academic session for the benefit of incoming pupils. Last November, the government flagged-off the distribution of free instructional materials to pupils in the primary and post primary institutions, which Odubela said was to facilitate effective teaching and learning in schools. Odubela said: “The distribution of the instructional materials, such as exercise books, pencils and biros to pupils free of charge in primary and secondary schools throughout the state was to bring back the glory of the state as she parades the best in the country.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

Govt should recheck strategies

HE Lagos State government has invested heavily in education in recent years and is impatient to start reaping a return on its investment. The present administration has provided new school buildings, equipped laboraKofoworola tories and installed computers in many secondary schools. The Eko Secondary School project, a World Bank-assisted initiative, has also Kofosagie@yahoo.com provided direct funding to schools 08054503077 (SMS only) which principals can use to make minor repairs, purchase instructional materials and other facilities that aid learning, and train teachers. It was with excitement that the government and teachers looked forward to an improved performance in the 2011 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results released last August. However, though the statistics was not made public, from comments by the Lagos State Education Commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye and other top officials of the education ministry at various programmes I attended, their expectation was cut short. At the beginning of the 2011/2012 school year last September, Mrs Oladunjoye told principals that Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola was unsatisfied with the performance and urged them to buckle up. She told parents whose children attend public schools same at a similar meeting and warned that those pupils who do not pass the screening tests would not be sponsored for the WASSCE this year. She also said that the 50 per cent pass in English and Mathematics and four other subjects would remain the benchmark for promotion to the next class. Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, Head of Service, Lagos State Government, followed up with the same request during the end-of-year party organised for principals on December 18. He said the result did not reflect what the state wants and told them to do more to achieve better results, something that Mr Albert Philips, the Chairman of the All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) Lagos Chapter, said they are already doing. Given that the set to write the 2012 WASSCE started benefiting from the Eko Project from their SS1, many in the Lagos state education family share Eko Project Co-ordinator, Ms Ronke Azeez’s hope that they are the ones to deliver the good results. However, perhaps the government needs to look beyond secondary schools for necessary adjustments before expecting performance to improve. The Early Child Care Development Education (ECCDE) classes and the primary schools are good places to start. They will do well to pay closer attention to research by their development partners, the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN) which has revealed that the quality of teachers in primary schools is low. Mr Gboyega Ilusanya said surveys by the body shows that teachers in public primary schools “are lagging behind” and “do not educate the pupils soundly”, so, “many pupils cannot even express themselves”. For years, such poor quality pupils have promoted from class to class until they got to the secondary level. An English teacher once told me that in one of the junior secondary schools she taught, the principal used to sort new JSS1 pupils into classes according to their abilities, with some having to learn English Language from the scratch – the alphabets. Many of the candidates the state government is looking to deliver fantastic results are not better than the primary school pupils that ESSPIN has discovered are being taught by poor quality teachers. While quality of instruction may improve at secondary level, if the damage is already done from the primary school, secondary school teachers will struggle building anything worthwhile on a faulty foundation. For future results to be anything near government’s expectations, adequate attention must be paid to quality education delivery at the primary school level. The government should support the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) in adding to the cadre of the State School Improvement Team, the group (SSIT) saddled with the responsibility of training these teachers and bringing them up to the desired standard. As I have learnt, the SSIT is made up of experienced and top notch educationists who can successfully undertake the onerous task of improving the pedagogical and managerial skills of these teachers. I am sure it will not be too difficult to get many among teachers and principals who are still active and can contribute a lot in mentoring those coming behind. Findings of the survey should also stimulate the government examine its recruitment policy and process. They should be interested in finding out the tertiary institutions that groomed the existing teachers; learn which ones have performed well and vice-versa. Government should also be interested in finding out the primary/secondary education background of the teachers and how it has affected them today. When they have this kind of data, they know what to look out for when hiring new hands. They will be careful to recruit teachers who not only parade paper certificates but have the stuff needed to groom our future leaders. A representative of the National Examinations Council (NECO) at a forum organised by one of the education districts in Lagos said the truth when she said the victims of mass failure in public examinations are the children of the poor attending public schools. Government owes them the duty of ensuring they are well groomed. Without such assurance, they cannot break free from the shackles of poverty…and they will in return haunt those who do.

Belo-Osagie

•Mrs Falore (right) presenting the television set to Mrs Rowaye

School rewards ex-teachers, others

NCOURAGING teaching and non-teaching staff to stay is something of a tradition at Mind Builders School, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. However, should they decide to leave, the management remembers to say ‘thank you’ to them for their contributions to the school during their employment. This was the case of Mrs Olajumoke Rowaye and Mrs Venetia Ijogbe, who left the school last year. They were invited to a send-off party, which also served as a platform to reward long-serving members of staff during the Yuletide. Chairman of the school’s Board of Governors, Mr Bosun Falore, told The Nation that the workers are encouraged to serve well, and disengage without acrimony such that their relationship with the school continues even after they are gone. A testimony to this, he said, was the presence of two former teachers, Mrs Adeola Oyeniji and Mrs Ogbekene, who now manage their own schools, at the event. He said: “This is a three-in-one event: an end-of-year party for staff, long service award for those who have spent 10 years and above, and to send off two teachers who resigned during the year. This is our way of rewarding loyalty to the system. When you look at it, in the present-day Nigeria, for a staff member to serve for 10 years, it is an indication of loyalty to the system. We have a low staff turnover.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

An average staff member in Mind Builders stays for five years or more. It is because they like the good relationship that they keep coming back. They still find themselves part of the Mind Builders family.” Encomium poured for the duo from both parents and teachers. But none matched up to the praises of Mrs Bolajoko Falore, Education Director of the school, known for her no-nonsense attitude to hard work, discipline and professionalism among her workers. Her glowing words for Mrs Rowaye and Mrs Ijogbe made the parents that filled the beautiful hall of the school grin from ear-to-ear, and may have challenged other workers to serve better. Of Mrs Ijogbe, she said: “Ven (as she fondly calls her) came in three months after we set up the school. She is a very caring person. She started (teaching) from the Nursery section to Primary One and Two and not more than that because she is a mother. One thing I love is she is very good at display. Anytime you enter her class you feel a sense of beauty. I cannot forget her loyalty to the school and her commitment to duty and hard work.” For her dedication to duty and commitment while at Mind Builders, Mrs Falore prayed that Mrs Rowaye, who has started her own school, would also get good work-

ers to serve her. “It has been my prayer that anybody that works with me should go and start their schools. She is number three of the proprietresses I have produced. I don’t have any doubt that you will do well in your school. Because you have served me and Mind Builders, God will send good people to you,” she said. Responding, Mrs Rowaye said: “I am very grateful to God. Before I joined I had looked forward to working here. I will be a good ambassador of this school.” On her part, Mrs Ijogbe promised to continue to support the school. “I was overwhelmed when I was called for an invitation. I have never received such honour before. My assurance to Mind Builders is that anywhere I am, I will continue to support the school,” she said. Mrs Rowaye was presented with a 42" LCD television while Mrs Ijogbe got a 34" version. Gifts presented to the 12 teaching and non-teaching staff for long service award, which Mr Falore said came to a total of N1.2 million included three fridge freezers, two LCD television sets, two KVA generators, and three refrigerators. The event also featured presentation of carols by the workers, music, and raffle draws that saw parents and teachers go home with toasters, pressing irons, DVD players, rice and oil, among other gifts.

School improvement team gets office

ORRIED by the poor quality of teachers in public primary schools in Lagos State, the Education Sector Support Programme In Nigeria (ESSPIN), has intensified efforts to improve their quality. It has established offices with adequate facilities for personnel of the State School Improvement Team (SSIT) at Central Primary School, Ikeja. The team is to train teachers in each school. Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, who inaugurated the block of three offices and a conference room, said SSIT personnel have undergone training by ESSPIN in school management and modern ways of teaching primary school pupils to retain what they learn. Mr Gboyega Ilusanya, ESSPIN team Leader in Nigeria, decried

By Jane Chijioke

the low standard of public school teachers. “We have made our surveys and found out that public school teachers are lagging behind. They do not educate the pupils soundly; some are not even used to modern facilities; the pupils cannot even express themselves well. They cannot compete with their counterparts in private schools. All these generate dislike from the public towards public schools. “We are here to give public schools a new phase of education. The SSIT personnel are to train the teachers, boost their level of education, teach them how to manage their classrooms, train them on the use of modern facilities. We will also reform the financial management in education,” he said.

In addition to training the teachers, Ilusanya said ESSPIN would monitor how they use the knowledge they gain in the classroom. “There is also a follow-up process, which we have embarked on. We will not just stop with training the teachers. We will see how these teachers inculcate knowledge in the pupils. We will visit their classrooms to see how well they are improving. All these are targeted towards upgrading the standard of public schools to improving learning outcomes,” he said. Mrs Daodu assured that SUBEB will ensure the continuity of the office and added that more facilities and financial provisions will be provided next month. She also promised that 200 personnel will be added to the present 22 that make up the team (SSIT) drawn from all the Local Government Education Authorities.

From my Inbox Re: Lessons from 2011 (Thursday, December 29, 2011) Kofo, how are you? It’s good to know that you are doing well in your chosen profession. Keep it up. I am proud of you. Compliments of the season. Mrs Uduigwome, FGC, Warri.

SLIDING TACKLE

"In the moment I did what I did but I was not happy with the referee.When you play, during the game sometimes you can do something in the game that you regret, but in that moment I did not agree with the referee.”

Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini apologising for making disrespectful gesture at referee during his team’s game against Liverpool.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Messi still getting better

— Guardiola

ARCELONA coach Pep Guardiola believes star player Lionel Messi is not at the peak of his career yet. year-old is the favourite to win the 2011 FIFA and would be the first player since Michel Platini trophy three times in a row. the Argentina international is still improving and

•Messi

The 24Ballon d'Or to lift the Guardiola feels getting better every year. "You always think he has reached the top, but then gets better again, because he plays more and gains experience," Guardiola said. "He now understands the collective game better. Just this fact makes him perform even better for Barcelona." Messi faces competition from team-mate Xavi and Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Ballon d'Or. The winner will be announced at a gala at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 9.

Buffon agent admits Man City talks

Gesture

OBERTO Mancini apologised for brandishing an imaginary card at the referee after Martin Skrtel had brought down Yaya Toure in the box late on in Manchester City's 3-0 victory over Liverpool. Match referee Mike Jones had dismissed City midfielder Gareth Barry moments earlier for a second bookable offence.And the Italian was clearly trying to get Jones to even up the score as he waved an imaginary card frantically on the touchline after he had awarded the penalty. However, the City chief was quick to try and draw a line under the incident after the game. "In the moment I did what I did but I was not happy with the referee," he told Sky Sports."When you play, during the game sometimes you can do something in the game that you regret, but in that moment I did not agree with the referee." City had stuttered of late but this 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and James Milner saw them move three points clear of second placed Manchester United.

OJCIECH Szczesny admits Arsenal "need" record goalscorer Thierry Henry back at the club. The 34-year-old Frenchman has agreed to rejoin the Gunners on a two-month loan deal from Major League Soccer franchise New York Red Bulls. Henry's deal is dependent on insurance agreements being worked out with the American club, and goalkeeper Szczesny is praying the deal goes through. "He's quality," he said. "He's a great finisher and he's very clever, very intelligent, plus he's a great figure to have in the dressing room. "He helps all the players off the pitch as well as on the pitch, so it's great to have him in the dressing room. "Hopefully everything will be done and confirmed as soon as possible because we need him.” While Arsene Wenger admits Henry will not be match-fit immediately, Arsenal will be hoping to push through the deal before their FA Cup third round tie with Leeds.

HELSEA are reportedly waiting for the goahead from Roman Abramovich before completing the signing of Bolton defender Gary

Cahill. The Blues had an offer of £7 million accepted for the 26-year-old last week, but Cahill has yet to agree personal terms, and continues to drive a hard bargain. According to The Mirror, Cahill cannot pen a contract without the approval of Chelsea owner Abramovich, who is expected to say 'yes' to a five-year deal worth £25 million. Abramovich is currently on holiday, but when he returns it would appear that Cahill's move to Stamford Bridge will be confirmed. Before his swtich to Chelsea, though, the England international will continue to appear for Bolton, and is likely to feature against Everton on Wednesday night. The Trotters currently sit bottom of the Barclays Premier League, and even a win will not be enough to lift them out of the relegation zone.

Mancini apologises for

Arsenal needs Henry, says Szczesny

Chelsea waits for Abramovich to approve £25m deal

HE agent of Juventus icon Gigi Buffon admits holding talks with Manchester City about a move to England. Buffon was linked with both City and Manchester United last season before committing to Juve. And Silvano Martina revealed: "In the past the possibility of a parting between Gigi and Juve? In 2006, after the World Cup, two big Italian clubs submitted written bids. "In England there was instead a serious negotiation with Manchester City." •Buffon

OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...

Serena withdraws from Brisbane with injury SERENA Williams’ Australian Open preparations took a major hit Wednesday when she injured her left ankle and withdrew from the Brisbane International. In her first tournament since losing the U.S. Open final in September, Williams was serving for the match with a 6-2, 5-3 lead against Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia when she twisted her ankle and crashed heavily to the court.

The 13-time Grand Slam winner lay near the baseline for several minutes while getting medical attention. She was helped to a courtside chair and had the ankle re-taped before resuming the second-round match and losing the next point to surrender a service break to Jovanovski. Williams limped through the next game, wincing in pain after at least two points, before securing a 6-2, 6-4 win to advance to the Brisbane quarterfinals in her first trip Down Under since 2010, when she won her fifth Australian Open title.

Bolt begins Olympics prep in February

•Bolt

THE world will not need to wait long to get a glimpse at triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt's fitness for his highly anticipated 2012 season. Healthy and on a new nutrition program, Bolt plans to launch his run-up to defending his 100 and 200 meter titles at the 2012 London Games with tune-up races in Jamaica next month, the world's fastest man told Reuters. "I always run quarters (400s) before the season and I will be starting in February," Bolt said in a telephone interview from Kingston arranged by sponsor Gatorade. "I think I will run at least two this season." Some relay races will also likely be on the early program as Bolt returns to a more traditional warm up for high-powered sprint races later in the season.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

THE NATION

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

CLINIC DAY

QUESTION I need details on the initiative of natural practitioners on the establishment of a hospital to promote the practice and access fund. How do I become a member? - Abubakar Mohammed, Gombe, Gombe State. ties of standardised African traditional medicines (ASTM) and, subsequently, integrating Traditional Medicine into the public health care systems. However, there has not been a concerted effort at realising the AU declaration even after the deadline date and despite a blue print or ACTION PLAN by AU for this purpose made available at the second ordinary session of the conference of African Ministers of Health (CAMH) at Gaborrow, Botswana held between October 10 and 14, 2005. Nigeria is blessed with abundant flora and fauna which are the basic raw materials for Traditional and Alternative Medicine Production. Amid this rich biodiversity and this spectacular natural endowment, Nigeria is fast becoming a dumping ground for Traditional and Alternative Medicine Products from other nations, notably China, India, Japan, Canada and USA.

•Some members of the Institute

In this article, Chairman, Research Institute of Traditional Medicine (RITAM), Otunba Olajuwon Okubena, provides answers to questions on the institute’s new clinic and its advantage to the practice of traditional and alternative medicine, and how to become a member.

Alternative medicine practitioners push for autonomy

HERBAL model clinic has been opened by the Research Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (RITAM) at Ikeja, Lagos. The institute believes that the time is ripe for the development of evidence-based traditional products that would facilitate the acceptance of traditional medicine in the country. It would also provide a basis for the country to showcase its original products to the world and ensure that Nigeria would be positioned to take her fair share in the huge market for this industry worth more than $200 billion yearly. The Traditional Medicine Bill, which is the key to regulating the practice and integration of traditional medicine in Nigeria, has been pending in the National Assembly since 2004. There is an urgent need for support from the Federal Government to get the bill reviewed and re-drafted to meet existing global standards; passed and implemented. As a member-state of the African Union (AU) and a signatory to the Decade of Traditional Medicine, Lusaka Summit, Nigeria is lacking in its global responsibility as a pace setter by failing to implement the stated objectives of the summit. We humbly request that the Federal Government revive and re-constitute the moribund Presidential Initiative Committee (PIC) for the promotion and commercialisation of Traditional Medicine in Nigeria. This committee will also have the primary task of mid-wifing the passage of the Traditional Medicine Bill and secondly, to collate and set a cohesive plan of implementation of the Lusaka Summit objectives. The potential of Traditional Medicine in Nigeria cannot be over-estimated in terms of revenue and em-

ployment generation. It is a fact that, if properly handled and implemented, the revenue generated by Traditional Medicine can rival that from crude oil, as evidenced by the enormous revenue generation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an industry that has grown 20 per cent yearly in the past decade. With total earnings of 95 billion yuan (about $11.8 billion), the TCM industry accounted for more than a quarter of China’s overall medical industry in 2005. The Chinese government has also invested 740 million yuan (92.5 million U.S. dollars) in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) research sector over the past five years. The establishment of RITAM would provide a platform for Nigerians to have the opportunity to contribute scientifically based herbal solutions to many of intractable health problems like cancer, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, prostrate enlargement, fibroid, arthritis, sickle cell, anaemia, parkinsons disease etc. using Traditional Medicines. RITAM comprises a formidable team of highly experienced and trained Natural Medicine practitioners (who combined hundreds of years of passed-on knowledge and practice) medical doctors and alternative medicine practitioners and it would collaborate with relevant Government institutions such as the Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research (NIPR), Nigerian Medical Research Institute (NIMR), Traditional Medicine Research groups comprising Professors of Virology, Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biochemistry. RITAM is a private initiative limited by guarantee; it is an organisation of concerned, committed and competent Traditional and Alternative Medicine Practitioners in Nigeria

driven by the sole aim of promoting and harnessing Nigerian Traditional Medicine knowledge to complement Government efforts in this line. Most countries including our African neighbour countries have in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, developed their indigenous Traditional Medical System to enviable heights. In some instances, such countries have exported their Traditional Medical Knowledge (TMK) to other countries thereby earning much-needed foreign exchange. WHO statistics reveal that over 80 per cent of the population in developing countries patronise TM and TM Practitioners (TMP’s) for their health care needs. It is thus obvious that there is already existing within the fabric of medical practice, a thriving utilisation of TM in people’s daily life. In the realisation of this, RITAM is set up to fill this void in the most vital segment of the economy that would ensure optimal health and by extension, high productivity, massive employment and social stability in Nigeria. The WHO also notes, though, that “inappropriate use of traditional medicines or practices can have negative or dangerous effects” and that “further research is needed to ascertain the efficacy and safety” of several of the practices and medicinal plants used by traditional medicine

systems. Core disciplines which study traditional medicine include ethnomedicine, ethnobotany, and medical anthropology. Nigeria is a signatory to the African Union (AU) Lusaka Summit of Heads of State and Government declaration of July 2001, which declared 2001 – 2010 as Decade of Traditional Medicine and during which member countries must have institutionalised Traditional Medicine in their respective territories. The role of traditional medicine in health care delivery in the developing countries is well known and acknowledged. The substantial contribution of natural-based products to orthodox medicines cannot be overlooked. African Traditional Medicine (ATM) is the mainstay of primary health care for the majority of those in the rural areas in Africa (about 80 per cent of the population) and even in the urban areas, the elites turn more often now to traditional medicine than was previously the case. Nonetheless, few member-states in Africa have developed a national policy on traditional medicine, legal frameworks, code of ethics and of conduct for the practice of traditional medicine, have put in place mechanisms for registration of traditional medicines, legislation, regulatory framework and institutional instruments for developing ATM and locally producing commercial quanti-

List of Directors of RITAM Otunba Olajuwon Okubena Archbishop M.A. Atilade Sir (Dr.) Debo Omotosho Chief (Dr.) F.O. Esho Prince (TMP) Johnson Idowu Chief W.B. Oshodi Chief A.O. Okuyiga Prof Oluyemi Akinadewo Mr. Francis Agbonighale

Chairman Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Company Secretary

Goals and vision of RITAM

• To prospect, harness, evaluate and certify diagnostic, curative and preventive values of safe Nigerian Traditional Medicine Products, thereby developing a resource compendium of medicines for the Primary Health Care Centre (PHC) in all the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria as well as for the use of all Traditional and Alternative Medicine practitioners in Nigeria and overseas. • To find lasting solutions to WHO’s priority list of diseases i.e. Malaria, Hypertension, Diabetes, Sickle Cell Anemia and HIV/AIDS through Nigerian Traditional Medicine. • To have a comprehensive data of Nigerian Traditional Medicine products that can be recommended for preclinical and human trials at the Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and Nigeria Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and other research centres, particularly the Nigerian Teaching Hospitals, in the process of their becoming herbal drugs. • To provide candidate herbal drugs that would be included in the National Drug Formulary. • To ensure that, at least, up to 50 herbal products would have been certified as being evidence based in the next two years. •To collaborate with all Ministries of Health, agriculture, Science and Technology, Education, Environment and other relevant Government Agencies to propagate Traditional and Alternative Medicine in Nigeria. • To position Traditional Medicine Products from Nigeria in the international market thereby making TM Products the highest income generating industry for the country. • To encourage mass production of endorsed Nigerian Traditional Medicine products. To actualise these goals , some steps have been taken by the Research Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (RITAM) including being incorporated with the CAC. •Inquiries are also welcome through e-mail: ritam@health-forever.com

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NATURAL HEALTH

New Year resolution: Healthier digestive system (1)

RADITIONALLY, this is the season of New Year resolutions. Just before midnight last December 31, churches were awash with prayers for 2012 to be a better year than 2011. Thus, at the start of every New Year, this column challenges its readers to make a new year resolution which would improve their health one way or the other. Last year, it was suggested that they make the liver the focus of their health. The ladder to good health was to be climbed one rung after the other, from bottom up. Thus, MILK THISTLE was the HERBAL REMEDY OF YEAR 2011. I chose the improvement of the liver’s health as 2011 new resolution because the liver is central to the health of the entire body. Advisedly, its name derives from the words to live which means it has a lot more to do with life than any other organ. In the 1970s, I was exposed to spiritual literature which showed that cancer cannot develop in any human body in which the liver is healthy. It took medical science about 50 years to come to terms with this assertion. The proof came with autopsies on the people who died of cancer. Their livers had been compromised in varying degrees. The liver has many jobs too numerous to mention here. It aids digestion, is involved with practically all metabolic processes, stores nutrients for a rainy day and, above all, is the chief organ for removing poisons from the body as they journey through the blood. Women who are estrogen dominant suffer from period pains, have hormonal imbalance, high prolactin levels, and discharge from the nipple when they are not breastfeeding, probably have insufficient liver. As high prolatin levels prevent pregnancy, and may predispose the breast to cancer, care of the liver becomes an important therapy objective in the management of this condition. As important as the liver is to good health, especially these days in which many people are coming down with ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer, it is only one of many indispensable players in the digestive system, care of which this column now proposes as 2012 health resolution. A few years ago, the Royal Society of Surgeons in the United Kingdom issued a public statement which it entitled:

Death begins in the intestines This column reviewed the public warning in an article entitled: THE PIT TOILET INSIDE ALL OF US. For, indeed, what goes on inside the pit toilet goes on inside intestines that are not kept clean. This message is driven home below by JETHRO KLOSS, a leading American herbalist, in his five million copies best seller BACK TO EDEN. What you are about to read from this book, which I recommend for all home libraries, were his experiences after he was privileged to observe post-mortem surgeries to diagnose the causes of death. Over now to JETHRO KLOSS.

Post-mortems reveal secrets “At one time I connected with an emergency hospital just to get the experience. It was a wonderful help to me in many ways. I witnessed scores of postmortems performed by competent surgeons. It was very interesting to see the organs of people whose lives and eating and drinking habits we had previously known about.

Personal experiences “We opened up a middle-aged man, quite fleshy, who had died of heart failure. Here is his story: one evening at about six o’ clock as he prepared to take a bath, he reached up to get a drinking glass standing on a shelf about as high as his head. As he reached for it, he fell dead. This man had been a great eater of meats, rich pastries, pies, cakes, puddings, white bread, peeled potatoes, etc. We found his liver about three times its normal size. There were tumors all around the liver, and some in the liver, ranging in size of a small marble to a small-sized potato. The heart was also very much enlarged, more than once again its normal size, and the walls of the heart were very thin and flabby and a dark colour as if bloodshot. The spleen and pancreas were both enlarged and diseased and he had stones and gravel in the gallbladder. His stomach was also very much prolapsed and diseased. “Another man, past middle age, was cancerous. He had always complained of pain around his navel, but there was no outward sign of cancer. The only indication that could be seen on the outside of his body was a little lump under his jaw. After he died we did a postmortem examination. His bowels were full of cancerous growths where he had complained of his pain. The cancer had eaten right through the bowels, which resulted in his death. He was full of cancerous growth from his head clear down to his feet. You could not cut him anywhere without finding cancer. All his organs were in bad shape. “One person who was very fleshy had layers of pure fat almost three inches thick. The colon in some parts was three or four times its natural size. But in some parts it had shrunk to the diameter of a finger and in other places it was so small that it was almost impossible for anything to pass through. The small intestines had shrunk in some places to the size of a lead pencil, with a heavy hard growth on the outside. Only a very small portion of the intestine was of natural size. The spleen was very much enlarged and the stomach hung far down in the abdomen. The kidneys were very enlarged and flabby, the lungs were much enlarged and almost black, and the liver was enlarged and hard.

Natural health In another case, the lungs and liver were very much enlarged and almost as hard as a rock. The colon and small

diverted from its course, to find a new level. There is none of us who is so healthy that he or she is free of inflammation. Snoring, a symptom of infection in the soft tissue of the upper palate, is due to inflammation there. Prostate enlargement is inflammation. Pain anywhere is a sign of inflammation. Every morning after brushing, I check my nostrils. I block one and exhale through the other. The degree of resistance to air outflow suggests to me the level of inflammation. The nostrils are particularly upset by petrol fumes at filing stations, and odour from smelling open gutters, not to mention automobile and electricity generator exhaust. Dr Holda Clark sounds alarming but she is right, when she says she finds chemicals of paraffin from paraffin (kerosene) lanterns in ailing breasts. Similarly, she finds in these breasts lithium, dangerous chemical, from lipstick! In diseased ovaries and breasts, she also finds chemicals from hair dyes and hair shampoos and hair treatments chemicals many women relishly use in Nigerian salons today. Any wonder that the rate of ovarian cysts and breast problems are increasing alarmingly every year? Perhaps these poisons would not have constituted a nuisance if the liver and digestive system functioned properly but can they, in the world of poisons in which we now live? Wash your hands with liquid soap after a meal. Those lemon-smelling brands contain chemical solvents which dissolve the oil. intestine were also much enlarged, although in some places they had shrunk so that almost nothing could pass through. The stomach was enlarged and flabby and hung far down out of its place. The kidneys were spongy and the whole intestinal tract was out of its regular order. In another case the liver was very much enlarged. Over and around it were tumors, from the size of a small marble to that of a small potato. The heart was very much enlarged, very flabby, and in each part was a bunch of pure fat the size of a small potato. Both the colon and the small intestines were very much enlarged, with pockets that were filled with fecal matter.

N another case, the intestines had shrunk very much, with pockets in various parts of the colon; and the entire intestines were full of small growths. There were little hard growths under the skin over this person’s entire body, from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. “Another case was one that was mere skin and bones. The liver was almost entirely eaten away, with just a little fibrous slush left; and all the intestines were deformed. There was not a drop of blood in the whole system, and the body was full of pus and slime. “But some patients, whose X-ray revealed that the colon was full of deformities and that it and the stomach hung far down in the abdomen, are alive after treatment and are able to be up and working. “One such case had a colon that was shrunken in several places. In other places there were big pockets, and the rectum was full of hard growths. Through an operation the narrowed places were cut out and the colon was sewed back together. The patient recovered enough to be up and working, and to have normal bowel movements. These cases, and others that I might mention, give unfailing evidence and proof of what effect a wrong diet will have upon the system. All of the preceding examples lived largely on foods that had been robbed of their lifegiving properties, and are mixtures that could not make good blood but only cause suffering and disease. If everyone would follow the health principles as outlined in this book, they would avoid untold amount of suffering and premature death. “One finds no such irregularity in the bodies of the other animals. They eat their foods as God has prepared it for them. Man has spoiled the food by poor preparation and has robbed it of its life-giving properties. If man would eat the food as God has made it, his body would be symmetrical, beautiful and health. ‘Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought many inventions.’ Ecclesiastes 7:29. Man has made many inventions that are good and very useful, but also many that destroy both soul and body.

The itis The autopsy descriptions of Jethro Kloss are a timely warning to anyone who’d like to live disease and pain free. Enlargement of any organ is inflammation of it. Very few people are inflammation free. So widespread is inflammation that doctors add a description of it anywhere in the body with four letters… itis, which are prefixed with the medical term for the site of the inflation. Thus, we have myocarditis (the heart) bronchitis (bronchitis or the air pipes), arthritis (the joints) sinusitis ( the sinuses), meningitis (ménages, covering of the brain), conjunctivitis (conjunctiva, Apollo of the eye), gastritis (stomach wall) colitis (colon), hepatitis (liver), nephritis (kidneys) pancreats (pancreas), cystitis (bladder) Inflammation of any organ suggests the argents of destruction operating there may be at work elsewhere. Inflammation is the response of tissue to irritation, and irritation is poisoning. Poisons enter the body from food, water and air intake, and from ingress through broken skin. In asthma, the respiratory system is poisoned. In some cases, skin eruptions often suppressed with creams are ways and means through which the body finds an outlet for poisons incompetent liver, kidneys and intestines cannot adequately eliminate. When the outlet for these poisons through the skin is blocked, they flow back, like water

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

F the liver works well and the intestines are healthy, poisons will not menace the body. But, often, the liver is compromised by many years of overwhelming work, like a football goalkeeper who has to catch five or six balls at the same time. As he must concede some goals, so does the compromised liver let some poisons pass. Some of the poisons, as Jethro Kloss warns, are actually the foods we enjoy… bread, milk, sugar, fried foods, poultry foods, such as egg, chicken and turkey. We do not need to read the book capitals to know certain foods don’t agree with us. If you disguise fish stew and make Esther Olanrewaju, my niece, eat it, you would call the ambulance almost immediately. She reacts to fish. Every food has in its molecules and antigen, a protein antena sort of. Every cell in the body has it. So when molecules which disagree encounter one another, “war breaks” out. Imagine what happens after transfusion of the wrong blood type? The blood coagulates, that is becomes stuck, stops flowing…. And death occurs. As the digestive system is the processing plant for all that gets into the cells through the blood, it is proposed that it be, this year, the central focus of 2012 new year resolution for improved health. This call is for a special care of all the organs operating in this system: the teeth and the gums ( for proper chewing), the salivary glands, (for digestion in the mouth) the tongue ( to register taste and initiate nerve responses which trigger secretion of digestive enzymes), the throat ( some throat lobs germs into the system below and above it), stomach ( low level of stomach aid, inflammation and ulcers inhibit digestion, fatty liver (poor bile secretion, gallstones etc inhibit digestion), pancreas (dehydration, flat worms, excess sugar consumption etc damage pancreatic health), intestines (deficiency of calcium and magnesium and B-complex Vitamins limit capacity for peristaltic motion, as does lack of fibre in the diet), colon (congestion and leakage infect the prostate gland, cause lower back and waist pains, colitis )ulcerated colitis, piles and cancer in some cases).

Caring for the system Besides avoiding denatured food, it is important to get the right foods properly digested and assimilated. Being a New Year Resolution, this discussion will be ongoing. For it will be too broad to bottle in one column and, so, today, I’d just prepare the grounds.

Mouth Mouth odour comes from decaying matter, including food particles and oral tissue broken down by bacteria, or gas from decaying food from the stomach or intestines. One pastor once told me of his embarrassment. He churns out so much saliva droplets during sermon that only latecomers in the congregation sit in the front pew. His salivary glands are most probably inflamed, over-producing saliva which cannot be quickly drained down the throat because inflammation there has created a barrier against which excess saliva rebounds to the outside. The tongue would very likely have patches of gray matter, oral thrush, or Candida, indicating on the tongues map of the body, which organ is affected and in what degree. Ladies and gentlemen, check your tongues in the mirror right away! I broke a tooth many years ago and I know the weakened tooth may be a haven for germs. So before I go to bed, even when I am too lazy to brush, I insert capsules or tablets of protective herbs in each side of the check. My favourites are • Parashield: a blend of about six herbs • Grape Seed Extract, which the tablets and let the powder mix well with saliva which I then swirl around the teeth and gums before I gently let down the throat it trickles. • Garlic powder capsules from Dynapharm. It soothes pain and freshens up – all night • Bitter kola: Like Grape Seed Extract or garlic power, the effect is wonderful. • Amazon A-V Topical. It works well for cold sores, warts and herpes ulcers • Amazon C-F helps strep infections, pneumonia, colds, flu and staphylococcus.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Last week, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the petition filed against the election of President Goodluck Jonathan by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). This is the third time that the party’s flagbearer, General Muhammadu Buhari, has suffered the same fate. In 1999, the All Peoples Party’s (APP’s) candidate, Chief Olu Falae’s petition similarly failed. Judiciary Correspondent KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE reviews the trial and verdict of this year’s suit and draws lessons from all the presidential election petitions in the Fourth Republic.

Why presidential election petitions fail T

HE Supreme Court, on December 28, 2011, affirmed the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which had earlier declared that President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo were duly returned as winners in the April 16, 2011 presidential election. The seven-member panel of Justices, chaired by Chief Justice Dahiru Musdapher, dismissed the appeal filed by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) for lack of credible evidence. In the unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Olufunlola Adekeye, the apex court held that the Appellant did not adduce credible evidence to discharge the burden of proof of evidence placed on it. It noted that the petition as argued by the Appellant is a “civil claim which requires proof on the balance of probability or preponderance of evidence-Section 134 of the Evidence Act”. Jonathan contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while General Muhamadu Buhari was the CPC candidate. But, Buhari reacted thus: “This decision of the Supreme Court is politically motivated and has little judicial content. This Supreme Court has proved no better than the Supreme Courts of 2003 and 2007”.

Why CPC lost Justice Adekeye justified the judgment, saying: “It strikes me as odd that throughout the conduct of the case in the petition. The appellant viciously pitched its tent against INEC to the neglect of his real foes; the 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents who deprived it of the victory at the polls and office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Vice-President. Among other things, she said: ”It is trite that in a claim for a declaration, the onus is on the plaintiff to establish his claim upon the strength of his own case and not upon the weakness of the case of the defendant. The plaintiff must therefore satisfy the court that upon the pleadings and cogent and credible evidence adduced by him that he is entitled to the declaration of right in his favour. “From the foregoing, the burden of proof generally in the sense of establishing a case virtually lies on the plaintiff or the initiator of a suit. He who asserts must prove what he asserts i.e qui affirmat non a qui negat incumbat probat. The party who asserts in his pleadings the existence of a particular fact is required to prove such fact by adducing credible evidence. If he fails to do so, his case fails. A plaintiff would be expected to succeed on the strength of his own case and not on the weakness of the defence.” The apex court also observed that the appellant did not help its case when it requested original copy of some documents when only certified true copies could be obtained. Justice Adekeye recalled that witness statements of Prince Tony Momoh and Alhaji Sule Galadima were muddled up and the application to swap them refused by the Tribunal. She also noted that “of all the 47 witnesses called by the appellant, none of them tendered their voters cards to indicate that they wanted to vote but could not owing to absence of election materials. The roving agents and witness who claimed they analysed result sheets and voters register and found discrepancies in a number of voters register did not tender such report during the hearing of the petition. There was evidence that the appellant had polling agents all over the country but only six of them were called. The six agents who were called gave contradictory evidence. Any evidence pro-

•Buhari speaking after the Supreme Court judgment.

duced by the appellant to rebut the presumption of regularity enjoyed by INEC by virtue of Section 168 of the Evidence Act 2011 (as amended) can only be rebutted by cogent, credible and acceptable evidence. According to the panel, the Tribunal arrived at its judgment after concluding based on the oral and documentary evidence before it that the CPC had not successfully challenged the Jonathan’s victory at the April 16 election. “The foregoing conclusion of the lower court was in the circumstance right, proper and unassailable. This Court has no justifiable reason to interfere with it. The appeal lacks merit and it is accordingly dismissed. The judgment of the lower court is affirmed. Consequently, the 3rd (Jonathan) and 4th (Sambo) respondents won the election conducted by the 1st respondent (INEC) on the said 16th April 16, 2011 and were returned by the 1st respondent as the duly elected President and Vice-President respectively of the Federal republic of Nigeria. No order as to costs”, the Supreme Court held. Other Justices on the panel agreed with the judgment. They are Justices Musdapher, Mahmud Mohammed, Walter Onnoghen, Afolabi Fabiyi, Bode Rhodes-Vivour and Sylvester Ngwuta.

The appelant’s case Adopting the brief of argument, Okpeseyi (SAN) told the panel that the tribunal wrongfully evaluated the evidence adduced before it by the witnesses the party called. According to him, “ the return of the 3rd and 4th (Jonathan and Sambo) and President

and Vice President by the lower court was wrong and should be upturned by this court because it was unconstitutional. Counsel to Jonathan and Sambo, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had described the appeal as lacking in substance and merit, arguing that the tribunal’s ruling of September 12, which expunged the statements of CPC’s National Chairman, Prince Tony Momoh after it was wrongly interchanged with that of the party’s secretary, Buba Galadima invariably rendered the petition null and void. But the case was dead on arrival.” The INEC’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) also urged the panel to dismiss the appeal. The Presidential Tribunal had dismissed the CPC’s petition for lacking in merit. In a one-half hour judgment delivered by the chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Kummai Bayang Akaahs, the panel said the petition fails in its entirety as the CPC could not discharge the burden of evidence. In the unanimous judgment, the tribunal held that Jonathan and Sambo were duly returned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having scored the majority of the lawful vote cast. The five-man panel ruled that the petitioner did not adduce substantial evidence to successfully prove its case. “From whatever angle one looked at it, the onus is on the petitioner. The petitioner did not discharge the burden of proof even when put on the balance of probability”, the tribunal ruled. The CPC had asked the panel to cancel results of election in 20 states and order a fresh election between it and the PDP in 20 states.

‘The foregoing conclusion of the lower court was in the circumstance right, proper and unassailable. This Court has no justifiable reason to interfere with it. The appeal lacks merit and it is accordingly dismissed. The judgment of the lower court is affirmed’

The Respondents were the INEC, its National Chairman (Prof. Attahiru Jega), Jonathan, Vice-President Namadi Sambo, PDP and the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The opposition party had alleged rigging, arbitrary votes allocation and substantial noncompliance with the Electoral Act and irregularities in Lagos, Bayelsa, Kaduna, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Kwara, Adamawa, Abia, AkwaIbom, Enugu and Cross River. Others are Rivers, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo Anambra, Benue, Plateau states and the FCT. The party wanted the tribunal to hold that Jonathan and his running mate, Namadi Sambo were not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election. But the tribunal dismissed the statement of the 47 witnesses called by the CPC as “hearsay”, describing their evidence as worthless. It said the allegation that materials were deliberately not supplied early enough to Sokoto and other strongholds of CPC was “hearsay”. It maintained that INEC has no power to release the electronic data base demanded by CPC to prove its allegations of rigging and arbitrary votes’ allocation. Justice Akaahs rejected the allegation by CPC that the INEC used military vehicles to convey sensitive election materials to states. He said: “I don’t think there is anything illegal in using the police and Army in transporting sensitive materials if it was to ensure security.” Citing Jigawa State, the panel said if it was true that voters were not duly accredited before election, then the “vote registered for CPC and PDP ought to be cancelled”. Justice Akaahs said for the petition to succeed and the allegation of substantial noncompliance to be sustained, “the court must be satisfied that it will affect greatly the outcome of the result. “The petitioner must prove that it substantially affected the result of election. The peti•Continued on page 44

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

POLITICS

Court tussle over, CPC back on battle field The Supreme Court, in its judgment of December 16, 2011, swept the carpet off the feet of two Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) senators and eight House of Representatives members from Katsina State. Now, they are back to the political battle field. KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE, reports.

ALK of volatile states in the coun try, Katsina is relatively peaceful. It is not a state you will expect to be in the news for wrong reasons. But an issue is already generating a hot debate in the state. It is the Supreme Court Judgment of December 16, 2011 which has been given different interpretations by claimants to the two Senatorial Districts and eight House of Representatives seats. The apex court, in a unanimous judgment delivered Justice Walter Onnoghen, struck out an appeal filed by a factional governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Sen. Yakubu Lado and 42 others for lack of jurisdiction. The appellants had challenged the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja that nullified their tickets because the primary election that produced them was not endorsed by the Board of Trustees of the CPC, chaired by Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (Rtd.). Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had in his February 25, 2011 ruling declared Lado and others as the duly nominated candidates of the CPC, having won the party’s primaries. With the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the court held that the election or nomination of party’s candidate cease to be solely an internal affair of the party because any aggrieved member of the party can sue if the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act are breached. It was on the strength of the judgment that Abdu Yandoma (Katsina North) and Ahmed Sani Stores (Katsina Central) emerged as Senators on the platform of the CPC having won the April 9, National Assembly elections. Eight others also contested and won seats for the House of Representatives. But the Court of Appeal, Abuja, on April 20, set aside the judgment. The judgment came three days before the governorship election. Justice Jimi Bada in the lead judgment said that Lado’s name should not have been sent to the INEC because

•Shema

the primary that produced him was not endorsed by the Board of Trustees of the CPC, chaired by Buhari. Saying that it is a political party that sponsors candidates, the panel declared former House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Masari as the authentic candidate since the primary election that produced him was endorsed by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party. Hence, Masari was presented as the governorship candidate of the CPC in the election. Masari, a former House of Representatives Speaker, had been nursing governorship ambition of Katsina State even when the late Umaru Yar’Adua was about to complete his terms. Yar’Adua became the president in 2007. However, the late Matawallen Katsina opted for the incumbent governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, who was an official in his administration. Lado on the other hand was a former Chairman Local Government Council from 1999–2002, a member of the House of Representatives (2003–2007) and an elected

• Masari

Senator in April 2007 for Katsina South as a member of the PDP. Dissatisfied, Lado’s group went to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment. But the apex court in its judgment by Justice Onnoghen held that “courts have no jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter in dispute”. According to him, “the courts cannot still decide as between two or more contending parties which of them is the nominated candidate of a political party; that power still resides in the political parties to exercise”. The apex court agreed with the Respondent counsel, John Bayeshea (SAN) that only the duly sponsored candidates of the party should occupy the seats. Besides, it held that the Federal High Court which affirmed the nomination of the appellants lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, and should have struck it out because the issues raised are purely domestic affairs of the party. He held that political parties must duly sponsor a candidate for an election. Those on the list of the party as candidates are Sadiq Yar’Adua (Central Senatorial District), Hadi Sirika (North

Senatorial), Ahmed Kaita (Kankia/ Ingawa Fed Constituency) and Salisu Salisco (Kaita/Jibiya). Others are Sheik Umar Abubakar (Katsina), Salisu Daura (Daura/ Maiaduwa/Sandamu), Isa Doro (Mani/Bindawa), Sani Mashi (Mashi/ Dutsi), Abbas Machika (Kankara/ Faskari/Sabuwa) and Dr. Mansur Funtua (Funtua/Dandume). In the election proper, Shema trounced Masari. But two influential Senators Ibrahim .M. Ida and Mahmud Kanti Bello both of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Katsina Central and North in Senate lost in the election to CPC. While members of Lado’s faction who are already enjoying the seats at the National Assembly are still laying claims to the seat, the PDP has positioned itself to cash-in on the internal crisis rocking the CPC in the state. The PDP has asked the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega to issue Certificate of Return to its candidates in two Senatorial Districts and eight Federal Constituencies in the state. In a letter by its Acting National Chairman, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the PDP is contending that the CPC had no candidates for the contentious Katsina North and Central Senatorial Districts. It is asking the commission to issue the Certificate of Return to its candidates for the eight House of Representatives seats of Kankia/Ingawa, Kaita/Jibiya, Katsina, Daura/ Maiaduwa/Sandamu), Mani/ Bindawa, Mashi/Dutsi, Kankara/ Faskari/Sabuwa and Funtua/ Dandume. Alternatively, the party is asking for an early rerun election. Mr. Akugbe Jonathan Osayande (Esq.) of I & Solicitors who is representing Senator Ida said it is only the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC that can solve the political impasse. According to him, the CPC can no longer lay claim to the seat, having presented no candidates for the election. Osayande posited that the law-

ful candidates the CPC sought to present did not participate in every stage of the election as required by Section 141 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). The Section states that “for anybody to emerge candidate for a political party for the purpose of an election, he must be the one who the said political party had sponsored”. Therefore, Osanyande wants the INEC to declare his client winner and the certificate of return already issued to the CPC candidate Stores be withdrawn and issued to him since Stores was not a duly sponsored candidate of the CPC. In the letter to INEC, Baraje said: “It is an indisputable fact that the names of the 43 Appellants in the above case were never submitted to INEC as candidates of CPC. They became candidates vide a judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on the February 25, 2011 granting the claims of the Plaintiffs, now Appellants which judgment was set aside by the Court of Appeal. Meanwhile, prior to this development, the names of the first set of CPC candidates were dropped before election. Upon the delivery of the Court of Appeal judgment, the CPC forwarded to INEC a list of candidates purporting them to be its authentic candidates and asking INEC to withdraw the Certificates issued to Senator Lado’s group and re-issue same to the new persons. “INEC wisely, and of course rightly, refused to do their bidding on the ground that they were not parties to the suit before the Court of Appeal and thus cannot expect to benefit therefrom. Their subsequent application for joinder was rejected by the Supreme Court. “Our understanding of the judgment of the Supreme Court striking out the case of the appellants may be summarized thus: •The judgment of the High Court “nominating’ them as candidates ceased to subsist having been set aside by the Court of Appeal and struck out by the Supreme Court.

Why presidential election petitions fail •Continued from page 43

tioner will only succeed if it was able to prove that it disenfranchised a particular number of voters. “From whatever angle one looked at it, the onus is on the petitioner. The petitioner did not discharge the burden of proof even when put on the balance of probability”, the tribunal ruled. “From the painstaking scrutiny of the petition and totality of the evidence adduced on alleged corrupt practices such as rigging which was done in passive connivance with first respondent sharing of money to presiding officers who assisted in multiple thumb printing and allocation of votes to the fifth respondent with a view to confer undue advantage on the third and fourth respondents, the result of the election was not successfully challenged.” “The third respondent scored the majority of lawful votes cast at the election in at least two-third of the states. The petition fails in its entirety it is hereby dismissed. There shall be no order as to cost”, the Tribunal held

Falae lost too Such a tussle is not unprecedented. Democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999 when former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdul-Salam

handed over to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, that year. Obasanjo, a former military Head of State who contested on the platform of the PDP defeated Chief Olu Falae who was the joint candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and All Peoples Party (APP). From 1999 till date, all the presidential elections held in the country were challenged in courts. And all of them were dismissed by majority decisions for lack of substantial evidence adduced by the petitioners to defend the respective petitions.

Buhari’s first attempt After completing his first tenure, Obasanjo sought a second term on the platform of the PDP in 2003. The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presented Buhari as its presidential candidate while AD had no candidate. So, the stage was set for a showdown between the two gladiators. The INEC declared Obasanjo as the winner of the election. Buhari kicked, alleging that the election was not free and fair. He filed a 91page petition. In the lead judgement, the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, upheld Obasanjo’s victory and dismissed

Buhari’s petition. The panel, however, condemned the INEC for its failure to present all the election results before it saying the commission could not be bigger than the nation. The whole saga in the just-concluded 2011 petition filed by Buhari against the April 16 victory of Jonathan is an eye-opener. The commission blatantly refused the petitioner access to forensic materials it requested to pursue its case logically. Buhari’s recourse to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the 2003 election did not help matter. The Supreme Court in the lead judgment delivered by the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Muhammed Uwais, held that there were not enough material evidence by Buhari to show that the April 2003 presidential election was rigged in favour of Obasanjo to warrant the nullification of the election.

How Buhari, Atiku lost in 2007 In 2007 Buhari slugged it out again with the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua who was the flag bearer of the ruling PDP. That time, there was no alliance between the two opposition parties. As a sitting Vice-President,

Abubakar Atiku also contested in the election against the PDP that brought him to power. He was frustrated out of the party by Obasanjo who had enormous control over PDP. Atiku was the candidate of the Action Congress (AC), a party formed by the leading figures of the opposition parties and estranged members of the PDP. The INEC led by Professor Maurice Iwu declared the late Yar’Adua as the winner of the election. Even Yar’Adua in his acceptance speech admitted that the election was flawed. Dissatisfied, Buhari filed a 264page Appellant brief with contribution from expert auditors to challenge the election. Atiku, claimed that obstacles were placed on his path in his quest to contest the election. While the case was in court, Atiku could not concentrate on his campaign activities. He asked the Court to determine that if so, what the effects of the obstacles on his chances were because the appeal court had already agreed that obstacles were placed on his path on his quest to contest the election. After several months of speculations and uncertainty, the Supreme Court on December 12, 2008, upheld the April 21 Election victory of Yar’Adua and his

vice, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. The panel of seven justices chaired by the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Idris Legbo Kutigi dismissed the appeal of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate in the election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) for lack of evidence. It also dismissed the appeal of Atiku, the Action Congress (AC) candidate in the election, for lacking in merit. In Buhari’s appeal, four Justices dismissed his appeal while three allowed it. Those in Yar’Adua’s favour were Justices Kutigi (CJN), Aloysius Katsina-Alu, Niki Toby and Dahiru Musdapher. Those against were Justices George Oguntade, Maryam Aloma-Mukhtar and Walter Onnoghen. But the apex court distanced itself from admitting that all was well in the election. Lawyers have held that discharging the burden of proof in an election that spans 774 local government areas, more than 8,000 wards and about 120,000 polling units located in 36 states is high impossible. Allegations of malpractices must not only be proved beyond reasonable doubts, as they are criminal in nature, but the petitioner/appelant must show that such infractions substantially affected the result. In a season of constitution amendment, lawyers and lawmakers must take a look at the process and procedure once again.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

e-Business Sat Comm, the new way to go The choice of satellite communications system over terrestrial technology is to deepen ICT penetration for economic development. Stakeholders are optimistic that the benefits of the replaced satellite will enhance economic growth, ADLINE ATILI reports

NE of the first things Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that shook the United States (US) in 2005 did was knock out communications systems as it swept inland through Louisiana and Mississippi. The US Army National Guard was called out during the hurricanes. One National Guard commander made an interesting observation about Hurricane Katrina. He said it was an excellent exercise for the Guard because dealing with it was much like dealing with a classic military attack. Reports say the hurricane cut a 100-mile wide swath through homes, trees, electrical transmission lines and telephone substations, knocking out cellular towers as it moved north out of the Gulf. People were without communications for days. There was no land line telephone service or cellphone service in much of the southern regions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Businesses could not communicate with employees, vendors or customers. Family members could not communicate with one another. Then Chairman, of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Kevin Martin told members of the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation: “If we learned anything from Hurricane Katrina, it is that we cannot rely solely on terrestrial communications. When radio towers are knocked down, satellite communications are, in some instances, the most effective means of communicating.” Martin made this statement while testifying about communications failures and effectiveness following the hurricanes. The storm did tremendous damage to earth-based communications infrastructure along the Gulf Coast. Nearly three million telephone customers were left without land line service. Thirty-eight emergency 9-1-1 call centres were disabled and millions of calls failed in the days immediately following the storm and hundreds of thousands of customers were without cable television. Martin testified: “Through all of this,” he said, “satellite telephones continued to provide effective service.” Senator John McCain (Arizona) asked him: “So we should consider satellite communications as a part of our overall solution in response to disasters?” “That’s correct,” he said. Since the middle of the 20th century, satellites have evolved from being technical marvels to essential components of industrialised societies. Satellites are used for a diverse range of applications including telecommunications, navigation, weather prediction, military intelligence, space exploration and scientific studies. Of the operational satellites in space today, more than half are dedicated to communications uses. These satellites complement terrestrial communications network, enabling people across the globe to communicate. Due to their unique advantage of large coverage range, and independence from most terrestrial networks failures, satellites are strategic assets for ensuring continuous information flow among people, businesses and governments when terrestrial network connections are disrupted. What does the country stand to gain? To address deficiency of national backbone

infrastructure for communications and the Federal Government’s drive for nationwide broadband penetration, NIGCOMSAT Limited, in partnership with China Great Wall Industry Corporation, in 2009 signed a contract in Beijing for the in-orbit delivery of the NigComSat-1R satellite; to replace the NigComSat-1 which was launched in 2007, but failed in orbit the following year. Last month, the satellite went to its orbital home following its launch earlier in the month. According to NIGCOMSAT Limited, the replacement satellite has a modification on the payload which will provide the most optimal and cost effective voice, data, video, Internet and application services and solutions. The target applications of NigComSat-1R include but are not limited to: telecommunications, broadcasting, Internet, real-time monitoring services, navigation and global positioning systems. Stakeholders have stressed the importance of communications satellite in boosting broadband penetration and addressing the nation’s homeland security challenges, as well as the business opportunities it will offer. Managing Director of NigComSat Ltd, Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai said communications satellites are vital as national broadband backbone infrastructure for communication; adding that they will play an important role in the drive for broadband penetration nationwide. He described the NigComSat-1R as, “A critical ICT backbone infrastructure to drive the national ICT revolution in providing cost effective solutions and affordable access to meet the nation’s telecommunications, broadcast, aviation, maritime, defence and security needs and provide revenue diversification for the nation.” He noted that though Nigeria’s teledensity stands at over 60 per cent, bringing basic communications services to over 90 per cent of the people, broadband access is still a challenge. According to him, the satellite would address this challenge. “Connectivity is largely lacking and over 50 per cent of broadband Internet connections in Nigeria today are via satellite. Therefore, the NigComSat-1R satellite communications technology is critical to expanding access and improving connectivity.” He observed that deploying wire-line infrastructure for last mile access and broadband connectivity, especially for remote and un-served communities in Nigeria would be nearly impossible because of costs. He said this can be tackled through deployment of wireless technologies such as broadband satellite and new generation mobile systems. He said: “There is little future in last mile wire-line infrastructure as deployments based on wire-line infrastructure for rural and dispersed communities will be very difficult to achieve and investments will be exceedingly costly and largely unaffordable. Nigeria can

•A communications satellite improve its connectivity access by taking advantage of major advancements in the wireless technologies such as broadband satellite from NigComSat-1R and new generation mobile systems for last mile deployments.” Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson said the satellite, aside from increasing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) penetration in Nigeria, will position the country for effective global competitiveness. She noted that the gains in the telecommunications sector must be replicated in the IT sector for the industry to achieve success. According to her, this can only be achieved through broadband connectivity via satellite communications deployment. “With the NigComSat-1R, cost of bandwidth will definitely be reduced. The country still pays more for broadband services even with the availability of the submarine cables. With the coming of the communications satellite, last mile connectivity will be achieved and cost of bandwidth will crash. “This will make broadband connectivity affordable and accessible. The belief is that, with satellite communications, the country would be able to augment things and improve communications services,” she said. Speaking on the promises the satellite holds for broadcasting services at a forum recently, Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Yomi Bolarinwa said NigComSat-1R will boost broadcasting in Nigeria. He emphasised that the future of communications is multimedia with portability and mobility. An engineer at the sameforum, Inuwa Danladi-Alhaji, said NigComSat-1R’s contributions to national development are enormous. According to him, the satellite will, among other benefits, provide effective security to Nigeria and other African countries it covers; enable better flow of information from satellite to multi-channels; improve interconnectivity and communications among the nation’s security agencies (Army, Navy, Air force and the Police) and assist in disaster management. NIGCOMSAT boss Ahmed-Rufai said considering that delivering basic health care and education to remote and sparsely populated regions was almost an insoluble challenge, the launch of the NigComSat-1R will provide the much-needed bandwidth to take these services across the country. According to him, Nigeria spends N75billion yearly to get bandwidth to provide services in these areas, adding that the

‘If we learned anything from Hurricane Katrina, it is that we cannot rely solely on terrestrial communications. When radio towers are knocked down, satellite communications are, in some instances, the most effective means of communicating’

satellite will provide a domestic alternative, conserve foreign exchange and enhance the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “NigComSat-1R will facilitate our proposed secondary school NET project. This project is intended to connect select secondary schools in each state of the federation to a central point. It will also enhance virtual campuses in remote locations, which shall be connected to other locations.” Ahmed-Rufai listed the benefits of the satellite to government agencies and other business enterprises to include reduction in the cost of bandwidth acquisition, boosting government’s e-governance initiative and development of indigenous software applications to aid Nigeria’s quest for a knowledge economy. Other benefits, according to him include boosting the nation’s telecommunications services delivery; facilitating the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) pursuit of cash-less economy, among others. In addition, the NIGCOMSAT boss explained that the satellite will leapfrog the country’s knowledge economy drive. “We are trying to build talented Nigerians that can create products that will be competitive in the global market. By doing so, we will be developing a pool of highly-skilled workers. If you want to create a knowledge economy, you have to create humans with knowledge.” To the former President of the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Dr Jimson Olufuye, Nigeria can escape the digital gulf with satellite technology solutions as “broadband access can easily be achieved over communications satellite infrastructure.” According to him, connecting more people to broadband and increasing Nigeria’s economic and technological competitiveness would only be realistic if the country deploys satellite solutions. He, however, challenged stakeholders on appropriate use of the communications infrastructure for business continuity, emphasising on the need for backup satellites. “The issue is beyond just having a communications satellite. What we use it to do matters a great deal and how we sustain it and keep it working for the duration of its life cycle are very important. “Let us not forget that leading nations are spending big on their satellite projects and they do it for results. We too as we spend big must have our sight on the results which should be nothing more than boosting the socioeconomic and security well-being of our people. “While there is great enthusiasm, the challenge of appropriate use for business continuity is critical. Therefore, plans should begin as soon as possible for NIGCOMSAT-2,” he stated.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

e-Business to upgrade Internet Telecom boss makes case for Starcomms modems at 50% discount increased spectrum allocation S C

HIEF Executive Officer of Visafone, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) Telco, Sailesh Iyer, has appealed to the Federal Government to facilitate release of more spectrums to boost telecommunications service delivery. According to him, sufficient spectrum allocation will drive growth of the telecommunications sector, especially in the area of broadband deployment. Spectrums are the radio frequencies on which all communications signals travel. These radio frequencies can be used for various services such as space communications, mobile communications, broadcasting, mobile satellite services and defence communications, among others. Findings show that while broadband penetration stands at barely 12 per cent, the non-release of additional relevant spectrum licences to willing operators in broadband services provisioning by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been hindering uptake of broadband services. In an interaction with The Nation, Iyer identified spectrum crunch as the biggest challenge facing the CDMA segment of the nation’s telecom sector.

Stories by Adline Atili With mobile data traffic forecast to increase ten-fold over the next five years and mobile broadband subscriptions expected to hit five billion by the end of 2016, Iyer noted that the ability of the network operators to provide mobile broadband services to subscribers through adequate spectrum provisioning would be a great differentiator. The arrival of new smartphones, greater availability of mobile broadband and increased use of mobile applications will also drive data consumption, with traffic from ‘advanced smartphones’ expected to increase 12-fold during the period. Iyer said: “Spectrum crunch is the biggest challenge facing CDMAs today, apart from the other challenges such as power, infrastructure maintenance and alternative power supply costs which are common to all. If we have to deliver on our promises to subscribers, government should support us with spectrum. “If you want to drive data, you have to get spectrum support as the number of Internet users is expected to grow from 35million to 70million by 2015. We will like to capture this number for Internet usage on the mobile phone devices

or the EV-DO Rev A. “To this end, we are making heavy investments on technology and network front to build and increase capacity of our EV-DO customer base. As part of our investment drive, spectrum is one thing we are willing to invest on but it rests on the authority to provide it. NCC should release more spectrums for us to give quality services to customers.” Iyer observed that a lot of unused spectrums exist in the marketplace, calling on the NCC to consider allocating these unused spectrums to organisations that can effectively utilise them in driving broadband penetration in the country. According to the Visafone boss, the company is looking into increasing network connectivity of its Rev A in providing high-speed Internet access to subscribers and playing a major role in the cash-less initiative of the Federal Government. “These will require large bandwidth which in turn will be backed by sufficient spectrum allocation to operators,” he said. He disclosed that the company has entered into strategic partnership with Huawei Technologies to actualise its aim of providing quality telecom services and affordable broadband connectivity to subscribers.

‘Power problems responsible for poor quality of service’

vironment. The initiative, which enables the Telco build ‘Green telecom sites,’ Srivastava said, would go a long way in addressing the critical challenge of power, adding that the company is exploring other options including a partnership with the World Bank to address the nagging issue of power supply, especially to remote communities. “We have set the foundation for a better and cleaner environment with the signing of a historical agreement with Ericsson to upgrade Airtel’s 250 diesel-powered stations across the country. This initiative will enable us to harness solar and wind energy for the operation of our base stations,” he said. He said being the first company in the nation’s telecom sector to move in the direction of powering base stations with solar energy, Airtel brings hope and optimism for the future, calling other businesses to adopt solar energy for the critical role it can play in the transition to a low-carbon economy and freeing up business

operations from dependence on public power supply and diesel. He said with the new energy initiative, Airtel was creating the foundation to provide access to mobile services to everyone, improve coverage and quality of service, while making telecom services affordable, “since operating expenses will be sufficiently reduced through this green investment.” “Even as we pursue the GreenSite solution we have in the last six months installed dual generating sets in 200 sites as well as high backup batteries in 600 sites. By March, we are looking at deploying additional high-capacity back up batteries and 500 new generating sets.” He added that with the solar power agenda, “Airtel proves its commitment to improving the capacity and robustness of the company’s network as the customer base grows. Nigerians should rest assured that we will cooperate with the regulator to ensure that the prescribed quality standards are always met and even surpassed.”

would have to subscribe to any of the plans ranging from the Always On plan to the 50 hours plan. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Logan Pather, said: “By this offer, we are committed to ensuring our data subscribers avail themselves of next-generation Internet modem that will facilitate super-fast browsing experience. “Customer satisfaction is at the heart of Starcomms as our customers are the true ambassadors that can tell other Nigerians of their experience with the Starcomms iZAP.”

Ten millionaires emerge in lionaires. She urged all Nigerians to join Glo promo the Glo network, which she declared as

EN winners in the Glo N1billion Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card registration promo have been presented with cheques of N1 million in Lagos. A school leaver, Alex Etadafe, said he would use the money to sponsor himself through university. Another winner, a nursing student, Perpetual Nkiruka, was full of thanks to Globacom and its Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga for creating mil-

the best. Globacom’s Director of Customer Care, Ms Maria Svensson said the prize presentation was in fulfilment of the company’s promise to reward subscribers who register their SIM cards and to thank them for their loyalty. She urged existing and new subscribers to participate in the promo by registering old and new SIM cards at any of the company’s sales and registration outlets.

Interswitch assures on security of electronic payments

LECTRONIC payment transaction and processing firm, Interswitch has assured Nigerians of security of e-payment transactions on the Web, Automated Teller Machines ATMs, Point of Sale (PoS) terminals and other e-payment channels across the country. To increase the confidence level of the company’s cardholders who shop online and improve the country’s image, the company has increased the security designs of its Web payment platform to ensure adequate security for cardholders. The company says with the chip and PIN technology on the platform, “no one can steal customers’ card details.” Director of Payment Solutions at Interswitch, Mr Charles Ifedi disclosed this at the Verve National Consumer promo in Lagos recently. Ifedi said other

•From left: GloZone Sales Support Manager, Kayode Asekun; Globacom State Manager, Yobe, Humphery Aramude; GloZone Damaturu Franchisee, Larema Mustapha; Usman Garba of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Damaturu and Shettima Mari-Damaturu, representative of the Emir of Damaturu, at the opening of Globacom's neigbourhood customer care shop in Damaturu, Yobe State.

HIEF Operating Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Deepak Srivastava, has attributed poor quality of telecommunications services delivery to poor and erratic electricity supply in the country. Over 70 per cent of downtime being experienced by telecom subscribers, according to him, can be traced to the nation’s lingering power problems. Srivastava, who disclosed this recently in Lagos, said in spite of the continuous investments in network expansion by the telecom operators, poor electricity remains a major challenge. “Poor power supply to Telcos’ network sites across the country has been responsible for over 70 per cent of downtime in service delivery, resulting in poor quality of service,” he said. Srivastava, however, said Airtel Nigeria has taken up an initiative aimed at powering a sizeable number of its base stations across the country with solar power, which will make the telecom operator, support the global ‘Going Green’ initiative for a pollution-free en-

TARCOMMS PLC is offering its existing customers with nonfunctional Internet modems and iZAP cards to upgrade to its EVDO at a discount of 50 per cent. According to the company, Starcomms iZAP allows for increased broadband data rates, improved network efficiency and high speed Internet access for individual and business users. In a statement by the company, breakdown of the offer shows that the EVDO modem would be offered for N3,000 as against the original N6,500. Customers

security measures put in place by the company ensures that merchants that have Websites cannot capture cardholders’ card data, saying “if they are able to capture card data of cardholders, it is additional risk.” According to him, the company has created four categories for online merchants to determine the level of trust each merchant could extend to online shoppers. To further ensure adequate security for card holders, Ifedi said the company’s Web payment platform has been verified by Visa, the global payments technology company. At the fourth national consumer promo, aimed at driving the cash-less initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, 32 Verve card holders won various prizes ranging from generator sets, BlackBerry smartphones, freezers, LCD TV sets and iPads, across eight banks.

Firm restates commitment to ened digital acquisition through varimarketing efforts and partnership ICT development ous with local and foreign Original Equip-

NFORMATION Technology distribution firm, Technology Distributions (TD), has restated its commitment to driving the digital revolution in West Africa. Managing Director of the company, Mrs Chioma Ekeh, said the company has positioned itself as an IT distribution company of choice with the mandate of facilitating acquisition of digital tools by individuals and businesses for efficiency in daily engagements. “We are committed to driving the digital revolution in West Africa. As the leader in IT distribution in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa, our mandate is to ensure that everybody has access to IT tools in order to make them IT-compliant in the current knowledge economy,” she said. Mrs Ekeh noted that in 2011, the company expanded its product portfolio with latest and affordable IT products, deep-

ment Manufacturers (OEMs). She assured that in 2012, the company would consolidate on its achievements as top IT distributor in West Africa. She said: “2012 is going to be a promising and wonderful year as TD continues to be a distributor of choice to deliver its mandate which is to drive ICT revolution and the spirit of Africanism in the sub-region. With our dedicated and quality members of staff and reliable partners, we are sure that 2012 would be another year of growth for the company. “We will ensure that ICTs, be it in the form of IT solutions or in the form of basic laptops, are accessible to people in Nigeria and at affordable prices. Beyond having the best products from local and international OEMs, we also have different bouquet of services for our customers.”

Intel appoints country manager

ECHNOLOGY giant, Intel Corporation has announced the appointment of Olubunmi Ekundare as its Country Manager for Nigeria. The company said Ekundare will take over responsibility of Intel’s commercial activities and innovations in Nigeria and will also be responsible for Intel’s businesses across West Africa. A statement by the company said: “This is an example of our continued commitment to building and developing our management team within the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META). Ekundare will be responsible for driving future growth through building sustainable partnerships with the

local IT ecosystem in addition to introducing the latest Intel innovations to Nigeria and West Africa.” The new Country Manager said: “As country manager for Intel, my vision is to make Intel’s technology an asset to the growth and development of Nigeria and the continent. I look forward to harnessing the great potential of Nigeria's IT sector with the support of my team and in line with Intel’s.” He said further: “I will make every effort, to facilitate the use and adoption of technology in the public and private sectors and ensure that our customers, partners and the wider ecosystem continue to benefit from our wide range of innovative technologies.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

e-Business

How govt is killing software industry

Matters e-Rising Segun Oruame segun@segunoruame.com

OT many people will be conversant with Nigeria’s small but somewhat thriving local software industry. In this very green sector where there is so much hope of re-building our national destiny outside of the fiery oil curse, few indigenous players have made their mark and are already FOREX earners for a country that would not appreciate them. Not many people will also realise that the trillion dollar global software industry has not grown purely by superior marketing skill of the foreign brands. The brands have equally grown by the sheer weight of political willpower of governments of various countries not only to export their local knowledge solutions but also to ensure the local usage and patronage of such solutions. If you have doubts then check how the US and European powers secretly use their embassies as foreign sales outposts to market their home-made products. The Indian government has invested so much political willpower to ensure the acceptability of Infosys and other Indian software companies in countries within and outside of Asia. Nigeria is one of the prime destinations of Infosys solutions and so many other offshore software companies. Billions of dollars are exported every year as cost of deployment and payment for licensing fees. The software industry is at once local and global and increasingly for any solution provider to become relevant, it must be local and global in terms of value proposition and certification. Not all Nigerian software compa-

nies have attained this mark. But the few that have attained this mark have done so with little or no support from a government so ‘noisily’ patronising about the need to promote non-oil exports. Increasingly, local software companies have had to prove their own worth ten times over their foreign rivals on their own local soil where they ought to enjoy some advantages. The in-road few players such as Systemspec Limited and PFS Limited have made within the public sector and the financial sector has been by merit and brazen show of courage in an environment that rejects its own. Government wants to promote local content in the ICT industry. But it appears to be befuddled by its own somewhat lack of vision and commitment. That perhaps may explain the recent sad fate that has happened to SystemSpecs. After winning and successfully implementing a World Bankled bid to deploy the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, executed in partnership with the World Bank which involved just 16 Federal Ministries with a population of about 55,000 public servants, the software company has been told it would get no place for the second and main phase which involved the entire public service. Both the World Bank, which is no longer part of the second phase, and SystemSpecs are in shock. The criteria have changed to include the Nigeria factor and consequently, the deal has been given to a foreign software company. But it is not a SystemSpecs loss but a Nigerian tragedy. The software

company in question has become iconic of the Nigerian willpower to triumph in spite of the odds. Long before the IPPIS, SystemSpecs had spread its weight to other countries particularly within the continent, Ghana and Equatorial Guinea inclusive among others, to firm up its brand as global. The IPPIS was a winner for the Federal Government, the World Bank and SystemSpecs. Through the implementation of the Payroll and Personnel Management software developed 100 per cent in Nigeria by a Nigerian company; the Nigerian government was able to save a whopping N12billion. For the World Bank, the Nigerian company its consultants settled for in the international bid for the IPPIS project had proven its mark, had not disappointed and was worthy of winning the next bid. For Systemspecs, the global software industry could now reckon with a Nigerian company; and for Nigeria, the chicken had come home to roost via sheer merit. But the criteria would soon change in very questionable circumstance to shock all the stakeholders. What could have been the beginning of SystemSpecs’ stronger grip within the Nigerian public sector and a vista for the Nigerian government to concretise its vision of promoting the growth of indigenous software capacity has been blasted by less than acceptable factors. The implications are deep and varied. Why enrich a foreign company and another country at the expense of your own company and your national interest? Why throw the entire operation of the very sensitive

public service to the software scrutiny of foreign interests when there is a tested local solution provider which has deployed the same solution within the same environment? Why export hard currency when that money could improve the destiny of many Nigerians inside a Nigerian company. Is there something really wrong with the idea of a Nigeria can-do spirit? The questions and implications are numerous. Some years back, former Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank and one of the known drivers of ICT in Nigeria, Mr Jim Ovia had a not-too-pleasant encounter with a former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo inside the Aso Villa during the formal presentation of the Omatek laptop to the Nigerian leader. Ovia was present as one of the SME fund providers for Omatek Computers. Ovia had mentioned at the gathering that he was at Bangalore, the software capital of India and had seen a tree planted by the Nigerian President when the President paid a courtesy visit to Infosys, India’s leading software company and one of the biggest players on the globe. Characteristic of Chief Obasanjo, he had cut Mr Ovia short and castigated him for failing to fund indigenous software efforts. He took a swipe at the banking industry blaming it for being part of the causative factors for the dearth of thriving indigenous ICT entrepreneurship. “You only need a red rug, a desk and some beautiful ladies to set up a bank and collect peoples’ money,” said Chief Obasanjo to Ovia. But “you need courage and vision to do what this woman is doing. Madam I must

commend you for this effort,” the Chief said while addressing Mrs Florence Seriki, the CEO of Omatek Computers PLC. For Ovia, it was a challenge that cumulated into the efforts at setting up a Software Park in Lagos. Chief Obasanjo’s message was simple and clear. He had been to India and had seen how the expansive growth of India’s indigenous software industry has made the world’s second most populous country to lead in the global software industry and to reinvent its national economy to become part of the New World Economic Order. If India could do it, then Nigeria could do it with sufficient political willpower, support of the private banking sector to invest in the Knowledge Industry and the goodwill of the public sector through committed patronage of the solutions derivable from indigenous software capacity. Before his departure from power, Chief Obasanjo had demonstrated a sense of vision in getting the local Nigeria ICT industry to have some steam to bud and blossom. There was a deliberate policy thrust to encourage and patronise genuine local ICT efforts. We owe ourselves the duty to save ourselves. If there is anything President Goodluck Jonathan must adopt from ex-President Obasanjo, it is a practical approach to believing that Nigeria owes Nigerians the duty of growing the local software industry. This much the former President revealed while in power. He derided everyone including himself for failing to grow an industry yearning for government support. The more reason President Jonathan must ask that the proper thing be done and NOW!

Airtel, Samsung sign agreement to drive mobile penetration

IANT Telco, Airtel has entered into a strategic two-year partnership with Samsung, the world’s second largest mobile manufacturer, giving Airtel exclusive rights to distribute select Samsung products across 17 African countries, including Nigeria. Under the agreement, Airtel and Samsung will also join forces to develop products and services that will enhance mobile commerce, mobile health and other areas that have significant social benefits for the communities in which the companies operate across Africa. According to Airtel, the partnership will leverage both Airtel and Samsung’s strong brand equity, well-developed distribution infrastructure and foot print across the continent to achieve common goals and drive penetration in Africa. This agreement gives Airtel exclusive distribution rights for select Samsung products for the initial six months after they are launched. The two companies will work together to provide market-specific products based on trends and consumer preferences, ensuring Airtel customers have access to products that are tailor-made to their individual needs. The wide range of innovative products that Samsung will collaborate with Airtel on include smartphones, mass market handsets, tablets, dongles and

O the chagrin of telecommunications operators, all signs point to text messaging’s continuing decline in several parts of the world. In Finland, there was a significant drop on Christmas and New Year Eve, two of the busiest days of the year for texting, a Senior Analyst at M.G.I. Research, Tero Kuittinen, wrote in a blog post for Forbes. Cell phone customers on Sonera, a Finnish mobile network, sent 8.5 million text messages on Christmas

Stories by Adline Atili routers. Between July and September this year, Samsung became the world’s largest supplier of smartphones, according to research conducted by Strategy Analytics. Over the three-month period, Samsung shipped 27.8 million smartphones worldwide, compared with 17.1 million from Apple and 16.8 million from Nokia. Chief Executive Officer (International) and Joint Managing Director, Airtel, Manij Kohli said: “This partnership demonstrates that we remain committed to meeting Africa’s telecom needs. “We will work closely with Samsung to provide customers across every segment with cutting-edge products. We will leverage each other’s distribution networks to ensure that the range is within reach of our high value and corporate clients, our larger base with price in mind and especially cater to our young adult market. “Airtel and Samsung will also join forces to develop services that will enhance mobile commerce, mobile health and other areas that have significant social benefits for the communities that we live and work in across Africa.” Kohli disclosed that as part of Airtel’s expansion plan, the Telco plans to roll out additional 2,200 retail stores across Africa in 2012. These, he said, will act as key retail outlets for the Samsung portfolio.

•L-R: Stanley Ojemen, General Manager, Edge Base Group, Mr Logan Pather, Managing Director, Starcomms and Joel Egbai, Managing Director Edge Base Group, at the signing of a partnership pact.

Ericsson floats N3.2m competition for developers

ECHNOLOGY services company, Ericsson, in partnership with Sony Ericsson has announced a regional competition for application developers on the Android platform, to run under the aegis of the 2012 Ericsson Application Awards (EAA 2012) - an ongoing annual competition for application developers worldwide, organised by Ericsson Research. In a statement by the company, the competition is designed to promote the development of innovative ideas and mobile applications from a variety of environments and

situations peculiar to the region. These are expected to enable new opportunities for people to collaborate, innovate, learn, care and participate in more efficient ways that positively impact our environment. Country Manager, Ericsson Nigeria, Gary Dewing said the competition is an opportunity for local talents to showcase their capabilities in the global community of innovators and developers as well as compete for the •15,000 (or N3.2m) cash prize. Members of the winning teams in

each region, he stated, will each receive a Sony Ericsson Xperia phone, while teams in second place will receive Business Experience Packs, which includes Sony Ericsson MW600, office pro, McAfee, and a micro USB cable. Dewing said the competition is open to students and small and medium sized enterprises in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Gambia. He said interested developers are required to register teams of two to four people online atwww.ericssonapplicationawards.com/ apps-africa-west before February 01, 2012.

Text messaging is in decline in some countries Eve, down from 10.9 million on the same day the previous year, Kuittinen said, citing a report by the Finnish national broadcasting service. DNA, a Finnish carrier for younger customers, also experienced a decline, with subscribers sending 5.6 million messages, down from 5.9 million in 2010. In Hong Kong there was a steep decline in text messaging on Christ-

mas Day, down nearly 14 per cent compared to the previous year, according to Kuittinen. Australians, too, sent fewer text messages — down 9 per cent from 2010, according to Richard Blundell, an independent blogger who hashed together data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Telstra, an Australian carrier.

The fading allure of text messaging is most likely tied to the rise of alternative services like Facebook, Twitter, BlackBerry Messenger and iMessage, which allow customers to send messages free using a cell phone’s Internet connection, analysts say. In the United States, the number of text messages sent by cell phone

customers is still growing, but that growth is gradually slowing, according to a telecom analyst with UBS, John Hodulik. His data, published in June, found that texting in the United States grew 10 per cent in the first quarter of 2011. That was down from 16 per cent growth in the fourth quarter of 2010. Kuttinen said he predicts “SMS erosion” in the next two years.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

5, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 4-1-12 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 18 4 22

Quotation(N) 0.78 24.25

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,577,000 2,000,770.00 117,800 2,716,780.00 2,694,800 4,717,550.00

AIR SERVICES Company Name NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 30 30

Quotation(N) 5.31

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 371,467 1,991,138.16 371,467 1,991,138.16

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.22

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 3 1.50 20,194 25,567.51 20,197 25,569.01

Quotation(N) 5.29 2.01 4.19 1.43 8.80 14.00 8.00 3.80 0.96 2.59 10.60 0.55 0.55 12.28

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 4,492,574 23,370,619.31 910,143 1,835,981.02 10,809,641 44,075,274.77 6,220,389 8,812,248.28 16,241,369 145,971,042.85 6,177,304 87,397,514.61 1,028,853 8,232,017.00 6,986,591 26,342,455.78 860,780 849,273.68 29,230,009 75,297,986.15 12,653 127,415.71 660,000 359,309.45 714,554 409,420.98 6,953,573 85,608,846.53 91,298,433 508,689,406.12

Quotation(N) 1.85 237.56 95.05

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 513,007,000 949,076,950.00 381,868 89,641,508.33 1,085,732 103,163,671.13 514,474,600 1,141,882,129.46

Quotation(N) 11.61 4.77 110.77 43.25

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 272,950 3,165,630.74 164,088 780,280.64 7,354 817,362.86 93,550 4,066,243.90 537,942 8,829,518.14

Quotation(N) 8.47 14.50 10.93

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,800 14,850.00 1,515 23,048.30 120 1,246.80 3,435 39,145.10

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 5 6 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 91 45 22 63 362 264 25 78 11 146 11 6 20 235 1,379 BREWERIES

Company Name CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 111 106 219 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 26 11 11 14 62

Market slips on fuel subsidy anxieties

HE Nigerian stock market dropped for the second consecutive day yesterday as market operators expressed fears that the removal of government’s subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, may negatively affect the capital market. The benchmark index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the All Share Index (ASI)- which measures changes in prices of all quoted companies, dropped by 0.17 per cent from 20,671.06 points to 20,635.07 points. The downtrend further built the year-to-date return at the stock market to -0.46 per cent. Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted companies reduced by N12 billion to close at N6.502 trillion as against opening value of N6.513 trillion. Most companies suffered price depreciation with Flour Mills Nigeria leading with a loss of N2.50 to close at N63. UAC of Nigeria followed with a drop of N1.48 to close at N30. First Bank of Nigeria lost by 27 kobo to close at N8.80. Oando fell by 20 kobo to close at N21.80. Eterna dropped by

No of Deals 3 4 1 8

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 12 14

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 145,326 72,663.00 391,805 977,572.50 537,131 1,050,235.50

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 2.94

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,599 4,477.20 1,599 4,477.20

Quotation(N) 1.38 5.89 29.04 5.52 0.57 30.00 29.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 19,540 25,792.80 10,000 56,000.00 1,065,706 30,985,623.81 250 1,312.50 2,250,535 1,282,370.25 1,457,152 43,779,728.00 35,248 1,022,732.65 4,838,431 77,153,560.01

Quotation(N) 31.60 0.50

CONGLOMERATES Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC JOHN HOLT PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 80 1 20 46 29 178

No of Deals 1 2 3

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 4-1-12 INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. STACO INSURANCE PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 1.55

No of Deals 12 18 49 54 30 13 1 9 59 245

Quotation(N) 46.00 11.80 5.48 4.89 63.00 2.42 5.66 4.05 423.38

No of Deals 4 4

No of Deals 36 36

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 27 854.82 3,523,922 1,761,961.00 3,523,949 1,762,815.82

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 5,000 7,400.00 5,000 7,400.00

Company Name ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 11 4 14 6 36

Quotation(N) 0.67 0.86 23.00 2.18 1.08

No of Deals 8 8

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 36,502 1,620,483.52 96,612 1,125,001.64 606,842 3,303,590.90 709,877 3,466,084.33 317,407 20,025,134.02 262,600 632,005.00 120 679.20 139,200 561,285.70 134,758 55,529,920.65 2,303,918 86,264,184.96

Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

No of Deals 1 1 13 15

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 92 61.64 525,023 449,769.55 4,300 94,955.00 69,910 152,403.80 69,000 71,070.00 668,325 768,259.99

No of Deals 1 1

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 6,646,252 6,513,326.96 6,646,252 6,513,326.96

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 300,000 150,000.00 300,000 150,000.00

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 11,776 5,888.00 11,776 5,888.00

No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 11,100 5,550.00 11,100 5,550.00

Quotation(N) 1.72 13.28

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 405,230 698,278.50 8,200 103,484.00 413,430 801,762.50

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC GREIF NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 12 2 14

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 8 12 20 8 155 5 208

Quotation(N) 31.50 2.85 12.18 133.91 21.80 188.10

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,527 81,161.17 660,000 1,886,122.00 247,399 3,008,353.47 6,225 820,728.00 1,566,217 34,189,014.23 5,457 982,933.80 2,487,825 40,968,312.67

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Quotation(N) 1.54

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 358,167 553,677.18 358,167 553,677.18

Quotation(N) 11.15 6.85 5.31

Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.50

No of Deals 1 4 5

Quotation(N) 2.20 3.40

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 3,000 6,270.00 25,686 90,231.63 28,686 96,501.63

Quotation(N) 12.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 39,875 475,563.75 39,875 475,563.75

REAL ESTATE Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,000 10,600.00 2,250 16,177.50 267,535 1,436,987.20 270,785 1,463,764.70

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.98

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION INDUSTRIES PLC B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 61,000 42,060.00 61,000 42,060.00

MEDIA

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.66

MORTGAGE COMPANIES

HEALTHCARE Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 584,420 306,477.66 2,617,200 2,035,122.00 315,700 748,180.50 14,600 19,055.00 55,000 27,500.00 33,300 17,316.00 500,300 250,150.00 41,080 22,183.20 4,000 2,000.00 6,443 5,798.70 116,500 58,250.00 499,495 254,727.50 4,788,038 3,746,760.56

MARITIME

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC P. S. MANDRIDES PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.54 0.83 2.23 1.35 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.56 0.50 0.94 0.50 0.51

LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 23 13 9 3 3 9 8 3 1 3 6 4 85

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

CONSTRUCTION Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC Sector Totals

15 kobo to close at N2.85 while Guaranty Trust Bank lost 12 kobo to close at N14 per share. On the upside, Okomu Oil Palm topped the gainers’ list with a gain of N1.15 to close at N24.25. Forte Oil added 58 kobo to close at N12.18. PZ Cussons Nigeria rose by 44 kobo to N29.04. Cadbury Nigeria gained 40 kobo to close at N11.80. Access Bank and Dangote Flour Mills added 25 kobo each to close at N5.29 and N5.48 respectively while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria rose by 21 kobo to close at N4.77 per share. Total turnover stood at 639.624 million shares valued at N1.92 billion in 2,654 deals. The turnover was largely due to the two deals on Champion Breweries involving 513.07 million shares worth N949.08 million. The deals might not been unconnected with the acquisition of the majority shareholding in the brewery by Consolidated Breweries.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC PREMIER PAINTS PLC. Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Managing director, GTI Securities, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle said the removal of the fuel subsidy might impact negatively on the capital market. According to him, considering the essential use of petroleum products in the daily living of an average Nigerian as evidenced in its usage to generate power, personal and official transportation among others, the removal is likely to reduce the disposable income of Nigerians and ultimately cut their investment appetite. “Also, with the current challenge of restoring investors’ confidence in the market, the short-term inflationary effect of the subsidy removal may affect the investment plans of the few investors that are currently patronising the market, and if not well handled may delay the expected recovery in the market,” Oyekunle said. He pointed out that the removal may negatively affect the performance of listed stock as the necessity of petroleum products and associated inflationary effect of the removal may averagely reduce the profitability of quoted companies.

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,000 1,000.00 2,000 1,000.00

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 8 8

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 61 61

Quotation(N) 10.65

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,925,736 31,132,278.90 2,925,736 31,132,278.90

2,654

639,623,897

1,919,141,836.32

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

MONEY LINK

ANKS’ total liquid assets stood at N2 trillion as at Sep tember last year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said. This, according to the CBN third quarter report, represents 17.9 per cent of banks’ total current liabilities. This was attributed, largely, to the 151.4 per cent increase in net claims on the Federal Government. Liquid assets are cash or any other negotiable assets that can be quickly converted into cash. The standard savings account is not the only form of investment that can be properly classified as a liquid asset. Money market fund shares, bonds, mutual funds, and the cash value of a life insurance policy are all examples of interest bearing investments that can undergo liquidation and provide quick cash when necessary. A CBN circular on economic report shows the apex bank’s credit to the banks, largely, loans and advances, rose by 3.1 per cent to N396.5 billion at the end of the review period. According to the CBN report, the liquidity ratio fell by 20.0 percentage points from the level at the end of the

Banks’ liquid assets hit N2tr Stories by Collins Nweze

preceding quarter, and was 12.1 percentage points below the stipulated minimum ratio of 30.0 per cent. The loansto-deposit ratio fell by 1.5 percentage points below the level at the end of the preceding quarter to 43.4 per cent, and was 36.6 percentage points below the prescribed minimum ratio of 80.0 per cent. Total assets/liabilities of the discount houses stood at N333.8 billion, indicating an increase of 20.9 over the level at the end of the preceding quarter. The rise in assets was accounted for, largely, by the 54.0 per cent increase in claims on the Federal Government, reinforced by the 5.3 per cent increase in other assets. Correspondingly, the increase in total liabilities was attributed, largely, to the increase of 51.1 and 30.6 per cent in the level of other liabilities and moneyat-call, respectively, during the period. Discount houses’ investment in Federal Government securities of less than

per cent of estimated nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for third quarter 2011, compared with the2011 quarterly budget deficit of N284.16 billion and actual deficit of N340.31 billion for the preceding quarter. Agricultural activities during the quarter under review were dominated by harvesting of various root crops and preparation of land and nurseries for tomatoes, pepper, carrots cabbage and other vegetables. In the livestock subsector, farmers intensified husbandry towards end-of-year sales. Nigeria’s crude oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids, was estimated at 2.18 million barrels per day (mbd) or 198.38 million barrels for the quarter. Crude oil export was estimated at 1.73 mbd or 157.43 million barrels for the quarter, while deliveries to the refineries for

91-day maturity rose significantly by 347.5 per cent to N55.71 billion and represented 23.6 per cent of their total deposit liabilities. At this level, discount houses’ investment was also 36.4 percentage points below the prescribed minimum level of 60.0 per cent for fiscal 2011. The quarterly report showed that there was no borrowing by the discount houses, while their capital and reserves stood at N49.8 billion. Non-oil receipts stood at N667.3 billion, exceeding the budget estimate, the levels in the preceding quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2010 by 11.1, 34.3 and 27.9 per cent, respectively. The improvement in non-oil revenue relative to the preceding period reflected, largely, the increase in companies’ income tax and education tax receipts. The CBN said that Federal Government retained revenue for the third quarter of 2011 was N1 trillion, while total expenditure was N1.1 trillion. Thus, the fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an estimated deficit of N116.23 billion or 1.2

good phenomenon that would enable them achieve financial success. He said the world has become a global village where new opportunities are coming up driven by new technological innovations, new information and knowledge and increasing demand for professional services of law, finance, engineering. He added that the students should be versatile and fully understand these phenomena. Furthermore, our country is at the tipping point of blossoming into a land of opportunities enhanced by sustainable democratic and political culture backed by large population and economic opportunities. Finally, there is a good news from those who come from poor background. He said that most wealthy Nige-

ONSOLIDATED Breweries Plc has finalised acquisition of ma jority shareholding in Champion Breweries Plc following the formal approval of the deal by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Managing director, Consolidated Breweries Plc, Mr. Boudewijn Haarsma, said the acquisition which took effect from January 3, 2012 would not result in a full merger of Champion Breweries Plc into Consolidated Breweries Plc’s existing business. According to him, Champion Breweries Plc would retain its identity, independence, board and management team, but would be managed with the active involvement of Consolidated Breweries Plc. He pointed out that with the transaction, Champion Breweries Plc would have good opportunities arising from this partnership with Con-

rians today, who made money from legitimate sources, started off with no family inheritance. They are self made and that shows that there is hope for everyone. “The fact is that we live in a world of abundance where there is plenty for everyone who knows how to get it. As rightly pointed out by Brian Tracy, the only major contribution you have to make is your sweat equity. It is your willingness to work and work very hard at achieving your goals that would define you in the next few years,” he said. The CRC boss advised the youths to have clear goals and work hard to attain their desired goals, adding that increased earnings come also through value to whatever their doing in life.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 4-1-12 SYMBOL FO OKOMUOIL ACCESS FIDSON MAYBAKER DANGFLOUR HONYFLOUR CCNN JAPAULOIL LIVESTOCK

O/PRICE 11.60 23.10 5.04 0.82 2.08 5.23 2.31 4.56 0.94 0.75

C/PRICE 12.18 24.25 5.29 0.86 2.18 5.48 2.42 4.77 0.98 0.78

CHANGE 0.58 1.15 0.25 0.04 0.10 0.25 0.11 0.21 0.04 0.03

LOSER AS AT 4-1-12 SYMBOL ETERNAOIL STERLNBANK IKEJAHOTEL UACN SUSTODYINS FLOURMILL FIRSTBANK SKYEBANK WAPIC UNITYBANK

O/PRICE 3.00 1.01 1.62 31.48 2.34 65.50 9.07 3.90 0.52 0.56

C/PRICE 2.85 0.96 1.54 30.00 2.23 63.00 8.80 3.80 0.51 0.55

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

solidated Breweries including provision of an avenue for the further development of the Champion Lager Beer brand, access to expertise, synergies in all functional fields and increase in the capacity utilization of its brewery through possible manufacturing of Consolidated Breweries Plc’s brands in the future. He added that the deal would strengthen Consolidated Breweries’ position in the value for money segment in Nigeria by being able to improve the geographic spread of its operations. He said the company would also get instant access to production capacity which will enable it to address its current capacity constraints and further strengthen its platform for future growth. He said that the acquisition confirmed Consolidated Breweries’ commitment in playing its role towards the development of the Nigerian beer market.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

domestic consumption remained at 0.45 mbd or 40.95 million barrels. The average price of Nigeria’s reference crude, the Bonny Light (370 API), estimated at $115.92 per barrel, declined by 4.1 per cent from the level in the preceding quarter.

Consolidated, Champion Breweries in N949m acquisition deal

Credit bureau boss reiterates need for financial literacy HE Managing Director of CRC Credit Bureau Limited, Tunde Popoola has advised the youth on the need to take critical steps to create wealth. Speaking at the second capacity building annual lecture organised by the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, he advised the students to focus on viable means of creating wealth after their graduation. “The thing that would occupy your mind in few years from now is how to make money and become rich. There is no doubt that having enough money is very crucial to living the kind of life of freedom, happiness, opportunity and self – expression that you desire,” he said. Popoola said that there are three

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 03-01-12 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 161.0000 (S/N)

162.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

155.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

156.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 118.85 98.43 0.76 1.04 0.88 1,642.73 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,351.90 193.00

9.08 1.00 118.69 97.65 0.73 1.04 0.87 1,635.25 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,149.37 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 0.15 0.05 0.08 1.48 0.11 2.50 0.27 0.10 0.01 0.01

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

NEWS National Assembly urged to reject Kolade panel’s membership

Conduct tribunal to try Shekarau, ex-Kogi AG, others From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

FORMER Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau; former Accountant-General of Kogi State, Itodo Opanachi and six others are to face trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for alleged breach of their oaths of office. A statement by the Head of Public Relations Unit of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Iyabo Akinwale, said Shekarau would appear before the tribunal on January 12. Opanachi is to be arraigned on January 11 with Bassey Ating of Akwa Ibom Water Company and Mohammed Fawa Mahuta, a former Chairman of Fakai Local Government Area of Kebbi State. Also to be arraigned on January 12 are former Comptroller of Immigration, Hassan S. Kangiwa; Mr. Olusola Sunday Aina of Border Communities and Development Agency; and Hussaini Kangiwa, a former Comptroller of Customs.

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

guistic and cultural heritage from the North’s Muslim Hausa/Fulani where the sect presides. It said the Igbo are hardworking and lawabiding citizens, adding that they form the core of Nigerians resident in the United States. The party said Nigerians from the southern extractions should not be placed under undue monitoring and harassment by the US security agencies since they have nothing to do with the activities of the Islamic sect operating in Nigeria. APGA reminded the US officials that Boko Haram is a “northern Nigeria Muslim sect and draws its sympathy from the Hausa/ Fulani ethnic groups which dominate northern Nigeria’s politics”. It said: “Boko Haram has nothing and no sympathy with Southeastern/Southsouth Nigerians, especially the Southeast, which is completely the domain of Christian Igbo ethnic group. Within Nigeria, Boko Haram continued menace hinders activities of wellmeaning local Southeast/Southsouth Nigerians, who ply the North to trade in agriculture and textile goods.”

HE senator representing Ekiti North, O l u b u n m i Adetunmbi, yesterday urged the National Assembly not to join the Dr. Christopher Kolade-led Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE) board. Another senator, representing Kogi Central, Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, condemned the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. He said it would worsen the poverty level of the masses. In a statement in Abuja, Adetunmbi, an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lawmaker, noted that the Federal Government’s request that the National Assembly should nominate two lawmakers to represent it on the board is a “subtle attempt to drag the legislature into unpopular executive decisions”. He said: “The Christopher Kolade-led board, which is set to oversee the reinvestment of the subsidy windfall, though well meaning, has no need of the prescribed National Assembly membership. “Asking the National Assembly to provide two representatives to serve on the Governing Board of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE) is the tokenistic, patronising and a subtle attempt to drag the legislature into unpopular executive decisions. It will undermine the independence of the Senate and erode the potency of its oversight functions...” Abatemi-Usman, who is the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, noted that the petrol subsidy removal would cause economic pains to Nigerians.

Haram. The sect seeks the implementation of Islamic Shariah law across Nigeria.

Plateau lawmakers oppose emergency rule in Jos

• Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu (right); his deputy, Ahmed Musa Ibeto (second right); Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Abuja, Dr Ado Mohammed (third right) and the Etsu Nupe, General Yahaya Abubakar, at a one-day sensitisation meeting of stakeholders on Polio Eradication/Routine Immunisation at UK Bello Arts Theatre, Minna, Niger State...yesterday

Boko Haram kills three in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa

HE police in Borno, Yobe and Jigawa states yesterday said three people were killed in attacks suspected to have been carried out by the Boko Haram sect, despite a state of emergency in two of the states. Borno State Police Commissioner Simeone Midenda said yesterday that two susFrom Marie-Therese pected Boko Haram gunmen Peter, Jos shot dead the head of the Shehuri neighbourhood in THE Plateau State Police Maiduguri, the state capital, Command said it recovered on Tuesday evening. more than 117 firearms and His Yobe State counterpart 556 ammunition last year. Tanko Lawan said suspected It urged the public to sect members also killed the volunteer credible informaleader of a neighbourhood tion to the command to in Damaturu, the state enable it protect the resicapital, during a dents. Police Commissioner Dipo simultaneous attack. In Jigawa State, which is Ayeni spoke yesterday in Jos, the state capital, when he not under a state of emergency, Police Commissioner reviewed the command’s Hasimu Argungu said a girl performance in 2011. was killed in the crossfire afHe noted that the crises in ter suspected sect members the state were responsible attacked a police station. for the arms build-up, addThere were two bomb ing that this was giving blasts yesterday evening at security agencies grave the Nigeria Customs Service concern which has “over(NCS) barracks in stretched and over-tasked” Maiduguri. But there were police personnel. The police chief said efforts no casualties, according to to reclaim illegal arms this year would be successful if the public could assist the Police. ARELY six days after President Goodluck Jonathan declared a State of Emergency in Suleja Local Government Area in Niger State, Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday From Joseph Abiodun, extended it to the remaining Maiduguri 24 local governments. THE Borno State GovernThe governor said the Boko ment has received a grant of Haram sect does not represent $500,000 (over N75 million) Islam and the Muslim comfrom the Bill and Melinda munity. Gates Foundation in recogAliyu spoke in Minna, the nition of the efforts of state capital, at the inauguraGovernor Kashim Shettima tion of the Suleja/FCT Develtowards eradicating polioopment Interface Committee. myelitis from the state. He said the state of emerThe foundation said gency in the councils would Shettima was chosen among continue until the governsix governors who have ment rids the state of the last worked hard to meet the vestiges of Boko Haram, the World Health Organisation sect’s sponsors and those who (WHO) target of eradicating hijack its activities. polio from the face of the Aliyu said: “By the powers earth. conferred on me as the ExecuThe grant, with the Immu- tive Governor of Niger State, nisation Leadership ChalI am extending the state of lenge Award of the National emergency, which the PresiPrimary Health Care Devel- dent earlier declared in Suleja opment Agency, is given to Local Government Area, to any governor that fulfill all the other local governand achieves specific targets ment areas in the state because for improving health indiof the special period we are cators in his state. in.

‘Plateau police recovered 117 firearms in 2011’

APGA raises alarm over tougher checks at airports HE United States chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has said Nigerians have been undergoing tougher security checks at international airports because of the activities of the Boko Haram sect. It noted that besides the security harassment, Nigerians were being portrayed in bad light, especially those in the United States. In a statement by its Chairman, Augustine Onochie and Secretary-General Okwukwe Ibiam, the party condemned the use of “Nigerians” abroad to tar the good names of lawabiding ethnic groups. It argued that the Igbo of southern Nigeria are not linked with Boko Haram and have nothing to do with the Islamic sect since they (Igbos) are primarily the ones living and flying between the US and Nigeria. Onochie said: “Boko Haram’s continued menace and other terrorist acts have put Nigerians in the Diaspora, mostly those of Igbo ethnic origin, in a bad light and under unnecessary scrutiny at airports. Majority of southern Nigerians living in the Diaspora have nothing to do with the North or have any interest in the Boko Haram sect.” APGA noted that the Igbo have distinct lin-

the spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt.-Col. Hassan Mohammed. President Goodluck

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

Jonathan imposed a state of emergency on Saturday in parts of the country most affected by the attacks of Boko

Niger extends emergency rule across state

Borno gets N75m grant for polio eradication

•Queries emir over bombings From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

“Life will not be usual in this country until we get rid of Boko Haram, their sponsors or hijackers. I call on all political officials, local government chairmen and the people in the local governments to report all suspicious movements. Everyone must pipe down and pipe low until we get over this period.” The governor faulted the claims in some quarters that the Boko Haram sect represents Islam and the Muslim community in the country. He said: “As an Islamic teacher, the Qur’an forbids any Muslim to kill himself or kill others. Boko Haram does not speak for Muslims or Islam because those who commit suicide and murderers cannot speak or be representatives of Islam. No religion approves the killing of oneself or others.” Aliyu blamed the security challenges facing the nation

on indiscipline and laxity among leaders, whom he said have failed to play their elderly role well. The governor said: “We are at the crossroads. For us to get out of it, we must play our responsibility collectively. Everyone should play their role towards ensuring that the nation gets out of this mess.” Aliyu said he is responsible for the protection of Muslims and Christians, irrespective of their ethnic origin. The state government has asked the Emir of Suleja, Mallam Awwal Ibrahim, to explain why he has not shown enough concern to bomb explosions in his domain. The Nation learnt that the preliminary security report to the Presidency on the Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, may have indicted the royal father. It was alleged that the first class monarch has not visited

the church and the families of the victims of the blast. Till date, five bomb blasts have been recorded in the emirate. The last was that of St. Theresa’s Church in which 43 people died, 80 injured, 36 houses and four churches burnt, besides the destruction of seven vehicles. Uncomfortable with the report, the Presidency reportedly directed the state government to probe the royal father over the blasts in his domain, especially the last explosion. This, The Nation learnt, informed the outburst of President Goodluck Jonathan to deal decisively with anyone linked with bomb blasts anywhere in the country. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Bawa Wuse confirmed the report. He noted that despite the high number of people that have visited the victims and the bomb blast sites to sympathise with them, the monarch had neither sent a message to them nor visited the area.

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

EDERAL lawmakers from Plateau State yesterday opposed the emergency rule imposed on four local governments in the state by President Goodluck Jonathan. The lawmakers, comprising the three senators and eight House of Representatives, addressed reporters in Jos, the state capital. They decried the President’s action. They alleged that he was being used against the state. They said: “There is no way we will allow the state of emergency on the Plateau to stand, considering the motive behind it. “Plateau is always used as a scapegoat. The President cannot categorise Plateau alongside states infested with Boko Haram just to impose emergency rule by force. Before now, the state had been under state of emergency because there are multiple security agencies in place, such as the Special Task Force (STF) and Operation Rainbow (the state government’s security outfit)...”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS

16 killed as bus slides off snow-covered bridge in China BUS went out of control and slipped from a snow-covered bridge in southern China on Wednesday, killing at least 16 people, state media reported. About 50 people were aboard the bus when it crashed yesterday afternoon, including 30 who were rescued, the Xinhua News Agency said. There were no immediate reports on injuries. The bus had been traveling from the central province of

Anhui when it plunged from the bridge in Guizhou province into a valley 30 feet (10 meters) below. The accident follows the deaths of 13 people on Tuesday in the central province of Hunan province when a truck crossed a highway divider and crashed head-on into a bus traveling in the opposite direction. The two accidents came at the start of the annual Lunar New Year travel crunch in

which millions of people head to their family homes by plane, train and bus. The holiday this year falls on Jan. 23. Road safety is a serious problem in China, with many accidents caused by poorly maintained roads and bad driving habits. Badly maintained school transport has been the focus of public anger in recent months after a series of accidents in which schoolchildren were killed.

Michele Bachmann quits White House race over disastrous Iowa result

EPUBLICAN presidential aspirant Mrs Michele Bachmann has ended her run for the White House after a disastrous sixth-place showing in Iowa early yesterday morning that saw her campaign collapse in the state where it began six months ago. ‘I am not motivated in this quest by vain glory or political power,’ the Minnesota Representative said. Last night the people of Iowa spoke with a very clear voice and so I have decided to stand aside.’ She added that she decided to run for the presidency in March 2010 after being ‘deeply troubled by the state of our country’ when President Obama’s healthcare reforms, or ‘Obamacare’, were passed. ‘The evening that Obamacare was passed, I believed firmly what Congress and Obama had done endangered the very survival of the United States of America. ‘2012 is our last chance and our only chance to repeal Obamacare. It violates our fundamental liberties as Americans (and) must be stopped. I’ll fight for this country. The only way for Republicans to defeat Obama is for them to rally around Mitt Romney Republican race on a knifeedge: Paul, Romney and San-

torum locked in three-way fight for victory in Iowa ‘I wanted my children and all the children of this country to live free and have even better opportunities than our parents gave us. I decided to stand up and fight for freedom. ‘Our country is in very serious trouble and this might be the last election to turn the nation around before we go down the road of socialism.’ In the days leading up to the caucuses, Mrs Bachmann deflected numerous questions about her staying power. But after the vote, even her campaign manager suggested she might leave the race. Asked if he could say with certainty whether she would go forward with her candidacy, Keith Nahigian admitted on Tuesady night: ‘I don’t know yet. It’s hard to tell, but everything is planned’. ‘2012 is our last chance and our only chance to repeal Obamacare. It violates our fundamental liberties as Americans (and) must be stopped’ Mrs Bachmann, however, did not give up after the results on Tuesday night, telling supporters: ‘I believe I am that true conservative that can and who will defeat Barack Obama in 2012’. Her rival Rick Perry cancelled his trip to South Carolina last night. She emerged as an early favourite among

Iran nuclear crisis: Sanctions ‘beginning to bite’

HE United States has said threats by Iran to restrict Gulf shipping in the event of further sanctions shows international pressure is having an effect. The State Department said sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme were starting to bite and that Iran was trying to create a distraction. Iran has conducted 10 days of exercises near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, test-firing several missiles. Its currency is at a record low, but it has denied sanctions are to blame. The United Nations Security Council has already passed four rounds of sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment. Highly enriched uranium can be processed into nuclear weapons, but Iran denies Western charges that it is trying to develop them. Tehran says its programme is peaceful - it needs nuclear technology to generate electricity to meet growing domestic demand. With the latest military exercises, Iran wanted to show it is a pretty powerful country and that sanctions won’t get in the way of the military. This is old-fashioned military strength - not a display of nuclear might. Last week Iran’s vice-president suggested that if the West tried to impose sanctions on Iran’s oil industry, then Iran may shut the Strait of Hormuz - a narrow 34-mile-wide (54km) channel off Iran’s southern coast through which about 20% of the world’s traded oil passes. But Iran could not shut it on its own - the US Fifth Fleet is nearby in Bahrain and they wouldn’t tolerate that. And if Iran did try to do it, the country it would hurt most would be itself because Iran’s government gets money and stays in power because of the sale of oil.

the GOP field when she won the Iowa straw poll in August. That victory was seen as a display of the Bachmann campaign’s strength as the election season went full swing. But Mrs Bachmann’s momentum declined amid some sleepy debate performances and she found herself upstaged by the likes of Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich. As Rick Santorum and Mr Romney seesawed between first and second place, Mrs Bachmann plummeted to the bottom tier among her Republican rivals in her home state. In a last-ditch effort to collect votes before the caucuses began last night, Mrs Bachmann campaigned near her childhood home of Waterloo, Iowa, to make an appeal for support. Mrs Bachmann’s mother joined her on stage as the candidate spoke at a cavernous college sports arena that serves as a caucus hub. She said: ‘Stand up, Iowa. Reclaim our country. Tonight we begin the process of taking it back.’ As Mrs Bachmann made her way around the arena, she shook hands and talked to voters about elementary school teachers they had in common. She touted herself as a ‘consistent conservative’ while playing up her win in the Iowa GOP’s summer straw poll.

Argentine’s President Kirchner’s cancer operation ‘successful’

•Cristina-Kirchner

RGENTINE President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been successfully operated on for thyroid cancer. Presidential spokesman Alfredo Scoccimarro said that Mrs Kirchner was recovering well after her three-and-a-half hour operation. “The surgery on President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was carried out without any complication,” he said, adding that she will remain in hospital for about 72 hours. The government last week announced her diagnosis of papillary carcinoma, detected during a routine medical

checkup just before Christmas. Tests suggested it had not spread beyond her thyroid, so the condition should be curable without chemotherapy, doctors said. They added that the 58-year-old president has a better than 90 per cent chance of recovery. Experts say thyroid removals are about as routine as cancer surgeries can be, although the process is not without risk: surgeons must take care not to damage a nearby nerve that guides the vocal cords, or to remove the adjacent parathyroids, which regulate the body’s calcium supply. “Cristina’s operation was successful,” TV station Cronica said during a news broadcast. Vice President Amado Boudou was put in charge shortly before the operation, and will remain as the country’s constitutional leader for 20 more days while Mrs Kirchner takes medical leave.

The president, who was easily re-elected in October and started her second fouryear term in December, is often referred to in Argentina by her first name. Supporters lined the streets near the hospital, holding signs that said “Strength Cristina.” Mrs Kirchner is only the latest sitting South American leader to be diagnosed with cancer. Presidents Fernando Lugo of Paraguay, Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Dilma Rousseff of Brazil all have undergone treatments recently. Mr Boudou, her former economy minister, is expected to work closely with other Cabinet members while she recuperates at her home in Calafate, in far-southern Argentina, and make no major policy changes. Argentina all but shuts down for the summer holidays in January and February, so her diagnosis and surgery came at a relatively calm time.

UN defends role in South Sudan ethnic clashes

HE United Nations has defended the role of its peacekeepers and South Sudan government soldiers after deadly ethnic clashes near Pibor town in Jonglei state. Lise Grande, the UN’s humanitarian co-ordinator in the region, told the BBC the town had been successfully defended from some 6,000 Lou Nuer fighters. Tens of thousands of town residents, members of the rival Murle community, have sought safety in the bush. Ms Grande said “a major humanitarian operation” was now a priority. This is the latest round in a cycle of violence which has lasted several months - in one incident last year some 600 ethnic Lou Nuer were killed. The clashes began as cattle raids but have spiralled out of control.

John Boloch of South Sudan’s Peace and Reconciliation Commission said at least 150 people, mostly women and children, had been killed since the Lou Nuer fighters arrived in the vicinity of Pibor on Saturday. Ms Grande said she had visited Pibor on Tuesday and that “hundreds if not thousands” of people had begun to return to the town after about a week in the bush. “The humanitarian situation is pretty grim,” she told the BBC’s Network Africa programme. “They’ve been without food, they’ve been without water, without shelter.” She said the “the main body of the Lou Nuer youth” who had been outside Pibor had started move in a north-easterly direction and were now 15km (about 10 miles) from the town.

They had a large number of cattle with them, the envoy said, AFP news agency reports. “What the United Nations mission has been doing is helping the government to defend the town, we’ve been rescuing civilians, we’ve been evacuating civilians and we’ve been helping to deter violence. The UN has done its job,” she said. An attack on the town’s southern flank had been repulsed after the SPLA, backed by UN armoured personnel carriers, had fired at the Lou Nuer, she said. CHANGE OF NAME OSHIELE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. Glory Oshiele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Glory Onomuodeke. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS Kenyan senior judge Nancy Baraza in security guard row

ENYA’s deputy chief justice is facing a police investigation following claims that she threatened to shoot a security guard after refusing to be frisked. The female guard said Nancy Baraza ignored the security desk at the entrance to an upmarket shopping mall in Nairobi and threatened to shoot her. Security has been intensified in Kenya following its incursion into Somalia in October and attacks by Islamists. Ms Baraza has declined to comment on the incident pending the inquiry. According to a report to the police by the guard, Ms Baraza drove into the compound of the upmarket Westlands Trading Centre in Nairobi and parked her car 50m (54 yards) from the security desk at the entrance to the mall. The guard said Ms Baraza ignored the security desk - at which all people entering the mall are frisked - before going to various shops. The guard told the police that she told Ms Baraza that she was to be frisked but she walked away. Things got out of hand, the report says, when the deputy chief justice finished her shopping. She went to the car before coming back to the security guard and threatened to shoot her, the report says, if she persisted in what Ms Baraza is alleged to have termed as humiliating her.

Syrian govt deceiving Arab League monitors A

CTIVISTS accused President Bashar Assad’s regime yesterday of misleading Arab League observers by taking them only to areas loyal to the government and changing street signs to confuse them. According to the activists, regime loyalists also are painting military vehicles still inside of cities blue to make them look like police vehicles — a ploy that allows the government to claim it has pulled the army out of heavily populated areas in accordance with the Arab League plan to end the crackdown on dissent. About 100 Arab League observers now in Syria for a week are supposed to be assessing whether the government is complying with the plan. Foreign Ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi denied the charges and said the government does not

interfere with the observers, “but rather ensures protection and escort for them.” The Arab League plan requires the government to remove security forces and heavy weapons from city streets, start talks with opposition leaders and free political prisoners. The United Nations estimated several weeks ago that more than 5,000 people have been killed by Syrian security forces in the crackdown on the antigovernment protests that began in March. Since that report, opposition activists say hundreds more have been killed. Syria’s opposition say the bloodshed has continued despite the presence of the observers. The Local Coordination Committees,

an umbrella group of activists, put the death toll at more than 390 people since Dec. 21. Opposition groups have been deeply critical of the observer mission, saying it is simply giving Assad cover for his crackdown. The mission’s chief, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Ahmed Mustafa al-Dabi, raised particular concern because he served in key security positions under Sudanese President Omar alBashir, who is wanted for crimes against humanity in Darfur. “The observers are going to areas known to be loyal to the regime,” said Rami Abdul-Rahman, head of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Another activist, Syriabased Mustafa Osso said the

regime is mostly taking the observers to relatively calm areas, painting military vehicles blue and changing street signs so that the monitors go to wrong neighborhoods. “Since the mission started the regime is limiting their (observers) movements and when they go out they are under the protection and supervision” of Syrian security, he said. “In Homs, they raised signs of Bab Sbaa in other neighborhoods.” A resident of Homs, which has been one of the main centers of opposition to the regime, said buses carrying dozens regime supporters arrived in his neighborhood of Khaldiyeh last week shortly before the observers arrived. The crowds pretended they were residents and gave testimonials to the observers, said the resident, who witnessed the scene.

Two killed in Rwanda’s grenade attack

WO people have been killed in a grenade explosion in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, police have said. Sixteen others were wounded by the blast near a market in Gasabo district. The security forces have blamed previous grenade attacks on the FDLR Hutu Rwandan rebels in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Leaders of a new opposition party in exile, who were also accused of having links to grenade blasts in 2010, condemned Tuesday night’s explosion. “Either the government is implicated in these periodic grenade attacks, so as to find pretext to crack down on the political opposition at a time of dwindling internal and foreign support, or the regime has lost the ability to protect its citizens,” Theogene Rudasingwa, of the opposition Rwanda National Congress (RNC), said in a statement. Mr Rudasingwa, who was once a close adviser to President Paul Kagame and ex-secretary general of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, the rebel army that put a stop to the 1994 genocide, called it a “cowardly act”. He is now based in the US and was tried in absentia last year, along with three other former top RPF aides who accuse Mr Kagame of being intolerant to dissent, and found guilty of threatening state security and propagating ethnic divisions.

•Pro-Syrian government protesters shouting slogans and hold portraits of President Bashar Assad in Damascus...yesterday

ANC to meet with Mandela’s grandson over polygamy,land-grabbing accusation HE ANC says it will meet with the Mandela family to discuss allegations of polygamy and land-grabbing levelled against the former president’s grandson and heir Mandla. A spokesman for South Africa’s ruling party said it was “deeply worried and saddened” about the growing furore surrounding the 37-year-old traditional chief. There were fears the bad publicity could impact negatively on the ANC’s image as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. Mr Mandela, who sits in

parliament as an ANC MP, made headlines last week after his first wife brought a charge of bigamy against him for defying a court order not to remarry while they negotiated their divorce. Tando NodayimaniMandela, whom Mr Mandela married in 2004, said she will now seek to have his Christmas Eve marriage, to Swazi princess Mbalenhle Makhathini, annulled. Mr Mandela has also faced accusations of heavyhandedness in his role of chief of the traditional council of Mvezo, the birthplace of the former president in the rural

Eastern Cape. Three villagers have launched a court action against him, claiming that he stole their land for an ambitious development that will see the tiny, remote village turned into a conference centre and tourist attraction. In October, he was accused of kidnapping two journalists from the Sunday Times who went to the village to investigate the claims. Mlibo Qoboshiyane, spokesman for the ANC in the Eastern Cape, told The Daily Telegraph it was time for Mandela family elders to

intervene. “The intention of a meeting with them is to get to the bottom of all of the reports, which are not palatable, to say the least and may tarnish the image of a member of our parliament from this province,” he said. “We are not passing judgment but it’s now public knowledge that there are problems surrounding Mandla Mandela.” He said party members were “deeply worried and saddened” that the Mandela name and ANC image might be harmed by the revelations.

Militias may drag Libya into civil war IBYA’s transitional government has expressed growing concern that the country could descend into civil war if its militias are not brought under control. The leader of the National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, bluntly warned that the government faced “bitter

options” as it struggles to reign in thousands of militia fighters whose ad hoc units formed during months of battles against Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi and have remained in the capital long after his death. Since Colonel Qaddafi’s fall, gun battles have periodically erupted in the capital, Tripoli, between

rival groups from other areas of the country who poured into the city as it fell and proceeded to stake out territory last summer. The Libyan government had hoped to clear the city of these militiamen by Dec. 20. With large numbers of fighters lingering, Mr. Jalil described the danger-

ous dilemma facing the country in a speech in the eastern city of Benghazi late on Tuesday. “We deal with these violations strictly and put the Libyans in a military confrontation, which we don’t accept,” he was quoted by Reuters as saying. “Or we split and there will be a civil war.”

Kenya tribal clashes kill six, including minors

IGHTING over grazing land between two communities in Kenya killed six people yesterday, including three children, and has forced hundreds of families to flee, officials and aid workers said. The clashes that flared up on December 26 have engulfed several villages in Kenya&apos;s far north near the border with Ethiopia, prompting authorities to deploy security forces. So far, more than 20 people, including the six yesterday, have been killed in the towns of Moyale and Isiolo, and hundreds have been displaced. “We have deployed security personnel but the two groups must stop fighting, killing each other,” said Issah Nakoru, the regional commissioner for Upper Eastern Province. Nakoru said three of the six were children, and did not give other details. Aid workers said they had been unable to reach most of the villages because the two groups drawn from the Gabra and Borana communities were still engaged in fierce fighting. “Hundreds of families have fled six villages in the Moyale town. We cannot access them because fighting is going on. We believe more people have been killed and many injured,” said a worker with the Kenya Red Cross in the area who did not wish to be identified. Grazing land is highly valued by Kenya&apos;s pastoralist communities, and they have often clashed in the past. Kenyan security forces struggle to keep peace due to the vast, harsh terrain. Residents said politicians were doing too little to stop the clashes.

Yemeni soldiers die in clashes with Islamists EMENI soldiers have died in clashes with militants in the south of the country, officials say. The clashes took place in the suburbs of Zinjibar, capital of restive Abyan province and scene of frequent fighting between troops and Islamists since May. At least five insurgents were also killed, according to reports. Militants, allegedly linked to al-Qaeda, have exploited a security vacuum in the region after months of anti-government protests. The army is fighting to regain lost territory. Reports of the latest violence varied. One unconfirmed account said up to five soldiers and a child had been killed. An official quoted by Reuters said the army had shelled fighters from a group calling itself Ansar alSharia. A colonel and another soldier were killed and three other soldiers wounded, the official said. Opposition groups say Yemen’s government has played up the al-Qaeda threat in an effort to boost international support. President Ali Abdullah Saleh handed over presidential powers to his deputy last month and agreed to leave office in February.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

SPORT EXTRA

Why we shunned Eagles’ camp –Pillars’ players T

HE Kano Pillars’ duo of Gambo Mohammed and Musa Musa have stated that the failure of the handlers of the Home based Super Eagles to issue the pyramid club with invitation letters with which to secure their release from the club has been the stumbling block behind their inability to report to Abuja for the ongoing camping exercise for those talents that are home groomed. Gambo, a top goal poacher with the former CAF Champions League semi finalist and his colleague, Musa Musa were among the six players called up recently by Eagles’ chief coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi to replace another six that were dropped but after a week of shunning the camp, ‘The Big Boss’ threatened to report the duo to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over their recalcitrant attitude to

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri national assignment. But in a chat with NationSport, Gambo stressed that he was not aware he was invited to the Eagles’ camp because kano Pillars said that they were yet to get the official request from the NFF to that effect and owing to that would not allow them to go since the club was also in the thick of preparation for the new league season which starts on Saturday. According to Gambo: “I was not told I was invited to the Super Eagles. My club said they did not get any invitation letter. Rabiu Ali was duly invited but our club is refusing to grant us permission because unlike Ali there was no official letter noting the club that the Super Eagles needed both myself and Musa Musa.

I believe things need to be done the right way and because of that I don’t have any reason not to abide by the decision of my club. We will only go the Eagles’ camp if our club gave us the greenlight.” NationSport made effort to speak with the Media officer of the team, Ben Alaiya on the claims from the the players though his phone rang times without number, he was not there to pick his call.

The Home Based Eagles are intensifying preparation to form the fulcrum of the main Super Eagles in the team’s planning toward the next month African Cup of Nations’ Qualifier between the country and the Bees of Rwanda. It is the AFCON Qualifier for the 2013 edition after the Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2012 edition slated for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea respectively.

NFF scribe happy with home-based Eagles

IGERIA Football Federation (NFF) scribe, Musa Amadu has expressed satisfaction on the performance of the homebased team that coach Stephen Keshi is putting together. Speaking after watching the team dismissed the Lobi Stars of Makurdi by three goals to one, the scribe said "I am satisfied that the team is beginning to reach the height the coaches want them to reach, and they have continued to improve by each match they played. "That is exactly what we are expecting from them. My happiness is that the boys are now ready to compete favorably with the oversea players when the February 29th African Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda is played in Kigali. One erroneous concept I want people to avoid is that these players would be used as training materials.

From Andrew Abah, Abuja " I don't think the coaches are thinking towards that angle, they are all out to make the national team very competitive, so that we can only feature the best for the country at any pointin time, not minding where they are based. "We are giving them quality friendly games, and at the end of the day, we are hopeful,only the best would emerge to wear the country's colour," he stressed.

•Gambo Mohammed

Taiwo's agent reveals no Gunners contact

RSENAL have not made contact with AC Milan regarding Taye Taiwo says the players agent. Reports have suggested that the Gunners were looking to bring in the Nigerian left-back this winter but his

representative, Fabio Parisi, can confirm Arsene Wenger has not been in touch with the Italians. "At the moment there is no huge news about Nigerian players, with Arsenal there was only a rumour,” he told notiziariosportivo.com. "

"I certainly don't know that Arsene Wenger is looking for a left-back but at this time there has not been any official offer at AC Milan. "

Keshi can qualify Eagles for AFCON –Ezeakor

ORMER Eagles winger, Benjamin Ezeakor says former colleague and current Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi is capable of leading the country through the qualifiers for the 2013 African Cup of Nation to the finals billed for South Africa. The former Sharks of Port Harcourt attack, currently based in Brazil said this in a chat with NationSport from his South America base. He remarked that the big boss as Keshi is fondly called is one of the best the nation has to offer. “I think he’s experienced enough, not only in the Nigerian national team he’s coaching. He has played abroad. He has played under very good coaches. He coached the national team of Togo, the national team of I think Mali. So I think one of the best coaches in the country.”

By Olusoji Olukayode Ezeakor played alongside Keshi and Richard Owubokiri in Nigeria’s failed bid for

qualification for the 1986 African Cup of Nations. That was however the only time Nigeria failed to get beyond the qualifiers until last term.

BMF basketball team came second and went home with the sum of 40 thousand Naira, while the third place team, Magic basketball team got 20 Thousand Naira for their effort. Cantonment basketball team and Young Shall Grow basketball team finished 4th and 5th at the end of the tournament. Speaking after the final game, Joseph Adie who represented the sponsor expressed satisfaction with the standard displayed by the teams and their level of discipline, urging them to keep it up. He said the sponsor is ready to continue the sponsorship as long as the players continue to

EAD coach of Cape Verde national team and Erie Community College in Buffalo, New York, Alex Nwora has described as awesome the organisation of the just concluded Calabar Carnival Basketball Jam held at the 13 Brigade of the Nigeria Army. He said the event which was the brain child of the friends of basketball in the state and driven by the Commander of the 13 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Shehu Yusuf has proved that Nigeria is blessed with talents going by the number of players that turned out for the jam as well as the coaching clinic that he conducted. The American based coach whose presence added spice to the first 3x3 basketball jam on a 3x3 basketball court constructed in the country said he was impressed with the performance and composure of the players and teams that participated. He said the emergence of The Raptors basketball team of Calabar and the Cali Angels as the first winners of the Calabar Carnival Basketball jam for 3 x 3 for men and women respectively is a good testimony of what to expect from the state. The Raptors team defeated Soul Ballers team also of Calabar by 11 – 10 points in a very thrilling encounter which was watched by a crowd of basketball lovers that included the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Barrister Effiok Cohbam, who represented the governor, Senator Liyel Imoke. Playing against the Soul Ballers side that had experienced Godwin Ikonshul and Christopher Bassey Obeten, the Raptors which were regarded as underdogs in the final lifted their game to the surprise of all and winning the game against all odds to the consternation of the Soul Ballers and their supporters. For their effort, both teams were rewarded with the sum of N50, 000 and a trophy each that was handed to them by the Deputy Governor. In all, 10 male and five female teams participated in the championship that saw several youths trooping into the Akim Barracks, venue of

the championship. It was not all play as there was a coaching clinic for as many as 40 participants who were eager to further their knowledge of the game. Erie Community College head coach, Alex Nwora, conducted the clinic. Coaches Adeka Daudu, Peter Ahmedu and Zigala Agbare of the Bayelsa State Sports Council assisted him. Friends of basketball in the state led Charles Udoh and Ivo Owan who worked tirelessly for the event to hold expressed joy at the successful completion of the event, which they described as a dream come true. The 3 x 3 championship, which got the official blessing of the Federation of International Basketball Associations, FIBA in 2009, is aimed at developing the fitness and skills levels of the players. According to Brig. Gen. Shehu Yusuf, the initiator of the programme, the reason for going all the way to build a 3 x 3 basketball court is to help give the youths of Calabar metropolis a sense of belonging and keeping them busy so as to reduce incidents of juvenile delinquencies. “This event is initiated as a way to help the youths of Calabar to be actively involved in a game that that would help develop them and keep their mental alertness at the peak and of course keep them off the streets. The turnout here has surpassed my expectations and this means that the youths are eager to be occupied actively all the time. Our first step was the building of an ultra modern squash court that is also to assist the officers and men and members of the public to keep fit. The 3 x 3 basketball court has further helped our zeal to propagate oneness among our youths. We hope that from what has happened in this first edition, we’ll do it again next year bigger and better.” Coach Alex Nwora, who is also the head coach of the Cape Verde national basketball team says: “I’m glad to be here for this inaugural edition and believe that next year it would be bigger than this because Global Sports Advantage which I represent would be a key factor. What Gen. Yusuf is doing here today is going to be a lasting legacy that will out live him. I commend his idea.”

2011/2012 NPL SEASON REGISTRATION

•Taiwo

Diablos win Chairman's Cup HE maiden edition of Chairman's Cup ended over the weekend in Lagos with Diablos basketball team emerging champions. The tournament sponsored by the chairman of Police Basketball Association, ACP Moses Jitoboh saw the five teams registered for tournament playing a round robin league at the Basketball court of Police College, Ikeja. At the end of the basketball fiesta, with each teams featuring maximum of three professional players, Diablos basketball team won the giant trophy at stake and price money of sixty thousand Naira.

Nwora hails Calabar Carnival basketball jam

be of good behaviour, adding that sports is one of the best way out of youths restiveness. Also speaking was NBBF badge referee, Rasaq Olakunle Okedeyi who noted that such tournament should be organised regularly so that young players can learn one or two tricks from the already established players. Mark Balogun who packaged the event thanked the sponsor for his support, while the sponsorship will continue, calling on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate ACP Jitoboh by providing ways out of youths restiveness in the country.

Heartland, 6 others lead early birds A S at January 4, only seven clubs have completed and submitted all registration formalities for the 2011/2012 Nigeria Premier League (NPL) season which starts across the nation on January 7 out of the 20 clubs in the NPL. Heartland FC was the first to file in the list of their players while Jigawa Golden Stars of Dutse, Sunshine Stars of Akure and Kano Pillars were some of the clubs that have got to the NPL office in Abuja. Others like Rising Stars, Akwa United and Lobi Stars have also made their intentions known to compete for honours in the elite division with the submission of their registration documents. A source in the NPL informed NationSport on Wedneday afternoon and

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

highlighted that other clubs had called and were on their way to Abuja to furnish the league body with the same details others provided. He noted that from the perspective of the NPL, the league would commence without hitches on Saturday but warned that the continue tardiness of the clubs in the elite division to forward their registration details could cause unnecessary delays if they failed to do that before the week runs out. It would be recalled that the 2010/2011 season went to the record book as the longest season in the NPL history and adequate measure is being taken to ensure that this season does not suffer same experience.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

SPORT EXTRA U-17 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Flamingoes to play two local clubs •NFF rules out international friendlies

ITH barely three weeks to the first leg of the U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between the

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Flamingoes of Nigeria and their Kenyan counterparts, the Nigeria Football Federation

(NFF) has ruled out international friendly matches for the country’s representatives ahead of the first leg in Nairobi on January

Cooreman returns to Kaduna Utd •As govt. approves players emolument

A U R I C E Cooreman, the Belgian-born Kaduna United coach who recently resigned his appointment with the 2010 Federation Cup winners has returned as the Technical Adviser of the same club he left after the conclusion of the 2010/2011 Nigeria Premier League (NPL). Cooreman who told his lawyer to serve Kaduna United’s management his letter of resignation after the conclusion of last season’s league made a u-turn against leaving the side he led to the group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup on their debut owing to the changes that had taken place in the management of the financially troubled club. A reliable source informed NationSport that Cooreman had fully returned to the club and had taken over the reins of the team and was even the cynosure of all eyes at the

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri club’s training sessionson Tuesday morning. It would be recalled that Cooreman had previously handled clubs like NPA Seasiders, Bendel Insurance, Lobi Stars, Ocean Boys, Enyimba International and Ocean Boys before his present base and he led Ocean Boys to the summit of the NPL in 2006 before his historic Federation Cup glory in 2010 with Kaduna United.

Meanwhile, the players and officials of Kaduna United will this week be smiling to the bank as the Kaduna State Government has concluded plans to pay part of their outstandings emoluments accruable from last season intime before the beginning of the league season this Saturday. The development has affirmed that the dissolution of the previously led management of the club has really changed a lot of things and that before no time, the club would reclaim its fading glory again.

Official: Obiora lands at AS Gubbio

3SC to unveil new Season’s Jersey, Players on Friday

S the Ibadan darling Shooting Stars Sports Club continues with its preparations for the commencement of the League as scheduled by NPL for this weekend, the traditional clubside will on Friday unveil new sets of jerseys and players for the new soccer season in Ibadan. The new kits were manufactured by an indigenous sports wear outfit, OWU Sports Wear that signed a three-year sponsorship deal to kit the club in 2010. The chief executive officer of OWU Sports Wear, Bar. Olatunji Brown told newsmen in Ibadan that 3SC’s management expressed satisfaction on the quality of the jerseys while receiving it at Akinola Maja, Ibadan office of the Club late last year. He stated that all arrangements have been

•Aluko

Aluko: We all have to chip in FTER his first goal in nearly a year, Sone Aluko has called on his Rangers team-mates to help fill the void left by Nikica Jelavic. The winger scored in Monday's 3-0 win against Motherwell but Rangers are now playing catch-up on Celtic in the title race. With Jelavic injured and rumoured to be leaving in January, and now Kyle Lafferty joining Steven Naismith on the treatment table, the onus will fall on others to get the goals. "We have to share the goalscoring, we can't just rely on three players to see you through the season," Aluko told the club's official website. "We all have to chip in and try to get on the scoresheet but I think the team will handle that and it's part of playing for Rangers and having that pressure on you." Aluko feels there were encouraging signs in the

them a unit ahead of the cracker in Nairobi. “If you could recall vividly, in December last year the coaches of the U-17 team invited over 50 players for screening exercises. Some have been asked to go and when they resume this week the coaches will have test matches with clubs within the country. The U-17 Women’s team will be fully ready for Kenya come January 21st,” a confident Amadu said.

concluded for fans who are interested in purchasing the replicas of the beautiful new season’s colours at some designated point that would be announced at the event. “The development is a continous process to bring back fans and spectators to our stands, as we will not relent on the awareness campaign we have embarked upon by making the jerseys available to all and sundry to purchase, so that soccer fans can be wearing Shooting Stars replica jerseys to stadium as against wearing European clubs’ colour to watch our league matches”, Brown noted. The new players that would don the colours of the Ibadan soccer warriors, carefully selected by the newly signed 3SC’s sweat merchant, Festus Allen, would also be presented to the public at the event.

YOUDEES gets National League consulting Rights

REAM Team V skipper Obiora Nwankwo will continue his career at Serie B club, AS Gubbio. Through a statement on its official website, Gubbio announced the conclusion of negotiations for the 20-year-old central midfielder. Obiora, who is o-owned by Inter Milan and Parma, is spending the next six months on loan at AS Gubbio. The Nigerian failed to establish himself at Parma, playing only one game in the Serie A against AC Milan.

21. The acting General Secretary of the NFF Musa Amadu made this known to NationSport in an interview and he averred that the Glass House was working round the clock to ensure that the Flamingoes give the country a befitting New Year present. He noted that friendly matches would be organized for the team among the female clubs in the country to keep them busy and to make

Motherwell game that Rangers can build on. "We had two big players missing with Jelavic struggling with his groin and losing Laff at the start of the game was a big blow," he added. "A lot of teams might have thought this was their day to get a good result against us but we played very well. "People have said that we don't have the strength in depth that other sides such as Celtic have, but the boys that came in on Monday showed what they can do. "David Healy took his goal really well and John Fleck had a good game so there were a lot of positives to take from the 90 minutes." The game was a personal triumph for Aluko with the player last having found the net in February for Aberdeen against Kilmarnock. He added: "I was really happy as I hadn't scored for a long time.

There were periods when I wondered when my next goal was going to come along. "So there was definitely a bit of relief when I saw the ball hit the net and I would have to say it was one of the nicest goals I have scored in my career as well. "I would have been happy if it was from one yard but the fact it was a good team goal made it a bit more special."

HE Board of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has announced the appointment of YOUDEES Integrated Services Limited (YISL) as the Official Marketing Consultant to wards attaining a set of marketing objectives aimed at re-positioning the League to make it financially viable. In a letter dated December 19th and jointly signed by the Chairman of NNL, Chief Emeka Inyama and the General Secretary, Mr. Ayo Rahaman, the Lagos-based Marketing Consulting firm was informed that the Board of NNL has granted it provisional rights pending the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations. The letter addressed to Harry Iwuala, the Lead Consultant at YISL read in part, “We refer to your letter on the above and wish to convey the approval of the Board of the Nigeria

Israel, Christopher win Mary Slessor golf tourney

HIS year’s edition of annual Marry Slessor Charity golf tournament came to a thrilling end at the Calabar golf club over the weekend with the duo of Christopher Solomon and Israel Joshua emerging winners in the net and gross categories respectively. To come top in the competition,

Israel grossed a total of 144-over 36-holes to win by 12-shots while Christopher edged others in his category winning by 3shots. Kalio I. from Air Assault Golf and Country Club, Port Harcourt came second in the gross category leaving Noah John, also from the same club returned a gross score of 161 for the third position.

National League (NNL) granting YOUDEES Integrated Marketing Services (YISL) provisional right as consultant. Pending the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding between NNL and YISL, please note that your company will work with the Board and Management of the League on devising and implementing strategies towards attracting corporate and commercial partners to NNL”. Inyama, an Executive Committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) explained that the decision to appoint the Consultant was reached after deliberations on a presentation made to the Board in Bauchi during the Super Cup. “We were impressed not just by the deep understanding of sports marketing expressed by YISL but also by a verifiable hands-on knowledge of the Nigerian market exhibited by their Lead Consultant”.

Messi down with flu BARCELONA says forward Lionel Messi and goalkeeper Victor Valdes will miss Wednesday’s Copa del Rey game against Osasuna because of flulike symptoms. Backup keeper Jose Pinto was already set to start in goal for last year’s runner-up, meaning reserve team goalkeeper Oier Olazabal will take Valdes’ spot on the bench. The two Spanish teams will play the second leg in Pamplona next week. If Barcelona eliminates Osasuna, it faces a possible meeting with defending champion Real Madrid in the quarterfinals.

•Messi

Nadal, Tsonga reach quarter-finals at Qatar Open RAFAEL Nadal moved into the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open by defeating German qualifier Denis Gremelmayr 6-2, 6-2. With the victory, the secondranked Nadal extended his streak of beating players outside the top 100 to 45. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also advanced, saving two set points in the first set before beating Flavio Cipolla of Italy 7-6 (8), 6-3. Also, sixth-seeded Alex Bogomolov Jr. of Russia withdrew from the tournament with a right ankle injury, becoming the first seeded player not to advance.

•Nadal

Eusebio back in hospital PORTUGUESE football legend Eusebio has been readmitted to hospital for severe neck pain just days after being released from a two-week stay, according to a spokesperson for the hospital. The 69-year-old Mozambique-born superstar, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1965 and inspired Portugal to third place in the 1966 World Cup, had spent two weeks in

hospital last month suffering from pneumonia. But he was re-admitted late Tuesday after showing what the hospital said were "symptons of severe neck pain". Eusebio - nicknamed the 'Black Panther' - was signed aged 19 by Benfica, and they went on to win the 1962 European Cup while he also scored 41 goals in 64 international appearances.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Religion is an emotive issue and our constitution, although not perfect, tries to make it a secular issue. However, ours is a multi-religious nation and we have lived harmoniously thus for over 50 years and before’ VOL. 7, NO.1,996

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

AST year, 2011, was not a particularly good year for Nigeria and our people. The security situation became even graver. Hundreds of innocent lives were lost from increased terrorist activities by Boko Haram. The Christmas Day bombing of a Catholic Church in Madalla by the terrorists, in which over 40 died and many more were injured, was horrifying and shook the nation very badly. All foreign media carried the tragic news of the Boko Haram bombings in the most inauspicious circumstances. I should like to extend to the families of those killed or injured my sincere condolences for these truly tragic incidents. We can do very little now to wipe away their tears of anguish, sorrow and a deep sense of personal loss. I feel for the bereaved and pray that God will console them in their grief for their loved ones. As we start a New Year, I should also like to use this opportunity to extend to readers of my column my best wishes for a happy and more prosperous year, far better than last year that brought tragedy to so many families in our country. At the economic level, it was reported that in 2011 the Nigerian economy recorded an impressive growth rate of seven per cent, with most of the growth coming from the oil sector, still the main engine and mainstay of the economy, and still accounting for over 80 per cent of our GDP. But evidence of this impressive growth is not really evident. While the rich are getting richer, the poor in our country are getting poorer all the time. The gains of economic recovery and growth are not being distributed fairly. Mass poverty has deepened. Jobs are now even more difficult to get, particularly for those graduating from our tertiary institutions. Years after leaving the universities, many of these graduates have not been able to get a job. They have had to continue depending on their families for sustenance, or to accept whatever menial job is available. In some cases, these graduates have resorted to petty crimes to make a living. Now, as I stated in my last column last year, the twin challenges currently facing the Jonathan government are the Boko Haram menace and the oil subsidy issue. His survival in power depends on the satisfactory resolution of the dangers posed to his government by these two key problems. Since then, the terrorist activities of Boko Haram have increased substantially. They have become more determined and audacious in their wanton attacks on public institutions, such as the bombing of the UN building in Abuja, churches all over the North, and innocent citizens going about their normal and legitimate duties. The Jonathan PDP government understands fully that its first duty is the security of the nation and the protection of its citizens. This is the only moral, legal, and political justification for the existence of the state and its government. A government that is, for whatever reasons, unable to protect the state and its citizens cannot claim the moral right to govern. In response to the security challenge presented to the nation by the Boko Haram terrorists, the Federal Government has stepped up its security measures all over the country. It was reported that our borders with Cameroun and Chad, two of our neighbours,

RIPPLES

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT

dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

What will the year 2012 bring?

•Dr. Jonathan

have been closed. In addition, the President has declared a state of emergency in some local government areas in four states in the North. These measures are necessary, but to restore normalcy to the areas under assault by Boko Haram, a lot more has to be done. The nation must be made to understand fully the nature of international and domestic terrorism, both of which are interlinked. There will be no quick fixes. It could take decades to defeat the sect. Very little is known really about either the origins or nature of Boko Haram. There is a lot of speculation about this, but very few, including our security agencies, fully understand what Boko Haram is all about, or what their real grievances are. From the pattern of the bombings it is by no means certain that the terrorist activities of the sect are based solely on religious dissent. Both Christian and Muslim targets are being attacked. The source of their anger could also be economic, considering the huge income disparity in the North and the widespread poverty and economic deprivation in the region, which fosters alienation of the mass of the people from established authority. It could also be that aggrieved political leaders in the North who are out of power having lost some elections are behind the bombing. This claim is not as absurd as it seems as it is obvious that Boko Haram is getting financial support from somewhere for its terrorist activities. There is some speculation that the terrorist sect has infiltrated the ranks

HARDBALL

JONATHAN HAS A DUTY TO TACKLE TERRORISM-Lawyer

...using ‘SLOW MOTION TACTICS’?

of our security forces and even the Judiciary. Then, of course, it is claimed that Boko Haram is linked to Al Qaeda, the murderous terrorist organisation in the Arab world. They may simply even be anarchists bent on destroying our nation. Even our security agencies are as bewildered about the true nature and grievances of Boko Haram as are the rest of us. A good case can also be made for declaring an economic emergency in the North to reduce support for Boko Haram among the poor and other alienated social groups in the North. Northern governments must be made to do more for their own people. This is not the case now. Now, the point of all this is that, beyond the security measures that President Jonathan has taken, all of which are no doubt necessary, he should also undertake a thorough and painstaking investigation of the nature, grievances, and objectives of Boko Haram. It is the result of this investigation that should determine the appropriate response of the government to this unprecedented threat to the continued corporate existence of our nation. It is equally important for the government to educate the masses, particularly in the North, about the danger that the terrorist activities of the sect present to the nation. In the end, Boko Haram will not be defeated by guns, but by our winning the hearts and minds of our people in the North. They must be made to understand that a religious war will destroy this country and tear it apart. We have survived a civil war. But it will be difficult to survive a religious war. No nation in history has ever survived a religious war, as adherents of all religions will fight to death to protect and defend their faith. Northern political and religious leaders must do more to douse the anger felt by Christians living in the North and take the lead in educating their own people about the possible catastrophic consequences for every one of terrorism in any part of our country. Leaders from the South must find ways of joining hands with responsible northern leaders in defending the nation against the menace of Boko Haram. Despite the Boko Haram provocations, there must be restraint from all sides, so as not to inflame religious passions that could lead to a destructive religious war. As I stated, the second danger the Jonathan government will face in the New Year is the controversy over the withdrawal by the government of the oil subsidy. As I write this, it was announced that the Federal Government had finally ended the oil subsidy and that PMS is now selling all over the country for over N140 per litre. The possibility is that the price

N January 3, this column described President Goodluck Jonathan as having “a distinctly weird sense of timing and an unrealistic perception of his own vulnerability.” The reason was his removal on January 1 of the controversial fuel subsidy, which came unannounced on what was supposed to be a day of festivity, and at a time many Nigerians were yet to even begin recovering from the huge expenses of the holidays. After an initial spontaneous outpouring of anger on Tuesday, which led to protests in many parts of the country, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has formally announced the beginning of protests scheduled for Monday, January 9. Like the symbolic protests of Tuesday, January 3, the announcement has received wide support. Anger is still building, not only because of the timing of the subsidy

BOLA AJIBOLA

will rise further with serious economic consequences, about which the government has been sufficiently warned by the public. Significantly, none of the state governments has publicly opposed the removal of the oil subsidy, presumably because they think that this will translate into more revenue for them. But this is by no means certain as the oil subsidy was the responsibility of the FG and not that of the states. The savings will not accrue to the Federation Account from which the states can draw more revenue. If anything, it will hurt the states more financially as it will increase the cost of their economic activities. The widespread public opposition to the removal of oil subsidy was based on concerns that it will hurt the public and that, at least, in the short term, it will deepen poverty in the country, as prices rise across the board. In anticipation of the ending of the oil subsidy, prices are already rising in the country. But some of this opposition too arises from the conviction of the public that the government is indifferent to the palpable plight of the poor, in an economy in which the poor continue to carry the burden of adjustment in our country. The poor fear that, based on their old experiences, savings, if any, from the withdrawal of the oil subsidy, will not be used in promoting measures that will lead to an improvement in their living conditions. But it must be stated that despite the withdrawal of the oil subsidy, the economic and financial prospects for this year are not really good. The truth of the matter is that despite the savings from the removal of the oil subsidy, the Federal Government, as well as the state governments find themselves in dire financial straits. The Federal Government is virtually broke. The evidence for this observation is that this year it has to borrow exactly N1.3 trillion or more to cover its capital budget deficit of N1.3 trillion, which is the real reason it could not really continue with the oil subsidy. To do so would have been ruinous. But the Federal Government was not courageous enough to tell the nation that it is broke. Both the foreign and local debts have increased and have to be paid back. Inflationary pressures are beginning to build up in the economy due to price increases. So, if there are going to be any economic benefits from the withdrawal of the oil subsidy, these benefits can only be delivered on long and not on short or immediate term basis. The Federal Government has made sweeping and encouraging promises about what it will do with the savings from the withdrawal of the oil subsidy. The question, apart from the usual profligacy of the Federal Government, as already seen from the structure of its public expenditure, is where will the funds for alleviating the suffering of the poor come from? There is a huge budget deficit to be covered and this will not make it easy for the Federal Government to focus its attention on the poor. In fact, they will get a short shrift from the government as it battles with its budget deficit. This is our country and Jonathan is our President. Whatever differences we may have with him over his economic policies, we must continue to wish him well and hope for the best for our country in this difficult year ahead of all of us. • For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

The subsidy battle begins removal, but also because of its scope. On the other hand, the Federal Government has tried to rally very quickly to smother the aggrieved populace with its palliatives. But as suspected, the palliatives are too little too late, suggesting that the deregulation policy itself was hasty and untidy. If the government does not revert to the old fuel price of N65 per litre, the strike will go on, and will likely be very popular. In addition, it will be difficult to manage, difficult to control and difficult to stop. Judging from the massive support the call for protests has received, it would seem that the government did not make wide consultations as it claimed. Nor, it is also sadly

clear, did it spend quality time doing enough homework to find practical and sensible alternatives. Having boxed itself into a corner, it is difficult to see the Jonathan government capitulating before Monday. It has sold the subsidy removal measure as a tough decision only a bold and courageous leader could take. Unfortunately for the government, the public perception is that the policy is ruinous in the extreme. The battle will, therefore, be joined on Monday, and if it continues for a little longer than expected, it should not surprise anyone if calls for Jonathan’s impeachment begin to filter out. The anger on the streets is not contrived; it is real and it is volatile.

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