The Nation January 10, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Jonathan to ministers: sit up

Fire razes 21 rooms in Alaafin’s palace

NEWS

Page 2

•Govt to increase pace of work

•Artefacts, apartments gone

NEWS

Page 5

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VOL. 8, NO. 2367 THURSDAY, JANUARY 10 , 2013

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•Firemen battling to put out the raging fire...yesterday

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•Local television stations may miss matches •Newcastle happy Ameobi won’t join Eagles •Martins: Keshi judged me with one match •AND MORE ON PAGES 23,24&41

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Oil tank explosions in Lagos

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XPLOSIONS rocked Apapa – the Lagos port city – yesterday, as fire hit a barge at the Tin Can Island.

The explosions occurred as the MRS barge (oil tank) was discharging fuel into a tank on a jetty at the port.

The entire area was shaken by the explosions, which were immediately

By Oluwakemi Dauda and Precious Igbonwelundu

followed by a huge fire that sent plumes of smoke into the air.

People ran helter-skelter in panic. They did not know immediately what was happening.

The fire, which started at about 11:15am, was put out a few hours later but not after

it had disrupted activities at the ever-busy port and the surrounding areas.

There were speculations that no fewer than four people might have died, but the agencies - the Red Cross, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) – said nobody died. Only four people were Continued on page 2

•The tank farm on fire...yesterday

$1.5b loan: NNPC under fire Process not transparent, says ex-World Bank Vice President Ezekwesili The federal government or any of its agencies has no right to take local or foreign loans without the approval of the National Assembly —Falana

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If the NNPC does not borrow and pay its foreign creditors, our (Nigeria’s) credit rating will go down and this is not good for our financial institutions and the country —Rewane

ORMER World Bank Vice President Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has joined the condemnation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC)’s planned $1.5b syndicated loan to pay off its debts.

She tlashed out at the decision in her twitter account yesterday,

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

her criticism following that of the Senate, which on Tuesday queried the plan, saying it was not informed about it.

According to Mrs. Ezekwesili, the process the NNPC is following to obtain the loan, which she said was unnecessary, is not transpar-

Why does this administration encourage the idea of a ‘Federal Republic of NNPC’ in a Democratic Nigeria in 2013?

—Ezekwesili

ent.

Lagos Lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) urged the National Assembly to probe the oil giant.

Reuters news agency blew the whistle on the loan at the weekend, but NNPC spokesperson Ms Tumini Green said it had not been obtained, although the process

was being finalised.

The state oil company is believed to be owing major commodity trading houses, including Glencore and Mercuria, about $3.5 billion in unpaid fuel supply bills.

President Goodluck Jonathan is reported to have authorised the Continued on page 2

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

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

NEWS Boko Haram: President hits Obasanjo again, says ‘we do not need lecture’

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•President Goodluck Jonathan (second left) flanked by (from left) Vice President Namadi Sambo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur and National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola during the PDP Board of Trustees meeting in Abuja...on Tuesday PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

Jonathan to ministers: sit up

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has issued a marching order to his ministers to increase their pace of work.

The directive is coming on the heels of the President’s recent promise to make more impact this year.

Dr. Jonathan, who spoke during the year’s first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting according to Mr. Labaran Maku, Minister of Information, charged ministers to move faster.

He added that President Jonathan wants to see progress and better delivery.

Besides, Maku, who spoke to reporters alongside Minister of Education Ruqqayyat Rufai, Minister of Tourism, Edem Duke and Minister of State, Finance, Yerima Ngama, said the President also charged ministers to buckle up and work as a team.

He said: “Mr President gave us a marching order to work harder, faster and deliver results. He said we must all buckle up and make sure all our agencies deliver results. Last year was very good for the country. By the grace of God,

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Nigerians will see greater results this year.

“We should begin to commission some of the key power projects this year. Going forward, we are expecting greater activities. We are looking forward to greater synergies; we’re looking forward to greater results this year. All is set for greater performance for government in the year 2013.”

Maku also noted that the President acknowledged that a lot of work had been done in key sectors and hence warned against complacency, cautioning ministers not to take anything for granted.

The minister also listed some areas where the government had done well, which include transport. Petroleum products are now conveyed by rail from Lagos to Kano.

Other routes will begin operation this year.

Maku hinted that most of the power projects would be inaugurated.

In Agriculture, the minister said the President demanded for improved strategising.

“These are Mr. President’s instructions and I can assure

you that the ministers are ready for work,” he said.

Maku also assured that once the budget is passed anytime this month, the government will have the opportunity of 12 months implementation cycle.

FEC also approved the establishment of three new universities.

The universities are meant for states that do not have federal universities - Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara.

The take-off is immediate.

But academic sessions are however scheduled to begin in 2014/2015.

This has brought the number of federal universities established in the last two years to 12. Nine were approved for take off last year.

Justifying the establishment of the universities, the minister of Education said only 10 per cent of applicants get admission into universities - an indication that the number of universities is not sufficient.

“Every year we have been battling with placement in higher institutions in the country, including private, state and federal-owned higher institutions,” the minister said.

The minister also added that about 1.3 million school leavers seek entrance to higher institutions every year, yet not up to 200,000 spaces are available.

Eight out of the nine federal universities approved in 2012 have taken off and even matriculated students, except the one in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, which takes off fully next month after being delayed by floods.

FEC also approved a new tourism brand identity for Nigeria, which was presented to the council by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke.

According to Duke, the policy, which seeks to give priority attention to exploiting Nigeria’s tourism potentials, was favourably received by the President and other cabinet members.

The policy includes evolution of retail destinations with the hospitality sector properly dove-tailing into tourism.

Health tourism will be promoted. Duke also said FEC approved new campaign adverts to showcase Nigeria’s tourism potentials.

OR the second time in 24 hours, the Presidency yesterday again hit exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo over his comments on President Goodluck Jonathan’s handling of Boko Haram menace.

But the former President has banned his aides and associates from replying the President.

Obasanjo decided to take direct charge of whatever he would say on the state of the nation.

The Presidency took up issues with Obasanjo on twitter by claiming that it does not need a lecture on how to handle Boko Haram crisis.

The tweet posted by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, reads in part: “Jonathan administration has shown creativity and purposefulness in handling the Boko Haram challenge. Hence, the progress we witness.

“One report says OBJ is recommending a multifaceted approach to Boko Haram.

This government certainly doesn’t need a lecture on that!

“OBJ’s position on Boko Haram= Contradiction and Confusion writ large.

“In Jan. 2013, OBJ tells CNN that the government should adopt a carrot and stick approach to Boko Haram. Genocide & dialogue? Where exactly does he stand?

“In Nov. 2012 in Warri, former President Obasanjo accused Federal Government of being soft on Boko Haram. He recommended the Odi solu-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

tion: genocide.”

Investigation revealed that the latest onslaught from Obasanjo suggested a breakdown of communication between him and the President.

A highly-placed source said: “The two leaders had tried to mend fences in December but I think things did not work out as envisaged. There is certainly a breakdown of communication.

“This is the first time a former Head of State, who should serve as the nation’s ambassador extra-ordinary, trying to disparage the nation.

The appearance of the exPresident on CNN really shocked the presidency because it was a breach of protocol.

“But were it not for the security issue involved, the presidency would not have responded to Obasanjo.”

Meanwhile, the ex-President has asked all his aides and associates not to join issues with the administration of President Jonathan.

A source said: “The former President said he does not want any of his aides or associates to get involved in a media war or propaganda against the government or the President.

“Obasanjo said he would take direct charge of whatever he would say instead of anyone running media errand for him. He does not want a loose media approach which could heat up the polity.

“So, none of the aides or associates can talk now.”

Oil tank explosions in Lagos Continued from page 1

injured.

“There was a ship that was trying to discharge into an oil tank owned by [Nigerian firm] MRS and there was a fire, but I don’t yet have any details as to what led to the fire,” said Ibrahim Farinloye of NEMA. An MRS security official, who asked not to be named, told AFP “it was a fuel explosion” from the barge.

“We were lucky that rescue efforts came in time. The fire could have caused severe damage, but the fire has now stopped and there are no fatalities,” he said.

Farinloye and the Red Cross said four people were injured.

“Nobody died. We only recorded four injured people who had been taken to hospital for treatment,” said Iteogu Adaku from the Red Cross.

“We have also succeeded in Continued on page 63

NNPC under fire for planing to take loan

Continued from page 1

loan.

The NNPC spokesperson said: “The loan has not been obtained yet. It is still being worked out. This is a purely business transaction and it is done in good faith. If you owe somebody, you have to look for how to pay. So we are looking for money to pay our debts.”

Ms Green said the loan deal was a crucial measure to help the corporation stay in business, insisting that by taking that step, NNPC had not contravened any aspect of the law establishing it as a state-run oil company.

She added: “Why would anybody not want us to pay off our debts, especially when it is done legitimately? I don’t think it is right.”

Sections 6 (1)(c) and 8 (1)(2) of the NNPC Act states: “The corporation, in fulfillment of its duties, can enter into contracts or partnerships with any company, firm or person, which in the opinion of the corporation will facilitate the discharge of the said duties under this Act. “Subject to the other provisions of this section, the corpo-

O

That $1.5 billion NNPC loan

UTRAGE would seem an understatement ever since the news of the $1.5 billion loan being syndicated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to settle some so-called foreign oil traders broke. And to add salt to the injury of a beleaguered nation, President Goodluck Jonathan is said to have conveyed approval for the syndication of the loan from a consortium of local and foreign lenders.

Given the corporation’s sordid reputation in book-keeping, the fiscal adventure would seem a natural order of things – its way of doing business.

Talk of the transparently opaque oil corporation taking its recklessness and impunity a higher notch, a number of things make the loan quest unfathomable. Most important of course is the ration may from time to time borrow by overdraft or otherwise howsoever such sums as it may require in the exercise of its functions under this Act and the corporation shall not, without the approval of the National Council of Ministers, borrow any sum of money whereby the amount in aggregate outstanding on any loan or loans at any time exceeds

ANALYSIS

By Sanya Oni

question of how the debts for which the loans are meant came about. Surely, it cannot be for fuel imports sold to marketers all of whom are ordinarily expected to pay before lifting the products from the depots.

The point is important because there are two sides to a transaction. If indeed it is true that the NNPC is indebted to a cartel of oil traders (creditors), it follows that it must have delivered corresponding value to its own creditors. Or is the nation being led to believe that NNPC imports the products without realising value at the marketing/retail ends?

Surely, the image of a most opaque national oil corporation, an entity that is above the law, has grown in years. It must be worrisome that the NNPC is actually using the

such amount as is for the time being specified by the National Council of Ministers.”

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Mr Bismark Rewane, also justified the NNPC’s borrowing.

He said if the NNPC failed to honour its obligations for offshore processing transactions, it would affect the coun-

nation’s crude as collateral for this dubious loan. $1.5 billion is a lot of money. In local currency terms, it is N225 billion.

How does the NNPC repay the loan?

From its allocation of crude? And where does the corporation derive the power to use the unrealised joint assets of the three tiers of government as collateral for loans?

Now, it has since emerged that the National Assembly, whose responsibility it is to approve the budget of the corporation is not even aware of the deal. Would a presidential approval suffice to override this important consideration? Why clothe the transaction with secrecy?

Everything about the loan stinks. The National Assembly must step in to stop the loan. It is reckless as it is unconscionable. Surely, it’s time to curb the outlawry.

try’s international credit rating.

“If the NNPC does not borrow and pay its foreign creditors, our (Nigeria’s) credit rating will go down and this is not good for our financial institutions and the country,” he said.

But the Chairman of Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya

Dr. Ezekwesili

time chair of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), warned that such financial recklessness Continued on page 63

Abaribe, said: “Under the law, no government agency can borrow money without the approval of the National Assembly.”

Senate Committee chairman on Petroleum (Downstream Sector), Magnus Abe, said there was no record of the deal before the Senate.

Dr. Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education and one-

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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NEWS SEASON OF FIRE

Fury of fire across the land •Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu decorating the Ambassador of Netherlands to Nigeria, Mr Bert J Ronhaar, when the envoy visited the governor at the Government House, Minna ... yesterday.

•NEMA forewarned Nigerians

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•From left: Governors Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Idris Wada (Kogi), Abdulaaziz Yari (Zamfara ) and National Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Northeast, Mohammed Wakil , during a visit to Kogi State over the fatal convoy crash that killed Idris’ ADC . Story on page 56

•Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda (left), being decorated

by Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Capt.

Musa Yakubu (rtd), during the launch of Armed Forces Rememberance Day Appeal Fund in Bauchi ... yesterday

NTIL floods swept farmlands, ravaged communities and sacked millions from their homes, the warnings by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Environment Ministry were treated with kid gloves by many state governments.

As those affected with the floods are still grasping with the sour tales left on their lips, the dry season spell set in with its attendant disasters – fire.

Like NIMET, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had earlier inaugurated a technical committee to map out the most vulnerable areas to fire outbreak.

The committee was the agency’s early preparation against possible future re-occurrence of national disaster including bush and market fire during the harmattan.

NEMA’s Head of Public Relations, Yaushau Shuaib, who spoke to The Nation on the rising wave of fire disasters in the country, said the agency had mobilised stakeholders and volunteers in the likelihood of massive fire incidents in markets, farmlands and forests due to indiscriminate storage of inflammable and bush burning.

He said: “NEMA has already developed a National Contingency Plan to guide timely response to any sudden onset emergency in the country.

“Within the last 24 hours teams from NEMA, fire-fighters and other response agencies have been able to respond to different fire incidents in the country within its available resources.

“In most cases, the agencies in a well-coordinated collaboration, utilise the services of trained volunteers to assist on the seeming overwhelming incident of fire outbreaks in the New Year.

“NEMA had in December 2012

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja and Precious Igbonwelundu

warned of likely outbreak of fire incidents in the New Year from mishandling of inflammable that could be triggered by the current weather condition Harmattan/Dry Season among others.

“In the last 20 hours for instance two major fire incidents have been recorded in Lagos: fire razed the Ebute Metta neighborhood last night and a vessel (ship) carrying petroleum product exploded burnt at the Tincan Island Port today (yesterday).”

The Federal and Lagos State Fire Service agencies ascribed the surge in fire outbreaks to the weather condition.

Both agencies, in separate interviews, said there was always high rate of fire incidence during the dry season, adding that the harmattan wind also triggers the upsurge.

Assistant Controller, Operational Command, Lagos, Mr. Ganiyu Olayiwole, said the three constituents of fire - oxygen, heat and combustible - usually meet in the dry season.

He said: “There is great intensity of heat this time. The weather is hotter than usual.

“And you know we have three elements that constitute fire which are oxygen, combustible and heat.

“During the wet season, we do not have heat. As such, there are limited cases of inferno.

“But because we have the three elements at the same time, there is usually friction which results to fire.”

To stem the tide, Olayiwole urged Nigerians to avoid the combination of the three elements.

He recommended proper ventilation at homes and offices as panacea.

The Lagos Fire boss, Rasaq Fadipe, residents should always turn off all electrical appliances at homes and offices when not in use.

Besides, he cautioned against bush burning.

Filling station razed in Aba

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•Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo (left), being decorated by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Atinuke Osunkoya, at the launch of the Armed Forces Remembrance Appeal Week in Ibadan ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

PETROL station, Okozak, at Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State was yesterday gutted by fire which consumed goods and properties worth millions of naira.

However, no life was lost in the fire disaster that consumed the station and a bus that was refueling.

The incident reportedly occurred when a 33,000 litre tanker truck was discharging petrol at the station.

The driver of the truck marked XE888AKL, Stephen Ogbuji, who lamented the incident described it “a mysterious one”.

Ogbuji said he suddenly discovered there was fire while discharging the petrol product.

He said: “I had connected the hose to the underground tank to commence the discharge of petrol and in less than three minutes there was fire from nowhere. I used my fire extinguisher with that of the filling station to try and put it out to no avail.

“The engine of the truck was not

on and there was no fire around, no matches and no commercial motorcycle. So, I am still wondering how the fire started.

“This type of thing has never happened to me since my 16 years of being an oil tanker driver.”

In his reaction, station manager, Chinedu Uwalekwu, commended the people of Uzuakoli for their timely intervention, saying the fire would have escalated beyond the station if they had no come to the rescue.

According to him, the fire will have taken a bigger dimension if he had not removed the hose when he noticed the fire, as the underground tank was open.

He bemoaned the attitude of fire fighters in Umuahia who refused to heed distress call.

His words: “When the fire started we immediately got in touch with the fire service in Umuahia the state capital, but they complained that they have no driver to drive their truck, yet they come here every year to collect their annual levy from us.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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NEWS SEASON OF FIRE

Artefacts, residential apartments gone as fire razes Alaafin’s palace

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SECTION of the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, was razed early yesterday.

The dawn inferno, which was said to have started around 6am ravaged properties worth millions of naira.

Twenty-one rooms, including Ileifa and Ile-ori (historical sites), as well as residential apartments belonging to the Oloris – the Oba’s wives.

The monarch’s Media Assistant, Alhaji Azeez Fehintola, said the rooms and some apartments with artefacts were affected by the inferno which he blamed on power surge.

According to him, three apartments belonging to the Alaafin’s wives were also affected, adding that they lost virtually all their valuables to the fire.

“Also affected were the Ile Ori (inner head sacred room), Ile Ifa (Ifa shrine) with artefacts in them,” he said.

Fehintola, however, confirmed that no life was lost in the incident.

“The extent of damage by the fire goes beyond my imagination.

“Immediately I got here and saw the extent of the damage done to the palace this early morning, I could not but break down in tears.

“The fire, which broke out due to electrical surge, started around 6am and was contained after about three hours.

“The fire fighters came at some minutes past seven and battled it till it was finally put out. Every part of the affected apartments was completely razed.

“It was a really sad day for the ayabas (monarch’s wives) because many of their valuables were destroyed.

“They keep their money in the palace; plasma television, jewellery, clothes, bags and many other valuables yet to be ascertained are gone.”

The Oyo Zonal Commander, Oyo State Fire Service, Mr. Munirudeen Olalekan Abidogun, who led a team of fire fighters to put out the fire, said his station promptly responded to a distress call it got at about 6.47am.

According to Abidogun, “it took a lot of time before the fire could be put out due to architectural designs of the palace, as the buildings

•A sections of the burnt palace... yesterday

Multi-million naira properties destroyed in Asaba inferno

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PROPERTIES worth millions were yesterday destroyed following an inferno that razed a building at Umuekwo quarters, Asaba, Delta State capital.

The fire, according to an eyewitness, started from the upper part of the building and destroyed all the properties.

A source blamed the fire on the storage of petrol (Petroleum Motor Spirit)

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

in the building by the property owner to fule his generator.

A widow was said to have occupied the upper part of the building with her children.

Fire fighters from the state Fire Service could not put out the fire until the building had been razed half-way.

Oyo

within were joined together”.

“After the first water tanker was exhausted, they had to send for another water tanker from their nearby office, before the fire could be finally put out. It was indeed a serious fire incident.”

Governor Abiola Ajimobi was among the early birds, who paid sympathy visits to the monarch.

Others include the Chairman of the Oyo State House Assembly Committee on Local Governments and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Femi Adelakun and his counterpart for Works, Mr. Waliu Adekunle.

The governor lamented the fire that wreaked havoc on the palace destroyed artefacts, ornaments and traditional relics of the people of Yorubaland.

Said the governor: “It is in our own definition a disaster, moreso, having gone round the whole palace on inspection of the damage.

The fire torched virtually everywhere and it was very devastating. It consumed virtually everything, including traditional attires, ornaments.”

Charging fire fighters to be more dedicated and effective in their operations, Ajimobi said the effect could have been minimised if urgent attention had been brought to the raging fire.

“The lesson here is that, one, our fire support services should be more efficient. Second, the reactions of the Kabiyesi and the entire family were very commendable and immediate. That they were able to put out the fire is commendable.”

The governor said that from the assessment he had carried out on the burnt palace, the damage to the palace was irreparable and colossal.

Ajimobi however promised to assist the monarch in the reconstruction of the palace, stating that as a foremost monarch and a great friend of the administration, government could not but support the Oba because in doing so, government was supporting Yorubaland.

“As a government, we are going to support the Kabiyesi and the Kabiyesi, as you know, has been at the forefront of support for the present administration,” the governor said.

‘

•Oba Adeyemi (left) conducting Ajimobi round the burnt palace ... yesterday.

TIMELINE OF FIRE DISASTERS •Alaafin of Oyo’s palace – Jan. 9 •Obasanjo’s Mansion •Ebute Meta Shanties – Jan. 8 •FRCN, Akure •Ifeleye Market, Ibadan – Jan. 8 •Jankara Market •INEC office Abuja – Jan. 8 •Kuru Market, Abuja •Ogbomoso tanker fire – Jan. 6 •MMIA, Lagos •Ogun State Govt Sect. – Jan. 5 •Idi Iroko, Ogun State •Jones Street, Lagos – Jan. 2

From Bode Durojaiye,

– Dec. 27 – Dec. 27 – Dec. 26 – Dec. 21 – Dec. 20 – Dec. 2

It is in our own definition a disaster, moreso, having gone round the whole palace on inspection of the damage. The fire torched virtually everywhere and it was very devastating. It consumed virtually everything, including traditional attires, ornaments.

‘

Expectant mother, daughter, die in mysterious fire

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MYSTERIOUS fire, which engulfed a house in Ubachima, Awo-Omamma in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, yesterday killed an expectant mother and her two-year-old daughter.

An eye witness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri, the state capital, on condition of anonymity that the cause of the fire was unknown.

The source said the deceased, Mrs. Nkechi Amajuoyi, her husband, Benedict and their little daughter, were relaxing outside

their house when the woman and the daughter decided to go to bed.

The husband, an employee of Consolidated Breweries in AwoOmamma, later told reporters amidst tears that he returned from work at about 8pm and decided to relax with his family on a bench outside after dinner.

He said his family later went to bed while he decided to have more rest, but was woken up by shouts of his wife. According to him, he ran into the room where his wife and daughter slept only to find out that

there was nothing he could do as the inferno had engulfed the entire house. Amajuoyi’s neigbhours alleged that because there was no power supply in the community, the woman had lit the family’s lantern and headed for their living room.

They alleged the woman was unaware that petrol was dripping from her husband’s motorcycle parked close to the room which allegedly caught fire.

The members of the family members were making arrangements yesterday to bury the woman and her daughter.

THE NATION THURSDAY JANUARY 10, 2013

6

NEWS Senate to summon IGP over Maina

‘Jonathan’s refusal to reinstate Salami a stain on democracy’

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

T

HE Senate is to summon the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar, for failing to arrest the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, it was learnt yesterday.

The Chairman, Senate Joint Committee on Establishment and Public Service and State and Local Government Administration, Senator Aloysius Etok, confirmed this to reporters in Abuja.

He said: “The Senate President, who is the No. 3 citizen, signed a warrant of arrest and the Inspector-General of Police ignored the order.

“This is very unfortunate. The Senate is left with no option than to invite the IGP to explain why he could not arrest Maina.

“We want to know if Maina is above the law. The IGP must tell us his own fear and whether it is beyond his power to arrest Maina. We are seeking to know all these from the IGP.” The lawmaker added: “In our committee’s report submitted to the Senate in June last year, which was adopted by the Senate, we said the continued existence of Maina’s Task Team is illegal and should be discontinued because nowhere does any task team exist beyond six months.

“This was affirmed by the former Head of Service, Steve Oronsaye, who appointed Maina. Former Head of Service Prof.

Oladapo Afolabi also said this. Likewise, the incumbent Head of Service, Bello Sali, as well as the Minister of Finance.

“We also said Maina is a bad example in the public service and should be relieved of his appointment and prosecuted.

“He claimed that he has been spending N500 million monthly to pay police pension, and on our own, we discovered that he was spending between N600 million and N1 billion monthly to pay.

“Therefore, we say the difference between N500million and that is the margin of fraud, and that he must return the money to government’s treasury.

T

HE refusal of President Goodluck Jonathan to reinstate the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, has been described as a “big stain on Nigeria’s democracy.”

Speaking with The Nation yesterday, an elder stateman, Chief Deji Fasuan, said he wondered “why President Jonathan would not rise above the promptings of his party to reinstate Justice Salami in a case that has turned out to be an entire hoax as proved

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

by the National Judicial Council (NJC).”

Justice Salami, on August 19, 2011 was suspended by the NJC at an emergency meeting.

He was directed to hand over to Justice Dalhatu Adamu and recommended to the President for retirement.

The meeting was, according to reports, presided over by Justice M.A. Bello, President of a Customary Court of Appeal.

Fasuan said: “The story of Justice Salami represents a black spot in Nigeria’s political history. As things are now, President Jonathan and the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice are dancing to the tune of some politicians.

“What could be holding the President back from reinstating Justice Salami after the NJC has cleared him of his alleged wrong?

Remember the NJC recommended his suspension.

“We say this country does

not belong to any political party. It is inconceivable that a jurist of Justice Salami’s calibre should be used as a football played by the Presidency, AttorneyGeneral and some powerful Southwest politicians who have much to hide.

“The present situation is a stain in the political and judicial history of Nigeria.

In the long run, Justice Salami would not be the loser. Whatever the outcome of this case, it is the integrity of our democratic system that will be adversely affected.”

Mark goofed on same sex marriage bill, say activists

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HUMAN rights group, Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence (FJHRD), has slammed Senate President David Mark’s statement that the bill prohibiting same sex marriage before the National Assembly is irreversible.

The group, in a statement yesterday, described the lawmaker’s statement as “unfounded, misconceived and myopic.”

Its National Coordinator, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, a lawyer, told the senator that “the provisions of the proposed law are inconsistent with sections 37 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, irrespective of Section 45 of the Constitution.”

He said: “We state without fear or favour that unless the provisions of the above sec-

From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

tions 37 and 43, which guarantee the right to private and family life and the right to freedom from discrimination are amended to exclude cases of same sex marriage, the effect of the proposed law by Section 1 Sub-section 3 of the 1999 Constitution would remain void ab-initio (from the beginning).

“Furthermore, a gay whose right to private and family life or right to freedom from discrimination is infringed upon by the proposed law can by Section 46 Sub-section 1 of the 1999 Constitution as amended or better still under the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights can approach the court to enforce his or her fundamental rights to private and family life and/or right to freedom of discrimination.”

NSITF chair hailed over award

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HE Chairman of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, has been hailed for bagging the Fellow of the National Institute of Labour Studies (FNILS).

The award was given by the Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies, Ilorin, Kwara State, during the Eighth National Labour Summit and Fellowship Award, in recognition of her contributions to labour administration in the country with emphasis on the implementation of social security policies.

Dr. Olejeme, an alumna of Ivy League Universities in America and the United Kingdom, was appointed by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the NSITF. According to the institute, Olejeme was one of the few Nigerians chosen on the basis of meritorious service and accomplishments in industrial relations. She contributed to the signing into law the Employees Compensation Act (ECA) by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010.

•Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (right) and the International Head Coordinator of the Ministers Prayer Network International, Rev. Mosy Madugba, during the Global Mega Prayer Quake in Port Harcourt.

Scammers target senators with spurious awards

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SYNDICATE of scammers is targeting senators, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, has said.

He spoke yesterday at a news conference in Abuja.

The lawmaker said he was almost fooled by the antics of the criminals who purportedly nominated him for an African Grassroots Development Strategy Campaign (AGDSC) Award 2012.

The organisers were purportedly working in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation with sponsorship from the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

Ibrahim, former Yobe State

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

governor, said the award, which came with a prize tag of $100,000, was purportedly meant for his outstanding performance in the “alleviation of poverty/ desertification programme.”

He said: “Recently, some friends saw publications in newspapers that I had won a ‘Mo Ibrahim Award’.

“I had a call and DHL delivery from one supposed professor from the University of Cape Town, South Africa that I had received: ‘The Exemplary Grassroots Leadership Quality In Africa Award 2012’ purportedly sponsored by the Rockefeller Founda-

tion and Mo Ibrahim Foundation - two of the most reputable award organisations in the world.

“My workers contacted the organisers who asked us to submit our names to their liaison officer at the South African High Commission for visas.

“They demanded no money and provided contacts that gave the impression that they were real and we thought we were dealing with a campaign sponsored by Mo Ibrahim and Rockefeller foundations in South Africa.

“I became enthusiastic and informed my colleagues, friends and family and received support. Some friends began to prepare to celebrate the event and even took out

Court rules on NPAN case against APCON today

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HE Federal High Court, Lagos, will today, rule on the appropriateness or otherwise of a suit filed by the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), challenging the constitutionality of some provisions of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotion, as they affect newspaper establishments.

The ruling had twice been adjourned to accommodate other official schedules of the judge, Justice Musa Kurya.

The court was initially

scheduled to rule on December 13 last year, but this had to be adjourned till December 19, as the judge was away in Abuja for the Judges’ Conference. It was again adjourned till today for a similar reason.

NPAN had sued the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), with the Inspector-General of Police, arguing that the code infringed on the right of members of the association to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinion as well as receive and impact

ideas and information without interference.

Today’s ruling is sequel to the preliminary objection raised by APCON, which the lead counsel to NPAN, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, had urged the court to dismiss.

With Oyetibo is Mr. Labi Lawal.

Mr. Oyetibo had argued that NPAN had sufficient interest to institute the suit since the APCON’s regulation, which he described as unconstitutional, adversely affects owners of media houses.

He noted that contrary to the argument of APCON that the suit was to fight for the employees of newspaper establishments, who are being harassed by the council and the police, it was filed to challenge the control of newspaper houses by APCON. “Articles 21 and 137 (a) of the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotion expressly mentioned media houses and media houses are the targets of the provision,” Mr.

Oyetibo said, adding that “this is a case being fought on behalf of members of the association who, in any case, had sufficient interest to do so.”

He urged the court to hold that the association had locus standi in instituting the case and dismissed the objection of APCON. Counsel to APCON Chief Anthony Idigbe had enjoined the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the association lacked the competence to institute it.

the publications in the newspapers and the story spread.

“Before people began to commit resources, I carried out an investigation, which showed a scam targeted at personalities across Africa.

“We contacted the Mo Ibrahim Foundation office in London, which published a disclaimer.

“We have also informed the University of Cape Town, Prof. Ali Mazrui, Ebrahim Patel, a minister in South Africa and others named as partners in the scam.

“They have dissociated themselves and the law enforcement authorities have been contacted. I have warned my friends, well-wishers and colleagues not to raise any fund and that they should stop further preparation.

“I must admit that I’m amazed by the professional sophistication of these scammers. There are great lessons to be learnt: Our society is now littered with angry, ruthless and dangerous people.

“With robbers, kidnappers and criminals everywhere no one is safe anymore - not the people, not the politicians.

“I will commit myself anew to the fight for social justice, quality education and creation of jobs. This is the least we expect from President Goodluck Jonathan before he leaves office, and it is the only way to curb crimes in our society.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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NEWS

Alleged N40b fraud: EFCC arrests Imo Commissioner, AG •Declares ex-lawmaker wanted for alleged diversion of N281.2m

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested the Imo State Commissioner for Finance, Deacon Okafor Chike John and Accountant-General (AG), Eche Ezenna George, for alleged mismanagement of funds amounting to N40billion.

The arrest of the two men was said to be in connection with the ongoing probe of allegations against Governor Rochas Okorocha.

The grilling of the commissioner and AG is not connected with the allegations in some petitions against the governor bordering on the mismanagement of N93.5billion.

The allegations in some of the petitions include alleged mismanagement of N13.5billion bond incurred by Okorocha’s predecessor, exGovernor Ikedi Ohakim and N80billion accruable to the local governments since June 20111.

It was learnt that the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) was one of the organisations that petitioned the EFCC. It was gathered that the sacked chairmen of the 27 local governments also alleged that Okorocha’s administration had paralysed the third tier of government in the state.

The EFCC yesterday began the grilling of the two government officials on the alleged suspicious N40billion loan

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

obtained from Zenith Bank Plc. A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “We arrested the two officials over the alleged diversion of over N40billion loan obtained from Zenith Bank Plc. We want to know what the loan was meant for and how it was spent.

“So far, we have had about six hours’ interaction with the affected officials. More people might be invited since they do not enjoy immunity.”

On some petitions alluding to the alleged N93.5billion fraud, the source said the antigraft agency is already looking into the issues raised against the governor.

The source added: “Those who wrote the petitions substantiated the allegations with evidence and documents.

“We conducted preliminary findings and retrieved records of statutory allocations to the state from the relevant agencies to confirm remittances.

“This is why we have started interaction with state officials on the veracity or otherwise of these allegations. We cannot invite the governor because he has immunity under the 1999 Constitution, unless he volunteers to submit himself for investigation.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “It is true that we have arrested the officials

and they are being interrogated in Abuja.

“I don’t have the details of the allegations against them.”

A former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Gbinijie Obukowho Napoleon, has been declared wanted by the EFCC. According to a statement by Mr. Uwujaren, the ex-lawmaker is wanted in connection with alleged N281.2million fraud.

The statement said: “The former lawmaker, who represented Uvwie, Sapele and Okpe Federal Constituency of Delta State in the National Assembly between 2003 and 2007, is wanted for offences bordering on breach of trust and illegal diversion of funds to the tune of N281, 280,000.00.

“The suspect repeatedly failed to respond to invitations by the anti- graft agency, and has gone under ground to evade arrest.

“The 46-year-old suspect is light in complexion and speaks Urhobo and English languages fluently. His last known address was: Plot 1, Ogumbo Road, Olonkonla Close, near Aja, Lagos (residential) and 23A, Otunba Adeleke Adeshina Street, Lekki Phase 11, Victoria Island, Lagos (business).

“The commission implores any one having useful information about the whereabouts of the suspect to notify its offices in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Kano and Enugu or report at the nearest police station.”

Senate panel rules out sabotage in INEC fire

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HE Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday ruled out sabotage in Monday’s fire at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The fire gutted the Office of the Director of Voter Registry, destroying documents, computers and personal effects.

Speaking during a visit to the office, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Ubah, said the committee was convinced that there was no sabotage in the incident.

He said he was happy that the fire did not destroy important items at the Directorate

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

of Voter Registry.

Said Ubah: “The fire affected one room. We are glad that nobody died. Items damaged are not important. We are here on assessment and whatever they want us to do, we are ready. They have done investigation and what else are we investigating? They said the fire was caused by an electrical fault.

“We can’t talk of workers’ carelessness because they aren’t the ones that erected the buildings. It is something that can happen anywhere, in our homes and offices. I’m ruling out sabotage and I’m con-

vinced because there is nothing in that office that they can destroy to hide something.

There is nothing in that office and who are they sabotaging?”

While assuring the cooperation of the committee with INEC to ensure a probe of the fire, he noted that his committee would not set up another committee to look into the cause of the fire.

Senator Ubah promised that his committee would assist INEC carry out its constitutional mandate.

On the allegations of recruitment scandal in the commission, he said he was not aware of it and didn’t believe such a thing occurred.

Pray for governors, Amaechi urges Christians •Recounts how he got N200m ‘dash’ to pay lawyers in 2007

•Amaechi

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IVERS State Governor and Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has urged Christians to seek the face of God and pray for political office holders to deliver the dividends of democracy.

Openning the Global Mega Prayer Quake 2013 in Port Harcourt, Amaechi said there

was no need for clerics to predict danger for political office holders voted into office by the people and saddled with the responsibility of discharging good governance and rendering stewardship.

He went on: “Pray that God should do something new in our lives and keep the governors alive to lead the people, because I read in the newspapers that clergymen prophesied that two governors would die this year. But I tell you, if Nigerians know that governors are fighting for the people to improve their welfare, nobody will pray that they should die. We need your prayers to live. God will reward you through his blessings.”

Recounting his experience before he became governor in 2007, Amaechi said he is the only governor that came into office without election, as he took over the mantle of leadership through the Supreme Court judgment of October 25, 2007, which he described as the handiwork of God. “I fasted and obtained favour through financial breakthrough to sponsor my case in court. I had no money to give my lawyers, but somebody paid N200 million into my account, and I paid my lawyers.

The miracle is that I’m the only governor that came to power without election in 2007. God used me to tell the world that he is God,” he said.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

NEWS 40 Osun youths for Germany

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ORTY youths in Osun State will be selected for a three-month agricultural training programme in Germany.

Commissioner for Agriculture Wale Adedoyin and the Special Adviser on the Quick Impact Intervention Programme, Mr. Dele Ogundipe, said of the 48 youths undergoing German Language classes in the state,

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

40 candidates, who can fluently speak the language, would be picked for the trip.

Hailing Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the initiative, Adedoyin said the training of youths in modern agricultural techniques would empower future generations when the training is replicated in the state.

Ajimobi urges Nigerians to support families of fallen heroes

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday urged Nigerians to support the families of heroes, who died protecting the territorial integrity of the country.

He spoke at the inauguration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem in Ibadan, the state capital.

Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Alake Adeyemo, donated N3.5 million.

He urged Nigerians to support the families of fallen heroes and ex-servicemen, who “demonstrated a deep sense of loyalty to their father land”.

Ajimobi said: “It is gratifying to note that this annual event was borne out of the need to cater for the welfare of the families of soldiers, who died in the two World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War and peace-keeping missions.

“I urge Nigerians, especially the wealthy, to support the families of the fallen heroes and the war veterans, as well as the Nigerian Legion to ensure a purposeful, dynamic social sustenance

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

of the vulnerable and less privileged.”

The Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Oyo State, Alhaji Kayode Adigun, said: “This is the only period when we demonstrate our love for our fallen heroes, who fought different wars to keep this country together.”

He urged Nigerians and corporate organisations to award scholarships to children of the slain heroes and empower their widows.

Adigun urged the government to approve the renovation of the state headquarters of the Nigerian Legion and review the monthly subvention to the local and state headquarters.

At the event were Brig.

Gen. Olusegun Adeleke, who represented the General Officer Commanding, 2 Div., Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. M. D. Abubakar; Commissioner of Police Joseph Mbu; Commissioner for Women Affairs Atinuke Osunkoya and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Folusho Sali.

‘Ekiti signage law non-discriminatory’

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HE Director-General of the Ekiti State Signage and Advertising Agency, Mr. Muyiwa Ogunmilade, has said the agency does not discriminate against anyone.

Speaking with reporters yesterday, the DG said “the law operates, irrespective of political or religious affiliation”.

Complaining about the public’s attitude to the agency’s officials, Ogunmilade said poor compliance with advertisement regulations was setting the state back on important parameters of development.

He said laws regulating outdoor advertising were proposed and enacted by past administrations, adding that Ekiti would redouble efforts to prosecute persons who evade payments and flout other regulations.

Ogunmilade said the agency would pull down billboards and remove posters that do not meet its conditions.

He said: “We regulate outdoor advertising activities to sanitise the space and generate revenue for the government.

“As good as the Social Security Scheme for the Elderly is, it can only be

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

sustained if the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is augmented through incomes from sources, such as the agency.

“Rather than resort to name calling and whipping up sentiments, please pay for anything you want to put out there. No one will bill you for pasting posters in your room or compound.

But once you put them out there, you must either obey the regulations or face the penalties.

“There are procedures to follow in putting your bill boards and posters out there. Signage and Advert Agency has a creation law.

It was a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration that initiated the law. It has become a state law and we are all bound by it.

“This warning is coming afresh because we have gone on the television five times and addressed the press three times.

“People simply choose to be recalcitrant, thinking this is a village. We are set to change that now.”

Ogunmilade said the state has lost over 80 per cent of its revenue to recalcitrant billboard owners.

•Some members of the Ekiti State Executive Council discussing at the Exco Chambers before the meeting...yesterday.

Fayemi dissolves Executive Council

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has dissolved the State Executive Council.

This is the administration’s first major move to reshuffle the council since its inception in 2010, although there was a slight swapping of offices last year.

According to sources, the announcement, which was made by the governor at the end of the Executive Council meeting yesterday, jolted the

•Says it’s for better performance From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

members, who had just resumed from the New Year holiday.

Though a statement by the governor’s media aide, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, was silent on the number of affected commissioners and special advisers, it was gathered that they are 37.

While it was generally felt that majority of the exco

members would make it back, some noted that five might be removed.

Fayemi thanked the commissioners for their support and directed them to hand over government property in their possession to either the permanent secretaries in their ministries or other senior officials as the case might apply.

The statement reads: “The governor thanks all the execu-

tive members for their support in the last two years. The dissolution and the re-constitution that would follow are aimed at revitalising the administration and positioning it for greater performance.

“This is a moment for transformation in all we are doing and not about an individual not pulling his/her weight enough.”

Obasanjo makes case for Ogun PDP returnees

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ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday urged leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State to accept aggrieved members, who are willing to return to the party.

The former Chairman of the PDP National Board of Trustees (BOT) spoke at his Hilltop home in Abeokuta, the state capital, while hosting leaders of the party from Ogun West Senatorial District.

Calling for discipline in the party, Obasanjo said: “I do not want to say anything

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

about politics, especially PDP in Ogun State. I think we have done what we are supposed to do. I have told you to embrace anyone that wants to return with open arms. We have done what is expected of us as leaders.

“There must be discipline in any institution. Many of them were misguided. When the misguided see the light and return, we must open our arms to embrace them. The misguided must be wel-

comed and reintegrated into the fold.

“Ogun West needs attention because the people are not cooperative. People say Ogun West lacks credible people. The senatorial district has credible people but you need to help yourselves.

“If there are two things coming to the state, if the two do not go to Ogun East, Ogun Central will have one.

If they are three, two will go to the East and one will go to Central. If four, two will go to the East and two the Cen-

•Obasanjo

tral. The resources of the state must be evenly distributed for even development.”

Two held for murder of woman, 50

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HE Police in Ondo State yesterday arrested two suspects, Ifedayo Alatise and John Okoro, for alleged involvement in the murder of a 50-year-old woman, Mrs. Dupe Akinbowa.

The suspects and others at large allegedly beat Mrs. Akinbowa into a coma last Saturday in Alade-Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area.

It was learnt that the victim was rushed to the hospital, where she died. The police are yet to unravel why the woman was attacked.

The deceased’s son, Jollin, said: “The incident happened at Sabo in Alade-Idanre.

Some boys beat up my mother and she became unconscious. She was rushed to the state hospital, where she died.”

Police spokesman

From Leke Akeredolu and Damisi Ojo, Akure

Adeniran Aremu said the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department.

He said Jollin reported at the Idanre Police Station around 9:30am on Sunday that his mother was beaten to a state of coma by some people around 11:30pm on Saturday.

Aremu said the late Mrs. Akinbowa was injured in the head and had bruises on her

hands and chest.

He said her body had been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary and they were awaiting the autopsy result.

Aremu said the command recovered arms and ammunition from a crashed Toyota Siena car at Omotosho on the Lagos-Ore Expressway at the weekend.

It was gathered that the vehicle was involved in a lone accident on Sunday.

Aremu said 10 knockout explosives; two AK 47 rifles,

marked 08849 and 213740; eight magazines, of which five were loaded with 30 rounds each of 7.62mm ammunition; one police vest; one long axe; one army camouflage and a cap were recovered from the car, marked FKJ 365 AS. He said one of the occupants, simply identified as Prince Obasi, died in the accident.

Aremu said three suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.

Man arraigned for N502,000 ‘fraud’

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34-year-old man, Dayo David, was yesterday arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, for allegedly duping Mr. Olarewaju Aluko of N502,000.

David allegedly received

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

the money on the pretence of selling a Toyota Camry car to Aluko last May at Owode, Osogbo.

David pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of dup-

ing and stealing.

Defence counsel Bola Abimbola prayed the court to grant the accused bail. Magistrate Olusola Aluko granted David N250,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

The case was adjourned till March 23.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

9

NEWS

Attorney-General, 33 Kirikiri inmates disagree on missing case files A LAGOS State High Court, Igbosere, yesterday directed the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, to explain why 33 inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, whose case files were said to be missing, have not been arraigned.

The inmates, who were arrested for various criminal offences, are urging the court to release them on grounds that they have been in court for over four years without a formal charge.

Their lawyer, Mr. Ahmed

By Joseph Jibueze

Adetola-Kazeem of the Prisoners’ Rights Advocacy Initiative (PRAI), told the court presided over by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi that the inmates do not have cases to answer but “are still languishing in prison”.

He said the Attorney-General had admitted in a counter-affidavit that some of their case files were missing and could not be traced.

However, a senior state counsel, Mrs. C.R. Odutola, said the files were not missing.

She said: “We need to re-

Ondo Tribunal resumes sitting today

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HE Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will resume sitting today.

It will hear the petitions of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) .

All parties (petitioners and respondents) have filed applications for the pre-hearing session.

At the pre-hearing session, the tribunal will consider the joinder of parties, amendments, hearing of objection on points of law, agreement on the tendering of documents and streamlining of witnesses.

The pre-hearing shall be adjourned daily for 14 days.

The petitions, it was learnt, may be consolidated.

However, Accord, which is challenging the exclusion of its candidate from the October 20 election, is opposed to the consolidation of the petitions.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Except for the objections, Accord’s petition may be decided in a matter of weeks, as most parties in the petition do not have more than three witnesses.

With ACN’s 118 witnesses, PDP’s and the Labour Party’s (LP’s) over 2000 witnesses, petitions may take months to decide, if consolidated by the tribunal at the pre-hearing.

The tribunal has directed parties to take a second look at their number of witnesses, considering the fact that they only have 14 days to prove their case.

The tribunal has 180 days to determine the petitions.

The LP’s legal team prefers the petitions to be decided at the pre-hearing stage, but the ACN’s team said all objections should be taken with the substantive petitions, in accordance with the Electoral Act. These issues will be decided at the pre-hearing.

TASUED gets VC

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R O F E S S O R Oluyemisi Oluremi Obilade has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun in Ogun State.

The appointment takes immediate effect.

A seasoned educationist and Professor of Education in the Department of Continuing Education, Faculty of Education of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Mrs. Obilade has a Doctorate in Education from OAU. She has Executive Business Education certificates from the Havard Business School, Havard University in the United States and the Judge Business School, Cambridge

University, United Kingdom.

Prof. Obilade, who has over 30 years teaching experience, was a Commissioner for Education and Acting Commissioner for Health in Osun State.

She belongs to various professional bodies, including the Nigerian National Council for Adult Education (NNCAE), the Nigeria Society of Educators (NSE) and the Adult Education and Poverty Reduction Network, among others.

Prof. Obilade is a fellow of the HERS Academy, Cape Town, South Africa and the International Women’s Forum Leadership Foundation, Washington DC in America.

She is married to Professor T.O. Obilade and they have four children.

Activist urges opposition to unite

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IGHTS activist Morakinyo Ogele has described “plans” by the Federal Government to clamp down on the opposition as “unfortunate and barbaric”.

He urged the opposition to unite against this “undemocratic decision”.

The lawyer expressed dismay that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was preparing a “full-scale war” against democracy in Nigeria, instead of tackling the country’s challenges.

He said: “The PDP should explain to Nigerians how it has changed the living condition, improved welfare, infrastructure, education and electricity supply. The PDP has failed to tackle insecurity, corruption, which has become endemic, and other sundry issues.

“Progressive forces should be encouraged in the light of the development. We must encourage former Head of State Muhammadu Buhari, ACN National Leader Bola Tinubu and other rescuers to bail this country out of the hands of marauders.”

Ogele urged the government to realise that “when people are chased from the public arena, where debate paves the way, they would take solace where revolution is born”.

act to what Adetola-Kazeem said because it is not the correct position. No files are missing. Some of them are in my office.”

Mrs. Odutola said some of the files had been assigned to various courts for trial.

Adetola-Kazeem said the Attorney-General’s processes showed that the case files were either not forwarded by the police to the Ministry of Justice or got missing at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP’s) office.

He said: “The suit was filed on July 14, last year and between then and now, the Attorney-General’s office has not filed anything to show that the 33 inmates

‘The suit was filed on July 14, last year and between then and now, the AttorneyGeneral’s office has not filed anything to show that the 33 inmates have cases to answer’ have cases to answer.”

Mrs. Odutola urged the court to adjourn to enable the state set the record

straight and update the court on the status of the inmates on the next hearing.

The development stalled the hearing of the inmates’ application to the court to free them.

According to the state, the police detained some of the inmates for a long time without seeking legal advice from the DPP, while still conducting investigation.

A letter to the OfficerCommanding, The Nigerian Police, D-Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, by the Attorney-General, which was exhibited before the court, sought to know the status of 74 persons in detention, who were yet to be arraigned.

He wrote: “After review-

ing my list, my workers have identified 74 cases that do not appear in our records.

“I would first like you to verify whether or not you have requested legal advice in any of the 74 listed cases.

Kindly indicate if you have requested legal advice in any of the cases.

“Where legal advice has not previously been sought, kindly provide an update on the status of the cases.

“I would like to know the reasons for the delay in prosecuting the cases so that we can find a way to speed things up. I am sure you appreciate the urgency of this matter.”

Justice Oluwayemi adjourned till February 5 for the Attorney-General’s office to set the records straight.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

CITYBEATS Man, 60, H convicted for drug trafficking

By Eric Ikhilae

A 60-YEAR-OLD MAN, Owolabi Ganiyu Amoo, was yesterday convicted by a Federal High Court in Lagos for attempting to export 140 kilogramme of heroin to the United States (US).

Amoo, who changed his plea to guilty yesterday, had been on trial since March last year.

Justice Benedicta Molokwu convicted him after he changed his plea. The judge expressed dismay that a man of the convict's age was involved in illegal drug trade.

She fixed January 19 for the sentence.

Earlier, prosecution lawyer, Pius Gamde of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) told the court that the case was adjourned for continuation of trial. The prosecution, he recalled, had called five witnesses.

He said he was informed by the defence lawyer shortly before the court's proceedings that the accused wanted to change his plea.

The charge, indicating that he was arrested on December 31, 2010 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while travelling to the US, was read to him. He pleaded guilty.

Urging the court to be lenient in sentencing her client, Mrs Omotunde told the court that Amoo is 60 years old and has six children. She described him as a printer who got into the drug trade out of frustration.

His client's decision to change his plea, she said, was informed by the effect of the case on his family describing Amoo , as a first time offender, Mrs. Omotunde said he has promised never to return to the illegal trade once he is freed.

Man charged with N9.3m theft

By Precious Igbonwelundu

A 32 YEAR-OLD MAN, Pius Asomba, has been charged before an Apapa Magistrate's Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing goods worth N9.335 million.

Asomba is standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, fraud and stealing before Magistrate H.O.A. Amos.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) John Okomo told the court that the defendant conspired with employees of a new generation bank, who are at large, to defraud one Moses Adebayo.

He said Asomba had approached the complainant that he wanted to buy cable wires but the complainant refused to sell to him on credit.

The defendant along with the bankers consequently sent a fake credit alert to the complainant, he said.

Okomo told the court that on receiving the alert the complainant released the goods to Asomba. But when Adebayo got to his bank and asked for his statement of account, he was shocked that the said sum was never paid.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes Sections 409, 359, 360(1)(a)(b)(c), 312(1)(a)(b), (2) and 285(5)(a)(b)(c) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty and was granted N300,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum. Magistrate Amos adjourned the matter to February 2.

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

UNDREDS of retireees of the Nigerian Post and Telecommunication (NIPOST) on Wednesday took to the streets in Lagos to protest the non-payment of their 65 months pension.

The pensioners, most of who were aged and haggard-looking, shut down the Ijora workshop of the postal agency, from where they moved to Sabo, Somolu and Ikeja post offices and equally shut them against businesses.

The pensioners who were protesting under the umbrella of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), NIPOST branch, said they have not been paid their gratuity and pension since they left office in 2006.

Comrade Joseph Familusi, who is also a member of the Pensioners Board of Trustees, who led the shut down at Ikeja Post Office told journalists that pensioners are tired of being treated as "irrelevant" by the management.

According to him, the Post-Master General (PMG) and the Accountant General (AG) have been passing the bucks on their demand for several months and that the matter had gotten to a point that they do not know

• The protesting pensioners...yesterday

NIPOST retirees to govt: Pay us

By Bisi Onanuga Staff Correspondent

who to believe again.

The retirees who said that their names have been removed from the pay list, therefore called for the re-

moval of the Post Master General.

"The Accountant General in collaboration with the Post-Master General, have been playing pranks with our lives. The AG

would tell us to go to the PMG because they have not given actual return while the PMG would tell us to go to the AG. "We are tired of being tossed around as worth-

less beings. Even the IGI, the underwriter, when they give them our money, they hold on to it for long and when we protested, they only paid us a month," Familusi said.

Fashola warns against environmental pollution

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola said he is satisfied with the progress of projects in Amuwo-Odofin.

He praised the contractors handling the light rail project, saying with the rate of work so far, the government would deliver on the first phase of the project this year.

He said: "With the rate of work so far, I must say we are on course and that the

first phase of the project will be completed on schedule around June/July this year."

Fashola, who praised the contractors handling the project for their commitment, lamented that some residents and traders had turned the walkway of the light rail into a refuse dump.

He said the blue print of his administration on the environment would not be achieved if the people

refuse to obey environmental laws.

According to him, dumping of refuse indiscriminately around streets and in drain channels does more damage to the environment and it is a precursor of disasters, especially flood. He said a stakeholders meeting would soon be convened to address the environmental issues in order to carry residents along in the drive against

indiscriminate refuse dump.

Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Chairman Comrade Ayodele Adewale told the governor that the porosity of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Mile 2 Estates needed urgent government attention. The governor promised to address the matter soonest.

He however, advised residents to take care of

their immediate surroundings.

Among those who received Fashola were former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Abayomi Kinyomi, Hon. Sultan AdenijiAdele, representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency I, Hon. Ramota AkinolaHassan, representing Amuwo-Odofin Constituency II and Mr Fola Owolabi, General Manager FHA, Southwest.

Govt distributes generating sets to rural communities

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IVE rural communities yesterday got a 3.5 KVA generating set each from the Lagos State Government. The generators which were distributed by the Ministry of Rural Development are meant to power their boreholes.

Distributing the equipment in his office at Alausa in Ikeja, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon Cornelius Ojelabi charged the communities to take care of generators so that they can continue to enjoy uninterrupted water.

He urged Community Development Associations (CDAs) to protect government projects and facilities in their domains from vandalism.

Ojelabi lamented that because of lack of maintenance, government is not getting value for projects handed over to CDAs. He noted that small faults that could be rectified with N1,000 are left unattended to for months and years just because the CDAs are waiting for government.

Earlier, a representative of the Rural Water and San-

•Ojelabi (middle) presenting one of the generators to members of the Idi Cashew, Ijedodo CDA, Alimosho Local Government Area...yesterday. With him from left are; Hunpe and Agoro

By Nneka Nwaneri Staff Reporter

itation Department, Mrs. Sanni Anibire, said the generators were procured for the communities' boreholes to function always.

She said the benefiting communities were chosen because they have been maintaining their water

projects.

The Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of MosanOkunola, Mr. Moshood Ogunrombi, promised that the generators would be maintained. He urged CDA members to always ask their Chairmen for feed-

back from government.

The benefiting communities are: Iragon CDA in Badagry Central, Temu CDA in Ikosi-Ejinrin, Ijedodo CDA in Ojo, OgoOluwa CDA in Ikorodu and Federal Low Cost Housing Estate in Alimosho.

Present at the handing over ceremony were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Mr. Olatunde Agoro, and management Staff of the ministry.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

We want a SONCAP programme that would serve its purpose; a programme that would be dynamic, where all the identified loopholes would be effectively plugged thereby making it difficult for the plague of substandanrd products to continue to dominate the Nigerian business space.

- Dr Joseph Odumodu, DG, SON

RenCap places ‘buy’ on UBA shares

Benue protests closure of Dangote Gboko Plant

By Collins Nweze

R

ENAISSANCE Capital (RenCap) has placed a ‘buy’ rating on United Bank for Africa (UBA) shares after the lender adopted a Holding Company (HoldCo) structure.

In an emailed report, the investment and research firm also forecast a target price of N7.50 kobo per share for the bank’s share.

It explained that post the restructuring, existing UBA shareholders will be holders of four entities namely: UBA Plc, comprising the Nigeria bank, all the 18 African banking subsidiaries; UBA Pension Custodians, UBA FX Mart and UBA Capital Europe.

Other are UBA Capital Plc, comprising UBA Asset Management, UBA Trustees, UBA Metropolitan Insurance, UBA Stockbrokers, UBA Insurance Brokers and UBA Nominees. Also included are African Prudential Registrars Plc and Afriland Properties Plc. RenCap explained that for every 33 shares held in UBA Plc, eligible shareholders will receive four shares in UBA Capital Plc and one in Africa Prudential Registrars Plc. These are expected to list on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) tomorrow. Additionally, shareholders will receive one share in Afriland Properties, which is planned to be listed some time in the future.

It said the capital implications are largely neutral and that out of the N170 billion of capital in UBA in fiscal year 2011, N3.31 billion will be redistributed to UBA Capital and N2.5 billion to Afriland Properties Plc.

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 -11.7% 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 $43.5b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

T

• From left:: General Manager Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Femi Oke -Osanyintolu; Brand Manager, Sterling Bank Plc., Mrs.Olapeju Ibekwe; a beneficiary, Mrs. Nimota Aliu; and Relationship Manager Sterling Bank Ota Branch, Mrs. Olukoya Amina, during the Bank’s presentation of relief materials to flood victims in Lagos... weekend

Nigeria gets more voice in World Bank

N

IGERIA’s holding in the World Bank has been raised, paving the way for more voting powers in the affairs of the Brelton woods institution, it was learnt yesterday.

This is coming under the Bank’s “voice reform programme” following complaints about marginalisation of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa by the World Bank.

Minister of State Finance, Yerima Ngama disclosed this to State House Correspondents at the end of the first Federal Executive Council meeting in 2013 presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Minister said Nigeria’s holding in the World Bank had been increased by 119 shares.

He said the development, which is seen as recognition of the progress made in the economy, is expected to increase the country’s voice in the affairs of the bank.

This, the minister also said, has shot the country

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

into the League of Nations whose opinions have become relevant in major decisions of the bank.

Besides, the minister said that the development is also expected to among other things, raise Nigeria’s foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Ngama, who briefed alongside Information Minister, Labaran Maku and Education Minister Ruqqayattu Rufai said: “This is certificate of good health, which will attract investors into this country, if out of 118 countries, Nigeria is among the best 16.”

Explaining the circumstances that led to the reform in the World Bank, Ngama said there were complains that the World Bank group is dominated by the West, and this led the bank to come up with its voice reform programme by setting up a committee, which selected 180 countries

out of which the final 16 including Nigeria finally emerged as a benefiting nation.

“This selection was based on clear cut criteria; including the strength of economy, rate of growth of the economy; contributions of the country to global economic architecture and based on these criteria, Nigeria was selected amongst the 16 countries that were selected.

“The rate at which we are implementing the transformation agenda, Nigeria will emerge one of the top 20 in develop economies of the world,” he said.

The minister also insisted that the economy is growing, arguing:”The way we measure the growth of the economy is basically two.

One is through the productivity. What we got in Nigeria is in Naira, so to compare with the size of other economy, we have to use the exchange rate and we have two choices: we can use the

market base exchange rate or we can use the PPP exchange rate.”

The Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exchange rate, according to Ngama, gives a better comparison across countries and that is what the World Bank is using.

He also stated that a look at PPP exchange rate shows that Nigeria is far in excess of $450 billion, adding: “If you look at market base exchange rate, we are also far in excess of $260 billion. If you use the PPP by the time we grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and save up to a trillion, we may end up being number 18 or 17 in the world.

“With what is going on, we strongly believe that in the next two to three years the growth will accelerate” While admitting that decay in infrastructure has affected the nation’s growth rates, he however, said the deficit is also being addressed by the Jonathan’s administration.

Power generation to hit 10,000mw in Dec., says govt

N

IGERIA plans to attain a power genera tion capacity of 10,000mega watts (megawatts) before the end of the year, Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi, has said.

She disclosed this yesterday in her presentation to the Presidential Action Committee on Power – a copy of which was made available to journalists in Abuja.

Besides, the minister said that the government has concluded plans to secure a credit facility from the African Development Bank to support power transmission

•Seeks ADB loan From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

but failed to disclose the value of the loan.

She recalled that at the close of last year, there was an average generation capacity of 6442mw, stressing that there was a peak of 4517.6mw on December 23, 2012 and additional 450mw generation capacity was added in the last quarter of 2012.

Part of the plans, according to her, is to scale up rural access to electricity.

The ministry she said will

source funds for the power transmission project outside budgetary provisions, adding that the government would embark on diversification of energy mix to include renewables.

The minster said that her ministry will focus on developing new policy initiatives to address post-privatization challenges.

She also noted that there will be a stimulation of investment in the sector through bilateral relations.

On power distribution, the minister said the 321MVA distribution from substation was added in the fourth quarter of 2012, add-

ing that there were additional meters and a vending station at Apo. In terms of transmission, Kuchi noted that 239kilometers of 330KV transmission line had been completed and now ready for commissioning.

She said 21 kilometers 330/132/33KV capacity was commissioned in the year under review.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Dere Awosika noted: “We are very good in calling for workshop but there is lack of implementation of decision at the meetings.”

HE people and the gov ernment of Benue State have protested the closure of Gboko plant of Dangote Cement, which was temporary shut down as a result of cement glut occasioned by massive importation of the product into the area.

Chairman, Gboko Local Government of Benue State, Mr Nahan Zinda, according to a statement, decried the closure of the Dangote Plant, saying his local government has lost about N15million in weeks.

He said: “Since the company was closed, cement price has gone up. Our people have been jobless and suffering. It may also lead to anti-social behaviours. Our women who are doing petty businesses outside the gate are also complaining bitterly.”

He called on the Federal Government to expedite action by doing all it takes for the factory to be reopened.

Chairman of the Quarry Community, Mr. Donald Tser, also regretted that the closure of the factory has halted all commercial activities in Gboko Local Government.

He said: “We are afraid that our children may resort to anti-social behaviour and this is dangerous for Nigeria. We are calling on the government to hasten the process of reopening the plant.”

Mrs Grace John, who spoke on behalf of women traders in Gboko, said social and commercial activities have virtually come to a halt and life is becoming difficult. She appealed for the quick reopening of the plant in the interest of women traders.

FAAN inaugurates task force on abandoned aircraft

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HE Management of the Federal Airports Author ity of Nigeria (FAAN)has inaugurated a task force on the disposal of abandoned aircraft in all airports across the country.

This task force according to a statement from FAAN, has become necessary because the aircraft constitute a safety hazard on the airside as some of them have been abandoned for about 10 years.

At the inaugural meeting, the task force called on owners of such abandoned aircraft to evacuate them immediately because of the danger they posed. The task force according to the statement, noted that some owners have responded to earlier appeals by the Authority and are already making arrangement to evacuate them.

Several appeals had been made in the past to remove its abandoned aircraft by the Authority, including meetings with the owners and publication of paid notices in various newspapers in the past five years.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

DISCOURSE Continued from yesterday

I

F one was to assess the quality of the Nigerian health system on these criteria, it will be found wanting. A cross sectional study of health systems of UN member countries revealed that significant protective health system determinants related to mortality in infants, children and mothers were improving access to water and sanitation and reducing corruption. Many health systems and facilities in Nigeria will fail the test on these three grounds. Water does not freely flow in several of our facilities and sanitation standards are deplorable while money tends to be given either to shunt the system or in gratification to health workers.

Up to 38% of users at primary health care facilities in Niger State were dissatisfied with the quality of services received.

Many of the patients were not examined and spent a long time to receive services. Health workers need to be conscious of the opportunity costs to patients when accessing services. To postpone surgery on account of lack of theatre gowns, anaesthetic gases or to limit the number of patients to be seen after arrival at the facility is not right. Osibogun has put forward an equation summarising the many parts to the cost of illness.

Cost of illness= cost of treatment + cost of treatment seeking activities+ cost of opportunities forgone + hidden social and personal costs + “cost” of misery and pain.

This should serve as a reminder in providing care in the interest of the public.

Establishing a model primary health care centre In 1996, I had the privilege of coordinating a public private partnership (PPP) that led to the establishment of a model Primary Health Care (PHC) facility in an underserved area (Mafowoku, Shomolu LGA) in Lagos State.

The Partners were the Lagos State Government through the Family Support Programme which built the facility, the host community (Mafowoku) that provided the land for the building, the Local Government (Shomolu) that provided staff and the private company, SmithKline Beecham that equipped the facility. The facility was commissioned by the then Governor of Lagos State, Col. B. Marwa on August 11, 1997. The facility was linked to a bigger PHC facility at the LGA headquarters particularly for deliveries after closing hours (4.00pm). The facility had a drug revolving fund (DRF) which was started with N250,000.00 and within 12 months had increased to N600,000.00. A community-based assessment of the facility showed that the community perceived the services to be of good quality and acceptable and made health services more accessible.

Rational drug use Drugs are often the most visible item in the health care chain and for many patients obtaining a prescription and collecting drugs at the pharmacy represents a major output of the visit to a health facility. The prescribing of a drug represents the culmination of a deliberative process between a physician or health worker and a patient aimed at the prevention, amelioration or elimination of a disease or disorder. This deliberation requires that the health worker understands a broad spectrum of scientific and psychological issues germane to the success of treatment. The drug selection process is determined by the knowledge of the health worker, the severity and duration of the health problem, exogenous factors such as dietary intake and anticipated individual variation.

Rational drug therapy implies that the efficacy and safety of all potentially useful drug classes be reviewed for their relevance to the disease or disorder present and that the most appropriate or optimum drug be chosen. Other important aspects of the drug choice include the dose, timing of administration, route of administration and formulation of the drug. The goal is to improve the patient’s state of health in a safe manner while optimizing the use of drugs. Deviations from this logical process may then result in irrational drug prescribing.

Rational drug use is the prescription of the right drug for the right indication for the right duration in the appropriate dosage form and dosing interval. Empirical evidence abounds that drugs are not used rationally; thus, exposing patients to potential harm. Irrational drug use may manifest in poly pharmacy, over use of injections and the use of antibiotics where not indicated. Examples of irrational drug use include the use of antibiotics for common cold or non-bloody diarrhoea, use of diclofenac where paracetamol will suffice and the use of parenteral therapy where oral medications are indicated. The benefits of rational drug use to the health system include patient satisfaction, efficient use of resources, shorter treatment period, less therapeutic failure and reduction in antibiotic resistance.

Prescribing indicators Both the WHO and International Network for the Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) have developed a set of prescribing indicators to assess rational drug use.

The prescribing indicators include: •Average number of medicines (drugs) prescribed per patient encounter.

•Percentage of patient encounters with an antibiotic prescribed.

•Percentage of patient encounters with an injection prescribed.

•Percentage of medicines prescribed by generic name.

•Percentage of medicines prescribed from essential drug list.

The first three tend to be the more commonly assessed in studies of rational drug use and can provide information on rationality of use of drugs by health workers.

Prescribing practices of health workers In Nigeria Army facilities, the average number of drugs per encounter was 2.8, and antibiotic prescribing was 28%. Another study at outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in southwest Nigeria showed that the average number of drugs was 3.2. In Tanzania, the average number of drugs per encounter was 2.3, antibiotic use was 30.5%, and injection use was 26.6%. In Ghana, the average number of drugs was 4.8, antibiotic use was 60% and injection use was 80%.

Odusanya and Oyediran in their study of drug use at primary health care centres in Lagos Nigeria reported an average drug use of 7.27 and 4.99 in Mushin and Ikeja LGAs respectively. The antibiotic use rates were 48.3% in Mushin and 39.7% in Ikeja

Health in the public interest Text of the Inaugural Lecture delivered by the Provost, College of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Prof Olumuyiwa Odusanya, at the college.

•Prof Odusanya

LGAs. Injection use rates were 77.4% and 48% respectively. In Mushin LGA 18% of patients were judged to have been managed properly compared to 33% in Ikeja LGA. A second paper analyzing antibiotic use in the same area reported that over 50% of prescribed antibiotics were in injectable forms, written for a variety of conditions for which they were not indicated.

A third study of drug use indicators at a secondary health care facility reported an average number of drugs of 3.5; antibiotic use rate of 55% and injection use rate of 14%.

In another study, I investigated the role of adjunct therapies in the rational treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Lagos and found that these adjunct therapies constituted about 50% of the prescribed drugs; mainly multivitamins, antihistamines and antibiotics. The average number of drugs was 4.0, antibiotic use was 25%, and injection use was 27.4%. A positively significant relationship was found between the numbers of complaints given by patients and the number of drugs prescribed by the physician (r =0.2, p<0.001) indicating symptomatic treatment. Perhaps, if you want more drugs, give many complaints to the doctor.

A study of antibiotic prescribing at a secondary health facility showed that patients received an average of 1.6 antibiotics per visit, 40% received two or three antibiotics; up to 40% of the antibiotics were not indicated and antibiotic sensitivity tests were done in only 6% of cases. We conducted a study of antibiotics susceptibility at a general hospital and reported that many of the organisms were resistant to the older generation of antibiotics but sensitive to the newer generation.

The susceptibility pattern mirrored the pattern at tertiary hospitals indicating similar prescribing pattern and high antibiotic prescribing pressure.53 It would appear that health workers have a challenge with selecting the right drugs or using drugs rationally. What factors are responsible for irrational prescribing practices and how can they be improved?

Factors influencing prescribing practices of health workers Many factors are known to influence prescribing practices.

These factors act in an interwoven manner. They include the knowledge, training and skills of health workers, demand for drugs by patients, availability of diagnostic facilities and the work environment.

In Lagos, we found that inadequate knowledge of primary health care workers factors along with absence of treatment guidelines, and training on rational drug use were important factors militating against rational drug use. Furthermore, inadequate skills in history taking may be another factor as a survey in Lagos revealed that doctors often left out many important areas in the history taking process. History taking is a painstaking process and is often the first step in making a right diagnosis and rational drug use. In Italy, factors found to influence inappropriate antibiotic use included diagnostic uncertainty, perceived parental expectation (or patient pressure), for injections and inadequate parental knowledge.

Another study showed that general practitioners prescribed more new drugs and for a wider range of conditions. Company representatives were an important source of information for general practitioners whereas consultants usually prescribed new drugs within their specialty, used fewer new drugs and used scientific evidence to inform their decisions. Other factors influencing prescribing practices include practice sustainability and financial considerations, Influence from medical representatives, inadequate knowledge and laxity in regulations of prescribing and dispensing antibiotics. In South Korea, factors found to influence over prescribing of injections included treating younger populations, living in urban areas, the number of hospital beds and the competitive medical environment.

Improving prescribing practices of health workers Prescribing practices can be improved through regulatory, managerial and educational approaches. A Cochrane collaboration systematic review of interventions to improve antibiotic prescribing concluded that multi faceted interventions combining physician, patient and public education in a variety of venues and formats were the most

successful in reducing antibiotic prescribing for inappropriate indications.

Randomized trials of educational interventions have been shown to improve prescribing practices. A randomized controlled trial of training in South Africa revealed an improvement in the prescribing practices of nurses one month and three months post training. The nurses retained the knowledge gained and were able to apply their knowledge not only to the indicator condition but to other common illnesses.

Using a similar approach, Odusanya and Oyediran were able to achieve a 30% increase in the proportion of health workers with improved knowledge in the experimental group two weeks post training and 25% three months post training (P<0.005) while the control group had further decline in their knowledge. The training was found to significantly decrease the average number of drugs per patient and improve the proportion of patients managed in accordance with treatment guidelines. A randomized trial of multi-component interventions including educational outreach visits to discuss clinical practice guidelines, audit and feedback on current adherence to guidelines and computerized reminders to doctors during patient consultations led to a significant improvement in the prescribing of antihypertensive drugs.

In Australia, a computerized decision support system was associated with an early improvement in antibiotic prescribing practice more than the changes seen with academic detailing alone.65 In Kenya, a study reported that in-service training led to an increase in the proportion of children with fevers with uncomplicated malaria treated with artesunate-lumefantrine but the improvement was not significant.

In Tanzania, the availability of malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and official policy led to a more rational use of anti-malaria drugs, and a decline in the proportion of parasite-negative individuals who received anti-malaria drugs.67 Although in Nigeria, health workers continued to prescribe anti-malaria drugs to patients who had RDTnegative results suggesting that availability of test kits may not be enough to improve prescribing practices.

Vice Chancellor Sir, the challenge to training health workers on improving prescribing practices is to develop out an appropriate model. I suggest a continuous training on the job perhaps on a quarterly basis coupled with academic detailing. For lower cadre of health workers, a more user friendly “Standing Orders” (physician written guidelines) perhaps in an electronic form that may be available on smart phones may help.

Contributions to medical education Medical education is a growing field with experts from different medical specialties contributing to it. At the inception of the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Odusanya, Alakija and Akesode studied the career aspirations of the pioneer medical students and found that up to 67% even at that early stage of the course desired to specialize. Obstetrics and Gynaecology was the most frequently mentioned field. Altruistic reasons were given for the choice and no socio-demographic characteristics of the students had a significant influence on the desire to specialize.

Another study by Odusanya and Nwawolo on the career aspirations of house officers in Lagos showed that up to 97% of them desired to specialize while they were undergraduates. Surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology were attractive to these young doctors to the detriment of other specialties. Financial consideration was a key determinant of the place of future practice.70 Training on good clinical practice (GCP) is a necessary foundation for clinical trials.

Odusanya found that up to one third of doctors attending a research methodology course in Lagos did not have adequate knowledge on the subject. I have taught the subject at research methodology workshops of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria for over ten years.

Contributions to occupational safety of medical students and health workers Health workers in the course of their work are exposed to potentially infections body fluids. The common pathogens include HIV, HB, hepatitis C, and Lassa fever. A common method of transmission is percutaneous needle stick injury. These infections can be minimized if health workers adhere to standard precautions (infection control guidelines) which include among others avoiding recapping of needles, hand washing, hepatitis B vaccination, wearing of gloves and reporting of needle stick injuries to hospital management.

Odusanya in a study among health workers at an emergency medical service in Lagos reported that only 40% of staff wore gloves for all listed procedures, 88% practised recapping of needle, 14% had sustained needle stick injuries and none (0%) had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. The rate of needle stick injury found in our Lagos study is lower than the 58% reported among nurses in Benin City and 63% among surgical residents in Enugu.

Among our medical students at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, the prevalence of needle stick injury was 28.8% within six months preceding the study. It should be pointed out and as early as the first year a sizable number of medical students had sustained needle stick/scalpel while hepatitis B vaccination was low (2.6%). A serologic investigation of HB status among these medical students revealed that 26% were positive for anti-HBC, 3.2% were positive for HB S Ag while 72% were susceptible to HB infection and required vaccination.

May I suggest Vice Chancellor Sir, that we routinely screen our medical students for hepatitis B, vaccinate those who are susceptible and treat those who are carriers. This measure will be needed for another 10 years by which time the cohort of Nigerian children who received HB vaccine in infancy will be entering the medical school.

• To be continued

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

INDUSTRY With local manufacturers’ massive investments in cement, Group Business Editor, AYODELE AMINU, who recently toured Dangote’s plants in Gboko (Benue) and Obajana (Kogi State), writes on the need for the Federal Government to protect investors.

Need to protect local cement manufacturers I

F information available from the two biggest cement manufacturers ( Dangote Cement PLC and Lafarge WAPCO Cement Nigeria Plc) in the country are anything to go by, the cement sector closed 2012 with huge inventory of unsold cement and clinker amounting to 1.47 million tons of unsold stock.

Dangote put its unsold stock at 950,000 tons while Lafarge had 520,000 tons.

Conducting the editors round the Gboko and Obajana plants, which had tons of unsold cement, Joseph Makoju, Special Adviser to the Dangote Group President, said the 18.5 million tons of cement production target reached by local producers was at risk, unless the Federal Government imposes high tariff on imported cement.

He said the 18.5 million tons represents just 65 per cent of the present total installed capacity of the industry. “Between 2002 and May 2012, a total of $6 billion in new investment was made by local manufacturers, while the on-going expansion and new plants are estimated to cost another $3.5 billion. Due to continuous rapid growth, the nation no longer requires cement imports, as local demand is being effectively met and even surpassed,” he explained.

Makoju, who is also president of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN), said the group had to adopt cost-saving measures to remain in business.

“One of such measures was to close the plant and lay-off the workers. We don’t know when they will return but we hope to re-open as soon as the environment is good for us to do so”, Makoju said.

“You can all see that this plant was not shut down for turn-around-maintenance as is being alleged in some quarters”, he added.

He said Nigerians were not feeling the impact of the reduction in price of cement as expected because of high cost of haulage and energy.

He said the Federal Government should impose the maximum tariffs and levies on imported cement to discourage imports.

Makoju said this is one major way the government can encourage and protect local producers and save the country millions of naira in foreign exchange that would have been used to create jobs in other countries.

Few workers were seen working on the expansion project of the plant.

Makoju said local investors are unhappy because they want protection for the huge investments they have made in the sector.

He said: “Instead of grinding and selling, we are now stocking and this has forced members to shut some of their production units because revenue is no longer coming in. Importation of cement has been at the detriment of local economy. In fact, cement importation has been very attractive because it comes with paltry duty of 20 per cent and levy of 15 per cent and clinker at 10 per cent, a development that makes the landing cost of imported cement to be very cheap with a bag going as low as $35 per ton.

“Local manufacturers are faced with many challenges, such as bad roads, haulage, energy cost. Energy cost alone accounts for over 35 per

cent of production cost compared with less than 10 per cent in China.“ Consequently, about 890 permanent and casual workers of the Dangote Cement plant, Gboko, Benue State, which produces four million metric tons per annum, were temporary laid-off early December as the plant remains closed, following poor sales caused by dumping of imported cement in the country.

Besides Dangote Cement, the management of Lafarge Cement WAPCO Plc has significantly reduced its production capacity to make stay competitive in the industry.

Plant Manager, Lafarge’s Ewekoro (two) cement plant, Mr Lanre Opakunle, noted that at present, 50 per cent of Lafarge’s Shagamu plant was already shut down and the factory was currently running at 50 percent less than what it normally does.

Opakunle also noted that the company’s Ewekoro plant (one) had cut down production by 40 per cent in response to the distress in the market.

He disclosed that at the moment, the various Lafarge factories have excess cement and clicker inventory at their plants, which cannot be absorbed by the Nigerian market because it is already over supplied.

Opakunle, who advised that the Federal Government should do all within its power to ensure that local investors who have committed huge funds into actual cement manufacturing do not run into crisis, warned that using imported products to replace locally made ones portends various socio-economic problems including declining capacity utilisation, increased unemployment and paucity foreign investment.

As for the Ewekoro (two) plant, which Opakunle operates, he said they had since began to run the plant on skeletal schedule to prevent the total shut down of any part of the plant.

Conducting journalists around the Ewekoro (two) plant, which was littered with various heaps of clinker and bulk cement that are spill over from the overflowing clinker and cement silos in the facility, Opakunle said the factory was already running out of space where excess clinker can be deposited.

“We do not have space in our strategic storage facility for more than 20,000 tonnes of clinker, which is only the output of four days production and if things still do not change in the market the factory may be force to either scale down its production or shut down its production lines.

“All you need to do is to look at our 80,000 tonnes per hour cement parking facility from where trailers load cement and take to the market, you can see that the 10 units each of 80,000 tonnes per hour parkers are totally deserted. It is about 2.00 pm now and only 180 tonnes of cement have been loaded off, normally by

•Huge tonnes of clinker.

•Dangote

this time not less than 1,400 tonnes would have been loaded off,” he lamented.

Opakunle also showed journalists bulk cement haulage trucks that had since been laden with cement in anticipation that prospective buyers would come along and order them, but are still in the Lafarge plant’s trailer park because the buyers are just not coming along to ask for cement.

Earlier, in a statement, the management of Dangote had alleged that a local cement importer had dumped a sizeable quantity of cheap imported cement into the country, causing poor sales by local cement manufacturers.

Its Group Head, Corporate Communication, Anthony Chiejina had confirmed the close of its four million metric tons per annum’s Gboko Plant, as a result of glut in the cement market.

He said the move was necessitated by the glut in the market arising from the success presently being recorded with the exponential increase in local production of cement and further compounded by continued importation of subsidized cement into the country.

However, in a statement on December 28, 2012, Ibeto Group, the only firm approved by the Federal Government to import cement, said it imports only 1.5 million metric tons of cement per annum into the country.

The statement endorsed by the

‘

Group Executive Director of Strategy and Public Affairs, Ben Aghazu, published in some national dailies said there was no way the volume of cement imported by the group could induce a glut in the market.

Speaking on the development, a renowned financial expert, Bismark Rewane, who is the Chief Executive of Financial Derivatives, expressed worry that government was yet to stop importation of cement despite the increased local production.

He expressed concern over the situation in cement industry and urged for a concerted efforts to save the local manufacturers.

Meanwhile, just last Monday, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Trade and Investment called on Dangote Cement Plc and Ibeto Cement Company Limited to sheathe their swords over the control of cement in the country.

It also unfolded plans to review the Backward Integration Policy (BIP) in the sector, in order to consolidate on the success recorded so far.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who advised the parties during a meeting with the two firms and other stakeholders in the cement industry, said: “A new cement policy would be unveiled soon.”

On the contentious issues between Dangote and Ibeto, it was gathered that Aganga secured the agreement of both parties to cease all hostilities against each other and work with government to move the industry forward instead.

In attendance at the meeting were the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Joseph Hudson; Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu; Group Managing Director, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Chief Emmanuel Ukpabi; Chairman, Ibeto Group, Chief Cletus Ibeto; and Group Representative, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Isa Tata Yusuf.

Also, in a statement on the meeting issued by the minister’s Special Adviser, Media, Mrs. Yemi Kolapo, the minister said it was the intention of his ministry to review the BIP so as to consolidate on the gains in

The move was necessitated by the glut in the market arising from the success being recorded with the exponential increase in local production of cement and further compounded by continued importation of subsidised cement into the country

’

the industry.

“We have achieved everything we set for ourselves 10 years ago when the BIP was introduced and we want to thank all stakeholders and investors in the sector for the success story recorded so far.

“However, we want to take the next step as part of our strategy on the way forward. We are forming a group of people that will look at the cement policy in detail and come up with a policy response that we need to have in place to take that next step that will make us a major exporter and user of cement in terms of consumption,” the statement said.

He noted that in 2002, the major priority of the country’s backward integration policy was about cement production from limestone, but expressed delight that 10 years after the implementation of the policy, “the good news is that we started with two million tonnes capacity but today we have about 28 million tonnes capacity of cement from investment of about $6 billion.

“This provides direct and indirect employment for about 2 million people. And because of what we have done together, we have been able to save the country foreign exchange of about N210 billion per year.

“For the first time ever, this ministry did not issue any import licence in 2012. This is a remarkable achievement and a major economic success for our country.”

Aganga, however, said his ministry intends to carry out a review of the cement sector to ensure that it is more competitive not just locally but internationally because it is at a point where the country should be thinking about exporting cement.

“This means that we need to look at the overall structure including the current pricing, availability, affordability, in addition to developing an export strategy for the sector,” he said.

Also speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Hudson commended the Federal Government for keeping faith with the implementation of the BIP in the cement industry and pledged that cement manufacturers would partner the government to grow the sector.

Lafarge, in a statement, further added that it remained active in operation in the country and has no intention of shutting down its plants.

The multi-million question on the lips of followers of events in the industry is that would the steps being taken by the Federal Government to resolve the hostilities between the warring parties end the cement feud, which has been on for decades?

18

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

INDUSTRY

BoI, states’ matching funds now N8b T

HE Bank of Industry’s (BoI’s) matching funds with states grew from some N3billion to N8billion last year, it has been learnt.

The growth followed an increase in the number of partnering states from nine to 16 between 2011 and last year.

The bank loans and advances rose from N42 billion in 2010 to N74billion last year.

Stories by Toba Agboola

Gross income increased from N12billion in 2010 to N17billion.

In a document obtained by The Nation, the bank said it recorded a profit before tax of N1.087 billion in 2011/2012.

Based on this performance, N63.7 million was approved for payment as dividends to its shareholders.

The bank said in line with

its mandate of transforming the economy and integrating it into the global system, which is also in sync with the government’s Transformation Agenda, the bank’s operation would continue to be aligned with efforts at accomplishing Nigeria’s development aspiration, the Vision 20: 2020 and the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).

Also, BoI’s Managing Director, BoI, Ms Evelyn Oputu, said

efforts would geared towards achieving sustainable economic growth in a ccordance with the underlying philosophy elements of the bank’s paradigm shift that was launched seven years ago.

“BoI will continue to accord priority to the promotion of projects that have very multiplier effects and potentials for developmental impact such as employment generation and wealth creation es-

pecially those that are agrobased.

“It will consolidate on the achievements of the last six years and continue to support and finance Micro, Small and Medium Entreprises (MSMEs) as well as large enterprises around which MSMEs could be linked.

“Another key strategy of the bank is the adoption of the collegiate approach to development based on the value-chain principle to project entrepreneurs,” she said.

Oputu also said the bank would sustain its collaboration programmes with its domestic and foreign partners in the public and private sectors and also pay attention to the Federal Government’s priority sector.

She said the bank would continue to work with other development finance institutions and development promotion agencies to achieve synergy and

higher efficiency. On banks increasing investment, she said the bank consolidated its niche as a national development finance institution with specialised development schemes and funds to boost credit delivery to entrepreneurs in the rural areas through the MSMEs’development fund schemes with state governments.

Oputu said the bank has developed a new model to enhance MSMEs’access to finance to aid their start-up and productivity.

According to her, the bank has clustered the SMEs in a form of industrial pack to enable them to negotiate better funding and access to raw materials, rather than working through the grid.

She explained that many SMEs have not been able to overcome certain challenges due to their inability to collectively bargain and negotiate for basic infrastructure and adequate financing for the businesses.

SMEs to get new electricity tariff

S

•Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun (centre), with some beneficiaries of the “Uplifting the People/CocaCola Iconic Kiosks” in Abeokuta…yesterday.

Poor quality rice in circulation, say dealers

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OME brands of rice in the market are of poor quality and harmful to health, the Rice Millers, Processors and Dealers Association of Nigeria (RIMDAN) has warned.

Briefing reporters, RIMDAN Vice-Chairman, Mr Tunji Owoeye, urged the government to address smuggling through land borders to stem the influx of such rice.

According to him, this is because smuggling will affect the local production of rice.

He said: “If you follow the trend in the industry in the last six months, the government has increased duties to discourage importation in order to boost local production.

“We support the government’s initiative, but as we increase levies and taxes, it gives the smugglers more room to operate, especially through the corridors of the Republic of Benin.”

He said the economy of the neighbouring country was

solely dependent on Nigeria’s.

According to him, the only way to tackle smuggling is through sincerity and willingness of the government to police the borders, adding that this could be achieved with stakeholders, such as the rice processors and importers giving relevant information about the porous routes and tackle the problem headlong.

Owoeye said: “I am sure that with the collaborative efforts of the agencies of the government and stakeholders in the rice industry in Nigeria, we can reduce smuggling. I am not sure we can stop it completely, but we can reduce it to the barest minimum such that it will not negatively impact on local investments or the government revenue.

“I am sure that with time, smugglers will know that Nigeria is not a country to toy with in this respect.”

He, however, commended men of the Nigeria Customs

Service for tackling smuggling in the last two months.

“They have made significant seizures of smuggled rice into the country in the last two months. They always pledge to assist us by policing our borders to stop the smuggling of rice,” he said.

He said smuggling hinders the development of rice production in the country, adding the key to the right development plan of the government is self-sufficiency.

“If we do not address smuggling, investors in the rice industry will not get returns on their investments and we would not get any rice development in the country. In the last two years, there have been serious positive impact on consistent cultivation and production of rice because of the ban on importation of rice through the land borders,” he said.

He said local manufacturers have acquired latest state-of-theart machines for rice production.

“I believe that as time goes by, we can only improve on our quality of the kind of rice we produce in Nigeria than what we have been doing in the past and in no distant future. We should be able to compete with the other countries like Thailand, Pakistan and the rest.

“We have to fix the border to stop the influx of poor quality rice, the agency responsible for ascertaining the quality of rice, must carry out their operations vigorously in the land borders and unapproved routes,” he said.

He said the country consumes over five million metric tonnes of rice yearly; this is less than 50 per cent of what is produced locally. He urged his colleagues to focus on packaging, improving quality and cleaning. ”If we can fix all of these, I see no reason imported products should be patronised anymore in this country,” he said.

MAN, others warn against EU, ECOWAS trade pact

T

HEManufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has criticised the proposed European Union (EU)-Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS’) Partnership Agreement, describing it as untimely and a disincentive to manufacturing.

According to a communique signed by MAN’s VicePresident, Chief Gbade Giwa, the poor state of infrastructure and other problems in manufacturing in Nigeria, and, indeed, in the West African sub-region, have not prepared Nigeria for the signing of such an agreement.

The association called on the Federal Government to stop

negotiations on the agreement until all grey areas were addressed.

Giwa said the deal is aimed at removing barriers to free entry of goods into partners’ economies.

He said West Africa is facing greater challenges more than ever before because of its slow start and inadequate responses to the global space.

In comparison to the developed and newly industrialised economies, he said the economic performance of the country and ECOWAS remained too low for positive impact on the socio-economic conditions of the people.

“In particular, the industrial

sector, which is considered the engine of growth in all economies is insignificant by global standards. Africa as a continent continues to be marginalised in global manufacturing trade.

“The share of the region (subSahara) in global manufacturing value rose marginally from 0.6 per cent in 2005 to 0.7 per cent in 2009. In contrast, in East Asia and Pacific, it rose from 14.8 per cent to 20.0 per cent over the same period.

“The manufacturing sector’s share of global value added was estimated at about 0.1 per cent in the 2002-2003,” he added.

According to UNIDO, in 2011, 70 per cent of the West

African population is into peasant agriculture, compared to three per cent in the industrialised economies.

It said: “It is very important that we continue to initiate measures to build bridges of development, investment and trade cooperation outside our national borders, region and continent in a manner that acknowledges our respective national and regional development plans and socioeconomic aspirations.”

MAN, however, added that in pursuing this initiative, caution should be adopted so as not to destroy national economies and the region’s shared vision concerning regional integration.

MALL and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will from next month enjoy a new electricity tariff, the Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, has said.

He also confirmed that the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, would be part of the negotiations for the new tariff.

He said: “We have obtained evidence for the review and we are on it. I want Nigerians to know that these regulations are based on rules. Adjustment of tariff can be done in two days, but regulation takes time.

“The Minister of Trade and Investment has called to be part of the process of negotiating the new fixed charges.

We are going to hold public consultation on this. It is something we are paying attention to. The process will be concluded in one or two months.”

The Multi-Year Tariff Order II billing system (MYTO), which took effect from June 1, 2012, came with different fixed rates for customers.

Mr Amadi said many SMEs have been complaining.“While some SMEs complained that they were being treated as industrial consumers, others said the fixed cost should be floating along the quantum of electricity they consumed on monthly basis,” he added.

He said following these complaints, only fixed charges on SMEs were being reviewed to enable the operators to continue their businesses.

He said the review of the MYTO showed that there was no sufficient reason to review the tariffs.

According to him, factors that are considered in the minor review which are permitted in the MYTO II model are the exchange rate, inflation rate, cost of gas, and capacity of the industry.

While the first three were relatively stable as projected when MYTO was formulated, the actual power produced within the first six months of operating the new rates was higher than the projected capacity.

While 3,500 megawatts of electricity had been estimated, the actual quantity produced at the time of the review was 4,200MW. However, Amadi said this did not warrant a review of the tariffs.

In a related event, the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) has said much still needed to be done in the new year to better the lots of its members.

The Executive Secretary of the association, Mr Eke Ubiji, who spoke on what the government needs to do to enhance the fortunes of the SMEs in the new year, said, though the government could not be said to have neglected the sub-sector, last year, a lot of things were not addressed.

He said the government still needed to address infrastructure challenges to make the country conducive for business.

He pointed out that though the power supply experienced some marginal improvement at some period last year, but was down again immediately the minister left office abruptly.

To empower the SMEs, he said access to credit and at a reasonable interest rate is very essential.

Consequently, Ubiji implored the government to look into this area and accelerate action on the measures that the government had put in place so far to address this issue.

His words: “For example, last year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) created a N132 billion fund to focus on women empowerment through women organisations and others. That should be actualise this year.

“Though some states government introduced programmes that have assisted the development of SMEs, what they have done, though commendable, are not enough. They, together with the states that have not done anything at all to empower the SMEs need to do something this year to harness the potentials of the SMEs as the engine-room of economic growth.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Justice for India’s rape victims

Holiday-loving Okorocha •It is becoming a scandal

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MO State civil servants resumed work on Monday, after a two-week holiday declared by the state government, supposedly to enable them celebrate the Christmas and New Year. It was such a big relief that the governor, Rochas Okorocha, did not extend the holidays, as it is becoming increasingly difficult to second-guess him when the issue is declaration of holidays.

The governor announced the holiday at Owerri City School, Owerri, when he addressed the civil servants in December last year. The holiday started December 21, 2012, and ended January 7. The governor also gave them N10,000 each as end-of-year bonus.

Governor Okorocha used the occasion to review his government’s activities in the 19 months that he has been in office, which is quite in order. But this should be with a view to looking at what he has done right as well as improving on his shortcomings. The governor apparently was satisfied with his performance, and, like the lizard that fell from a wall but which no one appreciated, felt the civil servants, as partners in whatever progress his government has made, deserved the rest to get them refreshed for the tasks in the new year. But this is not the general view in the state.

This two-week holiday is about the latest in Governor Okorocha’s scandals of indulgence. There is no immediate record that any such holiday has been granted anywhere, even as its desirability would remain a topic for discussion for a long time to come.Indeed, the rate at which the governor is declaring public holidays

gives the impression that Imo State has conquered its environment, a thing many people in the state would readily contest.

Just last October, Governor Okorocha literally shut down the state for three days, to celebrate his birthday as well as the 10th anniversary of the Rochas Foundation and the graduation of over 1,000 pupils of the Rochas Foundation College, his personal initiative. It would not come as a surprise if the state is grounded just to enable people attend the governor’s naming ceremony whenever his wife gives birth.

It is a bundle of disappointment for Imo State people that a governor they elected on a groundswell of goodwill and great expectations is the very one trivialising the serious business of governance. The way things are, the governor does not even seem perturbed about public perception of his administration or style. If he did, he would not have given the civil servants the long break, considering the criticisms that trailed the earlier extraordinary holidays that he awarded workers in the state in the past.

Imo State is a place where workers should ‘sleep zero night’ and work, if possible, for more than 24 hours in a day, considering its level of development and dearth of infrastructural facilities. Now, the governor is threatening contractors who disappear after getting mobilisation fees that it would not be business as usual this year. He also announced his intention to focus on industrial development and ensure the completion of some landmark projects. We wonder how these will be achieved given his penchant for holi-

days, flamboyance and pleasure.

Obviously Governor Okorocha did not consider the economic costs of these unusual holidays to the state. His government is boasting that it already has three months’ workers’ salaries (December 2012 – February 2013) in its kitty; but, that cannot be the only reason for the existence of government. The governor must face the business of governance more responsibly. As a matter of fact, he does not need to threaten contractors; the moment they see he is giving the desired leadership, they automatically fall into line. Imo State needs all the seriousness that can be mustered in the sober business of governance. Governor Okorocha should make a new year resolution to settle down to this serious business.

‘It is a bundle of disappointment for Imo State people that a governor they elected on a groundswell of goodwill and great expectations is the very one trivialising the serious business of governance. The way things are, the governor does not even seem perturbed about public perception of his administration or style. If he did, he would not have given the civil servants the long break, considering the criticisms that trailed the earlier extraordinary holidays that he awarded workers in the state in the past’

The US example •The prevention of the fiscal cliff threat was victory over partisan wrangles

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HE last-minute compromise between the Barak Obama presidency and Congress to avert what is popularly known as the ‘fiscal cliff’ showcases, once again, the delicate balance and complexity that nurtures the beauty of American democracy. If the deal had not been reached at the nick of time before January 1, the fiscal cliff would have automatically triggered tax increases of about $536 billion and spending cuts of about $109 billion from domestic and military programmes.

Economic experts believe this would most probably have sent the US economy back into recession, with negative implications not only for the US economy but also the fragile global economy. President Obama’s emphatic re-election victory without doubt enhanced his negotiating strength. For, this was an affirmation of

‘This scenario thus made it imperative for both sides to give up hard-line positions and reach a common ground in the national interest. The delicate balance of interests in the American polity reflects both the sophistication of the electorate and deliberate safeguards in the system to prevent an unhealthy monopoly of power by any single tendency or party’

popular confidence in his leadership.

Yet, despite his presidential veto and his personal appeal to a majority of the electorate, Obama still has to contend with a House of Representatives controlled by the Republicans who also enjoy a blocking majority in the Democrats–controlled Senate.

This scenario thus made it imperative for both sides to give up hard-line positions and reach a common ground in the national interest. The delicate balance of interests in the American polity reflects both the sophistication of the electorate and deliberate safeguards in the system to prevent an unhealthy monopoly of power by any single tendency or party.

Ever since President George W. Bush pushed through massive tax cuts worth $1.7 billion in 2001, which were to expire in 2011, there has been the need for continuous compromise on the part of key stakeholders in the American governmental process to ensure the healthy management of the country’s public finances. Thus, in 2010, a deal was reached to extend the Bush-era tax cuts by two years, while the Republicans agreed to a general payroll tax cut for citizens. And in 2011, President Obama once again reached a compromise with the Republican-controlled congress to extend the debt ceiling – the US government’s borrowing levels – to December 31, 2012, when the Bush tax cuts expired.

From his initial insistence that taxes must rise on all those earning above $250,000, President Obama agreed, in the spirit of compromise, to raise the threshold to $400,000. In the same vein,

the Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, a Republican, wanted the Bush tax cuts to expire only for those earning above $1 million.

However, this position did not enjoy the support of even militant members of his party who were mindful of the dangers of going over the fiscal cliff. Other elements of the fiscal cliff deal include increase in taxes for families earning more than $450,000 and individuals above $400,000 a year. However, all other categories will continue to pay the same tax rate with the bottom line being 10 per cent for those earning below $9,000.

While Obama conceded employee pay roll taxes rising back to 6.2 per cent from 4.2 per cent, with the elimination of his 2010 two percent point cut to this category of taxes, the Republicans agreed to a one-year extension for unemployment benefits affecting two million people at a cost of $30 billion. The extension, for five years, of 2009 tax cuts, including child credit and credit for attending university, was also agreed upon. Similarly, inheritance taxes have increased from 35 per cent to 40 per cent after the first $5 million for an individual and $10 million for a couple. And without the deal, rises in capital gains taxes affecting investment income would have been 39.6 per cent rather than the 20 per cent agreed upon.

Of course, there are lessons in all these for Nigeria. Firstly, politics is serious business. Secondly, the budgetary process is critical to the success of any economy. Thirdly, the public good must supersede partisan considerations.

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NFLUENCED by extraordinary street protests, Indian authorities have moved swiftly to try the men accused of gangraping a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in New Delhi. Clearly, justice must be served, but there are disturbing aspects to the way the case is being handled.

The victim died last month, two weeks after the brutal attack in which she was beaten, assaulted with an iron rod on a moving bus and then thrown bleeding onto the street. She had taken the bus after seeing a movie with a male friend, who was also beaten. Thousands of Indians have demonstrated and called for justice.

The case has brought to light India’s growing problem with violence against women. It has underscored serious weaknesses in the judicial system, which encourages women not to bring charges against rapists and rarely brings to justice those who are accused. Incompetent police are also part of the problem. The victim’s male companion said later that police were slow to respond and then wasted more time wrangling over who had jurisdiction over the crime.

Stunned by the popular response, authorities set up a fast-track process to hear the case. But while efforts to try the case expeditiously are to be commended, some legal experts are understandably concerned that a rush to judgment could mean that any verdicts will be overturned on appeal. The government should not be so eager to appease popular rage that it takes imprudent shortcuts.

Also disturbing is the fact that most lawyers have refused to represent the defendants. Their outrage at the reprehensible attack is understandable, but for the sake of all Indians, and for the country’s judicial system, there needs to be a fair trial, which requires that the accused have counsel so they can prepare a defense. Two lawyers have agreed to represent three of the five accused men. A sixth defendant, a teenager, is to be tried separately in juvenile court.

The judge overseeing the trial has contributed to the sense of unease about the fairness of the proceedings. On Monday, he closed the trial to reporters and invoked a law that makes it “unlawful for any person to print or publish any matter in relation to any such proceedings, except with the previous permission of the court.”

Transparency is needed to give Indians confidence that the judiciary is serving the common good and delivering credible justice.

India allowed journalists to cover the trial of those accused of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks and should do so in this case as well.

The New Delhi attack has focused muchneeded attention on India’s sexual assault laws, which are now being reviewed by a special panel of judges. Its report, expected in January, and New Delhi’s reaction to it (some proposed new laws have already been introduced in Parliament) will reveal a lot about whether the government is serious about doing more to protect women. This case is too important to allow it to be tarnished by cutting legal corners.

New York Times 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

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: There are only a handful of men like Olusegun Aremu Okikiolu Obasanjo scattered around the globe. At a first glance, these are men that can easily be dismissed by the average Joe, especially when by reputation, their antics border on the comical and the absurd but wise men that learn from the tides of life are more hesitant in appraising such persons.

Channels Television recently showed footages of Obasanjo and a handful of his PDP cohorts praying to God on the behalf of Lagos State in Abeokuta, Ogun State. What originally was defined as a goodwill visit by Lagos State PDP stalwarts to rejoice with the patriarch concerning a fire incident in his abode was turned into an intercessory church session. This band of “emergency” prayer contractors from the upper echelon of the po-

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Between Fashola and Prophet Obasanjo litical class petitioned the Almighty God to deliver Lagos State from the evil clutches of the ACN. Without a shred of doubt, “Saul was evidently numbered among the prophets” on that day as the motley crew of politrick-cians bombarded the heavens for a miracle.

Given the sterling performance of the incumbent governor of Lagos State compared to others in the country, it seemed like an absurd prayer.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, the political scion of his mercurial predeces-

sor, outperformed the rest to establish Lagos as the flagship state and pacesetter in performance.

The natural temptation to dismiss OBJ and his band of politrickal prophets as unserious would have been justified but the thought was arrested in a flash. Nigerian history has demonstrated that OBJ is not a man to be dismissed lightly, for some reasons known only to God, this unpretentious man rose from a background of deep poverty to straddle the throne in Africa’s most

populous nation twice! We must not forget that this is the same man who cried out to God in desperation when he was remanded on death row in the paranoid years of the Abacha regime. Many do not remember that the prison walls that held him came down for some reason, but he refused to make an escape! Just when everybody thought that the bumpkin’s story was over, the heavens moved and Okikiolu was taken from the prison to the palace. The prisoner became the

Oyo NURTW: Good riddance to the menace of Tokyo IR: Every reasonable observer of politics in Oyo State knew that the former chairman of the state’s chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, a.k.a. Tokyo, was not going to go away quietly.

On Christmas Eve, NURTW national President, Alhaji Nojeem Yasin, came down to Ibadan from Abuja to administer the oath of office on the newly-elected 21-member administrative council led by Alhaji Taofeek Ayorinde., a.k.a.

Fele. Fele had served, for the past six months as the chairman of the Caretaker Committee that Governor Abiola Ajimobi, upon the intervention of Yasin and others, instituted when he lifted the ban on the NURTW and allowed them to resume operation as a union.

More than anything else that Ajimobi may have accomplished so far, the mature manner in which he deflated the tires of the rampaging NURTW will rank near the top.

Why is Tokyo fighting tooth and nail, almost to the point of death, in order to remain chairman of the Oyo State NURTW? The perks accruable to the chairmen of the NURTW are impressive and could be the envy of an oil company CEO. Commercial operators (inter-state, intra-state, inter-city, or intra-city) pay “taxes”

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to these chairmen daily. These daily “taxes” can run into hundreds of thousands of naira for chairmen in states with large cities like Lagos, Oyo, and Kano.

What is more, these chairmen do not even have to leave home to collect the money. It is usually brought to them at home. The money, technically, is supposed to be dues contributed by members for the welfare of the union, its members (in case of family and personal emergencies), and the maintenance of its secretariat. However, a large chunk of that money goes to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of each area. The DPO, in return, directs his officers to look the other way when the drivers violate traffic laws. The chairmen also appropriate a substantial chunk of the money, for which they does not have to account.

Tokyo lived large as state chairman. He flew first-class to Abuja on a regular basis and stayed in 4-star hotels. His children attended (and still attend) private schools, including one at a private university. He maintained scores of Islamic clerics whose full-time job was to shield him from the law and from retaliations for his brutish acts. To hear Tokyo speak about the extent he would fight to regain the chairmanship, you would think the title was his family inheritance.

Under Alao-Akala, Tokyo became a larger-than-life figure in the PDP and in Alao-Akala’s cabinet. The triumvirate of Adedibu, Alao-Akala, and Tokyo used the NURTW thugs to foment all sorts of crises in the state.

Upon becoming governor, Ajimobi would not have any of that nonsense.

Had Tokyo been reinstated, his term would have ended last month; a convenient time for Yasin to organize an election during which Fele was elected as the substantive chairman of a new 21-member NURTW executive council in Oyo State. Fele will have three years to turn around that much-maligned union, sever it completely from politics, remove

those ogogoro joints, build respectable toilets, build covered waiting halls and sheds for passengers, re-orientate the drivers about safety checks before embarking on each trip, and reinforce good customer service.

On good advice, he has returned to court, asking to be reinstated as chairman to complete his abbreviated term. It would have been something worth fighting for by all democracy-loving minds if he hadn’t been such a nuisance to the people of Oyo State. There are many things for which followers of government activities in Oyo State can blame Ajimobi, but on Tokyo, he deftly and successfully handled the situation.

• Abiodun Ladepo Los Angeles, California, USA

president and the rest is history now. If it is really true that the Almighty God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, we need look no further than this local shon-of-the-shoil for confirmation. Perhaps the ACN needs to proceed with caution as we move towards the next gubernatorial election in Lagos State because of the prevailing winds in Nigeria. The South-western states have always been the prime examples of harmony and religious tolerance but it seems that our noble cultural “omoluabi” inheritance of diplomatic dealings could be in jeopardy.

We have never permitted religious issues to divide our people but there are whispers in Lagos that the ACN has been compromised in some ways. If the ACN coincidentally presents another Muslim gubernatorial candidate for the next elections instead of factoring our time-honoured tradition of accommodation, there could be a serious opening for the PDP if they have the wisdom to present the right person and manage to keep him alive!

The BRF incumbency factor weighed against our deep cultural inheritance is not likely to hold sway because it is also common knowledge that Fashola could never have reaped the kind of results that he did without the foundations laid by others like Yemi Cardoso, Leke Pitan, Yemi Osinbajo, Wale Edun and Rauf Aregbesola. Whichever way, it is just a matter of time before we find out whether the Ota politrickal prayer band was in the spirit on that day of the Lord.

• Ladi Peter Thompson, Living Waters Unlimited Church, Anthony, Lagos.

Mark’s comment on gay reprehensible IR: The statements made

by David Mark that the ban on same sex marriage was irrevocable are reprehensible.

They are a clear demonstration of homophobia and show a lack of appreciation of the humane moral values of the contemporary world. He has used the civic reception of John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan to fan the flames of hatred and persecution of a

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sexual minority and to promote his skewed sense of decency.

They are inconsistent with the constitutional role of a Senate President. They are also another clear indication of how the Senate and the church in Nigeria are working together in prosecuting a crusade against gay people.

Instead of supporting the ban on same sex marriage, the Senate and the government of

Nigeria as a whole should make a commitment to promoting and protecting the universal human rights of everyone, whatever their race, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, even when such commitment conflicts with the teachings of religion.”

• Leo Igwe, United Kingdom

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

21

COMMENTS

Sanusi is right

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HAVE followed with interest the activities of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for quite a while right from the time he was in UBA, then First bank and now the CBN Governor.

I have found him to be a man driven by the passion to see that Nigeria does not continue to punch below its weight locally and internationally. It is of course common knowledge that Sanusi is from the royal house of Kano where his grandfather Muhammad Ardo Sanusi was the imperious Emir of Kano who clashed with the Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello, the then Premier of Northern Nigeria and had to be removed as Emir and his younger brother Alhaji Bayero succeeded him. Emir Muhammad Ardo Sanusi produced excellent children and at a time, three of them were in the diplomatic service and Aminu Sanusi the father of Lamido rose to become the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after serving as an ambassador and High Commissioner in several places. He later became the Ciroma of Kano but unfortunately died rather prematurely. He was a highly respected diplomat with strong views and will and would not allow himself to be ordered around during the era of military dictatorship. It was in this circumstance that he angrily left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I met his younger brother in the late 80s when he was Ambassador to Indonesia with concurrent accreditation to Malaysia. He was an exceptionally gracious man, generous to a fault and with a sense of patriotic service not found nowadays anywhere in Nigeria. I knew Ambassador Aminu Sanusi, the former Permanent Secretary fairly well. I was a graduate student in Canada when he was High Commissioner in the late 1960s.

Later on, I met him and told him I was fascinated by the life and times of Sir Muhammad Ardo Sanusi his father and I would like to write his biography. Ambassador Sanusi was excited about my project and promised to assist especially in provision of data but unfortunately he passed on soon afterwards. There was also another Sanusi who was Deputy High Commissioner in London and all of them had a sense of noblesse oblige of wanting to help the common man as part of their God given responsibility.

The CBN Governor Sanusi is following the family’s tradition and footsteps especially in wanting to be a tribune of the common man and in speaking truth not only to power but also every time he has the opportunity to do so. It is in this light that one welcomes his search light on the Nigerian bureaucracy. He is right on the button by suggesting that our civil service in the centre and in the states and local government areas is over bloated and has become a drag on devel-

opment. In some states and at the federal level personnel emolument and overhead constitutes sometimes close to 80% of the annual budget with little left for capital projects and development. The situation at the local level is the most pathetic. First of all, there is hardly any service that one could call civil at the local level. People merely gather themselves together at the end of every month to share federal allocation. Some of them do not have offices or desks. Where there are offices, sometimes six to 10 people are sharing the same office and the same desk. Most of the time they have nothing to do and it is common knowledge that some of them show up for work only twice a week. This is why I find it ridiculous that some politicians, who should know better, are talking about a three tiers of government in their socalled presentation before the constitution review panel.

There is nowhere in the world where a federation is a federation of local governments and states. We must go back in this country to a federation of state and leave local government alone to the states to create and un-create as they like.

The civil service at the state level is also a parasitic service with its innumerable Permanent Secretaries and Directors all earning fat salaries that should have been used to develop the states. This bureaucratic paraphernalia at the state level are simply unsustainable. This is why some of us believe that instead of creating states, we should go back either to the old regions and make the present zones regions in which existing states would be mere provincial administrations.

At the federal level where all the money in Nigeria is, top civil servants, many of them with estates in Abuja are more corrupt than politicians. They formulate policies to suit themselves, share and buy civil servant quarters among themselves and teach politicians how to exploit the system and loot the treasuries. They build mansions at home and abroad and even Assistant Directors at the federal level have been known to appropriate huge resources to themselves, thus, becoming billionaires in a country where people are starving. In most cases and at every level, civil servants collect gratification before they perform routine jobs. It is also common knowledge that civil service is not only bloated but it is corrupt and stinks to the highest level. If we are to abolish the civil service in this country, nobody will miss it. This is what Lamido is talking about and he has the support of many Nigerians. Sometimes in order to reform the system, one has to dismantle it first. The situation in our country is getting to a point of irredeemability and that is the truth.

What has been said about the civil service is probably true of every facet of our national life. The executive, legislature and the judiciary stink to high heavens. Of course there are a few odd ones who are clean the late Justice Kayode Eso of blessed memory was one of them.

Jide Osuntokun

The political leadership has to demonstrate seriousness about confronting corruption. A situation where federal parliamentarians are paying themselves salaries and perquisites of office of over 25 million naira a month, a sum that is unthinkable in the United States, the richest country in the world is simply unthinkable, unacceptable and unsustainable. All of us in this country must speak up in order to save this country from imminent collapse and revolution. If we don’t do something now, both the guilty and the innocent, in the words of James Baldwin will face the fire. This is a bitter truth in a new year and it is my prayer that all of us who can do something about our plight will rise to the occasion. Happy New year to all my readers and God Bless Nigeria.

‘At the federal level where all the money in Nigeria is, top civil servants, many of them with estates in Abuja are more corrupt than politicians. They formulate policies to suit themselves, share and buy civil servant quarters among themselves and teach politicians how to exploit the system and loot the treasuries’

Jonathan’s posters, opposition leaders and 2015

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VER since the rumour mill be came agog that he may contest the 2015 election, President Goodluck Jonathan has consistently refused to be drawn into what he and his aides consider to be an ‘idle talk’. A wise man, the president neither denied nor confirmed that he would run. His position has always been that the time is not yet ripe for him to make his intention known. He will do so in 2014, which is less than 365 days from now, he once told us. He also made it clear that if he decides to run, he is eminently qualified to do so.

Reading the lips of the president, there is no doubt that he will run in 2015, but until he says so, it is taboo for us to speculate about his ambition. Some people, who seem to love the president more than himself cannot wait for him to declare for the race before they start canvassing support for him. These loyalists have printed the president’s posters and painted the Federal Capital City red with them.

I don’t know how the president honestly feels about it all, but we are being made to believe that he is not comfortable with what is happening. Can that be true? Is there anyone of us that sugar won’t melt in his mouth?

Yes, what we are seeing may be the hand of Esau, the voice certainly is that of Jacob. Those pushing the president’s posters are no ghosts.

They are flesh and blood like us who know what they are doing and why they are doing it. They may not have the president’s consent, but do they really need it when they know that in the man’s heart of hearts he will be chuckling to himself that yes ‘’my boys are doing a damn good job’’. The posters are a way of preparing the

ground for the president’s declaration when as he has told us the time is ripe to do so. The president may not have approved the pasting of his posters all over Abuja, but can he feign ignorance of the planned clampdown on opposition leaders?

Even within the Presidency all is not well all because of 2015, going by what we are hearing. The North, which is interested in returning to power is set to pitch Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo against each other in order to achieve its aim. What is not known is whether Sambo will go with the North or remain on the side of his boss. With the way things are playing out on the political scene, we have interesting days ahead. If Sambo ditches Jonathan for his people won’t we have another Obasanjo/Atiku brouhaha on our hands? And if he decides to side with his boss, won’t Sambo become a pariah at home? The choice is that of Sambo. Wherever he chooses to be, I know that he will weigh the options well before jumping into the fray.

Like the North, the opposition has never hidden its intention to wrest power from Jonathan in 2015.

Knowing that it failed to win the Presidency in 2011 because of its refusal to merge and confront Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) machine in that year’s election, the opposition has been meeting and planning on how to kick out PDP in 2015. Not unexpectedly, the PDP government is jittery because it knows that if the talks succeed, the opposition may kick it out of power in two years time. To avert that, it has covertly launched operation stop the opposition. The aim is to scuttle the opposition’s merger plans

toward the 2015 presidential poll.

Since the government has control of the security agencies, its problem is half solved. These security agencies are to be used to muzzle the opposition. These agencies are said to be gathering reports on some opposition leaders which will be used to tarnish their image.

The Jonathan Presidency is ready to go to any length to stop the opposition. It is prepared to adopt even crude means to achieve its aim. In political warfare, it believes that all is fair, as long as the means justifies the end. Right now, a former top official in government is being harassed and hounded all over the place because of the belief that he is interested in the 2015 presidential election. Is that an offence? It is not, but the harassment is a ploy to force him out of the race so that the coast will become clear for Jonathan. Yet, the president is saying that he has not made up his mind about 2015. They should say that to the marine.

If he has not made up his mind yet about 2015, why then are opposition leaders like Gen Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu being tormented? Is it a sin to be an opposition leader?

Politics is a contest of ideas and those who think that they have what it takes to contest for political office should be allowed to do so without let or hindrance. To hire people to rake up mud about your opponents all in the guise of political contest is not a decent way of playing politics. Like the posters issue, the president may not know the atrocities some people in his administration are committing in the name of politics and by way of protecting his political future. Now that he knows, he will surely do something about those who are

protecting his interest by trying to run others out of the 2015 race in a shabby and unholy manner. Or won’t he?

Adieu, Giwa’s mother Until her death, Madam Elekhia Giwa mourned her beloved son, Dele, who was killed by parcel bomb 27 years ago. Nothing would have pleased the late Mrs Giwa more than to have seen her son’s killer brought to book before she died on Tuesday. Dele died at a time she needed him most to take care of her. She was 60 in 1986 when Dele Giwa, the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine was killed.

For 27 years, she was in tears and praying that the killers be found.

Painfully, she died without her prayers answered. We can still do something for her so that she can rest in peace in her grave, and that is by finding the killers of Dele Giwa.

RE :Dipo Ayeni vs the police From time immemorial, police job is not for brilliant, bold and intelligent people but for gossips and the dafts. These people will never open the Criminal Code and procedure law to enforce them, but to extort money from people and share with their godfathers, who will always defend them from heinous allegations and even recommend them for promotion.

FROM : 08037607020 This is about Traffic Warden Service travails with the Nigeria Police and Police Service Commission-(a): non-promotion, (b): non-issuance of uniforms and accountrements, (c): after passing confirmation examinations as AST with their general duty counterparts as ASP, confirmation is denied. The AST-second star not approved, (d):

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

many of us were promoted last in 2003. FROM : 08033455106.

Ayeni’s assertion regarding the police is happening in all federal establishments. From 08033375336.

Jesus withdrew from those who wanted to make him king because he knew that it is impossible for a righteous person to flourish amidst lawless individuals. (John 6: 15). In Ayeni’s case, there is a time to speak and to keep quiet. (Eccl. 3: 7). He chose the right time. (Prov: 14: 27, 34). From Samson, Ibadan, 08188542644.

‘Politics is a contest of ideas and those who think that they have what it takes to contest for political office should be allowed to do so without let or hindrance. To hire people to rake up mud about your opponents all in the guise of political contest is not a decent way of playing politics’

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

22

COMMENTS

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NCE again, our amiable Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah has been brought under severe strains over the Chinese $500m loan that Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is to use for procuring 300 brand new aircrafts for our domestic airline operators. This like other giant steps, such as the initial N300b intervention fund, the ongoing N49b renovation of 22 airports, her lost war with foreign airlines over unfair fares, her resolve to float a national carrier and her 11- man tour of Europe, the US and China in search of investors, has been enmeshed in controversy.

It is a shame many Princess Oduah‘s detractors dismiss her as having little to flaunt as a minister beyond her PDP membership card and proven record as a grass root party ‘mobiliser’. They conveniently ignored that as a wife to former minister of works, as former NNPC staff and as the chief executive of Sea Petroleum and Gas Company Limited (SPG), an independent marketer of petroleum products since 1992, she is better equipped for her current position than many other PDP card carrying ministers.

Princess Oduah is one minister that has personified the face of President Jonathan’s transformation agenda. For the survival of our domestic airline industry, she had while the war against foreign airline industry over exorbitant air fares was raging, embarked on a tour of America, Europe and China seeking new investors. Oduah’s detractors seemed to have resolved to deny her the credit for this Chinese $500m loan by downplaying the dividend of her relentless efforts.

In spite of her commitment to the survival of our domestic airlines industry, the aviation minister, perhaps apart from the president and Alison-Maduekwe, the petroleum minister

‘Critics have not told us what they expected a minister who represents a federal government that controls more money that it can reasonably manage, spending money like water, building a N16b mansion to meet the taste of a vice president, constructing a N2b banquet hall inside Aso Villa, and constructing a waste full 10 lane dual carriage way inside Abuja, to do beyond throwing money at a cause she believed in’

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R. Kayode Fayemi, the executive governor of Ekiti State who assumed office more than one year ago, first made many promises to the people of the state.

One of those promises which seems to be more cogent and striking now is the provision of adequate security for the people. To make certain his resolve to ensure that everybody is properly secured in the state, the governor has just established what he termed the Ekiti State Peace Corps.

Inaugurating the corps at the Jibowu Hall, Ado – Ekiti, the state capital recently, Governor Fayemi reiterated his commitment to peace, unity and security in the state. For this reason, he told the people that part of the plan for the establishment of the Peace Corps is to complement the efforts of security agencies in fighting crime. To the governor, for the state to be in secured hands for the yuletide, the level of security in the various communities and at the grassroots, should be topmost in the agenda of the government.

Before the advent of the yuletide, the administration of Fayemi had promised the entire citizens of the state, that their lives and property would be safe for the celebrations.

This assurance indeed encouraged more people to travel home to Ekiti for the Christmas and New Year festivities. While constituting the Peace Corps, the governor made it pointedly clear in his new year broadcast to the state that no nation or society can thrive when there is chaos or insecurity of lives and property. And Ekiti is no exception.

He said: “It is common knowledge that a society thrives more and attracts higher economic growth when there is peace.” As people trooped home to savour the peaceful ambience of Ekiti State, they equally saw how the rural areas and communities have been transformed. “I think his commitment to the total transformation of the entire state is genuine and total” was how Emmanuel Akanji, who just returned home from Ivory Coast after three years, put it. “To me, this was the best yuletide celebration in my village in the last twenty years. You could see

The $500M aviation intervention loan envied for creating s many PDP billionaires, the minister remains the most vilified public official of Jonathan’s administration. But Oduah should ignore detractors and move on with her crusade. She should take solace that public service is a thankless job. She should also take a cue from her overwhelmed principal, president Jonathan who has ignored the virulent attack on his person; first by northern leaders who are facing revolt of children they deprived of education ; the Igbo elite in their hide out in Lagos and inside Aso Rock who blame him for the kidnapping of children for ransom by Igbo youths whose plight they ignored while they were busy making money; and the Yoruba who unfairly criticize him for infrastructural decay forgetting Obasanjo their son was a PDP president for eight years.

Sadly, critics who often claim the minister’s policies attracted so much controversies because they are whimsical products of reflexes of a Nigerian fraudulent oil marketer, have been so uncharitable to this hard working minister whose admirers described as ‘an Amazon’ and a Nigerian patriot . It is not totally correct to say most of the minister’s policies were not subjected to rigorous debate. If however such debates were monopolised by those with vested interests such as card carrying PDP members, this by no means can be said undermines the minister ‘s committed to the success of PDP inspired transformation agenda.

We had the Managing Director of Jimoh Ibrahim’s defunct ‘Air Nigeria’, Kinfe Kahssaye, asserting during stakeholders meeting that ‘the key way to ensure that Nigerian airlines return to profitability is for the Federal Government’s support in terms of finance or tax waivers, as it is been done in other

parts of the world from time to time .’

We also had Amos Akpan, the Managing Director of Capital Airlines, on record as saying during a stakeholders’ meeting that ‘the money the airlines make is not enough to pay for the cost of their operation and service their debts to Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as well as pay hundreds of millions of naira owed oil companies’. In all, the stakeholders claim the 16 domestic airlines owed financial institutions and regulatory bodies, about N325 billion.

And lest we forget, the ongoing N49b development of 22 airports around Nigeria was a fall out of the stakeholders’ debate. It would be recalled the former head of communication of the defunct Nigeria Airways Limited (NAL) now CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe had during the stakeholders meeting called on “government to upgrade the airports’ with a view to ‘concessioning.’ them” .

After such presentation by the minister’s party associates, critics have not told us what they expected a minister who represents a federal government that controls more money that it can reasonably manage, spending money like water, building a N16b mansion to meet the taste of a vice president, constructing a N2b banquet hall inside Aso Villa, and constructing a waste full 10 lane dual carriage way inside Abuja, to do beyond throwing money at a cause she believed in.

That domestic airlines like Arik, Aero and Air Nigeria whose Managing Director led the crusade and got N35.5 billion today jointly owe AMCON over $700m debt cannot in my view be attributed to lack of robust debate or

From Ekiti with testimonies

By Debo Olaniyi the old people and retired civil servants, the governor has touched their lives through his many-people and grassroots oriented programmes exhibiting hope and enthusiasm.

The joy and peace on people’s faces showed that there is hope, a very big one for that matter, in the horizon for the people of Ekiti State,” Akanji said.

“And more will come,” Ade Babatunde, a young graduate from Oye declared in his assessment of what is in the offing for the people. Even the governor in his New Year message to the state looked into the future and declared that 2013 would be totally dedicated to creating more jobs for the teeming youths. “It is Ekiti’s year of employment and consolidation.” In order to actualize this dream, the governor has proposed the creation of the Ministry of Rural Development and Empowerment. The purpose is to create room for more jobs especially in the local communities and hamlets.

It was in giving acclaim to the many concerted communal provisions by the state government that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Adewale Omirin publicly declared that the administration of Fayemi has truly delivered the dividends of democracy to the people in the implementation of 2012 budget. This is the sort of declaration that is hard to hear elsewhere in the country where leaders are rather busy pillaging the state coffers and making the citizenry more impoverished dayin-day-out.

Ekiti State was a beehive of activities this past yuletide because this cankerworm called kidnapping was never recorded in the state.

It is on record that the state government worked round the clock with all security agencies to ensure that peace was paramount

in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

The newly revived Ire Burnt Bricks Factory and the Odua Enterprise Centre which were opened last year, have also offered employment to so many youths. This has not only helped to expand the resources of the state, it has equally helped to control youth restiveness. A lot of youths are fully employed and have been contributing immensely to the revenue base of their families.

By taking factories and industries to nearly every rural place in the state, the governor has smartly succeeded in stemming crime, thereby assuring returnees that the people at home cannot be of any harm to them. When the home front, like it is usually said, is in peace, the whole town can go to sleep with their whole eyes closed. That is Ekiti of today where crime has been reduced to its barest level because the level of transformation is all –encompassing.

The new plan to build more affordable houses for the people is equally warming the hearts of residents. This year, about 5,000 of such houses will be in place, in addition to more that have been constructed. The idea, like the governor has often reiterated is to save residents from the hands of shylock landlords and dubious property developers in the state.

The governor even promised to embark on this massive project through a Public Private Partnership arrangement. Once that is done, more indigent citizens will be offered their own sanctuary, thus reducing the number of people precariously hanging at the mercy of dubious landlords in the society.

Making health one of his priority areas, the governor through the state Health Commissioner, Professor Olusola Fasubaa recently distributed drugs worth over N33.3million to hospitals and health centres across the state. This was done in order to

the minister’s incompetence . A minister committed to transformation agenda of her party cannot be persecuted for acting on inputs of her party members and their sympathizers.

The minister’s war with foreign airlines also followed the stakeholders report of how foreign airlines swindle Nigeria of about N3.7 billion yearly and their violations of Nigeria’s aviation laws. It was also from the self-serving report of the stakeholders the minister discovered how foreign airline like British Airways swindle Nigerians by charging non-competitive fare of $10,070 for a First Class return seat from Abuja to London while the same facility through Accra costs $4,943.

Of course, committed to the world view of her party ignored, the minister ignored the argument of others to the effect ‘that market forces that today work in favour of the airlines will also work in favour of ordinary Nigerians, if only ministers, governors legislators, bureaucrats and other parasites stop insisting on first class or business class tickets of foreign airlines’.

She went ahead to give a ridiculous ultimatum to the airline, along with Virgin Atlantic to restore parity in fares or risk a ban by Nigeria.

That was on March 27 2011.

And now the current $500b is enmeshed in controversy between the CBN that often talks from both sides of the mouth and the Bank of Industry, a conduit pipe for what former Commandant, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Group Capt. John Ojikutu has described as is ‘a recycling of public money for some people.”

The apex bank and Bank of Industry insist the money was not meant for the airlines to re-fleet their airlines; the minister has vowed through (FAAN) Spokesman, Yakubu Dati, that government had ‘concluded arrangement to purchase 30 brand new aircraft for airlines to boost their operations.’

The minister is insisting on setting up a new national airline. This will probably be supervised by NCAA, NAMA and FAAN, all the bodies that wrecked previous government efforts.

She is equally undeterred by lessons from her tour of Europe and America where British Airways merger with Iberia airlines (International Airline Group) IAG, the world third largest airline in terms of annual revenues is battling with its own problems; where American Airlines and US Airways are trying to reach agreement on merger for the former to exit bankruptcy while Branson the Virgin Atlantic man with a magic touch is selling parts of his empire.

Blame not princess Oduah if the earlier N300b intervention fund is being treated as PDP “family affair’. President Jonathan, on whose table the buck stops and not our amiable princess Oduah should be held responsible for the slipslop policy in the aviation sector

keep the Unified Drugs Resolving Fund Scheme (UDRFS) in the state alive and active.

Fasubaa assured the people that the primary concern of the state is to constantly ensure the success of the state’s free health care scheme.

All the hospitals renovated previously for this purpose are now in full operation to cater for the sick and the aged.

At the moment, the government has made it clear that the issue of health will remain uppermost in the scheme of things. There are plans to build new general hospitals at Ilawe and Oye, while about 20 old ones will be renovated as soon as possible. In addition, about 35 basic health centres and dispensaries will be upgraded to save human lives.

The governor signed the prohibition of smoking in public places Law 2012 in the state to further consolidate his hold on the health sector. To him, a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. And because many people who smoke in public are either ignorant of the hazards they pose to people or have blatantly refused to come to terms with the danger they constitute to others. Whichever way, the governor says this has to end.

The truth of the matter is that while people travelled for Christmas and the New year, they were confronted by many innovative developments in the state. The Ikogosi Tourist Resort, on its part, served as home away from home to many holiday makers. The governor has even made a promise that with time, Ekiti State will serve as the most attractive holiday destination in Nigeria. Ikogosi has a natural allure and warmth that can never be equaled in Nigeria.

As Ekiti people savour the prospects of 2013, it is proper for the people to catch in on the economic prospects in the state to make the year a glorious one for themselves. Ekiti State is geared towards a new dawn both socially, economically and otherwise. As the governor keeps himself busy with more new projects, it is time to give him the deserved support and encouragement. Together, the whole people can do this.

• Olaniyi writes from Oye.

Igiebor escapes hard times in Spain Pg. 24

•Real Betis in crisis

‘Keshi only judged me with one match’

Pg. 24

Sport PAGE 23

Thursday, January 10, 2013

2013 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

NFF to pay

Eagles’ coaches today Pg. 14

AHEAD OF NATIONS CUP

NIGERIANS

Pg. 41

may miss AFCON matches Sports minister tips Eagles to shine

Pg. 24

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Igiebor escapes hard times in Spain •Real Betis in crisis

S •Oboabona

Ogunbote relishes Oboabona’s success

F

ORMER Sunshine Stars’ manager, Gbenga Ogunbote, is relishing the anticipated debut of the club’s skipper, Godfrey Oboabona, at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Super Eagles supremo, Stephen Keshi, gave Oboabona his international debut against Angola in 2012 and the central defender has since progressed in the set-up.

The versatile Oboabona featured regularly as Eagles qualified for the 2013 AFCON and are current in Faro, Portugal, as the preparation for the competition continues.

“I’m excited that Oboabona is headed for the AFCON. I give glory to God for his progress because he’s a hardworking player. “It’s every player’s dream to represent the country and he has done well so far. I want to see him play at AFCON,” Ogunbote said to supersport.com. Ogunbote revealed that Oboabona has imbibed useful lessons from the participation of Sunshine Stars in the continent’s club competitions: the CAF Confederation Cup and Champions League, respectively.

“Oboabona led Sunshine for three consecutive seasons as captain and we had back-to-back campaigns on the continent. “We played against the best on the continent and some of these teams had players who are regulars in their national teams.

Ndanusa lauds Abdullahi on Federations autonomy

UPER EAGLES midfielder, Nosa Igiebor would be glad he is away on national team duty, as his Real Betis are in chaos at the moment.

The team having to alternate their training sessions between three different venues, due to refurbishment and poor quality pitches.

The club started work to improve facilities at their primary training ground of Los Bermejales last week and were expected in the interim to base training at the Estadio de La Cartuja.

However, the team’s first workout at the unused stadium in Seville drew the ire of Coach Pepe Mel, who was caught by cameras in attendance angrily complaining to President Miguel Guillen.

This was because of the playing

By Paul Oluwakoya field’s quality, with the turf cutting up in several areas after the short session. The conclusion by the Coach and his players was that injury would be risked by continually working on the surface.

Guillen spoke to reporters afterwards and explained that the club will now be using a combination of Los Bermejales, La Cartuja and their home stadium of Benito Villamarin to host training. “e will be continuously rotating because fortunately we have several options,” he President explained.

“I have come to see the first training session [at La Cartuja] and it is true that we anticipated this slightly,” because we knew that the grass has not been played on every day.

“he treatment used on the pitch is the same as that used at Los Bermejales. At the moment we see that overuse of La Cartuja has a small risk to the players.

In October, the B team’s Coach Risto Vidakovic was sacked by the club for ‘sporting reasons’, but also just hours after releasing his own statement complaining about the quality of the playing surface at La Cartuja.

‘Keshi only judged me with one match’

L

EVANTE of Spain’s top striker, Obafemi Martins believes he has not been given enough chance in Nigeria’s squad to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Keshi called Martins up for a November friendly against Venezuela in Miami, USA but the coach was far from being impressed.

“When they want to judge they can’t judge me with the Venezuela game because I played against [Real] Madrid, we played around half past nine and finished around half past 12.

“Before I went to the airport it was around four in the morning and I took about an eleven hour flight to Miami. After a day or two we played again. We’re not machines, they can’t expect me to give 120 per cent’’.

Martins said under those conditions, not even two of the best

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja

T

HE President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Sanni Ndanusa has prsaised the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi for his ingenuity to grant more autonomy to the Sporting Federations and has declared it a welcome development and in fact long over-due.

The NOC boss stated that the new policy would move Nigerian sports forward and make administration of sports in the country in tune with global best practices. “Greater autonomy will definitely make the Federations more effective, especially if adequate monitoring mechanism is put in place,” Ndanusa stated, adding that, “the NSC should give the Federations targets and review their performance yearly to ensure success of this policy.”

It will be recalled that earlier this week, the NSC had announced plans to recall Secretaries of Sporting Federations and empower the Federations to appoint their own Secretaries. This was in line with the Commission’s commitment to reform the Federations and reposition them for greater efficiency.

The NSC will, however, set the guidelines for the appointment of Secretaries and develop eligibility guidelines that will guide elections and appointments into the Boards of these Federations.

Similarly, Kayode Abdulwahab, President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), stated that the new policy would improve performance and is “akin to putting the right step forward in a race.”

41

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

•Martins

players in the world, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could cope.

“Even [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi can’t do it with the flight. If that’s the reason they didn’t choose me, that’s their decision.

Right now I’m happy that I’m playing again and people can see me so I’m not really bothered. When they want to call, they’ll call and if they don’t I’ll face my club and play.”

In these past few months he has played against the two big Spanish teams – Barcelona and Real Madrid – and their stars Ronaldo and Messi, arguably the two best footballers in the world at the moment. Even though Levante lost against both teams, it was a good experience. “I used to play against them anyway when I used to play in England I played against Ronaldo, and Messi in the Champions League when I used to play at Rubin Kazan “They are good players and their teams are wonderful teams, they are not small teams that you can defeat easily. They are good players and are doing very well.”

“Whenever I play against them I always see them as among the best players in the world. Everybody wants to play against them. I’m glad that I’m in Spain now playing against all these top players and teams and I hope to continue what I’ve been doing.”

Martins goes diplomatic asked him about his choice for the Ballon D’Or, football’s annual award for the best player in the world. Ronaldo, Messi and his Barcelona team mate Andres Iniesta are all up for the nod.

“It doesn’t matter who they are going to choose right now, for me I just want to play football to be happy,” he said.

•Igiebor

Nigerians may miss AFCON matches •CAF charges €8 million for tournament coverage S •BON urges FG to intervene for fans’ sake OCCER loving Nigerians may not watch their darling Super Eagles team at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a result of exorbitant Television Rights fees charged by Confederation of Africa Football for the three weeks competition holding in South Africa as from January 19th to February 10th, 2013.

Barely 10 days to the kick off of the competition in South Africa, Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria (BON) has not resolved the matter with CAF agencies handling the matter. But BON Chairman has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to wade in into the matter so that soccer-loving Nigerians could have the opportunity of watching the matches.

The Chairman of BON Abubakar Jijiwa has told NationSport efforts made so far to resolve the matter amicably but still remained unresolved up till today.

“We have been talking (with CAF representatives) since October last year and have made efforts at reaching a conclusive solution as regards the matter. We have looked at our market and made an offer of $1.2 million to JCM-

including the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2013 AFCON, and the quarter-finals, semifinals and final matches of the competition at $300,000. So we have only a week to market this sum of money since the tournament is just about From Segun Ogunjimi, 10 days away. We don’t have the luxury of time Abuja to go on advertisement drive and the global melt down has also affected most of this industries as $3000,000 for selected matches. But Jijiwa said now and they are cutting all their expenses all these were rejected by CFOOT in a letter dated including advertisement of their products and December 21st, 2012. services”, Jijiwa told NationSport The BON boss said the CFOOT in January yesterday in Abuja.

4th, 2013 came up with an offer of € 8 The BON boss, however, million for the total package (32 blamed the ridiculous € 8 matches) but BON responded to million bill charged on CFOOT’s letter reiterating their cartels that were out to earlier offer of $3000,000 for the siphon money out of selected matches.

Nigeria through the “So what we are suggesting to competition since they them now is that they should give us know that Nigeria is a selected matches involving Nigeria rich country and

•As NFF plans to protest to CAF

African Sports Consulting via a letter dated November 1st, 2012 which they rejected.

“We went further and upped our money to $1.5 million through our letter with reference BON/ES/Vol.III/12/27 to Mr. Jean-Claude Meyer of African Sports Consulting and that too was rejected. They are sticking to € 8 million but we said € 8 million is not acceptable by us because we cannot market such a massive sum of money and we will have a heavy loss at the end of the day”, the BON boss disclosed.

He also explained that BON received an e-mail dated December 5th, 2012 from LC2 directing BON to negotiate with CFOOT limited and BON replied through a letter dated December 12th, 2012 with reference BON/ES/Vol.III/12/48 offering $1 million for all the 32 matches as well

AHEAD OF NATIONS CUP

•Wants full concentration

T

From Andrew Abah, Abuja Confirming this to NationSport on Wednesday, the scribe of the Federation Musa Amadu said the directive is to ensure that the technical crew concentrate fully on the task ahead towards achieving the utmost goal which is winning the trophy.

“I have given directives that the salaries and allowance of coaches be paid with immediate effect.

We don’t want anything to disturb them at the Nations Cup. We want them to concentrate fully on

the task ahead. The Accounts Department is expected to credit their individual accounts before the end of business on today” he stressed.

This, however, confirmed our earlier story that the NFF owes the technical crew of the Super Eagles four month salary arrears. A report, which the NFF widely refuted, saying that they are not indebted to the coaches and describing the report as mischievous and malicious.

Sports minister tips Eagles to shine

N

IGERIAN sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi has backed the Super Eagles to shine at this month’s AFCON in South Africa.

“The Eagles have raised the hopes of every Nigerian by their performance in the game against Catalonia and we hope it will be the same spirit that the team will take to South Africa for the Nations Cup proper,” said Abdullahi at the Eagles training camp in Faro, Portugal.

“So far, I’m impressed with the tactical approach of the coaches and I see this collection of players doing us proud at the Nations Cup,” he said.

The minister will be the Special Guest at the Algarve Stadium in Faro, Portugal, when the national team takes on their Cape Verde counterpart in another tune up game ahead of the South Africa 2013 championship.

Abdullahi, who came into the Faro

camp at noon on Tuesday, underlined his Portugal after a superlative youthfulness as he still find time to be at performance against Catalonia the team’s training at 3:30pm Portuguese in Barcelona last Wednesday. time (4:30pm Nigeria), observing every move of the players and the coaches led by Stephen Keshi.

In company of director (elite athletes) in the Sports Ministry, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, the minister took time to make a personal observation and declared that he was encouraged to come and watch the team in

Excitement, heartbreak as 16 Glo Soccer Academy finalists emerge

K

•Jay-Jay Okocha inspires Academy boys

difficult. Our goal is always the top positions, and maintains that position.''

Speaking on his adaptation to life in Turkey, the Nigeria international said: ''Turkey is a growing country, Istanbul is a great city. The only problem is traffic, a little difficult to deal with. At least 3 hours in advance if you plan on doing something you need to take action. At first, many times I lost my way, I went to other places. Now the problem is over.''

Kasimpasa entertain Istanbul giants and city rivals Galatasaray in their first game in the league this calender year

S

Eagles’ coaches today

Kalu Uche wants Kasimpasa at the top ASIMPASA attacker Kalu Uche, second top scorer in the Turkish Super League, is with the squad at a training camp in Antalya preparing for the resumption of the second stanza. Placed ninth on the log with 23 points from 17 matches, Uche says if they are to avoid relegation and compete for a place in Europe, the club should start picking up points in the second half of the season.

Uche told Habertürk: ''We found ourselves in the top positions when the league started. But then our performance dropped. The second half will be very

Ameobi’s AFCON miss, a relief —Newcastle

NFF to pay HE leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed its accounts department to pay all the four months outstanding salaries and allowances of the technical crew of the Super Eagles up to January 2013.

According to findings at the Federation’s Secretariat, the Chief Coach Stephen Keshi is expected to receive an arrears of N20 million, while his first assistant Daniel Amokachie will be paid N12 million. The two other assistants Ike Shorunmu and Sylvanus Okpala will be paid N6 million each.

on Friday, January 18.

I

•Kalu Uche

T will be a mixed grill of glory for the 16 finalists and despair for the last three boys to be evicted as the biggest soccer reality TV show in Africa, the Glo Soccer Academy reaches the crucial stages. Tears may flow in the house; emotions will gave way to reality as the final moment will stir the boys in the face. They will be caught between a trip to Manchester United Soccer School, N1million prize tag for 15 boys, N5 million for the Most Valuable Player and scholarships for all the finalists or a wave of bye-bye with gloomy faces to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that may slip by.

The feeling and reaction of both the players and their coaches on the last

eviction date will be captured in Episode 12 of Glo Soccer Academy which will air this weekend in Nigeria Ghana and Benin Republic on prime TV stations such as NTA, AIT, GTV, TV3, ORTB. Before the eviction melo-drama, the team played against a Lagos junior league top team, Nats Boys who held them to a goalless draw. This was, however an improvement on their first encounter when the academy was taking off.

The episode will also showcase the visit to the Academy by exInternational and former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha who made a surprise appearance at the

Academy. While at the academy, Okocha advised the boys to be “dedicated and determined” in their football career. He added that the sky is the limit for them as they prepare to embark on a promising career in football.

He urged them to work hard to make the final 16, adding that hard work and discipline will propel them to the peak of their career.

Globacom in a press statement on Wednesday advised viewers in Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic to stay tuned to their television sets this weekend as episode 12 of the Glo reality show will be beamed to their living rooms to share in the drama, anxiety, intrigues and emotions in the Academy as the young boys struggle to emerge as

the part of the last 16 who will win the ultimate prizes.

The company further stated that fans in Nigeria should tune to NTA Network on Saturday at 1.30pm2.30pm, with a 30-minute highlight next Wednesday between 5.30pm and 6.00pm to view activities at the Academy. The show will also be on AIT network on Saturday from 5.00pm6.00pm, with the highlight on Sunday from 3.30pm-4pm. Viewers in Ghana will enjoy the programme on GTV on Sunday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm with the highlight on Wednesday at 4.00pm4.30pm. The programme is also available on TV3 on Saturday between 10.30am and 11.30am, while the highlight comes up on Friday between 5.30pm and 6.00pm.

passionate about the game of football.

“This people think Nigeria is a fat cow that they could milk dry. So we detest this shylock attitude and we cannot subscribe to it and it is not acceptable”, Jijiwa.

He, however, believes there is going to be a light at the end of the tunnel. “We have briefed the Minister of Sports, Honourable Bolaji Abdullahi and the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation and we believe that there is going to be some room for dialogue. I understand that the Nigeria Football Federation is going to protest to CAF in Cairo over what is happening.

So I expect some last minute surprises and I would say we ate BON are opened to dialogue.

We know that Nigeria wants to watch football and because of that we will stoop low to conquer for Nigerians to watch their darling Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations.

We believe this is a time for the Federal Government to intervene on behalf of the people of Nigeria, especially since the 2013 AFCON is only 10 days away. It is insulting that a foreign company will exploit Nigeria and Nigerians. It is the right of Nigerians to watch the Cup of Nations, more-so, when Nigeria is participating.”, Jijiwa summed up.

•Keshi

HOLA AMEOBI will miss the game at Norwich on Saturday for his rather silly sending off on Saturday, which only made things a lot worse for Newcastle, since we have only one experienced striker available for the game at Norwich City – Papiss Cisse.

Demba Ba has quickly left for more money, and we only had three strikers to start with – even though we tried to bring in another one last summer – but failed.

And the good news (at least for Newcastle) is that Shola was not selected for the Nigeriam squad for the African Cup of Nations, and that was after Alan Pardew had said Shola would not be going to play in South Africa.

“We were concerned about him being banned from playing for Newcastle druing the AFCON, but the Nigerian Football Federation are not going to bother reporting us to FIFA. The Nigerian authorities said that Ameobi had refused to answer their calls over the last week, and that’s probably because Alan Pardew told him not to answer the calls, so it’s just a little surprising to us the Nigerian FF are not going to do anything,” said Pardew .

“We will not be appealing to FIFA to stop Ameobi from playing for Newcastle.”

“There are more important issues than Ameobi. We have players that can do well at the Nations Cup and we will not speak about a player that is not in the team.”

We suppose it could have been a lot worse – so that’s at least some good news – and we can do with some of that right now.

NPL SUPER FOUR

Lobi pips Rangers in opener

L

OBI STARS got off their campaign in this year's S u p e r F o u r Championship edging their opponents, Enugu Rangers 10.

It was the matchday 1 encounter of the competition which was organised by the NPL so as to keep the Country's representatives in the Caf competitions in good shape.

Both Sides mesmerized themselves in the first 20th minute of an entertaining game, and Rangers would have taken the lead when

Madu Chibuzor struck the crossbar from 20 yards after being wonderfully set up by Sanusi Sani.

Okorie Daniel then broke the deadlock in the 25th minute for Lobi Stars as a shocking gaffe from Rangers' Umar Haliru left Rangers goalkeeper, Okafor Uche helpless as Okorie scored from the left angle.

Rangers' best chance came in the 40th minute, but Lobi Stars' goalkeeper, Lawrence John was at full-stretch as he denied Taro Seun from scoring.

Infact, Lobi Stars would remain indebted to their goalkeeper, Lawrence as he again provided another world class safe before the break.

On resumption, Rangers came out smoking, and they would have leveled up in the 50th minute when Sanusi Sani and Egbeta Michael combined to set up Efe Yarhere, but the former Warri Wolves' forward's effort hit the bar.

Lobi Stars became cautious, and their resilience was justified as the game ended 1-0 in their favour.

25

THE NATION

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

INSIDE UNILORIN hostels for only 8.8% of students •31,000 live off-campus OF the about 34,000 student population at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), the institution has accommodation facilities for only 3,000 students.

Consequently, the institution has gotten the Federal Government’s nod to construct halls of residence under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) arrangement.

-Page 26

Student evolves new formula ADEBAYO Kassim, a mathematics and computer science undergraduate of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has come up with a new method of tackling linear equations.

The 100-Level student told The Nation that the new formula, called the Muhammed Adebayo Kassim (MAK) method, is designed to make calculations easier for students to solve equations.

-Page 37

CAMPUS LIFE •An eight-page section on campus news, people etc

The changing face of Jos JOS was a popular and peaceful city which attracted people from different parts of the country.

Foreigners too preferred the city because of its serenity. Now that peace is gone, making way for religious and ethnic strife. Jos that never knew the difference between a Muslim and a Christian and an indigene and a settler is now divided along those lines.

-Page 29

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

Eko Boys High School (EBHS) ranked among the best secondary schools in the country in the past.

It was founded by the late Rev Williams Euba in 1913. In no time, EBHS’ fame grew far and wide. Today, the story is different; the school is a shadow of itself. But the old boys are determined to see their alma mater back on its feet, reports ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA. •Rev. Akin Adesola, former EBHS principal (1963-67) decorating some outgoing students during one of the school’s valedicatory services.

When age catches up with a school •The story of Eko Boys at 100

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T 100, Eko Boys High School (EBHS) like other schools its age, has seen better days. The school compound in Mushin where it achieved fame is in a shambles.

Its structures are depilated. The classrooms have no windows and the laboratories are empty. The once popular school has become a shadow of itself. Expectedly, its old boys who comprise some eminent persons in the society are not happy with the state of things.

As the school celebrates its 100th anniversary this week, they have mapped out plans to restore its glory.

Among schools in its age bracket in Lagos State, EBHS seems to have suffered the worst fate. CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos (1859), Methodist Boys High School, Lagos (1878), Methodist Girls High School (1879) and Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos (1885) are its contemporaries. These schools have thrived after the Lagos State government returned them to their owners, the Anglican and Methodist Churches in 2001.

King’s College, Lagos, which clocks 104 this year, is also enjoying immense support from its proprietor, the Federal Government, parents and its old

THE CENTENARIAN SCHOOLS King’s College, Lagos (1909) CMS Grammar School, Lagos (1859) Methodist Boys High School, Lagos (1878) Methodist Girls High School, Lagos (1879) Baptist Academy, Obanikoro (1885) Hope Waddel Training Institute, Calabar (1895) St John’s School, Bida, Niger State (1904) The Old Wesley College, Elekuro, Ibadan (1905) Abeokuta Grammar School (1908) Ijebu-Ode Grammar School (1913) boys. EBHS, which was established by the late Rev. Williams Benjamin Euba, a Methodist missionary is still under gov-

ernment control.

Reliving the story of the school’s birth on Sunday ahead of its centenary celebration, na-

‘

We will pool resources and approach the Lagos State government to release this campus to us, and we shall develop it with the mission and vision of the founder of the school

’

•Mrs Mgbokwere

tional president of the Eko Boys Old Boys Association (EKOBA), Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN), said the late Euba resented the practice of his days when children of those with affiliations with missions were given preference over others in admissions into mission schools.

“But Rev. Euba felt this was wrong. He was against the idea that a child could be denied admission on the basis of his or her religious or ethnic affiliations.

Unfortunately at that time, there were only mission schools in existence which put many otherwise brilliant children at disadvantage. This was what prompted the Rev. Euba to set up the Eko Boys High School as a private, non-governmental school to offer admission to children strictly on merit and without any cultural, ethnic or religious leanings.

• Continued on page 26

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

26

EDUCATION

When age catches up with a school • Continued from page 25

“The mission of the founder was to have a school built by Nigerians not foreigners. Missionaries were foreigners, whether Ahmadiyya, Baptist, Methodist or Anglican. This man singlehandedly established a non-governmental and non-denominational school on his own with few people’s assistance. Throughout 1913, 1914 and 1915, there were only six schools in the whole of Nigeria when this school was founded. The only government college was King’s College, the rest were missionary,” he said.

It is for this reason, among others that EKOBA members are determined to reverse the dwindling fortunes of their alma mater.

They are seeking a restoration of the facilities to the standard they were decades ago. They want the school to once again attract pupils from all backgrounds, as intended by the proprietor.

Towards this end, the school was relocated to Ibeju-Lekki. However, the old boys are complaining that there are no facilities on the new site since the relocaion 10 years ago.

The school, which is still at Mushin, lacks many facilities. Its Principal, Mrs Mgbokwere Chiemeka Dora, said except the newly-built structure by the government comprising blocks of classroom and the principal’s office, there is no single laboratory there.

“When I assumed duty in March 2010 the infrastructure had terribly declined. Many structures had no door or windows. No standard library or staff room. But through the Lagos EKO Project, I started fixing the major ones like window, doors and bad toilets. But the money was not enough, so I cried to the old boys who came to our rescue. Some provided us with water with pumping machine, and the old boys rebuilt the school’s collapsed fence,” said Mrs Chiemeka, the 19th and first woman

principal of the school.

Wherever the school will eventually be located is not what the old boys are concerned about as much as restoring its glory. Sofola, said the school has come a long way moving from its initial abode at Broad Street, to Oil Mill and then Ajele Street all in Lagos Island, before its present abode in Mushin.

He added that its relocation back to the Island might have a positive effect.

Sofola said: “We have approached the government that if you relocate us to Lagos, maybe the Eko Boys High School can still ring a bell in your heads, and therefore put money there. Ten years ago during the school’s 90th anniversary, former Governor Bola Tinubu went there (Ibeju-Lekki) to turn the sod, but no single structure is standing there today. We will pool resources together approach the Lagos State Government and to release this campus for us, and we shall develop it with the mission and vision of the founder of the school.”

Group Managing Director of First Bank Plc Mr Bisi Onasanya, who left EBHS in 1978, said the old boys are determined to hit the ground running once they get the government’s nod on the location.

“I want to be sure we are proud enough to bring our children forward and say they also attended Eko Boys High School in this new generation. Clearly what you are seeing today is not Eko Boys High School, and I think we are all committed now to make sure that whenever the final decision is taken (by government) it’s a collective decision whether it should be here (Mushin) or it should be in (Ibeju) Lekki all hands should be on deck to ensure that our goals are achieved,” he said.

A week-long activities including a visit to the family of the late founder; Jumat service; novelty football match; thanksgiving service and fund-raising/award dinner have been planned to celebrate the school’s centenary.

•EBHS during one of the inter-house sports in the 50s

Old boys relive school days AS old boys of Eko Boys High School (EBHS) gathered on Sunday to plan the centenary celebration of their alma mater, the reunion offered the opportunity to relive the “good old school days”.

Among the old boys are Group Managing Director, First Bank Plc Bisi Onasanya; multiple awardwinning mathematician Prof Aderemi Kuku; Esama of Benin Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; former military administrator of Bauchi and Borno states Navy. Capt. Rasheed Raji (rtd); ace broadcaster and Permanent Secretary, Lagos Television Services, Lekan Ogunbanwo; the late Dr Olusola Saraki, the late monarch of Eko Oba Adeyinka Oyekan of Lagos and the late Alhaji Santos Anjorin.

Shouts of the school’s slogan, In Domino Confidimus (In God we trust) rent the air at the meeting. The old boys’ were nostalgic as they sang the school anthem.

In an aside Mr Sulaimon Ayinde 71 set, recalled a football match that went awry.

He said: “I remember a time we had a football match between the school and Zumuratu Islamiyya Grammar School. It happened that one of our old boys who left Eko Boys enrolled at Zumuratu later on and incidentally, he was a member of the team. However, the unexpected happened. He went there with the soccer boot which he collected from Eko Boys and he was able to score a goal against us with that boot.

All of a sudden, the whole students flared up, that ‘this boy collected our soccer boot and used it to score against us, why didn’t he collect soccer boot from his current school:? That was the spirit of camaraderie we all shared then?”

Mr Bode Osoba was the general secretary of the 59 set which was later rechristened ‘Kanga Club 59 set’ “You see, Osoba recollected, “kanga is a Yoruba name which means a well. Kanga was what we drank then, no pipe borne water in Eko Boys High School. That was how we arrived at the name ‘Kanga Club’.

In my time, we were just 25 in class.”

“Most of us in Kanga Club are now in our late 70s and early 80s. We are the leading and the oldest service club today. One of the teachers at that time was an old boy Mr V.G Chinwa who came back to teach and eventually became the principal. He composed the school anthem which we all sing today, and that remains the legacy that we in the 50s left for the old boys.”

Mr Bola Fashina 1974 set also recalled the school’s heydays.

He said: “I was here in 1974, in Form One. I remember that prefects used to take us in extra classes whenever examination was coming. That is why before we wrote WASCE, we usually boasted that we could attain certain grades in certain subjects. We told ourselves with confidence, ‘I should be able to get 90 or 100 per cent in this or that subject. So it’s not just efforts of teachers alone, but many of the old students. I also remember some 10 years ago, we had a group of Ekorians who returned here to teach for nothing.”

The old boys are seeking ways to restore the school’s glory by taking up projects. In this regard, Alhaji Gbolahan Adisa Sholabi, 1963 set, who was the deputy senior prefect in his time said: “We have used our own ways to contribute money to refurbish particularly science laboratories, and built the computer laboratory. When I was leaving this school 50 years ago, we were only 34 in the class. By 1980, students were more than 200 in a class.”

UNILORIN hostels for only 8.8% of students

UI VC debunks fee increment

A

•31,000 live off-campus

O

F the about 34,000 student population at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), the institution has accommodation facilities for only 3,000 students.

Consequently, the institution has gotten the Federal Government’s nod to construct halls of residence under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) arrangement.

The UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof AbdulGaniy Ambali told reporters on Sunday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, that the university has already received proposals for more hostel accommodations.

He said: “I know we are still going to encourage people because right now, the university has a population about 34,000 students and the facilities that we have on campus now can only accommodate just 3,000. You can imagine the gap between the needs and the available facilities.

“Right now we are talking with almost three developers who are ready to come and invest within the university. I am sure that before the end of the session or early next session we will have more accommodation of our undergraduate and post graduate students.”

With more accommodation on

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

campus, the Vice-Chancellor said students will be more secure, as well as enjoy better facilities.

He said: “We are still going to encourage and partner the public to come and build more hostels within the campus because it is better and safer for students to be on campus than to be renting houses outside the campus. Within the campus, they are under our control but once they are outside the campus, we have limited jurisdiction.

On the campus we have the security agencies and the other arms of government to take care of such.

“Of course within the campus we provide more facilities like electricity. Also the proximity of classrooms and laboratories to the hostels is very important in the smooth and efficient academic delivery to our students. So we hope and pray that more people will respond to our call to come and build more hostels within the campus.”

On the sharp decline in the quality of university products in the country, Ambali said the quality of education is not that bad.

He said: “Most of our doctors practice in the UK, US and other developed nations. If they do not

•Prof Ambali

qualify for Medical Council exams there, they won’t have been allowed to practice there.”

The VC challenged local and state governments including education stockholders to improve the quality of students they are giving the universities.

“The universities get their students from the products of most secondary schools. We make use of what we are being fed with. So, the responsibility is not that of the universities alone, because we come in at the middle of the educational development. It is a collective responsibility,” he said.

S the 2012/2013 academic session begins on, January 14, at the University of (UI) Ibadan, fresh and returning students have been advised to disregard any information asking them to pay more than N14,000 as accommodation fee.

A statement by the UI Director of Public Communication, Mr Olatunji Oladejo, noted that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Isaac Adewole has stipulated that the fee should not be increased though leaders of the Students’ Union had agreed to an increment of about N6,000 to N8,000 when he met with them on December 18, last year.

The non-increment, Adewole said, is despite the fact that the non provision of subvention for accommodation in halls of residence for federal universities has become a big burden.

From the new session, Adewole said the administration of the hostels will be managed by the Hall Management Committee, including payment for services for electricity, cleaning and repairs.

The Vice-Chancellor said: “The university management has decided not to increase accommodation fee for this session. We will experiment with this for this session as the hall Management Committee has been empowered to take over the running of halls of residence. Let us see how this decision will work out in the new session. We can then meet and evaluate if the system succeeds or not. Electricity consumption is a major chal-

lenge in halls of residence and has gulped the university’s limited fund.”

During the meeting, it was also agreed that cooking anywhere asides the new kitchenettes should be banned, while students be warned not to bring electric cookers to the Halls of Residence.

Also, to check high electricity bill, the management will provide each kitchenette with pre-paid meters to regulate energy consumption in the halls.

In terms of security in halls of residence, it was decided that block/perimeter fencing will be erected around the halls.

Meanwhile, the university has resuscitated the cafeteria system which will allow for competent caterers to provide decent meals at affordable prices.

•Prof Adewole

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

27

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

28

EDUCATION FUNAAB FILE 25th anniversary logo THE Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has launched a logo in celebration of its 25th anniversary.

The university was established on January 1, 1988 by the Federal Government when four universities of technology, earlier merged in 1984, were demerged.

This led to the creation of the first two universities of Agriculture in Abeokuta and Makurdi.

However, for years, the anniversary was erroneously celebrated on January 28, the date the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nurudeen Olorun-Nimbe Adedipe officially assumed duties.

This error was only corrected following a revisit to the instrument setting up the university by the Governing Council at its 53rd statutory meeting in June 2010.

Prior to the emergence of UNAAB, the Federal Government had established the Federal University of Technology, Abeokuta (FUTAB) in 1983. Then, in 1984, it was merged with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and had its name changed to the College of Science and Technology, Abeokuta (COSTAB), before the demerger of January, 1988.

Prayers for 2013 NEW Year day made it exactly, seven months and nine days that the FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Bandele Oyewole had spent in office.

Speaking at a prayer session last Wednesday, the first working day of the year, Oyewole said God helped the management to complete12 out of the 25 projects inherited from the previous administration.

He said the completed projects include: 2,000-capacity Professor Mahmood Yakubu Lecture Theatre; 500-seater Central Computer Laboratory; Zoological Garden; New Female Hostel, Block C; New Female Hostel, Block D; and The University Souvenir Centre.

Oyewole thanked all past Governing Council members, Vice-Chancellors and the present Management team, Senate, leaders of staff and student unions, workers and students for their cooperation, describing them as the best among equals.

He charged them to make honesty, hard work, fairness and justice their hallmark while discharging their duties this year as they pray God to crown their efforts with success.

Author makes case for history

A

SEPTUAGENARIAN, Chief Olawale Bada, has advocated the inclusion of history in the list of compulsory subjects for secondary school pupils.

Speaking at the public presentation of his book, Blessings: A History of Eko Club, the 76-year-old lawyer said the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the agency responsible for curriculum development, should make history a compulsory subject for all pupils.

Bada argued that history would impart pupils with the knowledge of their country, thereby strengthening national unity and peaceful coexistence of all the tribes.

He said: “We are doing a great disservice to our past, our present and our future by relegating history to the background. It is not good at all. The Federal Government should prevail on the National Educational Research and Development Council to make History a compulsory subject in our schools.

“In fact, if we cannot incorporate everything, at least Nigerian History should be taught in our schools. Our children should know their country’s history. It is unfortunate that some of us only know our fathers, while some that are history-inclined could only speak about their grandfathers. This is

•Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Chief Williams; Governor Fashola; Mr Lawal and a representative of the Oba of Lagos during the book presentation

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

bad.”

The author also called on the Federal Government to emulate the United States (US) and Britain, which made studying their national history compulsory for pupils.

This, he said, became necessary because many Nigerians were no longer conversant with their roots.

He added that pupils who do not know their history and that of the society, particularly the history of their villages, are missing a lot.

“People should know that hu-

man history is as important as life and therefore should be taken very seriously,” he said.

Also speaking, Governor Babatunde Fashola, while presenting the book, said historical compilation of events would help the present generation to have correct records of events.

Fashola presented the book and bought 50 copies for an undisclosed amount before a gathering which included his father, Pa Fashola; the Ajiroba of Lagos, who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the club, Chief Rasheed Alaba Williams;

and the book’s reviewer, Prof. Adele Jinadu.

Jinadu, while reviewing the book, said it would be useful to the indigenes and non-indigenes of Lagos State.

According to him, the well-researched book dwells richly on the historical perspectives of Eko Club and its benefits to members and the society, particularly the needy; and its contribution to nation-building.

The Eko Club President, Chief Labi Lawal, an engineer, said the association supports the education of indigent Lagos indigenes through an annual scholarship scheme.

Etisalat rewards 70 students at merit awards

T

ELECOMMUNICATIONS company, Etisalat Nigeria rewarded 70 university undergraduates through its education empowerment scheme, the Etisalat Merit Awards recently.

The students, who brought the total number of awardees for 2012 to 200 were rewarded with educational grants at a ceremony held at De Renaisance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The telecom giant also used the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to impacting and improving the quality of education among Nigerian students in the country.

The scholarships were awarded to outstanding undergraduates from seven public universities in the Southwest region with the highest CGPA in courses like Electrical Electronics Engineering, Computer Science and Management Sciences.

The schools include: University of Benin, University of Ibadan, Lagos State University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Federal University of Science, Technology, Akure, and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, and Olabisi

Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

Etisalat Director, Products and Service, Mr Lucas Dada, who represented the Etisalat CEO at the event, said the scheme is a demonstration of the firm’s commitment to educational development and promotion of excellence among young people.

“It is a well-known fact that education fosters development, and is a powerful tool for change, change that facilitates economic advancement of any nation. Etisalat Nigeria is passionate about sustainable development of our country, which is why we have focused much of our CSR efforts on education, the backbone of progress.

The Etisalat Merit Award is one of such efforts focused on tertiary education, rewarding and encouraging excellent academic performance. Today’s presentation ceremony brings the total recipients for 2012 to 200,” he said.

According to Dada, the scheme which is in its fourth year has awarded scholarships grants of N100,000 each to over 800 University students across the country. “This is the third regional presentation ceremony we will hold this year across Nigeria. In the scheme,

•Kabiru Abdullahi (second right) with his wives Rukayat (left) and Halima with the Vice-Chancellor, Littoral University Porto (Institut Littoral Des Etudes Professionnelles Superieures) Porto-Novo Republic of Benin, Prof Ayeni Oyebode when Abdulahi was presented with a honorary doctorate at the university’s third matriculation and award ceremony held at the National Stadium, Porto-Novo.

PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

we award scholarship grants of N100,000 each to 10 best second and third year students in three important courses namely; Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, and Business Management from each university. The students are selected based on merit, coupled with indigenousness to the university’s location. We also have a grant for each partner university, towards the maintenance of academic excellence in their respective schools,” he concluded.

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olokoga, who represented Governor Babatunde Fashola praised Etisalat for sustaining the scheme.

“I really appreciate Etisalat for assisting the government to develop and promote the education sector in the

country, and I also will like them to put in a mechanism to monitor recipients to ensure good use of the grants, and urge other multi-national companies to “emulate the good work being done by Etisalat,” he said.

One of the students, Somefun Oluwaseun, a 300-level Electrical Engineering student of FUTA, was also grateful to Etisalat for making life easy for the youth and their parents who by virtue of this scholarship will not be under constraints to pay school fees.

The event also featured a life-changing seminar by renowned motivational speaker, Niyi Adesanya, a debate competition among students from the seven universities present and grand performance by the winner of the Etisalat-sponsored Nigerian Idol Season 2, Mercy Chinwo.

Govt urged to monitor private schools better SCHOOL owner, Dr Olukanyinsola Yetunde Giwa has attributed the proliferation of mushroom private schools to the inability of government to evolve an effective monitoring and evaluation policy for private education providers.

In an interview with The Nation, she urged the government to begin monitoring private schools so as to ensure quality education delivery.

“Government perceives private schools as unserious and avenues to waste funds. They allow mushroom schools to spring up. Charges levied on private schools are too outrageous, yet private schools are never considered for any benefit like their counterparts in public schools, even in terms of curriculum. There is need monitor private schools in the country. With this is place, standardization, good performance, and ethical conducts would be reinforced,” she said.

Dr Giwa, whose school, Best Legacy International Secondary Schools, Awe Town, Oyo State, clocked 10 in November, also said quality education should include moral education. She flayed government for not evolving a policy in this regard.

“Education should increase the consciousness level of Nigerian youths and socialize them into the national culture.

A

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

But what do we find today, education without morals due to lack of power monitoring and clear-cut policies devoid of political sentiments in regulating education or meaningful development,” she said.

At Best Legacy, however, she said moral education is given priority, and has helped the pupils to excel even better in other areas of learning.

She said: “Our uncompromised stand on moral aspect of education has helped our students to excel in local, state, national and international competitions be it sporting or academic.

They are highly disciplined, because as potential future leaders, they need to be groomed in order to become responsible, upright, diligent, hard working and above all patriotic in all their dealings. This is the missing link in most of our educational institutions today. They just go to school, acquire their certificates mainly for the purpose of meal tickers”.

Established on November 21, 2002, the school which started with seven pupils now has 203. It has produced six sets of graduands since inception, who Dr Giwa said excelled in the Senior School Certificate Examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

29

Sacrifice for a better future

*CAMPUSES Taking *NEWS pride *PEOPLE in their *KUDOS& KNOCKS culture Last week, all hell was let loose at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) following the death

of a final year student of Accounting, Teslim Adebola Ibrahim. OLATUNJI AWE reports. *GRANTS

Page 31

Page 34

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0802-4550-354 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

For many admission seekers in the southern part of the country, Jos, the Plateau State capital, is a no-go area due to ethno-religious crises. But some who are now schooling in the Tin City are beginning to think otherwise. Peace, they say, is gradually returning to the city. JOHNPAUL NNAMDI (Television Journalism, Nigerian Television Authority Television College, Jos) reports.

•A motorcycle set ablaze by irate youth in Jos after a bomb attack last March

The changing face of Jos J

OS was a popular and peaceful city which attracted people from different parts of the country. Foreigners too preferred the city because of its serenity. Now that peace is gone, making way for religious and ethnic strife. Jos that never knew the difference between a Muslim and a Christian and an indigene and a settler is now divided along those lines.

For admission seekers outside Plateau State, their perception of Jos is not palatable. Often times, the state boils over minor issues.

These crises have given the state a bad image. The impression of a first-time visitor is that

‘Christian students don’t like plying Bauchi road and Farin Gada, which are Muslimdominated areas, when going to school. They prefer to come through Agwan Rukuba, Christian-dominated environment, even when the fare is three times higher than what they will pay if they go through other routes.

The same is also applicable to Muslim students, who have abandoned Christian areas’ of fear because of the incessant violence.

With the killings sometimes in broad daylight and at times, the

wee hours of the night, many outside Jos feel the town is a nogo area. Those in the city and the boundary towns live in constant fear because nobody knows what will happen next.

One of such persons is Donald Ukpa, a Diploma student at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Television College (TV College), Jos. Donald’s quest for adventure brought him to Jos for education. He was discouraged from accepting the admission but after a few months in the Tin City, Donald changed his view about Plateau State.

“When I was offered admission into TV College, many of my •Continued on page 30

‘My dream is to raise responsible youth’ She is just 22, but Ngozi Emmanuel has a big dream for the youth. The CAMPUSLIFE reporter and Mass Communication graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, conceived SLAM, a leadership initiative, two years ago. Ngozi, who is serving in Kwara State, holds the dream dear to her heart. CHARLES OKONKWO interviewed her after the second edition of SLAM Youth Heroes’ Awards.

•Ngozi •Continued on page 30

•OAU student wins Ipad-P32 •Relief as FERMA repairs varsity link road-P33

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

30

CAMPUS LIFE

Pulling back Pushing from the Out with brink (1) Agbo Agbo

I

N 1948, three years after the end of the Second World War, a massive programme of aid from the United States to 16 western and southern European countries aimed at helping economic renewal and strengthening democracy after years of a devastating war commenced. Officially known as the European Recovery Programme (ERP), the plan is more commonly known as the Marshall Plan, after US Secretary of State George C. Marshall who announced it.

The War severely damaged the economies of Europe, leaving many in a parlous state: cities and factories had been bombed, transport links had been severed and agricultural production disrupted. In 1946 Britain, a former world power was close to bankruptcy and had to renege on international agreements, while in France and Italy there was inflation, unrest and fear of starvation.

The USA, in its bid to secure European markets, opted for a system of aid and loans, at first to all nations affected by the war, but some rejected the offer because of ideological concerns. By 1952 over $13 billion worth of aid was given. To assist in coordinating the Programme, the European nations created the Committee of European Economic Cooperation which helped form a four year recovery programme. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and West Germany were the benefiting Nations.

During the years of the plan, receiving nations experienced an economic growth of between 15% - 25%. Industry was quickly renewed and agricultural production sometimes exceeded pre-war levels. Britain’s war time Prime Minister, Winston Churchill

08052959489 (SMS only)

•aagboa@gmail.com described the plan “the most unselfish act by any great power in history”.

So what is the correlation here, you may ask, and what is my interest in the plan? My interest is simple, since the Marshall Plan was able to create a prosperous Europe in record time; I believe the time is rife that we have a similar plan in place to address the rot in our tertiary institutions. Tertiary education anywhere in the world is the bedrock of economic, social and political development. It was not a coincidence that the three presidential debates in the run off to last year’s US elections were held on university campuses, they are citadels of deep research and learning which has been known to put nations on the track toward prosperity.

In 2009, apprehensive that the US is losing its leadership position in technological innovation, President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan called for 90 percent of U.S. students to graduate from high school and complete at least one year of post-secondary education or training by 2020, this is their national goal in the face of the fact that less than 20% of their students enroll in science and technology courses while countries like South Korea, Japan, India and others have more than 70% enrolment in such courses, it is therefore not surprising that these nations are at the forefront of technological advancement with India making tremendous impact in tackling poverty through this.

Obama felt the need to encourage Americans – which he elaborated during his campaigns – to study such courses to help protect their national interest, universities should therefore

be seen as part of a country’s national interest. If our leaders don’t know that they should now.

My wish plan on moving our varsities forward should include the government – which should provide the will and direction -, policymakers, educators, business leaders, community representatives, parents and students; I am talking about serious dialogues that will produce positive and visible results backed with the political will to achieve whatever recommendations come out of it. The role of the business community, I must emphasise here, is fundamental.

I believe we all know that our industrial base has virtually collapsed because most industries have left our shores for neighbouring countries like Ghana. So now that we do not have an industrial base how in the world do we expect to provide employment for our teeming youths that graduate every year, especially against the call for a radical reduction in recurrent expenditure? It is instructive to note that most of the Okada riders in Lagos were textile company workers who had to go into the business when the sector collapsed, if you doubt this try and take a survey of not less than ten of them.

Universities, the world over have become instruments of national competitions as well as instruments of peace. They are the locus of the scientific discoveries that move economies forward; we are already left far behind because ours is no longer competitive to even attract lecturers on sabbatical from other universities across the world to keep us attuned to rapid global changes.

Serious universities today have become selfconsciously global seeking students from around the world who represent an entire spectrum of cultures and values to prepare them for global careers. But here at home we appear to have lost it altogether as our universities are no longer competitive thereby paving the way for about U.S. $500 million, or about N78.5 billion leaving our shores - and by implication our economy - annually in search of quality education according to the Committee of Vice-

The changing face of Jos •Continued from page 29

friends and some family members discouraged me from coming here (Jos). Their reason was that Jos and some parts of Plateau State are war zones. I was given several accounts of conflicts, which left many people dead. But my love for adventure prompted me to accept the admission because I have never witnessed or seen bloody conflict in my life. So, I told myself I wanted to see the war with my eyes,” Donald said.

He said those outside the state have a wrong impression about things, adding that they are afraid of what does not exist.

“With what I have seen since I came to Jos, three months ago, I feel most people who are always labelling Jos as a hot spot have never been here. I used to think so too, but I think the notion is inappropriate. In fact, I will complete my studies here instead of going elsewhere to continue as I earlier planned.”

After the killing of some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Jos in a 2007 religious clash, parents have been hesitant to send their children to school in Jos. The crises which started in 1994 have taken devastating turns. Students have become the target of the warring factions, thus making Jos unconducive for learning. The frequent disturbances also created a barrier between Christians and Muslims.

To Rufai Umar, 300-Level Linguistics, University of Jos (UNIJOS), the manner of conflict resolution whereby Muslims live

only in their dominated territory and Christians dwell among themselves only encourages rivalry and discrimination. Though there has been relative peace in Jos, in recent times, Rufai believes that the segregation of the socalled settlers and the natives sends negative signals to people living outside the state.

Lekan Olawale, 100-Level Geology, UNIJOS, shares his view. He said living apart had done more harm than good, especially to students of the university, whose hostels are in a Muslim-dominated area. According to him, most Christian students always avoid certain streets and roads.

Hear him: “Christian students don’t like plying Bauchi road and Farin Gada, which are Muslimdominated area, when going to school. They prefer to come through Agwan Rukuba, Christian-dominated environment, even when the fare is three times higher than what they will pay if they go through other routes. The same is also applicable to Muslim students, who have abandoned Christian areas.”

However, there is a truce of sorts. This is evident in the comingling of Muslims and Christians at the Terminus, one of the big markets and commercial areas in Jos. In the heat of the crises, Blessing Adah, 200-Level Television Journalism, TV College, said she had thought the state would be deserted.

“I had to confirm from several people before I could believe that I was in Jos because before I came here, I had been fed with many

unpalatable stories. So ,I concluded that I was coming to a state where people would be easy to count. Despite the crises, huge crowds still go to Terminus Market for business.”

Tijani Adams, Business Administration student of the Plateau State Polytechnic, argues that the presence of men of the Special Task Force (STF) has ensured peace in the state. Tijani described the STF’s roadblock opposite the polytechnic as “a deterrent for students from causing trouble.”

In its quest to restore peace, the state government and other stakeholders have been meeting with religious, traditional and community leaders. The Adviser to the Plateau State Governor on Peace Building, Mr Timothy Parlong, a lawyer, told CAMPUSLIFE that the government was working round the clock to restore peace by setting up committees that will work with locals to achieve that objective.

Parlong said: “There are frame works already on ground; we have taken advantage of them and are still coming up with other plans we feel suitable to our situation. On our own, we create avenues for Christian and Muslim youth to meet especially during festive periods. This has been going on for a while and we will continue to do so for the sake of peace.”

Maren Malo, 400-Level Sociology, says the peace being enjoyed in the state now is enough to sing hosanna for. He said:“The government must engage the concerned stakeholders on fundamental issue and also engage the media to re-orient the public.”

Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

Why are our universities not competitive?

In answering this question, I’d like to make reference to the Prof Mahmood Yakubu panel set up by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Though the panel did not say anything we are not already familiar with, the fact remains that we are in a dire strait. For instance, the report says, in part, that university library resources are mostly outdated and manual; and that no library in the public university system is fully automated. Other findings include the fact that less than 10 percent of the universities “have video conferencing facility, while less than 20 percent use interactive boards”. The report also noted that “more than 50 percent don’t use public address systems in the lecture rooms/ theatre; internet services are non-existent, or epileptic and slow.”

While I don’t have issues with the library aspect, I find it difficult to comprehend the aspect that talked about interactive boards and video conferencing facility in a system that lacked basic facilities like access to electricity. This is where I feel the panel missed the point, or perhaps they are talking about medium to long term planning while the interest of the nation now is on immediate term.

A common thread that runs through serious countries bent on change is the way they address issues of national importance, and one of these issue is education. Tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria are confronted with several challenges. It is a combination of poor or limited funding, increasing cost, decreasing quality, and inflexibility in course selection. We all know that an educated citizenry is crucial to the social, political, economic and cultural vitality of our communities and the country as a whole.

Outdated academic equipment’s and obsolete organisational structures are among the issues we face today. Perhaps the most formidable task confronting tertiary education in Nigeria is to articulate the triple relationship between the mission of the university and the specific needs of university’s political, social, economic, and cultural environment, and the characteristics of a rapidly changing world.

‘My dream is to raise responsible youth’

W

HAT makes Ngozi Emmanuel tick?

Well, Ngozi Emmanuel is just like every other woman out there. I am hardworking and I combine my primary assignment as a Corps member in Kwara State with editing SLAM magazine. Since you asked what makes me tick, I guess I am a girl who lives in ‘passion land’ unlike others.

What is SLAM about?

SLAM is an acronym for Smart Leaders Are Made. It was the irresponsibility of most youth that drove me to this vision. I dreamed of a new situation where youth can be made of sterner stuff and embrace responsibilities, learn and be able to possess good virtues to lead.

Basically, what SLAM is all about is building the leader of the present. We are into magazine publication which is not just another magazine on the stand. We also have several other projects that we run, such as symposium, Spelling Bee contest and Youth Heroes’ Awards. At SLAM, we believe in dynamism and there are a other projects we have plans to execute.

Could you shed more light on the Youth Heroes’ Awards?

The project was initiated in 2011 and, since then, with the partnership of the DBC Associates, we have been able to encourage youth in the Southeast towards positive values. In last year’s edition, which was the maiden ceremony of the award, five youth were celebrated and today, the youngsters are doing very well. Last December, six youth across the Southeastern states won. This project is at the heart of SLAM programmes for the youth because we believe that by giving the youths the necessary encouragement they need, we may

achieve greater things in the country.

How do you combine national Youth Service with the SLAM project?

It is challenging but the grace of God and the understanding of men have kept me going.

What should we expect from SLAM this year?

We hope for more partnerships so that we can execute more lofty projects.

However, the fifth edition of the magazine will be out soon but the Spelling Bee contest will be the most interesting project of the year. Also, we look forward to the third edition of the heroes’ Awards and several collaborations. We know every part of the world is in dire need of leadership and that is what we are providing.

Who is your role model?

I have got a lot of role models but my mentors are dear to me. Mr Iykes Afoenyi and Prof Kate Omenugha are my mentors. The late Mrs Ngozi Agbo, ex-CAMPUSLIFE Editor, played a very good role in the realisation of this project until her painful demise. She mentored me as well.

What motivates you?

The dream is to breed responsible youth, who know what to do at a particular time and how to do it best.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Well, I can sum that question up like this: I see myself becoming the Ngozi Emmanuel of Africa.

What message do you have for the people out there?

First, I will like to say a big thank you to the CAMPUSLIFE family and The Nation because this platform made me the person I am today. Also to my colleagues and my parents, their prayers and support will continue to make me strong and dream of new things.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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CAMPUS LIFE

•Sandwich students writing their exams two days before Christmas last December

•Akinrinlola

•Mrs Ogbonna

Many institutions went on vacation for the Yuletide. But, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), academic activities went on, writes OLADELE OGE (400-Level Mass Communication).

A

T the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), there was no holiday. Academic activities went on as usual.

Though many regular students went home to celebrate Christmas, some were stranded on the campus. So, they spent their Yuletide break in the school.

But for students offering Sandwich programmes, the Christmas was no break. They wrote their exams during the period.

The exam began two days before Christmas. For the rest of the days up to the New Year, except on December 25 and January 1, the students were in the exam hall.

The Sandwich students are mostly working adults. Some are teachers, who want to upgrade their qualifications. A few opted for the programme be-

Sacrifice for a better future cause they couldn’t go for regular academic programmes.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the students pleaded with the authorities to shift the exam date to January but the management did not oblige. When it dawned on them that the exam date would not be changed, some of them, who had travelled for Christmas, returned to the campus.

To compound their problem, commercial cab drivers, who ply the campus, were also on holiday.

The few that were operating doubled their fares.

Some of the students spoke to CAMPUSLIFE. Mr. Peter Ewhrudjapkpor, who is a 500-Level Sandwich student of Adult Education and Extramural

Studies, spoke of the inconvenience the Christmas-period exam caused him. He said: “Frankly speaking, no student is satisfied with the exam period because it made many of us to travel from afar down here to write the exam. Personally, I would have celebrated with my family in my village rather than being alone here reading. And for those of us who don’t have cars, it is a big problem because many of the campus shuttle vehicles only carried chartered passengers at unaffordable fares.”

He said transportation and water shortage were major challenges most of them faced during the period.

Mrs. Priscilla Ogbonna, final

year Sandwich student of Adult Education and Community Development, noted that it was difficult for students to write exam during the period because “many of us who are self-employed make sales during the period.”

She lamented the transportation problem encountered by the students during the exam.

For Akinrinlola Iyeyemi, 200Level Geography, spending Christmas in school was not what he planned for. “There is nothing like home,” he said, adding that the “long journey” from Enugu to Lagos was the reason he stayed back.

He confessed that it was not his first time he would be spending the Yuletide break on the cam-

To mentor its youth and prepare them for future tasks, the Apostolic Faith Church held a threeday convention for students from some African countries in Igbesa, Ogun State, last December.

PHILIP OKORODUDU (500-Level Electrical, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Delta State University) was there.

Journey of faith and learning

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OR three days in the last week of December, the Apostolic Faith Church camped about 5,000 youth at its annual International Youth Convention held at Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State.

Participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin Republic, Namibia, Cote D’voire and Central Africa.

During the academic expedition cum spiritual exercise, the youth were prepared for future tasks by the organisers of the convention.

The convention, which theme was Fit for the masters’ use? also featured film shows, drama, symposium, prayers, Bible study, testimonies and music, was presented by the church choir. The event afforded the youth an opportunity to reflect on their lives and share ideas.

In his welcome address, at is the proprietor of Crawford University, Reverend Adebayo Adeniran, expressed joy at being in the midst of the “future leaders”. Advising them to embrace positive values, Reverend Adeniran told the participants to

ensure they were not purged of gospel of Christ. He s aid: “God is interested in making you all, the youth of today, fit for tomorrow’s positive use.”

The youth were divided into various groups to facilitate easy understanding of the theme of the convention. There were classes for those in secondary schools, post-secondary schools, post-graduate schools and young couples. Also, youths from Francophone countries were grouped with interpreters. Various ideas were shared about the common challenges facing youths in each group.

Onyechi Kenny, 400-Level Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE after the event, said: “The teachings were marvellous; it is an experience that I will not want to miss next time.”

Another participant, Pelumi Osadola, 500-Level Law, Ekiti State University (EKSU), said he was “spiritually intrigued” with the determination to be Fit for the masters’ use.

Oliver Akpan, Diploma degree holder in Estate Management at the

•Cross-section of participants at the convention

Federal Polytechnic, Keffi, Nasarawa State, noted that the convention was “very interesting” because of the attendance of youth from mixed backgrounds.

Also, Ruth Dada, 200-Level History, University of Ibadan (UI), expressed joy being present at the convention. She noted that she was going home to spread the message to her friends to be focus and prayerful in order to be Fit for the masters’ use.

Highlight of the convention included the campfire and farewell night, which was held a day before departure. The campfire featured musical concert, variety night, awards and barbecue night.

In his remarks, the Director of Youth of the church, Rev. Emmanuel Moh, admonished the youth not to be mediocre in their discipline, noting that the organisation wanted to make its youth stand out among their peers worldwide.

•Crawford University gate

•Ewhrudjapkpor

pus. Akinrinlola said staying on campus when students had gone for holiday was sickening, because “to get foods, water, and recharge cards is tasking.” He said he used the period to complete the assignments.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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CAMPUS LIFE Police rescue kidnapped DELSU official •Kill three suspects, arrest others

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•Nurudeen (right) receiving the plaque and the prize from Alhaji Laguda

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400-Level undergraduate of English Language of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nurudeen Lawal, has won an Ipad for coming first in an essay competition organised for students of tertiary institutions.

Shehu Alamu of Muslim Association of Nigeria Secondary School, Lagos, got a laptop for topping the secondary school level and Aminat Adediran of the Winds Private School, Iwo-Osun State got the prize for the primary school category.

The contest was the third edition of the Glorious Islamic Centre (GIC) Essay Competition held at Adeniji Jones Avenue, Lagos.

The event also featured the third annual lecture and official opening of the GIC Skills Acquisition Centre.

The runners-up in the three categories also went home with prizes.

Speaking to reporters after receiving the prize, Nurudeen thanked Allah for his achievement.

The student praised GIC for the

OAU student wins Ipad From Damilare Oshopale LAGOS

laudable initiative and promised to concentrate more on writing.

“I am so happy because this is coming from an Islamic Centre, it is quite encouraging and I urge my fellow students to engage more in worthwhile ventures, such as this competition instead of wasting their time on unproductive activities,” he said. He added that the Ipad would aid his studies especially “my final year project.”

The GIC president, Alhaji Akin Laguda, said the competition was meant to reward brighter students and encourage them to focus more on their studies. In the era when indiscipline is rampant among the students, Alhaji Laguda, an Engineer said, efforts should be made to channel the students’ skills and attention to something worthwhile.

“We put up this essay competition as our own little way of mak-

ing the students useful for the society and the nation at large. I am glad the turnout has been impressive every year,” he said.

In his lecture on life fulfillment, a senior lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), Dr Saheed Timehin, enjoined Muslim youth to be true servants of Allah on earth by being hardworking, obedient and focused on academic work.

He said true success did not lie in riches as craving for material possession was a continuous process, which could not guarantee peace of mind. He added that improving one’s relationship with Allah was the best way to enjoy a peaceful life.

According to him, nothing shows piety except human’s aversion to forbidden things. “I advise Muslims to be pleased with whatever Allah has given them; they must love for others what they love for themselves and be good to neighbours,” he said.

Why we honoured Akintola, by Oyo Students

•Amb Akintola (right) receiving the award from Abdullahi and Oladele From Musliudeen Adebayo IBADAN

had not been academic lecture in honour of the late politician.

The students honoured Akintola’s family represented by Ambassador Yomi Akintola at the event attended by the Acting ViceChancellor, Prof Sulaimon Gbadegesin, Senator Ayo Adeseun, Oyo Central, chairmen of Ogbomoso South and Surulere Local Government areas , Hon. Olanrewaju Oladeji and Hon. Ibrahim Gbadeniyi respectively and Prof O.B.C. Nwolise, head of Political Science department, University of Ibadan.

In his lecture titled Politics and good governance in temporary Nige-

ria: The role of the youth in ensuring good governance, Nwolise listed public education, enlightenment and mobilisation, campaigns, constructive criticisms and educative excursion as role of youth in nation building.

The junior Akintola said he was proud of the students for considering it necessary to honour his late father. He equally promised to support the students’ cause and the actualisation of the Distinguished Lecture.

Ladoke Akintola, a lawyer and politician, was born on July 6, 1910 in Ogbomoso and died on January 15, 1966 during the first military coup. He was the 13th Aare Onankakanfo of Yorubaland.

From Philip Okorodudu DELSU

government to the security lapse in the area.

Briefing newsmen at Abraka, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba, said his men acted on a tip off and raided the abode of the kidnappers in Eboh, Ughelli North Local Government Area. Three of the kidnappers were killed in the gun duel that ensured during the operation. He added that three criminals were captured.

He also stated that the victim, Denedo, was rescued unhurt. Aduba disbanded the vigilante group operating in the university community, stating that one of the killed kidnappers, Mr Nelson Denedo, from Ethiope East Local Government Area, was a vigilante leader in Abraka community. He directed his men to return all weapons recovered from the criminals to the state command immediately.

The bodies of the dead kidnappers were displayed at the police station.

Their names were given as, Nelson Denedo, Fidelis Nwachukwu and Kingsley Iwedinawan.

The rescued victim could not be reached at press time as he was said to be resting in an undisclosed location.

•DELSU gate

Red Cross holds Cancer Week

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HE Federation of Oyo State Students Union (FOSSU) and its Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso chapter, have explained why they held a posthumous award in honour of the former Premier of the defunct Western Region, late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

The national Vice President of the union, Abdullahi Adeyemi, said the programme was to recognise the contribution of the late Akintola to the development of Southwest. Corroborating him, the president of the LAUTECH chapter, Ibrahim Oladele, said Akintola’s legacies as Premier and a role model to the youth in defending the unity of the nation must not be left to fade away.

They spoke at the post-humous award organised in honour of Akintola. The programme took place in the expansive MKO Abiola Lecture Theatre in LAUTECH. The students also hinted the commencement of S.L. Akintola Distinguished Lecture, which will feature personalities who have excelled in their discipline. They said they would ensure the lecture begins this year. Abdullahi said it was disheartening that since the establishment of LAUTECH, there

T was celebration galore in Abraka community, Delta State when news broke that some kidnappers, who were disturbing the area, had been arrested in the early hours of last Friday. The suspects were rounded up during the search for a victim, Mr Martins Denedo, who is the Treasurer DELSU chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

Denedo was kidnapped at around 1am on January 1 when he was returning from the New Year service programme in his church by eight gunmen, who laid siege at his residence. He was driven away in his Nissan Pathfinder Jeep with registration number BKW 18 AA Delta.

The host community of the Delta varsity has, since 2011, been witnessing kidnapping activities, for which many lecturers and nonacademic staff have fallen victim. Last March, the wife of the Commissioner for Basic Education in the state, Mrs Stella Mouboghare, was kidnapped on campus, a situation which led to the protest by a women group, the youth and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The demonstration culminated into solidarity strike by the DELSU staff to draw the attention of the

EMBERS of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) chapter, have held their week with a seminar on cancer. The event started with a visit to orphanage homes, after which the students moved round the campus in procession to create awareness for the programme.

The week also featured visits to secondary schools and exhibition programme.

The enlightenment seminar, which was chaired by Prof E. Adejuyigbe, took place at the Cooperative Hall with the theme A journey through the killer-disease cancer: My hope of survival. The guest speaker, Prof B.J. Olasode, urged the participants to always go for medical check up to prevent development of cancer cells in the body.

He noted that the disease killed 20,000 people every day, adding that one out of every eight people die of cancer. He added that early detection remained the solution in the absence of clinical breakthrough to cure the “notorious”

From Samuel Afolabi OAU

disease.

Other guests at the seminar included Engr. A. Awe, Divisional Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Dr Bukola Ojo, Staff Adviser and Mr Femi Olufemi, former Commandant in 2010/2011 session.

Awe, speaking after the lecture, said the society had been carrying out its selfless service for the past 20 years on OAU campus. He said: “Red Cross is a selfless service to humanity; you can be called at any time to attend to humanity sacrifices.”

Dr Ojo advised the members not to neglect their academic work because of their extra-curriculum engagement.

In the last day of the week, members of the society went on a blood donation exercise, which precluded the club’s award and dinner night.

The Red Cross commandant, Oluwaseun Adebayo, thanked members of the club for their support towards the success of the event.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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CAMPUS LIFE Relief as FERMA repairs varsity link road From Abiola Solanke FUNAAB

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•Some of the award receipients posing with friends

Awards for English students

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ATIONAL Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), Imo State University (IMSU) chapter, has celebrated its end of the year party and award night.

It was all excitement as English students trooped to the Lobic Meridian Hotel, along Port Harcourt road, Owerri, the venue of the ceremony.

MC Dynamite, 2kcool and other comedians on campus entertained students in a ceremony attended by the members of the Students’ Union executive.

The event featured activities such

From Ekene Ahaneku IMSU

as music and dance performance by budding artistes in the university. The occasion was declared open by president of the department, Uche Nwauba. She saluted the graduating students and freshers of the department.

NASELS national president, Izuchukwu Akwarandu, spoke on behalf of the national officers of the association.

Some students of the department were honoured with awards in categories such as Most Influential, Mr

and Miss NASELS, Miss eloquent, Icon of English and Literary Studies and Mr Swagg among others. Elizabeth Ugwu won the Miss NASEL while Mr NASEL went to Emeka Prestige. Awards were also presented to the Chief Judge of the Faculty of Humanities and Izuchukwu.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, NASELS Director of Social, Chisom Iwuchukwu, expressed joy, saying the event was a success.

Chidiebere Enyia, the recipient of the Most Intellectual Course Rep award, thanked his colleagues for finding him worthy of honour.

UCCOR may have come the way of staff and students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

Engineers of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) have moved back to the site to rehabilitate the decrepit Camp/ FUNAAB/Alabata road.

The road, which serves as the gateway from Abeokuta town to the school, had been in bad shape for several years. FERMA moved to the site early last year and began repair on a stretch of the road.

Midway into the exercise, the project was suspended due to the of rainy season, a situation which compounded the hardship being faced by users plying the road.

When the road was partially rehabilitated, there was instant reduction in fares charged by commer-

cial cab operators plying the route.

This was sequel to the agreement reached with the Students’ Union.

The drivers had complained that the high cost of transport was as a result of the bad road network but with the partial reconstruction of the road, Camp to school which initially cost N50 by cab was slashed to N40. The fare for school gate to campus was also reduced from N30 to N20, which made many students and staff to heave a sigh of relief from the previous exorbitant charges.

Also, since the reconstruction of the road, the spate of accidents and vehicle breakdown has reduced.

The poor condition of the road caused many vehicles to break down resulting into traffic snarl on different occasions.

A respondent, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, said they hoped that the repair work will be completed on time to alleviate their suffering on the road.

•A tarred stretch of the road last week

Law students get leader

T •Some of the matriculating students after the ceremony

Freshers warned against misconduct

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RESHERS admitted for Diploma programmes at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurum, Delta State, have been enjoined to be disciplined and law-abiding. The Acting Principal of the school, Mrs Clara Dennar, made the charge during the matriculation ceremony held for 885 students admitted by the institution.

The occasion which took place at the PTI Conference Centre and had in attendance, the Acting Registrar, Mrs A.S. Ewere, top managements staff, heads of all the eight departments in the institute, lecturers. The HODs took their turns to present the admitted students in their respective departments.

Dennar said: “As new students, you are expected to be disciplined. This is one of the cultures in the oil industry for which you are being groomed.

Management, therefore, does not en-

From Princewill Jacob PTI

courage any type of vices and immoral behaviours such as drug peddling, abuse, cultism, examination malpractice and unlawful protest.”

She continued: “Let me warn against unlawful protest on campus. It is an act of indiscipline. No student should take the laws into his or her hand. Any student caught or involved in unlawful protest on campus is deemed to have breached the matriculation oath. Severe penalties will be meted out to such student. Let me restate that management has zero tolerance for these social vices.”

The matriculation oath was administered on the students immediately after the Principal’s speech by the Registrar. The frehers, who were all beam-

ing with smile, took time out to merry with their friends and family members.

Francis Emmanuel, admitted to Industrial Safety and Environmental Technology department, said he was happy because “coming back to the institute for my Higher National Diploma (HND) programme did not come with ease as some my colleagues with whom I started National Diploma (ND) with could not make it for the HND programme.”

Another student, Patrick Taiwo, ND 1 Welding, who said he had written the institute’s entrance exam three times, stated that being a student of the PTI was a dream come true for him.

“My dream has been fulfilled; I thank God for answering my prayers. I dream to work in big oil companies such as Chevron and Total,” he said.

Varsity entrance exam now Jan. 26

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HE entrance examination into the pre-degree programme of Delta State University (DELSU) will not be held on the fixed date. The exam will now come up at an earlier date.

Prospective students have been told to be aware of the new date in order not to miss the exam. The

From Philip Okorodudu DELSU

entrance examination, which was earlier scheduled to hold on March 3, was shifted to January 26. This was announced in a statement from the university’s information unit.

Also, the sale of forms for Diploma programmes of the university will close on February 1. CAMPUSLIFE reliably gathered that the change in the date of both programme is to ensure that the 2012/2013 university calendar won’t be altered.

HE Law Students’ Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter, has inaugurated new executive that will pilot its affairs in 2012/2013 academic session. The inauguration took place in the moot court room, Faculty of Law. The new president of the association, Woda Ojong took oath with other members of the executive, who included Rachel Tamunotonye, Vice President; Emine Akpanukoh, Secretary General and John Omligbe, Assistant Secretary General.

Others are Hogan Ansa,Treasurer; Fredrick Nwuzor, Financial Secretary; Ebaan Eyare, Director of Socials; Osazuwa Uzzi, Director of Information and Daniel Godspower, Director of Sport.

At the event were Barrister Roland Ipuele, who represented the Dean of Law, Mr Andrew Enwata, a Law lecturer and Linus Oko, out-

From Emmanuel Ahanonu UNICAL

going president of the association.

Ipuele urged the Law students to remain steadfast in their academic engagement and to be hardworking. He advised the members of the incoming executive to serve the students and play down personal interest. He then administered the oath of office on the members.

Linus, in his own speech, urged the new officers not to allow internal wrangling prevent them from serving the students.

Woda, in his acceptance speech, promised to consolidate on the “good work of the outgoing administration” and pleaded for the support of all students in the faculty.

“I will ensure that all the internal conflicts that might rear their heads in my administration will be managed skillful,” he offered.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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CAMPUS LIFE Isoko students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have held their cultural day at Malabo Square. STANLEY UCHEGBU (400-Level Accounting) was there.

•The cultural troupe entertaining guests with traditional dance

•Some of the Isoko students at the event

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HE precinct of the expansive Malabo Square was tastefully decorated. It was the cultural day of Isoko students of University of Calabar (UNICAL). The students, under the banner of the National Union of Isoko Students (NUIS), displayed their culture, norms and values; they rolled out drums to showcase their heritage.

Adorned in different traditional attires, the students staged some traditional dances to entertain guests, who attended the event from Delta and Cross River states.

Comrade Francis Arere, chairman of Calabar chapter of Isoko Development Union, led the Isoko ethnic leaders to the occasion.

Others at the event included the former president of the union, Israel Agare; Vice President of

Taking pride in their culture UNICAL Students’ Union Government (SUG) Irene Ituen; president of Yoruba Students’ Association, Joseph Faleti, and members of the union.

Speaking in Isoko dialect, Arere advocated the promotion of Nigerian cultures and languages in all tertiary institutions. According to him, culture is the binding tool that brings people together and makes them to remember their tradition.

He advised the students not to neglect their language wherever they found themselves, urging teachers to inculcate traditional cultures and values in students to prevent the extinction of local dialects.

The union president, Oyibu Aziakpono’s welcome address, followed after the breaking of kola nuts. According to the president, kola nut does not understand any other language except the language of the presenter. The kola nut was blessed by Arere in Isoko’s tradition, after which it was shared among members and the guests.

Oyibu described the cultural day celebration as essential event designed to showcase the Isoko culture both at home and on strange land. He frowned on the manner the youth neglected their culture nowadays, saying people now view their culture as primitive.

He stressed that the effect had been negative because some youth in the higher institutions could not speak in their dialect and identify with their culture. He appealed to the members of the union and other indigenous associations to promote their culture, norms and values in practice, adding that Isoko remained one of the most respected cultures in Delta State.

He thanked those who contributed to the success of the cultural day and guests, who made out time to honour the union’s invitation despite their tight schedule. The cultural troupe of the union entertained the gathering with Isoko

dance.

Israel called on the students to imbibe and uplift the cultural values of the Isoko people, adding that the occasion was to enlighten them about the tradition of the ethnic stock.

The highpoints of the event were as the coronation of Miss Isoko, presentation of certificate of service to the union’s executive members, and award of honour to the deserved recipients. This was followed by the launching of the union’s almanac.

The event came to an end with a closing speech by Irene, who represented the chairman of the occasion, Engr. Friday Onowho. She commended the students for the turnout at the event, saying display confirmed that pride of a people was embedded in their culture.

Trading for survival GOTODOK LENGSHAK (400Level Television Journalism) writes on the growing trend of students doing various businesses at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Television College (TV COLLEGE), Rayfield, Jos.

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FIRST time visitor to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Television College (TV College), Jos Plateau State, is welcomed by an array of trading posts.

Most of the bussinesses are not owned by members of the college’s host community, but by students.

For some reasons, the students have been engaging in one business or the other. This, perhaps, is making journalism, for which the school was established, to compete with entrepreneurial skills of the students.

There are students who went into businesses to meet their personal and academic needs. Others did because they have a flair for it.

Florence Olukoju, 300-Level Production, who sells snacks and a locally-made drink popularly called Zobo, is one of such students.

In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, she said she was

•Students browsing in an Internet cafe owned by Damion

prompted by the need to be selfreliant and to meet other’s needs.

She said: “I like business generally, and since my sojourn outside my parents’ home, I have learnt to be an independent person. This encouraged me to set up a business venture that will make me realise my goals as an entrepreneur.”

This view was shared by the other small-scale business owners in the college.

However, combining academic work with business is by no means an easy task. To be successful on both fronts seems to be an uncommon feat because one must invest adequate time to meet up academically and to also keep the

business afloat.

Damion Babang, also in 300Level Production and co-owner of a popular cyber café in the college, Network Bridge Communication, attested to this notion. He said despite the tight conditions, coping under pressure is what many students do.

“Achieving academic success and sustaining my business made me to sacrifice my nights and work almost all the time to cover up academically. I will leave anything I am doing in my office to write my assignments, do my productions and study as well. When there is a lecture, I leave every job I am doing to attend the lecture because this is the reason I am in

•Florence (right) displaying her wares on campus

school,” Damion said.

According to him, entrepreneurial students in the college, apart from fending for themselves, have turned out to be employers of labour.

“Business on campus has helped me in solving my financial problems. Instead of going to uncles and aunties to seek for financial assistance, I cater for my needs and also help my other colleagues. This four years business has turned out to be an employment firm for others. Right now, we have an assistant who manages the café when we are not there or on days when we have much work to do,” Damion added.

In her opinion, Florence believed

the only way out of poverty was to embrace small scale business, through which she pay her school fees.

Considering the high rate of unemployment in the country, students who engage in business said they did not have the plan to quit their businesses even after school.

Some of them who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE said they enjoyed doing what they were doing. “I’ll still maintain my business even after school. Nigeria is very unpredictable. I will only engage in other ventures when I think I don’t derive satisfaction in the business any longer,” said a student, who operates a computer center in the college.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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CAMPUS LIFE

Case for corporate governance in C capital market ORPORATE governance refers to the system of administration of a company by its board and managers, which engenders accountability to the benefit of the shareholders and the customers. It involves regulation of the firm’s operation and defining the role and relationships of each arm. By so doing, the firm is strengthened. The goals are also clearly defined.

On the other hand, capital market, according to Oxford Business Dictionary, is a market in which long-term capital is raised by corporate bodies, the government and local authorities. The money comes from private investors, insurance companies, pension funds and bond.

The origin of the Nigerian capital Market dates back to the colonial era. The recognition of the role of capital in the production process and economic performance of the nation led to the effective and efficient combination of factors of production to ensure sustainable economic growth. To meet with the growing financial need in the administration of the then fledgling nation, the colonial masters decided to expand the frontiers of revenue generation.

In the bid to make fund readily available, it was necessary to establish a self-sustained financial system domiciled in Nigeria. By the end of 1957, the colonial administration had promulgated the

General Loan and Stock Act and Local Loan (Registered Stock and Securities).

On March 19, 1996, the Federal Government of Nigeria appointed the panel on the review of the Nigerian capital market - the Odife panel - which was billed with responsibility to examine the state of the Nigerian capital market and formulate a framework towards improving on the its achievement.

Today it is believed that the development of the Nigerian capital market can be catalysed through good corporate governance. This will bring out innovative vision, processes and structures to make decisions that will be beneficial to it on long-term basis. Thierry Buchs said: “Good corporate governance is the glue that holds together responsible business practices, which ensures positive workplace management market place responsibility, environmental stewardship, community engagement and sustained financial performance.”

The application of the principle of corporate governance will take the Nigerian capital market to a greater height. This will provide avenue for the right and equitable treatment of shareholders. This

principle of corporate governance will provide practical guideline for best practices, including protection of shareholders, board, investors and other stakeholders.

The Nigerian capital market provides veritable avenue for private enterprises to raise investible head start for the expansion and opening of businesses.

Entry of private firms into the market will continue to make a difference in terms of economic development, which was why the stock market was deregulated many years back.

Though, the capital market, like other sector of national economy, has been beset with many problems.

These problems are both endogenous and exogenous. The exogenous challenges resulted due to the external control of the market. Over the years, the stock market has been seen as a pawn in the hands of politicians. This has affected the smooth operation of the stock market, which is supposed to be insulated from the influence of politics.

The endogenous problems are those that are internally-induced in the market. But the challenges are amenable to change with improved operational procedures including the adoption of information technol-

ogy through corporate governance.

Some of these endogenous and exogenous problems are: the small size of the market; it has been traced to apathy of Nigerian entrepreneurs to go public due to the fear of losing control of their business. But if the principle of disclosure and transparency is applied these entrepreneurs will freely join the market there by solving that problem.

Problems of the Nigerian capital market include the slow growth of securities market. This is due to lack of cooperation between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The recent accusation by the SEC Director-General, Mrs Arunma Oteh, against the former boss of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Prof Ndidi Okereke-Onyuike, shows that the two market bodies are not working in tandem.

Oteh accused Prof OkerekeOnyuike of mismanagement. The latter, in response, attributed the capital market crisis to the unwholesome activities in SEC and some commercial banks. She also told House of Representatives committee hearing the crisis that the “Rolex wristwatch” allegation by Oteh was diversion to justify the illegal invasion of the NSE by SEC in August 2010.

To a discerning mind, all these developments are pointer to the fact that corporate governance principle, integrity and best ethical practice, are lacking in the opera-

By Ekene Ahaneku tion of the capital market in Nigeria. Adequate application of integrity and ethical behavior rooted in the culture of corporate governance will help the two commissions to work together for the betterment of investors, economy and generality of Nigerians.

The coming of Mr. Oscar Onyema as the NSE Chief Executive Officer, and Oteh as the DG of SEC must improve the deplorable state of the Nigerian capital market, which has been hobbled by financial meltdown and weak corporate governance. If it is ensured that visions, processes and structures play role in its operation, the capital market will continue to court development and growth.

Ekene, 200-Level Optometry, IMSU

Tony Blair’s moral burden on peace initiative L

AST November, the trio of Mr Tony Blair, former United Kingdom Prime Minister and founder of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, Bishop Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury-Designate, and Ghazi bin Muhammad, Jordan’s monarch, launched a new faith-based programme to encourage reconciliation between Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria.

According to the trio, there have been deep divisions and tensions between communities in the country recent time. The main cause of the friction, according to them, included challenges of poverty and barriers of ethnicity, class and religion. This, to me, is a well-diagnosed problem not uncommon to the African continent.

However, the solution does not lie on Mr Blair’s Faith Foundation because of certain reasons peculiar to this crisis. The challenge lies with our leaders to find solution rather than paying lip services to these fundamental problems confronting our dear continent. They are Africans, and this fact will make them to be able to tackle the problem from the African point of view.

The foundation decides to embark on a plan of action with local Christian and Muslim faith leaders and young people to work together to build a sustainable co-existence through joint leadership and education. By this, the founder intends to

By Frances Wendle

break down religious and ethnic barriers, and give these communities the knowledge to resist extremists’ voices and ideology, and work towards a long-term peace in Nigeria.

They intend to achieve this by bringing high school pupils together in 19 countries so they can learn from each other directly, learn to respect differences – not fear it – and ultimately replace conflict with cooperation.

Generally speaking, this is a lofty and perhaps laudable project so to speak. We stand to benefit as Africans.

Particularly, communities in Nigeria stand the chance of taking part in this project. However, this writer’s concern, as a critic of this project, stem from the fact that a person cannot approbate and at the same time reprobate.

Where this happens, the character of the personality in question is in serious doubt. Taking a retrospective account of the political activities of Mr. Tony Blair in the last decade for instance, in relation to international politics, one wonders the moral standing of this leader. Etymologically, religion means bind together, oneness, togetherness and co-existence even as espoused by Mr Blair.

This means whatever the difficulty, whether in politics or religion, dialogue remains indispensible method of settling differences.

I recall the sad story of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon in the United States.

Thousands of innocent people were maimed and slain that sunny afternoon. It was alleged that Osama Bin Laden and his al–Qaeda network claimed responsibility of that heinous attack on the American soil.

After the attack, it is quite logical that a nation like US could not fold its arms without doing anything to bring the perpetrators to justice. President George Walker Bush and Blair, as UK Prime Minister, after the attack took a unilateral decision to go to war in Afghanistan, the purported hide out of Osama Bin Laden, defiling all international codes of ethic and diplomatic measures of the UN. The ideology of the war was to eliminate all forms of terrorism in the face of the earth. However, the posture and the impression created by the war-mongering West seemed to berate the people in the Arab world as worse terrorists who must be annihilated.

To set the record straight, Osama Bin Laden and his Al–Qaeda network were only few among multitudes of Muslims, who knew nothing about the war and have been killed even with the Taliban forces of the defunct Taliban Government in Afghanistan who had fought not as accomplice of Osama Bin Laden but as forces safe-

guarding the territorial sovereignty of their dear nation Afghanistan.

The insinuation this war created, to me has, to a large extent, pitched Muslims against Christians in the Arab world and by extension some parts of Africa. Had Mr Blair obeyed the wise counsel of the world leaders, the world would have avoided shedding the blood of the innocent souls, who are still crying in their graves.

Lest we forget Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. Messrs Bush and Blair accused Saddam of building “Weapons of Mass Destruction”, which, if given the chance, he would have destroyed the world. The forensic investigation led by then International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chairman, Mr. Hans Blics, and his team of eminent experts, showed that there was nothing to believe that Saddam was developing nuclear arsenal with which to destroy the world.

Let us ask Mr Blair whether he has actually satisfied the legal Latin principle of “affirmantin non negantin incumbit probatio”, which means literally, he who asserts the existence of a particular fact must prove? The same Mr Blair who was one of the two alter ago of those evil deeds against the peace-loving Iraqis has come with a massage of peace in Nigeria. The man, who thinks that Muslims are not worthy to live with and has over the years through his conduct, hiding under the canopy of anti-terrorism agenda

killed Muslims around the world, is here with the free gift of peace. How I wish our leaders would hold him responsible in this part of the world. The innocent souls of the helpless Iraqis are crying to the enemy of Islam - Mr Tony Blair.

I must say that it is disheartening that today, little attention is given to people whose moral character have question mark. Blair and his foundation have probably come with huge sums of money to induce us into believing that he is a Sacred Cow. The question is: if Mr Blair knows Christians and Muslims are meant to live in solidarity with one another, why did he support the killings of Muslims for more than a decade?

Who knows whether David Cameroon and Obama have him as the Biblical John the Baptist to come and prepare the way for another war in Nigeria because of the presence of Boko Haram in some parts of the Northern Nigeria? Please I urge Nigerian leaders to take a drastic step to engage in critical dialogue with the sect in an effort to seek a lasting solution to the problem instead of waiting for Mr Tony Blair and his counterpart gay rights believer, Bishop Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury Designate, to complicate matters.

Frances is a Ghanaian student studying Law at UNILORIN

Education as catalyst for progress

E

By Mabel Opara

DUCATION is the bedrock of societal development. A society that fails to realise the importance of education has given its soul to mediocrity and backwardness. Their negative effects are inefficiency, slow-pace of development, and corruption.

The most industrialised or developed nations in the world today have very high literacy levels among their citizens and such nations devote attention and invest huge sums of money in the advancement of knowledge and

by extension the society.

This cannot be said to be the case in Nigeria. Government and, of course, our parents do the direct opposite of what is obtainable in civilized nations: very little or no attention is given to the education of the youth in the country.

The level attention given to education by successive governments in the country has impacted negatively on our society. With students paying higher fees to acquire tertiary education, it remains to be seen how the myriad

of problems bedeviling our society as a result of illiteracy will be solved. If adequate attention is given to the education sector by government, parents and teachers, the nation’s pace of development will increase in leap.

Eight years ago, one needed, on the average, less than N15,000 per session to pay one’s way through a four-year course in the university, and even lesser in polytechnics and college of education. This amount included tuition, accommodation and other miscella-

neous charges in faculty and department.

However, in today’s Nigeria, the same amount of money is onetwelfth of the tuition fees for a session in any higher institution.

Added to this is the high cost of books and other educational materials needed. To run a Master’s program in the university these days, a lot of money is required.

Some Master’s courses go for as high as N300,000 or even more.

•Continued on page 36

36

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

CAMPUS LIFE

Law students win prizes in oratory contest

T

HE Liberty Chambers, one of the six chambers in the Faculty of Law of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, held her annual oratory competition last Friday. The contest, held in the faculty’s moot court, was attended by legal practitioners, Students’ Union officials and lecturers from various faculties.

The exercise commenced early last year with the preliminary competition. The 12 participants got seven legal and quasi-legal topics assigned to them. After the preliminary, six contestants scaled through for the final phase of the competition.

The chamber’s Director of Litigation, Uche Anichebe, told CAMPUSLIFE that the programme was envisioned two years ago during the tenure of Lord Chancellor Maduka Onwukeme. “He successfully organised the first-ever oratory competition in the history of the faculty. Then, it was wholly sponsored by Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN). That vision has taken a whole new form, because what started out as an inner chamber activity has now become an inter-chamber competition. This is unlike the maiden edition, members of all other chambers participated in this edition,” she said.

The six participants made presentations on two contemporary topics: “State creation: Panacea to the underdevelopment of the South Eastern region” and “Euthanasia as an offence: To be or not to be”. The programme was divided into three parts, the first being the presentation on the first topic, the second was a lecture by Dr Elizabeth Orji, Staff Adviser of the chamber, and the third was the final presentation of the second topic.

The finalists were at their best, thrilling the audience with their diction and oratory skills. The audience clapped intermittently as the finalists took on the topic. They were allowed to speak for six minutes.

•Promise (second left) being presented with LG television set by the organisers From Oluchukwu Igwe UNIZIK

In her lecture on Sovereign National Conference (SNC), Dr Orji noted that the quest for the confederation of the SNC was an age long quest in Nigeria and several other nations. According to her, such quest begins

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

after the breakdown of the prevailing system. She pointed out that the SNC may not be the magic wand that would salvage the Nigerian polity because “nothing guarantees the success of a revolution.” She said SNC had no sure guarantee for success, adding that the conference might encourage the breaking of Nigeria.

After the lecture, the final segment of the contest commenced. The hallmark of the event was the announcement of the winners by the panel of judges and presentation of prizes to the contenders.

Promise Mmaduboubu, 300-Level student in Equity Chambers, came first in the competition. She was presented with a certifi-

cate and brand new LG television amid applauses by the audience. The first runner up, Queen Agulefo, and the second runner up, Paschal Onyejelam, were presented with a brand new refrigerator and generating set respectively.

Other contestants were given consolation prizes, which were Law text books and novels. Dr Orji congratulated the winners and encouraged the contestants who lost out.

Promise said: “I thank God for making my dream come through. I am very grateful to Liberty Chamber for this wonderful platform given to me and other contestants to develop our public speaking skill. This is a very wonderful experience for me.”

Faculty floats agric, quiz clubs

From Lukmon Adedoyin UNILORIN

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URING the Christmas break, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof A. A. Adeloye, chaired the occasion that saw the inauguration of two clubs - Agbelere and UNILORIN Quiz clubs - in the faculty.

The former is agriculturally-oriented society that seeks to promote Agriculture Science and make it a preferred course for students.

In the remarks, Prof Adeloye praised the efforts of the students for coming together to envision the idea, pledging its continuous support for the club. Other lecturers that graced the occasion included Prof G.O. Olaoye, Dr F. O. Adekola and Dr A.K. Musa.

The Greener Club, however, took its members on an excursion to two of the

largest farms in Kwara State. They also visited T.J Fish Farm, Ilorin and the AlAbrar Livestock and Arable Agriculture Farms, Oloje, Ilorin.

The president of the club, Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, 500-Level Animal Production, said the visit was to broaden the practical knowledge of the members in the discipline. The students expressed optimism that the future of agriculture in Nigeria was bright.

To sustain the feat of its students during the last inter-faculty quiz contest, the faculty inaugurated the Quiz Club, which is coordinated by Dr Adekola and Dr A.O. Adeyina. Speaking at the inauguration, Prof M.A. Belewu encouraged the students to be voracious learners, so that they could pick values from the society in addition to their degrees. He also charged them to repeat the feat they achieved in the previous edition of the Inter-Faculty quiz competition.

Education as catalyst for progress •Continued from page 35

Apart from the high cost of education in Nigeria, the problem of educational indiscipline is another factor affecting the sector negatively. These days, schools have been confronted by problems of indiscipline among parents, teachers and students.

If some parents are well-disciplined, they will not give money to examiner to get their children pass examination.

If our teachers want development for our nation, collecting money from students to grade them higher in examination must be stopped. And if students are well disciplined, they will see virtue in the habit of reading and not paying money to pass exams.

Indiscipline has done more harm than good to education in this country; it has resulted in poor academic performance in schools. As a result of this problem, many students have abandoned their studies to engage in malpractice. This is done with the assistance of parents and teachers.

It is hoped that necessary measures will be introduced by government to stem the rising tide of education fees in Nigeria. Indiscipline in education must also be reduced, if it cannot be totally eradicated, to pave the way for quality education and a well literate citizenry, which will in turn cause development in our society.

Mabel, 400-Level Information Management Technology, FUTO

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

37

EDUCATION

A

Student evolves new formula

DEBAYO Kassim, a mathematics and computer science undergraduate of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has come up with a new method of tackling linear equations.

The 100-Level student told The Nation that the new formula, called the Muhammed Adebayo Kassim (MAK) method, is designed to make calculations easier for students to solve equations.

The method involves cross multiplying individual co-efficients and solving them one after the other.

Comparing the MAK method to other existing methods of solving equations, he said the method consists of five approaches, any of which can be used to solve the equation without stress.

“MAK method is easy to understand if the procedure is followed.

It is also useful in the area of engineering and in the production of software, it is also fast to apply.

Basically, the method consists of five approaches which are: the pick

By Temitope Fatuase

direct method, the pick transpose method, the pick back transpose method and pick down transpose method and these are explained in the e-book”, he said.

He assured that students who work linear equations would find his method easier and less tasking.

“I am optimistic that this new method would make solving equations very easy if it is widely accepted,” he said.

Adebayo, who started his research on the method four years ago while studying for his National Diploma (ND) at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, said the method has been

collated into an online format accessible at www.adebayokassim.com.

He also called on government and the Ministry of Education to help in creating awareness on the new method and ensure its inclusion into the curriculum as he appealed for sponsorship for further studies abroad.

“There is a great need to create awareness about the MAK method.

I am appealing to the federal and state governments, ministry of education and private organisations to assist in the promotion of this method so as to ensure its acceptance and grant me a scholarship to further my education abroad. This will enable me do greater re-

ACE FILE Archbishop preaches spirituality

•Kassim

searches that will lift the name of this nation", he said.

Ogoni students praise EU

School holds sports meet

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

M

EMBERS of the Kpor Community Student Union in Gokhana Local Government in Ogoni land have praised the European Union for its continuous gesture in the area of quick medical intervention to the helpless members of their community.

The President of the Union, comrade Sylvester Nedeem made this statement in Kpor Community during the EU free medial scheme in the area.

Thanking the EU for selecting the community,Nedeem urged the organisation to extend the gesture to other communities in the Niger Delta states.

Comrade Nedeem said: “As part of community development and peace building intervention in Ogoniland, the EU has provided free medical care to 600 beneficiaries in Kpor community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“We as students of Ogoni land have decided that we will continue to give our support to EU and Search for Common Ground (SFCG) which is a strong partner to EU peace building intervention in Ogoniland.

Responding, EU spokesperson of the scheme, Mrs. Shaya Poko said EU free medical care is in conjunction with SFCG, a community-based organisation that partners with EU for the development of Niger Delta communities.

She also praised the students and youths of the community who volunteered to maintain peace and orderliness during the exercise.

The free health service included general check-up, treatments, administering of drugs and counselling.

THE Archbishop of Ondo Province, Anglican Communion, the Most Reverend Dr Latunji Lasebikan has called on all Nigerians to heighten their spirituality to forestall anything that could hinder their blessing.

The Archbishop made this call during the New Year Prayer Meeting of Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo held Thursday.

The cleric told the workers that improving their personal relationship with God would silence the enemy.

He charged the college community to forget the victory of the past, forsake all issues that constitute stumbling blocks to their spiritual growth, focus on the future and foretell goodness into their life.

In his remarks, the Provost, Prof Adeyemi Idowu, thanked God for the accomplishment of the college in the past years and expressed his appreciation to the members of the college management for their support, honesty and faithfulness.

•From left: The US Consul General, Jeffery Hawkin with Vice-Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU) Prof Patrick Oladipo Aina and the Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, Dr Eniola Ajayi during Dr Hawkins visit to EKSU.

Social Media can aid learning, says Okebukola

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RO-Chancellor of Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Prof Peter Okebukola has said rather than clamour for a ban against the use of social media by students, efforts should be directed on how schools in Nigeria can use it to improve learning.

Okebukola made this call at the fourth convocation of the university penultimate week.

He said the goal in 2013 should be on how schools can leverage on such media to improve learning and on how students can use them productively rather than on matters that are injurious to their psycho-social health.

“We are living in a world where the use of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter is emerging a global communication standard like the email among the youths. Any person advocating that our youths should stay off the social media should ask the anopheles mosquito to stay off sucking of blood.

What most educational communities across the world are doing is to put these media that the youths are more attracted to, to a pedagogic advantage. In Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America, teachers supplement their lessons with assignments given to their students on Facebook. Studies have confirmed that performance in school and public examinations

By Temitope Fatuase

improved through such socialmedia class transactions,” he said He said the use of the social media in schools can only be made possible by the re-training of teachers.

“This year, we should provide ICT tools for teachers and train them in the use of technology to improve their delivery of education,” he said.

He said that the education system is still burdened with poor quality teachers, dilapidated and poorly-resourced classrooms, especially at the basic and secondary level, inadequacy of admission spaces in universities for suitably-qualified candidates among others. To address teacher quality, he advocated regular training programmes for tutors.

“No doubt, these challenges which have accumulated over the years cannot be made to disappear in 2013; we need to invest at the Federal, state and local government levels at re-building to world standard. All teachers who graduated less than 10 years ago especially through sandwich and part time programmes should be re-trained to upgrade their knowledge of the subject matter and recertified,” he said.

Addressing the graduands, he urged them to be of good behaviour and prepare for the realities of the world.

“Crawford University is proud

•Prof Okebukola

to have produced a total of 557 graduates in its seven-year life.

As they leave these gates and reenter the society, one thing is certain; they are endorsed by the Lord Jesus Christ to be champions, positive transformers of the society and an army for Christ”, he said.

Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who was also at the event urged the graduands to put into practice all they have been taught.

“It is my belief that you have imbibed the right spirit coupled with rigorous training and necessary techniques of making you succeed in life, as a result, you should be diligent, dedicated and distinguish yourselves in any situation you find yourselves, as worthy ambassadors of this university”, he said.

AS the Adeyemi College of Education Demonstration Nursery and Primary School held its eighth biennial inter-house sports competition, the Principal of the School, Mr E.O. Owasoyo, advocated regular participation in sports for school pupils.

Welcoming guests and participants to the event, Owasoyo described inter-house sports competition as an indispensable factor in the life of educational institutions particularly primary and secondary schools.

“School administrators, teachers and parents should realise that students need an outlet to release stress, anger and other emotions especially when the pressure from academic becomes too overwhelming,” he said.

He urged the House masters and mistresses to always encourage the pupils.

Owasoyo also thanked the ACE management and the Board of the school for completing the modern laboratories and replacing the wooden classroom furniture with plastics in all the classrooms.

Registry’s annual party tomorrow THE ACE Registry unit will hold its annual Registry Party tomorrow.

The Provost, Prof Idowu is expected to grace the event with the Deputy Provost, Mr Felix Aderinboye, the College Librarian and the Acting Bursar, Mr Olaniyi Abdul and Dr Olufemi Olajuyigbe, the Registrar who is the chief host.

The party will to hold at the Council Guest House in the College. It is one of the activities to thank God for the past achievement in the Division of the Registry.

‘Alumni associations should determine education policy’

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TRONG alumni associations of tertiary institutions world over influence the educational policies of their countries, Dr Abdulrhim Yusuf of the department of arts and social sciences education, University of Ilorin has said.

He said with the active support of alumni association, tertiary institutions would not only maintain their place at the helm of academia

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

but also make advancements to ensure their sustainability.

Dr Yusuf spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital at a dinner organised by the Usman Dan Fodiyyo University, Sokoto Alumni Association, Kwara State branch.

The lecture was entitled: Alumni Association as Panacea for Human

Development.

His words: “The alumni are critical stakeholders in this whole process. Your support is critical to the conceptualisation as well as effective implementation of the Nigerian educational policy. The alumni represent a significant and vocal constituency in the university community.

“As members of the alumni association, you have a critical role

to play. You are the bridge between the past, the present and future generation of mankind. Your involvement in the governance of these institutions brings with it a wealth of experience from academic as well as the ‘real world.’

The alumni members as individuals who have passed through these universities are best placed to advice on the relevance of the curriculum to the demands of the pro-

fessional workplace. They can volunteer their services for seminars and workshops. Members also play a significant role in the evaluation of the education process.

They can assist in monitoring evaluation of education.

“They are a strong and powerful voice which could exert a considerable amount of influence on the policy direction of future students.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

38

EDUCATION Agency holds workshop

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N furtherance of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to give back to the society which it started last year, one of the leading new generation in creative advertising agencies in Nigeria, Noah’s Ark Communications Limited, has organised a three-day workshop on Creative Photography and Makeup for the students of Wasimi Community Senior School, Maryland, a school that shares same neighbourhood with the agency’s office. This also included an introduction to entrepreneurship session The gesture was carried out in partnership with an online group of Nigerian makeup artists known as Nigerian MUA’s.

Speaking at the workshop, the agency’s Managing Director, Mr Lanre Adisa, said the company decided to expand the frontiers of its CSR initiative beyond the donation of solar reading lamps which was done.

He said: “For us at Noah’s Ark as a socially responsible corporate citizen, we believe in contributing our quota to the society by giving back in our own little way. We started this last year with the donation of reading lamp to the students and this year we are trying to impact their world by helping them take up careers in photography and makeup.

SCHOLARSHIPS APPROACHING DEADLINES .

2013 One Planet MBA Scholarships for International Students at University of Exeter in UK Full-fee Company Scholarships( The Afren One Planet MBA Scholarship and The Syngenta One Planet MBA Scholarship)are available for pursuing full-time MBA at University of Exeter. The Afren Scholarship offers £34000 which covers the full MBA tuition fee for 2012/13, as well as a contribution towards accommodation and living expenses.The Syngenta Scholarship offers £19000 which covers the full MBA tuition fee for 2012/13.

Business administration is the field of study.

This scholarship is available for pursuing master’s degree level.

Scholarship Provider: University of Exeter Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility: Eligible candidates will need to meet the full entry requirements for the MBA and also have a background or demonstrable interest in the oil and gas sector and be a resident of one of the following countries/regions: Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Iraqi Kurdistan, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Seychelles, Tanzania.

Candidates will need to meet the full entry requirements for the MBA and also (i) have a background or demonstrable interest in food security and Scholarship Open for Nigerian students Scholarship Description: Ten MBA Scholarships of £5000 are available and supported by the following companies:Atos, Canon, Coca Cola, The Cooperative Group, IBM, IKEA, Lafarge, Lloyds Banking

Metallurgical institute trains artisans

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HE National Metallurgical Training Institute, Onitsha, an institute under the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, has broken new grounds. The monotechnic has installed new machines that detects faults and other mechanical problems in modern car technologies.

Some of the machines include: Break and Suspension test machine; gas analyser; injector testing machine and lamp adjustment machine.

The machines, which were donated to the institute by the National Automotive Council of Nigeria, are to cushion the effect of the successes the institute has recorded over the last three decades.

Some of the latest fault-detecting machines had already been distributed to other institutes across the six geo-political zones.

Those who are targeted to benefit from the new technology are artisans such as mechanics, welders and fabricators who would be trained to man and operate the machines. Other beneficiaries are car owners, professional drivers

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

and other artisans.

The new technology, which has already been installed at the mechatronics department of the institute, has the capacity of detecting all faults in the vehicle through an inbuilt analyser which would be displayed on the screen of the machines.

Leading journalists round the workshop, the Director, National Metallurgical Training Institute, Onitsha, Joseph Ajamolaya disclosed that the set of technology would ease some of the problems encountered by motorists. He urged the public to take advantage of the opportunity to service their cars with ease.

Ajamolaya, an engineer, said youth’s empowerment was a priority that must be tackled. He enjoined youths and artisans to participate actively in the latest technology, noting that the institute would continue to encourage skill acquisition for industrial growth of the country.

Meanwhile the institute has up-

Group, Sony and Thomson Reuters.These scholarships include the opportunity of an internship or a consultancy assignment with the company as part of the programme EAC launches ‘School-on-Air’ on satellite TV Notification: You will be notified of the result of your application for the award by 31st July 2013.

How to Apply: Email the form EAC launches ‘School-on-Air’ on satellite TVat mba@exeter.ac.uk, referencing your online application.

Scholarship Application Deadline: Afren and Syngenta Scholarship Application form should be submitted as soon as possible by 30th June 2013 at the latest.

2013 Newcastle University Nigeria Scholarships in UK Newcastle University, International Office offers Scholarships to the high achieving Nigerian students. These scholarships are offered for postgraduate taught degree or research programmes in Newcastle University Law School , Newcastle University Business School (NUBS), Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE). Five Scholarships are offered for first year of tuition fees. These are available for students commencing their studies in September 2013. Each scholarship will have a value of £3,500, payable towards the first year of tuition fees. The closing date for receipt of applications is 30th June 2013.

Course Level: This scholarship is available for pursuing postgraduate taught degree or research

graded its welding facilities to enable it carry out special welding activities. Modern tools have recently

degree level.

Scholarship Provider: International Office Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility: -You could be eligible to apply for a NU Nigeria Scholarship if: -You have been offered a place on any postgraduate degree programme in the Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) Faculty, Medical Sciences Faculty (FMS), Newcastle University Law School and Newcastle University Business School (NUBS) - You are a Nigerian national and have been assessed as international/overseas for fees purposes.

- You have a Second Class Upper degree from a recognised Nigerian University and satisfy all other requirements - You intend to register to start your studies during the 2013-14 academic year - You are a self-funded student and not in receipt of other University or external awards.

Number of award(s): 5 Scholarships are offered.

Duration of award(s): Scholarships are offered for first year of tuition fees.

What does it cover? These are available for students commencing their studies in September 2013. Each scholarship will have a value of £3,500, payable towards the first year of tuition fees.

Other Benefits: Not Known Selection criteria: Not Known How to Apply: The mode of applying is by post.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The closing date for receipt of applications is 30th June 2013.

been acquired to perform modern welding technology activities for technicians and technologists.

It has also expanded its foundry operations by upgrading its forging and foundry equipment.

•Old boys of Methodist Boys High School Expressway Way, Ibadan during their re-union held at Sit Inn Restaurant, Ring Road, Ibadan

Prof Clement Dzidonu is the president, Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), Accra, Ghana. The institute, established in 2009, held its graduation in Ghana. In this online interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, Prof Dzidonu speaks on why he set up AIT in Ghana rather than Nigeria, and why the university runs both on-campus and open university.

‘Open University- future of education’

•Prof Dzidonu

T

HE Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), runs on-campus, and Open University programmes, can you shed more light on this?

The Accra Institute of Technology (AIT) started in 2009, as a technologyfocused university, modeled on wordclass institutes of technologies like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US. We are accredited by the National Accreditation Board (NAB) and affiliated to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to offer Bachelor’s degree programmes in Electrical and Electronic Engineer-

ing; Computer Engineering; Computer Science, IT and Business Administration. We hope to commence our Civil Engineering programs this year.

We also offer Certificate of Technology (C.Tech) and Diploma of Technology (D.Tech) programmes. In addition to our campus-based programmes, we offer National Accreditation Board (NAB) approved open university programmes in collaboration with the Open University of Malaysia. Our Open University programmes are offered at the Bachelor’s and, Masters’ degree as well as Ph.D. What are the specific campus-based programmes you offer?

Our campus-based Bachelor degree programmes are: one, Information Technology with options in Network Systems; Web Development & Engineering; Multimedia Systems; and Software Development. Two, Computer Science; three, Electrical and

Electronic Engineering; four, Computer Engineering, and the fifth is Business Administration with option in Accounting and Finance, and E-commerce. We planto introduce Civil Engineering and more options in Business Administration soon.

Could you draw a line between Open University and distance education?

Open University is more than delivery courses through distance education; its distinctive feature is e-learning - with learners having unlimited online access to learning resources anytime and anywhere. Open/Online Learning is providing new, faster and effective ways to obtain higher education and learn new skills. In an e-learning, Open University environment, learners are more in control of their learning than in a conventional campus-based university or distance education set-up. The emphasis is placed

on what learners can learn not what teachers can teach. Open University education based on e-learning means that the learning is associated with a person – not a place. There is, therefore, no concept of ‘distance’ in an Open University e-learning environment.

Why leave the shores of Nigeria to set up a university in Ghana, and what is AIT’s attraction?

We believe prospective applicants should choose AIT for these reasons: The first is: we deliver excellent technologically-driven learning experience and access to learning resources because we fully embrace and integrate technology into our teaching and learning process. We have extensive e-library with books which can be accessed free of charge by our students. In fact our students don’t buy a single textbook or handout; they have unlimited access to the digital collec-

tion of the Open University of Malaysia made up of over 150,000 e-books and over 22,000 e-journals.

The second is that our lecture schedule is flexible. We have day, evening and bi-weekly lectures; and our tuition remains the most affordable in the market.

In AIT, you do not spend extra money on handouts, books and the likes. Another reason is that AIT is run by top academics and experienced lecturers who don’t miss lectures.

Our lecturers spend more time in explaining the course notes and encouraging participation during classes. Another reason is our stateof-the-art engineering and computer laboratories. The last is that we offer globally-recognised certificates including the KNUST for Campus-Based programmes and the Open University of Malaysia for AIT-OUprogrammes

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

39

EDUCATION Kano seals 42 private schools

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•From right: Pastor Ayodele, Prof Ayodeji Olukoju, Vice-Chancellor, Caleb University, Imota, Prince Shonubi, and Rev Sunday Attah, Proprietor, Mandate Private School, Akesan, Lagos praying at the summit

Proprietors should beware of fraudsters

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RIVATE school owners have been told to be wary of making cash payments to fake government officials to avoid being duped.

Mrs Sewani Amosu, Director, Private Education and Special Programmes, Lagos State Ministry of Education, gave the warning at a Schools Prayer Summit organised by Standard Mandate International (SMI) last Thursday at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa.

As she urged schools to regularise their status with the government in 2013, she said many unsuspecting schools have paid as much as N1.2 million to the wrong hands in the course of getting government approval for their schools when the stipulated amount is just N65,000.

“Some of you paid as much as N1.2 million but the people you paid to are not recognised by government and you will still have to pay to the government. Start your registration with the government so that you are recognised. You need only to pay N10,000 for name search and at least you have started. Between registration and approval all you need pay is N65,000,” she said.

In addition to the N10,000 required for name search, Mrs Amosu said site inspection N15,000,application form, N35,000 and approval inspection of N15,000 are the other required cost a new school needs to pay to be approved.

To guard against making fraudulent payment, the Director said all government transactions should be made to the bank and have receipts. She also counselled

•Govt urged to reduce levies

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

schools to demand to see the I.D. cards of people who visit their schools, claiming to be from the ministry, and insist that they fill their visitors’ books.

Meanwhile school owners are seeking government’s support to run their schools better in the New Year.

The Lagos President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Prince Ayo Shonubi, said the government can support in a variety of ways including reducing financial burden of levies, and supervising schools.

“Government should create an enabling environment for private schools to thrive by giving room for creativity, assisting in quality control, and being lenient with schools in terms of levies because people erroneously think school owners are making money which is not true,” he said.

Proprietor of Queensway School, Ilupeju, Mrs Alice Fasakin is also urging government to soft pedal on levies. “We are asking government to please be a bit lenient with us and not just increase the annual fees anyhow. The money is not really there,” she said.

Supporting the call for leniency, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMI, Pastor Nelson Ayodele, said as social service providers, government should facilitate low interest loans for private school proprietors to improve their schools.

“Let there be a relief package for private schools, like a trust fund, that private educators can access and use to develop their schools and return at low interest. Let the government not leave them at the mercy of shylock banks that charge so much interest and take over their schools when they are unable to pay. It is sad,” he said.

He also urged the government to engage education support services consultants like himself to improve education delivery in public schools.

During the summit, the school owners offered up prayers for their schools, pupils, teachers, and parents, beseeching God to give His guidance and protection in the New Year.

Mrs Adun Akinyemiju, Executive Director of Dansol High School, Agidingbi, preached a sermon that urged the proprietors to run their schools with the excellence that God is known for.

‘Government should create an en-

abling environment for private schools to thrive by giving room for creativity, assisting in quality control, and being lenient with schools in terms of levies’

HE TaskForce on Private Schools in Kano State has sealed up 42 private schools, following their failure to appear before the task force and register their schools in accordance with laid down rules and regulations on private schools in the state.

Announcing the closure of the schools to journalists in Kano over the weekend, Head of the Task Force, Buba Umar, also threatened to shut more schools that failed to comply with the guidelines on establishing private schools between January and February.

According to him, all affected schools did not provide a conducive atmosphere for learning for their pupils, which is among the pre-requisite for establishing private schools in the state.

Besides, Umar called on parents to shun any increment of fees by private schools proprietors in the second term, which commenced on Monday, January 7, this year, warning that any school that defaults would be sanctioned appropriately.

Umar also accused private school proprietors of exploiting members of the public by charging parents exorbitant fees, disregarding the curriculum, as well as failure to upgrade instructional materials and recruit qualified teachers.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

He lamented that of the about 3, 500 private schools, about 1,006 are registered with the task force out of which 395 had been screened. He said the task force has generated N120 million for the government since its inauguration in May last year.

In order to avoid the hammer on more private schools, Umar appealed to proprietors to operate within the framework of the law on private schools.

•Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State

Philanthropist donates baseball kits to Kwara schools

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HE President of the Base and Soft Balls Association of Nigeria, Jani Ibrahim, has donated sporting kits to 10 secondary schools in Kwara State.

The event was sponsored by Jani Ibrahim Base and Soft Balls Equipment Support Programme.

Equipment and jerseys worth about six hundred dollars were sourced from the United States (US) to be donated free of charge to schools that have been actively involved in the twin games.

Ibrahim,an engineer, who doubles as the state chair of the association, disclosed this in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at the presentation of base and soft ball kits to 10 secondary schools in the state.He said the aim is to encourage baseball development in secondary schools in the state.

Represented by Wole Faronbi, the Chairman/Technical Adviser Lubcon Limited, said the programme would have commenced in 2011 but for logistic reasons.

He, therefore, encouraged schools in the state to key in to the programme.

Speaking at the event , Special Assistant to Kwara State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed on Sports, Alhaji Suleiman Olokooba revealed

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

that the state plans to convene a sport summit.

He said the summit would enable the state government come up with a blueprint for sports development at all levels in the state.

The aide praised the gesture as it is one of the ways of discovering talents from the grassroot.

He added that the state would was more than determined to ensure sports development and talent hunt in the state.

“This mindset informed the voting of over one billion naira to sports by the state government in this year’s budget. This is unprecedented in the history of the state.

Hitherto, between N300m and N400m was voted to sports development in the budgets,” he said.

He, therefore, urged other members of the public and corporate bodies to emulate donor’s gesture.

The benefiting schools are Busari Alao College; Emmanuel Baptist College’ Effective College; Kingdom Heritage College; and Eucharistic School, all in Ilorin.

Others are Trilium school; Sapati International College; Queen Elizabeth School; University of Ilorin Secondary School; and Messiah College in Ilorin.

Rotary addresses pupils on sexual abuse

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•Children of Cardinal Schools, Idowu Egba, Lagos, during the school’s Yoruba Day programme

ARENTS, guardians and other stakeholders, have been charged to pay a very high premium on the welfare of their children so they can confidently surmount the challenges ahead.

In addition, governments are being urged to reinvigorate the Inspectorate unit of all the education ministries.

These submissions were made by the trio of Mrs Dammy MattiBalogun, President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro Lagos; Mrs Serah Oyerinde Assistant Project Director, Christiana Fate Foundation, and Rev. Isaac Dada Akinyanmi Head teacher, Wahab Folawiyo Junior High School, Ikoyi Lagos, at a one-day seminar themed: Sexual abuse and prevention .A co- educational institution.

The event, which was organised by the Christiana Fate Foundation, and

sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro Lagos, had pupils counselled to refrain from unholy habits and remain focused on their studies.

The session, which was split into two categories-boys and girls, afforded the pupils and their mentees, Mrs Oyerinde, with the assistance of Mr Kingsley Ewhonarevia and Mr Rodney John, x-ray the root cause In his remarks, at the end of the seminar, Head Teacher, Rev. Akinyanmi expressed the school’s authorities gratitude to the organisers for a seminar which he believes would definitely restructure the pupils’ destinies.

A JSS 3pupil of the school, Adewara Adedoyin, said the event was a good omen and an eye- opener of knowledge in life, where their future would be happily guaranteed.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

A case for private schools

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RIVATE schools may be charging moderately or exorbitantly for the services they offer but it does not take away from the fact that Kofoworola they are partnering with government to provide an important social function. This is because the government cannot Kofosagie@yahoo.com educate all its citizenry alone, 08054503077 (SMS only) yet those educated by the private sector are expected to contribute their quota to societal development with the skills they gained in school.

For this reason, government must be interested in what goes on in private schools. Sadly, beyond registering the schools and charging them annual levies, many state governments do not do enough to monitor or assist them. The monitoring we hear of usually does not go beyond the news of government closing down substandard private schools operating in inappropriate environments. School owners, especially those running primary and secondary schools, regard this lack of monitoring as neglect. They are also complaining about multiple taxations and high levies they must pay regularly.

The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) is supposed to provide the policy framework that guides how our education system is run. It plays this role through its regulatory agencies and parastatals. However, news about policy changes and implementation do not circulate to private secondary schools well enough. While government ensures that public schools are aware of changes and provides platforms for training for its teachers, private schools are left to their fate. The best the government does most times is to reach out to the various groups that some private school owners belong to. Unfortunately, not all of them affiliate with associations, so they miss out on changes.

In terms of curriculum changes particularly, I think government needs to do a lot more to carry private schools along. When a curriculum changes, many times, there are new additions that teachers may be unfamiliar with. They may also be required to gain new pedagogy to implement the curriculum effectively. But once the private schools are informed of the change, how they implement it seems to be nobody’s business and this is not the best. We may believe that public school candidates account for the larger percentage of failure in public examinations. However, private schools also record a large percentage of failure. In the May/June 2012 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) result, the national average in terms of number of credits in English and Mathematics and at least three other subjects was 38.81 per cent – and it was not achieved by private school candidates alone. Many pupils from private schools are failing to meet the required literacy and numeracy learning outcomes. Their teachers, sourced from the general pool of tutors who for years received poor education themselves, cannot give what they do not have. Some do not have the minimum qualifications to teach; while others that have degrees may lack the professional training in pedagogy teachers get from colleges of education and faculties of education in universities. In private schools that serve the poor and those overly concerned about profit and not service delivery, funds are not released for post-qualification capacity development of teachers. Poor pay and welfare package, as well as lack of corporate governance structure in many of the schools, also result in high staff turnover which has its own negative effect on learning and school culture.

Inspectorate divisions of all state ministries of education should be up and doing in monitoring what is happening in our private schools.

Their visits to schools should not be to witch hunt but encourage them to do the right thing. Rather than instill fear of closure, and seek bribes to cover up errors, inspectors should point out where schools are going wrong and guide them to the right path. Private schools should anticipate the visits of inspectors, not with fear, but with expectation that they will benefit from their wisdom and experience.

Another area government needs to look into is funding. Because of the belief that private schools are established to make profit (though many proprietors claim they established their schools to correct the anomalies in the pubic education system), government does not extend grants to them. However, if the government cannot provide grants to these schools because of the burden of funding public education, it can at least evolve policies that would help them get soft loans that do not attract such high interest rates that banks demand of other businesses.

For years, school owners have been calling on the government to establish an education bank or trust fund from which they can draw capital to bring their schools up to the desired standard. This is not too much for government to do.

As partners in the business of producing skilled labour – the most important resource of any nation – government needs to draw the private education sector closer. School owners and administrators need to be involved in issues regarding curriculum, training, and delivery so that we can produce better Nigerians who will be effective in facilitating national development.

Belo-Osagie

• From left: Principal/Coordinator, EAC, Mr Maliki Kayode, Bamgbose and Deputy Director, EAC, Pastor Adeola Bamgbose during the briefing

EAC launches ‘School-on-Air’ on satellite TV T HE Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), Ibadan has pioneered a free teaching project on satellite television in Nigeria.

The project, tagged School-onAir, will feature teaching of major subjects for the Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) for six hours a day on the free-toair satellite television station, Calvary TV. Addressing reporters on the project at the Bodija, Ibadan headquarters of the institution, the Director, Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose, explained that the teaching will be undertaken by seasoned professionals between 10 am and 1 pm while it will also be rebroadcast from 3 to 6 pm for candidates who missed the morning segment.

According to him, key subjects including English language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Agriculture would be taught free on air. Other subjects include Economics and Government.

Explaining the reason for the project, Bamgbose said it is aimed at helping the over one million candidates who fail the examination yearly. He added that the institution was convinced that the rising population of failing can-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

didate would become nuisance to the society as years roll by if they are unassisted.

While lamenting the problem with the nation’s education sector, he said it is not only about infrastructures but that quality teachers are needed to provide quality teaching as will be exemplified by the School-On-Air project.

Bamgbose explained that the programme came about after various assessments in states such as Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Delta and Kaduna indicated the need for teacher quality intervention.

He said, “We designed School On Mobile but saw the need for a system that will involve teacher figure and the School-On-Air is an attempt to intervene by providing quality instruction for deprived students.”

To access the programme, viewers would buy and install the free-to-air dish anywhere in the country and tune to Calvary TV. “We will be broadcasting via free-to-air satellite and mobile phones. We are using Calvary Network International on Amos

Ku Satellite at 17 degrees East and we are looking for partnerships with governments and mobile operators to make the streaming affordable, “ he stated.

He then urged parents to avail their children the opportunity of the programme, maintaining that in as much as it was not designed to replace teachers, the recorded teaching by professional teachers will go a long way to assist the students and surmount the fear of WAEC and SSCE. Bamgbose believes state and local governments can subscribe by funding the purchase of the dish for schools in remote communities while Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) as well as philanthropists can also purchase the dish for candidates in their communities.

He said assignments are built into School-on-air for feedback and minimal teacher participation while candidates needing further help can also contact the EAC. EAC pioneered mobile learning in the country last year by delivering contents on mobile phones for UTME candidates. It was tagged: MobiLearn.

Bamgbose was also adjudged the world’s ninth innovators in online learning in England last year.

COEASU praises MOCPED facilities

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OLLEGES of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) Southwest zone, has expressed satisfaction over the level of infrastructural development at the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Epe, Lagos. This was following its 39th delegate conference meeting held at MOCPED recently.

A statement issued by COEASU Southwest and signed by its zonal coordinator Mr Femi Kenshiro and

the Secretary, Mr Francis Ademiluji, praised the Lagos State government and the institution’s management for the ongoing infrastructural development in MOCPED which COEASU described as ‘massive.’

“It is possible that even when funds are appropriated to the college, the management may choose to mismanage it, but with what we have seen on ground today, the management is judiciously putting the approved money meant for

development to the development of the college. COEASU is very happy, pleased and satisfied with the infrastructural development going on at Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED). We praise Governor Babatunde Fashola’s efforts in funding the college,” the group said.

The union also called on Governor Fashola not to relent on his efforts towards funding the college and other institutions in the state as education is very critical to human capital development.

School, UK College partner on Foundation them for SAT/TOEFL/GRE/ DGEWOOD College, Lekki courses GMAT and University Foundation has sealed a partnership

E

with Abbey College, United Kingdom to run university foundation courses.

A statement signed by Ms Funke Daudu on behalf of Edgewood College, said the partnership would offer the Nigerian students access to Abbey’s tuition and resources to be prepared for gaining entry into UK universities such as Aberdeen, Glasgow, Buckingham, East London, Nottingham, Oxford Brookes,

By Popoola Aminat

Greenwich, Manchester, Westminster, Imperial College and 60 other universities across the UK, US, Canada and Europe.

The students would also have access to two top universities in Prague and Czech Republic to run foundation programmes for entry into Medicine and Dentistry.

“It would help students to excel in examinations by preparing

Programmes leading to degrees in Law, Humanities, Sciences, Business/Management, Engineering, I.T, Mathematics, Accounting, Finance, Architecture and Psychology,” the statement noted.

Ms Daudu said Edgewood College also plans to partner with parents, to nurture students who thrive on challenges, have great potential, and show the willingness and attitude to serve their country, Nigeria.

‘However, if the government cannot provide grants to these schools because of the burden of funding public education, it can at least evolve policies that would help them get soft loans that do not attract such high interest rates that banks demand of other businesses’

Gomez: Bayern not champions yet

•Gomez

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ARIO GOMEZ has warned his Bayern Munich team-mates not to become complacent in the final months of the Bundesliga title race.

The Bavarians currently sit atop of the table with 42 points from 17 games, holding a nine-point lead over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, with reigning champions Borussia Dortmund a further three behind.

Nevertheless, the Germany striker has not forgotten about last season's collapse, and has stressed that anything can still happen, even though he feels his side have made significant progress since last term.

"We are much more stable than we were last season. The first half of the season has already shown that.

We didn't have any poor spells," he was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"The team also have a completely different attitude toward our title ambition. However, we are not champions just yet. We have to prove over the coming months that we are the undisputed number one in Germany.

"Borussia Dortmund will not be able to conserve energy now they're still in the Champions League. We have to be careful, though. They are a good team with a great coach."

Bayern resumes Bundesliga action after the winter break at home against Greuther Furth on January 19.

"It is true that I had to meet with the Head of State twice. In Accra yesterday (Monday) and this morning (Tuesday) here in Lome. We talked and I told him what was wrong with the Togo football federation and that our chief was sick. We must at all cost find solutions."

Togo football star, Emmanuel Adebayor evading questions on whether he will still play in the Africa Nations Cup slated for South Africa in January

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Thursday, January, 10 2013

Ba will make Torres

better striker •Torres

—Benitez

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HELSEA interim manager Rafael Benitez believes Demba Ba's arrival at Chelsea will help make Fernando Torres a better player. The Spain international had been considered a £50 million flop until a recent upturn in form, which coincided with the appointment of his former Liverpool mentor. Torres

was Chelsea's first-choice striker for the first half of the campaign regardless of form, although Ba's arrival threatens that role. The 27 year-old scored twice on his Blues debut against Southampton on Saturday and Benitez believes the former Newcastle striker will be good for Torres. "Ba coming will be better for Torres, 100 per cent,"

•Ba

Benitez said. "Not many players play every game in a top side, as he has had to, and now it will be positive for both of them. "They will be fitter, maybe they will score more goals because they will have more chances and will be in better positions.

Walcott wins Goal of the Month, offered N6.5B improved deal

T •Walcott

HEO WALCOTT'S brilliant third goal in the Gunners' 73 victory over Newcastle has been voted as the December Goal of the Month by Arsenal supporters as Arsenal have upped their contract offer to Theo Walcott.

The Daily Mail says Arsenal have an improved offer of N6.5B (£25M) to Theo Walcott in a bid to end his long-running contract saga.

Theo Walcott's brilliant third goal in the Gunners' 7-3 victory over Newcastle gained an incredible 70 per cent of the votes, while the first

goal of his hat trick against Newcastle was in second place with seven per cent.

In third place was Olivier Giroud's first goal in the same game, as he ran on to Walcott's fine cross and headed it under Krul.

The England international will

get a five-year deal worth in the region of N22.9M (£88,000) perweek plus a N780M (£3M) signingon bonus.

It is hoped the new deal is enough for Walcott to commit his longterm future to the North London club

AFCON COUNTDOWN...AFCON COUNTDOWN...AFCON COUNTDOWN...

Adebayor evasive on playing for Togo

Yaya Touré returns to training

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OGO star Emmanuel Adebayor has failed to explicitly announce whether he will play at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations or not. The Tottenham Hotspur player has held talks with the country's president Faure Gnassingbe about his decision to return to the national team. Adebayor withdrew from the team last month after accusing the Togo Football Federation of failing to pay the bonuses of players. Togo coach Didier Six will be waiting on the striker for the submission of final squads.

When asked about his decision to play in this month's tournament, he said: "This is the killer question (laughs). "It is true that I had to meet with the Head of State twice. In Accra yesterday (Monday) and this morning (Tuesday) here in Lome.

"We talked and I told him what was wro ng with the Togo football fed eration and that our chief was sick.

We must at all cost find solutions." He addedthat : "Everything I've done in my career is to Togo.

I still have just two or three years to play but I want to change something in my way. "If you ask me if I will go to the Nations Cup, it is still yes and no because I have a club. I must go and announce the decision that I have taken. "I've always enjoyed playing for Togo and I will always enjoy.”

T •Yaya

WENTY-FOUR hours after leaving hospital, Ivoirian national team midfielder Yaya Touré returned to a training session with his teammates on Tuesday at the Mohammed Bin Zayad Sports Complex in Abu Dhabi, where the Elephants have gathered since Sunday 6 January.

The Manchester

City player, who had been admitted to a clinic on Sunday with a strong fever, did not complete the day’s full training session, but did manage to take part in a few workshops with his partners.

For this third day of the camp and following physical tests the previous day, the Ivoirian national coach laid the emphasis on the recovery of the ball. Sabri Lamouchi analysed the reactions of his players in the opponent’s 25-yard area.

So just before the deadline for the final list of 23 players to participate

in the continental showdown, the French-Tunisian technician therefore has his entire squad at his disposal.

At the end of their warm-up which began on 6 January, the Elephants will meet the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly on 14 January in Abu Dhabi, before flying to South Africa on the 16th.

Côte d’Ivoire’s opening match is on 22 January against Togo in Group D in Rustenburg. Algeria and Tunisia will be the Elephants’ two other adversaries.

Ticket sales pick up after slow start

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HE Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off in 10 days time, is struggling to meet ticket sales targets, but organisers say sales are picking up as the tournament nears.

"Our target is 500 000. It's in sight now," South Africa local organising committee spokesman Sipho Sithole.

But with 30 days to go only 60,000 tickets had been sold. Now, with under two weeks before the Africa

Cup of Nations kick-off, ticket sales have jumped to 300,000, 60% of target.

Tickets for the AFCON are available through Spar stores nationwide, online and via a call centre, Ticket vouchers have been available since September and tickets since November, with a discount scheme in place for tickets bought early.

The South African organisers are using five stadiums for the tournament: Soccer City stadium in

Johannesburg (renamed the National Stadium for the tournament), capacity 94,736. is being used for the opening ceremony and two opening matches.

Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, capacity 54,000, 6 games.

Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit, capcity 40,929, 8 games.

Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg, capacity 42,000, 7 games.

43

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Political bickerings and violence, kidnappings and general insecurity confronted the six Southsouth states last year. But governors also fought the infrastructure battle in the geo-political zone with vigour. NICHOLAS KALU, BISI OLANIYI, OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE, ISAAC OMBE and OSAGIE OTABOR take a look at how the states fared.

2012: Southsouth’s high and low moments Governorship tussle in Cross River

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T was an eventful year in the Southsouth geo-political zone.

Last year, the atmosphere in Cross River State was politically charged. Preparations for governorship elections was in top gear. Cracks appeared on the wall in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Liyel Imoke was challenged by other chieftains, including Ambassador Soni Abang, who was believed to be Imoke’s long-standing ally.

Imoke eventually trounced Abang at the primaries held on January 23.

But the victory was short-lived as the Supreme Court judgment of January 27 sacked Imoke from office along with four other governors on the ground that their tenures expired on in May 2011.

• Akpabio • Dickson • Amaechi This embattled Speaker of the Cross • Comrade Oshiomhole River House of Assembly, Mr Larry The people of Oron nation preOdey, took over the mantle of leadpolitical parties in the state. sented to the people of Akwa Ibom ership in the state, in line with constiThe chairman of the Action Contheir position on the zoning formula. tutional provisions. Tension ensued, gress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief They stated emphatically that it is the but was rested because Odey made it Adolor Okotie-Eboh, described the turn of Oron nation to fill the slot, clear he was just holding brief for action as “undemocratic and unconbut Larry Esin, an Oron man and a Imoke. He said he had no hidden stitutional. He threatened to chalformer governorship aspirant under agenda. lenge the decision in court. His counthe platform of Congress for ProgresOdey’s efforts to impress his loyterpart in the Democratic People’s sive Change (CPC), disagreed with alty, observers believed, was because Party (DPP), Chief Tony Ezeagwu his kinsmen. some people felt that he was hobnob,denounced the policy, describing it bing with a former minister who, it as “a setback for democracy”. was rumoured, was not working in The partial ban on commercial moRivers: It’s 2015 the interest of Imoke Administration. torcycles in the state caused immense governorship fever Then, the Independent National disquiet among residents and comElectoral Commission (INEC) mercial motorcyclists alike. The The Chairman of the Nigerian Govchanged the election time-table slated policy caused anger among the army ernors’ Forum (NGF), Governor for from April 14 to February 25. of unemployed youths who were Rotimi Amaechi, has been partly Despite the ensuing fuss about the mostly affected by the ban. Worst hit linked to the face-off between former new date, the elections held on the by the decision were Warri, Effurun President Olusegun Obasanjo and the date INEC set and Imoke still beat and Asaba.

President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. his rivals and emerged as governor.

Also, the House of Assembly disThis has affected political Despite stern battles by the opposisolved the board of the State Interdevelopmnts in the state. tion, the governor managed to ventionist Agency Delta and State Rumour was rife that the cause of emerge victorious. He also fought Oil Producing Areas Development the face-off between the two leaders • Uduaghan legal battles to retain the seat.

Commission (DESOPADEC) for “lack of the ruling PDP was the move by Tuesday, July 10, 2012 was one day of performance and total ineffithe ex-President to back the joint tenders. that the Cross Riverians would not ciency.” The Nation gathered that the ticket of Governor Sule Lamido of The 2007 governorship candidate of forget in a hurry. The Supreme Court dissolution of the boards was not unJigawa State and Amaechi for 2015 the Action Congress of Nigeria passed a landmark judgment that connected with disagreement bePresidency.

(ACN), Prince Tonye Princewill, who gave 76 oil wells in contention between the lawmakers and the comAs the rumour of Jonathan’s re-eleclater defected to the ruling PDP, is tween Cross River and Akwa Ibom missioner on contracts. tion is thick in the air, the likelihood now positioning himself to take over states to the latter by a unanimous After months of delay by the Delta of Amaechi emerging as the Vicefrom Amaechi in 2015.

The represendecision. The loss of the oil wells was State House of Assembly, the Delta President in 2015 with the solid backtative of Rivers Southeast Senatorial consequent upon the loss of Bakassi, State Independent Electoral Commising of Obasanjo seems clearer.

District in the National Assembly, which made Cross River lose its stasion (DSIEC) Amendment Bill was fiTo cut Amaechi to size and cripple Magnus Abe, is also interested in the tus as a littoral state. It also dismissed nally passed. his administration, ahead of the 2015 race. Another contender is the Chairan application filed by Cross River But the ACN challenged the powbattle, the Rivers State’s oil wells were man of the House of Representatives’ State. Governor Imoke said the loss ers of the state governor to recomgiven to neighbouring states of Akwa Committee on Petroleum (Downof the disputed 76 oil wells to Akwa mend nominees to the state electoral Ibom, Abia and Bayelsa. stream), Dakuku Adolphus Peterside, Ibom State was “merely a temporary commission, pointing out that Aggrieved Kalabari monarchs, who represents the Andoni/Opobotriumph of falsehood.”

Uduaghan lacked such powers. chiefs, elders, women and youths Nkoro Constituency. from Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru and Better times in Bayelsa Akwa-Ibom: Attah, Degema local government area of Criticisms rocked Delta Akpabio’s truce Rivers State, in black attire, moved When he came on board, Governor to Abuja, the Federal Capital Terri- over policies Seriake Dickson never minced words tory, to protest the injustice. They When former Governor Victor when he said his administration was Certain programmes initiated by later took to the streets of Port Attah and his political son, Governor an offshoot of Alamieyeseigha and Harcourt, insisting on the reversal of the Delta State government generGodswill Akpabio, exchanged banJonathan administrations. ated controversies.

Government polithe Federal Government’s decision. ters at the burial of Attah’s wife, The appointment of political apcies in many sectors attracted critiThough Amaechi said he had no Nnenyin, at Cardinal Ekanem Semipointees has remained a major activcisms.

The appointment of transition plan for 2015 yet, another political nary field in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State ity of his administration. The nonissue that heated up the polity in the committees by Governor Emmanuel capital, they were the cynosure of all indigenes in the state were given a state was strategising for 2015 gover- Uduaghan to run the affairs of local eyes. sense of belonging. The governor has governments caused furore among norship race by the three main conThe Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese, Rt.Rev. Joseph Ekuwem, urged the two leaders to sheathe their swords for peace to reign.

‘Three weeks later, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, whom Oshiomhole deAlso in 2012, the issue of zoning of scribed as ‘my son’ was murdered by unknown gunmen at his Benin City the governorship after the expiration ofAkpabio’s tenure generated heated residence at about 2 a.m on May 4, 2012. Olaitan was the Principal Private argument among political pundits.

Many advocated open primaries for Secretary to the governor. The governor said the killing of his close aide aspirants; others preferred zoning to the Eket Senatorial district. was part of the plan to truncate his campaigns’

been consistent with the monthly transparency initiative briefings, in a bid to show his zero tolerance for corruption. In addition, several bills have been passed by the legislature as part of efforts to reposition the state for excellence. The governor has been earning accolades for the people-oriented programmes.

A stormy year in Edo The year was not uneventful in Edo State. During the campaigns, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said the people would smile in 2013. So, they were full of eagerness.

The year started with the fuel subsidy protest that rocked Benin City, the state capital. Civil society groups, including the organised labour, took to the streets in protest over the fuel subsidy removal. What followed the protest was rather unpleasant for the Bureau de Change operators in Benin City. Hoodlums hijacked the protest and looted their offices on Sakponba Road and Lagos Street. Oshiomhole effectively managed the crisis by rallying security operatives and making provision for the affected traders.

On the day Oshiomhole was to flag off his re-election campaigns, tragedy struck. A trailer rammed into his convoys along Auchi-Warrake Road. Three journalists; Fidelis Ohani, Olatunji Jacobs and George Okosun; were killed in the accident.

Several others were injured.

Three weeks later, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, whom Oshiomhole described as ‘my son’ was murdered by unknown gunmen at his Benin City residence at about 2am on May 4, 2012. Olaitan was the Principal Private Secretary to the governor.

The governor said the killing of his close aide was part of the plan to truncate his campaigns. Tension heightened in the state during the year as the political campaigns for the governorship seat by candidates of the PDP, the ACN and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) took off.

Oshiomhole won the election by a landslide in all the 18 local government councils with total votes of a total of 477,478 against Major General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) of the PDP, who polled 144,235.

Shortly after he was sworn in, Oshiomhole sacked some teachers and school inspectors after a surprise visit to some public schools in the state. The signing of the Land Use Charge Bill into law by Oshiomhole also rattled many.

The governor also drew the ire of the human rghts groups when he signed the death warrant of two people convicted for murder. He however, reviewed the death sentence of four other convicts; Callistis Nkem, Monday Odu, Zubeiru Abdulrama and Tijani Mustapha.

Callistus and Monday were pardoned and released. Others had their sentence commuted to life imprisonment. The governor ordered that a job be given to Monday. Transport fare was given to Callistus to go back to Imo State.

The members of the State House of Assembly got commendation for dissolving the caretaker committees in the 18 local councils. Before the dissolution, some members of the PDP had invaded some council secretariats, in a bid to implement a court judgment that declared the appointment of the caretaker chairmen as illegal.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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POLITICS

Tambuwal: On the firing line at 47

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HE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, is 47 today. To his country men and women however, attaining the milestone is not of much concern.

Rather, it is the direction which the amiable lawmaker from Kebbe/ Tambuwal Constituency is leading the country that has continued to elicit positive reactions from people across all walks of life.

Since he became the number four citizen, Tambuwal has perfected an innovative approach to leadership and lawmaking. He has demonstrated the attributes of leadership and taken positions on issues affecting the nation.

A lawyer by profession, a politician by popular will, an accomplished leader by popular choice, a legislator by trust, Tambuwal has shown enough political dexterity to make him one of the most respected political figures in Nigeria today. His meteoric rise in the legal profession and politics has revealed him as a master tactician. He has built his career on the philosophy of self respect, fair play, hard work and the spirit of give and take.

Nigeria is passing through a critical time. The are challenges of nationbuilding, political self-doubt and insecurity. However, civilisation remains a work in progress in Nigeria as the Seventh House of Representatives tries to provide that critical balance that sustains a meaningful presidential democracy and holds up hope for a new Nigeria. No one encapsulates that hope than Tambuwal.

As argued by some scholars, the basic challenges of leaders reflect two fundamental aspects of leadership. The first is the humanity of leaders in revealing their hopes and fears, traits and instincts. The second is the unchanging agenda of leadership, in all times and places, as revealed in the setting of goals, plans, purpose and strategies, and working through with other people to actualise their vision in a world that is often uncertain, recalcitrant and sometimes, perilous.

To appreciate the legislative footing of the Seventh House in its attempt to fill the void created by the challenges of leadership confronting Nigeria, one needs to revisit its inaugural agenda. I will recall here the kernel of the legislative blueprint, which was unveiled June 28, 2011 and remains a study in specific prescriptions. It traversed constitution amendment, revival and diversification of the economy, employment generation, strengthening national security, curbing corruption, tackling general infrastructural decay, and improving health system and the educational system.

According to Speaker Tambuwal, in his inaugural speech titled: ‘Time To Remake Nigeria,’ “over the next four years, the House of Representatives will pursue an aggressive legislative agenda to reposition itself as a key branch of government able and determined to deliver on the key elements of governance. We make to

• Tambuwal

By Imam Imam

state and with great assurance that the legislature has come of age. It is a new day, a new House of Representatives and we are prepared to meet and surpass the expectations of the people to represent their best interest.”

In a move that verged on statesmanship and humility, Speaker Tambuwal conceded that the House accepted responsibility for failures and gaps in meeting its brief. “We will be responsive, transparent and accountable in all we do. My period of service as the Speaker of this hallowed chamber will restore the House of Representatives as an institution where the will of the people is done,” he said.

Almost two years on, the Lower Chamber has kept faith with this agenda. It’s people-oriented footing bears this out. The Seventh House has been at the fore-front of defining important national issues for public discourse.

American business executive and author, Jack Welch, once argued that today’s hierarchical structure gives the leader in organisation, or appropriately, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), control over strategy, organization and information by creating an organization with its ‘face towards the CEO and its ass towards the customer.’

The system described by Welch may be right in business and to some extent some governmental institutions, but what we have seen in the House of Representatives under Tambuwal is an institution with its face firmly fixed towards the people. Tambuwal has used his considerable experience towards making the legislature a people-oriented entity that elevates participatory lawmaking to an art.

As he celebrates his birthday today, it is not just the intriguing narrative of how he was elected Speaker of the House that should resonate with political scientists. That experience should also serve as a reminder of the many profound achievements we could record, if we rise above the in-

Constitution review: House will defend peoples’ interest

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OUSE of Representatives member from Ekiti State Mr. Bimbo Daramola has declared that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) legislators will not jeopardise the interest of the masses during the constitution review.

He said the views expressed by the people at the public hearings would be reflected in the new document.

Daramola urged Nigerians to show more interest in governance by offering suggestions to their representatives in parliament to shape law making and constitution amendment. He assured that the House would not let Nigerians down, owing to the trust and confidence they have in its leadership.

The legislator said: “It is a critical time in Nigeria and people are fed up with the military constitution of 1999. But it must be stressed that review or amendment is different from writing a new constitution. I assure that the ACN members in the House will not compromise the wishes and aspirations of the masses. We will remain accountable to the people”.

Daramola said the constitution, when it is amended, would lead to improved governance in the country. Noting that review is a continuous exercise, he called for constructive criticism of the exercise when it fully takes off.

The legislator, who also spoke on politics in Ekiti State, said the ruling party is united and ready for future polls. He urged members to avoid creating cracks, stressing that the platform is more important than them. He called for support for Fayemi Administration, saying that it is on the right path.

hibiting considerations of tribe and religion.

At 47, Tambuwal’s youth points to a future of hope and possibilities. Besides, his apparent willingness not to be encumbered by the political exigencies or double-speak that had stunted our progress is quite inspiring. For him, what matters is the nation’s interest. Call that an unyielding idealism and you won’t be entirely wrong.

Born in Tambuwal into the royal family of Waziri Tabuwal, young Aminu attended Tambuwal Primary School, and Government Teachers’ College, Dogon-Daji, also in Sokoto State where he obtained the Teachers Grade 11 Certificate in 1984.

He then proceeded to Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, where he studied Law, graduating with an LLB (Hons) degree in 1991. He did his one year compulsory legal studies at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, obtained BL and was called to the Bar in 1992.

Besides studying law, the Speaker has attended several courses abroad, among which are the Telecoms Regulatory Master Class–Bath UK, 2004; Lawmaking for the Communications Sectors –BMIT, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2004; Regulating a Competitive Industry-UK, Brussels, 2005; Tulane University – International Legislative Drafting, 2005; Stanford Graduate School of Business – Influence and Negotiation in 2008, among many others.

He was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2003 on the platform of the opposition All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). Since then, he had served as Minority Leader and Deputy Chief Whip of the House. He was the Leader of the Nigerian Delegation to Africa, Caribbean, Pacific and European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly and had served as the Regional Representative of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

He was a member of the National Executive Committee, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), member, International Bar Association, Alumnus, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard, USA, Alumnus, Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA, Alumnus Tulane University, USA and a recipient of the Honourary Doctor of Law Degree from the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto.

No doubt, Tambuwal’s candor, nationalistic outlook, ability to make fair and inclusive decisions, maturity and his desire to interact freely and affectionately with all members in the House in a professional context, has today earned him the confidence of his colleagues and all Nigerians.

To this great man of ideas, I say a happy birthday.

• Imam is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker Tambuwal

Retired Airforce Officer Chief Temple Onyeukwu is a security expert and politician in Imo State. He spoke with OKODILI NDIDI on the security and political situations in the state.

‘Govt should tackle insecurity in Imo’

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OW would you describe the political and security situations in Imo ?

There is so much lawlessness and indiscipline in the state. Unfortunately, it is a reflection of the level of discipline exhibited by the leadership in the state. In Imo State today, it is the government convoys that break traffic rules. It is the police that drive against traffic, even when there is emergency. Go to Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Fashola lives by example. He does not blow siren, he takes his cue on the traffic. He leaves his house early, knowing that he will most likely run into traffic jam on his way to the office. But, here in Imo State, we have more than 30 different uniformed ‘security’ outfits.

The vigilante breaks the law, Imo State Security Network breaks the law, the Civil Defence, Police and Immigration all do the same. Add these to what members of the State House of Assembly and those in the executive arm of government do and you get the real picture of what we are talking about. They all behave as if they are above the law. Imo has become a jungle and only those in government, one way or another, are able to survive. There can not be any positive development in Imo as long as the present state of indiscipline persists.

The rate of kidnapping in Imo and other Southeast states has assumed a dangerous dimension.

What could be responsible?

The rate of crime and criminality in any state is a reflection of the level of good governance in such a state. With a soaring unemployment rate among the youths, and the government does not appear to give a damn to what is happening, and there is no coordinated plan for the youths to acquire skills; and graduates are left to roam the streets looking for jobs that are not available years after their youth service, you definitely expect this kind of situation in Imo State. State. The governor is the Chief Security Officer of the state and where those in governance exhibit flamboyance and arrogance, the downtrodden youths have no alternative than to resort to any means of survival, including crime.

What is your assessment of federalism in Nigeria?

It appears to me that the Nigerian Federation is terminally dysfunctional. It lacks the capacity, as presently constituted, to deliver

•Onyeukwu

sustainable development. The present federal structure has proved a patchwork over the years. History teaches us that no force can stop a political contraption ripe for fundamental restructuring or disintergration. The Soviet Union peacefully dissolved in 1991, the Baltic states, comprising Estonia, Latvia and Lithunia, separated in August 1991, Yugoslavia broke up in 1992, Checloslavokis in 1993 Eretria got independence from Ethiopia in 1993, East Timor got her independence form Indonesia in 1999, South Sudan Separated from Sudan in 2011. We can negotiate the corporate existence of Nigeria. This country is an artificial entity and, in recognition of this, the former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher said “the lesson of this century is that countries put together artificially will fall apart”. There is identity conflict. Should Boko Haram continue to waste the lives of innocent Nigerians? Recently, a luxury bus loaded with passengers headed for the East was bombed. There was a conspiracy of silence by the press and the electronic media.

Should kidnappers continue to have a field day in Imo and other states of the Southeast and Southsouth? We must choose to discuss the Nigerian project or be ready for any eventuality. To discuss the Nigerian project is the best way to celebrate our 100 years in 2014.

Do you think that constitutional roles should be given to traditional rulers?

Why not release the funds due to local government councils and hold them accountable? My advice is that local governments should be developed.

• From right: Kebbi State Governor Saidu Dakingari, congratulating the new Chief Jugde of the state, Justice Bala Mairiga after the swearingin ceremony in BirninKebbi.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

45

THE NATION

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

Epsom Salt can be beneficial to man, especially during the harmattan. It provides magnesium and sulphate which the body needs for detoxification and nourishment. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA reports.

Epsom salt is a good detoxifier, says nutritionist A CCORDING to the National Academy of Sciences, Americans’ magnesium deficiency accounts for the high rate of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis joint pain, digestive maladies, stress-related illnesses, chronic fatigue and other ailments.

But nature has answers for every disease that afflicts man. This is why a seasoned food nutritionist and natural health practitioner, Mr Olayinka Fashipe, is asking that we return to the use of Epsom Salt.

But watch it. Epsom Salt is not a food ingredient; it is a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulphate that can be added to bath water.

According to him, experts, especially nutritionists have suggested that Nigerians should watch their lifestyle, because magnesium levels dropped by half in the last century due to changes in agriculture and diet. Industrial farming has depleted magnesium from soil and the typical Nigerian diet contains

much less magnesium than that of our forefathers. And in fact, the modern Nigerian diet with its fat, sugar, salt and protein consumed mostly at eateries actually works to speed up the depletion of magnesium from our bodies.

Fasipe said to start on a good note health wise, especially in detoxification, Epsom salt is rich in magnesium and sulphate.

“While both magnesium and sulphate can be poorly absorbed through the stomach, studies show increased magnesium levels from soaking in a bath enriched with Epsom salt. Magnesium and sulphate are easily absorbed through the skin. Sulphates play an important role in the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. They stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are thought to help detoxify the body of poisonous medicines and environmental contaminants.”

• Fashipe

He said researchers and physicians suggest the following health benefits from proper magnesium and sulphate levels, as listed on the web site of the Epsom Salt Industry Council: “It flushes toxins and

How to fight harmattan cold

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traditional medicine prac titioner, Segun Fahuwa, has urged Nigerians to protect themselves against cold during harmattan.

He said insulating the body and boosting the immune system would fight against cold, which occurs during the season.

Fahuwa, otherwise called Mister Guarantee, said chewing on a clove of garlic whenever one is coming down with a mild cold or running nose is healthy.

“Try to eat less each day as lower calorie intake helps to slow down aging, reduces age related chronic diseases and extends life span. Most importantly, what makes calorie restriction beneficial is not simply cutting down on intake of food, but in the lowering of insulin levels.

“Intake of vitamin C (especially the naturally occurring Vitamin C) helps greatly in preventing sickness, especially colds. Taking supplemental Vitamin C daily helps prevent most viral infections, but taking more of one nutrient will deplete the existing deficient levels and can contribute to worsening of problems related to that nutrient’s metabolism.

“Do not take high doses of Vitamin C daily since it can drastically lower your level of copper. If you happen to be deficient in copper, taking high doses of Vitamin C can compromise your immune system. So observe the Daily Dosage Code. Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is abundant in vegetables and fruits. It is a water-soluble vitamin and powerful antioxidant. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the recommended daily intake for adults- men, 90 mg per day; women, 75 mg per day; pregnant women, 85 mg per day and

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

breastfeeding women, 120 mg per day.”

He said: “Make it a practice to eat a diet full of high quality organic vegetables and eliminate sugar and processed foods. This way, you ensure that your body gets all necessary accessory nutrients and micro nutrients

• Fahuwa

• Garlic

needed to optimise on good health and prevent sickness.

“Optimise on your vitamin D intake. In case you are deficient in this “sunshine” vitamin, your immune system will not do a good job of preventing sickness. Vitamin D produces several anti microbial peptides and the most important of these is cathelicidin, a naturally forming broad spectrum antibiotic. A lot of research has revealed that there is an inverse association between lower respiratory tract infections and Vitamin D levels. The higher your Vitamin D levels, the lower the risk of contracting colds and the likes.

“Most importantly, decrease your risk of cancer and lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease, depression, hypertension and Alzheimer’s disease by optimizing on your Vitamin D levels. Stepping up intake of sugar and grains will increase insulin levels and accelerate premature aging, so avoid them”, he advised.

heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances; improves nerve functions by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.

“It improves heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure; improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.

“Epsom Salt relieves stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body.

Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of

serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.

“Reduces inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps; improves oxygen use; improves absorption of nutrients. It improves formation of joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins; prevention or easing of migraine headaches.

All these benefits from a bath, you asked? Yes. Fashipe said it’s time to pull those packs of Epsom salt from the shelves. While there are many different brands of Epsom salt, they are all the same product chemically, and can be found at most drug stores. Add two cups of Epsom salt and soak in same for at least 12 minutes. Do these three times a week and you are unto a radiant year.

‘Infertility is curable’

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NFERTILITY is not something to be ashamed about because the condition can be cured, a traditional healer, Mrs Nkem AtuAkowe, has said.

Mrs Atu-Akowe of the Kematez Specialist Nature Clinic at the Journalists’ Estate, Arepo, Ogun State, said one out of six couples experiences difficulty in getting pregnant, adding that this condition can be cured naturally.

According to her, nature can solve the root causes of infertility, by addressing the body system rather than just focusing on the reproductive system.

She said there are conditions that can substantially reduce couples’ chances of conception, adding that ordinary folic acid can aid conception.

Describing infertility, she said it is an alarming modern epidemic affecting many couples, adding that it not only troubles men but also women.

On the causes, she said, a gluten intolerance alone cannot cause infertility.

“However, the resulting inflammation in the gut can minimise your nutrient absorption and lead to deficiencies in nutrients you need for optimal sperm, egg and hormone production and a healthy pregnancy. Exposure to heavy metals, radiation, and toxic chemicals in some foods, drugs and other products can damage DNA. Recent Nutrigenomic (a study of the effects of nutrients on gene expression) research suggests what we eat can influence our gene structure and expression.

Mrs. Atu-Akowe advised couples to reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals, and environmental toxins (in the form of industrial chemicals) in utero and neonatally as they may dramatically affect adult fertility.

“Most chemicals used everyday do not go through the same checks as drugs. Consequently, poisonous chemicals end up circulating in our environment, food supply, air and water.

“The strongest evidence of heavy metals and environmental pollution

•Mrs Atu-Akowe

By Wale Adepoju

adversely interfere with healthy reproductive function in women has been found for lead,” he said.

Women, she said, should take food with the right nutrients in the right combination.

On nutrition, she advised women to eat organic meat in small quantities, small deep sea fish such as sardines and red snapper, organic legumes home cooked (not canned), whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits.

Women can also get a belly rub to stimulate their overies,” she added.

On recommendation, she called for increased consumption of good fats and avoidance of dangerous fats.

Good fats are mono-unsaturated fats in olive oil, polyunsaturated fats in oily fish and nuts and midchain fatty acids found in coconut oil.

Also, people should avoid dangerous fats. “Consuming trans fats hidden in foods such as doughnuts, biscuits, lollies, sweets, chocolate, chips, pies and fries may increase your risk of infertility by as much as 70 per cent.

“Scientists from the Harvard University School of Public Health advise women wanting to get pregnant to avoid all trans fats. The sole purpose of adding trans fats to food is to extend its shelf life,” she said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

46

NATURAL HEALTH

Reincarnation, a key to happiness in 2013

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APPY New Year! While reflecting last week on the deep meaning of this traditional greeting to usher in a new Gregorian calendar year, I suddenly realised that, until then, it held for me no more than a surface prayer. For many people, Happy New Year simply means a wish for all those things that make us happy people. The shopping list varies from person to person.

While some people want wives or husbands or children to come to full bloom, and others desire better jobs or business boost or money, the cardinal aim of other people may be cars or houses of their own.

Hardly do people think beyond the mundane, burning with desire to learn more about death, the so – called beyond, life after earth – life and the meaning of existence. Some years ago, I used to give home and public talks entitled THE KEY TO PEACE AND HAPPINESS which attempted to show that peace and happiness come not necessarily from a life of comfort and pleasure, but in becoming a knowing person. A knowing person is a person who possesses knowledge. And one of the first steps in the acquisition of knowledge is the recognition that erudition is NOT knowledge. Erudition is intellectual sagacity. It comes from the intellect, the highest potential of the human brain. A professor of neurology may be erudite in a discussion on brain structure and of how the brain functions, but he may become perplexed if a medical lay person but a knowing one expands the discussion to include why the front brain became bigger than the back brain, and how the imbalance has disarranged mankind, causing all the chaos in the world physical body. Really, there was a time both brain portions were of the same size. At that time, the indwelling man connected to Paradise with the back brain, the spiritually receptive portion of the brain, received messages in picture forms such as in dreams, transferred them to the frontal brain the seat of thought and of intellect. The frontal brain, in turn, distills earthly impression to the in-dwelling spirit through the back brain. One sided material education, which led to over cultivation of the frontal brain caused atrophy of the back brain, disconnection with paradise and warped thinking in all human Endeavours’. This startled professor of neurology would be unable to explain how a child he certified dead two days ago suddenly gets up and begins to live a normal life. I am still trying to obtain the details of a woman and her only child who, as reported about three weeks ago in California, United States, stunned the doctors who certified the child dead. The mother was at home when the body of her child was deposited in the mortuary. She went to the hospital to challenge the decision of the doctors and pleaded that she be allowed to see the body. They obliged, and to their shock, she emerged later with her child, who was hale and hearty, as they say. The Christian Easter season will soon be here, and we would be hearing again about stigmatists. These are people who bear the wound marks of Jesus as He hung on the crucifixion cross. They are beaten by unseen hands and cry and speak a language which language researchers say was spoken in Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, at the time of the crucifixition. About 15 years ago, I reported a yet unsolved mystery in Argentina of a child who at birth asked, “Where am I?” At about that time, I reported a news agency wire copy on a 54 years old dentist who was undergoing heart transplant surgery in the United States. The surgeons threw their arms up in despair at one point of the operation, concluding he had died, and asked the nurses to deposit the body in the morgue. But he stirred on the way, and the nurses rushed to the surgeons immediately. When he came round, the dentist told them all that transpired during the surgery.

He had been out on the lawn outside, he said, enjoying the company of a man in white garment. Suddenly, the man asked him to return to the theatre. There, he heard the doctors say he had died. He tried to tell them he hadn`t died. But they didn`t hear him. He reported, also, the action. Of each of them. They agreed he was right about this. But, unfortunately, the medical bulletin on his case reported that he had mental confusion, due, probably due to insufficient oxygen flow to the brain! There are many more riddles which still confound the erudite man but which are no riddles to many unlettered people who are knowledgeable about immateriality.

Thus, the knowing person is connected to the world outside the material realms of existence to which the erudite intellectual person is bound.

HEN I WROTE OUT HAPPY NEW YEAR message on January 1, four persons in particular blew my mind, as they say. These people, none known to the others, sought help to obtain all the books I mentioned in the column of 21 December 2012, on the passing of Roseline Olaitan Alaba Oluyemi (1936 – 2012), my mother in-law. These books were Stephen Lampe‘s THE CHRISTIAN AND RE – INCARNATION, Raymond Moody‘s LIFE AFTER LIFE and Richard Stanpach‘s HOW IS IT THAT WE LIVE AFTER DEATH – AND THE MEANING OF LIFE. I have no doubt that these people were searching for knowledge and will be happy people in 2013 if they find it. I found for them only THE CHRISTIAN AND RE – INCARNATION. So, to them, I say HAPPY NEW YEAR. For me, this book provided the drive to comment again today, much earlier than I had thought, on the new ravage of modern earth life… ascendancy of homosexualism and lesbianism in the United States. As a reminder, it is now legal in that country for a man and a man or a woman and a woman to be married as “husband” and “wife” before the law or by a priest. To protect these marriages, a law has come into force as well which considers condemnation of homosexuals, bisexuals and lesbians as propagation of hatred against normal relationship and punishes a breach with 10 years imprisonment. Accordingly, Christian anti-gay preachers have been gagged behind the pulpit. This matter has been compounded by some bishops admitting in public that they are homosexuals. This week, the Anglican Bishops council ruled that gay bishops could keep their jobs, closing a debate begun in 1983 or thereabout. Superficially, it is astonishing that members of their congregations do not walk out on them, and have continued to take the supposed “Holy” communion (with God) from their dirty hands.

It must mean that these people are homogenous with them one way or the other. From all these, it would appear, also, that a new order is in the making in Christendom which, as in the past, may pitch Christian societies against religious orders in other parts of the world where homosexualism, lesbianism or bisexualism are still suppressed by forces of religion and culture. But for how long

W

God was the closest to the Truth. As Stephen Lampe reports in THE CHRISTIAN AND RE-INCARNATION: “It should be emphasized that Origen, acknowledged as the most learned as well as the most original thinker of the early Christian fathers, did teach pre-existence and it is reasonable to assert that he believed in re-incarnation, although, for political reason, he maintained an ambiguous position. In his book entitled ON FIRST PRINCIPLES, Origen explained that God has arranged the universe on the principle of a most impartial retribution. He wrote that God did not create on the basis of favoritism but gave souls bodies according to the sin of each. Origen asked: ‘If souls did not pre-exist, why is it that we find some blind from birth, having done no sin, while others are born having nothing wrong with them’. Answering his own question, Origen Wrote: ‘It is clear that certain sins existed (i.e. were committed) before the souls (came onto the bodies) and as a result of their sins each soul received recompense in proportion to its deserts”.

MPEROR Justinian got the Bishops to condemn these teach ings. Pope Vigilius, angry, refused to sign the Emperor Jus tinian-inspired Communiqué which would become binding on the Church if he did. He held out for a while. But, as reported in other writings, he caved in when Emperor Justinian threatened him with house arrest and perhaps deposition.

What, with the knowledge of re-incarnation, may one make of all this? First, the Darkness or the Antichrist, that is Lucifer, is ever at work, using His minions to distort concepts of the Truth and, thereby, mislead humanity into spiritual perdition. Could Emperor Justinian have lived in the time of Origen as an early Christian father and was overshadowed by him? Was the Emperor driven by envy, pain of the heart and a burning desire to settle a score with Origen, who, meanwhile, had gone his way, after fulfilling a calling? Did the Darkness find the Emperor a willing minion to employ in the self-appointed mission of misleading humanity? A man’s volition continues to drive even after his earthly.. Isn’t of said that our ‘works’ follow us? How can we, using the knowledge of reincarnation, explain many seemingly unresolved question of life?

What is the driving motif of each of us? Any connection with previous existence? Why do Christians reject reincarnation, without first understanding Church early history and how all books with references to reincarnation were rejected in hand votes in AD 553 when the books of the Bible were compiled? Can we decide the ways of God by subjecting them to a vote?

Homosexualism I subscribe to a story of Creation which says …

1. Earth man originated from the spirit world as a spirit seed germ.

2. The spirit seed germ journeyed documents from there, like a seed planted in the soil, to germinate, grow, flower and fruit.

3. Somewhere during this journey, it had to decide, in accordance with God’s will, which activities in life it would wish to be involved in.

4. This decision was irreversible once made.

5. Throughout creation, there are only two kinds of activities…

Active or positive and Passive or negative. None is superior to the other. Just functions. Religious orders of old represent them as one upright pole (of activity) and one vertical pole meeting each other in the middle. Another way to express it is: THE EQUAL ARM CROSS. 6. A soul became male gender if it chose coarse active life. It became female if it chose delicate, passive or negative life. Passive or positive life does not mean inferior life.

It is only a field of actually. This field, being delicate, easily attracts finer current of power from On High which is passed on to the coarser active souls which cannot easily attract it. Woman, therefore, is a store-house of power for man, and is meant not to function in coarse activities as this easily dulls the delicateness of her being.

Even in science and technology, this concept of male and female activities is apparent in applications. The car battery has positive and negative poles. A battery with two positive or two negative poles will not start. For electrolysis to occur in chemistry there must be a positive and a negative pole. As partnering forces of equal value in creation, humanity will, like a car battery with two positive or two negative poles, malfunction when women abandon their station or when men discard theirs in like manner.

Today, many women in all countries have broken down the barriers. Women are in politics, in public offices, in footballing, wrestling, boxing and other sports, In the United States Army, there are many female paratroopers! To cap it all, women now prefer men’s cloth to women’s cloth. As they change their activity in line with their spiritual volition, the delicateness of the essence within them changes towards coarseness. Gradually, they become unwomanly wowen. It may very well happen that this process, even in this earth life, transforms her body to the point where reproductive endocrine organs produce an abundance of dominant male hormones and a sex change becomes possible through surgery. Such a person is a woman original volition in a man‘s body. For other women, the dichotomy is resolved for them at the next incarnation. Reincarnation offers an opportunity to return to this earth to relearn lesson not learned at the time of earthly demise. If may very well happen that, at such incarnation, the woman pursing manly activities is incarnated in a male body in fulfilment of her volition and vocation. She is a distorted female soul. Homosexuals are two distorted male souls in male bodies drawn together by the Law of Attraction of Homogenous Species. So are lesbians and bisexuals. They are everywhere on earth. Lesbians are distorted male souls in female bodies. A distorted male soul and a distorted female soul may also be attracted to each other, depending on the degree of inner distortion. Some cases of male or female infertility are linked to distortions of the soul. A man in a woman’s body may lack that special anchorage of an undistorted female soul to attract and to hold a soul seeking incarnation though pregnancy, and would not be able to conceive or to carry pregnancy to term.

My prayer this year is that books such as THE CHRISTIAN VALUES AND REINCARNATION and IN HER WORDS, which a medium claims are Princess Diana‘s conversations with her from the beyond, help us light up the Darkness into which Emperor Justinian, Pope Vigilius and those 165 Bishops plunged Christian thinking in AD 553.

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will the suppression endure? When you keep anything under pressure, it gathers power and bursts the fetters. Place an air filled bottle with a lid on before a heat source and the air expanding under pressure of the heat, will soon shatter the bottle. We live a time in which everything which lies dormant or seemingly dead or alive in everyone will burst into life to uplift or to destroy, depending on it nature.

“SB 623 extends a pilot project allowing nurses and midwives to perform aspiration abortions. An unborn child is vacuumed out of the womb either through the use of a large manually operated syringe attached to a tub or using a mechanical vacuum to suck the infant out. The procedure often results in the baby being pulled apart limb by limb.

Homosexualism is thundering through America and knocking Christianity out for a full count. President Obama‘s Anti-Hate law forbids preachers to make derogatory remarks about homosexuals. The punishment for a breach is 10 years imprisonment. But there is no special protection for Christianity against atheist or homosexual fireworks. It would appear that, very soon, religion will be obliterated in America which may thereafter infect the rest of the weakling world. But mind you, it is religion, not God that may become effaced. The rebellions and adventurous American spirit rejects the picture or image of God which life less religious dogmas present as absolute Truth. There is no doubt about God being Absolute. But are many of the Christian concepts of today which attempt to explain Him not mere fragments of imagination?

Reincarnation HIS concept has been rejected by mainstream Christianity.

Yet it is a critical spiritual key for the explanation of God will, homosexualism and many other phenomena which torment the world today. An Egyptian Sun priestess of old who made non believers in the sun god look at the sun for days until they became blind may be reincarnated to experience blindness.

Before I proceed to Church history and to how it explains homosexualism and even sex change, let me quickly make a little detour. The Christian world is so emotional about the State of Israel because the Bible calls them God‘s chosen people. Wouldn‘t that be unfair to other people? Yes, at a time the Jews were the most spiritually developed and were “Chosen” to host the son of God, Jesus. But what, hypothetically if today, more than half of the Jews in the days of Jesus have re-incarnated in Nigeria and the other half has gone elsewhere and that region has become peopled by the so called Gentiles of old? Remember that Jesus said that generation would not pass away until His words concerning the Judgement had come to pass. If that generation had all died, did that mean Jesus misspoke?

NO. They would still be on this earth elsewhere or in Palestine through re-incarnations! Stephen Lampe, in his THE CHRISTIAN and REINCARNATION, helps us to sort out many false Christian concepts and beliefs with the possibility of making us better Christians when we are armed with new knowledge and become letter knowing.

Council of Constantinople This book shows that early Christian fathers believed in re-incarnation until the Council of 1553 AD, when an attempt was made to expunge it from Christian beliefs. What happened in those days can be likened to what is happening in the United States today. Today, homosexuals and atheists, suppressed for long, suddenly found themselves in positions of authority, engaged established order in a war, won that war, and, through law, established their lifestyles as a new order. According to Stephen Lampe, the following events occurred in 553 AD. 1.The second Council of Constantinople, also called the Fifth Ecumenical Council of the Church, was convened by Emperor Justinian on May 5, 553 AD. 2.The purpose was to unite Churches in the eastern and western parts of Christendom.

3.POPE Vigilius was Pope at the time.

4.The Pope wanted an equal number of delegates to represent either side. But, at the end of the proceeding on June 2, there were no more than six Bishops from the West out of about 165 bishops who signed the communiqué, 5.Emperor Justinian manipulated composition of the delegates.

6.Pope Vigilius protested the manipulation by boycotting the conference.

7.That suited Emperor Justinian who, through the back door, introduced a subject not previously listed on the agenda.

8.That subject was a call for the rejection of the teachings of ORIGEN, a respected Father of the early Church who died in 254 A.D., about 300 years before the conference.

9.Origen was considered an original thinker whose view about

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

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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THE NATION

e-Business • Juwah

•Evans

•Ajayi

The world over, broadband availability is seen as a major push for socio-economic change and a key driver of development from e-governance, e-commerce, telemedicine to even agriculture. LUCAS AJANAKU reports that despite its many advantages, the government has been paying lip-service to the provision of this infrastructure.

When will Nigeria join the broadband wagon?

S INCE former Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ernest Ndukwe, declared 2008 as ‘Year of Broadband,’ several fora held by organisations both in the public and private sectors have focused on how to make broadband available and accessible at affordable rates.

Wikipedia defines broadband as a “Telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device; the broader the band, the greater the capacity for traffic.”

Broadband has the potential of transforming the way people live, learn, work and play. That explains why countries the world over, especially the technologically advanced, are investing on the provision of broadband access for their citizens.

According to a 2010 US National Broadband Policy document, broadband is “The great infrastructure challenge of the early 21st century. Like electricity a century ago, broadband is a foundation for economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness and a better way of life. It is enabling entire new industries and unlocking vast new possibilities for existing ones. It is changing how we educate children, deliver health care, manage energy, ensure public safety, engage government, and access, organise and disseminate knowledge.”

Security experts say broadband access could help check growing insecurity through effective interior security system that rides on real-time inter-agency coordination, monitoring and mobilisation of security personnel, especially if the broadband infrastructure is characterised by multiple carriers, multiple facilities and decentralisation. It is resilient and reliable in the event of disruption.

In e-learning, ability to provide rich multi-media content, online examination, and other modern pedagogic tools ride on broadband without being subjected to variables such as income or location. E-learning can have great impact on children and individuals in remote locations or disadvantaged communities and those with physical or mental impediments that require specialised approaches to learning.

In telemedicine, broadband enables the offering of medical advice, monitoring, diagnosis and training, delivered to the remotest regions over wireless networks and opening up the country to varieties of medical attention.

Analysts argue that the nation’s electricity supply could be redefined by leveraging on the power of broadband technology to power small grids and control electricity supplies more accurately.

Broadband Commission for Digital Development said broadband can help move the world towards a low carboneconomy and address the causes and effects of climate change.

“The understanding of the benefits that broadband can bring is at a global tipping point. Its role in GDP growth, in enabling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and offsetting the effects of climate change is just now starting to be under-

stood, because finally, the deployment is there and the benefits can be realised. In the economic climate, societies need to develop and with a solutions-driven approach to climate change, we can accelerate a new type of green growth while supporting global sustainable development goals,” Chairman, the Commission’s Working Group on Climate Change and Chief Executive Officer of Ericsson, Hans Vestberg, said in its report.

Similarly, a study by an international management consultancy, McKinsey & Company, shows “a 10 per cent increase in broadband household penetration delivers a boost to a country’s GDP that ranges from 0.1 per cent to 1.4 per cent.” It added that for much of Africa, broadband boost to GDP calculated by the World Bank is 1.38 per cent.

With all these benefits, aside capacities brought to the country through private investors, such as Glo 1, MainOne, the West African Cable System (WACS) and Sat 3, no encouragement is coming from the government to take these capacities to the end users.

Director-General, National Office for Technology Acqusition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr Umar Bindir, has warned that Nigeria may miss the MDGs and Vision 20:2020 if the government fails to change its approach to science, technology and innovation (STI).

President, Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Lanre Ajayi, agrees with him. “Maybe, government has a different strategy of attaining its goals; maybe they are looking in the direction of other sectors like agriculture. Countries that have very vibrant economies today have relied hugely on ICT to get to where they are,” he said.

Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof Cleopas Angaye, said broadband is an indispensable tool to modern eonomic development, lamenting that its penetration still remains low.

“Broadband is the driver of the major benefits of connectivity but the trend of its penetration in Africa is not only very low, but also reflecting a gap between the average African country and the more advanced countries in terms of ICT. “A veritable means of improving access to ICT and associated tools such as the internet is the development and deployment of broadband technologies. Through broadband, wide frequencies are available to transmit multiple and huge information concurrently within a given amount of time,” Angaye noted, suggesting the building of a clear-cut broadband development policy.

NCC said it has mapped out strategies to boost broadband penetration in the country thorugh the adoption of the ‘Open Access Model,’ an initiative that provides a framework for infrastructure sharing.

“This structure will ensure vibrancy in the market and prevent dominance as no company will be allowed to play in more than two of the service layers and the equity participation in bidding consortiums for the licenses will be control-

led,” said Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, at a recent event in Lagos.

But in mobile broadband, all hope is not lost as stakeholders in the telecoms industry have made efforts at encouraging its growth through the development of infrastructure and provision of services that bring broadband closer to the consumers.

Etisalat Nigeria, in recognition of efforts to facilitate and promote mobile broadband in the country recently instituted and sponsored the ‘Etisalat Prize for Innovation Award’ for the most innovative product/service and idea at last year’s edition of the Africa Com Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. The telco explained that it took the decision to encourage and promote broadband adoption and use in Nigeria and Africa.

The award was won by Sinelimit and iConnect Project, for the development of Mobile Maths Practice, a mobile application that helps students in preparing for exams, and a second prize of $10,000 for the most innovative idea presented to Future Software for the iConnect Project, Mobile ICT Units proposed to supply mobile broadband internet vehicles to schools in various geographical areas.

Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat, Mr Steve Evans, said the Etisalat Prize for Innovation seeks to highlight the facilitation and promotion of mobile broadband in Africa with the recognition of the fact that it is primarily critical to Africa’s economic development. He added that the exponential growth recorded in voice services could also be achieved in the mobile broadband sector.

Mr Oyehmi Begho, who won the prize, noted that the continent needs new ideas that would drive the growth of broadband.

“There are a lot of opportunities that exist in Mobile Broadband and it will take innovative ideas to drive its successful growth across the continent,” he said.

Evans said the telco would continue to be at the forefront of the campaign for the development of mobile broadband in Nigeria by participating in various efforts of the Federal Government. He argued that innovation has to play in the growth of mobile broadband cannot be overstated. He said the African market is a unique one and would require unique and innovative solutions to drive growth in the broadband technology sector.

With a track record for innovation, which remains one of the pillars of its business strategy, since starting commercial operations in 2008, many Etisalat’s products and services have been innovative firsts. The telco was the first to launch an environmentally-friendly product in Africa, Eco SIM, and first to launch a fast and affordable mobile broadband over 3.75G. “Etisalat believes innovation should go beyond improvements in existing products and services, and instead have real valuable socio-economic impact on customers. In support of this belief, Etisalat is proud to be a part of encouraging and celebrating valuable innovation in the African marke,” the telco said.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

e-Business

NCC warns operators as data Globacom opens N analysis tests begins

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HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has started anlysing data gathered from the test carried out at telecoms operators’ facilities across the country in December. It warned that it would not spare any operator that fails to meet the key performance indicators (KPIs).

“I can confirm to you that the NCC is going through informaton gathered from the test carried out in December. The NCC will diligently go through the report. The result wil be released after the collation, but I cannot assure you when it would be released because there is much job to be done on it,” a source close to the regulator told The Nation.

During the Yuletide, subscribers across the country had one com-

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

plaint or the other concerning quality of service (QoS). Several short messages (SMS) were never delivered and money was deducted from the subscribers’ account. Similarly, many subscribers who attempted to make calls to their loved ones could not do so.

The NC C’s Audit Report would be based on parameters, such as Call Set-up Success Rate (CSSR), Call Completion Rate (CCR), Drop Call Rate (DCR) and Traffic Channel Congestion (TCH).

The last audit in July and September last year which NCC called Nationwide Benchmark Drive Test was on the four major operators – MTN, Globacom, Airtel and

Etisalat. It was the first such test and it concentrated on Call Completion Rate, which encompasses the major network KPI (call drop and congestion). The service providers were ranked in Lagos and the six geo-political zones.

Early last year, the NCC had imposed a fine of N1.17 billion on GSM operators in the country for failing to comply with the minimum standard of quality of service.

While MTN and Etisalat coughed out N360 million each, Airtel and Glo paid N270 million and N180 million to the Federal Government as fine.

The regulator barred the operators from running promotions and lotteries on their newtworks because of quality of service.

seven shops

ATIONAL telecoms operator, Globacom, has concluded plans to open additional seven Gloworld shops this month. The new shops are located in Lagos, Bonny, Oshogbo and Katsina.

The company said in a statement that the concept of the new Gloworld shops is to bring the bouquet of services closer to the people as the shops offer similar services anywhere in the country.

According to Globacom’s Director of Sales, Patrick Awotwi, “With the scores of Gloworld shops around the country, subscribers need not travel long distances anymore to enjoy our services. Globacom assures our teeming subscribers of quick and satisfactory resolution of all issues ranging from SIM replacement to SIM registration, recovery of over-scratched cards, refill, un-blocking of SIMS, phone and laptop configurations for internet as well as post-paid bill payments and purchase of all Glo and other complementary products at the shops.”

Awotwi noted that “Gloworld is a strategic business unit of Globacom.

It provides specialised outlets which are equipped to offer convenient and easy access to products, services and problem-resolution in a worldclass and friendly environment. The Gloworld concept is aimed at efficient service delivery, using a state-of-the-arts technology platform managed by well-trained members of staff in order to bring the company’s brand closer to customers.

Three of the new shops became operational on Monday, January 7th.

The first is located at Ikeja City Mall; while the second one on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island is for Post Paid customers only. The third is located at Oluwole Urban Mall, Nnamdi Azikiwe/Martins Street, Lagos Island.

Another Gloworld shop will be opened at Conoil Filling Station, Cele Bus stop on Oshodi-Apapa Express Way on Thursday, 10th January, 2013.

Others to be opened within the period are located on Osogbo/Gbogan Road, Oshogbo, Osun State ; 57 Hospital Way, Bonny Island, Rivers State and the last in IBB Way, Kofar Kaura, Katsina.

According to Awotwi, “Glo is a truly Nigerian company that continues to impact lives of Nigerians in many positive ways with our quality network, affordable tariffs, life-changing promotions and sponsorships.”

Etisalat, Alcatel-Lucent sign pact

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TISALAT Nigeria has signed an agreement with Alcatel-Lucent.

A statement from the telco said it is the sixth agreement between the two firms. In 2008, Etisalat signed an agreement with Alcatel Lucent for the provision of a public mobile cellular service for Region Two of its network which comprise Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Kogi and Delta states.

Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria Mr Steven Evans described the contract as a milestone aimed at upgrading its network to provide better services.

“This is a significant milestone as we move into the next phase of our network roll-out. We plan to increase our cell sites by an additional 1,000 in 2013 and this agreement is towards achieving that target. We are happy to be partnering with Alcatel-Lucent, in fulfilment of our promise to continuously deliver quality and innovative services to our customers every step of the way,” he said.

Android tablet for children out •Vsat

HP set to establish training centre in Nigeria

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EWLETT-Packard (HP) is to establish a training centre in the country where Nigerians would be trained to handle its products.

Sales Regional Manager, Indigo & HP Africa, Houssine Chekkar, said the centre would not only save the huge cost of training personnel in Barcelona, Sapin, but also save time, adding that the move would also complement the employment generation drive of the Federal Government.

Chekkar, who spoke with The Nation in Lagos, explained that the training is usually for engineers that will be certified and retained by the company to take care of the engineering needs of its partners.

“We will be establishing a training

centre in Lagos, Nigeria. You know the distance between Nigeria and Europe is long. The main target is to get certified people that will be delivering services to our operators. By the time the initiative is implemented, first of all, it will save precious time and cost. We will like to have Nigerians trained and certified for MFI and Indigo. This will happen very soon, in the next one year,” he said.

HP is an American multinational information technology corporation that provides products, technologies, software, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and large enterprises, including customers in the government, health and education sectors.

Shedding more light on the programme, he said it is normally designed for engineers who will be equipped to manage the firm’s range of innovation and products.

“The training is normallydesigned for enginners of partners and operators. So for each product we launch, we have training. It implies that now that we have the printer 56100 for instance, the operator will go for the training and get certification at the end of it.

The people that deliver the training are knowledgeable people and very experienced people, so they deliver the training as if they were on the onsite. During the training session, we simulate some issue and we assist them on how to fix them,” he said.

Policy not politics should define ICT, says Aregbesola T

HE only way the contributions of the information communications technology (ICT) sector can be harnessed is through the formation and implementation of appropriate policies, Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said.

He spoke as guest of honour at the awards of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) in Lagos.

He said: “The ICT industry is one of the highly promising and rapidly growing sectors of the economy. It has contributed significantly in the areas of job creation, economic growth and transparency of governance.”

Reeling out figures for the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), he said between 2005 and 2010, telecoms revenue grew from 3.1 per

By Deji Fakorede

cent to 3.3 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while telecoms investment as a percentage of revenue improved significantly from 0.4 per cent to 11.1 per cent, adding that within the same period, mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions (per 100 people) increased from 13.3 to 55.1.

“I am sure the figures would have gone up. It is my conviction that in matters having to do with ICT – especially in a world where ICT literacy is fast becoming a fundamental right – policy, rather than politics, should

define the direction. We all have to remember that technology, just like time, waits for nobody,” he said, stressing that THE Federal Government’s Vision 20:2020 aspirations may remain mere wishful thinking if the government fails to act fast.

Speaking of his adminstration’s drive to make the state the hub of ICT in the country, he said in the adminstration’s effort to build a knowledge-driven economy, it is focused on massive investment in eyouth strategies because investment in children and youths would yield the best returns in the not-too-distant future.

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OLAROID has launched a mobile tablet designed for children — a seven-inch kids tablet. Featuring the Android 4.0 OS, the tablet combines fun and entertainment kids love with security, durability and educational content that provide parents with peace of mind.

“Throughout our 75-year history, we’ve been known for creating innovative and easy-to-use products that are fun for all ages,” says Polaroid President Scott W. Hardy. “The kids tablet is no exception.

It epitomises the Polaroid brand personality and brings together a host of features that will delight kids and parents alike.”

Included are a customised suite of apps, such as Kids Cam, Music Studio and Draw that encourage children to develop creative capabilities, and show off their creative side to friends and family members with videos, pictures and songs. The tablet also features Kids Vids, an app that allows children to stream safe and filtered videos for all age groups and Free Play, a simple & unique way to display all the free games/apps available for download from the kid-friendly App Shop.

Tablet to beat notebooks in 2013

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ABLET PC shipments are expected to reach over 240 million units worldwide in 2013, exceeding the 207 million notebook PCs that are projected to ship, according to NPD DisplaySearch.

In a market that has been dominated by one major player, Apple, shifting market dynamics are creating the opportunity for a greater variety of choices, which will drive shipment growth in 2013 to 64 per cent.

The rapid development and adoption of new screen sizes is allowing both large and small brands to gain market traction in regions and create new demand for tablet PCs. The tablet market has been led by Apple’s 9.7" iPad, but in 2013, a new class of small tablets will take over the market.

Tablet PCs with 7-8" screen sizes are expected to account for 45 per cent, or 108 million units of the market in 2013, overtaking the 9.7" size which will account for 17 per cent share or about 41 million units.

Over 1.5b mobile phones sold in 2012

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HILE global handset makers have yet to release 4Q12 earnings, South Korean analysts, Korea Investment and Securities (KIS) are estimating the quarterly global handset demand at 420 million units, up 11 per cent, and full-year 2012 demand at 1.53 billion units.

As a result, they expect the global market to shrink for the first time, falling by 1 percent on the previous year. They attribute this to weak economic conditions in the USA, China and Europe, and handset penetration reaching 69 per cent.

However, they estimate fourth quarter 2012 global smartphone demand at 186 million units, in line with their earlier forecast, and fullyear demand at 652 million units, slightly higher than their earlier

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

34. Run (3)

32. Perform (2)

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)

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)

WORD MAZE Find the correct alternatives to the clues below the grid.Each number beside the words represents a letter that should be placed where the number appears in the grid. This way, the name of a popular group to which the picture inset has a task with will be spelt.

1

9

2

8

3

7

4

ShoWBlitZz Minaj Grew Up A Tomboy

Behind the Phrase NAIL YOUR COLOURS TO THE MAST Meaning To defiantly display one’s opinions and beliefs. Also, to show one’s intention to hold on to those beliefs until the end.

Origin

ROCKY MARCIANO

Nicki Minaj turns blue for a new photo shoot with Vogue Magazine, and she looks amazing; even with blue skin and pink wig. She reminds not a few of Marilyn Monroe by way of Avatar. In a new interview, True Colors: Nicki Minaj, which is featured online, she talks about growing up as a tomboy and how the introduction of make-up changed her life.Nicki Minaj also talks about recently moving into a condo to escape some “some bad memories” (whispers her alleged break-up with boyfriend Safaree); wanting to be a lawyer if she wasn’t famous, and most importantly, she once spent $50,000 on shoes and purses in one month. She currently lives in a condo in L.A., where she moved for the weather but also to escape “some bad memories.” Though she declines to divulge much about her personal life, she readily admits to snuggling up in hotel beds, unwinding after a performance by watching Forensic Files and Judge Judy.

Pep Talk

In 17th century nautical battles colours (flags) were struck (lowered) as a mark of submission. It was also the custom in naval warfare to direct one’s cannon fire at the opponent’s ship’s mast, thus disabling it. If all of a ship’s masts were broken the captain usually had no alternative but to surrender. If the captain decided to fight on, this was marked by hoisting the colours on the remnants of the ship’s rigging, i.e. by ‘nailing his colours to the mast’.

The phrase originated in England. It is generally agreed that the expression was coined in reference to the exploits of the crew of the Venerable, at the Battle of Camperdown, a naval engagement that was fought between English and Dutch ships as part of the French Revolutionary Wars, in 1797.

Nail your colours to the mastThe English fleet was led by the Venerable, the flagship of Admiral Adam Duncan. The battle didn’t initially go well for the English. The mainmast of Duncan’s vessel was struck and the admiral’s blue squadronal standard was brought down. This could have been interpreted by the rest of the fleet as meaning that Duncan had surrendered. Step forward, horny-handed son of the sea and subsequent national hero, Jack Crawford.

Crawford climbed what was left of the mast with the standard and nailed it back where it was visible to the rest of the fleet.

This act proved crucial in the battle and Duncan’s forces were eventually victorious. Some historians believe that the victory at Camperdown proved to be the end of the dominance of the Dutch at sea and the beginning of the period in which ‘Britannia ruled the waves’. Crawford returned home to Sunderland to a hero’s welcome.

The stalwart reputation of English seamen soon became part of the national consciousness. An address to the House of Commons by the playwright Richard Sheridan was reported in The Edinburgh Advertiser in January 1801: “I have no hesitation in saying that the Maritime Law is the charter of our existence, the banner under which we all should rally; it is the flag which, imitating the example of our gallant seamen, we should nail to the mast of the nation, and go down with the vessel rather than strike it!”

The first use of the precise expression ‘nail your colours to the mast’ is from the English newspaper The Hereford Journal, August 1807. This reported a naval engagement between British and American ships in which the US captain surrendered without a fight, much to the disgust of his military superiors:

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Clues 1.Steal ( 7, 3, 1) 2. Meat from a hog (5, 6, 9) 3. Evergreen Tree (2, 8, 3)

HUMOUR When A Man Meets A Woman A child asks his father: Dad is it true that in some African cultures the husband only meets the woman after the marriage?

It’s the same all over the world kid!

Good Eyesight A woman went to the Doctor and said “When I looked in the mirror this morning, I saw my hair was frizzy, my skin wrinkly, my eyes bloodshot – what is wrong with me?”.

The Doctor replied “Well the good news is that your eyesight is fine”.

Mother in law and the clock My wife complained the other day that our kitchen clock almost killed her mother.

It fell seconds after where she had been sitting. That darned clock always was slow.

Sick and Silly PJ Teacher: How many letters are there totally in “A.B.C.D”?

Student: 4 Teacher: I meant the complete set, not just “A.B.C.D” Student: 52 Teacher: What?! How? Student: Lower case 26 and Upper case 26 Funny Husband Man1: I am going to be a father.

Man2: Your wife should be happy now I guess.

Man1: The problem is she doesnt know about it.

Hilarious Husband Man1: My wife says that if I drink once more, she is going to leave me.

Man2: Oh! Man1: Am going to miss her.

Do not discriminate against those living with HIV/AIDS.

“One who fears failure limits his activities.Failure is only the opportunity more intelligently begin again.” -Henry Ford

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NEWS Best NECO, SSCE pupil gets Obi’s N2m reward

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NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday gave Miss Sandra Anazor N2.22million for emerging the best pupil in Nigeria during the National Examination Council (NECO) and the West African Examinations Councils (WAEC) examinations.

The governor presented the cheque to Anazor at the Government House, Awka.

He also announced a scholarship for her.

The amount, Obi said, would cover the six years she would spend at the University of Ibadan (UI), where she has been offered admission to read Medicine.

The governor said he was proud of Anazor’s accomplishments.

He added that pupils who performed well like Anazor encouraged him to visit secondary schools so that the pupils would be more serious with their studies.

Obi promised to extend such visits to primary schools.

Communities fault N400m for fumigation From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

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MO State communities, which were flooded during the last rainy season, have accused the flood committee of spending N400 million Federal Government intervention fund on fumigation of the two affected local governments.

They urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate how the money, which was earmarked for the rehabilitation of the flood victims, was spent on fumigation.

Abacheke community, in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, was said to have chased away the contractor handling the fumigation.

The residents demanded that the affected communities be consulted on the disbursement of the fund.

The state government however disclosed that part of the fund was being spent on fumigation of the affected areas to reduce flood related diseases their community.

The Chairman of the Imo State Disaster Committee and Commissioner of Health, Dr.Obi Njoku, who agreed that part of the N400 million was used for the exercise in the area, could not state the exact amount of money paid to the contractor.

Njoku insisted that the fumigation exercise is part of the rehabilitation of the flood victims, adding, that the essence of the fumigation is to prevent

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka and Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Miss Anazor had her secondary education in Onitsha, Anambra State.

This signified the success of the many investments Obi made in the education sector.

It was learnt that Sandra has won many academic competitions and awards.

Obi said he was proud of her accomplishments and that performances such as hers encouraged him to keep visiting secondary schools in the State to encourage pupils to take their studies seriously, saying he would soon extend it to primary schools.

Giving the names of Anambra indigenes who are champions in various fields, Obi said the state would continuously search for them and present them as role models to the younger ones.

The governor gave the example of the heart centre his administration is building at St. Joseph’s Hospital, AdaziNnukwu. The facility is

•Governor Obi (middle) with Education Commissioner, Mrs Uju Okeke (left), Sandra's mother (second left), Sandra's father (right) and Sandra...yesterday

named after a foremost Anambra State-born cardiologist, Dr. Joe Nwiloh.

He said other Anambra indigenes, who have achieved various feats, would also be honoured.

Obi urged the people to see education as the most portent instrument for competition.

Quoting Aristotle, the governor said the differences between the educated and the

uneducated is like the living and the dead.

Sandra’s former head teacher at Queen of the Rosary, College, Onitsha), where she had her junior secondary (JSS 1-3), Sister Maria Nwankwo, and the head teacher of Federal Government College, Onitsha, where she did her senior secondary (SS1-3), Dr. Mrs Chinyere Nzerem, hailed Obi for the gesture.

Concern over Chime’s whereabouts

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GROUP of prominent Enugu State indigenes, under the aegis of Save Enugu Group (SEG), has called for information on the whereabouts of Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime.

The governor was last seen in public about 110 days ago.

SEG suggested the constitution of a committee, comprising eminent indigenes, to visit the governor wherever he is and report back to the residents.

The group, in a letter to Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi, on January 8, said the state’s inability to explain the governor’s state of health and whereabouts has provided an opportunity for some unelected people to hijack the machinery of governance in the state.

SEG noted that the governor’s unexplained absence from office “is suggestive of permanent inability to discharge the functions of his office,” or in the alternative, “his disappearance for this extended period amounts to grave misconduct”.

In the letter signed by six members of the group, most of who served under Chimaroke Nnamani, the group said the argument of the Information Commissioner, Mr Chuks Ngwoke that the governor was on accumulated leave and had properly handed powers to his deputy, was unconvincing.

Signatories to the letter include Maxi Okwu, Igbonekwu Ogazimora, Willy Ezugwu, Ibuchukwu Ezike, Victor Eneh and Ray Nnaj. They suggest-

•Govt: we won’t reply attention-seekers

By Eric Ikhilae and Chris Oji, Enugu

ed the names of those who should form the delegation to verify Chime’s current state and location.

They suggested that “His Grace, Bishop Callistus Onaga Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Rev. Hyde Onuauluchi; former Power Minister, Prof.

Bath Nnaji; Igwe Paul Egbogu, Chief Mrs Grace Obayi, Chief Nduka Eya, the SecretaryGeneral of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo and Dr. Louis Anya Chukwuma should visit the governor.”

The group added: “Today makes it 110 days since our governor was last seen in public. It is in the public domain that Governor Chime was last cited in public on September 19, 2012.

“Since then, sightings and near sightings of him have been reported; they turned out to be a hoax. This unsavory state of affairs has created a thriving mill of idle gossipers, who speculate on his whereabouts and state of health.

These rumours have ranged from the insensitive to the ludicrous.

“Matters got to a head on December 15, 2012, the day of the fatal air disaster in Bayelsa State that claimed the lives of Governor Yakowa of Kaduna State and General Owoye Azazi, when the media was rent with the news also of the death of our governor.

“On at least two occasions,

Ngwoke has come out with an official statement on the status of the governor.

“Essentially, it was stated that Governor Chime was quietly enjoying his holiday and accumulated leave, or that he would be in office shortly.

These conflicting accounts merely served to exacerbate rather than ameliorate the situation.

“We must bring to your notice that the public is awash with accounts of the inability of the Acting Governor to discharge his mandate under the Constitution as a cabal of unelected officers have rendered his authority otiose.

“We, therefore, most humbly submit that this is a most untidy state of affairs. At this juncture, we make bold to ask: Can the governor hand over and create an acting administration in perpetuity? What is the duration of the annual leave for the governor? How many days make up this accumulated annual leave?

“Could the Constitution and government holiday regulations have given His Excellency a carte blanch to take a break for over 100 days? We do not think so. The question which we would be most obliged if it is answered is: where is His Excellency, our governor?

“We are in no doubt that comparatively speaking he has done well or that his administration is going on

Delta Igbo communities join oil producing areas

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HE number of oil producing communities agitating to be direct beneficiaries of the 13 per cent derivation fund has swollen.

Delta Igbo communities, comprising Ika and Aniocha Local Governments of Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State, have said they want to be direct beneficiaries of 13 per cent Derivation Fund

They noted that the governor has proved that he loves education and successful children.

Sandra’s father, Mr Azubike Anazor, who was accompanied by his wife, Chinwe, noted that the outstanding performance of Anambra State indigenes was because of the governor’s interest in all sectors.

He recalled when Obi provided boreholes, generators,

From Nduka Chejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

to oil and gas producing communities.

A statement by the Oil and gas Communities of Nigeria, signed by the six leaders of the body, said a delegation of 10 traditional rulers, their chiefs, women and youths of Akumazi, Umunede, Ute-okpu, Ute-erume, Ute-Ogbeje,

Ekuku-Agbor, Nsukwa, Olodu, Ewuru, Idumuesah and Ejeme visited the leadership of the oil and gas producing communities of Nigeria recently in Warri, Delta State.

The statement said the spokesperson of the delegation, Okafor Wallace, promised to join the struggle for the direct payment of 13 per cent derivation fund to oil and gas producing communities.

The Delta Igbo communities, he said, have followed closely the agitation and advocacy of the oil and gas communities for direct payment of 13 per cent derivation fund to oil and gas communities.

He added: “Thirteen per cent Derivation Fund is a constitutional matter that must be implemented to full benefit of the people of the oil and gas communities.”

‘peacefully’ or ‘smoothly’ as his supporters would chime,” the group said.

The government yesteday replied the group.

In a statement in Enugu by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Chukwudi Achife, the government said: “Government does not intend to join issues with these habitual attention-seekers. This is, at best, the coming together of men whose views on the incumbent government are well known and always predictable.

“It is obvious that having realised, perhaps most painfully, that their media attacks have not achieved their pre-determined goal, they have now chosen to issue a statement as a group.”

“However, it is even more laughable that in dabbling into issues beyond their purview, they first mischievously leaked to the press a letter meant for Acting Governor Sunday Onyebuchi.

“We urge our people to ignore the hollow argument and baseless call by the group, which merely expose the narrow mindedness of the paymasters because the people of Enugu State know the real men behind the mask.”

Internet, laboratories as well as buses to schools.

The lawyer said the gesture enabled Sandra and her colleagues at Queen of the Rosary College as well as pupils of other schools to live in comfort in boarding schools.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Uju Okeke, hailed the governor for his love for education and the welfare of the residents.

Police arrest 503 suspects in Enugu From Chris Oji, Enugu

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HE Police in Enugu State arrested 503 suspects and recovered 87 arms last year, the command has said.

It said 201 of the suspects were arrested for alleged armed robbery; 99 for alleged kidnapping and 37 for alleged cult activities.

The police also said 21 suspected car snatchers, 101 Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) members and 20 Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) members were also arrested.

Also arrested were six Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) equipment vandals, as well as eight others for unlawful possession of arms and ammunition and 10 for various offences.

Police Commissioner Musa Daura gave the statistics in Enugu.

In a statement, the police chief said the recovered arms included 150 catridges, 68 locally-made pistols, 10 locallymade double barrel guns, four AK 47 guns, three pump action guns, a six-round revolver pistol and a Brownie pistol.

PUBLIC NOTICE VEROD FOUNDATION The general public is hereby notified that the above named Foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Company and Allied Matters Act, 2004.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ERIC EHIMARE IDIAHI 2. ADEYEYE ENITAN OGUNWUSI 3. DANLADI MICHEL VERHEIJEN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To promote educational development.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Maitama District, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed : JOAN GREG (Solicitor)

54

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 9-1-13

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Profit-taking depresses equities by N42b

HE bears broke the three-day bullish trend at the stock market yesterday as investors sought to monetise recent capital gains.

Investors booked profits on winning stocks especially the banking ones that have returned substantial capital appreciation.

The main index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the All Share Index (ASI), dropped by 132.69 absolute points, representing 0.46 per cent, to close lower at 28,956.83 points. Market capitalisation declined by N42 billion, representing 0.45 per cent decline, to close lower at N9.255 trillion. Both indicators had grown by 0.33 per cent in the previous session.

According to market analysts, this move, which can be described as a temporal retreat is good for the market after a sustained rally. It provides new entry points at lower prices for further investment. This is said to be particularly true after the market had recorded a seven

By Tonia Osundolire

day upticks out of eight transaction sessions since December 27th, last year.

Also, as expected, bearish transactions dominated trade statistics and this was highlighted by declined stocks log. In terms of transacted deals, volume and value, the market stands at 69.96 per cent, 54.97 per cent and 66.1 per cent respectively.

The market recorded a total volume of 455.806 million shares worth N4.057 billion exchanged in 6,979 deals. The Financial Services sector recorded 378.269 million shares as lead on the activities table, followed by the Conglomerates sector with 26.911 million shares.

Also with relatively high volume were the Consumer Goods ,Oil & Gas, Industrial Goods, Services, Agriculture

and Health Care.

However, the downturn was impacted mostly by value losses recorded in the following stocks; FBNH, GT Bank, Access Bank, Unilever, Total, Zenith Bank and Nigerian Breweries.

At the close of business, investors traded on 112 equities of which 51 recorded price change. UBA led the list of 20 equities with price gain, indicating an increase of N0.51 to close at N5.65. Ashaka Cement followed with a gain of N1.71 to close at N0.42.

Others on the list were Fort Oil, Eterna Oil & Gas, RT Briscoe, Okomu Oil, UACProperty, WAPCO, Ikeja Hotel and Wapic Insurance.

Eighty per cent of the stocks on the top 10 were on the list the previous day.

On the losersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; side, the number increased to 31. DN Meyer led the list with a drop of N0.14 to close at N1.26 followed by Presco with a dip of N1.90 to close at N20.50.

Also on the list were Fidson, Fidelity Bank, NASCON, NEM insurance, UPL, Japaul Oil, NPF Microfinance Bank and AIICO.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 9-1-13

THE

55

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

MONEY LINK

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Analysts to CBN: cut interest rate

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been advised to begin 'a slow and modest' reduction in interest rate.

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Bismark Rewane made this call in his December Economic report obtained by The Nation.

He said the interest rate known in financial parlance as Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), should be reduced to

Stories by Collins Nweze

11.75 per cent per annum at the next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

The MPR has stagnated at 12 per cent since a year ago.

He said that given the expected decline in inflation for December and a single digit outlook for 2013, there will be an opportunity for the MPC to consider moving to a more accommodative monetary stance late this

month.

However, he said that if the budget impasse between the President and the National Assembly over the increased benchmark of $79 per barrel is not resolved, the CBN may have no alternative but to retain its current MPR at 12 per cent per annum.

He said that Lagos State urban inflation index showed that prices of goods and services eased by 0.74 per cent to 11.87 per cent in December.

Also, the decline from 12.6 per cent in November is attributable to the food basket, which dropped by 2.15 per cent for the second consecutive month after the hike due to flooding.

The prices of the commodities that eased include vegetables leaves, pepper, cassava, yams, beans and rice.

Also, the non-food basket rose marginally by 0.15 per cent to 10.36 per cent in December, due to increasing distribution and logistics costs. The

Ecobank targets shares, bonds to meet capital needs

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E C O B A N K Transnational Incorporated (ETI), may sell bonds and shares as countries around the continent raise minimum capital requirements, its chief executive officer said.

According to Bloomberg report, the company, which is listed in Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria, is also considering trading its shares on an exchange outside Africa, its Chief Executive Officer, Thierry Tanoh said.

He replaced Arnold Ekpe, who first took over running the Togo-based company in 1996 and ended his second stint last year. “We’re starting to see in a lot of countries requirements by central banks to raise minimum capital requirements,” he said in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. “If this continues quite aggressively we might have to look at raising additional resources.”

In January last year Zambia boosted capital requirements

in charge of Africa, Latin America and Western Europe.

The company is still considering whether it needs more funds and how much it may require, he said.

for international banks to $100 million from $2.5 million, while Zimbabwe gave banks a deadline last September to boost reserves 10-fold to $100 million. Kenya, Ghana and Gambia have also boosted requirements in the last two years.

Ecobank may sell shares through a private placement and sell bonds if it decides it needs additional funds, said Tanoh, who has worked for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as vice president

U

In a statement, the bank’s chairman, Obiora Ike explained that following a proposal by its Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Enugu, the bank’s shareholders unanimously approved dividend.

He said that the three kobo dividend was necessitated by the need to consolidate the

A

nent would generate improved earnings through agriculture if African leaders can agree to dismantle trade barriers that blunt more regional dynamism.

The report was released on the eve of an African Union (AU) ministerial summit in Addis Ababa on agriculture and trade.

In a statement, the bank says that Africa’s farmers can potentially grow enough food to feed the continent and avert future food crises if countries remove cross-border restrictions on the food trade within the region.

The report urges African leaders to improve trade so that

bank’s asset base and yet satisfy the interest of its shareholders.

He added that the lender delivered a strong risk ratio, which provided a strong platform for exceptional performance in 2012. “Our capital adequacy ratio was over 59.19 per cent compared with a regulatory minimum of 10 per cent,” he said.

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

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 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 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 9-1-13

SYMBOL UBA ASHAKACEM FO ETERNA RTBRISCOE OKOMUOIL UAC-PROP WAPCO IKEJAHOTEL WAPIC

O/PRICE 5.14 18.98 8.51 2.50 1.46 46.85 13.22 54.00 0.99 0.66

C/PRICE 5.65 20.69 8.93 2.62 1.53 49.00 13.74 55.90 1.02 0.68

CHANGE 0.51 1.71 0.42 0.12 0.07 2.15 0.52 1.90 0.03 0.02

DNMEYER PRESCO FIDSON FIDELITYBK NASCON NEM UPL JAPAULOIL NPFMCRFBK AIICO

O/PRICE 1.40 22.40 1.19 2.90 8.74 0.60 4.60 0.64 1.13 0.71

C/PRICE 1.26 20.50 1.11 2.74 8.30 0.57 4.37 0.61 1.08 0.68

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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% 11.8%

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

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

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

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 136.08 125.53 0.80 1.13 0.92 100.00 1,000.00 1,763.58 11.31 1.39 1.87 9,770.56

9.08 1.00 135.74 124.60 0.77 1.13 0.91 100.00 1,000.00 1,754.53 10.75 1.33 1.80 9,515.51

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor

NSE CAP Index

Name

CHANGE 0.14 1.90 0.08 0.16 0.44 0.03 0.23 0.03 0.05 0.03

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 9-1-13

SYMBOL

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

boost their food trade over the next several years to manage the deadly impact of worsening drought, rising food prices, rapid population growth, and volatile weather patterns.

“With many African farmers effectively cut off from the high-yield seeds, and the affordable fertilizers and pesticides needed to expand their crop production, the continent has turned to foreign imports to meet its growing needs in staple foods.

“Africa has the ability to grow and deliver good quality food to put on the dinner tables of the continent’s families”, the report adds.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

food can move more freely between countries and from fertile areas to those where communities are suffering food shortages. “The World Bank expects demand for food in Africa to double by the year 2020 as people increasingly leave the countryside and move to the continent’s cities,” it said.

According to the new report, Africa Can Help Feed Africa: Removing barriers to regional trade, in food staples rapid urbanisation will challenge the ability of farmers to ship their cereals and other foods to consumers when the nearest trade market is just across a national border.

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

•Mr Rewane

duced in December,” he said.

According to him, the time lag between changes in inflation data manifesting itself in the national figures is usually one to two months. “In other words, if there is a change in price level in the urban areas it takes 30 to 60 days for the national price level to fully reflect that change,” he added.

World Bank forecasts improved agric earnings WORLD Bank report It said that countries south of for Africa says the African contithe Sahara, could significantly

MfB improves capital adequacy ratio MUCHINEMERE Procredit Micro Finance Bank Limited (UPMFB) has recorded arise capital adequacy performance ratio of 59.19 per cent in 2012, compared with a regulatory minimum of 10 per cent.

The bank has also paid a three kobo dividend for each share for the 2011 financial year.

most noticeable commodities in this category, he said, were men’s apparel, cooking gas and building materials.

Some non-food prices of toiletries, louver blades, air transport and kerosene also declined while others remained unchanged relative to the levels in November.

“The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is expected to announce the result of its December price survey in the next few days. Our trend analysis and forecast suggests that the national headline inflation for December will decline to 11.94 per cent, plus or minus 0.08 per cent. The 0.36 per cent decline from November’s 12.3 per cent is likely to be as a result of an increase in the supply of commodities, both imported and domestically pro-

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

58

NEWS N30m for Kano slain legislators’ families From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

THE KANO State Government yesterday donated N15 million each to the families of the late Danladi Isah Kademi and Ibrahim Abba Garko, former members representing Gaya and Garko in the House of Assembly.

The lawmakers were killed recently by unknown gunmen in separate attacks in Kano.

Governor Musa Kwankwaso presented the cheques to the families at the Government House.

He also offered free scholarships to the children of the deceased and a three bedroom flat each in the metropolis.

The governor said his administration was assisting the bereaved families to reduce their grief.

He prayed to Allah to grant the deceased the eternal rest.

Kwankwaso described the deceased as great Nigerians who died serving their fatherland.

The governor assured that his administration would continue to support their families.

Kogi ACN decries alleged plan to divert women’s N230m to party members

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HE Kogi State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday decried alleged moves by the government to share the N230million meant for the women in the state to only card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement in Abuja by its Chairman, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, the party berated the government for saying the over N2billion for flood victims is “intact” while the victims were dying.

The statement said: “Another issue begging for attention is the N230 million donated by Alhaji Aliko Dangote to be shared among 1,000 women per local government at N10,000 each.

“The money is meant for Kogi women, irrespective of their political affiliation. But there is a clandestine move

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

by the government to share this money among only PDP women.”

The party said Dangote is a reputable businessman and philanthropist, who alleviates poverty in Nigeria.

It added: “We shall continue to act as a watchdog for Kogi State people until things are done the right way and until justice, equity and fair play become the norm in governance.”

ACN regretted that the last floods, which destroyed parts of the state, left scars on its victims.

The party said the government has not shown it cares about the victims.

It said: “The complaints, cries and groans of the flood victims in the relief camps reached a peak when they took to the streets last month

to protest their neglect and abandonment.”

ACN said the government feigned ignorance of the protest and kept silent over it since.

“As the most credible opposition party in the state,” it said, “we owe Kogites the moral obligation to act as a check and balance on the government.”

ACN added: “It would not be fair for us to continue to stand aside and look while fraud, corruption and inhuman treatment are meted out to people that deserve sympathy.

“Over N2billion was donated to the victims by various groups and individuals, besides food and other materials.

“Most of the workers of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other relevant agencies

have suddenly become rice and mattress sellers while the big ogas have suddenly developed ‘wings’ from this flood-induced windfall.

“We went on air to complain about the inhuman act and the only explanation that came from the government, especially the Head of the Committee on the Flood and Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi, is that ‘the money is intact’.

“The question now is: Is the money meant for a fixed deposit account or to alleviate the suffering of the unfortunate victims?

“Is the money meant to bury the flood victims, when they die, or to help them recover and live?

“If the answer to the above questions is no, then we demand the immediate release of the money to be used for its original purpose.”

Court admits car as evidence in Boko Haram trial

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Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday admitted in evidence a car, which was allegedly used to carry explosives by six suspected

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

Boko Haram members.

The State Security Service (SSS) tendered the evidence in the ongoing trial of the six suspects.

They were accused of bombing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Suleja, Niger State, on April 8, 2011. Sixteen persons died in the incident.

The accused, who are facing a five-count charge on sundry acts of terrorism, are: Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana Umar, Mohammed Ali, Musa Adam and Umar Ibrahim.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, the prosecution counsel, Thompson Olatigbe, called his last witness, Mr. Olaoye Obafemi Kehinde, an SSS exhibit keeper.

Kehinde tendered a black

Honda Civic car, with registration number, (Borno) AG94MNG, as an exhibit.

Two hundred pieces of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which were admitted in evidence at the last sitting, were said to have been recovered from the car after three of the suspects were arrested in Kaduna State.

The suspects confirmed the car belonged to them.

After an inspection of the car

by Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, the counsel and the suspects, the car was admitted in evidence since there was no objection by the defence counsel, Mr. Nureni Suleiman.

The defence counsel told the court that he would file an application for a no-case submission.

Justice Bilikisu gave the defence two weeks to file the ap-

plication and serve the prosecution in writing on the no-case submission.

The prosecution has two weeks from the date of service to reply to the application.

The matter was adjourned till February 6 and 7, when the application for a no-case submission would be heard.

The accused allegedly conspired with others at large to prepare, plant and detonate IEDs at various public places.

Other offences they allegedly committed include the death of three persons at a political rally in Suleja, Niger State, on March 3, 2011; ailing the death of three Peace Officers on May 23, 2011, at Dakwa Village in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and aiding the death of three persons at the All Christian Fellowship Church, Suleja, on July 10, 2011.

Dickson visits Wada

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AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has commiserated with the government and people of Kogi State on the death of Governor Idris Wada’s aide de camp (ADC), Idris Mohammed.

The governor said the accident was God’s wish.

He urged Wada to remain focused in steering Kogi State to greater heights.

Dickson spoke in Abuja when he visited Wada in his home, where he is recuperating following a fractured leg sustained in an auto crash two weeks ago.

He thanked God for sparing the life of his Kogi State counterpart in the accident.

According to him, the visit was to show his brotherly love for Wada and strengthen the cordial relationship between their states.

STF arrests nine suspects From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

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HE Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises, code-named Operation Safe Haven, yesterday paraded nine suspects for alleged possession of weapons in Du village, Jos South Local Government.

It said the suspects were arrested about 10.20pm Tuesday night and that some arms were allegedly recovered from them.

The STF Media Officer, Capt Salisu Mustapha said: “About 10.20pm on Tuesday, men of the STF received a distress call through one of the recently launched emergency telephone numbers of sporadic gunshots heard around Du, Shenba and Bisichi villages in Jos South local governments.”

•Onlookers watching as fire ravaged a sawmill at Ebute-Meta, Mainland Local Government in Lagos...on Tuesday.

Taraba ex-deputy governor calls for ailing Sunati’s removal

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FORMER Taraba State deputy governor, Senator Saleh Usman Danboyi, yesterday called for the confirmation of Acting Governor Garba Umar as governor because of what he called “administrative standstill in the state”.

Danboyi told reporters in Abuja that since Governor Danbaba Sunati was involved in a plane crash about three months ago, the state

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

had been at a standstill.

This, the senator said, is worrisome to concerned indigenes like himself.

Danboyi represented Taraba South from 2003 to 2007. He was deputy governor under Governor Jolly Nyame, from 1993 to 2003.

The senator noted that in any civilised society, the

people ought to know the health condition of their leaders.

According to him, Taraba State was a shadow of itself when the ailing governor was in charge.

He said: “Our governor was involved in a plane crash and he was taken to Germany. Ever since, we haven’t heard anything on his health. This causes much concern to the people of Tara-

ba State. We have the acting governor in the state. But things are not moving, particularly the developmental projects, which involve capital projects. They are not forthcoming. Nothing is moving. It is believed in any civilised society that if their leader is sick, they ought to know the position of his health. We haven’t heard anything; we are being treated just like fools…”

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NEWS Court okays plan for Bayelsa lawmakers’ trial

Uduaghan: we’ll beautify Asaba

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By Eric Ikhilae

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FEDERAL High Court in Lagos gave legal nod to those moving for the prosecution of some members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly for allegedly defrauding the state.

Justice Benedicta Molokwu held, in a ruling yesterday, that Heda Resource Centre, a group championing the call for the prosecution of the 19 lawmakers, has provided sufficient evidence to the police to prosecute the lawmakers.

The judge ruled on a motion ex-parte filed by Heda through its lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), where it sought leave to apply for an order of mandamus to compel the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Lagos, to prosecute the lawmakers and the Speaker, Kombowei Benson. The judge granted the application.

With the ruling, Heda will proceed to formally apply to the court for an order compelling the police to prosecute the lawmakers, accused of receiving about N80million for a foreign conference, which they allegedly failed to attend.

In a supporting affidavit, the group stated that its application was informed by the alleged refusal of the CP, SFU to proceed with the prosecution, having investigated the allegation and made public a report indicting the lawmakers.

Two more held for Okonjo’s mum’s kidnap From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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HE police in Delta State yesterday arrested two more suspects allegedly involved in the abduction of Prof Kanene Okonjo, mother of Finance Minister Prof Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Prof Okonjo was abducted from her husband’s palace in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government on December 9 by a 10-man gang.

She was held by her captors for six days before she was released.

Commissioner of Police Ikechukwu Aduba said the suspects were picked up at Uga junction in Anambra State.

He said the suspects have confessed, adding that they played key roles in the abduction of the octogenarian.

Edo Council polls for April 20 From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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HE Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has fixed April 20 for local government elections.

The commission also said details of the procedure for the conduct of the election shall be published in the time-table to be issued by the commission.

It was gathered that the delay to conduct the elections was because the recently passed local government election bill by the House of Assembly has not been signed

by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

A visit to the head office of the commission showed that plans are on by the staff to conduct the elections.

•The eldest daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Veronica Omomole (second left), her sister, Mrs. Habibat Aboaba (second right) with the grandchildren, Mrs. Glory Enkuomehin (left), Olatunji Giwa and Miss Amina Omomole at the home of the late Mrs Elekhia Giwa, mother of the late journalist, Dele Giwa...yesterday PHOTO: RAHMAM SANUSI

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UNIBEN don queried over HIV/ AIDS cure claim

UTHORITIES of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have queried a lecturer, Prof Isaiah Ibeh, for making public the “discovery” of a herbal drug that could cure the HIV/AIDS virus without clearance.

It was gathered that the university management was amazed when they read the announcement of the discovery of the drug by Ibeh.

Ibeh, who is the dean of Basic Medical Sciences, told a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reporter that he discovered an oral drug made from a plant extraction for the possible cure of HIV/AIDS. Ibeh, who announced the breakthrough in an interview in Benin on Tuesday, said: "We are talking about the latest discovery of an oral drug made from plant extraction in Nigeria for the possible cure of the pandemic, HIV and AIDS virus.

"We are on the threshold of making history in the sense that we seem to have with us something that will permanently take care of what over time seems to have defied all solutions."

From Osagie Otabor and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

Sources told The Nation that several international organisations and agencies bombarded the university management with calls to find out about the veracity of the drug.

When our reporter visited the university to get more comments from the 'inventor', the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Vincent Iyawe, said the school doesn't want Ibeh to make further comments on the findings because it was investigating the claims.

Iyawe said the university was not carried along during the research and that all procedures were not followed.

He said: "In something like this, you ought to take permission from the university. The school would like to take credit for a breakthrough, but it cannot align with the breakthrough because the college was not consulted; the university was not consulted; he did

not carry anybody along.

"There are protocols and procedures for announcing breakthroughs. There are tests to be done; going from stage by stage. We give it clinical trials which we will take to the Federal Ministry of Health and many other things are involved.

"We will equally have to take it to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and many other things have to be done before you come out with your claims, and even take it to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"All the university was doing was to protect Ibeh and the school's integrity. I am just being cautious. I want all procedures to be followed."

On how long the school's investigations would take, the provost said it might take years for proper answers to come, depending on the drug.

Ibeh declined comments. "I will naturally maintain a studied silence, he said."

Ibeh was sighted entering

How we turned N4,451 to N16b, by Dickson

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AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has given an account of how his administration grew the N4,451 it claimed to have inherited from his predecessor last February to over N16 billion.

The governor also spoke of the challenge posed by the N50 billion bond secured by his predecessor, which he said would hit N104 billion in 2017.

Presenting his administration’s financial scorecard for December in Abuja, Dickson said the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) would hit N2 billion monthly by the end of the year, up from about N300 million when he assumed office.

Dickson, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Duate Iyabi, said this year had been dedicated to consolidation of last year’s gains.

Iyabi said N1.5 billion was drawn from the state’s savings to assist flood victims.

He said despite the devastating effects of the flood, the state achieved an impressive 85 percent implementation of the capital expenditure of the 2012 budget.

The commissioner criticised the N50 billion bond

•Decries abuse of bond facility by Sylva Niger Delta leaders condemn Dickson

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IGER Delta leaders have risen in defence of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva.

The Commissioner for Finance, Duate Iyabi, said the Seriake Dickson-led administration inherited N4,451 from the Sylva administration.

But the leaders described the attack on Sylva as a ploy to whip up sentiment that would make the ex-governor unpopular and also divert attention from Dickson’s “poor performance.”

Rising from a meeting in Lagos yesterday, Chairperson of the Publicity Committee of the Assembly of Niger Delta leaders Mrs. Ibifuro Tatua, in a statement, said Dickson and his collaborators were executing a plan to discredit and hang Sylva.

“It’s obvious that the intention of Dickson and his associates is to destroy Sylva completely because they consider him an obstacle in their life mission to control Bayelsa State and its people.”

Rather than address issues of development, the leaders accused the governor of resorting to cheap blackmail, blatant lies and diversionary tactics.

“When Sylva took office, he not only inherited an empty treasury but a huge debt burden, which for the sake of decency and respect for his predecessor, he refused to disclose publicly” the leaders said.

Reviewing Sylva’s tenure, the leaders said the ex-governor performed excellently in most sectors to the envy of his foes.

obtained by former Governor Timipre Sylva and another N16 billion bank loan.

He said the processes were abused.

Iyabi said IGR consultants had been engaged by the

government to shore up the monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the N518million realised in November to about N2 billion at the end of the current fiscal year.

the Office of the Vice-Chancellor where a meeting was said to have been held on the matter.

It was learnt that comments from the internet on the discovery were reviewed at the meeting.

After the meeting, Ibeh denied seeking for publicity.

He said: "I am publicity-shy.

I rather allow my work to speak for itself."

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has said his administration will make Asaba a befitting state capital that will attract investors and tourists.

This, he noted, informed projects, such as the new Government House, Asaba International Airport, Asaba General Hospital, beautification and reconstruction of roads, in the town.

The governor said 10 new roads were being built to help make every part of Asaba accessible.

Uduaghan spoke when he visited the Asagba of Asaba, Prof Chike Edozien.

He said it was his administration’s desire to transform Delta into an economic hub, noting that improved access roads across the state would facilitate its economic development and enhance the living standard of the people.

His words: “Having good roads across the state is part of my administration’s goals, that is why a massive reconstruction roads is ongoing.

“It is my belief that with a good road network, the movement of goods and services will be easier and safer.”

LOSS OF DOCUMENT The DEED OF LEASE registered as NO. 86/86/ 1404 Lagos dated 23rd November, 1972 and The DEED OF LEASE registered as NO. 51/51/1418 Lagos dated 17th April, 1973 between Walbunk Estates (Nigeria) Limited and Prince Albert Adebayo Awofisayo are hereby declared missing.

All enquiries, useful and relevant information should please be directed to the Solicitors, Messrs ROTIMI SANNI & CO. of Suite 951, 9th Floor, A Wing, Western House, 8-10, Broad Street, Lagos.

Telephone Numbers:- 08033375363,08055977412.

E-mail : rotimi_sanni@yahoo.co.uk

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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FOREIGN NEWS

57 injured in New York ferry accident

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New York passenger ferry has hit a dock during the Manhattan rush hour, injuring 57 people and tearing a hole in the vessel’s bow.

Two people have been critically injured, the Associated Press reports.

The Seastreak Wall Street ferry hit the mooring as it docked about 08:45 (13:45 GMT) after a trip from New Jersey.

The ferry, which was carrying about 340 passengers and five crew members, was able to dock and witnesses say people rushed to disembark.

Of the 57 people injured, two

were in a critical condition and 29 had minor injuries, New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan told reporters.

She said the boat had struck the dock at about 10-12 knots (11.5mph - 13.8mph; 18.5km/h - 22.2km/h).

The most seriously injured passenger is believed to have hit their head after falling down some stairs as a result of the crash, the Associated Press reported.

The BBC’s Barbara Plett says Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan has not closed as a result of the collision, avoiding a major disruption to water traffic.

“We don’t know what hap-

pened,” a still-bleeding passenger told the New York Daily News.

“The boat hit something, and we went flying. People were bleeding all over the place.”

A woman who witnessed the crash from the dock told CBS News the 140ft (43m) vessel did not appear to have been coming in at high speed, but said “it was a very hard hit”.

“It had pulled in - starting to pull in - and what it did was it hit the right side of the boat on the dock hard, like a bomb,” Dee Wertz told the

television station.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has visited the scene of the crash, along with senior police, fire and emergency management officials.

Manhattan, an island, is served by several commuter ferry lines, the largest of which brings passengers from the Staten Island borough.

In 2003, 11 people were killed and dozens injured when a Staten Island ferry boat crashed into a pier on Staten Island, across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Dozens more were injured in a State Island ferry crash in 2010.

Protest in South Africa’s wine region

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OUTH Africa’s police have fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse striking farm workers in the wine-producing Western Cape region.

The workers barricaded roads and threw stones at police in De Doorns town, a top grape-producing area, local media reported.

The strikers, who pick and pack fruit, are demanding their daily wage be more than doubled to about $17 (£11).

South Africa has been hit by a series of wildcat strikes since last year.

Talks between trade union and employer representatives to avert a strike on the farms broke down earlier this week.

“We have been met with naked racism and white arrogance,” said Nosey Pieterse, the general secretary of the Agricultural Workers Union.

South Africa’s labour relations are fraught with racial tension, more than 18 years after white minority rule ended.

Most farm owners are white while their workers are black.

The region, home to South Africa’s multi-billion dollar wine industry and a popular tourist destination, is extremely beautiful, but inequality is jarring.

Last week, the powerful Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) called for an international boycott of Western Cape agricultural produce, if

P

T

HE African Union’s chairman Thomas Boni Yayi has called for Nato to send forces to Mali to help fight militant Islamists who have captured the north.

The Malian conflict was an “international question” and Nato should intervene just as it had done in Afghanistan, Mr Yayi said.

However, the campaign against the militants should be led by an African force, he said.

The UN last month approved plans to send some 3,000 African troops to Mali.

UN officials said they did not expect the force to be deployed before September.

Yayi, who is Benin’s president, called for Nato intervention after talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa.

“Nato should play a part and the African force would lead the way as was done by Nato in Afghanistan,” he said.

“This is an international situation.”

Nato took command of the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan in 2003.

Several Nato members, including the US and France, say they will help to train an African force for the Mali operation, but have not offered to send ground troops or launch air strikes.

Harper said Canada - a Nato member - was not considering direct military involvement in Mali.

48 Iranians freed in Syria

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•An anti-riot policeman arrests a man in De Doorns,Cape Town...yesterday.

PHOTO:AFP

worker demands were not met.

Police spokesman Lt-Col Andre Traut said about 50 protesters had been arrested

in protests across the Western Cape, the South African Press Association (Sapa) reports.

The anti-riot force had been deployed to contain the unrest, he added.

CAR peace talks begin in Gabon

EACE talks between the government of the Central African Republic, the Seleka rebel alliance and opposition parties have opened in Gabon.

The talks were organised by regional governments, the UN and the US. Officials say the negotiations were delayed by two hours by the late arrival of the rebels, who have seized control of the north and east of the country in a four-week offensive.

They accuse President Francois Bozize of breaking previous peace deals.

AU: NATO forces needed in Mali

The chairman of the talks, Congolese Foreign Minister Basile Ikouebe, said at the opening session he wanted the three parties to focus on renegotiating those accords.

But the rebels have demanded the resignation of Mr Bozize, who is not attending the talks.

Speaking to the BBC from Bangui, the capital of the CAR, Mr Bozize he would not step down.

“That would be a betrayal of my country. That would betray the people who elected me”, he said.

ORTY-EIGHT Iranians held hostage by rebel fighters in Syria since August have been freed.

They were released in exchange for 2,130 prisoners held by the Syrian authorities, a Turkish charity said.

The rebels claimed the Iranians had been assisting the Syrian military, but Iran insisted they were Shia pilgrims.

Meanwhile, UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has said President Bashar al-Assad’s speech on Sunday was a “lost opportunity” to resolve the crisis in Syria.

Brahimi told the BBC that the address had called for a repeat of previous initiatives which had not worked, and had been sectarian and one-sided. Assad called on Syrians to fight the “murderous criminals” he claimed were responsible for the violence.

“What you need is reaching out and recognising that there is... a very serious problem between Syrians, and that Syrians have got to talk to one another to solve it,” Brahimi added.

The release of the Iranian hostages earlier on Wednesday came after months of diplomatic efforts which reportedly involved Qatar, Turkey and the Turkish Islamic aid agency, the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH).

The 48 men were taken to the Sheraton hotel in the Syrian capital, Damascus, where they would be received by the Iranian ambassador, Iranian sources told BBC Arabic. After that, they would be flown to Tehran, the sources added.

TODAY IN HISTORY

1957: Macmillan becomes Prime Minister Harold Macmillan accepts the Queen's invitation to become prime minister following the sudden resignation of Sir Anthony Eden.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

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ello everybody and happy New Year once again.

Here is wishing that this New Year will be better than all the rest. New Years represent fresh starts and that is why today, we will begin by revisiting the fundamentals of human relationships. You see, whereas we can recommend products for you that can enable you have the best sex ever, you still need to get the fundamentals right in order to have happy and fulfilling relationships.

These fundamentals are not things you can buy like erections supplements, sex toys etc. By fundamentals, I am talking about friendship and goodness. Sex in general is a lot more meaningful and satisfying when the couple involved are wonderful friends who are good to each other.

So friendship is important and so is being good to one another. Yes there are some of us who are only interested in casual sex and one night stands but for those of us who value relationships as well, friendship and goodness is vital to our cause.

So let this be the year we began to be nicer to each other.

Let this be the year we decided to make our partners, wives, husbands, girlfriends and boyfriends enjoy our company even more. Let this be the year we decided that we want to be reliable, kind, compassionate and helpful people because these are good values. These are values that we too will enjoy from others so we should endeavour to give others these wonderful gifts as well.

I know a lot of you have had some questions for us since we have been gone for the holidays so let us use this opportunity to catch up and answer a few questions from our readers.

My spouse likes it when I am on top. It prolongs our love making session but I don’t have the staying power to last long. I will appreciate it if you can recommend a product that will suit my purpose. Thank you – Mrs M Dear Mrs M, go for Max Desire. Max Desire is a proprietary blend of herbs and amino acids that enhances female

arousal, sexual sensation, sexual passion and performance energy. It is also a great stress reliever and starts working in less than an hour– Uche Dear Zee, I want to thank you guys for doing a great job. I have been using Big Bam Boo penis enlargement tablets for about one month now and even though the enlargement is working, I still want my organ to be even bigger. Please advice – Frank Dear Frank, Big Bam Boo penis enlarger is very good. Just keep taking it like you have been doing. Within four to six months, you will reach your desired size – Uche Hi. Please I saw your article on premature ejaculation and I have been having this problem too. I will like to know the creams you have that can be used to stop it. I will greatly appreciate if my mail is replied – Obinna Obinna we have so many types of these creams. If I were to choose one for you, I will recommend Stay Hard Delay Cream.

Love Stuff Delay Cream is also good and so are all the others – Uche Please I need some of your sex products for my wife. She is hardly in the mood for sex even when I force her and her vagina is always dry and cold. I need your best products that can make her go crazy…maybe a gel or medicine. Please reply as soon as possible because I need them – Toriola Toriola she needs an arousal gel called Mood Arousal Gel Warming Mint. This special gel will lubricate her and eliminate the dryness. It will also arouse her and warm up the vaginal interior. Secondly, you will need Max Desire libido booster and a vibrator to facilitate her sexual enjoyment – Uche That’s it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can reach us on 08191978308 or 08027901621 to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com. Happy holidays - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

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SPORT EXTRA 2013 NATIONS CUP

Yobo, Mikel, 21 others listed •Six Home-Eagles included

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IGERIA Captain Joseph Yobo will play in his sixth Africa Cup of Nations finals after making the final list of 23 released on Wednesday night by Coach Stephen Keshi.

The 32-year old defender, who started off as a junior international striker when Nigeria hosted the 10th FIFA World Youth Championship (now FIFA U-20 World Cup) in 1999, has previously played at the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 finals, winning bronze on four occasions.

Chelsea FC of England midfielder John Mikel Obi, 11year veteran goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and ace forward Ikechukwu Uche are also included.

Apart from Yobo, goalkeepers Enyeama and Austin Ejide, defender Elderson Echiejile, midfielder Mikel Obi and forward Ikechukwu Uche who were at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, the rest are profileon-the-rise and ambitious performers ready to captivate Africa.

South Africa 2013 will be the first Africa Cup of Nations for goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Efe Ambrose, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Juwon Oshaniwa and Godfrey Oboabona, midfielders Nosa Igiebor,

Ogenyi Onazi, Obiora Nwankwo, Fegor Ogude and Reuben Gabriel, and strikers Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike, Sunday Mba, Brown Ideye, Victor Moses and Ejike Uzoenyi.

2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup silver medal-winner Omeruo will celebrate his 20th birthday on January 17, the day the team will land in South Africa, while

fellow defender Elderson Echiejile, a star of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Canada in 2007, will turn 25 on the eve of Nigeria’s first game against Burkina Faso.

Two-time champions Nigeria play Burkina Faso, Zambia and Ethiopia in Group C, with their first two games against the Etalons and the Cup holders coming up inside Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium on 21st January and 25th January respectively,

before a clash with Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in Rustenburg’s Bafokeng Sports Palace on 29th January.

NIGERIA’S FINAL LIST OF 23 PLAYERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA 2013 Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria) Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (SC Braga, Portugal); Juwon

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

Injury blow for Ejide •As Cape Verde holds Eagles 0-0

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UPER EAGLES goalkeeper, Austin Ejide was injured in Nigeria's Wednesday international friendly against Cape VerdeplayedattheAlgarveStadium in Portugal.

The Israeli-based shot-stopper was kicked in the thigh by an on rushing Cape Verde attacker in the penalty box. He was immediately treated by the team doctors but still had to be substituted by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

Moments after the match, SportingLife gathered from a top member of the team crew that Ejide will be subjected to further assessment.

"Wearestillgoingtoaskthemedical team to asses the injury to see how

serious it is. however, from what we saw after the match, it was just a knockonhistightwhichonlyrequires a message to clear," he added.

Ejide who will be making his second appearance under Keshi was in goal for less than 30 minutes.

Yesterday’s friendly was Nigeria’s second since arriving in Faro.

Meanwhile, Eagles chief coach, StephenKeshiandhistechnicalcrew may have to battle with a wobbly defence during the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa judging from Nigeria’s poor performance in Wednesday’s international friendly against Cape Verde in Portugal. Cape Verde knocked out Cameroon during the qualifierstosecureitsfirsteverAfrica Nations Cup ticket.

Defenders led by Captain Joseph Yobo, Efe Ambrose and Elderson Echiejile all received yellow cards for rough tackles.

The bookings were done in the first half of play and should be a source of concern to keshi given the perceived problems of the defence.

Interestingly, Chelsea of England forward, Victor Moses was lucky to escape with a yellow card after stamping a Cape Verde player in retaliation for a foul on him.

At the start of the second half, the Eagles technical crew made three changes puling out Ambrose, Fegor Ogude and Moses while the trio of Nosa Igiebor, Kennedy Omeruo and Brown Ideye took their place on the pitch.

Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria) Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio GOALKEEPER: Austin Ejide (Out injured 16th mins) DEFENDERS: Efe Ambrose, (Out 45th mins) Godfrey Oboabona, Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echejile MIDFIELDERS: Fegor Ogude, (Out 45th mins) John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi, (out 67th mins) Victor Moses, (Out 45th mins) Ahmed Musa STRIKER: Emmanuel Emenike (Out 53rd mins) •Substitutes Enyeama (in 16th mins) Omeruo (in 45th mins) Igiebor (in 45th mins) Ideye (in 45th mins) Ike Uche (in 53rd mins Obiora Nwankwo (In 67th mins)

Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria).

• Ejide

CAVEAT EMPTOR This is to inform members of the discerning public that the expanse of land known as Eli-Mgbabor-Esawu, Rumuwutche, Rumuwokerebe, in Rumuokwurusi, Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State situated along the New Road passing through Ewan Estate Igbo – Etche to Port Harcourt – Aba Express Road (Inter Locked Road) in Rivers State is not for sale.

The said expanse of land with Survey Plan No: ONC/85/R26-LD belongs to the Rumuwutche family of Rumuwokerebe, in Rumuokwurusi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.

Proof of ownership is buttressed by a Port Harcourt High Court 9 Judgment in Suit No: PHC/107/85 delivered by his Lordship Hon. Justice C. I. Uriri on March 30, 2006.

The learned judge held inter-alia: “that the customary right of occupancy in and over all that piece or parcel of land known as and called Eli-Mgbabor – Esawu lying and situate at Rumuokwurusi in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, belongs to the Rumuwutche family of Rumuwokerebe, Rumuokwurusi, Obio, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. …Claimants are necessarily entitled to an order of injunction to ward off all unwarranted interference with their rights to enjoy the property within the confines of the law.”

All land speculators and buyers should therefore take note and beware that that expanse of land is not for sale. Any person who buys therefrom does so at his/her own risk.

Be warned.

Signed: Ojiowhor Elewa Wakohu Wutche Elder Clement A. Amadi Chief Clifford Ogbonda Chief Christopher Wutche For the Rumuwutche family of Rumuwokerebe, Rumuokwurusi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.

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NEWS $1.5b loan: NNPC under fire

Oil tank explosions in Lagos Continued from page 2

extinguishing the inferno before it could spread.”

“I felt the explosion from where we were,” said Charles Osagie, who works at an import and export office in the district.

Around a dozen firefighters battled to douse the flames.

Journalists were prevented from taking pictures or making telephone calls, including that of The Nation’s Maritime Reporter Oluwakemi Dauda, were seized. He was briefly detained.

The phones of some rescue workers who were taking photos were also seized.

There have been some fire around the country since December.

The Abeokuta Hilltop home of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), markets in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and other major cities have recently been gutted by fire.

The director of Shipping and Trade of the tank firm, Mr Marcos Storari, said “there was no casualty recorded by our company”.

He said NPA officials and other security agencies’ officials working at the port, visited the scene. But he prevented reporters from entering the premises.

Investigation, he said, was on to determine the cause of the fire.

Security sources, who witnessed the blast, said many people were injured and that the fire caused serious damage to the company because it took almost two hours for fire fighters to arrive at the scene.

“The fire started slowly from a tanker barge (ship) that was on its way to the Snake Island in Apapa and followed by multiple explosions which resulted into chaos and people started running for their lives.

“To tell you the gravity of the explosion, many people abandoned their vehicles on the port access road and ran for

their lives after the second explosion,” the security officer said.

Spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service, Tin-Can Island command, Mr Chris Osunkwo, said they were forced to stop operation temporarily, following the explosion that destroyed part of their offices.

“I have never seen this kind of fire in my life. The ship was discharging fuel at MRS jetty and the thing exploded which resulted into fire and it affected our building as it shattered glasses of our windows.

“People are moving away from major buildings, including the NPA building. Temporarily, we have shut down our operations so that we would not record any casualty,” he said.

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANALCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, said the fire is a warning to the Federal Government to relocate all tank firms because of the danger they pose

to the port community and Lagos State.

Other reporters intervened before he was released and his camera returned after some vital photographs have been deleted from his camera by the lawless police officers.

A House of Representatives’ member, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, has said the fire incident is an evidence of poor planning.

The lawmaker, who witnessed the fire, decried the lack of water hydrants at government facilities.

He said: “The fire at Tin Can Island caused by a docked vessel waiting to offload its cargo is another profound evidence of a systemic failure.

“For how long shall we continue to lament the absence of an efficient response mechanism to address these challenges of inferno engulfing our public utilities, commercial and private property in our country?

“The relevant agencies must respond as appropriate to avert future occurrences.”

Jonathan, governors wade into PDP leadership crisis

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday met the leadership of the party at the presidential villa.

The meeting was one of the damage control moves aimed at resolving the crisis of confidence that has set members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) against the national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. It took place at

From Gbade Ogunwale and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

House 7, one of the President’s guest houses.

The crisis got to a climax on Tuesday when members of the NWC, a body chaired by Tukur, met to rescind a collective decision dissolving the party’s Executive Committee in Adamawa State. Tukur did not attend the meeting.

Tukur told reporters at the

end of the meeting, that the NWC members have resolved their differences.

He however refused to comment on the status of the Admawa executive council.

He described the members as the “first family of the PDP.” “Like any other family, you may have some disagreements but based on principle, not any other thing. You resolve it. And we have resolved our differences. Some differences, it is good

to bring some diferences to light, examine them and find out why you have the disagreement and you go back and do what you believe is right.”

Tukur who also spoke on the betrayal of trust over the meeting of 10 NWC members, said the matter has been resolved adding: “first of all, there may be some misunderstanding and people keep things when they don’t go through them. That is why we are here.”

Continued from page 2 mand for the cleanup of this

and lack of transparency in the NNPC should not be allowed to continue.

“What?” she exclaimed.

“Counter Trade in 2013 to pay commodity traders opaque debt?

“This level of elite parasitism that has been the hallmark of our oil sector is fatal. It’s unsustainable.”

Dr. Ezekwesili, pioneer head of the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit – known as Due Process Unit also lampooned the Federal Government for allowing what she termed “Federal Republic of NNPC”, wondering: “Why does this administration encourage the idea of a “Federal Republic of NNPC in a Democratic Nigeria in 2013?”

She faulted insinuations that the delay in cleansing the rot in the NNPC and the oil sector was caused by the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). He insisted on twitter: “The government can drive a change agenda in the messy sector even without the PIB. It is all about sincere commitment.”

Wondering why the unbundling of the NNPC has taken so long, she said plans to unbundle and make the corporation a public company was already in place before President Olusegun Obasanjo handed over power in 2007.

“We had left behind building blocks to take NNPC out of opaqueness by subjecting it to market discipline.”

Responding to an enquiry, Dr. Ezekwesili stated: “The de-

decadent oil sector has to be sustained. It (decadent oil sector) is killing the greatness of this nation. This paradox of affluence that has been our lot with oil needs to end soonest. We cannot sustain our nation on ironies. Not only has elite binge on oil corrupted our governance, it has also dulled the brain of our nation to all other prospects for greatness.”

The former minister urged Nigerians, particularly the youth, to demand answers and transparency in government.

She advised them to speak out to engage the National Assembly and other arms of government.

Falana said: “The decision of the NNPC to take a loan of $1.5 billion is illegal and unconstitutional. The federal government or any of its agencies has no right to take local or foreign loans without the approval of the National Assembly. Section 6 of the NNPC Act which empowers it to borrow money with the approval of the Federal Executive Council has to be read subject to the powers of the National Assembly before taking such loans.

“In the 2013 Appropriation Bill awaiting the assent of President goodluck Jonathan, there is no provision for the loan of $1.5billion.

“Apart from stopping the loan, the National Assembly should investigate the pit of corruption that the NNPC has been turned into. The NNPC is owing the Federation Account the sum of N450 billion. In the fuel subsidy scam, the NNPC benefitted to the tune of 50 per cent.

102

10-01-13

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013

T

HEY are all gone. The bangers of fun and fire. The excited crooners at packed city buffets and the revellers at glamorous street carnivals. The beach crowds and the army of itinerant drummers. They are all gone. Gone with the Yuletide.

So are the sorcerers, the fortune tellers, the pessimists and the doomsayers whose verdict has been so damning – 2012 was a bad year.

Floods that spared neither the rich nor the poor and bloody encounters in which thousands died.

Boko Haram. Air and road crashes. Communal upheavals and other national calamities.

But was 2012 all about blood, bombs and bullets? Didn’t some of our compatriots distinguish themselves, despite the stifling environment?

In normal times, there would have been a scramble to deck them all with medals, but these are, no doubt, perilous times in which everyone, including those professional award organisers whose remarkable patriotism is often mistaken for sycophancy or fraud, is battling to survive.

Was it a mere omission? Mischief? I really can’t say. But, being a column of records, Editorial Notebook is today giving honour to whom it is due.

Step forward Chief Tony “the fixer” Anenih.

When former President Olusegun Obasanjo elbowed him out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), his opponents thought he was finished. Sure they had him on the ropes; his PDP was trounced in Edo in an unprecedented manner, with the chief losing his home base of Uromi. He became the subject of campaign rally jokes, with some saying “the fixer” had been fixed. The godfather is gone, others cried. Now he is back in contention for the BoT chair, which became vacant when Obasanjo was forced by circumstances to throw in the towel. And, wait for this: Anenih is back as chairman of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) board.

Those idle critics who know nothing of the complexity of such sensitive appointments have been grumbling. Is Anenih the only one in town?

Why NPA again? Is this his compensation for the loss of Edo? Is this also part of the preparation for 2015? I disagree. Who else should get the Politician of the Year trophy?

He initiated no earth-shaking bill. Neither did he mount a protest for a leadership change as he had done several times. Yet no lawmaker hit it big like Hon. Farouk Lawan, the Kano lawmaker who businessman Femi Otedola accused of demanding from him a bribe. He said he handed Lawan $620,000 cash, some of which he claimed the lawmaker loaded into his babanriga pocket; the others he stuffed into his starched cap and decked it, smiling. He was being filmed.

Lawan accepted collecting the cash, saying it was to prove that Otedola bribed him. But he vowed never to surrender the prize, daring the police to take him to court. For months, the police threatened to get the money. They never did as Lawan stuck to his gun. Now, all is quiet and Mr Integrity carries on with the swagger of a folk hero and not the sobriety of a man with a big question mark on his character. Despite Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s popularity, Lawan beats him to the Lawmaker of the Year trophy.

Those who said Obasanjo had something up

RIPPLES THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE’LL MOVE FASTER THIS YEAR, WHAT IS YOUR REACTION, SIR?

MOVE FASTER.....in REVERSE GEAR?

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘They formulate policies to suit themselves, share and buy civil servant quarters among themselves and teach politicians how to exploit the system and loot the treasuries’ VOL. 7, NO. 2367

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net •Winner, DAME Award for Informed Commentary

Honours 2012

•THE UNIPORT FOUR:

• Owelle Okorocha • Mrs Alison-Madueke his sleeve when he suddenly quit the PDP BoT chair may not have been wrong, after all. He has fired some sorties at the Jonathan administration, lashing it for being too sluggish over Boko Haram. He said when he was confronted with a similar situation in Odi, he was decisive.

He has just repeated the tirade in a CNN interview. Now, many are asking: what does Obasanjo want? What did he do when he had his own chance? Did he not plot the third term debacle and lied about it? The popular thinking is that when he begins to attack a government he helped to install (remember Yar’Adua?), then there is trouble; the government should watch it. Obasanjo goes home with the Critic of the Year Award.

Less than two years in office, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has become the toast of the town – thanks to his unusual style. He appointed some 72 aides, including Nollywood stars, told the people that they would be running the government and threatened to turn Imo into a sort of El Dorado. No doubt His Excellency has kept his promise. The people have never had it so good and Imo has become the envy of other states.

Recently, they got a two-week Yuletide holiday; other states got just two days. The celebration was unparalleled. It all climaxed in last weekend’s magical wedding of the Owelle’s daughter to one of his commissioners. Those busybodies who will never mind their own businesses are asking: Is the first son in-law the one to hold the fort when His Excellency begins to pursue his presidential ambition?

One was tempted to give it to Musa Kwankwaso, who organised the mass wedding (a record 1,000 brides and grooms) the government sponsored. Or Peter Obi, who has been supervising the demolition of kidnap suspects’ homes. Or Emmanuel Uduaghan, who risked it all and rode on all manner of boats to reach out to distraught flood victims. But, fair is fair. Okorocha gets the Governor of the Year Award. He is the most innovative; the most stylish.

Even without going through the rigours of making a new movie, he mounted a show that never got to the public but, shockingly, became an instant box office hit. He was arrested for carrying drug, held for 25 days and forced to defecate several times. Each time he went to the toilet, a bulletin was issued, but no drug was found, even as scanners insisted he was pregnant with some strange substances. A court granted his request to be allowed his freedom.

Babatunde Omidina, the comedian, was set free and awarded N25m damages. All through last year, the cash-strapped National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was pleading with the court to free it of the damages burden.

Who else should get the Artiste of the Year trophy if not Baba Suwe?

Until he became governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), not much was known of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s activism. Those who worked with him testify to his thoroughness, his skills and his character. Now Sanusi grabs the headlines with ease, like a knife slicing through margarine. The other day in Warri,

HARDBALL

JIDE OSUNTOKUN

he said there would be no development if we continued to offload all our cash on civil servants instead of reviving our dead infrastructure. There was uproar. Sanusi fought lawmakers with an unusual vigour, defending the autonomy of the CBN. His cash donation to Boko Haram victims raised so much dust. Every time he speaks, the whole place quakes.

Now, leading academics are writing papers on Banking and ‘’the Sanusi phenomenon’’. The other day in Lagos, I ran into one of them who had just approved the topic of a doctoral dissertation, “The evolution of Sanusinomics: Banking activism, post-merger complications and the implications for a depressed economy.”

Shouldn’t Sanusi get Banker of the Year trophy?

Besides Sanusi, another official whose activities had a great impact on the populace is Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke. The mind-boggling subsidy claims and payments got more complex. The more money was thrown into the matter, the deeper the row. By Yuletide, petrol had become scarce in many cities, with prices rising to as much as N130 per litre. The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is touted as the magic pill for all that ails the sector, is stuck at the National Assembly. The call for Mrs AlisonMadueke’s removal was so vociferous that it reverberated all over, except in the seat of power. Those armchair critics who were confounding idealism with managerialism, pushing for her sack, started asking: What is so special in this minister? I do not know. Honestly.

But for standing firm in the face of tribulations, Mrs Alison-Madueke has snatched away the Best Minister trophy.

For so many years, flour bread was the favourite on breakfast tables. We never knew what we were missing, until cassava bread was discovered – thanks to the enabling environment provided by the Federal Government.

Now, the stuff has displaced flour bread, after a long road show by Minister of Agriculture Akinwunmi Adesina. The wide acceptance of the product by bakers and consumers has been stunning. Even at the Villa, cassava bread is the delight of all. Here then is to the Product of the Year.

The other day there was a bomb scare at the National Assembly. A prominent politician was once rumoured to have died, but before newspapers rushed to the press, he came out to announce that he was hale and hearty. These, no doubt, were big hoaxes, but neither was huge enough to displace the discovery of oil in Kwara – a piece of news that sent many into wild jubilation. It turned out that the announcement may have been premature. The Kwara oil debacle is the Hoax of the Year.

So long!

•For comments, send SMS to 08082036515

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Jonathan and Obasanjo on Boko Haram

B

Y and by, President Goodluck Jonathan will start to understand just how relentless and detached a foe Chief Olusegun Obasanjo can be to anyone, irrespective of the opponent’s status. Hardball had once here captured the quintessential Obasanjo and recounted his political and literary odysseys over the decades. The former president’s quarrel with Jonathan over which approach to adopt in the fight against the extremist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, is merely a short chapter in the long-running saga of his life. In November 2012, Obasanjo had argued Jonathan was slow in tackling the Boko Haram terror problem. He then advised the president to borrow a leaf from the drastic steps he employed in pacifying Odi in Bayelsa State in November 1999 when some militants murdered soldiers and policemen in that small town.

But the former president reversed himself, according to yesterday’s newspapers, when he told the CNN in an interview that Jonathan was fixated on fighting the sect rather than negotiating with it. According to him, “To deal with a group like that, you need a carrot and stick. The carrot is finding out how to reach out to them. When you try to reach out to them and they are not amena-

ble to being reached out to, you have to use the stick… Jonathan is just using the stick…He’s doing one aspect of it well, but the other aspect must not be forgotten.” The president’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, has responded by pointing out the contradictory positions the former president has taken on the matter in barely two months. But it was unnecessary for Jonathan’s spokesman to respond to Obasanjo’s criticisms. When the former president spoke to the CNN, it was obvious he had forgotten the counsel he gave Jonathan in November.

Nor, apparently, did he recollect that in 2011, he had himself tried to reach out to Boko Haram leaders and got his fingers burnt. Those he reached out to in Maiduguri, the hotbed of Boko Haram, were summarily executed for daring to speak with him.

This column does not dare to defend Jonathan in his struggles with his mentor. However, it must be obvious to even a child in Nigeria that the president has never been opposed to dialogue with Boko Haram. All he wants is peace to enjoy his tenure, no matter the price. That he has vacillated annoyingly over Boko Haram so far is less a reflection of his lack of moral or ideological courage than it is an indication of his own lack of depth in understanding the criti-

cal determinants of great leadership. After being thoroughly and repeatedly embarrassed

by Boko Haram, Jonathan a long time ago jettisoned the little fight left in him and embraced dialogue with the sect. In fact on one occasion he plaintively announced his readiness for talks if the sect’s leaders would show their faces.

Obasanjo, it seems, is driven not by logical consistency on any issue but by overriding selfimportance and self-interest. In November 2012, it suited him to lampoon Jonathan for pacifism and slow action; and two months later it has pleased him to lambast the same Jonathan for undue use of force and inflexibility. If it will massage his ego on some hypothetical tomorrow, Obasanjo will damn Jonathan for not expediently leapfrogging over Boko Haram to negotiate with Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM). Obasanjo is Jonathan’s mentor, and in the fog of his criticisms of his mentee, we discern the former characterising the latter as a supple soul easily bent by the wind. The mentee, on his own, should by now have understood his mentor as a man of doubtful loyalties whose attachment to anyone is as fickle as a feather in a gale. It is a tribute to their vaunted leadership skills that while they squabble, the Boko Haram menace festers very badly.

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