January 15, 2015 by The Nation

NIGERIA DECIDES

Newspaper of the Year •Amosun: Jonathan has made our work easier •Isiaka ‘to develop Ogun’ •APC now in majority as eight PDP, APGA Reps join party •AND MORE ON •Mistakes INEC must avoid •I trust Buhari, says Awujale PAGES 2,4,5,10,57&58 •Imo APGA alleges plan to stop members•Mass arrests in Rivers •Delta urges residents to collect their PVCs•Odubu receives defectors

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VOL. 10, NO. 3096 THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

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Why PDPcan’t rule Lagos, by Tinubu •Ambode: I’ll be accountable By Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor

LL Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday reflected on the struggle for power in Lagos State, stressing that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, will lose his deposit at the general election. Urging Lagosians to vote for continuity, the former governor, who described Agbaje as an untested politician, said the state was not ready for experimentation under an inexperienced administrator.

•HERE WE ARE: Ambode waving the flag before the cheering crowd...yesterday. With him are Fashola (in black cap), Asiwaju Tinubu (on Ambode’s left) and other Continued on page 55 party leaders. PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

North: polls must hold Elders Forum, ACF reject calls for interim govt Buhari adopted

Jonathan, Buhari sign anti-violence pact

EXT month’s presidential election will be violence-free, those in the race pledged yesterday. President Goodluck Jonathan, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and nine other presidential candidates signed an accord to maintain peace. They also pledged to stop vicious campaign comments, which could affect the conduct of a free and fair election. The presidential candidates signed the agreement at a 2015 General Elections Sensitisation Workshop on Non-Violence in Abuja.

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

ROPONENTS of new dates for the general elections got yesterday a reply from the North - no. There have been arguments that the February 14 and 28 elections be shifted because of the worsening insecurity in some parts of the country. But, to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF),

•‘There’s plot to postpone elections’ •Kukah warns against shift—Pgs. 6&54 postponing the elections will give a resounding victory to Boko Haram – the fundamentalist sect whose violence has killed thousands, including Christians and Moslems. The forum re-affirmed its endorsement of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari, insisting that he has better credentials to lead Nigeria out of its challenges than President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. WILL THE Also yesterday, the CHIBOK GIRLS Arewa Consultative FoKIDNAPPED rum (ACF) — the voice ON APRIL 15 of the North— endorsed EVER RETURN? Continued on page 2

From Yusuf Alli and Tony Akowe, Abuja

The session was hosted by the Office of the National Security Adviser and Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs. The two offices were supported by the European Union, UKaid, UNDP, IRI, the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru. But what was meant to be Continued on page 2

Troops capture five insurgents From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Duku Joel, Maiduguri

•A HUG AGAINST VIOLENCE: Dr. Jonathan and Gen. Buhari ... yesterday PHOTO: NAN

ROOPS yesterday battered invading Boko Haram fighters in Biu, South Borno State’s major town. No fewer than 17 insurgents were reportedly killed. Five were captured. More soldiers were deployed in the area. Boko Haram in the early hours of yesterday attempted Continued on page 60

•Defence Chief Alex Badeh

•SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •N/HEALTH P43 •POLITICS P45 •E-BUSINESS P50 •FOREIGN P61

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS 3,700 homes burnt in Baga, says AI

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan (middle) at Priests of Abuja Archdiocese Conference at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Gwagwalada in Abuja…yesterday. With him are (left) Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Rowland Nwapudah and Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja, Most Rev.Fr.Anselm Umoren

Jonathan, Buhari sign anti-violence pact Continued from page 1

a local soul-searching gathering became an international forum following representations from embassies and other diplomatic organisations, many of which have been curious about the polls. After about hours of discussions amid tight security at Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Abuja, the presidential candidates signed a five-point covenant, which was read to the audience by a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who chaired the workshop. The accord reads: “We, the undersigned presidential candidates of the under listed political parties contesting the general election of 2015, desirous of taking proactive measures to prevent electoral violence before, during and after the elections; anxious about the maintenance of a peaceful environment for the 2015 general elections, reaffirming our commitment to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; desirous of promoting the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity; determined to avoid any conduct or behaviour that

PDP, APC candidates seek acceptable poll

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari spoke during the session. Both called for action on the loopholes in the electoral system. President Jonathan noted that three major factors fuel electoral violence. They include provocative statements from politicians, religious and ethnic incitement. He admitted he had also made provocative statements. He said: “We make statements that are so provocative. When we are making these statements, the younger ones are listening. Your followers who call themselves your fans are listening to you. We threaten our opponents too. “If you threaten somebody that he will go to jail if you take over government, that person will like to fight to defend himself from going to jail. I am not talking of presidential candidates; I am talking of our followers. “My conviction is that we must avoid provocative statements and issuing threats to ourselves. “One thing that we need to rethink is the issue of clearing candidates by intelligence agencies. “When we came on board in 1999, candidates

will endanger the political stability and national security of Nigeria; determined to place national interest above personal and partisan concern; reaffirming our commitment to fully abide by all rules and regulations as laid down in the legal framework for elections in Nigeria hereby submit ourselves and our parties to the

From Augustine Ehikioya and Tony Akowe, Abuja

were cleared by the SSS and if you are linked to any kind of violent behaviour or cultism, you cannot be cleared. But the National Assembly changed this, saying that it is the parties that will screen and clear candidates.” “I belong to the ruling party. Even in PDP, we do not have the capacity to screen our candidates at that level. The only competent body that can do that is the intelligence agencies. Since then, all kinds of character contest elections.” The President added: “For example, if a cultist takes the ticket to contest the chairmanship of a local government, you cannot stop him because there is no structure to do so. But before this time, they were stopped.” He also noted that religious leaders preached hate to instigate their followers to be confrontational and label some people or candidates as the enemies of their faith. The third factor, Jonathan said, is the provocative pronouncement by ethnic or tribal leaders. “Some of them make provocative statements

following: 1. To run issue-based campaigns at national states and local government levels. In this, we pledge to refrain from campaigns that will involve religious sentiment, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and all agents acting in our name. 2. To refrain from making or

Continued on page 58

causing to make in our names or that of our parties any public statement, pronouncement, declaration or speeches that have the capacity to incite any form of violence before, during and after the elections. 3. To forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts

IGHTS group Amnesty International (AI) is in possession of shocking satellite images of the January 3 killings in Baga and Doron Baga in Borno State by Boko Haram. AI yesterday claimed that over 3,700 structures were either damaged or completely destroyed. It explained that while 620 structures were razed in Baga, 3,100 others were affected in Doron Baga, which is also known as Doron Gowon It also said one of the two towns, which were under siege for four days, was almost wiped off by the militants. But a top military source last night said troops will soon reclaim Baga. The organisation in a statement by its Nigerian researcher Daniel Eyre, said: “The Satellite images released by Amnesty International on Wednesday provide indisputable and shocking evidence of the scale of last week’s attack on the towns of Baga and Doron Baga by Boko Haram militants. “Before and after images of two neighbouring towns, Baga

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

(160 kilometres from Maiduguri) and Doron Baga (also known as Doro Gowon, 2.5 km from Baga), taken on 2 and 7 January show the devastating effect of the attacks which left over 3,700 structures damaged or completely destroyed. Other nearby towns and villages were also attacked over this period. “These detailed images show devastation of catastrophic proportions in two towns, one of which was almost wiped off the map in the space of four days. “Of all Boko Haram assaults analyzed by Amnesty International, this is the largest and most destructive yet. It represents a deliberate attack on civilians whose homes, clinics and schools are now burnt out ruins.” The AI gave the details of how the two towns were attacked by Boko Haram. It added: “The analysis shows just two of the many towns and villages that fell victim to a series of Boko Haram attacks which began on 3 JanContinued on page 60

Buhari assures Nigerians of better days ahead

LL Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured Nigerians of better days ahead, promising to fight insurgency, unemployment, corruption and improve electricity if voted into power next month. Gen. Buhari, who addressed teeming supporters of the APC, who had been at the Osogbo Township Stadium venue of the rally since 10.00 am, said Nigerians do not deserve many of its challenges. At the rally were Gen. Buhari’s wife, Aisha, APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, his wife, Sherifat, and deputy Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, Rivers State Governor

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Rotimi Amaechi, former interim national chairman of the party Chief Adebisi Akande, former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo, and Kayode Fayemi, National Vice Chairman Segun Oni, former Osun State governors Senator Isiaka Adeleke and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, among other dignitaries. Arriving at the stadium around 5.00 pm, Gen. Buhari expressed gratitude to the residents for their massive turnout and patience. He said: “Our business in government is security of life and property; massive employment of the youths through agricultural sector and ensure that the country is corruption free. “So, I am asking you to enContinued on page 60

Continued on page 58

North’s leaders oppose calls for polls’ postponement ACF rejects calls for interim govt

Continued from page 1

Gen. buhari’s candidature. The NEF was addressing a press conference in Kaduna. Any designs to prevent the expression of popular will next month under whatever guise or excuse will be rejected and resisted by all Nigerians, it said. Addressing the press in company of key members of NEF, the Secretary of the forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, said: “The forum is aware of sentiments being canvassed by antidemocratic forces that an unconstitutional Interim National Government or a similar illegal arrangement should be put in place to stop the forthcoming elections. We want to warn in the strongest terms possible that any designs to prevent the expression of popular will in February 2015 under whatever guise or excuse will be rejected and resisted by all Nigerians. “We fully support the ongoing efforts to eliminate all kinds of threats, including the Boko Haram insurgency. The Forum wishes to remind the nation that any effort to post-

HE National Executive Council (NEC) of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday rose from its meeting in Kaduna, insisting that the general elections must hold as scheduled in February. It insisted on supporting Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the February 14, Presidential poll. A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Muhammad Ibrahim, said, ”the meeting deliberated with great pains on the continually deteriorating security situation in the country, especially in the Northeast . “The spate of continued and increasing violence with consequent loss of lives and property with many being dislocated and made displaced in their own country and neighboring countries and who largely remain uncared for has still not been addressed in spite of the Forum’s and other

pone the elections, limit its scope or truncate the democratic process will be a resounding victory for Boko Haram. Only enemies of Nigerian people, worse than Boko Haram insurgents, will wish this on our people. “The February elections must hold under the most se-

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

concerned Nigerians, persistent and consistent calls on the Federal Government to take drastic action against the insurgents. “Incidentally, only this morning the people of Biu in Borno State, were viciously attacked, however, we understand that the Military was able to repel the insurgents after heavy exchange of fire. The Forum therefore commends the gallantry of the Military and sympathizes with the victims of this latest carnage. “The condition in which many displaced people are now kept in the various camps is appalling and inhuman. The Federal and State Governments are once more reminded of their responsibilities to provide adequate rehabilitation to take care of Internally Displaced Persons. (IDPs). The ACF also appreciates the support of philanthropists and urged them to continue the goodwork.” the statement read.

cure and peaceful conditions possible, and we have no doubt that the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is in a position to guarantee this, if it wishes. We, therefore, urge President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to rise to the occasion and prove to Nigerians and the world

On Buhari’s endorsement, the statement said, “ACF’s NEC Chairman’s statement on the issue of the Forum supporting a Northern candidate in the person of General Muhammadu Buhari is hereby reaffirmed.” “The ACF wishes to reaffirm that statement and dissociates itself from any contrary statement issued by any other member of the Forum. The Chairman is constitutionally empowered to direct the affairs of the Forum in a manner that is in consonance with its aims, objectives and policies and also project the image of the Forum at all times.ý” it said. ”Finally the forum wishes to refer to the statement made by the INEC Chairman creating doubts on the possibility of conducting elections in the areas affected by the current insurgency, and reiterate its earlier statement that 2015 general elections must hold in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.”

that he can provide the necessary and enabling environment to conduct credible elections. We expect the President to openly and unequivocally condemn any sentiments or efforts to truncate the political and electoral process. “The Forum is concerned that violence in many forms is

becoming one of the defining characteristics of the campaigns and the preparations towards the February elections. We are concerned that the insurgency, which terrorises some parts of the Northeast, may escalate its affacks as we move nearer to the elections. This must be resisted by

•Pof. Jega

our military, so that every Nigerian who wants to vote will do so in safety. The NEF spoke also on preelection violence, believing that the ultterance of many leaders seem to encourage the violence. “We are concerned that canContinued on page 58

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS

NIGERIA DECIDES

Mistakes I

•General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye (left), Director, University of Ibadan (UI) Zoological Garden, Dr Olajumoke Morenikeji and Vice Chancellor of the varsit, Prof. Isaac Adewole, at the inauguration of the upgraded garden...yesterday.

•Managing Director, Vodacom Nigeria, Mr. Guy Clarke, presenting the Certificate of Recognition to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, at the presentation of the certificate to UBA as Nigeria's first Vodafone Global Enterprise customer, in Lagos…yesterday

•Fashola

•Jega

Transparent election is the collective responsibility of stakeholders, including the party leaders, flag bearers, electoral officers, security agencies and voters. But, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a duty to organise the general elections without compromising ethics and sacrificing the rules of the game on the altar of partisanship. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU highlights the mistakes the electoral agency must avoid during the exercise.

•From left: Vice President, China National Electric Engineering Co. Ltd, Weng Zhiming, Managing Director, Cartlark International Ltd, Princess Maryam Sola Akanmode and Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Implementation and Execution of Transmission Lines Projects under the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO:AKIN OLADOKUN

•Lagos Central Senatorial candidate,Senator Oluremi Tinubu (left) and All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, Mutiu Are at the Lagos APC Mega Rally at the Sky power Ground, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday. Behind them is Mr. Sanwoolu

LL eyes are on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega, as he pilots the electoral ship of state. Will the ship sail to the harbour safely? The wind is blowing. Electoral pirates are also on the prowl? Will the captain of the ship and the crew survive the turbulence? These are some of the questions agitating the minds of many as the general elections draw nearer. Since pre-independence, elections have been a sort of nightmare. The polity is usually enveloped in anxiety during polls. The electoral battles have been fought in an atmosphere of strife, rancour and bitterness. In 1959, 1964, 1965, 179, 1983, 2003, 2007, and 2011, the electoral commissions have been under attack for flawed polls. Protests have always trailed the periodic contests, with the struggle shifting from the ballot box to the court rooms. Over 54 years after independence, Nigeria has failed to build a sane electoral process. Many stakeholders have expressed reservations about the prospect of an improvement next month. Jega, who is on the weighing scale again, has reiterated his commitment to a credible process. But, there is a gap between expectation and reality. Although INEC had four years to prepare for this year’s general elections, many lapses are noticeable. The litmus test is the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) distribution. Owing to the mobilisation and enlightenment campaigns by civil society groups, political parties, many people trooped out for the exercise across the federation. But, the voter cards have remained elusive for some 30 million eligible voters. Prof Jega – the man on the spot – said on Tuesday that the electoral umpire has distributed 66.8 million PVCs. The consensus of opinion nationwide is that the critical exercise was bungled. The shoddy distribution has

generated uproar, created a hollow in the INEC’s scorecard. Opposition parties have alleged foul play. Some state governments have also threatened to take INEC to court. Many Nigerians, including Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), were shocked when they discovered that they were not captured. Jega and his men did not anticipate the scenario. To assuage public feelings, the commission resorted to an unplanned damage control. A supplementary exercise was ordered. But, public confidence has been ruptured. If the supplementary voter registration fails, the election may be discredited. According to analysts, INEC cannot halt the pollution of the ballot box, if one man, one vote is not guaranteed. But, when a large number of people are excluded from voting due to INEC’s mistake, the disenfrancement is a disservice to democracy. In 2011, the commission had thrown the bewildered nation into chaos before Jega directed that the election should stop abruptly. Midway into the poll, INEC was inundated with complaints across the six geo-political zones that the exercise had failed. At noon, voting had not started in many locations. The voter’s register was fake. Many officials did not even report for electoral duty. Where electoral officers were available, they were afraid to kick off the accreditation because security agents were absent. The illtrained ad hoc staff - the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were confused. Protests against the shoddy exercise were reported in some states. To avoid a crisis of monumental nature, Jega announced the cancellation and postponement of the poll. There was relief. But, the beleaguered nation was back to square one. To observers, INEC has only built on its relative success and failure in post-2011 fractional and by-elections

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

NIGERIA DECIDES

INEC must avoid in general elections

•Opadokun

in Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun. Instructively, the governorship elections were scattered, owing to the mistake of INEC under Prof. Maurice Iwu. The first challenge was the Anambra State governorship election, which was almost bungled last year. During the poll, the commission was under fire. Indeed, its poor performance heightened fears about future elections. Ahead of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections on June 21 and August 9, there was also apprehension, although the polls turned out to be relatively peaceful. Civil society organisations demanded for the use of card readers to protect the sanctity of the ballot box. Reflecting in the public mood as the poll approached, the Coordinator of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), Mr. Ayo Opadokun, pointed out that the electoral anxiety underscored the obvious lack of confidence in the electoral agency. He said, if the candidates and voters have the assurance that INEC will conduct a credible poll, there will be less aggression and desperation. Also, a cleric and politician, Pastor Tunde Bakare, distinguished between a free election and fraudulent election. He explained that while elections can be free at the level of voting and counting at the polling booths, they can be fraudulent at the level of collation of results at the collation centres. To avert the electoral fraud and the controversy

•Iwu

it will trigger, the activist-priest admonished INEC to approach its duty with patriotism and sense of responsibility. To conduct credible and transparent polls, INEC must be weary of its past mistakes and avoid the pitfalls, especially the “Anambra pitfalls”. This is necessary to avoid a fresh crisis of integrity. Indeed, prevention is better than cure. The commission tried to avoid these mistakes in Ondo, Ekiti and Osun polls. In the approaching general elections, they should not be repeated. In many polling units in the Southeast state, there were no result sheets. Many voters cried foul, pointing out that the INEC was not well prepared for the exercise. The Commission also failed a credibility test when its officials reported late for the assignment in many local governments. Where the officials reported promptly, they did not show up with the required polling materials. Voters were disillusioned. Many returned home in protest. Later, the commission shifted the exercise in some units till the next day. The most critical material is the voter register. When the names of many voters are omitted from the register, there will be tension on poll’s day. The implication is that many may be disenfranchised. The early display of the voter register may be helpful. Through the verification, complaints by candidates, parties and voters can be tackled and errors corrected by the com-

mission before the poll. Also, the accreditation hurdle is a recurring decimal. Voters usually raise objections to the late accreditation and voting. Accreditation problem is proportional to the demographic distribution of voters. In densely populated polling units, the exercise may not be completed before noon as stipulated by the law. If the electoral officers report late at their duty posts, the challenge may be compounded. The late arrival of polling officers and electoral materials can also worrisome. In 2011, many voters returned home without casting their ballot because their names were not found in the voter register. Unscrupulous electoral officers may also give INEC a bad name. In Anambra, Jega was enraged by the unruly behaviour of some polling officers. He had no alternative than to hand them over to the police for interrogation. There is the need for the electoral body to study and understand the geography of the electoral constituencies. The coastal communities of Ilaje and Niger Delta creeks require specific preparations. Helicopters and speed boats may be needed to convey polling officers and materials to designated units. In Edo State, a drunkard was hired as a boat driver and there was a fatal accident. Will elections hold in flashpoints like the Northeast where the out-ofcontrol Boko Haram insurgents are on the rampage? Borno, Yobe and parts

of Adamawa states have not known peace for almost three years. The states were under emergency rule for 18 months until the National Assembly declined to approve the extension of the emergency rule for another six months. The federal lawmakers justified their position as they said the emergency rule failed to restore sanity in the three states. Conducting an election in the troubled states may be challenging. Elections have become a burden in Nigeria, owing to combative nature of gladiators who see elections as do-ordie contests. Thuggery and violence are on the increase. In fact, many security experts have warned that violence may mar the polls. How to police the votes is very important. Sometimes, elections are discredited, although the fault cannot be attributed to INEC. The activities of desperate politicians, thuggery, and the misuse of the police may make the contest a sort of war. Already, there is a charged atmosphere. It is in this regard that Jega’s policing strategy is salutary. The INEC boss said that security agents must be in their uniform. This is to avoid the use of thugs who pose as policemen in mufti to intimidate opponents. However, civil rights groups have suggested that security agents should also be accredited for electoral duty. But, INEC has turned the suggestion down. The greatest challenge is the pre-

vention of rigging by INEC during the presidential, governorship and parliamentary elections. Muscle men-thugs and cultists, who are armed with sophisticated weapons beyond the reach of the police, may be recruited by desperate politicians to create panic, molest voters, scare away electorate, invade the polling booths, snatch ballot boxes, inflict pain, maim and kill, in the interest of the highest bidder and in expectation of a reward for unleashing terror. The INEC and security agents should not only be on guard, but on the red alert to avoid the floodgate of litigations that trailed the 2007 electoral foul play. The penchant for doctoring the results by the combined forces of desperate politicians, unpatriotic security agents and electoral commissioners must be resisted. Ordinarily, a credible election is a panacea for violence. In earlier dispensations, rigging provoked popular revolt. In the Western Region of old, malpractices were perceived as a colossal rebellion against the people. It led to the burning of houses and mass killings in the First and Second Republics. In previous elections, observers were arrested and briefly detained. On June 21, some journalists duly accredited by INEC in Ekiti State to cover the governorship election were arrested by over-zealous security operatives, who drove the men of the pen profession to the boundary of the Land of Honour State with Kwara. The reporters were warned never to return to the state. There should be a better way of accrediting and identifying the monitors, instead of subjecting them to ridicule while on sensitive national assignment. Many electoral observers have wondered why the INEC is reluctant to invoke the various provisions in the constitution against electoral malpractices. Electoral officers who act in concert with politicians and the police to commit atrocities against the ballot box should be prosecuted. INEC must make the first move. Recently, the commission acknowledged its limitations, in terms of speed and accuracy. Jega said the Commission is not equipped to conduct a runoff if there is a tie in the presidential election. The law stipulates that the rerun should be held within a week. But, Jega described the time allowed by the law as inadequate. This hurdle cannot be resolved without an amendment to the Electoral Act. The amendment is not feasible before the election. Despite the INEC’s shortcomings, Jega is still perceived as a man of integrity. Will INEC under his watch live up to expectation? Time will tell.

APC to Jonathan: Tell Nigerians how you spent N5tr oil money

IGERIANS must be told how N5 trillion oil money was spent from the Federal Account, the All Procressives Concress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) said yesterday. The party urged President Goodluck Jonathan to disclose how his administration spent the revenue whiech accrued from the oil and gas sector. Director of Media and Publicity of the Campaign Organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu, who made the request in a statement, said the President owes Nigerians how N5 trillion disappeared under his watch as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Shehu alleged the money would have been lost to fraud and embezzlement. The statement reads: “This government must answer the questions posed by the different Committees and Task Forces that probed the Oil and Gas Sector between 2011 and 2012. “By this, we mean the Nuhu Ribadu-led Petroleum Task Force Report, the Minister of Trade and Investment’s report on stolen crude; the House of Representatives fuel subsidy report, coupled with the investigations into the ecologi-

•Party queries NOA director-general membership of Jonathan campaign team cal fund, SIM card registration and frequency band spectrum sale”. He recalled that a prominent newspaper had alerted Nigerians on how over N5 Trillion oil money had been stolen under Jonathan’s presidency. Lamenting the slump in the nation’s economy following the free-fall of the oil prices at the international market, the APC alleged that wastages and graft, associated with the management of oil and gas revenue, have further compounded the nation’s economic predicament. The statement reads: “If the above scenario was frightening, what followed in the last two years has been worse and most flagrant, adding that “industrial theft of oil surged from 250,000 to 400,000 barrels per day and remains unabated. “The issue of corruption has also been repackaged and lowered to the status of petty stealing. Worse still innocent whistle-blowers were hounded out of office,” The party also queried the involvement of the

Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri in the Jonathan Campaign Organisation, adding that that the appointment was an act of impunity, and a violation of the NOA Act. “This action by ruling PDP is in violation of Part 2 Section 6 (2) of the National Orientation Agency Act which expressly prescribes that the Director General of NOA should be non-partisan,” the APCPCO statement said. It described this behavior as unbecoming and designed to compromise the rules and principles on which the nation’s public service was founded, adding that such action would jeopardise the neutrality, reputation and position of the service as an institution of governance. The APC condemned the inclusion of Omeri as a member of the Media and Publicity sub-Committee of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation. According to it, Omeri’s appointment amounted to a contravention of the public service rules to which all public servants including

the DG of the NOA are bound. “The publication of the name of the NOA chief in some national dailies with other members of the PDP publicity sub-committee is insensitive, reckless and in poor taste,” the statement further stated. It said the unprecedented step of co-opting public servants of any cadre into a political party’s campaign structure could compromise seasoned public officers as partisan civil servants. The party called on the President to remedy the blunder by ensuring that Mr. Mike Omeri is dropped from the PDP Media and Publicity subCommittee without delay, considering the fact that it contravenes Part 2 Section 6 (2) of the rules and regulations for the appointment of the DG of NOA which states, inter alia that the DG of the agency shall be non-partisan. “In this election season, the helmsman of the NOA by the law establishing it, should be in the forefront of the campaign for peaceful and credible election and not to be seen to be collaborating with the ruling PDP,” the APC said.

THE NATION THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS Kukah warns Fed Govt against elections’ shift

ATHOLIC Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese Reverend Father Matthew Kukah has warned the Federal Government against postponing next month’s general election as being canvassed in certain quarters. Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos was recently quoted to have called for the postponement of the general elections. Kukah said yesterday that a postponement of the elections would result in destructive outcome for the country, adding that Nigerians were ready and prepared for the elections as never before. “The Federal Government of Nigeria must do everything that is humanly possible to en-

National President, Naval Officers’ Wives’ Association (NOWA) Mrs Lami Jibrin (right), presenting a souvenir to the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, at the NOWA Fund Raising Dinner in Abuja... last Tuesday

APC gains control of House of Reps

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has gained the control of the House of Representatives, it was learnt yesterday. There were signs also that the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has given up on the plot against the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, leaving his fate to the court to determine. Investigation by The Nation showed that following the receipt of more letters of defection by the Speaker, the number of APC members in the House has risen to 179. The PDP now has 162 members and other parties like Accord, Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) have 19 members. A principal officer, who spoke in confidence, said: “Having resumed, we took census of the members and their parties to guide the dynamics in the House. “As at Wednesday (yesterday), APC has 179 members in the House, PDP 162 and others 19. The development signposted that Tambuwal will remain the Speaker. “The outcome of the PDP primaries, in which some members lost return tickets, accounted for APC’s control of the House.”

Party gets eight more members EIGHT members of the House of Representatives defected yesterday from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The House deputy spokesman, Victor Ogene, who was one of the defectors, said his defection to APC was informed by lack of internal democracy in APGA as well as the factionalisation of the party. Other defectors cited denial of party tickets and maltreatment as reasons for dumping their

previous parties. The defectors include Fort Dike (APGA Anambra) to APC; Ibrahim Kamba (PDP Kebbi) to APC; Garba Umar (PDP Kebbi) to APC; Abdumalik Cheche (PDP Niger) to APC; Chukwuemeka Nwogbo (APGA Anambra) to APC and Zakari Haliru (PDP Niger) to APC. Others are Madwatte Anthony (PDP Adamawa) to PDM; Wison Nathaniel (PDP Adamawa) to SDP; and Benjamin Aboho (PDP Benue) to APGA.

•PDP gives up on anti-Tambuwal plot From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

A member of the APC Caucus in the House said: “We were all relieved on when the roll indicated that our party is in majority in the House. The implication is that the Speaker remains in charge. “Though PDP has 162 members, when the chips are down in the House on issues, they will choose independent path. “We are, however, watching our back because after the February polls, the Presidency and the PDP may bear their fangs all over, depending on the outcome.

“What we have succeeded in establishing now is that APC is the majority party. Though the constitution does not state whether a majority or minority party should produce the Speaker, the PDP can no longer claim the right to Speakership. “What we are left with is the legal or constitutional implications of Tambuwal’s defection on his office as the Speaker.” As at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the PDP has given up on the plot to remove Tambuwal from office until the court makes a dec-

laration. Another source said: “I think the priority of the Presidency and the PDP now is the passage of the 2015 Appropriation Bill by the National Assembly because the nation is behind time. “Even the National Assembly leadership, led by the President of the Senate, David Mark, is after a smooth calendar for the 7th National Assembly, because it has a lot at hand. “We also have the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and many unsigned bills, which may require the veto of the

National Assembly, if dialogue with the Presidency fails. “To embark on politics of removal is to halt the activities of the House till May, which will not augur well for the nation. “The PDP is no longer keen on Tambuwal’s sack; it is waiting for court’s decision on the propriety or otherwise of his defection and other members of the House. This is a fair deal and in the spirit and letters of democracy instead of impunity.” Section 68(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution says: “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected. “Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored…”

Controversies trail INEC’s senatorial list

ONTROVERSIES have trailed the final list of senatorial aspirants published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ahead of next month’s elections. In line with at least 30 days stipulated by the Electoral Act, INEC last Tuesday made public its final list of candidates vying for elective positions. But the list, however, did not go down well, especially with the former Special Adviser on Politics to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ali Gulak, who lamented that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) used his candidature to appease Adamawa Governor Bala Ngillari. As Gulak protested the absence of his name on the list, former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu distanced himself from his purported candidature as the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) flagbearer for Abia North as published by INEC. Although Ngillari did not participate in the PDP prima-

•Kalu rejects ticket as Gulak protests By Precious Igbonwelundu and Barnabas Manyam

ries for Adamawa North Senatorial District, his name appeared on the INEC’s list, presumably to compensate him for not contesting the governorship ticket with the party’s anointed candidate, Nuhu Ribadu. Gulak described the absence of his name from INEC’s list as a rumour, just as he vowed to challenge the misnomer in court. He wondered why the governor, who never participated in the senatorial primaries, was the one whose name appeared on the list, cautioning the National Working Committee (NWC) against sacrificing his candidature for appeasement of the sitting governor. Addressing reporters in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Gulak explained that he secured more than 84 votes in the primaries to emerge winner, adding that his name was sub-

mitted to INEC. “I will fight for my right to the highest level because I won the election. I defeated other aspirants hands down. “How can anybody attempt to substitute my name with that of a person who never showed any interest in the Adamawa Northern Senatorial primaries? I appeal to my supporters to regard the rumour as baseless null and void,” he said. Gulak appealed to the president to stop those trying to turn the PDP into a party of impunity, adding: “I am a lawyer and I will not allow this (impunity) to stand the test of time. I will fight it to a logical conclusion to ensure that justice is done.” Kalu, in a statement, affirmed his membership of the PDP, stating that the form was filled by one of his aides in his absence and without his consent. “Nigerians would recall

that sometime in December 2014, I had a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mua’zu at the Presidential Villa. At the parley, the President appealed to me not to leave the party again, despite the injustices meted to me by the Abia State chapter of the party. “No primaries held in Abia, delegates were just handpicked, thereby excluding anybody who was not in the camp of the governor, Chief T.A. Orji, from any political aspiration. After the meeting with the President, I told the media that I was satisfied with the outcome. “From December 18, I travelled to London and did not return till January 8. It was while I was away that one of my aides, without authorisation, filed my papers with PPA. “We may say he did that in his earnestness to see me serve the people in my senatorial

•Prof. Jega

district, but it is something we would still sort out in-house, since he should first have obtained my consent. “I hereby reiterate the promise I made to President Jonathan that I would remain in PDP, and work for his reelection. I will not go back on my words. Therefore, I won’t be part of the race into the Senate on the platform of the PPA. “I am not afraid of running, and either win or lose, but I am fully in PDP, and will remain there. I will not disobey the President, who had asked me to stay in the party. That is where I stand,” Kalu said.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

sure that these elections do take place. Any contemplation of the postponement of this election is to seize the script written by the devil himself,” he said. Kukah spoke in Abuja yesterday at an election sensitisation workshop organised by the Nigerian Bar Association’s Committee on Voters’ Education and Mobilisation, with the theme: “ National workshop on countdown to the 2015 elections: Are Nigerians ready?” In reaction to the question raised in the theme of the conference, as to whether Nigerians were ready for the elections, Kukah said: “Yes we are ready for this election, because if not now, when? And, if not us, who?” Kukah and former President of the NBA, Joseph Daudu (SAN) expressed concern over the resort to violence by politicians. Other speakers at the event, including the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, Justice Minister and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and NBA President Augustine Alegeh (SAN), advocated for peaceful elections. Kukah observed that the general anxiety over the elections stems from the fear about a possible recurrence of the 2011 post-election and the personalities of the two main presidential candidates, who are ”themselves inherently sources of division, both on the basis of religion and region”. He said the fear being exhibited in all quarters was a reflection of how developed the nation’s political process has become and should serve to propel the people to strive for a successful outing in the next elections. The Catholic bishop noted that “our readiness for this election is based on whether we are prepared to assert ourselves and stand erect because in my view, our liberation is near at hand.” Kukah argued that the greatest threat to the country’s democracy results from the composition of the political class itself. He observed that the nation’s political space has been occupied by very many people with undemocratic antecedence - many of whom, he said, have continued to threaten the very foundation of the nation’s existence and democracy. He also expressed discomfort over the growing resort to election tribunals as last resort for electoral dispute. He argued that the reliance on the judiciary as the ultimate decider of the country’s political choice was unhealthy for the growth of a people-driven democracy. He said though the security agencies were caught unaware by the post-election violence that greeted the 2011 elections, there is need for adequate preparation this time, to avert a recurrence of the 2011 episode. Kukah urged INEC to be more vocal and seize the initiative to take full responsibility of laying down the rules of engagement to avert instances where political actors hand out directives that are often misinterpreted and engender conflict.

THE NATION THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS

Oshiomhole to NLC: query Fed Govt for oil theft E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to ask questions from the Federal Government on how hundreds of barrels of crude oil are stolen without check on a daily basis. Oshiomhole, who said this at the groundbreaking of the Labour House in Benin City, said Nigeria was being run in a directionless manner. The labour movement, he said, must show more interest in the national discourse so that the ship of state could be steered in the right direction. According to him, “issues of the management of the treasury and oil theft are not the preserve of the political class. Oil is being stolen. Nigeria has a capacity for 2.5 million barrels a day. We have oil performing on an average of $108 a barrel over the past few years. It hovered on that average. Sometimes, it went to $111 and at a time, it dropped to $106 per barrel.

“Oil performance has been stable and we budget at $98, with the difference over a period of three years. We ought to have huge reserves now, so that when occasion as this comes, we will live as if there is no fluctuation. “But while this was going on, we suddenly heard of crude oil theft. Sometimes, about 700 barrels per day are allegedly stolen. Seven hundred barrels per day, these are big vessels.” Oshiomhole added: “I think the NLC needs to show more interest in this politics of oil theft. Who are the people stealing this oil? Since when? What has changed about the territorial boundaries of Nigeria? In good times, we were told this thing is being stolen and in bad times, we are told to fasten our belt. I feel strongly about those things. “We have always been hearing about illegal bunkering, but we have never

heard of this level of massive oil theft. “Someone has a duty to explain that and NLC has a duty to ask. In Edo, we are clear we are deepening our taxes and we need the NLC to support us. The state had been held hostage by few unaccountable godfathers in the name of politics which people can see. Government property was sold for as low as one million naira in GRA land with house on it.” Emphasising the need to sustain the struggle for the good of the nation, the governor said: “We cannot have a country where people just feast on others and they think it is their birthright to continue to feast.” On the rationale for the Labour House, Oshiomhole said: “I offered to build this house for the labour movement in Edo State because no man is free if he does not live in his

own house. I believe it is more valid for a trade union movement because of the kind of work it does. “You hire a house and it turns out that house belongs to a politician, whose party is government and you are issuing ultimatum against that party. The first thing they will do is to ask you to vacate the property. I believe that God has a purpose that at this time of our history, he chooses to make me the governor of this state against all odds.” On his part, the NLC National President, who was represented by the Deputy President, Comrade Sidi Mohammed, said Oshiomhole had done the NLC proud as a former president and as governor. “We cannot forget the sacrifice you made in the labour movement. And for those who accuse you today, they should have known that without the labour force, there would not have been democracy today. You led us in the struggle; we slept in the

APC hails military’s sacrifice

•Oshiomhole

bush and we were beaten. And today, they are reaping what we built. Yet, they call us names,” he said. The National President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bobbol Kaigama, expressed delight that trade union movement opened 2015 on a progressive note. He said the groundbreaking ceremony for the twin buildings as the councils’ state secretariat was laudable. Kaigama said: “For now, we commend your foresight in charting a progressive peopleoriented course for comrades involved in politics. Indeed, yours has been a success story worthy of emulation.”

Lawyers walk for Buhari, Osinbajo By Adebisi Onanuga

UNDREDS of lawyers staged a “Walk for Change” campaign yesterday in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his runningmate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Led by the National Coordinator of the Lawyers4Change, Adesina Ogunlana, the lawyers walked through some major streets in Ikeja, campaigning for a change of government at the Federal level at the February 14 elections. The walk took off from the Bar Centre of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja, through Oba Akinjobi Way, Oba Akran Road, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Allen Avenue, Toyin Street, Olowu Street and back to the centre. Addressing the crowd at the Obafemi Awolowo junction and Alade Market, Ogunlana urged the people to vote for a change of government during the general elections. He said Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo would bring integrity into the country’s governance. According to him, the combination of Buhari and Osinbajo represented honour, integrity, hardwork and the rule of law. Describing them as system-builders, Ogunlana urged the people to support the ticket, which he insisted represented a change from the present bad government. He urged the people to ensure that they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) so as not to be disenfranchised. The National Coordinator, Voters Awareness Initiative, Wale Ogunade, who campaigned to the Hausa community at the Alade Market, urged them to vote for the APC presidential ticket. Ogunade assured the market men and women that a government of Buhari and Osinbajo would provide the enabling environment for their businesses to prosper and develop.

•A cross-section of the lawyers at the rally in Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the sacrifice of the Nigerian military in keeping the country safe and united “in the face of unprecedented forces tugging at the very core of the nation’s existence”. Its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this yesterday in a statement in Abuja to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day. The party said Nigerians owed the military men and women a debt of gratitude for their courage, perseverance and sacrifice in defence of all that Nigerians hold dear. It urged the citizens to show their unalloyed gratitude to the men and women in uniform by supporting them unconditionally in their ongoing fight against terror, and by remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their fatherland. ‘’It was American politician Virgil Goode, who said ‘we need to thank all our troops, and particularly those for whom we can never express enough gratitude for they have given their lives so that we may be free and that our democracy can be a shining light for the rest of the world’. “It is in this light that we urge all our compatriots to remember, especially in their prayers, the gallant troops who are currently battling the virulent insurgency in some parts of our country, against all odds. “There is no better time than the occasion of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day to do this for the troops, as well as to spare a thought for those who gave their lives in defence of our cherished values,’’ APC said. The party said in view of its all-important role in ensuring the security and unity of the nation, the military must always be above the fray, and must never be compromised by partisans. “Never must this critical national institution allow itself to be compromised on the altar of politics. Never must it be dragged into the mud of unbridled partisanship, and never must it be used against the corporate interest of the nation. its important stabilising role must be respected at all times, even as it has subjugated itself to the tenets of democracy,” it said.

Nigeria lacks capacity to tackle Boko Haram, says UK

NITED Kingdom’s (UK) Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire has alleged that Nigeria lacks the capacity to deal with terrorism despite its huge resources. Swire spoke while addressing the British Parliament on what UK had done over the growing insurgency in the Northeast as well as contributions towards emplacing developmental infrastructure to reduce poverty and illiteracy. He described allegations of corruption in the military as untrue. According to the minister, the UK donated £250 million to Nigeria last year through the United Nations (UN) Safe School Initiative to enable over 800,000 children, including 600,000 girls, in the North have access to education. Swire said the UK contributed £1.7 million to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF) and European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department Programme, adding that the money expended by the British government in Nigeria alone was

•‘£250m spent on Safe School Initiative, others’ By Precious Igbonwelundu

about £250 million. His words: “We have been stepping up to the crisis. We have approximately £250 million per year expended in Nigeria with other additional packages. With the wealth within Nigeria, they should have the capacity to handle these problems, but the reality is that they don’t. “That is why a lot of UK support programme is in building up these capacities, which they need through direct tactical training for Nigerian forces. I agree they should have it; but currently, I do not agree they do. “UK aids goes to other organisations within Nigeria. Yes, we should continue to help, but like I said, you have to justify it. Aid is contentious issues. “We hope on giving aids government to government. But also, when we look at a country like Nigeria with its huge division of wealth between the North and the South, we think there is a role and in

the British interest, to help build capacity and strengthen institutions within the country so that the nation can handle its issues itself; that we will continue to do whether the cameras are on us or off us.” Asked if the UK could deploy its counter-terrorism team to support Nigerian soldiers should Nigeria foot part of the bill, Swire said no British troops would be deployed to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram, because there were grave human rights issues in the police and armed forces in Nigeria. “We would have liked to see a more robust attitude from the army and the military to what is going on in the Northeast, but it is a very complicated and extraordinarily difficult to actually find out what is going on. “We have heard some stories about people changing sides and equipment being ceased. But it is absolutely certain that the Nigerian Army needs better training to combat the absolutely and incredibly violent terrorist organisation as Boko

Haram. But this cannot be done overnight. “There are issues about equipment going on and about money not reaching the right places, but all these allegations I find untrue, unfortunately. That is why we have training teams in Nigeria and we are trying to build institutional capacity by building a better military. “There should be a regional solution. Some of these countries are on the borders with Nigeria and are affected already. Also, you cannot offer help if the country you are offering it to does not want it. We have to hear more from the Nigerian government as to how the international community can assist, particularly locally,” he said. The minister, however, explained that the financial aid to Nigeria were not just to alleviate poverty or address the huge dispute between the North and South, but also to help build robust institutions. Answering a question on corruption in Nigeria, he said

it was important to highlight that the nation had the largest economy in Africa and spent only 20 per cent of its budget on security, adding that if properly run, Nigeria should be able to do a lot on its own. Swire also expressed concerns about violence marring next month’s elections, just as he wondered over the possibility of conducting the polls, when “an area the size of Belgium is under Boko Haram”. “Twenty thousand and fifteen is an important year for Nigeria’s future. Presidential and state elections will take place in February. It is crucial that these are free, fair and credible and that all Nigerians are able to exercise their votes without fear or intimidation,” he said. On the activities of Boko Haram sect, the minister noted that the group continued to wreck havoc across Northeast, with the latest attacks occurring last week. The Shadow Foreign Office Minister, John Spellar, who also spoke on the issue, said there was need for solidarity across continents in the face of terrorist attacks.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS Adeboye opens UI Zoo From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, inaugurated yesterday the Zoological Garden of the University of Ibadan (UI). Pastor Adeboye, who was at the institution for his annual prayer programme, was full of joy seeing the upgraded zoological garden. Accompanied by some church elders, including Felix Ohiwerei and Prof. Fola Aboaba, the cleric prayed to God to give all visitors to the garden a miracle. The Director of the garden, Dr Morohunkeji Olajumoke, praised Pastor Adeboye for donating N25 million, in two tranches, as his commitment to the project. She described Pastor Adeboye’s love for animals as “amazing.” Pastor Adeboye explained his love for animals, saying God created them before man. He added that unlike man, animals are predictable. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, hailed the cleric for his special love for the university.

Ikare robbery death toll hits 22

HE death toll in Tuesday’s bank robbery at Ikare-Akoko , Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, has risen to 22. Residents, who decried the siege on the community by the 10 bandits, urged the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to strengthen security in the town. Robbers invaded a bank on Tuesday afternoon, killing over 20 persons in the two and a half hours operation. The robbers reportedly attacked a police station and “killed” four officers; oth-

•Streets deserted From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ers were injured. In the community yesterday, residents were in a pensive mood. Business and commercial activities were halted in memory of the victims. The town’s monarch, Oba Akadiri Momoh, urged the police to investigate the incident. The Owa Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Samuel Adedoyin, Senator Bode Olajumoke and representatives of the government visited the town.

The police Area Commander in Owo also visited the scene, stressing that the police would arrest the perpetrators. The development forced primary and secondary schools in the town to shut down; markets were also deserted. The town was desolate as many residents stayed indoors; police mounted surveillance in strategic locations. Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), who did not operate, were seen at

various motor parks discussing the death of their former Chairman, Mr Kenny Ileola, who was shot by the robbers on Owo Road. The police vowed to arrest the robbers. Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said officers were on the robbers’ trail. He said peace had returned to the town and that officers would continue to mount surveillance to forestall a breakdown of law and order. Ogodo urged residents to remain calm as the police were on top of the matter.

I trust Buhari, says Awujale From Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

HE paramount ruler of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, has said he has confidence and trust in the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari. The monarch said if elected he will end corruption, nepotism, and injustice. He decried the situation in the country, saying in his 55 years reign he has never witnessed the level of corruption going on at the moment. Awujale, who spoke when the APC presidential campaign train visited his palace, said he is optimistic that the dream of the founding fathers can be achieved under Buhari. The octogenarian said he was attracted to the APC candidate because of his loyalty, courage and selfishness. “I have trust and confidence in Gen Buhari because of his antecedents. I believe that under him, Nigeria can lay a solid foundation. “I am optimistic that under him, this country will flourish again. I have confidence that our electoral values will be strengthened and it will be devoid of any form of rigging. I know corruption will be a thing of the past. Nepotism and injustice will also be things of the past. “These and many other things are the things that attracted him to me after all, I am not an Hausa man. I am a Yoruba man but the truth must be told. “I am a Nigerian who loves truth, justice, and everything that is good. Therefore General, we can only pray for you that God will help you. I have known him for long and I know his character. I love anyone who has such character. I have affection for them.”

•All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Lagos West Solomon Olamilekan Adeola flanked by Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Deji Elumoye (left) and his media consultant, Kayode Odunaro, at a briefing at the NUJ Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos… yesterday. PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Why campaign didn’t hold in Ondo, by Mimiko

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has said the presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled to hold in the state yesterday was postponed due to ”official engagements” by President Goodluck Jonathan. The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, said the President rescheduled the campaign not for political reasons but to attend to other important national issues. According to him,

•’I remain in PDP’ Jonathan had a crucial meeting with some world leaders in Abuja, including former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Mimiko, who is also the Southwest coordinator of the Jonathan Campaign Organisation, said a new date would soon be announced. He ruled out politics from the postponement and urged party members to remain steadfast. No fewer than 46 PDP chieftains, including

former Governor Olusegun Agagu’s younger brother, Femi, have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC)–an action many believe has jolted the party. A PDP chieftain, Segun Adagunodo, also known as Santana, has said he remains in the PDP. But Adagunodo, in a statement by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Banji Okunomo, said: “My attention has been drawn to the list of some people mentioned to have defected from our great party to

the APC, where my name was listed as one of the defectors. “I want to state that I have never thought of leaving the party and I will take appropriate steps to know how and why my name was smuggled into the purported list. “I hereby promise my unflinching loyalty and support for the leadership of the PDP in Ondo State.” Okunomo said some party members whose names were also mentioned have visited the party secretariat to refute the claim.

Don't proscribe union, teachers warn NUT

ECONDARY school teachers in Ekiti State are on the "warpath" with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), following moves to proscribe their union, the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS). They slammed the state wing of the NUT for writing a petition to Governor Ayo Fayose not to recognise ASUSS, saying their union was in consonance with extant labour laws and the constitution. Addressing a briefing yesterday, Ekiti ASUSS Chairman Olusola Adigun refuted the NUT's claims that ASUSS was not properly registered, describing the

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

NUT's action as "uninformed and barbaric". Adigun said ASUSS invoked the constitutional provision of freedom of association to free secondary school teachers from NUT’s stranglehold, which he accused of using blackmail as a weapon to achieve its aim. Adigun described the NUT allegation in the petition by its Chairman Kayode Akosile that ASUSS members were a "handful of desperate people who are ready to cause crisis in the state having lost out in previous elections conducted in the past" as baseless and spurious.

He said many secondary school teachers now enjoy a better welfare package under ASUSS unlike when they were under NUT, which he claimed failed to justify teachers' check-off dues deducted from their salaries. Adigun, who produced many documents to substantiate his claims, maintained that ASUSS is duly registered as a trade union by the Federal Ministry of Labour. He said the National Industrial Court in Enugu was explicit in its judgment that NUT can only collect the check-off dues of its members. Adigun said: "We urge

Akosile not to be impatient over this matter. He has to wait for the outcome of the suit he instituted before the Ekiti State High Court, challenging our operation in the state rather than resorting to jackboot means. "We never played politics during Governor Kayode Fayemi's government. It was even the NUT that played politics. "The union was given a bus by Fayemi and the governorship candidate of Labour Party, Opeyemi Bamidele, and no bus was given to us. “Where now is our relevance under that government if what NUT said was the truth?"

Osun College to graduate 5,000 From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

HE Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, will graduate 5,000 students on Saturday. The Rector, Dr. August Oluyemi Oke, at the fourth combined pre-convocation briefing for students, who graduated from 2008/ 2009 to 2012/2013 sessions, said the categories of awards include Advanced Certificates, National and Higher National Diplomas for both full time and part time students. He said the state’s first civilian Governor, Senator Isiaka Adeleke and the college’s first Governing Council Chairman, Samuel Olatunde Fadahunsi, would receive fellowship awards. Oke said the former Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic and Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Higher Education, Prof. Mathew Idowu Ajibero, will deliver a convocation lecture titled: “Unlocking the potentials of Polytechnic and Colleges of Technology for National Development, Issues, Challenges and Prospect.” The rector said the events lined up for the ceremony include an academic exhibition and a novelty match.

Osinbajo, Aturu for award By Adebisi Onanuga

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, will today honour the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice-presidential candidate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. The association will also confer a posthumous award on late lawyer and human rights activist, Bamidele Aturu. Osinbajo will be conferred with the Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award at the 11th Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture/Symposium and second NBA Ikeja Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award at the Oranmiyan Hall of the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja. The Chairman, Organising Commitee, Adeyinka Fasika, said: “After a vigorous and painstaking search, two distinguished individuals -Prof Yemi Osinbajo and the late Bamidele Aturu- were selected for the Integrity Award.” Fasika said there will be a launch of a collection of the lectures delivered at the annual Gani Fawhinmi Lecture/Symposium from 2005 to 2014. The book which is titled: “Stand Up for What is Right will be presented by activist, Femi Falana. The occasion will be chaired by Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie; Dr. Alex Otto and Dr. Said Timehin will be the speakers. It will be moderated by the APC Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS

â&#x20AC;˘The mammoth crowd at the presidential campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Osogbo City Stadium...yesterday. INSET (from left) Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; his successor, Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Deputy National Chairman (South) Chief Segun Oni; former National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi (behind); presidential candidate Gen Muhammadu Buhari; National Chairman Chief John OdigieOyegun and others.

I'll develop Ogun, says Isiaka

HE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has pledged to transform the state. He promised massive employment for the youth, who he said would form the core of his administration. Addressing 48 monarchs from Ogun West Senatorial District in Ilaro who gathered to bless him, Isiaka said the time has come for the Yewa/Awori people to produce the governor. The PDP candidate noted that since the state's creation in 1976, nobody from Ogun West has governed the state. He said: "As we were coming here (Ilaro), our people were baffled by the neglect of infrastructure here, the roads leading to Ilaro, the capital of Ogun West, are in terrible shape. In fact there is no good road in the whole of Ogun West, despite the fact that they are putting bridges even where they are not necessary. "We don't know our offence as a people but the end has come to it because we are prepared to give all it takes to get what is ours."

Agbaje: I'll cancel Lekki toll HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, has said he will cancel the LekkiEpe toll, if elected. Agbaje, who spoke at an interactive session with the Muslim community, pledged to solve the issue of hijab in schools. Insisting that the Lekki-Epe toll was untenable because "it stood on an existing road," the PDP candidate justified the Lekki Phase 1 toll gate on the grounds that the bridge was built by the concessionaire. A statement by his campaign team said Agbaje praised Governor Babatunde Fashola for the achievements recorded, but noted that the "ordinary Lagosians" were alienated from governance. According to him, there was an urgent need for change in the state to curb the problem of "vested interests" to positively lift the citizens in the areas of health and education. He said despite the promises of the government on free

By Precious Igbonwelundu

health services, Lagosians pay heavily at government hospitals, pledging to address the problem through a free health insurance scheme. Agbaje bemoaned the problems in the education sector, saying his administration would reverse the 82 per cent recurrent expenditure in the state's education budget. The PDP candidate said focus would be towards strategic emphasis on the primary level. Canvassing support from the Muslim community, Agbaje assured them that the issue of wearing hijab to school would be solved through a synergy between the state and the mosque, adding that those who want the veil must be ready to wear same at all times to avoid impugning negative motives into the idea. According to him, Nigeria is a multi-religious society where the different faith should be free to practise their beliefs.

Jonathan has made our work easier, says Amosun O GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said President Goodluck Jonathan has made the task of defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Gboyega Isiaka, much easier for him with the President publicly "authenticating" his (Amosun) sterling achievements in the last 43 months. Amosun expressed the confidence that he would defeat Isiaka even in his Imeko Afon Local Government Area. The governor attributed the feat more to the ambience created in the state by the APC government than the Federal Government policy alluded by the President Jonathan. The President had during his campaign in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Monday unwittingly said 56 new companies opened for business since the administration came on board because of the prevailing favourable business climate. "The industrial policy of our government has favoured Ogun, 56 new industries have been opened here and you can imagine the number of jobs created," Jonathan said. Fielding questions from reporters during his campaign tour of Imeko - Afon Local Government Area, where Isiaka hails from, the governor said he would defeat the PDP

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

candidate in his domain not just because of his overall achievement, â&#x20AC;&#x153;which couldn't escape the President's attentionâ&#x20AC;?, but also for having strong supporters base in the area for over seven years. He said: "Mr. President authenticated what we have been saying. Time was when PDP was here (Ogun); people couldn't even move around. Factories were closing down. If at that time it was still PDP that was in the federal and they have PDP government

here and things were good as it is today, that means a lot. "When PDP was here in Ogun State, companies were running away. Then another government came, companies were falling over one another to come here, that speaks volume. Today, I have two companies to be inaugurated. "Imeko- Afon is my local government and that is the beauty of democracy really. Don't forget that the PDP candidate is from this local government but truly in 2007, I defeated the party when I ran under All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

"In the last election, he ran again; I scored almost 40 percent and he scored 42 percent. So it tells you that these are my people. Even in my Abeokuta North where I scored 83 percent, he too scored some votes there which means the PDP has some people there, and that is the beauty of democracy. "But I have no doubt in my mind that this time around, we are winning this local government. In fact this particular local government is where I cut my teeth more or less. The first time I wanted to run for governor, this is where I started from and I would still continue to do that."

We're targeting 500,000 votes, says Osoba

HE Social Democratic Party(SDP) started its mega rally in Ake, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, yesterday, with former Governor and party leader, Chief Segun Osoba, saying SDP was targeting 500,000 votes for its governorship candidate in the February 28 polls. Osoba, who unveiled the candidate, Senator Akin Odunsi, to thousands of members and supporters at the Ake Palace grounds, added that the targeted votes would be actualised, if each of the party's 50,000 members brings at

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

least 10 more people to the fold. According to him, the choice of Odunsi(from Ogun West) was predicated on the people's demand for a "mature, level and cool- headed person with extensive leadership experience and who will share benefits of democracy to every part of the state." Osoba said: "You all know that the crowd here is not rented and presently on our membership register in this state, we have not less than

50,000 registered members. "We are targeting not less than 500,000 votes in this state. If each of the 50,000 members can win 10 members, then that target will be achieved. "I hereby make all of you to be canvassers of votes, particularly outside your neighbourhood, so as to make our dream a reality." The former governor, who directed all members at the rally to display their voter's cards, warned them against losing or selling them, saying, "they are the weapons of war".

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

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NDLEA laments rise in drug trafficking at Lagos airport

RUG trafficking rose by 16.22 per cent in the past two years at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said yesterday. Drug seizures fell by 33.68 kilogrammes during the period. Last year, NDLEA’s Airport Command apprehended 129 suspected traffickers comprising 118 men and 11 women, with 436.065 kilogrammes of drugs. In 2013, the agency arrested 93 suspects with 878.81kilogrammes of narcotics. A breakdown showed that last year 120.44 kilogrammes; methamphetamine, 108.645 kilogrammes of Gzaine; cannabis sativa, 107.855 kilogrammes; heroin, 51.01kilogrammes; psychotropic substances, 37.285 kilogrammes and ephedrine, 10.83kilo-

Ikeja blast victims’ families allege neglect

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

grammes were seized. The estimated street value of the seized drugs according to the agency, is N2.9 billion. Its Lagos Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, said 117 drug were apprehended aboard 18 airlines. “More arrests of drug suspects were made on Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, South African and Qatar Airways. A total of 44 suspects were caught trying to import narcotics into the country. South Africa, China and United Arab Emirates top the list of preferred destinations by suspects. The command received 229 people who were deported on drug-related charges,” Umar said. Of the 229 drug-related deportees, 39 came from Italy; 37 United States; 36 Spain; 31, Norway 22, Thailande, Saudi Arabia, 14; Switzerland, 13; France, seven; United Arab Emirates

•Some NDLEA officials on duty at the airport ... recently

(UAE), five; Greece, four, Brazil and Sweden, three each. Australia, India and South Africa, two each; Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Indonesia, Ireland, Portugal, Turkey Uganda and United Kingdom (UK), one each. Twenty-one persons were arrested on Ethiopian Airlines; Emirates 17; Etihad Airways 12; South African Airways 11; Qatar Airways 10; Turkish Air seven; Air France and Arik Air two each; Kenyan Airways and Royal Air Maroc, five each; Alitalia and Rwand Air four each. Egypt Airline, three; Cargolux, two, Africa World Airline, Iberia, KLM

and Lufthansa, one each. The commander said suspects adopted different methods of concealment. “Those that ingested narcotics were 29, while 88 traffickers hid drugs in their luggage. Four of the traffickers were caught in connection with anal ingestion; one female suspect inserted drug in her private part and one other packed the drug on his body. The MMIA command also made the following financial seizures: $24, 362 dollars; 23,450 Euros; E10,000; N240,000 and 1,140 South African Rand. In addition, 107 ATM cards and take $252,500 were intercepted,” he said.

Two held for biting off trader’s ear

WO persons accused of biting off the ear of Sunday Nwali, a trader at Ladipo Market in Mushin, Lagos, have been arrested by the police. Their arrest followed the victim’s petition to the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, through Deputy

By Ebele Boniface

Commissioner of Police (DCP) at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Olugbenga Adeyanju. The victim alleged that the suspects attacked him in a warehouse, resulting in the

loss of three of his teeth and his right ear. He said he took his case to the SCID when he could not secure justice at the Olosan Police Station from where the matter before it was transferred to Area ‘D’ Command in Mushin. Nwali told The Nation that

when the SCID demanded what he wanted yesterday, he said he requested a refund of the money he spent on treatment. Adeyanju, he said, expressed dissatisfaction with the way the case was handled and ordered a full-scale investigation.

HIRTEEN year after the Ikeja bomb blast, some victims families alleged yesterday that they have been reflected. Describing themselves as “84 genuine families”, they claimed that they are yet to be compensated. They have cried out to Governor Babatunde Fashola to come to their aid. In a statement, chairman of the 2002 Ikeja Bomb Blast Victims’ Families Comrade Nurudeen Oyegbemi said it had been 13 years since families of 70 victims were given N250,000 each. He said: “We appreciate the fact that the government has fulfilled some of these promises through monetary payment of N250,000 each to 70 families, construction of a cenotaph in memory of the victims and construction of the January 27 link bridge at Oke-Afa. However, despite the several letters written to the state government on the development, we are yet to receive any positive

By Joseph Jibueze

Eletu because of his alleged “unwholesome acts”. But Eletu said he has not been notified on the withdrawal of his title. Besides, he said Oba Salami cannot remove him from office without a court order. Oba Salami said Eletu obtained a form seeking the chieftaincy title of Oba, but did not return it for processing. “I did not sign any docu-

ment investing him with any title at any time,” Oba Salami said. He said Eletu did not conduct himself with dignity, but rather acted in a way that could diminish the honour of the chieftaincy institution. “All documents relating to the Asiwaju of Awoyaya title with Chief Adewale Jamiu Eletu’s name is hereby rendered null and void. “He should, therefore, desist from parading him-

self as the Asiwaju of Awoyaya,” Oba Salami said in a statement. In a telephone chat, Eletu said Oba Salami lacks the power to strip him of his title. “He has not told me that he has withdrawn any title from me. He ought to serve me a letter. “I hold the title of Oba Oduduwa Olorisa of Lagos and Obarisa of Ijo Olorisa ati asa ile Adulawo Worldwide. The title is registered

response. “The government said the amounts given to the families of the 70 identified victims were on compassionate grounds. What then happened to the huge sums of money and materials collected from international and local donors on behalf of the bomb blast victims so far? “The then secretary of Lagos Explosion Disaster Relief Fund (LEDRF) promised that the Federal Government would pay adequate compensation to the victims. After waiting fruitlessly, we consulted Femi Falana’s law firm, who wrote to the Ministry of Defence and copied other relevant government agencies, but there was no response. We feel neglected because it seems the matter has been swept under the carpet completely. The remaining 84 families are yet to know their fate because another commemoration is approaching.”

Council chief warns cultists

ULTISTS among youths and other criminals who have been tormenting residents of the Bariga area of Lagos State have been warned to turn a new leave or face the wrath of the law. The new Executive Secretary of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Kolade Alabi, who gave the warn-

Lagos monarch, chief differ on title withdrawal HE Onibeju of Ibeju Land in Lagos, Oba Rafiu Bamidele Salami, has disowned Chief Jamiu Eletu who is parading himself as “Oba of Awoyaya” under the Onibeju’s authority. Oba Salami said he did not confer such title on Eletu, describing his claims as “dubious, of no effect and void.” The monarch said he withdrew the “Asiwaju of Awoyaya” conferred on

By Basirat Braimah

under the Federal Government. We have the certificate. So the obaship of Ijo Olorisa does not concern him (Oba Salami). “If he wants to withdraw the title of Asiwaju of Ibejuland from me, he must go to court and serve me. If he does anything to the contrary, I will take him to court. “I gave him my application form for the Asiwaju of Ibejuland. He stamped and signed it and I also signed it,” Eletu said.

•The Excecutive Secretary, Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, Hon Isiaka Yahaya (5th from left) with other top officials of the LCDA during the inspection tour of the burnt Isashi plank market in the area ... yesterday.

By Basirat Braimah

ing yesterday, said his administration would not condone any act that could disrupt law and order in his domain. Alabi, the immediate past vice chairman of the LCDA, said he would step up enlightenment and reorientation campaigns across the area, urging parents, guardians, community leaders and traditional rulers to join hands with the council to foster peace and orderliness in the area. The LCDA, he promised, would continue to partner all stakeholders, especially the police, to tackle crime and delinquencies among youths. Among other key people-oriented commitments, Alabi assured residents of the area that his administration would embark on massive infrastructural development of the area. “We will do more on road and drainage rehabilitation to aid free access in our domain. By so doing, we will be tackling flooding. I urge our people to imbibe decent waste disposal habit in line with the policy of the state government. “All members of the LCDA’s Transition Committee, the management and staff, have resolved make enough sacrifices to take the council to the next level in the interest of our people and democracy. Above all, we are deeply committed to actualising the ideals of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) here,” he said. The council chief, who assured residents that he would run an open administration attend to demands without any discrimination, urged them to cooperate with him in whatever way.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

11 Sovereign Wealth Funds are managed conservatively. They don’t borrow money the way banks do, so you can’t compare this business to banking business. This business does not expose itself to that kind of risk. It is not the same thing as private equity •Managing Director/CEO, NSI A, Uche Orji

BUSINESS THE NATION

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Reps probe N3.4b payment to Ajaokuta staff From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

HE House of Representa tives has expressed con cerns over the payment of N3.4b as monthly salary to workers of Ajaokuta Steel Company. House Committee on Steel was mandated to investigate the claim of the huge expenditure by the management of the company. In additoon, the Committee was requested to investigate the current developments in the company and report back within two weeks. The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion by Abbas Tajuddeen (APC, Kaduna), who regretted that the company has failed to achieve the purpose it was set up for. According to him, the intervention of the Legislature is required to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in reviving the steel company and bring it to a functional state. He said: “Despite the fact that the company was conceived and built with the aim of its facilitating the industrialisation and economic transformation of the country, it has failed to fulfill that expectation; hence, the engagement of consultants from the United States of America and India under the technical management contracts for 10 years, respectively. “It is surprising that a media report of September 5, 2014, where the Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN), in conjunction with Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria (EWUN) addressed a press conference claiming that the monthly wage bill for 2,900 staff of the company is actually N288m and not the sum of N3.4b as alleged”.

‘Maritime sector can generate N7tr revenue’ By Oluwakemi Dauda

ARITIME lawyer and former President, Nige rian Bar Association (NBA) Mr Olisa Agbakoba has said the maritime sector, if properly managed could generate N7 trillion revenue yearly. He berated successive adminstrations in the country for focusing on oil. He urged any political party that wins the February elections to harness the wealth in the sector to create jobs and sustain the economy. Addressing reporters in his office yesterday, he said the maritime sector can boost the economy if its potentials are adequately harnessed by the government. He said the country has limitless business opportunities in the maritime sector consisting a vast coastline of over 800 kilometres, an exclusive economic zone of well over 200 nautical miles, navigable inland waterways of 3,000 kilometres, six major seaports, 11 oil terminals, over 170 private jetties and six major inland container depots that could be used to develop the country besides its oil revenue.

Senate warns against recession as oil revenue tumbles T

HE Senate yesterday warned that the Fed eral Government should tackle the emerging economic recession facing the country with all the seriousness it demands. The recession, the Senate said, is occasioned by the downward trend in oil revenue. The warning came as the upper chamber read the 2015 Appropriation Bill for the second time, referring the fiscal policy to its Committees for further legislative actions. Senators took turns to debate the general principles of the budget, with Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi stating categorically that the Senate is processing a deficit budget. The All Progressives Party (APC) Ekiti North lawmaker, asked the Senate to demand from the Federal Government how it plans to fund the deficit in the budget.

• As 2015 budget passes second reading

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst. Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadeu, who summed up debate on the general principles of the budget, said: “Arising from the debate on the 2015 Appropriation Bill, I am happy that we have woken up to our responsibilities and this is also a wake up call to our nation as we face this challenging times of economic recession and the downward trend in our oil revenue. “I do believe that this is the time for us as a parliament, to ensure that while considering the appropriation bill for 2015, all the revenue items are captured. “Our Committee on Finance will help us to do that.

We need to ensure that all the revenue items are captured in the budget and determine a pool of resources to implement the budget when passed. “The federal government should also put up its thinking cap to develop new areas of revenue generation that would help us to drive our economy. “We have gone through this way before but eventually the oil price improved but unfortunately we did not learn any lesson while we enjoyed the oil boom. “I hope that this period, we will learn our lesson that will help us to be disciplined in our fiscal management and it is also time for us to also take seriously about our fiscal federalism so that states can develop their initiatives in increasing their revenue that

would help them to manage themselves,” adding that we need to reflect as a nation on how to manage our economy and everybody will have to make sacrifices, going forward. He urged politicians to be mindful of their election expenses, stating that if anybody thinks that he would spend money and would recover it after the election, such would be disappointed because there would be no money to recover. Ekweremadu, then waxed philosophical, saying,“it may be that God has designed this way for us in order to make progress in terms of fiscal discipline.” He said the National Assembly is prepared to lead the fight to enthrone fiscal discipline in Nigeria.

SEC deploys over 50 mgt workers From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

• Sale Director, Globacom, Mr Ken Hall (middle) and Business Director, Globacom, Mr Kunle Akanmu pose for a group photograph with the winners of 1 million naira Glo overload and win promo held at V/Island, Lagos. PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

‘$68.1b fresh FDI coming from free zones’

HE Federal Govern ment is targeting about $68.1billion fresh Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from eight newly licensed free zones, the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), has said. NEPZA Managing Director, Gbenga Kuye, said the enhanced efficiency of the agency, in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, had helped to fast-track approvals for zones, based on the new checklist and methodology put in place for assessing requests. Kuye who spoke in Abuja yesterday, said the investments attracted already, and the incoming ones that had been sealed, provide a solid foundation for a stronger economy and greatly improved the standard of living of Nigerians, adding that the current administration should be commended for the feat.

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

He said: “Based on the new checklist and methodology put in place for assessing Free Zone requests, the President approved the following: Centenary City Free Zone (Business and Tourism Destination), with expected investment of about $18billion; Ogogoro Industrial Park, Lagos (oil and gas activities) $160million; and the Nigeria International Commerce City, Lagos, (formerly Eko Atlantic City) $38billion. “Others are Badagry Creek Industrial Park, Lagos-$1.3billion; Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Free Zone$25.5million; Dangote Refinery/ Petrochemical Park-$9billion; Lekki Deep Sea Port (under Lagos Free Trade Zone)$1.4billion; and Samsung Heavy Industries and Mega Construction Integrated FZE (under LADOL Free Zone)-$300million. “The Authority is currently at advanced stages for the ap-

• Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga

proval of the proposed Kogi Industrial Park. We are also consulting with the Cross Rivers State government on the establishment of an Automotive Industrial Cluster in the state. “This is sequel to a bilateral relation agreement between Nigeria and Japan, in which Japan has proposed to help develop an auto industrial cluster in Calabar. This is being done in conjunction with the National Automotive Council. Consultations are also ongoing for the revamping of the Idu Industrial Area located in Abuja.”

OP management staff of the Securities and Ex change Commission (SEC) have been redeployed 48 hours after Arunma Oteh left office. Scores of SEC employees were moved from their positions to new ones, while some considered to be close to the former DirectorGeneral were moved out of the headquarters to Lagos and other offices nationwide. A source told The Nation that the redeployment exercise may be on for some time, saying that it is part of a strategic plan of the new helmsman to get optimal value from all employees. “I can confirm to you that changes are being effected in the various departments. We heard that at least 50 people were moved today (yesterday). As it is, it is most certain that some other top management staff will still be moved within the next few days”, the source confirmed. Oteh failed to get a tenure renewal for the top job of SEC and as such had to leave her office on Monday while the former Executive Commissioner, Operations, Alhaji Mounir Gwarzo, was appointed to act as DG. The Acting DG has however assured staff of the SEC of a breath of “fresh air that will return the commission to its traditional core values experienced a decade ago.” Gwarzo spoke during the staff party organised by SEC. He spoke about rebranding the Commission because “the SEC suffered battered image in the past due to abuse of rights of its officials.”

Govt, Chinese firms sign MoU on power From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

ETERMINED to cor rect past weak capac ity of transmission in the Nigerian electricity value chain, the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo has urged Chinese companies to bridge the gap so as to boost the nation’s capacity to wheel generated power to end users. In a statemnt endorsed by Deputy Director (Press), Ministry of Power, Timothy Oyedeji, the minister underscored the role of transmission in the power value chin by saying it is needless if generated power could not be wheeled to the customers. While calling for more foreign investment, Prof Nebo identified the Chinese as special people that have capacity to identify opportunities, “little wonder that China is doing so well with us in the sector”. He said: “We will continue to support and defend your interests and investments here.” He further requested the Chinese to do more in terms of investing in the sector, adding that in the area of renewable, a lot of opportunities still exist. Prof. Nebo advised the Chinese to also build synergy with distribution and generation companies as they could build mutual relationship in the area of embedded or generated power within a locality and get such distributed through the DISCOs in the area.

Discovery Air meets passengers, lawyers • Set to meet NCAA’s conditions By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

ISCOVERY Air yes terday began series of meetings with passengers and their legal representatives that lodged complaints with it and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The meeting, it was learnt is part of efforts by the carrier to restore the suspension of its operating license by the NCAA. The regulator had announced the suspension of the Air Operators’ Certificate (AOC) of the airline over its failure by the airline management to meet certain lapses pointed out in its operations. Chairman of Discovery Air, Mr Babatunde Babalola said the airline has commenced the resolution of issues raised by the NCAA in its last audit. Babalola said the NCAA wrote a letter to the airline to inform it of lapses in its operations, which, he said bordered on cancelled and delayed flights during the Yuletide holidays .

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014

BUSINESS

Balogun Market fire:Traders seek compensation from Lagos

ARKETERS and traders in Lagos State have appealed to the state government to compensate victims of Balogun Market fire, which happened on Monday. The traders, acting under the aegis of Coalition of Markets and Traders Association in Lagos, made the appeal yesterday when they held an ‘extraordinary general meeting’. Speaking at the event, Sir Nnamdi Nwigwe of the Association of Igbos in Commerce (AIC), one of the associations in the Coalition, noted that traders who lost one item or the other in the

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

fire that razed the market needed to be compensated to serve as consolation for their loses. Sir Nwigwe lamented that some traders displayed their wares along the road that should have been used by men of the Lagos State Fire and Safety Services to doused the inferno and reduce losses. He therefore urged Governor Babatunde Fashola to urgently take steps to stop people who illegally and indiscriminately display their wares. The group also urged the government to back an insur-

ance policy for marketers to cover situations such as fire outbreaks and other losses. The Coalition is the umbrella body of four associations, namely: AIC, Traders Rights Protecion Initiative (TRPI), Amalgamated Traders, Lagos and Market Leaders Association. The gathering also had in attendance, the Imo State Liaison Officer for Lagos, Alfred Ononugbo. The association enjoined traders not to make themselves instruments in the hands of desperate politicians. They threatened to severely sanction any trader caught in the act.

Apple, Google reach deal in antitrust case

PPLE Inc. (AAPL) and Google Inc. (GOOGL) have reached a new settlement over claims they and other Silicon Valley companies conspired to avoid hiring one another’s employees, after a judge concluded their first proposal didn’t offer enough money for affected workers. The agreement, which terms weren’t disclosed in a court filing yesterday, again hinges on the approval of U.S. District Judge Lucy H. Koh in San Jose, California, who in August, rejected the initial $324.5 million accord as too small. Koh said the companies, which also include Adobe Systems Inc. (ADBE) and

Intel Corp. (INTC), should pay at least $380 million given “ample evidence” of antitrust violations that might result in damages of more than $9 billion if the case went to trial. The companies resumed negotiations with the workers. In September they also appealed Koh ruling, saying she overstepped her authority. Kelly Dermody, a lawyer for the workers, and Chuck Mulloy, a spokesman for Santa Clara, Californiabased Intel, each confirmed the new settlement yesterday, declining to discuss details. Kristin Huguet, a spokeswoman for Cupertino, California-based

Apple, declined to comment. “We will be filing our papers with the court on Thursday,” Dermody said in an emailed statement. Employees walk past Google Inc. signage while arriving for work at company headquarters in Mountain View, California, U.S. Close Employees walk past Google Inc. signage while arriving for work at company headquarters... Read More CloseOpen Photographer: Tony Avelar/Bloomberg Employees walk past Google Inc. signage while arriving for work at company headquarters in Mountain View, California, U.S.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

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With the shift to non-oil sector, particularly manufacturing, following the falling oil prices, there is a clamour for the establishment of a National Quality Policy (NQP). The policy’s final draft may be ready in March. It will, among others, increase the competitiveness of local products in the international market, reports Assistant Editor CHIKODI EKEREOCHA.

HE National President, Association of Systems Management Consultants, Mazi Coleman Obasi, is worried. The certified quality management practitioner is troubled that despite assurances by the authorities that the draft document for the proposed National Quality Policy (NQP) for Nigeria would be ready before the end of last year, nothing has happened. He wonders why the formulation and subsequent adoption of the document is delayed despite that the European Union (EU) voted 12 million Euros (about N2.5billion) last year for the establishment of a National Accreditation System. The fund is meant to support the enhancement of the national quality infrastructure to improve the quality, safety, integrity, and marketability of made-in-Nigeria goods and services. For Obasi, and indeed stakeholders in the sector, such intervention by the EU could not have come at a better time, considering that the administration is emphasising the nonoil sector in the face of the economic downturn caused by the plunge in oil prices.The development, which has since put the nation’s finances under pressure, is seen by some development experts as a blessing in disguise. Expectedly, it has forced the Federal Government to shift focus to the nonoil sector, which, experts say, is more inclusive and growth-oriented. Besides, the sector is characterised by high economic linkages and is also more sustainable. This was why the EU and other international technical partners decided to intervene in the hope of increasing the competitiveness of local products at the international market. Under the EU-funded National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) project, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development (UNIDO), with the support of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the objective, according to the UNIDO Country and West Africa Director, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, is to improve the quality of products made in Nigeria for them to be sold internally and in the international market. He expressed the hope that the initiative will produce a legislation that will contain a NQP, and establish an internationally recognised National Accreditation Body (NAB) that will vet regulatory agencies, such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Kormawa, while announcing the EU’s commitment, said the initiative would help develop a National Metrology Institute (NMI) to ensure that instruments are of international standards, improve the capacity of members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to conform to standards and assessment bodies. It will also enhance the powers of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and other consumer organisations to sensitise consumers on quality standards and ensure improved consumer protection. But these never happened, which is why Obasi and other stakeholders are calling on the authorities to fast-track the establishment of an NQP. “Quality is number one. It is the first thing that ought to be considered as the nation focuses on building a robust exportbased economy,” Obasi told The Nation.

•Aganga

•Dr Komawa

•Odumodu

Forces against non-oil exports Obasi is right. At present, locally manufactured products and services lack global quality certification. They are denied access to markets in developed economies, a situation that has been a pain in the neck of manufacturers, as their productivity and competitiveness continue to suffer. According to Obasi, Nigeria, despite being acknowledged globally as one of the largest consumer markets, is yet to be accredited by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), the regulatory arm of the International Standardisation Organissation (ISO). He said countries, such as South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya and Mauritius have since been accredited by the IAF, in line with global emphasis on quality. For Nigeria to be accredited by IAF, it must have in place an NQI, which refers to all aspects of metrology, standardisation, testing, quality management, certification and accreditation that have a bearing on conformity assessment. It requires the establishment of NAB, NMI, CPC, Standards Regulatory Agencies, Conformity Assessment Agency or Bodies, Quality Education and Competency Training and Certification Institutions. While the NMI is supposed to perform all the metrological and calibration, the conformity assessment agency on the other hand, certifies private companies, ensuring that their products conform to specific characteristics, increase consumers’ confidence and also create incentives for producers to upgrade their production processes. According to experts, the creation of these key systems and institutions will boost the competitiveness of locally made products at the international market and ensure the global acceptance of products and services from

Nigeria. These key systems and institutions are what the NQP is supposed to support, but unfortunately, Nigeria, after 54 years of independence, still does not have an NQI, which is an important tool for the establishment and implementation of the NQP, which is expected to usher the economy into a new phase of growth and development. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, admitted this when he said the NQP would produce a broad-based system that would provide quality specifications for all manufactured products in the country. The Minister, who spoke at the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the NQP, in Abuja, said the policy would re-engineer the quality infrastructure and the technical regulation regimes and help the Federal Government execute its economic plans. Incidentally, Aganga is the Chairman of the NSC, while the Director-General (DG) of SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, is Secretary. The NSC, inaugurated last year by President Goodluck Jonathan, is charged with driving the establishment of the NQP. The broadbased inter-ministerial steering committee is mandated to review and harmonise quality policies in Nigeria, prepare a draft NQP that is acceptable to stakeholders, and support the approval and implementation of the NQP. Odumodu also recognised that the policy is vital to national development because of its role in facilitating international trade. According to him, the lack of NQP had over the years made harmonisation of the available quality infrastructure difficult, thereby limiting the benefits, particularly in driving competitiveness and international market ac-

‘

‘If everything goes as planned, the benefits of an NQP would start coming the way of Nigerians in the export business and the economy from March, this year when the draft document for the proposed policy is expected to be ready. Already, the final document is being edited in line with the time schedule drawn up by the steering committee

‘

cess. He said Nigeria’s standard operation was faced with many challenges with the attendant overlap of interests and activities, which sometimes result to disagreements.The cause of this, he pointed out, was the lack of NQP to hold the system and make it functional and efficient enough to earn global confidence. In other words, an NQP policy would set bases and rules for the players, harmonise the role of various players, and provide a commitment to complying with international standards. Odumodu further noted that until now, the determined efforts of the agency to curb the menace of substandard products have been marred by the absence of a national quality policy, adding that the policy would bring sanity to a system that is highly profitable to the actors. He noted that the new policy would act as catalyst for local productivity and quick adaptation of best global standards and practices to enthrone quality culture, improved management and process systems and work environments, in addition to attaining efficiency and products competitiveness, reduce importation and increase exports. If everything goes as planned, the benefits of an NQP would start coming the way of Nigerians in the export business and the economy from March, this year when the draft document for the proposed policy is expected to be ready. Already, the final document is being edited in line with the time schedule drawn up by the steering committee, according to Dr. Paul Angya, chairman, Technical Secretariat of NSC. He told The Nation that between November and December, last year, the committee toured the six geopolitical zones of the country with the draft quality document for validating and getting the nod of stakeholders. Angya said the committee visited Sokoto, in the Northwest; Minna, Northcentral; Lagos, Southwest; Enugu, Southeast, and Calabar, Southsouth. The final tour, according to him, was on December 13, last year, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and that in each zone’s stakeholders endorsed the document. He disclosed that the coming general election is responsible for the delay in getting the final draft ready for presentation to the Federal Executive Council (FEC). He added that as soon as the elections were over, the document would be ready. “Now we are editing the final document, which will be ready by March this year for presentation to the FEC and subsequent passage by an Act of Parliament,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Inciting the people •Jimi Agbaje’s impolitic statement about Niger Delta and President Jonathan lacks the virtue of a statesman

F Mr Jimi Agbaje, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has his way, the presidential candidate of his party, incumbent Dr Goodluck Jonathan, will be gifted a second term in office, irrespective of the will of the electorate in next month’s presidential election. This was the import of Mr Agbaje’s widely publicised argument at an event in London that the South-South zone could shut down the oil sector with negative implications for the economy if President Jonathan fails to win re-election. In his words on the occasion, “Now, in 2015, we are saying that the South-South has presented a candidate and we are talking about equity and some are saying he should not be given a second term. This is a very difficult thing. In argument, some have said ‘what will happen?’ Well, people will be upset and they have shown

‘The clear intent of Agbaje’s shallow analysis is to either cow Nigerians into voting for Jonathan out of fear, or incite violence in the South-South if Jonathan loses. A genuine democrat would rather be concerned about free, fair and credible polls that reflect the popular will since it is only those that make peaceful electoral change impossible that make violent change inevitable’

that they have the power to shut down the system. I am not saying it is justified but the reality is there. If the system is shut down, where are we as a country”? Agbaje’s brazen and immoral attempt to blackmail Nigerians into accepting President Jonathan’s election as a fait accompli is predicated on the country’s current heavy reliance on the Niger Delta’s oil resources as her dominant foreign exchange earner. This pharmacist who aspires to govern Nigeria’s most cosmopolitan and sophisticated state has thus descended to the level of uncouth ex- Niger Delta militants like Asari Dokubo and Government Tompolo, who have threatened the disintegration of Nigeria if their Ijaw kinsman is not re-elected. Despite his posturing over the years as a democratic activist with strong commitment to federalist principles, Agbaje’s contention in this instance eloquently testifies to a deficient appreciation of democratic culture, a complete lack of understanding of constitutional values and an embarrassing ignorance of the socio-political and economic dynamics of a federal polity like Nigeria. Nigeria’s extant constitution provides for a maximum of two terms of four years each for the country’s president. It does not exempt the incumbent President from seeking the endorsement of the electorate for a second term if he so desires. It is, therefore, difficult to understand the constitutional basis for Agbaje’s strange doctrine of what amounts to an automatic second term for Jonathan for sentimen-

tal, sectional considerations. Surely, no true democrat should ever contemplate such an anomaly. The only basis for an incumbent’s re-election is the expressed will of the electorate in free and fair elections. Obviously trying to mitigate the fierce criticisms attracted by his comments, Agbaje has rationalised his assertion by saying that he is concerned about the possible outbreak of violence if either General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or President Jonathan does not win the February 14 election. Of course, he is only being clever by half. The clear intent of Agbaje’s shallow analysis is to either cow Nigerians into voting for Jonathan out of fear, or incite violence in the South-South if Jonathan loses. A genuine democrat would rather be concerned about free, fair and credible polls that reflect the popular will since it is only those that make peaceful electoral change impossible that make violent change inevitable. It is instructive that Agbaje also contends that President Jonathan has performed very well in office but his achievements have not been publicised well enough. Well, it is up to the likes of Agbaje and the PDP to effectively convince Nigerians as regards the achievements of the President rather than fanning the embers of fear and violence if the Nigerian electorate exercise their right not to re-elect him if they so choose.

Mary Slessor: 100 years after •Her humanity still beckons us today

OW time flies! So it is a hundred years since Mary Mitchell Slessor died. The good thing though is that her works continue to speak. This is the reason she is being celebrated by people in Cross River State, where she left very strong impact, thousands of kilometres away from her native Aberdeen, Scotland, where she was born on December 2, 1848. Mary, the great Scottish Amazon liberated old Calabar, brought Christianity and modernity as well as stopped the killing of twins, then thought to be devil-sent, in the area. Her mother’s strong Presbyterian background influenced her decision to become a teacher, even as she admired missionary work. The opportunity for the latter came when David Livingstone, a great explorer and missionary died, and Mary applied to the Foreign Mission Board of the Presbyterian Church in Edinburgh to embark on missionary journey to Africa. She set sail on August 5, 1876, and arrived her destination one month after. She worked first in the missions in Old Town and Creek Town (in the present Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State and lived in the mission house), where many supernatural beliefs - witchcraft, and ritual sacrifice of twins – among others, were common. Because of her commitments to her beliefs and her duty, she was never found wanton where duty called or danger. Like some other early missionaries in Africa, she once suffered malaria attack, necessitating her return to Scotland for treatment. She took many daring risks, travel-

ling sometimes by boats and canoes to dangerous enclaves for the purposes of evangelism and her campaign against twin murder superstition. To prove that twins were no evil, she picked up a twin abandoned for dead, took her home and brought her up as daughter. This was to mark a turning-point for the people engaged in the evil practice as many of them saw the matter as what it was: mere superstition and jettisoned it; it has been so till date. If on this score alone, Mary’s expedition to Nigeria was not in vain. But she did not stop at being an agent of social change; she was also involved in settlement of communal disputes among villagers, thus helping to save lives. She was instrumental in introducing education and encouraging trade in the area. Indeed, the history of Waddel Training Institution, Calabar, which has produced many great men and women cannot be complete without her illustrious contributions. She frequently campaigned against injustices against women and took in outcasts and unwanted children. A woman of the people that she was, Mary, while in Okoyong, stayed in a traditional house with the people and learned to speak the Efik language. She was nicknamed “Obongawan Okoyong” (Queen of Okoyong), which she is still being called till today. It was in recognition of her contributions to the society that she was made the vice consul in Okoyong in 1892; she was also awarded the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem for her philanthropy. Mary died on January 13, 1915

and her body was transported to Duke Town (in present Calabar) where she had a colonial equivalent of State Burial. We join in commemorating the centenary of the departure of this great woman. It is however regretful that some of the ideals for which Mary sacrificed her all are being jettisoned today. Nowadays, we read stories of child bombers; children are no longer getting the quality education that they should have; healthcare is not a thing that can be taken for granted even for the child. People may have stopped killing twins, but it is still common to see children being accused of witchcraft in Calabar, and a few other places. We are happy that the Cross River State Government has made Mary’s house at Okoyong and her grave at Duke Town as heritage sites. But the best way to immortalise her is to see to it that all those things that she sacrificed for are completely eradicated. It is by so doing that her efforts would not be in vain.

‘We are happy that the Cross River State Government has made Mary’s house at Okoyong and her grave at Duke Town as heritage sites. But the best way to immortalise her is to see to it that all those things that she sacrificed for are completely eradicated. It is by so doing that her efforts would not be in vain’

Can PDP rise again in Edo?

IR: The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, once a strong political institution, has in the last seven years suffered a self-induced dwindling of fortunes both in terms of depleting membership and electoral defeats. The July 14, 2012 governorship election defeat in all the 18 local government council areas may well have signalled the death of the party in Edo State. The recent tantrums of its leadership amount, in the main, to nothing better than the cry of a helpless, hapless baby beaten by an elder. One factor which has torn things apart for the PDP in Edo State is the fortuitous emergence of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole as governor of the state, having won the gubernatorial election of April 2007 on the platform of ACN, which mandate was hijacked by the PDP but eventually reclaimed in November 2008. The woes of the PDP have since then multiplied beyond manageable proportions with the Oshiomhole administration transparently committed and systematic application of state resources to better the lives of the people of the state. Every where one goes in Edo State today, one is confronted with visible signs of transformation that is going on. In a short space of six years the Oshiomhole administration has done what two successive PDP governments could not do in the ten years they were in power in the state. Every aspect of governance has been affected positively. The administration has constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated more than 50 inter and intra-city roads most of them complete with covered side drains, walkways and street lights; primary and secondary schools have been reconstructed and furnished; primary healthcare centres have been built and renovated and furnished; 100 new buses have been acquired and running; thousands of youths have been employed; Sam Ogbemudia Stadium has been renewed; the Kings Square is wearing a new look and has become a tourist delight; a new central hospital complex is being constructed; human capacity capital development is receiving priority attention; several communities now have potable water; electricity has reached hitherto forgotten communities while erosion control in Benin City is also receiving great attention. There is no doubt that the average Edo man and woman has become proud once again that the state is working. This is why thousands of Edo people in other parties have decided to identify with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the All Progressives Congress party. Since visible signs of progress started to show in 2009, the ranks of other political parties, particularly the PDP, have continued to dwindle across the state. From Agenebode and Anegbette to Okada, from Ewohimi to Ososo and Igarra, from Uromi and Irrua to Ologbo and Benin City, members of the PDP have dumped the party for the progressive, people-friendly, visionary and development conscious APC in Edo State. Oshiomhole and the APC have shown to the satisfaction of Edo people what governance is all about: planning, mobilising and utilising state resources transparently for the uplift of the living standard of the majority of the people. The woeful failure of the PDP at the 2012 governorship and 2013 local government council elections must be seen as punishment for its misrule of the past. It represents a rejection of dictatorship by one man and god-fatherism. The February elections will not only be a repeat of 2012, it will signal the death of many political careers in Edo State and the nation at large. • Comrade Nasamu Jacobson, Benin City.

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

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: It’s been a long while since May 25, 1961, when President John F. Kennedy fired the imagination of the United States of America, by publishing the goal of sending an American safely to the moon before the end of the decade. Four and half decades have passed since July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon surface and said, “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind’’. The feasible race President Jonathan always told us we were in is the one to break into the league of 20 biggest economies in the world by 2020. We are five years close to that set year. In this re-election bid, Jonathan would have done well to lay out his plan to bring Nigeria closer to the attainment of that vision by 2019. He is, instead, advertizing a detour. He wants to take us to the moon! He didn’t define our mission to the moon, if only to flesh out the idea. He left us to figure out that. Maybe we are going to catch there to catch fun, to enjoy a walk on the moon without shoes. But a space detour is out of tune with the times. It suggests that President Jonathan is out of touch. Or, the one he is most likely to turn to for the list of the priorities of the average Nigerian youth, Boni Haruna, his 57-year old Minister of Youth Development, got it twisted. The reality is that Nigerian youths are not asking for the moon. We have never asked for what takes the equivalent of knowledge of rocket science to deliver. Citizens of other countries may ask too much of their leaders, but, not us. We ask nothing beyond a better terrestrial existence. We ask for the mundane things that other nationalities take for granted in this century. We ask for potable water, more hours of light, state recruitment process that doesn’t scam and kill applicants. We ask for hospitals that don’t leave patients to rot and die because doctors are on the umpteenth strike. Hospitals that are well resourced to treat all castes of fathers – my own father and the President’s 50bedroom occupying, election time father. The moon can wait. The moon

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Mr President, lead us to Sambisa, not moon! will become a destination to consider after we have humanized the Nigerian plane; after we have made it habitable for the overwhelming majority of the poor - the poor whose misery cannot be summarized by statistics. Ironically, President Jonathan is pitching astronomical adventure at a time when the foremost challenge of the country is how to assert dominion over the portion of the earth that the map says belongs to Nigeria. This moon talk serves well as

filler to pad speaking lot. But the moon talk also indicates that escapism may have become the directional principle of state policy. Lord knows that President Jonathan is yet to exhaust ripe candidate sites in Nigeria. The 200 plus school girls abducted on April 15, 2014 are still in Zambisa forest. They have remained virtual sex slaves of their brute captors. The government hates to be reminded that they are responsible for rescuing them. So, # BringBackOurGirls campaigners are treated as dissidents.

Of course, Chibok girls are now a catchall metaphor for, and the sole name of, all those carted away by the terrorists. Before that school invasion, kidnappings had been happening in that axis. But because Nigeria could not quantify the value of its lost citizenry as easily as barrels of stolen crude, the people did not matter. The moon safari tickles Jonathan because though he lives in Nigeria, he doesn’t live like a Nigerian. He has guards watching over him round the clock. He doesn’t know

firsthand what it means to escape with burns from a hut set ablaze in the dead of the night. He has all the creature comforts petrodollars can buy. If he wanted a new jet, it shows up in the budget. And if he wanted to eat more food than he did last year, he would make his food bill higher by 7.4%. It is ludicrous that the President is promising space exploration when he and the entire armed forces he leads have proved incapable of the exploring a nearby forest where our daughters have been hostage for nine months. It’s absurd to have to say this but the Commander-inChief needs to know that what matters most right now is securing Nigerians within Nigeria. To redeem our country from terror: To recover our girls from Sambisa. Not going to the moon. • Emmanuel Uchenna Ugwu immaugwu@gmail.com

Coping with the harmattan IR: As with other weather conditions, harmattan comes with a variety of health and environmental hazards. Common cold and its symptoms such as catarrh, sneezing and coughing are very rampant during harmattan. Asthma patients suffer mostly during this period due to dusty environment. The same goes for sickle cell disease patients whose crises are triggered frequently during harmattan due to the cold. The skin, the eyes and the respiratory tract which directly connect with the atmosphere, the latter via the nose and mouth, are most susceptible to the unpleasant effects of the season. The skin is generally dry with associated cracking of the lips, sole of the feet and even the skin itself. The body extremities such as the hands and feet are sometimes too cold to produce distasteful signs. Babies and the elderly are principally prone to hypothermia (core body temperature below 35 degrees centigrade) due to sub optimal regulating mechanism. Aside from the health hazards, harmattan’s dry winds are capable of enflaming untended embers into raging fires that can effortlessly get out of control causing destruction of lives and property. Hence, fire out-

break is one of the major fallouts of this period. Between November and March, quite a lot of fire outbreaks are often recorded since there is dry wind, which makes it easy for fire to spread at the slightest ignition. It is often common with farmers to practice bush burning in preparation for cultivation in the next farming season. Unfortunately, this act of bush burning often result into severe losses to farmers as they repeatedly find it difficult to curtail the rage of the fire which, aided by the harmattan haze, usually extend beyond imagination. Many rural communities have lost hitherto buoyant and thriving farmlands to the rage of uncontrollable harmattan fire, thereby subjecting the natives, whose mainstay of income is farming, to avoidable pains and anguish. In some instances, some have committed suicide as a result of enormous damage caused to their farmlands by uncontainable harmattan fire. The harmattan season equally takes its toll on transportation. Be it by air, road or on water, travelling could be very risky during this season. The change in weather condition during this period usually occurs when the temperature drops to

the dew point of saturated air that condenses to reduce visibility drastically and cut down on the vision of a driver to 400 meters or less thus creating dangerous driving conditions. Many lives can be lost to this precarious harmattan condition as drivers, either out of ignorance or sheer disregard to the changing weather condition, easily fall victim. In fact, air flights have had to be rescheduled to prevent crashes during this season. It is, therefore, important for motorists to drive with lights on low beam in view of reflections from high beams that heighten poor visibility during this period. To effectively curb the evil effects of the harmattan season, everybody must be ready to take protective measures against the harmful effects of this season. Since there will be severe cold mixed with dust, people with asthmatic conditions and any sort of inhalant allergies need to take precautions. It is not out of place for this group of people to use masks to cover their noses and to always take their inhalers with them wherever they go. Many also suffer pneumonia and bronchitis, especially the very young and the aged. Those that are allergic to cold should also endeavor to go for thick clothing that

can cover them up and to take their baths with warm water as hot water strips away oils in the skin, leaving it dehydrated. The skin can be kept healthy through regular use of appropriate petroleum jelly products and shea butter or olive oil which lock and seal the oil in the skin to prevent dryness. Excessive intake of caffeinated drinks (Antihistamines) can be dehydrating to the skin, and the key thing to survive Harmattan is moisture. So, switching to decaffeinated drinks will help to retain moisture in the skin. Similarly, it is also advisable that people take lots of fluids to make up for loss of water from the body. The public should be sensitized by the several on-going campaigns on how to prevent harmattan fire outbreaks and other related disasters. It is the failure of the members of the public to heed the advice given that has resulted in needless harmful events during this season. It is essential for all disaster and emergency management agencies, across the country, to draw up a scientific contingency plan to effectively combat fire outbreaks and other harmattan connected disasters. • Bilkis Bakare Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

COMMENTS

Obasanjo’s book and judicial censorship

ET me say right away that former President Obasanjo is not my favorite politician. I also probably do not count as one of his closest friends even though I had defended him when it was crucial such as when Abacha sentenced him to death and I was ambassador of Nigeria to Germany. I mobilized the European Union by personally going to Hamburg to brief former chancellor Helmut Schmidt of the situation of his friend and the latter got in touch with his successor Helmut Kholl who was then on state visit to South Africa asking him to return home because Germany at that material time headed the E.U rotational presidency. I believe I am one of those who probably saved Obasanjo’s life. Obasanjo in his self-righteousness does not believe he owes any mortal being a debt of gratitude for any favour. It is not in his character! After his release he publicly said in Toronto Canada that all Nigerians, with the exception of the dead and those in detention supported Abacha. I was in the audience and I was pained to no end. My late brother Kayode was his physician and he was the last patient he saw before his demise. Obasanjo was under house arrest ordered by Abacha and my brother flew from Geneva to Lagos to see him and also in solidarity with him in his hours of travail. The soldiers will not let him see his patient and one of the soldiers threatened to shoot him. My brother dramatically brought out his stethoscope and asked the soldier to bring out his hand because he wanted to check his blood pressure. Since most human beings including soldiers are afraid of dying, the soldier involved complied and he was subsequently tested and pronounced hypertensive. My brother told him he was almost a dead man but that if he would buy amlodipine tablets and combine it with cholesterol reducing tablets of simvastatin he would get his hypertension under control. The poor soldier went and called his captain who was also tested and given the same prescription. At this point the captain told the physician he could come in at any time he wanted. This was how Prof Kayode Osuntokun got to his quarry! On Obasanjo’s own testimony, he told me he noticed Kayode did not look well. My brother died when Obasanjo was in jail in Yola. I visited him when Abdulsalaami Abubakar pardoned and released him. He told me he heard I was in detention too. I confirmed in the affirmative. I had reviewed a view BEYOND FREEDOM written by some world leaders dedicated to Obasanjo’s freedom in The Tribune and granted an interview to a young man named Akande who turned out to be a spook of the Abacha regime in which I was critical of the regime. When this was combined with my spirited effort to save Obasanjo while I was ambassador, my cup seemed to be full and this led to my being in military detention on Child Street in

N December 14, 2006, this paper hosted then Bayelsa State Governor Goodluck Jonathan, who was on his way to Abuja for his party’s national convention, where its presidential candidate would be picked. Jonathan was not among the contenders for the top job. He was going there as a delegate and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa. Moreover, he had picked the party’s governorship ticket for the state. So, Jonathan was going to Abuja for the fun of it and to vote for the candidate of his choice. Little did we know that he would become a candidate in that election. That is how God works; He does His things in the way He only understands. When Jonathan was here that December 14, it never crossed his mind that he would pair the late President Umaru Yar’Adua to contest the 2007 presidential election. On what to expect at the December 16 PDP national convention, all he said was may the best candidate win. He, however, spoke of his preference for one of the contesting outgoing governors to emerge as candidate. Truly, one of the governors, the late

276 DAYS AFTER

WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

Apapa, Lagos for months. I will be one of the first to testify that Obasanjo’s freedom was an act of divine mercy through the instrumentality of man. When Obasanjo had just left prison I could not recognize him. He was reduced to half his normal size. He was totally emaciated and only a close look revealed the man who was in the shrunken body. If he became hardened after his experience, he was justified. Obasanjo told me he was going to visit Professor Bopo Osuntokun, Kayode’s widow. He never did and never until today asked for her and her children! I write this for public records and to confirm Obasanjo s reputation of seeing himself above human and perhaps what he regards as sentimental gratitude and acknowledgement of other people’s contribution to his life. I shared my anger with a family friend close to Kayode and myself who is also close to Obasanjo and from the North. What he said is that most great men use people and move on. Of course I did not agree with him. Having said this, I agree that Obasanjo remains a great Nigerian leader which is not the same as a great Nigerian. Certainly, of those who have held office as head of state of Nigeria, he remains head and shoulders above all of them with the possible exception of Muhammad Buhari. I also admire him because he keeps records. He may misuse or misinterpret his records, but he keeps records and has his eyes on history. All the lazy people who criticize him should shut up or write their own accounts! Most of Obasanjo’s writings are autobiographical and they are written from his personal perspective. This is why historians would not take an autobiographical account without cross checking it with other accounts before arriving at objectivity. It is almost impossible for one to write about himself in a negative way, so all those who are expecting Obasanjo’s to be totally objective, miss the point and even when our great Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, writes about his experiences in life, we can only take it as his own account and not the gospel truth. No court of law should impose censorship on the reading public. This is a fundamental and perhaps, almost inalienable right that no judicial officer paid by the public should peremptorily take away from us especially when such a right is guaranteed by our constitution. There are also provisions for whoever is wounded by the exercise of free speech to go to court and seek redress. No politically influenced and induced injunction is acceptable and I am surprised that our legal activists have not gone to court to enforce our rights which are no doubt justiciable. Since the book is going to be released abroad the futility of the Nigerian court becomes apparent.

I disagree with the rather intemperate language of Professor Wole Soyinka in criticizing Obasanjo for allegedly mentioning him in the new book My Watch. I mean what entitles Wole Soyinka to take apart many people in the country with license why nobody can criticize him? He Jide should be ready to Osuntokun take as much as he gives! If all Obasanjo allegedly said was that he did not respect his political judgement and that he only respects his taste of wines and his ability to shoot partridges, how can such jovial comments lead to the savage criticisms of Obasanjo by Wole Soyinka? I like our Nobel laureate but in this particular case he should have respected Obasanjo if not for himself but as a former Head of State of Nigeria. Because of the way Soyinka dressed down Obasanjo, others not deserving have been insulting the former Head of state. This is a case of being knocked down by an elephant and rats now start running over one. No one should get me wrong. We can criticize without being offensive. This is the point I am making. Obasanjo or his publishers should challenge the ban on the book and let’s see if anybody has the right to prevent us from reading what a former Head of state that is still being maintained by the public exchequer has written about his service to the nation. This is an issue of public interest.

‘No court of law should impose censorship on the reading public. This is a fundamental and perhaps, almost inalienable right that no judicial officer paid by the public should peremptorily take away from us especially when such a right is guaranteed by our constitution’

The President was here Yar’Adua, who was then the chief executive of Katsina State, picked the ticket. His choice of Jonathan as running mate, it appears, was preordained. If not, the late Yar’Adua would not have chosen him. Perhaps, his name Goodluck did the magic. Of course, Jonathan has been a lucky person all his life. His good fortune in recent times shows how far people’s names can carry them. Over eight years after his visit here, Jonathan is on another campaign. His whistle-stop campaign took off in Lagos last Thursday. He chose Lagos for political reasons not that he loves the state and its people that much. If he truly loves Lagos as he wants the people to believe, why then has he not paid the money being owed the state by the Federal Government by now? Lagos and the 35 other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will not just be there for the picking of the president and his party. For the electorate to vote for him, he has to tell them what he has done in the past six years. What has he done that should make the people vote for him? At his Lagos rally, he said he would address the crowd on three key issues of corruption, security and infrastructure development. He failed to live up to his word; rather he resorted to reacting to criticisms and attacking the opposition. What really are Jonathan’s plan for the country? What does he intend to do after six years in office without anything to show for it? Is he just seeking to return to office for the sake of it? Yes, it is good to bear the title of president, but it comes at a price. Being president is not a tea party. It is a demanding job. The office demands a lot

of sacrifice from its occupant, who must be ready to work, until he drops dead, if need be. The country he seeks to lead must come first, always, no matter what. In the past six years, Jonathan has shown that he is not that kind of leader. He is a jolly good fellow, no doubt, but that does not do the job. We need an all - hands on president and after trying him for over 55 months, he has failed this litmus test. Jonathan does not have anything to offer. It is obvious that he is tired and that he needs a rest. But those benefiting from the system feel that all is well. What else do we expect from such bootlickers? As long as they get free money they will praise the president to high heavens. Not only that, they can even sell their mothers for filthy lucre. We can all see what the Transformation Ambassadors of this world are doing. To these people, Jonathan is the best thing to have ever happened to Nigeria. Jonathan, they say, has rehabilitated the Ore-Benin road, LagosIbadan Expressway and the Nigeria Railway Corporation; tackled terrorism to a halt and improved security. Those behind the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) know all too well that they are lying. There is nothing on ground to support their claim. If there were, Jonathan would have pointed them out at his ongoing campaign. Let us start with corruption and security on which he spoke at his Lagos rally. The President did not tell us what he has done to tackle these problems. Rather than say what he has done or intends to do, he got busy throwing barbs at his critics. ‘’They talked about insecurity’’, he began. ‘’They said

they will fight insecurity. And I ask, are our armed forces weak? If we have problems, what is the cause? Equipment. Somebody who told young people that he is going to fight insecurity, ask him if he bought one rifle for Nigerian soldiers when he was Head of State. These people did not buy anything for Nigerian soldiers. They refused to equip them. Ask them what they did with their defence budget. ‘’They said my government is corrupt and that we are not fighting corruption. Only yesterday, I addressed anti-corruption agencies and told them that people are deceiving young Nigerians. I said that they must tell Nigerians what they are doing. We have arrested more people and done more convictions...If somebody tells you that the best way to fight corruption is to come and arrest your uncle and father and show him on television and jail him, it won’t stop corruption. It even encourages corruption’’. re we not in trouble if the President can, on a live radio and television programme, refer to stealing as a minor matter? To him, stealing is not corruption. ‘’What they are calling corruption is petty stealing’’, he said on the Presidential Media Chat not too long ago. Stealing is stealing, sir. There is nothing like

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

petty stealing just as there is nothing like petty robbery. What is petty in taking something that does not belong to you? You do not take something that does not belong to you without the owner’s permission. Going by our president’s definition of stealing, that is permissible. So, if members of his cabinet take what does not belong to them, he will look the other way! This is what I understand the President to be saying with his definition of stealing. If he overlooks ‘’petty stealing’’ because the amount involved is small, will he have the will to act when a huge sum is stolen? Is this the kind of president we deserve? Your answer is as good as mine.

‘It is good to bear the title of president, but it comes at a price. Being president is not a tea party. It is a demanding job. The office demands a lot of sacrifice from its occupant, who must be ready to work, until he drops dead, if need be’

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

COMMENTS

RESIDENT Jonathan was in Lagos last week to flag off his re-election bid. The event was in character with the president’s well charted politics of subterfuge, except that this time around, it was not without a touch of sardonic humour. For a president who does not consider stealing as corruption, and who heads PDP where those facing overwhelming financial fraud charges can be party chieftains, senators, and ministers, he cannot understand why the Yoruba make a fetish of placing great value on honour and character. For him, PDP members share the same values. Thus on parade at Tafawa Balewa square the venue of the event was Chief Bode George who Musiliu Obanikoro says is “in desperate need of social rehabilitation after a stint in jail”. He was pronounced not guilty after serving a jail term over his handling of contracts as chairman of Nigeria Ports Authority. Also on parade was Ayo Fayose, impeached former governor who admitted appearing over 52 times over a period of seven years trying to defend himself against EFCC charges of financial fraud as well as murder charges as at the time he contested and defeated an incumbent Governor Fayemi. Among trusted allies who stood out to be counted during the event was ex Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State who was until recently in court facing EFCC charges of mismanagement of state funds as governor. There was also Femi Fani-Kayode who also still has a date to keep with EFCC in court over allegation of financial crime as minister of aviation. Defected Governor Mimiko of Ondo was also there to be counted among the president’s friends. Olusegun Mimiko, who on account of his brand of politics can be described as ‘water has no enemy’, has been a member of as many as there are political parties in Nigeria. And to spite Obasanjo, his estranged godfather, the president appointed Buruji Kashamu, Obasanjo’s main rival in Ogun State the leader of his highly valued Yoruba opinion leaders who would deliver the West in February. Buruji has taken Obasanjo to court over the former’s claim that he is a fugitive from justice in the US. Jonathan’s choice of shenanigans or merchants of pranks to sell his candidacy is the practice among other groups in the country. The Tafawa Balewa’s outing was also unique in the sense that the president deliberately chose the vulnerable youths he believes will enhance his chances in the February polls as target audience. Trying to cultivate the innocent youths, he had said “I am going to address the people who are voting for the first time, those of you who will attain 18 years this year”. This group, the president says will define Nigeria’s tomorrow since his generation according to him, has failed the nation. Less than 50% of those the HILE inaugurating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial campaign committee of his state, self-styled Chief Servant of Niger State, Governor Babangida Aliyu was reported to have remarked to his new ‘disciples’ that their first task was to win the state for the party at all costs in the coming elections. Aliyu, in his own words said; “If you cannot lie, get out of politics. Anything you are involved in has its own rule. You are in politics to win, win first and let other things follow. Don’t be the one crying louder lest you will be the one they will take to court. If you are talking of honesty or morals, go and become an Imam or Pastor. Politics cannot be the way it used to be. The challenges are more now, the variables have changed….Our society is not as grateful as it used to be, the values and morals have gone down. If you want to win, use the modern morality.” While the statement was indeed loaded with everything that a public figure such as a governor must never say in public, it should not be entirely surprising that it came out of the PDP camp. After all, we had been warned on several occasions that the party would rule for at least 60 years as far back as when the party was barely four years into coming to power at the federal level. You may call these pronouncements their moments of delirium or naïve optimism, but they probably must have perfected something towards the realization of this objective, no matter how sinister, appalling, ridiculous, despicable, and nauseating – going against all the tenets and norms of democracy. But for the statement to have emanated from none other than Babangida Aliyu who was, not too long ago, among the PDP stalwarts that formed the ‘New PDP’ because they told the world, himself in particular, that they jumped the ‘old PDP’ ship because it had lost the moral anchor upon which it was founded requires further interrogation. From the surface, Aliyu’s statement should no doubt draw the ire of those nostalgic Nigerians who may still retain the ‘old and medieval morality’ in their DNA, which is no longer suitable for the current Nigerian reality. These custodians of the ‘old morality’ are

Jonathan’s celebration of failure

president is trying to exploit obtained five credits in the recently released WAEC result, a clear evidence of the decay in our educational sector. Of course, those who have studied the president’s politics know his choice of those in the age bracket 18-23 was not accidental. This is a vulnerable group that knows nothing outside PDP and Jonathan in the last 16 years. They do not know anything better than PDP’s newly painted coaches in an age where we now have trains that travel at the speed of aircrafts. They are unaware of multi-billion dollar contracts for the modernisation of our railways awarded twice under Obasanjo and Yar’Adua but got derailed by PDP politicians. They are shielded from the negative effects of government economic policies because they live with their parents. They love African Magic and many want to end up as actors, musicians singing lewd songs or as dancers but not as scientists. The president has after all been throwing money blindly at the actors, not to necessarily develop the sector but for its electoral advantage. If you still don’t believe the president fights rough, consider this unpresidential jibe: “Young Nigerians were doing things fantastically well, they were acting films and were playing music; these very people were snubbing them, but we are encouraging them and the world has accepted them”. This is one achievement those who are against the president cannot take away. The content of the president speech on ‘insecurity, corruption and weak government’ to the 18-year olds who are not equipped to critically analyse his misrepresentations was no less intriguing. On security, the president simply passed the buck: “These people did not buy

anything for the Nigerian soldiers. They refused to equip them. No attack helicopter, nothing. Ask them what they did with the defence budget for the whole time they were in office. No country equips armed forces overnight”. Yes the president may be right to a point. But the message is not for 18-year olds who would need to consult their uncles as directed by the president in order to know the truth. Such message is for the adult who can remind the president that not too long ago, government told Nigerians that the problem was not equipment but sabotage by Boko Haram whose elements, even the president claimed had infiltrated his government. In any case, the president has been part of government for eight years and commander in chief for six years. It is cheap to blame someone who ruled for 20 months back in 1984, 31 years ago. But even then what are the facts? Available figures on capital and recurrent military expenditure from 1988 to 2007 covering parts of Babangida and Abacha years, and eight years of Obasanjo was N820billion compared to Yar’Adua and Jonathan’s N1.3 trillion (2007-2010) and Jonathan’s N3.1 trillion (2011-2014). The question is how long does it take to procure attack helicopters? On corruption, the president also passed the buck: ‘If they had succeeded in fighting corruption, corruption would not have been with us here today’. Except for vulnerable youths the president tried to hoodwink, Nigerians are aware it was Yar’Adua and Jonathan presidency and James Ibori (who sponsored their election in 2007 but currently serving jail terms in London after obtaining reprieve from Nigerian courts) that chased Nuhu Ribadu into exile. It was under the Jonathan presidency

that a convicted felon who converted 70% of state resources to personal use got presidential pardon in order to, in the words of Doyin Okupe “make more contributions to the development of father land”. It was under Jonathan presidency the KPNG report on NNPC, Ribadu’s report on the fuel subsidy regime, ‘Oduahgate’ and many others were dumped into dustbin. It was under the Jonathan presidency that the EFCC’s pending court cases against prominent PDP leaders, banking sector and oil subsidy fraudsters remained stalled, because ‘the wheel of justice in this environment’, according to the president ‘grinds slowly.’ But more telling was what the president failed to say at Tafawa Balewa last week. He failed to allay the fears and anxieties of Nigerians who wanted him to speak on the abducted 250 Chibok girls who have been in captivity for over eight months, crisis of unemployment arising from importation of labour of other societies, government’s planned bailout for the power sector, the missing $10 billion, we were told a forensic inquiry would unravel and another missing $30 billion from excess Crude Account (difference between benchmark of about $77 and average price of $108 for three years) as alleged at different times by governors Oshiomhole and Rotimi Amaechi. Begging for answer was also the 16 years successive PDP administrations’ failure to rehabilitate the eyesore called Murtala Muhammed International Airport road. Jonathan after six years in the saddle could not tell the electorate what he would do differently to bring hope to Nigerians who are worried about tomorrow. Sadly what expectant Lagosians took away in the words of Governor Fashola was “a very angry president, a president who is lamenting about people judging his performance and blaming all those who ruled before him, forgetting that he has been on this job for six years?”

‘Those who have studied the president’s politics know his choice of those in the age bracket 18-23 was not accidental. This is a vulnerable group that knows nothing outside PDP and Jonathan in the last 16 years. They do not know anything better than PDP’s newly painted coaches in an age where we now have trains that travel at the speed of aircraft

Babangida Aliyu’s new morality By Femi Odere now being made to realize, by Aliyu, that the societal mores as the glue that binds and sustains the human community, which prevents their lives from being nasty, brutish and short, where the people ‘eat’ their own kind are of no value. But if one is to dissect Aliyu’s every word, phrase, and sentence in the statement, one cannot but feel sorry for the man. He may actually be crying out for help not only that he may be saved from himself, but also that the country may be saved from his likes before it is too late. Nigeria is no doubt in a big mess. It is believed that the rot in which the system is mired is fundamentally structural, which can consequently be fixed with the leadership that is endowed with vision and noble ideals. But the moral depravity into which the people have sunk, as exemplified by some of their behavioral pattern, and as encapsulated by Aliyu, is completely a different matter. It’s hard to see how the society can really thrive if this moral decay is not quickly arrested. Otherwise, why should an occupier of a seat that embodies order, justice, and equity in a society make such a patently egregious public statement and still be called the chief of state? In developed societies, Governor Aliyu would have been history in the government house by now, having been forced out by the sheer weight of his own moral burden to continue in office. Or he would have been forced to resign by the people for desecrating their unwritten but psychically ingrained moral codes. These societies are called “developed” not only because of the physical infrastructures of the road networks, bridges, monuments, skyscrapers that adorns their landscapes, or their institutions that works unceasingly almost with precision but more so because of those intangible but noble, societal ideals they all subscribe to and fervently aspiring towards. A violation of any of the ideals by those entrusted with public office is therefore met with swift retribution. No ifs

and buts about it. This is the real reason why they’re more evolved. Our own president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has admitted – probably without realizing it – that even our close ‘cousins’, the South Africans, are more evolved than us when he referred to them in his presidential flag-off speech in Lagos as the “superior power.” This was in reference to the system that kept Henry Okah behind bars in that country. By implication, our president believes that the government he heads is inferior to the South African government. Our condition cannot get any more depressingly pathetic than that. Yet, we must interrogate Aliyu’s statement for whatever it’s worth. Telling members of his committee to get out of politics if they cannot lie should not set us on the edge of our seats. It is already a given that a significant part of the stock-in-trade of politicians (even the world over) is to lie. Thus if a politician promises to build bridges, give generous tax breaks, build schools, and provide boreholes to a multitude with diverse interests but eventually built just the bridges and gave the tax breaks, he has done well by those who needed the bridges to commute as well as those who would reap financial windfalls from the tax breaks. But to those looking forward to the schools for their wards, and others already thirsty for potable water but got neither, the politician had lied. Contestants enter a game because they wanted to win but how far each contestant would go to achieve his ultimate goal, including contemptuously violating the rules of the game becomes a question him alone must come to terms with. If the integrity of the game, his own values and morals matter to him, he would contest within the confine of the rules and still see himself a ‘winner’ even if he had lost. But if these virtues are insignificant to him and sees morality as belonging to the dogs, he would go to any length to extract a win, by hook or crook. Babangida Aliyu is in the league of these latter contestants.

His advice that the committee should “go and become an Imam or Pastor” if they want to talk “honesty or morals” was indicative of a very desperate man. He probably shouldn’t have used Nigeria’s Imam or Pastor as the embodiment of “honesty or morals” because they too, as collectives, are hopelessly compromised members of society. A monk would have been apt. Again, where in any developed societies would they have a man still presiding over a national religious body whose aircraft was involved in illegal cash haulage and arms procurement? Aliyu’s sermon that “Politics cannot be the way it used to be” because “the challenges are more now” and “the variables have changed” was indeed very instructive. We should ask, what makes him think that “politics cannot be the way it used to be”? Why are the challenges more and who is to blame? Has the Chief Servant reflected on why “our society is not as grateful as it used to be” because “the values and morals have gone down”? Whose fault? Aliyu’s injunction to his ‘disciples’ that they should “use the modern morality” if they “want to win” may well be the mother lode of this statement. The problem is that the Chief Servant fell short of informing us what this “modern morality” entails. What are its attributes? We need to know all this so that those of us who are still ‘trapped’ in the old and medieval morality may convert to this new and improved “modern morality”. But by deductive reasoning, Aliyu’s brand of “modern morality” cannot be a social ‘good’ because it is inherently full of vices. It therefore ceases to be called morality. It can either be immorality or amorality. Or it can be a cross between the two. This is what the Chief Servant of Niger State wants the indigenes of his state in particular, and Nigerians in general to have as their new and modern moral compass. A leader cannot get any more depraved than this. • Odere is a media practitioner. He can be reached at femiodere@gmail.com

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

COMMENTS

VERY country has its inner, intrinsic, structure. A country that is made up of one nationality (a people with their own homeland, culture, language, etc) is different from another country in which many different nationalities are combined. To exist in reasonable harmony, a country’s man-made structure (that is, its constitutional structure) must harmonize as much as possible with its intrinsic structure. When the leaders and rulers of a country organize their country in ways that are manifestly and defiantly disharmonious with their country’s intrinsic structure, they condemn their country to instability, discord, conflicts, and probably disintegration. The refusal of most Black African countries to follow this wisdom is the reason why almost all Black African countries have experienced instability, conflicts and violence since independence. European empire builders came in about 1900, each grabbed some expanses of African territory, ignored the African nationalities that inhabited each such territory, and called it a new country – with one name and one government. For the next 40 years or so, the colonial rulers were so busy trying to make profit from their venture, and they were so distracted by big troubles (two World Wars and a Great Depression) in their own continent, that they could not pay serious attention to issues such as appropriate constitutional structure for their African territories. In the course of the 1960s, under pressure from Africans who wanted colonialism to end, and from a world that was becoming hostile to imperialism, the European colonialists hurriedly cooked up some sort of leadership for their African possessions and left. That is the basic story of every Black African country until independence. At that point of independence, a great task fell on the shoulders of the new African leaders of each of these countries – the task to organize their country properly and give it a chance to be stable and peaceful, and to develop. The core of this task was that the new rulers should ensure that each nationality in their new country (no matter how small) would be respected in the country. In every country made up of many different nationalities and given only one central government by the colonialists, it was necessary to restruc-

HE Nigerian political landscape is now active with frenzy of campaigns leading up to next month’s elections. Two political parties, All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dominate the jostling to capture voters’ attention. The voters are citizens of Nigeria whose fate is at stake. Since 1999 when the country returned to democratic dispensation, PDP has remained at the saddle of power. Power appurtenances enabled the party to swallow or destabilize other parties to maintain absolute power. And like Lord Acton observed that absolute tends to corrupt absolutely. This has metamorphosed to that level where dictatorship assumed unprecedented proportion. The death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua suddenly opened up the rumps of PDP. There emerged power vacuum that threw opportunists into power game. Completion of Yar’Adua’s tenure was well managed by eminent Nigerians that were determined to sustain the sacrifice of our past heroes for a vibrant, virile and great country; a country of hope for every black man. Though in cognizance of rotational arrangement the power vacuum as a result of the demise of late President Yar’Adua placed a disadvantage against the geographical zone he represented. Compromise was reached to allow constitutional procedure to supersede every other consideration to maintain status quo in order of succession for the vice president to complete PDP presidency as party that won the 2007 general elections. However, the confusion once again arose when it came to issues of 2011 general elections. The same eminent Nigerians rallied to douse the tensions on a gentleman agreement of just one term that would give President Jonathan a total of six years in office. It was a firm commitment as chronicled in video clippings from his speeches from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and within Nigeria with commendations at Eagle Square, Abuja by former President Obasanjo.

Nigeria: True independence approaching ture by creating constitutions allowing the various nationalities to have some freedom to manage some important parts of their own affairs. That means we Black Africans should have chosen some sort of federal structures for most of our countries. Unfortunately, in not a single one of our Black African countries did the leaders even ask what needed to be done in this all-important matter of living together as one country. Just a few examples will do. In Black Africa’s first independent country, Ghana, the various nationalities asked at independence to be allowed to manage some of their own affairs locally; but their first ruler and great African hero, Dr. Nkrumah, thought that their requests were dangerous to the unity of Ghana, and he launched a political fight aimed at stamping them down. That led to crises and big trouble – all of which could have been avoided. The troubles destabilized Ghana and ultimately destroyed the great hero. In nearly every one of our other countries, the leaders simply assumed too that their countries were already finished products, and that all they needed to do was to make their governments strong and capable of stamping down any show of freedom by any of the component nationalities. And the results since then in country after country have been conflicts, military coups and barbaric military dictatorships, mind-boggling corruption, pogroms, efforts at ethnic cleansing, or even genocide. South Sudan is our youngest country in Black Africa. After decades of brutal sacrifices in bush wars, South Sudan, comprising about 40 different nationalities, wrenched itself free from Arab-controlled Sudan and became an independent country in July 2011. Even before the day of independence, many leaders of the different nationalities had started to ask that the nationalities should be given some freedom to manage much of their af-

fairs locally. We were all very happy when the leader of the independence war, our brother Salva Kiir, as president of the new country, said during the independence celebrations that South Sudan would be a country “where cultural and ethnic diversity will be a source of pride”. Very many Black Africans (including this writer) rushed letters to the leaders of South Sudan congratulating them and begging them to be mindful of the fact that their country was a county of many different nationalities – and to avoid the mistake that other Black African countries had been making. Sadly, it has not worked. President Kiir soon rejected all advice about a federal structure of decentralization. His VicePresident and many others (belonging to nationalities different from his) accused him of aspiring to a dictatorship. The nationalities plunged into conflicts – and have been engrossed in mutual killings since then. International observers on the spot are now reporting that more than 50,000 (some say close to 100,000) have been killed – and the killings are still continuing. It is the same pattern as this in all our countries – with all sorts of variations of detail. The Nigerian story is easily the most bizarre and most painful of all. Nigeria is the Black African country with the greatest promise of prosperity and greatness - the home of onefourth of all Black Africans, the most literate population at independence, and the land of enormous natural resources (including some of the richest crude oil and gas deposits on earth). To protect their economic interests in this naturally rich country after it would have become independent, the British colonialists sought to hand Nigeria, at independence, to “a friendly people”. Fearing the highly educated Yoruba and Igbo of the South, they manoeuvred the constitution, the population census, the politics and the elections, placed Nigeria’s federal power in the hands of the much weaker Hausa-Fulani Muslim elite of

Vindication of Wamakko By Abdullahi Usman Personalities like Governors Aliyu Wamakko, Sokoto State, Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako were tireless in concerted efforts to broker understanding with northern stakeholders to support President Jonathan for the 2011 election. These gentlemen drew odium from their people for what they saw as betrayal. But their efforts were seen in wider spectrum as a means to peaceful resolution of constitutional crisis that Nigeria suddenly got entangled. The country eventually smarted out of it. These gentlemen succeeded as patriots. However, events soon unfolded in bitter and unpalatable reciprocation where PDP leadership resorted to antics of use and dump. It reached climax under the chairmanship of Bamanga Tukur. Reform is desirable process to keep a system in tune with current realities. These realities emanated from the pulse of the grassroots which recurred with public opinion of the electorate at the baseline. Frequently, the governors of PDP nudged the national headquarters to listen and reason in the interest of the party and country. Governor Wamakko was an active mover in the voices for reform. But he became a target of vilification, orchestrated by some PDP members from Sokoto State that found permanent abode in Abuja. They are still the spoilers in Sokoto State structure of the party. They seemed more inclined towards their personal ambitions than welfare of the masses. In fact, that character reflected in the travails of other patriotic governors. In spite of their effrontery the governors continued to work towards amicable reso-

lutions of issues. The national headquarters sabotaged these efforts at every stage. The presidency, fed with enormous false insinuations was aloof and arrogant to address issues in the interest of the country. Expectedly, the alternative became abandoning the unwilling horse for a movable one ready to continue the race to rescue Nigerians from downward slide into poverty and continuous carnage. APC emerged as a formidable national party for the realization of that mission. It should not be surprising that the hitherto amorphous size of PDP has resulted into degeneration to complacency towards the plight of the masses. Unfortunately, parochial sentiments are now the sing-song of the party to harangue Nigerians into deceptive promises of fixing the economy at the expense of innocuous shrinking opportunities. A few days ago, the national chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’azu, ruefully alerted President Jonathan on imminent collapse of the party due to what he called use and dump policy of the party. And that is exactly what caused the massive desertion of personalities from PDP to other parties. The present chairman of PDP made the very observation Alhaji Bamanga Tukur shunned from those patriots now in APC. They are vindicated. It is the carelessness that has plunged Nigeria into a rudderless state. The current situation has blossomed into general negligence to provide security for the citizens, ubiquitous uncertainties, unemployment, economic disarray and huge corruption nurtured and sustained by

Gbogun gboro the North, and established the direction by which they would be able to use their control of federal power to keep controlling the country indefinitely. But all of those were the acts of British foreigners fending for their Britain’s interests. The duty of Nigerians was obvious and different – it was to make Nigeria successful. Unhappily, the enthroned group chose not to work for the success and greatness of Nigeria. They chose to use their federal power to entrench their sectional control eternally – in the Nigerian military, in the Nigerian federal civil service, over the states of the federation, to convert federal agencies (courts, electoral commission, police, etc) into their tools, to use federal money to corrupt, emasculate, and enslave prominent citizens, and to resist any attempt at evolving a true federal system. Even when some southerners (Obasanjo and Jonathan) have been allowed to sit on top of the system, they have been too enticed by it to make any decisive change. However, judging from the way Nigeria is now tottering fearfully, the rejection of the system has now gathered irresistible power. This could turn the coming election into a chaotic brawl. And, if any candidate does manage to win, he must tackle this overriding problem convincingly immediately or find most of Nigeria unwilling to accept him. The time for true independence has come – one way or other.

sycophants of the administration that position as perpetual beneficiaries of the common wealth. Their faces manifested in donations towards bankrolling PDP campaigns. But certainly, the country cannot continue this way. APC has provided alternative platform for progressives to converge and work assiduously to enthrone a government that shall rescue the drifting ship of nation. The party kicked off its campaigns from the southern part of the country as a demonstration that contrary to PDP insinuation, APC is truly a national party that transcends every jaundiced sentiment. It is a grassroots party as envisaged for PDP by Governor Wamakko and other governors that found their way into APC. PDP is now a cabal that protects interests of a few at the detriment of the Nigerian masses. In Sokoto, APC train is being propelled by Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. The colossal experience he gained as the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall bear in his superintendence of Sokoto State administration. He is a nationalist that still holds together one of the most cohesive lower chambers in Nigerian democratic history. Sokoto State, the seat of the Caliphate shall continue to be beacon of administrative paradigm to the rest of the nation under the leadership of pragmatic and trailblazer Aminu Waziri Tambuwal under APC with people-oriented program for Nigerian masses’ emancipation. • Hassan is of North-West coalition of Professional Patriots. He writes from Sokoto

‘APC has provided alternative platform for progressives to converge and work assiduously to enthrone a government that shall rescue the drifting ship of nation’

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

SHOWBIZ Stephanie Okereke facilitates surgeries for VVF patients

Kim Kardashian West is considering surrogacy

‘K

EEPING Up With The Kardashians’ star, Kim Kardashian, is reportedly eager to have someone else carry her baby, so she doesn’t have to deal with the cramps and weight gain she got when she was pregnant with her 18-month-old daughter, North, which she had for fellow artiste, Kanye West. A source said, “Kim will use a surrogate because she doesn’t want to have a huge weight gain as she did while pregnant with North. Having worked very hard to get her famous body back into shape, Kim is afraid of being unable to do it again. “Besides the weight gain, the pregnancy was very hard for Kim’s body. Constantly having cramps, and being uncomfortable made her miserable. “[It] will be done with the utmost discretion. The surrogate would be very carefully screened.”

By Oladapo Mobisola

However, there is no chance of her sister, Kourtney – who famously offered to carry a baby for their sister, Khloe – offering to be the surrogate for Kim because of the 34-year-old television personality’s ‘controlling’ nature, said another source, saying to RadarOnline.com: “No way would Kourtney carry Kim’s baby! “She’d do it for Khloe in a heartbeat, but Kim is such a control freak, she knows it would be a nightmare.” Meanwhile, Kim recently revealed that she was finding it ‘challenging’ to get pregnant again. She said previously: “It’s been more challenging to get pregnant the second time around. “When you’re not planning it, it happens. It’s just how God works. And when you want it so bad, it’s not happening,” she said.

By Mercy Michael

• Kim and Kanye West

Kefee’s widower plans posthumous birthday for late wife

• The late Kefee

Iyanya reacts to Jaguar’s accusation

ENYAN top act, Charles NjaguaKanyi, has claimed that Nigerian superstar, Iyanya, worked with him merely to gain inroad into East Africa, saying this was against their initial agreement. The artiste, popularly called Jaguar, made the claim while speaking to a Kenyan news medium, The Star. He said the remix of One Centimeter, which features the Nigerian entertainer, isn’t getting much airplay in Nigeria despite its greatness in East Africa. He also said that Iyanya hasn’t done anything to ensure the song has enough presence in Nigeria. Among other allegations, Jaguar said Iyanya insisted the video be shot in Nigeria, and by Clarence Peters. The Kenyan artiste claimed he agreed for the video to be shot in Nigeria, but didn’t bow to Iyanya’s demand that Clarence Peter shoot the video. The One Centimeter remix was directed by a Kenyan director by the name of Thome. However, Iyanya has come out to state that Jaguar’s allegations are baseless. Speaking with The Nation, Iyanya explained how he visited Kenya on a tour, heard the song and liked it instantly. He said he

By Ovwe Medeme

then proposed to Jaguar that he would like to do a collaboration with him, which he agreed to. “When we were done with the song, he called me to say that the song is not being aired in Nigeria. I explained to him that things are done differently this way. I told him I have given the song to the right people; it is left to them to decide when they will air it. Promoting a song costs money. When he said I was exploiting him, ask him if he gave me any money to promote the song in Nigeria. I didn’t even collect a dime from him to do the collaboration, and he is here accusing me of exploiting him,” Iyanya stated.

•Iyanya

EVEN months after the demise of gospel sensation, Irikefe Obareki, aka Kefee, her widower, Teddy Esosa Don Momoh, in partnership with ‘Team Kefee’ is organising a memorial concert and album launch for the Branama Queen. According to Don Momoh, the event, ‘An evening with Kefee’, scheduled to hold on February 5, at Daystar Christian Centre Annex 2, Oregun, Lagos, is a posthumous birthday celebration for his late wife. “This is the beginning of an evening with Kefee. There has always been the tradition of doing things on her birthday. When she launched the Kefee Peace Foundation in 2009, it was on her birthday. When she opened her Kitchen in 2012; it was also on her birthday. Last year, we had something in America for people in America on her birthday. So let’s do the memorial and album launch on her birthday,” he said. Expected to grace the event are family members of the deceased who, according to the widower, will be there to support and keep the memory of Kefee alive. The evening of music, comedy and dance, he said, will parade top gospel and contemporary artistes such as Yinka Davies, Sammie Okposo, Nikky Laoye, Cynthia Morgan, Akpororo, Princess, Alibaba, Omotola, Righteous Man, Timaya, Uti, Anny, Idris

By Mercy Michael

Abdulkareem, Vector and several others. Momoh expressed optimism that the late singer’s latest album, I Believe, billed to be launched on January 15, will be well received due to the hard work that has gone into it.”I Believe is a 12-tracker. On this album, Kefee worked with South African, Kenyan, Ghanaian and Nigerians artistes. They include Sani Danja, Yinka Davies, Vector, Cynthia Morgan, Henri Soul, Elinee (Ghana), Lady X (South Africa) and Viso (Kenya). Momoh, who revealed he has no plans on remarry yet, noted that Kefee’s imprint in his life is like a tattoo. Recounting his attraction for her, he said, “She was somebody who feared God, somebody who loved God so much and was glamorous. Having somebody who loved God so much and still remained in the entertainment industry was the attraction.” Speaking on the challenges of putting the event together, he said, “Honestly, I would say it is God, and I think the impact she had in their (fellow artistes) lives. When I said to them, this is what we are about to do, they all came out. There is actually a committee responsible for putting this together. It has the likes of Nikky Laoye and Sammie Okposo as members.”

OLLYWOOD actress, Stephanie OkerekeLinus, has resumed her charity offerings for 2015, with 15 Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients in Ilorin, Kwara State, benefitting from her Stephanie Okerere-Linus Extended Hands Foundation’s free reconstructive surgeries. The actress who, in support of her campaign against the VVF, produced the movie, Dry, has restored hope that has put smiles on the faces of several women. The effort of the actress and her team, which received the support of Diamond Bank Plc., was lauded by the wife of the governor of Kwara State, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed and the State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Kayode Issah, who received the team at the State House, Ilorin. VVF is an ailment, resulting from the breakdown in the tissue between the vagina wall and bladder or rectum, caused by unrelieved obstructed labour. The consequence of such damage is a woman’s inability to control the flow of urine or faeces. It occurs more often in young women during childbirth, whose bodies are not yet mature for the process.

• Stephanie

Celebrity Big Brother: Jeremy Jackson thrown out for sexual assault

ELEBRITY Big Brother contestant, Jeremy Jackson, has been given a police caution for common assault, after a housemate said he exposed her breast. Jackson, 34, a former Baywatch star, was sacked from the Channel 5 show after model Chloe Goodman said he opened her dressing gown, exposing her breast. The incident happened in the toilet, where cameras are not planted, but the aftermath of the row was shown in Saturday night’s episode. And Hertfordshire Police said a man had assisted them with their inquiries. Jackson was said to be comforted by model Goodman as he vomited in the toilet in the early hours of Saturday after getting drunk, when the actor opened up her dress. She told other housemates: “I was helping him and he went to my dressing gown top and put my

By Oladapo Mobisola

boob out.” Jackson later apologised, insisting he had not ripped open the robe in an aggressive way, but said: “I accept all the ramifications.” Producers decried his behavior, describing it as “wholly unacceptable”, and removed him from the show. A tearful Goodman was shown being comforted in the diary room by fellow housemate, Nadia Sawalha. Jackson was later called to the diary room to be told he would be leaving the show and the police inquiry began. Actor Ken Morley was also removed from the show, after complaints to Ofcom about racist and sexist language. Channel 5 said the former Coronation Street star was taken out of the house - at studios in Borehamwood - for using “unacceptable and offensive language”.

• Jeremy Jackson

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

Whose fault is it that pupils are not doing well? The government’s? The schools? Teachers? Parents? To experts, parents should take a larger share of the blame because many of them have left everything in the hands of the school. This, they say, should not be so, reports KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE.

Not W all about good schools

• Children benefit from quality time with their parents.

HEN examination bodies release poor results, teachers, schools and government are often blamed for not doing enough. However, educationists say a lot depends on parents if pupils must do well in their education. While good schools, good teachers and a pupil’s commitment are important, parents are expected to combine all these ingredients to achieve success. Asked to give reasons for the poor performance in the May/June 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in which the national average was 31.28 per cent, Mr Charles Eguridu, Head of National Office (HNO), West African Examinations Council (WAEC), said it was unfair to blame failure solely on the school when parents abdicate their responsibility as the first teachers. "We are quick to place the blame

on the doors of the school or the government. In those days, parents found time to supervise students, check their home work. Today, parents are busy looking for money. But we cannot abdicate our responsibility to teachers. Those who excel in life are those who do things others cannot do," he said. Researches have shown that children whose parents monitor their education perform better. In

‘

A lot of parents don't monitor their children’s education because they think once they have paid school fees, that is all. Research shows that parents are the best teachers of their children. This is because children know their parents' body language

INSIDE

Why we are on strike, by CRUTECH workers

ACADEMIC activities in the Cross River state University of Technology CRUTECH have been halted due to an indefinite strike by members of staff of the institution over the nonpayment of two months' salaries as well as other outstanding allowances. -Page 27

their book: “Home-School Relations: Working Successfully with Parents and Families,” Glenn Olsen and Mary Lou Fuller referred to Henderson and Berla's (1994) work, which reviewed 85 studies that documented the positive benefits of parental involvement in their children’s education. "This and other studies show that parent involvement activities that are effectively planned and well

Teachers are ‘worst treated’ workers in Kogi, says NUT -Page 39

CAMPUS LIFE Day of rage in Benin City -Page 29

’

implemented result in substantial benefits to children, parents, educators, and the school," the book said. The Michigan Department of Education Factsheet on parent’s involvement gathered research data showing that children with committed parents "get higher grades, are more likely to graduate, have better self-esteem, lower rates of suspension, less trouble with drug abuse, less violent, and twice as predictive of students’ academic success as family socioeconomic status." Despite such researches, many teachers complain about lack of parental interest in their children’s education. A study by Eizabeth Apebende, Bassey Akpo, Idaka Idaka, and Akaase Ifere, all of the Department of Educational •Continued on page 26

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

EDUCATION

LBS adopts GMAT for MBA entrance exam

AGOS Business School (LBS) has adopted GMAT as the only form of written assessment prequalifying applicants for its full-time MBA programme. This development, driven by the school's efforts to boost the local and international competitiveness of its students, is a departure from the earlier model giving candidates the option to either write GMAT or the LBS entrance examination. The GMAT exam, accepted by over 6,000 schools globally, measures candidates' analytical skills and determines their preparedness for the business school classroom. "Candidates who take the official GMAT have a very high tendency to perform exceptionally well in class and eventually graduate to become highly sought-after professionals. The GMAT exam will help us identify candidates with the potential we need to achieve this," said MBA Director, Dr Uchenna Uzo. According to the Marketing Manager of the programme, Segun Abodunrin, the GMAT exam remains the best parameter for vetting MBA candidates in business schools across the world. "It ties in with our aim to prepare managers with the right skills to thrive and succeed in an emerging continent like Africa," he explained. Recently, LBS restructured its Fulltime MBA programme, stipulating that candidates have a minimum of three years' post-qualification work experience as against one. The duration of the programme was also reduced from 21 to 18 months and offers students international exchange programme opportunities. •Continued from page 25 Foundation, Cross River State University of Technology (CRUTECH) published in the African Research Review of 2010, found that few of the 500 parents studied in Calabar Municipal Area were committed to their children’s education. They said: "From the findings of this study, it is concluded that parents have not been very responsible to their obligations towards their children's education. They are in positions to impact on children's education through the provisions of threat-free psychological home environment, educational materials and ensuring that the Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme is successfully implemented. They need to complement the work of the teachers by supervising and monitoring their children's academic activities." With high-achieving children more likely to have parents who have high but reasonable expectations from them, experts advocate that parents should start intervening in their children’s education early. According to a medical doctor, Peter Olonade, that this nurturing precedes the school years. "Children that receive nurturing between 10 and 18 months and at two help the child towards the tendency of curiosity that boosts intelligence," he said. Once they are in school, Mrs Oluwayemisi Oloriade, Principal of Wellspring College, Isheri, Lagos said parents must devote time daily to attend to their children's school work. "Parents have a lot on their hands because these children are exposed to many things in their absence. If

• Jextoban Secondary School choir performing at the school’s 20th Anniversary at its Ibafo branch in Ogun State.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

NUC team inspects ABUAD engineering college

HE National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation team on Monday began a one-week visit to the College of Engineering, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). The team, led by Prof. Ike Mowete, was received by ABUAD Founder/ Chancellor, Aare Afe Babalola and other officials. In his welcome address, ABUAD Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Ajisafe, said the university has achieved many feats within its short time of existence. For instance, he said the Council of Legal Education increased admission quota in the College of Law from 80 to 180. He also described ABUAD as "one of the best in the country" and the Founder as a "global citizen.” Ajisafe expressed optimism that all

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

courses being offered at ABUAD College of Engineering will be accredited. In his speech, Aare Babalola said he conceived the university to be a model and compete with the best in the world. He explained that the rot he met at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) where he served as Pro-Chancellor/ Chairman of the Council for seven years motivated him to establish ABUAD to provide the best of tertiary institution. Babalola, who described ABUAD as "baby of UNILAG", also said the university was not established for profit but to serve humanity and invest in future generations. He said: "Ours is not a profit

making university, whatever excess we have will be ploughed back into the university to make it grow and grow. If the university is indebted in anyway, we are going to pay it but we will not take the profit anywhere. We are taking after Harvard, Yale and others which were established to service the people. "In 2000, I was called upon to be a Minister for the fourth time but I turned it down but the President told me that if I don't want to be Minister, there was a lot of rot at UNILAG. Rot like admission racketeering, hostels were in disrepair and the Engineering Faculty was very bad. I called one of my clients, Julius Berger and within four years, it became number one in Nigeria. "NUC gave me the award as the best Pro-Chancellor twice and when

Not all about good schools we are available for them, we teach them the right things. A day should be devoted by the mother/father for the children," she said. Proprietress of Rockcleft School, Surulere, Lagos Mrs Titilayo Odutola, faulted some parents who believe that paying a lot of money could replace their supervisory role in their children’s education. She said: "A lot of parents don't monitor their children’s education because they think once they have paid school fees, that is all. Research shows that parents are the best teachers of their children. This is because children know their parents' body language and can easily accept what they teach them." The lawyer-cum-educationist said there is a difference in the performance of children monitored at home and those without guidance. "There will always be a difference between children that are supervised and those that are not. For instance, if a child takes homework home, and the parent can just sit down with the child and put that child through, what that child would learn would be more than that of child without such help. Of course that child will be losing something every day," she said. Vice Principal (Academics) of Jextoban Secondary School, Lagos Mr Bamitale Jude Ogunkola, said in his 13 years in the school he has seen

both types of parents. "We have parents that are very committed to the success of the children - in terms of discipline and performance. Some parents don't care about the performance of their children. All they are after is that he is moving from one class to the other, not minding the academic performance. But some are very keen. Some will come to the school, check out their children. If the teacher asks them to buy anything, they are ready to sacrifice anything for the success of their children. And for such parents, they smile at the end of the day." Ogunkola, however, noted that some self-motivated children are able to excel despite lack of parental supervision. "We have seen students who are on their own, not minding whether their parents cared or not. They set goals and they achieve it, coming out brilliantly in their exams. In 2012 or so, one of the students that we least expected came out as the best student on her own she's been reading. These students can spring surprises," he said. Notwithstanding, he insisted that parental supervision is key. He said: "I will say parental supervision helps. Imagine a child that comes up with a performance that is far below average, the parents cry out foul, not just deal with the

child - but coming to the school; they want to know why the child is not performing; they come to school and say, 'please help me to see to this child'. He or she will have to work on the child at home, while the school does its part. By the time the school is working here and the parents are working there, the child will have no place to hide; he will have no option than to come out and perform." Mrs Esther Fabelurin, a nurse, is glad she monitors her children’s education. Last month, a Senior Secondary, SS3, her first child, Fehintoluwa, pupil of Maverick College, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, came first in the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition for Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria and won a N1 million scholarship. The mother of four said she is dedicated to Fehintola's education. She said: "I was so dedicated to her. Instead of employing a teacher, I did the training at home, and when she was around two to three, I started teaching her two letter words and so on. Right from when she was in play group she has been coming first. Throughout her primary school, she came with lots and lots of gifts and presents." Mrs Fabelurin advised parents not to sacrifice their children’s education for money. "I will advise all parents to take good

‘There will always be a difference between children that are supervised and those that are not. For instance, if a child takes homework home, and the parent can just sit down with the child and put that child through, what that child would learn would be more than that of child without such help. Of course that child will be losing something every day’

I left, I thought I could still do something. I had a vision to establish a university which I thought would be what a university should be." Babalola disclosed that the College of Engineering stands on two-andhalf hectares of land and is equipped with 21st Century facilities. Responding, Mowete, who is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at UNILAG, said Babalola's tenure made a lot of difference in the institution. Mowete stressed that the accreditation team would reports what it sees to the higher authorities for necessary action. He identified areas that would come under the scrutiny of the accreditation team to include facilities, staffing, programmes, among others. care of their children; draw them closer and not depend solely on teachers. That's what I did, though it was strenuous. I did not have any housemaid and the resources was not even that buoyant but despite that I just believed that education is the only legacy I can give. If I said I should rush to have a building of my own or whatever, after the building, and the child is not educated, it won't be good. I suffered at that time. I couldn't buy many things my friends had. But I am happy I made that decision," she said. Dr Yemi Ayeobasan of the Department of Educational Psychology, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka believes that parents pay more attention to their children at the preschool and primary education level than the higher levels of education, which he said is not good enough. He said the level of dedication they give to young pupils should be maintained till tertiary level to avoid decadence. He said: "In my own opinion, at primary level, parents are quite involved in their children's education because of the young age. They show care whether they are educated or not. You even see poor people, even a roadside vulcaniser, taking their children to private schools. But once they get to secondary school and the tertiary levels, they reduce such commitment. "If they show the same care at secondary level and tertiary level, it would have been better and we won’t have all the crisis we have in our schools today. When you lay a foundation and you don't maintain it, there would be problem.” He advised parents to get closer to their children, no matter their ages. "You must know your child psychologically, morally, emotionally, in all ramifications," Ayeobasan said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

EDUCATION

Why we are on strike, by CRUTECH workers

CADEMIC activities in the Cross River state University of Technology CRUTECH have been halted due to an indefinite strike by members of staff of the institution over the non-payment of two months' salaries as well as other outstanding allowances. Students, who returned from the Christmas holidays, had to go back due to the development.

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

The CRUTECH workers alleged that the institution has been totally neglected by the state government. They said they will only resume duties when their demands are met Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the school, Dr. Stephen Ochang, accused the Cross River State govern-

ment of being insensitive to the plight of the university workers. Ochang disclosed that the four industrial unions in CRUTECH wrote to the state government last November demanding the payment of salary arrears and other outstanding allowances owed them. The ASUU chairman expressed dismay over the inability of the state government to meet its financial obligation to the university noting

Ekweremadu hails Johns Hopkins’ presence in Nigeria

EPUTY Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has hailed the presence of the renowned Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC, United States in Nigeria. He stated this while speaking with reporters after a meeting with a delegation of the university's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), in Abuja. The SAIS plans to collaborate with the National Institute of Legislative Studies in Nigeria on some executive programmes. The lawmaker noted that such collaboration would help to boost the nation's capacity for good governance and development. Ekweremadu said the university's presence would help to meet the demands of Nigerians who travel abroad in search of quality education. He explained: "Nigerians are hungry for quality education and training. So, I believe it would be cheaper and more convenient for us to bring a highly reputable institution like Johns Hopkins University here. "I am happy that following my discussion with them in Washington DC last year, the school authorities have agreed to come and set up executive education programmes here, which we hope would blossom into a full-fledged university in the future." In his remarks, the Associate Director of African Studies at SAIS, Prof. Paul Lubeck, praised Nigeria's democratic strides, noting, however, that there were still challenges.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

He said: "The democratic experience in the Fourth Republic is a major achievement as we go into another general election. This surpasses what most critics thought Nigeria is capable of. Stabilisation of the economy, vibrant press, civil liberties have improved immensely. Those are great achievements of the Nigerian democracy at this period. There are, however, challenges that we all know about. "We have held successful discussions on the possibilities of collaborating with the National Institute of Legislative Studies on expanding education in a truly global, truly networked way that will bring benefits to both American and Nigerian Students."

•Prof. Ibiyemi, Prof. Samuel Oyewole; Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Mr. Dokun Farinre, Bursar, at the service.

Achievers Varsity prays for Nigeria HE entire Achievers University community last Monday stood in the gap for Nigeria, beseeching God to help the country overcome her challenges. Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Bode Ayorinde and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Tunji Ibiyemi, joined invited clerics, members of staff and students of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State to implore God to intercede in the affairs of the country so that all the challenges confronting it will be surmounted. They made the prayers at the Eighth "Start with God Service", an annual event held on the first working day of every year, at the new Trinity Auditorium of the university The university workers also used the occasion to pray for the institution, Council, Management and staff of the institution. Ayorinde, who presided over the event, reiterated the commitment of the Council to the welfare of staff and students. He assured them that things would continue to work out well for

•Ekweremadu

Daodu seeks ways to improve schools HE Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, has urged all Quality Assurance (QA) officers in (SUBEB) and the 20 Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) to re-strategise ways to improve the performance of public schools. She said this at the training of the QA officers in evaluating and grading schools appropriately held at the SUBEB Hall, Maryland. The SUBEB boss said there was a need to review their activities in 2014 and learn from the lapses and achievements in order to evolve a new method that will help improve the quality of schools. She noted that since the ‘What introduction of QA officers makes into the edueducation cation system effective is in 2009, schools have the ability enjoyed corof our dial relationship with QA teachers to o f f i c e r s impact (former ingreatly in spectors), m a k i n g the pupils, school manwhich the agers to be at ease to dis- evaluators cuss rather must put than hide first’ problems. She also

'salaries are no longer paid regularly.' Other demands of the unions include the release of N500 million to upgrade facilities in the institution as well as release of fund to pay earned allowances. Ochang said the unions are also demanding for the increase of the university's monthly subvention from N169 million to N250 million "to enable the institution manage-

ment pay salaries and allowance accrued to staff regularly." Another issue in dispute, it was learnt, is the non release of the report of the Visitation Panel set up by the state government. The panel had reportedly decried the poor funding of the university with about 20 programmes offered by the university not accredited. It was also gathered that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has threatened to withdraw the partial accreditation granted CRUTECH due to lack of required facilities.

By Jane Chijioke

said that it has improved the teaching and learning outcomes, evident in the good results recorded in the Lagos State Placement Test for Primary Six pupils transiting to JSS1. In 2012, she said 75 percent pass was achieved, which increased to 95 per cent in 2013, and over 96 in 2014. Since then, she said care has been taken to prepare lesson plans, benchmark learning outcomes, and make teaching more pupil-centered. Teachers' skills have also been enhanced through various training programmes. However, Mrs Daodu said that with the huge investment in teachers, she expected much more from them. "When we visit our schools we want to hear more on what the pupils are acquiring; it should be more on what are the children doing; what are they learning. “We know infrastructure is key we are trying our best to put that in place, beyond that what makes education effective is the ability of our teachers to impact greatly in the pupils, which the evaluators must put first. We have spent a lot money on our teachers and it will be annoying that when competence is called we are found wanting," she said. She added that things that are bad in schools should be better reported by them rather than outsiders.

By Sampson Unamka

the university in the New Year. He, however, urged them to be steadfast and re-dedicate themselves to the university's vision to be the best in Africa and one of the best in the world. "Gradually, we are moving towards realising the vision," he said. He also implored them to live exemplary lives in their day-to-day interaction with colleagues, mates and members of the community as well as do everything to promote the University's commitment to integrity in all their affairs. Speaking on the occasion, the ViceChancellor, Ibiyemi, who was attending the programme for the first time since joining the university last April, charged the congregation to, beyond the prayer session, make praying ceaselessly for the country and the institution their culture. The Chartered Electrical Engineer also urged the workers to be diligent in their duties in order to be rewarded. Ibiyemi, who took time to distin-

guish between 'award' and 'reward', said "award" is proportional to work done or contribution to a cause while the enjoyment derivable "reward" is unprecedented. He, therefore, urged the staff and students to earnestly strive for God's reward. "He will bless the work of your hand as God is a rewarder of those who diligently serve Him," he said. Clerics who offered prayers at the service included: Very Revd Raphael Agboola, Dean, Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, Owo; Pastor Ponle Audu, Resident Pastor, Winners Chapel, Owo; Rev. Edward Ogungbuji, New Church Cathedral, Owo. Pastor Kola Ahmed, General Overseer, Christ Praise Assembly, and Chief Executive Officer, Health and Safety Professional Scheme, delivered the exhortation. He counselled the workers to be united in their support and prayers for the founder, Ayorinde. "Be united; unity is what we need for victory. We should rally round and make the vision the same," he said.

AAUA welcomes new VC

HE newly-appointed Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, was welcomed with fanfare and prayers to the campus last Thursday. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Francis Oyabade, led other Principal Officers, top personnel and students of the university to receive him from the eastern campus gate to the Senate Chamber where prayers were offered for him and the university. The new VC, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ajibefun and all the Principal Officers, top members of staff and some students of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, thanked God for giving him the grace to be appointed Vice Chancellor of AAUA. Prof. Igbekele appreciated the Dr Olusegun Mimiko-led government for appointing him to serve the state on another level after completing his tenure as Rector of the Rufus

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Giwa Polytechnic, and promised to justify the confidence reposed by continuing race to achieve the university's vision. "We are going to consolidate on the achievements that have been recorded, particularly, in the past five years. Already, the university is known for excellence in terms of teaching, research, services, academic discipline, and ethics. And we are going to pursue all these objectives. We will also make people happier," he said. Born on July 28, 1964, Ajibefun, a First Class graduate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, began his academic career in 1993 as an Assistant Lecturer, and became an Associate Professor in October, 2006. He studied for his M.Sc and PhD at the University of Ibadan and FUTA. A registered member of the European Society for Soil Conservation, Ajibefun is also a member of the International Association of Agricul-

•Igbekele

tural Economists, the African Economic Research Consortium the Asian Society of Agricultural Economists, the Nigerian Economic Society and the Nigerian Participatory Rural Appraisal Network. Igbekele succeeded Prof Femi Mimiko, whose five-year tenure ended on January 4, 2015.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

EDUCATION

UNILAG plans to transform waste to wealth

UNILORIN FILE Students warned against exam malpractice AS the 2014/2015 Harmattan (1st) Semester Examinations of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) draws near (January 26-February 14), students have been warned to desist from examination malpractice. A circular signed by the Examination Officer, A. A. Yusuf, referred the students to Pages 72 and 73 of the University Academic Programmes (Undergraduate and Sub-Degree 2009-2013) Rules and Regulations, and Pages 19-23 of the Students Handbook of Information and Regulations which detail the code of conduct on examination malpractices. The portions warn students against using foreign materials in the examination halls, writing on any parts of the body, talking, copying from others, disturbing the examination among other prohibitions. The students were also reminded of the necessary documents that admit them into the examination hall, including: signed course registration forms; University IdentityCard; and receipts of tuition payment.

Dons win awards A PROFESSOR of Geology and Mineral Sciences at UNILORIN, Samuel Akande, has won the2015 Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award. Also a Professor of Ophthalmology, Joshua F. A. Owoeye, has won the International Ophthalmologist Education Award. Akande’s recent award follows the 2014 Outstanding Earth Science Lecturer Award (NOELA) he won last year. While the NOELA was conferred on Akande by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) at its 32nd Annual Conference in Lagos last November 13, the Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award will be presented to him during the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) annual conference holding in Denver, Colorado, USA on May 31, 2015. A letter to Akande by the Chairman of NAPE Distinguished Award Committee and Vice President of the Association, Dr. James Edet, disclosed that NOELA was in recognition of his “immense contributions to the practice and teaching of Earth Science and unflinching support for the various activities and programmes of the Association.”

Osun students honour don THE UNILORIN Branch of the National Association of Osun State Students is planning a Personality Lecture in honour of the former Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. R. D. Abubakre. Abubakre has also served as the former Vice Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin; and Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Osun State. The event, which will take place Tuesday next week at the main auditorium, will be chaired by Justice Idris Abdullah Haroon. A Senior Lecturer in Arabic at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Dr. Hamza Ishola Abdulraheem, will be the guest speaker while the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, is the Special Guest of Honour. The UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, will be the Chief Host while his KWASU counterpart, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, and the Aare Musulumi of Iwo, Alhaji AbdulRasheed Adelani Salinsile, will be the special guests. The Grand Qadi of Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, Justice S. O. Mohammed, is also expected at the event.

ESEARCH no longer to remain on the shelf

Last year, we made some strides. We have exposed the university community to more opportunities to research. During the last convocation the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM), Dr. Daniel Olukoya, gave us a central research laboratory, a three-floor building, very massive. We have started equipping it. And to complement research, we have set up a research and innovations office. This will put together our researches in such a way that the researches will not just be limited to the individual researcher. We can now start having more of collaborative researches, ones that we need to complement the economic growth of the nation. Secondly, the research result that we get will not just remain on the shelf; the innovation desk of that office will now market the result to the end users - be it in any field of study. That office has taken off fully now; and we are hoping that the innovation end of that office in the future will lead to what we call the technology village where we can have our incubation section to try out research at the pilot scale before they become big manufacturing concerns. That is the vision that we have for UNILAG, we hope to carry on so that this university will live truly as the first in the nation and not only the nation but also moving to the international arena. We also in the year have made progress in student unionism. Our plan to transform waste to wealth You will see that our environment is getting better.The waste management has been managed in such a way that we have commenced sorting. We have started sorting all our waste with the aim of recycling. The intention is that when the waste gets large enough to support a

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) prides itself as the “university of First Choice and the nation’s pride”. In this interview with KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, shares his thoughts about the future development of the university. Excerpts: bull by the horn; we have to live like a city university. We are going to be growing taller because we cannot spread. These are part of the things you will be seeing in the next few years. It is going to be vertical buildings because that is the only way that we can still be on this site and grow to what we want to be in the future. In this light most of all the buildings will be higher and we are commencing with about five of them. I think in the next three to six months the first one would commence - the new university library. The library would have 10 floors. The design has been completed, while the designs of the remaining four are in the offing; and these are facilities for the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), the Postgraduate School, Faculty of Education, and the Faculty of Law. We are looking for the funding of some of them. From now, the foundation of any building would be designed to hold at least 12 floors.

The intention is that when the waste gets large enough to support a recycling plant, as a university and a research institution, we will be piloting what we need to do with the waste that are not in use nationally so that those that are carrying out research on waste now have appropriate types of waste to use recycling plant, as a university and a research institution, we will be piloting what we need to do with the waste that are not in use nationally so that those that are carrying out research on waste now have appropriate types of waste to use. If you move around the campus, you will see that some of the waste bins are now categorised into plastics, glass and paper and other waste so that people will start learning how to sort waste and make the environment much cleaner so UNILAG will live up to its bill as the numero uno institution - as one that will set a pace in various area of endeavours. We have a strategic plan which we are following to a letter. The last council before this one set up the plan and we in place a 25-year strategic plan. I am working the first segment of strategic plan. So all I have been mentioning are in that plan and the essence is that we want to see what will happen in the next 25 years in this university. We have as a target that this university must be numero in Africa at least by that time. Future buildings to be taller

• Prof Bello

UNILAG is not like other universities in the interior where you find virgin lands are still available for use. We are restricted to this part of Lagos and we are pushed into the lagoon. Of course the lagoon is a very big asset to us because we are the only university sited by a lagoon and the fresh air from the lagoon gives us that extra flavour to have cool heads. But being in a city and being already enclosed by the development, we do not really have any other place to expand to. That is the unfortunate aspect of our location here and quite a large portion of our land – more than 40 per cent – is marshy area, which is not easily developed. So, when a project for universities in the country is conceived, the execution at UNILAG is far higher because you have to look at the issue of foundation. In the light of dwindling land resources, management conceived, and council has approved, that we have to take the

Distance Learning, the way to go DLI is going to be another major outpost of this university. Today, it has a population of about 17,000 but it has been designed to carry about 50,000 in the next couple of years because it is going to become a real distance learning institution. At present, they mix both open/ distance learning with face-to-face. We are going to remove the face-toface and they will be mainly interfacing on the internet. All those facilities are being put in place. That is why they are going to have a large massive building to support their needs in that place. A lot of workers have been recruited for them. There are now going to ensure that the programme is properly strengthened. They are going to be expanding some, have new courses added to what they are doing at the moment and so it will serve the needs of Lagosians. The (DLI) programme started with the university because the founding fathers realised that people working with government and other companies within Lagos would need to have continuing education programmes.

Lagos State bids for virtual teaching/learning centre

N line with its plans to host the Cambridge-Hitachi Centre, a virtual teaching and learning facility, the Lagos State government has acquired 2,000 multimedia interactive solution equipment for tertiary and secondary schools in the state. A statement by the Director, Local Organising Committee, Cambridge-Hitachi Virtual Teaching/ Learning, Princess Adebukola Oluderu, noted that Governor Babatunde Fashola has assured that the state would exceed the provision of interactive multimedia solution from the target of 1,500 to 2,000 classrooms. She said Governor Fashola had also promised that he would ensure that all tertiary institutions and secondary schools in the state, about 10,000, would have the multimedia interactive solutions in each classroom to replace the traditional chalk boards. Praising the government, Princess Oluderu said the facility would revolutionalise education in Lagos State. She said: "The establishment of Virtual Teaching and Learning Centre in Lagos would turn around the educational sector. It is, therefore, worthy to commend Fashola for taking this bold step in providing all the necessary infrastructure, enabling

• From left: Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Olawumi Gasper; Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye; Princess Oluderu; and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Lara Erogbogbo, during the meeting. By Joseph Eshanokpe

environment and conducive atmosphere for the hosting of the Cambridge-Hitachi International Virtual Teaching and Learning Centre. This centre is specially conceived to give Lagos State due to their outstanding performances

in improving the educational sector of the state." She said Ekiti and Osun states have also expressed interest in the centres. "As soon as Ekiti or Osun State meets up with the remaining criteria set by Cambridge-Hitachi, one of the states would be given

the approval to host the centre in Southwest. The centre for each region would be built and equipped with the world-class educational technology equipment and materials that would assist teaching/learning and also jump-start the ailing educational sector,” she said.

Back to life

Waging the culture war Page 42

Page 31

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

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

University of Benin (UNIBEN) students protested last week the demolition of the quarters of former ViceChancellor (VC) Prof Osayuki Oshodin and some lecturers. They blocked the Ugbowo-Lagos road and burnt a government bus, reports MATTHEW AJAKAIYE.

•The burnt ECTS bus on the road

Day of rage in Benin City W

HEN he left last December after a fiveyear tenure, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Prof Osayuki Oshodin was looking forward to a well deserved rest in his official quarters in Benin GRA. Last Monday, he and some senior lecturers and staff were ejected from the quarters by the Edo State government. Parts of their buildings was pulled down. According to the affected staff, the controversial properties were given to UNIBEN by former military governor, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia in 1970. In its bid to reclaim the properties, the government served a quit notice on the school. The occupants went to court and during the pendency of their case, they remained in the quarters.

Last Monday, Governor Adams Oshiomhole ordered their ejection and the demolition of the properties, claiming to be carrying out a court order. But, the occupants described the government’s action as contemptuous as an appeal was pending over the matter. Describing the action as humiliation of their lecturers, students took to the streets the following day. No fewer than 25 lecturers joined in the demonstration, which later turned violent. The protesters, led by Students’ Union Government (SUG) officials, blocked the UgbowoLagos expressway, causing traffic gridlock. They chanted solidarity songs to draw attention to the “humiliation” of their lecturers. Commuters walked from Oluku community before they could cut through the students’ road-

blocks to get buses to their destinations. Travellers turned and took the Benin Bypass from Oluku; others made a detour to BDPA Road, which was not motorable. An Edo Intra-City Bus Transport Service (ECTS) was destroyed by the protesters and set ablaze. The presence of over 30 riot policemen and soldiers, including a Deputy Commissioner of Police could not stop the protesters. The students demanded that the governor apologise for ejecting their lecturers. They also gave him a 24-day ultimatum to rebuild the demolished houses. Mr Anthony Emina, a member of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIBEN Chapter, accused Oshiomhole of disrespecting the court on the disputed properties.

He said ASUU, last December, raised concern over the alleged harassment of its members by suspected thugs over the properties. Emina said the harassment prompted the management to appeal the verdict that the government should demolish the properties. He accused the governor of taking the law into his hands. He said: “They sent thugs to forcefully evict our members and beat them up. “We are on the streets to let the whole world know how Oshiomhole is treating UNIBEN lecturers. Vehicles belonging to ASUU were destroyed and our members were injured by the hoodlums sent by the government. One of the injured is in hospital.” •Continued on page 30

•Shun cults, freshers advised P32•Fire razes varsity auditorium P41 •Rotaract fetes orphans P44 •

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Private varsities and TETFund Pushing

HEN the Federal Government set up the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in the early ’90s following submissions of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) the role was clear: To serve as an intervention agency charged with managing, disbursing and monitoring the education tax to public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. At the initial stage, the government widened the scope of the funds to cover all public education institutions in Nigeria, from primary to tertiary. But in 2011, the government amended the law, through an Act scaling it down to cover the original concept. It imposed a two percent “Education Tax” on the assessable profit of all registered companies in Nigeria. Furthermore, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was empowered by the Act to assess and collect this Education Tax. The Fund thereafter administers the tax imposed by the Act and disburses the amount to tertiary educational institutions at Federal and State levels. It also monitors the projects executed with the funds allocated to the beneficiaries. This was to serve as buffer against the federal and state allocations which often falls short of meeting the needs of tertiary institutions. Over the last couple of months however, there has been a debate whether private universities in the country should benefit from the fund. Late last year, the Proprietor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, during the Eighth International Conference of the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA) at the university, requested government give financial support through the fund to private universities “so that the institutions can continue to be partners with government in the provision of access to education in our country.” Similarly, the 29th Meeting of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities in Nigeria (CVCRPU) under the chairmanship of Prof. Timothy Olagbemiro, Vice-Chancellor Bowen University, Iwo held at the university in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, also requested for a slice of the fund. The CVCRPU, at the meeting noted that apart from contributing immensely to the development of tertiary education by open-

Out

ing up more admission spaces, money in the fund includes taxes paid by private universities and they should therefore not be denied from benefiting from with this fund. The committee has representatives from more than 50 licensed private universities in the country. 08116759750 So that it doesn’t look like a lone wolf cry by private varsities, the Vice Chan(SMS only) cellor of Federal University of Technol•aagboa@gmail.com ogy, Minna, Prof. Musbau Akanji called for the review the 2011 Act to enable private universities to benefit. He was the pioHis views are also shared by ASUU, ASUP and neer vice chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, a private university. The Vice Chancellor of other unions in the education sector and civil soAchievers’ University, Owo, Ondo State, Prof. ciety groups who all submitted that since private Tunji Ibiyemi also recently insisted that like the tertiary institutions are established with the mogovernment-owned universities, they are in the tive of making profit, it would be wrong for them business of providing social services; therefore to access the funds. “On no account should pubgovernment should extend financial assistance lic funds, such as TETFund and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, be used to fund to them as players in the education sector. Not done yet, the Vice Chancellor of private education institutions and associated enIgbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Pro- terprises,” the unions stated recently. It is quite understandable and clear why the fessor Eghosa Osaghae, equally pleaded with the Federal Government to extend the fund to unions are standing their ground on this issue. private varsities in the country because both Private varsities are known for charging high fees public and private universities have the same that exclude a sizeable proportion of mainly ingoals of training and research but are all digent students from attending them. For exunderfunded, which the government is aware ample, it is on record that one of the private institutions in the country is currently charging as high of. The quest by all to have a share of the fund is as N1.59 million per session, others charge million; however, some not unfounded considering the amount in- N1.1 volved. The Federal Inland Revenue Service undergraduates in others still pay about (FIRS) in 2012 said it had remitted more than N400, 000 per year. There is, therefore, a huge fees differential N591 billion to public tertiary institutions in the last couple of years. Stashed somewhere in the when compared with public universities bank vaults is another N8 billion research fund where the fees charged by some first genwhich the Education Minister, Alhaji Ibrahim eration public universities range between Shekarau, claims is lying idle and domiciled with N40, 000 and N64, 450. This range however apTETFund and another yet to be accessed N100 plies only to fresh intakes. The fees for returning billion meant for infrastructure development. undergraduates are lower. Last year, there were Are you still surprised as to why private uni- series of riots by undergraduates in public tertiary versities are screaming for access to TETFund’s institutions across the country when authorities tried to adjust fees to conform to current realities. pot of honey? On this issue, I’m of the opinion that we can Those on the side of public tertiary institutions like the Executive Secretary of the fund, Suleiman arrive at a middle ground. Since private varsities Bogoro, stated that it is not the responsibility of charge huge fees, they should be compelled to set the federal government to fund private varsities. aside some percentage for research purposes. This “Government does not own private institutions. position is valid considering the open fact that they Government is funding its institutions and that are not charity organisations but are set up to make is public tertiary institutions…unfortunately, in profits for their founders and stakeholders. A forthis country, a number of private tertiary institu- ward thinking private varsity should have plans in place on how to contact companies to sponsor tions are commercially oriented.”

Agbo Agbo

research in areas that are beneficial to both. Since research benefits the entire public – private and public - I recommend a new approach to university research funding. We can borrow a leaf from the United States where, according to Reuters, the US federal government funds research across board. For example, about threefifths, or $40.8 billion, of university research funding in Fiscal Year 2011 came from the Federal Government. It is on record that varsities get federal research grants through a competitive, project-specific application process, with the money funding all sorts of research. Grants can be as small as a few thousand dollars for projects lasting a few months to as much as tens of millions of dollars for work lasting a decade or more. Funds from states, localities, foundations, individuals, companies and other sources make up the rest of university research budgets. Shouldn’t we also at this stage be looking at ways of monitoring and regulating the excessive fees and charges by private varsities? I strongly believe we should since they are now clamouring for funds from the public till. In advanced countries like the United Kingdom which we are striving to emulate, the government places a limit as yearly fees to be charged by universities. A recent reforms being debated by stakeholders might see the government offsetting the bills of some indigent applicants in schools that charge premium. As a result, the government supported indigent students with a total of £708 million in 2013, up from £672 million in 2012. According to the UK Office of Fair Access, this is to ensure that poor students get access to university education. There is, however, a moratorium on repayment, which ends when the salary of a loan recipient is above £21,000 per year, while the loans are written off after 30 years. Back home, many Nigerians cannot afford university education without their parents running into debts. I believe we’ll be on the same page as we agree that the primary function of universities is teaching and researching to push the boundaries of human knowledge which therefore makes education critical to the development of the society. Every platform available to improve this should be maximised. I’ll sign off by saying since TETFund is aimed at improving tertiary education; a legitimate, transparent system should be in place to see a reduction in the fees private varsities charge – for those who want to access the fund. My watchword would be strict monitoring and regulation to curb excesses.

Day of rage in Benin City •Continued from page 29

The protesters, who described Oshodin, as their father, accused Oshiomhole of embarrassing the “world-class scholar”. “You need to see the way they evicted him (Prof Oshodin) out of the house in humiliation,” one of the protesters told CAMPUSLIFE. There was altercation between students and soldiers during the demonstration. The protesters did not clear the way for a convoy of soldiers. This led the convoy escorts to fire shots to disperse the students. The students mocked the soldiers, saying: “You cannot kill all of us.” The soldiers waited until the protesters left the road. Oshiomhole said the demolished properties were in the government’s name, noting that rents were paid to the wrong person. He said: “They have occupied these properties before without paying any rent to the Edo State government. Before I came as governor, the Federal Government, in line with the policy of monetisation under which salaries of employees and other allowances were paid, abolished the policies. So, rather than provide for these certain categories of public officers, they were to be paid in lieu of either official quarters or cars. “Subsequently, the Federal Government announced the policy under which they had put on sale all apartments occupied by public officers having monetised the allowances of such officers, the Federal Government and some of its agencies had published their intention to sell off the houses that were previously occupied by public officers. Edo State was not left

•Students exchanging words with soldiers in mufti

out.” The governor said on assumption of office, the Legal Adviser to the UNIBEN, Chief Okeaye Inneh, SAN, approached him to sign documents that would enable the transfer of the property to the university. Oshiomhole said he declined, adding: “I told the lawyer that if UNIBEN needed any favour, they should not approach me through their Legal Adviser”. He said he was informed by Attorney-General, Henry Idahagbon, that UNIBEN had decided to go to court over the properties. Oshiomhole added: “We went with them and won the case. On December 16, 2014, Justice E.O. Ahamigo of the High Court ruled

in favour of the Edo State government and ordered UNIBEN to vacate the property and give possession to us. We gave the occupants three years notice to vacate the properties. Is that not enough? What happened on Monday was taking possession of the state government’s properties based on the court ruling and not demolition of UNIBEN property as claimed by them.” Inneh said the varsity appealed the judgment giving the properties to Edo State, accusing the attorneyGeneral of misleading the government on the case. He displayed the appeal documents to reporters, saying the government erred on the demolition. Idahagbon, however, said the gov-

ernment was not aware of any appeal. The SUG President, Ifidon Ikhide, condemned the government’s action, saying it was carried out to embarrass the former VC. The Coalition of Presidents of Colleges of Education in the state condemned the protest, calling for Ifidon’s arrest. The students spoke when they presented an Award of Excellence to Oshiomhole last Friday in recognition of his effort in boosting education. The group’s leader, Friday Okoro, said: “The protest is senseless and barbaric. The bus they burnt will not carry Oshiomhole or any of his family. It is the masses that use the bus. Ifidon and those involved in the pro-

test should be arrested to pay for their crime.” Some of the protesters said they did not organise the protest to cause violence, saying the demonstration was hijacked by hoodlums. Some UNIBEN students, also criticised Ifidon the protest, describing it as needless. Precious Abiodun, a student, said: “Where was the SUG when students were chased away from the hostel last session and made to spend the night outside, for over a week? Where was the SUG when school security officers disrupted church fellowships? Where was the SUG when the transfer fees was increased from N20,000 to N50,000?”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has returned to life after the Yuletide break, which turned the campus to a ghost town. TOYIN ALI (300-Level Law) writes about the pains some students experienced before they could travel home for the break.

Back to life

T is a period many students don’t want to be in school. But in some higher institutions, the academic activities reach their peak during the Yuletide. It is a time for assignments and tests. But to students, it should not be such as time. Students always want to stay away from campus to enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities. While many students may see the period as a time to have fun, others use the period to catch up on school work. Some institutions go on holiday during the Yuletide to enable students ease stress and prepare for academic task in the New Year. During the break, students leave their campuses in droves, turning a once-bubbling environment to ghost towns. This was the situation at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), where activities are gradually picking up as students return from Yuletide break. Two days before Christmas, students thronged banks on the campus to withdraw cash to travel home. Our correspondent saw customers moving in and out of banks. The banks’ halls and their Automated Teller Machine (ATM) ports were besieged by anxious students. Because of network challenges, some left in anger, others resigned to fate. Disappointed by the slow ser-

vice in the bank, Yusuf Abdulsalam, a 200-Level Social Work student, said: “I came early to avoid queueing, but surprisingly, everywhere has been filled up to the brim. I thought I could get money on time because many students have gone for Christmas break. But, the situation is not different from what I experienced outside the campus. I would have to postpone my journey.” In the evening, students, who could not withdraw cash on the campus, thronged a Sterling Bank ATM port beside the university terminus. The situation got worse as it resulted in a long queue of students making frantic efforts to get cash. A student, who simply gave his name as Adekunle, said: “I tried to withdraw money at the banks on campus during the day, but the fluctuating bank network and a long queue did not help the matter. So, I had to come here this evening.” While many students were stranded at banks, the University Park throbbed with travellers. Different commuter transit buses were at the park to convey students from campus to their various destinations outside Kwara State. Lagos-bound students were more than those going to other states. Commercial transport companies made brisk business, sending their buses to the park to convey to their destina-

•Students at the Faculty of Science Lecture Theatre ... last Monday

tions. There was a growing concern among students, who predicted there would be transportation challenge during the Yuletide. But CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the university management and the Students’ Union Government (SUG) partnered with commercial transport firms to provide cheap service to students travelling home for Christmas. It was gathered that the management partnered with Safe Line, a transport company, which provided an Internet booking platform for students. Excited by this development, Bankole Adigun, a 200-Level student, hailed the management for respond-

ing to challenges faced by students. He said: “I was really excited when I learnt that the management partnered with private transport companies to convey students to their destination. It is a good development and it shows we have a management that cares about students’ welfare. Another student, Amina Afolabi, 400-Level Chemistry student, praised the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, saying the management’s move would improve academic rating of the university. On New Year’s day when CAMPUSLIFE visited the campus, the academic area was empty.

Only a few students, who had one commitment or the other, were on campus. The ever-busy Love Garden in front of Students’ Affairs Unit was deserted. The much-patronised Coca-Cola Joint close to the SUG building was also a shadow of itself. All was quite in the bubbling male Lagos Hostel. A few students were around. The hostel common room, which housed the buttery, was lifeless. The female hostels were also deserted. However, activities are picking up again on the campus as students return from the break. The long queue is gradually returning to the University Terminus.

In many higher institutions, students have established indigenous associations to promote local dialects. Will their efforts save Nigerian culture and languages from the threat of civilisation and technology? DAVID AJAYI (400-Level Pharmacy) writes.

O preserve culture in higher institutions, students established various indigenous organisations, which are known in many schools as parapo (cultural clubs). In many schools, it is not strange to hear of Oodua Students Association, Federation of Igbo Students Union and Arewa Students Association. They are socio-cultural groups, representing the major ethnic groups making up the country. Under these apex organisations, there are many distinct sub-cultural groups representing ethnic groups formed to promote culture and heritage of the concerned people. In the University of Benin (UNIBEN), for instance, there are such groups as National Association of Benin Students (NUBS), National Association of Delta State Students (NADESTU) and National Association of Etuno Students (NAES). There is no ethnic group without an active association. These associations are seen as symbol of unity for students that share the same traditions, beliefs and languages. During their cultural celebrations, members turn out in traditional attires, dancing to their local music to showcase their rich cultures. But the motivation for setting up the indigenous clubs is becoming weak, with many students preferring to wear ‘alien’ garments to the cultural events. Even in many cultural functions, hip-hop songs are played to entertain participants, rather than normal traditional music. The excitement that always trailed cultural dance has been replaced by pleasure of Azonto, Skelewu and Alanta, which many culture-orientated students see as alien. In most of the parapos, activities are conducted in English, a trend, which

Waging the culture war •NAES cultural troupe entertaining guests during the association’s Cultural Day

many said endangers local dialects. “Our mother tongue is being relegated to the background,” Osarenren Osunbor, a NUBS founding member, said. He added: “This is a threat to our culture. We are not supposed to be speaking any language except our local dialect in parapo meeting. How will strangers respect our language and tradition when the custodians of the culture are either ashamed of it or don’t want to project it?” For Matthew Odion, who can barely speak his Bini dialect, joining parapo in his first year as undergraduate was a home-coming. But he was

disappointed when members of his indigenous organization conducted the affairs of the group in English. He said: “I thought coming to the University of Benin would finally help me to speak and understand Bini, my language, which I never had the opportunity to learn because I was not brought up with it. But in my three years of study, I am yet to understand the language because members of NUBS always hold the affairs of the union in English. When I made to associate with students, who could speak the dialect, I found out that a host did not have deep understanding of the language.”

Aloofness of students from their ethnic group on campus is another factor contributing to the waning influence of tribal associations. Some students prefer to stay away from traditional activities or gatherings on campus. Kara Ufuoma, a graduate of Chemical Engineering at UNIBEN and a Corps member in Abia State, is Urhobo but he was born in Lagos State and brought up in Kaduna. Kara had only visited his village in Delta State once and is unable to speak his dialect. As an undergraduate, Kara did not participated in parapo but he

admitted that he missed the opportunity to learn his culture because of his indifference to Urhobo students’ activities. Ezekiel Efeobhokhan, a 400Level Pharmacy student of UNIBEN, is an Esan but he is a resident in Benin City. He can neither speak Bini nor Esan, his dialect. Although he said he understands the dialect in when spoken to him. There are many cases cultural disconnection among students, which are affecting preservation local languages. Some parents’ attitude towards their children who speak local dialects has been identified to erode cultural values. In many homes, it is a taboo to speak any language apart from English. Is there a remedy? Kayode Oseh, 300-Level Biochemistry student and NAES president in UNIBEN, strongly believes leadership of parapo groups has important role to play in redeeming the lost values. He said emphasis must be placed on local dialects as the official language in indigenous associations. He said: “When I was elected, I discovered there were many members who could not speak Etuno dialect. These students can now pick a few words in the dialect because we always hold the affairs of the association in Etuno. Many could master the language before their graduation.” Ajayi Onaivi, 600-Level Optometry student, thinks the regular payment of bursary by governments could draw students back to their indigenous association. “If students are assured that they will get constant bursary, nobody would want to be left out of the indigenous association,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Shun cults, freshers advised

HE Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has held an orientation for freshers. No fewer than 3,000 students gathered at the Ceremonial Hall for the event, which was organised by the Students’ Affairs Division and Guidance and Counselling Unit. The coordinators, Mrs Modester Ofodile and Mrs Dorcas Adegbite, advised the students to be worthy ambassadors of the school. The university, they said, would only issue its certificates to students found worthy in learning and character. The various directorates sensitised the students on how they could get the best, using the university’s services. The Librarian, Dr Mulikat Salaam, taught the students how to use the library. As an undergraduate, Dr Salaam said she could not afford to buy textbooks but used the library and became one of the best graduating students in her set. She urged the students to make the library their second hostel. The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Yemi Akegbejo-Samsons,

•Some of the freshers at the event.

From Oluwafemi Aliu FUNAAB urged the students to shun examination malpractice, hooliganism and prostitution. The Dean said cultismi is ungodly and serious

students must not be part of it. He said FUNAAB is peaceful because of the school’s stand against cultism and hooliganism. Director of Centre of Entrepreneurial Studies Prof Olufemi Onifade urged the students to ac-

quire entrepreneurial skills and learn vocations that could make them self-reliant after graduation. Mrs Ofodile, of the Guidance and Counselling Unit said the management would not tolerate indecent dresses, urging the

freshers to wear good clothes and hair styles to avoid embarrassment. The students were advised to approach their faculties’ offices and departments for more information on school regulation.

Olusegun described the DSA as a father, noting that he was supportive of his administration. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, who assumed office last week, said students’ unionism is a platform for breeding future leaders. If harnessed properly, Prof Ajibefun said unionism could be used to deepen democracy. The VC appealed to the students’ leaders to deal with their fellow students in fairness, equity and justice,

urging them to run the affairs of the union with transparency. Prof. Ajibefun assured the students of his intention to run studentfriendly administration, noting that he expected students to reciprocate the gesture with peaceful conduct and discipline. The president of the union, Olukayode Ogunade, hailed students for reposing confidence in him, assuring them of a new era and vibrant unionism.

•The students’ leaders taking the oath

EMBERS of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, have been sworn in. The ceremony was held at the Multipurpose Hall of the university. The hall was filled to the brim, as students trooped to the venue to witness the event. Members of staff were also in attendance. The Registrar, Mr Bamidele

Union leaders take oath From Yomi Ayeleso AAUA Olotu, administered the oath on the students’ leaders, urging them to employ diligence in discharging their duties. The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Olujide Ajidahun, advised the union leaders to be committed and make

Exam offenders will be dealt with, freshers warned

RESHERS admitted into the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) have been told to embrace academic excellence. The advice came from the Dean, Associate Prof E.S. Jatau, who spoke at an orientation held to welcome the students to the faculty last Thursday. The event, which took place at the Lecture Theatre 1, had in attendance the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof Yakubu Ngwai, and members of staffs of the faculty. The dean told the freashers to work hard, noting that the faculty does not reward indolence. He advised them to share any challenge they may be facing with their lecturers and the faculty staff. The president of the faculty, Abdullahi Edaidu, urged the student

From Naomi Bello NSUK to desist from immoral behaviour and vices, saying the university would not tolerate vices, such as cultism, examination malpractice and hooliganism. The faculty’s Examination Officer, Mallam Shehu Sanusi informed the freshers on the dos and don’ts of school. He advised the students to study hard in preparation for their examination. Sanusi warned them to shun examination malpractice, adding that anyone caught would be penalised. Prof. Yakubu warmly welcomed the students and advised them to be diligent and serious-minded throughout the period of their stay in the institution. The faculty was established in October 2001 and has eight departments.

the welfare of their colleagues a priority. The Dean urged them to shun violence and promote transparency in their administration. The outgoing union president, Olusegun Ikuegbebe, said it was time for him to move on after what he described as a successful tenure. He urged his successor to build on his achievements and set new goals.

OR improving quality of education and facilities, the Rotary Club of Nigeria has honoured the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali. Presenting the award, the District 9125 Representative, Phillip Ojo, said Prof Ambali was shortlisted for the award because of his leadership qualities, which, he said, should be emulated by members of the university. Ojo said: “The Rotary District 9125 has today recognised the efforts of our amiable leader par excellence, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, for his giant strides in the university and for being a mentor to our generation. He is a leader worthy of emulation. His uprightness, intellectualism and brilliance in administration and academics were qualities that make him stand out of many.” A successful leader, Ojo said,

VC gets Rotary award From Burhan Olaitan UNILORIN builds successful leaders, who will continue the chain of success in leadership. He said Ambali was a rare gem, having achieved uncommon feat within the university and the outside world. Responding, Prof Ambali appreciated the club for finding him worthy of the honour, describing the award as encouragement to do more. He said the club remained

on of dependable partners of the school. Members of the club present at the ceremony included the District Secretary, Mr Michael Oyewole, Zonal Secretary, Miss Itunnuoluwa Oshinmosu, and Miss Tolulope Akinwunmi, a zonal governor. The District 9125 is said to be the largest, comprising 24 states, including the FCT; it has over 190 clubs and 6,000 membership strength.

‘He is a leader worthy of emulation. His uprightness, intellectualism and brilliance in administration and academics were qualities that make him stand out of many’

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Fire razes varsity auditorium

IRE has razed the College of Health Science auditorium of the Benue State University (BSU) in Makurdi. Eyewitnesses said the incident happened last Sunday at 10pm. The inferno, it was gathered, started from a faulty electrical cable in the ceiling of the building. Students described it as a “New Year tragedy.” The institution’s spokesperson, Tse Vande, said the fire was caused by an electrical spark in the ceiling. Hope Abah, who lives opposite the building, said efforts by sympathisers to put out the fire were futile because of the building’s height. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the

•The graduating students in uniform.

Excitement Students advised on vocational skills at Onga cooking contest S TUDENTS have been told to acquire skills that will make them self-reliant before their graduation from school. The advice came from the Chief Executive Officer of Suji Moto, Mr Sijibomi Ogundele, who was in Lagos State University (LASU) to speak to graduating class of Mass Communication. The entrepreneur, who spoke on how students could achieve success through the acquisition of vocational skills, said university degree should be an appetizer for students to harness their latent potential. Ogundele described himself as a strong believer in self-improvement, noting that university degree may not be accessible to everybody but adding value to one’s life should be paramount. He said he became successful after he met Dr Sujimoto Koga, a Japanese, who he said saw great entrepreneurship potential in him and turned his life around. “He gave me an advice and took up the challenge to improve my life,” he said. After establishing his business,

From Everistus Onwuzurike LASU

Ogundele said he opened offices in Paris, Accra, Madrid, Dubai and Lagos. He described his life trajectory as the story of patience and perseverance. He said: “As students, you don’t need many friends around you. You only need two or three valuable friends that would help you accomplish your goals. Jesus loved the world but chose just 12 disciples to enable him achieve his goals; he didn’t choose large population of friends. You need to become reasonable when it comes to your dream; you need the right people who can motivate you when you cannot motivate yourself.” Ogundele added that he chose to stay at the top because the bottom was crowded. “The man who pushes himself beyond the limits and employs creativity is bound to achieve success at the end,” he said. He told the students to have a philosophy that would make them suc-

•Ogundele

ceed, stressing that success was a platform whose key anybody could possess. He advised the students to count opinions of others as significant but never allow people who do not share their dream to dictate the direction of their lives. Ogundele was recently featured in Forbes Africa as a young promising entrepreneur. His firm, Sujimoto, is into construction and real estate.

Keep throwing the dice hits book stand

university’s and the state’s fire fighters could not be reached while the inferno raged. Terseer Kekugh, who resides close to the building, said he was woken up by the fire. “The fire spread quickly because of the harmattan and when we made efforts to put out the fire, it was too late for anything to be done because of the intensity of the inferno,” he said. Materials in the auditorium, such as seats were destroyed. Lectures and social events were held in the building. There was a similar incident in the school last year when inferno destroyed a female hostel. From Toyin Ali UNILORIN Esther got a deep freezer; the first and second runners-up went home with gas cookers. Other contestants got consolation prizes, such as microwave, small gas cookers and kitchen materials. Abdulrafiu told CAMPUSLIFE that the contest was a big challenge for him, saying he started cooking as a child. His words: “I commend Promasidor for bringing this kind of event to students. The competition was a challenge for me because I always believe no woman could defeat me in cooking delicious meals. Although I came second, I believe I am still the best. “I started cooking from my childhood. There is no Nigerian delicacy I cannot cook. This contest shows my ability in cooking and I am sure I am better than many ladies in this.” A participant, Sodik Sanusi, a 200-Level Law student, said: “The competition was inspiring and an avenue for students to explore their talents in cooking apart from their academic pursuits. The contest was held at the Students’ Union Building.

‘I commend Promasidor for bringing this kind of event to students. The competition was a challenge for me because I always believe no woman could defeat me in cooking delicious meals. Although I came second, I believe I am still the best’

GRADUATE of Biology at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, Olusegun Akinsehinde, has presented a book he authored. The book, Keep throwing the dice, was unveiled in Akure, the Ondo State capital last week. The ceremony was chaired by Chief Sanya Oyinsan, who described the book as a masterpiece. He praised the author’s efforts, saying young people should be encouraged to affect the world through intellectualism and attitudinal change. He said the author was creative in his approach to conceptualise Ludo game in a way many people did not think off, noting that the game stuck to our thought until the players’ intention are achieved. He said this could be likened to people’s dream. Oyinsan said the author did a wonderful job that could bring a lifetime impact on the society, especially on the youth, who are the target audience. “I am happy to be part of the history today. Olusegun has proven that something great can come out of Nigeria. Writing a book is not easy but

S cooking the exclusive preserve of women? This was put to test when Promasidor Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Onga seasoning, stormed University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) for its Campus Cooking Competition. The contest drew participants from all faculties. Male students were not left out, as they came out in aprons, ready to challenge their female counterparts. Before the contest started, each participant was given N7,000 to buy food recipes. The participants were given the food to prepare through members of the audience votes. They were accompanied to the market by Promasidor’s officials to ensure transparency. On their return, the panel of judges gave them 30 minutes to prepare their meals. Esther Fatomi, a Food Science student, was adjudged the best cook. Abdulrafiu Okiri-Sofiri, a 400Level Law student, came second and Balikis Imran, third.

From Joshua Obelle BSU

Group builds women hostel

•The book cover

From Dayo Ojerinde AKURE he has shown us that we can always stick and keep faith with our dreams if we don’t give up,” he said. Olusegun said the book was

written to be a mind-opener to the philosophy of persistence and hard work. He said: “It takes persistence to unlock doors of success. Just like a Ludo player who envisions higher figure in his mind and keeps tossing the dice until he gets desired result.”

HE Akoko Development Group, a socio-cultural association, has laid the foundation of a 240-capacity women hostel at the Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State. The gesture is to complement the university’s efforts in providing accommodation for students. The project, which is on Build, Operate and Transfer agreement, will be transferred to the school after 25 years. The project will be in phases. The first phase will accommodate 100 students. It is will be completed in 18 calendar months. The group’s president, Chief Tunde Adefarati, said the project was informed by the desire to give back to the society, especially female students, who are the most vulnerable. The former Vice-Chancellor, Prof Femi Mimiko, said the ges-

From Richard Adura-Ilesanmi AAUA ture came at a time the university designed a policy to work with private investors to develop school. He prayed that the project would not be abandoned, noting that members of the group are people of proven integrity. The Pro-chancellor, Ambassador Oladele Akadiri, said the project was timely, because the university could only provide accommodation for 20 per cent of its students. Highpoints of the event was the unveiling of the plaque of the building and the foundation by the Chairman of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Chief Bisi Ogunjobi, and other guests. The group, which comprises successful Akoko indigenes, was established to promote the growth of Akoko communities.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE Ilaje students in higher institutions have marked their Cultural Day in Igbokoda, Ondo State, TAIWO ADEBULU reports.

Beauty of Ilaje culture

T was a feast of culture and home-coming for Ilaje students in higher institutions. They converged on Igbokoda in Ondo State to mark their yearly Cultural Day last weekend. Igbokoda, a riverine and oil-producing community, is the cultural capital of the Ilaje. The students under the auspices of the National Association of Ilaje Students (NAIS) were clad in Ilaje traditional attires. They marched in a carnival-like procession to Ilaje High School, where the event was held. The students adopted their local dialect for communication during the event, which was declared open by the AB World Life of Kegite Club International, Chief Taiwo Odidiomo, after the recitation of Ilaje anthem. NAIS President Victor Adeya, a 300-Level Quantity Surveying student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), hailed the organising committee led by ThankGod Okorisa, for floating what he described as the best event the association would hold in recent times. Victor said the event was successful despite the financial challenges facing the association. He lauded members’ enthusiasm to attend the event en masse despite their displeasure with the Ondo State government, which he said did not pay bursary to students from oil-producing areas. Victor said: “Our cultural day is a tradition we observe every year.

It is a home-coming event for Ilaje youths, which give us opportunity to brainstorm on ways of improving our lives and our oil-rich communities. At this time, we must tell our members and the youth living in Ilaje to imbibe good values and become partners in the growth of our communities. We must not allow politics to divide us. This orientation is necessary, so that our youths will not become tools in the hands of people seeking political offices.” The chairman of the event, Mr Henry Ojagbohunmi, an on-airpersonality with Breeze FM in Akure, decried indiscipline and greed among students, noting that the youth now embrace virtues society frown at. He said he was dissatisfied with the way some students go about, collecting money from politicians under a dishonest guise of student struggle. At the end, Ojagbohunmi said the money would not be channeled on the right course. He urged the students to be ambassador of truth and advised to be tolerant in moving the association forward. The highlight of the event was the presentation of Biripo dance by the cultural troupe of the association. The dance step is an ageless tradition of the Ilaje people. A youth leader, Olabode Omoyoloye, urged the students to be honest and promote the values of the ethnic group. He told the students to remember that everything they do would be part of their cre-

•The association’s troupe entertaining guests with Biripo dance.

‘I did not embezzle any money. It was a former coordinator of the union, who could not account for the money given to the union when he handing over, resorted to blackmail me because of our differences. It was just an attempt to assassinate my character’ dentials for leadership positions in the future. Reacting to an allegation from a student that he embezzled more than N250,000 when he was the Ekiti State coordinator of Niger Delta Students Union Government (NIDSUG) in

2011, Omoyoloye said: “I did not embezzle any money. It was a former coordinator of the union, who could not account for the money given to the union when he handing over, resorted to blackmail me because of our differences. It was just

an attempt to assassinate my character.” Kolade Akinjo, Special Assistant on Youth and Students’ Matters to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, condemned the prolonged blackout in Ilaje communities and urging the students to take up the challenges on behalf of the people in Ilaje to draw the government’s attention to their plight. Akinjo, who said he would mobilised the youth against injustice, said his intention was to make his doors open to students and youths in the community to chart a new course for the development of Ilaje community.

Is soil important to humanity? Yes, says an expert, Dr Peter Ezeaku, at a week-long lecture organised by the Department of Soil Science of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). OLADELE OGE (Mass Communication) reports.

OES soil preservation have any effect on continuation of human existence? Yes, it has, says Dr Peter Ezeaku, Head of Department (HOD), Soil Science, in Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He said people must honour the soil in whatever they do and remember it as the origin of humanity. Humans, he said, must preserve the purity of soil like they preserve their bodies. The HOD spoke at an event organised by the department to mark the “World Soil Day”. The department’s staff and students graced the event held in Old Hall to mark the day. Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Benjamin Ozumba, represented by the Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, Prof Ngozi Nnam, said the management was delighted to be part of the event. The VC said there was need to raise awareness on soil conservation and promote sustainability of good soil, describing it as the first natural resource. He said: “We must ensure soil is conserved and preserved by using the best available scientific information. This is the first natural resources we have as humans. It is from the soil we get other things we need, such as food. Therefore, we must build on its sustainability and use it for the development of our world.” The VC added that the role of agriculture could not be underestimated in nation-building and in food production. He said soil remained the basis for agricultural production, foundation of crops, fuel and fibre production. Ozumba urged the department to continue to train manpower in

•Participants at the lecture

‘Why soil must be preserved’ sustainability and management of soil and land resources, saying it would optimise human productivity and economy development through services, such as biodiversity, heritage conservation, environmental protection and water management. In recognition of the importance of soil, Ezeaku said the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS), in 2002, passed a resolution proposing every December to discuss soil con-

servation. He said the department also used the occasion to mark the birthday and honour the Thailand’s King, Bhuimbol Aduladej, for his efforts in promoting soil science, conservation and sustainability. The HOD urged Nigerians to take advantage of day to promote the importance of soil to in the health, wellbeing and socio-economic growth of the country. He said: “People must be sensitised to treat our country’s soil with the care it

deserves to sustain our lives and livelihood.” Prof Charles Azadu, a contributor, said: “If the soil is not friendly to humanity, there is nothing that can survive on earth, not even the agriculture that is paramount to every one of us, would flourish.” He urged agriculturists to be proud of themselves and their profession. At an interactive session, Dennis Abugu, a 400-Level Soil Science

student, said he had never felt the impact of soil until he attended the event. He said the programme opened his eyes to advantages of soil science as his course of study. Another student, Esther Nnaji, 500-Level Soil Science, said the lecture brought staff and students of the department to the knowledge of soil conservation. She urged the participants to share the knowledge gain from the lecture with the public.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

365 days of NYSC’s directionless leadership

T was George Orwell, who said: “In the time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Orwell submission motivated this piece, which is aimed at condemning, in strong terms, the clueless leadership style of Brigadier-General Johnson Olawuni, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director-General. The assessment of his 365 days in office is germane and necessary at this time owing to his anti-people’s policy and abuse of human rights. It was exactly a year on December 23, 2014, that the NYSC DG was appointed after the unceremonious removal of Brigadier-General Okorie Affia. Having taken a thorough assessment of his one year in office, I have come to the conclusion that his one year in office can best be described as a waste of time and resources. In fact, the Olawuni-led adminstration is the worst since the

By Oluwasheyi Babaeko establishment of the noble scheme. Under Olawuni, graduates from well-to-do families are posted to cities and state capitals while the children of the poor are pushed to rural areas and volatile regions. In some cases, the children of the opulent do not even serve at all, they simply return to their base to enrol for some Masters programme or kick start their chase for PhD. When all is said and done, they take the next available flight to the country only to collect their NYSC discharge certificates. NYSC received wide public condemnation before the DG could reverse his decision to post corps members to risk-prone regions like Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and a host of others under the siege of Boko Haram. Does General Olawuni need to be told not to deploy corps members to such states, where their safety can’t be guaranteed? His ac-

tion before the reversal is an indication that common sense is not common. The recent mobilisation fee introduced by General Olawuni is a misplaced priority and an indication that the DG is not sensitive to the plight of the poor masses. Under his administration, some corps members have died while serving Nigeria without any record of the DG visiting their respective families or a modicum of compensation for the bereaved. For instance, in Kwara State, a youth corps member was killed by a reckless tanker driver few days to his Passing Out Parade (POP) and nothing has been heard about it. In Cross River State, another corps member was killed by suspected cultists but the rest is now history. Meanwhile, in Zamfara, a young corps member was killed and his car taken away, but all what General Olawuni could do was to misrepresent the facts by deceiving the

public that the young man died after a brief illness even though the machetes cuts on his body were visible for all to see. We can go on and on but that’s how pathetic the situation is. Yours sincerely was not spared of the NYSC excesses. I was posted to Sokoto State but on my way to resume camp, I was robbed in Kebbi State by some Fulani men who attacked our vehicle. Consequently, the attack led to a ghastly motor accident that cost me my hip. Till date, I am yet to raise money to effect a hip replacement. And as I write this piece, General Olawuni has not deemed it expedient to attend to my case and that of several other helpless corps members in critical situations that require urgent medical attention. With all the above-mentioned inefficiencies, it is obvious that General Olawuni is incompetent.

His inept discharge of duties has revealed the reasons why he shouldn’t be entrusted with a sensitive position of a DG, especially at a time like this when the general elections are here. I therefore plead with President Goodluck Jonathan to unseat General Olawuni now and replace him with a more competent hand that can provide adequate security for corps members before, during and after the 2015 general elections to avoid the recurrent killing of corps members. Above all, I am using this medium to appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan, the international community, human rights and civil society organisations to ensure that my case and those of others are given urgent attention. In conclusion, the human rights organisations should charge both Brigadier Okorie Affia and General Olawuni for human rights abuses and violations. •Oluwasheyi is a Master’s student of Conflict, Development and Security, School of Politics, University of Leeds, UK

Nexus between politics, journalism

VER the years, society has shown the curious interconnection between two major aspects of: politics and journalism. There has been a mysterious link between the duo for a very long time. Many struggled and wished to stay at one end of both ropes, but such attempts seemed futile. Several people have crossed the boundary, dangling between both paths more than once. It is rather obvious that there is a clear firewall between two professions. There seem to be a very thin boundary, or perhaps, a reflective door in the firewall, such that with time, politicians and journalists cross the line changing roles and moving from side to side. When they cross, there is somewhat complete attainment

of different characters, thus, journalists have a shaky responsibility. As a direct consequence, it can be argued that there is nothing wrong with a journalist making on a foray into politics. However, it becomes knotty when a journalist aims to campaign while reporting. Otherwise, we get caught up in biased judgements. Today, the elites are often not comfortable with the media, and in the same vein, the media look at the government with contempt whenever its freedom is tampered with. The super-powers are often in war with reporters; and the reason for this is the suspicion that a free press could lionise an ordinary citizen to an extent of causing a shift in power base. This assump-

tion, is erroneous in journalism. The most important attribute can be linked to efforts of antediluvian journalists cum politicians such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Herbert Macaulay, Obafemi Awolowo and others, who all cut their first teeth in journalism before joining politics. The provision of Section 22 of 1999 Constitution confers the freedom of press on Nigerian media. It reads inter-alia: “the press, radio, television and other agencies of mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.” This particular provi-

sion relates to all media practitioners and press outfits throughout the Federal republic of Nigeria. It also grants private individuals the power to run their own press outfits or consolidate the governmentowned. In this regard, the media remains the sole watchdog of the three components of the government, to wit; executive, judiciary and the legislature. In a nutshell, the nexus between journalism and politics is divergent. Thus, there has been a growing case of symbiotic relationship between the two. For better outcome, all concerned parties need to define their responsibilities and maintain their niche without transgressing same.

By Aminat Afolabi •Aminat, 400-Level Chemistry, UNILORIN

Let’s make a good choice this time

By Damsa Ahangba

IFTY-FOUR years ago, a nation was born. Hope trumped hope and the new nation was on its way to making history. But after encountering a bloody civil war, religious strife and political conflicts, it is time to pause and ask a few questions. And as we advance in this journey of statehood, the role of the youths in this business of nation building has largely become topical. There is an average estimate of 65 million youth in Nigeria, showing that 38.9 per cent of the population of the sixth most populous nation in the world is made up of young people. This figure tells that the youth are a force that can change the destiny of this country. We can provide the change this beleaguered nation desires and at the end, we can enthrone a transparent leadership that will come and erase the divide we are experiencing in religion, diversity and ethnicity.

American Senator Robert Kennedy once said: “The world demands the qualities of a youth, not a time but a space of mind and a temper of the will, a quality of imagination and the predominance of courage over timidity, of appetite for adventure over the love of ease.” When Kennedy made that statement, perhaps he had Nigerian youths in mind. This expression should resonate in our thought and define our role in Nigerian project. We have been told we are the leaders of tomorrow, but we must face the future with good values that must help our nation and leave a good country to the generation coming after us. The current state of the country shows that our leaders have failed us. But we have responsibilities to make the country move again. The lack of progressive policies and programmes that can reshape our country and bring back sanity to process of governance should make us think of how best to prepare good future for ourselves. The late Nelson Mandela said: “Education is the powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” But on the contrary here, our situation is made worst by the fallen standard of education. Our leaders have failed to give to the youth the best education needed to change our country in this century in which idea and creativity rule. Rather than give us quality edu-

cation, our leaders formed cabals and exploit the illiteracy among the youth to divide us. They use many young people as thugs in a democracy because of their selfish interests. They send their children to best schools around the world for education. Ironically, they tell us education should be for the poor. All we need do, as youths, is to reject their free lunch they bring to our doorstep during political campaign and tell them we need an education system that meets the accepted standards. When we have this, we can visionary make choices towards improving our present state. Are we still going to vote in leaders who lack energy and empathy to tackle the present insecurity in the land? Do we still want a government that courts impunity and protects its cronies who steal our collective patrimony, not minding the consequence on the generations coming after? The present order has more questions to answer than providing solution it never has. We must embrace the spirit of time and define our roles in this era of bad leadership. It is the right time for us to tell our leaders what we want and how we want our country to be governed. We must reject people with ill-conceived manifesto. We must be part of the vanguard making efforts to enthrone good governance. We should not be left out because we don’t want to join

politics. If youths participate in politics, they will be exposed to the way things are done in a democratic society. We don’t need to sacrifice our patriotism on the altar of convenience and lack of interest in politics. Let us be proactive by waking up and making it our top priority to change our country despite our present challenges. It is only through unity that we can push our nation to the path of greatness by promoting its potentials. We have human resources and will to make the change and set Nigerian on the path of progress and innovation. We need to examine our past, measure our present and look deep into the future. We must set goals that must be achieved. The choice is ours; we need to know the leaders we follow and make our role models. Many of our leaders are unworthy of emulation. They lack good values and character to be extolled. Election is around the corner and the polity has been heated up with political campaigns. The election is going to be a keen contest with the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This historic period has rekindled our hopes to have a functional country. The participation of Buhari is taking us towards a turning point. My concern is that, are the youth ready to work with people whose political capital remain honesty,

transparency, efficiency and incorruptibility? History will judge our action after the February 14 election. The United States has predicted that our country will break up this year. But, I see this as a mere prediction to deceive and bring up confusion to heat up the polity. That prophesy shall not come to pass. But, that is when we do the right thing as youths. The wind of change is blowing in our nation, the youth must participate massively in the elections. It is time we made a commitment to bring change to our generation. Our roles must be to join hand with good people to revitalise our economy and beat down the level of unemployment that exposes our graduates to menial jobs. We must enthrone a government that will explore our entrepreneurial skills to curb social vices and unemployment. Let us work in unison to produce a dynamic leadership in February, because we are tired of this clueless government in power. Religion and ethnicity must not water down our resolve to make the change. We have a choice to be part of history. We need a change that will bring about stability in the polity and at the end we can measure our progress and see if we are moving forward faster or we are retrogressing. This is the moment we can make a good choice. •Damsa, 200-Level Physics Education, UNIAGRIC Makurdi

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

•The orphans with members of the club during the visit.

N the spirit of Yuletide, members of the District 9125 of Rotaract Club in Ilesha, Osun State have visited Grace of God Foundation, an orphanage to put smile on the faces of the children. During the visit, members of the club, who are mainly students, shared gifts among the kids. The items donated included, bags of rice, semovita, garri, spaghetti, tomatoes, toiletries and clothes, among others. The children received the club members with joy as they sat calmly in their common room. The founder of the orphanage, who preferred to be addressed as Aunty Grace, hailed the visiting Rotaract members, noting that the gesture would make life meaningful to the orphans.

Rotaract fetes orphans From Dayo Ojerinde AKURE “This is a rare gesture by students and youth, who gave little out freely of the little they have. The children do appreciate them,” she said. Apart from the gift presentation, there was an interactive session where the visiting students had the opportunity to address the orphans on issues facing them. The President of the club, Folorunsho Oladayo, thanked the management of the foundation for hosting the students on humanitar-

ian service, pledging that the club would be partnering with the foundation on the welfare of the orphans. The students had a group photograph with the children. After they left the foundation, members of the club engaged in sanitation at Ilesha Roundabout. Folorunsho said: “We discovered the garden was not in shape before the celebration of the Iwude Annual Festival. We believe it should be put in good shape for the festival. This is why the club partnered with Youth Advantage Initiative to clean the Roundabout.”

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Lilian

Poly student is Miss Obolo

STUDENT Heritage Polytechnic in Akwa Ibom State, Lilian Hebron, has won Eastern Obolo beauty pageant, becoming Miss Obolo. The event was organised by Reform Giants in collaboration with Eastern Obolo Local Government Council. Students from various higher institutions trooped to Obolo Hall, the venue for the show. The Director of Reform Giant, Mr Ogeayi Adadu, said the pageant was to showcase the beauty and natural endowment of Obolo people. At the event included the chairman of the council, Hon Francis Charles, Princes Nkoyo Marcus, Elder Abel Ibanga, Mr. Philip Stanley and Mrs Charles Mboung. Local comedians, such Okon Lagos and Shonto entertained the audience with their hilarious jokes. Hip-hop artiste, such as J. Martins, Elclone, Felex and Mjay performed at the event, which was also made lively by acrobatic dancers. Fashion designers graced the show with colourful attire and style to showcase for the market. The beauty contest was divided into three phases. At the first stage, the six contestants were clad in cultural attires to show their sense of fashion. The contestants marched on the runway with their dazzling

•Wins brand new car From Sam Ibok and Mary Ikorwa UNICAL steps, drawing applause from the audience. The second stage had the contestants appearing in colourful dinner gowns. After the task, they were shortlisted to three, who moved into the final stage. The final stage featured exhibition of intellect. It was breath-taking moment as contestants engaged in traditional dances, mock television presentation, drama and singing. When the winners were about to be announced, the audience maintained pin-drop silence. The judges then announced Praise Alison and Elizabeth Aquawo as first and second runners up, leaving the last contestant, Lilian, as winner. Hon. Charles presented prizes to the winners, while praising the sponsors for the initiative. The council boss thanked the students for turning out massively to the event, promising that the subsequent event would be bigger. Lilian, who went home with a brand new car, pledged to use her reign help students discover their talents and contribute to the growth of Obolo community.

UN ILORIN to host Carnegie African Diaspora scholar

HE University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has been chosen by the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship programme to host an African Diaspora scholar, Prof. I.S.Y. Ajiferuke of the Faculty of Information and Media Studies, University of Ontario in Canada. The scholar will work on a collaborative research project with academic staff of the UNILORIN’s Department of Library and Information Science. The research project is expected to boost the capacity of the staff in research and grant. The collaboration, which is sequel to an application made by the department to the Carnegie Foundation, will be managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in conjunction with Quinnipiac University, which

From Burhan Olaitan UNILORIN chairs the Advisory Council, and will be funded by the Carnegie Corporation, New York, United States. The research titled: Graduate teaching, training and mentoring in statistical methods for Library and Information Science, is billed to start today and end in April. It will be conducted in the UNILORIN. The Canadian scholar is one of the 60 Carnegie African Diaspora Fellows deployed to Africa to conduct joint projects submitted by host universities in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. The Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, Dr. A.O. Issa, praised the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, for supporting the application.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

EDUCATION

Lawmakers urge LASU to revisit student’s case

UTHORITIES of the Lagos State University (LASU) have been ordered to re-visit the case of a student who was not allowed to graduate because of his alleged involvement in examination malpractices. Toviho Oluwaseyi Ezekiel had petitioned the Assembly last year alleging that LASU authorities failed to submit his name for National Youth Service, even when his results had been released. Toviho said he was accused of cheating in an examination in 2010, when he was in 100-Level, adding that he was made to re-write the paper and moved to the next class. According to him, he eventually went through the programme only to be told that he could not go for his NYSC programme because of the case. The House then wrote a resolution to the school and advised the management to allow Toviho to graduate and go for his NYSC programme on compassionate grounds.

UNILAG FILE

New head for LG Academy THE Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Rahamon A. Bello, has approved the nomination of Dr. Olaseni M. Kamiyo of the Department of Mechanical Engineering as the Coordinator of the UNILAG-LG Academy. The one-year appointment took effect from January 5, 2015.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

However, the matter was revisited last week, when the student wrote another letter to the House that the school was yet to clear him over the matter. The House subsequently invited the Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa, who told the lawmakers last Tuesday that Toviho’s case could not be treated as an isolated case. “It was one of the over 1,200 cases of exam malpractices that we inherited and we are treating them accordingly. The matter was handled by the Exam Malpractice Committee of the Faculty of Management Sciences as well as others in the school and the University Governing Council is yet to meet since October, 2014, when we got the resolution. The next meeting of the council will hold on January 20,” he said. The VC, who was accompanied to the Assembly by the DVC, Administration, and others, said that he could not unilaterally take a deci-

Don for inaugural lecture •Ikuforiji

•Prof Obafunwa

sion on the matter as it was part of the re-organisation process being carried out in the school. While one of the lawmakers, who spoke on the matter, Hon. Moshood Oshun said that the issue was that of examination malpractice and should be treated thus, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola said that the issue on ground was the resolution of the House. The Speaker of the House, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji then said that the

Assembly could not interfere with the internal affairs of the school as the laws setting up the school emanated from the House in the first instance. “We are only appealing that the resolution of the House on the issue should be discussed at the next meeting of the Governing Council of the school and we want the matter to be treated on compassionate ground,” he said.

THE 1st Inaugural Lecture of UNILAG for the 2014/2015 Academic Session entitled: Cancer The Unwanted Guest That May Visit will hold on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at the Main Auditorium, of the university. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon A. Bello, will preside over the lecture which will be delivered by the Head, Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis and Radiography in the College of Medicine, Prof Aderemi Tajudeen Ajekigbe.

Unemployment worries VC

HE Vice-Chancellor (VC), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB), Prof Olusola Oyewole, has lamented the increasing rate of graduate unemployment. Oyewole spoke during a capacity building workshop organised by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on "Entrepreneurship Education and Training for Entrepreneurship Lecturers in Public Tertiary Institutions", held in the University. The VC, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof Kolawole Salako, said graduate unemployment has led to insecurity and reduced the standard of living of the citizenry. He, however, thanked the Federal Government for introducing entrepreneurial training and studies into the curriculum of Nigerian universities, which he said would empower the youths, increase economic growth and enhance the standard of living of the people. In his remarks, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), TETFund, Dr. Musa Babayo, represented by Mr. Segun Jeboda, the South-West Co-ordinator for the workshop, noted that the initiative was aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among students by empowering them to become innovative and creative thinkers in business. The Executive Secretary, TETFund, Prof Suleiman Bogoro, re-iterated that the theme of the workshop: "Strengthening the Delivery of Entrepreneurship Education of Lecturers in Public Tertiary Institution", was designed to strengthen the delivery of entrepreneurship and training in public tertiary institutions with set objectives.

•Prof Otinwa

Don wins award

•Mr Nduli Okwuosa, National President, NAU Alumni Association (3rd left), Obineme (4th right), Ms Aniegbulam (second right) and other members at the event.

NAU alumni plan N250m housing project

HE Lagos State Chapter of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Alumni Association, has concluded plans to embark on a N250 million housing project. When completed, it is expected to accommodate its secretariat as well as members and graduates of the school undergoing their NYSC in Lagos. The Vice Chairman of the association, Chinyere Aniebgulam, who disclosed this during the unveiling of the project in Lagos, said the facility would provide avenue for networking and socialization for members as well as the upcoming ones. Speaking during the Annual Lecture/Dinner in Lagos, she said the association plans to help the upcoming ones to further strengthen the institution. She said the project was the first of

By Ambrose Nnaji

its kind being initiated in Nigeria, describing it as a victory for alumni of the university all over the world. She expressed the hope that in the next five years the project would be near finished if not completed. She therefore called on all stakeholders including the governors of Lagos and Anambra states to come to their aid in order to realise their dream Chairman of the association, Victor Obineme stressed the need for members to inculcate the values of the society so that when they assume leadership positions they would not deviate from it. He said the country has failed to grasp a political ideology that is in accordance with the norms and values of the people. This, according to him, is the cause of the power struggle and backbiting that are being wit-

nessed in most parts of the country today adding that the association would do everything possible to set the country's political ideology right. Speaking on the theme "The Role of Alumni in Nation Building", Obineme said it is time for the alumni members to give back to the society. "We have been trained, it's time for us to give back to the society, if you build the man, you build the society, we have been trained, and we want to inculcate into the society those values that we have acquired from the university," he said. He said the association has supported the university authority in training the students to become exemplary leaders in the society. "That is our core value: to train human resources; we want to invest in the society," he added.

CMUL Provost gets second term

•Prof Ogunsola

HE Governing Council of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has ratified the appointment of Prof Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola as Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), for a second term of two years with effect from January 1, 2015. The decision to ratify her re-appointment was taken at the December 16, 2014 meeting of the Governing Council. This followed Professor Ogunsola's election, unopposed, by the Academic Staff of the College.

Born on November 14, 1958, Prof Ogunsola (nee Mabogunje) attended Maryhill Convent School, Ibadan (1965-1969); University of Ibadan Staff School (1962-1964); and Queen's College, Yaba (1970-1974). For her post secondary education, she attended University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe; College of Medicine, University of Lagos; and College of Medicine, University of Wales, Cardiff. Her kitty of academic and professional qualifications include MB.CHB (June 1982), Masters Degree in Medical Microbiology (De-

cember 1990), Diploma in Biomedical Techniques, Doctoral Degree in Medical Microbiology (July 1998), Fellow of the National Postgraduate Medical College in Pathology (May, 1995) and West African College of Physicians (October, 1997). Prof Ogunsola joined CMUL as Lecturer 1 in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology in November, 1995. She became a Senior Lecturer in October 1997; Associate Professor in October 2004 and Professor in October, 2008.

THE International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (ICHPER.SD) has honoured a senior academic staff of the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education in the Faculty of Education, UNILAG, Prof Grace Otinwa as the pioneer recipient of its Dong Ja Yang Award on Leadership. Prof Otinwa, who has served as the Regional Secretary of ICHPER.SD Africa for over 12 years received the award on December 18, 2014 during the 56th ICHPER.SD Anniversary World Congress and Exposition held in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. The International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation (ICHPER) was founded in 1958 in Rome, Italy and was renamed the ICHPER.SD at the World Congress held in 1993 in Japan. The body is committed to the promotion of professional and curriculum standards, scholarly pursuits and exchange of knowledge among professionals in health, physical education, recreation, sports and dance. Born on March 17, 1964 in Jos, Plateau State, Prof Otinwa nee Akintunde had her elementary education at St. Luke Primary School, Jos, Plateau State (1970 1974) and Baptist Day Primary School, Kaduna State (1974 1976). She attended the Women Teachers College, Zaria (1976 1981), and the Advanced Teachers College, Zaria where she obtained the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1982. She earned a first degree in Physical and Health Education from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1987. She studied for her Master of Education Degree and Doctorate Degree in Exercise Physiology at the University of Ibadan (1990 and 1998).

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE BRIEFS

Adeboye to pray at OAU THE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, will, for two days, lead the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, community in an interdenominational annual prayer and thanksgiving service to usher in the year 2015. A release by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that Pastor Adeboye is expected to arrive the university campus and be received by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole and other principal officers of the university on Thursday for the two-day programmme. The man of God is expected to commit the OAU management, staff, students and the general community of Ile-Ife into the hands of God for divine guidance, peace, protection, industrial harmony infrastructural development and academic excellence this year.

UNILORIN, Malaysian varsity sign MoU THE University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Sains Islam, Malaysia (USIM) on students and staff exchange programme. Other areas covered by the agreement include workshops, research and development projects on leadership and management issues in Islam. The MoU, which was signed last Tuesday (January 6, 2014), was part of the official engagement of the UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, during his visit to the Asian country. The Vice-Chancellor of USIM, Prof. Datuk Musa Ahmad, signed on behalf of his university while Prof. Ambali signed on behalf of UNILORIN. The Ceremony was witnessed by the Director-General of the Higher Education Department of the Malaysian Ministry of Education, Prof Asma Ismail.

‘Harmonise Biochemistry curriculum’ From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

THE Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB) has called for the harmonization of Biochemistry curriculum across all Nigerian universities with a view to making it locally relevant and internationallyacceptable. The Society also called on government to increase funding for research and upgrade facilities needed for effective teaching and learning. These formed part of the resolutions adopted by members of the Society at the end of her 33rd Annual Conference and General Meeting held at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State. The keynote address was delivered by a former Director of Research, Biotechnology Advanced Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja, Prof Godwin Ogbadu, represented by Prof P.C. Onyenekwe, a director in the laboratory. The Olumbe Bassir Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof D.A. Ameh of Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In addition, there were two plenary lectures presented by Dr. Femi J. Olorunniji of Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK and Professor F.C. Chilaka of Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

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SSPSSR Quants PhD Scholarship at University of Kent in UK, 2015

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Streamlining data to revive adult education

HE drive to revive the NonFormal Education (NFE) sub sector got a major boost recently with the development of effective data gathering instrument to streamline statistics on adult and youth education in Nigeria. The new instrument, apart from its reliability, is considered to be efficient and cost effective such that international agencies can adopt it. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Director, Prof. Hassana Alidou, harmonized data on adult and youth literacy will address numerous challenges facing the NFE, especially lack of accurate data and inadequate funding of mass literacy programmes. Prior to this development, statistics on adult and youth education in the nation appeared undependable. Despite being the mandate of the Nigerian National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) to provide data on the non formal education, various agencies including Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), had worked at cross purposes. Data generated by National Population Commission (NPC) often vary from that of the NBS. For instance, the NBS 2010 Literacy Survey reports revealed that 58.9 per cent of the nation's population is literate but the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) 2010 Global study of Out-of-School Children placed the population of literate persons in Nigeria at 62 per cent with 10.5 million children out of school. UNESCO reports also showed that the nation has an estimated 40 million illiterate young people and adults with 10 million Out-of School children. Based on the latest Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) made public last week, less than 10 per cent of women and 14 per cent of men in the country have gone beyond secondary school, while nearly half of women (47 per cent) surveyed and one quarter of men are illiterates. At a meeting in Lokoja where

• Never too late to learn: Some women learning in the North. From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

various stakeholders from the NPC, NBS, UNESCO, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (OSSAP-MDG.s), NMEC Zonal Coordinators and state Agencies Directors for mass education gathered to solve the problem recently, they emphasised a great need to establish the Non-formal Management Information System (NFEMIS). They adopted two data collection instruments: NMEC 01 (State Level Instrument for Data Collection) and NMEC 02 (Data Collec-

tion Instrument for Learning Centre), streamlined into the Federal Ministry of Education NEMIS (FME-NEMIS) and targeted to revive adult and youth literacy. Also at the meeting, the various participants underscored the importance of the new instrument. The Gombe State Executive Director for Adult Non-Formal Education, Alhaji Zakari Kudi, said use of accurate and uniform data by the NFE stakeholders would contribute largely to meeting needs of the special group. On her part, the National Coordinator on Revitalizing Adult and Youth Literacy project (RAYL),

‘The Main objective of the project is to strengthen the national capacity for designing, delivering, evaluating and monitoring quality literacy programmes by focusing on strategic areas of action such as, policy review and analysis, advocacy and communication’

Mrs. Alice Atteh-Abang said the project would ultimately contribute to national development goals of job creation and economic growth. "The Main objective of the project is to strengthen the national capacity for designing, delivering, evaluating and monitoring quality literacy programmes by focusing on strategic areas of action such as, policy review and analysis, advocacy and communication, addressing the persistent gaps in capacity, innovations and good practices, and effective partnerships in support of literacy," she said. A Consultant, Dr. Aminu Bichi, said that the status report from the workshop would make available information and analysis on adult and NFE to relevant stakeholders, who will interpret and implement educational policies at the three tiers of government. He added that it would contribute to dialogue among stakeholders on likely challenges and emerging strategic priorities for adult education.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

EDUCATION

Teachers are ‘worst treated’ workers in Kogi, says union T HE Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kogi State Wing, has bemoaned the fate of Basic Education teachers, saying they are worst-treated civil servants in the state. Speaking in Lokoja last week, the state NUT Chairman, Suleiman Ndalayi Abdullahi, said primary and junior secondary school teachers are not at par with other civil servants in the state in terms of salary and welfare. He said minimum wage has not been implemented for them, sev-

From James Azania, Lokoja

eral years after other workers have been enjoying same and their promotions have not been cash backed for four years. He also said the yearly salary increments have not been implemented, while their leave allowances have not been paid for years. Abdullahi said these are happening despite meetings and agreements reached with government

officials, screenings and verification exercises carried out, and long periods of strikes. "Is this the way to motivate teachers? The question we are asking now is who is sabotaging all efforts to make teachers get their dues? It is sad that some of us are assessing October salaries in January, while November is just commencing. So, when will December salary be paid?

"Today, our teachers cannot take care of their health needs, pay their bills, feed their families and provide the basic needs for their families and relations. What do you expect from a teacher that faces all these challenges? " he asked. Abdullahi alleged that there is an attempt to kill public schools in the state so that the private ones can excel. He appealed to the government, royal fathers, opinion leaders, well-meaning citizens and other stakeholders to help salvage basic education in the state.

•Abdullahi

World’s best teacher to get $1m in Dubai •Six Africans among 50 shortlisted •Educationists for Gulf confab

TEACHER deemed as the best in the world will receive the sum of $1 million at the Global Education and Skills Forum on March 16 this year in Dubai. The forum holds a day before the 5th Annual Gulf Education Conference & Exhibition opens in the same city. The Global Teacher Prize, sponsored by the Varkey Foundation, is aimed at improving the status of teachers, recognising them, and celebrating their role in the society. The teacher that would emerge would have been adjudged to have been outstanding in opening pupils' minds, contributing to their communities, and encouraging others to enter the profession. Fifty teachers that made the shortlist from 5,000 nominations from 127 countries will be pruned down to 10 by next month. The 10 would attend the awards ceremony. Among the 50 are six African teachers namely: Jacque Kahura (Bofa Primary School, Kilifi, Kenya); Andrews Nchessie (Kasungu Demonstration School & Kasungu Teacher Training College in Kasungu, Malawi); Souad Belcaid (American School of Tangier, Tangier, Morocco); Malima Chisumo (Nsumba Secondary School, Mwanza, Tanzania); Ronald Ddungu (Gayaza High School, Kampala, Uganda); and Rafieferana Faly (Madagascar). Winner of the prize could also enjoy support from organisations to implement projects they submitted in the course of their application. The prize, according to Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey GEMS Foundation, said he nursed the hope that the teaching profession would be well respected through the award. "We introduced the prize this year

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

in order to return teachers to their rightful position as one of the most respected professions in society. The prize is not only about money; it's also about unearthing thousands of stories of inspiration as the many applications prove," he said. Meanwhile at the two-day Gulf Conference and Exhibition opening a day after the teachers' prize, educationists and participants would benefit from exchanging ideas about education programmes, curriculum development, blended learning, internationalisation, and research going on in various parts of the world. The conference would also facilitate partnerships and students’ recruitment between international institutions, schools and universities and Ministries of Education within the MENA (Middle East and African region) and Asian regions. The conference is being supported by Sultan Abu-Orabi, Secretary General of the Association of the Arab Universities; Prof Tawfiq Al Khoja, Director General Executive Board, Health Ministers Council for Cooperation Council, and Mr. David Lock, Director of International Projects, Leadership Foundation for Higher Education. Awards to be presented at the conference include: The Most Effective International Partnership (Education/Education); The Most Effective Partnership(Educational/Commercial); The Most Outstanding Entrepreneurial Project; The Most Innovative Advance in Teaching Employability Skills; The Most Effective Scheme in Motivating Academic Staff to Engage with the Employability Agenda; Innovation in Education for the Special Needs Sector and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Education key to long-term security, says monarch

MONARCH, Chief Adebayo Makinde, has blamed insurgency on poverty and illiteracy, saying that only the non-educated can easily be manipulated to engage in crime. He said it would be difficult to convince a well-educated person with a bright future to commit suicide. Makinde, who is the Sagua of Alaafin of Oyo, spoke in his Lagos residence during an interview on his forthcoming 80th birthday. He will be 80 on January 14. The monarch, a pharmacist, said: "The problem of insecurity is also political apart from the fact it has a religious undertone. The only way Nigeria can move forward is to deemphasise our religion. "The economic level is so low for quite a number of people, particularly where there is high level of insecurity. We have to agree to re-

By Joseph Jibueze

duce poverty in such areas. Those places also need modern amenities of life. "Also, if we educate people, there will be development. The late Obafemi Awolowo tried to educate his own people, and you can see the result today in the seven states that make up the old western region. "If other regions had made education a priority, we won't have much problem today, because anybody that is well educated is more likely to value life. "But if one is not educated, he is just a little better than an animal. Your level of education also determines your way of life. "Therefore, Nigeria must really make extra effort to ensure that people are educated in places ravaged by insurgency."

• From left: Prof Ogundipe, Pastor Babatope, Pastor Ojo, Mrs Ojo, and Prof Ade Ojo at the event. PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

From dullard to prodigy

ITH his son transforming from an underperformer to a straight 'A' pupil in nine months, Mr Samuel Babatope needs no oracle to tell him that Jextoban Secondary School has got what it takes to provide the right quality education, with emphasis on character as well. As the school celebrated its 20th anniversary last Friday at its Ibafo campus, Babatope, who preached the sermon, said the proprietor, Pastor Adedayo Ojo, and his wife, Adun, have been used by God to transform the lives of many young people that have passed through the school. "My son was in one of these high fee-paying schools and he repeated a class. I beat him because I was paying through my nose to send him to the school. I could not imagine paying for another year. I ran to brother to help me. He said I should bring the boy. Even when he wrote the test at Jextoban, he scored 46 per cent. He did not pass. But he said I should bring him. In nine months, he was transformed. He had no credits in his WASSCE, only distinctions. He is now a chemical engineer running his own business," he said. Babatope prayed that God would spare Ojo's life to expand the vision to other parts of the country. Babatope was not the only parent who appreciated Jextoban. Some other parents told The Nation that the good behaviour of the school's alumni made them to enroll their wards. Mrs Yemisi Soji-Idowu's second son is a JSS3 pupil of the school. She enrolled his elder brother after she noticed that children of relatives who attended the school stood out. "If you see any student of this school outside, they don't need to tell you before you know that they are students of Jextoban. It is the way they train them; the discipline they display. They don't misbehave outside, which I am gaining now.

•School celebrates 20 years of excellence That is why I allowed the second one to come to the school. You can see it in my first born when you see him anywhere. They all started from here," she said. Another parent, Mr Olalekan Fasanmi, said he changed his daughter to Jextoban because apart from offering qualitative education and discipline, the school was able to keep its teachers. He said: "The school is a valuedriven school. They already have products all over the world and I have had to interact with junior colleagues that have passed through this school and they are not doing badly. Discipline is there. Children of nowadays really need to be well handled. You spare the rod, you spoil the child. Then the academic excellence is also there. I also did a research. I found out that quite a number of their teachers have stayed for a very long time. That means there is contentment. The teachers' welfare is being taken care of." On their part, the teachers said their being regarded as part of the family inspired their long stay in the school. Vice Principal (Academics), Mr Bamitale Jude Ogunkola, who was employed in 2001, said: "My passion for the students is one - to see them succeed. Two: the family nature of the school - the way the owners take the staff that made me to stay. We work hand-in-hand. They are concerned about your welfare; your family; and your own moving forward." Mrs Funmilayo Elizabeth Olabanji, Head of School (Junior School, Alapere campus), who would clock 20 years in the school in May, said she has enjoyed being in the system. "The school has grown in terms of academics, facilities, then even the teachers. I joined the school when I had NCE and I have upgraded my-

self," she said. She said a strong point of the school is teaching the pupils to work hard in their academics without depending on malpractice. "One thing in Jextoban is this: Teachers, we will teach our students. During examinations, you do not see teachers teaching them - even internal examinations. We always do it as if the students are writing external examinations - just to make them feel that sense of examination. They always do their things on their own. That is one thing I have realised that is helping them. Even if they go to other institutions, we always hear something good about them," she said. With such foundation, the proprietor, Pastor Ojo, who recently clocked 71, said even average pupils of Jextoban shine in other settings. He added that he was happy that the school, which he was inspired to start 20 years ago to address the decadence in education characterised by examination malpractice and indiscipline, has grown so much. "God has given us the grace to transform lives of children character wise. Academically, we have also built for them a solid foundation that even an average student that leaves here, when he gets to the university, he becomes a star. I think because of the solid foundation they have received and the self reliance and the sense of commitment and focus on their studies, that attitude, when the child has a good foundation, he can always build on it," he said. The guest speaker and chairman of the day, Prof Olutoyin Ogundipe, counseled the pupils to live good lives. "Learn to evangelise; talk to God about the people around you. You must learn to sow seeds. When we talk about seed, people normally think of money; but you must sow seeds of love in the lives of the people around you so they will appreciate you. Run away from anything called evil, run away from it. Evil can destroy; evil can kill," he said. The anniversary featured a service and a reception programme.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

EDUCATION EDUTALK

Lagos introduces CBT for Model College exam

Teachers that moved me

•MSSN flays N10,000 form

HE Lagos State Ministry of Education has introduced Computer Based Test (CBT) for entrance examination into its 15 model colleges/upgraded junior secondary schools for the 2015/2016 academic session. The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, who announced the sale of entry forms for the examination, said as the pilot edition, only about 20-30 candidates would write the CBT version. She noted in a statement that the CBT would only be for interested candidates, while the majority would write the conventional Pencil Based Test (P.B.T.). The CBT would hold at the I.C.T/ Computer Centre of the Lagos State Examinations Board (LSEB), Agege, while the PBT would hold in designated centres across the state on May 9. The Commissioner noted that candidates, after paying the N10,000 registration fee, would get a customised Compact Disc (CD) from

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Tajudeen Adebanjo

the Lagos State Examination Board. The 15 model colleges/upgraded schools include Lagos State Model Junior College, Meiran; Vetland Junior Grammar School, IfakoIjaiye; Lagos State Model Junior College, Igbokuta; Lagos State Civil Service Model Junior College, Igbogbo; Oriwu Model Junior College, Ikorodu; Government Junior College, Ikorodu; Eva Adelaja Memorial Junior Secondary School, Bariga. Others are Lagos State Model Junior College, Badore; Lagos State Model Junior College, Igbonla; and Lagos State Model Junior College, Agbowa; Government Junior College, Ketu-Epe; Epe Junior Grammar School, Epe; Lagos State Model Junior College, Kankon; Lagos State Model Junior College, Ojo; and Badagry Junior Grammar School, Badagry. The sales of forms will close on

‘The fear is that this is just the beginning, very soon the Lagos State government may begin to ask parents in public schools to start paying 'token' school fees’

•Oladunjoye

April 3. However, a group, the Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit (LSAU), has objected to the N10,000 registration fee, which was the same amount charged last year. A statement signed by its Amir (President), Kaamil Kalejaiye, MSSN LSAU, said the burden of bringing quality or change in the education system should not be placed on parents. "The fear is that this is just the beginning, very soon the Lagos State government may begin to ask parents in public schools to start paying 'token' school fees.? This may not come directly, but with another obscure tag. This is possible because we have seen high fee regime happened in the state university, polytechnic and colleges of education. All these have made the educational policies of LASG scary and mostly anti-masses," he said.

Visually-impaired pupils get success tips

By Jane Chijioke

The alumnus shared success stories of former pupils and other physically challenged and told them that challenges are not peculiar to the disabled. He said: "I encourage the present day pupils to know and accept the fact that impossibility is the opinion of the indolent, fools. I implore every student, therefore, to shun the attitude which accepts 'No' as answers in the pursuit of desired goals. This means that you should never say never to a good and noble course. It is my appeal and strong warning to all pupils to embrace diligence and detest the attitude that postpones a day's assignment to the next. Anyone, who embraces such attitude, is in good company of a great enemy called procrastination. It is the thief of destiny." Abiodun praised the teachers for their efforts, and urged them to keep their dreams alive as the success of physical challenged pupils is their strength and joy. He also advised parents to give

N March, far away in Dubai, one of 10 teachers, shortlisted from over 5,000 from across the world, will receive the Global Teacher Prize of $1 million. There are no Nigerians among the finalists. (There were six Africans, exKofoworola cluding Nigeria, among the top 50). The criteria used to select them included the impact they made in the lives of their pupils, their inKofosagie@yahoo.com fluence on their communities, and 08054503077 (SMS only) their ability to persuade others to become teachers. Why no Nigerian made the shortlist is not my concern in this piece. Perhaps in another, I may discuss it. But now, the prize made me remember the many teachers that have crossed my path in my quest for knowledge - from pre-school to postgraduate studies. The first teacher I can remember who made an impression on me was, Mrs Pratt, my Primary Two teacher. I was not among the top 10 in my class (I can remember coming 13th once). But I loved to read. At the beginning of the school year, before my parents bought my books, I would borrow the Macmillan Primary Reader from my classmates. At break time, while they played outside, I read all the comprehension passages in the textbook, enjoying the stories about Simbi and Ali. I did not know Mrs Pratt noticed until one day, she told the class to emulate me. Was I surprised! I was a star for one day. I remember with fondness my Primary Six teacher, Mr Ojo-omalade for being strict and demanding the best from us. I particularly recall the day he told my classmates that I did not transit to secondary school from Primary Five, not because I failed the National Common Entrance Examination but because the cut off for my state was very high. He calculated my score and told the class I had made above 80 per cent, which I did not previously know. That was his call for us to be serious. And he implemented it with words of counsel and with the rod. I also remember my second Primary Six teacher, Mr Ojimmy, for the poems he made us to recite before classes began each day. Because of him, I know a number of poems and also appreciate the morals conveyed in them which made little sense back then. In secondary school, I remember the Fine Art teacher who gave me two marks extra for writing neatly - though I cannot recall her name. Those two precious marks pushed me closely to 60 than 50. I also remember the delectable Ms Nwaobi, who made me love Integrated Science in junior secondary school, and Biology in SS1 and SS2 because she taught so well. When she was changed, I hardly attended Biology classes again till I graduated. I remember my Igbo teacher, Mr Azubuike, who regaled us with interesting stories when I was in JSS2. He made me almost register for Igbo in the Junior School Certificate Examination. It took my classmates to warn me not to try such foolhardy plan if I did not want to score an F. I did not. I chose Yoruba, which was more familiar. I remember my Yoruba teacher, Uncle Bode. I lived in terror of him because of the stories I had heard from my seniors about his strictness. However, when he took my class in JSS3, I loved every bit of it. He was really good. Unfortunately, he left before we returned to senior school. The teacher that replaced him, made me hate the subject. I did not sit for it in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). At tertiary level, I remember the lecturer who gave me a second chance though I cannot remember her name. I did not submit an assignment she gave for no tangible reason. I was just being the unserious fresher. Somehow, she got to know when I quietly confessed to another classmate who was asking for my script in her office, hoping with all my heart that she would not hear. She did; and all hell broke loose. But, surprisingly, she allowed me to do the assignment and submit it. I ended up with a B in her course. She definitely earned my respect. Not many lecturers would have been so gracious. I remember Dr Etsiotse, a lecturer that taught me English as a GNS course. He was so good - so good that I kept his class notes for years after graduation. But for moving house, I would still have had it. I do not think I have lost it. In my heart, I believe it is somewhere in my luggage, waiting to be discovered on a future date. And, would I be glad! I remember so many good teachers that taught me at postgraduate level. I remember Mr Tomi Vincent that made Law and Ethics desirable to learn. I also remember Dr Ike Obiaya for giving so many exercises in his Writing Skills classes, which I always looked forward to; and Dr Austin Nweze for being ever so patient. All these teachers, and some more that I did not mention because of space, have a special place in my heart. They may not win the Global Teacher Prize but they have impacted my life positively. To them, I say thank you. What about you?

• A cultural display by some school children at the 2014 Lewu Day celebrations at Odolewu, Ogun State.

upils of Pacelli School for the Blind have been advised to tread the path of those before them to overcome challenges. Mr Michael Abiodun, an alumnus, who graduated 24 years ago, gave the advice at the school's end of year programme in Surulere, Lagos. In a lecture titled: 'My thought', Abiodun charged the pupils to imbibe a positive attitude and build on the foundation that previous sets have laid. Expressing his thought, he posed a question to them: "Parceli where are you today?" He asserted that the answer is a collective responsibility of both the pupils, teachers and parents in attaining the success the school is known for. Abiodun who graduated as the best pupil, excelled in secondary school, and now a lawyer, explained that purpose, driven by determination, actualises divine destiny. He said purpose and determination were the tools used in achieving glory in the past, urging them to embrace them.

with

sufficient support to their wards as they are most likely to be victims of discrimination. Principal of the school, Sister Jane Onyeneri, advised parents to not to hide their children, who are physically challenged, as they have great potentials. She sought the government's assistance to address the flooding problem the school faces during the rains, as well as in paying teachers' salaries. She said the school has 43 members of staffs and 135 pupils who are all boarders. With the pupils not paying any form of tuition, she noted that the school depends solely on charity. "We need the government to help with this issue of flooding we are facing here. Most times the children cannot come out; they will be just stacked upstairs, which is not healthy. We were told by experts that unless the Ajao road drainage is solved that the school's flooding problem will not be solved," she said.

Belo-Osagie

In secondary school, I remember the Fine Art teacher who gave me two marks extra for writing neatly - though I cannot recall her name. Those two precious marks pushed me closely to 60 than 50. I also remember the delectable Ms Nwaobi, who made me love Integrated Science in junior secondary school, and Biology in SS1 and SS2 because she taught so well. graduated

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

THE NATION

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

Embrace energy therapy, Nigerians advised N

IGERIANS have been urged to patronise energy medicine. According to the pioneer energy therapy (ET) practitioner in Nigeria, Chief Iwowarri James, energy therapy, which is also known as energy medicine or energy psychology offers various treatment’s options. He said the name was coined in the late 80s by some clinical psychologists, and energy healers, adding: “In the late 1990s, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is the official arm of health policy and implementation in the United States defined areas within Complementary and Alternative Medicine through five subdivisions. They are: mind–body medicine, biologically-based practices, energy medicine, manipulative and body-based practices, and whole medical systems. ET, he said, is the third leg of medicine in what is now known as integrative medicine, which combines orthodox medicine practice with natural medicinal practice comprising herbal and energy medicine. Moreover, energy medicine recognises that everybody is all energy and that our energy field gets clogged with all kinds of negative energy which man generates through emotional outbursts, environmental fields, electromagnetic waves, food we eat and the things we drink. The clogging, he said, affects people’s physical and emotional conditions which cause them to become diseased. “We need to clear the energy blockages resulting from the above so that we can be free and healthy, hence Energy Therapy,” he said. James said energy medicine is an age-old healing modality. Explain-

•Iwowarri Stories by Wale Adepoju

ing further, he said it started over 5000 years ago in China and has been active in Indian cultures for over 3000 years. It is currently about 40 years in the US and 30 years in the United Kingdom and other European countries. “In Africa, energy therapy is as old as the Continent but because of lack of documentation in traditional African settings, its use was not documented. So we can say it is science of healing, which I now pioneer, it is just about nine years old in Nigeria. I started it in 2005. Energy therapy is recognised by the National Health Institute of America under its National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, as a major form of complementary and alternative medicine. Energy therapy is now making inroad into conventional health service provision as a credible alternative and complementary medical knowledge that is vi-

tal and supportive of healing and wellbeing. It has been found useful in human behaviour modifications and therefore complements and even replaces active models in this aspect of human resources development strategy. We are delighted to be the champions of this process that supports people in changing and upgrading their lifestyle through the elimination of burdensome thoughts and negative emotions, a veritable step in total physical and emotional healing journey. Naturopathy is a form of energy medicine even because it recognised the element of vibration in the process of restoration of the human system, though it was recognised earlier than the various other components which have become more efficacious in clinical practice such as Tapping. James said he introduced ET into Nigeria about eight years ago. The reason why it is not so popular, he said, was because his inability to raise awareness on the profession. “The efforts so far have been one man’s effort,” he noted. Besides, I am seeking support from the Federal Government, corporate organisations and individuals to promote it. He said ET ensures speedy heal-

ing, adding that it handles very wide scope of diseases. “It is a major tool in trauma healing and helps in behaviour modification. More importantly is the fact that it is drugless,” he said. He further said that ET involved meetings between the client and the therapist. “The therapists has the knowledge of ET, the skill required to dig into the problems, the cause, and how to support the client achieve freedom. The energy therapist must be able to do exploratory diagnosis, know how to tap, understand how to achieve chakra health and in securing clean aura. “It is also in overcoming psychological reversals, which prevent people from healing at all levels. Energy Therapy helps the client to remove energy blockages, bring about energetic balance and support the individual to achieve total integration at body, mind, and spirit level. He said there are products and machines that can be used to enhance clients energy system. They are Resonance Tuner Card, Tesla Energy Lights, Young Living Essential Oils, Magnetic Bands. The products, he said, can be used to enhance energy level, dissolve negative energies and build im-

‘Negative energies come from or are caused by issues such as anger, grief, worry, anxiety, fears and phobias, very bad feelings from emotional traumas resulting from rape, war, accidents, loss of relations, loss of jobs, loss of positions, and many more’

mune system of people. The GIET Institute provides training in the use of these materials which any user must first evaluate energetically to be sure that their frequencies match theirs before use. He said treatment is affordable, adding that his Centre for Energy Healing Awareness in Lagos and Port Harcourt are the only centres in Nigeria. The other option is to go abroad where my colleagues provide similar service. However, going to the US or the United Kingdom will entail airfare, hotel bills, and associated expences. So doing it in Nigeria will obviously be cheaper even if it is a little pricey. James said there are plans in the pipelines to train at the GIET Institute. He said the practice has a bright future in Nigeria. This is because the world is moving steadily towards drugless therapies. “Energy Therapy is very well positioned to support Nigerians in their journey to total health and well-being without over reliance on drugs. “We need energy healings in schools, government, hospitals, organisations, businesses, sports and politics, among others. Just as we need energy therapists in these areas. He said ET does not cure any ailment rather it helps to eliminate negative energies in the human energy system. “Negative energies come from or are caused by issues such as anger, grief, worry, anxiety, fears and phobias, very bad feelings from emotional traumas resulting from rape, war, accidents, loss of relations, loss of jobs, loss of positions, and many more. “Research has also shown that some ailments of organ failures or organ discomforts start with these negative emotions,” James said.

Too much sugar reduces immunity, says provost

ROVOST of the Federal College of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, Lagos, Dr Idowu Ogunkoya has urged people to adopt lifestyles that can boost their immunity. According to him, this is necessary because people with strong immunity have natural resistance to diseases. He said consuming too much sugar suppresses the immune system cells responsible for attacking bacteria. “By consuming between 75 and 100 grammes of sugar solution can reduce the ability of white blood cells to overpower and destroy bacteria,” he said. Besides, natural fruit juices, tea and water should be used to flush the cells, boost immune system with vitamins and keep hydrated. He advised people to deal decisively with chronic stress because it makes them more vulnerable to illness, colds, and even serious diseases. “The continuation of stress exposes the body to a steady flow of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenalin, which suppress the immune system. People should breathe deep, meditate, or focus on ‘letting go’ to reduce their stress,” he said.

•Onion

•Garlic By Wale Adepoju

People, he said, should be active by exercising as getting stuck to a chair for long hours can reduce immune system efficiency. “Being stuck at a desk all day or skipping exercise can reduce your

Save mac 27 health Natural health folder 15-1-15

immune system’s efficiency. Movement, or exercise, not only stimulates the lymphatic system (the sewer system of the body), but increases oxygenation, and increases the level of leukocytes in the body, an immune system cell

that fights infection,” he said. He said inadequate sleep can affect immunity, stressing that insomnia can cause a rise in inflammation – and similarly an increase in cortisol. It is clear a great way to boost the immune system is to get between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. Ogunkoya recommended lifestyle changes for people to shed extra body weight, adding that being overweight increases their chances of having diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. “People can increase their immunity by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding refined sugars and processed carbohydrates. Also, they should consume lean, optimally plant-based proteins, drinking plenty of water, and getting a moderate exercise regularly. He said the essential amino acids, antioxidants, and healthy fats in avocados can help to balance hormones, support the immune system and balance adrenals. The provost said ginger is a good plant that aids immunity. “It warms the body and it helps to break down accumulation of toxins in the organs, specifically the lungs and sinuses. This root also

helps to cleanse the body’s lymphatic system, which is the body’s sewer system,” he said. He urged people to meditate because relaxation can help to clear negative thought and ensure best possible focus. Ogunkoya said taking oat can improve overall benefit of the immune system, adding that a portion of oatmeal contains soluble fibre, which is known to reduce LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol. Garlic, he said, works as antibacterial, antiviral and a great immune booster when eaten in its raw state. It is rich in antioxidants, he added. He enjoined people to take vitamin C as it is known for its immune boosting power. “Generally all fresh fruits and vegetables are good for the immune system. Top antioxidants, such as vitamin C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc are good for boosting immunity. Also helpful are brightly coloured fruits, such as citrus, berries, grapes, kiwi, apples, and vegetables, such as kale, onions, spinach and sweet potatoes. Zinc is found naturally in red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, legumes, sunflower and pumpkin seeds,” Ogunkoya said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

NATURAL HEALTH

A review of some 2015 friends of Nature (1) W

ELCOME yet again to 2015. This time of the year affords us the opportunity for a review of the nutritional supplements and other health care products which made the rounds last year and are likely to be well rooted in the market this year. The list cannot be exhaustive. Some old and well known plant products may not feature, not because they have lost steam or suffered consumer fatigue, but because preference is being given to new comers which are equally useful to our health. Only last week, this column empathized with the residents of Badiya, a thickly populated area of Lagos where lead has been found concentrated in drinking water at levels dangerous to health. The residents have been advised not to drink water from the municipal supply system. But even private water supply is no safer. So, as I suggested last week, we all live in a poisoned world from which, for now, there is no escape from consuming poisons in water, food and air. That is not to mention electro pollution from lighting in homes and offices and from electrical equipment. The only way out of looming health doom, therefore, is dietary or food supplement or herbal support for the organs of our bodies which remove poisons from these bodies. So, today, I consider chickweed and chlorella worthy of mention in this regard, especially for the detoxification of heavy metals. Whole foods will come into the picture, for those people who always wonder if there’s anything left to eat when they are advised avoid “foodless foods” or “food robbers” such as white flour bread, gluten loaded whole wheat bread, cow’s milk, refined sugar in all forms, coffee drinks, refined beverages and stuff like them. Chickweed This herb has been around for some time in the Nigerian market. A menace to gardeners but food for chicken, for which reason it is often called common chickweed, Jethro Kloss describes it in his Back to Eden as “alterative, demulcent, refrigerant, mucilaginous, pectoral, resolvent, discutient”. “Alterative” means blood cleansing. “Demulcent” means soothing or calming. “Refrigerant” means cooling, especially where temperature is high. “miscilageneous” plants have mucilage. They are helpful in ulcers, as the mucilage helps to provide a protective cover for the injury, to prevent abrasion by food or damage by acid. My first experience with chickweed was in the 1970s. A baby was troubled by eczema which caused terrible skin itch. She cried day and night. The problem abated a little when the mother took her off infant formula. Apparently, the liver was weak and couldn’t detoxify poisons well. So, some of the poisons were passed on to the skin which became irritated by an overload of toxins and broke out in eczema. Chickweed tea cleared the toxins and the baby became well. Mrs. Eno Akintoye (Minty) should remember this story of her infant niece. In those days, it took us several weeks to find chickweed for this baby. Today, for an adult, I would add to chickweed the herbs Amazon skin P and Bell’s Help for skin Disorders. Dr. Kloss says chickweed can be used for bronchitis, pleurisy, cough, cold, hoarseness, rheumatism, inflammation, weakness of the bowels and stomach, lungs, bronchial tubes and in any form of internal inflammation. It heals and soothe anything it comes in contact with, a best remedy for external application to inflamed surface, skin disease, boils, scalds, burns, inflamed or sore eyes, tumours, piles, cancer, swollen testes, ulcerated throat and mouth, ery sipelas and all kinds of wounds”. Other therapists use chickweed for varicose veins, varicose ulcer, inflamed joints, contact dermatitis, nappy rash and obesity. It is important when using common chickweed to take anti-oxidants along with it. In some people with toxin-congested livers, the release of toxins is so rapid and overwhelming to the blood system that toxins dispatched to the skin for elimination cause a skin outbreak. In fact, skin outbreaks are treated in Alternative Medicine with cleansing of the liver.

Chlorella N the United States, this herb is consumed as a health supplement but as a food supplement in Japan. More than two million years old, this single cell green algae is believed to have the highest amount of chlorophyll in the plant kingdom. An immune booster and infection fighter, it has been proven to boost the population of good bacteria in the intestine. For this reason, it has been employed to fight ulcer, colitis, diverticulosis, and Crohn’s disease. People who suffer from constipation, fibromyalgia (nerve bone and muscle pain) and high blood pressure are likely to have a friend in Chlorella. The same goes for high blood cholesterol. Used in the fight against cancer, it supports amelioration of the side effects of cancer radiation treatment. In Asia, where it is used as a food supplement for centuries, chlorella is seen as an energy-providing food. In fact, one proprietary brand sold in Nigeria is named CHLORO ENERGY, some people say it prevents cancer and can stop it from spreading. Some others say it promotes immunity and supports a healthy balance of friendly bacteria in the intestine apart from lowering cholesterol. Many Japanese use chlorella for duodenal ulcer, gastritis, elevated blood pressure, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and diabetes, constipation and asthma. In radiation treatment of cancer, the chlorophyll of chlorella is believed to protect the body against ultraviolet radiation. Super dense, food, chlorella comprises 60 percent protein (18 amino acids), the essential amino acids inclusive. I will not hesitate to suggest it to colon cancer - challenged people who, because this condition may be caused by red meat con-

trying to get pregnant again. I have heard suggestions that this product has helped one or two women with ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids. But these suggestion are yet to be confirmed.

Female Aloe Hygiene This product comes from Nature’s Gift for Life. It is Aloe vera gel in a tube with a pump which is pumped into the vagina to sanitise it and clear it of germs. Aloe vera is antibiotic and antiviral. It is also a cell Re-qeuerator. It is good for “wound, healing, sun burn, minor skin irritation, constipation, immune system enhancement diabetes and asthma”, according to THE HEALING POWER OF HERBS. Many women complain of vaginal dryness. This product, alternated with the insertion of Vitamin E, can help this condition. But care must be taken and a doctor should be consulted to ensure that vagina dryness is not caused by colon cancer. In some cases, both conditions have been interlinked. If vaginal dryness is due to menopause, phytoestrogens may help. Pain and bleeding caused by cervical cancer surely requires the attention of an oncologist. Bob’s Red Mill

W sumption, have to go off beef and, so, may lack proteins not only for body repairs but also to fight the cancer. This plant is also a large storage of essential fatty acids, more than 20 vitamins, minerals, beta carotene, nucleic acids. Ongoing Japanese research on chlorella suggests that chlorella may act against breast cancer. But, for now, it finds major use in the removal of radiation particles from the system after radiation therapy. In the study on mice, it has been suggested that chlorella stops the spread of cancer. Of importance to detoxification is the finding that chlorella helps eliminate toxins such as dioxins. Guifei Bao This has been good news for women with infected vagina since about the middle of last year when it made its debut in Nigeria. It comes in the form of a tampax, and is inserted in the vagina on the second day after the menstrual cycle for the next four or five days. A string attached to it is left out hanging from the vagina. With it, the Guifei Bao is pulled out on the fourth or fifth day. Women who use it are amazed at the quantum of dross it extracts from an otherwise healthy looking vagina and uterus. The aftermath is a cleaner, fresher and healthier vagina. I know of a young woman whose husband had genital herpes, and who was unable to become pregnant. She became pregnant after a Guifei Bao therapy which also involved the use of VITEX, a female hormonebalancing herb which may have helped her correct a high prolactin blood level. Sadly, though, she lost the pregnancy in the third month after some uterine cramps which suggested she may have Low maquesium blood level. She is

Jonathan, Buhari, the Rich and the Poor (3) HE heat of politics is on. Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential election is just about one month away. But the sparks flying about from. The inferno are still too cool for my temperament and liking. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the government party, is throwing feeble punches and scratching the surface, making light of the mood of this season. It is only asking the voters to give it power, all over again, without saying how it would use it to better their lot. The Challenging Party, All Progressive Party, (APC), has to prove beyond reasonable doubt PDP is running the country aground and suggests rescue measures. The PDP has found Buhari a larger challenger than he was in 2011 and, so, is seeking to focus its campaign on his person, rather than challenge APC claims that Nigeria is a sick and dying nation. The first jab was at Buhari’s education. The electoral law demands that elective office holders have acceptable “O” Level certification or the equivalent. The PDP campaign says Buhari’s education is below the mark. I saw some PDP supporters rejoicing in Ilupeju, Lagos, when the news came on. But like in the tropical African Sun, they lost gear when they were informed the law accepts equivalents of “O” Level and asked if the training of a Nigerian army general did not make him or her intellectually superior to their own children who had just taken “O” Level exams. Buhari attended courses at the United States War College. Collin Powel who led American troops in the Gulf War and later became U.S. Vice President was Buhari’s course-mate during the war college training. The second PDP attack on Buhari’s person is his age. Buhari is 72. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, of the PDP , is younger .The campaigners say Buhari’s age is phlegmatic but Jonathan is choleric, and Nigeria need a choleric leader to rescue her from the wilderness. There may be a point in a man of Buhari’s age not being able to finish a 100 meters sprint ahead of a younger President Jonathan. But is governance all about this? I see it more related to the aura of the leader of government business. In bygone days in Yorubaland, when the Oracle was consulted through divination before a successor was found for a departed king, the man who would be king may be a poor foreign trader who survived a shipwreck nearby. The shipwreck may even be predestined to bring to this land a man whose aura befit-

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Save mac 27 Natural health

HAT do we eat in this world of “foodless foods” and “food robbers” when the physician asks us to abandon white flour foods, including bread, parboiled rice and red meat among other foods. As I always venture, there’s are lots of whole foods to replace these junk foods. Bob’s red mill wide range of whole foods streaked in about two years ago and are due to come in a flood this year. Some of the products to expect are Almond mill/flour blanched. Chia seeds Gluten-free roll oats; organic white qui noa; organic coconut flour; flax seed meal; xanthan gum; gluten-free all purpose baking flour; muesli; gluten free quick cooking roll oats; organic golden flax seed meal; steel cut oat; natural almond milk; organic flax seed meal; glutenfree pancake mix; thick rolled oats; flax seed gluten-steel cut oats; brown rice flour; gluten-free corn bread mix; organic quinoa flour; white rice flour; unbleached white flour; organic regular roll oats; oat brown cereal; gluten-free brownie mix; gluten-free homemade wonderful bread mix; unsweetened coconut flakes; gluten flour; potato starch; 13 bean soup mix; gluten-free muesli; unsweetened coconut shredded; whole wheat flour; Bulgur (red); semolina pasta flour; gluten-free sweet white sorghum flour; butter milk pancake mix. There are many more products on a long list. You may wonder why these products are gluten free. Gluten is found in many foods. But it damages the intestine of some people more about it on another day. Last Monday I tried Havel nut flour in my cold breakfast mix of three weetabix juice of three oranges, a sprinkling of roasted groundnuts, wheatgrass powder and spirulina powder. It was a beautiful meal which took me till early evening. Some of these products year 2015 promises to be a great year in respect of an expanding market and choices for consumers of health food products.

ted or suited the new time. Everyone has an aura. The aura has its root in the glow of the spirit, that is man, encased in the physical body of earth, bore, blood and flesh. Clairvoyants see it. Christians will recall the case of the man possessed by demons. As the Lord Jesus passed by, the demons recognised Him from his Aura. The inner eyes of some of his disciples were permitted to be open and behold the spectacle recorded as The Transfiguration. The aura attracts or repels. Good attract good, evil attract evil. Good and evil repel each other because, in the natural law which compels birds of a feather flocks together, only similar species find comfort in the company of each other. Thus, the aura of Buhari, not his age, not his capacity for physical endurance, may be what his country requires at this time, for which reason he may have emerged again to give the presidency a crack. Many, if not all earthly events, are in the hands of earth-men. There is no doubt that they move the levers and set the ball rolling. But beyond that point, they lose control over events they let loose. There are forces beyond them which untie knots and smoothen the frills and then seek tools to effect on earth events already put together in other higher realms. This gives meaning to the expression, “as it is above, so it is below”. For people who watch the auras of world leaders, as anchor for extraterrestrial plans to materialize on earth, some names are not easy to forget. Gorbachev surfaced in the Soviet Union at a time a World War III appeared inevitable, according to Eastern and Western world security bookmakers. But Gorbachev defused the ticking bomb of the Arms Race and helped to dismantle communism, thereby ending the cold War. Nelson Mandela came out of prison in South Africa, has useful to himself and to humanity, wasted as many people thought. It was a time for Black Revenge. The blacks would have annihilated their white tormentors of the ages. But Mandela held the balance between the races, preaching the brotherhood of man. We all know Nigeria is a potentially great nation held down by many foibles of man, in particular corruption, from which she needs deliverance. Has that time come? Or is the time for deliverance not ripe? Buhari dons an aura which suggests the time is nigh. In particular, he does not smoke or drink. This suggests he does not need to cling to external aids to be a balanced person.

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THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

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Aside from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), other registered political parties are weak, regional-based and lack the capacity to win presidential elections. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the role of the fringe parties in the general elections.

How far can smaller parties go? G

OING by the 1999 Constitution, Nigeria operates a multi-party system. There are as many as 30 political parties in the country, but many of them exist only on paper. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had proscribed some parties for failing to win a single seat at the local government, state and the National Assembly. In spite of this, the number of political parties in the country remains unwieldy. At the close of submission of nomination papers for next month’s presidential election, only 11 of the 30 registered political parties fielded candidates for the contest. Many of them would not contest for seats in the various states’ House of Assemblies and in the National Assembly. Analysts are of the view that most of the fringe parties were sponsored by the ruling party to weaken the political strength of its major opponent in the opposition strongholds. Another reason suggested for the growing number of mushroom parties is the economic factor. Leaders of such parties, it is said, are not interested in contesting or winning elections, but in the grants paid registered political parties by INEC. Most of the fringe parties are going into the forthcoming general elections as allies of the two major political parties, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Some of them will present candidates in places where they have some measure of influence, while supporting the presidential candidates of either the PDP or the APC. For instance, parties like the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), the Labour Party (LP), the Accord Party, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Progressive Party of Nigeria (PPN) may have adopted President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP as their presidential candidate. On the other hand, the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), which is mainly populated by the loyalists of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has also queued behind the APC standard bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

UPN

The founder of the Yoruba militant group, the Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasheun has attempted to resuscitate the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) founded by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Second Republic. The old UPN was the dominant party in the Southwest during that era. The party was embraced by the Yorubas and other progressives across the country because of its welfare programmes and the integrity of the late sage. The calculation was that the party robed in Awo’s image would elicit automatic support in the Southwest. Given the subsisting political and economic relationship between the leadership of UPN and the PDPcontrolled Federal Government, many suspect that the UPN was registered to undermine the influence of the APC in the Southwest. However, Fasehun had denied that there is any link between his party and the ruling PDP. But, the position of the party became clear when Fasheun announced at the party’s convention that it had adopted President Jonathan as its presidential candidate. Hitherto, the body language of Fasheun had suggested that the UPN is rooting for Jonathan’s re-election bid. He didn’t hide his preference for Jonathan and disdain for the APC presidential candidate when he said: “No doubt, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is a man of history, but Dr Goodluck Jonathan is equally a man of history. But, on which part of history do these two personalities stand? It has nothing to do with the calling and profession of these two men, one being an academic, a doctorate degree holder and a lecturer in a tertiary institution. The other is a retired General and former Military Head of State who seized power through a military coup in 1983. But, obviously as there are worthless scholars, so there are wicked Generals, and noble Generals abound in the barracks even as excellent academics flock the ivory tower. But, each man chooses his own path, and the cloak does not make the monk. “General Buhari has often been painted as the messiah Nigerians have been waiting for. This is turning truth and logic on the head. For the

were the founders of the party, were jolted by Mimiko’s defection. Mimiko had defected from the PDP to the LP in 2007 to contest against the then sitting governor, the late Chief Olusegun Agagu. He was declared winner by the election petition tribunal after a protracted litigation. Mimiko sought re-election again in 2012 on the LP platform and won. It was thereafter that his romance with the Presidency and the PDP bigwigs came into the open. His defection was not a surprise. He is believed to have gone back to where he belongs. Mimko, like Obi, has thrown his weight behind President Jonathan’s re-election bid. He has directed members of his government and supporters to follow suit by voting for the PDP candidate. In fact, Mimiko is the PDP Presidential Campaign Co-ordinator in the Southwest. The Ondo governor said he and his supporters have crossed over to the PDP to enhance the party’s fortune in the state.

PDM

• Dr Fasehun

avoidance of doubt, General Muhammadu Buhari is not the saviour Nigerians have been waiting for. The truth is that under Buhari’s “holier-than-thou” facade lurks a smelly throat of evil.” However, the fledging UPN is embroiled in internal crisis. The crisis got to a head when Faseheun was suspended by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) who alleged that he involved in anti-party activities and that he also ran the party as personal estate.

SDP

• Ladoja

• Chief Falae

The SDP was one of the two political parties floated by government in the aborted Third Republic, as part of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s transition to civil rule programme. The SDP manifesto is similar to that of the old UPN. This explained why it was embraced by the Awoists and other progressives in the country. It was on the platform of the SDP that the late business mogul, late Chief M.K.O. Abiola contested the 1993 presidential election, which was believed to have been won by him. But, the Babangida regime annulled the election. Like the old UPN, the SDP was also dominant in the Southwest. Probably to whip up sentiments in the Southwest, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization Afenifere, in its voyage for political relevance, sponsored the formation and registration of the SDP proscribed by the General Sani Abacha regime in 1993. The party, like the UPN, was floated by the socio-cultural group to whittle down the influence of the APC in the Southwest and provide platform for the aggrieved governorship aspirants of other parties. The party has succeeded in this mission, because it is sure of fielding governorship candidates in Ogun and Oyo. The Olusegun Osoba group that pulled out of the APC in Ogun State have defected to the SDP and has resolved to contest elective offices on the party’s platform. Similarly, the fallout out of the PDP governorship primary in Oyo State has turned out to be a blessing for the SDP. One of aspirants, Seyi Makinde, has defected to the SDP and was offered automatic ticket to contest February 28 governorship election. Afenifere chieftain Chief Supo Shonibare confirmed that the group is supporting the SDP

candidates in the general elections. But, the party is not fielding candidates in the presidential election. Which of the two major candidates will it endorse? Another party stalwart asked: “You don’t expect us to cast our votes for APC? Do you? The only option left to us is to support the PDP to ensure victory for President Jonathan on February 14.” Meanwhile, civil rights activist, Mr. Richard Akinola has challenged the registration of both the SDP and the UPN by the INEC at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The plaintiff is asking the court to nullify the registration of the two parties for having been proscribed and dissolved by existing laws.

APGA

The party was founded by the Biafran warlord, Ikemba Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, essentially to create a political platform for the Igbos, his ethnic group. It has remained a regional party; winning elections in only two states in the Southeast. The party’s identity remained intact until the demise of Ikemba, when Peter Obi, who was governor of Anambra State on the platform of the party, started flirting with President Jonathan and PDP leaders. Shortly after the expiration of his tenure, Obi eventually dumped the Southeast-based party and embraced the PDP. His defection has led to acrimonious relationship between him and his successor, Governor Willy Obiano and other party chieftains. Obi hinged his defection on the need to assist the president’s re-election bid. In spite of their opposition to Obi’s defection, the leaders of APGA have enjoined their supporters to vote for President Jonathan in the presidential election. The party is fielding candidates for the National Assembly, the House of Assembly in Anambra and other Southeast states.

The defection of Governor Olusegun Mimiko from the Labour Party to the PDP may have done incalculable damage to the party, which used to be the ruling party in Ondo State. The Labour Unions, the National Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), who

‘They serve as fall back options to leading candidates who lost out in the primaries in various states. We have seen many of the aspirants crossing over to these obscure parties’

The party was a political pressure group founded by late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua to realise his political ambition. Unfortunately, the General died in detention during the regime of late General Sani Abacha. But, his political associates like former Vice President Atiku Abukar keeps oiling the political machinery of their leader. The PDM was never registered as a party. It remained a political pressure group wielding enormous influence. But, last year, some members of the PDM applied to INEC for its registration as a political party and the commission obliged, since the association had met all conditions for registration. Many still believe that Atiku masterminded its registration, so that it would serve as alternative platform for him to contest presidential election this year, if other options fail. But, so far, this has been proved wrong.

Accord

To all intents and purposes, the Accord Party is one-man party based in Oyo State. Its National Leader Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja served as governor of Oyo State between 2003 and 2007 on the platform of the PDP. He was shut out of the PDP governorship primary in 2007 by the strongman of Ibadan politics, the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. Hence Ladoja formed Accord Party to contest the governorship election in 2007 and 2011. But, he lost on both occasions. The First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan had prevailed on the Oyo chapter of the PDP to allow Ladoja to return to the fold and to accept him as consensus candidate to enhance the party’s chances of winning governorship election in the state. But, the aspirants rejected the move. Ladoja is the 2015 Accord governorship candidate.

PPN

Progressive Party of Nigeria was floated by the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel to enable his political son Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka contest the 2011 governorship election. The parallel congress conducted by the PDP in Ogun in 2011 produced two governorship candidates, Isiaka and Major Adetunji Olurin. However, INEC upheld the congress that produced Olurin. So, the PPN was a child of necessity to provide a platform for Isiaka. The party came third in the 2011 governorship race. It also won few seats in the state House of Assembly. In spite of being the PPN leader, Daniel was the PDP campaign manager in Ogun State. He later abandoned the PPN and joined the LP. But, he is back to the PDP. Daniel is one of the close confidants of President Jonathan. In fact, it was the Presidency that directed him to collapse his LP structure into the PDP in Ogun State. A political scientist, Dr. Friday Ibok said many of these fringe parties are out to play the role of a spoiler. He said: “They serve as fall back options to leading candidates who lost out in the primaries in various states. We have seen many of the aspirants crossing over to these obscure parties. Many of them whose activities were not noticed before now have become very active now with big billboards all over the place.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

‘

Before we came on board, Oyo State was known as a place of violence . Today, the records, even as highlighted by the security agencies and published by the police, suggest that Oyo State is safer, more secure and peaceful than it used to be

‘

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi spoke with BISI OLADELE in Ibadan, the state capital, on his achievements, his opponents in the Oyo governorship race and chances at the poll.

Ajimobi: I ‘ve outclassed Ladoja, Alao-Akala W

ITH the elections just few weeks away and four other top contenders in the race, what makes you think you can win the election? Among all the contenders, we have three that have been in public service. Of those three, we have two that have been governor before and one a senator. When you check the track records of each and everyone of us, you can safely say that the assessment of each of us is easier than one who has never been in public service. I believe that the records of the two former governors are there for everyone to see. When you check those records, whether in the area of social infrastructure, physical infrastructure, peace, security and safety, which I consider to be most important for development in any state or nation, you will find out that we stand out. The government of APC led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi is synonymous to peace and development. In the last few years, like eight to nine years before we came on board, Oyo State was known as a place of violence . Today, the records, even as highlighted by the security agencies and published by the police, suggest that Oyo State is safer, more secured and more peaceful than it used to be. Murder cases have gone down considerably. Apart from murder cases, we have established agencies that support the security agencies such as Operation Burst. We have been able to bring together all security agencies - the police, army, SSS, immigration, NSCDC et cetera. We have supported all of them with vehicles, bullet proof vests and all sorts to ensure that Oyo State is very safe for our people. So, I can say the foundation of our administration is safety and security of lives and property. And, I make bold to say we are far ahead in the area of peace and security than the former governments. I can provide the statistics. For instance, prior to 2011 and 2012, murder cases were recorded to be about 24 per cent in Oyo State, it has reduced to about four per cent. Armed robbery cases were about 48 per cent and since we came in it has been reduced to less than five per cent - kidnapping and others included. The statistics also support the fact that Oyo State, is one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria. I believe that if you also look at other parameters, for instance, social infrastructure, you will notice the difference. Social infrastructure means health, education, water, energy in general. We have done better than other administrations and again, the statistics are there. Before we came in, Asejire Dam and Eleyele waterworks were functioning at less than 10 per cent capacity. Today, we are producing at over 82 per cent, which has resulted in more water for the people. Again, we have repaired and rehabilitated many waterworks, including Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Oyo and others. In terms of providing potable water, we have done better than previous administrations. If you talk about education, we have recently recruited about 5,300 teachers into service. This is unprecedented. But, the uniqueness of this is in the fact that unlike in the past where they will recruit like 500, 1000, maximum 2000, we recruited a higher number at once. We are picking those teachers from their neighbourhoods unlike before where people were recruited in Ibadan and sent to Ogbomosho or Oke-Ogun. This resulted in broken homes and several divorces. The teachers came to appeal and we decided that wherever we are going to appoint anyone, the person must come from that locality. This is to encourage the teachers. More importantly, we have rehabilitated many classrooms, we are introducing model schools in each of the senatorial districts. And these model schools will have state-of-the-art equipment, laboratory, recreation centers, and where emphasis will be on practical education, where there will be sufficient teachers. Education stands on three legs, that is, teachers, students, and infrastructure. With the teachers, we are recruiting more and training them. Last year we trained more than 7000 teachers. The loophole that existed within teachers in primary schools that are graduates have been plugged. This encourages them. Not only that we have provided them with enhanced salary packages, when you train the teachers and encourage them with welfare packages and all, they tend to give their all in their teachings. With the students, we have provided extra trainings

‘We have increased the salaries even without the prompting from workers. Today, many of the salary scales and levels are incomparable with neighbouring states. Oyo State ranks first in some levels and second in others. We have never been third. In terms of taking care of employees, we have increased their salaries and even provided them with buses for free transport. It is free for students and workers. And for the public, it is 75 per cent subsidized, compared to what commercial vehicles charge’ • Ajimobi

where we liaised with the University of Ibadan and other schools to teach them. We have also introduced supervisory roles with the University of Ibadan, Lecturers go round and supervise the teachers and students. On the third leg is the infrastructure. We have provided more chairs, furniture and equipment for the schools. I have talked about the model schools. Some people want to know why we are pulling down some buildings, those schools are located strategically. We do not want to go to some bush now and build a school there and there will be problem of transportation. So, those who are arguing that we should get a virgin land and build on do not consider the proximity of the schools to the children. That is very essential. The schools we are pulling down are important. So, all these we have done apart from the usual payment of WAEC and NECO fees. When you look at our performance and also about good governance, I will say good governance is about transparency, accountability, transparency and productivity. When you look at all that combined, you will see that we stand a better chance than other competitors, since they have once been governors. Even in the area of welfare, let us look at it from the area of environmental. Removing people from trading on the street to the side of the street and we have provided them with alternatives. The previous administrations of the two that are competing now also drove people off the streets in Elekuro, Aperin and Iwo road. They did not provide alternatives. We have provided alternatives. For instance, we have provided shops for traders. Look at Scout Camp, it can accomodate 3000 traders, and they are there, given free of charge. Not only that, we provided for them N20 million trading fund. No administration has ever done this. Recently, we also provided 300 million interest-free loan to 6000 traders which comes to N50,000 per trader. We took this loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and they have charged us nine per cent interest. We did not collect any interest from our traders. In the area of health, we have treated close to 1,000 000 people by bringing the hospital to the doorsteps of the poor. We go to a local governments, call people to come for free consultancy, treatment and surgery. Apart from rehabilitating the hospitals, we have employed more doctors. When I came in, the ratio was far below the UN recommended ratio. We have brought in about 300 medical personnel. In terms of welfare, when we came in we met a salary and wages of about N2.9 billion. Today, we have N4.9 billion wages. We have increased the salaries even without the prompting from workers. Today, many of the salary scales and levels are incomparable with neighbouring states. Oyo State

ranks first in some levels and second in others. We have never been third. In terms of taking care of employees, we have increased their salaries and even provided them with buses for free transport. It is free for students and workers. And for the public, it is 75 per cent subsidized, compared to what commercial vehicles charge. For instance, if you have a family of five, you save an average of N500 per day, in a week is N2,500, a month N10,000, a year, N120, 000. Whether you like it or not this government is providing you a yearly savings of N120,000. It is the work of the government to provide you basic things like that. No government will line you up on the street and start distributing money. It is the job of the government to make things cheaper and you pay less. How are you coping with paucity of funds and how do you hope to overcome it in the fsce of dwindling federal allocation? On the paucity of funds, Oyo State has about 10 million people. When we came in, we were given N4.2 billion or N4.5 billion. Bayelsa State has an average of 700,000 people and it gets not less than N20 billion a month. Right from the onset we are at a disadvantage. In the last one year we have been getting an average of N3 billion. Recently. We even got about N2.8 billion. Every month we have a deficit of about two billion or average of about 1.5 billion. How do we cope? That is why it is essential for every government to provide an attractive and enabling environment for investors to come in. When they come in you will be able to get tax gains and also create commercial activities that will provide more employment for people. It has a multiplier effect. What we are saying simply is that our own approach is to create a foremost, a safe and secure environment for people to come and also build physical infrastructure that will attract people to the state. Once there are good roads, water, electricity and all that, people will come. Then you also have more people working. But, above all, we have brought in at least eight big international companies because the state is more peaceful, better and aesthetically improved. The largest edible oil factory in Nigeria is in Oyo State. The largest soya bean manufacturer in West Africa is here. The largest producer of bread in Africa is here. The largest ICT service provider is also here. We can go on. Also the largest producer of day old chicks is also here. The largest producer of powdered milk called Kamal Milk is now in Oyo State and the largest Shoprite in Nigeria is in Oyo State. The more of these companies we have, the more we increase our Internally Generated Revenue which goes up with these companies coming in. We also have Agodi Gardens, which is an income-generating park, which is where we now have international conference centre, health farm, recreational activities like amusement park, hotels et cetera.

It is a park we are trying to develop like the one in South Africa. We got a South African company to do it in conjunction with Nigerians. What we are saying is that we are making it conducive so that people can come when it is attractive and safe. Now we are getting the cumulative effects. In whatever we are doing, we have been able to partner with most of these investors, rather than the government spending most of its resources, we are getting investors to partner with. Like Agodi Gardens, we have got investors coming in and partnering with us. Like four point Sheraton hotel, we have got the land, they are partnering with us. Also in the area of housing estates, previous administrations sold all the government quarters. One of them even sold all the quarters and got about N3 billion. He wanted to pay pensioners. The week before we came in, they took the money and spent. And it was meant for pensioners. An average government quarters is sold for N15 million to N18 million. The quarters, about eight, facing the Government House, if sold for that price will be about 120 million. We decided against it. We invited investors, we said UAC should come and work with us. They agreed. We decided to give them the land as our contribution. The site is near completion. It should be completed around March or April. At the sale of those prices, we now have about 89 apartments. These apartments, when sold, should bring in about N5.6 billion from which the state government owns 45 per cent. Compare this to the N120 million we would have got. We will get not less than N2 billion. That, to us, is good governance. For us that is re-engineering and a way to save money. We are also trying to communicate to our people to make them know that the Federal Government has reduced our money by at least 40 per cent. It is not even enough to pay staff salary. Do you know that we are the only government that has been paying 13 months salary since the inception of Oyo State. Despite the paucity of funds, we still manage. As for the allegations, we make sure our contractors are competent and financially capable. Sometimes they say we do not patronize local contractors, but about 80 per cent of the jobs we give out are to local contractors. The major jobs are for those who can finance the jobs. And we are financing them as well. When you finish we pay you within 18 months of completion. We are structuring our finances through IGR, PPP and through third party participation. I think it is politics when people say that. This government has developed all zones more than any government. One, no government has dualized all entry points into major cities. When we came in, for the first time, the entry into Ibadan was dualized. That is the Challenge axis, Adelabu Market axis and Orita. We are also doing the network road system. We take an area, look at the network, where it leads and connects, then we construct it. We have dualized more roads than any government. Two, Ogbomoso has never had a dualized road, this government has done that. Ogbomoso now has a modern town hall which this administration did. Oke- Ogun is divided into Zone One and Two. Iseyin is the entry point. We have dualized their roads. The best NYSC Camp in Nigeria is built by us and it is in Iseyin. All the satellite campuses in Oyo State have been upgraded to full polytechnics. In other words, education has a multiplier effect on development. There are cities and towns in the US that are called university towns where once you establish it there, development will spring up. So in Oke-Ogun, we have given them schools, roads . We have done about 15 roads: Saki-OtuAlaga, Ogboro-Road, Saki-Apinnite, Otun-Oyo et cetera. We have just awarded the Saki-Polytechnic-Bariba Road; we are dualizing it. We have done their town hall. More importantly, for OkeOgun we believe more than anybody else we have developed their road networks. Oyo has never had a dualized road, ours is the first and the people there are happy. We are also building a radio station there. I want to know any other government that has worked in terms of development in each of these zones; zone by zone.

THE NATION THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

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In a free and fair election, I’m the clear favourite; there is no way the PDP candidate can win

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Chief David Onuoha is a chieftain of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and its senatorial candidate for Abia North Constituency in this year’s general election. In this interview with SUNNY NWANKWO, Onuoha who has just defected from the PDP explained why he left the party and his agenda for the people of Abia North, if elected to represent the constituency.

• Governor Adams Oshiomhole addressing the people of Edo South Senatorial District at a mega rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the Urhokpota Hall, Benin City... yesterday.

Onuoha: Why I left PDP for APGA

HY did you dump the PDP for APGA? My reasons are very simple. As we all know, there is no internal democracy in the PDP; they don’t practice it. If the just-concluded primaries are anything to go by, we were promised a level-playing field and on the eve of the primaries, everything changed. Governor Theodore Orji gave instructions to the delegates, saying they should vote for a particular person. The returning officer was changed to favour the anointed candidate and it was obvious from everything that happened that there was no level-playing ground and that we were cheated. At that moment, I decided that I could not continue pretend that everything was right. That’s why I moved to APGA. I’m not the only one; other aspirants also moved to achieve that which we have set out in the first place to achieve and that is to bring leadership, innovation and change to a famished people. What are your chances of winning, considering your opponents? It is for the people to determine. As far as I am concerned, my opponents are no threat. You have to look at where somebody is coming from to tell where they are going to. You have to also look at peoples antecedents to know what they can do and what they cannot do. The PDP is hoping to rig this election; that’s the only way they can install their candidate and I don’t think that is going to be possible now. In a free and fair election, I’m the clear favourite; there is no way the PDP candidate can win. What do you intend to do for the people of Abia North and the state at large? It is about impacting positively on the lives of the people; bringing about dividends of democracy that the people can feel in their lives. I want to make sure that the people I represent will know that I am representing them; see that somebody is

representing them, and feel that somebody is representing them. In 1995 when people were still sleeping, I had a vision; to bring about Bourdex telecoms and that outing changed the way business was done in the former eastern region. I impacted on the lives of our people then, by making it easier for them to communicate with their loved ones and business partners at home and abroad from the comfort of their homes. Remember that was the time they said telephone was not for the poor. People travelled from their locations to Lagos, just to make international calls. But, I broke that jinx by providing telephone to share their joy and their grief with their loved ones and to communicate with their business partners. So, it takes vision to be able to do anything. I have a lot of things that I wish to do for Abia North to help impact on the lives of our people, in terms of job creation and making life more comfortable for them. That is part of what I have set out and hope to do for the people of Abia North as the Senator representing the area, by the grace of God. What is your unique selling point? I am coming from a private sector background. I am not your everyday politician. I am not one of your usual suspects and I want people to believe in me, invest in me and then watch to see what I can do. Another thing is that my main opponent, Mao Ohabunwa of the PDP, has been there twice. You cannot point to anything that he has done. So, I think the people should consider trying another person; somebody with a different orientation. There is no harm in trying something new and I promise you that they will regret it. I want people even many years after we have gone to say, once upon a time, there was a man called Bourdex. He came, did this and did that all in the interest of the people that he once led or represented.

• Majority Leader, House of Representatives Hon Samson Osagie (left) and Mr Anselm Ojezua, Chairman All Progressives Congress(APC), Edo State, at the mega rally.

• Political vandals are at it again in the Southwest. The damaged bill board above belongs to Osun Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Sola Adeyeye. Desperate politicians will stop at nothing to fight dirty. The Osun State Police Command is called upon to live up to responsibility of ensuring security of campaign properties.

THE NATION THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

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He took Osun State on global reckoning, having put in place, one of the best civil service in Nigeria and this has impacted positively on successive administration in the state

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Former Osun State Governor Isiaka Adeleke is 60 today. Olumide Lawal extols the virtues of the grassroots politician who is seeking re-election into the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bamidele Oludare, a medical doctor, is the Social Democratic Party(SDP) House of Representatives candidate in the Akoko Southeast/Southwest Constituency, Ondo State. He spoke with DAMISI OJO on his plans the constituency.

Adeleke on firing line at 60

‘Nobody can underrate SDP in Ondo’

ENATOR Isiaka Adetunji Alani Adeleke was born on January 15, 1955 in the coal city of Enugu, Enugu State to late Senator Raji Ayoola Adeleke and Madam Esther Adeleke, both of blessed memory During the civil war (1967 1970), the young Isiaka Adeleke was forced to leave Christ Church School, Enugu to complete his primary education at Alafia Institute, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State. He later attended Ogbomoso Grammar School for his secondary education, which he completed in flying colours. A man with love for his hometown Ede, Adeleke was employed as a Rate clerk in the then Ede District Council, under the supervision of the late Alhaji Abubakar Adeyemi Alowolodu. This experience enabled Senator Isiaka Adeleke to have a very close rapport with the grassroot people, thus firing his interest in philanthropy and large-heartedness for the less priviledged. His meagre salary of N40 (then twenty pounds), was always made available for those in need to help themselves, without complaining. The quest for higher education took him to the United States of America, where through doggedness, hardwork and studiousness, obtained a Master’s Degree in Criminal Jurisprudence and Public Administration. This prepared him for future higher public service. No man in Nigeria’s march to democracy has attracted more glamour. None is more charismatic than the first elected civilian governor of Osun State (1992 – 1993). He exudes admirable ai, that arouse extreme emotions in friends and foes alike. Isiaka Adeleke electrifies any gathering he finds himself, becoming the cynosure of all eyes. It is God’s doing. Urbane, upwardly mobile and brightly decorated in every phase of political authority. This profile of courage like an abstract force has settled at the heart of Osun State and held it in thrall. He walked the precipe without caving in. He traverses the political landscape like a Colossus. Senator Isiaka Adeleke is a celebration of antonyms, who uses his wining spirit and streak to emerge the custodian of people sovereignty between 1992 and 1993. Nothing, therefore could stop an idea, which time has come ‘THE GUV’, as he is fondly called by his admirers, also arrive the scene with intimidating credentials – youthful, vivacious, witty and a scion of a distinguished political family, elegantly backed up by hard earned monstrous wealth and a galaxy of eminent friends, who were always there for him at his points of need. Through hardwork, the grace of God and sheer luck, Isiaka Adeleke and his brother Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, set up many business ventures, which today has become a conglomerate, among which is the Adeleke University, Ede, an institution of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Who then, is querying the political authority of Otunba Isiaka Adeleke

and his impact on socio-economic development of his fatherland and indeed, Osun State? Because, here is a man, who has given so much to life, asking for little, and indeed offering his wide shoulders for all to lean on. A rare quality, that has stood him out as first among equals. The man of the people in its true sense of it. A politician of note, who has corned many hunours both at home and abroad. They are too numerous to mention. While in office as the first executive governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke achieved the creation of a zone for Ede, which today encompasses, Ede South, Ede North, Egbedore and Ejigbo L.G Areas with Ede as the headquarters. He took Osun State on global reckoning, having put in place, one of the best civil service in Nigeria and this has impacted positively on successive administration in the state. With lean resources during his tenure as governor, he facilitated many infrastructural developments in the nooks and crannies of Osun, inclusive of a buoyant economy for the private sector, a norm that was acknowledged by all and sundry, many years after he left office. To Asiwaju of Edeland, civility is something that cannot be faked, as it is a frame of the mind, that can be cultivated with patience and discipline. Senator Isiaka Adeleke, therefore sees all Ede people and indeed those of Osun West District as his mentors and benefactors, to whom he owes a world of gratitude at all times and will do all within his capability, to promote those things that unite them rather than those that divide. At 60, Senator Isiaka Adeleke would rather want his people to let them discuss issues that help the less priviledged, which is a way for great people to understand themselves, their characters and values. The greatest birthday gift his people of Osun West District could offer him,is their votes for a return to the Senate, to enable him continue to make life more abundant for them, through well-meaning developmental programme and projects, in addition to the federal government getting the 260 chibok girls liberated. Be it recalled, that his tenure in the Senate between 2007 and 2011,

‘The first executive governor of Osun State, as an elder statesman, represents the rare breed of principled and committed politicians, who seeks the good of his people through humanitarian gestures and philanthropic disposition to all and sundry, without let or hindrance, is legendary’

A • Adeleke

brought a lot of visible welfare programmes to the people of Osun West District, as evidenced in awards of scholarship to indigent students, comprehensive health centres, I.C.T Library at Federal Polytechnic, Ede, motorized boreholes in different locations in the Osun West senatorial district, various empowerment programmes for artisans in form of Okada motocycles; Saloon cars, hairdresser salon equipment among others. In 1992 as the governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke partially solved the water problem in Ejigbo, Iwo, Orile-Owu, Ikoyi and Apomu by putting up mini-water schemes. This is in addition to the up-grade of satellite campuses of Ibadan polytechnic at Iree and Esaoke to full-fledged polytechnic and College of Technology respectively, while not losing sight of his establishment of the Radio and television stations that are today Osun Broadcasting Corporation with various annexes. The cooperative College Odeomu, was also the brain-child of Senator Isiaka Adeleke as the governor of Osun State. On coming to office as the governor in 1992, he filled the the vacant Oluwo of Iwo stool, which has been a subject of contention for many years. He gave Iwo people an Oba that made Iwo to grow in leaps and bound. Having performed so well as a governor, Ede community on January 1, 1994, conferred on him, the prestigious title of theAsiwaju of Edeland (leader of all). He was able to secure appointments for Ede indigenes in the private and public sectors. In Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin made him the Otunba of Ejigbo, At Ikirun, he is the Oga ‘Nla and at Iree, the Ajagunla. Otunba Isiaka Adeleke’s experience in the Senate between 2007 and 2011 has given him broader focus and clearer vision, which he intends to articulate the more for the benefits of the people of Osun West District on his return to the senate in June, 2015. The first executive governor of Osun State, as an elder statesman, represents the rare breed of principled and committed politicians, who seeks the good of his people through humanitarian gestures and philanthropic disposition to all and sundry, without let or hindrance, is legendary. To Isiaka Adeleke, our youths should not allow themselves to be used to destroy lives and properties. They should not allow themselves to make our nation volatile and unstable, because at the end of the day, no gains are recorded.

S a successful medical doctor of over three decades,what prompted you into politics? Politics is mainly about governance. At present, I am not satisfied with the maladministration in all the three tiers of government and all sectors.I want to try how my contributions can change the status quo.’Siddon look” will not help me,it will put one into the murky water of politics without an opportunity to partake and be part of governance. Nigeria’s political system gives adequate recognition to any individual who can seek for votes and offer appropriate service to the people if eventually such persons get there,but unfortunately,today our political office seekers believed in “Winner take all”syndrome.it is glaringly a bad practice where you abandon your supporters who offered you their votes to secure that position, but at the end of the day,you share the national ckes with members your family.That condemnable act is what want to correct if by God’s grace,get into office. Why did you dump the Labour Party (LP) for for the Social Democratic Party (SDP)? it is true I am a card carrying member of the LP. But suddenly,we witnessed the secret fraternity of the leadership of the party under the conrtrol of Governor Olusegun Mimiko with the PDP.Most of us who are so committed to the party were not informed of the pact.As a medical practitioner of about 34 years,I thought I should be an asset to any political party I belong,but because I have not been causing disquiet within the party,that was why party stalwarts like us were treated with disdain in the LP.The forceful merger of LP with PDP in Ondo State is an unholy marriage,and I think everybody is keeping abreast with the present political development in the state now with the forceful pact between the two parties as engineered by Dr Mimiko.So,I decided to pitch my tent with the SDP,the party under which Nigerians had the most free and fair election in 1993 won by late MKO Abiola but deprived the opportunity to rule by the military junta.We in the SDP are interested in expanding the frontier of the party and very soon,we are going to produce a presidential candidate that Nigeria deserves. What will you differently from what the legislator from the constituency is doing, if you are elected? By my own assessment and that of others,the incumbent representative,Hon Debo Ologunagba, has performed below average. Since his assumption of office,there has been nothing to show as his achievements in the two local government areas of the constituency except solar powered electricity.The lawmaker has never organised any consultation with the electorate in the constituents.If I get into office,there will be a clear departure from this,I will touch the towns and villages in the federal constituency and impacted on the lives of its citizenry. Why are you leaving your lucrative profession for politics? No clash of interest at all.Already I have completely relocated to my constituency in Akoko land.My campaigns are focused on the opinion leaders,market women,youths and go from house-to-house.Now that time is no more on our side,we have been campaigning on the pedigree and track records of the candidates as against political parties.We want the next Assembly to be polarised so as to bring thew usual domineering factor to the barest minimum.INEC as the electoral umpire should do the needful by allowing level-play ground as • Oludare people have the free choice to cast their votes to the preferred candidates.

Igbo mobilises for APC By Adegunle Olugbamila

SOCIAL group, Igbo Political Coalition (IPC)has pledged to support the vitory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the coming election. The group leader Chief Livinus Nnodebem said IPC has always supported the progressives since 1999, noting that it will repeat same during elections. He said: “Some think we Igbo do not speak with one voice. That is not true. If some are claiming that, maybe that happens in the market place. But we have fathers who speak and other people will comply with whatever they say. ‘’We have aligned ourselves with the progressives since 1999 and it will continue like that. APC has never lost in our area and they will never lose. “From the top I’m sure the party is doing everything to ensure victory. We in the grassroot are doing same,’’ he said. Nnodeben said Igbo man in Lagos will do everything possible to ensure APC won because of the vast property they have in Lagos. Also speaking, another leader Chief Ben Nnakise said the APC has made remarkable impact in the lives of the people of the state, stressing that it has to continue. “As a leader, I can tell you categorically that we speak with one voice. We are sensitising our people and telling them why it is important to reach out and smoke out Igbo in their neighbourhood to vote en masse for APC. Already, we have identified with APC in Lagos and are present in other local councils in Lagos. Nnakise who hails from Nnewi, Anambra State added that 45 percent of the Igbo people constitute the voting population the constituecy he resides in Lagos.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

TUC urges govt on welfare, good governance T HE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has drawn government’s attention to some issues plaguing employer and employee relationship to ensure a friendly working environment this year. The President of the Union, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, drew the government’s attention to politicians’ impunity and the mismanagement of the fortunes of the oil and gas sector, adding that the way politicians go about their politicking is bad. His words: “What we could read on the wall can best be described as ‘I must get there no matter whose ox is gored’, which is an aberration. They use power and money to win the people to their side because they lack the required ideas to transform the country. What is predominant today is use of state’s coercive power; especially the po-

Stories by Toba Agboola

lice and resort to use of touts and idle youths to molest political opponents and journalists. In the 1970s, we had political parties with manifestoes. The Awos, Ziks and Tafawa Balewas of this world chronicled what they planned to do and how they planned to achieve them. But what do we have today? We are wiser now.” On the recent drop in the price of crude oil, he said following the unexpected drop in the prices of crude, government is planning to employ some austerity measures to cushion the effect on the economy. He called on the government to make utmost use of the excess dollar by diversifying the economy. He said: “Unfortunately, our politicians are only interested in rushing to Abuja for monthly alloca-

tion. Government of allocation is certainly not our idea of social contract. Yes, our economy has just been rated the biggest in Africa. It would have been laudable if it had a positive effect on the lives of the average Nigerian and the industrial environment. How do we agree with that when in practical terms the lending rates, cost of living and doing business are unreasonably high?” The unionist added that the hasty and deliberate devaluation of the naira, which has also brought untold hardship to the real sector and all other facets of the economy, has to be addressed as congress will not tolerate cases of job losses arising from government’s insensitivity. He said it has become pertinent to warn against such move now to avoid worsening the spate of insecurity in the country, which was occasioned by the gross mis-

management of the economy. “No wonder, unemployment figures remain high, unimaginable crime rates, poverty, epileptic energy sector and inexplicable high tariffs have become our lot. And it is yet a tragedy of national proportion that as parents we sleep in the comfort of our homes when the over 250 Chibok girls and the series of other kidnapped youths are nowhere to be found,” he added. Kaigama expressed concern that government has refused to reduce the prices of petroleum products even though the price of crude has collapsed in the international market, which was the reason given when it wanted to increase the price of fuel in 2012. He urged government to direct the appropriate agency to immediately adjust prices of petroleum products as it will ameliorate the suffering

of the masses. On the content policy, he praised the government’s initiative. He, however, said since the policy came into place in 2010, there has been no yardstick to measure the progress made. “We have observed that the entrepreneurs that are being empowered are compromising employment standards and flagrantly breaching workplace rights and decent work principles with intimidation and myriads of victimisation. “Finally, we wish to inform politicians that the labour movement is not oblivious of the fact that we are in an election year. Meanwhile, while we make case for free and fair elections, we also want politicians to know that we, the workers and masses, are going to do the voting and that we are going to ensure that our votes count,” Kaigama said.

NULGE faults teachers’ stand on autonomy

•Executive Director, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Olusegun Awolowo (left) and Minister of Trade and Investments, Mr Olusegun Aganga, during the minister’s courtesy visit to NEPC office in Abuja.

‘Judiciary’s financial autonomy non negotiable’

HE Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has said the strike by members of the union is an outcome of the government’s disregard for a judicial pronouncement by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Union said it is a product of a chain of broken promises by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), state governments and other appropriate government agencies. The Union, in a statement signed by the General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said over a year ago, a Court of competent jurisdiction en-

tered a judgment in favour of JUSUN by directing the AGF to deduct money and pay the National Judicial Council as part of the process of directly funding the Judiciary, which in the Union’s view further strengthens the nation’s democracy. He said: “It needs no stating that for the development of our democracy, we need strong institutions, a truly independent Judiciary in de jure and de facto terms. Since the judgment, as many as seven Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with government (arising from countless meetings) have been signed”.

The statement said that in spite of serial breaches by government and its agencies, JUSUN had continually displayed remarkable understanding and uncommon maturity. According to the secretary, the direct funding of the Judiciary is a constitutional right, which has been further strengthened by a judicial pronouncement. “We, therefore, call on the AGF and all the Attorneys-General of the states to respect this judgment. It is saddening that these law officers are seen to be breaking the law in such a brazen manner and at a time like this,” he said.

HE Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has faulted the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for supporting calls for local government areas not to be given financial autonomy. NULGE President, Comrade Ibraheem Khaleel, in a briefing in his office in Abuja, said NUT has failed to do a thorough job on who to blame for teachers’ problems, stressing that the constitutional responsibility of the local government area is participatory. He said other tiers of government also contribute in paying primary school teachers and that both unions had agreed to send a proposal to the National Assembly for primary school teachers to be paid directly from the federation account so that the local government can use its funds to carry out its other functions when it gets full autonomy. His words: “But if teachers because of their fear for their salaries are now saying there must be no democracy in local government, then they are not doing justice to other sectors in the local

NUBIFIE to govt: emphasise transparency

HE National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) has urged the three tiers of governments on transparency and prudence in the New Year. General Secretary of the Union, Mallam Muhammed Sheikh, said in Lagos that only transparency and prudence in governance

Opportunity to pick right leaders has come, says Labour

HE Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu, has said next month’s election has created another opportunity for Nigerians to pick the right leader. He said the nation is being given another opportunity to go to the poll next month. Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, while marking his 54th birthday, Aremu said: “People should judge politicians at the election based on what they have to deliver. We have always been at the forefront of the struggle and we urge Nigerians to ensure that the country survives; our patriots should fight for their votes, we should all ensure that the votes count.” Aremu, who also presented two books at the event, decried the poor

state of the economy due to poor infrastructure, which has put the youths at great disadvantage. “We should get the youths back to the industry. If Nigeria does not work, Africa will never survive. When Nigeria was working it liberated Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. But we are no more on duty, our leaders have been docile. They steal money. Nigeria must wake up to return to the good old days of Shehu Shagari, Gowon, Murtala,” he said. Aremu, who is also the Textile Union General Secretary, emphasised that for Nigeria to emerge an industrialised nation, Nigerians must consume what they produce and produce what they consume. He warned that without that the country cannot get out of poverty. He recalled that in the 70s and

80s Nigeria used to be the leader in the manufacturing sector, but now Nigeria is fast becoming poorer, while poverty has forced youths to riding Okada as alternative, which could not be considered a decent work. He, however, commended the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who was the guest of honour at the event, for his efforts at reducing the unemployment rate in the state and creating a better public school. He said: “Osun has the lowest unemployment rate because of the efforts of the governor. There is Omoluabi Garment Factory, which produces the free uniforms for the students. The state has also shown to us that a public school can be better. The governor is building better schools than some in Europe.”

government. We made several attempts to make the leadership of NUT understand and come to roundtable with NULGE with a view to fashion out ways to address the issue of primary school teachers as well as making local government functional.” The NULGE Chief also said the Union held meetings under the supervision of NLC’s leadership and that at some point they reached a consensus, which NULGE accommodated in its memos and all its submissions to government and the National Assembly to the effect that NULGE does not have any problem with making primary teachers’ salary first line charge. “So, if NUT is still hammering on the fact that local government system should be abandoned just because of their salary, in my opinion that is selfish. The truth is no democracy anywhere around the world can grow without a vibrant system of local government because the independence of each individual citizen lies in the independence of each local government,” he said.

Governor Aregbesola, who presented of the books, corroborated Aremu’s view on industrialisation. According to him, the way out for Nigeria’s economy is to look inward. He said: “Until we process what we produce here in terms of agricultural outputs, make it abundant and affordable, we will continue to be poor. There is no productivity, and productivity ensures that what we consume is produced here. We should produce things that are relevant to us. Failure of Nigeria is directly proportional to failure of blacks globally.” He maintained that the forthcoming election is paramount as it would afford Nigerians the opportunity to say no to corruption and maladministration through their votes.

would make the common man enjoy the dividends of democracy. He urged governments at all levels to intensify efforts at reducing the plight of Nigerians by sacrificing some of the luxury of political office holders. “Oil still remains the main source of the nation’s economy, there should be transparency and prudency in the way funds are allocated and spent. I think the state and Federal Government should come up with measures to ensure transparency and prudence in oil proceeds,” he said. According to him, many Nigerians are still poor, struggling to make ends meet. Government should show commitment at reducing poverty in the land. He said efforts should be intensified to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor by creating wealth. He said the country has all the resources at its disposal to better the lots of its teeming population. Sheikh added that the government’s attention should be on how to block all revenue leakages in the sector. The NUBIFIE scribe said more jobs should be created to engage millions of Nigerian youths roaming the streets without job. Besides, he urged government to work hard at making its stewards more accountable.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS e-Business

e-mail: lukajanaku02@gmail.com

Economic recession appears inevitable in the country. Prices of crude oil, Nigeria’s cash cow, have continued to go down. While the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officially devalued the naira by eight per cent, the move has not brought succour; the naira has continued to fall. Experts say the development of a knowledgebased economy through information communication technology (ICT) could provide the nation the required economic elixir, LUCAS AJANAKU reports.

Dwindling oil prices: Knowledge economy to the rescue T

HE liberalisation of the telecoms sector over a decade ago has been both a blessing and a curse. While foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow is estimated to have passed the $35billion mark, subscriber figures are now nosing 140 million according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). With this growth came job creation and other opportunities along the value chain. Experts say the country could latch on to this growth and develop a knowledge-based economy. President, Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), Prof David Adewumi said the black race was sleeping when the famous industrial revolution swept across Europe and America. He warned that it will be sad if ongoing revolution in the information communication technology (ICT) space is not taken advantage of to solve address pressing socio-economic challenges facing the country. Prof Adewumi said creating a Knowledge Economy (KE) in the country requires the support of the private and public sectors.He lamented that insecurity of data and lack of awareness were some of the key issues that have to be tackled holistically by all the stakeholders in the ICT sector. According to a World Bank ranking, no African country made the list of its global ranking of countries by Knowledge Economy Index (KEI). The global lender based its KEI ranking on four pillars of the KE which are education and training; information infrastructure; economic incentive and institutional regime; and innovation systems. It said these elements are critical requisites for a country to be able to fully participate in KE. It said an educated and skilled population is needed to create, share and use knowledge while a dynamic information infrastructure, ranging from radio to the internet, is required to facilitate effective communication, dissemination and processing of information. It argues that a regulatory and economic environment that enables free flow of knowledge, supports investment in ICT, and encourages entrepreneurship is central to the knowledge economy; while it believes a network of research centres, universities, think-tanks, private enterprises and community groups are necessary to tap into the growing stock of global knowledge; assimilate and adapt it to local needs, and create new knowledge. Based on these parameters, not even the United States, Britain or Germany made the list of the first 10 leading countries. Manager, Cyber Risk Services, Deloitte Nigeria Funmilola Odumuboni who made a presentation on Security Issues in a Knowledge-Based Economy defined Data Information Knowledge as “Information, understanding, or skill that you get from experience or education; “Facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.” Narrowing this down to KE, she said it is: “one where organisations and people acquire, create, disseminate, and use knowledge more effectively for greater economic and social development; an economy where knowledge is recognised as the driver of productivity and economic growth. As a result, there is a new focus on the role of

information, technology and learning in economic performance.”

Security issues KE

Piracy, data protection, identity theft, industrial espionage and platform interoperability are some of the challenges of KE. “In the economy of knowledge, data is collected about everyone and it is a prime currency for activities and business. Protection of this information/data within the economy therefore, has to be of topmost importance,” she said. She argued that the inability to know the people that have access to information; what information is being accessed; which information is flowing out of organisations and nations; and how this information is flowing out are key challenges. The need to protect data from threat sources within and outside organisations and institutions is underscored by the importance of protecting the entire organisation.

Piracy

One of the biggest security issues that will spring up in KE is the issue of piracy. The reliance on knowledge as a means of exchange makes susceptibility to piracy a growing problem. “Piracy is the act of illegally copying someone’s product or invention without permission. The BSA and IDC, global software piracy study revealed that the commercial value of unlicensed PC software installations totaled $62.7 billion globally in 2013,” she said. IT experts say piracy is not restricted to software alone, it covers several types of intellectual property including but not limited to organisational and national trade secrets, movies, music, software source code and inventions. Piracy will lead to loss of revenue, destruction of innovation, reputational damage and loss of competitive advantage, they averred.

Identity theft

Identity theft as a form of stealing but this time, it is stealing someone’s identity by pretending to be someone else through the assumption that person’s identity. It is usually a decoy to gain access to resources or obtain credit and other benefits in that person’s (victim’s) name. “In a KE where most information is digital, the challenge will be confirming the identity of each and every person. Although identity theft is not restricted to social media sites but social media can be a good place to harvest information. With a stolen identity, the attacker can perpetrate all kinds of atrocities,” she averred.

Industrial espionage

Industrial espionage is the act of attempt-

• Prof Adewumi

• NITDA Director-General, Peter Jack

ing to obtain trade secrets by dishonest means. It could be by telephone or computer-tapping; infiltration of a competitor’s workforce and other unwholesome methods. With the advent of knowledge as a means to corporate wealth, the race for a company’s knowledge-base takes the fight to whole new levels. Industrial espionage is conducted for commercial purposes rather than national security purposes and should be differentiated from competitive intelligence, which is the legal gathering of information.

optimisation, based on a standardised process of data capture and management and sustain it, Nigeria will be a better place for all because it will unlock significant economic and employment potential; it will drive financial inclusion; it will stimulate demand and domestic production in a peculiar way and this will in turn impact on gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate. Most people did not believe the telecom sector will be transformed with the GSM revolution. It happened. Most people do not believe the identity sector will be transformed, but by God’s grace, it will happen.”

Platform interoperability

Deloitte security expert said in a KE, reliance on infrastructure for data delivery becomes more emphasised than ever. Information may be accessed via different media and platforms that have different levels of security. At the point of interoperation and interface, there is a wide gap that may be skillfully exploited by a seasoned attacker. “What appears to be a minor platform glitch may become a door for an attacker. When the knowledge cannot be confined to a singular location, it faces the risk of being misused by anyone who has access to it outside a confined physical location,” the expert warned.

Solutions Efficient identity management

Identity management is a set of processes and supporting technologies for maintaining a person’s complete set of identity spanning multiple business and application contexts. Identity Management is key to combating identity theft. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is already working on a project that is seeking to create an Identity Management System (IMS) for Nigerians. Everybody’s information would be tied to their unique National Identity Number (NIN) that would be verifiable. This would make it harder for criminals to impersonate people. NIMC’s Director General, Chris said: “When we conclude the integration exercise for a national resource

‘In a KE where most information is digital, the challenge will be confirming the identity of each and every person. Although identity theft is not restricted to social media sites but social media can be a good place to harvest information. With a stolen identity, the attacker can perpetrate all kinds of atrocities’

Robust information security framework

An information security framework is the collection of processes and practices that are used to manage the definition and ongoing operation and management of the information security risks. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has commenced the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) project which it assures will make repudiation of online transactions impossible.

Legislation

In order to promote the knowledge economy, people have to be assured they will get justice when there is abuse of knowledge. Therefore, laws should be enacted to address issues such as piracy, cyber crime, corporate espionage, identity theft, data privacy/data protection. The National Assembly should expedite action on the passage of the cyber security bills that have been gathering dust on its floors.

Awareness/enlightenment

Another important factor for a knowledge based economy is the need to create awareness for the people to protect their data to guide against its being used by criminals to defraud them. To her, this could be achieved through government leadership, raising awareness and setting the course for collaboration amongst entities( for example parastatals, private sector, academia, and the general public), seminars, conferences. It could also be used to facilitate engagement of particular segments of the community such as small businesses and school children) with targeted specific messages, assistance for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). Some countries use a security health check foe SMEs as a mechanism to raise awareness. Collaboration among government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), regulators, organisations is also vital while multinational companies, academia and individual users have a role to play in driving awareness.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

e-Business

Over 200 communities yet to enjoy telecoms services

ORE than a decade after the liberalisation of the telecoms sector, the Federal Government said it has identified over 200 communities across the six geo-political zones of the country where telecoms services were yet to reach. It promised to bridge the digital divide existing between the rural and urban population in the country, adding that this will be achieved through ‘subsidy clusters.’ Minister of Communications Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson who spoke during the presentation of the report of a study conducted by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) with the support of KPMG, said the government will continue to lead the way in promot-

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

ing telecoms access across the country. The study was initiated two years ago by the USPF as part of its mandate to stimulate the deployment and utilisation of ICT services in unserved and underserved communities and groups in the country. The minister who is also the chairman of the Fund said government has through the USPF, designed projects and strategy to bridge these gaps and ensure that everyone irrespective of locality is connected. According to her, this mandate informed the development of the Strategic Management Plan 20132017 to guide the execution of sustainable ICT projects which will im-

prove the quality of lives of citizens and facilitate socio economic development. She said despite the huge success of the telecoms industry, there are still a large numbers of Nigerians who do not have access to ICT facilities stressing that the USPF spent 18 months trying to identify places where there are Nigerians that do not have access to ICT services. She said it was the first time that such a study was being carried out in the country, adding that the study has given government a clear idea of the areas where subsidy services are needed in the country. According to her, services are not in those communities not necessarily because they are not important but carriers do not see them as economically viable adding that in the

spirit of inclusion, it is the wish of government that every community gets connected. Dr Johnson urged firms that are involved in the provision of telecoms infrastructure to look at the report and make their input on how to make it work to affect the lives of Nigerians noting that government is willing to subsidise rollout in those areas. She said: “We will also share the results of the study with the telecoms operators to enable them get a detailed view of the needs and demands of the market and assist them in developing roll out plans for these unreached areas.” She added that the USPF will utilise these clusters to identify target areas, define Universal Access Serv-

ice (UAS) interventions and map the interventions to the appropriate communities. The minister expressed the willingness of government to continue to collaborate with the carriers with a view to closing access gaps and become a full digitalised nation. Secretary, USPF, Abdullahi Maikano said a total of 207 clusters were established with an estimated population of about 36.8 million people, adding that the clusters were grouped according to population density, adding that extensive field study work was done to arrive at the result. He said there is a gap of about 10,000 base stations in the areas that was indentified in the study starting that that it is a business opportunity for telcos.

Airtel to aid the poor

ANAGING Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to empowering underprivileged Nigeriansthrough its revolutionary Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) intervention tagged Touching Lives. Speaking at the premiere of the Touching Lives TV series at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, Mr. Ogunsanya noted that well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations should commit effort towards extending helpto the underprivileged as this will go a long way in creating a prosperous society for all. According to him, Airtel is committed and will continue to provide solid platforms that will empower underprivileged persons as well as transform the lives of many in the society. “Airtel Touching Lives underscores our determination to enrich lives and contribute to humanity. And the premiere marks the beginning of a new journey in providing empowerment and a major lifeline for thousands of Nigerians. “At Airtel, we are passionate about the people we serve and the Nigerian society. Airtel Touching Lives provides a platform for the underprivileged in our society to be identified, listened to and also cared for. For us, it is a commitment to connect with millions of Nigerians, alleviate their suffering and bring smile to their faces,” he said. Airtel Touching Lives is a reality television show with an overriding objective of identifying underprivileged persons/people

with needs and offeringto them, solid platforms and opportunities that will emancipate these individuals from the shackles of poverty, despair and hopelessness. According to Ogunsanya, Touching lives marks a significant milestone in Airtel’s history of CSR interventions in the country as it is a major philanthropic gesture by the telco to connect emotionally with Nigerians to alleviate the suffering of helpless people across the country. The premiere wasattended by top government functionaries, captains of industries, royal fathers, NGOs, media partners, and other distinguished guest from all walks of life. Some of the dignitaries at the event include Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; United States Consul General in Nigeria, Jeffrey J. Hawkins; Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun and HRH, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu.

‘SmartCity ‘ll enhance diversification’

•Ogunsanya

Etisalat launches SmartPak TISALAT said in response to its subscribers’ varied preferences in data consumption, simplicity, control and preference, it has introduced the Etisalat SmartPak. In a statement, it said the Etisalat SmartPak offering is designed to provide subscribers with data for their preferred consumption platforms. The packages are positioned to give subscribers unlimited access to the content they use most in an easy to understand format that suit their lifestyle, enabling them maximize value. Its Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Willsher, speaking on the new product said the Etisalat SmartPak is different from the allpurpose Easyblaze bundles which charges customers for size of data they want; rather each pack provides unlimited access to specific services. “The Etisalat SmartPak fits each consumer’s internet needs by

•Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Mr. Austin Okere (left) and the Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo during Fidelity SMEs Conference in Lagos.

offering internet services in terms of their desired content; be it social or business content. For example, a customer who prefers chatting and does more chatting can subscribe to ChatPak for access to chat apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat and 2Go, rather than data access in Megabytes and Gigabytes,” Willsher said. The Etisalat SmartPak consists of the Social Me Pak, Chat Pak, and Video Pak. The ChatPak offers access to all chat applications like WhatsApp and BBM while the Social Me Pak gives subscriber access to social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, in addition to the chat apps available on ChatPak. The Video Pak offers two-hour access to stream for only N400!! With this, subscribers can watch their favourite football match or makeup video without thinking of the costs.

ITH dwindling prices of oil, the Chief Executive Officer, Chams Plc, Sir Demola Aladekomo has said projects such as the SmartcCity Innovation Hub, when completed, will foster economic diversification and massive job creation. Located on a 48-hectare land on the Lekki-Epe corridor, it will also create 50,000 direct jobs in its first five years of operation. Conceived in 2011 for development in Lagos and Abuja, promoters of the innovation hub include the Ministry of Communications Technology, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). The project is a move to bring together technology, government and society in ways that promote the culture of innovation and the competitiveness between allied businesses and knowledge-based

institutions. The holding company for the project is SmartCity Resorts Plc, an investment and infrastructure company dedicated to creating modern real estate and infrastructure projects that allows people to live, work and relax in more pleasant and productive ways. Aladekomo who is the Chairman, SmartCity Resorts Plc, said: “The SmartCity Innovation Hub will engender economic diversification and will move Nigeria towards a knowledge-based economy birthing a prosperous, productive and innovative nation. It is an A-grade technology development infrastructure which will prime the local technology industry for global competitiveness, galvanising it from crass consumerism towards innovation and world class manufacturing standards. Upon completion, it has the potential to create about 50,000 direct

employments in its first five years. It will be the Nigerian equivalent of the Silicon Valley in the United States of America, which is home to many of the world’s largest technology corporations and thousands of tech start-up companies. It is beyond doubt that Silicon Valley is the world’s leading hub for high-tech innovation and development, and has been pivotal to the global information technology revolution. “For the benefit of the Nigerian economy and the local technology industry, we are working with policy makers, regulators, technology corporations and venture capitalists to recreate the same prototype in Nigeria. Collectively, the objective of all stakeholders on the project is to build a technology city that will be a magnet for technology-led investment, innovation and talent, making it one of the top destinations for technology companies, entrepreneurs and investors on the African continent.”

MTN to focus on digital services

TN Nigeria has said having done so well in the voice segment of the telecoms sector with over 60 million of the 130 million subscribers on its network, its next frontier for investment this year will be data provisioning and digital services. Its General Manager, Corporate Services, Funmi Onajide, said in the past, the focus was on voice that enabled people to connect so that they could make phone calls, adding that the industry has done so well in this respect. She said: “That dispensation was known as Telco 1.5. now we are moving to Telco 2.0 which is

By Toyin Adeleye

characterised by full scale focus on data and digital services leveraging the power of the internet. That is why we launched the thematic campaign called BatterMe and you would have seen many adverts in the newspapers and other media.” According to her, the BetterMe campaign will show how ordinary Nigerians can use the power of the internet to do extraordinary things in ways that make for a better life in all sorts of ways, adding that Nigerians are very innovative and millions of people, especially the youth are already very familiar

with the internet. She said the BetterMe campaign will build on that and we will expose Nigerians from all walks of life to how they can use the internet to do all sorts of things that are relevant to their peculiar circumstances and show them how various digital and data products and services can make their lives better. “We will introduce to Nigerians content that they may not be aware of e.g. local content websites like pidgin-based websites, local language news and a variety of useful information which should help people to see the positive value in the internet,” she said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-01-15

$1tr market capitalization target not realistic in 2016, says NSE • Investors Protection Fund to compensate 343 investors

ATTLED by world’s worst recession in 2014 and still counting its losses, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday backed down on its earlier target of $1 trillion market capitalization by 2016. The then Oscar-Onyema led management of NSE had in 2010 set the target of $1 trillion market capitalization, equivalent to about N168 trillion at the prevailing exchange rate. With NSE’s market capitalization at N9.514 trillion and equities still on a free fall, chief executive officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, yesterday at a media briefing on the stock market in Lagos said the $1 trillion target has become unrealistic, citing the current market situation. Aggregate market value of all quoted companies dropped by N382 billion yesterday to close at N9.514 trillion as against its opening value of N9.896 trillion. The main index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI) also dropped by 3.84 per cent to a two-year low of 28,740.61 points as against its opening index of 29,889.86 points. Average year-to-date return thus rose to -17.07 per

Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

cent. The sustained bearishness this year has worsened the market outlook, with losses over the nine trading sessions already more than what was recorded in the entire 2014. Nigerian equities ranked among the worst-performing stocks globally in 2014 with average full-year decline of 16.14 per cent. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities closed 2014 at N13.226 trillion as against its opening value of N11.477 trillion for the year, indicating a loss of N1.75 trillion during the year. “We no longer believe it is possible giving where we are today,” Onyema said about the $1 trillion target. He however said the new strategic plan of the Exchange, which extends till 2019, should be able to grow the market dramatically and deepen variety of products. Onyema said the Investors Protection Fund (IPF) has approved payment of compensation to 343 investors. The maximum payment per claim has been fixed at N400,000. He pointed out that the Exchange’s new strategic plan

would help to make Nigerian capital market as African hub for growth companies; attract domestic flows into the market, implement a more competitive price structure in conjunction with regulators and market participants. He added that the NSE would also intensify efforts towards developing a more sustainable market, increase the number of listings across five assets classes, and operate a fair and orderly market based on just and equitable principles. On the 2015 market outlook, Onyema painted a mixed picture of steep decline modest recovery. According to him, with expectations of successful election and tighter grip in security, with more certain micro economic environment, market attractiveness would improve significantly while government bonds yields would also remain attractive to investors. However, he expressed reservation that the increasing strengthening of United States’ dollar may continue to precipitate foreign portfolio reversal, which will adversely impact the Nigerian market.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-01-15

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

MONEYLINK

Access Bank opens representative office in China

CBN says 100 firms control 75% of bank loans

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that about 100 companies account for more than 75 per cent of total bank loans in the industry. This was the resolution reached by the Bankers’ Committee at their last meeting where they regretted the skew in the distribution of credit facilities in the country and called for more loans to facilitate rapid growth in power, agriculture and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele who also attended the meeting, said lending to such sector would trigger the much needed economic diversification from the overdependence on the crude oil export. Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank and the Chairman, Sub-Committee, Economic Development, sustainability and Gender, Mrs. Bola Adesola has urged banks to develop clear and actionable strategies and programmes to drive real sector growth, sustain the economic development initiative of the Bankers’ committee. Speaking at the sixth Bankers’ Committee meeting held in Calabar, she said that doing so would douse the heightened apprehension of the Nigerian public regarding the strategic policy direction and the viability of the economy in view of the falling price of oil. She said that diversification of the economy has since commenced, and that the committee has outlined strategies that would facilitate the financing of the real sector and infrastructure development in the country.

Stories by Collins Nweze

She said developments in the foreign exchange market are temporary and reiterated the need to forestall the speculative attack on the naira exchange value. She said the theme of the retreat “Financing Real Sector Growth in Nigeria” suggests clearly a deliberate attempt to craft an all-encompassing strategic architecture towards realising inclusive growth and job creation through financing the real sector. The bankers expressed full conviction in the fact that the long term success of the banking sector lies in the growth of the real sectors. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said the revolution in the sector was not just in terms of quantum of production, but the improvement being made in the agricultural supply chain. “There is also changing perception of an average Nigerian about agriculture as a pastime venture to

• Emefiele

the fact that agriculture can be a profitable business venture. This has been demonstrated in the rice substitution programme and the fertilizer distribution strategy that eliminated the corruption associated with middle men in the distribution chain, which enables farmers to buy direct from government,” he said.

CCESS Bank Plc has opened a representative office in China to achieve its objective of becoming the world’s most respected African lender. The bank’s Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe, said the feat affirms the lender’s commitment to socio-economic development of the continent through expansion across the world and its resolve to redefine the financial services operations. He said the opening of the representative office is just the beginning of Access Bank’s entry into the Chinese market as the bank seeks to stimulate economic growth of the country by partnering with Chinese and African entrepreneurs. He said: “Access Bank is using this as a platform to grow its business in one of the world’s fastest growing economies, as well as fostering economic and trade ties between China and Africa by becoming the link between businesses in both continents thereby driving economic development and business partnership”. He also said, the decision to open a Chinese office was necessitated as the

FCMB’s unit head Joins CPPL

ARKETING expert and former Vice President/ Group Head, Marketing and Communications in First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Ikechukwu Kalu, has joined Customer Passion Point Limited as a Value Creation Consultant after a successful two years stint with the lender. His exit followed the expiration of his contract with the financial institution. Kalu managed the FCMB brand for just over two years, a period he described as “extremely rich and exciting for him”. During this

period, he spearheaded new innovations in customer engagement, created quality awareness for the brand and sustainably drove up both brand equity and adoption of the bank’s products and services. Kalu’s professional and work experience spans over 30 years garnered from various blue chip firms both in Nigeria and East Africa. Interestingly, he joined FCMB at a point when the bank rechanneled its focus to retail and was charged with the responsibility to widen the brand appeal across segments

to achieve the business objective. He succeeded in providing insights that led to far reaching decisions, both strategic and tactical, which accelerated the attainment of the set goals. He excitingly said “My personal vision for any brand I manage is to leave it better than I met it. I am delighted that this was achieved and as the bank saw positive growth in the Top of Mind Awareness, Customer Acquisition and increase in the average lifespan of its customers within the 28 months of managing the brand”.

country has become Nigeria/Africa’s major trading partner with several Chinese companies seeking to do business in Nigeria and several countries in Africa where Access Bank has its presence. This will signal a new era in the annals of financial service delivery as Access Bank Group will deliver world class financial services by leveraging on the groups robust and time - tested technological platform, its prized expertise in trade finance to facilitate trade and its innovative products and excellent service delivery which has been acclaimed to be one of the best in the world. Also speaking, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Executive Director, Commercial Banking Access Bank, said, “The representative office would offer a onestop shop for such companies wanting to enter the Nigerian market as the bank will offer financial and advisory support for their businesses, and the country’s economy will be positively impacted through their improved capacity”. Access Bank’s presence in China further accentuates its steady growth as an international financial services and an attainment of its goal of becoming the world’s most respected African bank. Access Bank Plc secured the approval of the China Banking Regulatory Commission to commence business of its representative office in Beijing in 2014, having satisfied the official requirements prescribed by the CRBC. Access Bank (China) Office will join its other subsidiary in the UK, Ghana, Rwanda, Gambia, Zambia, D R Congo and Sierra Leone. The Bank is set to replicate its world class service culture by empowering citizens through its diverse products and services designed to improve their lifestyles.

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

126.95 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,730.69 1,099.60 112.18 121.16 1.67 1.29 1.32 0.95 1.17

126.90 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,730.69 1,098.85 111.58 120.30 1.62 1.28 1.32 0.93 1.17

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

Transaction Dates 13/01/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: December

CHANGE

261.9395

263.508

Euro

206.2617

207.4968

171.546

172.5732

Yen

1.3838

1.3921

CFA

0.2944

0.3144

242.3484

243.7996

Yuan/Renminbi

27.1505

27.314

27.00

29.70

10.00

Money Supply (M2)

UNIONDICON

13.26

13.92

4.98

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

BETAGLAS

28.60

30.00

4.90

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

OANDO

16.11

16.50

2.42

222.51

227.00

2.02

UACN

26.22

26.70

1.83

UNCAP

1.52

1.54

1.32

DANGCEM DANGSUGAR ASHAKACEM JBERGER ETI WAPIC ZENITHBANK UBN CHAMPION GUARANTY FIDELITYBK UAC-PROP LIVESTOCK

166.40 5.61 22.33 46.95 15.20 0.60 16.42 9.01 6.87 19.25 1.42 8.97 2.25

151.10 5.10 20.45 44.49 14.44 0.57 15.60 8.56 6.53 18.30 1.35 8.53 2.14

-9.19 -9.09 -8.42 -5.24 -5.00 -5.00 -4.99 -4.99 -4.95 -4.94 -4.93 -4.91 -4.89

168

Pounds Sterling

PRESCO

CHANGE

167

$45

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

C/PRICE

Selling (N)

US Dollar

10.21

O/PRICE

Buying (N)

$35b

27.21

SYMBOL

Currency

Foreign Reserves

24.69

LOSERS AS AT 14-01-15

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

13.0%

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

CBN EXCHANGE RATES January 13, 2015

Monetary Policy Rate

GAINERS AS AT 14-01-15

SYMBOL

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS)

N16.42 trillion. N17.2 trillion

Swiss Franc

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

WAUA Tenor

13-01-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 14-01-15

Overnight (O/N)

10.54

11.17

Riyal

44.4906

44.757

11.94

12.18

SDR

243.2856

244.7424

13.08

13.33

14.03

14.17

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

FOREX RATES

R-DAS ($/N)

165.29

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

Parallel ($/N)

185.50

Jan. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

13.65

T-bills - 182

13.88

T-bills - 364

13.65

Bond - 3yrs

13.81

Bond - 5yrs

13.85

Bond - 7yrs

13.83

THE NATION THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS

Why PDP can’t rule Lagos, by Tinubu

•Tinubu speaking at the rally. With him are: Governor Fashola (second left), his deputy, Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire (third left), Ambode (left), Ajomale (extreme right) and other party leaders...yesterday. PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES •CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

INUBU, who addressed a urge crowd of party members and supporters at the flag off of the APC governorship campaigns in Lagos, described the PDP an an Ebola-infested party, urging the people to flee from its candidates at the elections. He said Agbaje’s decision to contest on the platform of the PDP is worrisome and embarrassing, adding that he took the wrong decision at a time Nigerians were fed up with the ruling party at the centre. At the carnival-like campaign held at the Skypower Ground, Government Reservation Area, Ikeja, party flags were presented to the governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, the Lagos West senatorial candidate, Yayi Adeola Olamilekan, the House of Representatives candidate for Ikeja District, Hon. James Faleke, and the House of Assembly candidates for Ikeja Constituency I and 11, Gbolahan Lai-Mohammed and Damola Kasumu, by the party chairman, Otunba Oladele Ajomale. Ambode, who was described as the choice of the youths, promised to run an accountable government, if elected at the February 28 poll. Exuding confidence, the flag bearer, who was accompanied by his wife, Bola, said: “I have been an accountant all my life. I will be accountable to you. We will make life more economically viable. We will make Lagos safer. We will set up an Employment Trust fund that will make youths have access to finance for entrepreneurship. “I will be like BRF. I will be like Asiwaju. I have learned under them. They will pray for me. I will perform better than them. I will not disappoint Lagosians.” The flag bearer added: “The moment of history has come. We are excited. We are grateful to God for this day. Our party exists in all local governments and nooks and crannies. We stand for the protection of lives and property. We will carry all the people along, irrespective of their tribes. “At the centre, we need change. The economy may collapse, if it is left in the hands of the PDP. Some parts of the North has been taken over by the Boko Haram. Enough of suffering under the PDP. We should vote for Buhari and Osinbajo on February 14 and 28.” Noting that the job of the governor is tedious, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) urged Lagosians to endorse the youthful governorship candidate, saying that he is full of vigour, zest and energy. He stressed: “It is a tough job. I took the job at the age of 44. Now, I am 52. When I took the job, I could count the number of grey hairs I had. Now, I can’t count them again. I thank Lagosians for giving me the job. I thank Lagosians for also taking care of me. Akinwumi Ambode is younger than me. You need youthfulness to do this job. That man (the PDP candidate) is already 60. An

•Ambode: I ‘ll run accountable government By Emmanuel Oladesu Group Political Editor

old man cannot do the job. If you call him at midnight, he will not pick your call.” Many stakeholders, interest groups, women and youth organisations from 57 local councils joined party faithful for the campaign, which lasted for almost eight hours. Thrilling the crowd were the ace fuji musician, Alhaji Ayinde Wasiu, Buga, and other artisists-Kunle Afuad, Iyabo Oke, Mrs. Surutu, Doris Simon, Segun Ogungbe, Sikiratu Sindodo, Ojo arowosoge ((adeyi Oloro). At the campaign presided over by Ajomale were the deputy governor, Hon. Joke Orelope-Adefulire, her predecessors, Princess Sarah Sosan and Otunba Olufemi Pedro, the wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, Senators Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), Ganiyu Solomon (Lagos West) and Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), Chief Pius Akinyelure, Prince Oluyole Olusi, Chief Kayode Olowu, Second Republic Deputy Governor Rafiu Jafojo, Col. Adedeji Ajala (rtd), Dr. Abayomi Finnih, Hon. Olawale Oshun, Chief Lanre Rasak, APC National Publicity Alhaji lai Mohammed, House of Representatives Minority Leader Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Women Leader Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Mrs. Folake Shokunbi, former Heads of Service Hon. Yakubu Balogun and Adesegun Ogunlewe, former party secretary Primate Charles Odugbesi, Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, Mrs. Sola Oworu, Chief Wale Mogaji, Cpmrade Ayodele Adewale, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, Hon. Lateef Raji, Mr. Tunde Temionu, and Mrs. Jumoke Okoye-Thomas. Other chieftains are the ceremony were House of Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji, his predecessor, Joko Pelumi, Hon. Bola Olujobi Badmus, Chief Demola Seriki, Chief Chris Ekwilo, Mrs. Toke Benson, Hon. Hakeem Gbamgbola, Ademorin Kuye, Abdullahi Enilolobo, Fuad Oki, Kola Pregrillo, Chief Raheem Daramola, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, Ademola Sodiq, and Hon. Kolawole taiwo, Gbolahan Yishau, Alhaji ganiyu Badmus, Hon. Olamide Kasali, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, and Hon. Wale Ahmed, Hon. Paul Kalejaye, who was the master of ceremony. Excited at the urge crowd, Tinubu,

‘

who thanked them and other party chieftains, said it was an evidence that the APC will win the general elections. The former governor told them that Ambode is better than Agbaje, who he said lacked experience about governance. Tinubu said: “There is no way for the Poverty Development Party, the Peoples Deception Party in Lagos. Lagos is not for experimentation. He (Agbaje) was with us in the AD. He failed. He said hewas going to Afenifere. He was in the ACN. He contested against Fashola. He failed. We said Fashola is more knowledgable; he is a man who listens to instructions. We asked him to be his deputy and learn so that he can be a good governor later; that he should go through aprehenticeship. He rejected the offer of a deputy governor. He went to the DPA. he became their leader. In DPA, he contested against Fashola. “Lagos has faith in a better and rewarding future. We said Lagos will not spoil (Eko o ni baje). He was defeated; he came back and we said he should go to the cabinet; he said no; well, we have many people to do the job in our party; In a twinkle of an eye, Jk went to the PDP; PDP is Ebola. But, we say Lagos is not for experiment. We know where we are coming from. We know where we are going. How many drugs does he have in his pharmacy to cure Lagos. We don’t need experiment in Lagos.” Tinubu said the APC government has lived up to expectation in the last eight years under Fashola, adding that continuity is desirable. Tinubu described himself as an expert in talent hunt, adding that the choice of Fashola as the 2007 flag bearer has produced fruits of development, progress and prosperity for Lagosians. He added: “Today is a great day. I am a proud man. I am happy. I thank the Almighty God. This crowd makes me to be proud of Lagosians. In 2007, I handed over to one young man. I brought him before you. I told you he will perform better; that he is a SAN with a sound mind. That man is Babatunde Raji Fashola. “It has been eight years of performance, unequalled performance, unbroken promises, sound experience, construction of good schools and roads, employment for younger people, youth skill development. Mother and Child hospitals are getting better. The state has made progress under rhe

I will be like BRF. I will be like Asiwaju. I have learned under them. They will pray for me. I will perform better than them. I will not disappoint Lagosians

‘

leadership of Fashola. “I am a proud leader and father. Whatever they may say, who is the father of this talent? I am the one. Our prayer is that our children will live and perform better than us. May your children live and perform better than you.” Tinubu reflected on how Ambode became the candidate, recalling that the youths of Lagos rooted for him. He said: “Many leaders, women and youths came to me. You said you wanted a talented, experienced youth to continue where Fashola would stop. We cannot experiment in Lagos. I said, wait. Don’t be in a hurry. Help is on the way. Voluntarily, you identofied that help. It is my joy to present Akinwumi Ambode to you.” The former governor thanked the governorship aspirants who participated at the primaries for their dedication, loyalty and understanding, adding that their conduct has portrayed the APC as a great family. Tinubu thanked Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for their spirit of sportsmanship and Dr. Leke Pitan, Dr. Tola Kasali, Tayo Ayinde, Yemi Ikuforiji, Adekunle Disu and mrs. Agbesanwa for their commitment to the party. Noting that Lagos State also produced Prof. Yemi Oshinbajo (SAN) as the APC vice presidential candidate, he said the legal scholar will team up with General Muhammadu Buhari in the implementation of the commonsense revolution. He said, since Nigeria is facing grace challenges, it needs special leaders at the state and federal levels to navigate the ship of the state. Tinubue stressed: “I am happy that Osinbajo, a former member of Lagos State cabinet, is the running mate to Buhari, who is a straightforward, bold, honest Nigerian. A nation needs a special leader in its time of trial. Nigeria made a mistake in electing Jonathan in 2011. Jonathan is a man who gives excuses. He has admitted that he has failed. No more repeat. We want Buhari. Jonathan must go. “Jonathan has spent all the money. He is spendthrift. Now, revenue is dropping. We need a man of intellect and an expert in financial engineering. When the Lagos money was seized, Ambode found solution to the problem. He has done good to Lagos. He must reap goodness.” Fashola, who urged Lagosians to reject the PDP at the polls, said that PDP leaders are fond of peddling falsehood. Noting that Tinubu has described the party as Ebola, the governor said: ‘PDP is more terrible than Ebola.” Fashola advised Lagosians of 18 years and above to vote wisely, adding that they cannot be disqualified when they are armed with their per-

manent or temporary voter’s cards. The governor, who berated the President for failing to fight the infrastructure battle, said that he does not deserve re-election. He added: “Jonathan is complaining that Buhari who was in power in 1985 did not buy guns for the military. But, Nigerians solders have been part of the ECOMOG in their peace-keeping mission in West Africa. Does Jonathan wants to fight insecurity with 1985 guns?” Noting that the next administration will face some challenges, Fashola said, since the next challenge is financial management, Ambode is fit for the job. Second Republic House of Representatives member Olusi, who said he was overwhelmed by the crowd of supporters, added that it has strengthened his belief that victory is at hand. Urging Lagosians to embrace the elections as a contribution to the cause of popular rule, he said: “Be prepared. Get ready. get your voter’s cards ready. Patience and endurance are required to collect the cards. Our country in mess. You know the position f the economy, transportation and electricity. We need to reduce to the barest minimum corruption. Obasanjo, who has been with them, said that the economy has been mismanaged. Since change is desirable, vote for the APC. Reflecting of the succession struggle in the state, he said: “Tinubu ruled for eight years. God used him to chose Raji Fashola as the governor. He ruled well. APC governors are doing well. That is why APC is fit to rule the state and the country.” Former Commissioner Nelson, who doubles as the Southwest Women Leader, advised Lagosians to vote for continuity in their own interest. She described Ambode as a better candidate, assuring that he will nt disappoint the people. She added: “You should go and collect your PVCs. They cannot rig it. We have brought out a good candidate. Ambode will perform better than Fashola. There will be more development. Nigerians should not vote for those who cannot liberate the Chibok girls. Women in Lagos should vote for the APC becaise the APC has always defended the interest of women.” Former APC Youth Leader Enilolobo said: “PDP has wrecked havoc on democracy. Under the miliary rule, we paid N60 per litre for petrol. It is now N96. Cement was N80. It is now N2,000. There is no electricity. PDP has brought misery.” Ajomale said: “By the grace of God, we are going to win. Somebody who has destroyed the economy of the country does not deserve re-election. When America had problem, they changed their government. We are having problems now.”

THE NATION THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS

Senate warns Fed Govt on dwindling oil revenue

ROM the Senate came yesterday a warning to the Federal Government: tackle the emerging economic recession facing the country with all the seriousness it demands. The recession, the Senate said, is occasioned by the downward trend in oil revenue. The warning came as the upper chamber read this year’s Appropriation Bill for the second time referring the fiscal policy to its committees for more legislative actions. Senators took turns to debate the general principles of the budget with Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi stating categorically that the Senate is processing a deficit budget. The All Progressives Party (APC) Ekiti North lawmaker told the Senate to demand from the Federal Government how it planned to fund the deficit in the budget. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadeu, who summed up the debate on the general principles of the budget said: “Arising from the debate on the 2015 appropriation bill, I am happy that we have woken up to our responsibilities and this is also a wake up call to our nation as we face this challenging times of economic recession and the downward trend in our oil revenue. “I do believe that this is the time for us as a parliament to ensure that while considering the appropriation bill for 2015, all the revenue items are captured. “Our committee on Finance will help us to do that. We need to ensure that all the revenue items are captured in the budget and determine a pool of resources to implement the budget when passed. “The Federal Government should also put up its thinking cap to develop new areas of revenue generation that would help us to drive our economy. “We have gone through this way before, but eventually the oil price improved but unfortunately we did not learn any lesson while we enjoy the oil boom. “I hope that this period we will learn our lesson that will help us to be disciplined in our fiscal management and it is also time for us to also take seriously about our fiscal federalism so that states can develop their initiatives in increasing their revenue that would help them to manage themselves. “We need to reflect as a na-

Again, Fed Govt withdraws MTEF THE Federal Government may have withdrawn the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) from the National Assembly, it was learnt yesterday. The withdrawal, which is for the third time running, came as lawmakers deliberated on this year’s budget in the chamber of the House of Representatives. The Federal Government had initially fixed the benchmark at $78 per barrel. It withdrew the MTEF and reviewed to $73, which was taken back and finally pegged at $65 per barrel. Now the framework has been withdrawn. Sources said the Presidency was forced to withdrawal the expenditure framework due to the impracticability of the proposed benchmark of $65. Meanwhile, members of the House passed yesterday the budget through a second reading after consideration, even against the skepticism of its passage before election. However, Deputy House Spokesman, Victor Ogene said if need be, plenary would be reconvened to pass the budget. He also added that in the event that the budget is not passed early enough, the President is empowered to spend funds from government coffers for up to six months of the year, but not exceeding the figure of the previous year. The document was referred to the committees on Finance, Appropriation and all other relevant committees by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal. Majority Leader Mulikat Akande- Adeola moved for the consideration of the budget and listed key allocations - recurrent and capital expenditure - made to critical economic and defence sectors in her lead debate. “Recurrent: Youth development (N70 billion); education (N399.9 billion); health (N237.5 billion); defence (N323.4 billion); police formation and commands (N312.7 billion); interior (N154.5 billion); agriculture and rural development (N32.2 billion); pensions and gratuities through Service Wide Votes (N231.4 billion) and other allocations under the Service Wide Votes (N348.7 billion). “Capital: Presidency to all MDAs (N189 billion) and capital supplementation (N193 billion),” she listed out to her colleagues. She said N411,840 billion is for statutory transfers as against N399.69 provided for last year, N943 billion for debt servicing and N2,616, trillion for recurrent expenditure. “The balance of N387,112 is for contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure which gulped N1,100 trillion last year.” “The focus of the budget in 2015 is continuous job creation through infrastructure development particularly in power, roads, agriculture, housing and construction, creative industry and SUREP. “The budget was also designed to reduce costs in non-essential areas of expenditure and as part of that, cost of governance is expected to reduce such that all trainings of civil servants will be done locally, with the exception of very few cases, as well as

From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

correcting steps to stem corruption in the public service through adequately designed internal expenditure reduction mechanisms” she added. The House leader said in the proposed budget, oil production remains at 2.2782 million barrels per day; benchmark oil price is $65/barrel and GDP growth rate is projected at 5.5%. The budget proposes an exchange rate of N165 to the US Dollar; non-oil revenue (including non-Federation account) of N1,684.63 billion; fiscal deficit of N755 billion (or 0.79 percent of GDP); and Domestic Borrowing of N570 billion down from N571.9 billion in 2014. Chairman Committee on Appropriation John Eno, briefing his colleagues said the financial scenario for this year is different from previous years because of the fall in oil price. “A high volume of what we expect as revenue wont come in as the price of oil is going down. It exposes us to the kind of budget that requires a cooperation between the executive and legislature. The oil benchmark is going to change a lot of computation. According to him, the challenge of our country is that of expenditures and there is little we can do about it. “It was assumed that the price of oil will stabilise at $65 and $75 but the price of oil keeps going down. We need to be realistic and practical on the benchmark, Eno said. For Abimbola Daramola (APC, Ekiti), he said the managers of the economy ought to have done a good job by anticipating “a volatile oil pricing mechanism. They should have done a good home work. Annual budgets shouldn’t be omnibus replication of past ones,” he said. Joseph Kigbu (PDP, Nassarawa) said implementing the proposed budget would be difficult there is a need to approach the budget from a realistic perspective in terms of the benchmark. adding that “the capital expenditure needs to be pruned down.” In the same vein, Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta) said the current price of oil is at variance with benchmark proposed. He also noted that “It is obvious dat there’s need to curb capital expenditure.” ”This year promises to be one of the most difficult for the country. “Shehu Garba said in agreement with Elumelu’s position. Garba suggested that appropriation committee should interact with the executive arm of government to perfect the budget. ”The ministry of finance should cut down the capital vote. There is the need to re-examine the revenue returns of some government agencies. Furthermore, the FIRS should be taxed to pursue vigorously the imposition of corporate taxes,” he said. However, the Chairman, committee on Agriculture, Tahir Monguno, said the situation caused by the low prices of oil may turn out positive. “Its a blessing,” he said.

•Budget passes second reading From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

tion on how to manage our economy and everybody will have to make sacrifices, going forward. “For us as politicians, we have to be mindful of our election expenses and we need to do things within the provisions of the Electoral Act. “If anybody thinks that he will spend money and would recover them after election, he would be disappointed because there would be no mon-

ey to recover.” “It may be that God had designed this way for us in order to make progress in terms of fiscal discipline. “The National Assembly is taking this seriously based on our comments this afternoon and we are prepared to also lead the fight to enthrone fiscal discipline in Nigeria.” Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, who led the debate on the general principles of the budgets, said that the Appropriation Bill seeks to authorise the issue from the consolidated revenue fund of the Federation the total sum of N4, 357,

•Lagos State Governor’s wife Mrs Abimbola Fashola (middle); President, International Women Society (IWS), Mrs Folasade Oyeniyi (right) and Chairperson, Widows' Trust Fund, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore at widow’s empowerment in Lagos.

960,000.00 as against the 2014 budget of N4.6 trillion. Ndoma-Egba gave the break down of the fiscal policy as Statutory Transfer N411, 840, 000,000; Debt Service N943,000,000,000; Recurrent (non Debt) Expenditure N2, 616,007,426,233 while contribution to the development fund for capital Expenditure is N627 billion. He noted that the budget is predicated on the following assumptions: Bench mark of oil price of $65 per barrel; projected oil production of 2.2782 million barrel per day; average Exchange of N165 per $1. He said, “I believe that all the proposals in this budget are laudable and are tailored to meet the critical needs of this country at this point of our democratic evolution and to deliver on the dividends of democracy especially this election year. Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Ahmed Makarfi said, “Even though it is based on a benchmark of 65 which surely is not realistic at the moment, it only provides N387billion for capital development which is over a trillion off what was budgeted for last year. So, this is not a budget you can look at as an expansionist budget. “This definitely is an austerity budget - a belt-tightening budget, but equally it should be wake up call that we must not continue to rely on financing public expenditure based on oil revenue which is

highly volatile. “We have to look out to other areas of getting revenues to the coffers of government and that is a long and tedious work on itself. “There is also the average exchange rate of N165. These are key parameters of the benchmark which was used to produce the budget but it is actually out of tune with the reality. “We must cut down on cost of governance. When we say cutting down on cost of governance, we are not saying that you have to lay-off workers, but various areas of wastage and other areas you can make adjustments that you can cut down on cost of governance. “We have to equally, holistically look at what we have been saying time without number that Ministries Departments and Agencies that achieve their revenue are paying as much as they like and declare what they like that would be coming to the public consolidated revenue, it is high time we have a comprehensive review of the legislations creating these MDAs so that we can have a lot non-oil revenue into coffers of government to fund the activities of government. I support that we take it at the second reading stage and pass it to relevant committees but the caution is that it is more likely going to shrink than expand. “Therefore, it is not a budget to see where we can add these or that it is a budget for belt tightening.

•Senate President David Mark

Adetunmbi, who also said that the Federal Government should be asked to rework the budget added,”I agree that as a parliament we have a duty to carry out the process of looking at the budget but it is rather unfortunate that what we are passing to the committees is a piece of paper because the assumptions on the revenue side of the budget is totally exaggerated and the implication of that is that expenditure that we are asking committees to look at are expenditures for which there will be no money to finance. “The reason why there will be no money to finance those expenditures is that right now they are grossly exaggerated assumption that the price of oil is $65 per barrel. “Mr. President, you and I and everybody and the members of these committees and the media and all Nigerians, we know that the price for oil as we speak, is in the threshold of $45 to $46 per barrel. “Therefore, the budget we are sending to committees, is in deficit of $28 per barrel of monies that will not come. “It is a pity that our committees may end up doing these work two times - to review the existing projections which are based on unrealistic oil pricing. ”Mr. President it is also on record that Nigeria has not done 2.7million barrels per day - not in 2014, not in 2013 and I don’t know the empirical basis for which this volume of production is being projected. “So, we are shooting ourselves in the feet with a double barrel gun, an exaggerated benchmark price and an unrealistic volume of production and on the basis of which expenditure has been planned. “This is clearly a deficit budget, let us call it by its name and let us know where the deficit is going to come from. Chairman, Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang said: “This budget was accompanied with the implementation report of the previous year’s budget. We have always received it but has never studied it. “There is no point allowing the CBN, Maritime Agency and Communication Commission to generate money and keep without putting it in the revenue account. “I am celebrating the fall of oil so that we can go back to see the amount of money generated by these agencies and determine the 20 per cent they should spend and the 80 per cent they should transmit to the Federation Account. He also demanded that prices of petroleum products be reviewed downward without waiting for labour unions to go on strike. After declaration, the Senate adjourned plenary till February 17 to allow Senators have more time for their re-election campaign.

Senate warns over dwindling oil revenue “What is the basis of financing the deficit? I think that is what we should be talking about. I am not even sure that given the current oil prices, the entire projection for our capital budget is not already eroded. “The real price of oil and the volume that we are going to be able to push in 2015, given the current situation of things, whether we are going to even have enough to fund anything under capital budget outside borrowing. “We will be lucky in 2015, if Nigeria is going to be able to finance its recurrent expenditure from oil revenue. “This is the situation we are in and here we are caught in a cul-de-sac, a budget has to be processed that the committees will work on but unfortunately we all know that what we are passing to the committees is not realistic, it is not worth the budget of 2015 will look like and we should not deceive ourselves here that committees have realistic projections to work with. “The ideal thing would have been a situation where we should allow the Federal Government of which we are all part of, to go and review this budget on the basis of predictable oil benchmark and volume projections so that Nigerians can know upfront the revenue situation that the country is facing rather than get on this roller-coaster of process “Our duty here is to vote for what is right over what is good because what is right is superior to what is good. It is good for this budget to be passed so that the Senate can be seen to have done it but it is not right to send projections that are not in sync with the reality all in the name of fulfilling processes and procedures. “

Again, Fed Govt withdraws MTEF “We should go back to these instruments. How do countries that do not produce oil survive? It is through money they generate internally. “Where is the excess crude account. The benchmark was $73 per barrel but oil sold over $100 per barrel. “Where is the excess crude share of the federal government. We are guilty because I raised alarm that no money from the excess crude account should be expended without the consent of the National Assembly. “My submission is that since we signed the 2014 Appropriation Act, there has not been application for supplementary budget. “The President should, therefore, fund the 2015 budget with the reserve from the excess crude amount.”

“The Federal Government have been professing the diversification of the economy but this is not reflected in the appropriation. With the discovery of shale oil and the rising price of oil, there is need to diversify the economy.” He suggested agriculture as an important area that the government should focus on to earn more for the country. He also said: “Considering the myriads of problems, particularly Boko Haram, there is dearth of infrastructure, thus the need to give attention to this critical sector Also,the Chairman of the House Committee on Banking and Currency, Hon. Jones Onyeriere voiced the same opinion, saying it will give the country an opportunity to move away from the over dependence on oil. The lawmaker said there is need for government to cut down on some purchases that reflect in the annual budget such as purchase of computers, among others. His words: “Government must increase the IGR from the non-oil sector and ensure that more funds are made available to the SMES. If we do that we will be able to shove any negative effect including the slide in the price of crude oil. Honestly, it could be a blessing in disguise. “The middle class is almost in extinct; this is a good way to look at that critically. The banks should make credits available to the SMEs, this is enough to improve on our GDP, if we do that then we are in for greater times. Our overdependence on oil, I pray it doesn’t hurt us. I think it is time.”

THE NATION THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS NEMA urges traders to insure goods From Chris Oji, Enugu

HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged government to enact a law that would compel traders to insure their goods. The Southeast Zonal Director of NEMA, Major James Eze, who spoke yesterday when briefing reporters on the activities of the agency in the zone last year, said compulsory insurance policy for traders would reduce the burden on government when disasters occurred. He advised traders to insure their goods against disasters because government might not have the financial capacity to take care of all victims.

Ripples over INEC’s PDP list in Anambra

HE list of senatorial candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is causing ripples in Anambra State. The commission on Tuesday listed the state’s political godfather, Chief Chris Uba, Senator Annie Okonkwo and former Minister of Transport Chief John Emeka as the candidates. PDP had submitted the names of Uche Ekwunife representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia Federal Constituency, former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah and Senator Andy Uba to INEC. Following the latest development, some people believed

•Chris Uba begins campaign tomorrow •Ekwunife: we’re on course From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

it was the end of PDP in the state. Others saw it as a good action. One of the party’s chieftains and the state Coordinator, Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM), Comrade Obi Ochije, told The Nation yesterday in Awka that the people would vote for those who had the interest of the state at heart. He said what the country needed at this period were people who could instil disci-

pline and give the people the dividends of democracy. Ochije said: “Nobody is talking about party any longer, but anybody or group that can save the country. The nation is in a bad shape and needs good governance.” Another member of the PDP, who preferred anonymity, told The Nation that things had fallen apart in the PDP. Despite INEC’s list, Ekwunife said she would go ahead with her campaigns. The Nation learnt that Chris Uba would storm Anambra

State tomorrow to begin his campaigns. A source said he would arrive the state with PDP bigwigs, adding that members would await him and his entourage at the Amansea border of Enugu and Anambra states. Ekwunife yesterday visited the monarch of Nawfia, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, Igwe of Nawgu and Igwe of Abba, both in Dunukofia Local Government. She said: “Our senatorial project is still on course, no shaking.”

Ambode gets support By Tokunbo Ogunsami

HE Akinwunmi Ambode Kommittee of Friends (AA’KOF) has said it will embark on a robust media campaign to ensure the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. The group said besides the campaign, it would be involved in mobilising grassroots people to vote for the APC candidate. It said in a statement that the move was part of its contributions to ensuring Ambode’s success at the polls. The group’s Media Director, Cornelius Olopade, said the good governance put in place by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola could only be sustained by a progressiveminded person like Ambode. AA’KOF described Ambode as a tested and trusted technocrat and an articulate administrator, adding that his performance as an accountant-general spoke volumes about his competence.

‘Shun sentiments, re-elect Jonathan’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the aegis of Alhaji Tafida Mavidi and Dr. James Ojebode, has urged Nigerians to re-elect President Goodluck Jonathan. Ojebode spoke in Ibadan during the presidential campaign. He said: “I implore our supporters in the 33 local governments to remember that nobody has ever done it better than Jonathan. So, we should vote for him.” Mavidi said: “The reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and others make him to deserve our votes.”

Baptists hold seminar

AGOS East Baptist Conference (LEBC) will on Saturday organise a workers’ seminar at Yaba Baptist Church, Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos. The Conference President, Dr. Emmanuel Adebayo Awotunde, said the seminar, which will start at 10 am, is designed to develop a peopleoriented ministry (Exodus 18). He said church workers are expected to attend.

•From left: Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi, his Abia State counterpart, Theodore Orji, Minister of State for Education, Viola Onwuliri and National Vice Chairman PDP Southeast, Col. Austine Akobundu, at a meeting of Southeast states coordinators of President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation in Umuahia.

APGA alleges plot to disenfranchise members •Accuses INEC of complicity

HE Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday alleged that over half of its members had not been given Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), despite complaints to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It said statistics showed that the areas affected by the scarcity of the PVCs were its strongholds, which included Owerri North and Owerri Municipal council areas. Addressing a news conference, the Chairman, Mr. Peter Ezeobi, said: “The issue of the PVC has been of concern to APGA. Areas mostly affected are pro-APGA areas, where the party has many supporters.” He added: “Our governorship candidate and I have not got our PVCs and this is worrisome, considering that INEC insists that no PVC, no voting.

‘50% of Imo voters yet to get PVCs’

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed yesterday that about 50 per cent of eligible voters in Imo State were yet to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). It said the cards would not be distributed in some wards in 11 local governments of the 27 councils. The exercise starts today. The affected local governments include Oru East, Okigwe, Ohaji/Egbema, Ezinihitte, Isu, Obowo, Nkwerre, Njaba, Ngor Okpala, Ideato South and Orsu. Speaking at a news conference at the INEC state headquarters, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Gabriel Ada, said the PVCs were yet to arrive in the state, adding that this is worrisome. From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

There is anxiety among our members and supporters, especially in Owerri North where our governorship candidate hails from. “When we noticed the development, we sent a delegation, led by the Legal Adviser, Ikechukwu Ikeji, to INEC to

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

His words: “The statistics of the card distribution are still below 60 per cent. This does not augur well for the participatory democracy we anticipate. It is unacceptable to the commission.” Ada noted: “The commission has recommended that we go back to the field for another 10 days to distribute these PVCs to their owners, but at the registration area (ward) level. This is to ensure that every Nigerian is given the opportunity to vote.” He said the cards would not be collected by proxy, but would be issued to the owners at the collection points.

lodge a complaint and it promised that by January 30 everybody would get PVCs, but we are no more comfortable with the promise because of the situation. “We urge the commission to release PVCs so that the indigenes can vote. We also want the poll to be devoid of disen-

franchisement, rigging and violence.” The Nation learnt that the party had suspended one of the governorship aspirants, Mr. Okey Ezeh, for parading himself as its candidate, after INEC had published the name of the winner of the primaries, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho.

Imo monarchs seek good roads, employment

RADITIONAL rulers in Imo State have urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to tackle unemployment, bad roads and other problems in the Southeast. They spoke when Buhari and his campaign team visited the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri, at his palace in Owerri. Eze Ohiri described the long years of neglect of the Igbo, despite their contributions to national development, as the height of ingratitude. He said they were denied top federal appointments, job opportunities, good roads and other developmental projects by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, hoping that the APC would redress the situation. Eze Ohiri said monarchs were the worst hit by corruption, because of their interaction with grassroots people, who cried out against the diversion of federal funds meant for empowerment and developmental projects, by greedy politicians. He added: “If my people vote for you, remember to show appreciation.” The royal father enjoined the Federal Government to restore subsidy on petroleum products, to reduce suffering. Governor Rochas Okorocha, who is also the Chairman, APC Governors’ Forum, said traditional rulers contributed to the success of his administration, noting that as chairmen of the Community Government Council in the 637 communities, they promoted palm planting, maintenance of public institutions and combated crime. He advised them to be apolitical. The governor said Gen. Buhari would not Islamise the country, as he was religiously tolerant, which he demonstrated by his choice of a pastor, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, as his running mate. His words: “He wants to make an impact and show Nigerians what he has, by stabilising the nation.”

Chime swears in council boss From Chris Oji, Enugu

ENUGU State Governor Sullivan Chime has sworn in a chairman for Igboeze Local Government. He is Celestine Ezeugwu who, until his appointment, was the deputy to the former Chairman of Igboeze North, Bonaventure Onu. Onu was impeached by the council’s legislature. The governor urged the chairman to render quality service.

Obi’s community denies endorsing candidates

ORMER Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s community, Agulu, has warned parties and candidates not to allow anybody to deceive them that the area has endorsed them. In a statement yesterday by the Youth Empowerment Committee, under the aegis of Agulu Peoples Union (APU), signed by the Chairman, Maduagwu Eric-Kenny and Secretary, Aguluka Nnamdi, the community denied en-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

dorsing candidates for the elections. It reads: “We wish to state that neither the town union nor the youth of Agulu have endorsed any candidate for the elections. “The decision to give every politician a level-playing field and every Agulu indigene freedom of association should not be abused.

“Constituted authorities’ and the town union’s decision must be respected, not minding whose ox is gored. “Politicians should concentrate on issue-based campaigns and avoid scoring cheap political points, which will undermine their ambitions. “We advise parents to monitor their children now that the elections are approaching, so that desperate politicians will not lure them with money.

“The town union will not hesitate to sanction any youth found associating with the Agulu Youth Movement’s national executives. “We use this medium to inform the public that the national executive of the Agulu Youth Movement has been suspended indefinitely by the highest decision- making body in Agulu.” •Obi

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS Jonathan, Buhari sign anti-violence pact Continued from page 4

•From left: Bishop of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rev. James Olusola Odedeji; Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , Mr. Akin Orebiyi and Administrative Secretary (INEC), Mr. Isacc Itegboje, at the Archbishop Vinning Election Monitoring Team’s visit to the Lagos INEC office ... on Tuesday. PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

PDP, APC candidates seek acceptable poll Continued from page 2

that are very inflammatory as if they want to divide the country,” he said. On the way forward, the President said: “Then, we must do certain things to stop it. We must stop these hate preaching, instigating crises, threatening others, provocative and inflammatory statements by people, whether they are traditional or religious leaders, or ethnic nationalities leaders. We must stop this. We can practise politics without bitterness.” “We must accept that the struggle to rule is not struggle to conquer. Whenever you win election, you will rule the whole country and not only your political party members so that at the end of the election, everybody must be your friends and followers.” To Jonathan, there are two things concerning INEC that are worrisome. He said “Firstly, people are complaining that they don’t have the Permanent Voter Cards or PVCs. If some people do not have their PVCs, the conclusion is that from the beginning, INEC wants to rig the election and there is the tendency for this to lead to violence.” “I have told INEC they must make sure that every eligible Nigerian is able to vote. This is a recipe for violence.” “The second thing is that in 2011, INEC was able to conduct the election with the temporary voters card and every one appreciated the election that it was credible. But INEC wants to go further by deploying technology this time around. Now the technology is being misunderstood by some people. “They say people have capacity to manipulate or hack or cloned and so on. So INEC must tell Nigerians in very clear terms so that Nigerians will believe in the result of the election. They must show that the methods adopted are very safe. What I am saying is that there

is this apprehension, this fear, people believe that their votes may not be reflected. We will be in trouble. INEC must in a very clear terms tell Nigerians that the system they are deploying is safe. All of them who are qualified to vote will vote, that nobody will manipulate the PVCs to his own party’s advantage. This will give people hope and the tendency to accept the results will be higher while the tendency for violence will be reduced. That is for the immediate.” On the way forward, he called for the review of laws, as he noted that the present system of winner takes all is causing problems. He said: “We need to rejig our laws that will not encourage violence. “That is why in some kind of democracy they vote first and share the seat-based on the performance of the parties. So the party that is not popular can get something. But based on the winner-takes-all, the party that scored 49% will have nothing in that state. They will not go and sleep but continue to create problems in that state. So the National Assembly will need to revisit the issues of winner-takes-all in terms of parliamentary election.” At the executive level, he said, “we should come up with a system that will ensure that when a party wins the Governorship or the presidential at the national level, in forming cabinet, the parties that did very well will also by right, by law and not by privilege or discretion of Mr Governor or Mr. President, be meant to have a share of appointments in that government.” “If this is done, they will be mindful of their conducts and utterances. Some countries say 50+1 votes. In Nigeria, they say you must get majority of the votes in 25% of the 2/3 of the states, but in some it is 51+1 and the other party with 49% is completely out of the government.

They cannot just go and sleep. So I believe that there must be a way out of these violence even if we made them unique to Nigeria,” Jonathan said. Gen. Buhari reflected on the conduct of the last elections and the insincerity of the electoral umpires in ensuring a transparent election, pointing out however that he believed that nobody can cage Nigerians. Gen. Buhari said: “Some of the speeches so far are based on hope. Some of these hopes are in the files because of our nasty experiences. What happened in 2003, 2007 and 2011 when we contested the general elections and ended up in the Supreme Court. “The three Supreme Court judgements are available with the government printers for all those who are really serious to know what is happening in our political development. “When the military eventually surrendered to the multi polarity democratic system 16 years ago, we hoped that we should have learnt from the developed countries that went through the painful processes of stabilising their system rather than insisting on making the same mistakes. “I will give a few examples, which I am sure most of you will recall. Some of you know by name Retired Justice Salami who was heading the presidential election panel. “We made a presentation that in a number of states, the election was not conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act and the states were mentioned. We demanded that the register be brought to prove our case and the panel said there was nothing wrong with that and INEC was asked to comply. It was not produced. “Justice Salami was redeployed and another Judge was brought who reversed that decision. That has become history. The impression that has been created by those who have

intellectually followed elections in Nigeria is that of hope and I accept their hope. “But when you look at the constitution as amended, especially as it concerns INEC, it requires that they register political association into political parties and to make sure that every person from the councillor to the president come through a political party. “It was proceeded that before every election, there must be an Electoral Act. There was one in 2002 for the 2003 election, there was one in 2006 for the 2007 election, there was one in 2010 for the 2011 election. Up to December 31, 2014, I was waiting for the amended Electoral Act for this year’s election and I am yet to see one. “So, on paper, you can’t cage Nigerians. You can only cage Nigerians on the field. In terms of practical documentation, go to any ministry or parastatal, you will get instruction on how the place should be managed from the cleaner to the permanent secretary and even the minister when he comes. “You will also get financial instruction on how to spend the money. I am afraid because of my personal experiences having gone through the system. All these credible, tested intellectual instruction have been thrown into the waste basket. “I am very impressed about the contributions made so far and the fact that we have all seen how Nigeria is so competent on paper and I hope that the elite will help us to make 2015 elections credible”

•Annan...yesterday.

of electoral violence whether perpetuated by our supporters and, or opponents. 4. To commit ourselves and political parties to the monitoring of the adherence of this accord, if necessary, by a national peace committee made up of respected statesmen and women, traditional and religious leaders. 5. All the institutions of government, including INEC and security agencies, must act and be seen to act with impartiality. Anyaoku said the objective of the workshop was to give all the contestants an opportunity for constructive criticism on how to ensure violence-free elections. He said: “Regrettably, we cannot deny that in our country we have history of violence occurring before, during and after elections. “Already, explosion, burning of buses have been reported in some states, and we are also witnessing increasingly acrimonious pronouncement by candidates and spokes persons of political parties.” He said the workshop was necessary before it became too late. He said: “Nigeria and its 2015 general elections are in the eye of international community.” A former United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, in a keynote address, urged the aspirants to avoid inflammatory statements as the elections would afford the country the opportunity to “prove itself before the international community”. He said with the strategic position of Nigeria in Africa, it cannot afford to get it wrong. Annan urged all political parties to take the agreement seriously. He said: “We are interested in Nigeria because it is the big brother of our region. What happens in Nigeria affects us all, not just in West Africa but Africa as a whole. I am also pleased that both main parties are participating in this responsible initiative. “I understand that you would be signing an accord on the prevention of violence, and this is laudable. I know that a Code of Conduct will precipitate peace, even though I am told it is always more in breach than in observance. I urge both parties, all parties, to take the accord serious. “Signing agreement between political parties will reassure Nigerians and their foreign friends, who are concerned about the tension, election-related violence. As I said, what happens in Nigeria assumes consequences, above all for the Nigerian people but also for the region and indeed for the con-

tinent. If Nigeria does well, the region as a whole does well. But the reverse is also true. Nigeria is also a major actor on the international scene, not only does it host the regional intergovernmental body ECOWAS, it is a major contributor to the UN peacekeeping force and Nigeria currently sits at the UN Security Council. “Now, Nigeria faces the real political test for its future, progress and posterity. First the barbaric insurgency of Boko Haram must be ended. There seems to be no limit the sect is ready to do to instill fears and intimidate everybody. They cannot succeed. We must protect our position of tolerance reconciliation and “The second great challenge is the forthcoming election and the third is the fall in oil prices and its impact on the economy.” He said elections had become flashpoints in many countries and Nigeria must watch. Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, said the success of the poll depend on three critical elements. “First, the technical competence of INEC. I think that has been demonstrated. “The second concern is security. The security agencies and INEC should provide security and sense of fairness to all the stakeholders. The security agencies, which are supporting the elections: the police and the military must accept that their roles are to facilitate. “The third and, most importantly, the contestants themselves will have to accept the rules of the game and to educate their supporters not to encourage against violence. These three elements will be what will, in my view, lead to free and fair, credible elections in Nigeria.” At the session were APC President Jonathan, Gen. Buhari, ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais, APC National Chairman Chief John OdigieOyegun, PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Ben Obi, General Isaac Obiakor, Chief Tom Ikimi and Chief Ojo Maduekwe. Other presidential candidates present included Chief Chekwas Okorie (Unity Progressive Party), Prof Comfort Oluremi Sonaiya (Kowa Party), Tunde Anifowoshe Kilani (Action Alliance), Rafiu Salau ( Alliance for Democracy), Godson Okoye (Unity Democratic Party) and Gani Oseni Galadima (Alliance Congress Party of Nigeria).

North’s leaders oppose calls for polls’ dates shift Continued from page 2

didates’ campaigns at all levels are being attacked, and utterances of many leaders appear to encourage such attacks. We are concerned that some parties are being prevented from campaigning openly and freely in some parts of the country. We are alarmed at the disposition of many young Nigerians towards the use of violence in support of candidates or parties. These tendencies are frightening most Nigerians who just want to exercise their choices over who governs

them from February, in peace.” It called on President Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari – the two main candidates - to publicly and jointly initiate activities that will send strong signals that they abhor violence. “We urge them as well as other presidential, gubernatorial and national and state assembly candidates to sign statements urging disciplined, responsible and peaceful campaigning. The forum said: “We particularly appeal to young Nigerians who are desperate for change in their lives, and who

look for signs that their future will be brighter, to desist from acts of violence and channel their energies instead to vigorous campaigns. Any acts of violence will simply feed the sentiment being canvassed that an unconstitutional government should be imposed on Nigerians because elections cannot be held under a peaceful and secure environment. Any Nigerian who wants their candidates to win should resist violence, because violence does not win votes.” On the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (IN-

EC’s) level of preparedness for the election, the forum shares the concerns that the agency needs to radically improve before the elections, as, according to the NEF, there are serious causes for concern over the coverage of distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). It noted with dismay that the prospects of those who are registered under the continuous registration process to vote are not very bright and called on INEC to constantly apprise the nation of its efforts, informing Nigerians honestly on matters over which it has no power or

capacity. “Internally Displaced Persons (I.D.Ps) are vulnerable in many respects, but their rights to vote in February must not be denied under any excuse. These fellow citizens should be accorded the highest priority in being empowered to vote. We urge INEC and the federal administration to pay special attention to security and other arrangements in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, so that the elections in them and neighbouring states are not threatened or limited to small numbers of citizens,” the NEF

said. On the endorsement of Gen. Buhari as its presidential candidate, the forum said it “welcomed the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as a presidential candidate who has better credentials to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges than President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. “Our endorsement of General Muhammadu Buhari, in the same manner Nigerians from all parts of the country are supporting his candidature, is based on our belief Continued on page 60

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS ‘Shun sentiments, re-elect Jonathan’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

•All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters during a campaign in support of the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in Bauchi ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Retired Naval officer alleges forcible eviction from barracks

HERE seems to be no let up in the controversy between the Nigerian Navy (NN) and a retired officer, Captain Felix Obiorah with allegations of forcible eviction levlled against the Navy. It was learnt that the officer, who last year took the NN before the National Industrial Court to stop his forced eviction from his House E13, New Captains Quarters, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos apartment, was compulsorily retired in 2012 after he missed his promotion to the next rank in line with military practice. Dissatisfied that he did not make the Commodore rank despite his “excellent academic and professional performance”, and was retired through the Run-off-date policy, Captain Obiorah had through his lawyer, Akin Kajewa and Co., petitioned the Ministry of Defence and Military high command. Still unsatisfied with the military’s handling of the issue, he approached a Federal High Court in Lagos seeking an interim injunction restraining the NN from ejecting him from his quarters pending the determination of the suit. Although it could not be ascertained if the Federal High Court dismissed the case for want of jurisdiction, Captain Obiorah last year instituted a suit before the National Industrial Court praying for an interlocutory injunction against the navy from touching neither him nor his property pending the determination of the case. In a Motion on Notice dated March 6, 2014 and brought pursuant to Order 11, Rule1 (1) and Order 14, Rule 1(1) of the NIC rule 2007, the complainant urged the Justice J.T. Agbadu-Fishim

•We issued quit notice to all paid retired personnel, says Navy By Precious Igbonwelundu

presided court restrain the navy from ejecting him until the suit is decided. The court in granting the injunction observed that the defendants neither had legal representatives nor filed documents. It held: “I have gone through the processes filed by the applicant. It is also not in doubt that the defendants in this case were served with this application but have neither appeared in court nor filed any processes to challenge and or oppose this application. “It is therefore my view that the defendants are not opposed to this application. I therefore order an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants/ respondents either by themselves, privies, agent, representatives and or any person by whatsoever name called or known from ejecting the claimant/applicant from his Quarters that is to say House E 13, New Captains Quarters, Navy Town Ojo, Lagos in Lagos State, pending the hearing and final determination of this suit.” But despite the court order, it was alleged that personnel of the navy invaded the officer’s quarters while he was away for Christmas holiday, only for him to return and discovered that his accommodation was forcefully opened and accessed through the back door. It was gathered that armed personnel from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS WEY), Ojo, were deployed in the barracks to enforce the eviction at the expiration of a four-day ultimatum.

However, the navy described the allegation of forcible eviction as untrue, stating that it only issued a quit notice to all personnel who have retired from two years above and have been paid their entitlements. When contacted, the Director, Naval Information, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu told The Nation that the officer has not been forcefully evicted, adding that the Navy has not been served any court order. He said the retired officer, like many others who have been paid off, were issued eviction notices to leave the barracks but instead of complying, he locked up his apartment and went into oblivion. Aliyu said the apartment has been sealed, adding that it was a general directive to all retired personnel, both officers and ratings still occupying quarters in the barracks. “It is not true. The true situa-

Ambode gets support

Ahmed challenges other candidates to debate

HEAD of next month’s governorship in Kwara State, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, has challenged his cocontestants to a public debate. His other contestants are: Senator Simeon Ajibola and Dr Mike Omotoso of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Ahmed noted that such a platform would afford each candidate the opportunity to present his scorecards to the electorate ahead of the poll. The governor spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, at a luncheon and presentation of a compendium in his honour. It was organised by the State Council of

tion is that officers who retire from the navy two, three, four years ago who are still staying in the barracks were asked to check out. It is a normal directive. These officers have been paid their entitlements. He has not been ejected but his house has been sealed up. Anytime he comes he will check out. All others have complied except him. “The officer in question was retired from Service with effect from 26 September 2012. This was after he had missed promotion once and age had caught up with him. The policy of Run-out Date was therefore applied on the officer. The Navy Board statutorily oversees retirements and promotions in the NN. Therefore, he was duly retired by the Navy Board after reviewing his case just like other officers who missed promotion. “The navy has not been officially served any court order,” he said.

the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). The compendium is titled: Prosperity Assurance. Ahmed, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Alhaji Abdulraheem Adedoyin, said he was ready for any public debate to assess suitability or otherwise of each of the candidates in the next month governorship election.

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

Cornelius Olopade, said the good governance put in place by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola could only be sustained by a progressiveminded person like Ambode. AA’KOF described Ambode as a tested and trusted technocrat and an articulate administrator, adding that his performance as an accountant-general spoke volumes about his competence.

Buhari’s campaign cards generate N1.4m at Kogi launch

VER N1.4 million was realised yesterday at the launch of the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Support Fund Cards at the Children Amusement Park Centre in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. Members of the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO), organisers of the Event, were overwhelmed by the residents’ response to the fundraiser. With a minimum of N100, the cards attracted serious enthusiasm from the people among who paid N100,000 to support the All Progressives Party (APC) presidential candidate’s bid for the highest office in the land. The Kogi State Coordinator of the BSO, Alhaji Usman Idris Maiyanga called on the people not to be hoodwinked into sell-

From James Azania, Lokoja

ing their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), saying that those buying them do not mean well for them. “People should not sell their voters cards, people should not mortgage the future of their children. All those asking to buy your voters card have ulterior motives and do not mean well for you and your children. “APC as a party signify change and we as a party will bring all the change needed to move our country, Nigeria forward. Buhari is the ladder with which the youths and the less privilege are looking up to, to move our country forward. APC signify change, it signify innovation and move away from stagnation of the past years under the Peoples Democratic Party,” he asserted.

Gaya: APC’ll give Buhari 40m votes

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) Kano South senatorial candidate, Ibrahim Kabiru Gaya, yesterday expressed optimism that the party will garner 40 million votes from the over 68.8 million eligible voters in the next month’s general elections for the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Gaya, who addressed reporters at a platform organised by the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the APC would record a land slide victory in all the elections. The Chairman of the Senate Committee of Local Govern-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

ments Administration urged Nigerians vote en masse for Gen. Buhari. He said: “We have over 68 million voters. All we need is to appeal to Nigerians to come out and vote so that the winning candidate should have not less than 40 million votes... APC is targeting over 40 million votes, by God’s grace.” On the Petroleum Industrial Bill (PIB), Gaya argued that senators would study the Bill, adding that where they discover any grey areas, they would amend them in the interest of Nigerians, before passing it.

Council boss leads campaign for Ajimobi’s re-election From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Baptists hold seminar

HE re-election bid of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State received a boost on wednesday,when the council chairmen of Ibadan North East Local Government, Mr Ladi Oluokun kick started door-to-door campaign within the council area for the re-election bid of the governor. He stated that the governor deserved re-election because his administration in the state is people oriented. Oluokun, said he has been holding series of meeting with Special Adviser’s in the council area, market leaders, association leaders and other notable individuals in order to win their support for Governor Ajimobi re-election bid. The council boss also commended the governor for all his laudable and people oriented programmes, which he described as transforming the state from its former shamble state, since his inception in office three and half years ago. He urged the electorate to ensure the success of all other All Progressives Congress candidates in the coming elections including party’s presidential flag bearer Alhaji Mohammadu Buhari.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

NEWS

•Cross section of participants at Nigerian Young Professional Forum in Abuja…yesterday.

Troops repel Boko Haram, capture five insurgents Continued from page 1

to overrun Biu. But the military launched counter-attacks leading to the capturing of five of the insurgents. A tweet by the DHQ said: “Terrorist attack repelled by the military in Biu, Borno State. Two anti-aircraft guns have been captured from the terrorists. “Troops in pursuit of fleeing terrorists. Five terrorists have so far been captured. Mopping up operation is ongoing.” No fewer than 17 sect members were reportedly killed after an unsuccessful attack on Biu town. There were reports that despite the early morning attack,

normal life in the town continued without hinderance. A top military officer said the insurgents suffered heavy casualty but was not specific on the death toll. He, however, noted that no casualty was incurred on the side of security agents. The source explained that the insurgents had earlier launched an attack on Azare, where they burnt a police Station before moving to Biu. The chairman of Hawul Local Government Area, Dr. Andrew Usman Malgwe confirmed that the insurgents entered Azare town, around 5:30 on Wednesday and attacked the town burning the Divisional Police Station. Dr Malgwe explained that

the insurgents, after attacking Azare, moved to Biu through the Gombi highway but were ambushed by soldiers and hunters at the outskirts of Biu. A resident, Umaru Baakolo said he saw 17 bodies of Boko Haram terrorists along the Baracks road, the area of the theatre of war. “I saw them dead on the ground. I have counted 17. We thank God that they were not successful on this mission. Allah will continue to protect us,” Baakolo said. He explained that the insurgents came through the road leading to Biu from Dzur and Garkida hilly valleys in a convoy of over 20 Hilux vehicles. Another witness said several dozen fighters drove into

Biu in pick-up trucks and on motorcycles. Yahaya Mshelliza told Reuters by telephone that: “they came shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is greatest) and shooting everywhere. But confronted by the soldiers for three hours, most them were killed,” Mshelliza said. “At the moment only three escaped into the bush and are being pursued by the soldiers,” he added. A security source confirmed the events but had no further details. Biu is relatively a peaceful town, about 185 kilometres south of Maiduguri, the state capital. Biu has a military cantonment located south of the town along Yola road

North’s leaders oppose calls for polls’ dates shift Continued from page 58

that he and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, have the integrity, commitment and experience to resolve our security problems, fight corruption and fix our economy. We welcome the overwhelming nation-wide support they are enjoying, and we appeal to all Nigerians to support them to a victory that will end fear, impu-

nity and destitution in our land. “Nigerians are on the verge of demonstrating that our democratic system can work, when an opposition can defeat an incumbent administration. We appeal to the international community to assist INEC and ensure that it prevails on losers in a credible election to accept the result.” The forum urge Nigerians to

spare a thought for the Chibok girls who were abducted by Boko Haram fighters on April 15, lasy year, citizens in areas where the terrorists hold sway and hundreds of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons. “These are our fellow citizens now feeling abandoned and exposed to every threat or abuse,” NEF said, adding: “We appeal to fellow citizens to put them in our prayers, and assist those in

camps and shelters in every way we can. This election will, among others, be about our fellow citizens under occupation, or living as refugees in their fatherland and the freedoms of those of us who now live in fear that we could be next. Let us use these elections to chart a new course for our nation, and not deepen our desperate situation.”

3,700 homes burnt in Baga, says Amnesty Continued from page 2

uary 2015. “In Baga, a densely populated town less than two square kilometres in size, approximately 620 structures were damaged or completely destroyed by fire. “In Doron Baga over 3,100 structures were damaged or destroyed by fire affecting most of the four square kilometre town. “Many of the wooden fishing boats along the shoreline, visible in the images taken on the 2 January, are no longer present in the 7 January images tallying with eye witnesses’ testimony that desperate residents fled by boat across Lake Chad. “Thousands of people have fled the violence across the border to Chad and to other parts of Nigeria including Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. “These people are adding to the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people and refugees, who have already stretched the capacity of host communities and govern-

ment authorities. Apart from appealing to Boko Haram to stop the killings, the AI also pleaded with Chad to protect Nigerians who have taken refuge in the country. It said: “Amnesty International is calling on the governments of Nigeria and Chad to ensure these displaced people are protected and provided with adequate humanitarian assistance. “The destruction shown in these images matches the horrific testimonies that Amnesty International has gathered. “Interviews with eyewitnesses as well as with local government officials and local human rights activists suggest that Boko Haram militants shot hundreds of civilians.” A man in his fifties told Amnesty International what happened in Baga during the attack: “They killed so many people. I saw maybe around 100 killed at that time in Baga. I ran to the bush. As we were running, they were shooting and killing.” He hid in the bush and was later discovered by Boko

Haram fighters, who detained him in Doron Baga for four days. “Those who fled claimed seeing many more corpses in the bush. “I don’t know how many but there were bodies everywhere we looked,” one woman told Amnesty International. Another witness described how Boko Haram members were shooting indiscriminately, killing even small children and a woman who was in labour. “Half of the baby boy is out and she died like this,” he said. The AI claimed that after the attack on Baga, witnesses described how Boko Haram drove into the bush rounding up women, children and the elderly who had escaped. The statement reads: “According to one woman who was detained for four days ‘Boko Haram took around 300 women and kept us in a school in Baga. They released the older women, mothers and most of the children after four days but are still keeping the younger women.’

“Amnesty International is calling on Boko Haram to stop killing civilians. The deliberate killing of civilians and destruction of their property by Boko Haram are war crimes and crimes against humanity and must be duly investigated. “The government should take all possible legal steps to restore security in the Northeast and ensure protections of civilians. “Uptill now, the isolation of the Baga combined with the fact that Boko Haram remains in control of the area has meant that it has been very difficult to verify what happened there. Residents have not been able to return to bury the dead, let alone count their number. But through these satellite images combined with graphic testimonies, a picture of what is likely to be Boko Haram’s deadliest attack ever is becoming clearer,” said Daniel Eyre. A source in the military said: “Troops will soon reclaim Baga and Nigerians will be briefed on the correct situation. We stand by our position that about 150 people were killed including many insurgents.”

Suicide bomber kills self, three others in Gombe

O fewer than 20 people were injured and four, including the bomber, died in an explosion around 7:00pm on Tuesday at Kasuwan Mata area of Gombe, the Gombe State capital. Besides the bomber, an adult and a little boy died while another minor gave up among the 21 injured victims receiving treatment at the Gombe Specialist Hospital. The suicide bomber was said to have glided and fell with his explosive - laden motorcycle thereby instigating the blast close to the main entrance of Gombe State University in Tudun Wada quarters. It could not be ascertained whether the suspected bomber was headed for the nearby anti-Kalare post or a mosque which are a few meters apart.

By Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

Eyewitnesses said he (the suicide bomber) arrived a little bit earlier as he met Muslim worshippers preparing for the evening prayers. Spokesman of the Gombe State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent Fwaje Atajiri said the suicide bomber failed in his attempt to unleash mayhem on worshipers at a mosque in Gombe metropolis. “The incident happened around ‘Kasuwan Mata’ area of Gombe, a few minutes to 7pm. He was targeting a mosque but the explosives went off before he could reach his target,” he said. He said hoodlums attempted to take advantage of the situation to loot nearby shops but were contained by security operatives.

Buhari assures Nigerians of better days ahead Continued from page 2

sure that you collect your Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs); cast your vote for the party of your choice and ensure that you stand by your vote. This is the only thing to do for the country to move forward.” Aregbesola said: “Obasanjo gave us Goodluck but he turned out to be badluck. We are hoping for better luck and God, in his infinite mercy, has presented us with Bestluck. The best luck is no other person but Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.” According to Aregbesola, the February general election is to “liberate Nigerians from 16 years of bad governance because Nigerians are worse off under the PDP-led Federal Government.” Aregbesola, who noted that Osun state is a stronghold of the APC, advised the people as lovers of Nigeria to ensure that they vote out PDP. He also faulted Vice President Namadi Sambo’s comment that the federal allocation coming to Osun State in the last few months had not been reduced at the PDP presidential Campign rally in Osogbo on Tuesday. Aregbesola described Sambo as “a serial liar.” Odigie-Oyegun urged the people to repeat the feat recorded in 2011 general election in the state where the Action Congress of Nigeria

(AC N) swept the poll. The AC N merged with the Congress for Progressive Change, the All Nigerian Peoples Party and the All Progressive Grand Alliance to form the APC. Odigie-Oyegun said that a vote for APC is a vote against bad governance, corruption and insecurity. He described Buhari “as a man of courage, man of principle; somebody who can see where others cannot see and a man whose passion and attention are channelled to the ills of the country.” The former Governor of Osun State, who is also the former National Secretary of PDP, but now in APC, Prince Oyinlola said that a vote for Gen. Buhari and Osinbajo is the way out left for Nigerians in the next political dispensation. Oyinlola called on religious leaders and traditional rulers to pray for successful election adding that the country needs change. Akande, said a vote for the APC with Gen. Buhari as its standard bearer is a vote for good governance. The Director-General, APC Presidential Campaign Committee, Amaechi, urged the people to vote out those he described as thieves, adding that the PDP government has mismanaged the nation’s resources.

THE NATION JANUARY 15, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

Attacked French mag sells millions

ILLIONS more copies of French weekly Charlie Hebdo are being printed after the first run sold out in hours. Five million copies are being produced - up from three million planned - a week after Islamist gunmen murdered 12 people at its offices and five others in subsequent attacks in Paris. The “survivors’ issue” has angered some Muslims by depicting the Prophet Mohammed on its cover. Al-Qaeda in Yemen appears to have claimed the attack on the magazine. A video purportedly from AQAP emerged but it did not provide any evidence to support its claims. The group had previously welcomed the attack, without acknowledging any role in the operation. The gunmen are said to have used earlier publication of images of the Prophet as justification for their attack on the magazine.

Pope in Sri Lanka: Huge crowd for Colombo Mass

UGE crowds have watched Pope Francis celebrate Mass in Sri Lanka, at which he canonised the nation’s first saint. The pontiff urged people to follow the example of 17th Century missionary Joseph Vaz at the service in Colombo. The Pope, who has now travelled to a northern region that was devastated by a 26year civil war, earlier called for the “pursuit of truth”. Government forces defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009, but both sides were accused of atrocities. The authorities have so far refused to co-operate with a UN inquiry into war crimes. The previous government consistently denied allegations that it was responsible for the deaths of many thousands of civilians in the final phase of the war. The Tamil Tiger leaders are dead, so the Sri Lankan authorities have portrayed attempts to investigate as a onesided witch hunt. Download Flash Player now You need to install Flash Player to play this content. Pope Francis is trying to shift power within the Roman Catholic Church away from Europe and towards growing communities in Asia. Hundreds of thousands showed up for the Pope’s seafront service at Galle Face Green, with many lining up from Tuesday to secure a place. In keeping with his message of unity for Sri Lanka, Pope Francis urged its citizens to follow the example of Joseph Vaz and learn to overcome religious differences. The Pope said St Joseph dedicated his life to the gospel message of reconciliation, and showed “the importance of transcending religious divisions in the service of peace”.

The magazine’s latest front cover shows a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad weeping while holding a sign saying “I am Charlie”, and below the headline “All is forgiven”. All copies of the magazine were sold out by yesterday morning at this Paris newsstand Some kiosks said they had received dozens of reservation requests “I am Charlie” emerged as a message of support for the magazine following the attack on 7 January, which left eight journalists, including its editor, dead in addition to four others. In a separate attack in Paris two days later, an Islamist gunman killed four Jewish men and took hostages at a kosher shop. The same attacker is believed to have shot a policewoman the day before. Normally the magazine prints 60,000 copies but the run increased steadily this week - from one million to three million to five mil-

•People waited for kiosks to open to buy the magazine PHOTO: REUTERS

lion. The “survivors’ issue”, as the magazine calls it, is available in six languages including English, Arabic and Turkish. Proceeds are going to victims’ families Charlie Hebdo’s decision to publish another cartoon of the Prophet drew threats from militant Islamist websites and criticism from the Islamic world. On Sunday, about 1.5 million people rallied in Paris in a show of solidarity with

the victims The Islamic State (IS) militant group said it was “an extremely stupid act”. Meanwhile, a new video said to be from al-Qaeda in Yemen (AQAP) emerged saying the group had planned and financed the Charlie Hebdo attacks, which were in “vengeance for the Prophet”. It added that it was a “success” that the attack on the magazine had “coincided” with the attacks by super-

market gunman Amedy Coulibaly. The video purporting to come from AQAP does appear to be genuine but questions remain over just how closely AQAP was really involved in last week’s Paris attacks. More than two years have elapsed since Said Kouachi, one of the three gunmen, is believed to have slipped out of Yemen after spending time there with alQaeda members, including the extremist preacher An-

Obama pushes for cyber security laws

S President Barack Obama has unveiled proposals to strengthen cyber security laws following a spate of attacks against high-profile US targets. Recent hacks of Sony Pictures and a Pentagon Twitter feed reflect the need for tighter legislation, the president said. The proposals are due to be sent to Congress immediately. Previous efforts on cyber security legislation have en-

countered opposition from civil liberty campaigners. Mr Obama continues to face privacy concerns, part of the backlash over revelations about the scope of government surveillance and bulk data collection. But cyber-crime has directly affected millions of consumers. Mass data breaches have struck US retail outlets, and there are indications the Republican-led congress would support new legislation. “We’ve got to stay ahead of

those who would do us harm,” said President Obama on Tuesday. “Cyber-threats are an urgent and growing danger.” The president is advocating legislation that would improve the way the government and private sector share information about cyber threats, and would update the legal framework needed to go after cyber criminals. He has tried to pass more robust legislation on cyber security for years, and is

hoping a consensus can be reached with the Republican Party. Tuesday’s announcement comes after the Twitter account of the US military command was suspended on Monday following an attack by hackers claiming to support Islamic State. In November hackers also released reams of confidential data stolen from Sony Pictures, and in recent years cyber criminals have attacked other US companies such as Home Depot and Target.

Italian President Napolitano announces retirement

TALIAN President Giorgio Napolitano has announced his retirement in a resignation letter, officials say. His departure on Wednesday leaves Prime Minister Matteo Renzi with the difficult task of finding a successor. Some commentators have predicted that Mr Renzi may opt for elections if he cannot find support for a replacement to 89-year-old Mr Napolitano. The president’s role is mainly ceremonial, although he can choose a prime minister and dissolve parliament. That power has been seen as crucial in recent years. Mr Napolitano was praised by some for using it to dismiss PM Silvio Berlusconi at the height of Italy’s sovereign debt crisis in 2011. Mr Napolitano has been praised for his public service to Italy

war Al-Awlaki. He is mentioned in the video in connection with the attack planning but AlAwlaki was killed back in 2011 in a US drone strike so, again, that would be a long time to plan such a relatively simple but devastating attack. It is also odd that AQAP have not issued any socalled “martyrdom videos”, showing the perpetrators giving their justifications ahead of the raid.

Snow, storms bring disruption to UK WINTRY weather is causing disruption across parts of the UK, with high-wind warnings for the west and the north. Snow has blocked roads and led to several rail services being suspended in Scotland, while a tornado has struck homes in Pembrokeshire in Wales. More than 200 schools were closed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are yellow “be aware” warnings for ice, rain and wind across the UK and 70mph (112km/h) gales are forecast for England’s south and west coasts. West Wales and west Devon are experiencing high winds and rain. Storm force winds are predicted for Scotland and Northern Ireland, with low pressure from the east bringing more snow and disruption later. Police have advised motorists to take care when travelling on untreated roads.

Haiti: Parliament is dissolved •The president has had a long political career stretching back to the early 1950s

He has been suffering from ill health for many weeks Mr Napolitano announced last month that poor health meant that he would leave office ahead of the 2020 expiry of his term. In 2013 he reluctantly agreed to serve a second term to help play a role in resolving parliamentary elections which were deadlocked. Mr Renzi paid tribute to the president’s public service in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, describing him as a long-serving public servant who had dedicated his life to Italy and to Europe. He said that the president “will stand down within the next few hours with a long

list of achievements to his credit”. Mr Napolitano was first elected to parliament in 1953 and became president in 2006. It is not clear who will be the next occupant of the presidential palace He was a well-known member of the Democratic Left, the rebranded name for the Cold War-era Communists. His supporters see him as a bastion of stability amid Italy’s political uncertainty, but his critics view him as representing a tarnished political class who often acted beyond his powers. Parliament’s lower house

will name the date for the election of his successor by 1,009 parliamentarians and regional representatives. The process must start within 15 days. The voting requires a twothirds majority within the first three rounds. If that produces no winner, only a simple majority is required in the fourth round. Correspondents say that the voting process can be highly unpredictable, with lawmakers using the secret ballot to settle political grievances. Mr Renzi said earlier that he was confident a president could be chosen in the fourth round.

PARLIAMENT in Haiti has been dissolved after the failure of last-ditch negotiations over a new electoral law. President Michel Martelly had been trying to secure backing for a US-sanctioned plan to postpone elections again. He now effectively rules the country by decree but his term of office runs out next year. Haitian opposition groups say they will continue months of street protests to try to force his resignation. The political deadlock is centred on a dispute over a new electoral law, which opposition lawmakers have refused to approve. On Sunday, President Martelly said he had reached a last-minute deal with the opposition to hold the elections.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

SPORT EXTRA Eduok resumes training

HE transfer logjam involving Emem Eduok is over as the Dolphins star trained with Esperance Sportive de Tunis on Tuesday. Norwegian club Sarpsborg 08 had also claimed he signed for him. Nigerian international, who has also had is suspension by

the Nigeria Football Federation lifted, took part in the Tuesday evening training at the Annex of El Menzah Olympic Stadium under the watchful eyes of coach Khaled Ben Yahia. The former Akwa Starlets and Akwa United joined the Tunisian side from Dolphins.

Amajimbos friendly v Nigeria postponed

M A J I M B O S ’ friendly international against Nigeria, which was scheduled to take place in the West African country on Saturday, has been postponed due to circumstances beyond our control and will be rescheduled, Safa said in statement. The South African Foot-

ball Association (SAFA), in consultation with the Under-17 coach Molefi Ntseki, will arrange other friendly matches, which will be communicated in due course. The team will remain in camp preparing for the CAF African Youth championships, scheduled for Niger in February.

Dream Team VI out of Super Six tourney N

ATIONAL Under-23 team handler Samson Siasia has told NationSport that his team may not participate in the Super Six tournament being packaged by the NFF/LMC for clubs involved in the continental competitions. The Nigeria Football Federation had planned the tournament to boost the preparations of the national U- 23 team, Flying Eagles as well as African continental campaigners Kano Pillars, Enyimba FC, Warri Wolves and Dolphin FC but Siasia said that the team will be heading to Tunisia for two friendly games against their

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja Tunisian counterparts on January 24 and 28, noting that the games will no doubt help the boys to know their strength. "I think the games in Tunisia will be more beneficial to the team than playing in the Super Six. I have told the NFF about it but if they insist maybe we split the team into two to play both in Tunisia and here in the Super Six tournament. "The players I have here have been carefully picked

after series of screening exercise and I am optimistic they would give the result I want by delivering when called upon. These boys here are the best in their age bracket in the country and I believe in them" he stated. On the Tunisia game, Siasia said the team will jet out to Tunisia on January 22 to return on January 29 after two games stressing that efforts are geared towards ensuring that the Dream Team have a good outing in the double header against Tunisia.

• Siasia

Eaglets rout Giodano 8-1

EFENDER Lukman Halilu rose from the bench on Wednesday to score Golden Eaglets' record 100th goal after 33 friendly and official matches as Nigeria's U17 team cruised to an 8-1 win against Giodano Football Academy of Kano at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja. Ebere Osinachi also got a rare hat-trick and a brace for Ndu Iheakam; there were also goals for Captain Kelechi Nwakali as well as Suleiman Abdullahi while Ahmad Sabo got Giodiano's lone goal. "We have never been thoroughly beaten like this before," confessed Giodano's Coach Ismail Ismail."We have always thought we were the best especially in Kano but today, we have seen that we still need to learn new things." After earlier misses , Golden Eaglets went in front in the 29th minute when Giodano's Hamza Abdullahi brought down rampaging Abass Ibrahim in the box and Nwakali converted the resultant penalty kick as he sent goalkeeper Rabiu Adamu the other way. Four minutes later, Nwakali provided Abdullahi with a pass and the stylish midfielder warded off his marker to glide the ball beyond the reach of Adamu. Within minutes to spare in the first half, Golden Eaglets' Victor Osimhen was penalised for handling the ball in the box and Ahmad Sabo converted the penalty to make it 2-1. In the 53rd minute, Halilu Zakari who came in as a second

• Halilu grabs 100th half substitute for Ernest Agenor, scored his first goal for the Golden Eaglets following a swift pas from another substitute, Jack Ipalibo. Five minutes later, Maxwell Gold broke free from the left flank and sent a pass to Ebere Osinachi to effortlessly guide the ball into the net. Diminutive midfielder, Ndu Iheakam nearly broke his duck of scoring a goal for the team in the 67th minute as his header off a pull out by Suleiman Muhammed was firmly held by

Mfon Udoh out to break the duck

NYIMBA striker, Mfon Udoh, has told supersport.com he is hoping to get off the mark for the Nigerian men's national team when they face Yemen this Saturday in an international friendly. Udoh has put behind the 0-1 loss to Ivory Coast over the weekend and is now focused on facing Yemen in Dubai. Sudan was initially billed to face the Super Eagles but pulled out and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) contacted the Yemen FA. However, Udoh said he was ready to face the Yemenis despite knowing his team had never con-

Ebimobowei delighted with Al Ahly move

ORMER Bayelsa United star Peter Ebimobowei has expressed his delight at sealing a move to eight - time African champions Al Ahly SC. The Egyptian Premier League side have pulled off one of the transfer coups of the winter transfer market by luring the attacker to the Cairo Stadium. Prior to his move, he was linked with some of the top clubs in Nigeria including Kano Pillars, Enyimba and Dolphins. "I have signed a three and a half year contract with Al Ahly. At first I will say it is the doing of the Lord," an elated Peter Ebimobowei said to SL10.ng. "As for me, I feel so happy and honored to be part of the most decorated club in the world and in Africa. "They are one of the big teams in Africa, and have been win-

goalkeeper Adamu. Yet, it was the fleet-footed Muhammed who was the provider of the six goals when he dribbled his way into the box and his pin-point cross pushed into the net by Iheakam in the 79th minute. Four minutes later, Osinachi would grab his second goal when he evaded his markers and sent an angular shot into the net. Minutes later, Osy as Osinachi is fondly called, grabbed his hat trick of the day. But it was Ndu that got the final goal on the stroke of full time.

ning trophy upon trophy" "I have already had so many Tweets about me from the fans, and all I have to say is to do my best as never before"

• Ebimobowei

fronted them in an international match before now. "It's a good opportunity for the team and myself to play against them (Yemen). I hear it is the first time we will play against them, so we will want to acquit ourselves very well in this game, and not underrate them. Hopefully we will win this and I am also looking to score in this game too. The game against Ivory Coast has come and gone and we have to concentrate on the next match," Udoh told supersport.com from the team's hotel camp in Dubai. The former Akwa United striker also reflected on the clash with the Ivorians. He admitted that the Elephants of Ivory Coast were "very good, big and strong." "The Ivory Coast game was a very good and quality test for us, and I believe the team did very well against very good, big and strong opposition like the IVory Coast. We always knew it would never be an easy game at all against them," he said. On his future at club level, Udoh stated that he is focused on his international adventure with the Super Eagles. "For now I am concentrating with the national team but my future (at club level) will be resolved and I will let you know. But I have never said I am in no hurry to leave for a club abroad," he remarked. Udoh has played in two international matches for Nigeria against Ghana and Ivory Coast, and is now in line to feature in a third match against Yemen.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Chukwu okays Eagles, Yemen clash

Wenger wants me to play for England — Iwobi

RSENAL Football Club midfielder Alexander Iwobi has revealed that his club Manager Arsene Wenger had wished he played for England but he chose to play for Nigeria his fatherland when his father Chuka Iwobi and his relation who is also a former Super Eagles’ Captain Austin Okocha persuaded him to play for the U- 23 national team. “Wenger had preferred Alex to play for the England national team but myself and Austin Okocha who is a relation of Alex’s mother, my wife, advised him to play for Nigeria and he agreed. Alex has huge respect for Okocha since he has watched his video clips and read about his exploits while playing in England as well as in the Super Eagles. So he agreed to play for Nigeria”, Alex’s father, Chuka Iwobi told NationSport in Abuja shortly after the Dream Team VI yesterday’s evening training. The father, however, tipped his son to make the U- 23 team squad despite his slow start in yesterday’s training which he attributed to change of environment and freshness in the Nigerian team. “I have seen Alex square up against bigger and more experienced players in the UK (United Kingdom) and he has

ORMER Nigerian manager Christian Chukwu has endorsed the Super Eagles’ warm-up match against Yemen in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Eagles are due to confront the Asian side who were an immediate replacement for Sudan on Saturday at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai. Chukwu said the key for most friendly matches is the purpose and not essentially the quality of opposition. “A friendly match as the word connotes is clearly a friendly match and the essence is what matters and not the opposition per se.

“The key here is the purpose as it serves as the preliminary stage of the rebuilding of our national team with the homebased players so it’s quite good for our national team. “Of course, it’s normal to start the rebuilding process of any team with the least players then you take it up from there. “The encounter will give the players more international exposure as well as afford the coaches the opportunity to test the pattern they hope to introduce into the team in the nearest future. So it’s not all about victory though nobody will want to ordinarily lose

any match be it competitive or friendly. “The players are expected to defend the country’s pedigree as well as leverage on the opportunity to boost their own profile and enhance their market value. The friendly match is quite right as it’ll help us to form a formidable national team in the long run,” said the former Nigerian captain and strongman to supersport.com. Eagles on Sunday in Abu Dhabi lost 0-1 to star-studded Ivorian side in another test match lined up for the side by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as part of the rebuilding process.

Pinnick off to Equatorial Guinea

RESIDENT of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick flew into Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday as the African football fraternity got into the mood for the 30th Africa Cup of Nations kicking off on Saturday. The NFF supremo will commission two matches in the group phase at the championship with opportunities for more in the knock –out rounds. However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has said that it regretted the

• Akinwunmi to hold fort absence of 2013 champions Nigeria, who failed to reach the finals after finishing behind South Africa and Congo in Group A of the qualifying campaign. Before jetting out of the country, Pinnick transmitted a letter to Members of the NFF Executive Committee notifying them that the 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi will act

• Chukwu All official correspondence should be channeled to him.” Host Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Burkina Faso and Gabon will contest in Group A of the three –week, 16 nation finals, with Zambia, DR Congo, Tunisia, Cape Verde battling it out in Group B. Group C has Ghana, Senegal, Algeria and South Africa while Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali and Cameroon contend in Group D. The finals, scheduled for 17th January – 8th February, will be played across four cities: Malabo, Ebebiyin, Mongomo and Bata.

Garba: Iheanacho, Nwakali won’t be missed

• Pinnick

in his stead. “I will be away to the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea from 16th January – 9th February, 2015 on the invitation of CAF and in official capacity. “The First Vice President, Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi should thus oversee the workings of the Office of the President for the period I will be away.

LYING Eagles’ coach, Manu Garba has said his team will not be affected by the absence of Manchester City duo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chiediebere Nwakali at the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal. The duo of Iheanacho and Nwakali are set to miss the Championship after their club, Manchester City informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that both players will not be available for national team selection for different reasons. 18-year old’s Nwakali and

Iheanacho were called up for Nigeria’s participation at the Youth Championship but in a correspondence sent to the NFF on Tuesday, the English champions intimated that while, Iheanacho is injured, Nwakali is set for a loan move away from the club. But Manu, who discovered both players for Nigeria’s 2013 class of U-17’s, says he has other players at his disposal that can replace Iheanacho and Nwakali. “The team is not built around any one player, as we have sev-

eral players that can come in and do the job we want. I would say we have adequate replacements for every position in the team,” Manu told sl10.ng. But inspite of his position on the two players, Manu admitted that the players will be missed. “Both of them have been with us since the U-17 and when you lose such players, you will miss them. They are very good players but it is unfortunate what has happened. But like I said, I believe we have players that will replace them,” he added.

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja excelled so I am confident that he will prove his worth in the Nigerian U- 23 national team He is not expected to click in his first attempt but I know his coaches here might have seen the talent and his skills which is most important. “Players often faced slow start when they play newly in a team. You could see in today’s training that he wasn’t getting the needed passes and had to track back most times to get the ball. I know with more training sessions with the rest of the players as from tomorrow (Thursday) through Saturday he would improve with the national team” Iwobi senior defended. Alex’s father, Chuka Iwobi who hails from Onitsha in Anambra State confirmed that his son would leave Abuja for North London on Sunday and failure to do so could attract a fine. “Alex is expected to be here till Saturday and must return to England unfailingly this Sunday. Failure to report to the training ground at the Emirates Stadium on Monday would attract a fine. But I hope he would have proved himself with the Nigerian U- 23 national team before then”, Iwobi senior disclosed”.

• Alex Iwobi with his father Chuka after Wednesday's training at the Abuja National Stadium's Goal Project Center. PHOTO: SEGUN OGUNJIMI

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

National Security The Boko Haram insurgency is by far the greatest threat to our national security and survival. Large swathes of the Northeast of our country, larger than many African countries, are under siege by a violent Islamic jihadist insurgency that has claimed an estimated 13,000 lives, including the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls. Over one million of our people have been displaced by the insurgency. Economic activities have been virtually paralysed in much of the North by Boko Haram suicide bombers. Kidnappings and abductions have become rife in other parts of our country. With its immense resources, Nigeria should be the natural leader of Africa. Instead, under the blundering and floundering President Jonathan, foisted on the nation by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has now disavowed him, it is looking increasingly more like a hobbled elephant, a giant with clay feet. Not since our civil war from 1967 to 1970 has the future survival of our nation and its peace and security been under such a direct threat. We must regain our pride as a nation by throwing out this dithering and weak PDP Federal Government. President Jonathan has been far too indecisive and tentative in tackling Nigeria’s numerous challenges at every level and sector. Yes, he met a lot of challenges when he came into office. But he has not solved one of them. Instead, he has compounded them by inaction or wrong policy choices. Even his most rabid and ardent supporters now consider his procrastination over the Boko Haram insurgency embarrassing. Nine months after, and despite strong public complaints, he has not even thought it necessary to visit the family of the abducted girls. The insurgency did not start with him. But under his watch, the insurgents have gained more confidence and ground. He has lost control of the Armed Forces and security agencies. The situation calls for a change of government. We need a stronger leadership, or else the insurgency will widen. His main opponent in the election, retired General Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) offers a better alternative to the weak and inept Jonathan government. He has his own faults too. He can be rash and impatient for a change. But he is more decisive and more likely

RIPPLES NORTHERN ELDERS TO JONATHAN: PRESENT LEADERS ARE PICK-POCKETS

…Or you mean to Say ARMED ROBBERS?

VOL. 10, NO. 3,096

COMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

EXT month’s presidential election is exciting and vastly more important than any previous election. Our nation is floundering and in a desperate plight. It is facing many grave challenges. Nigeria’s future is at stake in this election. The choice is between continuity and change. After 15 wasted years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government, it is time for a change. It is crucial that we get it right to ensure Nigeria survives. There is no longer any room now for religious or ethnic bigotry in our country. The electorate have to make a critical choice between President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari on the basis of the following issues.

TODAY IN THE NATION

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

2015 Presidential Election: a voters’ check list

•Jonathan

•Buhari

to tackle the insurgency more effectively. With his impressive military record, he will bring a greater sense of urgency to the task of crushing the insurgency more expeditiously. He is in a better position to restore confidence and discipline to the Nigerian Army, gravely weakened by indiscipline and massive corruption among its top echelon. He is more likely to bring the Armed Forces under greater political control and improve on its professional competence and capability. He will restore to the Nigerian Army its old glories of which the nation was once proud. Under Jonathan, the Army has virtually disintegrated. Under-funded and ill-equipped, it is no longer willing to fight the insurgents. The scourge of massive public corruption Increasing public corruption is tearing this nation apart and destroying its social and economic fabric. Corruption is so deeply embedded in Nigeria today that it is virtually impossible to do any business in Nigeria without gratification. Corruption undermines

economic growth and reinforces the vast social and economic inequalities in our country. Nigeria has been consistently listed by Transparency International as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. This is morally reprehensible and unacceptable. Scorn and rage boil in the land because the people have been deceived for so long. Nigeria has been made rich by oil, but the vast majority of its people remain poor. They have not benefited from its oil wealth. Never before have so many been impoverished by so few. Nigeria needs a compassionate but strong leader, one who will make the welfare and needs of the poor his priority. Under Jonathan, corruption has acquired a culture of impunity, to the extent that the former discredited military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, who once ran one of the most corrupt regimes in Nigeria’s post colonial history, could claim that, compared to the Jonathan PDP Federal Government, he and his military colleagues who looted the nation, were saints. Jonathan is reluctant to fire corrupt public officials. Under his watch, the vast system of cronyism and political patronage has fuelled corruption. It has assumed frightening proportions and this is going to constrain our economic growth. Foreign investors have recently been divesting from the Nigerian economy steadily due to corruption and growing uncertainties about the economic future of our country. Jonathan has lost the moral authority to govern. His vaunted and highly publicised Transformation Agenda has become a huge joke. Unless the vast network of corruption is tackled vigorously, no new economic strategy will work in Nigeria. If he is re-elected it will be more of the same as far as corruption is concerned. Recently, the media reported that the vast sum of N21.7 billion was raised by the PDP acolytes for Jonathan’s campaign, at a time of falling oil revenues. This is both vulgar and obscene in a

HARDBALL

EMEMBER Wada Nas (Allah bless his soul!)? He was the Sani Abacha loyalist, till death did them part. Even after Gen. Abacha had exited, and the dictator’s reputation as regards sleaze was zero, Alhaji Nas never deserted his hero. He died virtually still proclaiming his trust and pride in Abacha. That was Wada Nas, an epitome of noble devotion to a cause, even if not a few felt that cause was ignoble. He lived and died for what he believed. Every crisis time in Nigeria produces its own Wada Nas. Indeed, at the zenith of Sani Abacha’s legitimacy crisis, the good Alhaji’s voice was so grating, against common sense and popular temper, that he was simply dubbed Wada Noise. In the immediate aftermath of the June 12, 1993 presidential election result annulment, the Wada Nas of that era was Comrade Uche Chukwumerije (many market folks in Lagos, where the June 12 battle was fiercest, in no less fierce anger, simply dismissed him), on account of his scare-mongering propaganda in support of the reactionary forces that scuttled that mandate. So ferocious was Minister Chukwumerije’s propaganda that not a few, not the least Easterners living in Lagos, believed the crisis would lead to a shooting war. Thank God, it

Their Wada Noise

didn’t, though road crashes claimed some fleeing travellers; and the consequent war attrition eventually consumed Abacha; and set up this democratic dispensation. The present Jonathan dispensation, with its eternal crisis needing urgent spinning, has produced its own Wada Nas-es. One was Labaran Maku, hitherto Information Minister, who gave the impression that his principal, the President, was the greatest thing that ever happened to humanity. But partisan interest has since put paid to all that. Maku has since jumped ship, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has come to his Nasarawa governorship rescue, and Jonathan and his party can look into their collapsing houses! But Maku isn’t the quintessential Nas, for Wada never jumped ship! Another is Doyin Okupe, the doyen of roforofo-fight-as-presidential-spinning. But when the chips are down, would he jump ship too like Maku? That is in the belly of time. In

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

country where 70 per cent of its people live below the poverty line of $1 per day. The sources and identities of these faceless donors should be fully probed. The vast and immoral campaign funds will lead to political jobbery and ineptitude in the government, as political debts have to be paid. This accounts for the bloated bureaucracy in Nigeria. Both the federal and state governments are under increasing strains to meet their financial obligations. The excess crude oil funds, intended to cushion the pains of falling oil revenues, have been virtually depleted, even long before the recent falling oil revenues. Evidence of the crushing mass poverty in Nigeria abounds everywhere. But President Jonathan does not seem genuinely bothered about this mass poverty, a stain on our country. We need a government that will fight corruption in our country. His opponent in the presidential election, General Buhari, has a far better record of personal integrity and abhorrence of corruption. When he was in public office, he obviously did not enrich himself. He is believed to own only two houses in Nigeria, one in Kaduna, and the other in Daura, his home town. He does not own any property abroad and is known to be disdainful of wealth accumulated corruptly. If elected, he can be relied upon to tackle the vast and massive public corruption more effectively. Unlike Jonathan, he is not politically or financially indebted in any way to anyone. He has only managed to raise a paltry N58 million for his electoral campaign. He has no godfather, or mentor, or political debts to pay. If elected, he will be politically far more independent than Jonathan. He will be his own man and will not be dictated to. Respect for the Judiciary and the Rule of Law Our fledgling democracy is being subverted by the PDP Federal Government. There is no respect for the rule of law or the Judiciary. We have seen in recent times the growing abuse of power by the Jonathan government. If he is reelected we will have to contend with the increasing prospects of a one party dictatorship and an authoritarian government. The PDP Federal Government will have been in power for nearly 20 years. We need to strengthen our democracy by voting in an alternative and more effective government. This will make our governments more transparent and more accountable. Under Jonathan it will be more of the same. When he was in power in 1984-85, Buhari tended to be high- handed and authoritarian too. In his quest to clean up the country, he was hasty and took some rash decisions that portrayed him as ruthless and a budding dictator. But that was under military rule. If elected president, he is likely this time to be more restrained and less rash in his approach to governance. In any case, if he shows any tendency to be dictatorial, he will face a revolt from his party.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above any case, the good, old doctor and Remo blueblood is not likely to seek an elective office in a hurry. So, we might not know if his own Wada Nas is mere noise without substance. But the loudest Jonathanian Nas has got to be Olisa Metuh, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national publicity secretary. He, it was, who invented the Janjaweed label to tar the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). He it was too, who summarily decreed, amidst boisterous partisan cheers, the rival party an “Islamic” party. It took a Yemi Osinbajo entry into the vice-presidential race for his claim to pitifully collapse. But even as things are collapsing around President Jonathan and his doomed secondterm presidential bid, the loquacious Olisa is still all excitement: “We have very popular and acceptable hard working candidates, which the people are anxious to vote for. Our presidential flag bearer (standard-bearer), President Goodluck Jonathan, with verifiable achievements (ah!)... remains the candidate to beat. We have engaged in issue-based campaigns” (ah!!) — even with Jonathan’s endless mud-slinging and bad temper? When the chips are down, will this Wada Nas remain true to his cause like the original, or jump ship at the earliest challenge like Maku? Time will tell!

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