January 29, 2015 by The Nation

NIGERIA DECIDES

Newspaper of the Year •AND MORE •Ahmed, Ajibola differ on projects in Kwara ON PAGES •PDP, Presidency behind polls shift plot, says APC 2-7,45,46, 60&61 •President in Port Harcourt: Amaechi has challenged me •Fasoranti’s Afenifere under fire for endorsing Jonathan

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 10, NO. 3110 THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

Amnesty, military argue over Baga, Monguno

N150.00

INEC plans 119,973 polling units

IGERIA’s military failed to protect civilians despite being warned of impending Boko Haram attacks on two northeastern towns, Amnesty International (AI) said yesterday. Boko Haram militants warned residents of Baga “almost two months ago” that they would come there to attack troops and local militias before their Jan. 3 raid on the town, the London-based group said in a statement, citing an unidentified military official. Boko Haram told locals the next target would be MonContinued on page 4

•www.thenationonlineng.net

•Prof. Jega

N spite of the subtle plot to postpone next month’s general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is forging ahead with its preparations. The commission has released the breakdown of 119, 973 polling units where the elections will hold nationwide. All Polling Units (PUs) in

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

private compounds, mosques and churches have been relocated – in line with international best practices. Besides, INEC has blocked the cloning of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by desperate politicians through the deployment of Smart Card Readers. With the distribution of 145,000 Smart Card Readers,

no one can use stolen or purchased PVCs. There have been calls in some circles for the postponement of theelections, but INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega has told the United States, the European Union (EU) and international organisations that the election will hold as scheduled on February 14 Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: CALLS FOR POSTPONEMENT OF 2015 ELECTIONS MISCHIEVOUS, SAYS AKANBI P4

•BE PREP ARED: Policemen during a demonstration of their readiness to combat riots ahead of the general elections in Abuja...yesterday. PREPARED:

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Danjuma: arrest Tompolo, Asari-Dokubo, others now

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 EVER RETURN?

Ex-Defence minister condemns reckless statements

NE-TIME Minister of Defence Gen. Theophilus Danjuma yesterday called for the arrest of former Niger Delta-militants, who are threatening to rock the boat should President Goodluck Jonathan lose the February 14 election. Mujaheed Dokubo-Asari said after

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

a meeting last week in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, that “ex-militants” would return to their old ways should Dr Jonathan lose the election. Gen. Danjuma described the statement as “reckless” and called for the

arrest of the ex-militants. Saying politicians and their supporters should be wary of provocative and inflammatory statements, he described Asari-Dokubo’s threat as condemnable. He said “Those are very reckless statements made by irresponsible in-

dividuals and they should be condemned. In fact, they should be arrested.” The former Chief of Army Staff was responding to reporters’ questions in Kano during the inauguration of the Senate building of the North West Continued on page 4

•SPORTS P25 •EDUCATION P25 •POLITICS P45 •N/HEALTH P47 •E-BUSINESS P50 •FOREIGN P61

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NEWS

NIGERIA DECIDES

Corruption: W •From left: Chairman Forte Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola, Publisher, Thisday newpaper, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena,Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chairman, Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia at the launch of ARISE News on the MultiChoice platform of DStv Channel 416 and GoTV Channel 44 in Lagos. PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

•Jonathan

•Lagos Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (second left), Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams (second right), Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr. Olugbenga Faseluka (left) and Ogun State Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle at the opening of the Seventh Summit of Heads of Service in the Southwest in Ikeja, Lagos State...yesterday.

•From right: Seniour Vice President Global Public Health, Kelly Willis; USAID Mission Director in Nigeria, Micheal Harvey; Director-General, National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhi; Vice President Global Health Programmes, Partick Lukukay and Director Laboratory Service, NAFDAC, Stell Denlope at the presentation of United State Pharmacopeal (USP) Leaderhip award and the official annoucement of accreditation certificate PHOTO: on the NAFDAC Laboratory in Lagos..yesterday. ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•From left: Curator, Inmitable Limited, Solomon Ikhioda; his wife, Becky; Host, Niara Inspire Conference, Pastor Carlton Williams; his wife, Pastor Anita Williams and Inspirational Leadership Development Coach, Benjamin Alika, at the Niara Inspire-Africa Conference 2015 at the Landmark Centre, Lagos.

HE general elections are around the corner. Politicians seeking elective positions are crisscrossing the length and breadth of the land. But ahead of the polls, billed for February 14 and 28, there is one common issue many Nigerians want discussed by the hordes of politicians and political parties now mounting the rostrums to canvass for vote. That singular issue is corruption. Not a few would like to know how candidates seeking national executive and legislative positions plans to tame the menace that has become a monster after years of unchecked spread and integration within all the facets of the country’s socio-economic and political existence. Of course, the serious concern attached to this hydra-headed monster by the electorate cannot be misplaced because corruption, as of today, has become a difficult problem. Far more than diseases and violent militant groups have done, corruption, analysts claim, is threatening the very survival of Nigeria as a nation. And given that one of the ways to judge a functional democracy is how it treats the issue of corruption, Nigeria’s democratic journey has remained unimpressive; no thanks to a record of soaring corrupt practices within government and non-governmental corridors. Explaining why the public must put politicians and their political parties to task on the issue of corruption ahead of the February elections, frontline journalist and public commentator, Eze Anaba, says corruption has become a recurring decimal. “A timely example of the evil of corruption is poverty, inequality, insecurity and under-development in many African states. Everyone is a victim when some officials appropriate the commonwealth for their personal benefits and the chronic underenforcement of anti-corruption laws in many countries is responsible for this state of affairs,” Anaba argued. He recalled that in several discussions where reasons behind the Nigeria’s poor showing in the development index crop up, corruption continues to hit the front seat. “The reason Nigeria is so poorly rated in the anti-corruption index is because successive years of military rule and the civilian administrations that succeeded the military have not been able to tackle the problem,” he added. Dr. Kolawole Olaniyan, a legal adviser with Amnesty International said: “Corruption unquestionably

• Buhari By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor

violates Article 21 of the African Charter, as well as other substantive human and peoples’ rights in the charter. “Not only is it the case that every dollar lost from corruption is one less than can be spent constructively, but also that the loss is often offset by government borrowing. These loans or international aid received from abroad may be considered part of the ‘national cake’ to be shared among high-ranking state officials, or, in plain language, stolen or mismanaged,” the lawyer, who is the author of ‘Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa,’ added. Political observers said the issue is not only germane but capable of influencing how the people of the country would vote during the elections. They argued that after a long and fruitless wait for an administration that would take the bull by the horns and tackle the problem of corruption head on, the electorate appear determined more than ever before to put the issue on the front burner when deciding who rules them this time around.

Danger signals Recently, a former United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Walter Carrington, viewed corruption as the greatest problem confronting Nigeria, warning of looming dangers unless something is urgently done to address the situation. Carrington said: “Corruption is the most terrible monster that confronts Nigeria but we must all work hard to tame this monster. In order words, I am certain that virtually all the problems associated with governance would be removed if we can summon the courage to tackle corruption and banish it from our activities.” The envoy added that development does not have a bigger enemy than corruption and the development of Nigeria is hinged on ridding politics from corruption and corrupt practices. He said: “But I regret to say that I have seen too many good people of high character yield after putting up a good fight, which is why efforts must be redoubled to create an environment in which character and virtues are rewarded and not scorned. The question must now be asked. Why is Africa’s most endowed country, which earns $57 billion a year in oil revenue, not yet able to solve its persistent power and infrastructure problems?” Challenging stakeholders in the

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NIGERIA DECIDES

Will 2015 elections bring respite?

•Mustapha Akanbi1

• Walter Carrington

Nigerian project on the need to be united, he said “a cure must be found for the corrosive cancer of corruption.” The envoy is not alone in his worries. Kayode Oladele, Chief of Staff, Office of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is worried that unless the country rids itself of corruption, poverty, political instability and blanket criminalisation of its citizens is inevitable. “First, corruption promotes poverty. A simple example could be made with the corruption in the management of the pension funds in Nigeria. The theft of pension funds means that retired Nigerians would not have access to their pensions as at when due. “This means that those that have dependants to care for would be deprived of the needed funds. Some pensioners eventually died because of the rising expectations that often end in frustrations sometimes occasioned by standing for hours in long queues. “What happens to the dependants of a pensioner who is deprived of his/ her pensions? Will such dependants be able to attend qualitative schools or will they be forced out of schools to fend for themselves? “If education remains one of the main routes leading to a good life and national development, without education, what would be the future of these dependants and the country?” “Another consequence of corruption is that it creates political instability. This is because unrestricted corruption makes the state an unlimited allocator of wealth to individuals and groups. This character of the state makes it possible for the politics of door-die to take root, with politicians struggling to out-compete one another sometimes in a most violent manner. “Again, corruption aids blanket criminalisation of Nigerians, espe-

cially the youths. With its capacity to generate poverty and instability, the youths have been systematically hijacked for selfish ends by unscrupulous politicians and ideologues. “Many of those who were not “hijacked” have found interest in advance fee fraud popularly known as Yahoo-yahoo or 419 in local parlance. While corruption cannot, and should not, be the singular cause of this systematic criminalisation, it contributes to it,” Ololade posited.

Unwilling leadership To make the situation more frightening for the populace, some local and international observers have alleged that the current administration lacks the required political will to tackle corruption. This, many analysts posit, may influence the electorate to vote for change. The former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, was unsparing when he said the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has not demonstrated enough serious in the fight against corruption. Akanbi, who is a former President of the Court of Appeal, said corruption, kidnapping and other societal ills have been on the rise and that government institutions and the judiciary remain helpless in rising to their statutory responsibilities. The retired judge said: “Honestly, I do not see what is being done about corruption now. I ask myself these questions: Does it mean that all the governors are corruption-free? Does it mean all the legislators are corruption-free? Does it mean the judiciary is corruption free? “We know that it is happening but people are not being arrested, no action is being taken and the end result

•Lamorde

is that people accept bribe with impunity now. “At least, if they had taken few people to court, we would have known that something is being done. There is a general lull and the fight against corruption has gone down completely. “Now, when you look at many people wanting to be governors, is it because they want to serve their people or that they want to go and chop? It is apparent that many of them want to enrich themselves because they know that when you go there you make money and become wealthy, ditto going to the legislature. Yet people are suffering; there is no development. “Corruption, kidnapping and other ills of the society have gone on the ascendency. We know about Oduahgate and the billions of naira that Sanusi alleged was missing. The terrible thing is that the judiciary is not helping. The indices are that the moments are dark, the clouds have thickened, corruption is escalating,” the ex-ICPC boss lamented. Constitutional lawyer, Mallam Yusuf Ali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), also accused Jonathan’s administration of not doing anything at all to stamp out corruption. He urged Nigerians to know that corruption makes all the citizens poorer in the short and long run. His words: “I have said this long time ago, there is no drive against corruption by the current government and that is quite obvious because the President believes that there is no corruption in Nigeria. “He believes that what is going on is petty stealing. So, if he doesn’t believe there is corruption, you can’t hold him for not driving any anti-corruption war. If somebody doesn’t believe there is a problem then he would not be obliged to look for solution.” In what looked like a confirmation

of what his critics have been saying that the Federal Government has achieved little or nothing in the monumental fight against corruption, President Jonathan recently said though politicians are thieves, they are not corrupt. He said: “What many Nigerians refer to as corruption is actually stealing. Stealing is not the same thing as corruption,” the President had said, sending many Nigerians into fits of rage that lasted for weeks. “Just few days back, Jonathan confirmed his unwillingness to confront the monster called corruption just yet when, during his campaign rally in Lagos, he announced that he is not eager to jail anybody for corruption. “They said they will start fighting corruption after they have crossed the bridge. And only two days ago, somebody stood in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and said he would catch people that steal and throw them in Kirikiri (Prisons). “I agree that we must stop corruption but I will not do so by catching people and putting them in crates and jailing or killing them. We can’t stop corruption that way.”

The way to go From all indications, Nigeria has just one choice, and that is to fight corruption with all seriousness and with immediate effect. Former Ghanaian President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings, recently called on African countries, especially Nigeria, to intensify the anti-corruption fight, especially, within the government, failing which he warned of the likelihood of a sudden eruption as it occurred in Egypt and Tunisia. Rawlings, who gave a keynote address at the 2nd Zik Lecture Series, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State on the theme:

“Eradicating Corruption in Africa”, said the battle against corruption must be fought, no matter how difficult. He warned that treating corruption with the kid’s gloves will be like postponing the evil’s day. George Nsa Nsa of Transparency Nigeria also suggested a panacea to corruption in the public service. It is imperative for the National Assembly to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Act immediately, he said. Nsa said: “The Act must be amended to provide that all political appointees should declare their assets annually by making annual asset returns every January, (tax returns) because the extant provision that requires assets declaration every four years have several loop-holes that are being exploited by public servants. Also, the CCB should create a unit within it for the continuous tracking of assets returns of politicians holding public office, senior civil and public servants, among others, similar to what the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does to check money laundering through the banks. “We need also to replace the justice delivery system by replacing the status quo with a jury verdict system, through the ongoing constitution amendment process. You can trust the people to do justice to those who are corrupt, as members of a jury. “The police must also be mandated to release everyone arrested without warrant within 12 hours. Remove their discretion to detain anyone beyond 12 hours except for crimes such as treasonable felonies and murders. “This is vital because abuse of human rights and “sale of bail” is a lucrative practice by the police. And routinely, the Attorney-General/ DPP/Justice departments should vet all occupants of police detention cells, custody rooms and those in prisons awaiting-trial to deliver innocent Nigerians from the corruption and inhumanity of the police.” If Nigerians vote for only people who can sincerely invest their time and energy to the battle against corruption, the country can heave a sigh of relief after the 2015 general elections. Perhaps this will explain why adults are mounting pressure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure all eligible Nigerians get the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), which would enable them to elect the right candidate. General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), assured Nigerians that corrupt politicians would end up in jail if elected. Speaking at Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Buhari, who is flying the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC), promised to block all loopholes through public funds are siphoned. “When we come into power, anyone who steals Nigeria’s money will end up in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons. We are going to make sure that Nigeria’s wealth belongs only to Nigerians,” the APC candidate said.

Don’t postpone elections, CODER urges INEC

HE Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER) yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject the call for the postponement of the general elections. Its Coordinator, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, also advised the commission to continue the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) till February 14 when the polls will kick off. In a statement he issued in Lagos, Opadokun accused those calling for polls’ shift because of the PVCs controversy of having a hidden agenda, urging the electoral body to ignore them. He said: “Given the analysis of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collection on regional ex-

By Emmanuel Oladesu

ercise, INEC and the electorate certainly need to demonstrate greater resolve to ensure that all registered voters are able to collect their PVC without further frustration. “The marked wide difference between 80 per cent and 40 per cent respectively in the average collection rates in the Northern and Southern states indicate strongly that the INEC, the political parties and the non-government organisations whose thrust is about credible elections must provide more intensive advocacy about the significance of the PVCs.” Opadokun alleged that INEC deliberately cre-

ated the current logjam because it ignored the advice to test-run the recently acquired Card Readers in Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. He lamented that the commission responded by saying that “the Card Readers will not be used because the elections in those two states will be keenly contested.” He added: “The current INEC announcement that voters who have not been able to collect their PVC should go and collect them in their respective Local Governments and registration centres have not significantly improve the number of PVC that have been collected. INEC had about four years to have prepared a seamless exercise for the production and distribution of PVC.

“The revelation from the Sultan of Sokoto that he has not been able to collect his own personal voter’s card is a significant illustration of the level of agony that voters are going through. Some have revealed to CODER as to how they have visited registration centres and in their respective Local Government areas where they reside and were unable to collect the PVC due to a number of incidences e.g Names not found in the register even though they presented their Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs). Others who were asked to re-register after doing so are facing strenuous and stressful exercise that has taken some of them many days without securing the PVCs.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NEWS

•President Goodluck Jonathan (waiving), Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko (left) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu (behind Mimiko) at the party’s rally in Akure...yesterday.

•All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari speaking during the APC rally in Jalingo,Taraba State...yesterday. With him are: former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (middle) and the governorship candidate Senator Aisha Alhassan

Amnesty, military argue over Baga, Monguno Continued from page 1

guno and the military was informed, Amnesty said. Boko Haram captured Monguno, 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Baga, on Sunday, according to militia member Hassan Ibrahim. “It is clear from this evidence that Nigeria’s military leadership woefully and repeatedly failed in their duty to protect civilians of Baga and Monguno despite repeated warnings about an impending threat posed by Boko Haram,” Netsanet Belay, Amnesty’s Africa director, said in the statement. “These attacks are an urgent wake-up call for the Nigerian leadership, the African Union and the international

‘Boko Haram used 5,000 cows as shield’

LEEING soldiers in Maiduguri yesterday said Boko Haram fighters used over 5,000 cows as shield during the battle for Monguno. . A fleeing soldier speaking anonymously explained that the cows were the ones seized from Fulani herdsmen in the villages around the northern part of Borno State by the insurgents. Yusuf Alli, Abuja

community.” But the military yesterday denied being complicit or derelict in its duties. Boko Haram has escalated its violent campaign to impose Shariah, killing more than 4,700 people last year, double the figure in 2013, risk consultancy Verisk Ma-

Continued from page 1

From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

”Everyday, we were hearing stories that Boko Haram men were seizing cows from Fulani people. Nobody ever thought that their plan was to use the cows as shield to evade soldiers until that day. “They hid themselves behind the cows and were advancing towards us. All the fire we were releasing was just on the cows,” the soldier said.

plecroft estimates. As it attacked Monguno on Sunday, it also made a failed attempt to take Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) faulted allegations by the AI that it ignored intelligence reports on Boko Haram attacks on Monguno, Konduga and Maiduguri.

It said the AI’s allegations were misleading and distracting. In a statement by the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, the military said it had always maintained the “highest form of alertness”. The statement said: “Being Continued on page 61

We’re not party to Jonathan’s endorsement, says ARG

OME prominent Yoruba leaders yesterday pilloried the faction of Afenifere which, purportedly acting in the interest of the Southwest, said on Tuesday that it had endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for second term. The group spoke after meeting with the President in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Some of the group’s members, including its leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Secretary Chief Seinde Arogbofa and some Peoples

By Leke Salaudeen

Democratic Party (PDP) chiefs attended the meeting. Yesterday, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) and some leaders, such as Senator Ayo Fasanmi and Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, castigated the group. The ARG condemned the use of its insignia to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection bid, adding that it is not a party to the endorsement. In a statement by its Publici-

ty Secretary Kunle Famoriyo, the group said the use of ‘Afenifere’ to promote Mr. Jonathan is fraudulent and an attempt to deceive the Yoruba people. He said: “It has come to our notice that some broadcast stations are using ARG’s name and logo to promote the said endorsement. “This is fraudulent and we wish to advise media houses to be wary of such fraudulent promoters, especially now that

Danjuma: arrest Tompolo, Asari-Dokubo, others now

public interest must be defended by the media.” “We believe there is a difference between ‘transformation,’ which President Jonathan promised Nigerians in 2011 and mere ‘reform’ of the same governance culture that Nigerians have rejected,” said Mr. Famoriyo. “The ARG does not dictate to the generality of the Yoruba people, rather it gives voice to their feelings and aspirations. The extensive consultations we have Continued on page 61

University. The institution was established by the Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso administration. ”Successors abandon what they inherit; my prayer is that whoever that is going to succeed you (Kwankwaso) will continue with the very good work you have started,” Gen. Danjuma, the guest of honour said. Gen Danjuma also commissioned the multi billion naira Kwankwasiyya Village, one of the three mega cities built by

the governor who he described as a man with foresight under whose watch Kano has witnessed rapid development. Kwankwaso said his administration had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)with a Chinese firm, which has acquired 200 units from the Kwankwassiyya village and within three months the state governments will be richer with N5 billion. Dokubo-Asari, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF); Victor Ben Continued on page 61

PDP, Presidency behind election postponement plot, says APC

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the PDP and the Presidency of orchestrating the ongoing campaign for election postponement, despite their serial denial and the phantom assurances that they are ready for the polls. ‘’There is no clearer indication that the PDP and the Presidency are the puppeteers behind the election shift campaign than Wednesday’s newspaper advertorial plainly campaigning for the polls to be shifted,’’ the party said in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary,

Alhaji Lai Mohammed. ‘’This advert, which has the picture of President Goodluck Jonathan and the logo of the PDP - meaning they will be the sole beneficiaries of the postponement they are seeking leaves no one in doubt that the ruling party and the presidency are pathologically dishonest, deliberately deceptive and chronically terrified about the elections,’’ it said. The APC said now that all pretences are off and the sponsors of the election postponement campaign have been unContinued on page 61

INEC: Nigerians’ll vote in 119,973 polling units Calls for polls shift mischievous, says Akanbi

Continued from page 1

and 28. Jega has also met with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) where it was decided that the polls must go on as scheduled. The INEC boss has got support from many quarters to hold the elections. A one-time president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi said yesterday in Ilorin that the call for polls shift is “suspicious” and “mischievous”. A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) also said yesterday that calling for a postponement was unacceptable because it could lead to civil unrest. The same position was expressed by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) made up of 2 political parties. To them a shift will send a wrong signal and throw the country into chaos and anarchy.

HE call for the postponement of the next month’s general elections by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki is suspicious and mischievous, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pioneer chairman Justice Mustapha Akanbi said yesterday in Ilorin. The retired Appeal Court President also lashed out at Chief Edwin Clark for openly accusing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chair Prof Attahiru Jega of bias and incompetence. Justice Akanbi spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at a public lecture organised by the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation (MAF). The topic of the lec-

A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “From the reports delivered by all departments, units and RECs, there is no reason we will not go ahead with the elections as from February 14. “We are going ahead with preparations for the polls ir-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin and Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

ture is “Voters Education: Rights, duties and responsibilities”. He said: “The unsolicited advice by Col. Sambo Dasuki in London that the 2015 election be postponed has ill-motive; I see mischief in that advice as it must be evident even to the unwary, that such postponement will do more harm than good. The advice is suspect and not from the best of motives. It is, however, a delight that majority opinion has rejected it. More importantly Jega has rejected it outright. “The second issue is the statement credited to the political octogenarian, Chief Clark, an Ijaw people’s leader. He openly castigated Prof Jega, accused him of

respective of issues being raised by some people. The INEC chairman has refrained from making comments to avoid the electoral body being accused of bias.” It was gathered that at the operational meeting and a session with political parties on Tuesday, INEC

bias and incompetence. This is most unfortunate.” The retired jurist added: “With the approach of the 2015 elections, the threat to national unity and cohesion has been on the increase. Political gladiators have been spitting fire and heating up the polity as never before. “Threats of taking up arms and breaking up Nigeria, if a particular candidate does not win the election rent the air. Some of the protagonists of disintegration are elders who should know better but have chosen to serve personal ends instead of national interest. “Our teeming unemployed youths are now being mobilised and recruited to reenact the events of 1993 which sent Ni-

released the breakdown of 119, 973 Polling Units (PUs) where the elections will hold nationwide. The commission has also given a list of how the 145,000 smart cards were deployed in all the polling units to the parties. The breakdown of the

Continued on page 61

119,973 polling units in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) is as follows: Abia (2,675); Adamawa(2,608); Akwa Ibom(2,980); Anambra(4,608); Bauchi(4,074); Bayelsa(1,804); Benue(3,688); Borno(3,933); Cross River(2,283); Delta(3,624); Ebonyi(1,785);

•Justice Akanbi

Edo(2,627); and Ekiti(2, 195). Others are Enugu(2,958); FCT(562); Gombe(2,218); Imo(3,523); Jigawa(3,527); Kaduna(5,101); Kano(8,074); Katsina(4,901); Kebbi(2,398); Kogi(2,548); and Kwara (1,872). The PUs in the remaining states are: Lagos(8,462); Nasarawa(1,495); Niger(3,185); Ogun(3,213); Ondo(3,009); Osun(3,010); Oyo(4,783); Plateau(2, 631); Rivers(4,442); Continued on page 61

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NEWS

Court lifts NCC’s suspension of APC’s fund-raising platform

HE Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained five telecoms firms from carrying out the suspension of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign fund-raising platform. Justice Ibrahim Buba gave the ex-parte order yesterday following a motion brought by the party. The judge restrained Etisalat, MTN, Glo, Airtel and Visafone from giving effect to a directive by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which warned them against running political promotions. Justice Buba ordered the telecoms firms “to continue to run, operate and/or restore to its full operative use, the SMS Code platform 35350 created for fund-raising for the applicant’s presidential campaign.” The orders are to subsist pending the hearing and determination of APC’s originating motion on notice.

•Party demands N25b from defendants By Joseph Jibueze

The applicant is demanding N25 billion as damages for violation of its members’ right. The court also granted APC leave to serve the originating motion on notice and other processes on NCC (the first defendant) outside the court’s jurisdiction. APC, through its counsel, Dr. Muiz Banire, also filed an affidavit of urgency so that the suit, numbered FHC/L/C5/ 16/15, can be heard expeditiously. APC said the platform was to operate till February 12 when campaign activities for the presidential election will stop in line with the Electoral Act and the election time-table. In the originating motion, APC is demanding N25 bil-

lion damages from the defendants for violating the fundamental rights of the party and its members. It said since the platform was suspended, it had been unable to disseminate or receive information from its supporters via the SMS code 35350. The party said while the platform was suspended, NCC allowed that of President Goodluck Jonathan to run seamlessly. The party said it created a “premium SMS code 35350” through which willing donors could contribute to its presidential campaign fund. Within hours of its creation, APC said it was getting about five messages of N100 each every minute. A total of 5,400 messages were received, it said. However, NCC, in a letter issued on January 19, directed

all telecoms service providers “to avoid running political advertisements that will portray them as being partisan.” NCC said it would “not hesitate to sanction any service provider that will flout this directive.” As a result, the telecoms firms suspended the platform. However, APC said political parties had been using several media platforms to advertise, with none accused of being partisan. Besides, the applicant said NCC approved the short codes 6661, 662, 6663 and 6664 for the Goodluck-Sambo Presidential Campaign fund-raising. APC said since its platform was unjustly suspended, its members, supporters, sympathisers and others who wish to donate towards its presidential campaign, have been

“incapacitated.” Besides, the party said the code’s suspension had inhibited its financial capacity to effectively prosecute its presidential campaign. APC said NCC’s directive contravened its right to freedom of expression guaranteed under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution. Besides, the party said the commission’s action was discriminatory. “The purported directive of the first respondent (NCC) discriminated against the applicant’s (APC’s) members since the first respondent granted the approval for the use of short codes to raise funds for Goodluck-Sambo presidential campaign...,” APC said. The party is praying the court to declare that the NCC’s directive violates its’ guaranteed right to freedom of expression.

It is asking for a declaration that the directive is discriminatory against APC members, following the granting of similar rights to the Goodluck/ Sambo campaign. APC is also seeking a declaration that the NCC directive is ultra vires and it is contrary to Section 39 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution. The party is praying for an order invalidating the directive, and a perpetual injunction restraining NCC or its agents from stopping the telecoms firms from operating the SMS code fund-raising platform. APC also wants the court to restrain the telecom firms from giving effect to the directive or disrupting the smooth running of the SMS platform. Justice Buba adjourned till February 4 for hearing of the originating motion on notice.

‘Bird flu now in 11 states’ From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

•University of Lagos Teaching Hospital’s (LUTH) workers protesting casualisation and alleged victimisation in Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO: BIODUN ADEYEWA.

Striking health workers urged to return to work

HEActing Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Chris Bode has urged striking health workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) to return to work. Appealing to the striking workers yesterday, Bode said the prolonged strike has worsened the cases of patients. The paediatric surgeon said striking workers should not prevent workers on duty from doing their job, adding that this negate the rules of engagement. “The rule says that a striking worker should stay at home; cannot travel, no work

•Union members protest By Wale Adepoju and Everistus Onwuzurike

no pay,” he said. He said health care was a team work, which needed unbroken harmony for successful operation. The strike, Bode said, has affected training and services in the hospital, especially doctors’ residency, nursing programme and pharmacy students, and others. Bode said LUTH was operating skeletal services in the out-patient clinics, accident and

emergency unit, intensive care unit and Engineering Unit. Besides, patients who could not be discharged have remained on treatment in the wards. He urged striking workers to embrace dialogue, adding that government policies take time, “because the country is in a democratic setting”. The acting CMD said every group in the sector was trying to become independent of one another, adding that it was meaningless. “There should be a legal

framework to refrain medical workers from embarking on strike. This would curb incessant strikes by all the groups in the sector,” he said. JOHESU members yesterday protested in the hospital. Its Lagos State chairman, Comrade Stephen Ibe, alleged that the hospital was trying to employ some casual workers to take over the jobs of striking health workers. He said the union would resist it as it was against the labour law. Ibe urged the Federal Government to release the circular prepared to ensure proper emolument for workers.

‘Jonathan lacks skill to deal with Boko Haram’

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan lacked the competence, capacity and training to deal with the Boko Haram menace ravaging many parts of the Northeast. APCPCO added that the President, therefore, could not be taken seriously when he claimed that he would deal with the terrorists. Its Director of Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, who said this in a statement, noted that the claim by Jonathan during his campaign visit to Maiduguri, capital of Borno State and hotbed of the insurgency, that he would deal with the menace of the terrorists looked more like a joke or mere talk designed for the occasion of the campaign

event. The statement reads: “President Jonathan has been at the helm of affairs in Nigeria for more than five years. During this time, the Boko Haram has transformed from a group of armed delinquents to an active fighting group or movement without the government headed by President Jonathan able to contain it. It is childish for the same person to say that he would deal with a group that became a monster under his watch. “President Jonathan is advised to stop the careless talk about dealing with Boko Haram because he clearly has shown little appreciation and leadership in the area of national security. “Rather, he should join eager and long-suffering Boko Haram victims across the nation and other well-meaning Nige-

rians to ensure that General Muhammadu Buhari emerges victorious in the February 14 polls to deal with Boko Haram, as well as unemployment and widespread official corruption - two other vices ravaging our nation under his watch. “If President Jonathan and his party want to be true to Nigerians, it is for them to acknowledge that to deal with Boko Haram, and the wider national security issues it has thrown up over the years is within the scope of his opponent, General Buhari, because the latter has travelled similar road in the past with distinction when the nation’s security and well-being was endangered as it has been in the last four years since Boko Haram became a national security and regional security menace while Jonathan fiddled.

“The Boko Haram terrorists are no longer a group that President Jonathan and those who work with him can handle. A new and committed leader is needed. This is made more necessary because the terrorists have been holding more than 200 Nigerian school girls hostage for several months and has taken over chunks of the nation’s territory, without a whimper from the ‘happy-go-lucky’ government of President Goodluck Jonathan.” It added: “If in the past five years, the Boko Haram has transformed while Jonathan made empty promises, pray, how can such a leader make any difference in another four years? The most likely scenario if Jonathan is given another four years in office is that the terrorists would effortlessly take over the entire country.”

HE Federal Government has confirmed the presence of H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus, also known as bird flu, in four other states besides the seven earlier reported. The additional states are Oyo, Jigawa, Gombe and Imo states. The government said the number of birds exposed had risen to 232,385 with 51,444 mortalities recorded. Of all the states affected, Kano has the highest exposure rate of birds put at 136,905 with 17,987 mortality rate, while Lagos State has 38,845 with 4,732 mortalities. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said this in Abuja at a meeting with commissioners of Agriculture in the 36 states. Adesina also announced a compensation of N145.145 million to 39 farmers in 11 affected states. The states are Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Delta, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Imo, Oyo, and Jigawa states. He said that N1,450 will be paid per bird in the farms that have been de-populated. According to the minister, the compensation would ensure that farmers did not lose their businesses. The minister assured of government’s readiness to deal with the disease. He said: “In all of these states, different levels of interventions, including de-population, decontamination and quarantine are currently ongoing. “Given the increase in the number of states, number of birds exposed and level of mortality, it has become necessary to trigger additional emergency measures to rapidly contain the spread of the virus.”

Buhari visits Ibadan today

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his campaign team will storm Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, today. The party’s Director of Publicity, Mr. Olawale Sadare, said this in a statement. APC said General Buhari will on arrival in the state capital, visit to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, after which his train will proceed to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. Thereafter, the Buhari’s train will move to the Mapo Hall in Ibadan for a rally.

NBA sets up election monitoring team By Joseph Jibueze

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has inaugurated its Election Working Group to monitor next month’s general elections. Among its terms of reference, the group is to develop a platform from which reports from lawyers from different polling units can be collated and documented. The 27-man committee headed by Dafe Akpedeye (SAN) will coordinate in different polling units, monitor and initiate discussions with security agencies to ensure a secured environment. It will also meet with traditional and religious leaders as well as partner civil society organisations and other stakeholders on electoral reforms. NBA’s President Augustine Alegeh (SAN) said: “Disturbing electoral trends such as intimidation of voters, snatching of ballot boxes and other vices shall be the focal-point of the Election Working Group. “Proactive steps must be adopted to checkmate incidences of electoral violence and malpractice. The Election Working Group shall set up a communication platform for efficient reporting of the elections by lawyers serving as election monitors/observers in various polling units in the country.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NEWS Election: NYSC warns corps members against misconduct From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

•From left: Mrs. Funso Adegbola; Prof. Sabitu Olagoke; Osun State Commissioner for Rural and Urban Development, Muyiwa Ige, Arch. Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu and the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Temitope Ilori, at the symposium on the 13th Anniversary of Transition of Chief Bola Ige at SUB Events’ Centre, University of Ibadan... yesterday. PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

Buhari promises to complete Mambilla power dam

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari has promised to complete the Mambila Hydroelectric Dam to supply at least 3,050 megawatts of electricity to Taraba people and the citizens.He spoke in Jalingo during the party’s presidential rally, which threw the Taraba State capital into human and vehicular gridlock.

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

With the crowd of party supporters shouting “baba oyoyo, baba oyoyo” continuously, the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan, pleaded with them repeatedly, but the shouting of Buhari’s praises continued. Speaking in Hausa, the former military head of state promised to end insecurity, unemployment and corruption, if

voted for on February 14. He explained that the youth made up 60 per cent of the nation’s population, adding that most of them were unemployed. “This often leads to violence,” he said. He added that if unemployment and corruption were tackled, insecurity would be solved because the “idle youths would be engaged and they will put their time to productive use.”Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said Buhari as

president would give Nigerians the desired positive change. He told Taraba people to vote for APC candidates in the elections. National Chairman of APC John Odigie-Oyegun said the PDP government has ruined the state and must be flushed out at the polls. The state APC Chairman, Hassan Ardo, said the rally was the beginning of the process to free the country from the PDP.

Jonathan to Rivers people: Amaechi has challenged me •President urges Ondo PDP leaders to resolve differences

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan told supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State yesterday that Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has challenged him through his comment that he had not done anything for Rivers and Bayelsa people since he became president. He spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at the PDP presidential campaign rally held at the controversial Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex. He told the people not to worry about the comment, since it indirectly described him as a honest president, who did not use the power of his office to allocate slot for the Southsouth states. He added that if it was the other way round, he would have been exposed him before the world that he was only concentrating development in the Southsouth, as many people had alleged. The president, who came into the venue at about 4:40pm when most of the PDP supporters had left the stadium after waiting since morning, said he grew up in Port Harcourt after his secondary school education, adding that he would not abandon the state, which, he said, he took as his home state. He noted that his threeminute speech was not to canvass vote, but to thank Rivers people and the state PDP for the trust they reposed in him. Jonathan added that the crowed he saw on the televi-

From Damisi Ojo and Leke Akeredolu, Akure and Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

sion before coming down to the stadium showed that his election and that of Wike “is settled”. His words: ”I want to thank you and appreciate the next governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesome Wike, and his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo. “Because of the time factor, I would not want to keep you here, but to use the platform to address an important issue. “I want everybody in this country to hear this, the Director-General of Buhari Presidential Campaign told their supporters in Bayelsa and Rivers states that the president had done nothing for the two states. But don’t worry; it is good news because the people are saying that I have concentrated development in the Southsouth.” He added: “Before now, Bayelsa State was part of Rivers State. Since I finished my secondary school, I relocated to Port Harcourt. When I started my first job as a young officer in the Custom, it was in Port Harcourt. “I attended University of Port Harcourt, before I went to Rivers State Ministry of Education and later, I started lecturing in the Rivers State College of Education. “I also worked at the defunct OPADEC (Oil Producing Areas Development Commission) as an assistant manager, Environmental Protection. So,

I have been a part and parcel of this state. So, if the DG said I concentrated development in other states and left the Southsouth, it is good news. That shows that I am a honest and transparent man. “And if have concentrated on developing the Southsouth the DG would have been the one to expose me to the rest of the world. But that shows clearly that we meant well for this country. “When we look at the university allocation, we said the Federal Government must ensure that all Nigerian youths have the opportunity to go to university. We did not look at the North or South, but we ensured that all the states that did not have Federal universities got theirs. “That is our focus. I am not going to comment on development in Rivers State or any part of the state in this region. “What I will assure is that you should work for us; vote for me and Sambo and on February 28, vote for Wike and Ipalibo. Definitely we must leave indelible print in Rivers State. We have been challenged by Amaechi that we have done anything; we must do something.” Also yesterday, Jonathan urged the leaders of Ondo State Chapter of PDP to sheathe their swords and unite to make the party victorious in the general elections. The president, who spoke at his campaign rally in Akure, the state capital, said if the warring factions failed to resolve their differences, it might give opposition parties the upper hands in the polls.

HE Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi, has warned the corps members participating in the conduct of the February elections against misconduct. He spoke in Abuja during a parley with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by Prof. Attahiru Jega. Brig.-Gen. Olawunmi warned that any corps member, who is involved in electoral fraud should be prepared to face the consequence. He said: “I must emphasise here that although the arrangement this year is quite different from what has been happening in the past. “Corp members were asked to register online now. With that arrangement, one can technically say that the scheme might not be held responsible fully for whatever they do in terms of their conduct.” The essence of the warning, according to NYSC boss, was to remind the corps members that they were of age and so, the need to remind them that all of them are above 18 years of age” and hence old enough “to take responsibility for the consequences of any action they take during the election.” Olawumi, however, added: “But, we cannot close our eyes because they are working for INEC, as any misconduct will rub off on the scheme.” He noted that the scheme would not abandon the corps members while carrying out the national assignment, explaining that the scheme has worked out what it believed would assist them in carrying out the duties on hindered. Brig.-Gen. Olawumi announced that the scheme has set up Elections’ Security Committee to ensure smooth participation of the corps members in the conduct of the election. The committee with representatives from the army and other security agencies, he explained, had already reviewed the participation of the scheme in the previous elections and has come out with far-reaching recommendations which have been forwarded to INEC. He also appealed to the INEC Chairman to educate the commission’s official at the state and local government levels to extend the kind of good working relationship being enjoyed between the NYSC and INEC at the national level to the corps members being posted to the areas to enhance their assignments In his remark, the INEC Chairman assured that the commission would provide adequate security for the corps members to avoid the repeat of the 2011 ugly incidence when some corps members lost their lives during the post elections’ violence. Jega also noted that the commission would do its best to minimise the challenges being faced by the corps members, especially in the areas of welfare and security, during elections. He promised that the commission would look into the request of the NYSC on the smooth participation of the corps members in the elections, saying that their participation in the nation’s electoral processes since 2011 general elections had improved conducts and outcome of elections in the country.

Defection: Maku tackles Mark, PDP leaders From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

•Dr. Jonathan

Jonathan, who specifically referred to the friction between Governor Olusegun Mimiko and Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, said the party’s national leaders would ensure that before the polls, the two leaders harmonised and resolved the crisis. Before the PDP presidential candidate delivered his speech, there was a mild drama on the podium when the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu, was addressing the crowd. Some aggrieved state leaders of the party prevented Mua’zu from presenting the party flags to Mimiko’s candidates. Since the defection of Mimiko to PDP, the party had been battling with crises, leading to parallel primaries. Although, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had pasted the list of Mimiko’s candidates, while the other faction, mainly from old PDP, maintained that they were the authentic candidates since court had ruled in their favour. Therefore, candidates from the two factions came to the rally, waiting patiently to see which faction the national chairman would recognise.

ORMER Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, joined issues yesterday with the President of the Senate, Mr. David Mark, for condemning his defection from the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He asked Mark to explain why he remained mute over the defections in Benue State involving a former Minister of State for Trade and Investment Dr. Sam Ortom and a former PDP National Chairman Senator Barnabas Gemade.Maku said he left PDP because of lack of justice and unfair treatment. The former minister said he did not drop the name of President Goodluck Jonathan as the force behind his governorship aspiration, urging his supporters to ignore insinuations and threats against him by PDPMaku, who spoke in a statement through the Director of Publicity Maku Campaign Organisation, Zakari Edego, said he knew he would be blackmailed and maligned for daring the status quo. The statement said: “The attention of the Maku Campaign Organisation has been drawn to repeated accusations by some leaders of the PDP, who continuously portray the governorship candidate of APGA, Mr. Labaran Maku, as an ingrate for dumping the PDP to pursue his ambition in APGA. ”The accusations have amounted to blackmailing President Goodluck Jonathan of allegedly sponsoring Mr. Maku to contest the governorship of Nasarawa State on the platform of APGA. ”Last week, at the PDP rally in Keffi to flag-off the campaign of the highly unpopular Alhaji Yusuf Agabi, the Senate President, David Mark, accused Mr. Maku of being ungrateful because he left the PDP to emerge as the governorship candidate of APGA in Nasarawa State. ”On Tuesday, January 27, 2015, various speakers at the presidential campaign in Lafia repeated the same accusations.”While Mr. Maku has high respect for Senator Mark and Dr. Ahmadu Ali and wishes not to join issues with them, he finds it especially curious that Senator Mark has remained mute over the defection in his own native Benue State of a former Minister of State for Trade and Investment Dr. Sam Ortom and a former PDP National Chairman Senator Barnabas Gemade, who have gone all the way to the opposition APC to contest for the governorship and senatorial positions. ”Why has Senator Mark not condemned these defections from his native Benue State? Why the undue attention on Mr. Maku and Nasarawa State?” The ex-minister, who accused PDP of panicking, said he left the party because of injustice.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NEWS One ‘killed’ in Ekiti ATM robbery

HERE was panic in some parts of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday following an attack on a new generation bank by suspected robbers. One person was reportedly killed in the attack on the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of a branch of the bank. The hoodlums reportedly stormed the bank at 2am and vandalised the ATM before making away with an undisclosed amount of money. Commissioner of Police Taiwo Lakanu, however, denied that one person died in the incident. The police chief said a suspect was arrested and is assisting his interrogators

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

with information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the gang. Lakanu said the command was investigating the incident and hoped that the perpetrators would soon be apprehended. An eyewitness said he saw the body of the victim being conveyed to the mortuary at daybreak. But the eyewitness could not ascertain whether the victim was a worker at the bank or a customer. There were policemen within and outside the bank. Not less than 20 police vehicles were parked on both sides of the road.

Panel on Osun crisis inaugurated

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has set up a sixman commission of enquiry, headed by Justice Olajide Falola, to probe the communal clash between Ipetumodu and Ashipa communities in Ife North Local Government Area. Members of the panel are Adelowo Adewumi, Mufutau Oluwadare, Elijah Ojo, Charles Chioma (representing the police) and Taofeek Komolafe (secretary). The governor, in a speech, titled: “Never Again”, urged the panel to enquire into all the circumstances that caused the disturbance of public peace on January 13 and on subsequent days. “The commission of enquiry is expected to make appropriate recommendations and suggestions to the state government towards the prevention of future occurrence; “To recommend appropriate monetary sum as compensation for any damage or injuries that might have been suffered as a result of the communal clash or disturbance. “The commission shall have powers to take memoranda, papers and submissions from the public. It can also visit the scene and receive contributions, submissions or papers from traditional rulers and institutions in the area.”

APC condemns Ondo holiday

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State yesterday criticised the holiday declared by Governor Olusegun Mimiko for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign. In a statement by the Media Committee Secretary, Charles Titiloye, the party described the declaration of public holiday for PDP campaign as an abuse and misuse of public holiday for partisan politicking by the governor. It noted that public holidays are meant to mark events and festivities and not for parties

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

to hold their campaigns. The APC said: “Of what importance is the PDP presidential campaign to all citizens of Ondo State that a public holiday has to be declared considering the fact that politicians in the state are not up to 20 per cent of the state’s population. “Is the governor not aware that civil servants and public servants are forbidden by law from participating in open partisan politicking at the expense of their duty and service to the public?”

Health scheme for public schools

HE Oyo State government inaugurated yesterday a sensitisation programme as a prelude to a basic healthcare scheme in government schools. The health care scheme which is to take place in public primary and secondary schools is the first in the state. The scheme will include the creation of health care facilities, first -hand training for teachers on health, provision of first aid boxes and trained nurses. The inauguration was

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

performed at Ibarapa by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Alhaja Rasheedat Lawal. “The government of Governor Abiola Ajimobi is interested in health and education. He cares for pupils, teachers and parents. “The health system, which has died will be resuscitated, it will now not only be curative but also preventive. “The preventive aspect will add value to education,”ýshe said.

‘Don’t postpone elections’

WENTY one political parties in Ekiti State, under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), have rejected alleged moves to postpone next month’s elections. Rising from its meeting in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, IPAC said postponing the February elections at a period Nigerians were ready to exercise their power to choose their leaders could throw the polity into chaos and anarchy. In a communiqué at the end of the meeting signed by the chairmen of 21 political parties, IPAC warned that the nation’s democracy might be derailed if the election dates

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

were tampered with. It said: “We urge the political elites, stakeholders, traditional rulers and Nigerians to prevail on the Federal Government to find a solution to insecurity in Nigeria. There cannot be credible elections, if Nigerians are not secured. “We counsel Governor Ayo Fayose against making reckless statements which could ignite crisis in the country. “We advise the governor to concentrate on the various problems begging for his attention rather than dabbling into national politics.”

•Workers of the Federal Palace Hotel protesting the victimisation, casualisation and sacking of workers at the hotel premises on Victoria Island, Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO: BIODUN ADEYEWA

15,000 ballot boxes, 10,000 card readers ready in Lagos

HE Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos State, Akin Orebiyii, has said 15,000 ballot boxes, 10,000 smart card readers, generators and other election materials have been delivered to the state. Orebiyii, who spoke at a stakeholders meeting organised by the police, said the state was among those with low turnout in PVCs’ collection. The REC said of the four million PVCs available, only 2.3million have been collected. He said to make the collection process easier, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had extended distribution points to the 245 collation centres, an improvement to the 20 INEC local government offices that were usually used. Orebiyii urged politicians to ensure that their supporters come forward for the PVCs, noting that the commission has no plan to allow people vote with Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs). He said: “INEC is ready to conduct this election. We have made all necessary preparations and even provided for plan B. “Let me use this opportuni-

•Only 2.3 million PVCs collected , says INEC •Parties sign peace pact By Precious Igbonwelundu

ty to apologise to the people on the issue of the PVCs. “But here in Lagos, we have had four million PVCs of the total 5.9 million registered voters and only 2.3 million have been collected. “We have gotten 139 boxes of PVCs. People have not been coming to collect them. “Those who registered in 2011 and whose PVCs are ready for collection should go and collect them. “For those who registered in 2011, who saw their names on the displayed register at the polling units, their cards will be at the collection centres next week. “INEC has not disenfranchised anyone, group, political party or any part of the country. “We do not know what party they will vote for or where they will be on election days.” He added that the commission has made it impossible for any individual or group to influence the electoral pro-

cess through the introduction of the smart card readers. The REC said the card readers will be used to authenticate a PVC during accreditation and eradicate multiple voting. “Any plan to undermine the electoral process will not work because we have also made alternative plans to combat likely challenges. “Sensitive materials will be in serial numbers and colour coded. “They will be moved in advance. On February 11, the materials will be delivered to INEC by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). “The following day, they will leave the state office to INEC’s 20 local government offices and on February 13, the materials will be moved to the 245 registration area camps. “On election day, accreditation will start by 8am and close by 1pm. Voting will begin at 1:30pm, until the last accredited person has voted.” At the meeting were the

Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, Senators Oluremi Tinubu and Gbenga Ashafa, representatives of the Army, Navy, Airforce, DSS, Immigration and NDLEA; governorship candidates, including All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) Akinwunmi Ambode and People Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Jimi Agbaje. In his welcome address, Aderanti reminded participants that the choice to make or mar the elections rest with them. “This time call for statesmanship from the politicians who I must state should rise above sentiments of any leaning and properly educate your supporters to play by the rule and shun violence, thuggery and other nuisance that are beginning to rear their ugly head. “On our side, we are prepared and ready to play our part to the best of our ability. “Let me once again assure you all of our neutrality and non partisanship in this venture that I think is beyond just a general election but a critical test of our unity as a nation.” High point of the event was the signing of peace pact by the candidates and their parties.

PDP afraid of losing polls, says Oyo APC

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State explained yesterday why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was scheming for the postponement of next month’s election, saying it was afraid of the defeat that stared it in the face. It described the call for postponement as “a shameful ploy by the PDP to remain in power beyond May 29”. Ibadan, the state capital, is agog for the campaign of the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) today. The city, particularly Mapo Hall, where Buhari, his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and other party leaders will converge today to address supporters and admirers, is set and glowing. In a statement yesterday by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, APC said the coast was becoming clearer daily for its candidate, thereby instilling fear into the PDP. This imminent defeat, the party said, accounts for why

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

the PDP is exploring the option of poll shift. “The 2015 presidential election is a national project inspired by the collective urge to reclaim Nigeria from hawks and it has a divine backing. “Apart from a few who are obviously driven by undue sentiments, Nigerians are passionate about choosing a new president in Muhammadu Buhari .

“As the date of the presidential poll draws nearer, the coast is becoming clearer for the APC, hence the palpable fear in the camp of the PDP elements who are doing everything to stop the impending change after their fruitless 16-year stay in power. “But the Change is unstoppable notwithstanding the hypocrisy from President Jonathan, dirty politics from the PDP leadership and threat of violence from few benefi-

ciaries of a corrupt and clueless government. “As the Buhari/Osinbajo wind of change is blowing across the country, we urge Nigerians desirous of good governance and efficient management to avoid complacency. “We need to mobilise many people to vote for APC . We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide PVCs for the electorate.”

I’ll maintain peace, Ajimobi tells US envoy

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has pledged to maintain his peace stance before, during and after next month’s elections. He urged other governorship candidates to eschew violence. The governor spoke when the United States Consul-General, Jeffrey Hawkins, visited the Governor’s Office in Ibadan yesterday. Having succeeded in enthroning peace and security in the state in the last three and a half years, Ajimobi said he would spare no efforts to maintain the peace in the interest of the people and the development of the state. “We laboured hard to ensure the enthrone-

ment of the peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the state today. “Our administration has received a lot of commendations for this feat and we cannot afford to allow anybody to truncate the hard-earned peace and tranquility. “Let me also use this opportunity to make a passionate plea to my fellow contestants to go about their campaigns without violence. They should not unleash violence on the same people we are aspiring to govern, for whatever reason,’’ he said. Hawkins said he and his team were in the state to discuss issues relating to politics and governance, maintaining that this is a critical period in the history of Nigeria.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NEWS

Agbaje evaded tax for four years, says Fashola

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, who he said evaded tax for about four years. The governor spoke at a gathering of stakeholders across various sectors at the annual state taxation stakeholders’ conference in Ikeja. Fashola said Jaykay Pharmacy at 9, Randle Close, Apapa, which is owned by the PDP candidate, owed the state N1, 629, 064.62 as Land Use Charges for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. He said it only decided to pay for 2013 and 2014 because of Agbaje’s plan to contest the February 28 election. The governor described such act as irresponsible, stressing that for someone interested in seeking public office, Agabje should have known the implication of his

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

failure to comply with the state tax law. The governor said: “Let us do the mathematics to see how many facilities the funds would have provided in our hospitals and stationery in our schools. “This was the same person who was complaining that the government spent three per cent of its budget on education. The local government is responsible for the management of primary schools and yet he has withheld their taxes.” Fashola explained that payment of tax is a social contract between government and citizens, stressing that anyone who asked the people not to fulfill this obligation should not be entrusted with any leadership position. “Anyone who advocates the non-payment of taxes is as guilty as the tax evader itself.

•PDP candidate: attack personal It is prescribed by the 1999 Constitution in Section 24f. “And it states that it shall be the duty of every citizen to declare his income to the appropriate and lawful agency and pay it promptly. “All those who have paid their taxes have shown that they are lawful citizens. And anyone who has failed to pay is a bad citizen. “He is also a cheat; such person should not benefit from the commonwealth-the roads, hospitals and other facilities provided by funds generated from taxes paid by residents. Land use charge is ground rent and tenement rate; they are consolidated. “I know that you have to vote next month but look at that candidate well. And be careful of who to vote for. You will remember that in 2007, that Jimi Agbaje claimed that

he was in Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) and later crossed over to PDP. “This is the man who wants to be your next governor. And I will advise you that you avoid deception and tax evader.” Fashola said there was a reduction in the number of residents prosecuted for tax evasion, noting that residents now pay their taxes voluntarily. “It shows that the message and our prophecy seven years ago have come to fruition. When our opponent complained that the state government was imposing more taxes on the residents but they have forgotten that they enacted that law. “Where we were years ago is where the Federal Government chose to start. It showed that they will always be behind us.”

Agbaje said he was surprised at the "rather personal and unprovoked attack on his person" by the governor. The PDP candidate said he received a letter of commendation from the commissioner for Finance, praising him for his faithfulness in payment of taxes relating to his residence. In a statement yesterday, he said: "It is a curious contradiction that several days later, the governor himself would express sentiments clearly in contradiction to the spirit and letter of that voluntary and unsolicited commendation from the state. "Although he founded JayKay Pharmaceuticals, Agbaje left the directorship of the company in 2006, and this is on record with the state. He is no longer involved in the running of the company. And today, he is not even an executive director."

Mbu: obey the law or face my wrath By Precious Igbonwelundu

HE Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone Two, Mbu Joseph Mbu, yesterday warned officers and the public to desist from lawlessness or face the consequence. Mbu gave the warning at the “taking over” of the zone, comprising Lagos and Ogun states from AIG Umar Manko. According to the AIG, he is in Lagos to do “pure police job” and nothing more and advised residents to be orderly. Mbu said: “I have come to Lagos to do pure police job and nothing more than that but if people are saying that the fear of Mbu is the beginning of wisdom, I like that. That is why people should live an orderly life. “I want to let the two commissioners under my command do their jobs very well. “My men and officers should make sure that they are disciplined and must not be lawless. “We all must be organised. People must obey the laws. If as a civilian you don’t obey the laws, we will prosecute you, irrespective of your status. “But if you obey the laws, we will not have problems with you. If you want to misuse my policemen, I will say no. “If you are not entitled to the use of policemen and you have, I will withdraw them. If you insult my policeman, I will not take it and I will prosecute you. “The policemen on the streets represent us and they are the symbol of Nigeria. They represent me, the inspector general of police and the President. “People say I have come to act a script but if you have read Adventure City Poetry, you see that 10 blind men touched an elephant in different spots and they all had different descriptions of the elephant. “You have seen me today but don’t forget that it is the same Mbu who was the commissioner in Oyo.This same Mbu, the House of Assembly held a special session in his honour. Lagosians should watch and see.” In his handover remark, Manko urged the police officers in the zone as well as the residents to cooperate with Mbu.

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola addressing the youth during their solidarity visit to the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES Lagos...yesterday.

13 years after, eminent Nigerians eulogise Ige

MINENT Nigerians yesterday showered encomiums on the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, who was murdered 13 years ago at his Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, home. Many who attended the memorial lecture told the killers to prepare for judgment as they would soon be brought to justice. Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, a retired archbishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria, who chaired the occasion, urged the government to include in the constitution provision for private prosecutors and investigators. At the venue, Students’ Union Building (SUB) Events Centre, University of Ibadan, were students, family, politicians, academics, religious leaders and businessmen. They included Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by Dr Temitope Ilori, a renowned theatre artist and lecturer, Yemi Elebuibon and Prof Akinwumi Ishola, who directed a film entitled: Ofin-Ga, which was shown at the ceremony. Ilori is a former health commissioner in Osun State and the daughter of Chief Bisi Akande. At the two- day programme, which was organised by the Bola Ige Centre for Justice, were the two children of the deceased, Muyiwa and

•Call for private investigators, prosecutors From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Mrs. Funso Adegboola. The cleric decried the prevailing system in which the police serve as the investigator and the prosecutor. He blamed the government and the police for the poor handling of the trial of the murder suspects. His words: “We must have private investigators and prosecutors in the country. “Many have realised that the government is the police and the police is the government. “And it would be improper for the police to be left to handle the job of prosecution and investigation.” Muyiwa said the case was not yet over, adding that the culprits would be brought to justice. He said: “We are all wit-

nesses to what happened during the trial of the murder suspects. And what we are doing today is bringing the issue again to the front burner. “The dastardly act of December 23, 2001 took him away unfortunately. Till today, the culprits have not been brought to justice. “They are walking the streets now. We pray that the election will come up and we will have a good government that will take over and will begin to dust up the files that have been abandoned. “We must all be watchful and prayerful and then we must pray that justice must be done. The judgment of God is paramount and Ige’s legacy, Ige’s life will continue to haunt the killers and they will have no sleep. Ige lives on.” In his paper, Aregbesola lambasted the Peoples Demo-

cratic Party (PDP) for shielding and harbouring Ige’s killers. The governor said: “In the case of Chief Bola Ige, we had a trial that led to nowhere but which left us with many imponderables. “The first was the case of the principal accused person dancing on Bola Ige’s grave. “This individual was well reported to have assaulted Ige in Ile-Ife and boasted about it in a media interview with a taunt that even though the chief lost his cap in the assault, it would be his head next time. Few days later, Ige was killed. “Nevertheless, what was apparent then was the extreme reluctance to prosecute the case with vigour and the subsequent feeble effort that led to the case ending without justice being obtained for Ige.”

Police release detained NANS leaders

HE police in Ekiti State have released officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) arrested after the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally last Saturday in Ado-Ekiti. The student leaders were said to have been released on Tuesday on bail after spending three days in detention. The APC’s Youth Wing condemned the detention, which it said violated the students’ rights. The state APC Youth Leader, Femi

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

Ogundare, said the three-day detention was unjustified, inhuman and unacceptable. Ogundare said the students have constitutional rights of freedom of speech and association, which they exercised at the APC presidential campaign rally. Commissioner of Police Taiwo Lakanu confirmed their release on telephone. He disclosed that they were released on bail. The detained students are NANS Vice President (External Affairs) Tosin Ogunkuade; former Chairman, NANS Joint Campus Committee, Ekiti State, Oluwadamilare Bewaji and Idowu Odebunmi.

Support group for Ambode

LL Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Lagos State have floated a support group to ensure victory for the candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode. The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Support Group for Ambode 2015, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, said the group was put together to ensure that those who nursed an ambition contribute effectively to the party’s victory. Speaking on behalf of the aspirants, who are also trustees of the group, former Commissioner for Rural Development Dr. Tola Kasali said all aspirants are committed to the success of the party and will bring their experience and expertise to add value to the campaign. He said although aspirants had been wooing voters to support the party, the emergence of the group would ensure better co-ordination of the efforts and provide critical assistance needed by the party to defeat the opposition parties. Former Attorney - General and Commissioner for Justice Supo Sasore said the timely emergence of the group would help fill the gap and deliver victory. Announcing the decision of the group to create the tagline, Ambode- The Consolidator, for the campaign, Chairman of the Central Committee and former Minister of State for Defence, Demola Seriki, said the growing awareness of the challenge of delivering votes to the party compelled those who are passionate and committed to victory to call on the aspirants to lead the mission. Ambode, flanked by his running mate, Dr.Oluranti Adebule, thanked the group for the initiative. Other members of the Central Committee on the delegation include the Vice Chairman, Mr. Fola Tinubu and committee heads such as Chief Safari Adaranijo (Mobilisation), Dr. Kunle Wright (Finance), Dr. Solanke Labamba (Medical), Niyi Adelaja (Logistics) and Kehinde Bamigbetan (Media & Communications).

CAN meets with candidates

OVERNORSHIP candidates in Lagos State will on Monday meet with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and representatives of various denominations to enlighten the Christian community on their plans for the state. In a statement by CAN Secretary Elder Israel Akinadewo, the body said it was necessary for the church to meet with the candidates since CAN was at the vanguard of fighting for a Christian governor. The event which will hold at Hoares Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Sabo, Yaba, according to Akindadewo, is not a debate session but rather an interactive session whereby the aspirants will enlighten Lagosians on their plan for the state and how they want to go about such plans. “We want to a situation whereby we can hold them at their words. In the past we have not been involved in who rules us. But now we want a situation whereby we can pray for them as well as remind them of their promises to the people of Lagos. We cannot afford to fail now that many of the aspirants are Christians. Lagos must get better.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NEWS

‘Buhari`s certificate: PDP takes on INEC’

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address the issues surrounding the certificate of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, or face a vote of no-confidence from the party. Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, director, Directorate of Media and Publicity of the organisation, said this at a news briefing yesterday in Abuja. The briefing, he said, was to raise issues that played up on the certificate of Buhari, adding that Buhari had made a shocking and belated disclosure on January 27, that the INEC had his documents without being specific about the documents he was referring to.

This, he said, was yet another “squalid attempt to give Nigerians the impression that INEC has his certificate. “If this is true, it represents a somersault from his original position which was that INEC has his affidavit and it once again reveals Gen. Buhari for what he is. “With this latest antic, Gen. Buhari is obviously trying to smuggle a newly acquired certificate into INEC through the backdoor. “If this is true and if INEC allows such a thing to happen, it would put a serious question mark on its impartiality and credibility. “It would mean that it has collected his newly-acquired certificate, 40 days outside the stipulation of the law.’’ Fani-Kayode said that Gen. Buhari had also referred Nigerians to INEC’s Legal Ad-

viser on the issue, adding that the same legal adviser had earlier in response to numerous inquiries in December 2014, told the newsmen that INEC had published all that the presidential candidates submitted. He had said that in the case of Buhari, FORM CF001 (no certificate attached) and affidavit which was a court papers and not personal document was submitted. Fani-Kayode, therefore, wondered at what point the affidavit transmitted into additional documents or when additional documents were provided to INEC in line with the law. “The electoral body must come clean on this matter; otherwise we will be compelled to pass a no-confidence vote on it. “If INEC is complicit in the desperate and despicable at-

tempt to extricate Gen. Buhari, without compliance with the provisions of the law, from this lingering embarrassment, we will have no other choice than to harbour the suspicion and fear that the electoral body is already compromised and can lend itself to the ungodly agenda of truncating our victory when our candidate wins.’’ He, however, urged the election observers to keep watch of the unfolding events regarding Buhari’s qualification or otherwise, stressing that in other countries, it was about obeying the rule of law and not about protecting the political interest of an individual. This, he said, was especially so since a free, fair and credible election was not about the day of voting alone, but also the processes leading up to the elections.

Oyebode: Transformation Agenda has become ‘shameless’ By Kelechi Amakoh

A PROFESSOR of Law, University of Lagos, Akin Oyebode, has tagged the transformation agenda of Goodluck Jonathan as a “shameless shibboleth”. He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural lecture organised by Academics Stand Against Poverty at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos. Speaking on the theme: “Political Campaigns Funding and the Looming Tsunami of Poverty in Nigeria”, Oyebode noted that the Transformation Agenda has failed to translate into more abundant life for the citizens. “Nigeria’s disarticulate economy has only ensured that Nigerians remain in the quagmire of underdevelopment, abject poverty, crass ignorance, unbelievable squalor and endemic disease. “The mono-cultural economy now confronted by dwindling petroleum oil prices, a crippled capital market and devalued currency as well as skyrocketing foreign exchange rates mean that there can be no light at the end of the tunnel. “Indeed, things are most likely to get a lot worse before they can ever hope to get better,” he noted. The university don frowned at the recent fund-raising programme, which attracted billions of naira from donors. To him, poverty in the land contradicted the high spending in the on-going electioneering. ”In the face of grinding poverty and unspeakable beggarthy-neighbour-policies, the unconscionable and scandalous display of affluence by the highly-heeled at the fund-raising events in the recent past would have been laughable, if it was not so tragic,” Oyebode stated. He also attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its failure to ensure compliance with the limit of election expenses by contestants. In his welcome address, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahman Bello, called for the alignment of universities to meet tailored needs of the populace, even in the complexity of global poverty.

NAFDAC lab gets accreditation

•All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Anambra Central, Senator Chris Ngige, acknowledging cheers from PHOTO: OBI CLETUS his supporters at Nimo…yesterday.

‘Why we want Uba to go to Senate’

HE people of Anambra South Senatorial Zone have said they wanted Chief Chris Uba to represent them at the Senate because of his love for youths and the less privileged. They spoke yesterday with The Nation in Awka when the campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Uba hit Awka North and South Federal Constituency. Tim Egboka, who is vying for the Aguata Constituen-

•Campaign train hits Awka From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

cy 1 seat in the House of Assembly, said Uba was a source of hope for the less privileged. Uba’s name was published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following its supervision of the PDP primaries. The name of his elder brother, Senator Andy Uba, was missing.

In Awka South, the PDP Chairman, Ejike Oguuebego, presented the party’s flag to the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives, Chief Emmanuel Nweke. He also presented a flag to the Awka South 1 candidate, Kenneth Nwakeze. Senator Annie Okonkwo was given the party’s flag to contest the Anambra Central senatorial seat.

•Uba

Uba told the people to vote the candidates presented to them, for good representation.

Tarzoor identifies Gwer as agric, tourism hub

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Prince Terhemen Tarzoor, has identified Gwer East and Gwer West local government areas as the hub of agriculture, which he will promote, if he wins next month’s election. Also yesterday, his campaign received a major boost with the donation of a Grand Cherokee Jeep by a businessman, Selumun Samuel Mhii. Presenting the vehicle to the campaign organisation, Mhii explained that he decided to identify with Tarzoor because of his conviction that he promised hope for a greater Benue. In addition to the vehicle, meant to enhance the campaign

of the PDP candidate, Mhii said he was volunteering to offer himself to serve in any capacity that would add value to the campaign and ensure victory for Tarzoor Receiving the key to the vehicle, the Director-General of the Tarzoo/Ngbede Gubernatorial Campaign Organisation (TARN 2015), Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, praised Mhii, saying the vehicle would go a long way in easing the transportation and mobility problems of the campaign team. The donation of the jeep, came two days after a non governmental organisation with membership cutting across the different political parties in the country, G-24 Progressives, led by a former Vice-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University

(ABU), Zaria, Professor Daniel Saror, endorsed the PDP flagbearer. Addressing a huge crowd in Naka, the Gwer West LGA Headquarters, Tarzoor enjoined PDP supporters to shun his opponents empty promises bordering on possible job creation for the teaming number of unemployed youths. “The PDP is not a promise-making party but an actionable one, so if anybody comes to promise he would create 4,000 to 10,000 jobs, ask him how they intend to do that,” he said. Prince Tarzoor, who earlier began his speech in an emotion-laden submission, said the visit by his campaign train to Naka and Aliade, was a confirmation of struggles

and prayers of past Heroes of MINDA (Masev, Iharev and Nongov Development Association), notably the late Baba Kehem Gendega and Chie Pardopads Awunah that for a Brnue governor to emerge from the MINDA extraction in the fullness of time. Significantly, almost all the former gubernatorial aspirants from the zone who lost out to Prince Tarzoor, including Dr. Tivlumun Nyitse, Mr. Felix Atume, Professor David Kerr, Andrew Uwouku, Hon. Hinga Biem, Dr. Eugene Aleigba and Dr. Jamesw Mbachantim Manger and Deputy Governor Steven Lawani, attended the two rallies.

HE major laboratory of the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Yaba, Lagos, was yesterday accorded an international accreditation. The agency’s director general, Dr. Paul Orhii, was also presented with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) leadership award by the USP in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Presenting the award to the NAFDAC boss in Ikeja, Lagos, Dr. Patrick Lukula, vice president, Global Health Impact Programes, USP, said it was in recognition of his relentless efforts and needed leadership, which led to bringing Nigerian laboratories to international standards. He noted that the ISO accreditation is internationally recognised as a reliable indicator of technical competence and operation of a laboratory quality management system. The Vice President of Global Health Impact Programmes USP said it was a great achievement for Nigeria adding that “less than 10% of laboratories in the whole of Africa have reached international standards. “The accreditation will strengthen consumers confidence that results from the laboratory will be credible, defendable and can withstand international scrutiny,” he noted Hailing Nigerian pharmacists, he said they have demonstrated they could make quality products, “which is equal to the ones outside the country,” adding that “a secure supply chain in Nigeria means a secure supply chain in the whole of Africa. Dr. Orhii said the pursuit of the accreditation started in June 2013 with the assessment of the laboratory by the USP under a programme ‘promoting the Quality of medicines (PQM) sponsored by the USAID. “This continued with strengthening the laboratory capacity through continuous training, equipment donation, provision of technical and material support, equipment calibration as well as support for participation in proficiency testing which finally resulted in the accreditation after the assessment of the laboratory last month by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ACLASS),”he added.

Group seeks probe of 2012 flood funds From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

NON-governmental organisation (NGO), BudgIT, in collaboration with Open Society for West Africa (OSIWA), has called for the probe of the 2012 flood relief funds by the auditor general of the Federation. The Lead Partner, BudgIT, Olusegun Onigbinde, who spoke during a Flood Fund Impact Assessment and Emergency Fund Accountability discussion in Abuja, noted that most of the victims of the 2012 flood were yet to be rehabilitated. He called on those in charge of the funds to advocate for transparency and accountability in disaster fund management and disbursement. Onigbinde said: “It was clear from our engagement with affected communities and victims that funds raised from government sources and private sector were not properly disbursed. “There has been no attempt to audit that flood relief funds accounts as most victims - both in and out of camp - got nothing. “On January 22, 2015, we presented our report, a testimonial of victim experiences to the Office of the Auditor-General. A sum of N17.6 billion was disbursed to states and federal agencies and with evidence at the grassroots as shown in our report, relief fund given to citizens was grossly low.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

IMF urges Nigeria, others to cut fuel subsidies

FBN, group partner on N10b credit From Olugbenga Adanikin,

FRICAN nations should cut fuel subsi dies while oil exporters should curb spending as a slump in crude prices takes its toll on government revenue, International Monetary Fund (IMF’s) Managing Director Christine Lagarde has warned. An almost 60 per cent drop in oil prices since June has forced policy makers in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest crude producer, to devalue the currency, raise interest rates to a record and consider shaving the 2015 budget by eight percent. As President Goodluck Jonathan seeks re-election on Feb. 14, he has avoided further cutting fuel subsidies that cost as much as $7 billion a year, after an attempt to do so in 2012 sparked protests. Subsidising countries “should think about reducing and phasing out the oil subsidies, taking advantage of the oil price and using public finance more wisely than in undifferentiated energy subsidies,” Lagarde said in an interview on yesterday in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. “For the exporting countries that are clearly taking a hit on both accounts of reduced trade revenues and reduced public revenues, they have to be very cautious with public spending, and reduce what can be reduced and use whatever is left over as buffers,”she added. The IMF last week lowered its 2015 economic-growth outlook for sub-Saharan Africa to 4.9 per cent from a previous estimate of 5.8 per cent in October, citing “shocks” to oilproducing economies from falling prices. The growth forecast for Nigeria was lowered to 4.8 per cent from 7.3 per cent. Nigeria should re-examine its fiscal and monetary policies immediately after elections to see if further action is needed, after the government took steps to rein in spending and adjusted interest rates in November, said Lagarde.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb RATES Inflation -8.2% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $38.4b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

Abuja

• From left: Executive Vice President, Sales, CryptoVision, Marco Smeja; Chairman, Technical Board Committee, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Alhaji Mohammed Ukashatu; Director General / CEO, NIMC, Barr Chris Onyemenam; and CEO, Verve International, Charles Ifeditor, at the Second International Vendors’ Summit at NIMC’s Headquaters, Abuja.

Marketers to DPR: how do we recover losses to new price?

IL marketers in the country, acting under the aegis of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has asked the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) how it will recoup the losses its members incurred to the sudden reduction in the pump price of petrol. Its Vice President, Abubakar Maigandi yesterday urged the DPR to look into how his members would be refunded. Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Department, he lamented that the Federal Government never gave his members time to exhaust their stock at the old pump price of N97 per litre before it commenced the enforcement of the new N87 price. Maigandi also urged the DPR to commence a five-year

• PPRA: marketers engaged in panic buying, hoarding From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

tenor retail outlet license, noting that the current two year tenor is too short. But DPR Zonal Operation Comptroller, Mohammed Usman, said the fee for a two-year tenor license is N30,000, adding that the Department would have to hike the fee if it is going to enforce the five-year tenor license. He lamented that some of the marketers were yet to comply with the new pump price. According to him, 135 retail outlets licenses expired in Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja by 31st December, last year. He threatened to stop

marketers from lifting products from the depots if they fail to renew their licenses within two weeks. He pointed out that there are 589 licensed retail outlets in the FCT and Niger State, stressing that major marketers have 142 licensed retail outlets as independent marketers have 447 outlets. He said: “135 retail outlets licenses expired by 31st December, 2014. So marketers that have not renewed their licenses must process their renewal licenses immediately. We are giving a grace of two weeks. If you have not gone to process your licenses within these two weeks, you cannot lift any products from the depot. We are going to send the list for sanction.”

Usman said there were 67 illegal retail outlets in FCT and Niger as at December last year. He said: “10 illegal retail outlets have been regularised (nine in Niger and one in FCT) as at December, 2014. “The illegal outlets that have town planning authority approval should come forward for immediate regularisation. Demolition of all-non-regularised retail outlets shall commence soon.” Responding to the issue of the new pump price, the Petroleum Product Price Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) Chief Regulatory Officer, Michael Nwonu noted that some of the marketers refused to heed to the agency warning against panic buying. The marketers, he said, engaged in panic buying and hoarding of their stock in anticipation that the government would reverse its decision.

NERC licenses firm to construct 500Mw coal plant

PRIVATE firm, Trombay Power Gen eration Limited yesterday got a fresh license from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to build and operate a 500megawatts (Mw) coal power plant in Gombe State. The power plant to be sited in Wajari village Dandikowa in Yamaltu Local Government Area of the state, is to produce from the coal deposit belt of the state. NERC’s Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, in a statement said the application for license was thoroughly examined to ensure it met up with extant standards in terms of bankability and feasibility. Amadi commended the Group President of Trombay, Jitendes Kumar Sachdeva for withstanding the rigorous process that was required for

• Adjourns hearing on Lagos 1004 estate dispute From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

granting license for the coal power plant. He said NERC expects the promoters to follow through the construction timeline. The commission however did not state the construction timeline for the project in the press statement it issued. He said: “I commend your patience and perseverance to follow through your application. Coal power plant is becoming important in the effort to diversify our fuel source. I hope you will follow through your timelines in constructing your power plant with the same dedication you displayed in the course of this application.”

The Federal Government said the country has about 2.8billion untapped metric tonnes of coal deposit for power generation in 30 years. The government also stated that the use of these coal deposits, among other renewable energy sources, to generate electricity, could alleviate instances of vandalism of petroleum products pipelines which result to frequent cuts in gas supply to thermal power plants in the country. NERC’s Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Enforcement, Dr Steven Andzenge said: “This is a milestone in the sense that it is in line with NERC’s objective of diversifying our fuel

source.” Sachdeva who described the exercise as most welcoming, said: “I am glad to receive this license. The Commission is a truly transparent and smart regulatory agency. You people are very smart.” Meanwhile, a petition filed before NERC by Samuel Aremu accusing Samuel Ukpong, 1004 Estate Limited and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) of illegal trading in electricity was yesterday entertained by the commission but hearing was adjourned to February 10. Aremu had dragged Ukpong, 1004 Estate Limited and EKEDC as first, second and third respondents to NERC, challenging their illegal and unfair electricity trading in the estate.

HE FirstBank of Ni geria (FBN) has said it will support Agro-Allied Farmers Commodities Cooperative Entrepreneurship Multi-purpose Union to seek the release of a-N10 billion credit facility. The lender also agreed to help the union on their eligibility to access the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) loan packaged by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). FBN’s Business Manager, Ado Main Branch, Mr. Solomon Aremu who spoke during a meeting with the group yesterday in Abuja, said considering their existing relationship as banker to the cooperative, FBN was willing to partner with the group. Aremu said already, the FBN had a good relationship with the union. “By the time the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) review the request, the bank will now proceed with assurance from the Ministry,”Aremu said. Reacting to a request to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the cooperative union, he said: “As far as we are concerned, there is nothing bad with that.” He asked the Legal Adviser of the union to present necessary documents to the bank, “if further agreement is needed.” FBN’s Relationship Manager, Ado Main Branch, Osaze Uwaifo said the bank would support anyway it could.

Radisson Blu confirms renovation activities underway

NCHORAGE Leisures Limited, owners of the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, has confirmed that renovation activities at the hotel are about to commence. The management of the company also confirmed that its present focus is to ensure that the renovation activities are conducted on time and quality specifications so that the hotel could resume operations as soon as possible. In a press release, Anchorage Leisures Limited said all pre-renovation planning activities have been concluded successfully and implementation will commence immediately. “We have successfully relocated guests into alternative facilities and all entitlements have been paid to disengaged staff,” the statement added. Commenting on protests by some of its workers, the company noted those that protested must have misconstrued the intention of the management.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

Product rejection is a pain in the neck for manufacturers. Local products and services are denied access to international markets because they lack quality certification, which experts blame on inadequate accredited metrology and test laboratories. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA writes on how the establishment of more internationally accredited laboratories can spur industrialisation.

T’S a paradox. Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimated at $509.9 billion (about N80.3 trillion), has only 84 accredited laboratories to test locally manufactured products or services for international standards. South Africa with a GDP of $370.3 billion has 340 accredited labs. China the world’s second largest economy, boasts of 337, 033 labs, according to the ‘2013 International Standards Organisation (ISO) report on the distribution of management system certification’. The United States has 13,000 accredited labs. South Korea has over 7,000 labs. Germany, India, Brazil, Egypt have thousands of accredited laboratories each, while Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya and Algeria have hundreds of laboratories each. Other prosperous countries have vibrant, fully accredited and certified laboratories to give their locally manufactured products and services the required competitive edge in international trade. But this is not so in Nigeria where manufacturers, especially as those in the export business continue to agonise over recurring issues of product rejection due to lack of global quality certification caused by inadequate test and metrology labs. While certification from internationally accredited labs builds integrity in manufactured products by ensuring that they are tested just once and accepted sequentially anywhere in the world, metrology, which is the science of measurement, determines the right calibration, which is accepted all around the world. According to a Quality Management Practitioner and National President of Association of Systems Management Consultants, Mazi Colman Obasi, the need for a metrology lab cannot be over-emphasised. He said such a lab would obtain, conserve, develop, and disseminate the basic requirements and the highest level of calibration standards. Obasi told The Nation that it would also provide traceability to the national system and ensure that international technical guidelines are followed for the metrological performance and testing procedures of measuring instruments subject to legal controls. He added that from the point of view of manufacturers, it ensures that their products meet international specifications. He said once a functional metrological lab is established, it is easier for companies, research institutes, testing labs, and institutions of higher learning to interact and collaborate, and find more efficient production processes and new products for the markets. The quality of goods produced will also be more consistent with international standards, hence facilitating commercial transactions, he added. Although Nigeria, through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) recently recorded a feat when she got the approval of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) for her Food Laboratory, stakeholders consider it a drop in the ocean considering that the approval covered only Nigeria’s food export commodities, which can be tested at the SON’s laboratory in Lekki, Lagos. For instance, stakeholders in the minerals and mining sector whose activities also form part of the new strategic emphasis on growing the non-oil sector are agonising over the rejection of their mined products. They blamed poor quality control, poor regulations and the high rate of illegal/informal mining in the sector as reasons for the rejection of mined products in the international market.

•Dr. Aganga

•Odumodu

Wanted: Accredited labs for export products To them, the absence of internationally accredited test laboratories and metrology labs constitutes a major technical hurdle for their participation in international trade, so the establishment of more labs to cover the mining sector, for instance, is urgently required. Indeed, experts have identified the existence of few laboratories, which have been accredited in line with the requirements of ILAC as one of the major challenges to Nigeria’s quest to participate in international trade. For instance, the President, Champions of Development Nigeria (CDN), Mr. Jonas Yomi, in a recent statement, lamented the non-existence or insignificant number of accredited labs in Nigeria. He noted that accredited labs are the backbone of valid testing results without which products or services cannot be said to be certified or conforming to requirements. According to an expert, the benefits of having such internationally accredited labs are numerous and cannot be ignored if Nigeria must take its pride of place in the global market. For one, local products will be standardised and certified, thereby reducing substantially the preponderance of fake and substandard goods. Besides, access to certification will also drive down costs based on the fact that Nigerian officials will no longer need to travel abroad to get samples of products tested. The reduction in the cost and, indeed, the time taken for certification will be reflected in the economy through a reduction in the prices of goods and services. Cost of output will drastically reduce for the manufacturers through the SON’s intervention. That is not all. If Nigeria has her own accredited lab, it will save the nation from the situation whereby multiple testing of product samples are carried out in various countries where they are taken to for marketing and sales.

With her accredited lab, products from Nigeria will not be tested more than once, and this will be done here instead of at the convenience of other countries, when they choose to. More importantly, with local produce being tested locally and sent all over the world without any hindrance, exports will receive significant boost. This will, in turn, develop the nation’s agricultural sector, as Nigeria has comparative advantage in agricultural products. Estimates by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the U.S Department of Commerce show that standards and related conformity assessment (checking that products and services measure up to standards) have an impact on 80 per cent of the world’s trade in commodities.The World Trade Organisation (WTO) requires its members to use international standards of the type developed by ISO to avoid the technical barriers to trade owing to differing national or regional standards. What this implies is that the more accredited labs a nation acquires, the more products or services it is able to export with ISO’s authorisation. Indeed, various studies undertaken by development experts have proven that countries with higher number of accredited labs have higher economic performance and productivity than those with lower accredited laboratories. Because of inadequate accredited test labs and metrology labs in Nigeria, goods produced or originating from the country cannot gain acceptance in any country to which they are sent. The only condition for acceptance will be that such goods are subjected to further scrutiny, inspection and testing before being certified in the countries to which they are being exported to, strictly on the terms and conditions set by those countries.

According to an expert, the benefits of having ‘such internationally accredited labs are numerous and cannot be ignored if Nigeria must take its pride of place in the global market. For one, local products will be standardised and certified, thereby reducing substantially the preponderance of fake and substandard goods.

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At moment, Nigeria depends on American standard bodies to get international referencing for its own products, while samples of products to be tested in Nigeria are flown to other foreign countries, such as Ghana and South Africa for testing to occur. Expectedly, this has not gone down well with operators and stakeholders in the real sector, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). To them, the situation is responsible for why Nigeria remains uncompetitive in global trade, which is why they are calling for the adoption of an integrated quality management approach. Incidentally, such call is coming at a time the Federal Government is shifting focus to the non-oil sector in the hope of warding off the impending economic crisis arising from the continued plunge in oil prices.The Federal Government through the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, recently gave vent to its push for economic diversification when it listed 13 National Strategic Export Products (NSEP) to replace oil. The Minister, during an unscheduled inspection and a meeting he held with the Executive Director of Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, and members of the management team in Abuja, listed the 13 NSEP in three categories, including agroindustrial- palm oil, cocoa, cashew, sugar and rice); mining related- cement, iron ore/metals, auto parts/cars, aluminium and oil and gas industrial products - petroleum products, fertiliser/urea, petrochemical and methanol. Aganga noted that originally 12 products were identified, but that the number was increased because the Executive Director of NEPC made a strong case for the inclusion of cashew on the list. He, however, charged NEPC to deploy its capacity for kick-starting the diversification of the country’s economy in line with the government’s agenda. He said Nigeria could no longer continue to be an import-dependent country. According to him, the nation is, at moment, wasting its foreign reserves on imported products most of which can be produced locally. Awolowo agrees with him, noting that NEPC had long recognised the need to develop the non-oil export sub-sector and had in the process held strategic meetings with stakeholders for the development of ideas aimed at improving the foreign exchange earnings by Nigeria through different avenues. These, he said, include the development of a four-year Strategic Plan, One State One Product (OSOP), Nigerian Diaspora Export Programme (NDEX) and the development of new markets for new products. As highly commendable as moves by the Minister and the NEPC to diversify the economy by riding on the back of non-oil export is, the challenge again remains the insignificant number of accredited labs and metrology labs in Nigeria. While real sector operators, including the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alhaji Remi Bello, have thrown their weight behind the emphasis on non-oil economy, insisting that it is more inclusive, growth-oriented and characterised by high economic linkages and more sustainable, lack of internationally accredited labs to test and ascertain that locally manufactured export products meet international standards, might throw spanner in the works in nothing is done. SON is aware of this danger, which was why the agency inaugurated a committee to establish the National Accreditation Body in May 2013 to draw the roadmap for the nation’s accreditation and certification schemes. The agency also went a notch higher, inaugurating the National Quality Policy Committee on September 26, 2013. The inter-ministerial committee was given the mandate to streamline the regulatory frameworks, and to institute infrastructure development models and modalities for national total quality concept practices that will form the basis for standards in both the public and private sector. Although, two of SON’s food technology laboratories were accredited by AALA - ISO/ IEC 17025 for chemical and biological testing, while others are said to be at various stages of accreditation, the standard regulatory body is also encouraging private investors to set up laboratory facilities in the country.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

Subversion in state house •Governor Seriake Dickson undermines the constitution and corporate peace of the land by hosting militants who threatened war T was criminal enough for the militants to threaten fire and brimstone. But how deep is the treason when fire and brimstone against the state comes from the lips of yesterday’s outlaws now canonised as part of the ruling party’s high fliers and role models? How outrageous is it when the words are delivered under the roofs of a state house with the first citizen of that state, constitutionally called a governor, standing as host of the gathering from which those words of subversion emanated? Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State hosted a number of the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) top members who were also stakeholders in the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. Also in attendance was a special adviser to the president on Niger Delta Affairs, and Chairman of the Amnesty implementation Committee, Kingsley Kuku. These two senior political figures participated in the meeting on January 24 at the State House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. They declared that if President Jonathan did not win the presidential elections scheduled for February 14, they would plunge the country in war. This is a serious thing for a group of outlaws to make in a democracy. Neither the elite of the PDP nor the presidency has condemned their threats. But does it not mean that Governor Dickson and President Jonathan are in cahoots with subversion in Nigeria? The ex-militants at the meeting included Mujahid Asari Dokubo who is the leader of the •Jonathan Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force; Victor Ben Ebikabowei, a.k.a. Boyloaf and Government Ekpudomenowei, a.k.a. Tompolo. What these ex-militants saw as the intimidation of the president is the palpable unpopularity of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. “For every Goliath, God created a David. For every Pharaoh, there is a Moses. We are going to war. Everyone should go and fortify yourself,” threatened Asari Dokubo at the gathering, according to news reports. Boyloaf also added his incendiary rhetoric to the ominous evening. He said if the north won the election, they – the militants – would shut down the oil wells. “Keep grudges and sentiments apart, we are ready to match them bumper to bumper,” said Boyloaf. At the end, came official endorsement. Governor Dickson thanked the militants for their decisions to back the reelection of President Jonathan. This sort of rhetoric is not new in this country, and some of the militants have been whipping up raw and divisive sentiments in the past year. This has defied the calls for restraint. The calls have not yielded any sort of civility in speech and spirit from the ex-militants. We condemn these words without reservation. But for them to gather under the roofs of

an elected officer and for the officer to endorse by way of gratitude what the gathering decided is a clear example not only of treason but a predilection for subversion. Governor Dickson has fallen short of his responsibility to the state, and he has undermined the sanctity of the constitution. The first task of a government is peace and security. But Governor Dickson ran against the constitution by hosting a meeting that threatened the corporate peace and existence of the country he swore an oath to defend. Since the event was reported, the governor has not apologised, neither has he dissociated himself from the subversive rhetoric of his guests. Even if he did, he would have to explain in the context of

and death and a mania to undermine law and order. If the president saw what happened in Yenagoa in the State Hose of his home state and has not condemned them, it only means that the president did not see that paper as anything other than an impotent agreement and the whole ceremony that drew big wigs of international stature as a charade. The men were Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations. The PDP image makers have also charged that the Buhari side has not met its part of the bargain because of incidents of stoning in parts of the North against the campaign of President Jonathan. Clearly what happened to the Jonathan campaign was not acceptable. But only investigation can prove who encouraged it. Buhari has in his campaigns warned his followers against violence, and the incidents of missile-throwing came from unknown persons in crowds. It is possible they were inspired by fanatical impulses not encouraged by the higher notches of the Buhari campaign. We cannot say this of the incident that took place in Yenagoa. Those involved are personal aides and cronies of the president. They are recognisable persons not only to the public but participants in the Jonathan administration. So, it •Seriake Dickson is obvious the presithe law why he thanked and supported dent condones the inciting language for the contents of the subversive words of his silence. It amounts to subversive sithe ex-militants who visited him. lence, and therefore conspiracy. The statements reechoed what the PDP Governor Dickson also is not ungovernorship candidate for Lagos State, known, being the most recognisable perMr. Jimi Agbaje, said late last year when son of the state by law. What happened he spoke to party supporters in London. was crime in the State House in He had said, in the context of revving up Yenagoa, and the absence of official consupport for President Jonathan’s sequences only shows why impunity has reelection, that if Jonathan loses the become an integral part of the Jonathan upcoming polls, the militants have the ca- administration. This portends evil for the upcoming pacity to shut down the economy. What is painfully ironic is that the inci- polls. Those who have expressed dent took place barely two weeks after optimisim over the coming elections the president signed a peace pact with must feel chastened by the incidents. the presidential flag bearer of the All Those, on the other hand, who doubted Progressives’ Congress (APC), retired any peaceful election, only had their General Muhammadu Buhari. The pact fears deepened. The president must realise that his first had no legal power but it was signature of the desire of those behind the deal to job is to secure lives and preserve peace. bring a moral strength to a political at- If he fails in these and sacrifices harmosphere overridden by a sense of mony for election advantage, he fails savage intolerance, a fascination for blood woefully as the first citizen of the land.

‘Governor Dickson also is not unknown, being the most recognisable person of the state by law. What happened was crime in the State House in Yenagoa, and the absence of official consequences only shows why impunity has become an integral part of the Jonathan administration’

LETTER

Minister of Power, D.G NERC must hear this!

IR: I bought aprepaid meter no 04216337701 with account no 24/38/22/ 4958-01, in Ungwan-Romi, Makera Business Unit, Kaduna State. On October 28, 2014, the PHCN manager incharge of Ungwan-Romi, Kaduna, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis came to my house and removed the prepaid meter including a coil of my service wire. I was neither told of any offence committed nor given prior notice for the action. The meter, for which I paid N25,000 was carted away with 61.24 units unused. I reported the case to nearby police station and after investigation, the Romi PHCN manager confirmed that he removed it. He agreed to return it but to my astonishment, nothing has happened ever since despite several calls, verbal messages and promises. A letter was written to the managing director of the company in-charge of Kaduna Distribution Centre on December 4, 2014 to intimate him on the issue. This was followed with a reminder on January 5. Nothing has been heard from his office since. What baffles me is that the rules and regulations of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) under Connections and Disconnections procedures for electricity services, in section 2 subsections 2:1 (especially 2:1 appendix ix) clearly states that on no account should a prepaid or meter generally be removed without a letter of notice or without the consent of the customer. Imagine if it was a customer that was involved in any form of illegal connection; the officials will not waste time to slap a penalty of N50,000. Interestingly, the same law that punishes the customer also imposes penalty on the distribution company involved wrongfully disconnection. Now it is me a customer that is affected; does it mean the PHCN is above the law? If I, as a customer after waiting for them for over three months now decide to go and connect myself, what will they now say? After all, the Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Dr. Abba Ibrahim is on record to have told a consultative meeting of electricity consumers, stakeholders and the NERC in Ilorin, Kwara state on Thursday May 17, 2012 that consumers “cannot be disconnected without being served notice because distribution companies are service providers”. I call on the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo and Director General, NERC Dr. Sam Amadi and other concerned authorities to look into the issues raised in this petition. • Ojodomo Onoja, Kaduna.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: In about a few weeks’ time, the general election will commence. As a citizen, I wish to put forward some issues that should serve as a guide as we all go out to elect our leaders at various levels. The country, in the past few years have gone through harrowing experiences under the present administration and we now have an opportunity of putting a halt to it by the power of our Permanent Voters Cards (PVC). On April 15, 2014, over 200 girls were kidnapped in a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State. As I write this report, neither the president nor his deputy has paid a visit to the community, and up till today, the girls have not been rescued. To further worsen the acts of the government, a full scale clampdown was made on a group who independently protested and campaigned for the release of the girls. The president even went ahead to engage a public relations firm, Levick for $1.2m to improve the public presentation of his handling of the crisis. A lot of scam pervades the corridors of power at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, where millions of dollars of crude oil wealth are being mismanaged by a few “smart” enough to rush to court to obtain orders against in-

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Before we cast that ballot vestigation. Rather than reduce, the activities of the dreaded sect, Boko Haram, have been on the increase. Between 2009 and 2014, the dreaded group has been responsible for over 2000 deaths with violence, killings and kidnapping. Not too long ago, millions of our

youths were made to part with N1,000 each as application fee to get a job in the Nigeria Immigration Service and in the process, over 19 young, men and women were killed and thousands injured across 37 centres nationwide. Up till date, nothing has happened to the minister in charge of this dastardly act

IR: Few days after my article of December 28, 2014 titled “2015: Nigerians need peace”, was published in The Nation, I received the news that President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Gen. Mohammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have signed a peace accord ahead of the February elections. Many of us that saw those pictures of the gentlemen hugging each other and smiling at the venue of the peace deal welcomed the development because it

symbolized peace, understanding, tolerance and hope. I really felt we were making progress towards a relatively peaceful election until my escalated hope was put on a very serious doubt just few days later. It all started with a sitting governor putting up an advertorial in the front pages of supposedly highly respected Nigerian dailies wishing the candidate of the opposition party dead. While the nation was yet to fully recover from this shock, she received another blow in faraway Katsina - a state branded as

nor has he refunded the money paid by each applicant. In the comity of oil producing states, our fuel pump price is the highest. Even when the price of crude oil crashed at the world market, our leader did not allow us to enjoy same. We were not surprised when, on a Sunday evening, the

No to threats of violence

home of hospitality. This time it was the convoy of the President that was stoned by miscreants during a campaign rally. As expected, both parties dissociated themselves, then went ahead to condemn the act. It is important to note that even though the state is the home state of the leading opposition candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the paradox is that, the state is governed and controlled by PDP. Many of us cannot forget how the governor of the same state was recently caught in a video inciting his supporters

Fayemi versus Soludo

IR: I read Dr Kayode Fayemi’s rejoinder to Dr Charles Soludo`s observation with relief. As a long standing admirer, his thoughtful piece was only to be expected. It has subsequently been widely acclaimed. What is however disconcerting is why the APC is not fighting the elections on the basis of - ` Its the economy stupid!`. This to state the obvious is the tried and tested route to defeat an incumbent government in office. You only have to look at what has happened in Greece this week. Other historical examples can be cited. Lula da Silva won at the third attempt in Brazil by offering a convincing alternative economic platform to a sceptical electorate. Going further back, recall the totally unexpected landslide victory of the

Labour Party in the United Kingdom in 1945. Faced with running against a war hero in Sir Winston Churchill,`the greatest English man of all times`, if you take the propaganda seriously ( I don't ), the Labour Party fought on a hard economic position `Yes, Churchill won the war. We are going to win the peace.` As the seminal analysis `The road to 1945` pointed out, by focusing on the widening of access to education, health and social services, the Labour Party completely out foxed the war hero in what is still regarded as one of the greatest electoral shifts in history. As Dr Soludo pointed out in 1979, Chief Obafemi Awolowo admirably offered a well thought, meticulously costed and convincing alternative economic platform.

This is why it is pertinent to ask: What on earth is going on?. This issue is taxing the emotions of anxious PVC holders across the country. The Jonathan administration has the most deplorable economic record in living memory. Plunging living standards have been reinforced by mind blowing corruption and the recent devaluation of the naira. Frankly, its key operators ought to face an economic war crimes tribunal. By not focusing on the economy, we are about to squander an historic opportunity. For example the consequences of the depreciation of the currency must be spelt out in clear terms. This is unpardonable. The Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci famously observed that the rules of engagement in politics requires shifting the territory of

debate in favour of one`s own project . Why on earth is this not being done? By not doing so, the odious, not fit for purpose Femi Fani-Kayode and the disgusting Ayo Fayose and their clearly insane fellow travellers have been allowed to step into the void. They must not pass. Henceforth, Fayemi’s response to Soludo must be the focus of the APC campaign, advertising and agitprop. This will stop` certificate`, religion and ethnicity dead in its track. The issue to para-phrase Bill Clinton is` Are you better off now than you where four years ago?`. Its time to change tack in order to chase the `crazy bald heads out of the yard` to quote Bob Marley. • Kanmi Ademiluyi, Lagos

Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, announced a N10 reduction in the prices of petrol. Nigerians received the news with mixed feeling – Why now? What a Greek gift! These and many more reasons like devaluation of the naira, oil theft, poor power supply, non-functional refineries, subsidy scandal, are why I advise Nigerians to stand boldly for change even in the face of undemocratic dramas and socioeconomic instability. Civility and patriotism is when we use our voting rights to effect the much-needed change. • Olawale B. Ibitoye Esq. Ibadan.

against the opposition. As if we have not seen the end of it, another attack was unleashed on the campaign train of the President again but this time around in Bauchi State – another state governed and controlled by the PDP. The governor Isa Yuguda would exonerate the opposition from blame putting the blame on disgruntled elements from within his party. Nigeria is like a very old water tank; just when you try to fix water leakage from one position another position just bursts. In faraway Bayelsa State, a group of ex-militants are now trying to disturb the peace of the nation. The warlords threatened that in the event that President Goodluck Jonathan loses the election in February, there will be war! In a sane nation, these nuisances should by now be cooling off in a prison for treasonable felony. I call on all Nigerians not to be intimidated by this empty threat or any similar one that may come in the future. No one should be cowed into voting against his or her wish. The future of our country lies in our votes. We finally have another opportunity to make it right as a nation. While I continue to call on all of us to avoid any act of violence, I shall also continue to call on all of us to vote wisely because our vote is our right. • Shafi’i Hamidu, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

COMMENTS

Medical education and frustrated young graduates

OME years ago during the Obasanjo administration, he was told that there were no positions in hospitals particularly teaching hospitals for medical graduates to do the compulsory one year requirement as house men without which their training will not be complete. If their training is not complete, they will not be able to practice medicine and they will not be able to serve in the NYSC. The president gave an executive order expanding the training positions in teaching hospitals. Around this time also a delegation of The Historical Society of Nigeria intimated the president that History had been muscled out of primary and secondary schools curricula and that no country can develop without a point of reference in the past. Furthermore it was pointed out to him that some of the anti-social behaviour noticeable in our youth and adults is a manifestation of the disconnect between the leadership and the follower-ship and between the present and the past. He was told that without solid grounding and connection with the past the present will be disjointed and the future will be uncertain. The president was persuaded and he issued an executive order restoring the teaching of history to the appropriate levels in the educational ladder. Unfortunately the presidential executive order was obeyed in the breach! The ministry of education simply put one huddle or the other in its way of implementation. The issue that is very critical right now is that of young people completing five or six-year medical programme in a university and having no where to finish their edu-

‘The same insensitivity led to young people stampeding after paying N1,000 to a private company recruiting immigration officers. Some died in the process including pregnant women. The illegality of the whole thing became clear when the Controller-General of Immigration Department said he knew nothing about the so-called recruitment’

N Nigeria, people like to cause confusion where there is none. They get a kick from turning things upside down just to destabilise the polity. Their joy is in heating up the whole place so that they can benefit from the ensuing crisis. These people abound in every segment of society. Their policy is if we cannot have it no other person should. But they are found mostly in political circles. There are many spoilers in our political firmament. These are political jobbers who ingratiate themselves with those in power for their own selfish end. They do not have our leaders’ interest at heart, but they create the impression that they do. A wise leader will not touch them with a 10-foot pole, but since wisdom is far from many of our leaders, they get easily carried away by such people’s antics and end up in the hall of infamy. Remember June 12, John Atkins, Arthur Nzeribe, Abimbola Davies, the late Justice Bassey Ikpeme and the Association of Better Nigeria (ABN)? In 1993, the faceless Atkins, Nzeribe, now in his wintry years, Davies, who sprang up from nowhere then, and ABN, among others, did all they could to stop the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The late Justice Ikpeme even

290 DAYS AFTER

WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

cation as house officers. I would never have known about the existence of this problem but for the fact that my colleagues have children graduating and frantically searching for non-existent places in hospitals. I have had to join friends in this frantic search sometimes successfully but failing abjectly some other times. When my daughter finished her medical programme abroad, she did not have her dad around to run around looking for friendly CMDs. This is a problem that needed not to have arisen in the first place if we plan seriously in this country. The Nigerian Medical and Dental Council must share in the blame. Whenever it gave approval for establishment of medical schools, it ought to impose quotas on each approved medical school. All medical schools ab initio should be required to indicate where graduates would spend the stipulated one year of housemanship after graduating. The hospitals need not all be teaching hospitals. All specialist hospitals and some good private and general hospitals should be encouraged and funded to take in house officers. There may be need for caution in all and sundry starting medical schools. If we are not careful mushrooming private universities may catch the virus of starting medical schools for profit. Now that we know we have this problem the president of our country should issue an executive order immediately and not tomorrow asking the various hospitals afore mentioned to get cracking and solve the problem. Definitely there will be need for special appropriation to be made through the National Assembly and Senate. This problem must be permanently rested and terminated. As a professor who knows the challenges facing young people, I cannot fold my hands simply because it is not really my problem. It is everybody’s problem. There will come a time in this country when old people like me will be challenged by young people for messing up the country if we can not plan well for the future. As leaders, we have become very insensitive to problems of the youth. There seems to be a total disconnect between the people and the leadership. The same disconnect manifests in the way we run the NYSC. Suddenly young people are being fleeced by asking them to pay N5,000 to access the NYSC website to register or get their states of posting ! Yet these young people are giving free service for their country. The same insensitivity led to young people stampeding after paying N1,000 to a private company recruit-

ing immigration officers. Some died in the process including pregnant women. The illegality of the whole thing became clear when the Controller- General of Immigration Department said he knew nothing about the soJide called recruitment. Osuntokun A job for the public service commission was firmed out to a powerfully connected company leading to the death of young Nigerians. Up till today no one was held accountable and punished. Young people are posted and put in harms way in states where it is generally known there is no security. A few years ago, parents were called to receive the corpses of their children brutally murdered in Plateau and Bauchi states during break-down of law and order. One of the governors of the states had the temerity to say the murder of youth corps members was an act of God. Lord have mercy! If God were man, He would have struck down this erring governor with thunder! James Baldwin wrote a book in the 1960s entitled the FIRE NEXT TIME to demonstrate pent-up anger among the youth particularly the black youth if their problems were not addressed. His prophesy came true when young Blacks during the Lyndon Baines Johnson’s presidency started rioting and burning down American cities. Johnson responded by passing a comprehensive Civil Rights Act and embarked on building what he called the Great Society. To his eternal glory, he laid the foundation of what has now been described as an American Century. We should not wait until we have the equivalent of an Arab Spring or a revolt by our youth before embarking on youth-friendly policies at all levels of governments in Nigeria. If we do not do something positive to help the young people of Nigeria, we may all be swept off in the violence and blind fury that are bound to accompany youth frustration, disenchantment, discouragement and disappointment with the status quo.

Not the way to go granted a late night injunction barely 48 hours to the election, stopping the National Electoral Commission (NEC) from going ahead with the exercise. Of course, the late judge and her order were ignored. In a series of adverts, Atkins argued strongly for the postponement of the election. The Prof Humphrey Nwosu-led NEC, he claimed, was illprepared for the poll. Nzeribe argued along the same line, making it look as if he was the faceless Atkins behind those adverts. Till today, many are not convinced that it was not Nzeribe in Atkins’ skin. What they were doing was against the electoral law, but the security agencies kept quiet. They allowed Nzeribe, Davies and ABN to be because they knew that these people and ABN cannot be dancing without their drummer being at hand. The drummer was the government of the day, which from the look of things was not ready to go after trying several gimmicks in the past to truncate the transition programme. It banned and unbanned candidates, shifted the hand over date severally before it ran into a cul-de-sac in 1993. June 12 was the proverbial bone that got stuck in their throats they could neither cough it out nor swallow it. Despite their scheming, the election held and the rest, as they say, is history. But some people have not learnt from that. Today, some people want to take us down that road again. They are demanding postponement of next month’s elections to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) complete the distribution of the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). The PVC is a must have for eligible voters; without it they cannot vote. Of the 68.8 million registered voters, about 42.7million have received their cards, according to INEC, which spoke on the highly sensitive issue on Tuesday night. The

argument of poll postponement proponents is that millions of people will be disenfranchised if the election is allowed to hold as scheduled . Their argument holds no water as INEC has assured all that it can complete the distribution of the remaining 26.1 million cards between now and February 8. ‘’And if push comes to shove, we will distribute the cards till February 13, which is the eve of the presidential election’’, said INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega, last week. The truth is that those calling for poll postponement are being used by some forces to do so. Some are doing it for money; others are doing it on the prompting of the government, which believes that if such people add their voice to it, it would give the clamour some sort of relevance. That is where they miss the point. Nigerians are anxious, very anxious, for the elections to hold because they are tired of the present administration. If many have their way, they would prefer that the elections hold today. Nothing will make these people happy than to see the Jonathan administration go. The past six years have been hell on earth for many Nigerians despite the government’s claim of having touched their lives. In what way has the government touched people’s lives? Is it through its fiscal policies under which the naira keeps depreciating against the dollar? Is it through the provision of critical infrastructure? Is it through stable power supply? Is it through the creation of jobs? We can go on and on. There is nothing to write home about this administration and this is why discerning Nigerians are anxious for the elections to come so that they can with their own hands determine their fate. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has seen the handwriting on the wall; this is why it is tacitly back-

ing those calling for postponement of the elections, citing many eligible voters’ inability to collect their PVCs for such indefensible demand. With what the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sabo Dasuki, said at Chatham House in London last week, it is clear that the PDP-led government, nay the Presidency, is not averse to a poll shift. But will INEC dance to their tune? This is where the problem lies. Those seeking postponement do not know how to sell the idea to INEC, which is determined to get the elections done with as scheduled. So far, INEC has maintained its stand that the elections must hold next month come rain, come shine. But you can trust our people to go to any length to get what they want. On Tuesday, they took the fight, so to say, to INEC Headquarter in Abuja even when the issue of poll shift was not on the agenda of their meeting. All the parties except the All Progressives Congress (APC) and United Progressives Party (UPP) insisted on postponement of the poll. Their reason again was the distribution of PVCs to eligible voters before February 14. This is not an issue over which we should break bones. It is a matter that can be resolved without some people hiding under it to cause mischief. o doubt, INEC is facing challenges in distributing PVCs to all eligible voters. But should this be enough reason to ask for poll shift? The answer is no. What those in power should do is to come to INEC’s aid in getting these cards distributed speedily instead of using delay in their distribution as

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

a ploy for poll shift. Even if the elections are shifted for 90 days as Dasuki suggested in London, what is the guarantee that all eligible voters will collect their PVCs before the rescheduled poll? There is no need to shift the poll because those determined to vote will do all they can to get their PVCs as long as INEC makes good its promise to get them ready before February 8. Those calling for poll postponement are not reckoning with the resolve of Nigerians to get all-this essential card come what may as long as they are made available for collection. As I write this, I have yet to collect my PVC, but I am determined to get it whenever it is made available between now and February 8, even if I need to sleep at my polling unit or ward to pick it up. It is a sacrifice one must make in order to exercise one’s franchise in next month’s elections. And I know that many Nigerians are ready to make that sacrifice. So, no to poll shift.

‘INEC’s challenge with distributing PVCs is not enough reason for poll shift. Nigerians are ready for the elections even if they will hold today’

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

COMMENTS

OR 16 years, PDP, a congregation of men and women with little faith in our nation has raped and ravaged the land with impunity. For six years, President Jonathan has assaulted our sensibilities by celebrating and decorating some of those responsible for our tragedy. Unfortunately for the president, many of his critics now openly talk of “show me your friend, I will tell you who you are” without necessarily trying to be spiteful. After all, except President Jonathan who remains unconvinced, many concerned Nigerians and friends of Nigeria have identified corruption as the bane of our society. The immediate past president of Nigerian Bar Association, Okey Wali not too long ago announced to the hearing of the president that “corruption is the number one problem of the country, whether by embezzlement of public funds, appointments in public and private sector or by selective justice”. Sanusi Lamido, the former CBN governor in a BBC programme long before he was finally sacked over his allegation of missing $20 billion from the NNPC account, had accused the government of President Jonathan of lacking the political will to fight corruption claiming that “of the 164 fraud cases arising from his own war against banking sector frauds, only one was successfully prosecuted”. Walter Carrington, the American former ambassador to Nigeria also recently reminded us that “corruption is the most terrible monster that confronts Nigeria, and that “virtually all the problems associated with governance would be removed if we can summon the courage to tackle corruption and banish it from our activities.” The current mindless stealing and sharing of our national patrimony started at the onset of the Fourth Republic. Cash-strapped PDP elected politicians who publicly admitted selling personal properties to fight the 1999 election and their fronts created artificial scarcity in the supply chain of fuel. This led to long queues at filling stations. The new Obasanjo administration responded by awarding contracts for the refurbishments of our four refineries to PDP members as against those who built the refineries. The PDP beneficiaries bungled the exercise after collecting payments. Obasanjo, a captive of those who had sponsored his election could not sanction those involved in the rip-off. He then went on set up the Petroleum Products Pricing Committee (PPPRA) with a mandate to “liberalise the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, privatise the refineries, deregulate and liberalise the imports of petroleum products and, generally, make the products available at reasonable prices”. The Bill for the establishment

ELECOMMUNICATIONS has become the chief enabler of any economy. It is a sector that does not only directly contribute to the economy but it impacts other sectors, providing for them the conveyor belt to take businesses from small scale enterprises to mega-corporations. This is why the advanced nations and strongly emerging economies of Asia have taken the matter of telecoms very seriously. Whether it is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States or the Office of Communications (OfCom) of the UK, governments from across the globe have always insisted on the observance of best practices from their respective telecom regulators. In Nigeria, the statutory telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has borne the burden of midwifing the nation’s telecom sector, right from the days of the military when the commission was created by the Ibrahim Babangida regime via Decree 75 of 1992. But the commission never really flourished until the advent of democracy. Specifically, its impact

‘Since the rollout of GSM services in 2001, issues such as quality of service and cost of service have dogged every discourse. Juwah never shied away from them. Step by step, without grinding the businesses of investors, he has rallied the operators to invest more as a way of ramping up the technical integrity of their networks. Even much so, Juwah was not oppressive of the telecom consumer’

How PDP ruined Nigeria of PPPRA was debated and signed into law without delay because PDP members had vested interest. As against making our refineries work, PPPRA became fixated with importation of refined petroleum products. In place of existing NNPC storage facilities, PPPRA opted for the use of storage facilities of members of Depot Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA). With the coming of President Jonathan who does not believe stealing is corruption, it was done with impunity. With Ahmadu Alli, former PDP chairman as PPPRA chairman and Diezani Alison-Madueke as minister for petroleum, a reckless decision to increase the number of approved importers from about a dozen to over 128 as a form of party patronage was taken. A subsequent House probe of the fuel subsidy regime revealed a theft of about N1.7 trillion. The probe also led to the pruning down of the number of fuel importers from unwieldy 128 in 2011, to 39 in 2012 and reduction from 60.25 million litres which PPPRA fraudulently claimed Nigerians consumed daily in 2011 to 39.66million litres in 2012. Some of those indicted by the probe are not only walking around freely, they move around with police escorts while others openly mobilize for the president’s re-election. No less scandalous was PDP’s handling of the power sector. The Obasanjo administration inherited about 2800MW in 1999. By 2002, Olusegun Agagu the then minister for power claimed the government had achieved a peak of 4200MW. The projection as at the time Obasanjo left in 2007 was 20,000MW by 2015. Again cash-strapped PDP men after the 2007 election frustrated the Obasanjo scheme. It was not until two years later, following the sharing of the N5.2 billion rural electrification contract by leading members of the Lower House that Jonathan was able to return to the derailed

Obasanjo’s plan. To date close to $50 billion has been sunk into the power sector. But last week, Chinedu Nebo, the minister for power who had back in 2013 lamented that “the situation where only 25 percent of Nigerians have access to electricity is a nightmare caused by human beings used by evil forces”, disclosed during a Channels Television programme that with the completion of Mambila and Zungeru projects and the employment of over 1000 engineers, the sector hit 4500MW in December 2014 which unfortunately could not be sustained because of what he attributed to gas line attack. Rice importation has been another source of drain on our foreign reserve by PDP. With the emergence of PDP government in 1999, government officials fronting for politicians in collusion with foreign importers turned Nigeria to world biggest importer of rice spending according to the minister of agriculture, “N1billion naira a day or N366 billion a year”. The President assured Nigerians his transformation agenda would put an end to rice importation by 2015. During the recent AgriFest 2015 Celebration of Nigeria Agriculture held at Eagles Square Abuja, he sold to Nigerians his minister of agriculture’s propaganda when he said “High quality Nigerian rice is now competing favourably with imported rice in the markets. I eat Nigerian rice and I can tell you, it is better than imported rice”. The truth is that like the cassava bread, the president and his men are probably the only people who have access to the Nigerian rice. A government that talks of self-sufficiency in 2015 also approved waivers to favoured importers like Dangote, Vaswani, Stallion, some churches as well as some churches and hotels. Dikko Abdulahi, Comptroller General of Customs claimed that in the first eight months of 2013, of the N603 billion lost to waivers, rice ac-

counted for N105 billion. PDP has failed the nation. PPPRA, with staff strength of 249, and an unwieldy 22-man strong board, earning scandalously whopping salaries and allowances of N57.9 billion per annum cannot manage our refineries. It cannot import fuel. It cannot manage storage facilities. We remain the only OPEC member that imports fuel for domestic consumption. After 16 years of PDP, we depend on rice from India and Thailand to feed ourselves. On the inherited national patrimony such as properties in highbrow areas of Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Port Harcourt and Abuja which belong to our children, PDP and the government it runs in their wisdom decided to share them among themselves in the name of monetization. How can a transient government monetize what does not belong to it? Besides the baleful legacies of those who say they are not fighting corruption because they don’t want to do what Buhari did 31 years ago as a head of a military junta, or men without character haranguing him over his secondary school certificate or wishing him dead before winning the election, they are haunted by their past . Whereas Buhari as an effective 20 months leader of our nation insisted Nigeria will not eat grain until they produced their own grains and in one year, our problem became how to store our locally produced grains. We did not spend billions paying crooks in the name of phantom subsidy; we sold refined petroleum from our refineries and earned foreign exchange. Our exchange rate was about N1 to $2.

My PVC battle So far, I have spent three days for the elusive PVC. From my LG headquarters which is some journey from my house, I was directed back to a school near the University of Lagos estate. INEC workers had closed by the time I got there. I took my position early on the queue the following morning. When it was my turn, I was directed back to where I registered four years ago for the code number of the registration centre. I drove back to the open field and discovered there were no INEC signs or directives. I went to my estate chairman who provided the code since we registered and voted in the same place in 2011. Relieved, I went to join the queue. Again when it was my turn, the young lady showed me my name and picture on the EVR form but announced my PVC was one of those yet to be brought back from Abuja. She gave me a week. I reported dutifully there Tuesday. We wrote our names. I was number 182. As I took my leave at 10 ‘O’clock to send this piece to my editor, there was no sign of any INEC official. Prof Attahiru Jega recently spoke only of outstanding PVC for newly registered voters; he should please take note of the plight of old voters.

Juwah as model public servant By Toye Olanrewaju began to be felt among the people in 2001 when the first set of Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications operators rolled out services. It marked a defining moment in the sector that has since 1886 when the first cable communication was established with England from the colony of Lagos. Before the GSM operators rolled out service in 2001, aggregate telephone throughput in Nigeria had hovered between 400,000 and 500,000 lines made up largely of analogue lines. The state-run telco, NITEL, was a monumental failure, made inept by public sector lethargy. Attempt to integrate the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) genre of telephony was at the very best, fitful. Investment in the sector barely grossed over $50 million. New jobs were not created because growth and profitability were stunted. Government interference in the running of the sector did not help matters, either. And so, a sector that was supposed to enable other sectors attain efficiency and profitability was itself needing help. Today, however, the Nigeria telecom narrative has changed. The regulator, NCC, has proved beyond doubt that privatisation and deregulation are the best therapies for ailing public corporations and sectors once held bound by government inertia. Two iconic characters, both of them engineers, stand out in this journey from telecom backwaters to a nirvana where Nigeria is mentioned and qualified with beautiful superlatives in the global telecom canvas. Whereas Ernest Ndukwe (he succeeded the late Emmanuel Nnama) started what is commonly called the ‘telecom revolution’, his successor, Dr. Eugene Juwah, has not only sustained the revolution, he has indeed upped the ante, growing the telephone throughput from 88 million lines upon his assumption of office in July 2010 to over 130 million lines.

Under Juwah, Nigeria’s profile in the global telecom arena has shot up to the acclamation of both the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the telecom arm of the United Nations. It is little surprise that he was honoured recently as The Sun newspaper Public Servant of the Year 2014. Juwah, the man commonly referred to as Nigeria’s Broadband Evangelist, was at his engineering and administrative best last year. It was the year that investments in the Nigeria telecoms sector grossed over a hefty $32 billion, it was the year that aggregate telephone lines in Nigeria crossed a record 130 million lines (in fact total subscriber base was at a time 132,186,840 lines) in a country of about 170 million people, thus pushing tele-density to as high as 94.84 percent. In 2014, total number of internet subscribers for GSM mobile galloped to over 70 million. But beyond numbers and statistics, 2014 marked the highest elevation of Nigeria telecom in the global circuit as Juwah was appointed the Chairman of the Council and Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) during the CTO Annual Council Meeting held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Besides, it was the year the commission mopped multiple awards to justify its rating as Africa’s model telecom regulator. It was therefore most fitting that Juwah was honoured for his outstanding performance at the NCC and much more for his stellar achievements last year. Juwah’s success at NCC has stood Nigeria out at the ITU community. Nigerians who travel the world would easily recall the harrowing experiences they go through at most airports on account of the country’s poor reputation. Those who attend international seminars and conferences need not be reminded of how the global audience had sneered and snig-

gered at the mention of Nigeria at such meets. But not so with telecom! Juwah and his troop at NCC have given Nigeria a sweetly flavoured name among global investors and telecom techies including regulators from across the globe. Year after year, telecom regulators from other nations jet into Nigeria to understudy the NCC with the singular intent of deploying the Nigerian telecom regulatory template to foster regulatory excellence within their respective jurisdictions. Since the rollout of GSM services in 2001, issues such as quality of service and cost of service have dogged every discourse. Juwah never shied away from them. Step by step, without grinding the businesses of investors, he has rallied the operators to invest more as a way of ramping up the technical integrity of their networks. Even much so, Juwah was not oppressive of the telecom consumer. He has consistently advocated regulation with a human face. The review of interconnect rate, slashing of the cost of short message service (SMS) among others were carefully thought through interventions meant to help the consumer while also ensuring that the operators stay in business. At a time many thought that the nation’s telecom sector has hit saturation point in voice telephony, Juwah brought a fresh breath to the menu. The intensity of his Broadband evangelism has not only created more jobs in the sector, it has also positively impacted other sectors and by extension the larger economy. The Nigerian public sector would need to copy from the leadership book of Juwah so that the revolution that has galvanised telecom in Nigeria would be replicated in other areas of the national socioeconomic ecosystem. Meantime, let’s toast to Nigeria’s Public Servant of the Year 2014, the Delta-born Eugene Juwah. • Olanrewaju, an ICT consultant, writes from Lagos.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

COMMENTS

ANY Nigerian politicians these days are talking and planning, not elections, but violence. Some are threatening war by their own particular nationalities against all other nationalities of Nigeria. Some are issuing threats of religious wars, though in veiled phrases. Altogether, it seems as if, come mid-February, the real event in Nigeria is not going to be elections but horrific conflicts and pogroms. As the rest of the world absorbs these fearsome vibrations from Nigeria, worldwide apprehension about Nigeria has risen to fever pitch. What one would describe as the peak came early this week when the American Secretary of State, John Kerry, hurried to Nigeria to appeal to Nigerian rulers and leaders to stop planning for violence and start planning for free, fair and peaceful elections. If the government of America feels compelled to take that kind of action, then the situation must be a lot worse than most of us, ordinary Nigerians, know. It is therefore critically important for us all to warn our politicians. Tempers are such in Nigeria these days that if violence starts as is being threatened and planned, it is very likely to develop to extents beyond the wildest imaginations of any Nigerian and any Nigerian political leader. In country after country in Black Africa, political violence usually starts small, but by igniting pent-up angers, fears and hostilities, it then sets up horrendous conflagrations that seem to go on forever – often consuming and destroying lives and properties indiscriminately. Nigeria is more combustible today than most Nigerian politicians seem to know or care to know. They are wrong in thinking that another Nigerian civil war will proceed and end neatly, or be spatially limited, like our first civil war. It will help if our politicians watch videos on the civil wars that have wracked the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) off and on since 1960. The political storm started as a small incident a few days after the celebration of independence. Then it rolled forward and ballooned out until it engulfed most of the country, led to the assassination of its first Prime Minister, generated a viciously corrupt military dictatorship, and then concatenated in an even larger second civil war. This second war became so massive that it involved all the countries of Central Africa and became known as “Africa’s World War”. An estimated 5.4 million people have

T is good to appraise the state of peace in Oyo State, as opposed to what it was before now. The world knows that the state was a bedlam before Governor Abiola Ajimobi took over the reins of office on May 29, 2011. Violence of the most horrendous form was in place. The violence that the state witnessed under Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala was worse than that of Hiroshima and Nagazaki. The typecast of the state was that of a state of filth and brigandage. True to his promise, the governor hit the ground running by proscribing the reactionary NURTW on June 6, 2011 as an aftermath of the violence that erupted at Iwo Road the previous day in which 20 people died. The governor did not allow any of the factions to operate until the national leadership of the union undertook to whip the warlords into line. To further instill sanity in the system, the governor inaugurated a joint security patrol squad on December 9, 2011, codenamed Operation Burst; whose personnel were deployed to the six geo-political zones of the state. Buoyed by the donation of three Armoured Personnel Carriers, 117 operational vehicles and seven power bikes by the state government, the alignment of forces

‘Like Fayose did pre-election in Ekiti State, the contenders for Agodi Government House who were principals of the violence, have literally been campaigning that they are now ‘born again’. The tenuousness of such promise can be seen in the state of things in Ekiti now when Fayose beguiled the people to vote for him’

Let’s stop talking and planning violence died in this war – the largest human casualties of any one war since the Second World War of 1939-45. Today, in spite of United Nations and African Union peace-keeping efforts, rebel forces are still alive in parts of this country. I have academic colleagues who saw some parts of the Rwanda genocide of 1994. As they tell it, there was not much of a sign of impending trouble in the days before. But once the mass killings started, it was as if everybody had long been preparing to kill their neighbours. Within days, virtually everybody in sight was a machete-wielding desperado and killer. A journalist on the spot reported, “There are no devils left in hell; all of them are on duty in Rwanda”. Within 90 days, over 750,000 people had been killed, and over two million had been forced to flee from their homes. Virtually every country of Black Africa is prone to these political wild fires. Last week, I told the story of the mass killings now in progress among the 40 different nationalities of South Sudan where, in only two years of independence, between 50,000 and 100,000 people have been slaughtered. Somalia slowly slid into confusion in 1991, and it continues to live in that disorder till today. A few days ago, the United Nations and the African Union agreed to increase the number of international peace-keeping forces in Somalia. The political hurricane goes on and on all over Black Africa, generating horrific destruction, loss of lives, and blood-curdling human deprivation and suffering. The truth behind these patterns of madness is that our Black African countries are very fragile. The disorientation started when our various peoples were forced into countries that were not their own choosing; and it has become very profound in our time. Our peoples feel trapped and deprived, and are therefore often on edge. Little conflicts have a tendency to blow up into mammoth disasters. Therefore, it is a serious crime to start violence in any of our countries – because it is impossible to tell how far and wide it will go.

As I have said in various ways in this column, the disorientation of our many peoples in Nigeria has been compounded by the folly of concentrating power and resource-control in the so-called “federal government”. We have called into being a demon that we can never, on our own, peacefully send away. No Nigerian who enters into the limitless powers of the presidency and the limitless ocean of money under the president’s control can ever choose to do the right thing and return Nigeria to a sane federation. The disorientation, sense of loss, anger, bitterness and mutual animosity among our various peoples have risen very high and are escalating fearfully at this point. It is therefore a very wrong time for our politicians to play with any idea of conflict. Whatever else they may choose to do with our country, our political leaders must seriously commit themselves to the avoidance of violent conflicts. The candidates in the coming presidential election have agreed to conduct their election campaigns, and run the election itself, in peace, and to prevail on their supporters and activists to do the same. We do not see the effects of that agreement in the conduct of the campaigns yet. Threats of violence are still being hurled from virtually all sides, and politically motivated conflicts are still being reported in various places. The informed world still continues to worry. Governments and international agencies are considering how to help Nigeria to prevent violent conflicts generated by election. But whatever help the international community may offer, it is we Nigerians that must bear the ultimate responsibility for the destiny of Nigeria. In the context of our senseless accumulation of power and resource-control into the federal centre, we have evolved a political culture that conceives of elections as do-or-die wars. If we really intend to sort out the future of this country in a peaceful manner, we must get rid of this essentially criminal approach to elections.

Oyo: Between peace and violence By Ayodele Inakoju restored peace and security in the state. To further boost the morale of the police, the governor refurbished grounded police patrol vans. The governor also established the Oyo State Security Trust Fund to engender public-private partnership on security in the state. The concomitant effect of the governor’s efforts became manifest when more than eight industrial giants were attracted to the state. In a bid to further attract local and foreign investors, including in the agriculture sector, the government granted concession of between 70 and 90 per cent on land acquisition. Also, the government granted a substantial tax holiday for up to seven years to eligible industries. It is gratifying to know that industries such as Shoprite, Agric Tech, Oriental Foods, Joy Foods, Rahvet International Limited, Sajrom Farm Limited, Palm Royale Farm, Fedkot Nigeria Limited, HaulTrac Nigeria Limited, UPDC, HPC Architecture and Engineering Limited and Kamal Milk have berthed in Ibadan following the congenial environment. None of these giant companies could have come to the state when Ladoja and Akala’s governments, renowned for unbridled violence, were in place. The bespatterd body of a renowned anvil of past governments and their faithful, Eleweomo, whose gory imagery reminds one of allegation of former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin’s complicity is enough for any sane person never to wish for a return to those gory old days. According to Ajimobi, the reversal of the old order of violence had generated close to one million direct and indirect employments for citizens of the state. In a similar vein, the National Bureau of Statistics put the capital inflow into the state at approximately $3.49 million in its third quarter report for 2014.

This signaled an increase of 697 per cent when compared with the $500,000 recorded between the first and second quarter of the year. That only four murder cases were recorded in 2014 as listed in the State Police Command Crime Rates Statistics for the year pales into insignificance when compared with the 121 cases before 2011. Oyo State was also said to have recorded only four armed robbery incidents in the whole of 2014, with none affecting the banks. The only attempt to rob a new generation bank in Bodija was repelled by men of Operation Burst. Three kidnap cases were recorded as against 45 before 2011. The statistics also indicated that no single case of murder, arson or grievous harm and wounding was reported at any police formation in 2014. In acknowledgment of Governor Ajimobi’s peace-building efforts, the governor bagged an award as the Best Governor on Conflict Resolution in Nigeria from the Security Watch Africa, on October 19, 2012 in Ghana. It is equally not by happenstance that the British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Carter, recognized that “Ibadan is rapidly developing. It is very pleasant for me to be in the city that is fast looking into the future.” He was reported to have made the comment during a visit to Governor Ajimobi, as reported in the October 10, 2013 edition of The Nation newspaper. During the parley, the governor was quoted to have told his guest that the New York Times listed Oyo State as one of the preferred destinations for investors in Africa due to the ‘peaceful environment, availability of infrastructure and landmass.’ Also in the June 19, 2013 edition of The Nation newspaper, one of the widows of the deceased enfant terrible, Bose Adedibu, a staunch PDP member said, “In all honesty, without being biased Governor Ajimobi is doing well. There is peace and security now

Gbogun gboro For our 2007 elections, many countries and international agencies sent pre-election observers, and then sent countless observer teams at election time. Yet, we made that election one of the most criminally rigged elections in our history. I fear that we are going to do exactly like that with our February election – and that if we do, we will almost certainly have the violent conflicts that the world fears. And judging from the moods of these times, I fear that the violence of 2015 may be our final folly together. Those thinking of rigging elections, and those thinking of responding with violence – both are, in the atmosphere of today, planning to ride on a tiger’s back, and they are taking the risk of ending up in the tiger’s belly.

‘I fear that the violence of 2015 may be our final folly together. Those thinking of rigging elections, and those thinking of responding with violence – both are, in the atmosphere of today, planning to ride on a tiger’s back, and they are taking the risk of ending up in the tiger’s belly’ compared with the violence and thuggery that used to be perpetrated by street urchins. I remember vividly that at that time, the people of Oyo State lived in perpetual fear of insecurity. But now, everywhere is peaceful and people are going about their businesses without fear of molestation.” However, security agents should be commended for curtailing the crisis in the Born Foto and Popoyemoja areas of Ibadan in November/December 2014, which was instigated by street urchins to truncate the pervading peace in Oyo State. For us in the state, the story of our horrendous past in the hands of past governments of the state is not a fluke, even though it reads like one from Hammer House of Horror. It was a period of our lives that we will not pray to relive. If Nigeria were a country where statistics were held seriously, by now, we would have been overwhelmed by the number of deaths recorded between the two regimes. Hundreds of families who lost their breadwinners in the fracas or the hundred others who were felled by stray bullets are living testimonies of the reign of terror of the past. Like Fayose Ayodele did pre-election in Ekiti State, the contenders for Agodi Government House who were principals of the violence, have literally been campaigning that they are now ‘born again’. The tenuousness of such promise can be seen in the state of things in Ekiti now when Fayose beguiled the people to vote for him. As the February 28, governorship election beckons, the choice before the electorate is between the peace and industrial development associated with the Ajimobi’s government and the violence and brigandage that reigned supreme when two of his two major contenders ruled the state as governors. Like in the holy writ, the people of Oyo State would on February 28, , choose whom they shall vote for: the spirit of dove or Belzeebub and his violence. • Inakoju teaches in a secondary school in Ibadan.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

When two elephants fight... The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, has been shut over workers’ and students’ unrest. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports on the impasse and the students’ plea for the school’s reopening.

•The workers protesting.

HE New Year began on a troublesome note at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. Last January 5 protest by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and NonAcademic Staff Union (NASU) followed by that of students last Tuesday led to its indefinite closure. While the workers want the Rector, Dr Taiwo Akande, removed for alleged highhandedness and misappropriation, among others, the students are more interested in returning to school. The polytechnic, established in 1982, used to be one of the most peaceful in the country. But the story is changing. In the past two years, it has been battling an unstable academic calendar caused by industrial disputes. The nationwide strikes by the ASUP, SSANIP and NASU between April 2013 and July 2014 kept the students at home for about 11 months. The ASUP strike was to protest the non-implementation of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Scale (CONTISS) 15 migration

• The students last Tuesday.

for workers in the lower cadre and its arrears from 2009; discrimination against polytechnic graduates; nonrelease of the White Paper on the Visitations to Federal Polytechnics; and calls for the establishment of a National Polytechnics Commission (NPC) to regulate polytechnics.

It started in April 2013 and was suspended on July 17, following the Senate Committee on Education’s intervention . The strike resumed on October 4, 2013 and was suspended last July, following Education Minister Ibrahim Shekarau’s, promise to address the union’s de-

INSIDE

‘Govt can fix education with the right people’

‘Kogi loses N30m to fake teachers monthly’ -Page 28

THE Kogi State government says its verification exercises has uncovered a scam by fake teachers that is costing the state N30 million monthly. -Page 39

mands. After losing a session to the national strike, the students looked forward to a stable academic calendar but their hopes were dashed when the union’s local chapter began fresh agitation for the implementation of the CONTISS 15 on

CAMPUS LIFE Security men avert religious crisis at UNICAL -Page 29

January 5. CONTISS 15, however, seems a smokescreen for the strike. During the January 5 protest, the unionists called for the rector's removal for alleged misappropriation autocratic •Continued on page 26

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

EDUCATION

When two elephants fight... •Continued from page 25 tendencies, favouritism and nepotism. They vowed not to return to work until the government clears the rector of the allegations. They also complained of "illegal pension deductions from contract staff benefits in flagrant disregard of the polytechnic's financial regulations". Last Monday, the unions met again and resolved to continue the strike. This triggered last Tuesday’s students’ protest, which led to the school’s closure. In an interview with The Nation, ASUP Chairman, Tunji Owoeye defended the workers' decision. He called on Mallam Shekarau to order Dr Akande to step asidepending her investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC). He said the rector should be sacked for alleged "non-implementation of CONTISS 15 as directed by the government, non-remittance of staff contributions to cooperative societies, deduction of pension from contract and casual workers, nonrefund of pension deduction, highhandedness in policy implementation, award of contracts without following due process and overemployment. "As we speak now, CONTISS 15 is operational in all the polytechnics in this country, except Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti. She cajoled us in October, 2013, promising to start when the finances improve, only to turn around and told us there was no such plan for us". He also complained that those newly-employed are pitched against older workers. Owoeye said: "The entire polytechnic community is tired of her administration and her leadership style. Several times she has tried to polarise institution and de-unionise us using the different devices including divide and rule and tribal sentiments. "Most recent is the use of new workers against the old which accounted for why she over-bloated the system with frivolous employments." NASU Chairman, Adekunle Adeniyi accused the rector of placing workers of the same cadre on different grade levels based on fra-

HE founder and General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, has advised the students of Rivers State Polytechnic (RIVPOLY) to initiate positive ideas that would make them different from others in the society. Pastor Kumuyi gave this advice in Bori, the capital of Ogoni land in Rivers State, when he visited the institution to address the students who have just resumed after unrest led to the school's closure for months. He said for them to be successful in life they must find time to make passionate decisions and initiate ideas that will change their life for good instead of copying others. The man of God who was in the area to participate in his church's one-week programme tagged "Glorious Day of Divine Visitation" said his visit to the campus and Ogoni will change the community for good. He said that one of the challenges affecting students is their inability to forget their past or family background and think of the power of Jesus Christ to make things possible for them. Quoting the story of Jabez in 1 Chronicles Chapter 4 of the bible, clergy man said until students realise that they are not where they

ternity with her, alleging that this is causing acrimony among workers. He said: "We want the Federal Government to set up panel to investigate the activities of the current management. Pending that time, we appeal to the Minister of Education to suspend Dr Akande to prevent the investigations from being impeded." But the rector’s backers are denying the allegations. A new worker (who does not wish to be named) refuted the claims that the rector supervised indiscriminate employment. She said: "The labour unions are wrong in accusing the rector of overstaffing the polytechnic workforce. The recruitment exercise and the eventual employment of new staff underwent due process. "There were vacancies in various units and departments and these vacancies must be filled. The positions were advertised, candidates applied and they were subjected to various tests, examinations and assessments before they were eventually employed. "What offence did the rector commit by filling the vacancies in line with the regulations? They should look for other excuses in their bid to ensure the removal of the innocent woman". Refuting the allegations, Mrs Akande advised the workers to wait for the outcome of the EFCC and ICPC investigations. Speaking through the Deputy Registrar (Information and Protocol), Ade Adeyemi-Adejolu, the rector, said her administration has been transparent in all its financial dealings. She accused the workers of pursuing parochial and selfish agenda and not following due process before going on strike. Dr Akande urged them to embrace dialogue. On Monday, she issued a state-

The labour unions are wrong in accusing the rector of overstaffing the polytechnic workforce. The recruitment exercise and the eventual employment of new staff underwent due process •Dr Akande

ment that she would no longer comment on the crisis. The statement signed by Adeyemi-Adejolu, reads: "I am to notify you of a directive from above asking all parties on the current industrial impasse in the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti to refrain from press chat or responding to press enquiries for the time being. "Consequently, the Rector, Dr. Taiwo Akande, has asked me to plead with you that she would not be responding to requests for press interview on the issues of the current trade dispute in the institution until it is finally resolved. Thank you for your understanding and considerations.” With the two 'elephants' fighting, the students are the 'grass' suffering. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is backing the rector. It accused the institution’s Students Union leadership of doing little to address students' interest. NANS called on the unions to call of the strike in the interest of students who spent greater part of last year at home because of a national strike. NANS Vice President in the Southwest Sunday Ashefon played a role in last week's students protest mobilising them to resist the workers’ continued strike.

In a statement by NANS Ekiti Axis Coordinator Adetunji Bankole, the association urged the striking workers to return to work. "We have spoken to students' leaders of some polytechnics and have realised that no polytechnic in Nigeria is still paying CONTISS 15; then why should the striking workers waste students' time and resources? Why can't they face the Federal Government and stop tarnishing the image of the Rector", he said. NANS Vice chairman in Ekiti State, Oluwapelumi Ogunmekun lamented that strikes had disrupted academic activities in the polytechnic in the last one year. He accused the management and union of playing games with the destiny. He accused the Student Union leaders of the compromise hence NANS’ involvement in the "fight on behalf of the students". But, the SUG president, Oladapo Ajibola, denied the allegation saying he said he was also part of the protest to ensure the crisis resolution. He explained that the students had been on campus since January 4 doing nothing. The union, he said, would have another meeting with the management to find a way out of the crisis. But for most of the students,

‘It appears the management and the unions are not concerned about our future. Last year's strike cost many of us the opportunity of being mobilised for the Youth Service. In this New Year, we don't know what it holds for us with this latest industrial action. Even if other unions are on strike, we thought that ASUP would be considerate and suspend its strike for academic work to continue’

whether CONTISS 15 is implemented or the rector goes or not do not matter as long as school resumes. This was clear in the placards they bore during the protest. Some of them read: "Mama Rector, Trade Unions, Help Our Future"; "We Want To Graduate"; "ASUP and Management, don't Destroy our Future"; "Our Mates in other Institutions have Graduated, Please we want to Graduate." A student, who simply, gave her name as Ope, urged the Rector to do everything to resolve her differences with the unions to enable them return to class. She said: "We are tired of this crisis, can you imagine that we have some HND students that have spent almost seven years in this polytechnic when they are not medical students? We were at home for greater part of last year because of the nationwide strike embarked upon by all unions agitating for better working conditions. But we students are the ones bearing the brunt. You journalists please help us appeal to them, the rector, the management and the unions must sit down and talk so that we can continue with our studies." Another student, Femi Owoeye, said the students are paying dearly for the strike. "It appears the management and the unions are not concerned about our future. Last year's strike cost many of us the opportunity of being mobilised for the Youth Service. In this New Year, we don't know what it holds for us with this latest industrial action. Even if other unions are on strike, we thought that ASUP would be considerate and suspend its strike for academic work to continue. "But its resolve to continue with the strike has put our future in jeopardy. I am calling on the Federal Government to set up a panel to investigate this crisis if they cannot resolve it internally among themselves. We don't want to spend extra year on the campus, this is one crisis too many," he said. Deputy Rector (Academics) Afolabi Bamidele explained that the management is working hard to resolve the crisis . The management, he said, met with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) officials in Abuja in a bid to resolve the crisis, arguing that the students had to leave the school for all issues to be resolved. Dr. Akande assumed office in December 2009. She was reappointed for a second term of four years in December 2013.

Kumuyi counsels RIVPOLY students From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

ought to be, change will not take place in their lives. He said: "We will live to remember what I told you today. My prayer for you is not the kind of prayer you are used to; it is not the kind of prayer we read from a book. It is from the heart because God has singled you out to become something in future. That is why you are privileged to have me here. "Jabez said no to his name which means sorrowful, of course everything about him was sorrowful but he overcame it. I pray for you that God Almighty will single you out. Stop following others, initiate your own idea, be the master planner. There is something about you that can put you on the map. "Your success is in your hand as students, in life you must look around and say I am not going to remain like this. It doesn't matter where you are today, there is a brighter future ahead, it is just to make up your mind for personal decision because God has all we need and He has been thinking about us."

Responding, the Rector of RIVPOLY, Sir, Obianko NwoluElechi, thanked Pastor Kumuyi for making time out of his tight schedule to visit the campus. He de-

scribed his visit as a blessing to the polytechnic community "The entire campus is electrified with your presence especially visiting at the time we are trying to heal

some wound, a few months ago we had some crushes with the anger of the students. So your visit is timely and we believe that is it a blessing to us."

•National Diploma and Higher National Diploma students of the Lagos State Polytechnic swearing the matriculation oath.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

EDUCATION ICAN woos 500 pupils

I wish my mother was alive, says debate winner

FTER her school, CMS Girls Senior Grammar School, Bariga, was announced the winner of the Lagos State Schools Debate for Season Six, Adetutu Adesuyi, the chief speaker, smiled sheepishly as she joined others to celebrate her feat. On the contrary, her supporting speaker, Marvelous Seidu, grinned from ear-to-ear. Yes, Adetutu smiled, but beneath that smile was a sad face that looked round the over 5, 000 capacity hall of Blue Roof, LTV, Agidingbi the venue of the event as if expecting someone. The smart 15-year old later told this reporter that she wished her mother, who died six years ago, was there to hug her like parents of other contestants who showered their wards with kisses. Though her father showered her with kisses, Adetutu still wished her mother was there. She wore a sad face when The Nation asked about her late mother and how she coped living with her grandmother after her dad re-married. Adetutu who wants to be a chartered accountant said: "I felt really bad when I lost my mum nine years ago. I wish she was around because she is responsible for my being in school. She was there for me when I started kindergarten until I got to primary school. Although she is not educated, she made sure I never lacked in education when she was alive." She thanked her grandmother for her support during the competition. "Whenever I tell her there is something we want to do in school, she allows me and participate and prays for me because she believes in me," she said. Adetutu who spoke against the topic: 'Legislating in Nigeria should be part-time in all tiers of government', scored 71.3 per cent and went away with N500, 000 to be shared by her school, supporting speaker and herself. She said legislative work should not be part-time is because legislating can make or mar the country. "Making it part-time means no dedication on the part of the legislators as they will be pre-occupied to do their main job or practice their

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

• Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye (middle) flanked by the winners, Adetutu (left) and Marvelous (right) and their parents. By Medinat Kanabe

main profession and this can promote personal interest above national interest. "According to Section 4, 5, and 6 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria there are three arms of government which are the Legislature, Judiciary and Executive. The legislature is saddled the with the responsibility of making the law while the executive implement the law made by the legislature and the judiciary interprets the law; judging by this, the legislature is the most impor-

tant arm of government because without it there will be nothing for the other two arms of government to interpret or execute and since the other two are not part time, I don't see the reason why the legislature should be made part time," she said. Adetutu said she said she never thought her school would win. "I also saw Mafoluko as a very big opponent to me because their chief speaker is strong. When we went for grooming, Mr Ivor Ekpe was telling her that she has to tackle me very well because I am like a stum-

‘I felt really bad when I lost my mum nine years ago. I wish she was around because she is responsible for my being in school. She was there for me when I started kindergarten until I got to primary school. Although she is not educated, she made sure I never lacked in education when she was alive’

bling block to her, I became very scared and felt she would win." The SS2 pupil thanked her English language teacher, Mrs Rita Acaba and the Lagos State government for the opportunity given her. Principal of the school, Mrs Olufunke Oyegbile, on her part said she would continue to encourage the children so that they can participate actively every year. The school came second last year. "We were able to emerge as the champions. It wasn't easy; it is a lot of work on the part of the teachers, especially the English language teachers," she said. Mafoluko senior Grammar School, Oshodi represented by Ajigboteso Elizabeth and Ojurongbe Remilekum came second with 70.3 percent and went away with N350, 000; while Lagos State Senior Model College, Igbokuta, represented by Adeleye Ayomide and Fashakin Temiloluwa beat Epe Senior Grammar School, Epe, represented by Olabode Kaosarat and amusa Zaynab to the third place. They got N200, 000 while Epe Senior Grammar School won N100, 000.

NIJ gets new provost, deputy

R Gbemiga Ogunleye has been appointed the provost of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ). His appointment and that of the new Deputy Provost, Mr Jide Johnson, takes effect from March 2. Ogunleye, who has over 32 years experience in media management and legal practice, will succeed Mrs Elizabeth Ikem, whose tenure expires at the end of February. He has served as an editor of well known newspapers in Nigeria and has held various positions. He is currently the Deputy Director of News at Television Continental (TVC) International. He is a barrister at law, and ob-

tained a Master of Science in Media and Communication from the Pan-Atlantic University. He earned his first degree in Linguistics from the University of Benin. His deputy, Mr Johnson, holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree from the University of Lagos. He is an instructor in Media Audience scholarship. He served as the Student Affairs Officer of the institution and was the Head of the Mass Communication Department of the institution before his new appointment. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of Hallmark Newspaper. A statement signed by the Registrar of the institute, Dotun Adenijo,

• Ogunleye

• Johnson

noted that the appointment exemplifies the commitment of the governing council to enhance the institution

and maintain the excellence the institution is known for in media practice, management and scholarship.

Nigerian students in Canada increase by 6,000

HE number of Nigerian students studying in various institutions of learning in Canada has increased in the last two years by 6,000. The Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Marcello Di Francoe, said this when the Olojudo of Ido-Osun in Egbedore Local Government of Osun State, Oba Aderemi Adedapo, conferred a traditional Chieftaincy title on him. Di Francoe was installed the Aare Agbasaga of Ido-Osun due to his support for the Yoruba culture since he

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

came to Nigeria in September 2012. Di Francoe, who said that he facilitated the opportunity for many Nigerians to study in Canada, stressed that several things have been done to strengthen the educational and cultural relationship between Nigeria and Canada. The envoy promised to further improve the relationship between the two countries and urged that education should be given a priority. Di Francoe, whose father followed

him to Ido-Osun to receive the chieftaincy title, expressed his gratitude to the royal father whom he described as "very accommodating." Oba Adedapo, described Di Francoe as a culture ambassador who used his position to strengthen the cultural relationship between Canada and Nigeria. Oba Adedapo, who urged the traditional rulers to wake up and promote the Yoruba culture, lamented the lack of respect for the Yoruba language and culture, saying the development portends a grave danger to

the future of the Yoruba nation. The monarch appealed to the Canadian High Commission to support his town to reconstruct the old palace and turn it to a tourist attraction. He said: "We want to appeal to the Deputy High Commissioner to use his position and help us rebuild our old palace that we want to turn to a tourist centre." Speaking earlier, the Chairman, organising committee, Mr. Wale Olaitan, expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler and the envoy for the success of the programme.

HE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Eastern District Society, has begun wooing secondary school pupils to study accountancy. It recently organsed a career awareness workshop for over 500 pupils tagged: "Catch Them Young". Chairman of ICAN Eastern district, Efe Iserhienrhien, told the pupils that accountancy has limitless job opportunities. He said there was dearth of professional accountants in the country because students are scared of the subject. Efe noted that the few professionals in the banking sector were not enough to bring about the needed development in the financial sector. He stated that the fear among students that accountancy was too difficult was responsible for the reduction in the numbers of applicants registering for ICAN examination at both universities and polytechnic offering courses in accounting and accredited ICAN examination centres. Efe told the pupils they could start preparing for ICAN examinations before gaining admission into tertiary institutions. He told The Nation that the programme would help guide the pupils against making career mistakes. "People take wrong decisions in the pursuit of a career because of lack of information. That is why we have brought this information to their doorstep to enlighten the students on the benefits and scholarship scheme provided by the Institute for the young student, which is intended to chart a career path for them," he said.

Lions Club donates to school By Arije Amidu

“I

must tell you; today is one of the happiest days in my life. Before now we have many of our toilets abandoned because of lack of water, but with this gesture, all the toilets and laboratories will be put to use." These were the words of the Principal of Oregun Senior High School, Ikeja Lagos, Mrs Toyin Kuti when the Lagos Oregun Lions Club District 404B-2 inaugurated a water project it donated to the school last week. The visibly excited principal was practically on her knees in appreciation of the club's gesture which she said would pave way for cleaner and better environment for the students. The inauguration of the water project was conducted by the District Governor, Alhaji Abdul Ganiy Abiodun Adediji, who said the gesture was done out of the club's interest in helping communities. "We are volunteers, friends, brothers and spirited Nigerians that put our resources together to help those who cannot help themselves in the communities," he said. He said though the school is owned by the government, it cannot do it all alone. "It is part of our cooperation and partnership with Lagos State and other states of the federation to provide water because the government cannot do it alone. Though it is the responsibility of the government to provide water for this school, but then we cannot leave it for them alone. They cannot do it; that is why we are helping to provide water for these students so that the environment and toilets will be neat and they will have water to drink," he said. The 1st Vice President of the Club, Lion Kehinde Shogunle, said the water project will ease students' and teachers' hardship in getting water for use while in the school.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

EDUCATION UNILORIN FILE Solar panel factory soon THE University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Egja-Meceng Nigeria Limited to set up of a 5MW Solar Panel Factory on campus. The project is expected to enhance the Federal Government’s effort to boost electricity power generation in the country. The MoU, the first of its kind in the country, also covers the establishment of up to 20,000 hectares of Smaragfa (magic tree) plantation on campus. The Vice Chancellor, Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, signed the MoU on behalf of the university while the Chairman of EgjaMeceng Nigeria Ltd., Oba Isiaka Olajide Ajede, signed on behalf of the company. According to the agreement, the company will finance the project, which will be executed in conjunction with Messrs Euro-Titan Power Renewable Resources of Hungary on the university land for a period of 30 years in the first instance; and renewable every 10 years.

NMGS boss hails students THE President, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Prof. S.C. Teme, has said that student members of the society are the future of mining in the country. Teme, who made this statement during the maiden edition of the Mid-Western Students’ Conference hosted by UNILORIN, said such programmes showed that “NMGS is being prepared for a long lasting legacy of a certain and bright future.” Represented by the Vice President of NMGS, Prof. Olugbenga Okunola of the University of Ibadan, Teme said the students are the future since the baton of leadership would eventually be handed over to them. In a lecture titled: “Geosciences: The Bedrock of Nigeria Economic Development,” Prof. M.A.O. Rahaman of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said geologists have enormous responsibility to ensure the growth of her wealth and safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of the citizenry.

Drivers celebrate THE annual get-together of the UNILORIN Drivers’ Welfare Association will hold on Saturday at the university’s Pensioners Secretariat on the Mini Campus. A statement by the Chairman of the association’s Ceremonial Committee, Mr. Omowumi Sunday, disclosed that the event will also serve as send-off ceremony for its members who retired within the last one year, and election of new officers for the association.

Don plans for sports TO stimulate the interest of UNILORIN students and members of staff in sports the institution’s new Director of Sports, Prof. Adetayo Talabi, has unveiled plans to introduce two sports championships. Prof Talabi said the workers would compete in The Registrar’s Championship during the first semester, while the students would compete in the Vice-Chancellor’s Championship in the second semester. He said: “I just need to run what I call a sport festival for both staff and students. The Registrar’s Championship for staff will come in the first semester when students are just settling down; the students will have their own Vice–Chancellor’s Championship in the second semester when they are already familiar with the University environment.”

• The pupils reciting a poem’

‘Govt can fix education with the right people’ •Greensprings celebrates 30th anniversary

HERE is no excuse for the education sector not doing well, says Mr Frank Nweke Jnr, former Minister of Information and National Orientation. Mr Nweke, who also served as Minister for Inter-governmental Affairs and Special Duties, said quality education is possible if it is given priority by the government like is done in Finland, Singapore and many other countries. He was one of the panelists who spoke at the 30th anniversary lecture of Greensprings School held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos last Wednesday. Nweke said quality education cannot happen by accident, adding that it takes deliberate policies and investments to make the sector work properly. Using Mrs Lai Koiki, founder and Executive Director of the school, as an example, Nweke said the government can achieve great milestones in education if the right people are in charge. He said: "If you have Nigeria investing less than - let's say - one per cent of her GDP in education, how can you possibly see any change? You cannot see any change. It cannot be by accident. Nigeria cannot develop by accident. It must be, can only be, as a result of conscious, deliberate planning sustained over a period - with the outcomes clearly anticipated and improved upon on an ongoing basis. "Government can do it if you have the right people in government. Governments in Germany have done it and are doing it on regular basis; governments in Finland are doing it on constant basis; governments in Rwanda are doing it on an ongoing basis; governments in United Kingdom, Malaysia and Singapore are doing it.

• From left: Olugbenle, Sholape, Nweke, Mr MacFaul, Director of Education, Greensprings; Jedras, Miss Nthenge and Mr Baale.

"So it is actually possible for government to do it. The notion that because it is public sector therefore it can't work, for someone like me, holds no truth. I believe that it can be done. But you need serious minded right thinking people, who understand the value of education, to be in the driver's seat, then it is going to work." The Guest Lecturer, Mr Daouda Toure, UNDP Resident Representative and United Nations Resident Coordinator for Nigeria, said education needs to be innovative to meet the needs of the 21st century. Toure, who was represented by Dr Pa Lamin Beyai, UNDP Country Director, Nigeria, said: "We cannot solve 21st Century problems with 20th Century curriculum! Our unreformed education system has served the colonial era and the immediate post-independence period. We must overhaul it completely to serve us in the 21st Century. "Changes can also be made to the existing system through training and continuing education for teachers, review of the methodology, use of up-to-date learning materials, and adoption of pedagogical approaches." With mobile phones becoming more popular in Africa Toure added that educationists should think of how it can be used to educate young people.

"The UN mobile learning specialist, Steve Vosloo believes that, mobile phones could be the future of education across the continent. According to Vosloo, many African countries had greatly improved their education systems over the past 10 years. And yet, enormous challenges remain -- shortage of teachers. For every child to have a quality education in 2015, sub-Saharan Africa needs to hire an estimated 350,000 new teachers annually. Vosloo recommends mobile phones as the solution to this problem," he said. The event featured a panel discussion in which the panelists advocated for innovative teaching and learning in line with the theme: "The future of education in an uncertain world: Re-defining Education in Africa". The panelists were: Nweke, Mr Lere Baale, a member of Greensprings Board of Governors; Andrew Jedras, Member, AISEN Board of Trustees; Fidelis Nthenge, IBO Head of School Services; Olumide Olugbenle, Chairman, PTA, Lekki, and Sholape Tinubu, IB student. Mrs Koiki said she started the school 30 years ago in search of a good school for her first daughter. She expressed joy that the school has achieved its mission and vision to raise globally-competitive children. Despite being from privileged homes, Mrs Koiki said the children have empathy for the less-privileged

‘If you have Nigeria investing less than - let's say - one per cent of her GDP in education, how can you possibly see any change? You cannot see any change. Nigeria cannot develop by accident. It must be, can only be, as a result of conscious, deliberate planning sustained over a period’

• Mrs Koiki

because they are exposed to community service projects as part of their curriculum. She said the school, which now has a population of 2,300 pupils in its Anthony and Lekki campuses, has achieved great feats because it invests in teacher training and would continue to do so though its teachers are poached by other schools. "New paradigms of teaching are being developed and teachers trained. That is where the bulk of whatever money we make goes into. We like to joke that other schools are just waiting to poach our teachers. But should we stop? We say No! Greensprings is about developing Nigeria. So if our teachers leave after we train them, we believe we are contributing to the educational development of Nigeria," she said. The programme also featured recitations and song presentation by the pupils, to the delight of the audience.

Crawford VC counsels students to love their courses

EW students of Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State have been advised to develop interest in their courses of study so as to succeed in them. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Samson Ayanlaja, gave this advice at the matriculation of the 262 students admitted into the Colleges Natural and Applied Sciences and Business and Social Sciences for the 2014/ 2015 academic session. Ayanlaja said if they are

By Medinat Kanabe

committed, they could succeed in the programmes even if they initially do not like them. "Many times one is unable to get one's first choice programme in a university and this has an effect in the motivation. What I will urge you at this point is to cultivate the needed enthusiasm for your programme because it is said that, a man can succeed at almost

anything for which he has an unlimited enthusiasm," he said. He told them that to resist the temptation of cutting corners and become successful they need tremendous self discipline and willpower. He also added that they should always plan for their activities. "When you plan your activities well, you have a clear sense of direction or vision. You have the opportunity to analyse various

alternative course of action, you are able to properly allocate your resource incuding time ?and you drastically reduce uncertainty and panicking. This way you will be able to have a clear blue print against which you will be able to measure your success or failure," he said. He warned the students to be serious with the studies as anyone with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of less than 1.00 is automatically out of the university.

Where is Annabel?

Achieving noise-free environment Page 34

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

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

A clash was averted at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) last Saturday when some students disrupted a programme organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN). EMMANUEL SHEBBS (Public Administration), FRANK EJEAGBASI ( 400-Level Physiology) and PAUL DANIEL (300-Level Political Science) report.

•The UNICAL gate

Security W men avert religious crisis at UNICAL

HAT could have snowballed into violence was averted last Saturday at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). An open lecture organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) almost ended in a crisis over allegations that Jesus was being abused. But, the timely intervention of the school security personnel saved the day. Irate students surrounded the event’s venue, dismantling canopies and scattering chairs. They also ejected MSSN members from the hostel where the event was being held. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the students felt aggrieved about what they considered “controversial” comments of Malam Shehu Uthman Abubakar, the guest speaker and a lecturer at the Department of Computer and Information Technology of Kebbi State University.

The Islamic scholar was speaking on The Quran and the Bible in the light of modern science. The theme was: Quranic conception of western education. An eyewitness said some students, who were listening to the lecture in their rooms, were angry at the utterances of the speaker. “This caused anger among students and the fact that the lecturer mentioned Jesus made the students to disrupt the event. I think the students could not bear what they saw as insult on Christians,” the witness said. Michael Archibong, a student staying in Hall 5, said: “Everybody in the hostel could hear the guest lecturer at the MSSN event because their speakers were placed in strategic places. I heard the speaker talking about the Christ. He sounded like he had some grievances against Christians. We were not surprised at everything he

said. But his comment on Jesus and Mary made us to go to the venue and stop the programme. It was as if it was planned but nobody planned it. It was because of the comment we heard from the speaker.” The MSSN denied that such comments were made. Its president, Sani Abdulahi, said the event was aimed at reminding Muslim students about the tenets of Islam. He said: “The disrupted programme was designed to use Bible and Quran to analyse moral decadence and other unfortunate events happening in our society. It was not intended to cause any rancour in the school community. We bring speakers, who have knowledge in both holy books to teach our members. But, we were surprised some students tried to turn it otherwise. “They totally misunderstood what the preacher said. •Continued on page 30

•Corps members hold debate for pupils -P32 •Students rally against eletoral violence -P33

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Leadership on my mind (I) Pushing Out

E are presently in a crucial phase of our nationhood, an election year when we elect series of leaders that would lead the nation for the next four years. At no time in our history has the Nigerian voter become such a beautiful bride than now. Suddenly, we’ve found our voices and are determined to elect those we feel have the capacity to change things. However, with the current crop of leadership and blunders we see happening on a daily basis, many are requesting we revisit the concept of leadership altogether again. In pre-colonial times, the success of a leader (be it family, clan, or kingdom head) lay in his capacity to listen well and to put the community’s interest first. Future heads/chiefs were taught and groomed to examine social issues and their effects on the community. Each clan leader enjoyed a certain amount of autonomy. They learned from experience how to represent and defend community interests without provoking the anger of the people they govern. In post-colonial Nigeria, whenever the word “leadership” is mentioned people conjure a mental image of those few individuals who steer the nation at the helms of power as politicians, bureaucrats, religious leaders and business moguls. This is vertical construction of leadership which is a top-down affair where the fulcrum of power is concentrated at the top of the social, economic, and political hierarchy. One of the defects of this model is the stifling of grassroots initiatives necessary for social cohesion. Another is that it does not consider how individuals, in collectivist contexts, can exercise leadership that will address problems, create solutions, and benefit the common whole. Horizontal leadership, on the other hand, lays emphasis on individuals being empowered to benefit the larger community and ensure basic human rights by responding to the dictates of the situation. It recognise the value of individuals beyond mere instruments for turning profit - as Western leadership models do - and instead empower individuals to implement leadership at the grass-roots levels to make necessary changes by identifying opportunities and putting them to effective use. Horizontal leadership requires that each

Nigerian take responsibility for improving society and at the very least voting and participating in local, state, and with national governance. This type of individually empowered leadership fuels the full-spectrum of social change that 08116759750 Nigeria needs, from the base of the pyramid to the apex. Indeed, horizon(SMS only) tal leadership is the cultural heritage of •aagboa@gmail.com Nigeria, embedded in Nigeria’s traditional narratives, myths and civil religion. We jettisoned this type of indigenous leadership theory but need to revisit it as tres will ultimately create jobs. I have particia viable vehicle for making institutions account- pated in sessions where students are given real able to Nigerians and Nigerians accountable to live issues – both locally and internationally – to crack and the results were astounding as each each other. In issues of leadership education is very criti- student reaches to the recess of his or her mind cal. Without access to education and literacy, the to seek for answers. My submission therefore is that the objective next generation of Nigeria’s leaders would be crippled. Few would doubt that there is a crisis of education should be redefined to inculcate in our education sector. Because our educational both formal and informal forms of learning to system has not kept up with the practical de- incorporate more dimensions to convey knowlmands of the world, Nigerian graduates are not edge a 21st century noted for its emphasis on taught the necessary skills to favourably com- knowledge. This may take time to evolve, but if pete in the marketplace. Our educational sys- we start implementing it in piecemeal, it may tem are now producing graduates who can re- end up producing well-rounded graduates who gurgitate information, but not those who can would in turn fulfill the missions of education. Leadership therefore plays a crucial role in innovate, create, and lead according to the demands of changing situations. With this mindset the development of any society, a look at the it is not surprising that our schools have pro- leadership structure of a society says a whole duced job seekers, but we need to produce job lot about that society, which is why John creators. Our education system must equip stu- Maxwell who has written and researched exdents to innovate for the betterment of society. tensively on the subject said everything rises and To accomplish this redefinition of the goal of falls on leadership. Leadership can either move education and reorientation towards viable a people forward or backward, it can cause incalculable damage that in some cases may skills, we need to transform our curriculum. In developed societies, students are not only require decades to correct. As a student of engaged in traditional education, they are tasked history and political economy, I’ve taken the with solving real-life problems, working in pains to study the critical path of nations, and groups to innovate, and provided platforms to in my studies and research, I’ve discovered that implement change. But in Nigeria, if education leadership plays a fundamental role. Let’s take three Southern African nations as in its current state cannot help us live better, we need to change our understanding of what a brief case study to drive home the importance education ought to accomplish. When students of leadership. South Africa, Zimbabwe and are untrained in skills that matter, how can we Namibia all share a common thread of history; expect Nigeria’s factories, hospitals, and busi- they were at a point ruled by whites with vocal nesses to operate well and employ Nigeria’s and militant black opposition movements in tow. In South Africa we have the ANC, in Napeople? Teaching skills that will enable students to cre- mibia there is the SWAPO and in Zimbabwe ate solutions to a lack of clean water, fix dilapi- there is ZANU-PF. All these liberation movedated roads, organise mock local government, ments later transformed into political parties afor apply for funding to build community center self-rule was actualized and they rule the

Agbo Agbo

Governor’s cash gift divides Niger students

Security men avert religious crisis at UNICAL •Continued from page 29

“How can a true Muslim speak ill of Jesus as they alleged? Allah enjoined us to respect all prophets, including Jesus. The students, who disrupted our event, lacked good knowledge of Islam and Christianity. I think that was why they interrupted the event. If they knew a little about Quran and Bible, they would not have behaved in such manner.” The students were stopped by the school security personnel, who pleaded for calmness. The event was adjourned to calm frayed nerves. One of the agrrieved students, who simply gave his name as Segun, said they did not plan to fight the MSSN members, noting that they were at the venue to correct the guest speaker. He said: “You are wrong to call what happened a protest. It was not; it was a correction exercise. The aggrieved students simply came out to say ‘no, we don’t like what you are saying’ to the speaker. We did not even beat anybody. We only told them to stop using uncomplimentary languages on Christianity.” Malam Abubakar, described as an Islamic scholar of international repute, denied the allegations, asking the students, who have the tape recording to release it for analysis. Malam Abubakar said: “By Islamic teachings, no man is a Muslim if he does not belief in Jesus Christ. Not just Jesus alone, but the entire prophets of God. The Muslims are enjoined to respect Mary, the mother of Jesus. Chapter 19 of the Quran is dedicated to Mary alone and her name was mentioned in 31 verses of the Quran.

“Jesus is mentioned 500 times, even more than Prophet Mohammed. There are many miracles which Jesus did, which are contained in the Quran. So, it is wrong for anybody to come up and say a true Muslim insults Jesus. Let them come out with audio or video proof that I made such comments.” The Islamic scholar said he had not properly started his lecture before the event was disrupted. The school’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Eyo Effiong Bassey, described the incident as unfortunate, urging students to be peaceful. He hailed the security officers for their timely intervention. President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Emmanuel Ajang pleaded for tolerance. He said he was invited to the event but could not attend because of his excursion to Obudu Mountain. He said “I approved the venue of the event for the MSSN to use. They invited me but I could not attend because of the excursion to Obudu Mountain. We must be tolerant of one another and channel our grievances through lawful means. I also want to caution us on our utterances in public.” The Joint Christian Campus Fellowship (JCCF), an umbrella body of all Christian groups in school, said the action was uncalled for. Rasine Irem, JCCF’s president, said: “Christianity does not support violence in whatever guise. Jesus never asked us to defend him. The action of the students cannot be defined as action of true Christians. There is unity among all faiths here, religion difference cannot divide us. The action was carried out by hooligans.”

countries to date. While South Africa and Namibia were able to rise above the bitterness and oppression of colonial rule and domination to make headway into the 21st century, Zimbabwe remains a basket case of monumental failure at a time having the highest inflationary rate in the world! South Africa and Namibia had leaders in late Nelson Mandela and Sam Nujoma, who were willing to forgive and move on while Robert Mugabe’s stock in trade is to stoke the spirit of bitterness in his people and whip them to a state of “patriotic” frenzy in his determination to cling to power perpetually. There is no doubt in my mind that a perennial challenge faced by any political system remains political leadership succession. Get ten Nigerians into a room and allow them to start talking and it shouldn’t surprise you that eight out of the ten would most probably talk about the failure of leadership in the country; you’ll also probably see this scenario play out on the vendors stand, beer parlours, academic circles, public discourses etc; we just love to bemoan our situation. This goes to show how important leadership is in almost all facet of human endeavor. In most countries, tertiary institutions are a repository where future leaders are identified, selected and properly groomed for the onerous and challenging task of leadership. Most countries in the advanced world have a laid down blueprint and guideline for leadership grooming and selection – even though no one is going to print out a manual and give to you, nonetheless such things exists -that is why they never have issues in this critical area of progress. While some countries are fortunate in this area, others pass, or are still passing through a difficult leadership path. Almost all countries in Africa fall into this category. Nigeria’s, and by extension Africa’s leadership crisis is deeply engrained and multifaceted; it is a combination of lack of vision, greed, tribal, religious and sectional affinity and most importantly, the unwillingness to leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. In Nigeria today we are still bogged down with “tribe” and “zone” when other countries have moved on years ago and are now playing on the global scene from the point of strength and not weakness. But it appears – from current happenings that things may be changing gradually without us noticing.

From Faith Olaniran and Uche Ekwueme-Duru FUT MINNA

•Gov. Aliyu

ATIONAL president of the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS), Shehu Mohammed Chata, has been suspended by Student Representatives’ Assembly (SRA), the legislative arm of the association, in its meeting held on Wednesday. Also suspended are the General Secretary, Abubakar Abdullahi, and Financial Secretary, Yusuf Mohammed. A communique signed by the SRA Senate President, Saidu Kandi, stated that the executive members were suspended for using the name of the association to endorse candidates in the 2015 general elections without due consultation of members. The SRA accused the suspended officials of collecting undisclosed amount of cash from Governor Babangida Aliyu without informing association. Members of the legislative arm said they wondered why suspended officials could not explain why monthly payment of

scholarship to students was stopped eight months ago. The trio were accused of breaching the constitutional provision, detailing appointment of Chief of Staff. The SRA members, who met at Assembly Hall of the Niger State College of Education in Minna, said the association would not support any politicians who could not convince them why he is contesting the election. They said they would rid the association of corruption perpetrated by the suspended officials. The communique reads: “This is to inform members of this glorious association of the new development. The national president, Geberal Secretary and Financial Secretary have been suspended from office based on established cases of violation and incompetence against them. We deem our association as instrument of democracy and we don’t want anyone to cause harm to it by dropping its name for personal gain.” The SRA directed the Vice President, Hauwa Ibrahim Ahmad, to act as president, while Assistant General Secretary, Abubakar Mohammed Nma , acts as General Secretary. The SRA said Chata, Abdullahi and Yusuf would remain in suspension for six weeks till they prove their cases before the disciplinary committee of the association. Abdullahi did not pick his calls by our reporters at press time.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE About 100 days after Annabel Nzubechukwu Edeh was declared missing by the Anambra State Police Command, the whereabouts of the 300-Level English and Literary Studies student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka remain unknown, reports OLUCHUKWU IGWE (Chemical Engineering).

Where is Annabel? M

ORE than 90 days after CAMPUSLIFE broke the news of her disappearance, Annabel Nzubechukwu Edeh, a 300-Level English and Literary Studies student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, is yet to return home. Contrary to reports on social media that her body was found mutilated in an uncompleted building in Agu Awka, a community on the outskirts of the state capital, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Annabel has not been found. Annabel, 24, a native of Enugu State, was last seen on September 17 when she left her Paradise City Hostel in Iyiagu Estate in Awka for a club with her friends. Annabel reportedly left the club at midnight with a guy. That was the last time she was seen. When CAMPUSLIFE visited the community, residents denied knowledge of any mutilated body found in an uncompleted building. If such body was found, the residents said the news would have spread because of the community’s size. A road side trader, who simply gave her name as Chinasa, said: “We never saw a body in any of the building under construction (point-

ing at the buildings). No such news has gone around the town. I wonder where you got this news from.” Some of the missing girl’s friends and classmates, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, also dismissed the reports on social media, saying hope of finding Annabel is not lost. Her classmate, who gave her name as Ijeoma, said: “I wonder who is behind this rumour. I am disappointed that our class members are joining people to post such rubbish on the Internet. Annabel is still missing but we have not given up on her yet. When I learnt about the rumour on social media, I was disturbed, because I thought it could not be Annabel. The picture being circulated on Facebook and WhatsApp is carefully designed through photoshop. It showed it was not Annabel. Some people just produced a picture of a girl lying dead in an uncompleted building and posted it on the internet with the intent of breaking fake news. I have looked at the picture and it does not have any resemblance to my friend.” Annabel’s hostel mate, who did not want his name in print, described the picture as fake. “Tell me, how can they claim the body found in Awka was Annabel’s when they

did not know her? Even if her body was found, could it have been removed without the knowledge of her relations and friends? In fact, whoever posted the picture was out for mischief. I don’t believe the story,” she said. Annabel’s brother, Ifeanyi Edeh, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE on telephone, said the family was unaware of any latest information on her. He said: “We have not heard about the news that Annabel has been found dead in any uncompleted building. All I know is that, I read a report about her in The Nation sometime last October. If they said she is dead, let them show us her body, because I can’t believe the rumour until I see her corpse.” Asked whether the family has given up the search for her, Ifeanyi said: “We have not given up on my sister; we only leave everything in the hands of God, who knows everything.” The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr James Eze, said he was not aware of any such news. While Annabel’s friends and family members continue to dispel the rumour of her death, there is a question which remains unanswered: where is Annabel?

•Annabel

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Benue and Taraba states have visited secondary schools in their host communities to sensitise pupils on the need to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI (NYSC, Makurdi) and PHILIP OKORODUDU (NYSC, Jalingo) report.

ROM the hinterland to the riverine

areas, Corps members took education campaigns to schools in Benue State. Last Thursday, 10 members of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a Community Development Service (CDS) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), paddled a canoe for about 30 minutes to Bukuru Local Government Area for educational mission at Binev Secondary School in Agwabi, a riverine village in the council. Led by their president, Temidayo Adeyemi, the Corps members were received by Mrs Victoria •Binev Secondary School pupils with the Corps members after the seminar Gbaa, the principal. They were in the school to sensitise pupils on Universal Primary Education, which is the second goal of the MDGs. Addressing the pupils in the achieve with sound education.” In neighbouring Taraba State, anschool hall, Ademola Oyinloye, Adeolu Oludeke and Airhe Esele other set of MDGs members also one of the MDGs’ members, told urged the pupils to take advantage sensitised for pupils of Calvary them about the benefits of acquir- of their age to explore the oppor- Academy in Jalingo, the capital. ing education. He advised them to tunities in learning. Welcoming the Corps members, develop passion for learning, sayMrs Gbaa hailed the Corps mem- Mr Dauda Sangore, the principal, ing only education could make bers, describing the seminar as the told the pupils that the academy them achieve their dreams of be- best capacity building for the pu- was privileged to be chosen among ing future leaders. the schools in the capital city. pils. He said: “We live in a century The Corps members shared the Temidayo said the outreach was that is controlled by innovation to fulfil the goals of MDGs to en- success stories of MDGs with the and good ideas. Your role as sure the message got to the grass- pupils. Matthew Adeyeba, a youngsters is to create a future that roots. “We will reach out to as many graduate of Mass Communication you want to live in but this is pos- schools as possible in the state, not at The Polytechnic, Ibadan sible only if you are educated. only in education but also in (IBADAN POLY), said also thouThere is no limit to what you can sustainable development,” he said. sands of youths in rural commu-

Pushing the frontiers of education •Corps members sensitising pupils of Calvary Academy on assembly ground

nities had benefitted from the exercise. He encouraged them to acquire skills that will make them employers. Charles Odey, a graduate of Business Administration at the Federal Polytechnics, Bauchi, told the pupils that though some of the goals had been met, a lot still have been done. He enjoined the pupils to take their studies seriously. Highlight of the event included an interactive session, where the pupils

asked questions bordering on how to become MDGs ambassadors and to choose career. In his remark, the Taraba State MDGs president, Ifeanyi Obiamalu, a graduate of Economics at the Anambra State University, Uli (ANSU), thanked the school management for the opportunity to reach out to the pupils. He said education remained the only way young people could grow to become future leaders.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE Theatre dept initiates thespians From Inimfon Otung RUN

•The students displaying different placards during the rally

Students rally against electoral violence

O sensitise students on how best to conduct themselves

in the coming general election, students of Mass Communication Department of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu have held a rally on the campus against electoral violence. The rally was held to commemorate the annual costume day of the

By Kunle Akinrinade Film Unit of the department. The students, who carried different placards, said they were worried by the spate of violence happening before the elections, urging the political class, security agencies and their colleagues to avoid bloodshed during the elections. Olusanjo Oladele, who spoke on

behalf of the students, said: “The costumes we wear today reflect our diversity in ethnicity, professions, religion, and other interests. But we are united and we want to use this occasion to send a clear message to everybody in this country that we don’t want electoral violence.” Some of the placards displayed

Corps members hold debate for pupils

‘Free education is achievable’

EMBERS of the Editorial Board of the Taraba State directorate of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have organised a debate contest for Senior Secondary School pupils in Jalingo, the state capital. The contest was held at the Federal Science and Technical College and supported by the Ministry of Education. Four schools, including Government College, Rhema Christian Academy, Federal Government Girls’ College, and the host school, participated in the competition. Guest at the event included the representative of the Commissioner of Education, Mr Umar Aliu, representative of the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Ban John, the principal of the host school, Dr E.O. Adeola, and NYSC Inspector in Jalingo, Mr Joseph Upkabuchi, amongst others. Dr Adeola praised the editorial crew for organising an educative event to bring the best out of students. He enjoined the Corps members to sustain the exercise, urging the participants to avail themselves of the opportunities presented to them by the organisers. The debate divided in stages. In the first phase, Federal Government Girls’ College contested against Government College on the topic: Academic performance is positively affected by the media. The second phase had Rhema Christian College against the Federal College of Science and Technology on the topic: Stay home

by the students had inscription such as, “No to violence before and after election”, “Free and fair elections we want”, “Your vote, your power”, “Let your vote count” and “Shun Violence”, among others. The students went round the campus, sensitising their colleagues and staff on the need to support peaceful conduct on the election. The Deputy Registrar (Students’ Affairs), Mrs Temitope Kolawole, who addressed the students, praised them for patriotism, while urging them to extend the campaign to electorate and youths outside the school.

RESHERS admitted into the Department of Theatre and Film Studies of the Redeemer’s University (RUN) have been initiated by Theatre and Film Students’ Association (TAFSA). The initiation was held at BOJA Art Lecture Theatre with the theme: Restoration. Akorede Amole, TAFSA president, said the event was a tradition to formally welcome students into the department. He said the ceremony would open the mind of the freshers and give them courage to face difficult task in their years of study. He said: “Those who wish to go into acting; they have to go through the learning process, which is part of the reason for the initiation. This is also a familiarisation event that gives the freshers opportunity to know the department’s staff and leaders.” He said the initiation was compulsory for the students before they could be members of the department. The students were taken through intensive rehearsal, where they performed dance, music and drama during the initiation. Chinonso Ananaba, a 400-Level Theatre Art student, said the ceremony was essential practices to make intimate the freshers on what is expected of them in the department. He said the students could not be called thespians until they were inducted. He said: “This is unlike traditional initiation where sacrifices are made to appease the gods. There is nothing fetish about the ceremony we conducted. Religion does not support the use of fetish material but since department is attached to culture, this is why it is necessary to conduct the ceremony in that manner.”

•The pupils during the debate

From Philip Okorodudu and Tolulope Banjo NYSC JALINGO mothers are better than working mothers. The judges, comprising officials of the Education ministry and the NYSC Public Relations Officer, Mr Daniels Esiemokai announced the winners for the rounds. Government College and Rhema Christian College, who won the first and second phases, met on the topic: Federal system of government is better than unitary system. Government College supported the motion, while Rhema Christian College opposed it. At the end of the exercise,

Rhema College won the debate, while Government College came second. Pauline Samson, a Senior Secondary School Three student of Federal Science and Technical College emerged the best debater, while Ruth Okoye of Rhema Christian College came second. Prizes were given to the two outstanding schools and debaters. The president of the Editorial Board, Fineface Welechi, a Batch “C” Corps member, saluted the pupils for putting their best in the contest. He encouraged them to remain steadfast in their academic endeavour. Welechi praised ministry and the management of the NYSC in the state for their support.

OVERNORS in the Southwest zone of the country must keep faith with education philosophy of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has said. Fashola spoke at the Fourth Obafemi Awolowo Lecture Series organised by the Faculty of Education of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The governor spoke on Protecting the Nigerian Child’s Rights: Catalyst for socio-political emancipation. Fashola gave insight into the education programmes of the late sage, saying pupils that benefited from Awolowo’s free education had opportunity to be taught in under the best condition. He said the late Awolowo entrenched his noble ideals of freedom from ignorance, passion for knowledge and right to know when he was the Premier of defunct Western Region. He said: “For Chief Awolowo, the idea of free education was not the problem; what was the challenge was how to sustain it.” The governor said challenges facing free education policy to-

From Ayodeji Ogunjobi OAU

day remained remuneration for teachers and provision of learning materials. If these can be surmounted, Fashola said education would be made totally free at all level. The governor said the challenge could be solved if states could improve its revenue and generate funds from its resources. Concluding, Fashola challenged the well-to-do citizens to pay pivotal role in the funding of education, saying government should not be left to bear the burden alone. Appreciating governor’s commitment to free basic education in Lagos, the organisers honoured Fashola with Life Patron award. At the event include Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, the former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof Modupe Adelabu, ViceChancellor Prof Bamitale Omole and Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof Olu Jegede, among others.

Screening begins at varsity

HE Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State has started screening for freshers admitted into the school. The exercise, which began on Monday, will include registration. In a statement by the Acting

NYSC JALINGO Registrar, Amiso Iniowuari, the university urged the freshers to participate in the exercise and come with original copies of their credentials. The statement added that provision of accommodation to the students would be based on first-come-first-serve method.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE Corps member donates e-boards to varsity

NATIONAL Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Miss Panu Sewedo, has donated six electronic signposts to the University as part of her Community Development Service (CDS). The signposts, which cost N65,000 each, have been erected at strategic places on campus, including the Student Affairs’ Unit and hostel area. Commissioning the signposts on Saturday, the ViceChancellor, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof Yisa Fakunle, said the management appreciated Panu’s effort to make movement easy for visitors on campus. Prof Fakunle said: “I want to congratulate you on this selfless service and we appreciate the NYSC for the good Corps members they usually send to this institution. We, at the University of Ilorin, appreciate the thoughtfulness, the drive and dedication of Miss Panu Sewedo to this project that we are commissioning today.” The DVC reiterated the management’s support to Corps member future projects, urging her not to relent in contributing to the development of her host community. He added: “You can see the amount of support you had received from the university since you commenced this project. People who don’t get support are those waiting for things to happen. We are

From Burhan Olaitan UNILORIN assuring you that the billboards will be maintained.” In his remarks, the Kwara State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr M. A. Amusa, who led 18 other senior officials from the secretariat, praised the Corps member, describing her as a good ambassador of the NYSC. Amusa said: “The NYSC and universities need to work together, because it is higher institution’s graduates we are mentoring. Likewise, universities absorb our products as staff and post-graduate students.” Pointing out that UNILORIN is the largest employer of Corps members posted to Ilorin South Local Government Area, Amusa urged the university management to productively engage Corps members deployed to serve in the institution. “We have the responsibility to recommend excellent Corps members for state and federal awards. President Goodluck Jonathan has graciously raised the prizes for these awards. Apart from immediate employment, recipients of Federal Government Youth Corpers’ Award will be given government scholarships to local and foreign school to further their education in any course of their choice,” Amusa said. Panu said she was grateful to God and the university officials,

•Some of the e-signposts donated by the Corps member

including the VC, Registrar, Mr E.D. Obafemi, Dean and sub-Students of Students’ Affairs, Prof O.A. Omotesho and Dr A. Yusuf and the University Protocol Officer, Mr S.O. Agboola for their support. She disclosed that she was moti-

vated to embark on the project because she wanted to bueatify the campus by the electronic billboards. Panu said: “The skills I acquired during the production process can-

Ekiti students hold congress

EMBERS of the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) have held a congress to discuss the state of association. The congress was held at the Students’ Union Building of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State. Students of Ekiti State origin from various higher institutions attended the meeting. FESSU president, Oluwayomi Abegunde, said the meeting was informed by the union’s desire to make students development partner in Ekiti State. He praised Governor Ayo Fayose for the payment of their bursary and scholarship. Abegunde said the reduction of fee at Ekiti State University (EKSU) was an indication that governor is student-friendly. Members hailed the union president for his leadership and achievements, saying Abegunde had solved of the challenges facing the union. Highlight of the congress included composition of electoral committee and lifting of ban on

HE management of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State has condemned what it called sustained calumny campaign against the leadership of the institution by Urhobo youths. The university said it was being attacked with the help of “scrupulous elements” within the school. The youth accused the university management of marginalising Urhobo working in the school, adding that, majority of the school staff were people from other ethnic groups. But the management, in a statement by Acting Registrar, Amiso Iniowuari, denied marginalising Urhobo people working in the school. He said rather

From Yakubu Temitope ADO POLY campaign to allow aspirants vying for positions in the union meet members. Abegunde urged the governor to

create an office of Special Adviser on Students’ Affairs, saying it would foster the relationship between the students and the government. He praised the Deputy Governor, Dr Olusola Eleka, who oversees the state Ministry of Edu-

cation, for his support to the union0. The electoral committee is led by Jide Olarinmoye. Abegunde advised the committee to ensure transparency in the union’s election.

• Kaduna State Governor, Ramalan Yero (left) presenting scholarship letter to Maryam Nuhu Ibrahim to study Medicine and Surgery abroad.

‘No ethnic exclusion policy at FUPRE’ By Wale Ajetunmobi 85 per cent of the school staff strength is made up of people from the ethnic group. The statement reads: “On December 22, 2014, we were compelled by serious allegation of marginalisation to publish staff distribution in the school in Urhobo Voice. Despite this revelation, we are taken aback that some people still want to peddle falsehood against the school. “These elements came out with detestable publication in Urhobo Voice of January 14 and the content of the arti-

cle confirmed that some people are working to distabilise the progressive changes going on in the school. It is our belief that any reasonable Urhobo indigenes would not engage in such baseless criticism under the guise of fighting ethnic inclusion. “Rather than engaging in falsehood, we enjoin the youth wing of Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) to verify the statistics of junior staff of the university; they would be stunned to know that more than 85 per cent of this cadre is from Urhobo. This is contrary to their claim that Yoruba, Hausa and Ijaw dominate the school.”

Of the 204 senior non-teaching senior staff working in the university, Amiso said 133 are Urhobo, while 57 of 93 academic staff of Delta State origin are Urhobo. The university management said there was no truth in the allegation of conspiracy against members of Governing Council or the Acting Vice-Chancellor to marginalise the Urhobo. Amiso said FUPRE would continue to use merit and excellence as guideline to admit staff and students into the school. The university urged UPU youth wing to halt its campaign of calumny against the management.

not be quantified. I got myself involved in welding metals, painting iron sheets, working with the electricians and even the carpenters. It is an experience that I will never forget.”

Ghanaian don hails UNILORIN students on discipline From Afis Odeyemi UNILORIN

VISITING academic to the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Kafui Etsay, has hailed the management of the institution on the level of discipline among its students. The lecturer of University of Cape Coast in Ghana observed that the conduct of staff and students towards visitors was evident of the UNILORIN’s high moral values. Prof Etsay spoke last Thursday during his visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, to inform the VC of his completion of his staff exchange programme at the Faculty of Education. The Ghanaian don told the VC: “I learnt so much since I came into the university. The level of discipline in place really impressed me. The first person I met, a student, offered to carry my bag without knowing me.” The Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof A.A. Adegoke, expressed the faculty’s gratitude to the visiting researcher whose works was based on Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation. During the period, Adegoke said Prof Etsay taught masters and doctoral students and held seminar for staff. Adegoke remarked that the Ghanaian educationist did well and made the visit a success. He stressed that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by UNILORIN and University of CapeCoast was instrumental to the success of the visit. Prof Ambali, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Nohimat Ijaiya, hailed the facilitators of the visit, which he said contributed immensely to the development of the faculty.The VC noted that measurement and research methodology, which the visiting lecturer taught, was a challenge to post-graduate students.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

For a noise-free society What is the negative impact of noise on human? This was the thrust of discussions at a conference organised by the Acoustical Society of Nigeria (ASON) at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). OLADELE OGE reports.

NNECESSARY noise has negative impact on human beings. Apart from disrupting free flow of intellectual engagements, it can also damage the ear. To reduce the effect, people must be sensitised on how to create a noise-free environment. This was the focus at a conference organised at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) by Acoustical Society of Nigeria (ASON), a non-governmental organisation affiliated to International Commission for Acoustics in the university. The conference with the theme: Sound and technology: Impact on health and environment attracted over 2,000 scholars and participants to find solution to the noise generated through human activities. It was the second in the series. At the opening, the Vice-Chan-

•Some of the participants after the conference

cellor (VC), Prof Benjamin Ozumba, represented by the Deputy VC (Administration), Prof Edwin Igbokwe, said the event was timely to address distractions in academic environment, which he said were caused by noise. He said: “If excessive noise can be reduced, then quality and accurate results of researches being conducted by our scholars can be assured. There is nothing meaningful that can be achieved in a noisy environment.” Addressing the participants, ASON National President, Dr Joy Uguru, highlighted the impacts the conference’s recommendation would have on the country when approved by the Federal Government. She spoke extensively on anatomy of the ear, saying the organ of hearing in human could only withstand sound within the frequencies of

3,000Hz and 4,000 Hz. Uguru, lamented that the government was yet to do something about reducing unnecessary sound caused by people. She said letters had been written to the National Assembly to initiate laws on enlightenment of the people about a peaceful environment. Uguru said most cities, streets and towns in the country are unhealthy to live in because of noise from vehicles and generators. In the rural areas, Uguru said the noise by some domestic animals has negative impact on the dwellers. General sensitisation, she said, would begin when adequate support from government at all levels is achieved. The ASON president hailed Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, for declaring a “horn free day” to let the residents thor-

•Doctors at the event

O fewer than 2,400 people gathered in the serene town of Okigwe in Imo State last weekend for the third annual National Joinst Students and Doctors’ conference at Camp of Faith. It was organised by the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA). The participating doctors and medical students, trooped into the town for the event with the theme: Medicine: A ministry. Welcoming them, Prof Oluwatosin Odunayo of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said the conference quadrennial was the largest gathering of volunteers on a mission to promote the profession’s values. He said: “We seek to make a rediscovery of our calling as a ministry. We also retrace

oughly understand the negative impact noise has on their existence. She said: “Although, the Lagos State government’s directive seemed to be strange to many drivers, because they were not used to that type of driving without blaring the horn. This is what we want to encourage across the country.” Presenting a leading paper on the conference theme, Prof Francis Oyebade of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) listed effects of noise pollution, citing India’s case of psychiatric disorder and loss of memory due to excessive noise from sound system, aircraft, railway and other sources. He drew the participants’ attention to an audiologist’s report from Ladoke Akintola University Teach-

ing Hospital in Osogbo, the state Osun capital, where cases of noiseinduced hearing impairment were on the increase. He said the cause of the impairment was linked to exposure to extreme sound from television and radio, which he said led to slight headaches occasioned vibration in the eardrum, which may eventually lead to hearing impairment. Prof Igbokwe said the inference from the papers delivered by the speakers showed excessive noise constitutes a nuisance to everyone. “We should heed the suggestions, discussions and findings made in speakers at this conference to achieve an acoustically serene environment,” he said. In an interview, Prof Oyebade said there was need to sustain the conference for people to know how harmful excessive noise could be in the environment they live in.

•Medical students at the session

Thousands of medical practitioners and students gathered in Okigwe in Imo State for the third National Joint Students and Doctors’ Conference. EDDY UWOGHIREN (200-Level Medicine and Surgery, University of Benin) reports.

Is medicine a ministry? our steps back to the fundamentals of service as Christian doctors and medical students. We have aims to be selfless stewards of the profession that deals with human life.” Prof Oluwatosin told the participants that Jesus Christ was the greatest physician, urging them to emulate the selflessness of Jesus and become volunteers that would solve the myriad health chal-

lenges facing the nation. Speaking on the theme, Prof Sam Ike of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), said the love of material wealth was making medicine to lose its relevance. According to him, the wellbeing of people, irrespective of their social status, was a value doctors used to hold dear. “Patient was the most important person in the hospi-

tal. As such, health workers gave their best to the ‘important person’ even more than themselves. They never focused on themselves. The result of their commitment was evident in the glory the medical profession attained. Doctors lived within limits of contentment and were more dedicated to their task. “There has been a shift of focus and an unusual concentration on the personality

and right of the doctor rather than service to humanity and the patient. The reason for sustaining the health sector is now because of the health workers and not the patients.” This, according to Prof Ike, has changed the thinking of an average doctor and medical student. He said the shift of focus from patients to doctors explained the lack of satisfaction, low zeal, passion,

commitment and poor response to patients’ care. A Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Omotayo Ojo, while speaking on Excellence as medical student, said excellence should be the aim of every student. He said: “You have just six years to be a medical student. The patients you treat in the hospitals are people’s parents. Treat them with utmost respect. Give it all your best. Your academic pursuit is your ministry at this time.” On issues of lack of space for housemanship, residency training, harassment of medical students by doctors, obsolete medical curriculum and slow pace of medical •Continued on page 44

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Social media as a new pastime S

OCIAL media has become a newfound pastime for students and youths. Every minute, social media platforms are busy with discussions, which range from contemporary issues to trivialities. To engage in the discussion, many students are glued to their mobile phones to socialise with people in different parts of the world. Nowadays, students spend more on social media and this has got many wondering if they ever have time to focus on their studies with the same zeal they connect to social media. Apart from wasting time, what students do on social media should also be a concern to their guardians. Many engage in discussions that are not beneficial to them. Some use their activities on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter to disturb others in the library and classroom. Social media, according to Wikipedia, is a social interaction among people in which they create, share or exchange information, ideas, and pictures/videos in virtual communities and networks. Over the years, social media has exposed students continuously to

new ideas and offered chance to promote their creativity. Also, the ease and speed with which their pictures and videos can be uploaded has helped the youth to push their skills multimedia further. Time spent on the new media has helped students develop more familiarity with computers and other electronic gadgets and has helped the young to hone their skills and interact instantly. In the past, sourcing information on any issues or trending topics came with attendant stress, using the library. But, the advent of social media has made such exercise less stressful and almost instant. Education and other topical issues are discussed every hour on the social media. But in spite of its many positive sides, social media seems to be having negative impacts on education and morality. In the last four years, results of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) released by the regulatory body have been nothing short of a disappointment. According to statistics, 70 per cent of the pupils, who sat for WAEC examinations last year failed. Ditto, Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) results for

last year, which had only 49 per cent of the candidates score above 200. Very poor! It is easy to deduce from this mass failure that many students are no longer interested in academics and scholarship. All they read is update on trivial issues on social media. The trend in our schools today is that, majority of students care more about their activities on social media. Going by the aforementioned, it is apt to say some of these students, even before graduating from secondary schools, embrace immoral acts, such as smoking, drinking and may engage in all kinds of criminal activities. Social media’s negative impact on the youth has also been felt in professional institutions such as Nigerian Law School, which recently recorded mass failure. The reason for the woeful performance of the candidates who sat for the Bar examination was said to be their obsession with social media rather than study. A worrying trend has been added to this phenomenon; some students now use social media to prop up what is called cyber bullying. This involves actions as posting uncom-

plimentary messages, photos and video online to tarnish the image of particular person. This action is intended to cause distress and or destroy the intended victims’ reputation. There is also the overall effect on students’ ability to assimilate in classroom as many students rely on the accessibility of information on social media to provide answers to difficult question during examination. This reduces focus on learning and retaining information. However, whatever might be the success of social media in their lives, young people must understand that they need to be addicted more to their academics than social media and resist the temptation of giving social media total attention. It is very important for students to realise they have to pay more attention to their academic pursuits. Another good point to note is that, employers investigate applicants’ social networking profiles before granting interviews or acceptance. Anyone who uses social media negatively can be screened out. This is why students must constantly evaluate the content they are publishing online.

Time for entrepreneurial studies

By Jennifer Umeh

N this century of technological advancement, entrepreneurship has become important achieve growth in modern economy and realise sustainable development. Entrepreneurship is a new trend being explored by countries to create wealth and jobs for their teeming population.

Y the end of next month, the general election would have been concluded but what Nigerians expec from the polls is not short of fairness and openness. The election should not only be free, fair and credible, the result must also be popularly acceptable to all. These define the success desired by Nigerians. I wish to place on note that the next election is not the one to toy with, because it is a significant election coming up in a significant period. We should remember that there have been predictions of catastrophe and break up of Nigeria in this year. Whether the prophecies and speculations are true or not is not a subject here. But I think we should not wave them away altogether. We should take them very seriously and put all hands on deck to prevent the unwanted from befalling us as a nation. It is also a significant election because it is coming at a time the country faces a myriad of security challenges coated in the cloaks of religion, but not without the admixture of politics, and of course, a direct link of sort with the coming general election. As a result of these and many other reasons, it is obvious that the international community’s eyes

However, the power of entrepreneurship is the willingness to develop, organise and manage a business venture along with risk to make profit. It is the process of discovering new ways of combing resources, a form of activities that one can develop in other to become independent after schooling. It was against this backdrop that entrepreneurship course was introduced in the curriculum to serve as a remedy to the socio-economic problems facing Nigeria today. Acquiring entrepreneurship skill will help to provide employment and serve as powerful weapon to fight poverty. The main goal of entrepreneurship education is to encourage business thinking and provoke the minds of young people to be self-reliant after school. It is now mandatory in all higher institutions in both developed and developing countries to teach students skills that will make them entrepreneurs. Many rely on whitecollar jobs and government em-

ployment, which are not readily available. But, with the power of entrepreneurship, school leavers would have the hope of good future, which they would create through their hands and skills. The prosperity achieved by the likes of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chief Mike Adenuga has shown that free enterprise is the key to development. Entrepreneur as a course is meant to expose students to training that will prepare them to be their own boss. In the light of this, we must make best use of the opportunity while in school and explore entrepreneurship to create jobs for others. In my discussion with one of my lecturers, Mr Zakariyah Mujeeb, I learnt that, higher institutions produce more than what the government and private sector can absorb for employment. But, any graduate with entrepreneur skills would not have to worry about life after school.

This is why it becomes necessary for students to believe in what they can do for themselves rather than what the government or anyone can do for them. It is a necessity for students to acquire entrepreneurial skills because of the situation of things in the country. For these reasons, every student must learn how to make themselves busy after their programme and this will enable them to contribute positively towards the economic growth. However, the need for entrepreneurship education has to be upheld by the society and there must be value re-orientation for students to see embrace it as the solution to unemployment. Schools should not only be seen as centres for knowledge but also for acquisition of skills that will be useful. This will greatly assist in changing the orientation of the students from studying for certificate to problem solvers through acquisition of entrepreneurial skills. The unemployment crisis should re-awaken us to create of a nation

By Balikis Moyosore Those emulating famous celebrities by posting nude picture or videos on Instagram, a web based photo sharing application, must be aware that it may have serious consequence on them in the future. Students should try and become conscious that, their use of social media is as important as studying their books. If they must socialise on social media, they must set time limit and put up educative contents that will help their future dreams. Balikis just finished from Mass Comm., KWARA POLY of entrepreneurs and not a nation of job-seekers. Nigeria is a developing country. The long-term solution to the nation’s unemployment crisis is to create a sustainable environment for breeding entrepreneurs. Empowering young people should not be an option, but a matter national imperative. Given the current state of youth unemployment in our country, we must challenge young people of today to seize the opportunities created by democracy to create a better life for themselves and the country. For this curriculum to be sustained, each high institution must adopt its own method of teaching its students skills in entrepreneurship irrespective of discipline. It is not out of place to say that great business ideas emerged from nonbusiness oriented disciplines. Federal Government should therefore provide a more conducive environment in form of quality infrastructure and start-up financial support for willing youths ready to explore their entrepreneurial skills. Jennifer, ND II Mass Comm., OFFA POLY

Achieving success in the general elections By Tolulope Olamisoji would be watching us, wanting to see how well we would prove our sovereignty and our professed ability to be organised, decisive and strongly victorious in the face of challenging situations. Therefore, we cannot afford to fail. On this note, it will be wrong for anybody to assume that only the contributions of a set of people, for instance, the presidency, legislature, the judiciary, politicians, security agents or election officers are needed and enough to achieve success in the coming election. It would also be wrong to assume that the glory or the shame of election belongs to the ruling class. Since the bulk of credit or blame in any society usually lies with leadership, our leaders should be the first to be addressed. They should note that they stand as the representatives or symbols of the Nigerian sociopolitical system. This makes them known to the international community more than many Nigerians. As a result, if anything happens, they

will be the very first set of people to be questioned. For instance, the executive heads of any society are the first to be called upon when the case of corruption or any social vice occurs, even when they are not the ones directly involved. The incumbent political office holders, at the federal, state or the local government levels, the legislators and other elective or appointed officers, therefore, should consider themselves as having a great deal of role to play in ensuring the success of the coming election. Apart from the fact that public figures are always the first to be called upon for any problem in the society, it is required of present leaders to show the sense of responsibility, accountability and dependability to the populace, noting that they did not just get to power by sheer luck but through the trust that the masses bestowed upon them. They should also remember that their offices are run and maintained by means of tax payers’ money. Hence, in order not to disappoint the masses, the incumbent should see

themselves as owing Nigeria a duty of displaying their unalloyed patriotism and see to the success of the coming election. As much as possible, they should adhere strictly to their oath of office of not allowing personal sentiments to blind their decisions or wrongly influencing their conducts. Doing this, they will do a great service to the masses since doing otherwise is a great disservice and disappointment to those who have entrusted them with public offices. Statutory stipulations guiding the conducts, of their duties as participants in election processes should be followed to the letter. These might look difficult, especially when faced with the challenges of election miscreants who are hell-bent on achieving their selfish interests at all cost. Specifically, security operatives should get it right this time around. They should use this opportunity to rebrand their images previously soiled by actions taken based on political partisanship. Nigerians will appreciate it if the security agencies, this time around, could prove their

uprightness, strength and potency in the face of complex security situations. Intelligence gathering should be stepped up to uncover sinister moves, long before they are executed. The Police and other security operatives should have their nose to the ground to checkmate any individual or groups planning any move that could truncate the election, putting the whole country in bad light in the eye of the international community. As much as possible, election materials must be kept safe before, during and after elections. The media should be passionately involved in mass orientation, in encouraging the masses on the need for full participation and on how best to participate to have a peaceful, free and fair election. The media should, as a matter of commitment, always maintain balanced reportage and ensure the widest possible coverage of electoral developments. This will help in equipping the citizenry with adequate information about the election. This will also help, to some ex•Continued on page 44

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

HE Kogi State Governor Idris Wada has laid the foundation for Kogi State University Teaching Hospital with a promise to ensure timely completion of the project. According to the governor, the first phase is put at the cost of over N1.7billion for the entire building up to roofing stage. The internal work on ground floor and technical facilities would be completed at another N1.7billion, which also included furniture and equipment. The 250-bed teaching hospital, Wada explained, is his administration’s desire to better the lot of the people through better healthcare services as encapsulated in his administration’s transformation agenda. The hospital which is a two floor building, Wada disclosed, would comprise major clinical areas of medicine, surgery, pediatrics, ob-

Kogi varsity gets teaching hospital From Mohammed Yabagi KSU stetrics, gynecology, dentistry, pathology, sub specialty areas, bulk store and administration. He disclosed that the Teaching Hospital, when completed, would be research hospital with cutting edge technology, and assured of the political will that will make for seamless migration of medical students.

Benue varsity graduates 9,340

N •Cooking time: Post-graduate students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) cooking at the entrance of their hostel after they were ejected by the management

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

O fewer than 9,340 graduands were churned out by the Benue State University (BSU) in Makurdi during the institution’s convocation ceremony held on Saturday. The graduands got certificates in first degrees and post-graduate degrees in different disciplines. The ceremony was held for combined set. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charity Angya, congratulated the graduating students for being privileged to attend the institution. She further urged the graduands to impact positively in environments they found themselves and be good ambassadors of the institution. The VC hailed Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its support in providing infrastructure and quality education to the students.

From Joshua Obelle BSU She said the education-funding body had supported the school in equipping library, fund research and capacity development for staff. She also praised the state government for making funds available for smooth running of academic programmes. She said efforts by various stakeholders made the institution to achieve academic excellence and be rated among 10 African centres of excellence by the World Bank. She said provision of conducive environment for learning through renovation of classrooms, raising of new structures, and teaching aids to meet up standard of National Universities Commission (NUC) improve the rating of the school.

Is medicine a ministry? •Continued from page 43

training, Prof Philip Olatunji, a representative of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), faulted universities’ management, politicians and parents for some of these problems. MDCN, Prof Olatunji said, usually gives universities a quota to admit yearly but he stressed that many institutions overshot their quotas to earn more revenue. “Even, some parents have the habit of lobbying for admission for their children into medical school,” he said. Highlights of the event included a debate between the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) on the topic: Should only doctors play leadership role in hospitals? and quiz, dinner, elections and scientific paper presentation. Elijah Wuyep, a student of Uni-

versity of Jos (UNIJOS) was elected CMDA president. Nana Walter, a medical student of the University of Ghana in Accra, said: “I am in Nigeria to visit my grandmother when I learnt about the conference from my cousin, who is also a medical student at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). This event is timely and addresses issue facing health sectors in Africa. In Ghana, doctors also harass students. I am taking back the message to my country and inform my colleagues what I have learnt from this conference.” Dr Kelvin Ademola of the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Lagos, said the conference provided an opportunity for him to communicate with God. According to him, challenges facing health sector are bigger but he was optimistic that the problems would be surmounted. He advised participants to put into practice what they learnt from the conference.

Achieving success in the general elections •Continued from page 43

tent, in discouraging perpetrators of anti-peace activities since they know their secrets will never be covered. It is a known fact that no party will want to lose, but giving free rein to unleash terror on defenceless masses or political opponents to achieve cheap success is less humane and as such should not be tolerated. Political leaders and their supporters should accept to support the course of fairness and peace before, during and after the elections. And to the non-party members, political apathy is not in any way the solution to the beleaguering

problems associated with politics in Nigeria. It is somewhat reasonable to decide not to participate in election since votes do not count. But this will do more harm than good. It is when citizens actively participate in elections that they can bring their political desires to fruition. It should be noted that what the individual in Nigeria is called to do as service to our dear nation is not the achievement and protection of the self, but the provision of dedicated and sacrificial services that will ensure the advancement and sustenance of our common good. •Tolulope is postgraduate student of Department of English, UI

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

EDUCATION MATRICULATION!!!

MATRICULATION!!!

‘Schools must fight cultism’

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has urged the management of Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Abia State to ensure that bad behaviours in other institutions do not spread to the institute. He spoke at the third matriculation of the university where 142 students took the matriculation oath into seven faculties namely: Humanities, Natural and Applied Sciences, Management and Social Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences and agriculture. Orji, who was represented on the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Nta Agwu, said: "Bad behaviours we hear in other institutions should not be in this university. There is zero tolerance for cultism and other bad acts in this state. The university management must ensure that cultism does not exist. He advised the freshers to follow their dreams and shun vices that could destroy their future. "There is no short cut to success. The amount the Chancellor has invested in this sector is encouraging. Students should manage resources and help their parents in these trying times of the economy. Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Julius Okojie, lauded the university's progress. The NUC boss, who was represented by the Director, Physical Planning, Mr Bola Balogun, urged other private universities to emu-

•Gregory students swearing the matriculation oath.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

late GUU. The Chancellor/Proprietor of GUU, Chief Gergory Ibe, said he established the university because of his passion to see more Nigerians get educated. He said: "I turned my weakness to strength in terms of education because I did not go to regular school like everyone was going. The only thing I chose to do well is education I thought of what to do to improve myself and others. I touched every aspect of education in trying to make a success. Starting a university education is something you must have a passion for." Ibe said the government should also assist private universities through grants from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). GUU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Juliet Elu, told the matriculating students that the varsity does not tolerate examination malpractice and other vices that promote cheating and reward for work not done. "The university authority will be firm in confronting all forms of anti-social behavior wherever it is found. I urged you to resist any overtures to join groups that operate clandestinely and canvass or promote violence and deviant deleterious behavior. Avoid groups that aggregate members of the student's body with lower than expected woeful academic performance and seek to lure them into bad acts," she warned

565 freshers for Crescent varsity’s 10th anniversary • Some of the pioneer students of PAU at the matriculation.

PAU VC: senior lecturers teach our freshers

FTER 12 years of educating postgraduate students, the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos, has matriculated its first set of undergraduate students at its Ibeju-Lekki campus. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Juan Elegido, said the university deliberately chose to start small with three programmes - Accounting, Business Administration and Mass Communication - and grow gradually so it can offer its 86 pioneer students the best. He said this was the reason the freshers are being taught by the most senior lecturers in the university. He said: "Talking now from experience, it has very great advantage. One: because we have fewer students, we also have few lectures. Now that is important because it means that we are able to bring into the university lecturers little by little. That means we are keeping the culture we have here in the Lagos Business School, the culture we have in SMC (School of Media and Communication) in Victoria Island. "I think more importantly, because we have few students we are able to do some things that are not common in many universities. You see the situations in many universities, the senior professors teach in the doctoral programmes, the masters' programmes, if at all they will be teaching in first year courses. The fact is that the people in the first year in this university because are not too many of them…all our very senior people are really concentrating and doing their best in teaching those students. At the end of the say, it shows in the quality of education people get." Moving from postgraduate to undergraduate has been a different ball game, says Dr Mike Okolo, Acting

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Dean, School of Media and Communication. Okolo said the new students have added colour to the university's experience, which the workers are happy about. "It is a thing of joy. It is not easy to have 86 young students being pioneers of such big project," he said. He said his first day in an undergraduate class clearly showed that the members of staff of the university had to employ another set of skills to manage the younger students. He added that this shift was anticipated and the students "Let me say that if you go with the mindset that you are dealing with the same levels of persons, you will run into a problem. I have taught several years at the masters' level and I will share my experience with you. If I have a lecture and I step into the class, as I am walking towards the centre of the class, people could be talking. But the moment I turn and face the classroom, everyone would go quiet and the class will start. It is completely different from the undergraduate programme. My first entry into the class as I used the same style, nobody noticed I was there. I greeted two times. Only a third of the class answered. I had to start shouting 'sit down everybody; sit down, sit down.' Now I am a teacher. It is completely different but it is not wrong - I mean wrong in the sense that that is their age. We have preempted this - developed skills to manage them," he said. Director of Students Affairs, Mr Kingsley Ukaoha, said the students are not restricted like in other universities but understand there are consequences for not living

responsibly - like not being allowed to write examinations if they do not meet the 80 per cent attendance benchmark. The university's Director of Development, Mr Frank Wiggle, said 15 per cent of the 86 students are on full or partial scholarship endowed by the university and other sponsors. He said the scholarships are there to ensure that students who could not afford the fees are admitted. "We have corporate entities and individuals that are directly interested in sponsoring students. They see it as a way of contributing to personnel development of the country. It also shows the confidence they repose in us to train them well," he said.

HE 10th matriculation of Crescent University, Abeokuta has coincided with its 10th anniversary. The 565 students were admitted into the five colleges of the university: Law, Social and Management Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Information and Communication Sciences and Environmental Sciences. Founder of the pioneer Islamic university in Nigeria, Prince Bola Ajibola, Judge Ajibola, a former jurist of the International Court of Justice, expressed his adoration to God that the university has made progress. He described the occasion "as a fulfilment of our dream of nurturing people of academic and moral uprightness in the sight of God". He said the vision of the university was to develop a university that would produce the best global citizens.

• A cross section of Crescent varsity freshers.

"We do not want you to become educated beasts," adding that Crescent University would not award any bogus certificate to students. Congratulating the students on being among the privileged few admitted of the over one million candidates who sat for 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Gbajabiamila said they got in because the university performed well in the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) so its capacity was expanded. He lamented the low carrying capacity of both public and private universities in Nigeria to accommodate all qualified applicants. He observed that of the 57 million outof-school children globally, Nigeria had the highest number of 20 percent, urging the students to make the best use of the golden opportunity offered by the university.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE AOCOED FILE

NASU disowns caretaker THE national leadership of the Non-Academic Staff Union of educational and associated institutions (NASU) has backed Adebayo Femi-led executives of the union at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Oto/Ijanikin, as against the caretaker committee that claims to be in charge of the union. This was contained in a letter with reference No: NASU/COE/ 406/VOL. IV/83 and addressed to college management, and the union. The letter signed by NASU deputy general secretary, reads in part: "I am directed to inform you that the so-called 'caretaker committee' is not known to NASU headquarters. The legitimate branch executive of NASU at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos is headed by Mr Adebayo Femi." Following the development, the AOCOED management stated that it would deal only with the Comrade Adebayo-led executives. The caretaker committee emerged at the peak of the workers' unions' strike of last year during which some members claimed to have removed Adebayo on allegation of flirting with the management.

No more lecture by proxy THE management has directed that henceforth, on no account should any lecturer employed either on part-time or full-time basis delegate his teaching responsibilities. Whoever defaults shall face disciplinary action from management. During its regular meeting Monday, last week, management took the decision to check the practice, which was becoming rampant. At the meeting, the management also reiterated its ban on rearing of domestic animals within the campus.

2013 Promotion THE Governing Council of AOCOED has approved the report of the 2013 Promotions Committee presented by management. As a result, 24 workers have been promoted. They include: Adebowale Odunayo from the Registry department, who is now a deputy registrar. Mrs Ige Adebukola, Dr Loko. O, Mr Adebambo Wasiu, Mr Ogunbona O.S, Asikhia T.F and Jegede Francis were all upgrade to senior lecturers. Those upgraded to Principal Assistant Registrars include: Olomiyete E.M, Mrs KunleLawal. H, Mrs Ilori S.A, Mrs Yinusa F, Mrs Aderibigbe F.O, among others.

HE University of Uyo (UNIUYO) has been selected by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to host the Sixth Nigerian Universities Research and Development Fair (NURESDEF) and the 2013/2014 Nigerian Universities Doctoral Theses Award Scheme (NUDTAS) - two very important events in its calendar - in March. A member of the seven-man team of the Organising Committee from the NUC in Abuja, witnessed the inauguration of Local Organising Committees (LOC) for the two programmes by the UNIUYO Vice Chancellor, Prof (Comfort Ekpo. NUC team leader, Mrs F.C. Unigbe

SCHOLARSHIPS APPROACHING DEADLINE Bristol University International Scholarships Brief description: For 2015 entry, The University of Bristol is delighted to announce ten International Office Scholarships for new international students. Host Institution(s): University of Bristol, United Kingdom Field of study: Any Bachelors or Masters Degree programme offered at the University Course starts September 2015 Target group: International students from around the globe Scholarship value/inclusions: •Five scholarships of £8,500 each will be available for prospective undergraduate students. This is divided as follows: £3,000 in Year One, £3,000 in Year Two and £2,500 in Year Three. No awards will be made for subsequent years. •Five scholarships of £8,500 each will be available for prospective Masters students. Eligibility: Eligible students: •All applicants must be classed as overseas students for fee purposes. •All applicants must already hold an offer of a place on a full-time undergraduate or masters programme at the University of Bristol. •Applicants may be from any discipline. •Sponsored students and students in receipt of another scholarship/award over £3000 are not eligible to apply. •Current University of Bristol students are not eligible to apply. Application instructions: All applicants must apply online. The deadline for the receipt of applications is 12 June 2015. It is important to visit the official website (link found below) to access the application form and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship. Website: Official Scholarship Website:

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/fees-funding/ awards/international/

Adelaide Scholarships International (ASI) Brief description: The University of Adelaide offers Adelaide Scholarships International (ASI) to attract high quality overseas postgraduate students to areas of research strength in the University of Adelaide to support its research effort. Host Institution(s): University of Adelaide, Australia Field(s) of study: Any Masters degree by Research or Doctoral Research Degree offered at the University Course starts 2015 Number of Scholarships: Limited. Target group: International students (except New Zealand) Scholarship value/inclusions: The scholarships includes course tuition fees, annual living allowance ($25,849 in 2015), and overseas student health cover (if award holder holds a subclass 574 visa). Eligibility: Applicants should hold at least the equivalent of an Australian First Class Honours degree (this is a four year degree with a major research project in the final year). All qualifying programs of study must be successfully completed. Generally, ASI recipients have completed a Masters degree including a significant research component and have several publications and relevant work and research experience. Candidates are required to enrol in the University of Adelaide as 'international students' and must maintain 'international student' status for the duration of their enrolment in the University, See the official website (link found below) for complete eligibility criteria. Application instructions: To apply, you must submit a formal application for Admission and a

Scholarship via the online application system. The next deadlines will be 15 January 2015 for Semester 1 or Semester 2, 2015 intake or 30 April 2015 for Semester 2, 2015 intake. It is important to visit the official website (link found below) to access the online application system and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship. Website: Official Scholarship Website: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ graduatecentre/scholarships/researchinternational/opportunities/adelaidescholarship-international/

Radboud Scholarship Programme for International Students Brief description: The Radboud Scholarship Programme offers a selected number of talented prospective non-EEA students the opportunity to receive a scholarship to pursue a complete English-taught Master's degree programme at Radboud University Nijmegen. Host Institution(s): Radboud University Nijmejen, Netherlands Field(s) of study: Eligible English-taught Masters Degree Programme offered by the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, and Faculty of Law Number of Scholarships: About 25 each year Target group: Non-EEA International Students Course starts September 2015 Scholarship value/inclusions: The scholarship is not an amount of money that you will receive in your bank account, but consists of a partial tuition waiver. The tuition fee will be waived to the level of an EEA student. For example: a grant holder in 2014/2015 will pay a tuition

fee of only • 1,906, instead of • 9,570 or • 10,537. In addition the Radboud Scholarship also covers costs such as those for visa, residence permit, health insurance and liability insurance. This amounts to about •700. Eligibility: Candidates who want to become eligible for a Radboud Scholarship must meet the requirements for eligibility. This means that applicants should: 1.hold a non-EU/EEA passport 2.are not eligible for the lower EEA tuition fee for other reasons 3.you have (will obtain) a Bachelor's degree achieved outside the Netherlands and have no degrees achieved in the Netherlands 4.have been fully admitted to the Englishtaught Master's degree programme as stated in the formal letter of admission 5.are able to comply with the conditions for obtaining a visa for the Netherlands 6.are enrolled at Radboud University as a full-time student for the academic year and Master's degree programme for which the scholarship will be awarded. Application instructions: The application for admission and the application for the scholarship is fully integrated, there is no separate procedure for the scholarship. You apply for a Radboud Scholarship by indicating on your Master's application form for admission that you wish to apply for a Radboud Scholarship. You will then be requested to upload three additional documents: two recommendation letters and a curriculum vitae. You also must have finalized your request for admission via the online application system OSIRIS Incoming Students before the deadline of 1 April 2015. It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship. Website: Official Scholarship Website: http:// www.ru.nl/english/education/masters/ historical-studies/scholarships-and/ scholarships/rsprogramme/

ABUAD’s N87m scholarship woos students

ANY students were all smiles as the news was broken - N87,658,176 was expended on scholarships to students of the Afe Babalola University AdoEkiti (ABUAD) at the university's fifth Founder’s Day. The figure ballooned from N28 million spent in the previous edition courtesy of endowments, grants and other private donations to the university. Ten students who made Cumulate Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.00 were presented with N500,000 cheques each. Other students also received cheques ranging from N50,000-N300,000, depending on their performance. The scholarships were split into categories, including: Hayford Alile scholarship for the College of Law; Chevron Star Deep Water Petroleum and Partners Award; Raymond Zard award for free tuition and accommodation; and the Ewi-In-Council award for five best graduating Ado-Ekiti indigenes, grants for educational advancement, compassionate grants and prizes by individuals. The occasion was also used to usher

•A cross section of the matriculants. By Adegunle Olugbamila

in new students who took the oath of matriculation for the 2014/2015 session, which the founder, Aare Afe Babalola said gave them the opportunity to see what they can get if they work hard. Aare Babalola said ABUAD spent N5 million on the 10 university scholars, another N16,605,000 on compassionate grounds; N15,108,176 and N1,100,000 went into grants on educational advancement and merit award to workers. Other donations, according to him, came from companies and

organisation as well as individuals. The celebrated lawyer said the award on compassionate ground was to help indigent students study at the university. He said: "The reason we have the award on compassionate ground is because ABUAD is committed to ensuring that the dream of every students here is fulfilled. If in the course of study, any student loses his or her parents or that the parents loses their job, this university will take up the financial responsibility of the child in question till he or she graduates. Similarly, if we have a brilliant student from a poor home, we will take

UNIUYO to host NUC fair, awards From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

said the NURESDEF is a bi-annual activity organised to showcase the researches and developments in Nigerian universities; while Mallam L.M said that NUDTAS started at the University of Lagos in 2001 and has been hosted by several universities, with the last edition held at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, in 2012. Faruk, who is the Coordinator and Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee, promised that the NUC will support the LOCs towards the

success of the two events. Inaugurating the two committees, Prof Ekpo, said that the university accepted to host the two events because of the expected benefits to be derived. The members of the NURESDEF LOC are: Prof. Paul Ekwere, former DVC (Academic) as Chairman; Mrs. Imaobong Udom, Directorate of Personnel Affairs (Secretary); Prof. Ini Uko, Director, Pre-degree/Basic Studies; Prof. Mbuk Mboho, Director, Information and Public Order; Prof. Joe Essien (Micobiology); Dr. Imoh Emenyi (English); Dr. Ime Ebenso,

(Ag. Head, Animal Science); Dr. Anietie Efi, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies; Dr. Edu Inam (Chemistry); Dr. Imaobong Akpan (Educational Foundations); Peter Umana (Director, Physical Planning), among others. The NUDTAS LOC include: Prof. Joseph Obinaju, Dean, Postgraduate School (Chairman); Prof. A.P.Udoh (Chemistry); Prof Imelda Udoh (Linguistics and Nigerian Languages), and Dr. Akindele Alonge (Agric and Food Engineering); and Mr Uduak Abia, Secretary.

care of such student's tuition until graduation. "This is the only university established as a non-profit making nationwide. "Every kobo that is made by the university goes back into the university. There is no shareholding here, and I am not entitled to a kobo as profit. In fact, if the university runs into a problem, it is my duty to rescue it financially. Babalola also praised the dedication of ABUAD teachers. "Here, our lectures begin by 8am everyday and our lecturers are already in class before the time. This is a university where lecturers make extra sacrifice to teach between 7pm and 10 pm. “I have a crop of dedicated lecturers because I shopped for them myself. That is why our students graduate in record time. We have graduated two sets and some have completed their youth service while 12 of them are already teaching in the college," he said. Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), enjoined parents to visit the Engineering complex and the Talent Discovery Centre, which houses 28 types of sports and skill acquisition centre. Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Michael Ajisafe admonished the news students to get set for greater challenges.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

EDUCATION

Education is expensive, but churches should consider members, says don

PROFESSOR of Guidance and Counseling, Prof Mopelola Omoegun, has debunked claims that mission schools charge too much. However, she said church-owned institutions need to consider ways to help their members afford the fees for their wards. Prof Omoegun, who is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Lagos Girls Anglican Grammar School (LAGGS), Lagos, spoke at a press conference to commemorate the school's 60th anniversary last Friday. The University of Lagos (UNILAG) don said given the facilities that churches provide without government support for their schools what they charge as tuition is not expensive. She said: "Let me correct that notion: education offered by religious institutions is not expensive. By the time you compare private schools and those owned by churches, you will know it is not expensive. They have to break even because it is business, they have to pay the teachers well, and on time, so that there will be commitment. They also have to procure equipment and make sure the learning environment is conducive for the students to meet up with international standards. Now when they charge, it must be done in such a way that will make them run the school properly." Prof Omoegun, however, said that members who fund institutions built by churches should also be able to send their wards there. She called on churches to find ways to achieve this. "I know the fees, like I said, must be expensive since there is no

‘Kogi loses N30m to fake teachers monthly’

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

government involvement. But I think that is where there is a problem, if they used the tithes and offerings of the people to build the schools, there should be concession. That is my grouse, if you have used tithes and offering of the people, there should be consideration. But on the fees, it has to be high because people will expect standard, they should be ready to pay for it," she said. Speaking on the school's diamond jubilee, Prof Omoegun, who is the Dean, Faculty of Education at UNILAG, said it has achieved the milestone of 60 by providing quality education. "We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of this college today and it is commendable that the school owned by the Anglican Communion has come of age in providing quality education at affordable rates for the society," she said. The principal of the school, Mrs Mercy Akin-Ajayi, added that this would have been impossible without the commitment of the Anglican Dioceses to educational development. Akin-Ajayi said the school has improved tremendously from when it was returned to the Anglican Mission by the state government in 2003. She said: "Since the school was returned to the original owners about 12 years ago, it has been a lot of efforts. It is a pity we cannot bring back the pictures of how it was in those days. This place was a house for miscreants. Boys from Mushin and Ojuelegba used to come here to smoke, but today, the story is

•Prof Omoegun

different. "We have converted the Jakandestyle shed to a block of class rooms. We have it in a storey building housing 24 classrooms. The Jakande structure had no windows. When it rained, every student would be in the rain and when it was hot, it would be very hot, making teaching and learning so difficult. We have also upgraded the hall. When we took over from the government who had taken it from us initially, there was no single glass left on the windows of the hall, it took some millions to fix. We were able to do this with the fees from the students. And we still have the fees at affordable rates." She added that the school hopes to use the anniversary to raise more funds, and thanked the old students who have supported the school in the past. "We have an old student who is a professor; she recently endowed a N5 million scholarship for students that performed well in certain subjects. This is very commendable," she said. The school is one of the colleges run by the Anglican Communion in Lagos State and administered by diocese in the Lagos area. The dioceses include Lagos, Mainland, Badagry, Lagos West and Diocese of Awori.

HE Kogi State government says its verification has uncovered a scam by fake teachers that is costing the state N30 million monthly. The fake teachers are said to parade fake certificates from a particular institution he did not name in the state. Governor Idris Wada said the teachers had been drawing N30 million as salaries monthly. Wada spoke at an interdenominational service held at the Cathedral of Holy Trinity, Lokoja, to mark the third anniversary of his administration. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said following verification conducted by the government, it was revealed that some people disguising as teachers are either not working in any school or operating with fake certificates. He also cleared the air on the

‘If decisive action is not taken against some of the officials at the state ministry of education alleged to be involved in the scam, the union may take the protest to court of law’

suspension of payment of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for students. He said the policy had not been cancelled but that henceforth the government will only make refunds to parents who can show genuine evidence of payment of these fees. He described the rise of the WASSCE bill from N300 million in 2012 to N515 million in 2015 as suspicious and fraudulent. He said the practice was being perpetrated by a cabal, which led to the new policy review. Meanwhile, the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the governor to fish out those behind the fraud that has thrown the innocent pupils and their poor parents into hardship. The chairman of the council, Comrade Ali Atabo, at a press briefing on Monday in Lokoja, said the union praised the state government for taking the responsibility of paying the WASSCE fees over the years, but that the circumstance that led to the stoppage of the payment of the fees must be investigated and those behind it brought to book. He said that it was not enough to say that people have committed fraud or that fraud has been discovered but the government should go further to expose those behind the dastardly act. He warned that if decisive action is not taken against some of the officials at the state ministry of education alleged to be involved in the scam, the union may take the protest to court of law.

Lagos defends fees

New Exco for club

•NAFDAC seeks improved awareness of fake drugs By Famuyiwa Damilare and Joanna Olisa

HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in collaboration with YESHUA High School has inaugurated new executives for the NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club. The club is to create awareness about fake products, enlighten people on the hazardous effects of fake drugs and help people to distinguish between fake and original drugs. Co-ordinator of the initiative, Mr. Samuel Okelola, said the campaign against fake drugs has been ineffective. To this effect, the club is to improve pupils' awareness of fake drugs in circulation. Speaking at the inauguration, Okelola noted: "There is every need to make the students and members of staff of this school relevant to the society, and by doing this we hope to bring the awareness of fake drugs to the grassroots level of our society. "We will ensure every member of this club knows how to identify fake drugs for societal good. By doing this, everyone around them will be beneficiaries of this programme; they will inform and enlighten people for the betterment of their health and preventing harmful product from their system," he added. He further encouraged everyone to purchase their products from registered pharmaceutical outlets for safety, and report any suspicious act of selling drugs illegally to the appropriate body.

From James Azania, Lokoja

• The Commissioner for Education Rivers State Alice Lawrence-Nemi holding a pupils during the movement of pupils from old school to the new 20-classroom block.

Rivers expands classrooms for more pupils

HE Rivers State Government has inaugurated its one-storey, 20-classroom block for academic activities. The Construction of the prototype 20classroom block was conceived to address out-of -school children. The government embarked on this project to ensure that every child has access to education, in line with the Education for All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) vision, whose deadline is this year. The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, said at the Model Primary School, Elekahia, Port Harcourt that the new 20-class-

room block can accommodate 600 pupils - 210 more than the 14-classroom block that was in use before. Since Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi declared a state of emergency in the education sector in 2008, schools have enjoyed massive funding and rehabilitation, resulting in a surge in population. The 20-classroom block at Elekahia is equipped with facilities like demonstration science laboratory, library, ICT, sick bay, reception class. Mrs Lawrence-Nemi said the science laboratory was included in line with the new national curriculum which stipulates that children

between four and above be exposed to science education early so as to grasps scientific concepts on time. Head Teacher of State School, Elekahia, Mrs Ifeyinwa Ofoni, said the facilities in the new block would aid teaching and learning. "It is quite a glorious place. I don't really know how to thank the Governor. He has done greats thing for children of Rivers State. This is a spacious place, well furnished and I thank the Rivers State Governor for this project,'' she said. Some of the pupils praised the government for providing a conducive environment for learning.

HE Lagos State Ministry of Education has defended the N10,000 fee charged for screening test into its model colleges and upgraded secondary schools. A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Mr Jide Lawal, stated that the fee has not been increased. The statement reads: "Our attention has been drawn to the objections of both the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) and the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) to the payment of the sum of ten thousand naira only for the sales of forms for the screening test for admission of primary six pupils into Model Colleges/Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools for the 2015/ 2016 academic session. "We wish to state categorically that the payment of the sum of N10,000 for the screening tests is not a new thing as that has always been the practice for the past years hence one begins to question the motive behind the objections of the two groups." The stateWe wish to ment added state that computer based categorically test (C.B.T) that the being intropayment of duced for the enthe sum of trance exN10,000 for the amination this year is screening tests not mandais not a new tory for all thing as that candidates and did not has been the influence practice for the cost of the past years the examination.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

EDUCATION

Terrorism is deepening ethnic distrust, researchers warn

ESEARCHERS at the University of Ibadan (UI) have found that the spate of bombings in Kano has deepened mutual distrust between indigenes and non-indigenes. The research also found that most clergy men are rejecting posting to the northern part of the country due to insecurity while churches track their members by opening a register containing their phone and addresses. The study entitled: "Effects of Terrorism on Non-indigenes in Sabogari Kano State" was carried out by a student of Sociology, Nwanosike Chiamaka Precious, and supervised by Dr Oludayo Tade? at the University of Ibadan. While warning that further deterioration of security may make relocation of non-indigenes from the northern states inevitable, the researchers urged Federal government to step up intelligence among its security agencies and stop insecurity and rising terrorism. The research which was conducted among residents of Sabon-gari, a predominant settler community in Kano, focused on the effects of terrorism on the socio-economic lives of non-indigenes and their coping strategies. While speaking to newsmen on their findings, the research-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

ers said that terrorism has crippled evangelism, business, and social relations among peoples while restricting their movement to a particular place in the state. They quoted a respondent as saying: "We non-indigenes are scared because we do not know their next plan. Whenever we go to the market, we buy quickly and return to our houses. We are scared in terms of school so that they will not go to our children's school to go and look for them there." Another participant said: "This insecurity is affecting our right to life and right to own property. Nobody can make any investment in this town and nobody is sure of tomorrow. You next door neighbour is number one suspect. One must be careful and focused and watch the next step the person beside you is about to take." The researchers also found that social activities, such as attending parties, birthday, and weddings have reduced, while churches now? record lower attendance, with many projects abandoned as people avoid religious centres. Commenting on that, another respondent "Church crusades are now discouraged while evange-

lism is at minimal. ?I have stopped going for night programmes. We normally go out for evangelism before but we cannot go because of fear of bomb, and fear of gunmen. Visitation has stopped. We only reach people through mobile phones. But to visit or go to hospital to pray for people that are sick? Those ones have been grounded." The researchers noted that the Book Haram threat has negatively affected the economy of Kano, and that most house owners are being owed rent due to uncertainties over security. Many non-indigenes have relocated their investments away from Kano to the east, west and south while many husbands have sent their wives and children to their home states to reduce the risk of becoming victims. This, they attributed to the fact that the men fear starting afresh in a new place after investing in Kano all their lives. While calling on the Federal Government to tighten security and build solidarity among Nigerians, they warned about the unintended consequences of allowing terrorism to separate Nigerians through mutual distrust. The researchers also asked police to set up check points around Zungeru and Burma roads where there are no security checks.

• From left: President, Home Science Association (HSA), Mrs. Bakare, Principal, Mr. Olokose and Mrs. Olatunde at the briefing. PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Prison boss lauds Bauchi corps members From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

ORPS members in Bauchi State have been applauded for donating essential items to prisoners and assisting to secure their release through the legal Aid Community Development Service Group of the scheme. The Controller of Prisons, Bauchi State, Alhaji Sidi Muhammad said this when the Bauchi State NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Abubakar, visited him. Muhaamad assured Abubakar that he would ensure that his men are drafted to oversee the upcoming elections and to particularly provide protection for corps members on election duty. He called for the sensitisation of corps members participating in the exercise to avoid acts capable of endangering their lives. In his remarks, the state coordinator, Abubakar, expressed appreciation for the controller's assurance to help protect the corps members during the elections. He also called on other security agencies to give priority to the corps members' safety during the election.

Schools marks silver jubilee •Gives community water

N celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Home Science Association Secondary School (HSASS), Alakuko on the outskirts of Lagos will inaugurate a borehole in its host community, Saka. The borehole is donated by the Home Science Association (HSA), founder of the school as part of its corporate social responsibility. The event which holds today at the school hall will also feature the inauguration of the e-library donated by the school's Parents Teachers Association. Minister for Communication Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson, and her counterpart for Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke, are expected to grace the occasion. At a briefing to announce the silver jubilee, Mrs Folashade Bakare,

‘The association was formed by group of women home economists who are passionate about giving quality academic foundation for Nigerians’

By Jane Chijioke

President (HSA) said the association was formed by group of women home economists who are passionate about giving quality academic foundation for Nigerians. The primary arm of the school started in Ikoyi in 1961. As a result of the yearning of parents, the immediate past president of the association, Mrs Folashade Olatunde, said the secondary school was added on January 29, 1990. It started with seven teachers and 57 pupils, and relocated to the permanent site in Ajegunle, Alakuko, in 1993. Mrs Bakare said the school has won many awards including: Examination Malpractice Free School, Centre of Sport Excellence in 2010; and second best student in the 2014 PZ Chemistry Challenge. Mrs Olatunde urged the government to expedite action on the road leading to the school, and provide water for the community. The principal, Mr. John Olokose, said the school built a bridge behind the school for the community to access. The silver jubilee celebration will end with a thanksgiving service tomorrow in the school hall.

EDUTALK

with

Govt really can!

N Nigeria, we have all but resigned ourselves to the fate that public institutions cannot work; that government cannot do many things 'alone' anymore. That is why many public schools/institutions that were once glorious in the 50s-80s, are now dilapidated…and it seems okay that they remain that way. Old stuKofoworola dents of such schools raise money, cry to government about neglect, and even seek to take over manKofosagie@yahoo.com agement of the schools. Their ef08054503077 (SMS only) forts yield fruits for sometime then the schools slide back into disrepair. As for private providers of education, they have, like other business owners, accepted that they have to provide their own power, water, security, fix the roads, and yet pay taxes because the government cannot just be relied upon. However, the perception that government cannot be competent is challenged when our people visit other countries and see what their governments achieve with public funds. They see public secondary schools that compare with our universities in terms of infrastructure. They see systems that are well-managed and innovations being introduced by government to improve education service delivery. (I once read of a study in the Daily Mail of London that found that the British considered people with children in public schools as successful). They see secondary schools and universities that have survived for up to a century but are not run down. Then, they think again: 'Why can't this be in Nigeria?" Actually, why can our governments in Nigeria not be responsible? Despite the harsh economic environment, the private sector has shown innovation and leadership that if transferred to public sector governance will do us a whole lot of good. Last week, I watched a feature aired on Galaxy Television about a fire that consumed the Great Nigeria House along Martins Street on Lagos Island two years ago. The Federal Fire Service had arrived in good time but could not put out the fire until it exhausted its water. The Lagos State Fire Service also failed. The fire had spread to four floors after burning for over five hours (from around 5.30am). It was the Fire men from UBA Plc that put out the fire. Their fire truck was equipped with a multi-level crane that automatically moved the firemen to fight the fire from any height. I felt sad. Was it that the bank was richer than both the Federal and the State governments? We know this is not so. But because we have not blocked the loopholes through which public funds get stolen, our public institutions are inefficient. Many private companies have shown that our system can run properly if corporate governance is well entrenched. There are some institutions that you visit and hardly believe you are in Nigeria because things work, and people do not cut corners. Many of them are multinationals. But there are some indigenous firms that excel in this regard. All the mission schools that were returned after years under the management of the state governments have been transformed under private management. Unlike government projects that are inflated, the private sector spends less on constructing buildings or procuring equipment, yet get better quality at the end of the day because they have to justify every hard-earned naira spent. One government agency that has been praised for working well is the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which ironically is funded by the private sector. The agency is responsible for disbursing the two per cent education tax levied on the accessible profits of private companies to public tertiary institutions. The money, which runs into billions yearly, is given as grants to public universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to upgrade facilities, train teachers, and conduct research. Today, there is hardly any public institution that does not credit its infrastructural development to TETFund. Since the arrival of TETFund, the Federal and State governments hardly provide consistent funds to these institutions for capital projects any longer. The Federal Government even takes glory in funding universities through TETFund, even though it is not so. Perhaps TETFund needs to share best practices with other ministries, departments and agencies of governments at various levels so we can actually enjoy the dividends of democracy in education and other sectors. If other countries like Finland, Singapore, Malaysia and even India are getting it right in education because they are governed by leaders that the former Minister of Information, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr, described as insightful, dedicated and responsible, then we should take our time to identify such distinguished people and put them in positions of authority. After 50 years of independence, we deserve some respite from bad leadership and followership.

Belo-Osagie

‘If other countries like Finland, Singapore, Malaysia and even India are getting it right in education because they are governed by leaders that the former Minister of Information, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr, described as insightful, dedicated and responsible, then we should take our time to identify such distinguished people and put them in positions of authority. After 50 years of independence, we deserve some respite from bad leadership and followership’

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2015

SHOWBIZ

Payporte unveils BBA’s Tayo, Toke Makinwa as brand ambassadors

OR the much-celebrated first runner-up in the last edition of Big Brother Africa reality show, Tayo Faniran, the dividends of his stewardship in the house is beginning to materialise, as online retail shopping brand, Payporte Global Systems Limited, has picked him as one of its brand ambassadors. This feat followed the model’s appointment by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as a youth ambassador. Tayo, who was presented to the press by the management of Payporte, at the Protea Hotel Leadway, Maryland, Lagos, Tuesday, has a female coambassador, in popular on-

By Joe Agbro

air-personality, Toke Makinwa, who is the model of the currently running Payporte TVC. Tayo and Toke, by their appointments, are expected to use their popularity in the society and traffic on the social media, to position the brand in the minds of their fans; identified as youths, urban professionals and mature adults in the society, as well as engender their patronage of the brands’ wares. It is the first time since the brand berthed in Nigeria, that it is signing brand ambassadors. Speaking at the event, Payporte’s MD/CEO, Mr. Eyo

Bassey, said he is optimistic that Tayo and Toke will impact on the brand positively. According to him, “Payporte is very happy with its choice of ambassadors and very excited about this new journey. We are a fast growing online business with the young, urban professionals and mature adults as our target audience and our brand is strongly committed to delivering best services; we are very confident Toke and Tayo will do an exemplary job in not just retaining our brand values but in also promoting those values.” Talking about their new endorsements, the celebrities expressed their enthusiasm, promising to help to grow the

ever expanding offering of products which include; fashion and accessories for men, women and kids, furniture, foot wear, home appliances, furniture, trendy gadgets, electronics and lots more.

The brand also offers what is known as ‘Affiliate Program’ and has presence in five African countries; Egypt, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Kenya and two offices in Nigeria – Lagos and Abuja.

By Ovwe Medeme

By Joe Agbro

lectic mix. The lineup includes established directors with A-list casts, from the likes of Terrence Malick – back in Berlin with Christian Bale/Natalie Portmanstarrer Knight of Cups, and Werner Herzog, presenting his Queen of the Desert featuring Nicole Kidman, Damian Lewis and Robert Pattinson. Arthouse favorites Pablo Larrain (No), Peter Greenaway (The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover) and Isabel Coixet (My Life without Me) will also bring

AGN releases Muna’s funeral plans

their latest, with Coixet’s Nobody Wants the Night to open the festival on February 5. Among the other Golden Bear contenders this year are Andrew Haigh’s 45 Years, Diary of a Chambermaid from French filmmaker Benoit Jacquot and Taxi from Iran’s Jafar Panahi. Out of competition, Berlin will hold gala screenings of such hotly-anticipated titles as Wim Wenders’ 3D drama Every Thing Will Be Fine and the international premiere of Sam Taylor-Johnson’s Fifty Shades of Grey.

IGERIAN singer, Caroline Sam, aka Maheeda, has described as hypocrisy, the plan by the Federal Government to ban X-rated movies and porn websites in the country. The National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, on Sunday, said that the Federal Government is planning to introduce a law that will ban and block all porn websites in the country. Reacting to the report, Maheeda opined that hypocrisy is the reason why government would be planning to carry out such exercise. “Why naija sabi suffer themselves? Watin them love them

Sammie Okposo releases song for 2015 • Okposo elections

By Ovwe Medeme

HE Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), through its National President, Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka, has released the burial arrangement for late Nollywood actor, Muna Obiekwe, who died on Sunday, January 18. According to information made available to the press, the funeral rites will kickoff on Sunday, February 1, with a candlelight procession that will start at Masha Roundabout, Surulere, Lagos. The procession is expected to terminate at the popular O’Jez Restaurant, National Stadium. According to Ibinabo, the dress code for the procession; white Tshirt, will be provided at the venue. Late Mr. Obiekwe will be buried on Tuesday, Febru-

brand. “We are very excited and look forward to an amazing business, yet friendly partnership with Payporte.” Payporte launched in 2012 and caters to a wide variety of customers, providing an

Maheeda condemns Fed Govt’s plan to ban porn websites

Berlin Film Festival names jurors UST over a week before the start of the 65th Berlin International Film Festival, otherwise called Berlinale, organizers have revealed the names of the nine-person jury that will judge this year’s lineup. The list includes German actor, Daniel Bruhl (Rush), French star Audrey Tautou (Amelie) and Mad Men creator, Matthew Weiner. Others are, South Korean director, Boon Joon-ho (Snowpiercer), Golden Bear winner, Claudia Llosa (The Milk of Sorrow) from Peru and Italian producer, Martha De Laurentiis (Hannibal). As previously announced, Black Swan director, Darren Aronofsky, will preside over the jury as president at the festival, which will announce the winners at a gala ceremony in Berlin on February 14. Berlin’s competition this year promises to be an ec-

• Bassey, flanked by Tayo and Toke, at the event

•Apologises to General Buhari

W • The late Muna

ary 3, at Umudioka, Anambra State. And every part that AGN will play during the burial will be anchored by Ibinabo Fiberesima-Egbuka, the guild revealed. The actor, whose demise shocked the entertainment world, was said to have died of kidney failure. According to a source close to the actor, Muna has been battling a renal-related ailment, but kept it secret for a long time.

ITH just few weeks to the general elections, gospel singer, Sammie Okposo has released a single titled, Let Peace Reign. According to the artiste, the song is to urge Nigerians to embrace peaceful co-existence with one another. “We are in an election period, it’s not a war, please let us do our best to make the election violence-free,” the award-winning artiste said. “This song couldn’t have come at a better time because it goes a long way to buttress that no matter which party or candidate one is supporting, let it be done peacefully.” Okposo, also apologised to the presidential candidate

of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, over an offensive comment he made on Twitter recently. “From perjury to forgery. Buhari or whoever forged that certificate needs to be flogged,” he had said, leading to a huge backlash from some of his fans, who decried him for using such diatribe on Buhari over allegations of certificate forgery. Not anticipating such reactions, Okposo bowed to pressure from his fans, and quickly deleted the post. He also apologized to Buhari in a series of tweets. “I deeply apologise to GMB for saying he should be flogged. He is old enough to be my father. I shouldn’t have disrespected him, I’m sorry GMB,” he said.

• Maheeda

de pretend. Is it me or hypocrisy is part of naija culture? Well.. Abeg make den ban porn for naija, I no live there. It will only make me bigger! I go change my name to Maheeda Holland,” the selfacclaimed goddess of X tweeted. Maheeda, who describes

herself as a gospel singer, is notorious on the internet for always putting nude or near nude pictures. She recently claimed that she was offered N30million to act in a porn flick, an offer which she claimed to have turned down on the grounds that the money is too small.

Eliza Queen makes debut with Go and Do That

URGEONING RnB singer, Eliza Queen, has stormed the Nigerian music industry with her latest single titled Go and Do That. Born and raised in South East London by her Nigerian parents, Prince Ologbenla Adegboyega and Olabisi Afolabi, who are from Osun and Ekiti states respectively, Eliza is culturally diverse. Currently residing in New York, Eliza Queen, who discovered music at the young age of seven, says she drew inspiration very early from artistes like Whitney Houston, Prince, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Steve Wonder and Nigeria superstar King Sunny Ade, all of whom were on constant rotation in her household. The graduate of Psychology recalls the highlight of her career as releasing a video in the UK for a track featuring UKbased rapper, Cheddar,

• Eliza Queen By Mercy Michael

entitled Be There. “The Video got a considerable amount of display on music channel,” she said. “I also released a single, Don’t say Goodbye, which was featured on MTV. “Go and Do That is my current single and it is already creating a buzz in the industry, gracing the airwaves both in U.K and U.S., while slowly starting to penetrate the Nigerian market,” she said. Eliza, who said she has waited for the right time to step into the Nigerian music landscape, revealed that her current singles had prepared her for her present feat. “This song is special to me, and that’s why, of all my songs, I decided to test the waters with this. I understand the Nigerian music scene better now and Go Do That will prove me right or wrong.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THURSDAY JANUARY 29, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Is President Goodluck Jonathan utilising effectively the opportunities available to him to ensure that his re-election bid sails through seamlessly? Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI looks at the President’s campaign vis-à-vis that of his main challenger, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Are candidates addressing issues? W ITH the general elections about two weeks away, the campaigns are in full swing. The competition to occupy the moral high ground is intense. This is not unexpected; elections and campaigns are noisy enterprises. But, the campaign for next month’s general elections is assuming a worrisome dimension because the candidates are not addressing the issues. The two major political parties — the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) — may have been paying lip service to running an issue-based campaign, but for most part they have been abusing each other and heating up the polity.

ited Mrs. Stella Okoli, is communication. The impression was that those in charge of the government’s publicity are not doing a good job of it. The thrust of the achievements is that the administration has succeeded in diversifying the economy, as the recent rebasing suggested. In his response to the comment, President Jonathan admitted that his administration may not have done enough in terms of publicity. His words: “If I tell you the number of times that my ministers appeared on television to showcase what the administration is doing, you won’t believe it. But, still it doesn’t penetrate. Probably, they are using more of television; we must find a way of doing this, so that people would know what government is doing.”

Lack of articulation It was also obvious at the interactive forum, which was well attended by many captains of industries, that the President did not equally live up to his promise of holding such forum with the corporate world as regularly as he had promised. Jonathan acknowledged this by apologizing to the house that he could not sustain the interaction, which was supposed to take place quarterly. The Corporate Forum’s evening with President Jonathan, which also doubled as a fund-raising event, was almost a desperate plea by the ruling party to secure the backing of the private sector. Captains of industries that graced the occasion include Oba Otudeko, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Femi Otedola, Mr. Jim Ovia and Mr. Atedo Peterside. In terms of their manifestoes and programmes, observers say there is no much difference the PDP and the APC; as they are still preoccupied by what has been described as “infrastructural democracy”, which focuses on the provision of roads, power, education, healthcare, housing and the like. For instance, oil industry operators have taken a swipe at the presidential aspirants, saying that electioneering campaigns are not issue based, but more of mud sliding.

• President Jonathan at campaign

Diversionary tactics Indeed, the PDP has been criticised by many observers for what have been described as a diversionary tactics; to shift away the focus of the campaign from the burning issues, such as corruption in high places, the insurgency in the Northeast, the inability of the government to rescue abducted Chibok school girls, unemployment and the fate of the power roadmap. The APC has been making an effort to focus on issues. Judging from the messages filtering to the public, its campaign appears to be more focused, specifically on the issue of fighting corruption, tackling the insurgency and giving the country a new direction generally. The same cannot be said for the ruling PDP. For most part, the party’s campaign has been focused more on the personality of the APC standard bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, than anything else. Initially, it was the allegation of religious bigotry and plan of islamising Nigeria that was on the front burner of the campaign. Later, attention shifted to Buhari’s age, his health and capacity to function in a modern economy. Now, Gen. Buhari and the APC presidential campaign team are being compelled to focus on the issue of the candidate’s educational qualification. Besides, the campaign posters, billboards and newspaper advertisements of President Jonathan appear to lack coordination and focus, compared to that of his major opponent in the election. According to experts, the content of the campaign communication materials suggest that they do not pass through a central coordinating authority or clearing house, as expected in a campaign of this nature.

Smear campaign In particular, it is generally believed that the advertisement by the Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose last week, suggesting that Buhari could die in office, is politically damaging to the President’s re-election bid. It has been widely condemned as insensitive. The advert suggested that Buhari could die in office, as was the case with three former Nigerian leaders from the Northwest geo-political zone. Two days after the advert appeared in two national dailies, the National Human Rights Commission carpeted Fayose and a Roman Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, who had earlier used his pulpit to preach politically partisan messages, saying they contravened provisions of the Electoral Act prohibiting the use of hate speech in campaigns. The commission, through its chairman, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, said the recent advertorial sponsored by Fayose and Mbaka’s comments on candidates constituted hate speeches barred by sections 95 to 102 of the Electoral Act. Odinkalu added: “Father Mbaka has violated the Electoral Act twice with his comments first in favour of President Jonathan and the second in favour of Gen. Buhari. Section 92 to 102 prohibits hate speeches. It prohibits the use of reli-

• Gen. Buhari (middle), Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (left) and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun

gious places for political campaigns.”

Buhari under attack Buhari has come under attack as an ex-military Head of State for seizing power from a democratically-elected government in December 1983. For the PDP, it is perhaps a case of a leopard and its spots. The party, which has been in power since 1999, has been whipping up the politics of fear, harking back to the days of the former army general’s crackdown on corruption and indiscipline. “No matter how many pretty robes you wear, once a tyrant, always a tyrant,” one PDP newspaper advertisement said, with photos of Buhari in military uniform, a dinner jacket and ethnic attire. Others evoked the fear of jailing political opponents or his muzzling of the media during his 20 months in power. Whether the tactic will pays off for the PDP remains to be seen. But, for political observers, the standard of the campaign is a worrying development, arguing that it does little to help enhance already shaky confidence in the country’s leaders. “I think it has a negative impact on the political process and citizens aren’t able to see the quality of people running for election,” said Clement Nwankwo, Director of the Policy and Legal Advisory Centre, a pro-democracy group. “What they see are personal attacks, falsehoods and political smearing... that has not elevated the debate,” he noted. For Nwankwo, the APC has fallen into a PDP trap by responding to the claims, instead of rebutting the allegations by continually questioning the government’s achievements. Dapo Thomas, a lecturer at the Lagos State University, called it a “gutter campaign” borne out of fear in the PDP that it could lose power for the first time in 16 years. The electorate may be able to see through it, he suggested, particularly as some of the issues had not been raised on the three previous occasions that Buhari contested the presidential election. “They (the PDP) have seen the writing on the wall,” he added.

The President committed a monumental blunder at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, when he flagged off his campaign, by not seizing the opportunity to explain to Nigerians the reasons why they have not started feeling the positive impact of his Transformation Agenda and what he intends to do, if re-elected. Rather than focusing on issues, he chose to take a swipe at past administrations, including that of his major opponent, for poorly equipping the military. This is in addition to indicting his generation for failing to do something to contribute to the development of Nigeria. In what seems like a clear failure of anger management for a public figure, the President has been hurling invectives in all directions.

Missing link Even, supporters of the President are not happy over the way his re-election campaign is being prosecuted. The mood at the President’s interactive forum with the organized private sector and leaders of professional bodies last Sunday suggests that his re-election bid is losing steam. The impression that assailed many observers at the event is that the problem of the administration is that of poor perception by the public and that the problem is self-inflicted. Some of President Jonathan’s ministers were on hand to reel out achievements of the administration, which are to some extent verifiable. They include the Minister of Finance and the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Allison-Maduekwe, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Minister of Works Mr. Mike Onolememem. The ministers tried desperately to convince the audience that the administration has posted a scintillating performance in the last four years. But, given the achievements that were enumerated, the missing link, as pointed out by the Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceuticals Lim-

Vote of no confidence Some of the operators expressed dissatisfaction that Nigerians are being taken for granted, as the aspirants are not identifying specific policies that will save the oil-dependent Nigerian economy from doom in the light of current realities of sliding oil prices. One of such respondents, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Frontier Oil and Gas, Mr. Dada Thomas, said, “I’ve watched and listened to all the campaigns by the presidential aspirants in the different regions, and I’ve not seen or heard any issue based campaign from any of them.” He added: “Such a development is a shame because what the private sector operators and Nigerians want to hear are: what are the issue, problems and challenges; what are the solutions and what we are going to do from level 1 to level 2; and what is the time bound for effecting these solutions? But they are not saying anything, and are busy attacking their personalities. Is this what Nigerians want to hear, or the aspirants saying that Nigerians do not understand the issues affecting their daily lives?” While acknowledging that the campaigns are not issue-based, the President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Mr. Chikwe Edoziem, noted that the aspirants are playing safe by concentrating more on common place issues that will appeal to the electorates. He said: “Nobody is making any economic comments or in deed any comment on the industry (oil and gas), which is the bedrock of the economy in the light of global developments. Rather, they talk about roads and other basic infrastructures which is taken for granted in other climes that the common man can relate to.” Edoziem, however, blamed the trend on lack of understanding, saying, “They (the aspirants) are not saying anything possibly because none of them is well grounded on economic operations, and may want to stick to what they know.” Nevertheless, a confrontation on the economy would become inevitable for all the contestants, especially Buhari and Jonathan, when they square up to each other face-to-face, to tell Nigerians how they intend to implement their party manifestoes.

THE NATION THURSDAY JANUARY 29, 2015

as an ethnic nationality has a ‘ Ikwere very critical role to play at this point in the life of Rivers State ‘ THE endorsement of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, by traditional rulers in Ikwerre may have changed the geo-political calculation, ahead of the polls. EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

Royal endorsement for Peterside in Ikwere I

N Rivers State, ethnicity is a factor. Thus, many people believe that it will be a major issue during the governorship election. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike, is Ikwere. The All Progressives Congress (APC flag beraer, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, is from the lowland area. However, it appears that there is limitation to how far ethnicity can shape the process. A pointer to this was the decision of the Ikwerre Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers to endorse Peterside for governor. The monarchs explained that they took the decision in the spirit of equity and justice. The APC candidate got the endorsement, following his visit to the monarchs. Wike, the former Minister of State for Education, is said to have the backing of the Presidency, particularly the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan. The monarchs are from four Ikwerre local government areas of Obio/Akpor, Port-Harcourt, Emohua and Ikwerre. They urged their subjects to vote for Peterside. saying that he is a good candidate. In the view of their traditional rulers, power rotation will contribute to the unity of the state and give every ethnic group a sense of belonging. They reasoned that, since Ikwere has enjoyed the slot for eight years, power should shift to the riverine area, which backed Governor Rotimi Amaechi for the slot, seven and half years ago. Peterside told the monarchs that they have an important role to play in governance. He said: “Ikwere as an ethnic nationality has a very critical role to play at this point in the life of Rivers State. As custodians of Ikwere culture and value system, we want you to lend your voice of reason so that people can take the right path.” The riverine people have not relented in their agitation for power shift. Peterside justified the clamour during his visit to the monarchs. He said the agitation is not peculiar to Rivers State. Rivers State is divided into the

upland and riverine areas. Since 1999, the upland people have been producing the governors. Thus, Peterside’s victory is expected to be a victory for fairness, equity and justice. When the state was created, the elders sealed an informal agreement that the governorship slot will rotate between the two divides. Reflecting on the agitation for power shift, former PDP governorship aspirant Fafaa DanPrincewill said: “In 1999, I was a founding member of the PDP. I could not contest for the governor in 1999 because it was zoned outside the riverine area. Chief Odili became governor and it was expected that, after eight years of his rule, it would revert to the riverine area. “But, that again didn’t happen and we had Celestine Omehia for a short period and now Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Which means at the end of this tenure, it would have been 16 years for the upland group.” The PDP chieftain said that any party that is indifferent to the agitation may incur the wrath of voters. Dan-princewill added: “I cannot speak for what the Ijaws or riverine people would do. But, I would not be surprised, if the backlash is heavy because it is a very controversial issue. The level of agitation today indicates that it could lead to serious backlash for the party.” The APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya, said Amaechi supported zoning to avoid public anger. He stressed: “Rivers State APC was divinely set up to address three principal injustices visited on Rivers State. One of them is the unjust situation whereby the riverine area has not occupied the seat of power since 1999. After the eight years of Dr. Peter Odili and the eight years of Amaechi, who are from the upland section, it is important that the next governor should come from the ruiverine area.” Peterside was not the only aspirant from the riverine area. Senator Magnus Abe, Mr. Tele Ikuru, and Mr. George Feyi, were in the race. But, Ikanya explained that, although all of them were qualified, Peterside was

•Hon. Peterside

chosen because “he is a symbol of unity of the Ogoni, riverine and upland sections of the state.” In the PDP, Wike has conveyed the impression that only his candidature could make the party to bounce back. But, contrary to the PDP’s calculation, it appears that the party is losing grassroots support. At the endorsement ceremony, a community leader, Eze Orlu Oriebe, described Peterside as a bridge of unity and harmony. “You are the only governorship candidate who saw the need to visit the traditional council,and you realised that you cannot go out there to tell our people anything without paying homage, ” he said. Apart from the royal blessing, there are other factors in favour of Peterside. Since he has been endorsed by Amaechi, he enjoys the power of incumbency. The governor’s insistence on power rotation is an added advantage to Peterside’s aspiration. But, the flag bearer’s personality also counts. According to the monarchs, who referred to him as “His Excellencyin-waiting,” Peterside is humble and pleasant. They also perceived him as a non-controversial figure.

Akwa Ibom ‘ll become economic hub, says PDP candidate

HE Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has promise to turn the state into an economic hub through aggressive industrialisation and agricultural revolution, if elected into office. Addressing a large crowd at the Uyo Township Stadium, he promised to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Godswill Akpabio. Udom identified the airport and seaport as major gateways to economic boom, pledging to facilitate the immediate completion of the Ibaka Deep Seaport project and the second phase of the Ibom International Airport. While paying glowing tribute to Governor Akpabio for the tranformation of Akwa Ibom State, Udom said, with the deep seaport in place, there will be economic developement. He promised to ensure job creation through a vibrant industrial atmosphere that will boost entrepreneurship and human capital development. He added that his administration will also focus on the well-

being of the common man. Emmanuel pledged to build on from the foundation laid by Akpabio, stressing that the brand new international stadium will expand into other aspects of sports development to enable young Akwa Ibom people to create wealth through sports and entertainment.

•Udom

APC justifies choice of Ortom, Gemade as candidates

ENATE Minority leader Senator George Akume has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Chief Samuel Ortom as a man of the people. Akume made the disclosure at the flag off of the APC campaigns at the RCM Primary School, Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area. The former governor said, having worked closely with the erstwhile Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, he and other leaders had noticed his passion and response to the challenges of development. Akure said, if given the opportunity, he could do more. He said, although it was the consensus of the majority of the people that the next governor should come from the Minda

geopolitical axis, he subscribed to the position of the late Senator J S Tarka that both the Tor Tiv and governor should not come from the same lineage at the same time. Akume denied claims that he hated a particular group among the Tiv, saying he loved the entire people of the state and cannot discriminate against them. He explained that political parties were like rivers that needed to be boosted through dredging by welcoming new members. He said, in spite of the challenges of paying debts accumulated over time when he was governor, he did not default in government’s obligations. He urged the people to float along with the wind of change blowing across the country by voting out the ruling party.

Jonathan’s govt lacks direction, says lawmaker

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (fourth right), Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (left), Cardinal James Odunbaku (second left), Senator Ganiyu Solomon (fifth left), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (third right), and other party members during the APC rally at Mushin, Lagos. PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES.

HE deputy Whip of the La gos State House of Assem bly, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, has said that the recent reduction in the pump price of petrol, by the Federal Government from N97 to N87 per litre is a sign that the Federal Government lacks direction. Abiru, who spoke with reporters in Lagos said any responsive and responsible government would have done a proper analysis of the situation before taking any step. “A simple analysis, for instance will show that the fuel sellers/ fuel importers constitute one per cent of the population, the transport operators make three per cent, passengers make ninetythree per cent and private car owners constitute five per cent. “With this analysis, it is clear

By Oziegbe Okoeki

that the transport operators and the private car owners, which constitute just eight per cent of our population will benefit. The larger per cent of 93 per cent which is the masses will not feel the impact,” Abiru said. Abiru queried how the government arrived at N87 per litre for petrol “when the price of crude oil has fallen by more than half. He said the reduction should have been much more than we have today, if the government is serious and really concerned about the well-being of the citizens. The lawmaker wondered what effect N10 reduction would have on the economy, goods and services, house rent and transportation.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THE NATION

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

‘Traditional medicine can stop anaemia, others’ A

TRADITIONAL medicine practitioner has recommended okan, known botanically as Cylicodiscus gabunensis or African greenheart and sorghum bicolor for the management of anaemia and other diseases, such as cancer and HIV. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Health Forever Product Limited, Olajuwon Okubena, said conventional medicine across the world has not found an effective solution to anemia. He said this is despite the fact that the problem of blood appears to be central to many aspects of healthcare. Okubena said blood is very critical to the treatment of cancer and HIV. “The conventional system of chemotherapy for cancer and anti-retroviral drugs for HIV destroys the blood cells to the extent that blood transfusion becomes inevitable for the survival of the patient”. He said most popular drugs used in the United States by doctors to boost hematocrit (blood volume) of patients have a lot of side effects, such as seizure, hypertension. This, he said, was despite the fact that they could only achieve less than five per cent increase in blood level over a period of more than four weeks. Besides, it is also expensive and the method of administration through intravenous system makes it unaffordable for the ordinary people. He said African Traditional Medicine (ATM) is rich in plants that have been in use in medicine for anemia without problems. “Plants such as cylicodiscus gabunensis and Sorghum bicolor are notable examples. He said blood transfusion, which is the process of transferring blood or bloodbased products from one person into the circulatory system of another, may not be necessary when anaemic people are treated with preparations from natural plants. He said blood transfusion has its benefits, such as life-saving because of massive blood loss due to trauma, or as replacement for blood lost during surgery. It may also be used to treat a severe anaemia or thrombocytopenia caused by a blood disease, he added. “People suffering from hemophilia or sickle-cell disease may require frequent

personal, medical, or religious reasons. Some people object to blood transfusion primarily on religious grounds that blood is sacred and should not be shared. Moreover, there are possible complications associated with transfusion. “Apart from emergencies arising from

trauma and blood loss during surgery, there is no need for the senseless transfusions that have become rampant in our healthcare delivery system,” he said. Why? He said the dangers in blood transfusion are many. Okubena said there is a transfusion transmitted infection (TTI), which can be a virus, parasite, or other potential pathogen that can be transmitted in donated blood through a transfusion to a recipient. “The term is usually limited to known pathogens, but sometimes includes agents such as Simian foamy virus which are not known to cause disease,” he said. He said rigorous screening is usually carried out on known diseases for blood kept in blood banks in the developed countries, adding: “The USA authorities said there is no 100 per cent guarantee of safety for such screened blood. The developing countries are very much disadvantaged for lack of necessary equipment to do thorough screening and the numbers of pathogens being screened are by far limited. “If great care is not taken in crossmatching the recipient’s immune system will attack the donor blood. Moreover, a number of infectious diseases (such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, among others) can be passed from the donor to recipient. He said sorghum bicolor leaves have been in use in in the management of anaemia for several decades in many parts of South Western Nigeria. Also, there are several publications by authors in Nigeria and other parts of the world resulting from research work done in the laboratories. He said a herbal medicine called Jobelyn, which is made from Sorghum bicolor leaf sheaths, provided evidence of its efficacy for anaemia. The herbal drug is recommended in most of the government hospitals in Lagos State for the treatment of anaemia resulting from dialysis. “Most dialysis patients receive blood transfusion after the exercise to replace blood lost in the process but many of the patients using Jobelyn are able to avoid transfusion after dialysis. A Briton whose child was to be transfused with blood before a kidney operation as a result of anaemia said the herbal drug proved to be a life saving product.

•Garlic cloves

•Eucalyptus oil bottle

the mouth and skin, and weakness. “In addition, there is usually a sort of crepitating (cracking sound) when the patient’s breathing is monitored with a stethoscope. This is different from the wheezing sound in asthma patients,” Abutoh said. To treat the ailment, the naturopath said, it is important for patient to be kept warm by wearing thick clothes. Also warm bath and drinks are also recommended. “Since Pneumonia is a bacterial infection,

appropriate anti-baterials must be introduced to allow for proper and efficient exchange of gases, without which there cannot be proper circulation of blood, and hence transportation of nutrients for optimum well being. “A lot of bacterial and even fungi thrive or are very active in cold and damp environment. We must endeavour to keep ourselves and environment warm, as this remains the only way to keep these opportunistic diseases at bay.”

•Sorghum bicolor Stories by Wale Adepoju

blood transfusions. “Early transfusions used whole blood, but modern medical practice uses only components of the blood,” he said. Okubena, however, said objections to blood transfusions sometimes arise from

How to manage pneumonia, by expert

NATUROPATH, Dr Solomon Abutoh, has recommended bitter (garcina) kola, honey, allium sativa (garlic) and eucalyptus oil for the management of pneumonia. According to him, a mixture made from the combination can ensure relief for people who have the ailment. He said during rainy season, many health conditions, such as pneumonia usually occur and as such curative measures must be taken. Eucalyptus oil, he said, should be dropped in handkerchief and inhaled deeply at intervals by those suffering from the ailment. He also said it is important to wear a dust barrier (covering the nose and mouth) when passing or working in a dusty environment. Pneumonia, Abutoh described, is a lung inflammation caused by bacteria or viral infection, in which the air sacs are filled with pus and may become solid. The ailment, he said, is often wrongly diagnosed as fever because of its symptoms, which are similar to those of fever. He spoke of pneumonia as a respiratory disorder, characterised by inflammation of the lungs, leading to consolidation of one or

more lobes (alvioli). “The lungs are a pair of organ located on either side of the vertebral column but within the rib cage. They are responsible for the effective intake of oxygen and exhalation of carbondioxide. Like the other organs, the lungs can malfunction when exposed to unfavourable environment. “Pneumonia is caused by bacteria known as pneumococcal bacteria. There are four stages of pneumonia. They are congestion, red hepatisation, grey hepatisation and resolution,” he said. Congestion, he said, is when the alveoli are filled with red blood cells instead of air. Red hepatisation is when the lungs become solid. Grey hepatisation is when the lungs become greyish in colour (as revealed by Xray). Resolution means there is a higher rate of white blood cells due to resistance to inflammation, depending of course on the immune system of the person so affected,” he said. He identified some of the symptoms as cold, rigour (stiffness) pain in the chest, dyspnea (difficulty in breathing) and heightened pulse rate. Others are rusty sputum, herpes around

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NATURAL HEALTH

A 2015: Review of Nature’s Friends (4)

BEGAN a heavy metals detoxification programme last Saturday, using ZEOLITE PURE and not letting up on DIATOMACEUS HEALTH which was presented in this series last Thursday. After a heavy carbonhydrate-rich breakfast which included Diatomaceous Health (food grade edible Earth) last Thursday, I checked my random blood sugar at Keysley Pharmacy at Agege, Lagos and wasn’t too surprised at the result... 91. The pharmacist, Tony Efojia, was excited because, unaided with such sugar burners as fenugreek, Cinnamon, kyolic Blood Sugar, bitter melon which I added to the diet from time to time, depending on which was readily available, my random tended to rocket to between 136 and 140. Once, I was alarmed by a reading of 160 something. These days, however, I hardly eat 120. Even Oluwayimika, as the young woman, Yeyinu (Treasure) Oluwayimika Peter who runs my tests like to be called, now ask in surprise: “Daddy, what are you taking? Well, Diatomaceous belongs to last Thursday, and Zeolite Pure may feature in the future as this series unfolds. It shouldn’t be wasted effort, in my view, if we remind ourselves that the New Year Resolution proposed by this column is the detoxification of heavy metals and micro-organisms from our bodies.! That reminder done, this series moves on today, starting with COMFREY ROOT which has featured in the natural medicines of Asia and Europe for hundreds of years. Comfrey Root

T must be about the 1980’s that I first read about Comfrey in a book titled HERBAL FIRST AID. I have forgotten the name of its author, and I couldn’t find the book in my library last week. What excited me then about Comfrey was that it was a bone healer, for which one of its popular names was Bone Knit and that it made injuries to heal so fast that, if care was not taken, it could make a wound heal, not from inside out, but from outside to the inside. Can you guess what this implies? It suggests that bacteria and other germs may be trapped in the middle, which could cause the festering to continue downwards. But this is no big deal for the experienced herbalist who uses Comfrey for wound healing. Such a herbalist would add the powder of a herbal antibiotic and antiviral, say that of Golden Seal Root, to Comfrey root powder, and that does it! Comfrey has been used in mediocre by Europeans and Asians, especially the Greeks and the Romans, for centuries. From the Greeks, it derived his original Greek name, Xymphyo, which means “ to make grow together” I remember this plant always whenever I meet some-one who has a bone challenge, especially a fracture, arthritis, sprain or rheumatism. I was knocked down in Ibadan by a taxi at the age of 16 and suffered a fractured right femur. In those days, there was no Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to support the healing process. The orthopaedic doctor may have given me Calcium lactate. But ACV was in my medicine chest about two years ago when a police motor cyclist, riding “one-way”, knocked me down somewhere in Lagos. After I left the hospital, treated for bruises and cuts and checked to rule out any case of internal bleeding, I went home for ACV and comfrey root powder, which I used for dressing. Mrs. Desola Seriki (nee Oshilaran), my personal assistant who dressed the injuries every day, was surprised at how fast they healed. Comfrey is also, an ulcer healer. In his book, The Complete Illustrated Herbal, David Hoffman, B. Sc (Hons), MNIMH says: “Comfrey is a powerful healing agent in gastric and duodenal ulcers, hiatus hernia, ulcerative colitis. Its astringency will help hemorrhages whenever they occur. It has been used with benefits in cases of bronchitis, and irritable cough where it will soothe and reduce irritation while helping expectoration”. Dr. Hoffman, who once worked in conservation and lectured in ecology for the University of Wales, studied for four years with the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, practices as a consultant medical herbalist, became Director of California’s School of herbal Studies, and President of the American Herbalist Guide, says: “Comfrey may be used externally to speed wound – healing and guard against scar tissue developing incorrectly. It is excellent in chronic varicose ulcers” We long for Mother Nature’s help in the distress of illness when all else would appear to be failing. That’s the help we may receive from the works of Dr. David Hoffman and other healers through Nature such as Dr. Jethro Kloss, author of Back To Eden, in which he says of Comfrey: “Powerful remedy in coughs, catarrh, ulceration or inflammation of the lungs, consumption, hemorrhage and excessive expectoration in asthma and tuberculosis. Very valuable in ulceration or soreness of the kidneys, stomach or bowels. The best remedy for bloody urine”. He says “Comfrey poultice would greatly relieve the swelling and relieve the pain” in bruises, swellings, sprains and fractures. He also prescribes the poultice for “rupture, sore breast, fresh wounds, ulcers, burns, bruises, gangrenous sores, insect bites and pimples. As for the tea, Jethro Kloss says “it is useful for scrofula, anemia, dysentery, diarrhoea, leucorrhea and female debility”. He says it “also has excellent effects on internal sores and pain” The Australian herbalist, Maria Treben, now of blessed memory, tells us in her Help Through God’s Pharmacy: “The tincture, easily prepared, contains wonderful power. People who suffer from rheumatism and swelling of joints and have been treated with other remedies without success have found relief with Comfrey tincture. A woman could hardly use her right arm (the socket joint was almost unusable and the doctor had already diagnosed paralysis. Following my advice, she rubbed the tincture into the joint of

the right arm daily. From day to day, she felt how her complaint eased. Today, she could use the arm normally and can look after her household”. She adds that, used as a poultice overnight, Comfrey leaves scalded and used as a poultice over limbs, “paralysed by over exertion, dislocation, sprain or shock” help these condition overnight. Maria Treben told the story of her husband’s aunt who was hit by a motorcycle which fractured her hip joint. A pin was inserted into the hip. She seemed to get well soon after and so, did not keep her appointment with the doctor to have the pin removed. She was later to develop excruciating pain. When the pin was removed, an underlying infection was discovered which was subdued, not eliminated, with injections. It was in this condition she once paid the Trebens a visit. Maria Treben gave her Comfrey tincture to apply on the painful hip. “The next day, the woman was able to sit and lie without pain”, said Maria Treben. Maria Treben adds:

NOBS on the joints of hands and feet are made to disappear with this poultice. I would like to add that Comfrey meal itself, applied as a poultice gives ease in paraplegia. Warm Politics are helpful in varicose ulcer, muscular rheumatism, gallstones, ulcer, neck pain, painful amputation stumps, and periostitis itself. A tea can be prepared from the root and used internally for bronchitis, disorders of digestive system, bleeding in the stomach and pleurisy. She recommends comfrey tincture for “external and internal wounds, all sorts of injuries, bruises, contusions, ecchymosis, and bone fractures”. Adele Dalvsa, well regarded American herbalist, calls Comfrey “one herb pharmacy and wonder plant healing for any kinds” of respiratory disease. Despite these eulogies, comfrey has become one of the most controversial herbs in terms of safety. This is surprising because this herb has been used for hundreds of years in folk medicine in many coun-

tries without reported mishaps. The major source of present day controversy is linked to a 1970 study which associated liver damage in experimental rats to their comfrey intake. But many pro-comfrey researchers have also absolved comfrey of any blame for this occurrence. The researchers claimed that the rats were glossily overfed with comfrey, at three to four times their body weight, over a long period of time, to cause the damage. They say the human equivalent of such comfrey consumption would be, for example a woman consuming about three or four cups of comfrey tea everyday for about 140 years. Because of this controversy, many herbalists now prescribe comfrey tea in dosages of one cup once or twice a day taken for only one week with one week break. Better still, it may be prescribed with an hepatic (liver protecting) herb or a liver clearance herb such as Carqueja. Many of such liver herbs abound in the Nigerian market. Some are Milk thistle, Dandelion, Wormwod, Chickweed, Vervain and Golden Seal root among many others. Among popular proprietary liver formulas are Nature’s Gift Liver formula, Health Liver Essential, Liver Balance. If you wonder how to make a comfrey compress, here’s Maria Treben for you: “well dried roots are finely ground, mixed quickly with very hot water and a few drops of cooking oil and spread on a piece of linen, applied warm on the affected area and bandaged”. Comfrey root powder, that is the finely ground root, is available in Nigeria. One of the ways I suggest it may be used as a cream is this: Under low heat, gently melt some shea butter in a sauce pan. Sprinkle some comfrey powder in the melted shea butter and stir to achieve a fine consistency. When it appears to have formed a pack, turn off the heat and remove the sauce pan from the stove. Let the paste coll and soup with a spoon with a spoon into a container. This is shea butter/ comfrey root cream. It may be applied on and massaged into inflamed skin, arthritic or themantic joints, painful bones, sprained or aching joints, skin eczema, pimples, boils wounds, fracture sites. To make comfrey wine, Maria Treben says: “Two to five roots are finely chopped and macerated in one litre of white wine for five to six weeks. An excellent remedy for pulmonary complaints. Zeolite pure I am breaking off now from comfrey root for my second dose today of ZEOLITE PURE powder drink which, as I said earlier, is meant to help in detoxify heavy metals in fulfilment of my New Year Resolution shared in this column. Zeolite Pure is believed to bind to toxins and heavy metals and creates an alkaline pH which prevents the growth of foreign cells in the body. Zeolite contains natural volcanic minerals. They are formed when volcanoes erupt. This eruption is followed by molten lava and ash flowing from the bowels of the earth into the sea. The volcanic ash and the salt in the sea water, forming zeolite. The zeolite is stored in the hardened lava for thousands of years. Zeolite minerals offer man one of the rarest negatively charged minerals which work like magnets attracting toxins to themselves, and dragging them out of the body. One of the biggest uses of Zeolite in our time was by the government of the United Soviet and Socialist Republics (USSR), now extinct, after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor leak disaster, to extract radioactive poisons from the bodies of affected humans. Before then, zeolite has been used. There is so much to say about zeolite, which have to defer till another day.

2015: Jonathan, Buhari, the rich and the poor (5)

HE Presidential election is only 16 days away... on St. Valentine’s Day. It takes nothing away from the aroma of this lovers’ day. Because an election in Nigeria is still as delicate as a chinaware shop in which bulls are running amoks, the right to free movement of persons is curtailed from 10am to 6pm on poll days. After the votes would have been counted, results declared and ballot boxes are taken away by the appropriate authorities, lovers and the love industry will have the rest of the day to themselves. The presidential election campaigns are heating up but are still below the standard expected in an election such as thus in which, arguably, the opposition is presenting the strongest showing ever. Incumbent President Ebele Jonathan and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appear unwilling to let the hard nuts be cracked. These are economic questions and corruption which Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) would like to make and election issues. Accordingly, the PDP has been focussing on the person of Gen. Buhari to pool wool over these questions and distract the electorate. Incidentally, the APC would appear to still be unable to wrest control of the direction of the campaign from the PDP. But this may count in its favour as every PDP manoeuvre fails to unleash a knock-out. In fact, the goal of the PDP to destroy the person of Buhari, at all cost without informing the electorate wither it would lead Nigeria, may expose it as an empty and desperate party ridden with fear. But only time will tell if the APC can rivet through this emptiness, desperation and fear to knock out the president. A Presidential election such as this in which the forces are reasonably well matched paints the picture of a boxing ring and two boxers set out for a championship duet. The PDP probably believes that, by focussing attention on Buhari’s person and demolishing it, attention will be shifted from what Buhari represents and which the electorate may be yearning for. ... an anti-corruption crusade which will re-

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

solve problems such as massive unemployment municipal electricity failure, and inflation, to mention a few. Poor Buhari. The PDP says he has no “O” level certificate. If he hasn’t, that will pitch him as a semi – illiterate against President Jonathan, who holds a Ph.D. But the attackers of Buhari’s person forgot that Professor Kofi Busia, an economist, couldn’t fix Ghana’s economic troubles, which hurled thousands of Ghana’s women on Nigeria’s prostitution market, and that it was flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings who did, by tackling corruption, and made his country’s economy buoyant again. Now, one after the other, Nigerian blue – chip transnational companies have relocated to Ghana. Now, Nigerian youths are invading Ghana for higher education. Now, many Nigerians who cannot find jobs in their own country, and who cannot afford the rigour of dying in the Morrocan desert on their way to Europe, are finding succour in Ghana. I do not know why Nigeria’s electoral law prescribe minimum certification for public office holders. But I suspect the matter of the likes of Barkin Zuwo may have had a hand in it. He was a governor in one of the states in the north. There were so many jokes made of his cognitive deficiencies. One was that when a huge sum of public funds he was suspected to have converted to personal use was found in the Governor’s official residence and he was questioned about it, he expressed surprise that the storage of “government money in government House” was an offence. Another was that when he pressed for the creation of a new state from his state and he was asked which mineral resources” were available in the proposed state to sustain it economically, Barkin Zuwo replied the minerals present there included “cocacola, fanta and 7-up”. On a more serious note, the electoral law prescribes certification. But there is confusion about this. Some people interpret it as “O” Level Certificate, which would imply at least five credit passes.

Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

INDUSTRY

‘Import substitution policy to ward off economic crisis’

S the harsh reality of plung ing crude oil prices contin ues to dawn on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is determined to champion the import substitution model to tackle the country economic crisis in the country. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, who spoke during a visit to Secure ID Limited, Lagos, said Nigeria could no longer continue to be an import-dependent country. According to him, the nation is wasting its foreign reserves on imported products, most of which can be produced locally. Dr. Aganga noted that there is need to urgently steps in the next four years to address more of the challenges hindering economic growth. “If we do not address the import situation in the next three to four years, we will be in a very big trouble in terms of our economic development,” he warned. The minister praised the factory’s efforts at boosting

Stories by Chikodi Okereocha

industrialisation, maintaining that the country is wasting its foreign reserves importing products it can produce. His words: “The message of this administration is very clear. We can no longer be a country that is import dependent, especially on products we can produce in this country. There are many actors we should have developed as a country, but we relied for decades on exporting raw materials which is oil. That era is gone and this is why the president launched the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) in 2012.” The Minister disclosed that under the NIRP, government’s approach is to diversify the nation’s revenue sources to boost economic growth. He said going by the plan, Nigeria by 2018, will no longer import petroleum products into the country and this will save the nation a minimum of about $10 billion. “We spend about $3 billion importing steel; we spend about $6 billion importing cars and spare parts and

also spend about $1.7 billion importing sugar where we can grow sugar cane to get sugar,” he said. While insisting that “Jonathan is the solution to the debacle we have had for decades and the idea is a matter of time to let him get the plan completed,” he said the falling oil price and devaluation of the naira have gotten Nigerians all surprised because for decades, the country adopted the wrong policies. In line with the new strategic thinking in favour of import substitution, the Federal Government had, as part of its emphasis on rapid growth of the non-oil sector for exports, listed 13 National Strategic Export Products (NSEP) meant to replace petroleum products whose prices have continued to tumble on the international market and in the process, threatening the stability of the economy. Aganga, during an unscheduled inspection and a meeting with the Executive Director of Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Olusegun Awolowo and members of the management team in

Abuja, listed the 13 NSEP in three categories including; agro-industrial- palm oil, cocoa, cashew, sugar and rice; mining related- cement, iron ore/metals, auto parts/ cars, aluminium and oil and gas industrial products- petroleum products, fertilizer/urea, petrochemical and methanol. The Minister noted that originally 12 products were identified, but the number increased because the Executive Director of NEPC made a very strong case for the inclusion of cashew on the list. Aganga, however, charged the NEPC to deploy its capacity for kick-starting the diversification of the country’s economy in line with the government’s agenda. Mr. Awolowo noted that NEPC under his leadership had long recognised the need to develop the non-oil export sub-sector and had in the process held series of strategic meetings with stakeholders for the development of ideas aimed at improving the foreign exchange earn-

ings by Nigeria through different avenues. These, he said, included the development of a 4year Strategic Plan, One State One Product (OSOP), Nigerian Diaspora Export Programme (NDEX) and the development of new markets for new products. Others, the NEPC boss said, include special initiatives on the Sub regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) markets, multi-stakeholders’ engagement of the export community, especially deepening of relationship with key stakeholders such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chambers of Commerce, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), among others initiatives. Awolowo assured that the agency would do its best in collaborating with other stakeholders to ensure increasing foreign exchange earnings by Nigeria with a view to reducing the effects of the current fall in oil prices at the international markets.

•From left: Representative of Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano and Deputy Governor, Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Rep of Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Sullivian Chime and Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Amaechi Okolo; Executive Director, South Directorate, Fidelity Bank Plc., Aku Odinkemelu and President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Frank Jacobs, at the official roll-out of Shacman trucks from ANAMMCO Plant financed by Fidelity Bank Plc.

Fed Govt revokes 1,200 quarry, 44 coal licences

HE Federal Government revoked 1,200 quarry li cences and 44 coal mineral titles last year, the Director-General (DG), Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Mr. Mohammed Amate, has said. Amate told the News Agency of Nigeria that the office issued over 3,000 quarry licences out of which 1,200 were revoked. He Nigeria has 1,800 valid registered quarry licences on its data base, and that the Office intended to issue between 250 to 300 quarry leases this year, adding that quarry was one of the major mining operations in the country. According to him, operators are expected to commence work within 18 months of issuance of a quarry licence. “If we discover that, after 18 months, the operator has not commenced operation, the law requires that we withdraw the lease and re-issue it to more se-

rious investors,” he told NAN. The director-general said this was to ensure that committed investors had access to the mineral resources. He noted that most of the quarry licences were used in the construction industry. Amate said quarry was important for the nation’s economic development, adding that it accounted for the granite used for construction of roads, bridges and houses, among others. “A single quarry employs between 200 and 300 people annually. Each year, we issue nothing less than 200 to 250 quarry leases. If you multiple this, you will see that it is a major employer,” he explained. He said statistics available had shown that quarry employed from 60,000 to 70,000 people annually. Amate said the Federal Government made it mandatory for any foreign

mining company in the country to employ 75 per cent of its workforce from Nigeria. “A lot of nationals such as Chinese and others are establishing more quarries, but we insist that a certain population on their payroll must be Nigerians. “We liaise very closely with the Federal Ministry of Interior so that it does not give them unnecessary waivers to bring personalities from either China or any other country,”Amate said, adding that the quarry minerals being mined included granite, marble, laterite, kaolin, limestone, gypsum, feldspars, pyrite, bentonite. The DG also disclosed that 44 coal mineral titles were revoked last year for being idle. He said in 2014 the Office issued 4,027 mineral titles, which covered exploration, mining, quarry and small scale mining licences.

‘OPS yet to access N220b MSME fund’ By Toba Agboola

HE Onitsha Chamber of Com merce has decried the inabil ity of members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to access the Federal Government intervention fund for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The President of the Chamber, Dr Tim Anosike, expressed this concern in an interview with reporters. “The OPS is still having difficulties in accessing the Federal Government’s N220b MSME fund,” he said. Dr. Anosike disclosed that the

problems facing the sector included the complicated procedures in accessing the fund and lack of interest of many banks in the programmme. “The current N220 billion MSME intervention fund by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is a laudable initiative. This chamber believes that if the fund could be made available for the target groups, the national economy would received a significant boost at the end of the day. He said this is more, considering that 60 per cent of the fund goes to women entrepreneurs. He, however, expressed fears over the complicated

Ogun cocoa farmers seek govt’s support

HE Chairman, Cocoa Farm ers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Ogun Chapter, Mr. Solomon Williams, has appealed to the Federal Government to provide all essential inputs to improve cocoa production. Making the appeal in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Monday, Mr. Williams said the government should empower farmers with inputs such as fertiliser and agro-chemicals

as well as facilitate easy access to loans. He added that lack of equipment and insufficient funds were some of the major problems affecting cocoa processing. “Government should help farmers by giving them agricultural inputs and finance to maintain their farms. Maintenance of cocoa farms is very imperative and capital consuming. It takes about two years for cocoa trees to start yielding well, which needs essential maintenance,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS e-Business

e-mail: lukajanaku02@gmail.com

Sadly, over the years, mass failure in public examinations seems to have become the norm in Nigeria. Many are blaming the boost in information communication technology (ICT) partly for the problem. Some experts have developed an application that could turn things around. But with increasing sophistication in IT-assisted crimes, how far can this application go? LUCAS AJANAKU writes.

HE use of internet has eased the way people live in Nigeria. Many applications (apps) have been developed in the areas of agriculture and education, health among others, which have helped solving human problems. President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Bayo Banjo, said access to the internet has become a double-edged sword. To Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, the hidden dangers unguided access to internet portends to students, moved the state to organise an awareness campaign for primary and secondary schools pupils. Aside using the internet as a platform to acquire genuine knowledge, it has also become a platform for the perfection of organised examination frauds. Through the internet, innocent people have been swindled of their whole life savings. Several marriages have been consummated and broken on the internet while cyber bullies have forced the young at heart to commit suicide. The Minister of Communication Technology, Dr (Mrs) Omobola Johnson said the information communication technology industry (ICT) in Nigeria has grown phenomenally over the last one decade. According to her, the industry is now viewed as “a critical sector of the economy, ranked with oil & gas and power,” contributing significantly to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). “The industry currently contributes 9.58 per cent to GDP (Q3 2014) and is further enabling other sectors of the economy. The total mobile internet subscriptions increased to 73.8 million as at September 2014 from 45 million in 2011 while internet penetration increased to about 52 per cent in September 2014 from about 26.5 per cent in September 2011,” she said. But determined to ensure that the internet is deployed to knowledge acquisition, two firms, Cinfores Limited and WaveTek Nigeria Limited, have developed e-learning app they argue will address mass failure in the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with the two software technology companies to address the increasing rate of mass failure in national examinations in the country through the innovative JAMB BrainFriend app. According to JAMB, in 2011, a total of 1,493,604 candidates wrote the examination out of which 2, 892 candidates scored above 300 marks while 842, 851 candidates below 200 marks. 495,426 candidates scored between 200-249 while 67,732 candidates scored between 250 and 269. The result further showed that 31, 444 candidates scored between 270-299 marks while another 7, 504 candidates had their results withheld because they were under investigation. Another 15,160 about 1.14per cent had their results cancelled because of examination malpractices while 28,069 candidates had invalid and incomplete results. In 2012, only three candidates scored 300 and above; 901 scored between 270 and 299; 71,339 scored between 250 and 269; 601,151 scored between 200 and 249; 374, 920 scored between 170 and 199 while 336, 330 scored below 170. Two years ago, the board withheld 12,110 results for possible disciplinary action. JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, said after thorough processing of answer scripts of the candidates who sat for the examination, the board discovered some forms of malpractice perpetuated during the conduct of the examination. A total of 1,629,102 candidates applied to sit for the Paper Pencil Test (PPT), while 15,008 candidates applied for the Dual Based Test, bringing the number of candidates to 1,644,110.

•Mrs Johnson

•Jack

•Banjo

Exploring ICT for better learning He said: “The general performance of candidates in this year’s examination shows remarkable improvement compared with last year’s. Ten candidates scored 300 marks and above, while 127,017 candidates scored between 1-159 marks. “About 40,692 candidates’ results were invalid due to either multiple shading or no shading at all. After processing all the results, the board also discovered that about 47,974 candidates were absent.” These are certainly disturbing results no doubts. The Director-General of NITDA, Mr. Peter Jack, lamented the steep decline in the quality of education in the country and the need to use ICT to improve the situation. He stressed the need to apply home-grown technology resources to address the twin issues of mass failure and malpractices in examination. He said: ‘There is certainly a sharp decline in the quality of education in our country. The mass failure in JAMB exams and other national examinations in recent years is a function of many things including the dearth of quality local resources to address the scourge. JAMB BrainFriend software will definitely tackle this.” Jack said, NITDA, as an IT agency, is committed to transforming every sector of the country. Jack said the agency will leave no stone unturned and partner local and international organisations to develop local solutions that will meet the needs of the sector. He said NITDA will do everything within its power to support the partnership between the two companies. He added that this is why the agency has keyed into the initiative as part of its effort to deepen and encourage local content development in education and other sectors of the economy as mandated by the ACT setting up the agency. Managing Director Cinfores Limited, Mr.

Asawo Ibifuro, said the two software firm decided to introduce the software to arm students with all that is needed for them to do well in their examination. Asawo, who frowned at the increasing rate of failure of students in JAMB examinations, said the software firm will continue to develop innovative apps that would promote ease in knowledge acquisition. He said: “We are committed to helping the students to pass their various educational examinations. We have assembled over 20,000 questions, answers and explanations that would help them overcome any kind of questions that come their way. This software will also banish any phobia that may arise from the electronic JAMB examination taking off this year.” The Managing Director of WaveTek Nigeria Limited Mr. Ken Spann, said the two companies realised the dangers of mass failure and its implication for the future of the country. According to him, the 75 per cent failure rate in the last JAMB examination in the country is unacceptable Spann who worked for 11 years at Microsoft Corporation in the United States (US) and Nigeria respectively promoting Microsoft Education value through Microsoft IT Academies, added that the firm would leverage on its network in the education sector. He said: “Through our strong network in education, we are collaborating with Cinfores to be its marketing partner and ensure that BrainFriend is used by the over 1.4 million students registered for the exam taking place in March this year.” Cinfores Limited had in the last 10 years pioneered locally developed e-learning and exam preparatory software also known as Cinfores BrainFriend. The new version of the software also contains over 20,000 questions, answers and explanation; 19 JAMB subjects/ subject com-

‘There is certainly a sharp decline in the quality of education in our country. The mass failure in JAMB exams and other national examinations in recent years is a function of many things including the dearth of quality local resources to address the scourge. JAMB BrainFriend software will definitely tackle this’

binations for the major disciplines; prototype/ past JAMB questions; career counseling guide; quick references/ study notes; performance tracking; summary/ questions on the UTME 2015 special literature –The Last Days at Forcados; available on Windows/ Android devices; free online counseling @ www.brainfriendonline.com; approved/ certified by the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigerian Educational Research Development Council (NERDC) and NITDA and affordable. Sector analysts say access to both PC and devices remain major challenges. For one, the software could only run on Android/ Windows devices that are relatively expensive. The software cannot run on features phones that are affordable. But Mr. Jack has promised to make the software available to all the NITDA digital centres across the country to enable examination candidate access it. He also promised to reach out to the NCC and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to make available the software to all its Community Communication Centres in order to extend the reach of the software to all, especially the candidates who cannot afford either a personal computer (PC) or a mobile device to activate the software for personal use. The two organisations are however optimistic that with the new wave of public and private sector deployment of locally adapted ICTs for the education sector, most of the challenges faced in the sector will be history. The CEOs urged all well-meaning Nigerians, organisations and institutions operating in the country to support the efforts by acquiring the licenses of the software and make it available to pupils and students across the country. Parents and teachers were also urged to download its mobile version on their Android or Windows devices to enable their wards that may not have devices to access the software pending when they could get devices for them. This is to ensure that at least 60 per cent of the candidates preparing for the examination have access to the software to use it to prepare adequately for the forth-coming examination. “We are sure this will be the game changer and we will begin to have more successful candidates in our national exams as we fully embrace this solution for forth coming JAMB UTME and related solutions for similar exams,” they said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

e-Business

Dwindling oil prices: MainOne urges ICT deployment

HE Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, Ms. Funke Opeke, has urged both the private and public sectors of the economy to deploy information communication technology (ICT), improve productivity and lower operating cost. She said the ICT sector is also important for the oil and gas industry as its deployment would result in optimum resource utilisation at lower cost. “The role of the ICT is particu-

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

larly critical in driving down costs and optimising operational efficiency in this period of falling oil prices. Oil and gas companies need to adopt ICT solutions to maintain profitability,” Opeke said during this year’s Oil and Gas Session in Lagos. She added that the slump in global oil prices has made fiscal belt-tightening measures imperative, stressing that with Federal

Government reviewing 6,000 ongoing projects and proposing doubling of Value Added Tax (VAT) from five to 10 per cent, there is need for oil and gas companies to toe this line by leveraging available ICT infrastructure in Nigeria. Speaking on the expansion plans of the undersea cable company, Opeke said Cameroon is one of the countries the firm is looking forward to taking the sea cable to. She also said the firm will take services to the oil and gas pro-

ducing Niger Delta region of the country. This, she believed, will significantly improve connectivity services in the Southsouth region and enable oil companies in this region access the internet more effectively by effortlessly interconnecting with their home offices. Specifically, Opeke noted the importance of enhanced connectivity of digital oil fields to MainOne’s Tier III Data Center, MDX-I cannot be overemphasised

as it would lead to significant cost reduction. MainOne offers telecommunications services which include data center, co-location, global video center, metro ethernet, managed services, global internet services and global IP transit. The MainOne Tier III Certified Data Center, MDX-i, is TIA (Telecommunication Industry Association) 942 compliant with 600 rack space and ample work area space.

NITDA to partner BoI on IT devt

•Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Mr. Austin Okere (left) and Founder of Zinox Technologies, Leo Stan Ekeh, during a panel discussion at the Maiden Annual Fidelity SMEs Conference in Lagos.

We ‘ll focus on data services, others, says Globacom

IGERIA’s second national operator, Globacom, has promised to focus on data services, network improvement and rewards its customers in the country this year. It said the huge investment it made last year on telecoms equipment swap has helped redefine customers’ experience both on data and voice on its network. Its Sales Director, Mr. Ken Hull told The Nation that the major network overhaul that took place last year will not be halted, but would continue into the year. He said: “Our network had a major overhaul last year. That will continue throughout 2015. We will continue to expand the network. We will be offering more and more packages, not just with voice, but with data. You know data is really the key to the future. That is a global fact. In really mature markets, in Europe and in the West, data at some stage became the key to bringing in more subscribers. So, there will be a great emphasis on data and of course the network will continue to improve and expand.” Hull also said there will be more

promos designed specifically to reward loyal customers of the brand. “Like I said earlier, there will be more and more of promos. That is for sure. But on a different note, as I also said before, we will continue to expand the network, to improve the network and to try to bring more subscribers in. “Glo has scored first with many of its innovative ideas in telecoms .We will continue to try to be as innovative as we can. We are an indigenous company. It is owned by a Nigerian and because of that I think we have a duty to be even better than our competitors and we will be,” he said, adding that since rolling out 12 years ago, it has always set the pace for others to follow. He continued: “We have always been very motivated to be at home with our subscribers after all, Globacom was made by our subscribers. Were it not for our subscribers, we won’t be where we are today so this promo is just one in so many promos we have done to reward them. “And as I said earlier, in 2015, you will see even more of life enriching

promos all in an attempt to get closer to our subscribers, because after all, they are the key to the success of our success. “The point I want to stress here is that when Globacom makes a commitment, we stick by that commitment well and truly. And as you see this morning, the happiness that has been created is fantastic. What a start for the new year for all of these very lucky subscribers and we will continue to do more of that this year. “Without the customers, without subscribers, we will not be around. It is very clear that without those customers, Globacom would be nowhere. And so it is a token of our appreciation. We want to keep our customers loyal and so we feel that there are many ways of doing that by making the network good and offering them good service. “All these we are striving to achieve and we believe we have achieved. But in addition to that, why not give more in the form of promotions, nice prizes, spread it out to as many subscribers as we can; that is the name of the game and that will continue in 2015.”

HE National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is to partner with the Bank of Industry (BoI) on information technology (IT) development. Its Director-General, Mr. Peter Jack, who spoke while receiving the Managing Director of BoI Mr. Rashid Olaluwa and his management team that visited the agency in Abuja, said the agency is mandated to encourage the private sector become the driving force for IT creativity and productivity. He added that it is mandated to encourage local production and manufacture of IT components in a competitive manner in order to generate foreign earnings and create jobs. He said NITDA will also create an enabling environment for the entrepreneurs. Said Jack: “NITDA since inception has developed a frame work for almost every sector such as the de-

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

velopment of e-agriculture portal, e-health, e-government, distribution of computer science text books to primary and secondary school students among others.” Responding, Mr. Olaoluwa expressed satisfaction with NITDA’s activities, saying: “we are here today to brainstorm on how to come out with a frame work that will help in achieving certain goals in technology in general because technology is the mother of all in terms of national development.” The partnership will develop a framework on how to support the companies that invest heavily in internet space business and the BoI is doing everything possible to support its customers. The Ag, Head of Corporate Strategy and Research of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji said both sides will combine effort to bring a very good result in the partnership.

SystemSpecs boosts cashless with Remita

NIGERIAN firm, SystemSpecs Limited, has introduced an electronic collection platform, Remita, to ease money collection. According to the firm, Remita is a faster, safer and more convenient way of collecting money for both small and large scale enterprises as well as other collecting organisations. Its Managing Director, Mr. John Obaro, who spoke during the launch of the new platform, said the development is in line with the move by the Federal Government to close all revenue accounts of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with commercial banks, incorporating them into a consolidated revenue fund taking effect from March 1 this year. Obaro said the platform has been able to solve many complexities as regard the payment and collection of money. He said the idea behind Remita is making it easy for people to pay and for collectors to receive money faster. He said it is opening up practically all bank branches making it easier to pay either with a bank card electronically or online or mobile banking. He explained that it is easy to set the e-collection portal up, adding that “for those who do not need full integration, you are ready to start receiving money within one hour and

By Adebusola Adesunloye

within two days for those that need technical integration.” Remita, according to Obaro, is the quickest and easiest way to connect to the market and has the widest reach, in terms of options available to those who want to pay while signing up to Remita is absolutely free. This makes it friendly for both small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Medium and Small Enterprises (MSME). He said: “We make our money with your payments, your transactions and even at that, we are charging two per cent subject to a maximum of N2000, which is far below the market average,” he said, adding that the charge in the market is up to 3.5 per cent. “This feat has, however, been credited to the advanced technology put in place, making it easy to connect with the platform, which in turn takes away the initial connection fee. It requires easy steps to register by visiting remita.net.” Also speaking at the briefing in Lagos, its Executive Director, Deremi Atanda outlined the benefits, adding that Remita is bringing to the table a comprehensive package which is aimed at making the collection of payment simple.

How to grow SMEs to profitability, by CWG chief

OUNDER and Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Mr. Austin Okere has identified three elements that would assure the success of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners in the country. Encapsulated in what he termed the “Three Power of Success”, he urged SMEs to ensure that their business visions are driven by the success factors. The three power of success include the Way Power, the Will Power and the Wait Power. He said: “The three powers are secrets that will keep every entrepreneur going. The Will Power is the competence you possess to run your

business. The knowledge of how to run the enterprise you want to venture into. “Many people will start a business, create solutions then go about looking for the problems. And when people don’t buy it, they become disappointed. You first ought to be finding out peoples’ problems and pain points then create solutions that ameliorate the pain. This is the best way to ensure patronage. “The will power is the resolve to keep going when everyone say give up. Sometimes people close to you will advise you to dump your venture and seek a proper job. But, what should keep you going at such times is your passion. It is the passion of a

•Saved in Mac 70 - 47-48 - e-Business Folder 29-01-2015

footballer that makes him complain when he is benched, despite the fact that he will still receive his pay at the end of the day. Your will power makes you go the extra mile, while your passion makes you persist in your venture while waiting for pay day. “Most businesses fail because the proprietors abandon them as soon as they face challenges, because it is not yielding as much as they want. After you have put so much effort into your business, you need to patiently wait for the benefits that will accrue from it. This is the essence of the third power; the wait power, which takes you eventually to light at the end of a dark tunnel.”

On how SMEs can leverage on technology to maximise costs and maximize result, Okere encouraged merchants to explore the opportunities that the CWG 2.0 platform offers. He spoke on Leveraging Technology for SME Growth during the maiden edition of the Annual Fidelity SMEs conference in Lagos. He said: “SMERP and Openshopen platforms are designed to meet the peculiar needs of SMEs in Nigeria. Openshopen will give you the visibility your business requires to thrive in this age where businesses are going online, while SMERP will take care of your accounting and generate the records banks such as Fidelity

Bank will require from you to access loans. Beyond that, they are reliable and affordable, and are available on a subscription basis.” He said the essence of developing the CWG2.0 platform is to democratise the technology that companies such as Jumia and Konga have while used exclusively to great advantage, and make them available to the over 17.7m MSMEs in Nigeria. “Seeing the value that this platform shall bring to the SME’s in the country, SMEDAN has signed an MoU with CWG Plc culminating in a partnership that will address the technology needs of the sector,” Austin concluded.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

NASS adds social security for the aged, jobless to NSTF’s mandate

Fed Govt’s job creation claims bogus, says NLC T T

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed doubts about the job creation claims of President Goodluck Jonathan. The labour union said the high unemployment level in the country did not justify the government’s claims. Its General-Secretary, Comrade Peter Oso Ezon, told The Nation that the figure could not be verified so it was better to treat it with the desired circumspect. He said no one was privy to the framework government used to collate figures for the employment profile during the year under review. He said if the Federal Government were sincere, all its policies

Stories by Toba Agboola

should have employment content, adding that its three million yearly job creation target was an illusion. The Federal Government recently inaugurated a Presidential Jobs Board of Nigeria with a mandate to create three million jobs within the next 12 months. The board was drawn from public and private sectors. President Jonathan urged the board to work out a road map that will, on monthly and on a yearly basis, create jobs for the youth. Government claimed the board, which was inaugurated last year, has generated thousands of jobs for

the youths. Vice President Namadi Sambo has said the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) of the government is an intervention programme designed to meet specified targets in the transformation agenda of Jonathan’s administration. He said SURE-P has in the last three years intervened in infrastructure programmes, adding that it has justified the huge investment in the sector. He stated that the programme will assist to review the SURE-P programme in the last three years with a view to strategising for better performance in the future.

HE National Assembly has voted to give the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) the additional mandate of providing social security for the aged and unemployed. The scheme currently has the responsibility to enforce the Employee Compensation Act (ECA), which ensures that employees who get injured or lose their lives in the line of duty are adequately compensated. The new amendment, according to the NSITF, was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly on January 14, this year and is expected to be presented to President Goodluck Jonathan for assent. Speaking about the additional role, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NSITF, Ngozi Olejeme, said its realisation was due to Federal Government’s unrelenting effort to improve the welfare of workers and vulnerable groups. Olejeme said: “We know that the

President will assent to the bill once it is presented to him. The implementation of the employees’ compensation scheme by the NSITF was an idea that was very dear to Mr. President. “He wanted to ensure that workers that sustain injuries in the course of their duties are no longer left to their fate. The signing of the new national minimum wage law without hesitation shows that he is committed to bettering the lives of the Nigerian workers. “These additional responsibilities of providing some forms of social safety net to unemployed and aged person will be done with passion and dedication. The NSITF is well-equipped to execute these new additions,” he said. Managing Director of NSITF, Munir Abubakar, said the Federal Government has given the fund a huge task and its responsibility is to ensure smooth implementation. He said NSITF is ready for the task at hand.

PENGASSAN warns against indiscriminate sack

•NUPENG President, Comrade (Dr) Achese Igwe with the General Secretary, Comrade Isaac Aberare during a press briefing to declare his ambition to contest for NLC Presidency, in Lagos.

‘8,500 construction workers lost jobs’

VER 8,500 workers in the construction sector lost their jobs last year due to non-payment of funds to contractors handling various jobs for the Federal Government, the National President, Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA), Dr. Augustine Etafo has said. He also expressed fears that more jobs are likely to be lost this year because there was no budgetary provisions for the execution of projects this year, putting contractors and workers in a dangerous position. Speaking with reporters in Lagos, he lamented that the development was counter-productive to the growth of the nation’s economy. He urged the Federal Government to live up to its responsibilities by paying contractors as at when due so as to save the sector from collapse. While expressing hope that the construction sector local content bill at the National Assembly would bring renewed hope for the construction sector when passed into law, he charged the management of two cement companies,

Lafarge and Holcim to ensure that the welfare of workers are protected as the companies plan to merge. He tasked the companies to guarantee that all collective agreements reached are honoured, adding that the companies must also commit to maintaining global level social dialogue that Lafarge previously participated in with unions. In a related development, CCESSA has urged the Federal Government to fulfil the agreement reached with companies in the construction industry.

Etafo, who made the appeal, told newsmen in Lagos that the industry may have more job losses this year as uncertainties surround the Federal Government implementation of austerity measures. He said: “We call on the three tiers of government, especially the Federal, the state and local governments to fulfil their agreement reached with companies in the construction industry as over 8,500 workers in the sector lost their jobs in 2014 due to non-payment of funds to contractors handling various jobs for the Federal Government.”

ETROLEUM and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has said it would not tolerate indiscriminate sack of its members under the guise of falling oil prices in the international market. Its President, Comrade Olabode Johnson, who spoke with journalists in Lagos, said the union would jealously guide the rights of workers in the sector in the face of the current realities. He said the union is optimistic that when the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is passed into law, it would launch Nigeria into global reckoning in terms of better prospects in the oil and gas industry. He stressed that the bill could still be passed barring post-election skirmishes in the country which could frustrate same. Director, Advisory, Oil and Gas, PriceWater House Ltd. Mr Ritch Wingo, said oil companies may

Pensioners demand 29 months arrears

HE Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has urged the Federal Government to immediately pay pensioners 29 months outstanding arrears. The senior citizens also praised the government for earlier paying arrears of nine months with 33 per cent pension increment. Its President, Comrade Abel Afolayan, in a statemnt, said paying the pensioners the arrears would lift the heavy burden off their shoulders, stressing that pensioners would remain indebted to the government if the balance is paid as soon as this year’s budget

NDE ‘empowers 50 youths in Imo’

HE Director-General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Mohammed Abubakar, has said 50 youths from Imo State have been empowered by the NDE through the provision of skills and equipment to ensure they are self-reliant. He spoke while presenting resettlement items to the youths at the weekend at Enyiato Develop-

ment Centre, Enyiogugu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the state. The equipment include generating sets, hair drying machines, cooking gas, sets of kitchen utensils, decoration chairs, and satellite dish installation equipment. Mohammed, who was represented by the State Director of the NDE, Engineer Jaja Isichei, said

lay off workers due to the drop in oil price in the global market. Wingo, who spoke on the sidelines of the Offshore West Africa Conference in Lagos, said falling oil price has adversely affected the sector. “Right now, a lot of companies are trying to lay off workers due to falling oil price. It is going to be pretty rough in a couple of months to come. The best thing to do now is to go back to the banks to talk on how to restructure our finances so that people will not default. If oil price continues to fall, investors are not going to invest again,” he said. Wingo said the present pump price of petrol, though good, was not sufficient. “If you look at the United States of America, a gallon of petrol is sold for just $4 (N740) because there is a regulatory body regulating the price,” he said.

the step was part of government’s efforts at reducing unemployment in the country by empowering the youths. He said the beneficiaries were trained in various skills ranging from hair dressing, confectionaries, decorations, satellite dish installation and tiling under the community based training and resettlement scheme of the directorate.

proposal is passed into law. While stating that the payment of the nine months arrears put smiles on the faces of pensioners and their families, Afolayan said paying off the remaining arrears will demonstrate the commitment of government to the welfare and well-being of its senior citizens. “Our members will ever remain indebted to the Federal Government if the balance of the arrears is paid as soon as the 2015 budget is passed. Similarly, all unpaid gratuities and other entitlements of pensioners should be as well captured in the 2015 budget for payment. “We wish to equally make a case that the balance of 20.4 percentage pension increase which made the total 53.4 percentage increase, formally and officially approved by the Federal Government be immediately worked out and captured in the 2015 budget or in the subsequent budget for payment,” he said The union also called on the Federal Government to place pension funding on first line charge as obtained in other countries, and as a mark of respect for the senior citizens.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 28-01-15

Accounting software delays Vitafoam’s results, dividends

HE board of directors of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc yesterday explained that the release of the company’s audited report and accounts and dividend recommendation were delayed by the change in the company’s accounting software. The investing public has been awaiting the release of Vitafoam’s earnings report for the year ended September 30, 2014. The board of directors had earlier indicated that it would consider the accounts and report and make dividend recommendation at its meeting in December 2014. However, the board yesterday said there would be a delay in the release of the company’s audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2014 and the unaudited accounts for the first quarter ended December 31, 2014. According to the company, the delay is as a result of challenges associated with its ongoing migration from Sage Line 500 accounting software to the newly acquired Sage ERP X3 Package. Vitafoam noted that the implementation of the new software has impacted the timelines previously set for the preparation and audit of

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

the year end accounts. It expressed optimism that the accounting issues would be resolved satisfactorily soon. The announcement yesterday was also meant to dissuade the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from imposing sanctions on the foam-manufacturing company for violating the timeline for the submission of earnings report. Post-listing rules at the NSE require quoted companies to submit their earnings reports, not later than three months after the expiration of the period. This implies that Vitafoam needed to have submitted its earnings report for the full-year ended September 30, 2014 on or before December 31, 2014 while it would have to submit its first quarter report for the period ended December 31, 2014 on or before March 31, 2015. Vitafoam’s share price rose marginally by 1.07 per cent yesterday at the NSE to close at N3.79 per share. The explanation appeared to assuage the market, which has come to see the foam-manufacturing company as a traditional dividend paying company with almost predictable pattern.

For the past four consecutive years and in spite of declining and tight margins, the company has distributed annually N246 million as cash dividends to shareholders. Usually, shareholders would receive a dividend per share of 30 kobo for the business year. At the current market price, the expected retention of the previous dividend payout or a cut of 25 per cent would provide a dividend yield of between eight and six per cent. This is above the average dividend yield at the stock market and will represent a better performance than what the company did in the previous year when dividend yield at the point of dividend announcement was about five per cent. Audited report and accounts of Vitafoam Nigeria for the year ended September 30, 2013 had indicated that sales rose by 12.8 per cent but pre and post tax profits dropped by 22.5 per cent and 18.2 per cent respectively. The largest growth on the profit and loss accounts remains finance expenses, which rose by about 40 per cent. With basic earnings per share dropping from 61 kobo to 50 kobo, the retention of the 30 kobo dividend payout cut dividend cover from 2.03 times to 1.67 times.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 28-01-15

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

MONEYLINK Access Bank achieves 100% tax compliance

‘Why we’re defending naira’

HE Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has said that government will continue to intervene to keep the exchange rate stable because of the dire consequences of doing otherwise. Speaking at a meeting with stakeholders in Lagos, he said that the apex bank is committed to achieving exchange rate stability, adding that allowing the local currency to find its level will not be in the interest of the economy and the larger population. The naira yesterday, opened at a record low of N192.60, down 0.26 per cent from its previous close, due to tight dollar supplies. The naira has been hitting record lows against the greenback this year as dollar liquidity dries up in the wake of tumbling oil prices, Nigeria’s main export. The unit closed at a record low of N192.10 to the dollar. The Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said that it has been established that when left on its own to adjust to the dynamics of demand and supply, the exchange rate will automatically find its fair value.

•Emefiele Stories by Collins Nweze

He said despite this and the attendant advantages, very few economies are willing to accept the uncertain-ties accompanying floating exchange and allow their currencies to freely move against other currencies. “This is because it is often seen as too important a macro-economic variable to be left un-guided as its state and movements can have serious implications for the economy. For instance, episodes of

depreciation are often accompanied by imported inflation and worsening positions of local firms that borrow in foreign currencies. Conversely, currency appreciation may also lead to the loss of export competitiveness,” he said. Rewane said with the floating system representing an extreme case of ex-change rate determination, many countries employ the other extreme of fixing their currency, either to that of a major trading partner or to a group of trading partners. “The hypothetical justification for this is that a pegged/fixed exchange rate system is less vulnerable to speculative attacks. Second, it promotes international trade and investment as there is less risk coming from currency fluctuations. It also provides discipline for macroeconomic policies even as excessive monetary growth will be discouraged since the authorities know that it will lead to devaluation,” he argued. Such development, he said, show that countries that practice the pegged system enjoy a relatively stable inflation environment as well as improved trade and capital flows.

FMDA gets new Governing Council members

HE Financial Market Dealers Association of Nigeria (FMDA) has named new Governing Council Members for the group at its 22nd Annual General Meeting held in Lagos. A statement signed by its Executive Secretary/CEO, ‘Wale Abe, named David Adepoju of Standard Chartered Bank Limited as the President, while Adebayo Adeyemo of Citibank Nigeria is Vice President. Also, Michael Anyimah of Zenith

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

Bank, Tolu Obadagbonyi of Kakawa Discount House and Kayode Obatusin, Rand Merchant Bank were named members of the group. Ayo Babatunde of Ecobank Nigeria, Akinsowon Dawodu of Citibank and Ini Ebong of FirstBank Nigeria Limited are now Ex-Officio members. It said the new officers would run the affairs of the Association for the next two years. Abe said the association is will-

126.59 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,737.59 1,104.62 112.91 121.16 1.67 1.29 1.32 0.95 1.17

126.46 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,737.59 1,103.85 112.30 120.30 1.62 1.28 1.32 0.93 1.17

O/PRICE 2.73 0.80 0.83 2.89 33.50 0.68 26.25 2.15 129.00 15.67 5.89 2.75 9.07

C/PRICE 3.00 0.84 0.87 3.00 34.50 0.70 27.00 2.20 131.99 16.00 5.98 2.79 9.20

CHANGE 9.89 5.00 4.82 3.81 2.99 2.94 2.86 2.33 2.32 2.11 1.53 1.45 1.43

LOSERS AS AT 28-01-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

REDSTAREX MAYBAKER CONTINSURE CUTIX NEM UPL PAINTCOM FLOURMILL OANDO NASCON DIAMONDBNK WAPCO CUSTODYINS

3.62 1.58 0.95 1.47 0.57 4.10 1.54 39.80 15.88 6.59 4.00 82.00 3.95

3.44 1.51 0.91 1.41 0.55 3.98 1.50 39.00 15.60 6.50 3.95 81.05 3.91

CHANGE -4.97 -4.43 -4.21 -4.08 -3.51 -2.93 -2.60 -2.01 -1.76 -1.37 -1.25 -1.16 -1.01

HE Central Bank of Nigeria has approved the appointment of Mr Thomas A. Etuh and Alhaji Aminu Babangida as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Unity Bank Plc. A statement from Unity last night, said this approval was contained in a letter to the Bank dated January 23, 2015 and signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs Tokunbo Martins. It noted that “their appointments followed the resignation of the former Chairman, Alhaji Lamis Shehu Dikko from the Board in December 2014 to pursue his political aspirations.” Unity Bank said Mr Etuh, who was appointed pioneer Vice Chairman of

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: December

has built a tax system that works and that it has sustained the state in the face of declining oil price. “The price of oil has dropped drastically. The federal allocations to the states have dropped. In spite of those droppings, Lagos State has paid salaries regularly. We paid 15 per cent bonus in December because we created a model of public finance that works,” he said. The governor said that Lagos State will continue to thrive because it implements a robust tax administration which he said should be emulated nationwide. Executive Secretary, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Joseph Emoleke agreed that the dwindling state of the nation’s revenue profile is no longer news to discerning Nigerians. He said while some governments, especially at the states’ level, have over the years, deliberately tinkered with their revenue mix for funding government operations thereby insulating the operations of government from oil revenue volatility, regretably to a large extent, others have not, he stated.

CBN approves chairman, vice for Unity Bank

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

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

the Board of Directors, on April 22, 2014 has varied experience, gained from over two decades of contribution to the public and private sectors of the economy, especially the agric sector of the economy. The new Vice Chairman Alhaji Aminu Babangida, is the son of former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, an Entrepreneur and a co-founder/CEO of Phoenix Energy, Abuja. He was appointed to the Board of Unity Bank Plc in 2011. He has held chairmanship and membership positions in a number of board committees, including Credit Committee, Audit Committee, Information Technology & Strategy Committee, among others.

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

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

CBN EXCHANGE RATES January 14, 2015

Monetary Policy Rate

GAINERS AS AT 28-01-15

SYMBOL IKEJAHOTEL AIICO NPFMCRFBK DANGFLOUR UNILEVER COSTAIN PZ LIVESTOCK GUINNESS ETI DANGSUGAR AFRIPRUD CCNN

ingness to continue to promote the tenets of sound ethical and professional market practice aimed at ensuring market transparency and price discovery in its dealing activities. He said the body will partner with the regulatory authorities and other major stakeholders to facilitate the deepening of the Nigerian financial markets in line with global standards, so as to competitively attract both local and foreign capital into the nation’s economy.

CCESS Bank Plc yesterday, received recognition from the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) for achieving 100 per cent tax compliance. The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola presented the award to the bank. Receiving the award, the Group Managing Director, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, said the lender is grateful to be so recognised as a tax compliant institution. “We know of only one way to conduct our business and that’s the socially responsible way. We encourage the LIRS to continue their good work as the quest for a better Lagos is the responsibility of all,” he said. Wigwe was represented by the bank’s Chief Financial Officer, Seyi Kumapayi. Fashola said tax payment is a social contract between the government and the governed which must be kept. While commending the bank for being a tax compliant organisation, he said revenues from taxation have helped the state to fulfill its developmental roles to the people. He said the Lagos State government

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

167

168

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$35b

US Dollar

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$45

Pounds Sterling

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

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

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 29, 2015

JIGAWA STATE GOVERNMENT

Being a Speech Delivered by His Excellency, (Dr.) Sule Lamido CON During the Presentation of Year 2015 Appropriation Bill to the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Tuesday 27th January, 2015 Protocol. . . Assalamu Alaikum and Good Morning to you all. 2. Honorable Members, this will be my 9th and final presentation of an Appropriation Bill to this Honorable House. The first time I did this, was in July 2007, to request for an amendment of the 2007 Appropriation Law which was already more than six months old then. Even though this administration would partly implement the 2015 Budget for only five months I am therefore presenting to you today a 12-month fiscal plan for the 2015 Fiscal year. Even though it is a fullyear’s budget presentation, the implementation horizon for me is relatively shorter, and as should be expected, the primary focus for me, would be to try to consolidate as much as possible the gains of our journey to statehood during the last seven and half years. 3. Let me from the onset express my gratitude to Almighty Allah, the Beneficent and the Merciful - for His infinite mercy, benevolent guidance and total protection. By His special Grace, we were able to wither the storm to persevere and eventually exceled in this extremely challenging and strenuous undertaking of transforming the socioeconomic landscape of our dear State. This occasion is also most appropriate for me to acknowledge, and most sincerely appreciate, the teamwork of the legislative arm in facilitating our success stories. No projects or programs would have been implemented without passing through an appropriation by this Honorable House. Almost 160 Laws and Resolutions were passed in this chamber during the last seven years, to ensure that the process of governance is good enough for the development of our State. I remain confident that the same congenial harmony between the executive and legislative arms of Government would continue to exist in governing the affairs of this State. 4. Most of us present here today will still recall that during my inaugural speech as Governor of Jigawa State on that historic Tuesday May 29th, 2007, I made a pointer to the fact that ours was the only democratically elected Government, that was reminiscent of a political ideology rooted in what I called “democratic humanism.” I also pointed out that, meeting the yearnings and aspirations of a people reduced by poverty and wretchedness to conditions unworthy of humanbeings requires an ideological frame of mind that drew inspiration from the philosophy of our founding fathers in the struggle for the emancipation of the downtrodden. Indeed, this has been the core of our democratic struggles and this was what actually informed the philosophy of our leadership – “peoples redemption” and the promotion of their socioeconomic wellbeing. This perfectly fits in with our constitutional mandate and responsibilities that of “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government…” Subsequently, some would also recall, when I came to present my full year appropriation bill to this Honorable House, I reechoed that commitment by saying that… “… the mandate given to us by the people is a trust which we are duty bound to deliver through concrete policies and programmes that would transform their lives for the better, that would ensure that all the basic needs for a decent and dignified human existence are guaranteed and that would ensure that the course of development in the state is charted along a path that is sustainable and humane…” 5. Now, looking back at our almost eight-year journey, I feel fulfilled by the fact that in discharging our primary constitutional responsibility, we have surpassed the expectations of many; and to every objectively discerning mind, from whatever perspective one chooses to appraise the situation, we would be leaving the scene much-much better than we met it. It has not been “motion without movement” as it were. Just as no sector or segment of the society was not positively affected, so also no part of the state – no matter how remote – was not reached in terms of public service delivery and infrastructural development. The outputs, outcomes and impact of our interventions and initiatives are indeed very evident in all sectors and in all the nooks and crannies of the state, no stone was left unturned in the socioeconomic transformation process we spearheaded. Brief Performance Review 6. Honorable Speaker, as usual, before I present the 2015 Appropriation Bill, I deemed it appropriate to briefly give the Honorable House an overview of the fiscal performance during the preceeding year. It would be recalled that as per the provisions of the 2014 Appropriation Law, it was envisaged that N114.7 billion would accrue into the coffers of the state to finance all the approved expenditures under the appropriation law. Preliminary reports indicate that actual income from all sources into the consolidated revenue fund of the State as at December 2014 was approximately N97.3 billion. This is equivalent to almost 85% of the approved estimates. While this may seem a moderately fair performance in absolute terms, the revenue shortfall has severely constrained the extent of budget implementation by over N17 billion. Principally, the revenue shortfall was due to non-accrual of expected reimbursements from the Federal Government in respect of the Airport Project and the take-over of assets of the State ICT Company (Galaxy ITT) by the Federal Government owned Galaxy Backbone several years ago and dwindling receipts from the Federation Account. Indeed, even with respect to internal revenue, the performance was equally below expectation. 7. As regards the expenditure component, the interim report indicate an overall budget implementation rate of slightly less than 84% based on an aggregate expenditure outturn of almost N92.26 billion. Looking at the two main expenditure components, recurrent expenditure financing during the year was over 91% even in the face of dwindling financial resources which is considered an excellent performance. These include payments of personnel emoluments, overheads, pensions & gratuities and subvention to Government parastatals amongst others. Even though implementation of capital expenditure components was adversely affected by the revenue shortfalls, proactive measures were taken to ensure that major and critical ongoing projects were not stalled. Honorable Members would recall that the sum of N53.803 billion was the amount approved under the 2014 Appropriation Law for capital investments. Actual capital expenditure stood at about N40.6 billion at the end of the year. This is a “below-average” performance as it represents only about 76% of the total approved estimates. As you know, best practice requires less than 10% deviation between the approved estimates and the actual budgetary outturns. In terms of physical project execution however, it is pleasing to note that performance is relatively much higher as several major projects were completed during the year with some of them already commissioned. While this is gratifying, the downside is that high rate of project execution in the face of deficits in revenue accruals has resulted in the accumulation of contractual liabilities for some of the projects. The 2015 proposed budget has taken cognizance of the trend and has made adequate plans to ensure that our fiscal operations remain sound and stable. 8. Let me at this stage seek the indulgence of the Honourable Members to skip any detailed review of our accomplishments across various sectors. Suffice it to say that, what we have achieved over the years through diligent implementation of the annual appropriations, have gone beyond merely “building foundations for future development” or the so-called “dividends of democracy”. As is evidently clear, our achievements are concrete accomplishments with everlasting impact on the socioeconomic wellbeing of the present and future generations of Jigawa State citizens. Most recent additions to our major accomplished undertakings include the premier State University which has already matriculated its first set of undergraduate students; the State Television Project already on air with state-of-the-art digitalized communication gadgets and state-wide coverage; the State Airport Project already operational for both domestic and international flights; having been certified by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), all major towns every night are well-lit with Street Lights; A befitting state capital fast-becoming a metrocosmopolitan city. In the same vein, major people-oriented programmes initiated by the Administration since its early days such as the Social Security Payments for disabled persons; Free Maternal and Child Healthcare Programme and the Free Education for Girls at all levels, have all been continuously and consistently funded and expanded ever since they were started. In terms of moving the state’s economy forward, I believe most of the projects and programmes we have undertaken have significantly contributed to the provision of an appropriate investment climate and business environment. 9. To ensure that the private sector takes advantage of the existing conducive atmosphere, Jigawa Invest was established through the Advisory Council on Economic Management and

Investment Promotion which has been persistently working and mobilizing private sector investments into Jigawa State. I assure Honorable Members and indeed, the entire citizens of Jigawa State that these efforts would soon come to fruition as we begin to commission or lay the foundation stones of a number of medium to large scale private-sector led industrial development projects in the state. While it is the duty of Government to provide the necessary enabling environment and ensure that systems and processes are working effectively. It is the private sector that always play a leading role in generating the kind of economic growth required to engender socioeconomic development. I am pleased to note that DFID, through one of its programmes, is working to support Jigawa Investment and Advisory Council to achieve our objectives. 10. Undoubtedly, some of the projects we have initiated - particularly in the roads sector - would still be ongoing by the end of my tenure; Nonetheless, I am pleased to state that, my administration would not be leaving behind projects that would be called “white-elephant” or projects that were stalled or abandoned for any reason whatsoever. Strategic prioritization in the planning and budget process has ensured that projects embarked upon by this administration were absolute priorities for the development of the state that also meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people. 2015 - 2017 Medium Term Fiscal Framework and Focus of the 2015 Budget. 11. As usual, the annual budget and planning process involves the preparation of Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) as to ensure that the process is pursued within a well-informed context. Together with our CDF, these provided the necessary economic and fiscal analyses which form the basis for 2015-2017 medium term sector strategies which, in turn, largely informed the 2015 proposed budget. It would be pertinent to note that even as a sub-national entity, we have a revenue forecasting model that adopts national level fiscal targets in projecting accruable revenues to the state over the medium-term. Using this model and taking into cognizance other endogenous variables that affect fiscal trends and performance of other revenue sources including IGR, it is been projected that for the period 2015 - 2017about N267billion would accrue to the State from various sources. This is less than 2014 – 2016 projected incomes by about 5%. While only about 37% of the medium term fiscal projection is in respect of the 2015, it is envisaged that a greater proportion of the capital investments during the years would be in the CDF priority sectors that prepare Medium-term Sector Strategies namely: Agriculture, Environment, Education, Health and Critical Infrastructure including Roads & Transport Development, Commerce and Investment, Women and Social Development, and Economic Empowerment. 12. Mr Speaker, it would be recalled that almost five years ago when I presented the 2010 Appropriation Bill, I submitted for endorsement to the Honourable House, the State Comprehensive Development Framework as the overarching state development policy document. While the CDF has since then provided the context of the annual budget, I am pleased to inform you that this very important document is presently undergoing a comprehensive review through an intensive and broad consultative process with a view to developing a Second Edition. As soon as the process is completed, the New CDF Document would be submitted for the endorsement of the Honourable Members. Nonetheless, it would be pertinent to mention that even as the review process is presently ongoing, overall context of the 2015 proposed budget is still the CDF and by extension, the key policy objectives and priorities that informed the preparation of the 2015 Proposed Budget were derived from it. As I mentioned from the onset, the agenda that we have pursued in the preceding years have now firmly established the development trajectory of the state along a path which I believe is sustainable. Concrete policies and programmes have all along, been pursued delivering outputs that have visibly impacted in transforming the lives of the people for the better. The 2014 Budget has sought to consolidate previous initiatives by ensuring that all critical ongoing projects were fully completed and commissioned. Having been constrained by revenue shortfalls, these efforts would be continued in 2015. Overall, it is envisaged that, implementing the 2015 budget as proposed, would ensure continuous improvement in accessibility to quality public services in all sectors, in an equitable and all inclusive manner. It would also continue to ensure that the investment climate and business environment are supportive of growing the state’s economy that could ultimately translate into jobs and wealth for the people. The 2015 Appropriation Bill 13. Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members, I now present major highlights of the 2015 Appropriation Bill. The total amount proposed to be expended during the fiscal year ending 31st December 2015 is Ninety-Nine Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira Only (N99,950,000,000). Compared against 2014 approved estimates, which is less by about 13% due to prevailing fiscal realities and trends. Funding for the proposed budget is envisaged to be from various sources including: i) Internally Generated Revenue N8,048,000,000 ii) Statutory Federal Transfers including Statutory Allocation and Value Added Tax N48,572,000,000 iii) Local Government Contribution for Financing Primary Education and Primary Health Personnel Under the Gunduma Councils N16,780,000,000 iv) Capital Receipts Mainly including Capitalized Periodic Federal Transfer such as NNPC Refunds; SURE-P Funds, IDA Loans and Other Miscellaneous Capital Receipts and Grants N26,550,000,000 14. As usual, in line with the principle of fiscal responsibility, the sum of N600 million is proposed to be set aside for Stabilization Fund which leaves retained revenue of N99.35 billion distributed among various expenditure components as follows: [i] Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges - - - - - - - - - - - - - — - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - N2,399,000,000; [ii] Personnel Cost - - — - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - N36,210,000,000; [iii] Overhead Cost — - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - N19,291,000,000; [iv] Capital Expenditure Programmes - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - N41,050,000,000; [v] Contingency Funds - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - -- - - - -- N400,000,000; 15. As could be observed, recurrent expenditure, consisting of Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges, Personnel Cost and Overhead Cost, would consume almost 58% of the total projected income leaving less than 42% for capital investments. Despite the large portfolio of ongoing projects, the proposed budget is evidently skewed in favor of recurrent spendings which was mainly due to the reduced revenue, the necessity of meeting personnel cost obligations and maintaining service delivery at optimal level. As every effort would be made to restrain expansion on this component of the budget, it is envisaged that capital investments would, in due course, expand with increase in revenues. 16. The amount earmarked for Overhead Cost – which is about N19.3 billion - represents about 19% of the total recurrent expenditure. Except for the increase in the payment of examination fees for students and the increase in the joint funding of street light maintenance and security operations, the proposed overhead cost to Government Agencies is generally below the 2014 approved estimates. This is a reflection of declining recurrent revenues, which affects almost all Government agencies in all the three arms of Government. It is pertinent for us to consider that these are austere times which makes it necessary to cut down on consumption where feasible without directly affecting the level or quality of public service delivery. The inevitability for this measure is reinforced by the fact that the portfolio of currently ongoing capital projects is so large that as much resources as possible should be saved and transferred from our recurrent revenues to finance capital investments. The Focus of Capital Development Programmes 17. Mr. Speaker, it is worthy of note that despite all these measures aimed at higher proportion for capital spending, the Forty-One Billion and Fifty Million Naira (N41,050,000,000) proposed for capital investments is still lower both in absolute and relative terms when compared with 2014 capital expenditure estimates. This underscores the dimness of the fiscal trend and the necessity for sacrifice across all arms of Government to ensure that we remain on course in the socioeconomic development of our dear state. As earlier mentioned, while we were able to complete and commission

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015 most of the ongoing Capital Investment Projects, a handful of such projects still remain on-going particularly in the roads sector. Also owing to the non-accrual of some of the expected capital receipts, and the steady progress in capital project execution, contractual obligations have accumulated for some of the projects even as they are still ongoing. Undeniably, this could have an undesirable effect on our initial commitment of ensuring that all major on-going projects are completed and commissioned during the lifetime of this administration. In line with our primary objective therefore, the proposed capital budget is largely concentrated on some of this major ongoing projects to ensure their timely completion. On the heel of this main objective, is our determination to continue to accord higher priority to human capital development sectors particularly with respect to education and health. From the perspective of the entire budget, it is proposed that these two sectors would gulp about 47% of the total projected resources. Let me at this stage elaborate further on the sectoral composition of the proposed capital expenditure estimates. The Economic Sector 18. This sector generally consists of projects and programmes aimed at supporting the growth of the state’s economy as to continuously facilitate job creation, income generation and socioeconomic empowerment of the people. These are to be achieved by sustaining the tempo of infrastructural development, supporting growth in private sector investments and above all, ensuring that agriculture plays that critical role of ensuring food security and growth of agroallied small, medium and large scale enterprises. Indubitably, the present precariousness of the national macroeconomic environment and dwindling economic fortunes will adversely affect our efforts aiming to support pro-poor economic growth at the state level. As previously observed, accelerating economic growth and development at sub-national levels is a function of several exogenous variables including the national investment and business climate; good governance; and the performance of such vital sectors as power supply. While these issues are being addressed, we would continue to be proactive within our fiscal plans and the limits of existing fiscal constraints to contend with the situation. In this direction, the sum of N22.85 billion representing over 55% of the total proposed capital expenditure is earmarked for projects and programmes under the economic sector. A rundown of some of the specific allocations in the sector includes; i) Agriculture and livestock development N1.8 billion ii) Rural Electrification and alternative energy Development N0.3 billion iii) Roads & Transport Development N19.75 billion iv) Commerce and SME Development N0.50 billion v) Economic Empowerment N0.50 billion 19. A significant proportion of the allocations to these various segments of the sector is meant to accelerate the completion of ongoing projects as well as sustain ongoing services. These include sustaining the operations of the Jigawa State Agriculture & Rural Development Agency; Completion of ongoing projects in our major markets; Sustaining the operations of our Six Skill Acquisition Centres which now have the combined capacity of empowering 600 youth including women annually through training on various trades; and Ongoing Roads and Urban Development Projects some of which will be completed and commissioned during the year. These include: • Gagarawa – Bosuwa through Damaski, Maishada, Malam Ada; Makerabu; Madaka, Malam Baki and Kangarwa with a spur from Madaka to Maikilili. • Kyarama - Gasakoli - Dadin Kowa - Dan Makeri - Dandi - Sankara - Amaguwa. • Bamaina - Zazika; • Kazaure - Roni - Takwardawa; • State Capital Roads including the dualization of Fanisau Junction to Unity Pentagon • Outstanding Township Roads and Urban Street Lights; • Arawa - Baturiya - Musari - Abunabo - Kadira – Guri • Maigatari - Birniwa Western By-Psss; • Roni - Mahuta - Bashe - Kaya - Tsakani - Gangare - Amaryawa Road; • Kila - Budinga - Ranbazau - Tsangarwa - Nahuce - Isawa - Maruta - Dabaja - Jikas - Zandam Na Goggo; and • Other Rural Feeder Roads Projects. 20. Most of these projects have reached advanced stage of completion, and I believe, a good number of them, would by God’s Grace, be completed and commissioned during the year. Social Services Sector 21. I have on various occasions talked of “irreducible minimums” and “democratic humanism.” as the philosophical underpinnings of our socioeconomic empowerment and development strategy. Nowhere has this been amply demonstrated than in our treatment of key components of the social service sector in the annual appropriations and budget implementation. The causal relationship between education, health and women & social development on the one hand and socio-economic development & empowerment on the other, is indeed glaringly very apparent. The only means of permanently escaping poverty in all its ramifications is through universal access to qualitative and functional education at all levels, effective, efficient and affordable health systems; and ensuring equity and inclusiveness in the development process. 22. Consistent with this understanding and policy stance, the Social Service Sector has consistently been accorded maximum priority during the last seven years both in terms of the quantum of resources appropriated and as proportion of the total budget. The resultant budgetary outcomes have also been very pleasant. Most of the human development indices relating to the wellbeing of the citizens hitherto described as very grim, have continuously appreciated, including access to qualitative education and health services, declining morbidity and mortality rates, declining gender disparity in access to public services, etc. As hinted above, the total allocation to education and health, the two most critical human development components, have gradually grown from less than N27.5 billion in 2009 to almost N48 billion in 2014 or from less than 36% of the total budget to over 42% during the same period. It is proposed that these two components of the social services sector would consume almost 47% of the total budget in 2015. 23. Despite the fiscal constraints of 2015, the capital allocation to the social services sector is N10.9 billion Naira equivalent to over 26% of the total proposed budget. The proposed allocation to the major constituents and segments of the sector is as follows: [i] First is the Education component which is earmarked N7.45 billion Naira representing over 18% of the total capital budget. The focus is largely on Basic and Nomadic Education; Senior Secondary School Education, including Science & Technical Education and Islamic Education; Adult / NonFormal Education and Library Services, as well as Tertiary Education, including completion of ongoing projects in the State University Kafin Hausa, particularly the Senate Building, Residences of Principal Officers of the University and additional faculty buildings; [ii] The Health Component is allocated N2.65 billion. This is distributed in such a way that it largely covers key sectoral priorities including: Free Maternal and Child Healthcare Programme; Additional Facilities in Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital; Improvement and Expansion of Primary & Secondary Health Facilities; Continuation of New B/Kudu General Hospital; HIV-AIDS, Malaria and other Diseases Control Programmes; and Improvement of Health Training Institutions comprising of College of Nursing & Midwifery and School of Health Technology which will be upgraded to College of Health Sciences. 24. Let me at this juncture notify Honorable members that, the health sector, more than any other, has continued to enjoy the support of our development partners, both in terms of system transformation, human resources development and improvement of infrastructure and facilities. The primary purpose is to collaborate with the State Government to fast-track the attainment of health-related MDGs, while reducing the health burden of poverty particularly on women and children. I am aware that recently, another DFID supported programme - MNCH-2 - has come on board in a big way to succeed other programmes that have ended. I am confident that the new programme would continue to work very closely with relevant State Agencies and indeed, with other sister programmes such as the Women for Health and Child Development Grants to achieve our common purpose and objective. 25. The other two key components of the Social Services Sector are Information, Youths, Sports & Culture; and Women & Social Welfare with proposed allocations of N220 million and N580 million respectively. It would be instructive to mention that, even though activities relating to gender and social inclusion cut across a number of sectors, specific budgetary provisions were made under the Women & Social Welfare sector to address this critical aspects of development including the implementation of the State Gender Policy by the Ministry of Women Affairs. In the same vein, the provision made under Information, Youths & Sports includes additional equipment for the State Radio and Television Stations; and Development of Mini Stadia at Dutse, Hadejia, and Kazaure. Urban & Regional Planning and Development 26. This component of the capital budget consists of Water Supply; Housing Development; Town & Regional Planning; and Environment. The water sector has always been a top priority area along with the other Human Development components of the State Comprehensive Development Framework to the extent that access to safe drinking water in Jigawa State is now over 90%. In the last few years, we have also witnessed a steady growth in urban population and infrastructure in some of the major towns in the state. In other words, urbanization is gradually catching up with

57 us making it necessary to renew focus on the sector as to ensure a healthy growth of the urban centers in the state. Indeed, it is in line with this that the State Ministry of Lands, in collaboration of GEMS 3 – another DFID Funded Programme - recently embarked on a programme tagged Systematic Land Registration Exercise under which thousands of residential buildings and lands would be registered and issued with Certificates of Occupancy. While improving the effectiveness of urban planning, the Certificates of Occupancy also have the potentials of being economic asset in the hands of their owners. The priority accorded to the Housing and Environmental Sectors have also yielded desired results over the last few years. For the housing sector, I believe the progress achieved in the last few years has effectively dealt with dearth for residential accommodation in the state capital; As regards environment, viable programmes have also gradually evolved and are being implemented with guarantee for sustainable development. This has largely been achieved through environmental development and protection involving afforestation programmes, flood and erosion control, renewed focus on environmental health, environmental education, and promoting biodiversity, environmental conservation & eco-tourism. 27. For 2015 Fiscal Year, the amount proposed for the Urban &Regional Planning and Development is N4.6 billion distributed among the key components of the sector as follows: • Water Supply including Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, Small Towns and Urban Water Projects - - - N1.5 billion; • Housing Development including the completion of New Legislators Quarters - N900 million; • Land Administration and Urban Development including land Compensation and completion of Street Light Projects ————————- N1.55 billion; • Environmental Development and Protection ——————————-- N650 million; General Administration 28. Much has been done to develop infrastructure, provide facilities and establish effective systems and processes across in all the three arms of government. The overall objective is to build capacities for public service delivery and to build effective and efficient governance institutions. Government agencies in the entire public service have never been so empowered to operate under a most pleasant atmosphere like now. While this is in line with our mission of leaving behind a legacy of robust and functional public institutions, I believe institutional development is necessarily a continuous process for sustained efficiency and effectiveness in system. Consequently, the sum of N2.7 billion is proposed under General Administration for the funding of projects and programmes across the Executive, Legislative and the Judicial arms. Some of the major areas where the amount is proposed to be expended include: [i] Improvement and expansion of structures under the State Judiciary; [ii] Provision of Boarding Facilities for the State Manpower Development Institute; [iii] Procurement of Official and Utility Vehicles for Government Agencies and in-coming Legislators and State Executives. [iv] Counterpart-Funding of Development Support; and [v] Completion of ongoing rehabilitation works of Jigawa State Government properties in Kano and Abuja; The Local Government Budgets 29. The provisions of section 7 Sub-section 3 of the Constitution which makes it mandatory for the local government councils to participate in economic planning and development of the State and consistent with our collaborative efforts in aligning our development initiatives, I also present the consolidated budgets of the 27 Local Governments in the State for the consideration of the Hon. House. 30. Before I do that, I would like to mention that our efforts at institutional development have also made significant inroads within the Local Government Administration both in terms of system and structures. Systems and processes which improve local governance, have been gradually institutionalized, including adherence to due process in local government procurement process; improved local government planning and budgeting, facilitated by the Local Government Departments for Planning, Research and Statistics; and improved capacities in local government administration through continuous training and re-training. In terms of structures and facilities, all the 27 Local Government Councils in the State now have befitting office structures and residential accommodation for their chief executives and principal officers which they have lacked for decades, inter-governmental relations and collaboration between the two tiers of Government have worked so well for the progress and development of our dear State. 31. Based on the consolidated revenue and expenditure position of all the 27 Local Governments, it is proposed that the sum of N63.013 billion to be generated from various sources would be expended on the financing of the various expenditure components of the Local Government Budgets. This amount is below the 2014 budget by about 4% which is in tune with existing realities that makes it imperative to instill more pragmatism in the local government budgets. Almost three-quarters of the total revenue is expected to accrue from statutory transfers comprising of statutory allocations and value added tax, while the balance would be from internal revenue and other capital receipts. The consolidated expenditure estimates indicate that about N44.3 billion representing almost 68% of the total income would be expended on recurrent expenditure including contingency fund and counter-funding for the financing of primary education and Gunduma Councils Primary Healthcare Staff. The balance of N18.7 billion amounting to about 32% is for Capital Investments. 32. Details of all the proposed revenue and expenditure estimates of both the State Government and the 27 Local Government Councils would be found attached to the respective Appropriation Bills submitted herewith. Conclusion 33. Mr. Speaker - that is the proposed budgets of the State Government and the 27 Local Government Councils for 2015 Fiscal Year. You would observe that the budgets as proposed, are in tune with existing realities and fiscal trends. As I earlier mentioned, the reduction in the size of the state budget has affected all its components including allocations for overhead cost across all the three arms of Government. Therefore, more than ever before, it would be necessary to be more frugal in public expenditure which calls for more prudence and lots of sacrifice. I therefore urge Honorable Members to consider the proposed budget with a high sense of duty and responsibility ensuring that it retains its realism and potency to deliver on its objectives. Finally 34. Honorable Members would recall what I said last year. That… “… by this time next year, (that is today) January 2015, I shall be presenting to you the full year’s budget, which I will partly implement during the period January – May, 2015 with our Governorship Candidate, who In-Sha-Allah will be the next Governor of Jigawa State and will carry on where we stopped…”. 35. That was exactly what I said last year and here I am today with Mallam Aminu Ibrahim. For the nine times I stood in this Chamber to present an Appropriation Bill, Mallam Aminu has never missed one. He has been part and parcel of the transformation process that we have witnessed in the State throughout all these years. On many occasions, people have raised concerns on the issue of continuity in governance or sustainability of ongoing projects, programmes and reforms. Indeed, the concern for continuity and stability is a legitimate one and very understandable. After putting those dark ages of hopelessness behind us, anybody with a sense of history would have every reason to be apprehensive of what the future holds for all of us. I believe, irrespective of the party in power, the enlightened people of Jigawa State, the Electorates, the Civil Society Groups, our Elders, the Peoples’ Representatives that would occupy this chamber, Jigawa Forum, and indeed, every stakeholder, will not allow a relapse to that abysmal period. While personalities matter for continuity and sustainability, what matter most are institutions and institutionalized systems & processes. Already, there is institutional capacity and capability in the system to effectively and efficiently deliver services in a responsive manner and in accordance with the yearnings and aspirations of the vast majority of the people. Most of those elements and principles that make “governance” “good” have gradually permeated through the system – due process; fiscal responsibility; budget discipline; inclusive governance, giving political space to stakeholders, to mention but a few. Talking about personalities, there is no doubt, our candidate has all that it takes to exude the necessary political will and commitment as to maintain course. Think of any positive attributes that describe human personality and character, it would be apt to ascribe them to the Jigawa State PDP Governorship Candidate - tolerance, discretion, endurance, patience, will, determination, honesty, prudence, diligence, sense and sincerity of purpose, dignity, compassion, firmness, integrity, discipline, and many other similar positive qualities and human traits. A man of these sterling qualities is what Jigawa State needs to ensure continuity in governance and sustainability of projects, programmes and reforms. He is what Jigawa needs to sustain the social cohesion that has been built within the social fabrics of the Jigawa society. 36. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to hand over to you the Jigawa State Government and Local Governments Appropriation Bills for the year 2015. 37. May God Almighty, the Beneficent and the Merciful, in His infinite mercy, continue to guide and protect us, AMIN. ALHAMDU-LILLAH.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NEWS Urhobo to choose governor after presidential poll

Anenih’ll fail again in Edo, says Oshiomhole

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

HE Urhobo in Delta State have said they will adopt either the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, and that of the Labour Party (LP), Chief Great Ogboru, after the February 14 presidential election. This, they said, was the resolution of a meeting between the Forum of Urhobo Traditional Rulers and the executives of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) at the palace of the Ovie of Ughelli, Oharisi III, to review the political position of the Urhobo. Although the meeting was held behind closed-doors, our reporter learnt that it discussed the need to give the Urhobo governorship candidates equal opportunities. It urged the UPU to live above board and shun partisanship. A source at the meeting, who spoke in confidence, told our reporter that the parley was presided over by Ovie Oharisi III, and the President General of the UPU, Chief Joe Omene. Omene was said to have briefed the 21 monarchs in attendance about his visit to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja and General Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the UPU. The source said: “The meeting, which was held to review the political situation within and outside Urhobo, following the emergence of Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and Chief Great Ogboru, was to find a way forward. “However, the controversy surrounding the Uvwiamuge Declaration, which has polarised the executives of the UPU, was not discussed. “UPU’s President General Joe Omene had briefed the monarchs on his meeting with President Jonathan and the visit of General Muhammadu Buhari.”

‘PDP buying PVCs in Edo Central’ From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

HE senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo Central, Francis Inegbeneki, alleged yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was buying the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the elderly in the area to destroy them. Edo Central is dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Inegbeneki warned the PDP to stop its rigging plan because the people would not tolerate it. He urged the police commissioner and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the matter and arrest the culprits. But a PDP chieftain in the area, Okharedia Ihimekpen, described the allegation as untrue. He said: “It is a ploy by Inegbeneki to cause a crisis where there is none. Edo Central belongs to the PDP. So, it is preposterous to accuse the PDP of planning to rig in an environment that belongs to us.”

Four for commissioner

•Oshiomhole

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Tony Anenih has a long history of frustrating the will of the people. But the governor noted that the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) member would fail with his latest project to secure another term for President Goodluck Jonathan, having failed in all previous elections in the state since he (Oshiomhole) came to power.

ria (NPN) and their chieftains in Esanland did.” Oshiomhole added: “Chief Anenih came here to say it was General Muhammadu Buhari who jailed Ambrose Alli. You voted for Alli but we all know who removed him. They declared somebody else a winner and declared Alli the loser in an election that he won; that’s exactly what they did to me. Anenih must be told part of his sins against Esan people for which he will never be forgiven. “He can never rewrite history. He cannot run away from his own shadow. The sins he committed against Ambrose Alli will never be forgiven. He must be punished with your votes. I was shocked they have gone to recruit one of Alli’s daughters to join them to campaign. “The lady needs to think again. You cannot dine with the people who removed the crown from the head of your father. So, when they say Gen. Buhari was the Head of State when Alli was jailed, do you know what

they jailed Alli for? It was because Alli gave a contract to a leader who is a top notcher in the PDP today. The man did not do the job. That was what led to the military investigation of Alli. “Never again should they come to lie to you. I have given you several reasons why the PDP must go and APC must come. I urge you to go home and spread the good news. We want General Buhari to come. They say he has no certificate but he became a General.” At other rallies at Ikpoba Okha and Oredo local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District, Oshiomhole said: “From Otuoke to Benin City to Lagos to Ekpoma to Iyahmo to Sokoto, kerosene is now between N150 and N160 per litre. For every N150 you spend in buying kerosene, the PDP steals N100 because in the books of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), they have it on records that kerosene is N50 per litre.”

Itsekiri to Jonathan: perform EPZ ceremony before we discuss votes

HE Itsekiri in Delta State have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to use his proposed visit to the Olu of Warri on February 4 to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the $16 billion Ogidigben Export Processing Zone (EPZ). President Jonathan has been under fire from the Itsekiri for postponing the ceremiony, followingthe alleged threat by the Ijaw in Gbaramatu and Ogulagha kingdoms, who believed their interests were ignored. But the President, last week, told the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II, that he did not scuttle the groundbreaking because of any ulterior ethnic agenda. He promised to ensure that the

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

ceremony is done before the end of his administration. Some Itsekiri leaders had dismissed the President’s promise as another gimmick, saying it was offered to get Itsekiri votes in next month’s elections. Also, an Itsekiri pressure group, the Warri Interest Group (WIG), has urged Jonathan to perform the groundbreaking ceremony early next week. In a statement by its National Coordinator, Alex Eyengho, the WIG said: “It is a matter of using one stone to kill two birds. Mr. President, in company of the Olu of Warri, should dash to the EPZ project site at Ogidigben in the morning for the

much-awaited groundbreaking ceremony, which should not take more than two hours. Thereafter, he can discuss politics with the monarch and his subjects. Doing otherwise amounts to putting the cart before the horse. “Mr. President has enough time between his visit to the Olu of Warri last Friday and his promised return February 4 to liaise with the Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani AllisonMadueke and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to put proper plan in place for a successful ground-breaking ceremony on February 4. “Any other talk or date outside this is nothing but a tortoise story, which the Itsekiri are tired of hearing concerning the EPZ groundbreaking ceremony.”

The statement said it was not enough for President Jonathan to deny before the Itsekiri that his sudden call-off of the EPZ groundbreaking, last November, was forced by threats from his protesting Ijaw kinsmen in Gbaramatu. It added: “Promising the groundbreaking before end of Governor Uduaghan’s administration is another tales by moonlight. WIG’s position is that Mr. President must do the groundbreaking first on February 4, before discussing politics with the Itsekiri. “There is no need coming if any plan goes to the contrary. He should be reminded that Itsekiri votes come en bloc and we shall use it wisely with our heads properly on our necks on February 14.”

Imoke inaugurates N400m Obudu Ranch project, others

ROSS River State Governor Liyel Imoke has inaugurated a 33/11KV sub-station electricity project connecting the Obudu Ranch Resort to the national grid. The Obudu Ranch Resort has been operating on a generating set since its inception in the 1970s. The governor inaugurated the project during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign rally in Obanliku Local Government Area. He said the project would reduce the cost of running the ranch’s facilities on generator. Imoke said the projec, which cost N400 million, would boost the economy of the resort and take it to the next level. “This modest effort will ensure that power to the facility will increase tremendously while services will improve to meet the needs of its customers. This is because currently, a huge sum is spent on diesel to operate its facilities, including the cable cars.”

•Imoke (pointing) accompanied by Director-General, Cross River State Electricity Agency, Mrs. Rosemary Asu, during the governor’s inspection of the switching unit of the electrification project after its inauguration.

Ugolor carpets Jonathan for ‘abandoning’ Oshiomhole

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

HE Edo State House of Assembly yesterday confirmed four commissioners during its plenary in Benin, the state capital. Those confirmed are: Joseph Oghoioke, Saturday Idehen Uwuilekhue, Presley Ediagbonya and Kenneth Edebiri. Before their confirmation, the Assembly had dissolved into a Committee of the Whole after a motion was moved by Majority Leader Philip Shaibu and seconded by Emma Okoduwa on the commissioners-nominees.

Oshiomhole spoke yesterday at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ekpoma, Edo Central Senatorial District. The governor said the people of Esan should ask Anenih the role he played in the humiliation, rigging and eventual incarceration of the late Bendel State Governor Prof Ambrose Alli. According to him, the time had come for the people Esan to know who played what role in the development of the area. Oshiomhole urged the people to be wary of the antics and lies of expired godfathers whose stock in trade is to mislead and deceive the people. He said: “The people must know the truth. Once upon a time, Bendel people - from Delta to Edo - elected one of your sons, Prof Ambrose Alli of blessed memory. He was elected not only by Esan people but by the entire Bendel State. He established today’s Ambrose Alli University. You cannot forget the roads he built in Esan and beyond Esan land. Who removed Ambrose Alli from power? The defunct National Party of Nige-

OPULAR rights’ activist Rev. David Ugolor has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of “turning his back” on Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole when his personal aide, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, was killed by those suspected to be agents of the Federal Government. Ugolor, in a fax message yesterday from the United Kingdom (UK) to our correspondent in Benin, the state capital, wondered why the President expected the same “Comrade Governor” to rescue him politically. The statement said: “When Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde was assassinated, the Comrade Governor cried to the President. He had a shouting match with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minis-

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

ter of Justice; he called for justice from the police under M. D. Abubakar and the President ignored him. “Yet, this was a Comrade Governor who delivered almost 95 per cent of the votes to President Goodluck Jonathan in Edo State in the 2011 presidential election. And when it mattered most to him (Jonathan) to reciprocate the gesture, Mr. President turned his back on him.” The cleric noted that the President was not a friend of Edo residents, adding that he could not confidently canvass votes in the state. Ugolor also said an Edo indigene, who was the Secretary to the Nigerian National Petroleum Cor-

poration (NNPC), Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, was sacked by the Jonathan administration while the Petroleum Minister from his Bayelsa State, who he said had been in the eye of the storm was allowed to remain in office. Ugolor also noted that the Gelegele Port, which the Jonathan administration promised Edo State, had been taken to another state, although Edo has the largest gas deposit in Nigeria. The cleric alleged that the biggest gas company earmarked for Edo State was taken to Ogidigben, an Ijaw town. He urged Edo State residents not to fall for President Jonathan’s second term antics, after disappointing them when it mattered most.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Father ‘impregnates’ daughter

I dreamt about my nephew’s death, says aunt •Family of ‘slain’ politician mourns

AMILY of the slain All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Eyitayo Peters (aka Abuna) yesterday said his aunt dreamt about his death. Peters was killed in Orile Agege in Lagos last Thursday when some youths attempted to steal Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) agents at the Methodist Primary School in TabonTabon. Speaking with our correspondent at the family’s Iyana-Iba, Lagos home, the grief-stricken mother, Mrs. Alice Peters, lived her sister’s dream had a day before the tragedy. In the dream, she tried to save her son, but to no avail. The 69- year-old woman said: “In the dream, my sister saw him trying to pass through a door, but the other people in the dream didn’t want to open the door for him. She said I tried to

By Basirat Braimah

pull him up but I couldn’t. Even when I tried to assist him, it was a similar experience. “I was still telling my sister what transpired between Eyitayo and I two days before he was killed when we received a call from his first wife around 1pm that my son was shot. We quickly headed for Agege. I saw my lifeless son soaked in blood at the scene. We were told not to move close to him until we got police orders. On getting to Elere Police Station in Agege, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) didn’t attend to us even after telling him we were the deceased’s family. “I was told Eyitayo was most likely killed by the policemen stationed around there. It is really a painful loss and I don’t think we can ever get over the shock. We want the police to get to the bottom of this dastardly killing. We appeal to the government to help his family because his children are still infants. No mother plans to bury her son. I just want a

•The late Peters

befitting burial for him.” The late Peter’s widow, Kafayat, said: “I never felt something was going to go wrong because I was with him when he received a call that some youths attempted to steal the PVCs. He was as active as ever. He liked to help and mobilised youths

in the community. Our last child is only one-year-old. I never knew he wasn’t going to return.” It was learnt that Peter’s remains will be buried tomorrow after a wake keep today at 4pm. He is survived by two widows and four children.

NDLEA smashes drug syndicate

HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has smashed a five-member drug trafficking syndicate which specialised in drug smuggling to China. It also prevented the exportation of 34.605 kilogrammes of cannabis and 1.175 kilogrammes of heroin to China.

By Kevin Osa Okunbor

NDLEA made the arrests and seizures at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos. It arrested other accomplices during a follow-up operation. NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, described the drug couriers’

action as worrisome. He said: “We are happy to arrest the drug couriers and their sponsors. It is, however, sad that barely a week after two Nigerians were executed in Indonesia for drug trafficking, these suspects are taking narcotics to China where drug offenders are liable to capital punishment. “We have come to a point

where drug traffickers must obey the laws of the land against drug trafficking and ultimately protect their precious lives. It is incomprehensible that while the Federal Government is making frantic efforts to prevent the killing of Nigerians who are on death row over drug trafficking some others are still committing same offence”.

FEDERAL High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed March 5 for the trial of 50-year-old Yesiru Onajobi, for alleged incest. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke adjourned the case till then following the absence of Onajobi’s counsel. The accused, who lives in Ibeju, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of having carnal knowledge of his only 14-year-old daughter. He was alleged to have sexually assaulted the girl, who is in his custody and in pregnated her after his wife’s death. He is being prosecuted by The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP). According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), when the case resumed for hearing yesterday, the prosecutor, Mrs Nora Eshiet, told the court that there was still no legal representation for the accused. The judge asked the accused if he understood the nature of the offence against him. He said he understood, but that he could not afford a lawyer’s fees. Justice Aneke adjourned the case till March 5, warning the

accused that the court would proceed with the trial if he failed to get legal representation. “This case is further adjourned to March 5, for continuation of trial; it is a criminal case and should be granted accelerated hearing. Trial will proceed if the accused fails to provide a legal representation at the next date,” he said The trial has suffered adjournments due to absence of a defence counsel. The matter was being heard by Justice Barbara Molokwu before it was transferred to Justice Aneke on July 8, 2013 following Justice Molokwu’s death. Although the accused pleaded not guilty, Aneke ordered that he be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons pending the hearing of his bail application. The prosecutor alleged that the accused committed the offence in 2010. Eshiet told the court that after Onajobi’s wife died, the accused started to sexually assaulted the girl and impregnated her. Eshiet said the offence contravened Sections 13 (1) and 18 (a) of the Trafficking in person (Prohibition) Law Enforcement Act, 2003.

Macaulay for burial

HE remains of the late Mrs. Eleanor Bodunrin Macaulay (nee Williams) will be buried tomorrow at the Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos. There will be a funeral service at the First Baptist Church, Broad Street, Lagos, at 11am. She died in Lagos last December 15. She was 79. She was the widow of Mr. Frank Olusola Macaulay, a grandnephew of Herbert Macaulay, the famous Nigerian nationalist.

•The late Mrs Macaulay

She joined the then Barclays Bank (DCO), now Union Bank, as a shorthand typist in 1955 and rose to senior secretarial positions before her retirement in 1985 after a 30-year service. She is survived by four children and many grandchildren.

FOREIGN NEWS

Hostages: Jordan in pilot exchange offer to IS

ORDAN says it is willing to hand over an Iraqi woman on death row in exchange for a Jordanian pilot being held by Islamic State (IS) militants. The offer comes ahead of a 24-hour deadline by IS to kill Moaz al-Kasasbeh and Japanese hostage Kenji Goto. The ultimatum came in a video aired on Tuesday, days after IS said it had killed a Japanese man, Haruna Yukawa. It had demanded a $200m (£130m) ransom. Sajida al-Rishawi is an alQaeda militant sentenced to death in Jordan. She was convicted for her involvement in a 2005 attack

that killed 60 people. “Jordan is ready to release prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi if the Jordanian pilot Lt Moaz alKasasbeh was released and his life spared,” Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said, according to Jordanian state television. He did not mention Kenji Goto. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had described the new IS video threat as “despicable” and said Japan was working with Jordan to secure the hostages’ release. In the footage that emerged

on Tuesday, a voice believed to be Mr Goto says he has “only 24 hours left to live” and Jordanian hostage Moaz alKasasbeh “even less” unless Jordan releases Sajida al-Rishawi. There is no mention of a ransom payment. Kenji Goto is a well-known freelance journalist and filmmaker Kenji Goto, 47, is a wellknown freelance journalist and documentary film-maker who went to Syria in October, reportedly to try to secure the release of fellow Japanese national Haruna Yukawa.

EU to extend Russia sanctions over HE EU has prepared Ukraine a draft statement for

the foreign ministers of its 28 members to agree to extend sanctions against Russia by six months, add new people to the sanctions list and prepare new measures. Foreign ministers have called an extraordinary meeting for Thursday after a new advance by pro-Russian rebels. Kiev says 30 civilians were killed in shelling of the

Ukrainian government-held port of Mariupol by pro-Russian rebels on Saturday, shattering a five-month ceasefire. “In view of the worsening situation, the Council (of foreign ministers) agrees to extend the restrictive measures targeting persons and entities for threatening or undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity ...

•The coalition held its first cabinet meeting at the Greek parliament ..Yesterday

Greece will not default on debt, says PM Tsipras

N •Putin

until September 2015,” draft conclusions for the meeting, seen by Reuters, said.

PHOTO: EPA

EW Greek PM Alexis Tsipras says his country will not default on its debts. Addressing his first cabinet meeting since Sunday’s victory, Mr Tsipras said he would negotiate with creditors over the •240bn (£179bn; $270bn) bailout. “We won’t get into a mutually destructive clash but we will not continue a policy of subjection,” said the left-wing Syriza party leader.

Germany’s vice-chancellor said it was unfair of Greece to expect other states to pick up its bills. As Mr Tsipras made his debut cabinet speech, Greek government bond yields rose to their highest since the 2012 debt restructuring, amid investor concern that the anti-austerity coalition was gearing up for a clash with international creditors. The Athens Stock Exchange fell by 8% in response to Mr

Tsipras’s remarks, and as it emerged that his government was putting on hold major privatisation projects, including the port of Piraeus and the main power company, the Public Power Corporation of Greece. Greece has endured tough budget cuts in return for its 2010 bailout, negotiated with the “troika” - the EU, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Central Bank (ECB).

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015 THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

NEWS Scores dump PDP for APC in Benue From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

HE Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) concluded its campaign rallies yesterday in Benue North East Senatorial District with the reception of scores of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defectors into its fold in Logo. The venue was the LGEA Primary School at Ugba, the headquarters of Logo Local Government Area, where Governor Gabriel Suswam hails from. APC chieftains, including its governorship and senatorial candidates, Chief Samuel Ortom and Senator Barnabas Gemade, were elated at the defection. It was the climax of the tour of the seven local government areas in the district. Leaders of those in Logo, who renounced PDP membership and burnt their cards, included a former Logo Local Government Chairman Mike Kondoun and Mr James Anbua, who won election into the House of Assembly during the aborted Gen. Sani Abachaled transition programme. They said they dumped the PDP in solidarity with Ortom and Gemade. Anbua recalled that in 1998, he persuaded majority of Logo residents in the defunct All Peoples Party (APP) to join the PDP. He said history was repeating itself as APC, which they just joined, had become the preferred choice of most Nigerians. Gemade said he had a special affinity with the people of the area, which started with his father. The senator said he would always carry them along in his political affairs. APC State Chairman Abba Yaro said the large turnout of party faithful and the defection showed that Suswam was not on ground in his home.

Oil price: Niger allocation drops by 73%, says Aliyu From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu has said the statutory allocation from the Federation Account to the state dropped last month (December, 2014) by over 73 per cent. The governor blamed the drop on the continued fall of crude oil price in the international market. Aliyu spoke in Minna, the state capital, when he performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Commercial and Office Complex of the Niger State Supply Company. He said: “The continuous drop in the price of crude oil in the international market has strengthened the call for states to look inwards for other means of funding their projects.” But the governor assured that he kept faith with the prompt payment of worlers’ salaries and allowances before the end of every month. Aliyu regretted that some states had not paid salaries to their workers for seven months. He said: “We will never allow a situation, no matter what, where we will not pay workers’ salaries.”

Gunmen kill eight in Kaduna village attack

UNMEN on Tuesday night killed eight persons and injured 14 others at Yangal village, 200 kilometres South of Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital. The gunmen reportedly opened fire on a crowd at a ceremony in the village. Yangal is in Yangal District, under Kamanton Chiefdom in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna. The local government’s Acting Chairman Jonathan Asake confirmed the incident yesterday. He said he got a distressed call at 11pm on Tuesday that an armed “Fulani man” and another unarmed accomplice had attacked Yangal.

•14 injured •Yero condemns killings From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

Asake said: “When I got there, I saw the tragedy. I helped in evacuating five bodies and 12 injured persons to St. Luis Hospital in Zonkwa, about 15 kilometres from Yangal village.ý “I reached Yangal village around noon today (yesterday) and met scores of angry, stick and knife-wielding youths who wanted to descend on me for coming late. “I was told that an old woman had died and had been

buried. They said it was the people’s tradition for the grandchildren of the deceased to organise a small celebration to honour dead, if he or she is over 80. “According to the villagers, two Fulani men were sighted around 9pm on Tuesday night near the venue of the celebration. One had a gun and the other without a weapon. “Not suspecting anything, the group went on with the celebration. “Then, the armed man opened fire on the crowd with his AK 47 riffle. He killed five people on the spot and two oth-

ers later died in the hospital. I saw the bodies and the 12 that were injured. We evacuated them to St. Luis Hospital. I left the hospital around 5am today (yesterday). Of those injured, nine were critically hit. We have taken them to a more equipped hospital in Jos, the Plateau State capital. “By the time soldiers arrived in the village, the two men had fled. The village was in confusion.ý “A Fulani man, under the protection of the police approached me when I was in the village; he appeared distressed. He claimed that the two suspects rustled his cows. But security report reaching me has not confirmed that.ý” ýGovernor Mukhtar Yero

has condemned the attack. A statement by his media aide, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the governor noted that the attack was aimed at heightening tension in the state. “It is rather sad that some people will stop at nothing in achieving their selfish goals, including shedding the blood of innocent citizens of the state,” Yero said. The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency to attend to the victims of the attack. He advised the affected community to remain calm, adding that security agencies were investigating the matter to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Niger East by-election verdict tomorrow From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

•Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega (left); Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi and INEC National Commissioner, Dr Israel Igbani, during the NYSC team visit to INEC headquarters on the participation of corps members for elections in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO:ABAYOMI FAYESE

DSS parades kidnapper of two-year-old boy

HE Kogi State Department of State Security (DSS) yesterday paraded a 21-year-old mobile phone seller, Sunday Okafor, for allegedly kidnapping a two-year-old boy, Prince Robert. State Director Mike Fubara said Okafor was arrested while attempting to

From James Azania, Lokoja

smuggle the child from Lokoja to Togo for N200,000. The DSS director said operatives of the department burst the child-stealing syndicate to which Okafor allegedly belongs, when it discovered that some people were planning to kidnap

children for rituals because of next month’s general elections. The victim’s father, Henry Robert, said he had known the suspect for a long time. Robert, said Okafor, had been visiting his home to play with Prince, adding that it never occurred to him that

the man was nursing an evil plan. Okafor, who claimed to be a mobile phone seller at the Paparanda Square in Lokoja, confessed to the crime when he spoke with reporters yesterday. He said he was conscripted into the act by a friend, Okoro, who is at large.

Ahmed, Ajibola differ on Kwara projects

WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Simeon Ajibola, have disagreed on the execution of capital projects in the state. Ajibola said he contributed N1.5 billion into the execution of capital projects. The PDP candidate said the contribution was made through the Kwara State National Assembly Joint Project. But Ahmed, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, argued that his opponent was not telling the truth because he was desperate to impress the people that he had performed as the Senator representing Kwara South. Ajibola said he contributed to the construction of Baruten Road, the Ilorin Cargo Terminal and the International Vocational Centre at Ajase Ipo. But the governor dismissed the assertion as blatant lies,

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

adding that those projects were funded from Federal Allocation, internal sources and bank loans. In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr Muyideen Akorede, the governor challenged the Ajibola to prove his financial contribution to the projects. Ahmed said he was disappointed that the senator displayed ignorance about how state government’s projects. The governor said it was ironical that Ajibola did not understand the workings of the state he aspired to govern. On the two-kilometre road in Isapa, which Ajibola claimed to have executed, Ahmed said the state government spent over N200 million on the project, at the senator’s request. The governor also challenged the senator to reveal how many Federal Govern-

ment projects he attracted to Kwara State and which Bills he sponsored in the Senate. He said the Federal Government’s Ajase Ipo to Erin Ile Road remained in serious disrepair, despite being a major road in Kwara South, which Ajibola represents in the Senate. Ahmed explained that his administration had rehabilitated 400 blocks of classrooms in primary and secondary, including the School for Special Needs, Ilorin; GSS, Agbamu; GSS, Omode; GSS, Afon; GHS, Ilorin; Mount Carmel, Ilorin and CSS, Lade, among others. Ajibola, who spoke through the Director of Administration and Logistics of his campaign organisation, Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju, said part of the N1.5 billion was used to build Baruten Road; the Cargo Terminal at Ilorin and the vocational centre at Ajase-Ipo. He said: “Without being immodest, I have over the years been able to influence

•Ahmed

and directly facilitate numerous capital projects in Kwara South Senatorial District.” The senator listed his intervention in education in Kwara South District to include the construction of classrooms in Isapa, Ijagbo, Babanloma, OkeOyan and Okeya-Po. Ajibola said: “I pay a monthly stipend ranging from N10,000 to N20,000 to about 120 Kwara South indigenes while about 60 communities have benefitted from me on self-help development projects.”

HE National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Minna, the Niger State capital, will deliver tomorrow judgment in the Niger East senatorial by-election petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, David Umaru, challenging the victory of Dr Shem Zagbayi Nuhu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last August by-election. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), last September, declared the PDP candidate winner of the by-election. In a short messaging service (SMS) yesterday by its Secretary Azeez Ayoola to parties in the petition, the tribunal said it would deliver judgment at 9am tomorrow.

Gombe to vote PDP out before noon on Feb 14 From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

HEAD of next month’s elections, the Gombe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is confident that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration will be swept out of office before noon in the February 14 election. APC governorship candidate Alhaji inuwa Yahaya, who spoke at a campaign rally in Nafada on the party’s confidence to win the election, said the PDP administration, in apparent premonition that it would be defeated by the APC, was clamouring for the postponement of the poll. Yahaya said the people had become more aware of their political powers and would have obtained their permanent voter cards (PVCs). The APC candidate urged eligible voters to get their PVCs. He said: “I am sure that everyone is ready. Everyone has obtained his PVC. Whoever has not, I beg you in the name of Allah and the Prophet to please go and get it. “The card is the weapon that we will use to change all we want. This is because without the card, there can be no elections; if there are no elections, there will be no change...”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

NEWS We’re not party to Jonathan’s endorsement, says ARG Continued from page 4

made showed that Yoruba people have come to a firm conclusion that they have been at the shorter end of the stick under the Jonathan-led government, under whose administration, nepotism and ethnocentrism have taken over as the emblem of our presidential politics. “ARG therefore stands with the aspirations of Yoruba people for change. As echoed in Abeokuta recently at the public lecture organised by the Ogun State chapter of ARG, the change that we demand includes a public pledge to restructure the country in such a way that power will devolve to the most effi-

cient federating unit.” Senator Fasanmi condemned the decision of the Afenifere leaders. He said: “I must say that I am amused by the decision of my colleagues. I can’t imagine that the likes of Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Ayo Adebanjo, Olaniwun Ajayi would sit down and take such a decision. “They have to tell us what the Jonathan administration has achieved in the past six years for us in the Southwest to cast our votes for him. A President that has failed to tackle corruption, failed to secure lives and property, and mismanaged the economy does not deserve second term. It is a tragedy that the so called Yoruba leaders are rooting for such incompetent person. I feel sad. What legacies are we leaving behind for the coming generation? Is it legacy of impunity and corruption, which the Jonathan regime represents? “They have spoken for them-

selves, not for the Yoruba people. The Yoruba know their leaders. Nigeria is on the move, the progressives too are on the move. I am sure the people of the Southwest will pitch their tent with the progressives. APC will win not only in the Southwest but across the country on February 14 and 28. “I remember the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo used to tell us we should always stand firm under the stroke. We should ensure our votes count. There is need for change from a decadent to a vibrant regime.” Senator Durojaiye advised the Afenifere leaders to be cautious in making political decisions. He said in another three weeks, we will know the true mind of the Yoruba. “The Yoruba people will point out who their leader is. I know the direction the Yoruba are going; they want change, they are very wise that they cannot be led by nose. I won’t be surprised if

80 per cent of the Yoruba will say ‘let’s go this direction’ and the remaining 20 per cent will go the other way.” He said if the President could not implement the recommendations of the National Conference six months after it was submitted, why do we have to wait for another one year for it to be implemented? I believe Yoruba are highly intelligent to know the difference between the facts and mere propaganda. “I foresee in a matter of weeks when God will manifest the change we are yearning for. My appeal to all is that we should not overheat the polity because no nation has survived two civil wars - to borrow the words of Gen. Theophilus Danjuma.” To Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, no group can lay absolute claim to Yoruba votes. In that respect, any directive from any group cannot change the minds or the decision of the people on whom to vote for.

Amnesty, military argue over Baga, Monguno Continued from page 4

an area of operation where terrorists are known to be ever looking for the slightest opportunity to attack and perpetrate heinous atrocities, Nigerian troops are conversant with the need to maintain the highest form of alertness always. “Every available informa-

tion is factored into the intelligence that drives every engagement or encounter in any part of the mission area. This standard has not only been sustained but has been incrementally enhanced in terms of capacity, troops deployment, coordination, troops mobility and protection as well as logistics.

PDP, Presidency behind election postponement plot, says APC Continued from page 4

veiled, Nigerians must reject them and their campaign. ‘’The campaign, which is hinged on the fact that many Nigerians have not collected their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC), is not sincere. If it is, the PDP and the Presidency would have instead been urging Nigerians to go all out and collect their PVCs so the election can hold. Why is this so impossible for them to do? ‘’Like we said earlier, what prevents the federal government from declaring a threeday public holidays to give Nigerians the opportunity to collect their PVCs? Why is it that only the PDP and its sponsored groups and individuals are the ones leading the campaign for election postponment, even as our party, the APC, has been campaigning for Nigerians to go and collect their PVCs? ‘’Is it not instructive that at least 26 political parties have joined the no-postponement campaign, while the PDP/Presidency, as well as the lick-spittle individuals and groups who have been compromised one way or another, continue to beat the drums of election shift?’’ the party said. It wondered why the PDP/ Presidency will be secondguessing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has said it is ready to go ahead with the elections, and that it will be distributing PVCs until the eve of the

election. While urging its members and supporters in particular, and all Nigerians in general to remain vigilant and be firm in saying ‘no’ to election postponement, the APC appealed to the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN) to ensure that the courts are not used as a tool to sabotage the elections and indeed the nation’s democracy. ‘’We know that the next frontier in the ongoing battle by the PDP/Presidency to get our candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, disqualified and have the elections postponent, is the court. We know they will seek to secure spurious injunctions to scuttle the elections, following the footsteps of the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) in 1993. This is why we are appealing to the CJN,’’ APC said. The party added: ‘’For the avoidance of doubt, we are ready for the elections and we will not, under any circumstance, support any shift in the dates for the elections, which were fixed more than a year ago. ‘’If the PDP and the Presidency are not afraid of anything, we challenge them to come out today to denounce the campaign for election postponement, dissociate themselves from it and announce unequivocally that they are ready for the elections. Failure to do that, they stand accused of working hard to sabotage the elections and truncate the nation’s democracy.’’

Danjuma: arrest Tompolo, Asari-Dokubo, others now Continued from page 4

Ebikabowei, aka, Boyloaf; Government Ekpudomenowei, aka Tompolo and other ex-militants last Saturday vowed to ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan wins the presidential election. The militant leaders and their ex-followers spoke at the meeting at a Government House in Yenagoa, threatening to unleash violence on the country and take back “Niger Delta oil” should the president lose the election. They also said any attempt to dethrone Jonathan would be seen as a direct attack on the Ijaw nation. Addressing the Yenagoa meeting, Dokubo-Asari said: “For every Goliath, God created a David. For every Pharoah, there is a Moses. We are going to war. Everyone of you should go and fortify yourself.” Boyloaf condemned the attack on President Jonathan in the North, saying nobody has the monopoly of violence. “Keep grudges and sentiments apart. We are ready to match

them bumper to bumper,” he said. The Federal Government has so far not reacted to the threat. But the Ijaw Youth Council on Monday clarified the statement by Dokubo-Asari, which it described as his personal opinion and not that of the group. According to the IYC, its interest is that the elections should be fair. It said if the president loses a free and fair poll, there would be no trouble, but that they would not accept an unfair election. The Police and the State Security Service (SSS) have threatened to arrest anyone making provocative statements but they have not reacted to this development. Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda has claimed that the stoning of the President’s convoy in Bauchiwas the handiwork of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) believes that attacks are part of PDP’s plan to force a postponement of the polls.

‘Calls for polls shift mischievous’ Continued from page 4

geria into the doldrums. We are told that arms and ammunition are being stockpiled by the war mongers and ‘commercial politicians’ to plunge Nigeria once again into a state of unnecessary civil war.” Another former Appeal Court President, Justice Ayo Isa Salami (rtd), berated the military and the para-military for siding with one of the presidential candidates. Justice Salami added that the judiciary is in near total collapse, having been intimidated to submission by the powers-that-be. The fearless jurist ascribed the voters’ apathy to collect the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to failure of successive governments to meet their expectations. The retired Appeal Court president, who was a special guest at that event said: “We have problem now in persuading the voters to come and vote. That is why they are not collecting their PVCs. There is apathy and this might have been generated by various reasons. These may include failure of government to meet their expectations and failure of agencies of government established to make their expectations realised. “The military and the other para-military forces thought that they are part of one of the presidential candidates. Of course, they are not. They are an agency of the federal government. They are a federal government institution. So they are to make the field even for both presidential candidates. They are not to side one candidate against the other. An institution of federal government is different from the candidate who incidentally is the president. “Just like the INEC Resi-

dent Electoral Commissioner in Kwara state, Dr Emmanuel Onucheyo, said that is INEC’s work to facilitate voters’ education, but the other day, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NAO) was in President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign team. Is he playing his role as the agency of the federal government? The coalition of civil society organisations in Bauchi State yesterday noted that accepting Col. Dasuki’s suggestion could lead to civil unrest. Speaking on behalf of others, the chairman of the Bauchi State Youths Consortium (BAYCON), Bala Mahmood, said any attempt to postpone the election would infringe on Nigerians’ fundamental human rights as some have travelled home already for the elections and would incur financial loss in case of a postponement. “With the knowledge of public expenditure and the current inflation rate because of the devaluation of our Naira, it appears obvious that postponement of election will lead to variation in some of INEC’s contract agreement, if not all. What this means is additional money to be spent from public treasury,” he said. Mahmood said the insecurity in Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe states, as mentioned by the NSA could not be compared to that of Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Egypt, which despite their security challenges conducted elections and new governments put in place. The coalition said “in the spirit of the Abuja Accord”, the government should allow the elections as scheduled since INEC has not complained.”

INEC: Nigerians’ll vote in 119,973 polling units Continued from page 4

Sokoto(3, 035); Taraba(1,912); Yobe(1,714); and Zamfara(2,516). A National Commissioner said: “We have developed a general framework for Polling Units, in line with international standards. This is why we have relocated all PUs from churches, mosques, private compounds and even

verandah of schools. “The electoral benchmark is that all PUs should be inside enclosures to be able to monitor the voting process and ensure effective control of the situation.” INEC has shared 145,000 Smart Reader Cards (SRCs) to all the RECs in the 36 states and FCT to check rigging or manipulation during the

elections with cloned/ stolen/ purchased PVCs. The National Commissioner added: “These Smart Reader Cards will authenticate the holder of any PVC, confirm his or her finger print and detect fake or cloned PVC. “The SRCs help to count and record every accreditation done at the PUs. So, the question of rigging will not be

there at all. Those busy cloning or buying cards will meet their waterloo at the Polling Units. “The introduction of SRCs explains why we cannot allow those with temporary voter cards to vote in February. We have 119, 973 polling units but we have deployed 145,000 SRCs to all the states and the FCT.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

RIPPLES DON’T USE YOUTHS TO FOMENT TROUBLE, SAYS GOVERNOR

So they should use ADULTS… EHN?

VOL. 10, NO. 3110

‘INEC’s challenge with distributing PVCs is not enough reason for poll shift. Nigerians are ready for the elections even if they will hold today’ LAWAL OGIENAGBON

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

HE following lecture by me on mass poverty and unemployment was, incredibly, delivered in Benin, in 1984, 30 years ago, at the Annual Conference of the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN). I was reminded of the lecture recently when a copy of it was sent to me by the current President of the association, Dr. Temi Kehinde. Amazingly, on reading and reflecting on the lecture, it confirmed my general impression that very little has really changed by way of our really tackling the problems of mass poverty and unemployment in our country. Only a few people could have imagined in 1984 that 30 years later, Nigeria would still be in the same spot, still mired in mass poverty and unemployment. The dire situation places in bold relief the failure of our economic strategies and policies in reducing mass poverty and unemployment over the years. Most of Asia has been largely successful in addressing the twin problems, but not Africa, including Nigeria In the case of Nigeria, in the period of 30 years since the paper was publicly presented, both the military and the civilians (PDP federal governments) have been in power for exactly 15 years each. But neither has been successful in tackling the grave social and economic problems outlined in my lecture. Nothing much has changed. The lecture, which I have not amended, is offered here again as a guide to the electorate and the two principal contenders for the presidency in the forthcoming presidential election. The Nature of the Problem Mass poverty and unemployment continue to be the dominant features of many developing countries, particularly in Africa, Nigeria included. In virtually all of these countries, mass poverty and unemployment of all categories of workers, including university graduates, are now assuming alarming proportions. Though many developing countries achieved high rates of economic growth in the 70s, very few of them have escaped the twin challenges of mass poverty and unemployment. In many cases in Africa, the economic situation has deteriorated in recent years, and the prospects for the rest of the century do not appear to be too good. In the case of Nigeria, despite the impressive economic gains of the 70s, largely through the ‘oil boom’, and better terms of trade, the overall economic situation today, remains very grim, with a stagnating agricultural sector, and rather low and steadily declining productivity in the industrial sector. The continuing rural-urban migration of our people in search of better work and wages has further aggravated the existing socio-economic problem by spreading slums and shanty towns, and exacerbating the misery of poverty. High unemployment rates among the youth and

TODAY IN THE NATION

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Eliminating mass poverty, unemployment in developing countries (I)

‘

•President Goodluck Jonathan

•General Muhammadu Buhari

the educated have generated a situation of acute social unrest. No doubt these challenges reflect the underdevelopment of our economy and its structural imbalance, both of which constrain economic development. A high population growth rate has not been matched by increasing agricultural output, which has steadily declined since 1971. By 1960 agriculture represented 63 per cent of our GDP. By 1980, it was down to only 18 per cent and only 23 per cent of non-oil GDP. Another factor contributing to the growing unemployment in Nigeria and other underdeveloped economies in Africa has been the labour-saving bias of certain kinds of technological change associated with development. We have tended to show a preference for capital intensive, rather than labour-intensive industries, resulting in the

The lecture, which I have not amended, is offered here again as a guide to the electorate and the two principal contenders for the presidency in the forthcoming presidential election

’

under-utilisation of our abundant human resources. At the same time, we have in our country today extreme and persisting cases of glaring inequalities that reflect certain institutional rigidities in our society. Poverty levels and mass unemployment can only be reduced by a full mobilisation of our abundant human resources with the aim of bridging the existing income inequalities and promoting economic growth. For a successful drive against mass poverty, it is essential that the governments of the federation should start with a clear idea of what they would regard as the minimum

HARDBALL

LL of a sudden, it appears a throwback to the days immediately before June 12, 1993, the annulled epochal election, which ripples still haunt the land. The Ibrahim Babangida military government, having run rings round the people and eventually round itself, was in a bind. Finally, the much-shifted election it promised to round off its hazy but costly transitional programme loomed. Yet, the IBB government still stonewalled, looking for every reason to cancel or postpone. But the rude shock came from the American Embassy in Nigeria. The United States warned that it would take very serious view, if the election was aborted. The message devastated the IBB junta -- it knew it was trapped. So, it decided to devastate the messenger -the American envoy, through whom his home government spoke. The IBB government declared him persona-non-grata, and was summarily expelled. But aggressor's blow and victim's wound aside, what has come to be called June 12 in Nigeria's political folklore came and went. Since then, this country has ceased to be the same. The 1993 parallel is playing itself out, with the Jonathan Presidency's apparent imprimatur on the new wave of agitation to postpone elections, starting on February 14.

level of living consistent with human dignity. Sections of the population whose consumption standards do not meet this minimum should be identified, and made the focus of planning. Formulating developing programmes and policies in terms of average per capita income, or of the rate at which these averages might be increased, is not adequate for focusing attention on the points at which attacks on acute poverty are most needed. Once the dimensions of poverty are quantified, it should be possible to determine how far the problem can be tackled during a defined period, by general measures for accelerating economic growth, and how far such measures need to be complemented by specific measures to increase the income of those below the poverty line. In this respect, special attention should be paid to employment programmes as a means both for accelerating economic growth, and for redistribution of income and consumption. The vast extent of under-used labour in Nigeria today, at all levels, indicates the scope for promoting economic growth through its more productive use. The broad aim should be to link up mobilisation of existing idle labour as far as possible with measures for increasing production. Through appropriate technological, economic and political measures, it should be possible to strengthen complementarities in the development process, and thereby promote both economic growth and employment. It is logical that a development strategy designed specifically to reduce mass poverty should aim at altering the product composition of the national output, as well as the techniques of production. For certain products, capital-intensive techniques of production may be more efficient over a wide range of factor costs: but for other products there is a wider choice of processes and techniques that would fully utilise the vast reservoir of manpower. Programmes aimed at reducing mass poverty and unemployment through increased productivity should be conceived at the outset as essential components of the over-all process of economic and sound planning, which calls for a substantial modification in Nigeria of the present approaches to planning. In the first place, the present approach does not adequately cater for the interests of all major sections of the country, particularly the economically most disadvantaged, at the relevant stages of the planning process. It is imperative that both the federal and state governments should seek persistently to establish the appropriate machinery and procedures for consultation on matters relating to income distribution. • For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Project next: sully the waters! Since Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), National Security Adviser (NSA), started the campaign after his lecture at Chatham House, London, the water is getting more sullied by the day. Though President Goodluck Jonathan has somewhat committed himself to the inviolability of the February 14 date, the body language of his government speaks otherwise. The president and his party appear heading for a crushing defeat, and they would be damn if they didn't try every trick in the book to postpone the evil day. Even the Jonathan fresh commitment resulted from US Secretary of State, John Kerry's intervention, saying Nigeria should not only respect its election schedule, but should commit to non-violent elections. So, welcome again, 1993? Back then, the IBB government did everything to sully the waters and muddle the issues. All manners of groups; and shady characters sprang from nowhere to canvass a vile cause; and needlessly heat up the polity. Eventually all failed -- or did it? The election held, all right. Not only that, it remains the best election ever in Nigerian history. But IBB, for reasons he still refuses

to disclose to date, annulled it. The IBB junta thought it was an open-and-shut, routine ambush case that would have no consequences. But see how June 12 and its annulment shook Nigeria? Whoever thought a minority of the minorities would ever be president of Nigeria, despite the bully tendencies of the Nigerian majority groups? But ironies of ironies! The government of the grand beneficiary of the June 12 shakedown, President Jonathan, appears plotting everything by the books to shift the elections, using the alleged non-preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), vis-a-vis the ongoing distribution of permanent voter cards (PVCs) as excuse. Still, no one is deceived. The Jonathan government has strong motives to push the postponement, simply because it knows it is heading for a hideous slaughter on February 14. But before it does anything reckless, it should remember: those who don't learn from history risk being consumed by it. If June 12 could rock Nigeria this far, who knows the damage this looming gambit could cause?

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