July 10, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Lagos lawyer Aturu dies at 49 NEWS

Page 66

•Nigerians mourn rights activist

•Argentina 4

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 2903 THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

RESULT Netherlands 3

Panel summons Nyako •Governor: I won’t resign

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OVERNOR Murtala Nyako got yesterday an invitation from the seven-man panel probing him for alleged misconduct.

Deputy Governor Bala Ngilari is also to appear before the committee tomorrow.

It pasted the invitation on the walls of the governor’s office and the deputy governor’s in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

•Nyako

N150.00

• AND •We have no candidate for election, says CAN MORE ON •Voter cards: Govt worried over youths, elders PAGE 8 •LP warns against violence •SDP to review taxes

APC: Jonathan’s re-election at all cost endangers Nigeria

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From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

(Penalties)

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

OSUN 2014 Continued on page 4

•FIFA suspends Nigeria PAGES 24&49 •Brazil’s humiliation worst day of my life, says Coach Scolari •Mourinho: don’t blame Luiz •Sunderland target Babatunde

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan came under fire yesterday for what the opposition described as subversion of institutions to pave the way for his re-election in February.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) accused the President of perpetrating impunity, abusing federal institu-

tions and tolerating corruption.

In a statement in Osogbo by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said under President Jonathan’s watch, Nigeria has been thrown into unprecedented crisis that is manifesting in the opposition strongholds of Rivers, Edo,

Adamawa and Nasarawa states and elsewhere across the country.

The statement said: “The President has also abused national institutions, perhaps more than any other President in Nigeria’s history, deploying the police Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: N568B LAFARGE AFRICA APPROVED P63 • REPS PROBE SALE OF OML 29 P11

Govt, Boko Haram ‘close to deal’ on Chibok girls Security probes politicians ‘with link to sect’

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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HE Federal Government is close to a deal with Boko Haram on the 219 abducted girls, sources told The Nation yesterday.

A likely swap of the girls with some detained Boko Haram members is said to be “very strong” on the cards, although the government has not made up its mind.

Our correspondent gathered that there had been intense talks with the insurgents in the last 14 days.

But the sources declined to name the groups and personalities involved in the talks.

One of the facilitators, who pleaded not to be named because he is not authorised to talk to the media, said: “We are inching to a reasonable agreement on the release of the Chibok girls. I think a fundamental result will soon be achieved.

“The mediators are really sincere to end the hostage of the girls. There will be something positive soon.”

The facilitator, who refused to divulge the details of what he termed the “new deal”, said: “All the parties are hopeful.

That was why the Council of State was optimistic WHERE ARE about approach to the resTHE CHIBOK cue of the Chibok girls by the government.”

GIRLS Sources in government KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15?

Continued on page 4

?

•NO W I HA VE A HOME: An excited Mrs. Adeshola Olumide walks briskly to collect her certificate as winner of a two-bedroom flat at Ilupeju •NOW HAVE Scheme II...yesterday.

Lagos HOMS winner: I’ve hope in Nigeria

•PAGE 7

•CONFERENCE TO VOTE ON 18% DERIVATION P4 •SHEKARAU IS EDUCATION MINISTER P6

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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NEWS

‘Women, k •Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second right) and the Bishop of the Living Faith Church (aka Winners’ Chapel) Dr. David Oyedepo (second left) during the bishop’s visit to the Government House, Osogbo, the state capital...yesterday.

With them are the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori and Aregbesola’s wife, Sherifat.

Women and children are bearing the brunt of the activities of Boko Haram in the Northeast. Many of them are languishing in caves and hills where the sect has confined them, reports Los Angeles Times

•From left: Chairman, Nihilent Nigeria Limited, Oti Ikomi; Principal Manager, Shared Services Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Aaron Yaduma; Regional Manager, Nihilent West Africa, Mr. Shohel Noor; Assistant Director, Banking and Payment Dept. CBN, Mr. Shola Agboola and Vice President, Quality Processes, Mr Ashok Sontakke at seminar on "Optimising IT Standards Implementation and Compliance to CBN requirements”.

HEN Boko Haram invaded her village last year, the Islamist extremists burned the churches, destroyed Bibles and photographs and forced Hamatu Juwanda to renounce Christianity.

"They said we should never go back to church because they had brought a new religion," the 50-yearold said. "We were going to be converted to Islam."

The head of the village, a Muslim, presented her with a thick nylon hijab to cover her head and renamed her Aisha.

She submitted, smarting with rage.

Women who didn't wear the hijab were beaten.

"When I went to the market, I wore the veil," she said. "But at home, I took it off and prayed."

The gunmen returned time after time to the village of Barawa, shooting people, burning houses and wearing down the resistance of the villagers.

In September, the attackers came again: 30 turbaned men with covered faces, big guns and camouflage cloth-

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•Women gather cooking ingredients in front of a burned-out house in Mainok.

ing. Juwanda's husband tried to flee but was shot in the chest and killed.

Horrors became commonplace for Juwanda: She saw a young man shot in the head as he fled along a rural track. She watched a neighboring woman weep bitterly as gunmen abducted her with her children.

"She was crying, but they told her not to," Juwanda said. "The leader of the group told her, 'If you cry, it's useless. If you don't cry, it's useless.' " In the last year, the government has lost control of vast swaths of the country's northeast to Boko Haram with barely a fight. In a military-style campaign, the extremist militia has raised its black flag over villages, driven Christians from their farmland and houses, and dragged people from cars at roadblocks, killing "infidels."

Boko Haram's insurgency has killed 12,000 people and shattered the northern economy. Schools have been shut down because of attacks that have seen hundreds of schoolgirls kidnapped and schoolboys burned alive in their dormitories.

Kogi PDP aspirant identified among robbery suspects

O • Chairman, Lafarge Cement Wapco, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye speaking at the company’s 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos...yesterday. With him are Director, Jean-Christophe Barbant (left); Managing Director/CEO, Joseph Hudson PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON and Company Secretary/Legal Councel Mrs Uzoma Uja.

• From left: Andrew Enibueta of Samsung), Planning Engineer, Nexans Kabelmetal, Kenneth Onyeji, Nigerian Content Officer, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, Felix Jamala, Head, Shipping Projects, NLNG, Henry Agbodjan (Production Manager, Nexans Kabelmetal, Nelson Olayinka, Oil & Gas Manager , Nexans Kabelmetal, Istifanus Dodo and Head, Quality Control, Nexans Kabelmetal, Joshua Nyam at the Factory Acceptance Test for cables to be exported to SouthKorea for construction of NLNG ships...yesterday.

NE of the suspects paraded by the Federal Special AntiRobbery Squad of the Nigeria Police on Monday in Lagos, Mr. Ayodeji Olumudi, has been identified as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State.

Olumudi, who wore a red T-shirt during the parade, contested for a seat into the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP during the 2011 General Elections.

The Nation reported on Tuesday that the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba, an Assistant Commission (ACP) at FSARS, AdenijiAdele Street, Lagos, paraded a chief of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, Itunnu Odeyemi, and eight others, saying they were notorious for

By Jude Isiguzo

•Olumudi

snatching exotic cars.

Odeyemi confessed to have provided his political thug, Omoniyi Ajewole, with a gun, which was recovered by the police. This led to the arrest of the Ekiti APC member.

One of the other eight has turned out to be a PDP chief in Kogi State. Olumudi’s 2011 PDP campaign poster was obtained by The Nation yesterday.

Reacting yesterday to the new twist to the story, Mba said: “The idea of anybody trying to read political colouration into it is rather unfortunate. We were concerned about the robbery, and if the suspect had not opened up that he was a political thug, perhaps that would not have come up. Ajewole said it so openly that it would have been difficult for anybody to contest the fact. But if anyone has any additional information from anywhere, that is alright. So people should not drag us into politics. The other person, even if he was a politician, the interrogation probably never took us to that direction. In investigation, it is not possible for you to know everything about a suspect.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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kids in Boko Haram caves’

•Two women forced to flee their homes to Fuga village.

The crisis encapsulates Nigeria's myriad problems: its poor governance, its corruption, its abject neglect of the mostly Muslim north, which for years has been the poorest region of the country.

The military's violent, scattershot approach to the insurgency alienated the public and helps explain how Boko Haram was initially popular in its sweep through the northeast.

Support for Boko Haram has waned as its attacks on civilians have grown more ruthless. But Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, and the military, lacking the capacity and apparent will to resolve the security crisis, remain deeply unpopular in the north.

Nigeria spends $5.2 billion a year on security, but because of endemic corruption, much of that doesn't make it to the military's coffers.

"The army is unable to fight the war. The police are unable to maintain security," said Clement Nwankwo of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Center, a think tank in the

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capital, Abuja.

"To me there are only two responses. Military force: Subdue them.

And good governance. You've got to deliver development. You've got to end corruption. That's what brings it to an end."

The attacks by the militants intensified last month.

When Boko Haram assaulted a village called Attagara, Michael Yohanna said he and others begged military commanders to defend it.

"They said they had not been given a command," said Yohanna, an activist in the town of Gwoza. "Even as the attack was going on, they never came." He said at least 150 people were killed in Attagara.

"As I'm talking to you now, no army has entered there," he said. "The insurgents came in military vehicles with an armored personnel carrier.

They went to the central church and ordered a man to gather people. Then they just shot them.

"Women and children are just languishing in the caves and hills," he

said. "There's no food. The insurgents looted all the food, they looted all the property."

Haruna Zanga, 63, a farmer from a village called Gavva West, was lying outdoors on a mat when Boko Haram came in March last year. He was slow to see the danger. By the time he was running, militants were chasing close behind him in their SUV. He vaulted a wall into someone's house, but the gunmen shot him four times.

"When they shot me, I just fell down. They thought I was dead," he said. "They shot and killed four other people that day."

As he recovered in a hospital in the northern city of Maiduguri, an old acquaintance who was a Muslim butcher offered a chilling warning.

"He told me to leave. He said, 'Don't go back to Gavva West, because if you go there, people are coming to attack that place.'

"I was terrified, but what could I do? I was feeling that they were

•A farmer from Gavva West village in Borno, Haruna Zanga.

wicked people bent on destroying society."

The butcher told Zanga that the mountains near Gwoza were full of caves packed with Boko Haram insurgents.

When he returned to Gavva West a month later, the attacks worsened.

His grandson Peter Biye, 18, was abducted and killed for refusing to convert to Islam. Many girls and women were also taken.

In September, insurgents surrounded and attacked the village at dusk, killing nine people. They burned 300 houses, leaving only 26 standing. Zanga and most other villagers fled the next day.

Zanga and dozens of others from the Gwoza area fled to Fuga village in the central part of the country, where they have been offered refuge and land.

"The last attack was the worst," Zanga said. "They burned the houses.

Mine was the first one they burned."

As Christian families left Barawa one by one, Juwanda stayed as long

as she could, clinging to her house and land, but the attacks grew more frequent. The last straw was witnessing the abductions of women.

When she finally fled the village in May, she was so petrified that she forgot to take the only photo of her brother, her last surviving sibling. It was hidden under a mattress so the militants wouldn't see it.

She crossed the border into Cameroon. As soon as she reached safety, she tore off her black-andwhite-checked hijab, felt cool air on her throat and breathed free.

She was safe.

"I was very happy," said Juwanda, who later made her way to Abuja. "I felt the good, fresh air as if I'd come to a marvelous place I could hardly imagine."

Juwanda is relieved to have escaped Barawa. But she remembers the things she lost: her husband, her small plot of farmland, her house, her Bible, all her clothes, a beaded cross she used to wear before she was forced to take it off.

And the photograph of her brother.

NUT berates Fed Govt over unpaid teachers’ allowance

HE National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Michael Olukoya, has condemned the Federal Government over its refusal to pay teachers in unity schools and other federal schools 27.5 per cent Teachers Allowance.

Olukoya, who also decried the dearth of teachers in schools, said state governments annually retire teachers without replacing them.

According to him, this has led to a decline in teacher-pupil ratio in the public schools.

He spoke yesterday during the 56th (5th Quadrennial) National Delegates’ conference of the NUT in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

He frowned at the state governments for congratulating themselves for providing free primary and secondary education, saying the reality remained that the needed number of teachers to function in schools was not sufficient.

He explained that the pupil/ students-teacher ratio has continued to increase and this development posed serious impediment to effective teaching and learning.

His words: “It is unfortunate that the Federal Government – leader in political authority and

Jonathan: We’re committed to teachers’ training From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

the one expected to show the light for others to follow, could not accord its teachers in Unity Schools and all other Federal agencies’ schools, the needed honour of paying them the 27.5 per cent Teachers Allowance, which came into effect since 2008.

“You are all witnesses to the magnitude of infrastructural decay and near absence of educational facilities in some of our schools. This adverse situation has gone a long way to compound the deplorable conditions of our public schools.

“This despicable condition lends a tacit support and stimulation for the growth of private schools, inspite of the enormous school fees charged by these private schools.

One may not dig deep to uncover the fact that most of these schools are owned by key government functionaries past and present.

“The scenario creates a picture that it is a deliberate but tacit policy of the states to under develop the public schools to encourage their private enterprise to prosper, flourish and boom to the detriment of

public schools and the common man.

“The NUT says ‘no’ to this subtle approach to privatisation of education. Education is a fundamental human rights and the government must do all within her reach to provide basic education as a social service to the citizenry without any inkling of discrimination as regard to social class, and religion.”

Olukoya appealed to federal and state governments to compensate the families of the 173 teachers (170 from Borno and 3 from Yobe states) who died in terror attacks.

Speaking at the conference, President Goodluck Jonathan reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to teachers’ training .

Jonathan, who was represented

by Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, said without quality teachers, nation building would be difficult to achieve.

He described the theme of conference: “Changing Nigeria’s Fortune through Quality Teachers”

as apt, saying it captured Nigerians’ aspirations.

Jonathan urged the union to always tow the line of peace and dialogue.

He said: “Undoubtedly, education holds the magic wand for national development and advancement basically due to the fact that without a well educated population, there is no way we can effectively and efficiently harness and mange our resources for socio-economic, geo-political and other institutional sustainable development.

“This is why we must lay emphasis on the training and education of our children and youths in whose hands the management of the future affairs of our country lies. These noble objectives cannot be achieved in any nation such as ours, without quality teachers as you have advocated in your theme for today’s event.

“This administration is mindful of this fact and education as the bedrock of civilisation forms part of the transformation agenda and other economic policies, programmes and projects currently being considered and

implemented in the nation.

“In this regard, government have in the recent past re-inaugurated a lot of reforms with the sole aim of improving teachers’ skill and welfare to compliment its structural innovations. There eventually would result in better working conditions for teachers and better learning conditions for learners.”

The Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, urged teachers at the secondary and tertiary levels to place emphasis on Science, Mathematics, English and Technology.

Wike said: “It is important to also add the need to have, not just purely academic curriculum, but also training in soft curriculum like Critical Thinking Skills, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Relations Skills, and Customer Service Skills.

“We must make learning come alive, real ad fun through required, justifiable Fieldtrips and Career Days (integrated into the curriculum). It is important to mention here that parents must be constructively involved in the education of their children, through Parents Teachers Association PTAs, parenting classes, adult literacy programmes and faith-based organisation.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

APC: Jonathan’s re-election at all cost endangers Nigeria Continued from page 1

•President Goodluck Jonathan, Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, Yobe State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam and Business Mogul Aliko Dangote, at the Inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Save School Initiative by the President at the State House PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN in Abuja...yesterday.

Govt, Boko Haram ‘close to deal’ on Chibok girls Continued from page 1

and the military confirmed the development.

One said: “The military hierarchy is aware that a kind of negotiation or discussion is on and it is being facilitated by some mediators. This is purely a government thing.

“The government is actually flowing along with the insurgents, but it is treating all issues with ‘great’ caution.

“The government did not reject the offer to have talks with representatives of the insurgents; it is only being careful because no one is sure of the commitment of Boko Haram leadership to the truce.

Responding to a question, the source added: “The mediators have been making some demands like go and put certain things in place or a number of vehicles in some places or some logistics for the release of the girls.

“The government cannot just jump at the logistics without getting the right signal that the insurgents are sincere.”

The Chairman of the Presidential Fact-Finding Commit-

Govt accuses protesters of encouraging terrorism

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HE Federal Government yesterday accused the organisers of the #BringBackOurGirls protests of encouraging terrorism with their activities.

The government also said some Nigerian politicians belonging to a top political party have also been linked to terrorist activities. It said the last security operations at the Balmo forest in Borno state, led to the discovery.

Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr. Mike Omeri, spoke yesterday during the routine briefing on the abducted Chibok schoolgirls and security situation in the country. He said the politicians are being interrogated following their link with the activities in the forest.

He, however, did not mention the name of the political party and the politicians involved.

“The politicians are being interrogated following the recovery of some sensitive registration cards and other materials of a prominent political party that were found

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

in the possession of some of the suspects arrested,” Omeri said.

He said investigation was ongoing to further unravel the identity of others that might have been involved and that as soon as it is completed, the names of the culprits and political party shall be revealed.

Speaking on the activities of the #BringBackOurGirls protesters, spokesperson of the State Security Service (SSS) Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, said the campaign had become a franchise with different divisions into groups, giving each other specific assignments.

“I remember when we started the fight against insurgents, we said it that the group is more or less a franchise anybody can raise anywhere.

Ogar noted: “If it is not a franchise but an ordinary movement seeking or act to put more pressure on government and securi-

and the army to intimidate and harass ordinary citizens in general and opposition supporters in particular, as he did recently in Ekiti and he is allegedly planning to do in Osun State; shutting airports at will just to punish the opposition and muscling the electoral commission, INEC, to prevent incorruptible RECs from conducting elections. ‘’As we write, there are contrived crises in Rivers and Edo, where a handful of lawmakers with the backing of higher authorities have been terrorising the Houses of Assembly in their states and defying court orders at will, with the ultimate prize for the renegades being the states’ chief executives; and there is crisis in Adamawa, where an impeachment plot has been undoubtedly instigated and hatched by higher authorities, despite tepid denials,

Continued from page 1

tee on the abduction of Chibok girls, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo(rtd), told President Goodluck Jonathan last month that the abduction was real, contrary to the misinterpretation in some quarters.

He also said 276 Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok pupils were abducted but 219 girls were unaccounted for as at the time of submitting the report.

He said 57 of the abducted

pupils had been reunited with their families after fleeing from the insurgents.

Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum ( NSGF) and Niger State Governor BaContinued on page 67

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Dele Anofi, Abuja and Precious Igbonwelundu

leaders, women leaders, civil societies and others.

He noted that for two nights and three days, the group engaged in promoting consensus on way forward with regards to the issue of derivation and related matters.

He added that after two days and several hours of consultations, “we arrived at, among us, that there will be shift of positions on the part of two poles of positions already taken by our members.”

The resolution, he noted, was done in the spirit of compromise and the context of putting Nigeria first and “above the interest of our respective constituencies, recognising that status quo is not sustainable.”

Gambari said, “We have always felt that any time we reduce our discussion to primordial village, state or zonal level, we are bound to run into a lot of disagreement.

“But when we raise the level to what unites us rather than what divides us, that was the basis of agreement.

“We began from what was

contained in the Committee’s recommendation on Devolution of Power, the way from 13 per cent to 15 per cent to 17 per cent but should not be less than 18 per cent.

“Another position shifted from very high figure 100 per cent to 50 per cent to 21.5 per cent to 20 per cent and finally to not less than 18 per cent to be reviewed after every 10 years.

“Therefore, this group adopted a position and recommend to the plenary not less than 18 per cent as the derivation formula.

“We didn’t leave it there, as a package, we proposed two recommendations, one, for five per cent from revenue allocation to be made available for solid mineral development. We know we have been over relying on oil, which is a depletive asset.

“The time has come to pay attention to other resources that this country has in abundance and are fairly well spread throughout the country.

“For the second and per-

haps most urgent, we have recommended a new fund to be established which we called, Fund for stabilisation, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

“Five per cent of revenue is proposed to be allocated to the fund that would be principally for the Northeast which will have about 50 per cent, Northwest and Northcentral.

“This recommendation, if endorsed, will be reflected in the Revenue Allocation Act. “We all know, the peculiarity is now where, the greatest victims of what is happening is not a Northeast problem but a Nigerian problem manifesting itself most traumatically in the Northeast.

“We have also recommended broadly, a safeguard and mechanism to ensure that monies go to those who need them the most and to also enhance the production of important mineral resources our country is endowed with.

“Finally, in reaching this conclusions, this group was only motivated by one goal

Conference delegates to vote today on 18% derivation formula

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ONAL leaders at the National Conference yesterday took steps to forestall a looming deadlock on the agitation of oil producing states of the Niger Delta for an increase of the 13 per cent derivation principle.

The zonal leaders engaged in promoting consensus at the conference after two days of intense negotiation, recommended for the adoption of delegates, 18 per cent derivation formula, an increase of five per cent.

The leaders also recommended for the adoption of delegates, that five per cent from revenue allocation to be made available for solid mineral development.

Members of the group said they recognized that the country had been over relying on oil, which is a depletive asset hence the need to develop solid minerals.

The leaders recommended that another five per cent fund for stabilisation, rehabilitation and reconstruction should be set aside principally for the Northeast which will have about 50 per cent, while the remaining 50 per

cent would be for Northwest and Northcentral.

Ambassador Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, announced the recommendations after General Ike Nwachukwu, leader of the Southeast and a member of the group, requested him to brief the house.

There was a revolt after Gambari’s announcement by some delegates which forced the conference to adjourn abruptly.

Before handing over to Gambari, Nwachukwu told delegates that he had the honour to brief the house on key issues that had the capacity to divide it.

He noted that delegates were aware of how emotional and emotive the issues of derivation were, hence zonal leader elected to seek consensus.

Gambari, who took over from Nwachukwu said apart from the zonal leaders, the membership of the consensus building group was expanded to include labour

Continued on page 67

Adamawa panel summons Nyako Friday has been set for public hearing by the panel, which was constituted last week by Acting Chief Judge Ambrose Mammadi.

The acting CJ took the step based on the request by the House of Assembly after it opened impeachment proceedings against Nyako and Ngilari.

The panel’s action is an indication that it had secured a venue for it sittings.

It was sacked by the J&J Hotel for security reasons after its Monday’s inaugural sitting. Throughout Tuesday, the panel was preoccupied with getting a place to use.

It was gathered that the members might have moved the sittings to the secretariat of the Adamawa State Chapter of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria.

But the chairman of the union, Mr. Jeremiah Nkyekwar, said he was unaware that its secretariat was hosting the panel.

Continued on page 67

and soldiers have been deployed to cage in very high state officials. ‘’In Ekiti, several billions of naira was allegedly scooped from a massive political war chest to subvert democracy, induce voters and upturn all known political theories to such an extent that all that anyone seeking to be elected now has to do is to dole out stolen public funds to a people already rendered comatose and impoverished by runaway corruption, glaring incompetence and sheer cluelessness that are the hallmarks of the Jonathan Administration. ‘’Under President Jonathan, there is no longer the need to make any electoral promises or carry out people-oriented and quality of life projects. Just distribute bags of rice, expired or not, to a people already famished by a clueless federal govern-

Also yesterday, the suit filed by Nyako and the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the impeachment process was stalled due to the absence of a substantive Chief Judge for the state.

The tenure of acting Chief Judge Mammadi expired on Tuesday.

He adjourned the matter till yesterday during the last hearing.

Governor Nyako maintained yesterday that he remained strong, despite the moves to impeach him.

Besides, said Nyako, he does not need the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan on the matter.

Based on allegations of corruption and nepotism, some members of the House of Assembly are pushing for Nyako’s impeachment.

The governor spoke with State House correspondents after attending the inauguration of the steering committee of the Safe School InitiaContinued on page 67

•Justice Kutigi...yesterday

which was just to provide an avenue for reaching consensus rather than voting. We do not believe that voting would really move us forward.

“Yes, there will be some winners and losers but in so doing, but in so doing, we believe Nigeria may be the Continued on page 67

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THE NATION THURSDAY JULY 10, 2014

5

NEWS

Courts to go on long vacation

Ahmed gets govt doctors

By Adebisi Onanuga, Eric Ikhilae and Joseph Jibueze

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

HE Supreme Court, the Federal High Court and the Lagos State High Court will go on a long vacation from July till September.

The Supreme Court will vacate on July 21 and resume on September 8 and the Federal High Court will begin its vacation on July 14 and end it on September 12.

Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, approved July 16 till September 11 for the vacation.

Ten vacation judges have been appointed to sit in Ikeja and Lagos divisions, a statement by the Chief Registrar, Mrs. Olamide Akinkugbe, said.

In Ikeja Division, Justice Olajumoke Emeya will sit between July 16 and July 24; Justice Ibironke Harrison, July 28 to August 8; Justice Akintunde Savage, August 11 to August 22; Justice Sodoten Ogunsanya, August 25 to September 11 and Justice Kudirat Jose is to serve as a substitute judge.

In the Lagos Division, Justice Folashade Bankole-Oki will sit between July 16 and July 24; Justice Oyindamola Ogala, July 28 to August 8; Justice Ganiyu Safari, August 11 to August 22; Justice Wasiu Animahun, August 25 to September 11 and Justice Omobolaji Dawodu to serve serve as a substitute judge.

The statement said the Criminal Division may sit throughout the vacation period.

Where a judge in the division is on vacation, a vacation judge may be assigned to deal with all urgent pending criminal cases.

Justice Phillips said any cause or matter may be heard by a judge during the vacation “where such cause or matter is urgent or a judge at the request of all concerned agrees to hear it”.

“Any application for an urgent hearing during the vacation may be made by summons in chambers before the vacation judge or the judge before whom the substantive case is pending,” the statement said.

It added that the new legal year service will hold on September 2.

KWARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday urged the striking members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to return to the hospital in the interest of poor Nigerians.

He said a good understanding of industrial labour relations between the doctors and the government would lead to an easy resolution of the strike.

Ahmed spoke yesterday in Ilorin at the annual general meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of NMA Kwara with the theme: Medical Practice and Social Security: Looking Inward.

The governor, who was represented by the Health Commissioner, Alhaji Kayode Issa, said: “Let me make a plea to the Federal Government and the NMA to come together and negotiate an acceptable resolution to the strike. Both parties should be guided by labour law issues, national interest and the care for the patients to come to a quick agreement.”

The governor said the state government emphasised primary and secondary health care for the benefits of more residents.

The Ahmed administration recently inaugurated five renovated general hospitals and provided modern facilities in them.

The governor said the government had employed 11 medical consultants in various disciplines to work in the hospitals.

He said: “We still have vacancies for more consultants as well.”

NMA State Chairman, Prof Olayinka Buhari, blamed the Federal Government for the strike.

The union leader said the government, through its agency, allegedly reneged on its agreement with the NMA during the warning strike about six months ago.

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NDLEA partners NAFDAC to fight illicit drugs Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are working on a draft four-year National Drug Control Master Plan.

The collaboration is aimed at stemming the rising use of narcotic drugs and other controlled substances in the country.

The draft master plan will ensure strict control of the proliferation, trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs and the reduction of their demand.

NDLEA’s Director-General, Dr Paul Orhii, spoke in Abuja on the collaboration when he visited the newly appointed NDLEA’s Director-General, Mrs Roli Bode-George.

The NDLEA chief hailed NAFDAC for its taking pro-active steps in the control and use of narcotics.

She noted that both agencies’ efforts were complementary in the fight against the illicit use of drugs.

•From left: National Project Coordinator, FADAMA, Mr. Tayo Adewunmi; Team Leader on Extension, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Prof. Tunji Arokoyo and Task Team Leader, FADAMA III Project, Dr. Tunji Oredipe, at the orientation retreat for workers and stakeholders on additional financing for FADAMA III at Riverton Hotels, Lokoja, Kogi State...yesterday

Jonathan decries high school dropouts

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan decried yesterday the high rate of school dropouts.

The President, who put the phenomenon at 70 per cent, said it was too high and unacceptable.

He spoke yesterday in Abuja at the inauguration of the Steering Committee for the Safe Schools Initiative.

Last month, Jonathan opened the Safe School Initiative with N3.2 billion from the Federal Government and the organised private sector (OPS) to ensure a safer school environment for pupils.

The initiative also aims to return about 10.5 million outof-school children to the classroom.

Harping on pupils safety, the President noted that tragic occurrences, such as the abduction of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls should not occur again.

According to him, a N30 billion Terrorism Victims’ Support Fund will be launched on July 16.

He said: “Some states are fairly okay with one or two per cent. But other states are as high as 70 per cent. If the

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

dropout rate of students at the basic level is as high as 70 per cent, that means only 30 per cent only goes to school. That is terrible.

“In Borno State today, for example, children, especially girls, are not going to school because of the risk they face from terrorism and violence.

This is not acceptable.

“I understand we can only make schools safer within the context of a secured nation. But I want to assure you that my government will do everything possible to ensure safety of lifeand property nationwide. We have challenges; we are confronting it and we will surely overcome.

“This country is passing through stress within this period, caused by the excesses of the Boko Haram sect, and our government has been approaching it from different fronts.

“We always insist that the defence or security does not end terror. But we need to stop collateral damage on innocent people. For us to win the war, we need to look at it holistically: economic issues, education-

al issues, religious issues, socio-cultural issues etc.

“At the federal level, we have the Presidential Initiative in the North East (PINE).

They are looking at the totality of what the Federal Government can do in collaboration with (other) stakeholders.

“Recently, we also received a copy of the report of the North East Economic Summit.

Based on that report, we are looking at areas where government will come in.

“Under the time, there are two subsets. The one we are inaugurating today, the Safe Schools Initiative, is actually under the Presidential Initiative in the North East. But this is pioneered by Gordon Brown (former British Prime Minister).

“From statistics, the dropout of pupils at the basic level of education is quite high. The basic level is the primary and secondary. The dropout at that level is too high.”

Jonathan said the Brown initiative was meant to see how stakeholders could tap into global fund and private sector and other philanthropists to contribute to it.

He said: “We are also com-

ing up with a package. This is because we know that we need to intervene to cushion the effect of Boko Haram. Many people have been killed, we have widows and orphans. Properties have been destroyed, schools burnt.

“Government is also coming up with what we call Victims Support Fund. We believe that government alone cannot cushion the effect. We want to mobilise resources within and outside Nigeria just like we did during the flood of 2012.

“We are trying to get somebody that will head that fund.

We are looking at the 16th of this month to formally launch the fund. Government will put something and individuals will do to.

“The safety of our children and the security of their education must be paramount to all of us.

“Tragic occurrences like the kidnapping of the Chibok girls must not rise again anywhere in this country.”

“In line with this, we have designed this initiative to enhance the safety of our chilci-

Reps probe N76b Abuja, Lagos CCTV contract

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HE House of Representatives is set to investigate the ineffectiveness of the Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) installed in Abuja and Lagos by a Chinese communications company, ZTE Corporation.

The House yesterday mandated its committees on ICT and Public Safety and National Security to probe the CCTV’s failure to capture a single criminal act, despite the huge fund expended on the contract.

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

The committees are expected to report back to the House within two weeks.

The resolution by the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion brought before the House by a member, Saviour Udoh.

In the motion, titled: “The urgent need to deploy CCTV cameras to check the security challenges in Nigeria,” Udoh expressed concern over the insecurity in the land.

He said the committees

should get to the root of the CCTV contract to show if there were some misdeeds.

According to him, the contract was for ZTE to install 2,000 digital solar-powered cameras (1,000 each for Abuja and Lagos), 37 switch rooms, MW backbone, 37 coalition emergency response system, 38 video conference sub-system, 37 e-police system, six emergency communication vehicles and 1.5 million subscriber lines, to be funded by the Federal Government and the China Ex-

port Bank, as contained in the contract papers.

Udoh said the contract reportedly awarded at $470 million (N76 billion then) by the late Umar Musa Yar’Adua administration, included a security system “intended to capture images on a 24-hour basis for the analysis of the relevant security agencies”.

The lawmaker said despite the alleged completion and handover to the government since 2012, “no criminal activity had ever been detected through the security cameras”.

Fed Govt pegs exchange rate at N150 to $1 for pilgrims

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HE Federal Government has pegged the exchange rate for Christians and Muslims on this year’s pilgrimage to Israel and Saudi Arabia at N150 to $1 instead of about N165.

President Goodluck Jonathan also approved 30,000 Christians for this year’s pilgrimage to Israel.

Niger State has 700 slots.

The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Mr. John Kennedy Okpara, spoke

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

yestrday in Minna, the Niger State capital, when he visited Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.

The agency chief said since 2012, the Federal Government had been intervening in the exchange rate to enable Nigerians perform their spiritual obligations.

Okpara recalled that last year, the exchange rate was pegged at N145, when the offi-

cial rate was N155 to a dollar.

He said: “Just last week, President Jonathan graciously approved the exchange rate for Christian and Muslim pilgrims at N150, when the official rate now is between N160 and N165, for this year’s pilgrimage to the holy lands.”

Okpara said of the 30,000 pilgrims approved for this year’s pilgrimage, 700 come from Niger State.

The agency chief said he was in Minna because of Aliyu’s magnanimity to Christian pil-

grims since 2007.

He said there was a plan to use the Minna airport to convey pilgrims from the state, adding that this would be done after the airline engaged for the October/December pilgrimage would have inspected and approved the airport.

Aliyu hailed the Federal Government for pegging the exchange rate at N150.

He said the decision would enable more pilgrims to do their religious obligations.

Unity schools’ test July 12 ABOUT 40,000 successful candidates who participated in the National Common Entrance Examination are to take a selection test organised by the National Examinations Council (NECO), an official has said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the examination, which is for admission into the Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) in the 104 Unity Colleges has been scheduled for Saturday, July 12.

Over 100,000 candidates participated in the National Common Entrance Examination in April.

NECO’s Registrar, Prof.

Promise Okpala, told NAN on phone that only 24,000 students were expected to be admitted after the selection test.

Okpala explained that the purpose of the second test, which will hold in 172 centres in major cities, was to select the best candidates.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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NEWS Shekarau for Education as Adeyeye, Oru, Bulama get portfolios

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PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday swore in four ministers and allocated them portfolios.

Sworn in before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting were: Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), Abu Bulama (Yobe State), Stephen Oru (Delta State) and Adedayo Adeyeye (Ekiti).

The President yesterday assigned Shekarau as Minister of Education, Stephen Oru as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abu Bulama as Minister of Science and Technology and Adedayo Adeyeye as Minister of State for Works.

Bashir Yuguda, who was the substantive Minister of State for Works, was assigned as minister of state for Finance. He will also supervise the National Planning Commission.

Jonathan urged them to put in their best in the new assignments.

He said: “Let me congratulate you for this appointment, but it is not an enviable appointment because in football match when you get to the injury time and a player is brought in, you expect goals from the player.

“This government has less than a year to go and you have

D

•MINISTER ALL: From left Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Abdu Bulama, Minister of Niger Delta Development Stephen Orise Oru, Minister of State for Works Adedayo Adeyeye and Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau taking oath of office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN. From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

been brought in this time, so you know the reason why you have been brought in. You have no time to sleep, unfortunately for you because first you have to learn how to climb the ropes, because maybe it is a different setting, no matter how experi-

enced you are if you go to something different you will need some time to adjust.

“But from your background, we know that all of you are eminently qualified to be here and we know that it will not take you too many hours to settle down.

We believe that you will perform not just to satisfy Mr President but to satisfy Nigerians. You are

not just serving the President as a principal aide, but you are serving our motherland and in this we will expect the best from you especially at this time when there is global competition.” he added.

Jonathan was also yesterday decorated by the Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corp, Osita Chidoka, as

the Grand Patron of the Special Corps Marshal Former Kano StateGovernor Ibrahim Shekarau ia expected to take over the Ministry of Education today after his swearing-in and the announcement of his portfolio in a minor cabinet arrangement

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

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From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

over of lands, which the Act has placed under the government as the intervening body.

Promoters of the argument noted that since land is not a renewable commodity, it should not be left at the mercy of speculators. They argued that removing it from the constitution would be discriminatory and unjust to the poor.

The proponents also argued that removing the Act from the constitution would

create a dichotomy.

But the promoters of the retention of the Act in the constitution feared that the removal would amount to a grand design for the rich to buy land at cheap prices, a situation they said would lead to crises that cannot be managed.

Those opposed to its retention argued that though the Act should remain a law, it should be removed from the constitution to make it easy for amendment.

They argued that at present, amending the Act

through the constitution has become too cumbersome and that in other countries, land tenure is universal while governments nearest to the communities serve land tenure better.

They complained that government have taken peoples land and have refused to pay compensation.

They insisted that since the promulgation of the Act, access to land had remained a major problem, thus hindering economic development.

The opponent said the power of compulsory acquisition

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

and Children was originally established to cater for only women and children.

The lawmaker noted that the change of name was necessary because the hospital’s services had extended to all Nigerians.

He said: “This amendment is imperative to reflect the realities on ground. The hospital is no longer for women

and children alone; it is now for all Nigerians.”

Supporters of the bill included Friday Itulah(PDP, Edo). The lawmaker said it was the right step in the right direction.

He said: “This change of name is right. It is the parliament that has the responsibility to effect the change.

It is only proper that we reflect what is happening by changing the name to National Hospital, Abuja.”

The lawmakers also

passed the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 2014 bills through second reading yesterday.

The FCTA bill has N271.13 billion estimate, while the NDDC’s has an expenditure estimates of N322.6 billion.

Both bills were referred to the Committee on the FCT and the NDDC for further legislative input.

Pro-Jonathan group salutes Nyako

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vested on governors has been, in most cases, used arbitrarily without the payment of adequate compensation to land owners.

The committee noted that both sides of the argument were convincing; unfortunately, none of them agreed with the other and no side agreed to back down.

In its decision, which was accepted by the conference, it was noted that the Act would be retained in the constitution while certain amendments would be carried out in certain sections of the Act.

IGERIAN politicians have been advised to emulate the courage exhibited by Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako.

The governor, despite the heat on him by the House of Assembly dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has remained unruffled.

A pro-President Goodluck Jonathan group, Mass Movement for Goodluck (MMG), yesterday hailed Nyako for distinguishing between politics and integrity when he absolved Jonathan of complicity in the political crisis in Adamawa.

The group’s National Lead-

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

er Dr. Kenneth Ibe-Kalu said the governor’s disposition to the crisis was worthy of emulation by Nigerian politicians.

“We, on behalf of Nigerians appreciate Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State for boldly and candidly announcing to the word that President Goodluck Jonathan has no hand in the impeachment saga going on in the state.

“A statement of fact of this nature coming from an opposition governor is gratifying,” he said.

Ibe-Kalu, who is also the Director-General of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors

of Nigeria, noted that if politicians had imbibed such spirit, hurling derogatory remarks at those in positions of authority, especially the President, would not have become part of Nigeria’s politics.

He said: “Nigerians, irrespective of party affiliation, should desist from desecrating the office and person of President Jonathan. This is because national leaders are symbols that should not be insulted.

“A President is the President, irrespective of party affiliation. Positive criticisms are addictive to good governance, but criticisms arising from po-

‘No casualty in Ibadan bridge collapse’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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OBODY died in the collapsed pedestrian bridge two weeks in Apete area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, it was learnt yesterday.

The bridge caved in, following a flood.

The Caretaker Chairman of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State,where the suburb is located, Prof Adeniyi Olowofela, debunked the rumour that some people died in the incident.

The local government chairman said the news was false and was being peddled by political enemies of the government.

In a statement in Ibadan, Olowofela said the rumour was being peddled by opposition parties, which was on painting the present administration in bad light.

Olowofela said:”The washed away pedestrian bridge had been generating all sorts of insinuation.

But what we know is that the government of the day led by, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, is very sincere, serious and committed to plight, welfare, development of the state and the emancipation of the citizenry...”

FRSC to impound vehicles without Customs papers

Reps pass Bill seeking to rename National Hospital

Bill seeking to change the name of the National Hospital for Women and Children, Abuja, to “the National Hospital, Abuja”, passed through its second reading in the House of Representatives yesterday.

Ali Ahmad (APC, Kwara), who led the debate on the general principles of the bill, said it was meant to change the hospital’s name to the National Hospital.

According to him, the National Hospital for Women

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HE trail of Senator Ali Ndume (Benue State) before a Federal High Court in Abuja was stalled yesterday by the inability of the prosecution lawyer, Thompson Olatigbe, to convince the court to protect the prosecution by shielding them from public view.

When the case was called, Olatigbe applied that the prosecution’s fourth witness, whose name was hidden, be shielded for public view because of the security implication of exposing the witness’s identity.

He argued that since the witness was a private citizen invited by the prosecution to testify for the state, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) was entitled, under the Terrorism Prevention Act, to provide security for the witness.

Conference votes to retain Land Use Act in constitution

ELEGATE to the National Conference resolved yesterday to retain the Land Use Act in the constitution.

A special committee, comprising leaders of the geo-political zones and other selected delegates, handled the contentious argument on whether or not the Land Use Act should be removed from the constitution.

The argument of those who wanted the Act retained in the 1999 Constitution was based on the belief that it would give room to oligarchs to the take-

Ndume’s trial stalled

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From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

HE Federal Government has directed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to impound any vehicle seeking registration without genuine Customs’ clearance papers.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over

by President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday gave the directive after the FRSC Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka, presented an update on Nigeria’s Status on the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020).

Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Chidoka quoted Jonathan as saying it was not enough for the FRSC to just ask people without the genuine papers to go get them.

The FRSC chief said such people should be investigated to enable the FRSC know how the affected vehicles got into Nigeria without the genuine papers.

Jonathan leaves for ECOWAS summit in Ghana

P •Nyako

litical vendetta are cancerous to any nation.”

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday left Abuja to attend the Summit of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government which starting today in Accra, Ghana.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser onMedia and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the two-day summit will consider and adopt the 2014 Interim Report of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kadre Desire Ouedraogo.

The leaders will also deliberate on the report of the 72nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers as well as the report of the 32nd Session of the regional body’s Mediation and Security Council.

Jonathan will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga.

He is due back in Nigeria tomorrow.

7

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

NEWS

State creation not solution to Nigeria’s woes, says Fashola

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has said state creation will not solve Nigeria’s problems.

He described as dangerous the recommendation by the National Conference that more states be created.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Fashola, who was represented by the Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner, Mr Ade Ipaye, said the creation of more states would do more harm than good, since it would lead to the increase in administrative cost of government.

“Creating more states will further emphasise Nigeria’s diversity and fragment the country. The more states we have, the weaker the federation because we would have a central government that is too strong.

“When you fragment the states, a lot of resources would go into administration. You would have governors, commissioners, ministries, all of which positions are currently being run by executives of the states from which these new states would be crafted.

By Precious Igbonwelundu and Remi Osasona

“I think we have learnt a lesson from the past that there is no end to state creation. Every time you create a new state, a new group within the new state would start agitating for their own state.

“Remember that the Nigerian Constitution provides for states to create local governments, so if the argument is to bring governance closer to the people, we should then look at the possibility of creating local governments where necessary.

“Creating more states would do more harm than good because a lot of states are barely surviving. Some do not have internally generated revenue (IGR) to rely upon and rely solely on the federation account. So, if you fragment them with no clear point for their survival, we may be doing something quite dangerous,” he said In his keynote address titled: “Lagos-melting pot or no man’s land?-setting the example for Nigerian unity”, the governor said that diversity was not responsible for the nation’s woes, adding: “Our diversity is not

•Fashola

new, it has always been there and the colonial governments and the early indigenous governments functioned well.

“Diversity in Lagos is amazing. With an estimated population of about 20 million from all over the country, the continent and the world, and six percent national population growth rate, Lagos has the lowest incidence of issues of ethnic tensions, conflicts.

“Lagos belongs to every-

body; it is not a no man’s land nor a melting point but a blend of the two. Lagos’ diversity has yielded up to 60 per cent of corporate organisation having their head offices here. We have built this key economy together and we cannot afford anything that would upset it,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Access Bank, Gbenga Oyebode, said it was obvious that the limit of federalism was being pushed, adding that it was time the country took a second look and focused on important things, adding “the National Conference lacks enabling legislation”.

The NBA Lagos Chairman, Alex Muoka, said it was as though Nigerians have agreed the solution to the nation’s problems lie in continuously emphasizing its diversity-a constant breaking down into smaller units, with the obvious attendant gross duplication of the apparatus of government.

He stated that Lagos should be emulated as a model in achieving peace and unity amid diversity, since it has remained unbroken for over a century despite all odds.

Fayose begins campaign to win Oyo for PDP

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KITI State-Governorelect Ayodele Fayose led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in the Southwest to Oyo State yesterday.

The rally held at Watershed Events’ Centre, Old Ife Road, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

It was preceded by a meeting of PDP stakeholders at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan on Tuesday night, which started at about 9.30pm and lasted for over four hours.

Tagged the PDP Southwest “thank you” sensitisation ral-

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Ibadan

ly, party leaders spoke on the need to regain power from the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) in Osun, Oyo, Lagos and Ogun states.

Aside Fayose, others at the rally include Chairman, PDP Southwest Mobilisation and Organisation Committee for 2015 Presidential Election, Prince Buruji Kashamu, former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and Senator Brimo

Yusuf. The PDP leaders urged unity among members.

Fayose told the gathering that unless members worked together, the desire to regain power in Oyo State would be a mirage.

He said: “My coming here is not personal; it’s not targeted at anyone... If the party fails to come together and work in unity and follow due process, it will fail to win the governorship election in this state.

The party should steer clear of imposition of candidates.”

In a veiled reference to recent attacks on Jonathan by a former President, Fayose said: “Give Jonathan peace of mind to work. When they were there, nobody disparaged them like that.”

He went on: “This is the last time and should be the last time that anybody in this party will disparage Mr. President or the PDP. If you disparage this party, we will sack you. We will suspend you whether you are a former president, former governor or former senator.”

‘With LagosHOMS, I’ve hope in Nigeria’

LAGOS resident, who emerged winner of a home at the fifth public draw of the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (LagosHOMS), Mr. Aina Oluwafemi, expressed yesterday confidence in the scheme.

The visibly excited new home owner, who could not hide his joy, said the transparency involved in the scheme has assured him that there was hope for his children.

He said: “If this is happening in Nigeria, there is hope for our children. I had applied online and was expecting it prayerfully by faith when I received a mail that I am qualified for the draw, and as the draw was going on, I heard my name as one of the lucky winners.”

Oluwafemi said his earlier intention was to save money and build a property in the state, until he heard about the scheme.

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From Oseheye Okwuofu,

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

“My thought was to gather money and buy a house and move in, but when this came up, I applied. The whole process was transparent and I am lucky to be one of the winners.”

Another winner, Mr. Obi Mordi, described the initiative as a laudable.

“I had plans to buy a property but no fund to develop it, but when my colleague won a flat in Shogunro and he told me it was free and fair, I tried it and here I am.

“It is a good initiative and it shows that things can work in this country if we have the right leadership and the right ideas.”

Also, Miss Rotanna Onyedi said winning a home gave her the personal feeling that her tax and government were working for her.

Governor Babatunde Fashola said ethnicity and religion

were not conditions for benefitting from the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS).

The governor added that the scheme “does not ask religious questions. It does not ask ethnic questions. So, tell those who want to divide us by religion that they will fail. This housing scheme has further bound us together”.

Fashola went on: “It is free from bribery and man-knowman syndromes. Applicants do not have to know any government official at any level to benefit from the scheme.

“I do not know any state in the federation in the country where two hundred homes are put in the market every month.

I do not even know any country in West Africa where two hundred homes are put in the market every month. This is happening in Lagos State and by an All Progressives Con-

gress (APC) government.”

The governor said the government did not borrow from any bank locally or internationally to fund the housing projects, noting that the housing projects “are being executed 100 per cent by the state government”.

He added: “We have not borrowed a dime from any bank.

So, there is no bank charge on this scheme. It is executed with the tax payers’ money. The state government is not paying interest to any bank because of this scheme”.

He added that a rent-to-own housing programme “has been introduced. And the programme will capture junior public servants, artisans, tradesmen and those who cannot afford 30 percent equity contribution now. It will allow people in this category pay rents, which forms the basis for their mortgage in the long run.”

Osun suspects foul play in school hall’s collapse HE main hall of the High School, Ejigbo, Osun State collapsed yester-

day.

The government said it suspected foul play.

A statement by Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s spokesman, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, said the building came down after a loud bang.

The statement reads: “The

government of Osun State regrets to inform the public of the suspect incident of the collapse of the Main Hall of the newly completed ultra-modern High School, Ejigbo, Osun State.

“Information at the disposal of the government indicates that the Main Hall, which had been completed along with other classrooms of the school, came down at about

6am Wednesday after a loud bang was heard by those who were within the hall and others within the vicinity of the project.

“As a responsible government, it is too early for us to say what the cause of the collapse is until we have fully investigated.

“However, it must be stated here that all necessary quality

assurance tests were carried out to ensure structural durability and integrity of the project just as in other projects under this administration.

“Engineers from the Osun Ministry of Works and the Structural Engineering section of the Nigerian Society of Engineers have been dispatched to the site to establish the cause of this unfortunate incident.”

Osun’ ll benefit from $4b tourism market, says Aregbesola

By Ozolua Uhakheme

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said the state’s growing tourism status will enable it benefit from the $4 billion-worth domestic tourist market.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Tourism and Culture, Mr. Ladi Soyode, at the Osun Osogbo Festival’s corporate forum in Lagos on Tuesday, Aregbesola said the state was committed to promoting, enlarging and internationalising the festival.

This year’s festival, which will be preceded by the Ataoja Youth Football Competition, will hold between August 7 and 23 featuring musical concert, colloquium, trade fair, art exhibition and cock tail night.

He said: “Solid progress has been made in this regard in the past three years and has culminated in Osun Osogbo festival becoming the biggest festival in Nigeria. From our records, 2013 edition of the festival recorded 21, 713 domestic tourists, including 123 international tourists while Abuja carnival 2013 recorded 19,015 domestic tourists, which includes 113 international tourists and N147,385,250 formed the expenditure.

Provided that this trend is sustained, it is the firm belief of the Aregbesola administration that Osun State with its many festivals that date back to antiquity and its breathtaking eco-tourism sites, would benefit immensely from the 4 billion dollars domestic tourist market and the Diaspoira market estimated at 3billion dollars.”

The forum was attended by the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, Chief Nike Okundaye, Alhaji Yinusa Ajibade Adisa and representatives of the festival sponsors, such as Nigerian Breweries Plc , MTN, Grand Oak and Kasapreko.

Erunmu Inland Dry Port to take off soon, says Oyo SSG

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YO State government has said it will partner the Nigeria Shippers Council to ensure the smooth take off of the Inland Dry Port at Erunmu.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Olalekan Alli, spoke at a meeting with the management of the Nigerian Shippers Council in Lagos.

According to him, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has mandated the Bureau of Investment Promotion, Public and Private Partner-

ship to meet with the council to deliberate on resuscitation of the dry port.

He said the Erunmu Inland Dry Port would decongest the Lagos Port, allow the importers and exporters to move their goods from the dry port to the southwestern zone and create employment opportunities.

The council’s Executive Secretary, Hassan Bello, said the body shared the dream of the renewal of Oyo State.

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THE NATION THURSDAY JULY 10, 2014

8

NEWS OSUN 2014

LP to politicians: stop promoting violence From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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HE Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Osun State, Alhaji Fatai Akinibade, has warned politicians to stop promoting violence.

Akinbade also cautioned stakeholders not to heat up the polity.

The candidate, who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Kayode Oladeji, said it was imperative that politicians play the political game in consonance with the rule, if the August 9 governorship poll will be successful.

Akinbade, who referred to the violence that led to destruction of property worth millions of naira and maiming of people in Ile-Ife on Tuesday evening, warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), not to throw the state into confusion.

He said campaign should be issue-based, warning the politicians to avoid thuggery and violence.

He said: “What the people were yearning for was not violence, but rather, to see the state developed. Nobody can force him or herself on the people. If truly we believe that democracy is the government of the people, for the people and by the people, then people should be allowed to freely choose whoever they want.

“We must eschew violence, politics should not be a-do-ordie affair and as such, we must not turn our dear state into a theatre of war. Nothing pays more than peace and it cannot be bought at any price.

“Elections in advanced democracy or saner climes are always peaceful and issuebased. The situations whereby campaign or political rallies are used as platforms in employing abusive languages will only continue to threaten the peace and security of the state, if not checked. Osun State is bigger than the ambition of any politician, the blood of innocent people of the state should not be shed for any politician to realise his or her ambition.”

Akinbade, who called on the leadership of the PDP and APC to caution their supporters against violence that could lead to the breakdown of law and order, also urged security agencies to be on the alert to nip in the bud violent tendencies.

•Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosu, Chairman, Citizen Care Foundation (SCCF), Prince Bola Ajibola and Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during the SCCF National Workshop in Abeokuta, Ogun State…yesterday.

‘We’ve no candidate for Osun poll’ ‘ T We hereby implore all to HE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Osun State Chapter, has written to the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) denying “false information” that it had annointed a candidate for the August 9 governorship election.

APC’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy Kunle Oyatomi, made this known in a statement yesterday.

The party quoted the state’s CAN leadership as saying: “Our attention has been drawn to a political statement going round some churches. OS-CAN leadership hereby dissociates itself from such, as we are spiritual fathers to all, irrespective of political affiliation.

“By this announcement, we hereby implore all to exercise their franchise according to conviction de-

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From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

void of coercion.”

But the APC said some officials and members of the churches might have received gratification from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to introduce religious sentiment into a purely political matter.

The party advised Christians to vote according to their conscience, and not because one candidate is a Moslem or the other a Christian.

The statement reads: “The religion of a leader has nothing to do with the choice before citizens of Osun on August 9. What is important is the quality of service, which either of them has rendered to the people of Osun. The vital question before our people is, between Aregbesola and Omisore, who would you

exercise their franchise according to conviction devoid of coercion

’

rely on to make life in Osun State better for the people?

“Omisore and his party, the PDP had been in the politics of Osun for nearly eight years between 2003 and 2010. Their most outstanding achievement was the creation of Osun State University, which was made beyond the reach of the poor. But for the most part, the duo of the PDP and Omisore practically ruined

the state.

“It took Aregbesola’s intervention to make that state university accessible to everybody, rich or poor alike. And within 47 months of being in office, the APC government under Aregbesola has so impacted the lives of the people that no leader since Osun was created has been as popular as Aregbesola.

“There is no discrimination whatsoever between Christians and Moslems in his administration. When Aregbesola decided to feed 300,000 primary school children, he did not discriminate between Christian and Moslem children.

“Our balance, when you look at Christian-Christian governorship of PDP administration between 2003 and 2010 in comparison with the Moslem-Christian ticket that has ruled Osun since 2010, responsible and

APC raises alarm over ‘Ondo secret parley on Osun poll’

NDO State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over alleged secret meetings by chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the August 9 governorship election in Osun State.

The APC, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, said the frequent movement of the PDP chieftains from Ondo State to Osun State was

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

aimed at strategising to rig the August election by all means.

The party alleged that last Tuesday’s visit of Mr. Ayodele Fayose from Ekiti to Ondo State was to conclude plans on how to ferry thugs and ammunition into Osun.

APC urged security agencies to keep vigil on the

boundary between the two states and ensure that dangerous materials are not transported into Osun State.

It warned parties participating in the election to play the game according to the rule.

The statement maintained that the people’s wish must be seen as sacrosanct and must be respected.

The party observed that the development recorded

by the APC-led government in Osun State is enough to campaign for people, who are beneficiaries of the developmental revolution.

It said voters are well-enlightened on good governance and the need for sustainable and continued dividend of democracy which has been the hallmark of the Aregbesola-led administration.

APC urged Osun citizenry to be vigilant and resist any move to truncate the wishes of the masses in the poll.

We’ll review punitive taxes, says SDP candidate

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SUN State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi said yesterday that his administration will review all punitive taxes, if voted into power.

Akinwusi, in a message to private schools proprietors and hoteliers, noted that he understood their current plights and how their enterprises have closed down due to harsh economic situations.

The former Head of Service (HOS) disclosed that his administration would ensure that businesses grow unhindered while further financial assistance will be

given to entrepreneurs to help them boost the trade.

“We shall review all the taxation policies that are obviously punitive, exorbitant and have almost turned our people into beggars and slaves in their own land.

“Today, across Osun State, taxation is mostly punitive and extortionist; it must no longer be oppressive and unbearable for the people”, he stated.

He added that over the past three and half years, the state has ignored rules and regulations governing financial administration and “we have seen a dangerous erosion of the principles that allowed our economy to

thrive”.

“Large future expenditure has routinely been omitted from the budget to mask their true cost. We are spending incomes that may not be earned in the 25 years. Our borrowing fell grossly short of our ability to pay, this is irresponsible and condemnable.

“We shall however restore honest and transparent government and lead an administration that will make sure its numbers add up, and the result will be economic growth and prosperity for all by investing in the future, not mortgaging it. We shall cut the deficit and make sure that

we cut our coat according to our cloth,” he explained.

On the issue of debt, Akinwusi stated that indigenes of the state should ignore the report emanating from Debt Management Office (DMO) that the state debt is manageable.

The SDP governorship candidate said: “The truth of the matter is that the DMO is only talking about Osun’s foreign debt which was about N60 billion. DMO was not referring to local debt, which I insist is over N350 billion, going by documents available. Just few weeks ago, another N21.3 billion debt was taken from Zenith Bank and Ecobank.”

reasonable Christians know the wide margin of difference between both. The latter outclasses the former.

“So, Christians don’t need any church or pastor or bishop to tell what is best for them. Christians are among the most rational people in Osun.

“They cannot prefer Omisore to the Moslem Aregbesola of the APC who has so transformed Osun from among the worst governed to one of the best administered states in the country today. His Moslem religion may have influenced his attitude to governance.

“However, his popularity and success in governance today in Osun is purely on the basis of his performance. He has touched the lives of the people, and made their environment better than it ever was irrespective of whether they are Moslems or Christians.”

Voter cards: govt worried over exploitation of youths, elderly From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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SUN State Commissioner for Youths, Sport and Special Needs Mr. Stephen KolaBalogun has said the state government is worried over an alleged exploitation of the vulnerable electorate by some politicians.

Kola-Balogun disclosed that the most affected were the youths and the elderly, who were been asked to surrender their voter cards in exchange for a stipend.

The commissioner, who spoke with journalists in Osogbo, the state capital, said it was imperative that he should alert the public against the alleged exploitation because the two major groups affected were within his ministry’s scope.

Kola-Balogun, who described the scenario as undemocratic, wicked and criminal, said he was speaking against the “ugly trend” not as a politician, but as commissioner saddled with the responsibility to work for the people’s interest.

The commissioner alleged that the elders were being tricked to fill some forms, release the numbers on their voter cards and get a stipend in return.

He said the youths give up willingly their cards in exchange for N10,000.

Kola-Balogun said that selling and buying of voter cards is a new approach to rigging and must be discouraged for democracy to thrive.

He said: “As the Commissioner for Youths and Special Needs for the State of Osun, the unfolding scenario is not acceptable, criminal and no reasonable government will watch the vulnerable been dubiously exploited without moving against it.”

However, Kola-Balogun called on law enforcement agents to investigate the matter and bring to book those involved.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

9

CITYBEATS

Hope dims for boy with eye cancer

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HAT is this, God? What is happening; have I wronged you? God, have mercy, please!” The embittered woman – a grandmother - soliloquised as she stared pathetically into emptiness.

The petty trader, Mrs Abosede Paul, as this reporter later learnt when he visited her 25, Owodunni Street, Onipanu, Lagos home again yesterday, had got more overwhelmed with grief over the plight of her grandson.

The boy, eight-year-old Toheeb Atobatele, has, from birth, remained in the throes of an ever-worsening eye tumour, which was diagnosed as cancer at various hospitals.

The woman had told the reporter during his first visit mid last month, the story of how cruel fate had seized the little boy’s comfort since his birth.

Amid tears then, she had recounted how Toheeb was abandoned by his father immediately after his delivery at a clinic in Ikotun, a suburb of the city.

“Realising the boy’s condition – the outgrowths on his upper lip and left eye – his father has abandoned him.

And since there was no help

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

from anywhere, I have shouldered the responsibility of finding succour for him at all costs. It was a Good Samaritan that sponsored a corrective surgery on his affected lip at a private hospital after which I took him to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja,” she said.

Amid sobs, she further recounted: “There was no x-ray I have not done to get to the root of Toheeb’s problem. In 2009, I went for scan sessions on the eye at LASUTH several times. At a point, we were directed to some Indians in Ikeja. I borrowed money to buy drugs that were to be used for surgery on the eye there. At last, the Indians said they lacked the equipment that could be used for the operation.”

For lack of any helper, she said she resigned to fate, hoping on God. His mother, Ebunlomo, Mrs Paul said, could not offer any help since, according to her, she had just passed out of school and was in search of how to make ends meet.

Describing Toheeb as “a very brilliant and promising boy who is ever-ready to read despite his condition,”

UNILAG student’s shooting under probe

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HAT actually led to the shooting Monday night of Abayomi Sapare, a student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), by assailants in front of Jaja Hall, a male hostel in the university?

This is the question that has since the fateful day, attracted conflicting views from across the institution, but its Dean, Student Affairs, Prof Olukayode Amund, who drove the victim to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after the incident, yesterday said the incident was being investigated by the management.

He told The Nation that the 400-Level Philosophy student was at the hall’s car park when he was attacked by the yet-unknown gunmen.

“The victim was standing in the car park when his assailant attacked him. He was shot and stabbed, but after the gruesome attack, he managed to run into the Jaja Hall, his hostel, where other students came to his aid by rushing him to the medical centre and later, the LUTH. I saw a stab wound on his head and a gunshot wound on the left side of his chest,” he said.

A source in administration department said Sapare was with a girl in the car park when the assailants confronted him and demanded something from him before shooting him.

However, an eyewitness in the hall said: “It happened by 8pm Monday night when the Public Address System (PAS) of the hostel announced that the victim had some visitors who wanted to see him. Few minutes after the announcement, a fight was overheard outside the hall between the victim and some men. They shot and stabbed him. The gunshot scared students who

‘Now, as the embattled grandmother is desperately observing dry fasting to seek Godsent helpers for financial support, she hopes the doctors will call off the strike now to end her son’s pains’ she added, painfully: “He is doing well in the second class at a Nursery/Primary School, here in Onipanu. But I must confess that each time I see him strain his only eye to read, I shed tears.”

Sharing her phone number, 08052965364, with this reporter, Mrs Paul had submitted pitiably: “Well, may be God can use your medium, may be. We are in a world where our people only take delight in spending money on vanities without regard for their fellowmen. I just hope a God-sent person comes to Toheeb’s rescue.”

A Calabar, Rivers Statebased sympathiser, Mrs Asa Nkanor Effiong, read Toheeb’s story in The Nation and contacted Mrs Paul, following which she sent her widow’s mite - N20,000 - to support the boy’s recovery efforts.

With the support, Mrs Paul was to return Toheeb to LASUTH to resume the needed attention, but the

By Jane Chijioke and Mojisola Clement

had been watching the fight from afar and they all ran away. We came to his rescue after his assailants had left him in the pool of his own blood.”

Yesterday, other students were afraid to talk about the issue as they declined to speak with these reporters.

But a source said Sapare has a clique he moves around with. Another source said his friends did not sit for yesterday’s examination as part of the ongoing second semester examination, while some claimed he is a cultist.

At press time, Amund said Sapare was in a stable condition and able to communicate with others, adding that the institution’s management was bent on fishing out

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• Sapare

the culprits as it has beefed up security.

Last year, a student of the university was inflicted with machete wounds on campus.

Also, a lecturer in the Faculty of Business Administration was killed by unknown gunmen who attacked him in his home located in Onike, Yaba near the back gate of the university.

Glo supports festival

OMMUNICATIONS giant Globacom Nigeria, has said it has proudly associated with the planned Oke ‘Badan Festival because it is a reminder of the historical antecedents of Ibadan people in Oyo State.

Its Zonal Business Coordinator (West), Mr Dare Oyewale, said it while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the organisers of the festival to sponsor the festival for three years starting from 2015.

“This collaboration with the Ibadan people will further strengthen the festival and turn it into a world-class event which will attract tourists from across the world,” said Oyewale, adding: “This partnership will further foster a symbiotic relationship which will bring immense benefits to both Globacom and Ibadanland.”

By Basirat Braimah

The Chief Operating Officer of Kingsize Entertainment which is packaging the festival, Mr Lanre Alabi, said the festival is to commemorate the protection and blessings which the founders of Ibadanland received from the hills during internecine wars with other communities in Yorubaland.

According to the Aboke of Ibadanland who is the direct custodian of the festival, Chief Ifasola Ifamapowa, Oke ‘Badan is celebrated in commemoration of the life and times of one of the forebears of Ibadanland, Lagelu as well as the noble roles of the early rulers of Ibadan including Labosinde, Maye, Oluyole, Oderinlo, Opeagbe, Oluyedun and Lakanle, among others.

planned move met a brick wall – a strike by doctors which has lingered for about two weeks now. And that is the crux of her compounded worries.

Now, as the embattled grandmother is desperately observing dry fasting to seek God-sent helpers for financial support, she hopes the doctors will call off the strike now to end her son’s pains.

Echoing her mother’s pains, Ebunoluwa, who gave her phone number as 07113482402, said: “For us, it is double trouble; as we pray for helpers, we also pray for urgent end to the doctors’

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• Toheeb ... yesterday

strike because the boy cries the more by the passage of

days.”

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Farinloye said no one knew the deceased was missing until his elder brother raised the alarm and another passenger confirmed it.

“The incident occurred at Coconut Island. The remains of Idris Adekunle were recovered around 4.15pm today (yesterday). Men of the Nigeria Police, Marine Corps, Onikan, and the relations of the deceased are working on how to release the body of the victim to his family,” he said.

Man dies in boat mishap

HE dead body of a man identified as Idris Adekunle has been recovered along the Oba-Tin Can Island waterways in Lagos, following a boat mishap.

Adekunle was one of three passengers aboard a local boat plying the route, which capsized early on Tuesday following high waves.

While other victims were rescued alive, efforts by emergency agencies to recover the deceased who was

said to have worn his safety jacket failed as his body was found in the evening yesterday.

The mishap was said to have occurred when a bigger boat belonging to the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) was towing a ship to harbour and its waves swept off the ill-fated local one.

Spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

10

NEWS

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Taraba Accountant-General in prison for ‘fraud’

ARABA State Accountant-General Joel Joseph Lenbang was remanded in prison custody yesterday by Justice Donatus Nwabueze Okorowo.

This followed his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged N1.56 billion fraud.

Lenbang will remain in prison, until the court determines his application for bail tomorrow.

A statement by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Wilson Uwujaren said the accused is on trial for offences contrary to and punishable under the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

The statement said: “When the charges were read to him, Lenbang pleaded not guilty.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“The malfeasance came to light, following a petition from an indigene in February, alleging massive looting of state funds.

“The petition triggered investigation into the lifestyle of some of the officers mentioned in the petition and who were believed to be living above their means.”

The EFCC gave insights into how the alleged fraud was perpetrated.

“The investigation uncovered systematic withdrawal of state funds through a scheme allegedly masterminded by Lenbang.

“Withdrawals were allegedly made under the guise that such funds were used for sundry payments on behalf of min-

istries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as payment of Bank Commissions on Turn Over (COT) and Value Added Tax (VAT), which became a monthly affair.

“A total sum of N1,567,226,557.081 was discovered to have been looted from the state treasury between January 2012 and last December.”

“In view of the accused’s plea, prosecuting counsel Al Qasim Ja’afar applied for a date to begin trial.”

The statement said Lenbang’s counsel Abayomi Akamode, filed a motion for bail yesterday and urged the court to hear it.

But Al Qasim told the court that he was served the motion on notice in court and would need time to peruse and respond.

Kwara to complete projects in Dec

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Modibbo: I didn’t meet with Nyako

HE Kwara State government will complete all roads and culverts across the state by December, Commissioner for Works and Transport Abubukar Kannike has

said.

Kannike, who described a good road network as one of the indices that aid development, said the government was making effort to ensure completion of all ongoing projects by December.

Kannike, who described good road network as one of the indices that aid development, said the government was making effort to ensure completion of all projects by December.

He urged the contractors to execute the projects on schedule and according to specifications, warning that the government would not pay any contractor, who carries out shoddy jobs.

Kebbi deputy governor loses son

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EBBI State Deputy Governor Ibrahim Aliyu has lost a son, Mu’azu Ibrahim Aliyu (22), in an accident on Birnin Kebbi-Jega Road.

Aliyu, who addressed reporters at his official residence in Birnin Kebbi, described the deceased as “a devout and obedient boy, who respected all”.

He said the deceased was a 100-Level Political Science undergraduate at the newly established Federal University, Birnin Kebbi.

“I will forever remember him as somebody close to me.’’

The deputy governor said his late son died along with his friend, Mubarak Bagudo, an undergraduate student of Alhikmah University in Kwara State.

“Only one of them survived and he is receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi,” he said.

Group hails govts for relief materials

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GROUP, Gwantu people and Allies Assembly (GAAASS), has thanked the Federal Government, the Kaduna State government, Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura and the Muslim Forum of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria for sending relief materials to the victims of the violence in Sanga Local Government of Kaduna State.

A statement by the National Coordinator, Waziri Isa Gwantu, described the gesture as a divine act of charity that has “tremendously alleviated the sufferings of the people trapped by the unfortunate crisis.”

He called on other well meaning Nigerians, philanthropists and organisations to emulate the gesture.

GAAASS praised Kaduna State Governor Mukhrar Ramalan Yero for the steps he is taking to curb the crisis.

•Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (left) welcoming the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara, to the Government House.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

•Modibbo

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FORMER Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Mohammed Modibbo,

said yesterday that he did not hold any meeting with Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako.

Modibbo said he remains in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and could not have met Nyako under any guise.

He said he has not had any relationship with Nyako since the governor left PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Modibbo, who made the clarifications in a statement by his counsel, Sulaiman

Usman, attributed the rumours of his alleged meeting to the handiwork of political detractors.

The ex-UBEC boss is one of the PDP’s governorship aspirants in Adamawa State.

The statement said: “There was a baseless report that our client had a private meeting with Governor Murtala Nyako and struck a deal for Nyako to support our client in the race to succeed him.

“The said report depicted our client as someone who is not a loyal PDP member but a mole who was placed

to work against the interest of the party he laboured to build for many years.

“It also portrayed Modibbo as engaging in antiparty activities and calculated to disparage and pitch him against the Presidency and the PDP leadership, thereby jeopardising his political aspiration.

“It is instructive to state unequivocally that Dr. Modibbo has not met Nyako since the governor left PDP for APC. “He remains a loyal and committed PDP member.”

Forget grazing reserves, Oritsejafor tells herdsmen

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HRISTIAN Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has advised those clamouring for grazing reserves to embrace modern ranches.

Oritsejafor said 80 per cent of the people killed by Boko Haram members were Christians.

In his keynote address at CAN’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Makurdi, the Benue State

•’Boko Haram sent me threat texts’ From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

capital, the CAN President said: “The sect is advocating a jihad in Nigeria.

“C at t l e r e ar e r s, especially Fulani herdsmen, should embrace modern ranches, which would be created with facilities for meat processing.

“After the meat is processed, cooling vans would transport them through out the country as it is done in Europe.

“The ranches should be located in the North, where the herdsmen are based.

Just like petrol is refined and distributed all over the country.”

Oritsejafor said Boko Haram has a hidden

agenda as what they want is not what Nigerians want; he called on the security agencies to tackle the security challenges.

“Who gave them AK 47 rifles? Who trained them on how to handle weapons? “ I wonder why they have not been arrested and prosecuted “I have received several threat text messages from the sect but I am not bothered because I will continue to speak the truth.”

Monkeys killed over missing N500,000

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HE police in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, shot dead three monkeys suspected to be responsible for the N500,000 sto-

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

len from a man’s car at Ikoku.

The police also apprehended one of the owners of the monkeys.

An eyewitness said the victim, Christian Nwofor, a car dealer, was repairing his vehicle at Ikoku, when three boys came around with three monkeys, each controlling one.

One of the monkeys had contact with his car while they passed.

Shortly after, Nwofor went to open the car to get some money for materials only to discover his money missing.

He raised the alarm, suspecting the boys and their monkeys. Nwofor rushed after them.

When the boys noticed they were being chased, they released the mon-

keys to attack the people.

A policeman on duty at a bank in the area held one of the boys from whom N100,000 was recovered.

The remaining N400,000 has not been recovered.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mile One, Diobu, Paddy Ogon, where the suspect is being held, confirmed the story.

The incident created a scene at the Mile One Police Station where the monkeys were killed and the suspect arrested.

The suspect, Abdulahi Mohammed (24), however, denied any theft.

He admitted ownership of the monkeys and said they were using them for open entertainment through which he raised money for his upkeep.

He put the ages of the three monkeys at be-

tween eight and 11 years.

He said: “I came out to work this afternoon, with two of my brothers, as we do shows with our monkeys. Those who watch, give us N10 or N20. That’s how we make our money.

“While we were doing that, we noticed that a mechanic was servicing a car nearby.

“My brothers passed by the car with the monkeys, while I was at the back. After a while, the mechanic complained of missing money.

“He told the owner of the missing money to search my brothers, when they caught one, they started beating him.

“After they had recovered part of the money from him; they allowed him to escape.

“After he had escaped, one boy identified me as one of them; that’s how I was arrested.”

BUSINESS

11

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘$100b pension assets feasible’ From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

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HE $100 billion (N16 trillion) pension asset target set by the Federal Government will be realised in less than 20 years.

Managing Director of UBA Pensions Custodian Limited, Bayo Yusuf, who spoke at the just concluded World Pension Summit, Africa Special in Abuja, said the government’s set target will be realised before the set date with the absorption of the informal sector into the industry He said: “The informal sector has about 17.6 million employers with about 43 million employees. The pension industry has been growing at a rate of about 30 per cent without contributions from the informal sector. So imagine the type of growth we would record if this sector is brought into the industry.”

UBA Pensions he said, has commenced the digitalisation of pension payments to help streamline payment procedures, as well as ensure prompt collection of pension benefits.

Yusuf said the number of Retirement Savings Account (RSAs) is growing. “Right now we are just six million RSAs and we are talking of bringing the informal sector into it.

“So we are working with the banks in such a way that for the informal sector, with your phones, you can remit your pension contribution.

You don’t need to go to the bank. What this means is that technology is going to be a major game changer in pension administration in the few months and years to come,” he said.

He also said the firm pays N3.5 billion monthly through Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) to settle 25,000 retires across the country.

‘Europe is a good market for gas. Incidentally, Belgium has important terminals such as the Port of Antwerp through which Nigeria hopes to get its gas to the rest of Europe. We’ll start marketing our abundant gas resources to Europe,’ •Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu

Kabelmetal exports cables to South Korea for NLNG N EXANS Kabelmetal Nigeria Plc is exporting electric cables worth N176 million to South Korea for use in the construction of six new vessels procured by Bonny Gas Transport (BGT), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).

NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations, Kudo Eresia-Eke, in a statement, said the delivery is in six batches each for each ship, adding that the six vessels worth $1.6 billion are being constructed by two ship builders, Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.

He explained that as part of an agreement signed with the ship builders by BGT, five per cent of total contract value will be spent procuring suitable Nigerian goods, services and labour, in fulfilment of the Nigerian Content Development plan for the project.

The Managing Director,

Nexans Kabelmetal, Robert Kretschmer, said the development marks a significant milestone in the history of the nation.

He said: “It is significant that a company based in Nigeria is exporting finished industrial goods to a technologically advanced country like South Korea. It places a premium on what we do as a company, despite the challenging business environment in Nigeria.

“I must say that Nexans Kabelmetal has a long standing relationship with NLNG, and for us, this is the beginning of a new level in this relationship. We look forward to this generating other business leads from South-Korea and other countries.”

Kretschmer said NLNG’s relationship with Nexans Kabelmetal, dates back to the construction of NLNG’s third train in 2003 when the cable giant was contracted to supply cables for that phase of the NLNG project. Nexans

Kabelmetal has since then fully expanded its product range to produce a type of shipboard cable, approved by Bureau Veritas and Lloyds Register with Marine Certification, he added.

NLNG’s General Manager, Shipping, Capt.

Temi Okesanjo, said the gas firm is committed to developing the country.

“NLNG is committed to its vision of helping to build a better Nigeria, and supports as a policy, a deliberate development and use of Nigerian human and material resources in all its activities. We collaborated with Nexans Kabelmetal and other local companies to upgrade their facilities at various stages during the construction of the NLNG trains.

Today, with Nexans Kabelmetal exporting cables to South-Korea, they have gone global. NLNG is very proud to be able to help local companies and organisations compete internationally,” he said.

Eresia-Eke said the six new vessels under construction by Hyundai and Samsung, each with a capacity of 170,000m3, will replace old BGT Ships. BGT owns 13 of the 23 vessels in Nigeria LNG’s fleet – by far the largest in Nigeria - which deliver liquefied natural gas to customers spread across the world. The company was established in 1989 to provide shipping capacity for NLNG. Nigeria LNG Limited is the most significant arrow-head in the federal government’s quest to eliminate gas flaring and derive value from the country’s 187 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves.

NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC (49 per cent), Shell Gas BV, SGBV, (25.6 per cent), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15 per cent), and Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S. a. r. l (10.4 per cent).

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 MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

•From left: Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission, Mr. Rotimi Hussain; Managing-Director, First Pension Custodian Limited, Kunle Jinadu and Managing-Director and Head, FBN Capital Asset, Mr. Michael Oyebola, at the World Pension Summit, Africa Special in Abuja.

Reps name panel to probe Shell, minister over OML 29’s sale

A

SEVEN-MEMBER AdHoc Committee has been raised by the House of Representatives to investigate Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke over the alleged illegal sale of Oil Mining Licence (OML 29).

The probe panel was constituted by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha who presided over the plenary ses-

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

sion yesterday.

The committee is chaired by Hon. Aminu Suleiman (Kano/ APC). Other members are: Hon. Babatunde Adejare (Lagos/APC); Hon. Irona Alphonsus Gerald (Imo/PDP); Hon. Binta Maigari Bello (Gombe/PDP); Hon. Ismaila Ahmed Gadaka (Yobe/APC); Hon. Umaru Haliru Aliero (Kebbi/PDP); Hon. Sunday

Akpodiogaga Emeyese (Delta/PDP).

The Hon. Suleiman-led Adhoc Committee is expected to establish the validity of the transactions and report back to the House within two weeks.

The Speaker, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had on May 27 said an ad hoc committee would be set up to probe the validity of the transaction but did not name the committte members at the time.

Tambuwal spoke sequel to the adoption of a motion brought on the floor by a member, Hon. Irona Alphonsus Gerald at the time titled: “Inadvertent Sale of OML 29 and other OMLS by SPDC and other Oil majors”.

Gerald in the motion had alleged that Shell and other oil majors may have hidden under the cover of waivers usually granted by the petroleum minister to embark on the sale of OML 29 and others.

BPE, NCP caution against halting power privatisation From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

T

HE Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) and the the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja not to halt its privatisation process in relation to three power plants.

Their request is a response to an application by a firm, Ethiope Energy Limited asking an order of interlocutory injunction to stop them from concluding the process of selling Alaoji, Omoku and Gbarain power stations.

Ethiope, which is challenging the process of the sale of the plants, had sought to restrain BPE and NCP from taking any steps to implement the bidding exercise in respect of the privatisation of the three National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs).

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited which was also joined as a party equally opposed Ethiope’s application to halt process.

Yesterday, Ethiope’s lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN) urged the court to issue an interlocutory injunction, on the ground that his client has met the conditions for the bids and that it was wrong to exclude it from the next round of bidding.

Lawyer to BPE and NCP, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) opposed the application and argued that Ethiope lacked the necessary legal right to compel the court to exercise its discretion in its favour.

He said an application for interlocutory injunction should establish the applicant’s legal right.

Osipitan argued that Ethiope wrongly based its claim on commercial bids whereas what was in issue was financial bids.

He argued that the document which the company relied on in filing the case made reference only to financial bids. He added that, having come under the wrong heading, the application for injunction should fail.

Lawyer to the the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, Fabian Ajogu (SAN) urged the court to refuse the request that it grants injunction to stop an action where damages would be an adequate compensation.

He said monetary compensation would be enough to take care of the plaintiff’s loss if at the end it lost anything.

Trial judge, Justice Abdu Kafarati adjourned the case to October 7 for ruling.

Jos DISCO invests N210m to tackle metering challenges

A

URA Energy Limited, owners of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) said it has invested N210million to to address the challenges of inefficiencies in its billing process.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

This is arising from the need for more information technology (IT) infrastructure such as meter and billing platform.

Its Executive Director (Op-

erations Support), Mr. Umar Bello, said transformer energy analyzers would be procured in order to determine and curb energy losses, while also improving efficiency in distribution of electricity.

Head of Public Communications, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Chigbo Anichebe in a statement yesterday said the investment was part of the details of the company’s audit to ascertain the

number of consumers within it’s coverage area.

He said the BPE visited the company in continuation of its post-privatisation monitoring activities of the newly privatised PHCN successor companies.

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THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

Though unpopular in Nigeria due to weak economic policies, social security could be the tonic to revitalise the economy, according to experts, who says it would create wealth and bridge the poverty gap, reports TOBA AGBOOLA.

Leveraging on social security to revitalise economy

F

OR long, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress’ (TUC) leaders, have been clamouring for improved standard of living for Nigerians.

At various local and international fora, leaders of the unions have repeatedly called on all tiers of government to do more to lift the living condition of the citizenry through economic empowerment programmes.

They said the absence of social security for Nigerians has negatively impacted on the fortunes of her citizens, a development which they blame on unbridled corruption and mismanagement of the nation’s resources.

As far as they are concerned, social economic empowerment is the most acceptable means of tackling insecurity and reducing social vices in the country.

Their position is anchored on certain premises. Investigations showed that in developed societies, social security play an important role in wealth creation and distribution, because of its ability to enhance the individual’s standard of living.

To ensure peace and tranquillity in the Western world, most govern-

ments provide one form of social security or another, to protect the unemployed, aged and low income earners from harsh economic conditions.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently announced that more than 70 per cent of the world’s population lack adequate protection. According to its Deputy Director-General, Mrs. Sandra Polaski, the global community agreed in 1938 that social security and health care for children, the working age population, who may be unemployment due to injury, and the aged, are entitled to the provision.

She said so far, the promise of universal social protection remains unfulfilled for majority of the world’s population. She said the need for social protection has become more compelling in these times of economic uncertainty, low growth and increased cost of living in many nations of the world.

Director, Social Protection Department, ILO, Mrs. Isabel Ortiz, said many less developed countries have seen the need for social security for their nationals, adding that due to the many laudable benefits inherent in social security provision, many

Construction workers threaten strike over casualisation

• Abubakar

proactive leaders have embraced it for their nations and achieved positive results.

Mrs. Ortiz therefore, charged other nations, which have not embraced the measure to, as a matter of urgency, do so because of the benefits they stand to gain.

She said: “Contrary to public perception, fiscal consolidation measures are not limited to Europe. In fact, as many as 122 governments are contracting public expenditures in 2014, out of which 82 are developing countries.”

Her advice may have hit the right chord in the ears of the Nigerian authorities. The Managing Director, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Munir Ababakar, said Nigeria has joined the league of member nations of ILO that care for their employees in the workplace, and in the process, creating a pool of investible funds for social security and economic development, which would also promote industrial peace and enhance economic development.

He listed other benefits to include favourable spin-offs such as employment generation and high productivity. He said the economic advantage of this would be enhanced and improved quality of life through prompt response to health challenges in the workplace with its attendant impact on Nigeria’s economic indices like Human Development Index (HDI).

The Managing Director Premium Pension Limited Wilson Ideva said the widespread poverty in Africa is as a result of numerous factors exacerbated by lack of social security at old age.

Speaking at the preview of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’ in Abuja, Ideva said the event has the potential to address the issue of social security in Nigeria.

“The contributory pension scheme is a vehicle for savings and invest-

ment and provides lump sum payment at commencement of retirement and also programmed monthly pension for retirees. The scheme, in addition, avails the government of large pool of funds to drive social and economic development,” Ideya said.

Recently, the NLC, Delta State Council called on the state government to introduce the payment of social security benefits to unemployed graduates and youths to lessen the pressure on them to resort to crime. Its Chairman, Mr. Williams Akporeha, called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, to address the issue of social security.

He said: “In addition to your laudable programmes of payment of bursary to undergraduates and scholarships for post graduate students, introduce the payment of social security benefits to unemployed graduates and youths.”

He said the scheme can be developed with safety valves to make it possible for beneficiaries to start making gradual returns as soon as they secure employment with the state ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

“We envisage that a scheme like this will not only check youth involvement in crime, but also build confidence between the youth and state government,”Akporeha added.

• Chinese firms gets 14-day ultimatum

T

HE National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) has issued a 14day ultimatum to Chinese construction firms over what it termed unfair labour practices in Nigeria, particularly the casualisation of workers in all its sites and offices.

The Union threatened to commence industrial action from July 17 when the ultimatum expires should the Chinese construction companies fail to stop their unholy labour practices.

At a briefing at the Union’s National Secretariat in Lagos, the President-General of NUCECFWW Comrade Amechi Asugwuni said the Chinese construction companies, including China Engineering Construction Company (CECC), China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC), and CGC Nigeria Limited have been observing all relevant labour laws in Nigeria only in the breach hence, the Union was compelled to register its displeasure and disappointment.

Asugwuni said apart from the casualisation of 90 per cent of workers, the Chinese construction firms refused to adhere to safety rules, such as conveying workers to work places with open trucks and trailers, complete disregard to provision of medical attention to workers, and neglect to other health and safety rules such as use of safety wears.

Other alleged anti-labour practices by the Chinese construction companies, which did not go down well with the Union include intimidation and victimisation of workers, refusal to unionise the workers, none adherence to the provisions of the local content policy, which made human resources/industrial relations practice difficult and non-implementation of the NJIC Agreement.

“The National Headquarters of the Union cannot fold its arms and watch yet another era of labour slavery and exploitation, despite series of agreements reached between the Union and the management of the

By Chikodi Okereocha

Chinese construction companies in Nigeria to put a stop to these un-holy practices, none of which was implemented,” Asugwuni warned.

He noted: “The action of the management of the Chinese construction companies amounted to not just a violation of the fundamental rights of the workers, but also a clear violation of the Nigeria labour laws, constitution and international conventions and standards.

“In the light of the fore-going, the Union has already issued a 14-day ultimatum to all Chinese construction companies in Nigeria within which all issues enumerated are fully implemented or face industrial actions nationwide,” he said, accusing the government of failing to prevail on the Chinese companies to adhere to the expatriate quota policy.

He accused the government of failing to enforce strict compliance with the terms of contract for capital projects.

• Chief Corporate Communications Adviser, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, receiving a corporate award from Mr Sina Luwoye, Past President, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), at an award ceremony in Abuja.

NSITF, FRSC partner on employees’ compensation

T

HE Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is partnering the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on promoting workplace safety and protection for workers through the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS).

NSITF’s Managing Director Alhaji Munir Abubakar, who made this known when he called on the Corps Marshal and Chief

Stories by Toba Agboola

Executive of FRSC, Osita Chidoka, where he explained that the fund is mandated under the scheme to pay compensations to all Nigerian workers who suffer workplace injuries, occupational diseases and deaths.

While stating that its mandate covers both private and public sectors of the economy, Munir noted that collaboration between NSITF and FRSC

is necessitated by the common goals of both bodies, which aim at safeguarding the safety of Nigerian workers with regards to occupational hazards.

He said the NSITF wants greater collaboration on FRSC’s database especially on road crashes data in the country, which will help it verify employees making both genuine and false claims.

Chidoka commended the com-

pensation scheme, describing it as unique. He said the FRSC needs the ECS more than any other government agency, as its staff are accident prone.

He promised to establish a liaison office with NSITF for closer collaboration on data sharing between the two. He also promised to avail the NSITF details of crashes the commission has captured.

NUPENG moves against ‘crazy’ electricity bills

T

HE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers ((NUPENG) has threatened to mobilise Nigerians against unjustifiable electricity bills charged by power distribution companies (DISCOS).

President of the union, Comrade

Igwe Achese, who spoke in Lagos, regretted that consumers are not enjoying the services they are being exorbitantly charged for by the power providers.

Achese lambasted the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for exhibiting a lack-lus-

tre attitude to enforcing better service delivery to electricity consumers.

He said: “These fraudulent bills are putting more hardship, especially on the masses who cannot even afford three square-meals a day, but have to cough out money

for electricity they didn’t get.

“The exploitative attitude of the new power distribution companies is unjust, oppressive, uncalled for and not in tune with the energy reforms of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Apapa’s inexcusable neglect

•The Federal Government should step in urgently to free the most important port

A

S a result of its clement climate, expansive beach and unique topography, Apapa was, once upon a time, one of the most serene and liveable parts of Lagos. Today, the story has turned tragic. Apapa has degenerated into a pitiable sight of perennial traffic congestion, environmental pollution, security vulnerability and abysmal infrastructural decay through inexcusable neglect, especially by the Federal Government. Apapa is one of the major reasons why Lagos is the industrial hub, commercial nerve-centre and economic capital of Nigeria.

It is so easy to see why Apapa is a key pillar of the Nigerian economy. This area is one of the country’s most prominent industrial districts. It hosts the economically critical and strategic Apapa Quay as well as Tin Can Island Ports. As a result of its sea port, Apapa is an important centre for naval activities critical to the security of the nation. Major Federal Government establishments, including the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency (NIMASA) and military installations are located in Apapa.

The NPA, NIMASA and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generate billions of Naira to the national treasury from the Apapa ports. It is estimated, for instance, that the NCS alone contributes no less than N35 billion monthly to the national coffers from the ports at Apapa. Imported petroleum products are lifted and distributed to all parts of the country from Apapa.

Similarly, goods are imported and transported to all parts of the country and even neighbouring African countries through the Apapa ports.

Given its importance to the country’s economic well- being, we find it difficult to understand why, despite several unfulfilled promises, the Federal Government has completely neglected the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, which is the major route to Apapa. As a result of the deplorable condition of the road, living or working in Apapa has become a veritable hell.

Several man hours are lost to daily protracted traffic congestions on this route, with damaging implications for the economy. This diminishes national productivity considerably. Exhaust fumes from vehicles trapped for hours in traffic gridlock worsen the challenge of environmental pollution. Of course, this inevitably impacts negatively on the health of the citizenry. Apart from inhaling polluted air, spending several frustrating hours in traffic will increase the stress levels of commuters with serious implications for their life span. The difficulty in accessing Apapa is a disincentive to working or living there. Inevitably, many businesses have relocated from Apapa to more conducive environments, the productivity and profitability of industries operating in the area is badly affected and the value of real estate has depreciated.

The problem of Apapa is compounded by the indiscriminate issuance of tank farm licences to oil firms reportedly without consultation either with the Lagos State government or the Apapa Local Government. These tank farms increase the population pressure on Apapa and have created the menace of hundreds of petrol tankers parking indiscriminately on and blocking the highway as they await

their turn to lift petroleum products to different parts of the country. These trucks conveying highly inflammable products make Apapa vulnerable to major fire disasters in a country with a poor record of effective response to emergencies.

Again, the heavy traffic of thousands of articulated trucks and petroleum tankers moving to and from the Apapa ports takes a heavy toll on Lagos roads. We call on the Federal Government to urgently live up to its responsibility of fixing the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway as well as sanitising the licensing and functioning of tank farms in Apapa. Beyond this, since the Federal Government reaps such huge revenues from Lagos, particularly the Apapa ports, it is only just that the state be paid a reasonable percentage as derivation compensation to enable her effectively maintain the infrastructure and services from which the entire nation benefits.

‘Since the Federal Government reaps such huge revenues from Lagos, particularly the Apapa ports, it is only just that the state be paid a reasonable percentage as derivation compensation to enable her effectively maintain the infrastructure and services from which the entire nation benefits’

An impaired gateway

•The current closure of the only runway in Nigeria’s prime international airport reveals a grinding inertia

T

HE very idea of effecting repairs on the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, would have won the Federal Government plaudits ordinarily. But on the contrary, it has brought misapprehension and loss of face because it has exposed the sheer lack of planning and strategic insight prevalent in the affairs of the government of the day. NAIA, which is the only international gateway to Nigeria’s capital city has only one runway, which meant that the airport was grounded during the cause of the repairs.

The airport was closed for 30 hours between last Saturday evening and Monday morning in order to repair a section of the runway. Indeed, another complete shutdown for the same duration of time has been announced for this weekend in or-

‘We have seen power outages at our international gateways; we witnessed poor crowd control and all manner of security lapses, among others. This time it is a complete shutdown of an international hub for a day and half.

This should never be. President Jonathan did not need the impetus of a nearly botched international conference to order a second runway for an airport of this magnitude and importance’

der to complete the rehabilitation work.

According to an official release from the airport authority, “The runway of the NAIA, which was closed for 30 hours for rehabilitation on July 5, 2014, has been reopened for flight operations …The second phase of the rehabilitation of the remaining section of the runway would take place for another 30 hours at the weekend between Saturday, July 12 and Monday, July 14, 2014.”

It said further that the authority regretted the inconvenience the second closure of the runway, within one week, would cause passengers and other stakeholders, assuring that it was for the best as it would guarantee enhanced flight safety at the airport.

But the complete shutdown of the airport did not only bring untold hardship and loss of revenue to airline operators and passengers alike, it caused quite a stir.

Apart from the fact that about 60 local flights of airlines operating out of the airport were either cancelled or diverted, international carriers like KLM, Air France, British Airways and Ethiopian Airline suspended their flights in and out of Abuja for the duration. All this of course, is coming with huge revenue losses not to mention inconveniences to concerned stakeholders.

Fortuitously, the Presidency was dragged into the fray when the runway closure almost marred an international conference on pension funds in Abuja at which President Goodluck Jonathan was the special guest of honour. The delegates arriving from across the world had to be taken to various airports near Abuja from where

they were conveyed by road to the capital city. The matter was grave enough that the president in his opening address did not only apologise profusely to his guests, he ordered right before them, that a second runway must be built on the facility next year.

Though it must be noted that some airports around the world have one or two runways, it is also noteworthy that airports in most capital cities have more than one runway. That the international airport in Nigeria’s federal capital city and seat of power has only one runway could only suggest, among other things, that we do not plan, that we mix up our priorities and that we are not perceptive about our strategic assets. First, if only for the sake of prestige and for security reasons, government would not have built in the first place, a capital city airport with just one runway.

Second, an international airport is a strategic national asset that requires utmost attention from the seat of power. We have seen power outages at our international gateways; we witnessed poor crowd control and all manner of security lapses, among others. This time it is a complete shutdown of an international hub for a day and half. This should never be. President Jonathan did not need the impetus of a nearly botched international conference to order a second runway for an airport of this magnitude and importance.

We urge the Federal Government to show more perception and rigour in running the affairs of state and more especially, matters of critical national importance.

U.S. should aid those who fight terror, not abet human rights abuses

I

N HIS recent address at West Point, President Obama doubled down on his administration’s strategy of combating terrorism and o ther security threats through “partnerships” with other armies. Describing the strategy as an alternative to “invading every country that harbors terrorist networks,” the president said he would ask Congress to appropriate $5 billion for a Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund to “train, build capacity and facilitate partner countries on the front lines.”

There’s nothing particularly new about Mr. Obama’s initiative: 158 countries were already recipients of U.S. military training in 2012, and about $15 billion has been spent annually in recent years on security assistance through the State and Defense departments. Nor is the strategy much in question; stronger local forces are essential to countering the proliferating affiliates of al-Qaeda. But the president’s request, which was sent to Congress at the end of last month, nevertheless raises some disturbing questions.

One is what to do when local armies are not up to the task of defeating al-Qaeda, even with U.S. training and help. That was the case in Mali, where a U.S.-trained officer led a coup against a democratic government and U.S.-supplied and -drilled army units crumbled in the face of an offensive by ethnic and Islamist insurgents. Now Iraq’s U.S.-trained forces have allowed much of the country to be overrun by al-Qaeda and Sunni tribal fighters and appear to lack the firepower to prevent the consolidation of a terrorist-ruled state.

The capture of Mali’s capital by al-Qaeda was averted only by a quick deployment of French troops in early 2013. Mr. Obama’s strategy doesn’t make clear how similar threats can be managed. If the new al-Qaeda state in Iraq and Syria cannot be defeated by local forces, will the United States allow it to remain?

A related problem concerns the behavior of foreign units that receive U.S. training and funding. If U.S.-backed forces commit human rights abuses, the damage is twofold: The fight against insurgents is compromised, and so is support for alliance with the United States.

Congress sought to deal with this problem in 1997 by passing the Leahy amendment, a provision named after Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that prohibits aid to units and individuals thought to be involved in gross human rights violations.

The legislation has had a far-reaching effect: In 2011, aid was withheld from 1,766 individuals or units in 46 countries, and State Department staff vetted some 200,000 individuals and units, according to the New York Times. Senior U.S. military officials have told Congress that the restrictions helped improve major U.S. aid programs in Colombia and Afghanistan. Some countries, such as Bangladesh, have taken steps to punish offenders in order to win a restoration of aid.

Such vetting ought to be built into the new partnership program. But the administration is seeking to neuter the Leahy amendment by giving the defense secretary the authority to disregard it by asserting that “it is in the national security interest to do so.” In fact, allowing aid to flow to foreign military units that commit major human rights crimes cannot be in the U.S. interest in any circumstances. Congress should reject the -exemption.

– Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

• Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Periodic election is one of the enviable features of constitutional democracy. There is no doubt that elections are strategically designed not only to usher in new leadership but also and more importantly is the inflow of ideas and policies that it brings. It is in this light that I feel strongly about the forthcoming NBA election schedule to hold this July.

If there is any professional body in the country that has relentlessly and persistently played a leading role in fostering the Nigerian project, it is hard to look elsewhere than the professional association of lawyers in the country – the NBA. And indeed the body has an unwritten and moral obligation not just to its members, but to the general public who have come to appreciate its unparallel significance.

NBA needs leaders who would stake whatever they have for the protection and enhancement of the image of the profession and more importantly the welfare of its members, especially the young ones who have over time become the legal almajiris of a profession that seem to spare no thought for them.

We need a leader that would ad-

or leader that would soft-pedal because of some pecuniary interest.

And this is why one strongly feels that the electoral organ of NBA must like, Ceaser’s wife, be above reproach. A level playing field should as a matter of fact be put in place for all the aspirants and transparent modalities be devised to ensure a free, fair and acceptable poll

for all. For, this, we believe, would solidify the unity of our esteemed Bar. We believe strongly that it is only when the NBA leadership gets its act right in terms of election that it would have the moral authority to preach the gospel of free and fair election, especially as 2015 general elections draw closer and to avoid

the saying that one cannot give what it does not possess! Nigerian politicians to a large extent are the same and they would stop at nothing to desecrate any institution, especially one that is considered by many to command the respect of Nigerians like the NBA. In this regard, NBA must continue to present its position devoid of political colouration.

We need NBA to give us the “David” that would challenge the “Goliath” of bad leadership in the country. Whether its Dele Adesina SAN or Funke Adekoya SAN or Adeniyi Akintola or Augustine Alegeh, the message is the same: Give us a vibrant Bar. • Alatise Taofeeq Esq Ilorin

IR: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, though, the best University in Nigeria (according to webometric rankings) has been running the slowest academic calendar in the country for the past few years.

The school, no doubt, produces

graduates that are of high intellect and competency in their chosen careers, but one thing the federal government cum the university management need to look into is the crawling academic calendar.

It has become a common say-

able’ in international scenes.

Somewhere along the line, their concept of growth changes from better living for their people, it becomes a series of figures and numbers that make them look good on the international scene and earn them pats on the back from IMF, World Bank and the big brothers from the west.

Now when I question democracy, I am not questioning the right of the people to determine who their leaders are; I am questioning the concept that allows a group of nations to force their designs on a nation, thinking they know what’s best for them. If people go to the polls to vote and after electing their leaders, they don’t have to be scared that their leaders will mortgage their way of life and better conditions of living so they can get help from some bodies. Pre’democratic’ in Libya saw so many social benefits for the Libyans; postdemocracy sees those benefits with-

drawn and the way of life of the people jerked up, while their oil is being looted heavily.

African countries need to review this concept of democracy and determine their own mode of governance that doesn’t include the looting of their natural resources, that doesn’t include a drop in the quality of life of their people, that doesn’t include mortgaging the lives and future of their people as a prerequisite for getting ‘aid’ from the West. We have brains that are rotting away in foreign lands helping the West to maintain its stranglehold on African countries; it’s time for those brains to return home to help Africa design its own mode of governance that puts the quality of life of its people first and that ensures they keep their natural resources.

ing that students going to OAU must be ready to spend one or more extra non-academic year(s).

This saying has been further confirmed by recent developments.

One, fresh students admitted into the university for 2013/2014 academic session, did their post utme on July 13, 2013 but resumed on June 1, 2014 – about a year later.

Can I hear someone say it’s because of ASUU strike? I disagree with that because most of the universities that are on strike with OAU during the last ASUU strike are now in their second semester of 2013/2014 session.

Two, returning students, who resumed on June 14 and fresh students, who have already spent 11 months at home before resumption, were ordered to vacate the university premises on June 18 (four days after returning students resumed back to school) due to students’ protest against fee hike.

The university management alleged that students were violent in their demonstrations even though they didn’t give an evidence to substantiate their claim.

Be that as it may, I don’t think it

is good for the management to take actions that affects the varsity negatively. Shutting down the school, in my own perspective, is like adding salt to the university’s injury because the academic calendar of the school that is already crawling will soon become stagnant. It is a common adage that “cutting off the head is not a cure for headache”. It is bad to create another problem for oneself in a bid to solving one’s particular problem.

The management ought to have used another measure in handling the case. After all, it is a constituency of professors and professionals who are deemed to be of high intellectual ability. If they are now saying that there is no other measure they could take than the one that shatters the university’s image, I think we need to ask them questions.

The most important thing now is that the school be re-opened so as to save students who are meant to spend five years in school from spending seven years.

• Jamiu Idowu Esho, Eruwa, Oyo State.

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NBA election: let the best emerge dress the humiliating standard of living of young lawyers. We need a detribalised leader that would stand up for every lawyer, regardless of his place of origin; either it is Salihu Esq. in the North, Adebayo Esq. in the West or Chukwuemeka Esq. in the East. We don’t need a leader that would be selective in his criticism on critical national issues

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OAU shutdown adds salt to injury

Reviewing our practice of western democracy

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IR: I have always wondered: should democracy be practised just for the sake of practising it?

Should we all embrace democracy just because everyone embraces it?

The statistics in Africa shows that African countries did not only thrive, but their people fared better before the west overturned their governments and ‘gave’ them ‘democracy’.

With democracy, all the benefits enjoyed, disappears. They pay heavily for the democracy with their natural resources. Before ‘democracy’, what was growing was the way of life of the people, affordable education, cheap houses, free or cheap-but-quality health care system, but after ‘democracy’, all that stops increasing; the people can no longer have access to affordable education and free health care system and the governments now concern themselves with having figures and numbers that can be ‘present-

• James Ogunjimi Ogun State.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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Current National Conference

HE current national conference has been going on now for almost three months. At the onset of the conference, many people were of the opinion that nothing good would come out of it. Some people even felt it was a deliberate government attempt to divert the attention of the country from serious problems of underdevelopment and insecurity plaguing the country. A major political party like the APC even decided to boycott the conference but it later softened its stance by conceding the rights of representation to states under its umbrella. Right at the beginning of the discussion on the conference, it was my considered opinion that the conference was worth supporting and that everything should be done to encourage participation by everybody who had something to say either as representatives or as opinion leaders particularly in the press. The government in nominating the retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kutigi and supporting him with Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, erudite and distinguished professor of Political Science, former Director-General of Nigeria Institute of International Affairs and former Foreign Minister brought credibility to the indaba. Although some of the conferees are people who have been in politics and governance and public affairs for such a long time that many people felt what new things can they really offer? I do not think we can buy experience. The Bible says old men shall dream dreams and young men shall see visions; perhaps, there are too many old men in the conference that is why many of them were sleeping at the onset of the conference. Initially, I felt that there were too many people at the conference and the allowances that they were going to be paid I believe were a little too much and some of them also insisted in eating sumptuous and exotic lunches at the expense of the state.

This brought a lot of criticism to them and justifiably so.

Some of the members in response to public criticism announced that they were going to donate their huge allowances to charity and I sincerely hope they are going to fulfil their promises and announce the charities they have donated their allowances to. The serious work of the conference was done at the committee level and some of these committee work was apparently excellent and the committees have now reported to the plenary. Unfortunately it seems there now exists irreconcilable clash of interests of members of the conference which the plenary is unable to resolve. It is unfortunate to note that this disagreements are taking the form of north-south dichotomy and sometimes, super-imposed on this are religious differences. Perhaps this

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HE public was outraged at his killing. It still is and it was looking forward to the bringing to justice of the perpetrators.

Nothing would have pleased Nigerians, especially Lagosians more, than the unmasking of the killers of Anthony Olufunsho Williams, the engineer-politician, who was cut down in his Ikoyi home on July 27, 2006.

He was killed in the heat of preparations for the 2007 elections in which he had interest as a governorship aspirant.

In fact, he was believed to be the one to beat for the governorship ticket of his party - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - but with his death, things changed. To compensate his family, some leaders of the party tried to get the ticket for his widow, Hilda. Things did not work out that way as the ticket eventually went to Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro, who is now Minister of State (Defence).

The circumstances surrounding Williams' death showed that he was murdered. The job was clinically executed by those who carried out the operation. They left no trace whatsoever of their dastardly act. The police were expected to untie this Gordian knot, but they have failed to do just that. Last Monday, Justice Adeniyi Adebajo of the Lagos High Court freed those charged with Williams' murder for want of evidence. According to the judge, there is no evidence linking the defendants with the murder.

The defendants were on trial for seven years, meaning that for all

87 DAYS AFTER

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WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

should have been expected in a country where people are driven by self-interests and religious hypocrisy. Poverty knows neither religion nor region. A poor person is a poor person no matter which part of Nigeria he resides in, he comes from or what religion he practices or how insecure he is. The duty of government is to make provisions for all people including the poor and to ensure all citizens are assured of their security and guaranteed freedom of worship.

These are universal aims of government. I believe that this should have been the first platform to establish so that unnecessary and primordial sentiments are not introduced to serious discussions of state.

The issue of federalism if properly articulated and discussed and understood, should take care of the divisive and fundamental issue of resource control. If we agree to continue to stay together, it should be clear to everybody that the states that are the Cinderellas of Nigeria today could in future become the rich relations. If this is so, whatever economic and constitutional paradigm established today should be good enough to apply at all times in the future. So if well argued, we can find a formula for sharing of God’s given bounty in such a way that those whose land produce it are taken care of while those who are not so lucky are also accommodated in a just and fair way. If twenty percent derivation is offered to the hydrocarbons producing states, I see no reason why this should not be acceptable to all because in the whirligig of time, states that are poor today could become rich tomorrow following the discovery of hidden treasure under their soil.

I personally feel that it is the structure of government in Nigeria that is the main problem. This is why I find it extremely surprising that the conference should recommend creation of additional 18 states to bring the total number of states in Nigeria to 54 even more than the states in the United States which we foolishly compare Nigeria with, not realising that the state of California alone is bigger and a hundred times richer than Nigeria. Every thinking person was hoping that what we will have in this country should just be six states or zones with political and economic power extensively devolved to them so that the centre would no longer be as powerful as it is today and an object of do or die politics. Reasonable people had thought that once these zones are constitutionally enshrined, they should be left to create whatever number of local governments they wish to have and that the present states should be seen as nuclei of provincial administration. What the conference has now rec-

ommended would ruin Nigeria economically and lead to bloated governments with 90 to 95 percent of resources going to political administration with little left for capital development.

If this happens, the serious youth unemployment and consequent insecurity will be exacerbated. It is also surprising that the simple issue of policing has become Jide contentious.There is Osuntokun no federation that I know of that is centrally policed like Nigeria. Every state and even cities and local governments can have police of their own and in some countries even university campuses have police. Those who are in favour of a centralised police without knowing it or perhaps deliberately are preparing grounds for dictatorship in this country. Finally, as it has been argued by many before me, there is no legal basis for the conference itself, one would have expected that the recommendations of the conference would be so formidable and reasonably argued that by popular demand for its adoption, the federal legislature and the executive would have been forced to embrace them and be forced to put in motion legal processes to make their recommendations the new grundnorm for a new constitutional order for Nigeria.

‘I find it extremely surprising that the conference should recommend creation of additional 18 states to bring the total number of states in Nigeria to 54 even more than the states in the United States which we foolishly compare Nigeria with, not realising that the state of California alone is bigger and a hundred times richer than Nigeria’

Who killed Funsho Williams?

those years the state wasted time and money prosecuting a case it was illprepared for. According to the law, a murder case has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt to earn a conviction against the defendant, who is presumed innocent until otherwise proven. The prosecution's inability to prove the defendants' guilt led to their acquittal by the court.

Williams was killed about the same time this paper was planning to hit the newsstand eight years ago. My first column which bears the same title as this one was on him. The column wondered if his murder would not end up unresolved like that of Dele Giwa, who was killed 28 years ago. Till today, the killers of Giwa have not been found. So also are the killers of Chief Bola Ige, former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation; Harry Marshal and Aminasoari Dikibo yet to be found.

What is wrong with us as a nation that we cannot resolve the cases of murder of eminent people?

Last year, we asked the same question : Who killed Funsho Williams? following a witness' testimony that some evidence in the murder case had been destroyed. They were said to have been destroyed doepileptic power supply. The destroyed evidence were the blood samples and the virtuous humour of the eyes of the deceased. In the light of this depressing evidence, we warned against allowing anything to truncate the defendants' trial. The warning went unheeded. It is apparent that some people somewhere wanted the case to go the way it ended last week.

I am not saying that those who

stood trial killed Williams. What I am saying is that the police and the prosecution did not do their homework well before rushing, as it were, to trial. Did they gather the necessary facts before coming to court? Did they preserve the perishable evidence, such as the ones destroyed, well? Did they make alternative provision for the preservation of the evidence whenever public power supply failed? It is the failure of the police and the prosecution to do their jobs diligently that led to the defendants' acquittal.

Their acquittal has got the people worried. Their interpretation of this development is that the state cannot be relied upon to protect them when they are deprived of their rights.

Williams was deprived of his right to life as guaranteed under Section 33 of the Constitution by those who stormed his residence in the early hours of July 27, 2006 and snuffed life out of him. What should naturally follow is for the state to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

But, eight years after, what do we have? The acquittal of those tried for the offence. Mind you, these people may not have even known anything about the murder.

It was apparent from the outset that the police were going to mess up the case, despite their promise to ensure that no stone was left unturned in getting the perpetrators. They had all the time in the world to investigate the case and gather all the evidence to avoid the kind of unimpressive showing the prosecution put up in court. For God's sake, this was a murder case and the police and pros-

‘It is a shame that the police and prosecution failed to be alive to their responsibilities in the Funsho Williams' case. But, the killers should not rejoice yet. Wherever they are, the long arms of the law will get them. If not now, certainly in future. That is the law of retribution’

ecution knew that it must be proven beyond reasonable doubt to get a conviction. Any doubt, according to the law, is resolved in the defendant's favour. t is to avoid a miscarriage of jus tice that the law allows 1,000 criminals to go scot-free than to punish one innocent person. I do not seem to understand why the police and the prosecution bungled this case. Is it that they were not prepared?

Did they arraign the wrong defendants? Where then are the killers of Williams? Will they ever be brought to book? Something Justice Adebajo said in his judgment is worth reproducing here: ''The prosecution did not make any effort to tie the cause of death to the action of any individual or set of defendants. I am satisfied that the deceased has been shown to have died, but it remains at large after the conclusion of prosecution's case as to the person or persons who caused his death. The pathologist who said the deceased died by strangulation did not allude to any of the defendants as having carried out the act, he was never asked. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that the death of the deceased resulted from the act of any of the defendants''.

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Lawal Ogienagbon

lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

SMS ONLY: 08099400204, 08112661612

It beats me why the prosecution will handle a sensitive case such as this with levity. If the killers of Williams are still walking the streets free today, we have the police and the prosecution to blame. If they had been thorough, the case would not have ended the way it did - without the killers paying the price for their dastardly act. It is a shame that the police and the prosecution failed to be alive to their responsibilities.

But, the killers should not rejoice yet. Wherever they are, the long arms of the law will get them. If not now, certainly in future. That is the law of retribution.

Promotion storm in Immigration

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HERE is disquiet in the Ni gerian Immigration Service (NIS) over promotion. Some officers are not happy that they were bypassed in the exercise. They claimed that their subordinates were elevated above them. The officers are accusing the Internal Affairs Minister, Mr Abba Moro, of being the brain behind the promotion of junior officers above their superiors.

The minister was said to have approved the promotion of those due for such in 2010, leaving a backlog of those who should have been elevated before them. There is anger

in the Service, according to sources, who blame the minister for having ethnic agenda. The exercise was carried out three weeks ago at the expense of those who have been due for promotion since 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Moro was lucky to have escaped being axed over the Immigration recruitment disaster a few months ago. Now, he is swimming in another trouble water. Many of those who claimed to have been shortchanged are raring for a showdown until, according to them, ‘’justice is done’’. How will the matter end? Time will tell.

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HAT went through my mind last weekend as I watched Abba Moro, the minister of interior as he inspected a guard of honour mounted by a contingent of immigration officers is the sense of helplessness of Nigerians who come under daily assault from government’s various acts of impunity Subdued prayerful and miracle seeking Nigerians have come to accept all government foibles and eccentricity which have attracted strident criticism from our neighbours and the international community with a sense of ‘it is God’s will’ since they are coming from Goodluck Jonathan, whose leadership our religious leaders claimed was ordained by God. We have been told to ignore ex-President Obasanjo’s recent confession that he immorally imposed him on Nigerians after dismissing a clause in the PDP constitution which disqualified Jonathan’s candidacy for the 2011 presidential election.

Moro, supervised the March 15 immigration recruitment exercise which some cynics described as a swindle organized by PDP swindlers who feed on the blood and sweat of the weak. In the exercise, about 1.5m application forms were sold to fill 4500 vacancies and the ensuing organized anarchy at various stadia across the nation led to the death of 20 job seekers. DREXEL Technologies Limited, the outsourcing company engaged by the Nigerian Immigration Service, (NIS), for recruitment was according to umbrella body of outsourcing companies in Nigeria, Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria, HuCaPAN was an unregistered company. Political enemies even libelled the senate president claiming without proof that the company belong to his wife. While not a few called for the sack of Moro, students of Jonathan presidency predicted he would survive the scandal because as Senate president’s former aide, his nominee and a PDP stalwart, who like Princess Oduah, a former aviation minister who knows how to mobilize people for electoral victory, he is beyond reproach. Typical of President Jonathan, he set up a committee headed by the chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Deaconess Joan Ayo. It has been business as usual afterwards. In fact Moro has been receiving all manners of awards of excellence from all manners of bodies just as Stella Oduah was recently celebrated by her Akili-Ozizor community of Anambra resident in Lagos for her outstanding performance as minister.

But to be fair to President Jonathan, he was

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Institutionalising impunity not responsible for the institutionalization of the culture of impunity He might have found it an effective political tool among miracle-seeking Nigerians who attribute all acts of inhumanity of man to man including exploitation of our fears and anxieties to God. The credit should go to his godfather, exPresident Obasanjo. It was in fact the act of impunity of Obasanjo who often tries to play God that produced Jonathan. If the president is guilty of anything, it is that impunity has thrived under him. And I am not sure if anyone can blame a man who was never given a chance for cultivating a political strategy that has served him well in the race for nomination as his party’s candidate, and the landslide victory he secured from his miracleseeking compatriots who in their various churches and mosques successfully secured God’s intervention on behalf of Obasanjo and Jonathan who undermined their party’s constitution, dismissing their act of betrayal as ‘an act of God’.

President Jonathan has continued to pile up victory after victory through what many have described as his politics of impunity while the landscape is littered with carcasses of critics of this winning policy. Obasanjo who accused the president of impunity by his imposition of Buruji Kashamu, a man he alleged has criminal cases to face in the US as the leader of PDP in the South-west has become the latest victim. To spite Obasanjo, Kashamu and President Jonathan in turn imposed Ayo Fayose whose impeachment was organized by Obasanjo and who, in spite of criminal cases still hanging on his neck on Ekiti PDP has gone ahead to win an unprecedented landslide victory over a highly rated incumbent governor.

ODAY is no doubt unique. Unique in the sense that it is an important date which occurs only once in a calendar year in the life of a man (I used the term man, generically to include woman). Today is equally one of those rare occasions many in political offices would spare no effort to roll out the drums for having notched half a century and three years.

In a clime where life expectancy is lamentably put at 47 years, no one can begrudge someone occupying such an exalted office of governor from throwing a bash or better still make some noise at 53 years.

But for Governor Liyel Imoke, even as he clocks 53 today, he would rather have none of it as it is usually not one of his pastimes. He considers it frivolous. And so for him, today will pass just like yesterday or any other day.

Nevertheless, at 53, his life flips at your face like an open book with illuminating chapters you never get tired of perusing.

Born 53 years today to late Dr. Samuel Imoke, in July 10, 1961, there is an element of freshness about him at just 53 years, freshness of spirit, freshness of ideas, freshness of vision and mission about him as a person, as a leader and statesman.

For a leader who has hit a purple patch and made a glittering success of life at a very young age in both private and public capacity, is life itself not worth celebrating at 53? Not a few will respond in affirmative that it calls for popping of champagne and rendition of speeches.

But for His Excellency, the task of offering responsive leadership is too demanding to bask in birthday frivolities. So, if today, as unique as it ought to be in the life of His Excellency, comes to pass as uneventful, it is deliberate and only goes to define his personage as a gentle, calm, reticent and self-effacing leader and statesman.

While many hanker after leadership, and inordinately crave that too, Imoke has overtime exemplified and redefined what a true leader ought to be.

In his case, while he did not set out to be a leader, but rather became one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent, he has demonstrated the confidence to stand for what he believes in, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.

Everything considered, Imoke is not your everyday leader who abrasively foists himself or throws himself in your face.

He is the kind that God in His compassion, thrusts on the people to make a difference, create an impact, leave an indelible mark and remains etched in their memories years after he has gone.

For me, His Excellency is one I regard as a servant leader,

While Obasanjo is still licking his wounds, Fayose is already threatening to have him expelled from PDP if he fails to toe party line. The governor elect told The Punch over the weekend: “It doesn’t matter whether you are a former president or former governor; if you disparage the party again, we will take you out….. If former President Olusegun Obasanjo wants to join the APC, let him go to APC…Obasanjo should stop making uncomplimentary statements about the party, if he continues, we will suspend him; nobody is bigger than this party”.

Who now says impunity does not pay?

But before Fayose, there was Boni Haruna, also a former governor of Adamawa. Reprieve came his way after being drilled in court for about seven years by EFCC over corruption charges when he switched allegiance to PDP after denouncing Abubakar Atiku his godfather. It took just three days to get an acquittal and another one week to become a minister. Before both was a convicted former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who secured a presidential amnesty while still on the run from justice in Europe. He is today a distinguished member of the ongoing Confab.

It will also be recalled that the President’s Christian fold hailed him when he openly embraced Pastor Jonah Jang who lost a governors’ forum election by 14 votes to 16 as a winner as well as when Oduah, embroiled in armoured cars deal with Coscharis, went as an advance member of the president’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Today, Muslim faithful among Kano PDP stalwarts are also hailing him for his recent presidential order to withdraw all criminal cases against Ibrahim, a scion of Abacha family over parts of about

$4 billion siphoned from the Nigerian state by his father. It is said Abacha is being groomed to confront Governor Rabiu Kankwaso, the president’s estranged Kano political ally.

As 2015 draws nearer, Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria and Protectors of Nigeria Posterity have reminded us of the qualities our president share with President Obama, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. They have insisted Nigeria’s energy crisis is over even when it was only late last year the minister for power said “only 25 per cent of Nigerians have access to electricity” a nightmare he said was “caused by human beings used by evil forces”; his Minister of State, Zainab Kuchi, would say that “We have 160 million Nigerians now and we are only giving power to 40 million of that population”.

Perhaps with the string of successes chalked up through various acts of impunity including the Ekiti miracle where an impeached former governor without an agenda, ran and secured a landslide victory, the president seem to have become persuaded that that performance, issue-based campaign and public perception of candidates are distractions that don’t guarantee victory in elections in Nigeria. This probably explains the impunity displayed by the president’s promoters who stormed Unity Fountain Abuja where grieving parents have kept vigil for about 10 weeks over the abduction of Chibok girls with ‘customised vehicles and giant electronic billboards, with engraved achievements of the president, his picture and that of his vice, Namadi Sambo’. They seem determined to finally dislodge the irritants that the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ campaigners have become to government after an initial standoff to a sponsored group, who according to Oby Ezekwesili “came in a bus and turned the Unity Fountain into a joke”.

A people deserve the leadership they get and a society where leaders and the led pray for miracles trying to reap from where they have not sowed is a nation of 419ners. Even exasperated foreign friends of our nation have now left us to our fate. The British Deputy High Commissioner said over the weekend that they ‘expect the federal government to double its efforts’ to bring back our abducted girls. The New York Times, reacting to our president’s bored celebration of his administration’s achievements in an op Ed page in Washington Post simply wished Nigeria ‘good luck’.

Imoke: Celebrating gentleman-governor at 53

By Linus Obogo one who is not concerned about his own success, but who sacrifices himself completely for the success of others. Imoke is a servant leader who does not write people off when they fail to acquit themselves or square up to expectations, rather one who comes alongside them and assists them grow into their potentials.

He no doubt learnt the story of his people before he threw his hat into the ring in 2007 to drastically transform them. As a servant leader, his administrative style is not to coerce his people to change; but to carefully assist them to change from the well-worn siege that government only existed for those in government.

Determined to make a difference and bring about a change in the lives of his people, he has continued to strive to bequeath a legacy that will inspire generations after him to honestly live and not just exist.

As he turns 53 today, so much is being said about him by a vast concourse of lieutenants, aides, associates alike. There is a consensus of opinion that His Excellency is a perfect gentleman to the core, an amiable leader with an infectious humility. Many across a broad spectrum often speak of his charm and an overdose of his humility with envy.

This trait is so telling that it is often difficult in several of his official and private outings to distinguish him from his aides. Instances abound where the government with his team have experienced delayed flights. On such unpleasant situations, you will find His Excellency engaged in warm and informal conversations with his aides to the point that you are likely to take them as contemporaries.

As a team player, Senator Imoke seriously frowns on the personalization of governance or leadership. He is one rare leader who goes out of his way to shore up the self-esteem of his staff.

His philosophy is anchored on the belief that if people believe in themselves, it is amazing what they can accomplish.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are a leader. This philosophy has been the galvanizing tonic in the success of his administration this past seven years.

A deeply cerebral and reticent leader and an administrator, he believes that there is much to gain by listening than talking. It is this attribute that equally characterises his lack of “noise” surrounding so many of achievements in office these

seven years.

At a time when it is most fashionable in government to advertise every little token like filling of potholes, commissioning of sewing machines and motorcycles as poverty palliatives, Imoke, despite the numerous capital projects scattered across the state, has gone about infrastructural development with the least noise necessary.

In governance, he has continued to point the way forward and raising the bar, challenging leaders of all levels of government on what a difference vision, creativity, focus and persistence can make.

His style is very firm, but not rigid, inclusive and accommodating, but still demands sacrifice and commitment from all. His style is consultative and open, yet very decisive. His humanity is unquestionable, even as he seeks to the entrenchment of tough and enduring policies for posterity.

It is exactly this style of leadership that Cross River State people needed at the time he became governor in 2007. Despite the obvious despair, hopelessness and daunting challenges then, Imoke demonstrated strong convictions and unusual courage as well as an enterprising spirit. This has been the main reason for his effectiveness.

As an astute manager of resources, Imoke sees plenty, even in the face of paucity. It this rare determination to make the most out of nothing, that he has ensured Cross River State is growing in leaps and bounds and raising the bar for others.

That Cross River has become a developmental template and a reference point for most of the states today is due largely to Imoke’s conscientiousness and forthrightness.

Governor Imoke has transposed his calm persona on the system by entrenching such core values of trust, selflessness, integrity and passion for the people and effectively earning their confidence and abiding followership.

He has re-defined the concept of leadership and effective governance by re-orientating the mindset of the political class to see politics as a call to service.

As he clocks 53 today, a lot can still be learnt from his example. A retelling of countless stories from his life in private and public service offers generous inspirational material to draw from.

We can felicitate with him by reflecting on a man who labours in the face of nothing to change his state and then try to live up to his standards.

Happy birthday Your Excellency!

• Obogo is Personal Assistant to Imoke on Research and Documentation

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N 1976, as president of the Nigerian chapter of the World University Service (WUS), I had to go and attend a seminar in Hong Kong, and the international convention of WUS in Manila, Philippines. I discovered that, with a little addition to my flight ticket, I could visit a few more countries in Southeast Asia. Many small countries in that region weremaking great progress in economic development.

These countries were similar to our country, Nigeria, and to the other countries of Africa, in many respects. Like our African countries, they were former European colonies. But they were doing very well indeed, becoming technologically developed and growing rich, while our own countries in Africa were all engulfed in political turmoil and becoming poorer and poorer. I decided to see the Asian economic miracles.

As I tried to learn about the countries that I should visit, I found that I must, at all costs, include Singapore. Singapore had an almost unbelievable story. Singapore had been a federating member of the Malaysian Federation until 1965. But Singapore had been desperately poor then; crimes and violence were rife there; and massive riots were always taking place – riots by masses of unemployed youths. The federal government frequently had to send large police and military forces there to tackle riots. One great riot in 1965 went on for three months.

As a result, the Malaysian federal parliament voted unanimously in 1965 that the federation could no longer bear the burden of Singapore; and they expelled Singapore from the federation.

Left to find its own way as a suddenly independent country in 1965, Singapore found itself in a terrible situation. It had no natural resources – no minerals, no farming land, no forest resources. The poverty was stifling. The youths milled nosily and violently in the streets. Food supply was in trouble. Businesses were fleeing the country. The man who suddenly found himself as leader of Singapore, Lee Kwan

Lesson from Singapore’s success story Yew, wept as he addressed his sad country. He said, “For me, this is a moment of anguish…“ Yet, 10 years later, Singapore had become an unbelievable success story. I didn’t have enough money to see it for more than two days when I visited it in 1976. But I had a chance to visit it again in 1982, in the company of my colleague, Senator Lere Adesina. By this date, Singapore had become famous worldwide as one of the strongest economies in the world, one of the best places for investors to go and invest, one of the safest and cleanest places on earth.

How did Singapore people achieve this revolution, this miracle? How did they do it in only about 10 years? First, Singapore was fortunate to have the right kind of leaders. I have studied Lee Kwan Yew’s story as leader of his country. I find that, in many respects, he was very much like our own Obafemi Awolowo. In these two leaders of men, the central secret was unswerving, undistracted, unstinted, devotion to the task of building a rich and great country.

Neither of these two men allowed himself to be distracted by any desire to become rich. The unyielding focus of each was on progress, improvement, success of the fatherland. Like our Awolowo, Yew had the almost supernatural belief that any leader can build a great country from scratch in only a few years. In the years when we, under Chief Awolowo, were putting together the wonderful plans of the UPN for Nigeria – in moments of intense thinking and planning – Chief Awolowo used to say to us, “Look, we don’t need more than four years; in less than four years we can put Nigeria’s foot firmly on the path of sta-

‘Most Nigerians would now agree that Nigeria is just too incoherent and too complex to allow any leaders to achieve this kind of progress for Nigeria. I am sure many would agree that it can be accomplished in smaller and compact countries like Yorubaland (what some youths are already calling Alafia Republic or Kajola Republic), Igboland (or Biafra), a carefully negotiated federation of the Delta, and even Hausaland’

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The common refrain from the Prof.

Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is that it is doing all within the confines of its powers to conduct a credible governorship election in Osun State come August 9. Certainly, a majority of the electorate expect nothing below the bar of excellent performance from INEC. But a recent decision it took in respect of its Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, to wit, that he should go on ‘leave of absence for his own safety’, gives the impression that the commission is rattled by the baseless opposition some politicians in the state mounted against the person of the REC. It does appear this is not the same INEC that vowed some months ago not to prevent Akeju from conducting the governorship election if those alleging he was partisan did not present unassailable evidence.

This strange turn-about from the leadership of the electoral body does suggest, in spite of its claim to the contrary, that those who bayed for the blood of the REC have inundated it with irreproachable evidence.

It should be recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) began the illogical call for the redeployment of Akeju. The governorship candidate of the party in Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, had in 2011 asked a court for an injunction to stop Akeju from conducting the election of that year in Osun. The prayer was granted.

INEC did not contest the injunction and was even making arrangement for the court’s order implementation. Quite strangely, the same PDP immediately went back to the court to ask for a stay of execution of that injunction it had sweetly won earlier. Justice Babs Kuewumi who presided over the case was so pole-axed that he described the request as ‘bizarre’, won-

bility, prosperity and power!” Those words were like magical words. Many of us became imbued with the powerful faith that we could make our Nigeria a great country in just a few years.

Obviously, that is what happened to the leaders and rulers of Singapore under Lee Kwan Yew. As they set out to embark on their economic miracle for their country, they firmly agreed upon one fundamental fact – namely, that to make their economic miracle possible at all, their country must have dependably orderly and stable political life. The political leaders must be disciplined, strictly respect the law, respect the legal boundaries of power, and have the greatest respect for due process in all actions of government. They went on to lead and rule in obedience to those principles. Orderly governance naturally stimulated an atmosphere of law and order, so that the security situation improved rapidly.

With that, they emphasized work. A lot of the youths were educated, but most had no job skills. The government went massively into training programmes for modern job skills. Steadily, Singapore’s youths became a skilled work force.

At the same time, the government devoted efforts to promoting a business culture – various programmes to teach and encourage entrepreneurship; to promote and assist small businesses; to make loans and loan guarantees available to businesses through banks; plans (such as tax incentives, export incentives, etc) to attract investors to come and establish businesses in Singapore. They placed special emphasis on businesses that would produce high quality goods in Singapore for export to the biggest and most advanced markets in the world. Tax and other incentives ensured that Singapore’s businesses could export their high quality goods at low prices to the outside world. One of their ministers summarizes these policies as follows: “We are a small country with a small internal market… Our economic goal...is to create good jobs for our people by enabling Singapore’s businesses to take advantage of opportunities around the world.

Gbogun gboro We are constantly asking ourselves what the markets (of the rich big countries) need, and how we can develop the capabilities to meet them. We want local as well as international companies to find it worthwhile to establish a presence and invest in Singapore”.

The economy began to grow rapidly. Investors from the rich countries of the world hurried to go and invest in Singapore. Great banks, manufacturing establishments, commercial enterprises, arose. Singapore became able to embark on great infrastructural developments – great highways, bridges, water supply systems, massive sewage systems, port development, etc.

By 1975, Singapore was already famous as one of the most successful of the world’s small countries – known around the world as “Asia’s success model”.

As we sat under Chief Awolowo’s leadership in 1976-79 planning mightily for the UPN and Nigeria, we were sure we could achieve greater development for our country, and faster too. Well, we all remember what happened. We were denied the opportunity.

I believe that most Nigerians would now agree that Nigeria is just too incoherent and too complex to allow any leaders to achieve this kind of progress for Nigeria. I am sure many would agree that it can be accomplished in smaller and compact countries like Yorubaland (what some youths are already calling Alafia Republic or Kajola Republic), Igboland (or Biafra), a carefully negotiated federation of the Delta, and even Hausaland. Why not try these – instead of continuing in poverty and conflicts?

INEC’S weird volte-face on Osun REC

By Jide Eluyemi dering why the plaintiff (PDP) in that court was doing what the appellant (INEC) in the Appeal Court should expectedly undertake.

Last February when Jega came to Osogbo for a stakeholders’ parley, a drama of opposition against the REC was staged by the PDP and Labour Party. They asked that the REC be redeployed. The other parties did not join them. But in his response, Jega strongly posited that the commission would do their bidding only when credibly substantiated evidence was produced against the REC. He added that the commission was not one to change its officials based on mere allegations. The INEC chair was clear in his submission that nothing would be done to Akeju without believable proof of the allegation levelled against him.

This explains why the sudden change of decision on Akeju by the leadership of INEC is absurd and confusing. As rationalised last week by Jega’s Chief Press Secretary, Kayode Idowu, Akeju is just on ‘leave of absence’ for his personal safety.

Is it that there are threats to Akeju’s life because he will conduct free and fair election? Is the new REC, Olusegun Agbaje, going to conduct a less credible election?

Who are the people threatening Akeju’s life? Is Agbaje’s safety assured? If Agbaje is going to conduct a free and fair election, will the same threat not be transferred unto him?

Let it be said that INEC fools no one with its strange behaviour and its even stranger justification. Discerning Nigerians know too well that INEC has just done the wish of the PDP, which has noisily repeatedly

asked that Akeju be prevented from conducting the August 9 governorship election in Osun. Regardless of its advertised faith in Akeju and claim of his still being the substantive Osun REC, the commission has just in a different way revealed that it does not trust the man. In the same outlandishmanner that it has granted the wish of the PDP and its inverted poltroons, the commission has equally condemned Akeju. The commission, like those whose wish it has oddly acceded to, sees Akeju as a threat to the coming election. Is the case about the REC’s retention in Osun not still in court? Why the weird decision and breaking of coconut on the head of the REC? Similarly, INEC should know that nobody except the troubled PDP believes the humbug that the commission’s request for Akeju to proceed on leave of absence was ‘his contribution towards ensuring the credibility of the state governorship election’. So Mr Akeju is so daffy that he deliberately stains his integrity and honour in

order for the election to be credible? Indeed, it is strange that a body which trumpets its decision to do right in the conduct of its duties care less about keeping its words with regard to not lifting a finger against its officials without irrefutable evidence of partisanship or wrongdoing. If political parties are involved in ‘intense partisan acrimony over his person’, should he be so unfeelingly made to suffer for their nervousness?

The question remains, can INEC still be trusted to conduct a truly credible election in Osun? If it commends itself for its outing in Ekiti, will it not strangely turn around to perform below acceptable standards in Osun in a few weeks to come? Will INEC not give in to pressure from the PDP to overlook riggings when they are perpetrated? Jega and his men should note that the Osun electorate will not accept any strange behaviour from it during and after the governorship election.

• Eluyemi, writes from Ile-Ife, Osun State.

‘Nobody except the troubled PDP believes the humbug that the commission’s request for Akeju to proceed on leave of absence was ‘his contribution towards ensuring the credibility of the state governorship election’… it is strange that a body which trumpets its decision to do right in the conduct of its duties care less about keeping its words with regard to not lifting a finger against its officials without irrefutable evidence of partisanship or wrongdoing’

22

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

UNIABUJA’s many headaches

•Entrance to UNIABUJA.

For the past five years, the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) has been in crises.

The crisis deepened last week when a court stopped the appointment of the vice-chancellor, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU, Abuja.

W

ITH a court stopping the appointment of Prof Mike Adiukwu as Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), the institution’s crisis may not end soon.

The institution has been contending with management/workers' face-off, withdrawal of accreditation for some programmes, and infrastructural deficit. It went through these problems during the tenure of its immediate past VC, Prof James Sunday Adelabu, who left office on June 27.

Last year, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abuja Zone, comprising UNIABUJA, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai (IBBUL), Nasarawa State University (NSUK), Keffi, Federal University of Agriculture (FUAM), Makurdi, Benue State University, Makurdi (BSU) and Kogi State University, Anyigba, urged the Federal Government to

release the White Paper of the Special Visitation Panel to the university and decide on Adelabu.

In April 2012, the Federal Ministry of Education suspended the Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture, Medicine and Computer Science programmes of the university for not meeting accreditation.

National Universities Commission (NUC) Executive Secretary, Prof Julius Okojie, said then that the programmes were initiated during the tenure of the pioneer VC, Prof Nuhu Yaqub,

‘

How can I award a contract like that given the fact that the NEEDS Assessment is involved for which tendering and opening of bid was done? It was not even by the university but by a consortium. The award of the contract had taken a normal process for which Council was to meet

’

INSIDE

Christian varsities must lead anti-corruption crusade, says don -Page 27

without approval. The university, he said, failed to equip its community clinic, a basic requirement for medical examination.

Many medical students were moved to other schools to complete their education after many years of delay. Engineering students protested in November 2012 before they were moved to five other universities.

The last days of Prof Adelabu in office were fraught with altercations with the university's ASUU and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian

UNILAG centre gets first baby -Page 47

CAMPUS LIFE

Universities (SSANU). The unions have been on strike since June 2 and 4.

They are protesting the suspension of the deduction of check off dues. Before the expiration of Adelabu's tenure, they were pushing for his removal over what they described as “bad leadership.”

The strike led to the indefinite closure of the institution by the Governing Council led by the Pro-chancellor, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia.

ASUU Chairman, Dr. Ben Ugheoke, who gave reasons for the strike, accused Adelabu of failing to remit the check off dues deducted from workers’ salary in April 2013 and suspending the payment of the dues from May 2013 to the union’s account.

"This is a provision of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which every citizen or institution of the country must abide by. However, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof JSA Adelabu, flagrantly disobeyed and till now still disobeys this law. In April of 2013, he checked-off dues and levies meant for the union's bus purchase, but has refused till this moment to remit such deductions to the union's account.

"In order to prove that Prof J. S. A. Adelabu • Continued on Page 26

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

UNIMAID, Nursing School mourn as eight students die in road accident

-Page 29

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

26

EDUCATION

SUBEB boss blames schools for shoddy registratoin •139,032 pupils take placement test

D

ESPITE adequate planning by the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) and the Examinations Board, some Primary Six pupils did not write the Lagos State Placement Test last Saturday.

About 139,032 Primary Six pupils from both public and private schools had registered to take the examination for admission into public junior secondary schools in Lagos State.

However, when the SUBEB Chairman, Mrs Gbolahan Daodu visited some of the 266 designated centres scattered across the six education districts of the state, her attention was drawn to some candidates who could not provide evidence that they were registered for the examination. Many were prevented from writing the examination.

Mrs Daodu visited centres hosted by the Immaculate Junior Secondary School, Maryland; Ojota Junior Grammar School, Ojota Senior Grammar School, both in Ojota; Ilupeju Junior Grammar School, and Ilupeju Junior Secondary School.

About four months before the test, schools were required to register their candidates with the sum of N5,000 each at the examination board. With the details provided, the board customised the OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) answer sheets for each candidate and registered them in centres within their neighbourhoods.

The sheets were sent to the centres bearing the names and passport pho• Continued from Page 25

hates peace and industrial harmony, he stepped up his onslaught on the union when in May of 2013 he unilaterally decided to stop the deduction of ASUU check-off dues. These combined actions of not checking off dues for and non-remittance of checked-off dues to the union are a complete violation of the above quoted portions of the Nigerian law.

"ASUU believes what's worth doing at all, is worth doing well. The union embarked on strike to insist on the release and implementation of the White Paper of the Special Visitation Panel of 2012; restoration and remittance of check-off dues of the Union; payment of all claims and arrears owed its members since 2010; proper constitution of the Budget Monetary Committee (BMC) in line with due process and restructuring of the promotion process into the professorial cadre. The union has had talks with the Governing Council and the Council believes that all the union is requesting is legitimate and just. In fact, the Council referred to the union as partner in progress."

Even though Adelabu remitted the April 2013 check off dues to the union, before his exit last month, Ugheoke said the university management still has to resolve the issue of the suspended dues and others before the strike can be called off.

"The strike was not person-based; it is issue based and the issues have not been resolved. Whoever steps in as vice chancellor has to resolve the issues before we call off the strike. They have promised that it will be restored with the June salary but we have not been paid for June," Ugheoke said.

The union also accused Adelabu of trying to award a N3 billion contract few days to his exit. On June 23, the institution was shut down for about a week when a protest by both ASUU and SSANU nearly ended in violence.

Ugheoke explained that the union got hold of some circulars calling for meetings of the ‘Tenders Board’, Appointments and Promotions Committee (A&PC) and the Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC), between June 23 and 24.

He described the planned meetings

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

tographs of the candidates.

At the Immaculate Junior Secondary School, a pupil, who said she was from Victory Hope Primary School, Ikorodu, was the lone candidate from her school. She was not allowed to write the examination because she was not registered at the centre.

The young girl, who was taken to Mrs Daodu said her father dropped her at the centre and left. When asked if he would come for her afterwards, she said she was to join her mother at another location. Mrs Daodu put a call through to her father to pick her up as she could not write the examination.

SUBEBE officials at the centre said she was not supposed to come all the way from Ikorodu to Maryland to sit for the test because her school would have been assigned to a closer centre.

However, the girl was not the lone case. About 20 other pupils in the centre were sent away. Some of the candidates were from a private school called Aunty B Private School. The female teacher who accompanied them said she was surprised that the school's registration details were not at the centre.

"We made payment to one man at the Examination Board. I am trying to call the man now but his number is not going through," she said.

Another teacher, who came with five pupils who wore muftis instead of their uniforms, as was the requirement, was unable to provide evidence

• Pupils taking the test at Ojota Junior Grammar School.

of his school's registration details. He claimed that the person who handled the registration for the school had died a few days to the examination.

Mrs Daodu lamented that the problems came from private schools that did not register on time despite charging parents far higher than the N5,000 fee stipulated by the examination board. She blamed parents for not being careful in selecting the schools they enrolled their wards.

She said: "In respect to our own plans, everybody that registered doesn't have problems. The problems are not with the public schools because we took their registers a long time ago. We have captured everybody that needs to sit for the exam,

and they are okay.

"It is the private schools that have created the challenges on ground.

Most of the people we saw here are people from private schools, and mostly even unregistered private schools. We learnt that that even up till yesterday night, or afternoon (Friday) they were still coming to register. It is not possible for such schools and their pupil to do the examination.

For us to succeed in any thing we want to do, there must be adequate plan. All schools either private or public were given enough notice; and in order not to have this kind problem, they are the ones that have disrupted the programme. It is unfair on the parents and pupils."

UNIABUJA’s many headaches ‘The strike was not person-based; it is issue based and the issues have not been resolved. Whoever steps in as vice chancellor has to resolve the issues before we call off the strike.

They have promised that it will be restored with the June salary but we have not been paid for June’

•Ugheoke

• Adelabu

as illegal, especially when the VC had just five days to go. The SSANU Chairman, Jude Nwabueze, vowed then that the unions would lay siege to the Senate Building to prevent the planned meetings. The said meetings were suspended by the governing council.

But, Adelabu in an interview with The Nation denied the allegations levelled by ASUU against him.

He alleged that the union is being economical with the truth about the check off dues.

He said: "ASUU owe the public the responsibility of telling them the right thing. As far back as April last year before government even announced that, I stopped the issue of check-off, that is the union's dues which we help to collect directly from source and remit to them, these monies are paid along with their salaries and the union know very well that the check-off are paid alongside their salaries to them

individually.

"There had earlier been a directive as regards to check-off dues during strike. The document is there but up till now there is no repel to it. I wonder how they now come up with the latest allegation that I refused to remit their check-off dues. If you as an individual is owing the union, you already have your salary paid in full, why don't you take it and pay to the union?"

"Some alleged that I opened an account. It is very sad when you see academia talking ignorantly like illiterates. If I opened an account as alleged, they should investigate and tell the world the truth. We are not withholding any money or dues belonging to the union; nothing has been deducted, the check-off is paid along with their salaries, they have it in their pockets, what else do I remit to them?"

Adelabu alos said the allegation that he tried to award a N3 billion contract on the eve of his exit, was baseless.

He said: "How can I award a contract like that given the fact that the NEEDS Assessment is involved for which tendering and opening of bid was done? It was not even by the university but by a consortium. The award of the contract had taken a normal process for which Council was to meet. They didn't want me to award contracts as VC." Hopes of resolution of the crisis with the emergence of Adiukwu on VC were dashed following a Govt order stopping him from parading himself in office. Adiukwu emerged from a shortlist of three candidates. Eight of the 13-council member voted for him.

Others abstained.

The other candidates are: Prof Umar Danbata, Acting Vice Chancellor, Kano State University of Technology, and Prof Bayo Lawal of the University of Ilorin, who were said to be ahead of Prof Adiukwu in the final assessments.

At the council’s 36th Extra-ordinary Meeting on June 30, Dr Ogbemudia urged the staff and students to rally round the new Vice Chancellor in the university’s interest.

Ogbemudia said the process that led to Adiukwu's emergence was painstaking.

However, some sources close to the council told The Nation that Adiukwu's emergence was influenced by ethnic and religious sentiments. While some members wanted the candidate that came first to be chosen, others preferred that the issue be decided by vote.

Three dissatisfied members of the council filed a suit at the Industrial Court in Abuja, which last Monday, barred Adiukwu from parading him-

•Mrs Daodu with one of the unregistered candidate

self as VC. The court also restrained the council from implementing the report of the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board VC the appointment process.

It directed that the originating summons be served on the council, the vice chancellor and six other respondents.

Ugheoke said ASUU would not want to be dragged into the case.

"It isn't ASUU that went to court.

ASUU is distant from the court case.

It is not part of it. The three members of council that went to court are not ASUU members," he said.

After a congress last week, Ugheoke said ASUU's would go with the council's selection, since no law was breached.

"Last Thursday, we rose from our congress with the resolution that an appointment has been made of a vice chancellor even though it fell short of our expectation. Since there was no breach of the extant laws of the university, we have resolved to work with the vice chancellor that was chosen.

"The law states that the council shall select from among the first three and recommend to the visitor. There is no statement that we must pick the first or second or the third positions. The law only says that the council should pick one of the three," he said.

For over a week now, the institution has not reopened and students have been are wondering if the new VC will bring about the much needed change to make up for the lost years.

All Bayo Ola, a 200-Level Law student wants is peace and progress.

"I just want peace to return to this university, my mates in other universities have graduated and I am still in 200 level, what a pity. I hope this new VC will bring peace and fast-track things academically. I am not happy with the way things are. The strike should be called off now that the new man is there," he said.

Indeed, the new VC has a lot to do to reshape the institution and bring back its glory.

Adiukwu’s name has been updated on NUC’s website, which has the names of all universties in Nigeria, their vice chancellors and dates of establishment. But the outcome of the court case will determine the university’s fate.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

27

EDUCATION

Christian varsities must lead anti-corruption crusade, says don

T

HE culture of corruption permeating every facet of national life has placed a more challenging role on Christian universities to be models, former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for justice Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has said.

More than ever before, Osinbajo, who delivered the ninth convocation lecture of the Covenant University penultimate week, said Christian universities must identify with Biblical principles which have been the secret behind the development of modern societies.

Speaking on the topic: Repositioning Nigerian universities for the 21st Century: Paradigms for Innovation and change, he said: "The system of higher education must begin by presenting the empirical correlation between poverty and dysfunction of institutions and the absence of values that conduce development to development and progress.

"Christian universities have the special privilege and duty to take the lead in developing this paradigm.

Why? First, we must appreciate that Christianity is the only faith where scriptures clearly say that believers or adherents are responsible for the destiny of their communities and na-

By Adegunle Olugbamila

tions. Second, few can reasonably contest the position that Christianity and Christian intellectual framework have been largely responsible for the industrial and economic revolution which began in Europe and North America and is the superstructure of all modern economies."

Backing his claims with scriptural passages, Osinbajo identified such ideals as hard work/planning and innovation (Proverbs 14:2, Luke 14:28); education (proverbs 8:10&11); time consciousness (Ephesians 5:6); and integrity (Mathew 5:37) Others are: respect for credit value and obligation (Psalm 37:10); saving and investment (Mathew 25:14-30; rule of law (Romans 13:1); payment of taxes and due to government (Mark 12:17) Fair Play (Colossian 4:1); as well as equality and dignity of man (Galatians 3:28).

Aside Christian universities, Osinbajo equally challenges other universities in Nigeria to rise up and fight corruption, which he lamented, is denting the nation's image internationally.

"The truth is that in the 'corrupted society' corruption and embezzlement come before the safety and well being of the citizens or territorial integrity of the nation. Very few will deny the perception of Nigeria and Nigerians that is of a place and people with whom integrity trustworthiness are in short supply. That perception affects all aspects of life.

It affects local and international investment decisions. The frequent issue is how to find the Nigerian of integrity to do business with.

Further, Osinbajo lamented that Nigeria with over 150 million people and boasting of highest number of universities in the Sub-Saharan Africa; yet remains at the lower rung

‘The truth is that in the 'corrupted society' corruption and embezzlement come before the safety and well being of the citizens or territorial integrity of the nation’

FUL FILE

Isreali envoy delivers lecture

• Prof Osinbajo

of the academic ladder due to poor funding by governments and consequently resulting in poor research.

"Between 2009 and 2013, Nigeria had only 439 scientific and engineering articles published in physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, clinical medicine, bio-medical research, engineering and technology, earth and space sciences. Australia in the same period had 20,603 publications, Germany-46,259, India-22,593, South Afica-3,125, South Korea, 25, 593, Malaysia-2,092, Saudi-Arabia-1,491, Singapore-4,543, Brazil-13,148, and UK,-46,035. It is quite apparent from the figures that if commitment to research in science and technology is any indication of commitment to innovation and change, then Africa's largest economy is far from demonstrating serious commitment."

UNDP trains 300 youths

By Amidu Arije

T

HE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area have equipped over 300 students with various skills.

The UNDP vocational skill acquisition centre, which is managed by the council, offers training in catering and hotel management; fashion designing and tailoring; hairdressing and cosmetics; bead making and Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Speaking at the 11th graduation of the centre at the council secretariat the council chairman, Hon Idris Bolaji Ariyoh said the centre has helped to reduce poverty as the youths are now gainfully engaged.

"The establishment of this centre has gone a long way to eradicate poverty within our community thus reducing social vices to a minimal level. The centre has produced proficient youths who are a pride to this community. This has no doubt transformed our local government from being a den of hoodlums to a more peaceful and serene area," he said.

Also speaking the principal of the centre, Mrs Odusina Muhammed said the purpose for establishing the centre has been achieved.

"It has helped the community to have sense of belonging. It has also empowered those that do not have the well withal to further their education. We have trained many youths who are today employers of labour through the ‘The skills they establishment have learnt," she said. of this The council urged the centre has boss grandaunds gone a long to make judicious use of way to the skills they acquired eradicate have to impact their lives and their poverty f a m i l i e s within our thereby imthe community’ pacting community positively.

• From left: Mr A. K. Aina, Executive Trainers Ltd; Mr Abubakar Muhammad Yusufu, Registrar, Federal University, Dutsinma; Prof Dedoussis Evangellos, American University in Dubai; Dr Ladan Ango, Provost, Federal College of Education (FCE), Zaria; Mr Felix Aderinboye, Registrar, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo at a training organised by ETL in Dubai.

Prisoners to get free education in Niger State

T

HE Niger State government is to extend its free basic education and skill acquisition programmes to the inmates of the two prisons in Minna, the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Danladi Abdulhammed, has said.

He disclosed this on Monday to journalists in Minna after visiting the two prisons.

He said the extension of the free education policy to the prison was to ensure that inmates have access to education in order to make them better citizens after serving their

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

terms.

"We believe that with education, their characters can be remoulded and that they are entitled to education irrespective of their character," he said.

Aside from the free education, Abdulhammed promised the inmates that government would soon provide sporting and ICT facilities in the prisons for to help them keep fit.

The commissioner praised the wife of the state governor, Hajia Jumai

Babangida Aliyu for positively impacting the inmates through her literacy and computer training programmes under her pet project, the Life Rehab Programme.

The state Comptroller of Prison, Musa Mayaki, while conducting the commissioner round the prisons, told him that only 69 of the 292 inmates at the medium prison Minna were convicts.

At the old prison Minna, Mayaki said the facility with holding capacity of 296 inmates, currently harbours 65 convicts and 280 others on awaiting trial.

Pupils shine in math, debate contest

D

IRECTOR of Ferscoat Schools, Olude, Ipaja, Felix Opata has assured pupils a more conducive atmosphere to enable them attain their academic goals in the school.

Opata gave this assurance while receiving some pupils that won laurels for the school in various competitions He praised them for promoting the school's image through their performance.

"The success of our pupils have once again proved what we are doing at Ferscoat we train them to be worthy ambassadors who can stand

on their own in future". We are proud of what they did and this in line with our policy of bringing out the best in a child.

Ferscoat which was established in 1992 came first in the National Mathematics Competitions organised by Murhi International Television (MITV) on May 26 courtesy of Rilwan Adebayo and Bankole Fasuyan.

The trio of Abies Orasanye, Shikemi Alamutu and Pelumi Gbadamosi also did the school proud by winning the MITV Talent Zone Debating competition on May 19, 2014.

The school came second in the primary category through its representatives Ayomikun Ayobami and Fawaz Kadiri.

Opata said he was not surprised by their achievements given the investment the management has made to improve the classrooms and boarding facilities, equip laboratories among others.

Ferscoat recorded 100 per cent performance in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 2011, 2012 and 2013; while a pupil of the school Tofunmi Ogungbaigbe had the second best performance in WAEC in Lagos in 2012.

ISRAELI Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Uriel Paltito has attributed the technological development of his country to huge investment in education.

Speaking when he delivered a lecture titled: Education for rapid Techno-Scientific Development: The Israeli Example, at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), the envoy urged the Nigerian government to take a cue from its Israeli counterpart to develop the country.

In his remarks, the FUL Vice Chancellor, Prof Abdulmumini Rafindadi, called for stronger ties between the institution and the Israeli government so FUL can build mutually-beneficial relationships with similar institutions in Israel.

He told the Ambassador that the University and Nigerians can learn from Israel and build the nation along similar lines.

Post-UTME for July 22 THE FUL management has released a three-day timetable for the Post-UTME screening exercise for 2014/2015 academic session.

The screening will hold between July 22 and 24 for candidates who applied to the university and scored 180 and above.

Authorities have directed the candidates to log onto the university's website to register for the exercise and make a payment of N2,800 through e-tranzact for the screening before the July 20 deadline.

The screening which will be purely Computer-Based (CBT) will be done in batches.

The FUL was one of the nine universities established by the Federal Government in 2011. It present has 11 departments, namely: History/International Studies, Economics, Political Science, English/Literary Studies, Physics, Computer Science, Biological Science, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, and Geology.

Rotaract Club wins award THE Rotaract Club operating in the FUL has been the declared the most outstanding after an assessment of programmes by all clubs in the zone by the Rotaract Club of Kogi State District 9125 Nigeria.

The assessment covers activities that each chapter in the state carried out in the outgone rotary year which spanned from June 2013- July 2014.

The award and analysis of the assessment which took place at the Kogi State University, Anyigba campus was the first of such to be organised in such manner.

During the year under review, the FUL Rotaract Culb carried out visitation to orphanages, sanitation exercise in the host community, donated toiletries for toilets on campus, lighting equipment for the security unit, and education materials to matriculating students.

Other activities carried out include training on life-building presentation and speaking skills for students, and quiz competition among others.

The FUL Registrar, Hajia Habiba Anavoza Adeiza was given an award for her selfless contribution to humanity, while the institution was praised for its achievement in just two years of existence.

While receiving members of the club, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Rafindadi, urged them not to relent and continue to be good ambassadors of the university.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

28

EDUCATION EKSU FILE

SIWES coordinators meet THE Vice-Chancellor of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) Prof.

Patrick Aina has praised the impact of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) sponsored by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) on the practical training of undergraduates of tertiary institutions.

Aina, who spoke through the Provost, EKSU College of Medicine, Prof Mathew Araoye, while receiving the SIWES Coordinator from Ondo and Ekiti states for their meeting at EKSU, added that perfect academic training could only be achieved when the theoretical and practical knowledge were delivered to students.

The Vice Chancellor assured them that the university would support the practical training of her undergraduates to expose them to modern-day techniques with adequate field experience.

On the occasion, the Acting Registrar, EKSU Mr. Emmanuel Ogunyemi said the university has a rich data of students’ participation in SIWES training.

The Acting Area Manager of ITF for Ondo and Ekiti states Mr. Omotoso Ayelabowo said the instiution was established in 1973 through a military decree to provide required field experience to undergraduates.

Students’ leaders trained MEMBERS of the EKSU Students Union executive committee have undergone a three-day leadership training to equip them for the task of leading an informed, and active students’ population.

The retreat, organised by the Students’ Affairs division, held at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resorts. It was attended by principal officers of the university and all members of the Students’ Union executive led by Victor Babatope Ibitola.

The Dean of Students Affairs Prof. Isaac Adanlawo commended the new leaders for their modesty and comportment since their election.

He said the leadership training was organised to provide a platform to sharpen their minds in handling issues.

Adanlawo cautioned them to avoid violent agitation and embrace dialogue as a means of conflict resolution.

The Director of Personnel Mr. B. Adeuya, who represented the Registrar, advised the students, leaders to lead by example, work towards peaceful relationship between students and management, and shun all forms of negative behaviours.

Adeuya told the students leaders that for them to succeed, they should have integrity to inspire their colleagues.

The three-day leadership training included lectures on students’ unionism in Nigeria and unrest and insecurity in universities.

VC welcomes students AS they returned from the midsemester break last week, EKSU students were welcomed with a message from the Vice Chancellor to maintain peace on campus. A statement from the Deputy Registrar, Information and Corporate Affairs Ajibade Olubunmi quoted the Vice Chancellor, saying: “Adequate security has been provided for the students and staff of the university.”

He therefore warned miscreants to keep off the university as the authorities will not hesitate to hand over anyone caught causing trouble to security agents.

Bayelsa to save Ijaw Language from extinction

T

HE Bayelsa State Government has introduced the Ijaw dialects into schools' curricula in the state in a move to save the language from extinction.

The government is partnering with the Centre for Niger Delta Studies (CNDS) of the state-owned Niger Delta University to start the process of teaching Ijaw language in primary and post-primary schools from September.

Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, spoke when he visited the university.

He said Governor Seriake Dickson, who is passionate about promoting the Ijaw language and culture, has provided the political will and the resources to achieve the project.

He said the government would evolve autographs and textbooks in

‘As a Restoration Government, we will not allow our language and culture to go into extinction’

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Nembe, Epie/Atissa, Ogbia, Kolokuma and Mem dialects.

The commissioner urged them to work hard to meet the September deadline, adding that the policy of the administration is to ensure that Ijaw dialects were introduced as a subject in the schools.

He said the government was committed to establishing a solid foundation to realise the project.

Tuodolo said: "Language is the first expression of a people. It is for this reason that the ministry is collaborating with the the CNDS to start the process to formally teach Ijaw language in primary and post primary schools in the state in September.

"As a Restoration Government, we will not allow our language and culture to go into extinction."

•Felix

He commended the stakeholders at the centre for their zeal in handling the project towards ensuring that the dreams of the government in that direction were realised.

Director, CNDS, Niger Delta University, Dr. Samuel Ibaba, praised the government for the political will to radically change the current trend towards Ijaw culture and language.

He appealed for more resource persons to join the team and also to ensure that the graduates of the CNDS be offered employment to teach the language in schools.

He reasoned that if the centre’s graduates were offered automatic jobs, the development would go a long way in realising the government’s goals in saving the dialects from extinction.

Politician rewards students with laptops, iPads

F

ORMER Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Kenneth Imansuangbon has given 126 laptops and nine iPads and cash to participants of an essay competition he sponsored.

Participating institutions included University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Federal Polytechnic, Auchi as well as junior and senior secondary schools from across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Speaking during the award, Imasuangbon however said the scores from the state showed a fall in standard of education.

He said he decided to bring the essay competition to the state because of prayers offered by people when he was involved in an accident last year.

He said: "In the past seven years, Kenneth Imansuangbon's Essay Competition has always been hosted in Abuja. But because of the prayers of Edo people for my recovery after the accident last year, I decided to extend the competition to schools in the state.

"I want to raise the bar of standard of education in the state and to be remembered not for the amount of money in my account but by what people would say about me."

Imansuangbon, who is the Proprietor of Pace Setters Group of Schools, Abuja disclosed that the computers/ ipads, including cash prizes of N100,000; N70,000 and N50,000 were

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

for the top three winners of the secondary school categories, while the ipads were for the undergraduates.

Earlier, National Coordinator, Kenneth Imansuangbon Essay Competition, Mr. Segun Awogbade, noted that the competition was brought to Edo State to bring out the ingenuity among the young ones so that in future, they can successfully take the mantle of leadership.

In their goodwill messages, the Chief Imam of Benin, Skeik Abdulfatai Enabulele; Rt. Rev. Peter Imansuen, Bishop, Benin Anglican Communion; Rev. Felix Omobude; President, Penticostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN); Chief Dan Orbih, Chairman, Edo State PDP; and Mr. Washington Osifo, Edo State Commissioner for Higher Education thanked Imansuangbon for championing a cause that would enable the younger generation secure their future and be good leaders of tomorrow.

Two of the beneficiaries, Ighoyivwi Joy, a 600-Level Pharmacy student of UNIBEN, and Etuk Blessed, a pupil of Gloryland Group of School, expressed joy for being part of those that won prizes in the essay competition.

They thanked Imansuangbon for the gesture and prayed God to continue to bless him and his family.

• The Mayor of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe (left), presenting the William Fairchild Trophy for the Young Reader of the Year to Master Raymond Erewunmi at the Barking Town hall, London. With them is a representative of the award.

Astymin to reward graduating pupils

F

OR graduating pupils who have performed exceptionally in their academics this session, it is reward time.

Astymin, a nutritional supplement and flagship brand of Fidson Healthcare Plc, plans to present prizes to over 200 of these scholars in the Southwest and Southeast.

The graduating pupils and their teachers and parents from over 200 public and private schools in the two regions, will be celebrated at an event organised by Fidson under its

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

Astymin Brilliance Rewards (ABR) initiative.

General Manager, Marketing, Fidson Healthcare Plc., Mr Ola Ijimakin, said this year's edition scheduled for July 19, at the Grange School, GRA, Lagos, holds promise of being more exciting than the previous three.

"The first three editions were great but this edition is ground breaking for several reasons: For the first time

this year, we will be rewarding pupils from outside our traditional Southwest states.

In addition to the usual Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states schools, this year's event will also reward pupils from Delta, Anambra and Enugu states. Also for the first time, this year's event will be rewarding the top 10 pupils from public schools in Lagos state. In this event also we will be having an unprecedented number of schools; over 200 in all", he said.

Explaining the rationale for the event, Ijimakin noted that ABR is the brand's biggest and most prestigious event apart from the various programmes it sponsors in schools.

"We also sponsor debates, interhouse sports, PTA meetings, Christmas parties and more. At the university level, Astymin is the main sponsor of the annual PANS national conference. The main social event the participants look forward to is the 'AstyminNite' and the 'Miss. Astymin' beauty pageant. Our biggest and probably the most prestigious event however, is the ABR,” he said.

College workers urged to seek divine help against strike

W

ORKERS on strike at the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE) Ondo have been advised to seek divine intervention to bring it to an end.

It would be recalled that the national bodies of the three workers unions in the institution under the aegis of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU); Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), declared a nation-wide

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

strike about six months ago.

To compel the Federal Government to address their grievances.

The strike embarked upon by COEASU since December 18, last year, was hinged on the demand by the union, for the full implementation of the 2009/2010 agreement, signed with the Federal Government on the welfare of its members, and others as they affect academic activities in Colleges of Education

in the country.

The strike by SSUCOEN and NASU started two months after the COEASU strike. The development has taken its toll on the college as both academic and administrative activities have been seriously affected.

Speaking during the recent monthly prayer meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Auditorium in the institution, a lecturer, Mr. Johnson Falade, said there was a need for workers to seek divine

solution to the strike bring it to an end.

Since human efforts are not yielding the desired result, Falade said recourse to God for solution, would be the best step to take to resolve the matter.

He cited several biblical passages, including the book of Job chapter 20 verse 29 and advised the people not to relent in searching the words of God, adding that through such step, they would become more knowledgeable in His words.

29

Student loses kidney failure battle

*CAMPUSES

Forever in their hearts

Page 31

*NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

Page 41

CAMPUS LIFE

THE NATION

0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

TWO OF THE DEAD

The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and Borno State School of Nursing lost eight students in a road crash while on their way to Abuja for the yearly Conference of Fellowship of Christian Nursing Students. They died when one of the three buses in which they were travelling veered off the road and raced into the bush. TAIWO ISOLA (300-Level Human Anatomy, UNIMAID) reports.

•The late Benita

•The late Edward

UNIMAID, Nursing School mourn as eight students die in road crash

S

TUDENTS of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and Borno State School of Nursing are in grief.

They are mourning the death of eight of their colleagues in a road crash, last Wednesday.

Five were injured.

The Nursing students were travelling to Abuja for the yearly Conference of Fellowship of Christian Nursing Students when they had an accident in Bauchi State.

When the news hit both campuses, academic activities were disrupted. Students gathered in groups, discussing the mishap.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that over 60 students from both institutions left Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for the conference in three buses.

It was learnt that the driver of one of the buses attempted to avert a head-on collision

with a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, but lost control and somersaulted. The bus crashed into the bush.

Among the dead was the president of Fellowship of Christian Nursing Students in UNIMAID, Edward Peter Mshelia, and Benita Wilson.

The news of their death shook their colleagues, who recalled their last moments.

In tears, Mary James, a 300-Level Pharmacy student of UNIMAID, said she saw the late Benita a few minutes before she embarked on the journey. “I saw Benita this morning when she was leaving the hostel for the park.

She stopped by at my room and bade me goodbye. She promised to return by weekend. The next thing I heard was that she died in an accident. I wished she was not among the dead but I have not heard she is among

•‘He slept but never woke up’-P32

the survivors.”

The late Edward’s friend, Bitrus Dalori, said: “I was with him for about two hours on Tuesday night and I was the last person he saw before going to bed. As I left for the campus on Wednesday morning, I called him to ask about the journey; he told me they had already left Yobe State. I was happy they were out of the crisis-ridden area. After my lecture, I called him again but he did not pick up. I thought he was asleep. Several minutes after, I called him again but what I heard from the other end shook me. The voice said ‘sorry, we lost him’. Is this how people die?

It is still like a dream to me that Edward is dead.”

It was gathered that Edward’s sister, a student at the School of Nursing, was also among the dead.

According to Janet Yagana, a student of the School of Nursing, the deceased were dedicated students. “But we accept the fact that there is nothing we can do about it,” she said.

Ruth Edet, a graduating Nursing student of UNIMAID, said: “It is sad and my heart goes out to their families. We lost our president. Edward was focused and courageous.

He was a blessing to the department. His death is a big loss.”

Idris Mohammed, a student, said: “The students survived gun and bomb attacks in Maiduguri and Yobe, only to die in an accident on the highway. It weakens my heart that they had to die this way. They won many battles but they lost this one.”

The deceased have been taken to their home towns for burial. The injured are still in a government hospital in Bauchi State.

•Poly students to protest over ASUP strike in Abuja-P41

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

30

CAMPUS LIFE

The dilemma of tertiary Pushing education (I) Out

T

WO weeks ago, the mug shot of a felon in California, the United States of America (USA), Jeremy Meeks was posted on the internet by the police department’s Facebook page. A few hours after it went viral, the mug shot earned him hoards of admirers with mainly ladies commenting on how “handsome” he is.

If that was the end to the story it would have been better; but wait for this, it secured him a Hollywood agent who is already negotiating modeling contracts for him even though he is a felon and still in jail! Can you beat that!

Perhaps I need to point out that Jeremy Meeks was arrested as part of a sweep of gangs in Stockton, California, and faces a felony weapons charge. It was reported that the agent, Gina Rodriguez has signed Meeks, 30, as a client and he joins a roster of her other notorious celebrities.

So what are the prospects for a modeling career for the “handsome” felon? “Jeremy has an amazing look and has received international attention which I feel can only help him flourish in the entertainment industry,” Rodriguez was quoted as telling ABC News in the US. Not done with her high hopes, she added: “Jeremy could make somewhere between $3,000 to $100,000 per month through endorsements and modeling. We are also speaking with several production companies about following Jeremy’s foray into the entertainment industry.”

As “good” as this may sound, there is one big hurdle preventing any immediate modelling windfall; Jeremy is behind bars on $1.1 million bail. The story gets interesting when it was also reported that a woman claiming to be Meeks’ mother launched a “GoFundMe” campaign to raise money to pay for his release.

In the description, she insisted that he has no gang affiliations in spite of the charges filed against him. “He has old tattoos...which cause him to be stereotyped. He’s my son and I’m just trying to raise funds to help him in any way. Please help him to get a fair trial or else he’ll be railroaded,” his mother Katherine Angier wrote. So far, they have

raised over $5,000.

You might be wondering what this with has to do with tertiary education in Nigeria. I recounted this true story to drive home the fact that the 08116759750 postmodern society we live in is a (SMS only) complex one that defies logic and reasoning in some cases. I have dis•aagboa@gmail.com covered that society often place premium on things that in most cases add little or no value toward One thing is very clear here, we all seek a progress. The story I just recounted may have happened in the US, but some of the people good education, because a good education is that admired the “handsome” felon were Ni- the root of a prosperous society, but how this gerian youths. The world is now a global vil- “good education” metamorphoses is the million naira question. The dilemma we face in lage without barriers.

For some time now, there have been rum- Nigeria is this: Do we want a cheap education blings in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. that makes mess of progress or do we seek an From Lagos to Ife, Anyingba to Keffi and else- expensive education that restricts access? That where students have taken to the streets to is the dilemma of tertiary education in this protest upward review of fees charged by their country. While we are grappling with this respective institutions. Authorities in some dilemma, hundreds of thousands of ill of these institutions have tried to give rea- equipped and unemployable graduates are sons for these reviews, but they often met a being churned out annually.

While in the university, I joined fellow stubrick wall of resistance in the process. What dents as we marched to the office of the Dean then are the issues?

In answering this question, I’d like to come of Student Affairs to protest hike in library back to the issue of the society. The society and other fees – tuition was absolutely free sees nothing wrong in building a multi-bil- back then, and the increase was not more than lion naira entertainment centre, but will N100! The dean took his time to educate us struggle if asked to contribute to the building that the paltry fees we pay were not up to a and equipping of a science laboratory. The fraction of what he is paying for his daughter same society will also see nothing wrong in in kindergarten! You guessed right if you say the sponsorship of a beauty pageant, but will the students almost stoned him. That mindset struggle if it comes to the sponsorship of a has not changed to date.

Against this backdrop however, it will be readers’ club, for instance. The list is endless.

This was what made Oscar Wilde to say that pertinent to point out that all the great uniwe humans are not rational but sentimental versities in the world are not cheap. But that beings. I quite agree. What would make they are not cheap does not foreclose the fact young ladies “fall in love” with a character that indigent but brilliant cannot have access to them. There is a reason why they are acceslike Jeremy Meeks?

Now back to the rational world. With se- sible to the brilliant and ambitious: The govries of strikes and other internal crises bedev- ernment invests and the society plays its iling the sector, there is little doubt that ter- unique part in form of scholarships, infrastructiary education is at a crossroad in Nigeria ture upgrade, provision of books and teachwhether we choose to accept it or not, and we ing aids alongside other sundry funds.

While this is the norm in sane societies, ours have to think fast on how to start putting it back on the right track otherwise we’d be is farther from the truth because those that doomed as a nation; some say we are doomed often secure these scholarships are those ‘connected’ to the powers that be, no matter how already.

Agbo Agbo

dull they are. It will shock many Nigerians the number of foreign scholarships that are awarded in the country to people who least deserve them. Herein lay another dilemma.

In Nigeria, the rich are not investing in our education because they claim they have no stakes, or where they have stakes, they invest for selfish reason of boosting their ego. They are least concerned because their children attend the Oxfords, Cambridge, Harvard or Yale of this world.

While the rich shy away, the government is equally bereft of ideas on how to make education qualitative and to some reasonable extent affordable. Where the idea thrives, the “political will” to carry it out is a different ballgame altogether. In the US, for instance, many students have access to loans that often see them through the university. They pay back when they start working, President Obama paid off his loans when he was a senator! But I can hear you laughing and saying where is the work in Nigeria? I agree, but can we at least try it as a pilot project?

Toward the end of last month, the Economist magazine ran a cover story titled “creative destruction.” It centers on how universities can reinvent themselves and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. This goes to show that the problem is global and not restricted to Nigeria. But the difference here is that other are already thinking ahead of time.

In the report, the magazine argued that a cost crisis, changing labour markets and new technology will turn an old institution on its head. Higher education - it rightly pointed out - is one of the great successes of the welfare state which most western societies adopted to cushion the harsh effects of unbridled capitalism. What was once the privilege of a few became a middle-class entitlement, thanks mainly to government support.

It said that “in the emerging world universities are booming: China has added nearly 30m places in 20 years. Yet the business has changed little since Aristotle taught at the Athenian Lyceum: young students still gather at an appointed time and place to listen to the wisdom of scholars. Now a revolution has begun thanks to three forces: rising costs, changing demand and disruptive technology. The result will be the reinvention of the university.”

Is Nigeria ready for such reinvention?

Ayomide Atitebi is making a difference in the society through his activities to restore the environment. The Nigerian Law School student is an ambassador of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), promoting TUNZA Eco-generation – a campaign for green environment in Africa. He speaks to CALEB ADEBAYO (500-Level Law, Obafemi Awolowo University).

‘It’s my duty to make environment safe’

W

HAT is TUNZA? TUNZA is a Kiswahili word which means to treat something with care or affection. But it is an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is specifically designed to develop activities in the areas of capacity building and environmental awareness for children and the youth, who are called TUNZA ecogeneration ambassadors.

What is the task like?

It includes planning, executing and participating in various environmental awareness programmes in Nigeria, which, of course, is the region I represent. I have the responsibility of presenting the environmental situation in Nigeria at international forum.

How were you selected as ambassador?

I applied but they discovered that I have confidence to deliver the objectives of the initiative. I demonstrated a convincing and sincere passion for environmental protection, which is deeply rooted in my knowledge of environmental law and contemporary global environmental issues. Also, my activity plans as I was later informed, were considered to be unusually impressive.

Can you share some of the activity plans?

One of them is to engage public personalities, who have acquired a large public audience and credibility to use their platforms to effectively spread the message to every nook and cranny of Nigeria. Also, I intend to start a number of green projects involving youth and children with the aim of providing palliative solutions to our common environmental challenges in a way that will inspire others to join the group. I have already initiated some of these projects.

What is the message of TUNZA? We are preaching that humanity should stop breaking the environment if we cannot fix it.

What solution would you proffer for environmental hazards in the country?

First, there is need for us to acknowledge that our development is sustainable only if the environment is made a key part of economic policies. And that encompasses rethinking our activities on the environment and its adverse consequences. Our waste management laws and policies need frequent review to meet the basic waste disposal challenges of this era. Such laws and policies must be strictly enforced to abate environmental hazards that would occur due to improper waste management. But more importantly, governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) need to collaborate to promote eco-literacy among people in the grassroots, many of whom have little knowledge about the environmental consequences of their agricultural and domestic activities.

Is there hope for Nigeria?

Of course. Literally, we are not in absolute gloom and the darkness is not peculiar to our sky alone. I believe that despite the numerous challenges, there are quite a number of Nigerians who, in their various capacities, are fixing the nation for good. We must be hopeful.

Do you think our environment affects our living and livelihood?

That is incontrovertible. We are largely affected by environmental degradation and the truth is that we are seen through what we turn our environment into and what we make of it is a direct reflection of what we have become in order to survive. We cannot be oblivious of the impact of climate change,

which is seriously affecting the quality and quantity of our food production, uncontrolled rural-urban migration, unpredictability of seasons, extinction of some species of flora and fauna and the monstrous effects of global warming. All these are the ways the environment is affecting our living.

World Environmental Day was commemorated last month. What does it signify?

It was a day to reflect on the state of our environment and what we must do as humans to protect it, not just for our immediate benefit, but also for the use and enjoyment of future generations. Every June 5, I organise Eco-photo and Design contest for the youth and children.

Have you reached out to the government on how to engender policies that would promote good environment?

I must admit that it has been challenging to collaborate with government for the purpose of facilitating and implementing good environmental policies and this is because of protocols and bureaucratic hurdles. But then, it is my duty to strive to break through the protocols and get the necessary government officials and bodies interested in my eco-friendly intentions.

•Ayomide

The Nation/AfricanLiberty.org Essay WE are pleased to inform all applicants, who sent in entries for 2014 The Nation/ AfricanLiberty.org and Network for a Free Society Essay contest, that winners will be announced on August 7. The details, which will be published on this page, will explain how winners will redeem their prizes and the book gifts. Also, the 2014 Students and Young Professionals African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) holding at the University of Cape Town Graduate Business School, South Africa has been re-scheduled to September 37, 2014.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10 2014

31

CAMPUS LIFE He was in Abuja to perfect his plans to travel to India for a kidney transplant. But, Zakariyyah Abiodun Olowo, a 300-Level Law student of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) could not make the trip. He died before he could obtain a visa, reports HABEEB WHYTE (Nigerian Law School, Abuja)

Student loses kidney failure battle W

HAT happened to him? This was the question Law students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) were asking when news of the death of Zakariyyah Abiodun Olowo hit the campus.

Zakariyyah, a 300-Level Law student, was in Abuja to obtain Indian visa for medical trip. Unknown to many of his classmates and friends, Zakariyyah had been battling kidney failure.

He planned to travel to India for transplant, but he died while trying to get the travel documents. His death disrupted activities at the Faculty of Law because Zakariyyah was the best student in his class. He was also a member of several students’ associations.

He had just been elected president of the UNILORIN chapter of the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ). He was the Organising Secretary of the National Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) and a member of Law Students’ Society (LSS) Judicial Council.

“I saw him last week,” a student screamed as the deceased’s colleagues gathered to mourn last Friday. Many were in tears; some wore pensive looks, asking why such fate befell their colleague.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the late student was disgnosed of the ailment months ago and had been managing it, pending the end of the session when he would travel abroad for proper attention. When he could not cope again, he took excuse to abandon the second semester examination to enable him travel. It was learnt that the late Zakariyyah had already written two papers when his health deteriorated. He was in

•The body being laid to rest

UNILORIN Teaching Hospital for a while before he left for Abuja.

His body was brought to Ilorin for burial.

As the corpse was being awaited, members of the Law Students’ Society and UCJ gathered at the UNILORIN Bus Terminus at Tipper Garage area to attend the funeral in group. They left for the deceased’s family house in Adewole area of Ilorin to condole with the Olowos, from where they went to the cemetery in the university’s Marcopolo bus.

After Asri (late afternoon worship), the students left in group to Ilorin Muslim Cemetery for the interment.

The cemetery was besieged by students. At exactly 6pm, a Toyota Sienna bus brought the remains to the cemetery. The body was taken into a building in the graveyard for spiritual bath. Afterwards, Janazah (funeral) prayers were said.

Students fought back tears as the body was being lowered into the grave. It was an emotional ceremony attended by sub-Dean, Students’ Affairs, Dr Yusuff Abdulraheem, Dean of Law Faculty, Dr Yusuff Arowosaiye, his deputy, Dr Bashir Omipidan, Head of Property Law Department, Dr Hakeem Ijaiya and ex-president of UCJ, Barrister Mohammed

Alabi, among others.

Titilope Anifowoshe, his classmate and Vice President-elect of the Students’ Union Government, described the late Zakariyyah as a “very good friend”. She said his brilliance and writing skills stood him out of many. “Zakariyyah was particularly nice to friends in need. He gave his best in everything he did and always helped the sick. He was also an entrepreneur,” she said.

Alabi described Zakariyyah’s death as a personal loss. He said: “I only had glowing memory of him. His scholarship, writing skill and above all, his being a devoted Muslim. May Allah grant him eternal rest and give his distraught family the fortitude to bear this obviously irreparable loss.”

Nurudeen Olalekan, his classmate, said he was still in shock. “Members of NAMLAS visited him at his hostel in Adeta area a week before his death, where we made an appeal to his family to fast-track the medical trip abroad. We did not know it would be the last time we would see him alive,” he said.

Zakariyyah’s deputy in UCJ, Kayode Nissi, described him as a “great colleague and classmate”.

Wale Bakare, graduating student of Zoology, who should have handed over to the

•The late Zakariyyah

deceased as UCJ president, said Zakariyyah’s death was “very painful”.

Adam Muhammed, a 400-Level law student, said the deceased was a campus activist. He said: “Fighting the cause of justice and using the pen for advocacy was his way. His latest advocacy was the condemnation of engineering students, who held dinner party after one of their colleagues died. The late Zakariyyah wrote a three-page article criticising engineering student for not having respect for the dead. He earned my respect for this singular act but little did he know that his own time was around the corner.”

The late Zakariyyah was his parents’ first child. He was in his early 20s and best student in his class.

My plans for UNIZIK, by VC Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka Vice Chancellor Prof Joseph Ahaneku has unveiled his plans for the institution, which he will administer for five years.

OBY OKEKE (400-Level Mass Communication) reports.

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ROF Joseph Ahaneku’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, is being applauded by many.

He is seen as a round peg in a round hole. But they did not know his plans for the institution on assumption of office last month.

Last week, the VC faced members of the university community, including academic and non-academic staff, students and members of the Governing Council to unveil his plans for the institution.

The ceremony was held at the university auditorium. Members of the audience included his wife, Dr Gladys, former Vice-Chancellors of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia State, and Anambra State University in Uli (ANSU), Prof Ikenna Onyido, and Prof Paul Orajiaka, and former Anambra State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Stella Okunna.

Prof Ahaneku promised to ensure that the university got a global rating as one of the best in research and academics.

He said admission procedure would be reviewed to enforce academic discipline, pointing out that learners must not only be educated, but should be also prepared to be change agents and inventors. This, he said, would be done in consonance with the goals and legacies of the institution’s founding fathers.

He said: “This is the time and the period to focus our ideas and desire on the culture and tradition the university is known for. We must make a statement that we have an ivory tower where students will get the best.”

Prof Ahaneku pledged to run an open administration, saying he would welcome good ideas from any good-minded individual, who shares the vision of developing the university with him.

The university, he said, was rated the most preferred institution, noting that there was a need to introduce a research-based learning process in its Science, Engineering, Arts and Humanities disciplines.

Unveiling his infrastructural plans for the institution, Prof Ahaneku proposed construction of a staff club, guest house, post-graduate residential quarters, Pro-chancellor’s and VC’s lodge within five years, adding that his administration would embark on beautification of the campus, including administrative block and the university’s main entrance, among others.

He promised green environment and beautiful architecture, which he said were necessary to engender a conductive place for learning.

On staff welfare, the VC promised to revive the institution’s transportation scheme, saying there would be buses to move workers to

• Prof Ahaneku speaking on his programme

the campus at 8am. He said the scheme would not stop overtime allowances for deserving staff.

He reiterated that the university admission process would only be for deserving students.

He urged the public to stop from making unrealistic demands from the university on admission exercise, which he said would be strictly on merit.

On the promotion and advancement of workers, Prof Ahaneku said his administration would not give room for delays or short-circuiting, noting that staff would be promoted on merits.

He added that that there would be Internet connection on both campuses of the university to connect over 30,000 users to aid learning and research.

The university would pursue empowerment of youths, he said, through agriculture and establishment of research institute. The VC said the existing entrepreneurship centre would be

strengthened to serve its purpose of skill acquisition and technology provision centre, with a view to solving unemployment riddle.

Prof. Ahaneku urged staff to re-dedicate themselves towards making the university the best in the country. To realise his vision, the VC said there must be co-operation among staff.

In their separate responses, Prof Onyido, Prof Orajiaka and Prof Okunna pledged support to the new administration, praising the VC for his vision.

In his remarks, the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Austin Nnonyelu, described the VC as a game changer, saying the programmes reeled out showed Prof Ahaneku prepared for the task of leading the university.

Prof Ahaneku is the fifth substantive VC of the institution. He was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academics during the administration of Prof Boniface Egboka whose tenure ended last month.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

32

CAMPUS LIFE ‘He slept but never woke up’ From Modestus Diko OOU

•The late Sanmi

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TAFF and students of Microbiology Department of the Olabisi Onabanjo Uiniversity (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, were confounded by the death of a final year student, who was seen playing about the previous day.

Sanmi Osinaike, who was preparing to defend his final year project thesis, died in his sleep on Sunday.

Students, who saw him on Saturday, said he was telling his friends about his readiness to defend his thesis, which was to take place last Monday.

But in the evening, Sanmi went to bed, but never to wake up. He died in his off-campus hostel, close to the school.

His colleagues and staff of the department received the shocking news on Monday when the deceased was to defend his project. A

gloomy atmosphere pervaded the department after the news. Many asked if the late student was ill.

The late Sanmi was described as “smart and fashionable”. He won the department’s Most Fashionable Graduating Student during the award night held a few weeks ago.

His close friend, Adekunle Salu, fought back tears when CAMPUSLIFE spoke to him. He said: “It is really sad. Sanmi’s death is mysterious and heart-breaking.

I saw him a few days ago and he was full of energy. I still can’t believe Sanmi is dead.”

A candlelight procession was held in his honour last Tuesday.

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• A student displaying placard during the protest

Protest rocks Journalism Institute

HE protest took the management by surprise but students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, Lagos, were determined to register their displeasure. They protested what they called “abnormal treatment” meted out to their colleagues by the school authorities.

The protest, which was held in the premises of the institution last Tues-

From Michael Durojaiye NIJ OGBA day, followed management’s decision to stop some students from writing their exams because of the damage they caused to the school’s solar panel in March this year.

The school authority had ordered the affected students to pay N66,389 for the damages, adding that fail-

ure to follow the directive could cause them to fail the course and get extra year.

The affected students were Emmanuel Bassey, National Diploma (ND) II and Michael Okunnu, Higher National Diploma (HND) 1.

Chairman of the Students’ Representative Council, Matthew Ojebola, described the management’s action as unfair, claiming that it was out of

‘Youths must give birth to a new Nigeria’

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HE youths have been urged to promote national unity, regardless of their social or religious difference. This advice was given by the United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle.

Speaking on the topic: Youth empowerment to forge a strong Nigeria at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the US envoy said the youth must labour to create a new country despite the challenges of unemployment and insecurity.

From Divine Nwoye UNN He said: “Your country faces a lot of challenges, especially in the areas of security and employment.

But I fully believe that your country can as well overcome these challenges and move into a great future. Nigerian youths can play a role in ensuring political stability and security.”

He added that the US was willing to partner with Nigeria to em-

NANS aspirant makes case for free education

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Vice-Presidential aspirant of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Oluwafemi Williams, has advised government at all levels to make education free. Oluwafemi said the present crop of leaders enjoyed quality and free education, but said none of them reciprocated the gesture to the generation after them.

He said education was being seen as a privilege, which made managements of universities increase fees without considering the plight of the students. He said public institutions should be affordable for the poor.

“This set of people that constitute the management boards were children of blacksmiths, hunters, farmers and so and became what they are today because of the cheap education they enjoyed. Now, they are

From Temitope Yakubu ADO POLY big men and have failed to realise that all fingers are not created equal,” he said.

He decried the poor standard of education in the country, saying: “It is a big shame for this kind of education to be made expensive. Why would you have over 80 students in a department and a lecturer teaching over 1,000 students in a classroom without teaching aids and so on? If this kind of education of little quality is made expensive, then I fear for the future of this country.

Making it expensive should be termed extortion and corruption.”

Oluwafemi urged other students’ leaders to rise against the problem of rising tuition in the country.

power young leaders, saying: “The United States is committed to partnering and sponsoring on-going effort in public and private sector to empower youths because they are the leaders of tomorrow.”

The envoy called on religious groups to preach the gospel of peace and harmony.

He charged the youth to use their skills and talents for the growth of the country, adding that they must not be used as thugs during election.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, said he was optimistic that the visit would foster enduring partnership with the United States Government and her research institution.

Beneficiaries of Fulbright exchange programme, Dr Chinenye Amaonyeze and Chiamaka Echeta, 200-Level Pharmacy, praised the efforts of the embassy to promote education .

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Varsity gets bursar From Ayodeji Adesina MCPHERSON

• Onilado

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ANAGEMENT of the McPherson University, Seriki-Sotayo, Ogun State has announced the appointment of the Mr Adeyemi Onilado as the school Bursar.

Prior to his appointment, Onilado worked for years in private and public sectors where he held top management positions.

A statement signed by the Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, Mr Tony Ogunbiyi, stated that the position was advertised in the national dailies and was keenly contested.

Ogunbiyi said due process was followed, noting that Onilado’s outstanding performance got the Council’s approval.

Mr Onilado is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of working experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (Second Class Upper Division) from the University of Ado-Ekiti and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. He is a Fellow at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a member of related professional bodies.

Uproar over ‘outrageous fee’

TUDENTS of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, AgoIwoye, Ogun State, gathered on the campus to protest what they called “outrageous fee” in the university.

President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Olusegun Ifade, said the fees were unaffordable for students, noting that the welfare of students must be paramount.

The students complained that the

From Sanya Boluwatife OOU new fees were introduced to keep them out of school. “The same outrageous amount I paid in 100-Level is the same I paid in 200-Level and they want me to pay the same in 300-Level,” said an angry Law student.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Olusegun said: “Students’ Union Government rejects the outrageous fee in and we view it as anti-education. So far, we are engaging in wider consultation on how to

S •The student-parliamentarians and their AAUA colleagues at the union building

place to treat the students unjustly after paying for maintenance and caution fees.

The examination, which was to commence 10:00a.m was rescheduled for 3:00p.m as the Provost of the Institute, Mrs Elizabeth Ikem, listened to the demands of the students, allowing the affected students access to write the exam.

achieve a downward review of the exorbitant fees. The Ogun State Government, since 2011, has been reluctant in reducing the fees, thereby forcing hundreds of students to drop out of school every year.”

He continued: “We hope the state government will not wait to see students occupy Oke Mosan and the streets of Ogun before yielding to our demands. Let it be known also that apart from school fees reduction, we also demand proper funding of our university. It is surprising that since 2011, no single capital project has been initiated in the university.”

Leaders share ideas

TUDENT-Parliamentarians of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) in Ado-Ekiti were in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) on officials visit last week. They were in AAUA to share ideas on constitutional review process.

President of the AAUA Students’ Union Government (SUG) Segun Ikuegbebe, and Senate President, Tomide Oloruntoba led members of

From Segun Odunayo AAUA the union to receive visiting EKSU students.

Welcoming the parliamentarians, Segun urged them to continue to agitate for better welfare for students. The students’ leaders conducted the EKSU team round the campus on familiarity tour.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

Anambra rallies at culture feast •PAGE 35

Orji’s wife empowers 3,000 less-privileged

PAGE 33

Abia reclaims erosion sites •PAGE 40

•PAGE 36

Former Vice-President Dr Alex Ekwueme narrated how he met his wife and how, after 13 years of courtship, he still found her a virgin. That was at the 80th birthday of his wife, Beatrice, which took place last Saturday. CHRIS ORJI reports

Ekwueme salutes ‘woman who has remained true’ •Ex-VP praises wife on 80th birthday

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RS. Beatrice Chigozili Ekwueme, wife of Nigeria’s Second Republic Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, exhibited all the virtues of the feminine gender; a woman, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, all rolled into one.

THE celebrator is 80 years old but she seems 60. She was even walking briskly as someone in her 50s.

She looked radiant, splendid and was all smiles during her 80th birthday celebration in Enugu.

The elaborate ceremony was held at the Golden Royale Multi-purpose Hall after a church service conducted by the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma at Cathedral of Good Shepherd.

Interestingly, the choir was conducted by Igwe (Prof.) Laz Ekwueme, brother to the former Vice-President and traditional ruler of Oko, their hometown.

In attendance were former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, former governors of Anambra State, Messrs Chukwuemeka Ezeife,

Chris Ngige and Peter Obi. Former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Dr Kingsley Muoghalu, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ike, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu and a host of others were also present.

The occasion was a showcase for the former Dr Ekwueme to share with the world his lifetime with his wife whom he fondly calls B. Earlier in his homily, Archbishop Chukwuma had poured encomiums on the couple whom he described as most wonderful husband and wife and parents. The clergyman said Beatrice was an epitome of homeliness, chastity as well as a virtuous woman who knows what it takes to be a loyal and faithful wife.

Dr. Ekwueme, who said the journey started in Port Harcourt in 1946 while he was on vacation has this to say of his wife.

“The Port Harcourt sector of my long vacation was shared between staying with my uncle, Mr. Justus A. Ekwueme, (later Chief J.A. Ekwueme III, Igwe Oko) and my aunt, Mrs. Ursula Okeke (nee Ekwueme) whose husband, Mr. Isaiah N. Okeke worked for the Nigeria Railways

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•Dr. Ekwueme and his wife, Beatrice

I was 13 going to 14 years. I saw a young girl in front of the house opposite, occupied by the Onwunyi family of Ogidi who had three young girls namely Winnie, Ada and Uche. But this particular girl was not one of them; she was probably a friend of theirs. I beckoned on her to “advance and be recognised.”

She came forward. She was not shy. She was, in fact, quite confident, certainly more so than many of the other girls in the neighbourhood Corporation.

“I was leaning over the lower half of the horizontally-split front door of my aunt’s house, looking onto the street. I was 13 going to 14 years. I saw a young girl in front of the house opposite, occupied by the Onwunyi family of Ogidi who had three young girls namely Winnie, Ada and Uche. But this particular girl was not one of them; she was probably a friend of theirs. I beckoned on her to “advance and be recognised.” She came forward. She was not shy. She was, in fact, quite confident, certainly more so than many of the other girls in the neighbourhood.

“I found out that she too was on holidays. She was schooling at Meth-

odist Girls’ School, Ovim; a primary boarding school. Her name was Beatrice Nwajagu. Her parents were from Ndiowu, a neighbouring town to Oko, my hometown.

“Her mother and my aunt were good friends. Her father and my uncle-in-law both worked for the railways and were also good friends.

Both were very active in the Awka Divisional Union (ADU) Port Harcourt branch. What a happy coincidence! “Why did her parents send her, at great expense, to a boarding school in Ovim for primary education when most of the children in the neighbourhood, including her siblings (both older and younger) were at St. Cyprian’s School less than 10

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minutes’ walk away? They must have seen something special about her and that was probably the source of her confidence and surefootedness.

“We talked for a few minutes during which I introduced myself. I asked her to take the entrance examination to Queen’s College Lagos, which she did eventually and passed. Her father thought that Lagos was too far away and, from all accounts, was not the best place to bring up young girls.

“In any case, since she had also passed the entrance examination to Elelenwa Girls’ School, a few min•Continued on page 35

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

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EALTHCARE providers in Enugu State have called for a ceasefire in all disagreements among them in order to form a strong force to enhance greater understanding and service delivery to patients.

The health professionals comprised medical doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and practitioners in other related fields converged on the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria (UNEC) for a one-day seminar on Inter-professional Relationships in Medical Practice and Restoration of Professional Dignity. They were drawn from government and private health institutions in Enugu State.

Chairman of the Enugu State branch of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Mr. Obinna Onodugo, the organisers of the event, warned of the grave dangers of conflict among health professionals, even as he reminded his colleagues of the need to always place the welfare of patients first.

Onodugo also emphasised the need for collaboration among stakeholders in order to move the industry forward, adding that team work remained the key to effective and durable healthcare.

He said: “Let us understand our roles and stick to them to avoid friction among us. The function of every health professional is as important as the other. Let this new dawn of marriage begin from Enugu State, so that others can learn of the good news, and then join the vanguard of change.”

He, however, denied any suppression of other health professionals by medical doctors working in government and private hospitals in the country, explaining that so many things that were tenable abroad could not work in Nigerian health institutions.

Also speaking, former chairman of the West African College of Physicians, Prof. Bede Ibe, identified indiscipline among some healthcare personnel as one of the major problems facing the health sector. He urged members to accord priority to the interest of patients while maintaining high ethical standards in the discharge of their duty.

He commended Dr. Obinna Onodugo for organising the seminar, stressing that such dialogue was necessary in order to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Delivering a lecture entitled “Inter-Professional Relationship in

•From right: Dr Onodugo, Dr Ume-Ezeoke, Mr. Ikeyi, Prof. Azubike and Dr Ugochukwu

Healthcare providers hold workshop From Chris Oji, Enugu

Medical Practice, the Public Perspective, the Provost of College of Medicine, Anambra State University Uli, Prof. Frank Akpuaka, observed that the objectives of national healthcare system and areas of inter-professional conflict were mainly to provide effective, efficient, quality, accessible and affordable healthcare services that would improve health status of Nigerians.

The Provost, whose paper was presented on the occasion by an independent consultant in Accident and Emergency Medicine, Dr. Philip Ume-Ezeoke, stated that the main target of the national healthcare system was to reduce child mortality and maternal mortality rates, halt HIV

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and AIDS, malaria, leprosy and other major diseases like tuberculosis, measles, polio and others through extensive immunisation programmes.

Continuing, he said: “There should be a collaborative and cohesive inter-professional relationship among doctors and other medical professionals, the old world view of doctors as “healers” next to God, reigning supreme and looking down on other medical professionals is an “old school mentality”, this concept is no longer accepted in modern medical practice.”

Speaking on “Role of the Medical Laboratory Scientists, the Evolving Nature of Healthcare Delivery,” Chairman of Enugu State branch of the Association of Medical Labora-

Let us understand our roles and stick to them to avoid friction among us. The function of every health professional is as important as the other. Let this new dawn of marriage begin from Enugu State, so that others can learn of the good news, and so join the vanguard of change

‘ ‘

ICPC prosecutes Abia chief of staff

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HIEF of Staff, Government House, Umuahia, Abia State, Dr. Cosmas Chukwudi Ndukwe, is facing trial for alleged contract inflation. The alleged offence, according to the eight-count charge, was committed when he was the managing director of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA).

The charges were brought against Ndukwe by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The charges ranged from contract price inflation to accepting gratification through an agent.

The case, which has suffered many adjournments, came up on Thursday, July 3 before Justice K. O. Wosu of Umuahia High Court. It was called up and adjourned to July 17 this year.

The reason for the adjournment was defence counsel, Livy Uzoukwu’s (SAN) absence due to bereavement.

A little drama played out just before the resumption of the court.

Some men attacked and manhandled a camera crew brought by the ICPC to cover the case. No one could tell the mission of the attackers or who was behind them. But ostensibly, they were there to stall press cover-

Chika Ugochukwu, was of the view that modern healthcare practice involved a team of health professions, namely medicine, pharmacy, nursing, medical laboratory science, medical rehabilitation medicine and other professional health groups.

Dr Ugochukwu said team work succeeds and thrives only in an atmosphere of respect and reciprocity among team members, performing their different roles.

The nursing legend, however, noted that the major group around who healthcare relationships resolves are doctors and nurses as the doctor is in charge of the patient and head of the team, while the nurse is in charge of the ward and care setting.

She also said relationship in health is not forced, but is an obligation and necessity. Mr. Dennis Ikeyi and a renowned pharmacist, Cyril Aninwike, also presented papers at the occasion.

The seminar attracted several healthcare professionals and managers of government and private hospitals. They included the Medical Director of National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu, Dr Cajetan Nwadinigwe, Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, Chairman of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Prof. Jonathan Azubike and former Chief Medical Director UNTH Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, Dr Anthony Mba.

Ndukwe was alleged to have, between November and December, 2008 or thereabout at Umuahia “while being a public officer and in the course of his official duties as the managing director/chief executive of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), inflated the price of the contract for the provision of environmental sanitation services awarded to Ancoold Nigeria Limited from N13 million to N15 million per month

From Chris Oji, Enugu

age of the proceedings.

The Chief of Staff had made strenuous efforts to exonerate himself from the charges but his efforts could not impress the ICPC operatives. He had, in a written statement to the ICPC, blamed his travails on the contractor of ASEPA, Messrs Ancold Nigeria Limited.

He said: “The allegation and petition against me by Ancoold Nigeria Limited and his proxies are made in bad faith just to tarnish my image and settle traditional scores by the petition. Ancoold Nigeria Limited to collect waste as an agent was consummated at my back as the ministry annexure, Ancold letter of proposal and governor’s approval suggest.”

He said in the statement that he did not use his position to subject Ancoold into monetary extortion.

Rather he said: “An in-law to owner of Ancold Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kelvin Okpoka named one Uche Eze, a brother from my village is behind the accusations to settle scores. And as a result of non-performance his (Ancoold) job which was consum-

tory Scientists, Mr. Chinenye Nwaekpe, said that today’s patients had varied needs and required more discipline to effectively address, pointing out that before now, the clinician was viewed as the sole gateway to the medical services within the healthcare system of a country, even as times were changing due to increasing knowledge of the use of other healthcare professionals as their first port of call.

Nwaekpe, fondly addressed by his colleagues as the doyen of Laboratory Science in Africa, further explained that medical laboratory science was not only a regulated profession practised by trained and licensed professionals, but also as the diagnostic searchlight of both traditional and modern medicine.

The State Chairman maintained that laboratory services are essential component of healthcare delivery and could be utilised effectively at every level of healthcare. He noted that in the African region, many commonly presenting diseases might be diagnosed, using basic essential laboratory tests, a major reason that the services must be regarded as an integral part of an effective and quality healthcare system.

Also in her lecture on “Inter-professional Relationships in Medical Practice, the Role of the Nurse, former Principal of the School of Nursing, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, Dr

•Ndukwe mated by the governor of the state was also terminated.”

The prosecuting counsel, Adenekan Shogunle, Chief Legal Officer, ICPC in the first count charge which is inflation of contract price, said it is punishable under Section 22(3) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act of 2000. Ndukwe was alleged to have, between November and December, 2008 or thereabout at Umuahia “while being a public officer and in the course of his official duties as the managing director/ chief executive of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), inflated the price of the contract for the provision of environ-

mental sanitation services awarded to Ancoold Nigeria Limited from N13 million to N15 million per month.”

The second count charge of gratification by an official punishable under section 8(1) (b) of the ICPC Offences Act 2000 accused Ndukwe of having “corruptly received benefit in the sum of N5, 850, 000 purportedly as a loan for himself out of the monthly payment of N13 million contract sum due to Messrs Ancoold Nigeria Limited on account of contract for provision of environmental services in Aba.” Count three alleged that Ndukwe as “ used his position as managing director of ASEPA to confer corrupt advantage upon himself by accepting the sum of N5,850,000 purportedly as loan from Messrs Ancoold

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Nigeria Limited. Count four which borders on acquiring private interest in public contract runs also as in count three.

The fifth count alleged that between January and December, 2009 or there about, Ndukwe allegedly “did receive the total sum of N42,750,000 or its approximate in various monthly instalments by means of an act constituting a felony, to wit, when he tried to disguise the source of the money by using proxies to receive the sum of N4 million monthly from Ancoold Nigeria Limited and depositing same in the account of Conk Productions Limited to which he is sole signatory.”

Counts six, seven and eight are related to count five. The accused had earlier pleaded not guilty in all the charges.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

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HE event will endure in the memory not merely because Anambra State leaders were honoured with titles. It would be rather because it was at the investiture that the very best of the state’s culture and traditions was in bold relief.

Monarchs honoured former governor of the state, Peter Obi with a traditional title. So was Dubem Obaze, who was Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in the state.

But it was an event where culture and tradition came to fore with Ndigbo turning up in full traditional gear.

Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani led other dignitaries to Umuodu, Ochuche in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State to honour Chief Dubem Obaze.

Others who witnessed the installation of the title of “Ifeakachi”(nothing is bigger than God) on Dubem Obaze by the traditional rulers in Anambra North, led by the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, were the former governor of the state, Chief Peter Obi. Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke represented Governor Willie Obiano, who had, before then, travelled out of the country with the state lawmakers.

Business mogul, Sir Emeka Offor was the chairman on the occasion, while Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio deployed crowd to Ochuche to grace the chieftaincy installation, led by Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umana.

Cultural displays from all the seven local government areas in Anambra North Senatorial zone were on hand to entertain their guests.

Guests sat glued to their seats with smiles and clappings, when the biggest masquerades in the state in every local government area called “Ijele” mesmerised the audience.

Obi Achebe of Onitsha Kingdom, who led other traditional rulers in the zone, told the crowd that such honour was be-

The conferment of a chieftaincy title on a former commissioner in Anambra State, Dubem Obaze, was all it took to pool the state’s leaders and traditional rulers together and bring out the best of their traditions, reports NWANOSIKE ONU

•Continued from page 33

a once-a-year meeting filled in-between with correspondence until I traveled overseas for further studies in 1952.

“While I was abroad, she taught at Elelenwa from January 1954 to December 1958, after her training at United Missionary College, Ibadan.

Following her very good result in her Cambridge School Certificate from Elelenwa in December 1951, there

•Obaze and wife, Pamela (in white) flanked by Emeka Offor, Obi, Ekwunife, Hon. Ogene after his installation

Anambra rallies at culture feast

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ing given to Obaze because of what he described as his sterling qualities and contributions to the development of the state.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh also lavished praises on the recipi-

ent.

He said that Obaze should see the honour as a motivation to continue to do more for the over-

Before now, the chieftaincy recipient had served as chairman, state and local government joint account, chairman, park management committee, member, Anambra State Elders Forum, Member, MDG Implementation Committee, among others

all good of the state and its people.

Former Governor, Peter Obi said Obaze had never been found wanting in any job given to him both in the state and outside, describing the recipient as a strong willed individual.

The traditional ruler of Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, who is the chairman of Anambra North Traditional Rulers’ Council, said Obaze had rejected the offer three times before now.

His Royal Majesties, Igwe Ken-

‘ Ekwueme salutes ‘woman who has remained true’

utes train ride away from Port Harcourt; it was to Elelenwa she was sent to. I was naturally disappointed, but we continued our relationship by correspondence on “Capri blue” writing paper and “Capri blue” envelope.

“In our 13 years of “courtship” (1946 to 1959), if it may be so called, we did only a little better than Francis and Eudora Ibiam, who, in 15 years of “courtship” (1924 to 1939), met face-to-face only about three or four times, the rest of the courtship being carried out through correspondence.

“The following year, 1947, I spent part of my holidays at Elelenwa with a family friend who was a teacher there. I had the opportunity of going with the teachers and the girls to morning service in town on Sunday morning and to afternoon service in the school chapel. I saw Beatrice there. The following year, 1948, because of a strike by King’s College boarders, the school was closed in December and I was at Oko for Christmas.

“With my aunt, Mrs. Patience Okafor (nee Ekwueme), arranging a rendezvous, I met Beatrice at Ndiowu in December. So, it was more or less

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were many suitors seeking her hand in marriage. They were mostly well educated and successful young men from the Aro-diaspora in Awka Division.

“She did not encourage any of the suitors and it came to a point when one prominent Aro leader from Aguata County Council Area challenged her uncle to suggest that she was rejecting all the Aro suitors be-

Almost two years ago, I celebrated my own 80th birthday and today as we celebrate B’s 80th birthday, I offer my salute, congratulations and best wishes to a woman who has remained true since I met her as a small 12-year-old girl in Port Harcourt 68 years ago and who, over a period of 55 years of our marriage, has managed to keep the ship of our household afloat on an even-keel, in spite of sometimes scandalously turbulent waters

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cause she was waiting for one Ekwueme who was studying overseas. How could she prefer “NdiMba-Akameshi” to an Aro man?

“Incidentally, two of the man’s daughters were eventually married to “Ndi-Mba-Akameshi” from towns much further away than Oko which is just next door to Ndiowu and Ndikelionwu.

“I returned to Nigeria in June 1957 after my studies. B was still teaching at Elelenwa, and waiting. She continued teaching there until December 1958. In mid-1958, she was awarded an Eastern Nigeria Government’s scholarship to study overseas, but as it was then too late to obtain admission for that year’s session, the scholarship was deferred to 1959 and was tenable at Portsmouth College of Education in England.

“In January, she was posted to St. Catherine’s Secondary School, Nkwerre; a new CMS institution for girls.

“In view of her imminent departure to the United Kingdom, my family made a formal approach for her hand in marriage in April, 1959. The final approach was to be made in August just prior to her departure. I was; of course, ready to wait for her

•Continued on page 37

to complete her proposed three-year sojourn in the United Kingdom and to return to Nigeria before our formal church wedding.

“Then, tragically, my elder brother who was studying Law in the United Kingdom died in July. My family then thought that it was not necessary, under the circumstances, to marry a girl and allow her to travel abroad for a three-year course. It was a very delicate and difficult point to present to B’s family, after they had given her a “send-off’ with all the attendant celebration.

“In the end, the lot fell on B to make the choice and take the decision either to go for further studies overseas or to marry her “Ndi-MbaAkameshi” suitor. She confided her decision to a favourite uncle, who carefully presented the unpalatable decision to the family.

“And so, on December 19, 1959, we were wedded by the late Rt. Reverend C.J. Patterson, Bishop on the Niger, later Archbishop of West Africa at the All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha.

“Until then, in spite of my escapades abroad and experience with white, black, brown and yellow, I had •Continued on page 37

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

37

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

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HE wife of Abia State governor, Lady Mercy Orji, has empowered about 3000 indigent people through her pet project, HannahMay Foundation.

The effort received commendations from the state government, saying that the collaborative initiative of the foundation has created wealth, employment and has sustained security in the state. The indigent people are, therefore, in a better position to contribute to the economic wellbeing of the state.

Speaking at the foundation’s recent distribution of empowerment items, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, praised the foundation for its partnering with his administration to help the needy, thereby helping the reduce the work load on him.

Orji, who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Mkpa Agu Mkpa, noted that the empowerment programme will be handing out various items to over 3000 Abia men, women, youths and the physically challenged selected from the 17 local government councils of the state is one of the legacy projects of his government.

The governor said that the foundation has through its activities brought succour to families and reduced crime in the state.

He, therefore, called on public spirited individuals and organisations as well as non-governmental organisations (NGO) to use their wealth to positively touch the lives of the downtrodden t as the HannahMay Foundation was doing.

In her address of welcome, Mrs. Orji said that through the humanitarian strides of the foundation, HannahMay has been able to save lives, rescued women who would have been involved in human trafficking.

Mrs Orji also said that her foundation has served mankind in epidemic and other humanitarian endeavours,stating that the its vision and mission was to show love by making life meaningful.

She said that her aim is to reduce the burden of indigent persons, widows, widowers, moth-

Ekwueme salutes ‘woman who has remained true’ •Continued from page 35

•The beneficiaries with their items

A

•Some of the items

Orji’s wife empowers 3,000 less-privileged From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

erless babies, Network of People living with HIV/AIDS [NEPHWAN] and prison inmates in the state as part of her good governance complementing role.

The wife of the governor, how-

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ever, appealed to the beneficiaries to make effective use of the items to assist government tackle crime and unemployment, create wealth through stimulating eco-

nomic activities in the state.

She praised the governor for creating a favourable environment for the foundation to carry out its humanitarian

The Foundation has through its activities brought succor to families and abate criminalities in the state and stated that the impact of its activities in poverty reduction, creation of wealth and employment and sustenance of security are highly commendable

Police warn against provocative sermons BA Area Commander of Nigeria Police Peter Wagbara has warned both Islamic and Christian preachers to guard against using words that would incite members of the public against one another.

Wagbara, in a joint meeting with some Muslim leaders and Apostle Jubril David, a Muslim-Christian convert reminded Islamic and Christian preachers that the essence of their calling was to preach and teach their adherents how to live a good moral life.Besides, they are to ensure they live in peace and harmony with their neighbours.

While urging various religious bodies to continue living in peace with their neighbours, the Area Commander warned that his command would not tolerate any person or group of persons that would incite a religion against the other or cause breach of peace especially at a time when tension is high within the commercial city.

According to the Aba Command

B located in a compartment marked with a “notice” “Noli tangere” “Do not touch”.

“After our wedding, we traveled to Calabar for our honeymoon and on Christmas Eve in 1959, I discovered that what I thought was a private “notice” placed by me was, in fact, a bold poster to the whole world; “Noli tangere”. She had been untouched.

“We returned to Lagos in January 1960 and started our married life in a humble way in a two-bedroom ground floor flat at Simpson Street, Ebute-Metta, which was effectively reduced to a one-bedroom flat, the lounge/dining area having been converted to the first office of Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners.

“The main raison d’etre for our rushed marriage did not immediately materialise, which is a lesson in waiting for God’s time and not playing God. For six years, we had no issue. There was no shortage of advisers to both B and me as to what she or I had to do to change the situation. Then, in 1966, we had our first child, a boy, “John”, stillborn; and in 1967 our second child, another boy, “Gains”, premature; and finally in 1968, in the thick of the civil war, our third child, a beautiful baby girl, Chidi, (born in England) was born. She stayed and opened the door to many more

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

Police Chief, Christianity and Islam are the two major religions whose teachings centered on peace, forgiveness and repentance which he said is expected to be the fulcrum of every teaching of any cleric.

He, however, assured the Muslim and Christian communities including other Aba residents that police had beefed up security within the commercial city and its environs to ensure that lives and property were protected.

It was gathered that the meeting between the Muslim community and the pastor was called by the Area Commander after it was alleged that Apostle Jubril in a recent preaching had used words that could incite the public against the Hausa/Fulani community in Aba.

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HE Rector, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba Sir Allwell Onukaogu has stated that the reason why the management of the institution is investing in the teaching and learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the institution is to produce human capacities that will be relevant to the economy of the state and the country.

Onukaogu, speaking at the 7th Nigerian Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS) South East Zonal Conference held in the polytechnic, thanked Abia State government and the Federal Government for providing them with computer and other educational facilities through TETFUND, PTDF and the National Communication Agency, Abuja which he said, has made the institution one of the schools with the best computer facilities in the country.

According to him, “There are reasons why my administration has invested in computer studies. It is our duty as educators to produce human capacities that will be relevant to the economy. Nobody can excel in today’s world in any field of human endeavour if the person doesn’t possess a reasonable level of computer proficiency and anybody who dis-

programmes.

Mrs Orji used the opportunity to appeal to well-to-do individuals to assist and support the humanitarian efforts of the foundation in touching the lives of the downtrodden in the society.

One of the beneficiaries who gave her name simply as Ijeoma, was full of gratitude to Mrs Orji for her care and love forthe less privileged in the state and pray that God would continue to bless and protect her.

Some of the items distributed include 1000 sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dressing equipments, barbing kits, vulcanizing machines, computer and its accessories among others.

Anambra rallies at culture feast •Continued from page 35

•Mrs Orji donating some items to the beneficiaries

‘Why we in vest in ICT’ From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

tances himself from acquiring knowledge beyond the ordinary level in computer application may be in this world but would not be of this world. Such a person would be no more in the community of his birth.”

Mr. Godfrey Chukwuemeka, Head

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of Department, Computer Science in the institution in his address, described the theme for the conference “Developing Internationally Acceptable Software (DEVINTAS) -Youths’ Role in ICT Towards Government and Cyber Security” as a square peg in a square hole.

Chukwuemeka, describing cyber security as one of the great challenges facing the present world, observed

The menace of cyber crime and other crimes will reduce drastically when the youths are gainfully employed. The increase in crime can be traced to youth unemployment and frustration. When the youths are empowered and engaged with skills, the rate of poverty and crime in our nation would be greatly reduced

beautiful children.

“Under the circumstances of the raging civil war, and B’s absence, my nuclear family structure became complicated. This structure thenceforth continued to grow in complexity and intricacy as the years wore on. But thanks to B; we have not had an explosion as I have seen happen in many similar situations.

During the political days, 1979 to 1983, she played the role of de facto First Lady. In NPN circles, I was known as a “technocrat” and B was known as the “politician”.

“About five years ago, in December 2009, we celebrated 50 years of our marriage in a Thanksgiving Service at The Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Enugu the venue of this 80th birthday celebration. Almost two years ago, I celebrated my own 80th birthday and today as we celebrate B’s 80th birthday, I offer my salute, congratulations and best wishes to a woman who has remained true since I met her as a small 12-year-old girl in Port Harcourt 68 years ago and who, over a period of 55 years of our marriage, has managed to keep the ship of our household afloat on an even-keel in spite of sometimes scandalously turbulent waters.

“We pray that God may grant B good health, continuing good humour and good devotion to her God for another 10, 20 or 30 years. Many happy returns of this day!”

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that a high percentage of youths are now involved in various internet scams because of their desire to make quicker money through fraudulent means and as such putting the entire society at great risk.

He was optimistic that only internationally acceptable software would end the activities of fraudsters who he said “keep sleepless nights working on diversified ideas and hacking systems to achieve their criminal objectives.”

Contributing, the Dean School of Science and Industrial Technology in the polytechnic, Engr. David Dimoji, stated that developing a software that was going to be generally accepted across the globe calls for more commitment, hard work, skill and desire for excellence on the part of the students, adding “if we get the theme of this conference right, our youths will no longer roam around the streets in search of what to do both here and outside the country in order to survive.

“The future of Nigeria belongs to the youth who are leaders of tomor-

row. The youth have tremendous roles to play towards the national development of international acceptable software. The experience of India shows that if we invest rightly and adequately on IT skills, job will be created, and the economy will pick up. These will only happen if the young people and government show serious commitment to the development of the ICT infrastructure.

He advised that higher institutions and research centres should be motivated through annual grant, encouragement of the study of VB, C++ Java, Cobra Oracle and other new generation rapid application development tools.

He further said: “The federal and state Ministry of Youths must be proactive in its responsibility. The menace of cyber crime and other crimes will reduce drastically when youths are gainfully employed. The increase in crime can be traced to youth unemployment and frustration.

When the youth are empowered and engaged with skills, the rate of poverty and crime in our nation would

be greatly reduced.”

In an address, Comrade Anene John Okwudiri, the South East Zonal Coordinator, NACOSS believed that developing software generally acceptable would help in no small measure to resolve economic, agricultural, social, voting and security challenges that has bedeviled the country.

According to the coordinator, “Over the past 12 months, since the baton of leadership was passed to us , we have remained resolute to rebrand, reshape and repackage NACOSS South East in order to maintain the record of the best geopolitical zone at the national level with creativity and one voice, adding “DEVINTAS was reformed from three days convention to one week conference to enable us have a standard practical hands on training sessions with practicing IT (Information Technology) entrepreneurs on Mobile Development, Desktop Application Development, Networking/Hardware Web Development and also a better room for investors, NGO’s etc to connect with us. We sincerely assure all NACOSSITE present that after this conference, you will nurture provoking ideas to develop international acceptable software towards the enhancement of government and cyber security in our nation,” he assured

neth Orizu of Nnewi and Igwe Peter Ezenwa of Okpoko, told The Nation that they lacked words to describe Obaze because of his contributions to the development of Anambra State.

The member, representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Hon. Uche Ekwunife said Obaze’s influence and humility would not be rivaled.

She stated that it was a good thing that the people had come together to give honour to who it is due, adding that she wished him success in his future endeavours.

Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, told The Nation that the recognition by the monarchs on Obaze, had affirmed his tested and trusted leadership qualities, which, according to him, true believers of progress and development in Anambra North currently yearn for.

Before now, the chieftaincy recipient had served as chairman, state and local government joint account, chairman, park management committee, member, Anambra State Elders’ Forum and member, MDG Implementation Committee, among others.

Furthermore, it was said that he was instrumental to the construction of 178 new primary school blocks through Private, Public Partnership (PPP) programme and also, oversaw the construction of more than

100 primary healthcare centres across the three senatorial zones in the state.

Chairman on the occasion, Sir Emeka Offor, described Obaze as a dogged fighter, who is always ready to serve his people which have distinguished him from others.

However, The Nation gathered that Obaze is nursing the ambition of representing Anambra North senatorial zone at the Senate in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

It would be recalled that few weeks ago, former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah was equally given a chieftaincy title by the traditional rulers of Ogbaru and not Anambra North which attracted a large crowd and not prominent personalities in the state.

The only heavy weight that attended her chieftaincy installation was the chairman of the event, senator Ben Ndi Obi and perhaps, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Prof. Godwin Onu. All the political bigwigs penciled down to grace the event including Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Peter Obi among others were absent.

Again, it was gathered that the people of the area had chosen the APGA strongman to replace Senator Maggery Okadigbo of the People’s Democratic Party in 2015.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Imo police crack down on ‘cultists’ •23 arrested at initiation From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

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•Some of the widows

Succour for police officers’ widows in Anambra

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HERE was enough relief materials meant for their wellbeing. Naturally, the mood of the recipients should be aglow.

However, the environment was quiet as a grave yard.

Instead of being happy for the gesture they were to receive, the wives of the police men, who died in active service in Awka, Anambra State were weeping profusely.

The event was the show of goodwill to the widows of the police men who lost their lives while serving their fatherland by the wife of Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mrs. Asabe Gwary.

Mrs. Gwary, who could not also control her emotions, said “only God knows why anything happens.”

Some of the widows came with their children, while some of them who lost their husbands recently, wore all white to the event.

The event took place at the Awka Area Command premises where items like wrappers, bags of beans, bags of rice and cartons of tomatoes, among others were distributed to them.

Most of them who could not cry, especially those their husbands died long ago, wore long faces and intermittently, put up smiles on their faces.

The gesture by Mrs. Gwary was done under the auspices of Police Officer’s Wives Association (POWA) in the state.

Few of the beneficiaries who spoke with The Nation expressed happiness that such a thing was happening to them after a long wait.

One of them who spoke to The Nation but did not want her name in print said, such items had been coming to them but those at the helm had been keeping them for their households until Mrs. Gwary came.

But, for Mrs. Joy Alloysius, who lost the husband about five years ago, commended the wife of the police commissioner for remembering the widows of the police men.

•Some of the items donated to the widows From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

She said that it was the first time there were being recommended by the association and commended Mrs. Gwary for being what she called a through mother.

Also, Mrs. Jane Ogbonna, said “this our mummy’s gesture has shown us that individuals are different in this world, we have children and since our husbands died, we have been living from hand to mouth.”

“I was surprised when I was told that our CP’s wife wanted to see us, initially, I thought whether I have offended anybody to deserve any form of punishment until I summoned courage to come.”

“This is too much and I have no mouth to thank the wife of our commissioner, all I have to tell her is that she will never encounter any form of problem.”

“For her to still remember that there are some people like us who are suffering some where, means that human milk flows in her veins and she will not leave to regret her action,“ she said.

Speaking with The Nation, “Mrs. Asabe Gwary, who was accompanied on the journey by the wife of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of operations, Mrs. Nkiraharami Yakadi, said the action has not concluded.

According to her, “they should see their plight as not the worst, God giveth and God taketh, as far as we are in this command, they

•Mrs Gwary (right) and Mrs Yakadi

will never lack.”

She said the fact that they lost their husbands while serving the country was not the end of their lives and that of their children.

“Some of them have their young families to take care of, while some had lost their husbands long ago, but as far as God continues to give us life, they will not have much to regret.”

“Yes, it is sad to lose one’s loved one, but only God knows why such things happened when they did, but

my assurance to the widows is that God will not forsake them,” she said.

Furthermore, Mrs. Gwary said it was done to tell the widows that all hopes were not lost despite the fact that their husbands were no longer alive.

The Nation gathered that some of the widows lost their husbands either in the hands of kidnappers, armed robbers or hired assassins in the state in their cause of crime fighting.

HE Imo State Police Command have continued their clampdown on cultists and other criminal elements across the state with the recent arrest of 23 suspected cultists, who were rounded up during a nocturnal ceremony of various cult groups to initiate new members in a forest beside the dreaded “Okatangwu” River in Emii autonomous community, Owerri North Council Area of the state.

The state in recent times has become the hotbed of cultist activities in the Southeast and SouthSouth zone. This may not be unconnected to the number of Tertiary institutions within the state.

For instance, Owerri, the state capital has about five higher institutions namely; the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Imo State University (IMSU), Federal Polytechnic Nekede and Imo State Polytechnic among others.

Few weeks before the raid, over 18 people were hacked to death in broad daylight during a cult war.

The rampaging cultists, who were heavily armed according to eye witness account, trailed the victims to different parts of the city where they were gunned down and decapitated with battle axe.

The state Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, thereafter declared a full scale war against cultism and all related criminal activities, with a clear order to shoot on sight against suspected cultists.

Barely one month after the declaration, had the Police recorded a major breakthrough in with the successful raid of an initiation ceremony where large numbers of suspected cultists were arrested and various items recovered from them.

The suspects aged between 19 to 32, were arrested after the Police stormed their hideout in the middle of the night following a tipoff.

Parading the suspects who also confessed to be responsible for series of violent crimes, including armed robbery and kidnapping across the state, the Commissioner of Police, said they were arrested while carrying out initiation into the “Aye” fraternity.

He said that the suspected cultists were arrested by the Operation of the Command’s Department of Criminal Investigation, who ambushed them in the middle of the initiation ceremony.

The Commissioner of Police stated further that, items recovered from the cultists include three masquerade heads, one musical drum, 2 iron gongs, 2 local belts, charms, packets of candle and other initiation materials, adding that most of the suspects are students of institutions of higher learning from different states of the federation.

He appealed to members of the public to always provide his men with useful information to fight criminals in the state, assuring that his Command would not relent in its efforts to rid the state of all criminal elements.

The names of the suspects were given as Eto Uche, 26, Chinedu Azu, 26, Felix Ikenna 30, Uchenna Dike, 26, Chimaobi Uzoanya, 25, Udoyibo Innocent, 24, Omesurum Innocent, 24 and Nwadigo Henry 24.

Others are Umunne Daniel, 26, Nwabuko Chigozie 22 and Igweoku Frank among others.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

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HE government of Abia State has commenced the reclamation of an erosion site somewhere in old Umuahia which has claimed many houses and if left to continue will claim more houses and farm land and the state and its people will be worse off for it.

Touched by the huge gully that the erosion had created in the place, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji directed that the site be worked upon to safe guard the remaining property round the erosion site and reduce the suffering of the people of the area.

It could be recalled that there are many erosion sites in the state numbering over 1,000 of different categories; in fact the worst area with the highest number of erosion site is in the Isuikwuato Local Government area.

It is a known fact that the magnitude of the erosion sites at Isuikwuato area are beyond the financial capacity of the state government, as the government at various times called on the Federal Government to come to its aid in tackling the menace that has been ravaging the entire length and breadth of the state.

The magnitude of the erosion sites has made the funds required to tackle them to keep increasing from small to big. During the administration of the former governor it was said that the then government will require about half a billion naira to tackle the menace and as at this point the financial implication has increased tremendously to well over N100 billion.

However, the erosion site, which the state government had decided to work upon is the one it could manage with its lean resources and which it could handle with little or no pains to its pocket.

At the flagging off of the checking of the menace of the erosion, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji said that one of the ways to tackle the menace of erosion in the state is through the construction of building roads.

Orji said that contractors who have been engaged by his government should do well to check erosion before building any roads else the roads they would have suffered to build with the resources of the state would be washed away in no distant time.

The governor said that the erosion site at Afo-Ibeji in Old Umuahia, Umuahia South local government area if not controlled at the Holy Hills Umueledi near Assemblies of God Divinity School, that the school will stand the risk of being washed away.

He maintained that until the erosion site is controlled, many houses along its way will be attacked and stand the risk of being swept away by the erosion which he described as one of the worst natural disaster in the country.

Orji noted that many erosion sites exist in the state, stressing that he decided to start with this because of its proximity to residential area and the Assemblies of God Church, School of Theology and called for cordial relationship with the Fed-

Abia reclaims erosion sites

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•Abia State Governor Theodore Orji cutting the tape to officially flag-off the Land Reclamation/Erosion control project along Holy Hill Inter Academy, in Umuahia South LGA. With him from left are Chief Charles Ekwueme, T. C. Chairman, Umuahia South; Sir Emeka Ananaba, Deputy Governor; Hon. Ude Okochukwu, Speaker, State House of Assembly and Chief Chinwe Nwanganga, Commissioner for Environment.

Until the erosion site is controlled, many houses along its way will be attacked and stand the risk of being swept away by the erosion which he described as one of the worst natural disaster in the country

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•The Land Reclamation/Erosion control project From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

eral Government to achieve more.

Orji urged all to be grateful to President Jonathan, disclosing that a reputable contractor was chosen

for the work and thanked the people of Old Umuahia for accepting to lose their crops to enable the control of the site permanently.

He said that their courage to lose their crops to safe their houses and future shows an uncommon cour-

age which other people in the state should emulate, stressing that one has to sacrifice today for a better tomorrow and that they should never regret their action.

In his speech, the President General of Old Umuahia Development

Union Federated and Overseas, Chinedum Ureka appreciated the governor for the much he has done for the people of the area and for keeping to his promise of doing the erosion site.

In his speech, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia in the Federal House of Representatives, Oluchi Ibeji thanked Governor Orji for the good relationship existing between him and the people of Old Umuahia, describing the occasion as uncommon one.

Why insecurity persists, by ex-Speaker T

HE former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Kelechi Nwagwu has blamed the mounting insecurity and other criminal activities like armed robbery and kidnapping in the country on poverty and unemployment.

Chief Nwagwu argued that if the youth were meaningfully engaged, they would no longer be used to perpetrate insurgency or political crisis in any part of the country, adding that the high rate

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

of crime in the society is driven by hunger and frustration.

The former Speaker, who stated this at his private residence in Owerri, the Imo state capital, during an interactive section with journalists, disclosed that he had decided to join the Senatorial race to influence legislations that will address poverty, unemployment and hunger, stressing that “if

hunger and poverty are squarely addressed, only the greedy ones will be involved in crime.”

Blaming members of the National Assembly from Southeast for the marginalisation and under-development of the zone, the former Speaker assured that if elected to represent Owerri Senatorial zone, he would attract adequate attention to the challenges of infrastructure and youth unemployment in the zone.

Making reference to the ecologi-

cal problems in Imo State, Nwagwu, who is aspiring on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), promised that if elected, he would go beyond the legislative circle to explore other means of tackling the menace.

Chief Nwagwu also assured that if elected a Senator, he would deploy all the contacts and connections he has even beyond the legislative circles such as nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and relevant national

and international organisations to tackle ecological degradation which is ravaging some communities.

“I have been in and out of government, so I can appreciate and appraise situations and act accordingly with humility and human face. My status as a former Speaker will give me an edge over others because I will be a ranking member of the Senate if elected by the people and that will be a plus to my Senatorial zone,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

Looking Through A Child’s Eyes When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can’t carry a tune and don’t have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.

My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words.

If they don’t know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, “Hi God!!! Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy.”

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and clothes, and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach, or to learn

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sHoWbliTz Smith, Jay-Z Back Obama’s gay stance

On May 9, President Barack Obama became the first sitting president to announce support for same-sex marriage. Now two of the country’s celebrity Black stars actor Will Smith and rapper/businessman Jay-Z, are backing President Obama on his controversial stance on gay marriage. While promoting his upcoming blockbuster film “Men in Black III” in Berlin, Smith told the Associated Press that Obama’s support of gay marriage is a “brave” move particularly in an election year.Meanwhile, Jay-Z, whose actual name is Shawn Carter, also made his pro-gay stance public, backing our president in his support of legalizing same-sex marriages.

In Philadelphia, when announcing a two-day music festival in early September, Jay-Z sat with CNN’s Poppy Harlow to discuss some issues and one of them was Obama’s startling comment about his support of gay marriage. JayZ, who has rallied round Obama since his 2008 campaign days, told news reporters “I’ve always thought of it as something that was still, um, holding the country back,” In the not-too-distant-past, Smith was at the center of a gay controversy himself. There were reports that he was involved with actor and running buddy Duane Martin.

Star Magazine reported that Smith and Martin had maintained a gay relationship for years. It was implied that their union was responsible for the downfall of Smith’s marriage to Jada. The rumors of Smith’s possible sexual preference began to pick up steam after he completed the 1993 film “Six Degrees of Separation,” where he portrayed a gay college student

POETRY Mind Behind Bars As the days progress From the rising of the sun My heart won’t cease its twists Of anguish.

This cold hospitality under locks Is poison for any mind.

Yet I see faults erased On the crunch guilt’s kolanuts.

I admit, I’m lost.

The rain has departed Now the sun wears his shoes, I rust on this spot still.

There have been no wages Of all my days in this cage.

The tears keep streaming, Fuelling the heart’s drive And now a stench I wear.

My flesh swells in fear And strange sickness.

Please ring the bell of justice, I tell the angels Hovering this rusty cell.

- Habib Akewusola

Good Friend

ACROSS

DOWN

1.Complete (5) 2. Massive(5) 6. Have courage to (4) 7. One who trades (6) 10. Bow (3) 11. Uncooked (3) 13. Specialist (5) 14. Perch (3) 15. Quarrel (5) 17. Liabilities (6) 20. Lobby (5) 21. Epoch (3) 22. Pitcher (4) 23. Expands (5)

1. Mammary Glands (5) 2. Pull Forcibly (5) 3. Mix (5) 5. Thread (6) 8. Recess (4) 9. Bemoan (4) 12. Afloat (5) 14. Influence (4) 16. Stay Upright (5) 17. Sketch (4) 18. Wager (3) 19. Anger (3)

WORDWHEEL

Form as many words as you can with the letters in the wheel.

Every word must make use of the letter at the center, i.e. the letter T. A 9-letter word with the meaning “ UNPLEASANTLY NOTICEABLE” is hidden in the grid. This is the star word. 2letter words and proper nouns are not allowed. Words up to forty score excellent.

I

R

Partner sounds too western, Confidante just doesn’t fit, We could try to use acquaintance, (I don’t like that name one bit).

We’ve tried out quite a lot here, But they all feel like dead ends, So I’ll just stick with what has worked, And call you my good friend.

- Jennifer Wilson

T

O

E

V

B

S JUMBLEWORD

Unscramble the word jumbled in the grid below and place the deciphered word in the blank grid.

S

So many names to call a friend, The list is far from short, Like buddy, pal and good old chum, And some might say cohort.

U

C

A

L

P

E

N

U

A

T

E

Humour

A Nigerian Naval officer was addressing the rank and file of the force and told them of new uniforms, boots, increased remuneration the force has approved for them. As he mentioned the approved items, the crowd kept shouting “hurray!”such that the officer could not hear even his own voice again. He got angry, brought out his gun and fired in the air. Everyone became quiet and the officer, quite enraged warned “ if you hurray againnnnnnnna, you shall hurray yourself”.

Got wind of a criminal act, plan?

Alert your friend,The Police.

To conquer oneself is the best and noblest victory; to be vanquished by one’s own Pep Talk nature is the worst and most ignoble defeat. - Plato

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

41

CAMPUS LIFE

• Dr Benedict Emunemu presenting the prize to Ajoke

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• Freshers at the event

Association welcomes freshers

DUCATIONAL Management Students’ Association (EMSA), University of Ibadan (UI) chpater, has held orientation for freshers. The event was aimed at guiding new students of the department to achieve career success.

In his address, the Head of Department, Dr Femi Akinwumi, urged

From Hammed Hamzat UI the new students to concentrate on their studies and shun all forms of social vices that may hinder their academic excellence.

A lecturer, Dr Ismail Raji, taught the freshers how to calculate their Cumu-

lative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

Dr Ademola Atanda and Dr Abiodun-Oyebamiji spoke on the department’s dress code, urging the students to wear sky blue on black trousers.

Three first class students, Ajoke Asaolu, 400-Level, Ademola Adbulbasit, 300-Level and Carine

Okeh, 200-Level of the department were awarded prizes to encourage fresh students to study hard.

The Staff Adviser, Dr Jerome Isuku, charged the new students to always seek advice and approach lecturers of the department assistance.

One of the award recipients,

Ajoke, thanked the department for recognising her academic excellence, saying it would motivate her to remain focused in her academics.

President of the department, Hammed Hamzat, thanked lecturers at the orientation exercise for finding time to educate the fresh students despite their busy schedule.

VC lauds alumni body

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HE Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof Bamitale Omole, has praised the contributions of members of alumni association to the development of institution.

He spoke during the inauguration of the national officers of the association. Omole, who was represented by his deputy on Academics, Prof Ayobami Salami, called on other members to do everything possible to assist the Federal Government in improving tertiary education in Nigeria.

During the election of the association, thousands of alumni gathered for re-union. Mr Segun Oke was elected as president. Also, Bola Oloko, Niyi Oduneye and Hakeem Olomowewe became Vice-Presidents for Southwest, North, and Southeast/South-south axes respectively.

From Sikiru Akinola OAU Lara Olanrewaju was elected National Secretary, while Lekan Odunjo and Bayo Adesida were elected first and second National Assistant Secretary respectively.

Others were Fred Aburu, Legal Adviser; Angela Ukatu, Deputy Legal Adviser; Ronke Okoya, Financial Secretary; Bisi Adetifa, Treasurer; Ayo Adelugba, Publicity Secretary; Diran Ayanyemi, Welfare Secretary and Kayode Adeigbe, Editor-in-Chief.

In his address, Oke appreciated attendees of biennial convention of the association, promising to run an all-inclusive and transparent administration. He urged other alumni to join his administration and take the university to greater heights.

Poly students to protest over ASUP strike in Abuja

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EMBERS of the National Association of Polytechnics Students (NAPS) have scheduled a peaceful protest in Abuja over the protracted Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) strike, which has paralysed activities in polytechnics for over 10 months.

In a statement, NAPS Senate President, Lukman Salahudeen, said: “It is obvious that our governments have no provision for the future of this nation. It is pathetic to see that the Senate Committee on Education has done little to resolve the crisis. In our estimation, we reject the insensitivity, unpatriotic and ineffective act of the supervising Minister of Education, Mr Nyesome Wike; he has failed to attend the committee’s meeting for the second time.”

Without readiness of the government to resolve with lecturers, Lukman said students would take their destinies into their hands by marching on Presidential Villa in Abuja to “let Mr President see reasons for him to intervene fully and end the strike just the way he did with ASUU”

• Some of the freshers after the ceremony

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O fewer than 3,600 freshers took matriculation oath at the Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State.

The figure was calculated to be 20 per cent of applicants, who applied for admission in the institution.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Femi Mimiko, represented by his deputy, Prof Rotimi Ajayi, congratulated the students and urged them to have the right attitude towards their studies to achieve academic success.

He said: “I sincerely advise you to guide your admission jealously and avoid anything that may rob you of

B •Lukman

From Emeka Onwudinjo OAU Aso Rock, he said, would be considered as campus until their campuses reopen. He urged his colleagues to see the protest as a collective struggle to salvage the nation’s education from “total collapse”.

Show right attitude to studies, VC tells freshers From Damilola Olisa AAUA

this golden privilege to study in the university. Your sole purpose of coming to the university is to achieve academic laurels and build your character so that you may become a more responsible citizen and be maximally useful to the society.

Achieving this and coming out in flying colours start by having the right attitude to your studies from the beginning.”

Prof Mimiko advised the students to shun social vices that might deprive them of their admission, adding that the university had zero tolerance for such practices.

One of the students, Akinrolayo Olushola, Public Administration Department, expressed joy for his admission, promising to work hard to achieve academic excellence.

The matriculation oath was administered by the Registrar, Mr Bamidele Olotu.

Enactus challenge begins

ARRING last minute cancellation, students from several higher institutions, who are members of Enactus Nigeria, a nonprofit organisation promoting entrepreneurship on campuses, will converged on the Eko Hotel, in Victoria Island, Lagos next Tuesday for the opening of ceremony of the organisation’s annual national contest.

The four-day event with the theme: See possibilities, will feature an innovation summit, in which the topic of the discourse will be role of innovation in driving entrepreneurial success and how it will engender positive change.

After the first round of the contest on Tuesday, the semi-final and final contest will come on Thursday and Friday respectively, where students will display their dexterity in

By Wale Ajetunmobi entrepreneurship and problemsolving.

At the competition, students will showcase innovative impact they have been making in communities across the country and how they are impacting lives through life-changing projects. Also to feature at the event is the “Light up Nigeria” power challenge and the “My Cashless Campus Challenge” projects.

The “Light up Nigeria” power challenge was developed to inspire Enactus teams to explore the opportunities in the value chain of providing sustainable solution to power challenge in the country.

Students used their innovation to design projects that address electrical power shortage being experienced in rural communities, lever-

aging on wind and solar energy sources and the creative use of water plants to generate electricity for rural communities.

“My Cashless Campus Challenge” is an on-campus competition that inspires Enactus teams to develop and implement strategies that will transform their campuses into cashless communities using debit card.

This year, about 36 higher institutions, including universities and polytechnics are expected to compete for the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the Enactus World Cup Challenge in Beijing, China in October.

A statement from the Enactus Country Director, Mrs Adesuwa Ifedi, welcomed the participants to the contest and urged them to be decorous in conduct in the duration of the event.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has held the maiden memorial lecture in honour of its late Senate President, Donald Onukaogu, who died alongside four others in a road crash in Abia State last year. The event took place at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). EMMANUEL AHANONU (Political Science, University of Calabar) reports.

•From left: Comrade Imagwe, Prof Ofor and Dr Asoluka

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IS death shook the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

NANS former Senate President, Donald Onukaogu, died in a road crash on June 13, last year, with four other students on his way to the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) to intervene in a crisis.

The NANS bus in which they were travelling had a head-on collision with a vehicle coming from the opposite direction on the Umuahia-Ikot-Ekpene Federal Highway.

Other victims were Jeremiah Sorkaa, Abdulazeez Oladimeji, Japheth Duru and Asa Ejieta.

In Donald’s memory, the leadership of NANS held a lecture with the theme: The role of students’ activism in contemporary Nigeria democracy.

The event was held at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), where Donald was doing his Master’s degree programme before his death. It was well-attended by students nationwide, especially FUTO students, who trooped to the Hall of Mercy, the venue of the event.

The guests included the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students and Youths Affairs, Comrade Jude Imagwe, FUTO’s ViceChancellor, Prof Chigozie Asiabaka, represented by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof

•The late Donald

Forever in their hearts M.C. Ofor, Chairman of Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Dr Chris Asoluka, who was the guest speaker, Vice-Chancellor of the Abia State University (ABSU) in Uturu, Prof Chibuzo Ogbuagu, represented by Comrade Emma Nwoke, and the Provost of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Dr Blessing Ijioma, represented by Dr. G. N. Okorie.

Officials of the students’ body and leaders of the various institutions’ Students’ Union Governments (SUGs) were also at the event but the NANS president, Yinka Gbadebo, was absent.

In his lecture, Dr Asoluka recalled the struggle of students to promote good governance and social welfare, urging the students to keep faith with the objective of their struggle. He said NANS had history of compromise and betrayal by its most vocal comrades.

He said: “In 1958, Ahmadu Ali, as a medical student at the then University College, was the General Secretary of National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS). In 1978, Ali was used by Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime

to proscribe NUNS, which led to Ali-Must-Go protest.”

He urged students to reject destructive demonstration that would make people see NANS as body of hooligans, saying they must explore 3Cs approach to solve issues with authorities as was done by past students’ leaders.

The 3Cs are consultation, consolidation and confrontation.

Imagwe said the association would forever miss the service of late Donald, saying the deceased died in his prime. He recalled his last conversation with the late Donald the night before his death, saying he warned him and other dead student not to embark on night journey to Uyo. He said: “We could not reverse the time; we are now coping with the reality that Donald is no more. As huge as his frame was, he could not resist death. He was a friend, brother and a humble comrade; he could go to any length to please you.”

It was testimonies galore as friends relive memories they had with the late Donald.

Ikechukwu Okorie, the NANS Zone B coordinator, said the late Donald was agu ji egbe (lion with gun). He said: “I met him three years ago. He told me students’ struggle is not for the weak. You could call him anytime and he would respond and listen to you. He was my hero, a friend, brother and a leader.”

Prof Ogbuagu, who spoke through Nwoke, said the memorial lecture was a good development that must be sustained to remind students of the objective of unionism.

A drama ensued when factional NANS Senate President, John Shima, was invited to make his tribute. Thunderous shouts of rejection by students greeted the call, ostensibly to register their displeasure over the factionalisation of the association.

John was prevented to make his comment and forced to step down from the podium after being booed by the students.

Speaking on behalf of the SUGs, the president of Anambra State University in Uli (ANSU), Ikenna Onyenweze, said Donald was a “good man”, urging students to emulate his principle.

Prof Ofor praised the presidential aide and students, who graced the occasion, saying the overwhelming attendance showed the values students attached to their association.

Towards a safe environment

Members of Entrepreneurial Action In Us (ENACTUS) have participated in a contest to promote environment-friendly innovations. HALIMAH AKANBI (200-Level Law) and IBRAHIM JATTO (400-Level Zoology) report.

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NTREPRENEURIAL Action In Us (ENACTUS), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) chapter, has evoked the innovative spirit of students through an entrepreneurship contest held at the institution’s auditorium.

The competition featured the exhibition of innovative projects done by five teams. The projects were financed by First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

The first team carried out an evergreen project, which involved the use of briquette – an environmentfriendly biofuel that can be used in place of coal or charcoal – to reduce air pollution. The project was unveiled by the team leader, Friday Nwankwo, who explained the use of the substance. He said briquette was made from the mixture of saw dust and moist rice shaft moulded it into round shapes and used as fuel.

The team approached residents of communities around the campus and taught them how to produce briquettes and use them in fueling energy-saving stoves. The project has economic value of saving the income that could have been used to buy firewood; the raw materials

used in the production of briquettes are readily available.

Members of Team B were trained by a couple in Sokoto on how to use animal skin to produce several leather products such as bags. The husband trained male students how to cut the material into various shapes and styles, while the wife trained female students how to decorate the pieces and sew them into varieties of bags and leather accessories.

During the presentation, Team B explained that the vocation has economic value, which is to harness natural resources in the state to empower the people. The social value, it said, is the promotion of art and culture of the people of Sokoto. The project was said to be environmentally-safe as the raw materials used are hides and skin of dead animals.

The project of Team C was tagged: “Rice Cereal for Infants (RCI)”, aimed at eradicating malnutrition in local communities. The team embarked upon a sensitisation programme in the university’s host communities. Afterwards, members came up with a cereal formula produced from rice, carrot and groundnut. The move was to reduce

malnutrition in children and to save expenses of buying factory made cereals, which are not affordable to the poor residents.

Team D’s project was Net School, which involved creation of a website for local schools to make communication easier between parents, students and the school authorities. Teachers can also use the online medium to communicate students’ performance to their parents. The project was said to be environment-friendly, because it discourages the use of papers which is made from trees.

The last team carried out tomato puree project, which involved grinding and boiling of tomatoes.

The pulverised substance was stored in mayonnaise containers and exposed to intense heat by boiling the paste in the bottles in order to pasteurize it. The tomato puree can be safely stored for a period of six months.

The idea was to prevent waste of tomato by peasant farmers, who could not store the produce because of their lack of adequate storage facilities. It would also discourage women to buy imported tomato pastes. The team estimated that 160 women would save ¦ N4 million ev-

•The ENACTUS team in UDUS

ery year. The project was evaluated to have environmental value as it would save people from littering the community with spoilt tomato paste.

Before winners were announced by the panel of judges, Commissioner for Environment, Dr Jabbi Kilgori, praised the innovative spirit of the students in imparting on the people and empowering themselves. He also recognised the students’ effort to initiate environment-friendly projects to reduce pollution and environmental problems.

The ENACTUS Staff Adviser, Mallam S.B Shamaki, said all the teams performed brilliantly and described all of them as winners.

Team A, which carried out evergreen project, won the contest, while Team B with its leather project, came second. The winners were presented with trophies by the Dr Kilgori.

The projects would be presented in national challenge of the ENACTUS coming up in Lagos later this month.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE

Ex-governors and their states’ coffers

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HE smile of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregard the external rules of order and right which heaven itself ordained” - George Washington, first president of United States.

In basic science, I was taught that a taproot is one of the most important roots that a tree needs for its nourishment. Apart from making a tree to erect properly, it forms a base from which other roots sprout; it makes the tree impervious to strong wind and taps soil nutrients a tree needs to survive.

Being a chief executive of a state for four or eight years as the case may be, a governor functions as a tap root of some sort. Since he is in the best position to know the details of the finances of a state, the direction a state should navigate. And where there are leakages, the governor finds ways of blocking such. He is in better position to initiate policies and frameworks that will ensure the sustainable development and growth of the state even after he may have left office.

However, when a chief security officer plunders the resources of a state, such action brings retrogression to the state and makes it worse.

For tapping into the state resources, the governor constitutes himself into a poisonous taproot that kills the tree (state) instead of supplying it nourishment.

I have the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Akwa Ibom State to thank for the controversy the retirement law in the state generated. The union attracted attention to the obnoxious law and kept it in public view and most importantly exposed some other states where such laws had secretly been passed in the past. But for that patriotic act, one would

never have known that such a law even existed.

The bill, titled Governors and Deputy-Governors Pension Law 2014, just shows how greedy and gluttony can political office holders in Nigeria can be. The law sought to provide N100 million health benefit for governors and N50m for deputy governors in Akwa Ibom State, among other provision.

It is an open-secret that some governors live like kings. They drive choice cars; have lunch in the most exquisite restaurants, travel in first class flights to the finest of countries, shop in expensive store abroad, and spend like oil sheiks without thinking about the economy of the state they govern. They did not even give a thought to the standard of living of the people that elected them. Isn’t it absurd that after all these and the loots they committed while in office, some governors still want to go away with their states’ treasuries as they leave office.

Considering the fact that a few states can actually sustain themselves economically without the monthly stipend from the Federal Government, it is worrisome that governors would think of such laws that legally drain their states of the of much-needed funds for development.

Though, Akwa Ibom State government bowed to public pressure and killed the obnoxious bill, several states are guilty of it.

The bill empowers a former governor to earn the same salary as a sitting governor. Threehundred percent of his basic salary would be paid as furniture allowance. It also made provision for eight police officers and two SSS operatives. After retirement, the governor gets entertainment, car

maintenance, house maintenance and utility allowances with personal assistants.

The law as it was passed in Rivers State provides for former governors and deputy governors to be paid 100 percent of their basic salaries, two houses in any location and three cars replaceable every three years. The law which was titled’ Rivers State Governor and Deputy Governor Pensions and Fringe Benefits Bill 2012’ also entitles former governor and deputy governor of the state to 300% funding for furniture, 20% for utility,10 % for entertainment and free medical care for them and their immediate families.

In Kwara State, the law was passed in 2010 when Senator Bukola Saraki was at the helm of affairs. The bill was tagged Kwara State Public Office Holders Pension Bill 2010 ( KWHAB15) and provided for allowances, fringe benefits, and basic salaries of governors and deputies. After leaving office, governors and their deputies are to get accommodation in Abuja, a month vacation outside Nigeria, 300 per cent furniture allowance, free transport and house maintenance allowance. The duo are also entitled to domestic staff, free medical care for their immediate families, security, personal assistants, car maintenance, entertainment and 20 per cent utility allowance, amongst other provisions too numerous to mention.

These are retirement provisions for individuals in a country where, according to the World Bank report of 2013, 112 million citizens live below poverty line. Little wonder then why there is widespread poverty across the country when states receive huge sums monthly as

By Philips Ogbaje allocation from the federal government. Bauchi and Benue states have also passed the law.

With this retirement benefits, a clinic could be built and equipped to cater for the medical needs of a local community. A primary school could be built and a skill acquisition centre could as well be established. Part of this money could be given to a local farmer to enhance his operations. An artisan could be provided with the right equipment.

The financial implications of these bills on the future of Nigerians yet unborn cannot be quantified.

This is why I liken these governors to taproots that kill the tree.

Philips, 500-Level Information Technology, MAUTECH

Curbing violence among youths

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By Suliat Abodunrin

ROM the recent violent activities perpetrated by youths, the future looks scary, notably in this age when our senses are bombarded with varying shades of crimes committed in our institutions of learning.

The events seem endless. We have heard cases of oppression of students; students being robbed on their way to class; harassment of lecturers and the murder of lecturers and students in cold blood. There have been cases of rape, robbery, kidnapping and other forms of criminal activities which have given rise to considerable level of fear among students and members of staff of our institutions. This, inadvertently, gives credence to the fact that there is so much violence in the minds of some youths. It is infuriating, however, to hear that another lecturer has been kidnapped in one of our institutions. The bottom-line is that there is simply no regard for human life in the mind of the vicious youth.

The ever increasing crime rate is assuming a dangerous dimension. These cruel youths are frequently reported in the news killing or seriously injuring people. The peril of that brutality dangles heavily in the air. Several of the tales are true.

This is nothing but the influence of peer pressure and a certain need to “belong.”

The management of different institutions of learning has continued to try their best in ensuring that the case of cultism is totally aborted. The disturbing fact is not just the growing rate of the violence but why different measures designed to put an end to these activities have failed.

Non-Governmental Organisations and even individuals have, in the past, endeavoured to put an end to the hostility in tertiary institutions across the country. Different banners and leaflets have continued to adorn the public, yet the problems have not reduced. It has continued to increase.

The logical question to ask ourselves in the midst of these cruelties is what then could be the cause of these hostile acts? Such enormous hatred and violence could only stem from a reason. After all, a river usually has a source.

Essentially, the media is blamed for the

cruelty. Whilst some have argued that the media has really helped in reducing violence, others have maintained that the true cause of violence lies in the media because of the publicity given to the violent activities of some youths. The general notion is that the media is responsible for the violence perpetrated by youths, going by the content of some of the movies we watch and the music we listen to.

That may explain why in some homes, newspapers, televisions, radios or any form of media are not found because the parents in such homes have agreed that the less the children are exposed to such things, the less violent they would be.

Looked from another angle, substance abuse may well be another cause of violence in the youth of today. I mean it has even got to the stage where all sorts of harmful substances are seen as a stimulus for performance. It is now commonplace to find kiosk or stores selling these substances inside or very close to institutions.

Equally, peer pressure is also an important factor that necessitates aggression in these students. When someone interacts with the wrong set of people, his or her focus might be on how to live up to the expectation of his peer group, thus joining them in whatever activity they do not minding how deadly or harmful it could be.

Another equivocal factor is the alarming rate of broken homes. Courts are swimming with different divorce cases, and the ones who bear the brunt of these cases are the children.

If not quickly helped, the children could grow up with a complex about life, thereby developing the mind of employing violence as a means to justify an end. Such person would have obviously forgotten the words of Abraham Lincoln who said, “ Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him work diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.”

Poverty, they say, is the worst form of violence, because poverty itself breeds violence in the minds of people. The issue of poverty today is also a significant cause of violence in our tertiary institutions.

The type of neighbourhood one lives can also help fuel the flame of violence in our society.

The government is easily blamed for violence everywhere, but it is important to know that intolerance itself is a form of violence. We all should learn to be more tolerant and respect each other. Students should also learn to be content with whatever is offered by parents or guardians. Some students are possessed by the need to buy everything and belong to the elite class on campus, forgetting that our parents are investing so much in us by sending us to school so that we can make a good

individual out of ourselves in future and contribute to the family, community and national development.

It is always said that, “to whom much is given, much is expected”. We should not,

because of the limited time we would spend in school, forget all about values and traditions that had been imbibed in us by our parents.

Suliat, ND II Mass Comm., OFFA POLY

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE

Freshers’ moment of joy

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HE Anambra State Students Association (ASSA), University of Nigeria, Nsukka chapter, has held orientation for new members. The ceremony which took place at Social Science Quadrangle was witnessed by a large turnout of students.

Guests at the ceremony included former Dean of Social Sciences, Prof Ezeani, former Head of Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Prof D.O.N. Obikwelu, among others.

President of the association, Nnaekezie Ekene, said he believed the freshers were the future leaders that would take Nigeria to greater heights.

He advised the students to take their academics seriously.

A guest lecturer, Prof D. O. N Obikwelu, encouraged the freshers to make good use of their time on campus and make rewarding friendship with people who are determined to change the world through new ideas and positive thinking.

Prof Ezeani urged the freshers not

•Cross section of Anambra students displaying a banner to welcome the Vice-Chancellor

From Mbegbu Chikezie UNN to be carried away with the distractions of campus life, saying: “if you study hard and become somebody to be reckoned with, your family and society will benefit.”

The event witnessed talk shows, dancing competition and other forms of entertainment.

Onyedika Nwankwo, 300-Level Geography, said: “This event is for the freshers to know themselves very well and to learn from the older students about the norms of university life.”

History students contest in debate

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EMBERS of the National Association of History and International Studies at the Imo State University have held a debate titiled: “Did Europe actually underdevelop Africa?”at the Faculty of Humanities.

In her remarks, Chairman of the session, Ekeanyanwu Chinmma, said the inter – class debate was aimed at inspiring positive change on the mindset of students.

President of the department, Nwadiaro Sylvester, stated the initiative would help provide answers to the intellectual needs of the students.

He thanked the Staff Adviser, Mr Jerry Nwoke, Head of Department, Prof John Cliff Nwadike, Dr Martins

From Ekene Ahaneku and Deborah Uzoma IMSU Woko and students for turning out en masse for the debate.

Nwoke said he was happy to see his students engage in healthy intellectual engagements, adding that the debate would deepen the knowledge base of the students.

He praised the executives and organisers of the event, stating that the department would work effortlessly to improve the debate. After series of argument from both sides, the supporting team won, convincing the judges that Europe underdeveloped Africa mainly

through the enthronement of boundary dispute, political dependency, slave trade, capitalism and neocolonialism.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Chima Anaele, 300-Level, said: “I am happy to be one of the speakers in this debate. I feel more needs to be done to improve the standard of the debate from the binary style to the global debating standard which is the British Parliamentary system of debating”.

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Foundation holds leadership summit

O fewer than 100 students gathered at the JAO 1 Hall of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta for a business summit organised by The Royal Foundation.

The team leader, Aliu Oluwafemi, said: ‘This programme is not organised for the fun of it but to encourage budding entrepreneurs willing to advance in their chosen field as they assess the roadmap to success presented at this great program.”

Kingsley South Bank, a representative of the School of Business and Success International left the participants asking for more as he took them through the basics of manag-

From Temitope Soneye FUNAAB ing a successful business in his lecture entitled: “Roadmap to a successful business.”

He taught participants how to explore the opportunity of their competitive advantage, saying: “what gives you an edge in the business arena is the extra value you add.”

During the business challenge, the judges, headed by Prof O.S Onifade, announced Onyemasaife Destiny, as winner. Destiny, who presented a business plan on photography, got cash award.

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Students’ leaders at the workshop

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Seminar for students’ leaders

TUDENT leaders at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, have been charged to always use dialogue and consultation in engaging management of the institution for conflict resolution.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Rotimi Ajayi, said this at a twoday training workshop held for students’ leaders of the institution at the National Institute for Educational and Administration, NIEPA, Ondo State.

The annual workshop was designed to impart leadership etiquette and effective students’ unionism in Nigerian universities. The theme of this year’s event was “Leadership and Responsible Unionism.”

Prof. Ajayi, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof Femi Mimiko, attributed the prevailing peace in the university to the dialogue between management and students’ union leaders.

From Richard Adura-Ilesanmi AAUA While admonishing them to follow the legacy laid by their predecessors, Ajayi said it would be shameful on them if the university experience student unrest during their tenure.

“If your predecessors had worked for stability for over five years, I see no reason why you should not sustain the tempo. Don’t allow yourself to be misguided; you must be in constant touch with the management through the Dean of Students’ Affairs to resolve any pressing issue because students are at the centre of our administration”, he said.

The DVC also read the riot act to them, saying: “You are not allowed to address any student on any agitation or demand when you have not discussed such with the Dean of Students’ Affairs. You are not allowed to proceed on any expedi-

tion that is not approved by the management. You must learn to respect constituted authorities and all staff of the university. You must obey all rules and regulations as stipulated in our handbooks.”

He challenged them to complement the efforts of the management to move the school forward rather than sabotaging it through unnecessary unrest.

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Olujide Ajidahun, said the workshop was to let the student leaders know their core values as leaders, give them opportunity to bare their minds and put them on the right track.

“Service should be uppermost in your hearts. As leaders, you must deliver; it is not how much you get from a system but how much you give. So work as a servant-leader,” he stated.

Some of the students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE praised the initiative.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE

Uduaghan faults host communities’ meddling in schools

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ELTA State Governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has decried the insistence of host communities of academic institutions on influencing the appointment of key management personnel as an ‘ugly trend’.

Speaking at the convocation of the College of Education, Agbor, the Governor said that the practice could only breed incompetence, clannish segregation, crisis and be counter-productive to the pursuit of academic excellence in the Institutions.

“It is a very dangerous trend for a host community to insist that the head of the Institution must come from the Institution and this must be discouraged. Competence rather than place of origin should

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

remain the determining factor in the appointment of heads of academic institutions in the country, so as not to destroy the ethos of the academic community,” he said.

Uduaghan also urged Nigerians to help stamp out cultism in tertiary institutions, described cultism as the root of most social malaise plaguing the country.

To discourage cultism, he charged the college management and other higher institutions in the state not to award certificates to any cultist in the institution.

“If you are an identified secret cult member, I insist that you do

not get a certificate because a student must be found worthy in learning and character for him or her to receive a certificate as a graduate,” he said.

As newly-trained teachers, Uduaghan urged them to be committed and contribute their quota to the development of the school system, as the primary school, where the NCE graduates are needed, is the foundation of a child’s development.

Uduaghan condemned the attitude of some teachers who stay away from the classrooms noting that while government was tackling the problem of out-ofschool syndrome with ‘Edumarshals’, the teachers were compounding the issue.

FUNAAB FILE

Ghana varsity to partner

• Uduaghan

He warned that henceforth, teachers found wanting would be sanctioned as the government will not tolerate a situation where its efforts to improve the quality of education in the state are frustrated.

‘Make Masters degree benchmark for college teachers’

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HE Provost, Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa Prof. Isa Ochepa has advocated a Masters Degree qualification as minimum entry point for its lecturers.

He spoke during the 26th-29th combined convocation of the college.

However, he, said it would be better for a larger percentage of teachers in a college to have the PhD, which is the minimum benchmark for teaching in the university.

He said: "To strengthen our academic system, we have to encourage our staff to pursue further studies. Personally, it is my conviction that an academic environment of this nature should be dominated by Ph.D holders. It is through such that we will be able to provide the quality of instructions expected of us.

"Through that, we can also embark on meaningful research which will promote the dynamism

From James Azania, Lokoja

of the academic system. That is why I insisted and still insist that Masters degree should be the minimum qualification for appointment into the college. As for those already in the system, I have challenged everyone to sit up in this regard."

Ochepa, who also chairs the Forum of Provosts, called on the Kogi State government to help the institution address the menace of erosion and provide funds for accreditation of its courses.

In his address, Governor Idris Wada warned residents not to encroach on land belonging to tertiary institutions across the state.

He warned that the government would demolish any structure built on such land without paying compensation.

He urged management of the institution to always make results available to students as soon as they graduate, to avoid certificate forgery.

‘Personally, it is my conviction that an academic environment of this nature should be dominated by Ph.D holders.

It is through such that we will be able to provide the quality of instructions expected of us’

FMC hosts teaching hospital

•Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, Prof Abdulmumuni Rahudaji (left) with the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria Ambassador Uriel Palri when he visited the university.

UNILORIN appoints new DVCs

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HE University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has appointed Prof. Gabriel Olatunji of the Department of Industrial Chemistry and Prof Nike Ijaiya of the Department of Educational Management as Deputy Vice Chancellors for the next two years.

Olatunji will serve as DVC, Research, Technology and Innovation, while Prof Ijaiya is the DVC, Academic.

The DVC-designates, who were elected at the 240th Special Meeting of the University Senate Tuesday last

week, take over from Prof. Raheem Adebayo Lawal (Academic) and Prof.

Felix Oladele (Research, Technology and Innovation), whose two-year tenure ended on June 18.

The appointments are based on the University's Miscellaneous Provision of Decree No. 11, Section 5(a) of 1993 as amended by Decree No. 25 of 1996.

Also, a new Provost has been elected for the UNILORIN College of Health Sciences, Prof. Wahab Johnson. The former Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences takes over from Prof. A. B. O. Omotoso, on July 31.

UNILAG centre gets first baby

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NIVERSITY of Lagos (UNILAG) Kestington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation Maternity and Laboratory Centre (KMLC) recorded its first delivery last Friday.

The baby girl weighted 2.5kg was born without complications to Mrs Esther Akanbi. Her delivery was taken by Dr. Choima Nwokocha and the mid wife, Grace Ugwu, who expressed joy over the delivery.

The mid wife said Mrs Akanbi did not register for her antenatal at the centre but came as a result of the efforts of the workers to promote the world-class facilities of the centre to would-be mothers. The patient came from General Hospital, Randle Surulere when she could not get medical attention due to the nationwide strike embark upon by medical doctors.

Dr Nwokocha said the entrance of the patient to the centre in the early hours of Friday was greeted with great joy as it gave them the

• Prof Bello holding the newborn with (from left): Mr Akanbi (father), Dr Nwokocha, Ms Ugwu, Prod Alo, Prof Oni and Mrs Ipaye.

opportunity to demonstrate the centre's professionalism in handling maternities functions.

Mrs Akanbi described service she received as excellent and expressed profound gratitude for a job well done.

THE Food Safety and Nutrition Centre, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Legon has indicated interest in partnering the College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in the areas of Food Safety and Nutrition Training.

At a meeting with the Dean of COLFHEC Prof Folake Henshaw, Prof Kwaku Tano-Debra of the university of Ghana said the Food Safety and Nutrition Centre was sponsored by the Industry Development Council (IDC), a United Kingdom-based nongovernmental organisation, to address the challenges of food safety through the promotion of food safety trainings.

Tano-Debra said their visit of the team was to explore the possibility of collaboration with COLFHEC to host a similar centre, which would develop database for food safety issues and reduce the problems of food safety. He said FUNAAB was chosen for the collaboration because it has the required departments, workforce and facilities needed to host the training.

The UNILAG Vice Chancellor Prof Rahaman Bello, led other principal officers to felicitate with the new parents. He referred to the baby as 'UNILAG baby' as he presented the mother and child a gift.

Principal officers with the Vice

Chancellor included: Deputy ViceChancellor (Academics & Research), Prof Babajide Alo; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof Duro Oni; Registrar, Dr. Taiwo Ipaye; and the Bursar, Mr. Lateef Odekunle.

THE management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, has expressed its readiness to serve as the teaching hospital for FUNAAB's medical programme.

The Chief Medical Director of FMC, Abeokuta Dr Dapo Sotiloye said he received the proposal of FUNAAB mainstreaming its programmes with joy.

With the personnel and equipment of FMC, Sotiloye said it would be easy for FUNAAB to run a standard teaching hospital.

"Whatever is demanded of us within our powers, we would not hesitate to do it," he said.

The FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, said mainstreaming would help the university expand access to higher education.

"Our vision is to contribute to the development of our people. While agriculture remains the flagship of our university, we go into other areas of life that would promote development of our people," he said.

Consultancy firm to teach students THE FUNAAB Vice Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, has urged graduates of the College of Engineering (COLENG) to use the institution's engineering consultancy firm as a launch pad into the engineering profession.

Speaking at the induction of the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 graduates into the engineering profession, Oyewole, said the university would encourage engineering students to procure equipment for road rehabilitation in collaboration with the college.

Oyewole said the university floated the consultancy firm and an engineering company to expose the students to practical-oriented teaching. He charged the young engineers not to rest on their oars but to take the occasion as a stepping platform towards enhancing their capabilities and preparing for greater challenges.

Delivering his lecture titled: the "Prime Time" on the occasion, the Executive Director (Engineering), Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), Mr Jimi Sokunle, advised the young engineers to take advantage of their youthfulness and make wise decisions as they seek to earn a living.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

46

CAMPUS LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS

ADO POLY FILE

Farewell for outgoing deputies A VALEDICTORY has been held by the management committee of the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti to honour the outgoing two deputy rectors, Dr. Nnamdi Aboloma and Felix Ajibade.

Their tenure terminated on Sunday, June 29th. The valedictory coincided with the unveiling of their successors, Messrs E.A. Bamidele and D.H. Oladebeye held three days earlier at the institution conference hall.

The Rector, Dr. Taiwo Akande described her two deputies as pillars of strength, and diligent officers who deserved all the encomiums showered on them.

“Their paths will be full of prosperity and they would not regret serving the Polytechnic,” Akande said.

She also urged the duo to justify the trust reposed in them by their appointment by contributing their quota towards the fulfillment of the transformation vision of the Polytechnic.

She noted that their selection and appointment had the hand of God; hence she admonished them to serve loyally with the fear of God. Bamidele took over from Aboloma as the deputy, (Academic), while Ajibade handed over to Oladebeye as the deputy (Special Duties and Revenue Generation). Their tenure of two years in the first instance commences from Monday, June 30.

APPROACHING DEADLINES 2015 Colt Foundation Fellowships in Occupational/Environmental Health, UK COLT Foundation is awarding research fellowships for carrying out research within the area of occupational and environmental health at a UK university. The Fellowship is normally for three years and the research is expected to lead to a PhD degree. The stipend rate for the first year is £14,000 (£16,000 inside London), rising with UK inflation for the following two years. Payments will include UK/EU fees and overseas candidates applying would be expected to meet the difference in UK/EU and International rates. The application deadline is 13th October 2014.

Study Subject(s): Fellowships are awarded in the area of occupational and environmental health.

Course Level: Fellowships are awarded for carrying out research expected to lead to a PhD degree.

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research within the area of occupational and environmental health at a UK university. The Fellowship is normally for three years and the research is expected to lead to a PhD degree.

They do not have application forms and prospective students should apply to Mrs Jackie Douglas, including an outline of the proposed research which demonstrates the occupational content of their work, a CV, a detailed letter of support from the proposed supervisor and the contact details of two referees.

Number of award(s): Not Known Duration of award(s): The Fellowship is normally for three years and the research is expected to lead to a PhD degree.

What does it cover? The stipend rate for the first year is £14,000 (£16,000 inside London), rising with UK inflation for the following two years. Payments will include UK/EU fees and overseas candidates applying would be expected to meet the difference in UK/EU and International rates. A sum

to cover research expenses will also be awarded. The grant does not attract any taxation.

Selection Criteria: Not Known Notification: Shortlisted candidate for interview will be asked to attend in London in early December 2014.

How to Apply: Prospective students should apply to Mrs Jackie Douglas via post or email at: jackie.douglas-at-uk.coltgroup.com, including an outline of the proposed research which demonstrates the occupational content of their work, a CV, a detailed letter of support from the proposed supervisor and the contact details of two referees. The application must be submitted by the student personally and not by their supervisor on their behalf, although it is expected that the supervisor will have an input to ensure that the project can lead to a successful PhD. Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 13th October 2014.

Following the 34-60 per cent review of the fees by Lagos State University students barely a month ago, Students’ Union President Nurudeen Yussf Temilola, in this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, claims there is no significant reduction

LASU fees ‘still outrageous’

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HAT is your take on the new review of the tuition?

As Students Union executive, we don’t speak for ourselves. We speak for the people and whatever the decision our students arrived at is

Language Institute begins admission HE Head, National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba Abia State, Dr. Azubuike Ikediashi, has said that the institute would commence admission into its various academic programmes in September.

Ikediashi at a briefing at the institute's permanent site on Ovom-Ogbor Hill road Aba, Abia State, said NINLAN which regained its autonomy from the University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus was in the process of admitting students for awards of Diploma, Post-Graduate Diploma and Certificate in Linguistics, Nigerian Languages and other related areas."

He commended President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike and other relevant stakeholders that played key role in the restoration of the institute autonomy which was ceded to the University of Nigeria Nsukka by former President Obasanjo's administration.

Scholarship Provider: Colt Foundation Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility: The Foundation awards Fellowships each year to persons who are qualified in science or medicine who are carrying out research within the area of occupational and environmental health at a UK university. Fellowships are awarded in competition and are a personal award to the student and the outline must therefore contain sufficient detail to enable the Selection Panel to determine that the work has been well-designed, that the work is worthwhile and can be completed in the three-year period, and to enable the Panel to decide which students should be interviewed.

Scholarship Open for International Students: UK/EU and international students can apply for these research fellowships.

Scholarship Description: The Foundation awards Fellowships each year to persons who are qualified in science or medicine who are carrying out

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

"We really lost a lot in those years when we were still under Nsukka and I believe that with the reinstatement of our autonomous status, we are going to cover lost grounds," Azubuike said.

He warned parents for exposing their wards to foreign languages.

He said: "With the restoration of the institute's autonomy, NINLAN is poised to take necessary steps and carry out the functions that will lead to the fulfillment of its mandate as contained in the Act", adding "when conditions are ripe, the institute will also go for degree programmes as provided in its Act." Azubuike enumerated the problems of the institute among which are: general neglect, nonavailability of fund, lack of take-off grant, undeveloped hectare of land among others, noting that the institute would need about N4.3billion under the supplementary budget to run its affairs until 2015 when its running cost will be covered in next year's budget.

binding on us. Now the students have spoken saying they can’t afford to pay the fees. For instance, a 300-Level Mass Communication student called me on Friday and said paying N113.000 is outrageous to her. If a returning student at the Faculty of Education will pay N151; and you are now telling her to pay nearly N100.000, it simply means there is no significant reduction in the fee.

Could you put a conservative figure on the number of students that have called you rejecting the reduction?

This information first came out on Wednesday last week. If not that my phone was bad, I would have shown you (the calls). I have received hundreds of calls from students rejecting the fees. Truth is, many students are calling that they are tired of staying at home. We all want to resume, but this school fee is still high.

Considering the position paper SU presented to government in April, what are those things you recommended but are not included in the review?

First, our position was that the tuition should be reduced to N20.000.00 across board since before now, LASU was a tuition free institution. On field trip, we said it should be made discretional to faculties and departments who will organise them. But from what we have now, they have retained field trip for Mass Communication students at N5,000. According to information available to us, field

trip is money students in Mass Communications use to facilitate excursions to media houses. Since it is the students themselves that organise them, then they should decide what is payable by them, and it should be expunged from the tuition.

On laboratories, for College of Medicine, they are charging N25,000 is it not that same amount a 600-Level Medicine student is paying right now? Yet you are asking a student to pay that alone for laboratory.

This is not justifiable. As a university, there is no way you can train a Medicine student without a laboratory, so why should our students be made to pay for it? Ordinarily, these are facilities that should make prospective students want to come to LASU or any other university. If I am in LASU without a laboratory, the question I will ask is: ‘what is the N80,000 I’m paying used for?’ I expect part of that money to go into maintenance of laboratory or studio as the case may be.

For students in the Department of French, they are also to pay laboratory fee. We have a Language Lab that has been under construction for over seven years, yet management wants to continue to charge students on that.

Laboratory fee should be reduced.

Above all, we don’t expect student studying Medicine or Mass Communication to pay for laboratory at all. All we are saying is that if these charges are also expunged, we will come down to a

•Nurudeen

reasonable amount.

I also saw Caution and Developmental fees in the breakdown, right?

The fee is N10,000, but we feel they should be payable once. We cannot continue to pay N10.000 every year to develop the university. The onus is on the owner of the university to develop it and not pass down the burden on students. This is a public university.

Government has said it is cushioning the effect of the tuition with bursaries and scholarships?

Only N200 million of the N1.3 billion in the bursary and scholarship board goes to LASU students. The N1.3 billion covers other students in Lagos State who are on their post graduate programmes in or outside Nigeria.

On the bursary, over the last two years, our students have not been able to assess it. We have students in 200 and 300 levels that have not yet collected bursaries once. Bursaries, to me, is a social responsibility meant to ameliorate our pain and not a determinant to how much government draws up our tuition.

ASUP insists on establishing commission

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HE establishment of the National Polytechnic Commission (NPC) and total removal of the dichotomy between university and polytechnic education will end the confrontation between Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, (ASUP) the union chairman, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Dr Sola Ojeniyi, has said.

Recounting the consequences of the over 11-month old ASUP strike, Dr Ojeniyi said: "That the government can neglect polytechnic education and teacher's education for long is appallingly unfortunate.

"It is a symbolic display of apathy against children of the poor that were denied opportunity of university education and attempt to remove every dignity attached to their portion. ASUP

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

will continue to say 'no' until the dichotomy is totally removed; polytechnic education is properly funded and national polytechnic commission (NPC) is established."

Lamenting on the strike action, a civil engineering student, Sodiq Oyewole blamed the whole saga on government insensitivity.

He said: "The effect on me has been so debilitating. It is like the Federal Government wants polytechnic education to crumble. It is unfair. The earlier government accedes to the teachers' demand, the better for the technologically development of this country. The strike has affected my interest in education. I have become crest fallen in education. It is like there is no hope for the children of the masses.

•Frm left Ikechukwu Okeh, their mother Mary, the graduand Nneka and his senior brother Emeka Okeh during her convocation in Unilag recently.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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EDUCATION

Mind Builders gets Maths Clinic

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RINCIPAL Mind Builders High School, Alausa, Lagos, Mr Francis Fasuyi has identified lack of multiple and logical intelligence as a major reason for failure in mathematics.

Though this deficiency is natural in some pupils, Fasuyi believes with time and proper intellectual training, learners can get over them.

"We have various types of intelligence - verbal and logical. Most students have verbal intelligence. They can talk well but when it comes to logical intelligence, not all of them are endowed. So we have to develop this multiple intelligence in each child."

To help pupils of Mind Builders to improve in the subject, Fasuyi said that the school has partnered with Maths Clinic International to establish a laboratory in the school.

The Mind Builders Maths Clinic centre boasts of about 20 computers with earphones, and a large flat screen television to serve the teacher. All the computers are loaded with a software that treats all topics in the mathematics curriculum for secondary schools as well as past questions for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and comes with audio-visual demonstrations.

"The centre consists of ani-

By Medinat Kanabe

mations, videos, graphic and text resources. The interest of students in Mathematics is being stimulated using the audio visual approach which is totally different from the traditional approach that they are used to. It provides enhanced and augmented learning experience for pupils.

This is further boosted with each student getting the opportunity to learn at his or her pace. It makes explanations for otherwise abstract mathematical concepts better delivered to the delight of the students. It has boosted the learning experience and performance of students as far as mathematics is concerned," he said.

Fasuyi said the centre was opened to simplify the story of mathematics. He added, that the ICT tools are learnerfriendly.

Given the importance of the subject to tertiary education, Fasuyi said the centre justifies the school's attempt to develop multiple intelligence in its pupils.

"They must have a little of verbal, logical, mathematical intelligence and a little of inter-relationship," Fasuyi added.

"In the past, the impression was that if you want to go for law you don't need Mathematics so with that the students start avoiding Mathematics. But today, there is no

•Pupils during a Maths Clinic class.

subject you want to go for in the university that you don't require a credit in Mathematics. So, we have to encourage them to make sure they do their best in mathematics and English."

A member of staff of Maths Clinic International Mr Emmanuel Isibor who manages the centre said the pupils can do different things at the same time depending on their topic of interest.

"That is why they had personal computers in front of them. We have general classes too where we use the flat screen television set," he said.

Isibor blamed the fear for mathematics to a poor foundation caused by not being taught properly over a long period of time by unqualified teachers.

"We discovered that Mathematics is not simplified for

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

students in most cases which make it easy for them to pull away from the subject.

“We decided that there must be a change of attitude toward the subject and came up with the Maths Clinic. The child will sit down, watch the topic that is difficult and then solve until he scores 80 per cent before the computer will allow the child progress," he explained.

He said the programme was designed in such a way that if a child goes through it, the child can score distinction in an external exam no matter how complex the topic is.

The outgoing Head Girl of the school Tobiloba Olajiga, said the clinic has helped her improve her mathematical skills and has helped other pupils too.

The outgoing Head Boy, Damilola Awoyemi, said he

was an average pupil in Mathematics before the clinic was introduced; but is now very good.

Though he complained that the centre came when he was in SS3, he was glad that it came before he wrote his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) because it helped them prepare for the examination.

He said the school made a wise decision starting the centre because pupils are very ICT compliant these days and prefer to do things on computers instead of pen and paper.

"Computer makes learning easy and interesting, doing it in class on pen and paper is very boring. Computer makes the mathematics class exciting and fun," he said.

Council distributes free school uniforms, books

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• From left: Adenijo, Adedamola, Ogundimu, Denapo and Akintade displaying their plaques.

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ASTER Ogundimu Oluwatosin of Yewa (Egbado) College Ilaro, Ogun State, is the overall best student at the third edition of the Mathematics is Simple contest.

Adelowo Adedamola and denado Moses of Great Grace Science School, Owode-Yewa emerged first and second runners up.

The inspiring, educative and challenging contest tasks participants' knowledge of Mathematics without the use of calculator. The yearly contest done in both senior and junior cadres drew participants from across Yewa axis of Ogun State.

For their victory, the trio got a plaque, medal and cash rewards each, in addition to free mathematics textbooks and mathematical set.

The competition, which started in 2012, is courtesy Our Generation Foundation (OGF)

HE Chairman of Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, Maj. Olafimihan Akerejola (rtd.), has distributed free school uniforms, over 70, 000 textbooks and other instructional materials to pupils and other students across the area.

During the presentation, which coincided with a thank you visit to the area by the Kogi State Governor Idris Wada, Akerejola also announced the commencement of payment of bursary to students in tertiary institutions in the area.

Winners emerge in Foundation Maths contest

By Adegunle Olugbamila

which began the third edition (preliminary stage) in May. The knock out stage was held on June 7, pruning participants to 118; these proceeded to the final stage that eventually produced another 59 who featured in the grand finale in June 26.

Participants at the grand finale were: Edu Gabriel of Glorious Foundation College, Adeyemi Blessing Able God Int'l Schools, Adelowo and Oluwatosin.

Others were: Akintade Akinoluwa Bello Aishat and Adenijo Adeyemi of Poly Staff College, Ilaro; Subair Murtala and Denapo Moses also of Great Grace Science School, Owode-Yewa and Lawal Ayokunle from Best Legacy Academy, Owode-Yewa.

The visioner Mrs Mogbonjubola Odumusi,

expressed happiness that the competition which began with a handful of schools boasts of nearly 30 schools in attendance.

The Mathematics is simple; according to her, it is to make participants increase their knowledge of the subjects; while also helping others demystify the fear it often poses to students.

"This is our modest way of contributing towards improved knowledge in Mathematics our joy is to see these children improve in knowledge of mathematics and inspire others towards same goal. We are hoping that with time, and improved funding, we can further motivate winners through better rewards," she said.

"The best way to win in life and overcome every obstacle or difficulty is by conquering

fear. Believe in yourself first that you can do it and then hand over the rest to God," Odumosu added.

From James Azania, Lokoja

Students studying engineering, law and medicine received N10, 000 each, while N5, 000 each is given to students in other disciplines.

During the occasion, which had in attendance former Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria and Secretary to the State Government, Prof.

Olugbemiro Jegede, Akerejola said the importance his administration attached to education informed its decision to embark on the gesture.

His words: "Education from time immemorial has been the industry our people are known for. The prowess of our people in the field of

education is universally acknowledged judging by the high number of intellectuals and academics from the local government area scattered around the globe. This is the more reason we cannot afford to toil with the sector.

"Also, we undertook the renovation of 12-classroom and the administrative block at the Community Comprehensive High School, Ogori, to create a more conducive teaching and learning atmosphere in the school."

Wada, who performed the official tape cutting of the building, called on the council not to relent in its efforts at ensuring a better future for children of school age.

•Pupils of Childville Schools, Ogudu Estate, Lagos, presenting 'Moremi' a Yoruna historical play at the Muson centre Lagos

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

48

EDUCATION

Ajibola praises Crescent varsity graduates

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ROPRIETOR of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Prince Bola Ajibola, is happy with the performance of graduates of the institution.

The latest one giving him joy is that of Miss Rafiat Gawat, who graduated with a first class in Mass Communication and has been offered scholarship to study Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland by Lagos State government.

In a statement, the university Public Relations Officer, Mr Idris Karib, noted that Miss Gawat has also been employed by Sterling Bank for her outstanding performance while taking part in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in the bank.

Similarly, five Mass Communication graduates of the university have been admitted on merit for their master’s at University of Lagos.

They beat competition from 300 post-graduate applicants who applied.

Reacting to their success stories, Prince Ajibola, a former judge of the World Court, said he was delighted by the excellent and laudable performance of Crescent University graduates which he attributed to the vigour with which he pursued his vision of training excellent graduates imbued with acceptable conduct for Nigeria and the world.

He said he was not surprised that his university's products are doing well because of heavy investment in up-to-date training equipment

EDUTALK

Placement test chaos

I • Prince Ajibola

and recruitment of experienced lecturers from home and abroad.

He expressed particular satisfaction that three of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) post-graduate students are females, a realisation of one of the objectives of the university to train female professionals in all fields.

•Children exercising at third Annual Sports Clinic event and Educational Workshop organised by the Bigmike Sports Foundation at the National Stadium, Abuja last Saturday.

Parents ‘send’ prayers to heaven

L

AST Thursday's weather was perfect for the graduation and awards of the Scholastic Hall School, Opebi, Lagos.

This is because the highpoint of the programme - the release of balloons - takes place outdoors and requires a favourable weather.

After an exciting ceremony, which featured awards of prizes and musical presentations by the pupils, parents of graduating kindergarten pupils gathered around their wards to pray for their success as they move on in life. Once the prayers were rounded off by the Kindergarten teacher, both parents and their wards released the balloons.

The Proprietress, Mrs Scholar Onyekwere, said the tradition is symbolic - demonstrating that as the helium-filled balloons go up far into the sky, their words would not fall to the ground.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

"It is something I got from within that we should do something symbolic. The things that we speak to children come to pass. I believe that parents have the authority. We pray for the children believing that it will come to pass. We believe that when we release the balloons they go up and do not fall to the ground. So our words don't fall to the ground," she said.

Many of the parents told The Nation that they were happy with the progress their wards made in the school. Mrs Adebukola Jida, whose son, Tioluwanimi moves on to the Grade I class next session, said she is learning along with her child.

"I am happy to put my money here. I have another child in Grade 2 and what she knows I don't know.

Being a parent here is like going

‘I believe that parents have the authority. We pray for the children believing that it will come to pass. We believe that when we release the balloons they go up and do not fall to the ground. So our words don't fall to the ground’

back to school," she said.

Another parent, Mrs Tola Umoh, said she enrolled both her children, Marvelous and Moses at three months of age and has had no regrets.

"I am impressed because they make the school a second home for my kids. I brought them at three months. One is graduating today and the other is in Grade Four. The beauty of the school is that they have a one-on-one relationship with the children," she said.

Apart from the kindergarten graduands, five pupils graduated from Grade Five. However, they were dressed in their uniforms, not in white like the younger ones. In her address, principal of the school, Mrs Pamela Emeagwali, said the pupils did not get the star treatment they deserved because they did not wait until Grade VI. She urged the parents to allow their wards to stay up to six years in primary school so they are better prepared for secondary education.

"We are sad; we cannot graduate them because they are not in the graduating class. They are going too soon. They are just walking away but they deserve more. This is my appeal: please leave our children for us; you will never regret it," she said.

W.TEC seeks girls for technology camp

T

HE Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) is seeking teenage girls (11-15) for its Girls Technology Camp, scheduled to hold between August 3 and 16.

The girls, who will be camped at Laureates College Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, will be exposed to tuition on coding and building apps, designing computer games, building a computer system, website design,

with

video production, photography, career talks. They will also go on excursions.

A statement by Adeyemi Odutola, Media Officer for W.TEC, noted that the aim of the camp is to stimulate the girls' interest in computers and other information technology tools. For the duration of the one week camp, the girls will participate in technology workshops, career talk sessions, team-building exercises and excursions.

COVERED the Lagos State Placement Test on Saturday and marveled at the carelessness of schools and parents that resulted in some pupils missing the examination.

The test was introduced by the Lagos State government to improve the quality of pupils that Kofoworola cross over from primary to its junior secondary schools. When the implementation of the Universal Kofosagie@yahoo.com Basic Education (UBE) scheme 08054503077 (SMS only) started in 2006, the then Minister of Education, Mrs. Chinwe Obaji, announced the end of the National Common Entrance Examination which was written nationwide by Primary 6 pupils basically to admit candidates into the unity schools. States too conducted their own versions of the examination.

The NCEE was stopped in the name of implementing the UBE law which requires school aged children to get nine years of compulsory basic (primary and junior secondary) education. The abolishment of the examination meant that unity schools no longer had junior secondary arms.

The abrogation of the NCEE (which was generally written by all Primary Six pupils in public and private schools irrespective of whether they would attend the unity colleges) encouraged the culture of mass promotion, particularly in public schools - though private secondary schools still conducted entrance tests for candidates they admitted.

The NCEE was restored about five years ago after unity school teachers, parents, alumni and others convinced the Federal Government that the examination did not hinder the implementation of the UBE in any way.

The Lagos State government re-introduced the examination (now called the Placement test) three years ago to reverse poor performance. Primary Six pupils wishing to do their secondary education in public junior secondary schools have to make at least 50 per cent in English and Mathematics, and cumulatively to scale through.

It was unbelievable to hear that schools were still trying to register a day before the examination last Saturday. On the examination, it was no surprise their names were nowhere to be found.

The Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) was very upset that some schools and candidates showed up without any proof of having registered.

First of all, I fault the Lagos State Examination Board for failing to enforce a closing date for the registration for the examination.

The Education Commissioner, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye had extended the period for registration by one week on June 8. But that one week extended to July 4, a day before the examination. If the board forgets any lesson from last Saturday’s experience, it should not fail to forget the need to set a deadline and stick to it.

For this examination, the third since it was introduced two years ago, the board, in collaboration with the SUBEB and the Ministry of Education worked hard to improve the organisaiton and integrity of the examination by introducing personalized OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) answer scripts, which ensured that each candidate’s bio-data was pre-printed on the sheets.

Introducing such measure means that a procedure must be followed.

Every candidate must be accounted for. And such procedure takes time.

Leaving the registration open-ended meant the board accepted candidates it could not possibly produce OMR for at the last minute.

While it is true that those who did not take the examination (some of whom did not even properly register in the first place), are a minute percentage of the about 140,000 registered, it is important that such incidents are avoided in the future. If they occur, they should not be traceable to loop holes such as allowing candidates to register till the last minute.

On the part of the schools, I cannot understand why they had to wait until the very last minute to enter for an examination that a registration timeline of over four months. Parents of the affected pupils who missed the examination ought to question the schools their wards attend. This should especially be done because it was gathered that many of the private schools charged far above the N5,000 stipulated by the examination board.

For our education system to move forward, the rule of law must be respected. When laws are made then ignored or sidetracked by sacred cows, then we should not expect to make much progress. I hope all parties involved have indeed learnt their lessons. We look forward to better conduct of the examination next year.

Belo-Osagie

‘On the part of the schools, I cannot understand why they had to wait until the very last minute to enter for an examination that a registration timeline of over four months. Parents of the affected pupils who missed the examination ought to question the schools their wards attend.

This should especially be done because it was gathered that many of the private schools charged far above the N5,000 stipulated by the examination board’

50

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

POLITICS

51

THURSDAY JULY 10, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

ADAMAWA POLITICS Embattled Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako is making last-minute efforts to save his job. The House of Assembly has begun the impeachment process against him. Will he survive the plot? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the politics of impeachment in the Northeast state.

Politics of impeachment in Adamawa

M

URTALA Nyako, retired naval officer and governor of Adamawa State, is not a happy politician at the moment. Since he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), his foes have been plotting for his downfall.

The forces against him are formidable.

Backed by the Presidency, Adamawa PDP leaders are united against his continuity in office. When the House of Assembly unfolded plans to impeach him, it was evident they were acting the scripts written in Abuja by his rivals in local politics.

Supremacy battle The plot, sources said, is meant to achieve a dual objectives. The first is to decimate the APC Governors’ Forum. Nyako is a vocal member of this forum. The second is to get a pound of flesh from the former Chief of Naval Staff over his shift of political allegiance. Although the governor has absorbed President Goodluck Jonathan from blame for his predicament, the source said that the PDP National Leader has not objected to the plot to terminate the tenure of one of his critics.

Two days ago, reality dawned on him that his tenure was ebbing away.

He decided to act fast. The governor travelled to Abuja to consult with stakeholders. Among them were friendly senators, House of Representatives members, influential indigenes and top businessmen from the state. During the consultations, some of them accepted to mediate between him and the aggrieved legislators.

“Since it is all about politics, nothing is impossible. There can still be a political situation, if the right concessions are made”, said an APC chieftain, who is party to the consultations.

Also, Nyako has not been abandoned by his colleague governors in the APC. Some of them, who have connections in Adamawa, are also pressing buttons. Besides, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu have also swung into action. Although sources said that the situation is bad as the legislators are bent on pursuing the impeachment, the Turaki Adamawa is undeterred. Before the parting of ways, Abubakar, Nyako and other actors in the impeachment saga belonged to the same political family.

According to sources, Nyako and his supporters opted for the option of reaching out to his foes when efforts to employ the judiciary to halt the process failed.

For the septuagenarian politician, this is a trying moment. In the last one year, the governor’s worry has been how to curb the Boko Haram insurgency. In Adamawa, a partial state of emergency has been declared.

In fact, the governor’s life has been on the line. On two occasions, he had escaped being killed by the sect members. Few months ago, he forwarded a letter to the President. In the letter, he complained that the Federal Government may have adopted a wrong strategy in tackling the insecurity. The retired soldier also pointed out that the military was incompetent to handle the crisis. He said the Armed Forces had relied on obsolete and inadequate weapons.

• Nyako

Battle for survival However, the insecurity in the multiethnic state is not the major problem giving Nyako a sleepless night. It is his personal survival in his prestigious office. Now that the impeachment axe is dangling, how to avert the doom is his priority. If the hammer falls on Nyako, his political future and that of his party may be in jeopardy. Thus, in his camp, there is anxiety. PDP sources said that, if the governor is removed, more tribulations may still come his way as the next governor or acting governor may probe his administration.

Observers contend that the governor did not anticipate the trouble early enough. In their reckoning, Nyako’s nightmare started when he lost his grip on the House of Assembly. Yet, he moved to douse the tension between him and the aggrieved legislators initially. Months later, the lawmaker started a new rebellion. Unlike before, they were more determined. But, the governor was also determined to weaken their resolve. When the Clerk of Assembly showed up at the Government House to deliver the impeachment notice to him, Nyako was evasive. For two days, efforts to serve the letter on him was abortive.

To save his career, the governor approached the court. He prayed the judiciary to restrain the Speaker, his deputy, other lawmakers, and the PDP from removing him from office. After that, there was a temporary relief.

But, it only lasted for two days. The Acting Chief Judge, Justice A.D. Mammadi, granted the request for an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from taking any further action on the impeachment process. Four days later, the Acting Chief Judge, whose tenure of office was about to expire in six hours, gave his nod to the impeachment by swearing in the members of the impeachment panel, following the directive by the Speaker, Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri.

The Speaker said that the move became necessary because 20 out of 25 members of the House had signed the impeachment notice.

Moving the motion for the impeachment, the Deputy Speaker, Kwamoti

• Ngilari

Laori, said that the House relied on Section 188, Sub-section 3 and 4 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulate that the process can proceed after a 14 day-notice. It was seconded by Hon. Umar Abdulkareem. Laori said: “By virtue of Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, we have satisfied the two-thirds majority, with 20 out of 25 members, which empowers the House of Assembly to call on the Chief Judge to constitute an investigative panel. To prevent the inauguration of the committee, the governor had declared a public holiday . But, the retiring Acting Chief Judge hurriedly set up the panel before he bowed out.

The judge’s retirement, according to lawyers, will not invalidate his action while in Office. “Even, if the governor now appoints a new acting chief judge, this cannot prevent the impeachment”, said a lawyer. “only a political solution will do”, he added.

Deputy governor’s nightmare As Nyako is battling to save his job, his deputy, Bala Ngilari, is also kicking against the plot. Although the deputy governor had opted to stay on in the PDP when his boss defected to the APC, the House has insisted that he too should vacate office. Ngilari, a lawyer, has objected to the impeachment, saying that it is in bad faith. He described himself as a victim of hate and detestation by unnamed Abuja politicians, who are desperate to gain political control. The impeachment, according to a source, is also targeted at the deputy governor for obvious reasons.

If Ngilari is not removed, he will become the major beneficiary of the impeachment. According to the constitution, he will inherit power. The move may frustrate the ambition of other gladiators itching to succeed Nyako at the next election. Now, three scenarios are possible. “This trial will proceed for the purpose of politically eliminating Nyako for Ngilari to take over. But, this has implications. If Ngilari assumes the reins, he may assert himself. The deputy governor who is not the hero of the struggle to displace Nyabo may become the ultimate beneficiary. This is injurious to the ambition of the PDP aspirants. The second thing is that both

‘The root of impeachment is usually intra-party squabbles. When they escalate, the ruling party is polarised and weakened. Then, there is defection, which is followed by bitterness. Later, impeachment is exploited to score points’ may be asked to go to pave the way for the Speaker of the House. The third is to foist a complete crisis on Adamawa so that a full state of emergency can be declared. This may be a prelude to the appointment of an administrator by the President. These options are to the advantage of the PDP,” said the source.

Pro-impeachment camp Apart from the House, prominent politicians in support of the impeachment in Adamawa include the former PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, his son, Awal, Gen. Buba Marwa, Prof. Jibril Aminu, former Governor Boni Haruna, and Makus Gundiri. Tukur, it is believed, has an axe to grind with Nyako, whi had demanded for his removal as the party chairman and objected to the governorship ambition of his son, Awal. These party chieftains have influence on the legislators who are spoiling for war with the governor.

But, if Nyako is shoved aside, will peace return to Adamawa PDP? After his exit, the gladiators will engage in a bitter succession struggle.

Impeachable offences To the APC, the offences listed by the House of Assembly lack basis.

Nyako has been accused of abuse of office, misuse of public funds and personalisation of power. Some officials of his administration were also accused of looting. The legislators said that some of the impeachable offences allegedly committed by the governor dated 2011.

According to the eight-page impeachment notice, Nyako is expected to defend 20 charges of gross misconduct. They include the allegations of squandering N1 billion Adamawa State Scholarship Trust Fund and the abuse of law by appointing his wife, Dr. Halima Nyako, as the Chairman of Adamawa State Action Committee on AIDS , contrary to the law.

Asked why it has taken the House three years to investigate them, a legislator, Adamu Kamale, said there is time factor is a non-issue. He said that the House can investigate the gover-

nor at any time. Lawyers have said that the burden of proof is on Nyako.

Freezing of accounts When the impeachment drama was unfolding last week, the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) froze the Adamawa State bank accounts.

Ahmad Sajoh, the governor’s Director Media and Publicty, criticised the punitive measure. He said it was a ploy to pitch the people against the state government. “They know that by freezing our accounts, we cannot pay June salaries”, he said. The state was broke. To run skeletal services, the government had to source for funds from other sources.

Impeachment as weapon against opposition To observers, the impeachment is a weapon by the PDP to get at the defected members. If Nyako’s government is brought down, it has implications for his political career. Although he had no serious political ambition in 2007 when he was drafted into the governorship race by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nyako has the ambition to become a power broker after bowing out of office.

For the Adamawa APC, the impeachment will end the power of incumbency wielded by Nyako. The governor’s camp will be in disarray and the fortune of the APC may deplete at the next general elections.

Ahead of the next elections, the next governor will move swiftly to consolidate his hold, fortify the PDP, and position it for battle. With the federal might behind them, anti-Nyako forces will go to poll with more confidence.

Politics of impeachment The root of impeachment is usually intra-party squabbles. When they escalate, the ruling party is polarised and weakened. Then, there is defection, which is followed by bitterness. Later, impeachment is exploited to score points.

The first time legislators attempted to impeach a head of government was in 1962. It was In the old Western Region. Under the cabinet system, a vote of no-confidence was passed on Premier Ladoke Akintola. But, the shrewd politician foiled the plot. He had the backing of the Prime Minister, the late Alhaji Tafawa Balewa. He survived the plot.

In the Second Republic, Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa was impeached by the National Party of Nigeria (NPN)-dominated House of Assembly. He was succeeded by his deputy, Abba Rimi. Also, the deputy governor of Kano was impeached by legislators.

In 2006, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja was impeached in error. For 11 months, his deputy, Adebayo AlaoAkala, acted as the governor. Ladoja was later reinstated by the court, which nullified the process. The court said that the laid down procedures were not followed.

Also, in 2006, former Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State was impeached in controversial circumstances. In 2007, former Lagos State Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro was impeached by the House of Assembly.

52

THE NATION THURSDAY JULY 10, 2014

POLITICS Elder statesman and Second Republic Presidential AdviserAlhaji Tanko Yakasai is a delegate to the National Conference. He spoke on the state of the nation with Correspondent KOLADE ADEYEMI.

‘Let’s return to 12-state structure’

•Yakasai

C

OULD you give us an insight into the deliberations at the National Conference so far?

Well, the National Conference has been a huge success and it has put to shame those who even thought that it will disintegrate within the first or second week of its take-off. But, we have covered about four months holding the conference. As a result of interaction among the delegates, we are now able to understand ourselves better, know each other’s position and able to negotiate positions, using give and take strategy, such that we have now concluded about 95 per cent of the work of the conference. We have 20 committees who have completed their work and submitted their report, and so far 19 out of the 20 committees had been adopted by the conference after some amendment. What is remaining for now is one committee and by the grace of God by next week, we will go through the list of the of the recommendations that were adopted. This will enable us establish

whether the minutes of the report reflect the decision of the conference.

If it is in accordance with our decision, then, we will adopt it and will not engage in any further debate, except there was an error during the recording of the decision, which will be corrected.

In your opinion, is it possible for the National Assembly to adopt all the decisions taken at the conference ?

Well, this mistake many Nigerians are making. The committee is set up

by President Goodluck Jonathan to advice him, but not to advice the National Assembly on which areas that needs to be adjusted, either in the constitution or in the laws of the country. We are going through the areas as we deem fit. Some require an enactment, which is legislation, while some will require constitutional amendment. We are now sorting them out and those that require constitutional amendment would be put on one side, while those that require legislation would be put on one side and at the close of the day, we will put them together and hand it over to the President. Specifically, the conference is an advisory committee to the President and not the National Assembly. Subsequently, the President will appoint a committee of experts, who will go through the recommendations and advice the President which of the recommendations is sensible or practicable and those that are not sensible or practicable. Then the President will decide which one to take and the one to drop. After deciding on which to take, he will then

‘ I am uncomfortable with the existing 36 states structure in the country. They are consuming the revenue of the country as the two thirds of the total revenue accruing to Nigeria is spent on the states and the Federal Government’

forward it to the National Assembly, which has the ultimate power to agree or not to agree whatever recommendations the President has accepted from the conference. Those that are in the realm of constitutional amendment will go through the normal process of constitutional amendment. For instance, many people from the Southeast are jubilating that the conference has recommended one additional state for them but they have forgotten that they will be required to go through the constitutional amendment processes.

This is because the number of states in Nigeria are defined in the constitution and mentioned, state by state, as well as the number of Local Governments that constituted each state, which are also mentioned in the constitution. So

to change any one of them tantamount to amending the constitution, which have to go through the constitutional amendment process. You need 24 states, apart from two third majorities in the National Assembly; you need 24 state legislators to support the request. For instance, if 14 out of the 36 states reject it that is the end of the matter.

Do you think that those agitating for states creation will sail through, based on the argument they advanced for the state creation?

Their arguments are cogent but it depends on the disposition of the National Assembly and members in various states, they have the final say.

To me, I am uncomfortable with the existing 36 states structure in the country. They are consuming the revenue of the country as the two thirds of the total revenue accruing to Nigeria is spent for running the states and the Federal Government, which is wrong, as it should not be the case. If you spend two third of your earnings on administration, it’s just like your wife to ask you to give two third of your salary for the maintenance of the house and leave you with one third to take care of transportation, your medical needs of the family and other necessities, which will not be enough. However, if I can have my way, I will revert to the old 12 state structure in Nigeria.

Are you saying you are opposed to the creation of additional states in Nigeria?

I am by no means in support of the creation of additional states in Nigeria, but rather the existing 36

states pruned to 12.

What is the most important decision the conference has adopted?

I think the most important is the adoption of modified Presidential system, whereby Ministers would be chosen and we agree that 70 per cent of them will be selected from the legislature. The decision would reduce tension between the legislature and the executive because the Minister will sit, with both those that would picked from the parliament and those that the President would appoint into the parliament, they will sit together with the members of parliament, so every day they will be interacting with one another. There is the case of the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah left.

If she were to be a member of the legislature, there and then, the Legislature should be able to address the Legislature and tell the Legislature what transpired and the committee of the Legislature would go through her statement and if there is any justification, they will support her and if there is none, she would be told point blank that she is wrong. So getting members of the cabinet to be sitting in the legislature will help the country and is the most far reaching recommendation the National conference has so far adopted.

However, it would amount to a constitutional amendment.

Would the National Assembly adopt most of the recommendations made by the National conference?

I am not sure they will wholeheartedly adopt but for me, I will recommend it for adoption.

Alhaji Mai Mala Buni is the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview, he reflects on the Ekiti State governorship election. He also speaks about the party’s preparations for next year’s polls. Correspondent DUKU JOEL met him.

H

OW is the APC preparing for the next year’s elections?

You will recall that some parties went into merger to produce what is now the All Progressives Congress (APC). The essence of this merger is to have a strong and committed political party that will save Nigeria and to give the country a purposeful leadership that will improve the lives of Nigerians. The parties made a lot of sacrifices, in their bid to give birth to a modern Nigeria.

Nigeria is blessed with rich human and natural resources, which unfortunately had not been properly harnessed and utilised for the benefit of Nigerians. Nigeria suffers maladministration and general inefficiency. This has made life extremely difficult for the citizenry.

In fact, Nigerians deserve to have a better lifestyle than what we have today. Sadly, other countries with less human and natural resources are better off than our dear country, and this is due to ineffective administration and the mismanagement of resources.

Therefore, the APC is built on a passion for socio-economic transformation that will save the country from the economic doldrums, social instability and the general insecurity that has bedeviled it. The APC is a Nigerian project that has the interest of every single Nigerian. We are committed to building a lasting peace and securing the lives and properties of the citizenry across the length and breadth of this country. We are also committed establishing service delivery, accountability and transparency in governance and enthroning true democracy where the voice of the people is not only heard, but respected.

So, with seven months to the next election, we are concentrating on building a strong united party, a party that gives every member equal opportunity, a party that will exploit the best potentials and produce the best leadership this coun-

‘No place for political jobbers in APC’ try will ever have to provide Nigerians with the change they have been yearning for.

How does your party intend to achieve what you think the ruling PDP has not achieved?

If you look at the manifesto of the APC, it has a clearly defined goals and approach towards governance and infrastructural development than what we have had in the last 15 years. You will agree with me that internal democracy, which is a basic tenet of democracy, has been absent in the last decade and half.

Accountability, probity, rule of law and social justice also suffered wanton abuse in the last 15 years. Our infrastructure in this country is also in a terrible state, in spite of the huge resources sunk into them.

Look at the condition of power supply. The state of electricity supply, after 15 years of the PDP leadership of the country, is a testimony of the party’s lack of initiative. I don’t think Nigerians need anybody to tell them that they need a government that will make it work. The country needs a government with the passion to provide electricity to bring the moribund industries back to life and provide employment opportunities to Nigerians.

Fifteen years after, we still have poor roads and ineffective transport system, weak healthcare delivery system, unproductive agricultural policies, poor education system and a dead manufacturing sector.

It is totally unacceptable for a country like Nigeria to have its education system in such a comatose state. We have the human and capital resources to develop education to international standard.

The parlous state of the sector has

• Buni

made many Nigerians students to travel out to much less endowed countries to study.

Let me tell you, everybody in this country, including members of the ruling PDP, are feeling the pinch.

You will be surprised to see the level of support and encouragement we are receiving from Nigerians across geographical and political divides.

The APC would also practice true democracy, with clear separation of powers among the three arms of government. This would help to promote checks and balances, good governance, service delivery and democratic growth.

It is also sad that in the last 15 years, our legislative arm did not enjoy the legislative independence it

ought to have. Similarly, the judiciary ought to have been better than what it is today, but unfortunately government in the last 15 years deliberately blocked and retarded the independence of these two arms. This is what will make government under the APC different from what it is today.

Some of your members seem to be aggrieved, following the recent national convention. What’s your reaction to this?

Let me use this opportunity to correct this wrong impression about the so-called ill-feelings in the party after the convention. The APC convention was the best party convention we have seen since the return of democracy to Nigeria in the last 15 years. It was a convention conducted based on national interest. It was a convention in which national interest superseded individual, group or sectional interest. It was a convention in which national interest was paramount, incontestable and irresistible.

Like in every human endeavour, somebody who sought for something but could not get it may feel sad at an individual level. But, we have assured such persons that the party has a large landscape to accommodate every member.

However, to assure every member of social justice, we have put in place an appeal committee, to handle all issues arising from the convention. I believe the committee is effectively handling that.

Let me also make this clear. Nobody has told us that he is leaving the party and, for your information, no true democrat with a true sense of patriotism and concern for Nigeria will ever contemplate leaving APC for another political party.

If you see anyone leaving, he must

have realised that APC is not the party for personal or selfish antics.

This is a party that is determined to effect change in the polity. We will not compromise this stand and political jobbers will have no space here to actualize selfish ambitions.

But, the doors of the party are wide open to every Nigerian who shares the same commitment and passion to change and transform Nigeria for good.

The governor of Ekiti lost the election and conceded defeat. What is your reaction?

If you listened carefully to the governor, he said if that is the wish of Ekiti people so be it. He conceded in realization of possible conflicts that may follow if he disagrees with the result of the election.

You see the mass deployment of security personnel in the Ekiti election in which members of our party were harassed and intimidated leaves much to be desired.

We have always urged security agencies to maintain neutral stand; they must avoid actions that portray them as partisan and supporting a particular political party.

They should promote a level playing ground for all parties and abide by the rules of engagement to safeguard the image of security organizations and the country.

From our Ekiti experience, the security authorities must check their men in future elections, to guard against a repeat of such unfortunate intimidation.

Now, in spite of all these, the outgoing governor and the APC candidate conceded defeat and congratulated the PDP candidate. This is a new page in the history of Nigerian politics. This action must be commended and emulated by the PDP.

53

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

NATURAL HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Diseases are caused by bacteria and viruses. WALE ADEPOJU writes that there are natural herbal-plant antibiotics that can curb some ailments. .

Herbal plants to ward off infections, bacteria

C

AN infections and bacteria be curtailed naturally with plants and food?Yes, says a traditional health practitioner and General Secretary, Natural Integrative Medicine Practitioners Association (NIMPA), Dr Gilbert Ezengige.

According to him, some infections are caused by harmful microorganisms (germs that can be seen only with the help of a microscope) while others are caused by organisms that can be seen.

Ezengige said in some infection and infestation conditions there are mixtures and interplay of both the micro and visible pathogens which include bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and worms, among others.

The natural medicine practitioner explained that the term “infestation” is normally used to describe parasitic invasion and infection to fungi, viruses and bacteria invasion.

He further said that an infestation is the presence of parasites, either internally or externally that can cause disease. Moreover, infection is an invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms such as fungi, viruses and bacteria.

Herbal medicine practitioners, he said, know antimicrobial and antipathogenic herbs that can fight off germs or parasites.

Ezengige said there are antibacterial herbs for bacterial infections such as typhoid fever and cholera, among others.

“There are antiviral herbs for combating viral diseases such as common cold and herpes; and antifungal herbs for treating fungi like candida and athlete’s foot, anthelmintic or vermifuge herbs for expelling or killing intestinal worms, among others.

He identified poor personal hygiene and poor environmental sanitation as reasons why Nigerians must always use antimicrobial herbs, saying: “Without such health measures, illnesses that are caused by harmful parasites and microorganisms will increase past redeemable stages”.

The traditional medicine practitioner said contagious diseases,

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•Ginger

•Garlic

•Clove

•Cashew

By Wale Adepoju

sexually transmitted infections, airborne and water borne diseases (indeed all transmissible or communicable diseases) require antimicrobial herbs for their treatment.

He, however, said there are herbs that possess antimicrobial activities.

NIMPA General Secretary said regular consumption of food with

these properties can offer protection against germs. “When we prepare our meals with herbs like garlic, ginger, thyme, clove and xylopia aethiopica (Eru in Yoruba, Uda in Igbo, we may not be conscious of their healing potentials in helping us to ward off infectious diseases.

When we take fruits, such as lemon, grape fruit, melon seed (not water melon seed) Elegede in Yoruba,

Anyu in Igbo, cashew, African star apple (Agbalumo in Yoruba, Udara in Igbo), we beef up our immune system and make them combatready against most harmful invading pathogens.

He identified some potent herbs that are used to treat infections by herbal medicine practitioners in Nigeria.

They are Agerantum conyzoides

known as Goat weed, Imi esu (Yoruba), which is used to treat sinusitis, E-coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and it is also used for dressing infected wounds.It can also be used to treat helicobacter pylori bacteria that causes stomach ulcer, pneumonia and dysentery.

He said alchornea cordifolia known as Christmas bush, Èpa (Yoruba) is good. Its leaves, root and stem are used to treat urinary tract infections, general microbial infections and parasitic worms. Also for cough, sore throat, veneral diseases and dysentery.

Allium sativum known as garlic bulb is utilised for these microorganisms and infections.

They are for the treatment of bacteria, fungi and parasites.

Also, it is used for respiratory infections because garlic inhibits helicobacter pylori that causes stomach ulcer, pinworms and ear infection.

Aloe vera or Aloe whole leaf and gel combats the following infections.

They are for treating infected or purulent wounds, worm infestation and bed sores.

Also, it treats eye irritations and infections and it is effective against staphylococcus aureus and herpes simplex 1 and 2 as well as typhoid fever.

Eucalyptus globules is also known as Blue gum tree (eucalyptus oil).It fights against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Helicobacter pylori, Eschericia coli and Salmonella spp, respiratory infections. Eucalyptus oil can also treat catarrh and gum infection Eugenia aromaticum known as clove (flower buds) Kanafuru (Yoruba) is known for treating toothache and gum infection (topical application of the oil), relieves bloating and intestinal gas and relieves bronchial catarrh.

It is also good for controlling bad breath as an antiseptic or bactericide that kills bacteria and round worms as well as fungi infection.

Bright eyes: Protecting your eyes from sun and wind damage

S the dry months draw near and the sun starts to shine its brightest, people will first think about protecting their skin and often forget about protecting their eyes from the sun and the wind. Eyelid cancer, cataracts and “Surfer’s Eye” are just some of the problems that can come with exposing your eyes to large amounts of sun or wind. Here are the risks of an over abundance of these weather elements and what you can do to prevent eye damage from it.

When can sun and wind damage happen?

While most think that sun damage can only happen when the sun is visible, this is simply not true.

UV-rays are strong enough to pass through thin clouds, making the sun just as dangerous on overcast days as it is on clear days. Wind and dust damage can occur from sand particles being blown into the eye causing severe irritation and even long

term issues.

What can go wrong?

Pterygium (“Surfer’s Eye”) Common eyes diseases associated with the wear and tear that results from exposure to sun and wind include Pterygium, also known as “Surfer’s Eye”. “Surfer’s Eye” is a small growth that happens when sun and wind damages the thin membrane that covers the surface of the eye. Visibly seen as a growth of pink tissue on the white of an eye, a Pterygium can feel like something is constantly inside of the eye and if it grows big enough, it can even affect vision.

Eye Sunburn (Photokeratitis) Skin isn’t the only part of your body that can become sunburned.

Photokeratitis, is actually more common than people think. The symptoms of Photokeratitis include irritation with redness, tearing, a gritty feeling like there is sand in the eye and temporary vision loss.

A lot of these symptoms are similar to the feeling of getting chlorine or salt in the eye, which is why a lot of people have in fact gotten Photokeratitis, but just haven’t realised it Eyelid Cancer Considering the extreme thin skin that the eyelid is composed of, it is no wonder that the sensitive nature of this area can lead to eyelid cancer, which makes up 10 percent of all skin cancer cases. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to a specific kind of eyelid cancer called basal cell carcinoma. This kind of eyelid cancer is directly from exposure to the sun and occurs in the lower eyelid.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Other common conditions include age-related macular degeneration, which affects the macula, part of the retina which is responsible for fine detail at the centre of

your field of vision. When exposed to a lot of sunlight, the retina is then susceptible to photochemical damage, which can ultimately lead to a higher chance of developing AMD. Patients can’t see faces, detail on a TV screen or words in the centre of a page, but are left with some peripheral vision; and cataracts where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and vision becomes less detailed.

Cataracts Although cataracts and sun exposure are not directly related, studies have shown that over exposure to the sun and the ultra-violet radiation that is produced from the sun can promote the development of cataracts.

Protect your eyes •Wear sunglasses with strong UV protection: The best protection against the sun is to wear sunglasses that contain 99 to 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Although one would think that the darkest lenses

provide the most protection, this is not necessarily true. Lighter lenses can protect your eyes, just as much as dark lenses, it is all dependent on the amount of UV protection that the sunglasses have, •Wear large hats: Wearing large hats or visors will not only help protect your eyes from the sun, but they can also block some wind, dust and sand from getting into your eyes on days that you are at the beach.

Use lubricating eye drops: Wind, sand and sun can cause eyes to become dry and create mild to severe irritation. Keeping your eyes lubricated can prevent unwanted particles becoming stuck inside of your eye and reduces the risk of gaining irritating eye problems.

Keep hydrated: Not drinking enough can make your eyes feel dry and sore, especially if you have central heating or air conditioning.

•Source: www.healthandyou.net

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

NATURAL HEALTH

Ramadan: A lifeline for spiritual motion, body’s health (2)

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HILE hoping that you have been having a beautiful Ramadan breakfast, here’s an invitation to idea for a healthful dinner this month of a fast. Last Thursday, this column shared ideas for a multipurpose breakfast.

These were meant to kit observers of the Ramadan with breakfast options which are light, do not weigh down a biochemistry that is not ready, before sunrise, for a healthy meal, that never the less energizes all day that supports the body’s detoxification process, especially at this time, that boosts immunity, that helps regeneration, that enables the spirit experience spiritual life as it should. While still encased in a physical body. Ramadan dinner ideas should provide meal option no less healthful.

So, welcome to dinner.

Sunrise to sunset is 12 long hours without food and water.

By 7 p.m when fast may be broken, the body, famished, is weak, the throat is dry, the eyes are turning and the lips are caking.

Last Friday, the day before the Ramadan began, I had small experience with blood sugar depletion, which a fasting person may experience and for which reason he or she may yield to temptation to gobble the moon as it were. I had been experimenting with a breakfast of corn paste cooked with 6-Flavoured Tea and flavoured with Apple Cider Vinegar to burn some fat. This tea was introduced to me by my niece, Mrs. Folake Ogunje, who is so trim and twiggy after three kids you would almost pass her for a teenager, and her friend, Mrs. Fowosere Gbadegesin. The tea detoxifies and burns fat, so, I was warned that if I didn’t wish to cut too much fat I should eat generously while taking it. I didn’t heed their instruction. I was experimenting to find out if the tea works as described and, if it could work better still when combined with Apple Cider Vinegar, as biochemist A.A Iriferi, of Abraka, had sought to know. That Friday, I added one bag of the tea to 50 corn pap puree and cooked it. I served it as usual with one tablespoonful of Apple Cider Vinegar, one teaspoonsful of Wheatgrass powder, for minerals, vitamins and chlorophyll, and a quarter teaspoonsful of Spirulina for protein, beta carotene, chlorophyll and minerals. I had snacks for lunch when I couldn’t bear hunger and wish to have dinner at home. I would not have made it back home if I wasn’t wise enough to stop over at Sandra’s for Oranges. Sandra operates a phone call kiosk where I make phone calls on my way home. She suggested I have a bottle of any soft drink, but I rejected, telling her why. Blood sugar may run low because the pancreas is overworking. A sudden sugar influx into the blood would trigger the cycle over time, exhaust the pancreas or cause diabetes. This is well explained in William Dufty’s SUGAR BLUES. The book details his own bouts with blood sugar control mechanism failure and how, with complex carbonhydrate diet, he solved his problems. The book attempts, also, to encourage doctors not to prescribe soft drinks for low blood sugar. It cites the story of a professor of medicine who was advised by even his own peers to give up work because of his terrible blood sugar swings which he had tried for many years to correct with simple sugar. It was a young doctor who was not cast in old-medicine school soft drinks protocols who bailed him out on a diet of complex carbohydrates. So, taking orange juice this Friday evening, I knew it contained not only simple sugar but, also, potassium which was a good electrolyte for this condition as well. In addition, I ate the juice sack and the pith for fibre and bioflavonoid. The fibre would prevent a rush of sugar into the blood and serve as a complex carbohydrate factor. Fibre is the factor in complex carbohydrates which slows the rush of sugar into the blood. If you doubt that rush of sugar complicates blood sugar problems, watch how an hospital patient is given life reviving drip. The solution goes into the blood not in a flood but one drop at a time! That’s how complex carbohydrates release their sugars into the blood.

I have not given up 6-Flavour Tea. Rather, I discovered another way to take it with pap without much ado. I ran into walnuts which are in season now and added N50 ground crayfish and eight or 10 of the boiled nuts and… waoooh, it is so filling, so nutritious and so medicinal that it helps to

used for other purposes as you would soon read. I got a bottle of Sea Man’s Aromatic Schnapp’s and minced about 20 walnuts into it. Every morning after rehydrating with water, I take one tort of it. The tort (not shot) is that small glass cup which comes with the bottle.

hold my energy together from breakfast to dinner. And that was why, suddenly, I realised the inclusion of nuts in breakfast and dinner would not be a bad idea at this time.

The walnut I have been fascinated by this nut since I read of the use to which French Emperor Napoleon Bonarpate put it. His soldiers were drunken and often shot one another. Someone advised him to have walnut orchards grown all over France and compel pubs to serve two walnuts, at no extract cost for every pint of liquor sold. It worked. The drunkenness and senseless shootings stopped. Apparently, walnut protects the brain against alcohol suppression. Later, today herbalists have found what they call the signature tune of walnut.

The brain has two hemispheres, the left and the right separated by a membrane. So does the walnut. A signature tune is the physical semblance of a plant (fruit, nut, leaf or root) with any organ of the body it has specific action(s) upon.

For example, Bilberry, the eye herb, is purple. So is the light sensitive part of the retina of the eye which it nourishes and protects. The leaves of the walnut tree have been used, for brain related questions, either as a sedative for insomnia or for mental or psychiatric purposes, when boiled to make a tea. Maria Treben, of blessed memory, recommended infusing the walnut membrane in a wine to make a heart wine. In many parts of Nigeria, it is widely believed that eating the walnut ‘cleans the chest’ but the herbalist and their patients cannot explain why. The University of California (UCLA) does. In its experiments, it found walnut lowers blood cholesterol level and improves heart function thereby.

Dinner As usual, a fast should be broken gently, to give the body the time to ready itself for work. A cold motor car engine doesn’t run as well as the one which has gained some warmth. Clean, alkaline water, such as Lasena from a 522meter deep artesian well, is advised for breaking the fast.

Water should not be rushed, otherwise air may be sucked in along with it, and this may cause rumbles in the bowels. It should be sipped, better still with a straw. Cold water, especially the one from the “prison” of a fridge or freezer, is terrible. It shocks the nerves of the stomach and, thereby, contracts the tissue, diminishing their function. Cold water cools the blood, which is meant to be warm, and affects the kidneys as well. The body, a warm blooded mammal, has to expend more energy to heat the cold stuff to body temperature. That is unnecessary labour, wear and tear and energy expenditure.

Fruit or vegetable juice drink may follow the water course about 15 to 30 minutes after Soups, such as chicken broth, may follow. Remember, not to combine fruit and vegetable in the same meal. They run allergy riot in some people. In many people, fruit after the main meal is bad news. Fruits take about 30 minutes to digest in the stomach, whereas many carbohydrates meals take up to two hours. Proteins (meat, beans e.t.c) take longer. When the fruit is ready to go but the rest of the meal complex is not ready, delaying the fruit in the stomach causes food rot or decay, flatulence, excessive stomach acids from the breakdown, heartburn, irritation of the stomach lining, inflammation (gastritis), pain, proliferation of bacteria, including Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer.

Duodenal ulcer and colitis (inflammation of the colon) may not be ruled out. Ditto, gas problems (belching, farting, bloating, ulcerartive colitis (bleeding colon) occult blood and tumours.

To whatever may be the meal of choice for dinner, WALNUT should be added. For one week, I have added about 10 boiled walnuts to every meal of the day. I may have overreached myself when I tried raw walnut. I set out to eat two but ended up eating one. The taste is so awful that I have no words as yet to describe it. I threw the other away! I had thought there wasn’t anything I couldn’t eat! But trust me, I do not give up easily, not on walnut, which for years, I had

UCLA Findings The researchers found walnut is anti-inflammatory and has an unusual type of Vitamin E…Gama tocopherol, which protects the heart and the blood vessels (cardiovascular system). They found, also, that about 80 percent of the nutrients of walnut is in its skin which is composed largely of Flavonoids.

Fascinating is the experiment on male fertility. One hundred and seventeen men with sperm count problems (number of cells, morphology and motility) they were divided into two groups. One was given two handfuls of walnuts every day. The other was not. After about 16 weeks, the results were evaluated. In the group who took two handfuls of walnuts every day, sperm count, morphology and motility returned to normal. In the group that did not eat walnut, the result was negative.

Next, the researchers evaluated walnut for anti-tumour activity, especially in respect of breast cancer. Rats that were induced to develop breast cancer.

Many given walnuts did not develop breast cancer. In about 30 per cent which did, the tumour size was small, indicating walnut may have played a role in preventing full blown breast cancer. In respect of prostate cancer, similar results were evident. Their findings should encourage the continued use of walnut in all sorts of therapies, particularly in those in which antibiotic and antiviral or, generally speaking, anti-parasite actions are desired. The green shell of walnut is used for this purpose. The nut extract is also gaining popularity. The walnut husk and walnut extract are in the anti-parasite formulas PARACLEANSE and PARASITE FORMULA which this column often recommends along with other anti-parasite herbs such as Pau d’Arco and Bellaco capsi, in a cleansing programme. As for the alcohol extract, I take Liver Balance or Liver Health for protection of the Liver against the alcohol. The extract can keep for as long as the alcohol keeps. People who do not touch alcohol, a water extract or a line or lemon juice extract should be possible.

Pulverize or grind the walnut to paste and pour water on it for an infusion. The water extract should be consumed on the same day. It is possible pure honey or lime or lemon juice would extend the shell life. It is good to include one form of the walnut or the other in the diet not only curing the Ramadan but ever after.

Chibok girls inside and outside Sambisa forest (1)

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HESE Days, I sleep as late as 2a.m. or 3a.m., suffering not from insomnia for which I may need Melatonin or Lion’s Mane or Valerian Root or Natural Calm..or what have you! An airplane may be flying by. On normal days, this doesn’t disturb me from falling asleep as soon as I wish to, or from enjoying a good, incisive and educative dream. At some other time, lightening may be flashing, heralding thunder, stormy wind or heavy rainfall. On a good day, my sleep is well insulated against all these activities of Mother Nature. I like to go to bed at night remembering Mother Nature as a reminder or expression of the Will of the Creator in His Creation. That was why I asked my carpenter to make me a high bed which is so high that I have to climb into it. Climbing into bed gives me the experience of height. The experience of height tells me, for example, that I am departing this terrain for a while to experience life in another world or life dimension. That is me, who is going to leave my body in bed for a while during restful sleep for that body, my transport vehicle or mode on earth. I gained this idea of height and high bed from the places where I observe joint worship of the Creator in spirit with kindred souls. Whether it is a Hall of Worship or a Temple, it is so designed that, from the outside, you climb a number of steps or stairways to a forecourt, where you learn to compose yourself for some time, before you proceed on another jour-

ney to the Hall of Worship where, it is expected you enter having dropped behind you everything that doesn’t belong there. As you return to your station in life after Worship and you descend those stairs or steps, for the necessary experiences in material life, you recognise you have absorbed or are taking an unquantifiable something back with you for triumphal activities in the world.

After I climb into bed at night, I try to be in tune with Mother Nature. I imagine life on this reeling planet call earth. It is a floating, fairly roundish ball of solid material rolling sideways on its axis and, at the same time moving around the sun. Many objects are patched on the side of this rolling and moving planet. There are trees and forests and meadows. There are rivers, oceans and seas. There are rocky mountains and earth mountains. There are all sorts of animals and human beings who have put up on this material mass all sorts of houses and office blocks, including skyscrapers. Deep inside the earth, as its core, there is a raging ocean of fire which melts the toughest iron. It is wrapped up by heavy layers of rock. When this rock cracks anywhere, molten rock, heat and fire may shoot up to the surface, causing quakes, and such rocky areas as Abeokuta and Idanre in South-western Nigeria. As a schoolboy, I was taught that the force of gravity magnetises all of these to the centre of the earth, thus preventing them from falling off. As an

adult, I have recongised gravity as the expulsion from anywhere of any entity with mass and density heavier than that region and deposition in the appropriate region where attached or pasted by this repulsive force, it exhibits the picture of being held down by the host environment. Don’t we all “find” our various “levels” on this earth? One day, the Law of Spiritual Gravity will take us all to where we belong after our tenure on earth!

Sambisa Forest It is in this forest that Boko Haram soldiers live, train and have come to bomb churches and then shoot worshippers dead. Two Sundays ago, they killed more than 100 worshippers in a Maiduguri church. Their bid to bomb five churches two weeks ago was foiled. Nigeria is a funny country. We easily forget Boko Haram havocs. How many people remember that in the dead of the night they invaded a polythenic hostel and shot dead as many Christian inmates as they could find to shoot? Many people have forgotten that they ambushed traders from Ibadan in the South-West, shot them dead and slashed the throats of the corpses. In Sambisa forest, their victims are tied like rams to be slaughtered and then killed by a “butcher”, who cuts the throat and then removes the head. As the corpse is thrown into a pit, euphoric spectators scream… Allahu Akbar (God is Great)! Their most remarkable onslaught so far was the abduction of more than 200 teenage girls assembled in a school in a Chibok school, Borno State for an examination. In the night, Boko troops came and abducted them to the forest.

55

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

NEWS

RAMADAN KAREEM

Ramadan 13, 1435AH

•From left: University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor Prof Rahamon Bello; Alhaji Kasali Adegoke, Alhaji Mubashir Ajanaku and Dr. AbdulHafiz Oladosu during the university’s Muslim community 10th Ramadan Lecture held at UNILAG Mosque, Akoka, Lagos Photo: NIYI ADENIRAN

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NSCIA condemns ethnic, religious violence

ECRETARY-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has condemned the spate of religion and ethnic intolerance.

He canvassed dialogue as a panacea to resolve the lingering crises.

Oloyede spoke at a Ramadan lecture organised by the Islamic Youth League of Nigeria (IYL) in Abuja.

Religions bodies, he said, should embrace one another as no religion preaches hatred and intolerance.

He called for the creation of desk gallery in the mosque, where anyone from other religion can sit without coming into mosque.

"Visitors should be allowed into the mosque premises. Let him worship according to the doctrine

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

of his religion while I will pray according to the doctrine of my religion. There should be no compulsion in the ways and manners one intends to worship his God," he said.

Guest speaker, the Chief Imam of University of Ibadan, Prof. Abdul Rahman Oloyede, said violence has never been in the ethics of Islam to resolve issues.

He called for Interfaith Committee (IFC) or strengthening the National Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) through legal means.

Quoting from the Quran and the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet), Oloyede said Muslims are bound to treat their neighbours with kindness regardless of their religion affiliations.

"The best form of Jihad (struggle) is for Muslims to

convey the message of Islam to humanity by written/spoken words as well as by translating the Islamic teachings in individual and collective spheres of life. If a nonMuslim asks for help, you must help him. If he is sick, you must visit him. You don't raise your building above his building without his permission and do not cause him grieve," he said.

IYL Garki Division Ch a i r m a n , Dr Aliu Akano, said it is incumbent upon mankind to strive, through dialogue to promote peace in the society.

"These actions would strengthen confidence, reduce security challenges and allow peace to reign. This is because sincere, comprehensive, and balance dialogue lead to justice, equity, development, happiness and peace in a society," he said.

•Founder, Rhesus Solution Initiative (RSI) and wife of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser Mrs Funmilayo Banire flanked by Alhaja Idera Bisiriyu (left) and Alhaja Tawa Kasunmu during Iftar (Breaking of fast) hosted by Dr Banire at his GRA residence, Ikeja

‘Mis governance caused Boko Haram’

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N Islamic scholar, Ustaz Abdulhafeez Salaudeen, has attributed the rise of the Boko Haram insurgency to poor governance.

Ustaz Salaudeen, the chief executive officer of Kapel Foods, Abeokuta, Ogun State, described as propaganda the linkage of Boko Haram to Islam.

He spoke at the Annual Ramadan lecture, organised by the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA), Alimosho branch, Egbeda, Lagos.

Ustaz Abdulhafeez said Muslims should not shy away from telling the world that Boko Haram represents evil, hence it should not be linked with Islam.

He said: “One of the basic things Muslims must do is to spread the information that they (Boko Haram) are not part of us. Never should you have it in mind that Boko Haram is Islam. You know what? Nigerian government gave birth to Boko Haram.

First, we are not having good governance; good governance guarantees social security for the people. So, in the event of violence, terror, you

Group lifts indigent Muslims

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UF’YAN Abimbola Islamic Foundation (SAIF) has offered scholarship to indigent Muslims to pursue their studies beyond secondary school level.

President of the foundation Mr. Mustapha Fadairo said this at the foundation’s annual Ramadan lecture in Lagos.

Fadairo said the lecture is to gear Muslims up towards excellent performance.

“The aim of the foundation is to provide for the indigent Muslims during Ramadan and even beyond. We also help indigent Muslims in their education by providing scholarship for them to enable them carry on with their studies,” he said.

Speaking on the theme; ‘Ramadan jurisprudence,’ Fadairo said this should prepare Muslims spiritu-

•Mr. Kunle Abimbola (left) and Mr. Ibrahim Nurudeen

By Amidu Arije

ally and physically during the month.

“It is titled Ramadan jurisprudence to enlighten us on how to prepare spiritually, physically and materially for the month of Ramadan,” he said.

He urged Muslims to be law-abiding and use the month of Ramadan for societal reformation.

“We use the period to reach out to Muslims to be law-abiding and follow the teachings of the Prophet and Quran injunc-

‘We enjoin Muslims to be good to everyone around them irrespective of their religious inclinations. When we live an exemplary life, people will embrace Islam the more’ tions. We enjoin Muslims to be good to everyone

•Mallam Abimbola

around them irrespective of their religious inclinations.

When we live an exemplary life, people will embrace Islam the more,” he said.

The guest lecturer, Mallam Ahmad Abimbola who spoke on the theme ‘Ramadan Islamic Jurisprudence’ urged Muslims to be morally upright during and after the Ramadan.

SAIF is named after Imam Suf’yan Abimbola, who was the Chief Imam of Abimbola Central Mosque for his contributions towards the growth of Islam.

By Ibrahim Adam

should take a cover under the government that is responsible to you.

“Secondly, there is no social justice which engenders anger, violence, misbehaviour, crime among others; the home, the schools and job are not secured; everybody is exposed to temptation and what follow is criminal activities, emergence of different horrible and horrific groups,” he said.

Ustaz Salaudeen said no matter how big is the propaganda, the image of Islam will not be tarnished.

“Depending on the way

you look at it, the Muslim image is not tarnished because tarnishing of an image by a kind of design is what I can call conspiracy. Our image is that we are not trouble makers and as Muslims, we are people who believed in social justice, who believed that everybody must be secured and protected no matter your religion; we are people who do not force anybody to practise our faith; we are people who believe others must be taken care of, so there is no reason to attribute Boko Haram activities to us,” he said.

RAMADAN GUIDE WITH FEMI ABBAS e-mail: femabbas@yahoo.com Tel: 08122697498

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Travelling in Ramadan

N Islam, travelling is not just part of education. It is actually a form of education. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) realized this early in his prophet hood years and emphasized it. He said: “Seek knowledge even if you will have to travel to China “. At that time, the world map, as it is today, had not been crafted out. China was considered the farthest place from Arabia.

It is in accentuation of the Prophets instruction that a renowned Arab poet came up with his famous poem which translates thus: “There is no permanent, resting place for a sensible, learned person. Therefore, move from city to city and adapt to any new environment in which you may find yourself.

Travel and meet new contemporaries similar to those you may have parted with and left behind.

Interact with diverse people because human comfort and prosperity are only attainable with interaction…”

The respect which Islam has for travellers is such that they are described as wayfarers in the Qur’an. And by virtue of their journey, Muslim travellers are not only permitted to reduce their four rakats of (Dhur, ‘Asr and ‘Ishai) to two each.

They are also excuse from fasting while on journey (although they will make up for the missed fasts later). Not only that, they are also listed as one of the groups qualified to receive Zakat; the proviso, however is that such a journey must be justifiable and legitimate. Judging by the proviso above it becomes understandable that a Muslim journey in Ramadan must be one of necessity and not of mere pleasure.

As a month of worship, repentance, forgiveness, blessing, hope and fulfilment, Ramadan is supposed to cement families, friends and relations in a pleasurable atmosphere. And that cannot be achieved on a journey.

Despite the Qur’anic injunction on wayfaring, a Muslim may choose to fast and complete his prayers while on journey. This is possible if the journey is comfortable and not rigorous.

The rule is that if the journey is beyond 54 kilometres, a travelling Muslim may break his fast and shorten his Salat.

But that rule was formulated at the time when donkeys and camels were the means of travelling.

Today, when it is possible to travel from Lagos to Kano within one hour in a comfortable aircraft or from Ibadan to Lagos in a fully air -conditioned car, within the same period, it will be rather unnecessarily to indulge in breaking fast and reducing Salat especially when the traveller must make up for the fast broken after Ramadan.

There is hardly any rule without exception. The modern exceptions to the rule of travelling in Ramadan have transcended those of the donkey age.

56

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

57

THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS e-Business

e-mail: e-business@thenationonlineng.net

Landlines that used to serve homes and offices appear to have died with the advent of mobile telephony.

LUCAS AJANAKU reports that efforts to resuscitate the sub-sector, which is adjudged to be cheaper to run, and make it compete with global system for mobile communication may have collapsed.

End of the road for landlines?

Former EVC of the NCC Ernest Ndukwe said the future of the sub-sector is in consolidation. He said: “I think the way forward and what I will recommend is the consolidation of these companies. I think some of them should merge and make a bigger cake rather than the segmented way they are today. And I think as an industry, there is move towards that direction. Some call it consolidation in the industry. When that happens, I suspect you will see better days for CDMA in the country.”

O

N a book shelf in his modest living room in Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, lay the Multi-Links landline. Its beautiful milk colour has paled out to dull red. It is gathering dust. Each time Mr Samuel Ojuko sees the communication box on his table, he remembers those days when it was in vogue.

He recalled with nostalgia how the fixed wireless device broke the communication barrier between him and his family. “I remember then that there was one landline in my office on Broad Street, Lagos. Getting to talk to my family in Egbeda was so easy.

I just dial the number and a seamless voice communication will go on. Cases, such as drop calls, inability to originate calls and other malaise plaguing the GSM technology was rare then but now, there it is, an empty box that is a sad reminder of a good past,” Ojuko said.

In most homes, landlines have become toys which children used to play. The more adventurous kids, out of curiosity to unearth what it was in there that facilitated voice calls, so often try to open the box to “see what is making noise inside the radio”.

CAPCOM’s dashed hope

In the beginning

Before the liberalisation of the telecoms sector by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, state-run but largely inefficient Nigeria Telecommunication Limited (NITEL), held the country to ransom. Getting a landline could take years. It was era that promoted rent and bred corruption as officials of the telco will have to be offered one form of gratification or the other to do the work they were employed and paid to do. So, the government summed up the courage and broke the monopoly by licensing Gbobal Sytem for Mobile Communication (GSM) operators.

Then, NITEL lost its bearing, it was only able to bequeath about 40,000 analogue lines to the country after operating since independence.

Coming of fixed line operators

Starcomms blazed the trail, commencing operation in the 90’s. It launched on July 8, 1997. Multi Links, Intercellular, MTS First Wireless, Prestal Telecoms, Visafone, ZOOMobile, 21st Century and others joined the train.

In the beginning, business was good. Many Nigerians who had long been deprived of their fundamental right to expression through the use of the phones due to monopoly of NITEL and subsequently, its mobile arm, MTel, embraced the new technology which was driven by code division multiple access (CDMA). Business flourished; subscribers did not only make cheap and affordable calls, they also used the device to connect to the internet using their personal computers (PCs). So, there was boom time, so it seemed until the Federal Government licensed GSM operators.

Beginning of the end

After the licensing of GSM operators, the fortunes of fixed line operators began its roller-coaster dive. Instead of giving the licencees a good run for their money through competition, fixed line operators went to sleep. Analysts say the operators who had invested millions of dollars to get licences from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) immediately swung into aggressive marketing. By the time the fixed line operators woke up from their slumbers, the GSM operators had cornered their customers.

Another factor that worked against fixed line operators was the global economic meltdown which stopped or decreased the

•Juwah

•Elesho

inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) across countries. Since no business can be run without the injection of capital, none was coming to the telecoms sub-sector.

The regulatory environment may have also contributed to the moribund state of the subsector. While the GSM operators enjoyed mouthwatering incentives to roll out, the incumbent fixed players were not in any way incentivised. So, the regulator inadvertently created a field where some operators had an edge over the others.

The era of universal licensing was also said to have affected the fortunes of fixed line operators. Universal licences allowed operators to do so many things. So, there was no advantage the fixed line operators had over their mobile operator counterparts.

With the signs of an imminent extinction of the subsector clearly written, stakeholders called stridently for financial bail-out. But the

Executive Vice Chairman, the NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah said his administration will not subscribe to any bail-out plan. He spoke at his maiden interaction with ICT editors in Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers that the operators could toe the line of merger and acquisition.

According to April figures obtained from the NCC website, while total connected GSM lines stands at 172,913,989, the CDMA and fixed wired/wireless had 4,076,933 and 328,388 respectively. For active lines, GSM has 126,958,914 while CDMA and fixed wired/wireless have 2,256,612 and 172,876 respectively.

Way forward

Sector analysts say the only way out for the distressed subsector is merger and acquisition (M&A) or consolidation and not outright bail out.

‘I think the way forward and what I will recommend is the consolidation of these companies. I think some of them should merge and make a bigger cake rather than the segmented way they are today. And I think as an industry, there is move towards that direction.

Some call it consolidation in the industry. When that happens, I suspect you will see better days for CDMA in the country’

About two years ago, a flash of light appeared at the dark end of the long tunnela merger plan was unveiled which was hailed as a welcome development in the industry. It was to get MTS, Starcomms and Multi-Links to form a formidable operator that will operate under CAPCOM. The strategy of the investment is “to invest $50 million in the equity of CAPCOM, transferable into the ordinary shares of Starcomms Plc—a 10-year established telecoms mobile CDMA operator, with spectrum in the 1900MHz range—alongside $150 million of equity derived from CAPCOM’s existing shareholders.

As at today, only Visafone, itself a product of merger and acquisition involving Cellcom, ITN and Bourdex, can be said to be providing services on a particularly competitive scale. Starcomms, which at one time was the bride of the industry later experienced a decline in fortunes. With CAPCOM in the offing, there is optimism that the CDMA sub-sector would bounce back, offering best-in-class telecoms services to Nigerians.

“To simultaneously consolidate Starcomms with two other Nigeria CDMA—Multi-Links and Cyancom, formerly MTS—creating a single national Long Term Evolution (LTE) Broadband operator with 20Mhz of bandwidth in the 1900Mhz frequency range, to build from an existing combined 2012 base of 160,000 data consumers each paying $24- $32 per month to a base of 2, 500, 000 data customers by 2016.

“The $200 million investment funds the acquisition of Multi-Links and MTS; recapitalises Starcomms and provides it with sufficient capital and liquidity to finance its existing creditors and working capital; and permits it to expand its existing network through the introduction of 4G/LTE technology to become a major provider of Broadband services to Nigeria’s burgeoning consumers.”

Others said to hold shares in the company include Oldonyo Laro Estate five per cent; Bridgehouse Capital Limited three per cent; Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) two per cent and Private Equity Investors one per cent. The deal would also have seen a further injection of N31.1billion into the network.

The story of Multi-Links is pathetic. In 2007, a South African firm, Telkom had acquired 75 per cent equity for $276million. Two year after, it paid $125million for the remaining 25 per cent. In 2010, Telkom wrote off a debt of $1.2billion. Even then, the telco could not pull itself through the boot straps.

Another player, Intercellular had 70 per cent of its equity acquired by Sudanese national operator, Sudatel for $80million. The transaction was not well tidied up as only $10million was allegedly paid while the investor also reneged on its promise to inject another $500million over a five-year period to allow the sick telco expand its network.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the group, Demola Elesho, assured that the merged entities would take advantage of the ‘contiguity’ of spectrum to unleash superior services that will be provided through the latest technology of 4G or long term evolution (LTE).

The expectations of stakeholders in the industry has however been dashed as the companies merging have not been able to tie all the loose ends to the deal.

The NCC said it has the constitutional powers to revoke the approval in principle granted the telcos if it is satisfied that the firms cannot agree to move forward.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

e-Business

Telcos networks‘ll come under pressure, says Cisco chief

T

HE networks of mobile phone service providers will continue to be under pressure from data-hungry customers who are embracing the internet, the General Manager, Nigeria and English Speaking West Africa, Cisco, Dare Ogunlade, has said.

Ogunlade, who spoke during the unveiling of the Cisco Visual Networking Index Global Forecast and Service Adoption for between last year and 2018 in Lagos, said there would be an increase in mobile internet traffic, adding that in the absence of ubiquitous metro fibre optic cables and broadband services, pressure will inevitably come

T

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

upon the networks that will be stretch almost beyond capacity.

Analysts said this development might further compound the quality of service (QoS) problem that has consistently pit the regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) against the operators.

He however said with many of the telcos laying metropolitan fibre optic cables across the country, there is hope that this will help cushion the effect of the pressure, adding that QoS will keep getting better.

Giving highlight of the Visual Networking Index in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), he said internet protocol (IP) traffic will grow five-fold to a 38 per cent compound annual growth rate (CGR) while internet traffic will grow 5.5fold from last year to 41 per cent CGR in four years.

For IP video traffic, Ogunlade said this will grow seven-fold 48 per cent CGR while internet video traffic will grow eight-fold to 50 per cent CGR in four years.

High definition (HD) video will be 19.6 per cent of IP video traffic in 2018, up from 6.9 per cent last year (82.3 per cent CAGR) while mobile

Firm urges innovation for competition

ECHNOLOGY professionals have been urged to be innovative to meet the challenges of the times.

The Chief Executive Officer, Phase3 Telecom, Mr. Stanley Jegede gave the advice while fielding questions from journalists ahead the Africa ICT Professionals Conference 2014, to be organised by the Association of Telecommunications Professional of Nigeria (ATPN).

He argued that one of the quickest ways for the world to take note of Information Communication Technology (ICT) professionalism is in the area of delivering relevant content to the customers.

He said: “We are in the age of technology and there is no part of the continent that is immune to its influence and impact. So Africa ICT professionals must understand the needs of the local mar-

By Alvin Afadama

ket and deliver solutions that address them.”

According to him, applications and solutions are changing the entire world where the result of painstaking thoughts and innovations are encouraging technology professionals in the country to put in their efforts.

He restated the commitment of his firm to play its roles towards ensuring that its leadership position in the ICT industry impacts positively on the lives of people and the industry.

He said: “Because of our frontline role in the Nigerian and Africa ICT market place, Phase3Telecom has chosen to be a professional supporter of ATPN via sponsorship of this year’s ICT professional conference because we want to demonstrate our commitment to al-

ways encouraging initiatives and programmes that promote or advocate the continued development of the ICT sector.”

ATPN was formed by industry experts in response to the urgent need to bring practiSing telecommunications/IT professionals in the country and the continent together for knowledge-sharing with a view to building human capacity for the development of industry as well as recognising ICT professionals for excellent and exceptional contributions to the industry.

The conference is designed to bring together professionals, organisations, government agencies and other stakeholders in the industry to proffer solution to the problems of the industry.

The theme of the event is: “Building a professional legacy from strength to strength”.

data traffic will grow 14-fold to 70 per cent.

The report sees networked devices grow up to two billion up from 1.3 billion last year, fixed/WiFi will be 60 per cent of total IP traffic while the continent see three million internet households (5.1 per cent of all internet households) generating more than 100 gigabytes per month up from 438,224.

He said: “The reality of the IoE, the increasing demand for network mobility, and the emergence of 4K video are among the key trends

‘Funds’paucity, information crippling SMEs’

Y

OUNG entrepreneurs have identified lack of funds and information as major hindrances to the development of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

They added that information is vital to the survival business in modern environment.

The entrepreneurs, who spoke at the MTN Link Forum, said availability of funds and the requisite and timely information will reduce the high mortality rate of SMEs in the country.

MTN Link Forum is a platform designed to create an avenue for young entrepreneurs to learn from the experience of successful business men so that they can make informed decisions as they set out to establish and grow their businesses. More than 300 young business owners brought together to interact and exchange ideas.

One of them who simply

A

Mobile media revenues to pass $90b

I

HS forecasts that total revenues from mobile media and advertising will pass $90 billion in 2018, up from $53 billion in 2014.

In a new report, IHS says mobile advertising will become the leading mobile business model, overtaking paid content revenues in 2015. In-app purchases will remain the primary revenue stream for app developers as mobile search stays higher than mobile display advertising revenues.

The report also finds that Amazon has the most highly monetised user-base generating over $350 revenue per year from each of its active customers, but with more than 30 times higher profit per user Apple’s profitability dwarfs all oth-

ers in the mobile industry. Currently, Japan is the most successful mobile content market with average mobile content revenues of $40 per subscriber in 2013 compared with $21 in South Korea, $15 in the US and $12 in the United Kingdom (UK).

Wearable devices are a new focus for mobile app developers, with Health & Fitness and notification services attracting most interest so far. However, the report says many of these apps remain too focused on one-off payments and need to a find a way to create sustained revenues from users through subscription and service based models; Health and Fitness apps took only around one per cent of top UK app store revenues in Q1

2014, but accounted for six per cent of the leading paid downloads.

IHS has analysed the total mobile content spend of mobile subscribers in a number of major markets – looking at music, video, apps and games – and also compared how leading companies in the mobile ecosystem monetise their users. It found that games and driven freemium in-app revenues continue to be the standout category for overall app store revenues. Virtual currencies are driving games freemium success; accounting for more the 70 per cent of the top US in-app purchases in Q1. But outside games, subscription models are often the best route to monetisation with dating and music apps among the most successful.

identified himself as Charles said: “Over the years, SMEs have not been doing well because there are problems associated with getting funding and the right information.

The interest rates in the banks are killing; there is no way an SME can grow under that type of interest rate regime.”

General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria Kola Oyeyemi said the telco as a truly supporting brand is committed to developing and engaging budding entrepreneurs, and encouraging them to be better in various entrepreneurial fields of human endeavour.

He said: “A strategic focus for MTN is to constantly provide an engaging and supporting platform for aspiring entrepreneurs. MTN Nigeria has continuously demonstrated this, through various value adding initiatives.”

Airtel, CWG partner on research, education IRTEL and Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) have partnered to deploy the first research and education network dubbed Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN).

NgREN is an initiative of the Federal Government and it is the first Research and Education Network in West and Central Africa. It employs Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to drive inter-institutional communication, collaboration, and shared access to knowledge across national and international boundaries.

According to a statement, the initiative, which was inaugurated by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Maitama, Abuja, is an outcome of the NUC’s partnership with the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities to establish a foundation that will redefine research and learning in tertiary institutions across the country.

The project also enjoys the sup-

• Cross section of student-participants at a capacity building forum organised by IBM West Africa in Yaba, Lagos

highlighted in this year’s Cisco VNI forecast that represent significant opportunities for service providers in the Africa today and in the immediate future.

“Major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup have highlighted the enormous consumer and business appetite for a better viewing experience over the Internet using either mobile or fixed devices and service providers are seeking new innovative technology solutions that will deliver this enhanced experience.”

port of the World Bank as it seeks to create an elaborate infrastructural backbone to interconnect all research and education institutions in the country and link them with other research and education networks globally.

Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Segun Ogunsanya expressed delight at the initiative, saying the programme underscores the telco’s objective of repositioning the country as number one enterprise business and mobile internet service provider in line with its core corporate philosophy of enriching lives.

He said: “At Airtel Nigeria, we are committed to creating an innovative Enterprise Business and mobile communications solutions that will enrich lives and empower Nigerians to fulfill their dreams.

Airtel will continue to support programmes and initiatives that will deepen learning, research, innovation and digital content in Nigeria,” Ogunsanya said, adding that the telco is passionate about developing the education sector.

Etisalat expands Easybusiness package

E

TISALAT has introduced two more plans on its Easybusiness package called Super BB and Super Data Plan.

Its Director, Business Segment Lucas Dada said the telco is driven by the desire to grow customer loyalty through improved and innovative value offerings that help them conduct their businesses locally and internationally at minimum cost and maximum satisfaction.

“Easybusiness was introduced in 2012 as a strong value proposition for small and growing businesses, offering free calls and SMS in a closed user group (CUG) as little as three at a competitive flat rate per month. We are driven to continue to find ways to make Easy Business the de-facto business mobile phone package for SMEs

in Nigeria. This is why we are introducing two new plans under the Easybusiness package. They are the Super BB and Super Data plans which come with the existing Easybusiness premium variant bundled with a BlackBerry Complete plan and 200 MB data respectively,” he was quoted to have said in a statement.

Dada said for customers already on the Easybusiness premium plan, things just got better as there would be no need for them to dial additional codes to enjoy BlackBerry or data services, because “this enhanced bundle not only provides the convenience of an all in one package without the hassles of remembering and dialling different activation codes but also provides the opportunity for customers to make international calls at a highly subsidised rates”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

MONEYLINK

Auditors kick against dominance by foreign firms I NDIGENOUS auditors are concerned about the rising level of control enjoyed by KPMG, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Accenture, Deloitte and Ernst & Young commonly referred to as the “big five” professional services firms.

The Chairman, SIAO, an indigenous auditing firm, Robert AdeOdiachi said the “big five” have corned top jobs from government parastatals, banks and other leading firms in the country.

He said the relevance being given to the firms runs contrary to the Local Content Act, 2010, which stipulated that key jobs from government be done by local auditors, in partnership with international operators.

Ade-Odiachi said the “big five” are parading themselves as indigenous Nigerian firms when what they are at best are franchises of foreign professional firms. “What we are wit-

Stories by Collins Nweze

nessing presently, in the business sector of this country, is a blatant disregard for the provisions of the Nigerian Local Content Act, 2010. The “big five” professional services firms are parading themselves as indigenous Nigerian firms when what they are at best are franchises of foreign professional firms, he said.

Continuing, he said the firms service all banks, most if not all most public quoted companies and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), multinationals and other public interest companies to the utmost total exclusion of indigenous formed and owned firm.

Managing Partner, SIAO, Itua Ighodalo said the “big five” have managed to do this because of the

negligence and in very many cases, the support of government agencies. He said the local Content Act, 2010 is clear in its provisions and intent.

He said the purpose of enacting the Local Content Act is to develop local skills, facilitate technology transfer, ensure optimum use of local manpower and local manufacturing in the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector.

Ighodalo argued that even if foreign companies are registered in Nigeria, and can qualify as Nigerian firms, they are most certainly not indigenous or wholly Nigerian.

“It is needless to state that the Local Content Act was enacted to cater for and provide protection for Nigerian indigenous companies that are in competition with foreign companies and foreign companies with subsidiaries in Nigeria,” he said.

FirstBank organises sustainability workshop

By Ajose Sehindemi

• FirstBank GMD Bisi Onasanya

F

IRSTBANK of Nigeria Limited has reiterated its commitment to supporting businesses that address social and environmental concerns in the society. Director, First Bank Sustainability Centre and head of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr Chris Ogbechie, said at the workshop attended by Nongovernmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders at LBS that such would help build sustainability in business.

He said the workshop was also meant

Confab delegate advocates transparent use of Local Govt funds

A

KOGI delegate at the National Conference and former Auditor-General of Kogi State, Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, on Tuesday called for transparency, accountability and prudent management of funds allocated to local governments.

Ibrahim said this in her statement on local government funds administration; rotation of powers; and sustenance of the present presidential system of government; made available to newsmen in Lagos.

According to her, it is the consensus of delegates at the national conference that the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) should be replicated at the state level to disburse funds to local governments.

“A lot of complaints are brought against executive chairmen concerning the misuse of powers of local governments on funding. “To cater for that, the way the central system (FAAC) had its monthly fund allocation meeting should be adopted at the state levels for transparency in allocation of funds in order to know who takes what. “This is more of a transparent operation as every local government will go with its cheque from the state government, ’’ Ibrahim said.

The delegate, who is the Chairman, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, said people wanted to know what was happening to the resources being allocated to the local govern-

ments. According to her, most projects for which funds were allocated at the local government levels were not being seen.

Ibrahim, who was the Immediate Past President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) said contrary to speculations, the conference did not recommend that local governments should be scrapped. She explained that the consensus of the delegates to the conference was that the local government system should not be a third tier government and should operate under the state and be controlled by state governors.

The accountant said that what the citizens were clamouring for was ac-

countability and transparency, adding that the 774 local governments were still intact. “The local governments should fall within the purview of the governors but they still exist.

People desire a local government system that is effective, efficient and working in their interest, “ Ibrahim said.

The delegate said if the local government restructuring is approved, it will be to the benefit of the populace and the present government would be remembered for good. The former auditor-general also supported the idea that new offices of the auditor-general should be established.

to create an enabling relationship between the NGOs and private corporations to enable both parties harness areas of mutual importance.

Ogbechie said business owners and NGOs have to realize that it is no longer business as usual, as customers and the media want them to address social and environmental concerns in the course of conducting their businesses.

Ogbechie said: “Private companies realised that they must develop strategies to meet these new needs while remaining profitable. NGO’s awareness that they can achieve widespread and lasting change through the partnership is also important in sustaining the partnership”.

He said the shift in NGO’s/private corporations’ relationship creates an exciting opportunities for them to collaborate, increase capacity, sustainability and deliver service to the community.

He said companies in the country must learn to do things the right way to enable them sustain long term success.

Sustainability, he added, goes beyond leaving a better environment, but also involves how a business can sustain itself, make profit and eradicate poverty in the country, as that is a malaise affecting the country.

A staff of the Corporate Responsibility Unit of FirstBank, Mrs Obianuju Akanbi said sustainability is now global trend. She added that the bank set up the centre to provide capacity training to all stakeholders and make people aware of the need to change their orientation towards business.

DATA BANK NIGERIAN STOCK MARKET INDICATORS

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS)

Statistics All Share Index

43,031.81

42,758.02

Mkt Cap (N’bn)

14,209.00

14,118.59

Deals

4,681

5,215

Volume (mn)

282.46

460.23

Value (N’mn)

3,241.78

4.509.32

GAINERS AS AT 09-07-14

SYMBOL

12.0%

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

154.73

155.73

US Dollar

$110.44

11.90

Pounds Sterling

264.9287

266.6409

Money Supply (M2)

N15.9 trillion.

Euro

210.4173

211.7772

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N16.76 trillion

Swiss Franc

173.0954

174.2141

Yen

1.5192

1.529

CFA

0.3029

0.3229

238.5186

240.0601

Yuan/Renminbi

24.9395

25.1015

Riyal

41.2558

41.5255

SDR

238.8876

240.4315

210.00

AGLEVENT

1.25

1.31

0.06

RTBRISCOE

1.06

1.11

0.05

ROYALEX

0.52

0.54

0.02

TRANSCORP

5.47

5.65

0.18

LEARNAFRCA

1.69

1.74

0.05

35.80

36.75

0.95

CUSTODYINS

3.81

3.90

0.09

MAYBAKER

1.72

1.76

0.04

LOSERS AS AT 09-07-14

C/PRICE

Monetary Policy Rate

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

198.10

O/PRICE

8.0%

0.08

0.92

SYMBOL

CBN EXCHANGE RATES July 8, 2014

Inflation: May

$38.01bn

0.84

PZ

Amount Sold in ($) 342.8m 254.7m 349.8m

Foreign Reserves

C/PRICE

FO

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Amount Offered in ($) 350m 300m 350m

CHANGE

O/PRICE

NPFMCRFBK

Transaction Dates 7/7/14 7/2/14 6/30/14

CHANGE

IKEJAHOTEL

0.81

0.77

-0.04

UPL

4.55

4.35

-0.20

CONTINSURE

1.21

1.18

-0.03

CAVERTON

7.05

6.89

-0.16

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

Rate (%)

Rate (%)

Overnight (O/N)

10.500

10.500

1M

12.175

12.101

3M

13.328

13.225

6M

14.296

14.-85

FOREX RATES

COSTAIN

1.38

1.35

-0.03

FCMB

4.24

4.15

-0.09

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

VITAFOAM

4.34

4.25

-0.09

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

SKYEBANK

3.28

3.23

-0.05

DIAMONDBNK

6.32

6.23

-0.09

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

NEM

0.81

0.80

-0.01

WAUA

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

July 4, 2014

July 7, 2014

T-bills - 91

9.98

10.00

T-bills - 182

10.00

10.07

T-bills - 364

10.22

10.22

Bond - 3yrs

11.26

11.37

Bond - 5yrs

11.36

11.41

Bond - 7yrs

11.77

11.86

62

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 09-07-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 09-07-14

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

63

EQUITIES

T

Shareholders approve N568b Lafarge Africa

HE consolidation of Lafarge’s cement businesses in Nigeria and South Africa into a Nigerian-listed building materials giant to be known as Lafarge Africa Plc crossed the Rubicon yesterday as shareholders of Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc overwhelmingly approved the historic consolidation.

The consolidation would be done by transferring Lafarge’s assets in South Africa and Nigeria to Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria, which would subsequently be renamed Lafarge Africa. Lafarge Africa, which would retain Lafarge Wapco’s subsisting listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), is estimated with initial market capitalisation of $3 billion, about N468 billion.

At the annual general meeting yesterday in Lagos, shareholders also approved a new capital issue of N100 billion, which could raise the market value of the emergent Lafarge Africa to more than N568 billion. After the consolidation, Lafarge Africa will be the 6th most capitalised quoted company in Nigeria.

Lafarge Wapco’s share price rose by 1.71 per cent with addition of N1.88 to close yesterday at the NSE at N112.07. This translated into market value of N336 billion, the 8th most capitalised company on the stock market. Ashaka Cement, which is also part of the consolidation, also rose by 2.07 per cent with addition of 60 kobo to close at N29.60 per share. This im-

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

plied a market capitalisation of N66 billion, the 29th position on the NSE. All the resolutions relating to the consolidation were passed by a significant majority of the eligible shareholders with approvals ranging between 78 per cent and 98 per cent, notwithstanding that Lafarge Group abstained from voting on the special resolutions.

Under the transaction, Lafarge Group will transfer its direct and indirect shareholdings in Lafarge South Africa Holding Limited of 72.4 per cent and its equity stakes in three other cement companies in NigeriaUnited Cement Company of Nigeria Limited, 35 per cent; Ashaka Cement Plc, 58.61 per cent and Atlas Cement Company Limited, 100 per cent; to Lafarge Wapco for a cash consideration of $200 million and the issuance of some 1.4 billion Lafarge Africa shares to the Lafarge Group.

Shareholders who spoke at the meeting roundly commended Lafarge Wapco for its improving fundamentals and dividends. Shareholders’ leaders who spoke at the meeting included Chief Sola Abodunrin, chairman, Ibadan Zone Shareholders Association (IBZA); Sir Sunny Nwosu, national coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN); Chief Timothy Adesiyan, president, Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA); Mr. Nonah Awoh and Bishop Goodluck Akporie of Onitsha Zone Shareholders Association among

others.

They applauded the performance of the company noting that they expected the emergence of Lafarge Africa to lead to further improvements in the performance and returns of the company. They approved a dividend per share of N3.30 for the 2013 business year as against N1.20 paid for the previous year.

Speaking at meeting, chairman, Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye said the overwhelming supports from majority of the minority shareholders were strongly reflected the fact that they saw the strong value opportunity in the creation of Lafarge Africa.

“I am extremely pleased with the outcome of today’s vote.

Lafarge Africa is not only a value enhancing transaction for shareholders but it will provide significant value to all stakeholders through the creation of a Nigerian listed Sub-Saharan Africa building materials giant that will be better able to support the development needs of our continent,” Osunkeye said.

According to him, the newly created entity will have a combined production capacity of around 12 million metric tonnes comprising Lafarge Wapco’s 4.5 million metric tonnes, Lafarge South Africa Holdings’ 3.6 million metric tonnes, United Cement Company of Nigeria’s 2.5 million metric tonnes, Ashaka Cement’s 1.0 million metric tonnes and Atlas Ce-

ment Company – an import operation with bagging capacity of 0.5 million metric tonnes.

He noted that there were already projects underway to expand on this capacity and by 2017; Lafarge Africa Plc will have installed cement capacity of 17 million metric tonnes while the inclusion of South Africa also provides operations in aggregates and fly ash.

In his remarks, Guillaume Roux, who will be the managing director and chief executive of Lafarge Africa Plc, said the creation of Lafarge Africa would allow the company to continue in its drive to be the best in the areas in which it operates.

According to him, the consolidation implies a broader geographic coverage which means that Lafarge Africa will be better positioned to serve its customers more widely.

“It also places the company in a stronger position to be able to benefit from the economic growth and development opportunities available in both Nigeria and South Africa,” Roux said.

With the approval yesterday, Lafarge Africa will move on to require regulatory approval from the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) to finalise the transaction. This is anticipated to take place during the third quarter of 2014. Once approved and in line with Nigerian regulation, a mandatory tender offer will be open to minority shareholders of Ashaka Cement to give them the opportunity to swap their shares for Lafarge Africa’s shares.

Audited report and accounts of

Lafarge Wapco for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed that profit after tax grew by 92 per cent to N28.2 billion in 2013 as against N14.7 billion recorded in 2012.

Profit before tax grew by 30 per cent from N21.3 billion to N27.7 billion.

Turnover increased by 12 per cent to N98.8 billion as against N87.9 billion in 2012. The company witnessed significant reduction in interest expenses N5.5 billion to N3.8 billion as a result of the reduction in interest charges due to the full repayment of the Naira syndicated bank loans. Consequently, basic earnings per share grew from N4.90 to N9.42; an increase of 92 per cent.

Lafarge Wapco’s new ready-mix concrete business contributed N1.6 billion to the total turnover of N98.8 billion. The company not only focused on increasing its turnover but has ensured that its operational costs are curtailed without compromising on service to its customers. The strong operational performance and efficient working capital management resulted in an increase in cash holdings of N11.5 billion. With the company being in a more cash positive position, it was able to reduce its debt by 42 per cent, paying off its variable rate medium term syndicated Naira and foreign currency loans ahead of tenor. Accordingly, Lafarge Wapco’s debt position closed 2013 at N21.5 billion comprising a fixed rate corporate bond and a power intervention fund loan. The debtto-equity ratio halved to 23 per cent in 2013 as against 55 per cent in 2012.

Kenya’s Nairobi Stock Exchange floats IPO

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University Press retains N151m dividends amidst declining profit

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HE board of directors of University Press (UP) Plc has recommended distribution of N150.99 million to shareholders as cash dividends for the immediate past year, retaining the same dividend payout that it had distributed for 2013, 2012 and 2011 business years.

A dividend recommendation released yesterday showed that shareholders would receive a dividend per share of 35 kobo for the year ended March 31, 2014, the same amount received at least in 2013 and 2012. The dividend would become payable on September 25.

However, the company’s bot-

tom-line contracted further as it struggled with sluggish sales and rising costs.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of UP for the year ended March 31, 2014 showed that total sales rose marginally from N2.31 billion in 2013 to N2.44 billion in 2014.

Gross profit however dropped marginally from N1.17 billion to N1.166 billion. The decline became more pronounced with pretax profit dropping from N393.3 million in 2013 to N348.12 million in 2014.

After taxes, net profit slipped to N233.93 million in 2014 as against profit after tax of N260.70 million in 2013. This implied earnings per share of 54.22 kobo

in 2014, lower than 60.43 kobo posted in 2013.

However, total assets rose from N2.82 billion in 2013 to N2.97 billion in 2014. Shareholders’ funds also increased from N2.17 billion to N2.24 billion.

University Press is one of the oldest surviving companies in Nigeria. Incorporated in 1949, it converted to a public limited liability company and listed its shares in 1978. Fundamentally, it is the leading quoted printing and publishing company.

University Press is owned by about 11,000 shareholders with three major investors holding 23.71 per cent. Oxford

University Press, United Kingdom, the foreign partner, holds 9.19 per cent equity stake.

Cashcraft Asset Management Limited, a Nigerian investment firm, holds 8.26 per cent while Dr. Lalekan Are, who chairs the board of directors, holds the largest individual equity stake of 6.26 per cent.

The company has benefitted immensely from stable board and management.

Mr Samuel Kolawole remains the managing director. It complied broadly with the code of corporate governance and best practices with appropriate committees, checks and controls to ensure independence and integrity of the decision-making and accounting processes.

ENYA’s stock exchange will become the second publicly traded African bourse with a share sale that was planned at least five years ago.

Nairobi Securities Exchange Limited will hold an initial public offering from July 24 to August 12 and list stock on the market, it said yesterday in an e-mailed statement.

The FTSE NSE Kenya 25 Index has climbed 15 percent this year, compared with a 17 percent gain in the MSCI FM Frontier Markets index.

“We are putting our money where our mouth is,” Head of Market and Product Development Donald Ouma said by phone yesterday. “We are saying capital markets are the best place to raise longterm capital.”

Bloomberg reported that Kenya’s stock exchange first announced plans for selling shares in 2009. The market has been seeking ways to deepen trading and attract listings from companies in East Africa’s largest economy. The 62-member allshare index has a value of 2.14 trillion shillings ($24 billion), according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

“We are also looking into new products and services such as derivatives and realestate investment trusts, and we are better suited to do so as a listed entity,” Ouma said.

JSE Limited, the operator of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Africa’s first listed exchange, gained 11 percent this year, compared with a 12 per cent increase in the FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

64

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Family unveils funeral plans for Kefee •As body arrives today M EMBERS of Kefee’s Memorial Committee, a coalition of the late singer’s family, friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry, have unveiled a programme of activities that will precede the deceased’s interment on July 11.

Following an earlier statement by family of the celebrated Gospel singer, that her remains will be laid to rest at her hometown, Okpara-Inland, Delta State, a Candle Light / Service of Songs has been slated for today, at Oba

By Victor Akande

Akezua Cultural Centre, Airport Road, Benin City, Edo State from 5pm – 7:30pm. The remains of the late singer, is expected to arrive from the United States today.

Kefee’s final journey will begin tomorrow, Friday July 11, at an Home-going/Internment service at Akpevweoghene Educational Centre, Open Field, Okpara Inland, Ethiope East, Delta State from 12pm – 2pm,

following which, a reception called Celebration of Kefee’s Life will hold same day, at Events Galleria, Okirigwe Junction, Sapele, Delta State, between 4pm and 7pm.

Born Kefee Obareki, the singer passed away on Friday, June 13 in the United States, following a brief illness.

Members of the Kefee Memorial Committee, who were in Sapele last week to

‘Foodies & Spice’ enters new TV season

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•The late Kefee

commiserate with the family of the deceased, included Sammie Okposo, Nikki Laoye, Annie Ibrahim, Gordons, Princess, Linda Etukudo, Rex Anighoro, Noah Momodu, Covenant and Chika 100%.

August date for Half of a Yellow Sun release in Nigeria

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OLLOWING its eventual certification by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), distributors of the muchtalked-about high-budget Nigerian film, Half of a Yellow Sun, have fixed August 1, as release date for the film in Nigerian cinemas.

Producers of the movie had cancelled the initial release date of April 25, knowing it will be afoul with the law to go public, without the endorsement of the regulatory agency.

The Censored Board had frowned at some violence scenes in the movie, which it said could incite ethnic unrest in the country.

The movie, an adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s book on the Nigerian civil war, is a directorial debut by Biyi Bandele, a Nigerian playwright

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By Victor Akande

based in England.

Although, the flick, which features Oscar-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, BAFTA award - winning actor Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose and AMAA winners Genevieve Nnaji, Onyeka Onwenu, Zack Orji and O.C Ukeje is being promoted as a love story, centered

around the Biafra war, snapshots of genocide, plotted around the love characters to elicit emotions are the likely offensive scenes the filmmakers were advised to expunge.

Yielding the advice, the filmmakers, who were initially reluctant to have a different version of the film for the Nigerian audience said

Amstel arranges date for Genevieve, fan

SENSATIONAL dinner has been planned around Nollywood screen diva, Genevieve Nnaji and a lucky fan, who will emerge through an online movie competition for the VIP treat.

The deal comes as activation for the Amstel Malta brand, which the actress has been contracted to promote.

After resting the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO), the movie reality show sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc, the company has evolved similar projects of engagement for the malt drink, hence this new initiative called “Act The Part”.

To take part in the online competition, fans are expected to act any role from a selected movie of their choice in just 2 minutes and upload on the Amstel Malta website. The lucky winner,

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•A scene from Half of a Yellow Sun

the adjustment has cost them N20 million.

The August 1 final release date will follow another premiere of the film at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) in Durban, South Africa, later in the month.

Bigsam Media, a Public Relations handler of the work who described it as a breath of fresh air, said the movie has raised the standard of Nollywood movies from good to excellent. “Kudos to the producers of the movie, they did a good job. The producers of the landmark movie would like to say a big thank you to Nigerians for their love, patience and support,” the outfit said in a statement.

Distributed by FilmOne Distribution and Shareman Media Company, the movie has been classified “18”by the NFVCB.

FTER a season of tutorial kitchen experience with trendy local cook, Geena, host of wapTV cooking show and her celebrity guests, producers have announced readiness for another 13 weeks, with sponsorship coming from Flour Mills Nig. Plc., through the Golden Penny Pasta brand.

Tagged ‘Pasta Parri’, the new season which premiered on June 28, featured guest appearances by several celebrities, while recipes and clips from the show is expected to elicit interactions from fans on www.foodiesandspice.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/ waptvs.

The online forum is where fans of the programme around the world compare their creations, after following the recipes, and stand a chance of win-

By Victor Akande

who will emerge via popular votes, will also be entitled to an exquisite makeover, courtesy of Amstel Malta.

Genevieve Nnaji, who was announced as a brand ambassador

alongside Nigerian Chelsea mid-fielder, Mikel Obi at the 2ndedition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) in February, has promised a very splendid experience for the lucky winner.

The Amstel Malta brand

ambassador and award-winning actress, is inviting fans to join the exciting online competition “Act The Part”, and showcase exceptional acting skills with the golden opportunity of a fantastic experience with her.

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UJU maestro turned Evangelist, Chief Commander Ebenezer ObeyFabiyi has been appointed as professor of music at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State.

The announcement was made Monday, at an event in his honour, at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Hall of the university.

As a visiting artiste in the Department of English and Performing Arts, Obey is expected to take the students through the kernel of music from a practitioner’s perspective.

The celebrated artiste kicked off the ceremony with a song that paid tribute to God. Titled Iba lo ye kase,

By Ovwe Medeme

trumpet. Other performers at the concert include Lydia Adeshina, Andrew Udeh, Dele Olutade, Tomisin Akinda, Tolu Onakpoya, Efe Dojeh, Edith Okoli, Babatunde Odufoye, Timothy Ogunbyi, Goodness Onuoha as well as Paul Irabor.

While the concert had a high dose of violin, piano, saxophone and trumpets backing the various sonorous voices, Tolu Onakpoya gave a different blend with his performance of Tete Wa Ba

Mi Se. Bordering between spoken word and poetry, the performance had guests cheering.

Adding spice to the event was Praiz who made an appearance as a surprise guest.

The MTN ambassador and 2nd runner up of the 2008 edition of MTN Project Fame had some words of advice for the graduating students. Praiz advised the students to always keep their head up, be focused and dedicated in their pursuits and above all, to do

away with pride as it has led to the downfall of most artistes.

Adding a tinge of humour to the performances for the night was Lydia Adeshina with her rendition of Doll Aria adapted from Offenbach’s Opera, TheTales of Hoffman. The petite performer, almost flawlessly put up a robotic recital, one which guests, at first hand didn’t quite grasp. It was until she broke down and had to be rewound by the accompanying pianist before guests got the hang of it.

•Obey

Obey gave the audience the rare privilege of requesting for any of his favourite songs, which he promptly rendered to their delight.

In recent times, the artiste who has been receiving several honours, was among the artistes who performed at the Glo Evergreen Series.

AFRIMA extends date for entries IELDING to pressure from African musicians, organisers of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) said they have decided to extend the deadline for the submission of entries, to accommodate participants who are constrained by limited internet access in their various cities.

The new date, July 19, is a two-week addition to the initial deadline, and also offers journalists a chance in the Entertainment Reporter category of the awards.

In its maiden edition, AFRIMA has the support of African Union Commission, as a platform that showcases the culture of Africa and reward music talents in the continent.

Entry guidelines, according to the organisers remain

MUSON graduation concert excites music buffs

T was a night of musical renditions as the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), Monday, held the 7th graduation concert of the MTN Foundation scholars, with thrilling live performances by the graduating students.

Opening the performances for the night was Nonso Diali with the inspirational song Smile. Following Nomnso’s performance was Uwana Etuk, who rendered the classic piece Halleluya with his

ning cartons of Golden Penny Pasta.

“Lovers of tasty and healthy food are in for a joyous ride as Flour Mills Nig. Plc. has partnered with the show,” said Geena, who presents the programme in Pidgin English, adding fun to the art of cooking through her jokes, style and ever-smiling mien.

A production of Geenamoore & Associates and wapTV, the show airs on wapTV every Saturday at 7:30pm with repeat broadcast on Thursdays at 5pm.

Ebenezer Obey gets varsity job

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•Genevieve

•Geena

•Graduands performing a duet

the same, and can be found on www.afrima.org.

The award requires that only musical or journalistic works released or published from May 31, 2013 to July 18, 2014 are eligible for submission.

For hard copy entries, participants are expected to download the registration form, and send the completed copy alongside two copies of the entry to the nearest physical address provided on the AFRIMA website.

Qualified entries will be selected by the Academy of AFRIMA which consists of the Jury and College of Voters.

According to Director of Brand Communications and Sponsorship for AFRIMA, Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi, the entry submission process is an encouraging success marker, considering that the Academy has surpassed the 1000 mark. “We are receiving entries from African music professionals and journalists in countries like Finland, Germany, and other interesting locations,” she said.

Also supported by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Nigeria, the 2014 AFRIMA, organisers said, will produce a star-studded, world-class event in Nigeria on October 21 to 25, 2014, with live performances and television broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations around the world.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

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NEWS Pro-Amaechi lawmaker kidnapped From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

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UNMEN have abducted a lawmaker in Rivers State, Golden Chioma, the Chairman, Committee on Judiciary.

Chioma, who represents Etche Constituency 11, was said to have been kidnapped at 8pm on Tuesday in Diobu area of Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Chioma’s abduction occurred exactly a year after the July 9, last year, fracas that erupted at the House of Assembly, leading to the closure of the complex since then.

The Assembly leadership has not commented on the incident but it was obvious that yesterday’s sitting was cancelled due to the abduction.

A House of Assembly worker, who pleaded for anonymity, told reporters, that “the sitting has been adjourned sine dine because the lawmakers are not in the mood to sit.”

Police spokesman Ahmad Muhammad said the police had strategised to secure the safe release of the lawmaker and to apprehend the hoodlums.

Chioma sponsored an amendment bill on the State High Court Law 2000, which empowers the chief registrar to assign cases to judges.

Angry Bayelsa women barricade Shell facility

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NGRY women from Obunagha community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have marched on the streets to protest prolonged power outage in their community.

They blamed the problem on the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and accused the company of insensitivity.

The aggrieved women reportedly barricaded the multi-billion naira Gbarain-Ubie gas plant owned by Shell.

They were said to have closed the road leading to

•Protest one-month blackout

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

the facility.

It was gathered that the presence of security operatives deployed in the area could not stop the women.

They refused to vacate the place, despite appeals from government officials.

The protesters erected canopies on the road to shelter themselves from rain.

It was gathered that blackout has persisted in the community for more than a month.

The women were said to

have been angry that Shell officials were enjoying uninterrupted power supply.

Their leader, Pereware Dadiowei, said on Wednesday that they would not leave the road, until the issues were resolved.

She said: “We have been without power for over one month and we have made several entreaties to the company to come to our aid.

“We were compelled to lay siege to the company to express our grievances.

“The operations of the

oil company have not been beneficial to us. The health centre and water project executed by the company are not functioning.”

Vice-President of the community’s youth association Dinire Jumbo said they were fed up with the darkness.

Jumbo said: “As you can see, our mothers can no longer bear the perpetual darkness in our community when the occupants of the gas plant are enjoying uninterrupted power supply.”

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HE Nigerian Navy (NN) has warned miscreants to desist from impersonating its personnel or risk being incarcerated.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC) Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade gave the warning while reacting to complain of crimes committed by ‘navy personnel’ in their uniforms.

He also warned security outfits using uniforms similar to that of the navy to desist from such acts or also face arrest.

“We have observed with serious concern the incessant cases of impersonation of naval personnel in Lagos area by persons with questionable characters who use naval uniforms to commit all manner of crimes.

“I am warning these unscrupulous criminals to desist from the act of impersonating naval personnel or prepare to face the full wrath of the law.

“Recently, luck ran out of three of these impersonators as they were arrested in full naval uniforms with forged naval identity cards around Okokomaiko and Tin Can Island areas.

“The criminals were caught extorting money from unsuspecting innocent people. The situation has become worrisome as these impersonators often escape arrest thereby creating the impression that the offences were committed by personnel of the NN. “The command will not watch its name dragged in the mud, hence, we shall deal decisively with unauthorized persons in naval uniforms,” he said.

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

THE Cross River State correspondent of Thisday, Jude Okwe, passed on yesterday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

He was 48.

A relative, Dominic Orim, said the death occurred at noon in his room.

Orim said: “He woke up yesterday, exchanged pleasantries and prayed with the children.

“He asked one of them to wash his car as he would go to the Press Centre later.

After giving that instruction, he returned to his room to rest. “About an hour after, one of the children went to tell him that they had finished cleaning his car but found him lifeless on the floor.”

Gas leak sacks community From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

Navy warns impostors

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Thisday reporter dies

•From left: Senator Teslim Folarin; Ekiti Governor-elect Ayo Fayose; former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Oyo State Yinka Taiwo and former Oyo State Deputy Governor Azeem Gbolaranmi at the PDP rally in Ibadan...yesterday PHOTO:NAN

Igbe: Only rule of law can stop Assembly crisis

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PEAKER of Edo State House of Assembly Uyi Igbe has declared that only compliance to rule can end the crisis at the Assembly.

The Assembly has been held under siege since June 9 when four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers were suspended for alleged misconduct.

Assembly workers have not been at their duty post since last week when armed mobile policemen stormed the premises to stop renovation work.

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From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Igbe, who spoke at a briefing yesterday, hoped that the police would start enforcing court judgment.

The Speaker, who ruled out any political solution to the crisis, said the law must be obeyed.

He bemoaned the hardship experienced by the people occasioned by daily blockade of roads at the Oba Ovoramwen Square.

The Speaker called on the police to stop the blockade in the interest of the people

and alleged that the PDP and the police have perfected plans to ensure that a state of emergency was declared in the state.

Recalling the genesis of the crisis, Igbe said they complied with the ruling delivered by Justice A. M Liman by not declaring the seats of the four lawmakers vacant but suspended them “for an indefinite period for misconduct as provided for under Order 38 of the Rules of the Procedure of the House of Assembly.”

According to him, “the

police in defiance of the court order actively disrupted the renovation going on at the House of Assembly Complex and in the process sprayed teargas on us.

“It is instructive that in their arrogance and boastful manner these renegade PDP lawmakers, actively supported by the police have been cheered on by PDP leaders and godfathers who have openly boasted of their federal might and presidential connections.”

MOSOP kicks over omission of Bori state

HE Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has condemned in “strong terms” the “deliberate” omission of Bori state in the states recommended to be created by delegates to the National Conference.

It vowed to prevent crude oil exploitation in Ogoniland, if the state is not created.

The group called for the review of the controversial list to include Bori state, comprising the four Ogoni local governments of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme.

MOSOP President Legborsi Saro Pyagbara described the omission yesterday as disappointing and callous.

•Vows to prevent crude oil exploitation in Ogoni From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Pyagbara said: “We are appalled by the development. MOSOP is aware that Bori state met all the requirements handed down by the Conference and had been listed initially, only to be delisted afterwards, in questionable circumstances.

“Over 70 per cent of the recommended states are not viable and will as usual, depend on resources from the Ogoni region for survival.

“With abundant mineral and other resources, Bori state, in all ramifications, stands a better chance of thriving and surviving, than

the ones considered.

“In the event that any state is created without a Bori state, let it be known that Ogoni people and their allies will never allow any drop of oil from our land to be used to sustain other states.”

The umbrella organisation of Ogoni people also expressed disappointment on the way Ogoni people were being treated in Nigeria.

MOSOP said: “After exploiting Ogoni oil and gas for over 40 years and using the proceeds for the development of other areas, but leaving out Ogoni, the Nigerian government also heartlessly

failed to remediate our hydrocarbon-ruined environment, in spite of numerous appeals and warnings.

“Today, we face deepening food insecurity and public health crisis. Today, there is grave upsurge in deaths in Ogoni communities, linked to the hydrocarbon pollution.

“Let it be made known that there is limit to endurance and as a matter of fact, the Ogoni people have endured all the excruciating pains the Nigerian state has inflicted on them.

“We passionately call on the Conference to rescind its decision and enlist Bori state.”

A GAS leak from the Abura line at the Utorogun Flow station has forced residents of Otu-Jeremi, Iwhrekan, Iyara, Okpare and Agbowhiame in Delta State out of their homes.

The people have threatened to shut down facilities of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in their area, if the company fails to sort out the problem It was observed that most residential buildings as well as business outlets were locked, especially those closest to the pipeline.

The palace of the Okobaro of Ughievwen Kingdom was not spared.

A community source said the issue had been reported to the company for more than three weeks, adding that no response had been received.

‘Release detained editor’

By Musa Odoshimokhe

THE Justice for Akwa Ibom Forum has called for the release of the Editor of The Global Concord , Thomas Thomas who arrested on July 2.

The Convener , Victor Essiet at a conference in Lagos, said Thomas was trailed and arrested in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, over an alleged publication indicting the government.

He said: “We confirm the arrest of Thomas Thomas who was trailed and arrested on July 2 by men suspected to be government security agents. “ Thomas was not aware of the identity of the men who trailed him and made effort to abscond but was arrested and handcuffed.”

Essiet condemned a situation where journalists have become targets for performing their legitimate duties.

“Today, it is the editor of Global Concord. In the past, some editor and journalists of other tabloids were captured. Whose turn will it be next?

“We demand the immediate release of Thomas and any other persons abducted to enable political office holders have their way.“

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NEWS Activist -lawyer Aturu IGERIANS, especially the human rights comdies at 49 munity were in shock

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last night when the news of the death of activist lawyer Bamidele Aturu filtered in.

According to close associates, the lawyer suddenly took ill yesterday morning after he complained of stress and fatigue and was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja where he died in the evening.

Tributes have continued to pour in for the late lawyer. Many described him as a dogged fighter and compassionate person who fought for the under privileged and the poor.

Chief Niyi Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said Aturu’s death was a rude shock.

“He was a principled person, a dogged fighter to a default who believed in using law as a means of social engineering to change the society for the better.”

Akintola said Aturu came before his time, saying his commitment to the law profession was thorough. “I led him in many cases, one of them was the election petition of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, he manned the computer when we were preparing the brief, he never complained of working from 12 am to 12pm,”

By Raymond Mordi, Leke Salaudeen, Seun Akioye and Precious Igbonwelundu

he said.

A close ally of the late lawyer and fellow rights activist, Festus Keyamo couldn’t control his emotion when contacted. However he managed to say “I am short of word, I am devastated, this is sad.”

Also, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikorodu branch, Adedotun Adetunji said Aturu’s reputation as a human rights activist was second to none. “We were mates at the Nigerian Law School; he was a good friend and brilliant scholar. We have lost a rare gem, a legal guru.”

The immediate past chairman of NBA, Ikeja, Monday Ubani, described the late Aturu as a man of integrity who also believed passionately in the nation.

“He believed very much in seeing a country that is run in a manner that is very efficient and that is why he committed his life to the struggle of getting things done in the right manner,” he said.

•The grave where the body was exhumed yesterday in Nkpologwu

•Part of the shrine

APGA advocates amnesty for MASSOB, BZM

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HE National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has urged the Federal Government to institute an amnesty programme to rehabilitate youth members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM).

He also enjoined government to release unconditionally members of the pro-Biafra groups held in cells across the country in the spirit of the national reconciliation.

Umeh said the Federal Government should halt the prosecution of BZM members arrested in Enugu and MASSOB members standing trial, in the spirit of the amnesty.

The APGA boss, who spoke yesterday with reporters in Enugu, said the amnesty programme becomes imperative as Nigerians are in search of peace and unity.

Umeh, who reviewed the condition of the MASSOB youths, which he likened to what the Niger Delta militants experienced before the Federal Government put in place an amnesty programme for them, urged the government “to take this action because MASSOB youths were misused by their leader.”

From Chris Oji, Enugu

He said he was moved to tears each time he saw patriotic Igbo youths “who have been misused by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.”

His words: “It is on record that the bodies of MASSOB youths are in the mortuaries in the Southeast. The youths have protested against the way they have been used by their leader in the phantom struggle for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and have formed what they call Igbo Ga Dimma Youth Organisation.

“The way these youths are being exposed to danger, arrested and incarcerated in cells across the Southeast has become a source of worry. There is need for the Federal Government to set up an amnesty programme so that they can be rehabilitated.

“What Ndigbo and Igbo youths have been agitating for over the years is a just Nigeria where equity and fairness will be the basis for dealing with all Nigerians. The National Conference is addressing some of these problems.

“The Southeast is represented by professors, diplomats, Igbo activists and elder statesmen led by Gen. Ike Nwachukwu. They are canvassing for the rights of the Igbo.”

Oyo House wants upgrade of agric college to polytechnic

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HE Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday said it would work with Governor Abiola Ajimobi to convert the Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igbo-Ora to a polytechnic.

The lawmakers also said they would work with the governor to upgrade the Saki and Eruwa campuses of the Polytechnic, Ibadan to autonomous institutions.

The House reached the decision at a plenary on Tuesday after its Committee on Education submitted its report. The plenary was presided over by Speaker Monsurat Sunmonu.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Olusegun

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Ajanaku, said the upgrading of the college and the campuses were important to the governor.

Ajanaku added that the upgrade of the institutions would also enable them access funds from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to develop facilities and manpower.

The Assembly praised Ajimobi for prompt release of funds to the state’s Board of Technical and Vocational Education.

The act, according to the committee, underscores the importance which the AjImobi administration places on education.

•The suspects, Ekwensu (left) and Ibeh

•Another part of the shrine

Native doctor arrested for ritual killing •Victim buried in sitting position T •Community hails action HE Anambra State Command of the Department of State Service (DSS) has arrested a native doctor accused of being a ritual killer.

The suspect, Sunday Asika, aka Aboy Ekwensu (Satan) and his accomplice, Uchenna Ibeh, were accused of killing John Nwosu from Ahiazu Mbaise in Imo State and burying him in a sitting position.

The incident reportedly occurred on November 6, 2013 at Obinabo village, Nkpologwu community in Aguata Local Government.

Asika and Ibeh, who were handcuffed and paraded yesterday on the premises of the DSS, argued over who killed and buried the victim.

The native doctor confessed that he was a member of the Ogboni fraternity, adding that he had been in ritual killing for over 20 years.

The Nation learnt that the victim was killed by the suspects because he demanded the refund of the N500,000 his brother in South Africa paid to them for charms.

Briefing reporters, State Director of (DSS), Mr. Alex Okeiyi, said the suspects used

T

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

an English double-barrel gun with serial No-8773180 to kill their victim.

When security operatives, who acted on a tip-off, combed his shrine, 10 live cartridges and a locally-made handcuff were recovered.

Okeiyi said: “Ibeh confessed that the native doctor asked the deceased to stay back for a sacrifice, only for him to kill him later, while (he) Ibeh buried him in a pit.

“Investigation showed that the deceased was an intermediary between his brother in South Africa and the native doctor.

“The brother, identified as Julius, sent him to the native doctor for a charm to make his business flourish, but the charm seemed not to be effective.

“The development forced the brother to demand the refund of his money, except the charm was made effective.

That was Nwosu’s mission in

the native doctor’s home before he was murdered and buried secretly.”

He said a homicide team from the police command led by a pathologist exhumed the deceased’s body.

Okeiyi described the native doctor as a terror, alleging that he gave spiritual protection to criminals in the Southeast.

He appreciated the assistance of the police command led by Usman Gwary and the courage of the operatives, who he said searched the shrine.

The deceased’s wife, Ndidi Nwosu, an expectant mother, was delivered of a baby girl in April.

She told reporters that being a housewife, things had not been easy since the death of her husband, a vulcaniser at Uga in Aguata Local Government.

The native doctor admitted that he killed Nwosu, but he claimed that he was buried by Ibeh.

Asika said the N500,000 he

•Ndidi and her two-month old child, Chikamso, yesterday.

charged them had not been paid, while he borrowed N250,00 to prepare the charm.

He said he had never killed anybody except Nwosu.

Ibeh said he joined Asika in the act because he threatened to kill him if anybody heard of the incident.

He said he worked for Asika by repairing things in his home.

Members of the Nkpologwu community rejoiced yesterday when they learnt of the arrest of the native doctor.

Two of them, who spoke to The Nation on the phone on condition of anonymity, alleged that Asika was a terror.

Police confirm arrest of 26 MASSOB members

HE Imo State Police Command confirmed yesterday that the 26 members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), arrested last weekend by soldiers in Owerri for wearing the Biafran uniform, have been charged to court and remanded at the Okigwe Prison.

Police spokesman Andrew Enwerem had denied knowledge of the

•’They’ve been charged to court’

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

whereabouts of the men.

But Police Commissioner Abdulmajid Ali, who spoke to reporters at the command’s headquarters, said the Army handed over the MASSOB members to the Police on Monday night and they had been charged to

the Okigwe Customary Court.

He said: “The MASSOB members were handed over to the Police by the Army on Monday night and we took them to court on Tuesday after preparing their charges. So the information that they are missing or that their whereabouts is unknown is untrue.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

67

NEWS

APC: Jonathan’s re-election at all cost endangers Nigeria

Adamawa panel summons Nyako Continued from page 4

tive at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Stressing that he would survive the moves, Nyako declared that he would not resign from office – as being speculated.

Nyako, who noted that the state was calm, said he expected the lawmakers not to take illegal steps.

He said: “Well, it is in the court and the court said it was not well done. We are hoping that if they want to do it, they will do it following the normal process in whatever they want to do.”

On whether he had been trying to reach out to President Jonathan to rescue him, Nyako said: “Not yet. It has not reached that crisis point.”

He, however, did not rule out the possibility of calling for help from the President when the need arises, expressing hope that the man would step in since the state had also been there for the President.

“We have supported him all this time; he has supported us and in situations like these when Mr. President’s support is required, we will seek it,” Nyako said.

Asked whether some former Heads of State had spoken to the President on his behalf, the governor said: “That will be excellent.”

On the cause of the crisis, he said:” Adamawa is a very interesting place. If I tell you we have 87 ethnic groups and the two religions are fairly balanced, it means that being sensitive to each and everyone of us is very important.

It is a place of intellectualism; everybody has his own point of view and you have a group of people who share a certain point of view. And until it changes, they will maintain that point of view. But we have been peaceful somehow and we will remain peaceful.”

Nyako denied the claim that he planned to defect to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which he dumped for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said: “Quite frankly, you know how I joined the PDP and partisan politics in the first place. It is not really my field. My field is known.

You know what I was before.

We are straightforward; have two distinctions: loyalty and disloyalty; two separate pieces. But one of the interior politicians told me that there are a lot of things in between loyalty and disloyalty which, up till this moment, I have not appreciated. So, for me, disloyalty with this type of attitude with Nigerian politics of today you are likely to step on toes of a few. “

Delegates may adopt 18% Continued from page 4

biggest loser, which was not why we are here.

“We realise that several members of the Conference would not be entirely happy with these recommendations, no one is completely happy. But with our recommendations, we produce a situation whereby no one will be completely unhappy, which was precisely what consensus is all about.”

The revolt was in the form of murmuring as the recommendations seemed not to have gone down well with many delegates.

Sensing danger, Deputy Chairman of the conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, said voting would take place on the recommendations today.

He quickly called for a motion for adjournment apparently to give room for frayed nerves to calm down.

It is not clear how delegates would vote.

Apart from Nwachukwu, (South East), Gambari (Northcentral) and Hon. Mohammed Kumalia (North

East) other zonal leaders said to have participated in decision included Chief Edwin Clark (South South), Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie (North West) and Chief Olu Falae (South West).

Delegates representing Southeastern states described as deceitful, the recommendations.

In a statement, Chief Goddy Uwazuruke, said the recommendations were uncalled for.

Uwazurike said if any five per cent would be given, it should be done for all the zones, insisting that it would amount to cheating the Southeast, which is also begging for development.

“We, the southeast delegates reject the recommendation of five per cent of the national fund to any section.

It is uncalled for. This is very deceitful. If they want to allocate any five per cent, it should be for the entire country.

“You do not need to cheat any particular region. We completely oppose it,” Uwazurike said.

Govt accuses protesters of encouraging terrorism Continued from page 4

ty operations to release these girls, there would be no need for the group to have tag, insisting that members must have a tag and be properly registered.

“We know that they have bank accounts and also know that they want to go to Asokoro extension and simulate some force movement where they will have foreign media and say they are matching into Sambisa forest and Chibok.

“We also know that they brought in some experts from outside to come and

teach them how to beat security operatives when they are demonstrating.

“We are waiting to see whether those things will work.”She said She added: “We hope that genuinely, you don’t go to hire people to come and claim the parent of the child you did not give birth to, so it is a franchise, if we want to fight for our right, let us genuinely fight it.

“As for security forces, we are working very hard to ensure these girls are brought back sound and safe,” she said.

•Mohammed Continued from page 4

ment, and tuck in a few naira notes into the pockets of the electorate who have been deliberately impoverished. This is a clear subversion of democracy. ‘’With such huge funds now being allegedly channelled to Osun to thwart the will of the people ahead of the 9 Aug. governorship election, in an attempt to repeat the Ekiti ‘experiment’ which the PDP-led federal government deemed to have been a ‘success’, it is now clear the Jonathan Administration will

not pull any punches in subverting democracy ahead of the 2015 general elections. ‘’It is also clear now what happened to the 20-billiondollar oil money that went missing, as well as the reason behind the massive oil subsidy fraud, the Malabo multibillion dollar fraud, the pension scam, and finally why the President, whose body language does not abhor corruption, has redefined stealing as anything but corruption,’’ APC said.

The party added that as far as President Jonathan is concerned, all that matters is his re-election. “While he pursues that goal with vigour, the over 200 missing girls in Borno can stay where they are being kept by their abductors for over three months now; and the daily carnage in the Northeast as well as Kaduna, Nasarawa and Benue can continue, even though over 12,000 people have been killed and 8,000 maimed. Once the Pres-

Govt, Boko Haram ‘close to deal’ on Chibok girls Continued from page 4

bangida Aliyu, said the Military is aware of where the girls are.

He said the military was being cautious so as not to endanger the lives of the girls.

Aliyu, who spoke in Minna while receiving members of the National Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC),said the Council of State at its Tuesday meeting advised that federal and state governments should fight the sect to a standstill.

“It is true the military know where our girls are, they have taken decision and are waiting for the right time. In trying to save the girls, the military does not want to give these terrorists the opportunity to kill the girls. We don’t have to throw the baby and the birth water away at the same time.

“You cannot be sympathetic to people who keep on killing, abducting, and kidnapping people, people whose source of fund is the ransom of kidnapping. We don’t have to keep supporting them. The government would do everything possible to fight Boko Haram to a standstill.”

PUBLIC NOTICE ASIWAJU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Asiwaju Remilekun Omowunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs OyeAwofeso Remilekun. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

I, Tolulope Adamson Adedipe hereby notify the general public that my date of birth was wrongly quoted in some of my official documents as December 10th, 1972 instead of 10th of December, 1970. Therefore my correct date of birth is 10th of December, 1970.

PUBLIC NOTICE

POLICE WARN VEHICLE OWNERS

Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of accidental and abandoned vehicles parked at Ajegunle Police Division, Apapa and Somolu Police Division, Pedro to remove them or loose them to the members of public through auction after 28days of this publication.

The Vehicles and type is as follows: 1. 1 Danfo without Engine, Reg. Xu 247 Ksf 2. 1 L300 Bus without Engine and Registration number 3. 1 scrap Honda Accord s/car reg. No. App 392 As 4. 1 scrap V/wagen commercial Bus reg. No. Xj 920 Fkj ELD. G. A AKINYEMI Licence Autioneer

ident continues to play his dangerous politics of re-election, which involves using state resources and national institutions to muscle and muzzle the opposition; the press and ordinary citizens, all is well in the eyes of his purposeless party.

‘Unfortunately, in the midst of all the shenanigans, Nigerians are more divided than ever along ethnic and religious lines, no thanks to a President who is so obsessed with power that he will not hesitate to cash in on the nation’s fault lines, abuse federal institutions, compromise once-credible public commentators to shamelessly mortgage their integrity on the altar of greed, and disregard even the Electoral Act by kick-starting electioneering campaign before the starting gun is fired. ‘’In view of this, we are now alerting the good people of Nigeria that President Jonathan’s re-election at all costs is a clear and present

danger to Nigeria, her people and indeed her democracy. ‘’Unless Nigerians speak out and unless the instigated harassment of the media by security agencies is halted, so the Fourth Estate of the Realm can continue to perform its constitutional duties unhindered, Nigerians should gear up for more dangerous days ahead, which will include the stripping of the citizenry of their constitutionally-guaranteed basic rights, more egregious abuse of national institutions, perpetration of more acts of corruption as well as the muscling and muzzling of the opposition, even as the people will continue to be impoverished. ‘’On our part, as the country’s main opposition party, we pledge to be unrelenting in speaking the truth to power, irrespective of whether or not it makes the federal government uncomfortable, in the overall interest of our nation,’’ the APC said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

68

FOREIGN NEWS

Israel ‘to intensify Gaza attacks’

I

SRAELI PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “further intensify attacks on Hamas” in the Gaza Strip after talks with his defence chiefs.

He said the Palestinian militants would “pay a heavy price” for their rocket attacks on Israel.

Israel’s military said Hamas had fired 72 rockets at Israeli cities on Wednesday, after dozens of overnight air strikes in Gaza.

Some 40 Palestinians are reported to have died in the recent hostilities.

Gaza medical officials say half of the casualties were civilians, a number of them women and children.

Hamas has warned that all Israelis are now targets, accusing Israel of violating the Egyptianbrokered truce that ended exchanges in 2012..

James Reynolds looks at where Gaza militants are aiming rockets Mr Netanyahu said his government’s campaign in Gaza would continue until firing against Israeli targets stopped.

Israeli President Shimon Perez told CNN that a ground offensive in Gaza “may happen quite soon”. Israel has already authorised the call-up of up to 40,000 military reservists.

The Israeli military said its Iron Dome missile defence system had intercepted 14 of 72 rockets fired on Wednesday, including three above Tel Aviv, three over Ashkelon and three over Ashdod.

The town of Hadera 100km (60 miles) north of Gaza, was hit with an M-302 surface-tosurface rocket, the furthest target so far reached.

Israel said it had hit dozens of “terror sites” in Gaza Schools and summer camps in southern Israel have been closed because of the threat of rocket fire The Israeli military added that it had carried out 129 air strikes in Gaza on Wednesday, bombarding tunnels, rocket launchers and what it said were Hamas command centres.

It brings to 550 the number of

sites in Gaza attacked as part of “Operation Protective Edge”.

Gaza health official Ashraf alKedra told AFP news agency that Israeli air strikes on Wednesday had killed four Palestinians in Shejaiya and two in Zeitun - both close to Gaza City - and two more in Beit Hanoun.

The head of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights in Gaza, Raji Sourani, accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilians.

He told the BBC: “There is no safe haven in this place and Palestinian civilians are once again in the eye of the storm and are paying heavily. Israelis are trying to pressure militant groups through targeting civilians.”

The military wing of Hamas has vowed that Israel will pay a “tremendous price” for the air strikes As the military temperature rises, it becomes harder to see what the shape of any endgame between Israel and Gaza might look like.

Hamas will find it difficult to walk away from this round of conflict without something to persuade its own people that the death and destruction in Gaza has achieved something. It will want prisoners released as part of a deal. Israel will be reluctant.

The pressure of public opinion too weighs on Israel, which has talked in terms of a final end to the rocket threat from Gaza.

That’s a tall order when Israel itself estimates that Hamas has a stockpile of 10,000.

Such cycles of conflict have ended in the past of course - as recently as November 2012 - but for now the talk is of deterioration, when last week the buzzword was de-escalation.

Egypt’s intelligence services remain a possible go-between but for now there appear to be no moves towards peace. When an Israeli cabinet minister was asked if there were any, he said simply: “Not now., spokesman for Mr Netanyahu, earlier confirmed that the situation was more one of escalation than de-escalation.

•From Left: Nigerian High Commissioner To Cameroon, Hadiza Mustapha; Head of Nigerian delegation, Maj.Gen. Babatunde Samuel; Dasuki; and Mr Sadi and Cameroon High Commissioner to Nigeria, Salaheddine Ibrahima, the second session of Nigeria/Cameroon Trans-Border Security Meeting in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

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Terrorism: Nigeria has no territorial ambition, NSA tells Cameroon

HE National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr. Sambo Dasuki yesterday said Nigeria has no ambition to acquire territories in Cameroon.

He also sought cross-border cooperation in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

He praised Cameroonian government for assisting to flush out Boko Haram members in its territory.

Dasuki spoke yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the Nigeria/Cameroon Trans-Border Security Committee holding from July 8-11.

He said the session would provide a unique opportunity for border security agencies of the two countries to meet and discuss issues that hitherto has been difficult.

He said: : "I wish to expressly say that Nigeria does not have any territorial ambition the resolution on the Bakassi Peninsula issue is a clear indication to this.

"I therefore urge this delegation to make a case on the contentious issue of hot pursuit as the defeat of terrorism is going to be mutually beneficial. We

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

should therefore look for every reason to collaborate rather than excuses not to.

Dasuki said the security meeting held in Paris on May 17 and London on June 4, under the auspices of the leadership of both countries underscored the need for the follow-up meeting.

He said: "I wish to use this opportunity to extend the message of President Goodluck Jonathan that Nigeria is deeply committed to development, peace, security and stability in Africa in general and particularly in our neighbouring states.

"This is a cardinal point of our foreign policy that can be attested to and the peaceful manner in which we relate to all our members.

"Specifically I want to emphasis the importance that Nigeria government attaches to the collaboration between our two countries on security and in which high level expert meeting is expected to consolidate.

"The outcome of the second session would play a key role

in the instrumentation of the decision reached at the Paris and London meetings as well as the ministerial meeting schedule for sometime in September."

The NSA asked the committee to come up with modalities on "how best to collaborate and secure Nigerian and Cameroonian borders through the implementation of the security agreement."

He said "secured borders would ensure peace and progress in both countries" Dasuki also disclosed that the government of Nigeria has noted the support and continued show of solidarity of the Cameroonian government as both countries strive to stamp out terrorism, while acknowledging the effort of the Cameroonian forces in flushing out members of Boko Haram that try to seek refuge in Cameroon or use the country as a launch back attacks on Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Head of the Cameroonian Delegation, and the Minister of Territorial

Administration and Decentralization, Rene Sadi said the meeting would "assist both countries to urgently take measures to wipe out criminalities from the borders."

Sadi said "conducive environment would improve trade and commerce, and also reinforce cooperation between our countries, adding that Cameroonian authority had formed vigilante along the borders because recently there have been influx of refugees.

"All these measures are beginning to bear the desired fruit to pursue and we hope the implementation without respite.

"We deploy all resources in fighting this phenomenon which is no doubt an attempt against our fundamental value."

Earlier the Leader of Nigerian Delegation, Maj.-Gen Babatunde Samuel said the meeting was a follow up of the first session in Cameroon in November 2013.

He said Nigeria has resolved to cooperate with Cameroon and be on the same level with them.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

M

y experience of sex has been frankly disappointing. I don’t enjoy sex and I don’t have an orgasm. The only time I have an orgasm is when I masturbate with my fingers or with that Jelly Chocolate Vibrator that I bought from you years ago – Jemima Jemima what a lot of people don’t know is that great sex doesn’t just happen. It has to be learned if we are willing to learn. So start by telling your husband that you are not satisfied so he can learn to do it better. Men want to learn and want to be told what to do because they delight in pleasuring their women. You yourself can also learn more about sexual pleasuring from educational movies like The Ultimate Sex Party and the Guide to Multiple Orgasms. And then you can tell your husband what he should do to pleasure you Uche What drugs do I need for maximum sperm count (quality and quantity)? Also what do I need for penis enlargement that will be permanent? Please I need the best of available drugs for this. Are they herbal by nature? – Solomon All the supplements we recommend to people are herbal because they are safer and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. Secondly, to boost sperm quality, increase semen quantity and enlarge the penis, you will need three different supplements. My advice is to take two supplements and a sex toy for enlargement. Sometimes, drugs don’t interact very well when you are taking different types for different things. So for increase in sperm quality, look for Fertil Aid or Repro Aid Supplement. For increase in semen quantity, get Max Load or Explosion Supplement. And for your penis enlargement, get the Bull Fighter Penis Enlargement Pump – Uche I have a small penis and I cannot undress in front of my girlfriend. I hear that penis enlargement takes time but I need something that works fast- Bidemi One trick that men with small penises can use to look bigger involves the use of a penis sleeve during

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My wife was so impressed that she wanted one capsule.

Can I give her? Fidelis No she cannot. It is for men only. Get her the Pink Elevate Female Libido Booster – Uche That’s it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08191978308 or 08027901621for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com.Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

69

DISCOURSE

The Governance Predicament: Poverty, Terrorism and Democracy

Lecture delivered at Freedom House, Lagos, Nigeria by Larry Diamond June 30, 2014

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would like to begin by thanking Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for the honor of his invitation to deliver this lecture, and for his record of developmental performance during eight years as Governor of this dynamic state.

Because Nigeria has largely squandered staggering natural resource wealth and human potential over more than half a century of independence, there is a chronic tendency here and abroad to see its national prospect asnearly hopeless.

But Nigeria is not condemned to suffer endemic corruption, waste, ineptitude, and insecurity. These are the products of deficient institutions and a culture that has grown up around them. People make institutions. People produce and reproduce cultural norms and expectations. And people can change them.

I was interested to discover that Governor Tinubu and I are of the same generation, born a few months apart. Around the time he first visited the United States I first visited Nigeria.At similar points in our lives, though from very different perspectives, we have seen the promise of democracy in Nigeria swell and recede. We have seen the military come and go from government.We saw the Second Republic gasp for breath and then collapse under the weight of unchecked political greed and staggering fraud in the 1983 elections. We have seen military rule bring this country to nearly total ruin, and along the way, arrest and imprison the man elected, under its very auspices in 1993, with a broad popular mandate to fix the mess. We saw that man, M.K.O. Abiola, die needlessly and almost certainly avoidably in prison. We both then watched from outside Nigeria while the worst tyrant in Nigerian history, General Sani Abacha, took plunder and abuse of power to unimaginable depths.

At this time of growing disaffection with the performance of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, it is important that all Nigerians— even young Nigerians who have no memory of those days of dread and depravity—appreciate this lesson of their own history, and that of other countries: However troubled the national situation may become, however scandalous or inept may be the performance of elected government, there is no hope of reform or renewal under military rule. The core problem of Nigeria today is the chronic deficit of honest and effective governance. We have learned in Nigeria, and in Pakistan, and in Thailand, and in so many other countries around the world: There is no military shortcut to governance reform. The challenge lies with the civilian institutions and actors of democracy: parties, politicians, legislators, judges, civil servants, and civil society. Like all other elements of the Nigerian state, security institutions—the military, police, intelligence—are in need of reform and modernization, including significant investment in training and equipment for the challenges they confront. But it is the civilian political actors who must summon the will, the strategy, the resources, and the credibility to lead this process. ikemost Nigerians, I am worried about the future of constitutional government in this country. I have been asked to speak about the challenge posed to democracy by poverty and terrorism in Nigeria. But the core problem in Nigeria is not one of poverty. Neither is it one of ter-

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important free and fair elections are to the struggle for peaceful reform.

As the Second Republic was completing its first term in 1983, the country was falling apart. The landscape was littered with abandoned construction projects—buildings, roads, water projects, anything on which a politically connected contractor could collect a mobilization fee and leave the work behind. Clinics were without drugs, schools were without teachers and supplies, and the national electric power authority, NEPA, had long since been nicknamed “Never Expect Power Again”. There were pervasive shortages of essential commodities like rice and fuel because of hoarding, profiteering, and smuggling by venal politicians and middlemen.[1] Nigerians were fed up. They looked to the 1983 elections as their last hope for change. What they got instead over five weeks was a grotesque, escalatingcascade of electoral highway robbery. This was fraud on a wholesale level, with not only all the established tricks of ballot box stuffing and hijacking, but the purchase of electoral officers, the capture of counting operations, and in many instances, the pure invention of election “results.”[2] No one can know what the outcome of an honest election would have been in 1983, but I believe it is very unlikely that the NPN ticket met the constitutional requirements for a first-ballot victory. As election-day neared, there was a groundswell of support for Chief Awolowo, even in parts of the North. The country appeared on the brink of a historic breakthrough. Had there been a runoff election, I believe Chief Awolowo would have won. Electoral alternation could have provided the opportunity for a turn toward reform and better governance.

Surely it would have signaled to Nigerians that civilian constitutional rule was capable of punishing gross abuse of power—in other words, that civilian rule was democratic and could hold elected officials accountable. At a minimum, the ruling party would have suffered severe setbacks in all of the other national and state elections. Instead, after the gigantic, brazen electoral fraud, Nigerians concluded that the system was rotten and political change was not possible through peaceful, constitutional means.

If there had been an honest and fair election in 1983, I do not believe there would have been a military coup. The country could have been spared thescarring 15-year detour of authoritarianism, assassination, fear, and corruption on a Pharoahnic, Mobutu-like scale. Indeed, if there had been an honest election in 1964, it is likely that the chronic instability of the First Republic could have begun to be corrected through peaceful, legitimate means. Then, Nigeria could have avoided the first military coup in January 1966, and the tragic counter-coup and slide to civil war that followed.

Think of how different Nigeria’s modern history would have been if it could simply have held free and fair elections. Compare Nigeria for a moment with another former Brit-

rorism. These are manifestations of a deeper and more diffuse malignancy: bad governance. Governance that is not addressing the central policy challenges of the country. Governance that has produced a weak and feckless state. Governance that is not producing an effective response to the growing challenge of terrorism, and that many Nigerians believe lacks the will to do so. Governance that cannot distinguish between the public trust and the private treasury.

Governance that has seen, by some estimates, public officials and their co-conspirators steal and wastehundreds of billions of dollars of the country’s wealth over the last several decades. he phenomenon of Boko Haram and the violent, ni hilistic rampage it has been on represent only one symptom of the problem, and it is not an unfamiliar one in Nigeria. During the late 1970s and early 1980s another violent religious millenarian movement, led by Maitatsine and emerging out of the very same northeastern state from which Boko Haram has sprung, wrought havoc on the north, leading to several thousand deaths. When I was teaching at Bayero University, Kano, in the last year of the Second Republic, I was struck by the depth of inequality and poverty, and the hunger of ordinary talakawa not just for jobs, services, and basic goods, but most of all, for simple justice. That is the hope that the People’s Redemption Party, founded by Mallam Aminu Kano, represented. It was at the heart of the polarizing struggle that led to the impeachment and removal of Governor Balarabe Musa in Kaduna State. And toward the end of the Second Republic, in the 1983 national elections, even some of the more technocratic and progressive elements of the northern establishmenthad come to see the need to rein in the feeding frenzy of corruption under the ruling party, the NPN, and deliver better governance. This is why elements of that group took what was for them the difficult step of forging an alliance with the principal opposition presidential candidate, Obafemi Awolowo, giving him his vice-presidential candidate. fter spending a year in Ni geria teaching and re searching in 1982-83, two things had become clear to me as the national elections approached in August of 1983. The first was the desperate need for better governance, and for fair and honest elections to bring them about. Second, related to this, was my sense that, even after the death of Mohammed Marwa (Maitatsine) in 1980 and then the bloody clashes with and suppression of the Yan Tatsine movement in the following years, the North was going to erupt again into some kind of violent insurrection, mobilizing the symbols and rhetoric of radical Islam, if there was not progress toward development, social justice, and thus more accountable and purposeful governance.

I cannot emphasize enough how

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‘ At this time of growing disaffection with the performance of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, it is important that all Nigerians—even young Nigerians who have no memory of those days of dread and depravity—appreciate this lesson of their own history, and that of other countries: ’

ish colony that is also a complex agglomeration of peoples, cultures, and languages: India. India has a huge number of problems, and it has seen a disturbing acceleration of corruption over the last decade. There is no question that corruption and inefficiency have retarded economic growth and human development in India. But India has a serious state, and it has constructed a formidably honest and efficient apparatus for administering elections. The result has been 67 years of continuous civilian rule, and a record of stable, federal democracy interrupted only briefly by Indira Gandhi’s emergency rule. Just last month, the ruling party, the Indian National Congress, got thrashed in parliamentary elections.

Its electoral alliance went from 37% of the vote in 2009 to 19 percent last month. As a result, the Congress Party lost nearly 80% of the seats it held in parliament. So thoroughly routed was this party of India’s founding leaders that it did not even win ten percent of the seats, and thus cannot constitute an official opposition in parliament. By contrast, the opposition BJP, which promised better and more decisive governance, won an outright majority in parliament— the first time this has happened in 30 years. ndian voters took up the one most precious instrument that their democracy gives them— even when all else fails—the vote, and they exacted their vengeance against venal, arrogant, complacent governance. Two-thirds of India’s 800 million plus eligible voters turned out to vote—the highest percentage in Indian history, and the largest number of voters in any national election in the history of the world. The next time that an incumbent Nigerian government begs for understanding of substandard electoral administration because of the difficulty of running elections in a poor, complex, and populous country like Nigeria, I hope someone will ask: How is it that India is able to produce clean and competitive elections over nearly a million polling stations, across a terrain even more challenging and diverse than Nigeria’s, when Nigeria cannot do so for an electorate less then a fifth the size?

There are serious concerns about India’s new prime minister, Narendra Modi, who is alleged to have abided or even encouraged anti-Muslim rioting in his state of Gujarat in 2002, during which at least 1,000 people, most of them Muslims, were killed. Many Indian observers worry that even if Modi governs more respectfully toward religious minorities, he is an autocratic personality who demands sycophantic obedience from his subordinates and is likely to wind up abusing executive power. But India has strong judicial and civic institutions that are likely to restrain this abuse.

Moreover, Modi has delivered spirited economic growth and relatively clean governance in Gujarat state, and Indian voters have clearly signaled that that is what they want.

As a result of elections functioning honestly to achievepolitical accountability, India is likely to get much needed policy reform, significantly more effective governance, and dramatic acceleration of economic growth. That is precisely what did not happen here in Nigeria in 1964 and 1983. And it is precisely what many Nigerians have felt for some time their own country is in mounting need of.It is noteworthy that several opposition parties have succeeded in

I

•Diamond

unifying under the banner of the new All Progressives Congress, promising to make the 2015 elections the most competitive of the Fourth Republic. These coming elections will thus represent a historically crucial test of the electoral process in Nigeria, and it is vitally important to political stability in Nigeria that they be credible, free, and fair.

Corruption and the curse of oil

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here is another simple and profound difference be tween Nigeria and India.

Nigeria has huge oil reserves. Fortunately for India, it does not. Thus, it has had to develop agriculture, industry, and services in order to grow the economy organically.

And the government has had to tax the people in order to get the revenue it needs to operate and deliver public services. Public taxation in India is about 17 percent of GDP. That proportion will probably need to grow significantly, perhaps by half again, if India is to move up the ladder of public services and productivity and achieve more rapid development.

But this 17 percent is the same level as China, and in absolute terms it represents a huge mobilization of individual income for public purposes. In Nigeria (and Angola) only about 6 percent of GDP is captured by the state in taxes. The reason of course is oil.

We know what happens when a government gets most of its revenue and an economy most of its wealth from oil rents. It is the long sad story of Nigeria over the last half century, which is only beginning to change. The structure of production becomes distorted.

Agriculture withers. Manufacturing is retarded because investment pours mainly into the easy money of the oil sector, and most individuals with ambition and entrepreneurial gifts channel them into politics, government contracting, and government services, not the creation of real business enterprises. Corruption booms, because the money is there for the taking—unimaginable amounts of it—and it is not really anyone’s money anyway, it is just spewing up from the ground. Indeed, if it is not really anyone’s money, why bother waiting for it to enter the national accounts and then have to figure out a way to hide it, embezzle it, misappropriate it, or leverage it for bribery. Just lease a tanker, drive it up to the offshore well, and sell the stolen oil straightaway on international markets.

I have no way of knowing whether the estimates are true that up to ten percent of Nigeria’s oil income is disappearing in this way before it even enters the books.

But few independent observers doubt that a very large proportion of the vast wealth, up to a trillion dollars, that Nigeria has earned or should have earned from its oil production has been lost, stolen or squandered.

•To be continued

70

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014

71

SPORT EXTRA

Germany rout 'worst day of my life' —Scolari

B

RAZIL coach Luiz Felipe Scolari took responsibility for Germany's 7-1 thrashing of his star-studded side that took him to rock bottom in a career that has seen spectacular highs as well as controversy.

"I think it was the worst day of my life," said the 65-yearold. The result, one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history, was "catastrophic," he admitted.

"I will be remembered as the coach to lose 7-1, but I knew that risk when I took the job and life goes on so that is what I am going to do."

Scolari did not say exactly what he would do after Brazil were swept aside by five goals from Thomas Mueller, Miroslav Klose, Sami Khedira and two from Toni Kroos in the opening half hour.

Andre Schuerrle added two more goals after halftime before Oscar's desperate late consolation.

There will be calls for Scolari's head after the Selecao slumped to their biggest ever defeat on Brazilian soil.

"My message for the Brazilian people and fans is that we did what we could do and we did what we think

was our best," added Scolari.

"We lost to a great team, with great skill, that took six minutes to change the game with four goals in an extraordinary manner.

"Please excuse us for this mistake. We are sorry we could not get to the final," he said.

"Who is the one responsible? I am. This catastrophic result can be shared with the whole group because that is what my players say and want, but I am the one who chooses the tactics, the line-up, so the person responsible for the

result is me."

Scolari guided Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan and four years later took Portugal to the semifinals.

His status as a football legend is now tainted, however, and he also faces an investigation into alleged tax fraud in Portugal.

"My future is not a subject for me to talk about now. I have to work to get a good result on Saturday" in the third-place playoff in Brasilia, he added.

he did. But, Dante made mistakes, Marcelo made mistakes, Fernandinho made mistakes. The team as a team made mistakes. So I don't think it's fair.

"I think everyone in my situation, everyone that is a player, everyone that is a coach, everyone that is not involved in the World Cup, but could be in that position.

I think all of us are feeling really sorry for them."

Mourinho feels the recordbreaking defeat will go down in history, much like that World Cup final loss to Uruguay in 1950, and sympathises with the squad.

He continued: "It is a historical moment. A moment that we will remember forever, the same way that we all know that once Brazil lost a World Cup final against Uruguay and the

same way my son, who is 14 years old, knows that.

"In fifty years' time our kids will know that Brazil lost at home against

Germany, one to seven. From my point of view, from the professional point of view, it's heart-breaking and I'm really sorry for them.

Mourinho: Brazil collapse not Luiz's fault

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OSE Mourinho has leapt to the defence of former Chelsea player David Luiz following Brazil's humiliating World Cup semi-final loss to Germany.

The defender was the negative focus of much of the post-match analysis after being directly at fault for at least two goals in the 7-1 loss on Tuesday.

Mourinho admits Luiz, who recently completed a £40 million move to Paris Saint-Germain, made mistakes but feels it is unfair to single one player out with the team as a whole playing poorly.

"I don't think it's fair to separate a player from the team, because the team was really bad," Mourinho, Yahoo's Global Football Ambassador, said.

"David made mistakes? Yes

Schweinsteiger sorry for Brazil battering

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ERMANY midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has apologised to hosts Brazil after thrashing them at the FIFA World Cup. Schweinsteiger's men were rampant 7-1 winners over Luiz Felipe Scolari's men in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, going 50 up prior to the half-hour mark as they coasted into the World Cup final.

The Bayern Munich man offered his apologies to the home nation, with several of Brazil's

players in tears after their semifinal exit.

"I would like to apologise to Brazil. We did not expect such a score. We try to be respectful playing football and scoring goals. For us this World Cup is a dream," Schweinsteiger said.

"We are really enjoying the Brazilian people, and meant that the Brazilian team made big role in the tournament."

2014 DSTV BASKETBALL SUPER 8:

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sums.”

When asked if the incident would affect his players’ performance in the play-off, the former D’Tigers assistant coach said: “That I can’t really say as my job will now be to psyche them up, as it’s never too easy for one to overcome sure fear.”

Recall Gombe Bulls booked a place in the Super 8 after they finished 3rd on the Log of Savannah conference.

•Wants FG to hands off sponsorship of NFF

F

ORMER FIFA Advisor and member FIFA Study group Festus Adegboye Onigbinde has called the bluff of world football governing body FIFA for suspending Nigeria for government interference in football matters as a result of a Court order last Wednesday.

Onigbinde however told NationSport that it was high time “Nigeria called a spade a spade because he who pays the piper surely will dictate its tune. You don’t expect a government to invest huge sum of money in the running of football in Nigeria and still be handicapped in making some contributions to football in the country.

‘If FIFA does not consider Nigerian government sponsorship of football and the huge sum of monies in day-today running of the game as well as sponsorship of national teams in world tournaments as government interference but intervening as a result of Court order to ensure peace and order as interference then my advice is that the government of Nigeria should hands off entirely the finance and sponsorship of the game in the country. Let the administrators removed by the NFF Congress be reinstated and start sponsoring football all alone without the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria and see how effective and efficient it would be.

“If FIFA say we should bring them back, lets bring them back and let them go and look for the their money to run their affairs because giving them money will also amount to interference.

“What the Nation should do now is to sit down and restructure our football

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•Dispossess players of valuables, cash that nobody was hurt.

“After leaving Gombe State for Lagos on Tuesday, the team had to pass the night in Okenne after traveling long hours on the road.

“So as they bid to continue the journey for Lagos on Wednesday morning, they fell into the waiting hands of the robbers.

“The robbers made away with the players and some of our officials' valuables and cash

FIFA can’t intimidate Nigeria—Onigbinde From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja physically and technically. What I expect the Nigeria government to tell FIFA that they have removed their hands and have left them to run the game without expecting their money.

They should also tell the state governments who have been spending so much on football, to hands off, same to the local governments to also hands off.

“Government should not be offended with the stance of FIFA, they should take it to be that FIFA has taken away a load from them. And if tomorrow, we decide to bring ourselves together to call ourselves the Nigeria Soccer Association at least that one is not under FIFA and if we decided to play among ourselves FIFA will not say we cannot play our football, they only said we can play among the FIFA member Nations. And maybe for the next three years we can decide to be playing within ourselves, at least FIFA cannot arrest us for playing among ourselves.

And, while we are on break, we should be restructuring and for now the government should listen to FIFA and reinstate them for them to run their own football. They should not intimidate us by this suspension.

“If I were the Minister I won’t be worried because football is dead both administratively and technically in the country and we need time to re-organize our football. If this suspension would help us to achieve this then let it be”, the former first indigenous Coach of the Super Eagles that led Nigeria to the 2002 Korea and Japan World Cup told NationSport.

Low lauds ice-cool Germany performance

Robbers attack Gombe Bulls

LAYERS and officials of Gombe Bulls were on Wednesday morning attacked on their way to Lagos for the 2014 DSTV Basketball Super 8 by some men of the underworld.

The ugly incident it was gathered took place in Okenne, Kogi State.

Speaking with the coach of the side, Abdulrahman Mohammed, said: " “It was rather an unfortunate incident, though I was not involved but am glad

FIFA’S SUSPENSION OF NIGERIA

•Schweinsteiger

ERMANY coach Joachim Low believes his team's cool heads were at the root of their 7-1 FIFA World Cup demolition of Brazil.

The hosts were astonishingly blown away inside the first half hour of the semi-final as Germany raced into a 5-0 lead, thanks to Thomas Muller, all-time World Cup top scorer Miroslav Klose, a brace from the sublime Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira.

Andre Schurrle came off the bench to continue the carnage with a double of his own after half-time as a once fervent home

crowd in Belo Horizonte looked on in horror.

Low identified passion from the terraces as a factor his team could turn to their advantage and so it proved, as Brazil lost any semblance of discipline in the face of Germany's ruthless brilliance.

"It was important today to meet this passion and these emotions of Brazil with peace of mind, with courage and with our own strength," he said.

"We knew that if we could capitalise on our strong points, we could win the game. After the second goal, Brazil fell apart."

TODAY IN THE NATION

THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘I find it extremely surprising that the conference should recommend creation of additional 18 states to bring the total number of states in Nigeria to 54 even more than the states in the United States which we foolishly compare Nigeria with, not realising that the state of California alone is bigger and a hundred times richer than Nigeria’ JIDE OSUNTOKUN

VOL. 8, NO. 2,903

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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EW things are always coming out of this beautiful country. Some of them inspire laughter. Others are strange and absurd, provoking tears.

I am not talking about the doctors' strike and its harvest of deaths that has kept morgue attendants busy. No. Neither am I talking about the Super Eagles' strike in Brazil - I won't rake over old coals - and its deleterious effect on our soccer image. No. It is not about Boko Haram either. Rather than let go of the Chibok girls, the evil sect has been taking more hostages and spilling blood in a manner that has shocked the world, including shockingly- Nigerians.

Politics hits the front burner today as Notebook takes lexicographical note of those words and phrases that may soon be forgotten if nobody attempts to document them as we go on with our daily struggle against the vicissitudes of these times. No Notebook worthy of its name will fail to record such words and phrases, lest its admirers accuse it of gross negligence or sheer irresponsibility, particularly now that the race to 2015 is taking an exciting turn.

Of the lot, "on ground" stands out. This phrase is not actually new, but it remains as relevant and fresh as it was some four years ago when it made its debut in political discourse. A politician is said to be "on ground" when he has a huge support base. His rallies are usually packed like a pop star's show. It matters little whether the mammoth crowds are shipped in from other states at a price.

The point needs to be made that he is "on ground" as this will be the foundation of other things to ensure his victory. Populism.

But it is not enough for a candidate or an aspirant to be "on ground"; he must "connect".

In other words, he must convince the locals that he is one of them. A homeboy. The other day, I saw on Facebook Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the August 9 governorship election Iyiola Omisore holding roasted corn in both hands, looking a bit troubled, as if he had problems sinking in his teeth and tearing away at the yellow stuff.

To many, it was pure corn, cunning and banal. But those who understand the game knew the con on the cob was all in a bid to "connect". When a candidate of another party lost an election recently, one of his failings, according to the army of pollsters, pranksters and fraudsters analysing the upset of the poll was that he failed to "connect". Omisore would rather eat corn on the street than lend himself to the accusation of giving room to a "disconnect somewhere". Smart guy.

The other day, he was photographed arriving at a rally atop a motorbike, otherwise known as okada. It is, no doubt, part of "connecting". The PDP candidate in the recent election aforementioned is said to be a distinguished patron of commercial motorcyclists - a relationship that, some recall, began during his days as a city vehicle spare parts dealer.

RIPPLES

TOO MUCH ARGUMENT CAN LEAD TO EARLY DEATH-Health Report

Lagosians who ARGUE with bus CONDUCTORS because of CHANGE, take note

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

•Editor of the Year (NMMA)

2015: A lexical analysis

•A ballot box

They voted massively for him, say the analysts, because they saw him as one of them. The thought of an okada man in the Government House thrilled them to no end, I was told.

However, a pragmatic politician who is "on ground" need not be told that apart from being able to "connect", he must assure the people that governance is not all about smooth roads, fine schools, security and good hospitals. There must be "stomach infrastructure".

The story is told of how a candidate in the recent election of which I had earlier spoken mounted the podium at a rally, brought out a white handkerchief and began to sob. "What is the matter, sir?" his anxious aides asked him, pleading with the fellow to take it easy. He then, I am told, raised up his head, surveyed the crowd, shook his head mournfully and said in a shaken voice: "Look at my people; they are hungry (sobs).

Look at their faces; there is poverty (sobs). Don't worry. As soon as I get to the Government House, I will uproot the gates and throw away the keys.

There will be cooking everyday for you all my people to eat. We must banish hunger and poverty from this land."

Needless to say, the crowd replied with a thunderous applause. What the candidate did was simply to tell the electorate that their "stomach infrastructure" was guaranteed. He then followed up with the distribution of small bags of Thai rice and transport fares. All you needed to get a bag was to show your voter card.

It worked like magic, our man's aides say now

with relish. The people, according to them, rose against the incumbent like the Israelites did against Moses, demanding to be taken back to Egypt because the road to Canaan was long and bumpy. Remember the story?

And talking about magic, there is what some who voted at that election described as "idan" (magic, in English). They spoke of how they pressed their thumb on the space provided for the party of their preference, but the ink would not stay. The ballot, claimed the disgruntled voters, was unusually folded before being handed out to them and, upon opening, it activated a space they never pressed. Besides, said the distraught fellows, the ink dried off their thumb in minutes.

"But, how about the talk that the people rejected your candidate, despite his sterling performance and unassailable integrity as against his opponent, who had so much baggage?"

"Honestly, something happened. Some hitech fraud. Why will the people reject our candidate in such a spectacular manner?"

Questions. The evaluators have an answer: "It's the politics of Barnabas" playing out all over again. They alluded to the biblical story of Christ and Barnabas. When Pontius Pilate asked the crowd to choose who to release, they chorused "Barnabas!"."What should I do to Jesus

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An elegy for Brazil

T was a moving scene. Men lowered their heads in total exasperation. Women were all tears. Kids were crying as if some greedy old men had grabbed their lollipop. Soccer giant Brazil lost 1-7 to Germany in the last four of the World Cup. Incredible.

I was touched by the emotion displayed by the Brazilians who all turned out in their team's yellow jersey. They were united in grief. Can Nigerians ever be united in any situation? The Brazilians were shocked that their pride was deflated, but they didn’t leave the arena before the final whistle. They didn’t walk out on their team. How many of our institutions are we proud of?

The Super Eagles went on strike to force the government to pay them appearance fees. They crashed out of the tournament and now the officials are being asked to account for N2.591billion.

Will they?

There is no need for Brazilians to cry. They have given the world a good tournament.

Besides, they have taught us a lesson in patriotism. Will Nigeria learn?

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

HARDBALL

A

LTHOUGH Nigeria seems to be currently under the dagger of insecurity, more perceptive eyes may have noticed that we may actually be suffering more from an ailment Hardball would want to term soldier trouble than insurgency. It is a condition in which your armed guard paid to protect you grows big in the head and begins to morph into an albatross. He starts to act up; he wears a frown all the time, he stares you down, he carries his arm in a manner that seems to threaten you his boss and all such unsettling attitude. It is only natural to rethink your relationship with your armed protector when you begin to see those signs.

These, sadly, are the signs we seem to be getting from our military apparatchik lately. They are getting so brazen in a manner that suggests they cannot tolerate us anymore. They resent us it seems and they show it at every turn. The recent soldiers’ rampage in Lagos last week is one more pointer. As the story goes, a soldier was reportedly killed in an accident on Ikorodu Road, Lagos. Like impulsive thugs, soldiers were said to have mobilised from the nearby Abalti Barracks and promptly unleashed mayhem on the scene of the accident. They burnt a

of Nazareth?" "Crucify him!," they screamed.

The same principle, say the analysts, made the African National Congress (ANC) to reject scholarly and suave Tom Mbeki, a gentleman. They chose the polygamist and Zulu war dance enthusiast Jacob Zuma. Politics.

In fact, in the most recent Nigerian experience, the elite were crying that they would never agree that their "gold" should be exchanged for "iron". What will they do now?

Poor guys.

The Osun election is about one month away.

There is already the talk of a "bandwagon effect", following the success of PDP in recent polls. "Bandwagon effect" is not new; the phrase is only making an effective comeback after it had been pressed into service so well by the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic. The logic is simple. Once you win a state, you are likely to win others because, going by NPN's warped logic, nobody would like to be in the opposition.

“Mainstream” is it.

NPN, for those who are not familiar with the politics of those days, was the forerunner of the PDP. Same parents. Same character.

Same style. It attracted so much odium for its strategy of seeing every election as a war. It hounded its opponents like a hunter after a game and cared little about governance and good conduct. It embraced corruption and abused people's rights. It carried on like a drunken driver until the military pulled the brakes and stopped the nonsense.

NPN chieftains were fond of handing cash to would-be voters on queue during elections, luring them to vote for their candidates. Today, that trick is called "see-and-buy". However, it does not really work, unless you belong to the right party. Otherwise, a special squad of armed security operatives riding in buses carrying Presidency number plates may seize you on the eve of the election after accusing you of planning to do "see-and-buy".

This glossary, dear reader, is by no means comprehensive. More words and phrases will come up as we approach 2015. You will, as usual, be the first to know. I promise.

Unknowing soldiers

couple of buses, beat up commuters. They also held up traffic on one of the busiest highways in Lagos for hours on end.

In this brief moment of anomie, they did not only hold Lagos captive and spellbound, they committed a psychological crime against their compatriots, the majority of who clothe them, feed them and arm them for the collective preservation of our sovereignty. The soldiers abased themselves by assaulting the psyche of the people in an act of damaging role reversal.

This is not the first time undisciplined soldiers would go on the rampage against their unarmed compatriots in Lagos and certainly not the first from this particular army barrack, but it is particularly galling that at a period when the military is supposed to be busy in the troubled northeast part of the land, and when they need the support of the people, they take delight in squaring up against defenceless civilians. It is also trou-

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above bling that soldiers could still go on the rampage in this age on the least provocation in a manner that seems to portray them as an occupation army marching through a foreign land.

These are Nigerian soldiers; the buses they burnt, are they not for the benefit of fellow country men? The innocent commuters they pounced upon, are they not fellow brothers and sisters? Are soldiers not supposed to be under the same laws that govern the entire citizens of Nigeria? Now that they have taken the law into their hands, how can they seek redress under the law for their fallen colleagues?

Finally, why does it seem so easy for soldiers to raise arms from the armouries of barracks and move men in large numbers as happened in this case? Are there no controls? More worrisome, official army pronouncement came many days after as if such unruly and undisciplined behaviours are condoned. While nothing excuses the recklessness of commercial bus drivers in Lagos, we do not want to replace the infamous unknown soldier with the unknowing soldier, do we?

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Editor Daily:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO