July 16, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

Houseboy to die for killing judge

•Court: he should be hanged

IBB to Buhari: change tactics against terrorists •Ex-military leader offers tips

NEWS

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•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3277 THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

NEWS Page 4

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Push for ex-Service chiefs probe over Buhari’s papers Gunmen kill OAU lecturer

Military top brass to be quizzed over Defence vote

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LECTURER at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Dr. Deji Adejobi, was killed on Tuesday evening by suspected assassins.

It was gathered that the gunmen trailed the Agricultural Economics lecturer...

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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OME of the Service Chiefs fired on Monday are to be investigated over some allegations, The Nation has learnt.

Among the allegations are: •mismanagement of funds for operations; and •alleged disappearance of the President’s Secondary School Certificate from military records.

Some retired military officers are said to be pushing for the revisit of the row over President Muhammadu Buhari’s certificate.

It was learnt that security reports indicated that some of the Service Chiefs were allegedly “reckless” in office.

One of the sacked military chiefs was noted for “enjoying himself to the fullest”. Another spent a fortune on wrist-watches and acquired property.

There has been some disquiet in military circles over the allegation that some of the military chiefs substantially benefited from an Abuja housing scheme meant for middle-level officers.

A unit of the houses costs about N7 million, which military officers were asked to pay under three months.

Since most of them could not raise the N7 million per unit, some Service Chiefs were said

News Page 8

Oliseh: I’m here to serve

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ORMER Super Eagles’ captain Sunday Ogochukwu Oliseh yesterday resumed work as the Head Coach, telling Nigerians: “I come to serve my country, not to wage a war.”

There were several...

Sport Page 24

Continued on page 4

Three-storey building collapses

NNPC under fire over $1.2b transfer

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IL giant Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is in the news again – over its bid to transfer $1.2 billion from commercial banks to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The NNPC’s action is “panicky”, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday, alleging that it was all to cover up alleged sharp practices by the corporation.

The APC alleged that revenues belonging to the federation were fraudulently deposited in local banks to yield huge interests for the officials, who the party did not name.

It renewed its call on President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the whereabouts of the tax paid to the Federal Inland Revenue Service WILL THE

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CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

Continued on page 4

L •B ACK AT LAST •BA LAST:: Uche carrying the last of his three sets of twins after he returned to their new home in Ogun PHOTO: PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU State...yesterday.

Triple twins’ dad returns

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HE father of the multiple twins who fled from his home and expectant wife has shown up – three months after.

Mr. Emeka Uche, after days of persuasion by his wife Ruth yesterday returned to a new home – a yet-to-be-painted mini-flat in Ogun State.

The Uches used to stay in Agege

•‘I contemplated suicide’

By Precious Igbonwelundu, Snr. Correspondent

on the outskirts of Lagos. Mrs. Uche, a teacher, had two sets of twins. Another set came in February.

Just as this reporter was about to leave her apartment, she came face to face with a light complexioned

man wearing an Arsenal jersey, a pair of jeans and slippers, holding two polythene bags.

He looked confused, uttered no word, save for the exchange of pleasantries and made to move away when Hope, the Uches’ former neighbour, saw him.

“Papa ejima (father of twins), where are you coming from? So Continued on page 4

ESS than one week after a building collapsed in Yaba, Lagos, another three-storey building yesterday collapsed in Ebute Meta.

About half of the building located at No. 29 Oloto Street, collapsed on the right side leaving the...

News Page 56

Desmond Tutu in hospital

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OUTH AFRICA’S Archbishop Desmond Tutu will spend a second night in hospital for treatment of a “persistent infection”, his family says.

Foreign Page 61

•MOTHER OF THREE COMMITS SUICIDE IN EKITI P7 BUHARI, OBAMA TO DISCUSS TERRORISM P4

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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NEWS

How Boko H

•Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode presenting an eyo plaque to the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gauer during his courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja...yesterday.

The activities of Boko Haram have affected the manufacturing sector. From billions of dollars in financial losses by manufacturers to monumental decline in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and job losses, the economy is left gasping for breath. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA writes that unless President Muhammadu Buhari halts the sect, more manufacturers, especially those in the Northeast, may quit

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•From left: Chief Executive Officer, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Pariminder Vir ; Chairman/CEO Ebonylife TV, Mrs Mosunmola Abudu; Chief Executive Officer, Bestman Games Ltd, Mrs Mimi Akinkugbe; Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu; former Director-Genreal, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh; Actress/ Enterpreneur, Mrs Omotola Jalade-Ekehide and Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa during the Tony Elumelu Enterpreneurship Programme Booth Camp at Convenent University, Otta.

•CSR/Sustainability Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs Emete Tonukari presenting the poster for the ‘Maltina Best Teacher’ to the Secretary General, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Obong Ikpe J Obong in Lagos...yesterday. With them are Deputy Secretary General, NUT, Alhaji Kabir Garba Matazu (left) and Head, Government Relations, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Vivian Ikem.

•From left: Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Sesan Sobowale, Country Director , Nigeria, Concern Universal, Tim Kellow and Sustainable Development Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Osita Abana at the media briefing to showcase the Guinness Nigeria/Concern Universal Safe Water and Improved Sanitation and Hygiene (SWISH) Project in Cross River State.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

T would probably go down as the most challenging period in its over 50 years operation in Nigeria. Between November, last year and April, this year, a period of six months, Lafarge Africa incurred financial losses of N2.5 billion as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast. The company, which recently merged with Switzerland-based Holcim, to create the most advanced building materials group, incured the heavy losses because it could not meet its sales projections due to the insecurity in the region.

Although normalcy has since returned to the company's operations, according to its Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guillaume Roux, the N2.5 billion financial losses is not the company's only worry. Lafarge Africa is also worried about the threat Boko Haram poses on it's over $100 billion business expansion drive, particularly in the northern region.

Roux said: "Today we have up to 8.5 million tonnes in the country and we want to double that capacity in the next five years. We are expanding in Calabar and we want to expand in the north. So this project of $100 billion expansion in the north is key because there's a market; it's key because there's growth and it's been an essential project for us."

The Lafarge Chief Executive Officer, who spoke in Abuja shortly after a meeting with the Presidential Initiative on the Northeast (PINE) to finalise discussions on the role the cement company will play in the long term economic development of the Northeast, said supporting the security, recovery and stability of the region had become critical to the future of its over $100 billion business expansion drive in the region.

According to him, the assets and plants the company has in the north are very strong and competitive. "We want to make sure the right conditions are there. Security is essentialwithout security obviously we cannot invest. The economic development is essential, so we need to help,” he said.

Roux further said the company had demonstrated its commitment to business expansion in the region through the ground breaking of an expansion project that was meant to grow Ashakacem capacity from the current one million metric tonnes to four million metric tonnes.

His words: "Lafarge is a long term investor and this necessitates uninterrupted operations despite the insurgency that we have witnessed in recent times. Of course, we seen security as a key ingredient for our continued operations and this is why we are a willing ally with PINE in restoring normalcy and rebuilding the region."

However, Lafarge Africa is only an addition to the long list of manufacturing firms in Nigeria desperately craving uninterrupted operations and is ready to give an arm literarily for the restoration of normalcy in the devastated region. Boko Haram's insurgency is also taking a huge toll on

Spectra Industries Limited, makers of Suco beverages.

Its Managing Director, Mr. Duro Kuteyi, told The Nation that because his company's distributors are in the Northeast and Northcentral - the epicenter of the sect's activities, the fortunes of his company have dwindled.

Kuteyi, who is also National Vice Chairman of Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), lamented: "Our core business is in the North, and our distributors complain of low sales as people are scared of visiting the markets or big malls; customers take their time to shop because of bomb scare."

Customers, he said, are skeptical about the safety of doing business or even doing their personal shopping, so the situation has affected his company's profitability. "The security situation, especially the bombings and kidnappings are affecting our business," he lamented, adding that as a result, the distribution of locally manufactured goods has been hampered.

Indeed, these are trying times for manufacturers. The protracted armed insurrection has ruined their businesses, and by extension, the national economy. Real sector operators especially manufacturers including members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) are agonising over the implications of the continuous erosion of investor' confidence on the economy as a result of the sustained bombing campaigns of the militant group.

President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alhaji Remi Bello, is one of those who are worried. He said at moment, it is extremely difficult to attract investors because the risk of long-term investments had become enormous. Hear him: "The tempo of economic activities in the North has declined; access to markets by companies in the south has reduced, resulting in loss of sales; while many enterprises have relocated."

While noting that security of lives and property is crucial to investment, Bello said investment growth is imperative for job creation, poverty reduction and social stability.

Besides, persistent insecurity, he stated, impacts negatively on the economy, while declining private sector performance result in job losses, which in turn aggravate the state of insecurity. It is easy to see why manufacturers and other business operators are screaming blue murder.

While some manufacturers have closed down their operations in the Northeast, Managing Consultant, Nesbet Consulting, a Lagos-based firm of finance and management consultancy, Mr. Alaba Olusemore, said those who manage to operate contend with poor sales and declines in revenue.

Olusemore said most companies are finding it extremely difficult to move their goods to the affected states in the Northeast, resulting in glut of manufactured goods, particularly in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) segment. This is because

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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NEWS

Haram is killing businesses branded hotel. Most amusements parks, eateries, restaurants, bars, and other public relaxation points have closed, as people heed calls by security experts and the authorities to avoid such places.

With sharp reduction in occupancy rate of hotels and recreation facilities, the implication is that states considered Boko Haram hot spots continue to lose huge revenues that would have been accruing to them as tax and other tourism-related businesses, including revenues from parks, new bars and restaurants that would have sprang up.

Banks, insurance companies, others close shop Many branches of banks and insurance companies have closed shop, even as sales representatives of many companies have fled the affected states in the north. Tales about of how Boko Haram insurgents blow up banks with IEDs and empty their vaults to fund their operations, killing scores of innocent bank customers in the process abound.

Also, many company projects under construction in the North have either been abandoned or suspended.

Many operators, especially Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have since relocated to other states thus, putting more pressure on limited facilities in those states. The rush to escape from the northern part of the country hard hit by insurgency has seen the profitability of businesses in that region hitting an all time low due to decrease in economic activities.

•The insurgents

most transport and haulage companies have either reduced their business activities and trips to the North or avoided the area completely.

For real sector operators, especially manufacturers who are already bogged down by rising cost of production and lately, economic uncertainty around issues of exchange rate occasioned by the devaluation of the naira in the wake of the sharp drop in price of crude oil, this is considered overkill. Indeed, as things are, local manufacturers are gasping for breath.

Killing spree spiral out of control These are scary times for Nigerians and the economy.The Boko Haram insurgents are back this time with more ferociousness. It is not that at some point they halted their bombing campaign. Rather, six weeks into the postponement of the general elections, sustained military offensive yielded tangible results by dispersing the sect members and regaining some lost territories.

However, since the inauguration of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration on May 29, there has been resurgence. The carnage seems to have become a daily occurrence, as no day passes without gory details of huge casualties from suicide bombing by the dreaded group.

As Founder, Forenovate Technologies Ltd, an Abuja-based security risk management consultancy/ICT training firm, Mr. Don Okereke, put it, "The military offensive resulted in dispersing the sect members; those that survived the onslaught on their Sambisa camp quickly melted into mainstream society and they are trying to regroup or carry out sporadic attacks.

"I think they (Boko Haram) went back to their earlier tactics: using roadside Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) and 'Sunday Sunday' attacks on churches, random drive-by killings, hit-and-run attacks on police/military formations and their latest invention - suicide bombings."

He said having been largely decapitated, it is doubtful if Boko Haram still has the capacity to hold territories.

"What they are doing now can also stem from desperation," Okereke told The Nation, noting however, that Boko Haram insurgency has crippled the economy of many of the northern states.

According to him, no organisation or individual can thrive in an atmosphere of uncertainty and wanton killings. "Every business, big and small, even individuals need some level of stability certainty to plan and execute their programmes. Many companies in the north generally and the NorthEast in particular have closed shops.

The way out

• Olusemore

•Dr. Nkwocha

• Okereke

"The manufacturing sector seems to be the hardest hit because electricity supply, telecommunication services and other amenities have been crippled in those areas. Even the requisite manpower that the industries need is not there any longer for obvious reasons," he said.

He pointed out that majority of his friends and family members scattered in the north have relocated to the Southern states sequel to the Boko Haram killing spree. With a voice tinged with anger and frustration, Okereke narrated how a friend of his who lived in Katsina State for nearly 25 years before the insurgency started was forced to relocate his family to Ebonyi State.

But the annoying part of the narrative perhaps, was how Okereke's friend's one million naira investment in real estate in Katsina was priced for N200, 000 when he wanted to move back to the east. "Someone I know used to travel to Borno to buy dried fish (Mangala), but he has since stopped.

"Another one used to buy water melon from one of the northern states, but also stopped," Okereke said, adding that there is a plethora of cases like this, which has a multiplier-effect on prices of foodstuff in the Nigerian market since many folks can't go to the north where some of these things are cheaper.

For real sector operators and indeed, government, the dry up of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) due to rising insurgency is a bitter pill to swallow. Since 2009 when the group forced their way into national consciousness for all the wrong reasons, FDI has been dropping sharply, sending shock waves down the spine of the authorities.

This is so particularly since last year when declining price of oil in the international market caused serious fiscal upsets for Africa's largest economy. For instance, the World Investment Report (WIR) 2013 says FDI flows into Nigeria dropped by 21 per cent in just one year - from $8.9 billion in 2011 to $7 billion in 2012. This translates to loss of $1.9 billion, a figure considered unacceptable for a country in dire need of shoring up its revenue.

That is not all. Nigeria's economic growth rate is also far from inspiring because of insurgency. For instance, figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released sometime in 2014 indicated a drop in first quarter growth to about 6.21 per cent, from 6.77 per cent obtained in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Citing the 'Global Peace Index' rankings for 2014, which rated Nigeria second most deadly country for terrorism after Iraq, experiencing 140 per cent increase in deaths to about 4,392, Okereke said the consequence

of this is that economic activities in those areas are being crippled daily.

"From manufacturing/production to retailing, hospitality to tourism, real estate to agriculture; virtually every business activity and human endeavour is at the receiving end of this insurgency/terrorism," the UK-trained Security Analyst told The Nation.

FDI inflow dries up

‘

From manufacturing/production to retailing, hospitality to tourism, real estate to agriculture; virtually every business activity and human endeavour is at the receiving end of this insurgency/terrorism

‘

Hospitality industry hit A negative perception problem created for Nigeria by the insurgents is not only responsible for the drop in FDI and slowing growth rate, but also responsible for the dwindling fortunes of operators in the hospitality industry. "Tourism and hospitality is comatose in most northern states," Okereke pointed out, adding that even places of worship considered sacred are not spared by the rampaging sect.

He said at moment night life has disappeared in most of the northern states, with telling effect on hotel owners/operators' profitability.

According to him, most people now remain indoors as early as 6pm to 7pm.

"Nobody wants to go to a place that is insecure. Remember that terrorists bask on exerting mass casualties hence they mostly target places with high population," he said.

To drive home his point that businesses in the northeast part of the country are fast losing grip because of the Boko Haram carnage, he said: "I was born in the North, a place I still have a strong affinity for. I vividly recall childhood experiences of all members of my family sleeping under Dogonrayo (neem) trees from dusk to dawn due to the high temperature with no threat to our lives or property. But not anymore."

The Nation learnt that since the insurgents started their operations, the region has continued to witness the lowest tourists' arrival, including business visits. Also, there has not been any opening of an international

No one envies Buhari. He inherited an economy on the edge of a precipice. But the burden of fixing the economy appears to pall into insignificance compared to the current pressure on him by Nigerians and members of the international community to urgently wrest Nigeria from Boko Haram's iron grip. Reining in the insurgents, experts say, holds the key to repositioning the economy.

For a start, Okereke said in the short/medium term, there is need for continued military offensive in an effort to completely decapitate the insurgents, dismantle their networks (arms/technical supply), and go after their sponsors.

The security expert said while military action tackles the symptom of the disease, other actions to eliminate the causative agents, which constitute long term solutions, must also be pursued with vigour.

"Terrorism/insurgency basks on unemployment, extreme poverty, injustice and brainwashing by runoff-the-mill-religious fanatics with warped ideologies.

"It follows that these precursors must be addressed too. As this is being done, there is also need for a 'battle of hearts and minds': wean or deradicalise remorseful violent extremists of their distorted belief system," he recommended.

“He also said military offensive alone will not end extremism especially when the ideology that drives the concept has become fully enshrined. “A holistic approach will do," he advised.

Criminologist/lecturer,Sociology Department, Imo State University, Owerri, Dr. Dan Nkwocha, agrees on the need to go after sponsors of Boko Haram. "The sponsors of the group should be uncovered," he told The Nation, pointing out that doing so would enable the administration implement a comprehensive and coordinated response against the insurgents.

Will Buhari heed wise counsels?

The coming weeks and months will tell.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

NEWS Buhari, Obama to discuss terrorism, economy, other issues

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•From left: General Manager, Rekitt Benkister West Africa, Mr. Rahul Murgai; President, Society for the Study of Pain, Nigeria, Dr. Ikeoluwapo Ajayi; Primary Care Specialist, American Hospital, Dubai, Dr. Aamerah Shah and Professor in Anesthesiology, University of Eastern Finland, Prof. Hannu Kokki at the launch of Nurofen in Lagos…yesterday.

NNPC under fire over $1.2b transfer Continued from page 1

(FIRS) and dividends paid to the NNPC by the Nigerian Liquified natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd. In a statement by its National spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the APC said the Federal Government should probe the whereabouts of the dividends paid to the NNPC by the NLNG, as well as the taxes paid to the FIRS Federation Account prior to the latest payment in June 2015.

Mohammed said the call had become more urgent against the backdrop of published reports that the NNPC

withdrew $1.2 billion from banks so it could place the money with the CBN. He described the move by the NNPC as a panic reaction to the expose by APC that over $4 billion dollars was missing in past dividends paid to the NNPC by the NLNG. The statement reads: ‘’Whereas NLNG’s dividends are paid to NNPC’s account with JP Morgan, from where they are supposed to be paid into the Federation Account, in accordance with the law, some unscrupulous officials of the corporation have apparently been moving such funds

to local banks so they can collect huge commissions on them. ‘’Now that the cat has been let out of the bag, they have started moving the funds from the banks to the CBN. We believe what we are seeing now is just a tip of the iceberg, hence the need for the authorities to call the NNPC officials to give account of the paid NLNG dividends to date.’’

“Any delay in calling the officials to account for the dividends may give them enough time to cover their tracks, said the party, in addition to the dangers posed to the banks -

and by extension the economy – by the sudden withdrawal of such a huge fund from the NNPC’s accounts with them. ‘’The top officials of the NNPC and others who met on Monday and decided to withdraw the $1.2 billion from the corporation’s account to the CBN must be asked a number of questions, including their motive for the decision and the whereabouts of the commissions paid on such funds.”

The APC’s spokesman said that notwithstanding the attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians, the Federal Government must remain unContinued on page 60

IBB to Buhari: change tactics against terrorists

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ISTURBED by the increasing insurgency in some parts of the North, former President Ibrahim Babangida yesterday advised the Presidency and the military to change tactics against Boko Haram.

He said the new approach by President Muhammadu Buhari and the military against Boko Haram must be holistic in such a way that the military will pound the enclaves of the sect day and night.

He said strategic efforts and

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

initiatives of the military at curtailing Boko Haram should “remain, most often, top secret”.

He also pleaded with the media to stop celebrating killings by the insurgents.

Babangida, who made his views known in a Sallah message, said it was time for Nigerians to be strong and unite against the insurgency.

He said: “At this stage of our national history, especially

with the insecurity we presently experience, it is appropriate for us to devise new ways and means of confronting this hydra-headed insurgency, without making such initiatives public knowledge.

“Strategic efforts and initiatives of the military targeted at curtailing the spread of Boko Haram should remain most often top secret within military hierarchy and the presidency.

Collaborative efforts should also follow similar pattern so that little or limited informa-

tion is let loose for the consumption of members of the sect.

“Coordinated efforts by the security agencies should be strengthened and refocused to gain new dimensions towards combating the unwholesome activities of this sect, and when such dimensions are sought and cultivated, they should remain the exclusive preserve of top military brass.”

“The President, General

HEAD of his four-day official trip to the United States (U.S.)on Sunday, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with a former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

The duo held talks on the President’s pending visit at the meeting which held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Buhari, who is honouring an invitation from U.S. President Barrack Obama will leave Abuja on Sunday to Washington DC to hold highlevel talks with President Obama and other senior officials of the U.S. Expectedly, measures on how to strengthen and intensify bilateral and international cooperation against terrorism in Nigeria and West Africa are priorities on President’s wish-list, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina said in a statement yesterday.

According to the statement, President Buhari, who will next Monday meet with President Obama at the White House, will hold further discussions with the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Martin Dempsey and the Deputy Secretary of Defence, Robert Work.

They will be discussing military and defence cooperation.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

The President is also scheduled to meet Vice President Joe Biden and confer with the US Attorney-General, Loretta Lynch, Secretary of Treasury, Jack Lew, Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker and Trade Representative, Michael Froman on America’s support for the Federal Government’s anti-corruption crusade as well as new ways of boosting Nigeria-United States trade relations.

The President, who will be received by the U.S. Secretary of State at the State Department in Washington DC, will also hold meetings with the Senate and Congressional Committees on Foreign Relations, as well as the Black Caucus of the House of Representatives.

Before returning next Thursday, President Buhari will address the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Corporate Council for Africa and host an interactive session with Nigerians in the American Diaspora.

Mr. Adesina listed Governors of Imo (Rochas Okorocha); Nasarawa (Tanko Al-Makura); Edo (Adams Oshiohmole); Borno (Kashim Shettima) and Oyo (Abiola Ajimobi).

Others are Central Bank of Continued on page 61

Push for ex-Service chiefs probe over Buhari’s papers Continued from page 1

to have taken “undue advantage” to corner appreciable units.

According to sources, there was a discreet preliminary investigation of the activities some of the Service Chiefs before they were asked to go on Monday.

The preliminary findings may set the stage for a comprehensive investigation, it was learnt.

A highly-placed source said: “I think the government will certainly look into the activities of some Service Chiefs “Among the former Service Chiefs, it was known to all that one of them used to buy wristwatches worth about $300,000 to $500,000 at will for whoever he liked while in office.

“This is outside curious spending on unnecessary overhead. The situation was Continued on page 60

CORRECTION In a story titled: “Osinbajo intervenes in Rivers crisis”, published on page 5 of yesterday’s edition, Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was reported to have attended a meeting with Rivers stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday night, whereas the Vice President was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on an official assignment. The error is regretted.

Continued on page 60

Triple twins’ dad returns to family’s new home, months after Continued from page 1

you are still alive? Please come inside and sit down,” she exclaimed.

Upon hearing ‘Papa ejima’, Mrs Uche rushed to the door.

She didn’t run into his arms to hug or kiss him, but stood and watched him for some minutes after offering him one of the plastic seats in the living room.

But he did not sit down, rather, he went straight for his newborn babies. He was seeing the three months olds for the first time.

Uche held both on each arm, smiling and then collapsed

into the blue chair, admiring them.

Still looking at the babies, he asked: “Where are my other children? How are you people?”

Hope told Uche that the other children were at her aunt’s house not too far from the neighbourhood.

After about seven minutes when Mrs. Uche seemed to have regained her composure, she entered the kitchen, brought a sachet water in a silver steel plate and offered it to her husband who refused to collect it.

After much persuasion from

all the women in the room, Uche finally collected the water and from the way he gulped it, it was obvious he was very thirsty.

As Mrs. Uche sat down on one of the children’s plastic chairs, she asked her husband if he was back for good.

“God I thank you for answering my prayers. So, you are here. You look emaciated.

You have lost so much weight.

I hope you have come back for good. Please, do not leave us again,” she told Uche, who did not reply.

Having allowed him play with his babies and relaxed for about 20 minutes, this reporter, reminded Uche of their several telephone discussions.

He said: “Like I told you on phone, it was not easy for me.

I contemplated suicide on several occasions. I cannot believe I am here, holding my kids for the first time since they were born three months ago.

“When I left, I initially went to the village where I spent a month. After that, I came back to Lagos but stayed with my friend around Oko-Oba in

Agege. I still live with him.

“I know that I was not far from them, but I just did not went to return without a better solution on how to cater for my home. I was ashamed too to come back to that house to see them after I’d abandoned them and run away.

“But after our discussions and my wife told me that they had moved, I went to our old house and asked one of the neighbors who had been here for direction so that I could come and see them,” he said, shaking his head.

Finding the Uches The road to the Uches’ new home was anything but smooth. For a journey that began shortly after mid-day, it took this reporter about two hours to get to the community and another one hour 30 mintues more, wandering around the locality until the parties eventually met at a bus stop.

After the exchange of pleasantries, an excited Mrs. Uche who said she secured a shop and would soon start trading in foodstuff, took this report-

er to see her new home.

Situated in a developing area, the newly built bungalow has three flats.

Although not painted yet, the house is in a relatively peaceful community. Mrs. Uche seems to have made some friends already.

Inside her apartment, the parlour and toilet are neatly tiled. The bedroom and kitchen are cemented.

The apartment is neat, though lacking in basic furniture, which prompted the arrangement of their unpacked luggage-clothes, foodstuff and kitchen utensils- on the floor in the bedroom and kitchen.

There was relative quiet, but for the tick of the wall clock and occasional cry of her baby. The new residence is a far improvement on the old one.

Noting that she was eternally grateful to the Lagos State Government and all those who have changed her story, Mrs. Uche said she was yet to consider the school which her children would attend.

“Would I have ever lived in

this kind of house with my family and I having a toilet and kitchen to ourselves? I moved in here on Sunday and I am so happy and grateful.

“Aunty, come and see our bedroom; have you seen the toilet? See our kitchen. See me now! I have a room and parlour self-contained. What more can I want, except for my husband to come and enjoy this good life with me?

“People who used to laugh at us for not having food to eat can now see how God works.

Even my mother-in-law who has not called me for so long now calls me. I am just so thankful to God because he did not allow me and my children die in shame.

“I have promised God that I will do my best to grow my business. I want to grow and be able to help women with similar case as mine. I want to be able to impact their lives in future as my life was touched and changed.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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NEWS

‘Fraudsters preying on scholarships, admissions seekers’

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HE Federal Government has warned Nigerians against some fraudulent persons who are parading themselves as Federal Scholarship Board workers to defraud unsuspecting applicants and scholars.

Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Dr. MacJohn Nwaobila, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja, said similar reports had been received on admissions into the Unity Colleges.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

The “fraudulent persons”, he added, were contacting federal scholarship applicants or scholars through telephone calls and text messages, demanding payment of money into some bank accounts before their scholarships could be processed and awarded.

Nwaobiala said no one had been arrested, but the fraudulent acts have been re-

ported to law enforcement agents “for investigation to bring the perpetrators to book”.

He added that no payment was required for scholarship awards, which are usually advertised in the national media.

The permanent secretary said: “If a candidate is not selected under national merit, state equity or other criteria, there are no agents that would be paid to make the

admission possible. Please be mindful of admission racketeers.

“The public is hereby informed that these fraudulent persons have no relationship with the Federal Ministry of Education and Federal Scholarship Board and that no money is collected for processing and awarding of scholarship and for admission into the Unity Colleges or any federal institution.

Candidates are advised to

Court strikes out Kwankwaso’s case against EFCC

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•Union urges insulation of corporation from politics

’

EFCC may go ahead to quiz the former governor.

EFCC counsel M.S. Abubakar said the private secretary to the former governor disowned the case filed by his counsel, Okechukwu Nwaeze.

Abubakar noted that three steps were taken in asking the court to discharge the ex parte order because it was obtained by fraud.

He said the person, who purportedly asked the lawyer for the court order, said he never authorised him, “which means that he never applied for the court order, and the court ought not to have issued it in the first place and it needed to set it aside”.

The second reason was that he challenged the jurisdiction of the court, saying it was a state High Court.

The EFCC, he said, is a Fed-

eral Government’s agency.

Abubakar said: “The constitution is very clear about it.

Section 251, (1) R of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides that, if you are challenging any Federal Government’s agency, you should approach the Federal High Court and not a state High Court.

“The third step we raised was let’s assume the former governor authorised the lawyer and let’s also assume that the court has the jurisdiction, the facts of the merit is that is there any case, is there any petition with EFCC against the former governor or not and should the court stop the EFCC from investigating?

We said no because in the constitution, there is an exception to the rights to personal liberty.

“So, however, when we came to court this morning, the court told us that the counsel has filed a notice of

Omatseye urges end to impunity in oil sector

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HE Nation Editorial Board Chairman, Mr. Sam Omatseye, has advocated a strong commitment to the rule of law to curb impunity in the oil sector, especially in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

He spoke at the Seventh Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series with the theme: “Nigeria and the Oil Misfortune” in Abuja on Monday.

Omatseye, who was against Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s call for NNPC to be scrapped, said: “If you say that you want to dissolve NNPC, you should be careful not to end up creating other forms of NNPC because the problem is not NNPC, the problem is Nigeria. NNPC did not create itself, Nigeria created NNPC; corruption in Nigeria created NNPC. “If NNPC took 38 years to become a monster, some child monsters in the movies do not take up to two years before they become big problems.

“What we need is the institution of the rule of law. That

T

‘

If the court wants to accept their notice of discontinue, it should award cost for wasting our time to come to court and the court has acceded to our application and struck out the matter

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

•Kwankwaso

discontinuing the matter. We said okay, since they have already filed a notice of discontinue, we have also filed our responses. Now, if the court wants to accept their notice of discontinue, it should award cost for wasting our time to come to court and the court has acceded to our application and struck out the matter.

“Presently, there is no court order restraining the EFCC. The matter is concluded and EFCC has been awarded N50,000.”

A group, Kano State Concerned Workers and Pensioners, had petitioned EFCC accusing Kwankwaso of tampering with N10 billion pension funds.

HE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has faulted calls by Kaduna State Governor Nasir ElRufai for the scrapping of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Its Acting General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, in a statement on the governor’s comment in a paper he delivered at the Seventh Prof. Wole Soyinka Birthday Lecture on Monday, said instead of calling for NNPC to be killed, ElRufai should have called for the insulation of the corporation from undue political interference.

Okugbawa noted that corruption was not peculiar to the NNPC as mentioned by the governor, but a problem hindering the country’s growth as well as the oil and gas sector He said the NNPC, which was created by an Act of Parliament in 1977, is made up of the holding office, subsidiaries and service units.

He lamented that the corporation had been subjected to undue political in-

By Jide Babalola, Assistant Editor, Abuja

is what the President Muhammadu Buhari administration should take up and drop every other thing. When you have rule of law, when you have a fidelity to the conscience of the law, every other thing falls into place.

“You cannot have an NNPC spending more on costs than it gives in profits because everything may have to be written down and codified in laws because some people see NNPC as Nigeria’s ATM machine.

“So, the question we have to ask ourselves is how do we institute a nation of laws? When you have a nation of laws, even the President will have to be accountable. But when you condone impunity and you create other forms of NNPC, it would still become monster.”

He added that unlike what obtains presently, there were no salary delays in states when the price of crude oil was less than $13 per barrel.

El-Rufai, at the event, emphasised that the steps

•Omatseye (left) and El-Rufail at the lecture.

for dissolving NNPC must now be considered, arguing that it was inevitable.

The governor noted that “NNPC must die” because of the shenanigans in the oil sector.

But Omatseye stressed the need for the rule of law as a strategy towards curbing impunity and corruption in the sector.

Chevron Nigeria Plc’s

ing the scholarship awards are via online application, followed by nationwide nomination interviews, after which the Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting made up of Federal Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Federal Character Commission and National Planning Commission ratifies the results,” Nwaobiala said.

PENGASSAN flays call for scrapping of NNPC

•N50,000 awarded to anti-graft agency KANO High Court yesterday struck out the application for a restraining order brought against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Justice Mohammed Yahya struck out the application on the grounds that the applicant filed for a discontinuation of the matter.

The judge further ruled that the former governor should pay N50,000 as compensation to the commission.

He directed the disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to investigate Kwankwaso’s denial of the counsel, who approached the court on his behalf for the restraining order.

The court said the act of the counsel was “unethical and overzealousness on his part” for filing an application without the consent of the former governor, who is now a senator.

The striking out of the matter has vacated the earlier court order instructing both parties to maintain the status quo, an indication that the

disregard these calls and messages. Whosoever does any transactions of such, does so at his or her own risk.”

The official channels for dealing with the Federal Scholarship Board or Federal Ministry of Education is through the websites: www.fsb.gov.ng, and www.fme.gov.ng as well as the official telephone numbers and personal visits.

“The procedures for obtain-

General Manager (Policy, Government and Public Affairs), Mr. Deji Haastrup noted that international oil companies operating in Nigeria would appreciate greater transparency in the oil sector.

But to Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, Mrs. Adefunke Kasali, “the oil sector has suffered from

gross mismanagement over the years”.

The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Hajia Zainab Ahmed, lamented that huge resources from oil and gas, mining and even funds meant for the development of natural resources had been frittered away without any sense of accountability.

By Toba Agboola

terference, which, he said, hindered its autonomy for effective running and competitiveness in the last six years.

But Okugbawa noted that it should not be a yardstick for the scrapping of the corporation as demanded by the governor.

He said: “Let the government deal with the corruption in the system, but not to ‘throw away the baby with the bath water. ”If you look at the NNPC as it is today, it has been politicised, with most of its decisions and operations being influenced by political motives and at times, executive fiat. The corporation is so much tied to the apron of the political office holders, but not the technocrats that are at the helm of the corporation’s affairs.”

Some of the areas of interference listed by Okugbawa include: appointment and removal of the group managing director (GMD), group executive directors (GED), and managing directors of NNPC subsidiaries by the President; and limited financial autonomy for its operations.

The unionist said: “NNPC should be a national oil corporation that can compete favourably globally as Saudi Aramco of Saudi Arabia, Petronas of Malaysia, Petrobras of Brazil and Statoil of Norway etc., given the opportunities and market potential.

“If we take a look at NNPC contemporaries in the world, such as Saudi Aramco, Petrobras, Petronas and Statoil, we will notice that their holding governments give those companies freedom to growth and expansion of the companies to the great benefits of the citizenry and their respective governments.

“Operations and administration of NNPC come under several masters and conflicting instructions, some of which defy the national objectives and aspirations for setting up the corporation and its subsidiaries.

“Appointment, removal and/or transfer of the heads and staff of the corporation and its subsidiaries are often executed by fiat in the manner that undermines the extant national laws, and the NNPC Act.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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NEWS

Okogie blames NUC, society for rot in education

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ATHOLIC Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos Anthony Cardinal Okogie has blamed the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) and the society for the deficiencies in the education system.

He said negligence by the NUC was a major cause of corruption and improper behaviour by students and

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

workers of higher institutions.

Cardinal Okogie expressed concern about how the societal rot might affect the new Catholic Augustine University, which is to open for resumption in September.

“Yes, I am greatly worried and you don’t blame these chil-

dren. It’s the kind of society we built for them,” he said.

The cleric spoke when he conducted journalists on a tour of the institution at Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, yesterday.

The cardinal advised the NUC to be more patriotic by putting the nation at the core of its activities.

He said: “This is where everything should begin. The

NUC should try to tailor things the way they will benefit the nation. I blame them.

What are they looking at? At least, they are in charge of tertiary institutions. So, what are they doing?”

He assured Nigerians that the Catholic university would make a difference and champion the change that Nigeria’s education sector needs.

“I can promise you that this institution is definitely going to be different. Otherwise, I won’t be bothering my head thinking about giving the nation a university,” Okogie noted.

Okogie also expressed concern about the leadership crisis in the House of Representatives.

“Didn’t you see what hap-

pened in the House of Representatives? With fathers of families throwing chairs, what example are they giving to children? And these are our leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

He advised President Muhammadu Buhari to be patient and intuitive in selecting ministers for his cabinet, particularly the Minister for Education.

ASUU to police: stop killing of lecturers

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•From left: Chief Executive Officer, AXA Mansard Pensions Limited, Dapo Akisanya; Chairman, Victor Osibodu; Executive Director, Tosin Runsewe; Chief Executive Officer, AXA Mansard Health Limited, Tope Adeniyi and Chief Executive Officer, AXA Mansard Investments Limited, Deji Tunde-Anjous, at the unveiling of the AXA Mansard Pylon and introduction of PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID. pension business in Lagos.

INEC’s failure to control spending cap promotes rigging, says Azinge

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FORMER DirectorGeneral of the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, yesterday criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for not ensuring that politicians abide by the expenditure cap during the last general election.

He spoke in a keynote address delivered at the opening ceremony of the Law Week of the Warri Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

His paper was titled: “Nigeria Enduring Democracy: The Challenge of Effective Electioneering and Independence of the Judiciary”.

The member of the Commonwealth Arbitral Tribunal

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

averred that the unmitigated spending by politicians raised the stake and led to rigging and other electoral vices during the last general elections.

He said: “Politicians and political partiers spent outlandishly to win elections.

The law was honoured more in the breach than observed.

Let the truth be told, the last election was as rigged as any other we have witnessed.

The difference was that political parties rigged massively in their comfort zones.

“With high cost of elec-

tion comes all sorts of electoral offences, bribery, undue influence, thuggery, violence and disorderly behaviour. We have now graduated to kidnapping, abduction and political assassination during election.”

Prof. Azinge also slammed the media’s “role” in promoting hate campaign during the election, noting that the role of the media gave credence to the assertion that ‘all is fair in warfare”.

He said the use of derogatory statements were commonplace during the electioneering campaign period.

On the autonomy for the

judiciary, he said: “First is to evaluate the salary structure of judges and how safeguard they are. Second is the examination of the process of appointment, discipline and removal of judges and to know if the other arms of government are capable of compromising the judiciary because of financial control or lack of autonomy.”

The Warri Branch Chair of the NBA, , Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, in his welcome address, said it was relevant for the judiciary to be independent.

A compromised or partisan judiciary tied to the apron of any vested interest is dangerous to the sustainability of the nation’s democracy, he said.

Obasanjo defends choice of Yar’ Adua ORMER President as successor Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday defended his

F

choice of the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua as his successor in 1997.

Chief Obasanjo, who spoke on Channels TV, refuted some critics’ views that he might have applied poor judgment in picking the former Katsina governor to succeed him as President.

The television crew was at the former President’s hilltop residence in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Yar’Adua died in office after a protracted illness, paving the way for Dr. Goodluck

Jonathan to assume office.

Giving his opinion on some views of those who reviewed his book - My Watch - that he might have subtly alluded to his poor judgment by the way he criticises successive Presidents, Obasanjo maintained that contrary to the sectional views, his administration was guided by facts available and that he made the best judgment in the choice of members of his team and successor.

According to him, those engaging in such criticisms did not have all the facts.

His words: “Even if you

take your son as your successor, you are not sure of what he will do when he gets there.

Don’t ever kid yourself.

“What do I know about any successor? What he presents.

When he gets there he presents it differently.

“We did our best, but if you say our best is not good enough, I will say, when it comes to your turn, do better.

“With all the people that are available for successor, what we came up with was about the best that at that time we could think of.”

Obasanjo said he could not

•Obasanjo

have selected someone he knew was corrupt for the position of a President.

He said: “Is it the one that we know are corrupt that we will now go and take? No! “If I give the job to the corrupt, will I be able to defend myself before God and man?” he asked.

‘Senate’s approval for Service chiefs wrong’

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HE decision of a Federal High Court stripping the President of the sole power to appoint Service chiefs has been faulted by a former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brig.Gen. Don Idada Ikponmwen (rtd).

He expressed dismay at the verdict, saying it would not stand.

From James Azania, Lokoja

The decision, he said, would politicise the Armed Forces and threaten the nation’s security.

Ikponmwen stated: “I was completely dismayed with such a declaration because it tends to turn the constitution upside down.

It was even more shocking that the court agreed with the argument that the

Armed Forces Act, which was first enacted during the military administration of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and was a replica of the 1993 Armed Forces Decree, was declared to be a law not in the category of the existing laws in Nigeria.

“I think these are shocking declarations, and the least I can say is that I

found it very disappointing and the decision cannot stand. I don’t think we have seen the end of the matter.

“My worry is that many people, especially those who would not take the pain to read the constitution in all its ramifications may just get the impression that it is the position of our constitution.”

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

EMBERS of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure, the Ondo State capital yesterday urged the police to put in place measures to stop the killing and kidnapping of lecturers.

They spoke ahead of the funeral for the university’s late former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Albert Ilemobade.

The ASUU Chairman, Dr. Bola Oniya, at a news conference at FUTA, lamented the high rates of killing and kidnapping of university lecturers.

But the family of the late Ilemobade have fixed July 30 for the service and interment of the deceased at All Saints Anglican Church in Ogbonkowo, Ondo.

A Christian wake will hold at Hall B, Oba Adesanoye Civil Centre, Ondo on July 29.

Dr. Oniya said the association was recently faced with kidnappings, a situation which he said threatened their careers.

He criticised the killing of a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Dr. Deji Adejobi, who, according to him, was murdered with his security guard. He added that the lecturer’s body was dumped at the back of his house.

The ASUU chairman said members were afraid to use the union’s sticker on their cars due to the rampant kidnapping and killing of their colleagues.

On the death of Ilemobade, Dr. Oniya said the union was following developments with interest and hoped that thorough investigations would be carried out by the police to unravel the cause of the death.

The ASUU chairman urged Ondo State commissioner of Police to dig deep into the matter “for the sake of the future of our Ivory towers”.

“Before this profession is turned into a jumble bird, we call on necessary authorities to step up security and surveillance routines that will decimate completely, these recent attacks on university teachers,” Dr. Oniya said. The suspected killers of Ilemobade - his security guard, Daniel Ita, and his former driver, Bamitale Yemi, have been arranged and ordered by the magistrate to be remanded in prison till September, 18.

Nyako’s aide dismisses high-profile arrests by EFCC From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

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ALLAM Ahmad Sajoh, former Director of Press and Public Affairs to ex-Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, has dismissed the new wave of highprofile arrests by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He claimed that the EFCC’s move was a cosmetic ploy to deceive President Muhammadu Buhari that the organisation was still virile.

Sajoh, who expressed dismay at the frenzy of activities taking place at the commission, wondered when it woke up from its deep slumber.

“An agency that was very sloppy in prosecution and losing virtually all high-profile cases cannot in any way help in the current anti-corruption war,” he claimed.

Chibok girls: Ex-Service Chiefs committed blunders, says don From Jeremiah Oke, Ibadan

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POLITICAL scientist, Dr. Gbade Ojo, yesterday faulted the former Service Chiefs for committing security blunders, especially on the abduction of the Chibok girls.

He said it was unprofessional for them to announce the locations of the Chibok girls without liberating them.

Ojo, who spoke in an interview in Ibadan, said the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to sack them was in line with the need to re-strategise on the security lapses in the country. He said there was a serious strategic lapse on the part of one of the former Service chiefs for disclosing the whereabouts of the Chibok girls, which, he added, should have been made a secret. “ Immediately he made the announcement, the girls were relocated. That was a serious lapse on the part of that particular service chief,” Ojo said.

He advised the newly-appointed Service chiefs to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors, saying they should collaborate with their colleagues in neighbouring countries.

Ojo noted that the country’s techno-economic structure needed to be improved upon to tackle terrorism threats, adding that without technology, terrorism could not be fought effectively.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

NEWS

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has again described the desecration of the tomb of the late Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, as “politics of bitterness taken too far”.

It said the governor’s action was a deliberate act to distort his master plan for the Heroes’ Park originally meant to be a library, instead of a Women Development Centre.

A statement by the Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, challenged the governor to produce the master plan of the new building and show where it was designed as a Women Development Centre.

He said: “Fayose’s original plan was to distort and cancel the master plan that makes that space a Heroes’ Park as established by the House of Assembly law by erecting the so-called library to deliberately shield

Man remanded for alleged rape From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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N Igbara-Oke Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State has remanded 30-year-old, Seun Aderemi, in prison custody for allegedly raping a teenager.

The victim is a primary six pupil of St. Anthony Primary School in Igbara Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area.

The accused, a motorcyclist, was arraigned for rape, thereby contravening Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Revised Laws of Ondo, 2006.

Police prosecutor told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 27 at 7am at his residence.

The prosecutor said the accused pleaded guilty in his confessional statement during police investigation.

Magistrate Olowookere ordered the accused to be remanded in prison, pending the outcome of investigations.

The magistrate adjourned the case till July 25.

Fayose has no reason for desecrating Olayinka’s tomb, says APC From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

the tomb from public view.

“This is deliberate humiliation to diminish the honour of the late deputy governor, who served the state meritoriously and erase her memory in the hearts of Ekiti people.”

Olatunbosun added that it was when Fayose was advised against building a library in the place that he came up with the deceptive idea of honouring the late Olayinka with a Women Development Centre when in actual fact his plan was to insult and erase her

memory.

“Fayose betrayed his real intention during his last media chat when he used a derogatory language for the late deputy governor, saying in Yoruba, ‘Eni to ti ku ti ku, (the dead is gone), why waste such a huge space for her tomb?’

“Characteristically, Fayose feigned ignorance that the land was meant to bury Olayinka alone even when all Ekiti people know that the law established the place as a resting place for other Ekiti heroes and heroines,” he said.

According to Olatunbosun, the distortion of the

master plan is to achieve three purposes, including abandoning “the gigantic, befitting and multi-function Funmi Olayinka Civic Centre to portray Fayemi as wasteful”.

“The second is to deny Olayinka the honour of naming such a huge edifice which contains a library, research and archives centre, amphitheatre and Women Development Centre after her.

“The third is to fleece tax payers of their money as usual by such a needless structure.”

He added: “We learnt the governor is planning to

name the Funmi Olayinka Civic Centre project started by Fayemi after himself or one of his benefactors after he might have placated Ado- Ekiti people with his present ramshackle structure.

“The Ogun State government and family of the husband of the deceased had preferred Ogun State as burial site for the late deputy governor but Ado-Ekiti people, especially the Ewiin-Council, persuaded them to release her body for burial at the Ekiti State Heroes Park after the assurance of a more befitting memorial park that would in future become a tourist site. Fayose is abusing this honour.”

Domestic worker to die by hanging for killing judge

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N Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, yesterday sentenced a 21-year-old domestic worker, David Idah, to death for killing his employer, Senior Magistrate Olufunmilayo Cecilia Timeyin (rtd).

Mrs. Timeyin was attacked in her home on Laderin Estate, Abeokuta, on March 28, last year, by Idah.

He was arrested by members of the neighbourhood watch while trying to flee

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

the scene.

In April, he was arraigned at an Abeokuta Chief Magistrate’s Court for unlawful killing. The case was later transferred to the state High Court.

Idah was said to have worked for the late Mrs. Timeyin for some few months before being sacked.

He was caught at Okelewo while trying to sell handsets allegedly stolen

from Mrs Timeyin.

It was gathered that Idah scaled the building’s fence and sneaked into the home of his former employer in the evening.

He waited for her to come out and open the gate for her son, Olamide.

When Olamide knocked the gate, the retired Magistrate came out but walked into the waiting Idah, who killed her immediately.

The alarm raised by Olamide, who had been waiting at the gate and the des-

•Idah perate cries for help, attracted some residents, who alerted the Ogun State Vigilance Service.

Yesterday, Justice Abiodun Akinyemi sentenced Idah, who hails from Benue State, to death by hanging.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State has directed workers to resume work and disregard its Tuesday directive not to report at their duty posts.

In a statement by the NLC Chairman, Jacob Adekomi and Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Bayo Adejumo, the workers were told that the council had reached an agreement with the government.

The statement reads: “After due consultations between the government and the leadership of the Joint Labour Movement, we hereby resolve that government has assured the leadership of its continuous commitment to payment of full salaries.

“That the entire leaders of the labour movement are hereby assured that the leadership is on top of the situation and we will continuously stand for the defence and protection of the interests, welfare and rights of all members at all times.

“That all workers are hereby directed to resume duties and continue working at their various duty positions.

“That the leadership of the labour movement hereby that nobody should disturb any worker from carrying out their constitutional assignments.”

Doctors: strike not targeted at Buhari From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

‘No to same-sex marriage’

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HE Vice-Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Southern states, Archbishop George Amu, has advised the Federal Government to propagate laws against same-sex marriage.

He urged African leaders not to succumb to the pressure of advanced countries to endorse laws that allows same-sex marriage.

Speaking at a briefing in Lagos yesterday, the cleric described same-sex marriage as evil and totally against God’s decree.

Amu, who is also the presiding Archbishop of GoodNews Bible Church, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos, referred to Genesis 2: 27-28 where God said “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”

He warned that same-sex marriage would lead to extinction of the human race, if allowed to flourish.

The cleric called on lawmakers not to be influenced by any financial or material things to make laws that would encourage the practice of same-sex marriage.

NLC directs Osun workers to resume

•From left: Executive Director, Development Support Institute (DSI), Jacqueline Olayemi-Odiadi; representative of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Judith Eigett and DSI’s Director of Programme Olubunmi Francis at the official launch of seven blocks of rehabilitated toilets at Makoko Anglican Primary School donated by the German Embassy and DSI in Lagos PHOTO: BIODUN ADEYEWA

Mother of three commits suicide

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46-YEAR-OLD woman from Ajebamidele in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, identified as Mrs. Ajibola, has reportedly committed suicide.

Mrs. Ajibola, a mother of three, was said to have hanged herself on Tuesday at 6pm.

Sources said she informed landlords in the area of her intention to address a “world press conference” at 6.30 pm.

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

They were shocked to find her lifeless body dangling from the roof of her house.

Neighbours said Mrs. Ajibola had attempted suicide in the past.

Her remains have been deposited at the mortuary of the Mary Assumpta Catholic Hospital, Ajilosun Road.

Neighbours, family and friends were at the Ologede

Police Station on Ikere Road but the police officers refused to speak on the incident.

A neighbour said: “Before the incident, she had informed landlords in the area of her intention to address a world press conference at 6.30pm.

“When some of us arrived to listen to what she had to tell us, we discovered that she was no where to be found.

“It was when we were

searching for her that we saw her dangling body on the roof in her house.

“Many times, she had threatened to take her own life.

“There was even a time she said she would jump into a well and we had to announce to all landlords that they should make sure their wells are covered.”

Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi said the command had begun investigation.

MEMBERS of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI) have said their five-week-old strike was not targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari but for the payment of their entitlements.

A statement yesterday

by ARD President Otutoaja Uzoma and Secretary General Ekundayo Oladeji urged FETHI Chief Medical Director, Dr. Majekodunmi Ayodele, to pay all their outstanding entitlements and see to the welfare of other health workers.

They said: “For clarity sake, our association is neither against the populace, nor the Federal Government, which has done the needful but the CMD has thrown caution to the wind and has continually sabotaged governance by refusing to release these emoluments.

“We are not unaware that the CMD has been singing the song of ‘no money’, ‘there is shortfall in the budget’, but we implore the world to ask the CMD the whereabouts of close to a billion naira yearly excess he has been raking in since he assumed office.

“It should be noted that the association is neither drawing battle lines nor propagating the opinions of any individual or group.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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NEWS

Two robbery suspects killed

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HE police in Ekiti State killed two robbery suspects yesterday on the Ikere-Akure Highway.

It was gathered that the suspects were attacking commuters, when armed policemen and officers of the Highway Patrol squad swooped on them.

Two of them were killed after a gunbattle with the policemen. Another member of the gang was arrested.

Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi said the police were working to make Ekiti roads safe.

Adeyemi said: “In our quest to rid Ekiti roads of criminals, the DPO of Ikere and Safer Highway Patrol team got information that robbers were attacking com-

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left) inspecting the Ataoja School of Science.

Gunmen kill OAU lecturer

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LECTURER at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Dr. Deji Adejobi, was killed on Tuesday evening by suspected assassins.

It was gathered that the gunmen trailed the Agricultural Economics lecturer to his house at The Dawn area, near Ife tollgate at 10 pm.

According to Adejobi’s security guard, the deceased was shot twice at close range.

Narrating how her father was killed, his daughter, Oyin, said: “We finished our evening prayer at 10:05 pm, my dad drove into the compound.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

“Then I overheard an argument between the guard and some strange people.

“I looked out from the window and I saw that another black car had entered our compound.

“Our guard questioned the occupants but they hit him and ordered him to lie down.

“The men in the black car came out before my dad alighted from his car and one of them shot into the air.

Two of them went to his car; the others came inside.

“Grandma started begging those who came inside. Sud-

denly, we heard gunshots outside.

“The assailants left at 10:20 pm and took dad’s car away. I overheard dad begging them that they should not take him away. When they left, we thought they had taken him away and we started praying for his safety without knowing that he had been killed. When the police came, they saw his body in the flower bed.”

The deceased’s younger brother, who is the spokesman for the Ogun State Police Command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described his death as pathetic.

The spokesman for the

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From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Speaker, Najeem Salam, the detailed response of the governor was obtained on Tuesday.

According to the statement, obtaining Aregbesola’s response had compelled the parliament to set in motion the investigation of various allegations in the petition.

The statement reads: “The

Assembly would be fair and thorough in its investigation of all the issues raised

by Justice Oloyede. This is to get to a logical end and to give all parties a sense of justice without fear or favour.

“The Assembly is inviting Justice Oloyede to prepare for personal appearance before the investigative committee that would soon fix a date for looking

•The late Adejobi

Osun State Police Command, Mrs. Folashade Odoro, said the command had begun investigation.

into the petition.

“The Speaker has constituted an investigative committee that will look into the petition and the committee has the mandate to interact with Justice Oloyede in person, for she is in the best position to further shed light on her position.”

The Assembly assured all parties concerned of fairness and justice.

Woman seeks justice for defiled three-year-old girl

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WOMAN, Mrs Nkechi Amaechi, whose three-year-old daughter was defiled by a 30-year-old neighbour, Peter Ewanta, has cried out for justice.

Mrs Amaechi said the suspect’s family refused to pay for her daughter’s medical treatment.

The incident occurred at Ewanta Street, off New Lagos Road, Benin, the Edo State capital.

The agitated mother said her daughter had been manifesting some strange symptoms since she was defiled.

In a chat with reporters, Mrs. Nkechi said the suspect lured her daughter into his room under the pretext of buying biscuits for her but instead defiled her.

She said the suspect was a neighbour.

Mrs Amaechi said: “I noticed something strange about the way my daughter was walking. When I checked, I saw that her private part had become wider

Man, 50, jailed nine years for defiling minor

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50-YEAR-OLD man, Nosa Edebiri, has been sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl.

An Oredo Magistrate’s Court, presided over

by Mrs Caroline Oghuma, jailed him, after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Kehinde Adebiyi, told the court that Edebiri committed the offence on June 2 at St. Saviour Road, Benin, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.

Adebiyi said Edebiri bought fish worth N250 from the minor when her mother was not around.

He said the man asked the girl to follow him home to collect her money.

The prosecutor said when the girl got to Edebiri’s room, he locked her up anddefiled her.

The policeman said the man threatened to kill the girl and her parents, if she told anyFrom Osagie Otabor, Benin

than that of a woman that just gave birth.

“The man was begging; he also wanted to fight me. I had to call the police. I don’t have money now to take care of my daughter. I want help

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

one.

Adebiyi said: “Unfortunately, the minor’s parents observed that she was not comfortable; she was feeling pains in her abdomen. It was then she told her parents what happened to her.

“Immediately, the minor’s parents went to the police station to report the matter. The girl was examined and a test was carried out at the Central Hospital (Benin), where it was confirmed that the minor hadbeen deflowered.”

Delivering judgment, the Magistrate said: “You do not deserve any mercy, even though it is the first time you are appearing in court.

“I consider the offence condemnable since you took advantage of the vulnerable minor.

“I hereby sentence you to nine years’ imprisonment without option of fine, to serve as deterrent to others.”

from people for proper medical treatment.”

Police spokesman Stephen Onwochei, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.

He said the suspect had been arrested.

Onwochei said investiga-

muters on the Ikere - Akure Road.

“They swung into action and chased the robbers to their hideout on Akure Road.

“The robbers on sighting the police engaged our men in a gunbattle.

“In the process, two of the

robbers were killed and one of them arrested. The arrested suspect is helping us in our investigations.

“We want to ensure that all roads in Ekiti are safe. We are patrolling all roads.

“We want people to continue to render information about criminals and their activities to the police so that the police can continue to protect the society better.”

Odusile to transform journalism

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LEADING contestant for the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Waheed Odusile, has said he will transform the profession, if elected.

Odusile, a managing editor of The Nation, spoke yesterday at his Southwest campaign tour to Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

He decried the poor condition of many journalists .

According to him, journalists’ welfare would be given priority, if he wins the NUJ presidential election next week.

He decried the non-payment of salaries by some media houses in the coun-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

try.

Odusile, who rolled out his nine points agenda, called for the cooperation of all journalists.

He promised to be a servant-leader, noting that he would consolidate on the achievements of the outgoing President, Garba Mohammed, and initiate new policies.

The NUJ leader said his determination to contest for the highest position in the NUJ was as result of his desire to serve members at the higher level, having served at both the chapel and state council levels.

Yabatech enrols 5451

Impeachment: Osun Assembly to address petition HE Osun State House of Assembly is set to address the petition by Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede of the state High Court, seeking the impeachment of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The 26-member Assembly expressed its readiness to address the petition after acknowledging receipt of the governor ‘s response.

In a statement by the

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

tion had begun into the matter.

The National Coordinator of Child Protection Network, Mrs. Jennifer Ero, urged the state government to ensure implementation of the Child Protection Network.

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HE Yaba College of T e c h n o l o g y yesterday admitted 5,451 students for the 2015/ 2016 academic session.

Two thousand four hundred and sixteen students were admitted for Higher National Diploma programmes and 3,035 for National Diploma.

Addressing the matriculating students at the school hall, the Rector, Mrs. Margaret Ladipo urged the students to make good use of their admission.

She warned them to abide by the oath of allegiance,

By Jane Chijioke

which commits them to be of exemplary behaviour throughout their stay.

“Shun all forms of antisocial behavior, such as examination misconduct, cult activities and other unruly behavior,” the rector said.

Mrs. Ladipo advised the students to focus on attaining academic and professional excellence, therefore dedicating themselves to consistent study, regular attendance at lectures, practical classes and tutorials and also use of the library.

Fayose hails Olonishakin

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KITI State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated the Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, on his appointment.

The governor also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for finding an Ekiti man worthy of the appointment.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose said the honour done Ekiti with the appointment would not be misplaced, adding that

he was confident Maj-Gen Olonishakin would exhibit the courage, intelligence, honesty and hard-work that Ekiti people are noted for.

“At this crucial time in the existence of Nigeria as a nation, I have no doubt that Major General Olonishakin will justify his appointment by making our country safe again.

“I, therefore, pray that God will continue to give him the strength and wisdom to give his best at all times,” the governor said.

Zazzau Emirate cancels Durbar

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HE Zazzau Emirate Council in Zaria said yesterday that it had canceled the traditional horse-riding festival, Durbar, during the Eid-el Fitr for security reasons.

The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, who spoke through the Wazirin Zazzau and a senior councillor in the Emirate, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu, said the cancellation followed a suicide bomb attack during verification of civil servants at the Sabon Gari Local Government Secretariat in Dogarawa.

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

The Emir directed that the Durbar be cancelled to commiserate with the families of the victims.

A similar decision was taken last year as a result of the twin bomb blasts and attack on President Muhammadu Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi on the same day in Kaduna.

The Emir advised the people to go about their celebrations peacefully and wished them happy celebrations.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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NEWS Tension in Delta over DESOPADEC law •Ijaw, Urhobo youths protest

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HE face-off between Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and oilbearing communities over the amendment to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) law, worsened yesterday.

Ijaw and Urhobo youths urged the governor to drop the proposed amendment or face their wrath.

Urhobo youths, under the aegis of Urhobo Youth Alliance for Equity and Justice (UYAFEJ), urged Okowa to withdraw the bill within two weeks or face the consequence of his action.

The Ijaw youths gave the governor three days to backtrack, if he does not want them to cripple oil production.

The Urhobo youths frowned at Okowa’s perceived plan to rob them of their chance to produce the next chairman of the board and to give his (Okowa’s) district undue an advantage in the management of oil funds.

An Urhobo leader, Emmanuel Skido, in an online statement, warned: “UYAFEJ will make Delta State ungovernable for Okowa,” if he went ahead with the plan.

Skido accused the governor of acting a tribal agenda.

Also, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, Chief Moscow Johnny and other chairmen and members of oil producing communities of Gbaramatu Kingdom, who are hosts to Abiteye, Otuunana, Makaraba, Jones Creeks and Egwa I flow stations, warned the gov-

From Shola O’Neil, S’South Regional Editor, Warri

ernor against amending the DESOPADEC law.

They said Okowa would face their anger, if he failed to retrace his steps within 72 hours, starting from Tuesday evening.

A statement yesterday in Effurun, after the Ijaw youths’ meeting, reads: “We are giving the Delta State Government and the House of Assembly a 72-hour ultimatum to halt the bill or face the wrath of oil communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom.”

The host communities condemned the proposed amendment to the DESOPADEC bill.

They noted that “the bill clearly seeks to rip us off of the 13 per cent derivation fund given to oil and gas producing communities in the state”.

The statement added: “As host communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, we want to vehemently say that the bill is not only inimical to the principle of derivation but it is an explicit display of wickedness by the governor.

“Therefore, we will not fold our arms and watch Dr. Okowa take away our economic and political rights by politicising the 13 per cent derivation fund meant to develop our communities through DESOPADEC.” They urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call Okowa to order and make the House of Assembly to halt proceedings on the bill.

The communities said this was the only way peace and uninterrupted oil and gas production could be guaranteed.

Edo lost N10b to Jonathan’s govt, says Oshiomhole

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said the state lost about N10 billion to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration through his Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in the last four years.

The governor spoke yesterday in Benin, the state capital, when he made an approximated summation of the money that accrued to the state.

He said Edo State got N2.27 billion from the $2.1 billion generated from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to the Federation Accounts in the last four years.

Oshiomhole said: “The truth is that many things went wrong, even at the federal level. As you must have read in the papers, the Federal Government, at least under Goodluck Jonathan and the then Coordinating Minister, like to blame the gov-

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

ernors for wasteful spending but not saving for the rainy day and for not investing properly. The truth is that the real weakness in the Nigerian development chain has been the Federal Government.

“Our hope is that the new President, because of who he is and his pedigree, will lead us to break from the past.

“Last week, I complained aloud that Edo State lost about N10 billion over a fouryear period from only one source - the LNG remittance to the Federation Account.

“I ask myself about the $2.1 billion remitted by the LNG and backed by Shell (Petroleum Development Company). I think Shell is not the only oil operator. You have Chevron, you have Agip and the others. This is just one and it amounted to $2.1 billion.

“When they shared it, based on the revenue allocation formula, the Edo State Gov-

ernment got about N2.27 billion. So, I said, ‘Thank God, this money came after the departure of Okonjo-Iweala and President Jonathan.’ If the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were still in charge in Abuja, this money would have been taken. So, I realise that for four years that they were there, they did not remit this money. We were thinking that is all every year and I just multiplied it by four and then rounded down, instead of rounding off. It was N2.27 billion by four. That is more than N10 billion. But I wanted to be at the lower side; so, I rounded down.”

He added: “That is not the only money Edo State Government has lost.

“You heard from the last summit that $4.1 billion was in the Excess Crude Account as of November 2014. From that time till now, even today, we (local governments, state governments and the Federal Government) have not touched that money. We

have not agreed to take any amount out of that money.

Yet, the account is down to about $2 billion; meaning $2.1 billion has disappeared.

“If you listened and you followed the conversation, I made this allegation after the National Council of State meeting; that the former Minister of Finance, Dr. OkonjoIweala, took $2.1 billion without approval and illegally ...in a manner that is never accounted for. For those of you who watch television, listen to radio or read newspapers, the minister replied that I lied, that they agreed and it is in print - that it was the 36 commissioners representing the states and herself who agreed to distribute that money to the three tiers of government. She added that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) is the most visible expression of her true federalism and that we should claim that the FAAC is unknown to us and that FAAC is a creation of law.”

Wike, Peterside trade words over governance, sacked councils’ chiefs

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IVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, are trading words about the governance of the state and the outcome of Monday’s sitting of the National Industrial Court (NIC).

Wike, in a statement by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, accused Peterside of misleading the public about what happened at the court.

He said the APC candidate was at a radio station to announce that the court had reinstated the 22 local government chairmen sacked by the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt.

But Peterside, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Sylvester Asoya, said Wike’s attack was “unwarranted and unfortunate”.

The APC candidate said he could not have kept quiet seeing the direction Wike was taking the state.

Wike said: “It is disheartening that Peterside only sees Rivers State as his source to power and influence and not a community where the people deserve peace, development and good governance.

Otherwise, Peterside would not have returned to beat the drums of war.

“But for Peterside, he must realise that his new found boldness, premised on his belief that he can rely on the powers that be to protect him as he attempts to unleash falsehood, will be shortlived.”

Peterside’s statement reads: “No one was actually sur-

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

prised that Wike’s aide struggled in vain to justify the stolen mandate his principal parades. But he did a grave disservice to Rivers people when he chose to misinform and mislead them with his baseless allegations against Peterside.

“But it is important to remind Nwakaudu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that whenever they flash their bogus claim to victory at the April 11 governorship election, they remind Rivers people of the inglorious role of Wike’s godmother, the former First Lady, and the anguish they imposed on them when their armed supporters laid siege to Rivers towns and communities.

“Sadly, the incompetence and double-speak are already too obvious in government circles; it would amount to serious injustice on the people, if Peterside, a leader, had kept mute.

“Even among thieves, there should be some level of honour.

I think Nwakaudu, his principal, Wike, and people like them should be reminded again that there should be a limit to name-calling, desperation and mudslinging.

“Freedom of expression is an inalienable right and everybody has a right to air his or her views on issues of common concern. Rather than shadow-chasing and name-calling, Wike should defend himself with facts and figures on the weighty issues raised by Dr. Peterside.”

•From left: Managing Director, Reynolds Construction Company, Mr. M. Nakhja; Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike; former Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo and representative of Managing Director of Indorama, Ranbir Seth, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the repair of Eleme Junction to Onne Junction of the East-West Road in Port Harcourt...yesterday.

Tribunal’s verdict: Don’t misinform residents, IVERS State All ProRivers APC tells PDP leaders gressives Congress (APC) has urged lead-

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ers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to distract or misinform the people over Tuesday’s judgments of the Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja.

In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, Rivers APC said the “misleading” judgments of the tribunal, involving Dr. Dawari George and Lucky Odili, for Asari-Toru/ Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency and Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Federal Constituency, both of the House of Representatives, had been appealed.

The party said its matters at the tribunal were receiving favourable attention.

APC described the “technical setback” in the Dawari and Odili’s matters as temporary.

APC said: “The attention of the Rivers State chapter of the APC has been drawn to attempts by the PDP and their agents to sell to the public the

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

impression that APC’s petitions before various tribunals in Abuja are on the verge of being thrown out, on the grounds of technicality.

“This is sequel to the judgments, on Tuesday, by the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in the matters of Dr. Dawari George and Mr. Lucky Odili. Both men had filed petitions challenging the victories of Boma Goodhead, of Asari-Toru/ Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency and Prince Nnam Obi, of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Federal Constituency, but the tribunal ruled that the APC’s revised notice for the conduct of primaries was not within the stipulated 21 days.

“Since this development, the PDP and their agents have inundated the media, claiming that all other APC candidates’ petitions would be affected by the technicality of time.

“The APC feels obliged to explain, for the benefit of our

members and Nigerians, that there is no atom of truth in the assertions by our opponents regarding this matter.

The truth remains that the APC’s national headquarters issued a notice for the conduct of party primaries on September 19, 2014, which was more than the 21 days required by law. However, due to certain circumstances, the APC, out of courtesy, sent a revised notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), informing the electoral umpire of a slight change in its primaries schedule, to which the INEC acknowledged receipt. All of the actions eventually happened within the period specified by INEC in its timetable.”

The Rivers APC noted that it was curious to its members that the tribunal, sitting on the matters of George and Odili, based its decision on a revised notice that might not have been written, to technically set aside the petitions of both APC’s candidates.

With the appeals already filed by the two APC’s candidates, the party expressed optimism that justice would be served George, Odili and the Rivers APC. It said: “It is rather shocking that the PDP and their agents have started bandying that the judgments on Dr. George and Odili also affect all other APC petitions before various tribunals. That is a white lie, meant to distract and misinform the public.

“The Rivers APC will like to reassure its members and Nigerians that the revised notice of the primaries has no consequential effects on all other petitions by APC’s candidates at all levels - be it the House of Assembly, governorship, House of Representatives or Senatorial petitions - presently being heard at the different tribunals.”

The APC also urged its members to remain steadfast and prayerful.

It assured that victories at the various tribunals were around the corner.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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NEWS

RAMADAN KAREEM

Ramadan 29, 1436AH

13-year-old wins Quran contest

By Olatunde Odebiyi

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13-years old boy, Abdul Rasaq Muhammad, has emerged winner of a Quran competition in Lagos. The competition was organised by the Muslim Kiddies Foundation.

Over hundred kids contested for the ‘Quran by Heart’.

Muhammad defeated his colleagues with 96.88 per cent out of 100.

Describing how he felt, Muhammad said: “He was elated for the success saying it was Allah’s will and a result of hard work, through continuous practice.

“I feel elated and happy, my winning is not my making but Allah’s, I engage in a regular practice,” he said.

In a remark, the Coordinator of the Foundation, Abdul Rafiu Adenopo thanked Allah for the success of the competition. He however decried the lackadaisical attitudes of parents towards the Quran, calling on parents to wake up and become more responsible to the memorisation of the Quran.

“It is unfortunate that many of Muslim parents regard the Western Education far above the Islamic knowledge; we want to appeal to parents to support and encourage their children to learn and memorise the Quran by heart,” he said.

Adenopo noted that the essecnce of the competition was to correct the fact that most young Muslims have forgotten the Quran due to lack of memorisation.

So we inspired him with this message: “construct the Ark within our sight and under guidance then when comes our command, and the fountains of the earth gush forth take thou on board pairs of every species, male and female, and they family –– except those of them against whom the world has already gone forth.

And address me not in favour of the wrong-doers, for they shall be drowned in the flood.

Qur’an 23 vs 27 Sponsored by ALHAJI KHAMIS OLATUNDE BADMUS Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland

RAMADAN GUIDE WITH FEMI ABBAS e-mail: femabbas@yahoo.com Tel: 08122697498

Eldul Fitr

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OR everything in the life of man, there is a climax as well as an anti-climax. The climax of Ramadan is Laylatul Qadr (the night of power). That is the night in which the very first revelation of the Qur’an was made to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It is also the night in which the contents of that Holy Book are reconfirmed annually.

Laylatul Qadr is the meeting point between the earth and the heaven. It is the rare opportunity, which the Almighty Allah offers the Muslim Ummah to reshape their destiny and rekindle their spiritual fortune.

The anti-climax of Ramadan begins with the disbursement of Zakatul Fitr and ends with Eidul Fitr. The former (Zakatul Fitr) is a part and parcel of Ramadan. It is made compulsory by Prophetic tradition. The latter is the festivity with which the Muslim Ummah expresses gratitude to the Almighty Allah for taking them successfully through another month of blessing, forgiveness and liberation.

Eidul Fitr is essentially a Nafilah (supererogatory prayer) consisting of two Rakats and a sermon. The Rakats are observed congregationally a couple of hours after Salatul Subh. They are followed by the sermon.

To observe Eidul Fitr Rakats, a Muslim is expected to wear a festive and not a mourning mood. He should be gay in appearance without necessarily being extravagant. He should take normal bath, perform ablution and wear a neat but not necessarily a new dress.

On his way to the praying ground, he should put his Lord in mind by chanting alone or in congregation any of the following: Allah Akbar (3ce) La ilaha illa Llah, Allah Akbar (2ce) Wa Lillahil hamdu.

And, on getting to the praying ground, everybody should just sit down chanting any of the above. There is no observance of any Nafilat on individual basis because Eidul Fitr itself is Nafilat. The Imam leads the congregation in observing the two Rakats.

He then follows that up with a relevant sermon preferably in a language understandable to the congregation. No private Nafilat should be observed before the commencement of Eidul Fitr prayer.

It is advisable to wait after the SALAT and listen to the sermon which is more important than the Eid prayer itself.

Those who missed the prayer do not need to observe it thereafter. Listening to the sermon is enough for them. After leaving the prayer ground, they should remember that they are not supposed to go back into the world of iniquities having been liberated from it. Fasting on Eid day is forbidden. Festivities are better extended to relatives and neighbours irrespective of their religions. Eidul Mubarak.

The Chief Missioner of NASFAT Worldwide - Shaykh Abdullah Gbade Akinbode (right) presents Cheques to two (2) Physically Challenged Adults that are placed on monthly stipends

Eid-el Fitr: IGP orders tight security nationwide

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O ensure hitch-free Sallah celebrations, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase has asked Command Commissioners nationwide to ensure water-tight security during and after the celebrations.

From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

The police boss noted that during the celebrations, special attention be paid to places of worship, critical public places and other vulnerable points prone to criminal at-

tack.

A statement by Force Spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu said yesterday.

The IGP, who complimented the Muslim faithful as they round off the Ramadan fast, enjoined them and

other citizens to maintain utmost vigilance.

He urged all citizens to continue to support the Police and provide useful information towards preventing and discovering crimes and their perpetrators.

Muslims advised to be advocates of social justice Eid-el-fitr: Soun

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N Islamic scholar, Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, has reminded Muslim faithful of what Islam stands for.

He said the religion has made its adherents to be conscious of the need to be engaged in social advocacy.

He spoke as a guest lecturer at the 20th Ramadan Lecture, with the theme: “Muslims And Social Advocacy.” It was organized by the Ola-Oluwa Muslim Society of Nigeria in honour of Alhaji AbdulRasheed Adio Oladele Olagunju at the Wings Schools Central Mosque, Iwo, Osun State.

Abdul-Hameed, who described advocacy as a political process by an individual or group aiming to influence decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions, enjoined Muslims to be advocates of social justice.

He also advised Muslims to question the way policies are administered and participate in agenda-setting with the aim of making political systems meet people’s needs.

The Islamic scholar, who is former Dean, School of Engineering Technology, and

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Imam of The Muslim Community, the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, urged Muslims to call for transparency and accountability in governance, evaluates government performance, agitate for justice and fair dealings.

He said: “My aim in this discourse is to inspire and stimulate everyone towards the development of the right attitude towards social advocacy in our society. And I want to, most sincerely, congratulate the organizers of this program for deeming it fit to discuss the topic ‘Muslims and Social Advocacy’ at this material time when we must all be advocates towards salvaging our dear country, Nigeria, from moral, economic, social, political and educational degenerations and disintegrations we are currently witnessing. May Allah continue to bestow His abundant mercy on us. Amin.

“Muslims have been severally instructed in the Qur’an and Sunnah (Practice of Prophet Muhammad) to be in the forefront of seeking and implementing social justice in all facets of life. The Holy

Our’an (Q3: 110) succinctly put it: “Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing In Allah. If only the people of the Book had Faith, it would have been best for them: among them are some who have Faith, but Most of them are perverted transgressors.

“Islamic value system is central in the context of good governance, accountability and transparency.

Since Nigeria attained nationhood on October 1, 1960, one of the major issues of concern has been on how to ensure a system that is fair, open, accessible and accountable to the people. Up till now, the battle is still on.

“Many people holding public trust in Nigeria flagrantly divert public funds for personal use. Where there is no equal treatment, equal opportunities, justice and fair hearing, certainly there would emerge corruption.

“Corruption is one of the manifestations of absence of transparent rule. The most obvious consequence of corruption is the undermining of the development process.

preaches peace

From: Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, has called on Nigerians to give peace.

The advice was contained in his Eid-el-fitr message to and Nigerians as a whole.

Oba Ajagungbade stated that Islam as a religion of peace taught us to be peaceful in our relationship with fellow human beings.

The royal father added that it was when there is peace that government could think of providing the much needed basic infrastructural facilities that would make life meaningful and bearable for everybody.

Oba Ajagungbade said that as Ramadan taught us to abstain from sin, we must also shun every act of violence that could distract the attention of the people and government.

He also to congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the Ramadan period, praying that the almighty Allah would allow peace to reign in the country.

‘Nigerians should sustain present change’

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HE Spiriritual Head of Shafaudeen In Islam Worldwide,Prof Sabit Ariyo Olagoke has called on Nigerians to pool their resources together by resolving all the conflicts in the National Assembly which are capable of derailing the course of change which the citizens voted for and got through their sacrifices.

“We clamour for change in

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Nigeria,and change has come.But how do we sustain the change in view of protracted crisis on leadership at the National Assembly which is capable of distracting the attention of the Executives?”Olagoke asked.

He spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on”Nigeria Political Change “during”the night

of power,laelatQuadri put in place by Shafaudeen In Islam for the ongoing Ramadan Season. Olagoke appealed to all stakeholders in the National Assembly as well as political leaders to put national interest above their personal or party narrow considerations warning that God might punish them if they go to the offices to feather their own nest

“Now that election had come and gone, with winners by crook or people’s mandate emerging, the challenges now started with power sharing among the politicians expected to be on merit for service or as compensation gift for some ‘jobs’ done well to win. What of challenges of managing the change for sustainable development?.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘The present challenges we are facing should not deter us from growing our economy. It shouldn’t stop us from investing. It’s just a passing phase. Other countries that we refer to as developed started from somewhere’ •President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Due Process: NGO praises Akwa Ibom Governor

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•From left: Group Managing Director/CE of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Ladi Balogun; in handshake with the Chief Executive Officer of Seven Energy Limited, Mr. Bruce Burrows after the agreement signing ceremony of a $445m loan facility to Accugas by a syndicate of Nigerians banks in Lagos...yesterday. With them is the Chief Financial Officer of Seven Energy International Limited, Mr. Philip Ihenacho (left) and the Divisional Head, Corporate Banking of FCMB, Mrs. Folake Fajemisin,

Naira may be devalued, says S&P

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IGERIA would have to devalue its cur rency at some stage, possibly by more than 15 per cent, ratings agency Standard & Poor’s said yesterday.

It said although it saw the adjustments as likely, it said the implementation would be gradual.

Investors have seen a devaluation of the naira as long overdue for Nigeria, seen as Africa’s largest economy and biggest oil exporter, which has been battered by the recent tumble in crude prices.

Following devaluations in November and February, authorities have focused recently on curbing access to hard currency on the official interbank market for importers of some goods, introducing stringent restrictions three weeks ago.

But those measures just delayed the inevitable, said Ravi Bhatia, Director of Sovereign Ratings at Standard & Poor’s.

“Another devaluation is inevitable... they will have no

option but to devalue,” said Bhatia at a media briefing.

Many investors are positioning for a devaluation of around 15 per cent. Bhatia said that sounded “reasonable”, though even more might be needed.

Non-deliverable forwards (NDF)- derivatives used to hedge against future exchange rate moves - reflect expectations of currency weakening: six-month NDFs price the naira at N233 per dollar, some 18 per cent weaker than the central bank pegged rate of N196.95 on Tuesday.

Yesterday, the naira hit another record low of N242 against the dollar on the parallel market operated by dealers in bureaux de change, down 0.42 per cent from Tuesday. The naira has been hitting record lows on the parallel market since the latest apex bank measures introduced three weeks ago.

Bhatia did not expect the adjustment to be done in one go. “I think at this stage, the plan is to move in increments, not to do a ‘one big

step’ devaluation like they would in the old days,” he said.

The central bank has said it is in no mood to devalue the naira, given the risks to inflation from a weaker currency, and that it will not be focusing on the thinly traded parallel market when determining the exchange rate.

Investors have also been nervous Nigeria might lose its place in the benchmark GBIEM local currency debt index.

Bhatia said this was a “real possibility”, although he expected the government to adjust policy enough to maintain its membership.

“At some point they have to decide: do they want to go with their policies or do they want to stay in, and at the moment they are trying to do both, and it has worked,” said Bhatia.

“But there are issues there, and it is a concern.” JPMorgan warned in June it could eject Nigeria from its benchmark index by year-end unless it re-

‘Nigeria loses N10.5b to deforestation, others’

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IGERIA loses N10.5 billion yearly to en vironmental challenges, the Director-General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (GGW), Goni Ahmed, has said.

These challenges, among which were deforestation, drought and desertification, he said, put the means of livelihood of 46.4 million people living in the 11 frontline states in the north at risk.

The Federal Government through the Great Green Wall programme, is fighting desertification in Kebbi, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Adamawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states.

He said the deterioration of resources over the years, had undermined Nigeria’s efforts in ensuring stable and sustainable future for them.

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

Ahmed, who spoke at the launch of the GGW school club/tree planting campaign at Government Girls Secondary School Dutse, Abuja, called for collaboration effort to tackle desertification in the north.

He said the agency took the tree planting campaign to the school in order to create awareness among school children on the need to plant trees to combat the problem of land degradation and climate change.

“Desertification is a major constraint to economic and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals,” he said, adding that the World Bank estimated that over N10.5 billion is lost annually through deserti-

fication, deforestation and drought.

“This progressive deterioration of resources over the years has undermined Nigeria’s efforts in ensuring stable and sustainable future for the affected population in the 11 frontline states.

“The people living in this region are heavily depend on land, water and vegetation resources for their livelihoods which are fast deteriorating as a result of desertification.

“Ifwe can collectively take action against deforestation and other related environmental issues, we will not only improve land productivity, but will provide the bedrock for agriculture growth, create employment leading to a positive cycle of economic growth,” he added.

stored liquidity to currency markets in a way that allowed foreign investors to transact with minimal hurdles.

NON-GOVERMENTAL organisation (NGO) in Uyo, Policy Alert has commended the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, for appointing a Senior Special Assistant on Technical Matters and Due Process.

“This is a welcome development, an important first step towards enthroning a culture of due process in governance in the state,” Tijah Bolton, said. “For years we have been advocating for a clearly defined policy framework on public procurement and fiscal responsibility in this state. We see the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor with clear mandate on Due Process as one of the early wins of our advocacy on this issue,” he said.

The organisation urged the state government to take the next important step towards promoting a culture of due process in the state by initiating an executive bill on public procurement and ensuring independence for the unit.

It said due process is a culture, it is an ecosystem, and it requires other important elements to work, adding that one of these is a procurement law regime which

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

would help the administration to achieve its set goals by institutionalising best practices in price intelligence and public procurement” he added.

“The share of states and local governments in public expenditure currently stands at around 52 percent of total federal collectable allocation. This tells us that states have more work to do in terms of reforms. So due process at this level is really crucial especially at this time when state governments need to plug expenditure leakages in the context of declining overall revenue flows.

“All public procurement systems are known as one of the biggest drivers of public sector corruption. Therefore by expanding the remit of the Bureau of Technical Matters to cover due process issues, the governor has given an early signal that his administration will be reform oriented. As civil society, we have reason to be hopeful that in the shortest possible time our advocacy on procurement reforms will yield further results,” he added.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

BUSINESS NEWS

Agency directs Discos to comply with standards T HE Managing Direc tor, Nigerian Electric ity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Peter Ewezor, has directed Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOS) and Construction Companies to comply with Sector Specific Minimum Standards and Global Best Practices on Safety to avoid being sanctioned by the body.

Speaking while on an inspection of project sites of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company(ABUJA DISCO) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Ewezor said there are pronounced cases of impunity and technical gaps in the power and construction projects in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria .

He said NEMSA is carrying out nationwide enforcement /advocacy visitations

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

to sites where there are faults in power lines, railway/ roads and building constructions.

Ewezor, who identified some areas in the FCT with some constructions defects, said the companies would be sanctioned, unless they rectify the defects.

He said with the coming into effect of the NEMSA ACT, 2015, the era of impunity is over, and that it would no longer be business as usual.

The honey moon is over, Nigerians and Stakeholders in Construction & Electricity sector must imbibe the culture of change in all facets of life and do the needful to avoid sanctions, he said.

He listed the defaulting

companies in the FCT to include Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, which has many of its feeder pillars dangerously exposed, as well as its high tension cables too low that it could be touched.

He also listed the CCECC which built its railway line in Kubwa, near the 33KV power tension.

The NEMSA chief said letters had been written to these companies about the dangers these projects posed to human lives, adding that they would still be reminded to rectify these projects.

He streesed the need for the affected companies to comply and rectify the defects projects, failure NEMSA would visit them with the full weight of the

law.

Ewezor called on the companies concerned to provide what he called, cradle guards, or armod cables to protect the exposed high tension cables .

He enjoined the Electricity Distribution Companies and Construction Companies operating in Nigeria to institutionalise the ideals of Projects Monitoring & Evaluation its Governance structure in order to ensure effective monitoring of Projects.

The unscheduled NEMSA site visitation had in attendance, the full compliments of the Media (Electronics & Prints), senior officials/ Management Team of NEMSA and Consumer Rights Advocate, Kunle Kola Olubiyo (President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network), among others.

•From back (left-right): Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria, David Okeme; Headteacher, Central Primary School, Ikeja, Mrs Ukandu Kate; President Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Bode Ijarogbe and Category Manager Oral Care, Bunmi Adeniba during the launch of Pepsodent Oral Health Schools’ Programme at Central Primary School, Ikeja Lagos.

PHOTO:OMOSEHIN MOSES

BoI affirms support for SMEs •Plans induction of TEF entrepreneurs into hall of fame

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ANK of Industry (BoI) has reiterated its resolve to improve access to finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through a cluster initiative targeting over 40 sectors.

The bank also unveiled plans to induct successful entrepreneurs under the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) programme into its Hall of Fame to encourage entrepreneurship.

The Managing Director, BoI, Rasheed Olaoluwa, while speaking during the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) boot camp, in Ota, Ogun State, explained that the move by the Development Finance Institution (DFI) will encourage more young and aspiring entrepreneurs to grow their businesses thereby aiding improved job and wealth creation in the nation.

Olaoluwa stressed that the bank is in close collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure that successful entrepreneurs under the initiative are supported and recognised globally for their hard work and resilience. With over 40 sectors already identified, he noted

By Chikodi Okereocha

that the DFI is looking at developing an SME cluster initiative where specific funds will be directed for the growth of such sectors, adding that plans are underway to improve access to finance in the SME environment.

He, therefore, implored entrepreneurs to constantly update themselves of current trends in the global market space, urging them to understudy the dynamics of the economy and the world at large. “Ideas that are generated today will not remain forever. Please be watchful and monitor the environment in terms of the everchanging needs and wants of consumers to whom you will be offering your services. As the world continues to change, you must follow the trend to become successful entrepreneurs,” he added.

Olaoluwa urged the entrepreneurs to avail themselves of the services of the Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) identified by the bank in order to aid ease of ac-

cess to bankable loans for their businesses.

The Founder, TEF, Tony Elumelu, explained that the boot camp was designed to provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to begin and take their businesses from idea to reality. He said the initiative is a holistic 10-year, $100 million commitment that will identify, grow and create 10.000 African entrepreneurs.

“A programme built by Africans, for Africans. As the first class of 1,000, your experience with us these last several months and in the months and years to follow will help shape the future of this groundbreaking programme,” he said. According to him, the 1000 entrepreneurs under the TEF programme were selected from more than 20,000 applicants from 52 African countries, stating that his team, Accenture and a world-class selection committee of experts carefully chose the entrepreneurs.

“The 19,000 applicants who were not selected are now part of our growing Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship network,”

•Olaoluwa

he added. Elumelu said Africa needs multitude of private sectors for entrepreneurship to thrive, adding that the continent must build credible foundation to create more private sector leaders to address macro-economic issues in the continent.

He advised entrepreneurs to embrace hardwork, self discipline and also think longterm to create a socio-economic value for the country and for the continent at large.

“You have to dream the dreams, set milestones, develop a saving culture and most especially form visionable partnerships. If we imbibe these factors, then we are on the way to have future leaders in Africa,” he said.

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THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Nigerian Content Fund to hit $700m UCCOUR is coming for players in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, as the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) meant to assist Nigerian operating firms’credit needs rises to about $700 million.

The Fund is intended to address financial and liquidity challenges of Nigerian companies by offering partial guarantee on bank loans and 50 per cent interest rebate on performing bank loans under the partial guarantee scheme.

The Fund, estimated to be just above $540 million at the end of April, it was learnt, is growing gradually and would likely hit its projected target of $700 million by the end of the year.

A source at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) told The Nation that the Fund’s growth is impressive as it was started with only $50 million in 2010.

“The projected growth chart was that by 2011, it would rise to $70 million and $150 million by 2012 and to $350

S

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi

million by 2013, while we were looking at $450 million and $700 million by end of 2014 and 2015 respectively. But you know that these targets were mere aspirations and the expectation was that if we would be able to achieve 70-80 per cent of these targets, it would be gratifying results,” he said, adding: “But fortunately the Fund has been growing beyond expectation and may attain the planned target of $700 million by year end.”

The source continued: “Considering the current growth potentials of the Fund, we expect a continuous increase in its size and capacity to attract other sources of funds both locally and internationally to support Nigerian oil and gas content development,” he said.

The Fund, according to the source, could have helped a lot of Nigerian firms, but for the challenges encountered in its formative year, adding that banks willing to lend under the programme inserted few terms and conditions that could not be met by the

‘Improved power supply likely to be sustained’

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IGERIANS seemed to have witnessed improvement in power supply in the last few weeks. The said increase in available generation from 4,517 megawatts (mw) to 4,545mw within two weeks as announced by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), may have further confirmed that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is developing.

The reason for the noticeable relative stability in supply is attributable to improvements across the electricity supply value chain, which include gas supply, reduced vandalism and upgrade of generation facilities by the new investors.

Pipeline vandalism, which has been a major challenge to increased output from the power plants, it was gathered, has reduced drastically since President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration came on board about one and half months ago. The frequency of pipelines vandalisation has reduced significantly, The Nation learnt.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Joint Venture companies also confirmed that there have not been any incidents of vandalisation of pipelines in the past one month. This has resulted in increased and sustainable gas supply to the power sector.

Besides, the result of investments made by the privatised successor companies, which unbundled the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), has started to manifest after one and half years the companies were handed over to them.

For instance, Egbin Power Plc and Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited have added more than 1000 megawatts (mw) to the capacities they inherited at the time of handover.

As at the beginning of this week, generation from Egbin power plant rose from 1000mw two weeks ago to 1016MW as against a maximum output of 500MW at handover. Sahara Power Group and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), owners of Egbin power plant and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that gas supply to the plant increased considerably. They said the improvement in generation was also due to continued investment and upgrade activities on the plant. They assured that the improvement in supply will not only be sustained, but improved upon adding of the six turbines of the power plant that are currently operational. “This is the first time the plant with installed capacity 1320mw is generating above 1000mw,” the firm said. Egbin’s Chief Executive Officer, Dallas Peavey said about N50 billion has been invested in

the power company post-privatisation with continuing investment in new technology, innovativeness, professionalism and human capital development.

The owners of Transcorp Ughelli Power Limited just announced that it has increased output from the asset from 160MW on takeover on November 1, 2013 to 635MW and plans to expand it to 2,200MW in the next three years.

The Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, NNPC, Dr David Ige said the Corporation is making a lot of progress in the East-West gas pipelines.

According to him, as at the end of May, the Corporation was supplying over one billion standard cubic feet per day (I bscf/d) of gas to the power sector, adding that by now the production could have risen significantly.

Ige, however, noted that the Corporation’s expectations is that it will make significant increase in supply by the end of the year, adding that cumulative production for domestic use is about two bscf/d.

He also said some of the available gas is stranded because some power plants are not ready and where possible, the stranded gas will be redirected to operational plants.

“Over the next couple of months, Nigerians will see increase in gas supply and power. For example, we have gas at Gbarain-Ubie power plant; we have gas at Omoku, which is awaiting the power plant and we have gas at Egbema power plant. When you bring all these gas volumes together, we have close to 2bcf/d, but not all of these are in active generation today. It is either the power plant is not ready or the power evacuation is not ready.

“On the western side of Nigeria, the Lagos pipeline is almost completed.

We have completed and commissioned Lagos to Oben; completed Emure to Itoki and the line from the Benin end to Emure is progressing very well. The expectation is that before the end of August, the EscravosLagos Pipeline would have been completed. With all these on stream power supply will improve considerably,” he said.

emerging/growing Nigerian companies.

This resulted in consistent delays in concluding transactions and often stalled some applications. Some bankers demonstrated limited understanding of oil and gas business and the peculiarities of the sector. The limited understanding also resulted in delays in concluding credit packages and structure.

“On the part of Nigerian companies, some challenges identified then were their inability to package and collate transaction documents for bankable deals, low response time to bank requests during credit processing, and lack of verifiable cash flows to support and sustain repayments,” the source added.

To ensure that the Fund is not depleted, three levels of custodian monitor remittances – fund managers such as BGL/ UBA global, other commercial banks participating in the programme, and Industry Advisory Committee & special purpose vehicle (SPV), are on ground to strengthen governance.

According to the source, the NCDF was established by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Act (NOGIC Act), 2010 to address financial and liquidity challenges of the Nigerian companies that operate within the Nigeria oil and gas industry. The Fund is built through

the deduction of one per cent from every contract awarded to any operator, contractor, subcontractor, alliance partner or any other entity involved in any project, operation, activity or transaction in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. It is deducted at source by contract awarding entities and remitted into the Fund’s designated accounts, which are kept with Custodian Banks including BGL/UBA global and other participating commercial banks under the programme.

The Fund is structured in such a way that 30 per cent goes for direct intervention in the beneficiary company’s operation. It is meant to identify areas with gaps and plug loopholes through trainings, technical support such as research, studies and possible temporary acquisition of stake, and critical intervention in infrastructure development, among others.

The other 70 per cent is for commercial intervention of which 30 per cent is set aside as partial guarantee on bank loans to local operators in order to grow local capacity and give 50 per cent interest rebate on performing bank loans under the partial guarantee scheme.

To benefit from the Fund, the Nigerian oil and gas company approaches its bank to discuss funding needs; backed

up with a loan application and must notify NCDMB and/or its accredited financial advisers on the engagement with the bank to facilitate appropriate follow-up. If successful, the lending bank submits executed offer and loan facility agreement to NCDMB or its accredited agent. NCDMB reviews the Loan facility agreement for compliance and notifies lending bank of any approval, rejection, or suspension pending submission of additional information on the application.

Where the application is suspended, the approval period will start to run from the date the required information is resubmitted. If approved, the NCDF will issue the Partial Guarantee Agreement to be executed between the bank and the Fund. But the company must be duly registered under the Companies and Allied Matter Act (CAMA) of 1990, and registered with the Nigeria Joint Qualification System (NJQS). The company also must be carrying out businesses within the oil and gas industry upstream value chain and must scale through their bank’s minimum credit appraisal test, which will facilitate the Bank asking for the NCDF Guarantee Appointment of independent advisers to provide financial advisory assistance for the Fund’s implementation.

•From left: Managing Director, Nipco Plc, Mr. Venkatapathy Venkataraman dispensing fuel to a motorist while the Company Secretary,Barrister Paul Obi and a director of the company, Mr. Tunji Adeniji watch with admiration during the inauguration of Nipco flagship station on Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

‘Price Control Act has no relationship with fuel subsidy’

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HE Chairman, OTL Africa Downstream, Emeka Akabogu has said fuel subsidy has nothing to do with the Price Control Act, and repealing or retaining the Act will have no effect on fuel subsidy removal programme.

Akabogu was reacting to a statement made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara. Dogara reportedly said by law the price of petroleum products must be controlled, and that the only legal way subsidy can be removed is to either amend or completely repeal the Price Control Act. Akabogu said: “With due respect to the Honourable Speaker, his contention is not entirely correct. Indeed, neither

the Price Control Act nor facts as available relating to its operation show any impediment to the removal of fuel subsidy. It is important to note that what the Price Control Act prohibits is sale of “any controlled commodity at a price which exceeds the controlled price.” A necessary precondition to this provision is that the controlled commodity must have had a controlled price fixed in respect thereof.

“By Section 5 of the Act, it is only the Board that can fix the controlled price by notice published in the Federal Gazette. I am not aware and the Honourable Speaker has not suggested that the Price Control Board has at any time fixed a controlled price in respect of petroleum products.

“The position, therefore, is that where a price has not been fixed by the Board in respect of a controlled commodity, the Price Control Act is of no moment as far as that commodity is concerned.

As far as petroleum products are concerned, no price has been fixed in respect thereof by the Price Control Board.

The removal of subsidy on petroleum products, therefore, is not limited, affected nor impacted in any way by the Price Control Board Act. “The subsidy, which currently applies to petroleum products, is a function of the Petroleum Support Fund, which has no statutory backing. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency Act only provides for the PPPRA to determine a ‘pricing,” he said.

SPE, Uniport seal deal on energy centre

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fresh capacity development programme for petroleum engineering students and professionals in Nigeria midwifed between Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council and University of Port Harcourt, River State would soon commence.

The initiative, according to SPE Nigeria,

became necessary to advance research, development and innovation within the sector. It is also aimed at ensuring that the nation fully taps the sectors’ potentials.

Towards this end, SPE Nigeria Council is building ‘Energy Centre’ at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State as a one stop state-of-the-art digital edifice

showcasing digital models of tools and equipment used in the energy industry and historical evolution of petroleum in Nigeria as an industry and a profession.

Unfolding the features of the SPE Energy Centre during the ground breaking ceremony, which held on the

premises of University of Port Harcourt, the Council Chairman of SPE Nigeria Mr. Emeka Ene said the centre was set up as a meeting point for industry, academia and other stakeholders to share technical ideas and enhanced skills for improved productivity.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

14

ENERGY

Why we sell fuel above N87, by IPMAN I

T may be difficult for independent oil marketers to sell premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, at the official pump price of N87 per litre in the nearest future.

Despite threats of sanctions by the oil and gas industry regulator - Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), that it will descend heavily on any marketer who violates the law on pricing, the independent marketers said it would be difficult to sell at the official price because they don’t get the product at regulated rate.

The marketers, under the aegis of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said they buy PMS from private depot, whose ex-depot prices are far above N87 per litre, especially since the current fuel scarcity began in May. According to them, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which is the sole importer of fuel in the country, does not supply products to them. NNPC has been the sole importer of fuel since the major marketers stopped importation.

The major marketers stopped importing fuel due to unpaid subsidy of over N300 billion and the uncertainty surrounding government’s continuity of Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) from which subsidies on imported fuel are paid.

Unfortunately for IPMAN, NNPC

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi

prefers to supply major marketers with fuel to sell at their retail outlets to enable easy access to the product by motorists.

According to an industry source, NNPC’s preference of use of major oil marketers’ facilities is because of their compliance to the rules. The major marketers, the source said, are not violators of the rules as they sell at official price and their pumps are properly calibrated. But independent marketers engage in sharp practices, selling with under-dispensing pumps, among others.

IPMAN Zonal Vice Chairman, Western Zone, Kunle Bamigboye, at a meeting with DPR, depot owners (Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria and Petroleum Products Marketers Association in Lagos, said their members do not get supplies from NNPC, but still keep their stations running, buying from private depot owners whose prices are higher than the government’s N87 per litre price.

He said: “We are the orphans of the industry. None of our members gets two trucks of PMS in a month because of lack of fuel. We buy PMS at below the regulated price only from the depots of the NNPC, but the supply doesn’t come. When we buy from the depots of DAPPMA members, the price is always above the pump price and as businessmen we wouldn’t sell

below the cost price. We have to sell above the regulated price to make profit,” he said. He, however, said IPMAN members sell fuel with properly calibrated pumps.

A IPMAN former Zonal Chairman, Western Zone, Mr. Olumide Ogunmade, corroborated Bamigboye and noted that if the NNPC supplies them fuel they will stop buying from private depots and none of their members will sell above N87 per litre.

DPR’s Head, Downstream, Alphonsus Mudei, who represented the Director, Mr. Mordecai Danteni Baba Ladan, at the meeting warned the marketers and depot owners that the Department would no longer tolerate deliberate flouting of the law by marketers hoarding petrol and selling it above the official pump price of N87 per litre because it was brought in under the PSF. He said: “In the last few months, the nation has experienced epileptic supply of PMS, which has reflected in the sale of this product above official pump price. We have evidence to buttress this. We find this trend unacceptable given that marketers with whom we have constantly interacted with have benefitted from the Petroleum Support Fund, which has enabled marketers to operate their businesses at a level that should guarantee constant and uninterrupted supply of products.”

NIPCO opens flagship station in Lagos NIPCO Plc has opened its flagship fuel station on the Ikorodu Road, Lagos to improve access to fuel and non fuel services.

The station is the latest addition to the firm’s over 150 outlets.

Speaking at the inauguration, the oil firm’s Managing Director, Mr. Venkataraman Venkatapathy, said the outlet is aimed at meeting the needs of motorists and other petroleum products’ users.

He said the well branded station will operate 24 hours and seven days a week and will be the solace against perennial fuel scarcity in the country.

The service station, he said, is part of the company’s stride to increase its service outlets across the country, adding that it will provide veritable avenue for more exemplary service delivery to all customers buying from the outlets.

Venkatapathy said the dispensing pumps are properly calibrated and tamper proof to guard against any unpleasant acts that may be

detrimental to motorists. He assured that fuel supply to the station would be given utmost priority with exceptional service delivery by the attendants.

He said the outlet’s location would enable meet the fuel needs of a larger segment of motorists aside from creating employment for job seekers in the state.

The NIPCO chief enjoined station managers to maintain high safety standards in line with international best practices and the company’s safety policies.

The station has combined storage capacity of over 200,000 litres and multi-nozzle pumps for dispensing of products -Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and Dual Purpose kerosene (kerosene). It also has a full-fledged lube bay for car servicing with modern facilities such as digital air gauge, showroom for car kits including high grade lubricants, water fountain, conveniences, among others.

India’s oil output increases amid price slump

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NE of the nation’s biggest buyers of crude oil, India, has increased its oil output.

Its major oil firm, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), posted an improved performance in crude output, which in turn pushed India’s crude production marginally by 0.8 per cent to 3.18 million tonnes (mt) in May from 3.16 mt in the same month last year.

According to report by MyDigital FC, ONGC’s western offshore fields produced 8.5 per cent more crude at 1.3 million tonne and helped tied

•From left: Chief Operating Officer, Bell Oil & Gas, Ayo Aderibigbe; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board, Denzil Kentebe; Chief Executive Officer, Bell Oil & Gas, Kayode Thomas; and former Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at the commissioning of the Bell Oil & Gas Glassfibre Pipe Fabrication Yard in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

over a 9 per cent drop in onshore output at 0.48 million tonne.

The marginal rise in crude output assumes significance in the wake of the fact that in April, India’s crude production dipped one per cent to 6.05 mt, despite a 1.7 per cent higher output at ONGC. This paradox can be attributed to a 6.3 per cent drop in output at oilfields operated by private companies to 1.92 million tonne.

These figures should be seen in the light of the fact that India is 80 per cent dependent on imports to meet its oil needs. Latest petroleum ministry estimates show India spent $112.74 billion in 2014-15 to import 189.43 million tonne crude, the report said.

During 2012-13, India spent $144.29 billion to import 184.79 million tonne of crude, which was a record.

The following year, the import bill came down marginally to $142.96 billion, although the volume of oil imports rose to 189.23 million tonne. If one goes by the PPAC data, the country managed to bring down its crude import bill to $112.74 billion in 201415, thanks to a drop in international crude price from $115 a barrel to less than $50 a barrel.

It was again due to a fall in international crude price. India’s crude import bill is likely to fall by 21.7 per cent this financial year to $88 billion or that is what the Union petroleum ministry expects.

The Greek crisis has forced investors to flock to safe-haven gold, while crude prices declined amid fears of reduced demand. Analysts said Brent prices dropped about two per cent to $62 a barrel, a low not seen in over two months. Oil prices are already under pressure due to oversupply concerns and any further escalation in the Greek crisis can only weigh on them.

Kentebe commissions Bell Oil’s $4m spool yard

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HE Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Denzil Amagbe Kentebe, has urged oil firms to create jobs through the various projects they handle, as Bell Oil and Gas did with its spool yard.

Kentebe made the call when he commissioned the spool yard for Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) pipes of Bell Oil and Gas Limited in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He described the spool yard worth over $4million as the first of its kinds in Nigeria and Africa, saying it will help to provide immediate solutions to various oil and gas projects onshore and offshore.

Glass Reinforced Epoxy pipes are valid alternative to carbon steel pipes especially for corrosive, aggressive and normal environments. GRE pipe technology, according to the firm, is based on

•Urges employment creation the continuous filament winding process using high strength fibreglass (eglass) and amine-cured epoxy resin as basic material. The pipes are reinforced throughout with tough glassfibre strands, creating a lightweight, strong, corrosion-resistant pipe that meets international standards.

According to Kentebe, the facility is capable of creating thousands of employment for Nigerians, ending capital flight in the oil and gas industry. The job creation opportunity and in-country capacity building for the spool yard, he said, was documented and recorded with the training and certification of over 70 Nigerian engineers in the last 24 months. “In the 54 years of oil exploration in Nigeria, if in every 24months we have been training 70 Nigerians, you know how many Nigerian engineers

we would have produced today in the oil and gas industry. But this is the beginning, and I am sure with the support of NCDMB and industry operators, Bell Oil and Gas will continue to make us proud,” he said.

Kentebe said restiveness and insecurity issues in the Niger Delta region would have become a thing of the past if each oil and gas company has been training a minimum of 70 Nigerian every 24 months.

This type of facility, according to him, is part of the vision to use Nigerian Content as a platform for industrialisation, creation of more jobs and training opportunities for several Nigerians. “I think we are on the path of eradicating insecurity by measures with such investment made by Bell Oil and Gas.

“This commissioning is a major milestone achievement for Nigerian Content Development because it was achieved on the back of Nigerian Content Act under the leadership of my predecessor and pioneer Executive Secretary of the NCDMB Mr. Ernest Nwapa.

I find this initiative and others, which the NCDMB initiated before I came on board as very laudable,” he said.

He assured that the board will continue to implement the framework and support investment in more facilities of this type in Nigeria. “Today, we are celebrating Bell Oil for taking the first practical step to deliver real value to the Nigerian economy. The company has been developing capacity in GRE fabrication and installation for which they have carved a niche for themselves in the last 10 years,” he said.

Bell Oil & Gas Chief Executive

Officer, Mr. Kayode Thomas, said the journey that led to the commissioning of the GRE spool yard started in 2002 when the company attended Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) for the first time in Houston, Texas, United States (US). “Initially, we thought these were not likely to have much prospects in Nigeria. But upon further digging, we realised that these pipes had huge advantages over carbon steel pipes in that they are corrosion-resistant, light weight (making installation very easy) and require no welding.

“Today, Bell Oil and Gas has now achieved an enviable position in GRE fabrication, installation and maintenance, with a range of completed and ongoing contracts on several floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels and oil & gas facilities in the country,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Drained, duped and dumped •Federal Government should probe alleged exploitation of youths engaged under the SURE-P/FERMA project and punish the scammers

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ENEFICIARIES of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) who were officially engaged for community services have been telling tales of woe of how the Federal Government agency exploited their status as unemployed youth to dupe them, under the guise of bringing their sorry situation as unemployed youths under control.

In the aftermath of the protests against mindless hike of prices of petroleum products in January 2012, the Federal Government had set up SURE-P as a palliative programme. The youths were therefore lured into employment by the programme shortly after, ostensibly to provide services such as sweeping, cleaning of gutters, traffic control and maintenance of government properties in all states of the federation and the federal capital city, Abuja. In the process, they said they had to pay various sums of money, in some cases amounting to N150,000 to some chieftains of the former ruling political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Three years after they were engaged, some are being owed several months salaries. The worst exploited are those in Lagos. They claim not to have been paid at all for the three years they have been reporting for duty. They told journalists during their protest last week that the money they borrowed to pick up the forms and uniforms only deepened their woes as creditors have been tugging at their shirts and skirts.

This is not how a country should treat its citizens, especially the underprivileged.

The state is expected to wipe away, not induce tears. We call on the Buhari administration to probe the claims of the

participants. In some states, accounts were allegedly opened for them by the National Directorate of Employment. This should be speedily investigated. How many such people were engaged? Were they given letters of employment and for how many months was money released for the project? If the participants paid for forms and uniforms, into what account was the money paid and how many received the uniforms?

The beneficiaries also claim that as much as N350,000 might have been released on the orders of former President Goodluck Jonathan for each of them. It should not be difficult to trace such disbursements as there should be records in the appropriate government ministry or agency ,and where it was diverted by those who considered themselves highheeled, they should be arrested, prosecuted and adequately punished.

Nigeria is not a banana republic where anyone should get away with murder.

It is bad enough that in Lagos State, they were converted to political thugs and made to do the bidding of the PDP. Alongside the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) operatives, the recruits were unleashed on innocent residents of Lagos during the last general elections. They were given paramilitary training which made some of the operatives to lose their pregnancies.

This should not be happening in a republic governed by law. The perpetrators should be exposed and brought to book.

Under the Obasanjo administration, the former Minister of Works, Mr. Segun Ogunlewe, used the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for similar purpose by recruiting young Nigerians

who were used as thugs to harass innocent citizens on federal roads.

It is incredible that some people engaged by the Federal Government could be made to go without salaries for 36 months. This matter should not be swept under the carpet like the National Immigration Service employment scam that claimed the lives of many after they had been conned into purchasing forms.

Till date, no one has been punished for that tragedy.

The police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission should be made to conduct a forensic investigation into the matter and a report submitted within a month. Those found to have been so duped should be paid forthwith, even if the project would be cancelled and participants formally disengaged.

‘It is incredible that some people engaged by the Federal Government could be made to go without salaries for 36 months. This matter should not be swept under the carpet like the National Immigration Service employment scam that claimed the lives of many after they had been conned into purchasing forms. Till date, no one has been punished for that tragedy’

Contentious staff schools •Universities should learn to make staff schools fend for themselves

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HE imminent crisis between universities and the Federal Government over staff schools can be averted. The National Universities Commission (NUC), as the regulatory body that oversees the affairs of universities in the country has reportedly, through a recent circular, signified government’s plan to withdraw from paying salaries of teachers of staff primary schools in the nation’s universities.

The NUC, in its bid to achieve this goal, has directed the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWG), to stop allocating, forthwith, monies from the Federation Account for staff schools’ teachers of the various universities. The decision is to curtail Federal Government’s huge spending of over N4 billion salaries of universities’ owned primary staff school teachers.

The NUC’s decision has incurred the wrath of the Academic Staff Union of

‘The point has been made that the wards of the university teachers should enjoy the privilege of these schools. That line of thought is too self-serving in a way that contradicts the university as an institution that forbids elitism’

Universities (ASUU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). The two unions are demanding the withdrawal of the policy; otherwise, they go on strike. Both are claiming the idea to be against a 2009 FG/SSANU agreement and the law establishing the staff schools. They also believe that it could lead to loss of jobs for over 2,000 teachers.

But the NUC affirmatively responded that their host institutions should fund the staff schools, established by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as private enterprises.

The contentious issue bothering the tertiary institutions’ trade unions is government’s transferred burden when payment of salaries of their staff schools is stopped. The implication isthat the universities will now have to source for funding, on their own, to sustain the schools as private enterprises. But it may not be entirely true that without these staff schools, the universities will not be whole in activities, substance and autonomy.

We agree that the current practice of funding university staff schools from the public till dates back to pre-independence era. It is also true that other institutions like NIPSS own such staff schools funded by government. The university union’s argument could only jell if they had fought for the withdrawal of the Federal Government’s involvement in the payment, also from the public till, of similarly owned staff schools. The only exception being military and police staff primary schools in the Army, Navy, Air

Force and police barracks because of their being creations of special laws.

The universities, rather than engage in another needless tango with government, should exploit one option: Because of sustenance of standards in the schools, they should seek for means of taking up funding of their teachers’ salaries by raising money from, say collection of fees.

The universities should be aware that for a society to make progress, its institutions of which they are a salient part, must be able to identify with its public policy reforms from time to time.

And more importantly, for them to also develop the capacity to absorb the shocks from whatever becomes the aftermath.

We want ASUU and SSANU to see the decision of NUC on withdrawal of government’s involvement in payment of universities staff schools’ salaries as a wake-up call to attune universities to the need to take up responsibility over what they own and should control.

The point has been made that the wards of the university teachers should enjoy the privilege of these schools. That line of thought is too self-serving in a way that contradicts the university as an institution that forbids elitism.

The argument that the university is removed from the society as a sort of Joycean island does no credit to the ivory tower concept as society’s great monitor.

The new order should inspire a creative approach that members of that comunity have always asked of government.

What the President should do now

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IR: I wish to remind President Muhammadu Buhari of his promises during his electioneering campaign.

And if his words should be his bond, Nigeria would return to status quo in no distant future. In this regard I would like the president to harken to this clarion call in order to make life meaningful for the masses.

First and foremost, salaries and other perks of the legislators, both at the federal and the state levels, including the ministers, commissioners and other government functionaries should be reviewed.

Unfortunately, the issue of trimming down salaries of our federal legislators has been over-flogged right from the time of the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Up till this moment, nobody has done anything about it. Their pay package should be DRASTICALLY trimmed down. A situation where one person goes home with millions of naira in a month whereas, others are not able to afford three square meals a day is not in consonance with justice, equity and good conscience.

Secondly the rail transport should be made functional in order to facilitate the conveyance of food stuff and other essential commodities from the North to the South and vice versa.The importance of reviving and over hauling the rail system cannot be over emphasized. We are experiencing high cost of things in the market today because of high cost of transportation which is eventually borne by the final consumer.

Achieving this aim would no doubt make food available on the table of every Nigerian as their cost would be very cheap.

I know this would be a hard nut to crack as the owners of long vehicles, trailers and tankers would more or less be thrown out of job. But be that as it may, the president should take this drastic measure not minding whose ox is gored, if it is his desire to better the lots of the common man.

It gladdened my heart when I read in the newspapers that EFCC and ICPC will be merged and 42 ministries trimmed down to 19. This is a welcome development. It would certainly have a salutary effect on the economy.

There are catalogue of other factors that are parasitic on the resources of this country but the aforementioned ones should be religiously looked into in other to achieve our aim. With time other problems would ease off.

The President should forget about probing any person at the moment, as that would distract him from facing squarely the most important factors.

• Nkemakolam Gabriel, Port Harcourt.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: I wish to add my voice to the on-going debate on local government autonomy in Nigeria which has gained national lime light since the reins of power was passed on to President Muhammad Buhari on May 29.

In the past few weeks, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun has been a delight to men of reason in Ogun State in particular and Nigeria in general for his insistence on local government autonomy in the country. He has spoken unambiguously on this issue. He is a lone voice of wisdom among the 36 governors in the country who has taken up the gauntlet on the issue. For this attribute, he is following the footsteps of Chief Obafemi Awolowo who tackled the issue of federalism head on.

The name of Chief Awolowo was encrusted in gold for championing the political restructur-

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Awo, Amosun and LG autonomy ing of Nigeria through his call for a federal system of government. The principle of federalism as enshrined the current Nigerian constitution was rooted in the pressure that Chief Awolowo and other progressive contemporaries brought to bear against a centrist government in the 1950s and 1960s.

Same way, the name of Senator Amosun will be written in gold among the exponents of local government autonomy in Nigeria. The tenacity with which Chief Awolowo championed the

principle of federalism as desirable for the progress of the country is the same tenacity deplored

by Senator Amosun to root for local government autonomy in Nigeria.

The principle of federalism places the responsibility of decision making on the federating units rather than allow the central government decide on issues that impinge directly on the people. Similarly, local government autonomy being promoted

by Senator Amosun will bring

government nearer to the people and local constituencies in the country.

These two structures of government, federalism and local government autonomy, are like twins born of same mother.

Therefore, it is an anathema of the highest order to find federalism in the statutes books of the country while local government autonomy is jettisoned.

• Wole Elegbede Imeko, Ogun State

DSS: Throwing away the baby with bathwater?

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IR: Every agency of government, either military or paramilitary, was established to perform specific or general function with the aid of the act that set up such an agency. In order words, the duties, functions and responsibilities of every agency has been spelt out in the act that established it. The Department od State Service (DSS) is one of such agencies.

The DSS came from the “E” Department or special branch of the Police Force in 1948 and later metamorphosed into the Nigeria Security Organization through the NSO Decree of 1976. The scenario that brought about State Security Service (SSS) was as a result of what General Ibrahim Babaginda believed to be absolute loyalty of the NSO to the then administration of Gen. Mohammadu Buhari after he

had toppled Buhari’s government in a 1983 military coup. It would be recalled that immediately after the coup, Babangida said the NSO bugged “my line with a view to preserving Buhari’s administration.

Babangida then split the NSO into three agencies namely the SSS, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Defence Intelligence Service (DIS).

The SSS takes charge of the internal security and intelligence, the NIA foreign intelligence and DIS defence intelligence. SSS The relevant instruments empower the SSS to provide security to designated principal government functionaries, sensitive installations and visiting foreign dignitaries. Suffice therefore to say that provision of close body security to the President, governors and other principal government func-

tionaries is one of the specific functions of the agency, which they have been performing since the establishment of the agency.

It is an undisputable fact that the SSS is not doing the protective work in isolation. During the military era till date, the SSS formed the inner ring while the military and the police formed the outer ring during protective operation.

Regarding the conduct of the SSS during the electioneering campaign of President Buhari, if the head of any agency, for any reason, misused the power given to him, such a person should have been removed and not to throw away the baby with the bathwater. In any developed nation where system of doing things had been established, though inter-agency cooperation exist among security agencies, no agency of government usurps the

duty of others such that interagency conflict and rivalry are reduced to the bearest minimum.

SSS are specialists in VIP Protection and they have professional personnel and materials for that purpose. According to John Dahle, the job of VIP protection goes beyond wearing suit and standing behind the VIP; that is why other agencies of government have been sending their operatives they intend to use as body guards to the SSS Training School in Lagos for training.

These facts are there for anybody to confirm.

So, it is unfair to throw away the baby with bathwater as it is proving to be the case of the SSS and the Buhari’s presidency.

• Ademola Ajayi, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Melaye’s campaign of blackmail

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IR: The senator representing Kogi West at the National Assembly Dino Melaye recently embarked on a campaign of blackmail against the APC leader Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Senator Smart Adeyemi and former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke on his on-going case at Appeal Court.

The exercise is nothing more than an attempt to court a public sympathy. When the Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Lokoja, challenging his election into the Senate struck out the case, it was on technical grounds. Obviously, he knew that his case was standing on a shaky ground.

The allegation by Melaye that Asiwaju Tinubu was supporting Senator Adeyemi to get a favorable judgment at the Appeal Court merely reveals the character of Melaye. Senator Adeyemi has said severally that he does not even have the phone number of Asiwaju Tinubu and moreover the latter is not known to a member of the panel of judges.

All of these may well be part of Melaye’s desperation to be in good books of Senate President Bukola Saraki perhaps with a view to secure a juicy committee post at the senate.

We implore Melaye to face his case at Appeal Court and stop blackmailing his opponent and other notable Nigerians to achieve his personal other selfish interests. We know the Appeal Court would study all the facts on the ground as the case demands and do justice to whoever won the election and the rightful candidate made to claim his mandate as given by the good people of Kogi West Senatorial District.

• Bala Nayashi, Lokoja, Kogi State

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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COMMENTS

APC, softly softly

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HERE is a strategy I adopt in writing my columns.

When the issue is current and tempestuous, I always like the good historian that I am, allow the dust to settle before I get involved in the debate. Until recent times, documents on matters of national importance in Great Britain were not released to researchers until after 100 years. The same was the case in most western countries. I think the practice now is 50 years. In some really sensitive cases, they may never be made available to researchers. The reason for this is national security and the protection of those who may have done something unethical in the service of the nation. For example, the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki has not yet been fully disclosed especially why it was used in Japan and not in Germany although the bombing of Dresden towards the end of the war was equally devastating and some will say criminal.

The ongoing battle among the factions of APC in both houses of the Nigerian parliament may not compare with the global events cited above but for us in Nigeria, if not properly handled, it may pose existential challenge to us as a people.

We have enough problems coping with serious economic problems and it will be foolhardy to add serious political problems to the brew.

Politics is about people in society and the eternal question has been the way to conduct ourselves so that the good of the community can be realized. In the process, individuals sometimes equate what is good for them as what should be good for the people. This eternal question was postulated in Jean Jacques Rousseau’s idea of the general will. Which in fact may be known to a few or even one person who could then force the rest of us to obey. Of course the smart philosopher that he was protected his flank when he argued that if it is truly the general will, it will be beneficial to all and through this we will know that it is truly the general will. This is the kind of argument Plato marshaled in his Republic where the omniscient philosopher king would rule in the interest of all humanity. We know of course that there

‘We need all hands to be on the deck because if Buhari’s salvage and rescue operation fails, then it is goodbye to responsible and good governance in this much-abused and looted country’

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T WAS one of the things many Nigerians expected President Muhammadu Buhari to do immediately he assumed office on May 29. By the evening of his inauguration, they were waiting to hear that he has sacked the Service Chiefs. There was no such news until last Monday when Buhari gave the Service Chiefs the boot.

Also sacked were the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, and National Security Adviser (NSA) Sabo Dasuki.

The public was so much interested in the military chiefs’ fate because it believes that they were partisan under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Indeed, Dasuki and Badeh, who were sacked along with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Usman Jubrin and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Adesola Amosu had unwittingly played into politicians’ hands with the way they discharged their duties. The military is known to be a non-political institution, which primary duty is to protect the nation’s territorial integrity. It has to be above political fray to discharge its constitutional responsibility.

It can only be above the fray by not straying into political matters, which are better left in the hands of politicians. But at a stage, the military or better still its leadership,

458 DAYS AFTER

STILL WAITING FOR CHIBOK GIRLS’ RESCUE

is no such utopia anywhere; Karl Marx’s workers paradise remains a failed idea after the collapse of communism in Europe and in Cuba; and China where it is still the political dogma it has been reduced to centralized gerontocratic autocracy.

We know this about foreign countries but what is going on here? I dare ask. It seems to me that our system is political warlordism masquerading as democracy. This is why contest for legislative positions are seen as contests between individuals who are not even in the parliament. The media has been particularly irresponsible in this case. In any presidential or parliamentary system, leaders of minority parties automatically become leaders if and when their parties become majority parties. In the case of Nigeria therefore, Senator George Akume and Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila should without argument have become senate president and speaker respectively. But what did we see here? The two gentlemen were simply portrayed as candidates of Tinubu and consequently deemed unacceptable. Even when Senator Lawan, candidate of the President was proposed, he too was cleverly manipulated out of the position for president of the senate on the grounds that he has the support of Tinubu. It now seems the only way to have support of a faction of the party is if Tinubu is against you. Yet Tinubu is one of the leaders of the party and was critical to coupling the disparate parties that came together to form the APC. Mistakes have been made all round and we need not complicate the situation by dwelling on the past. President Buhari must assert himself from now on and give marching orders to the rank and file of the party. I remember when my friend, General Ike Nwachukwu wanted to be Senate president against the wish of President Obasanjo in 1999. We campaigned throughout the night. I bumped into Haroun Adamu, a friend who was special assistant to Obasanjo on the morning of the vote. He jokingly teased me about my friend’s ambition knowing quite well the position was sewn up so to say through presidential power. I was in the senate chamber when the vote was called. To our horror, nobody nominated my friend not to talk about winning!

I respect Buhari for his stance of not wanting to meddle in the parliament’s affairs. But from privilege of hindsight his strategy was wrong. What he has to do now is to ram the party’s candidates for other posts in the parliament down the throats of the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate.

The power of the President of Nigeria is awesome and nobody would like to stand in front of an approaching train. Buhari should not hesitate to use this power to save his party and his presidency.

This is the only way forward if we are to have peace in the party and in the parliament.

I want to appeal to my brotherhood of the pen to leave out Tinubu from every and all future disagreements in the party. Tinubu’s place in history as the giant killer is settled. He does not need Jide anybody to make Osuntokun enemies for him.

Tinubu belongs to everybody if I may borrow part of our president’s quote. Some have been trying to draw a wedge between Tinubu and even Fashola, Tinubu and Kayode Fayemi, Tinubu and Niyi Adebayo. Tinubu has enough political enemies in old Afenifere, he does not need new ones. Bukola Saraki must come down from his Olympian height and play politics of accomodation. Whatever ambition he may have cannot be realized by bruising opponents.

Nigeria is not Kwara State and without peace in Nigeria, no state can thrive. Politics of north-south dichotomy is old fashioned and we must do whatever it takes to eradicate it and try to cultivate others. The south-west APC faction must see Saraki as a brother because that is who he really is in spite of whatever appearance that is momentarily advantageous. For goodness sake, we need not misuse our past history to vilify any present player on the national political stage. We in Yorubaland easily fall victim of our history of vindictive tendencies and unforgiving spirit which has plagued our land since the 19th century and we need not relive it, rather we should learn from it and not dwell on it.

Finally, some of us have invested so much in the coming to power of Buhari and we do not want him to fail. He does not need distractions of any sort. Time is also of essence and we need all hands to be on the deck because if Buhari’s salvage and rescue operation fails, then it is goodbye to responsible and good governance in this much-abused and looted country. We cannot always get what we want in politics and we should avoid falling easily to victim-hood arising out of our different nationalities. It is the easiest thing to do when we do not get what we want but when we get plum jobs and contracts, we do not remember what nationalities we belong to; all we remember are our families and bank accounts.

Can Senate screen Service Chiefs? allowed itself to be used by politicians. The military leadership kowtowed to the immediate past Jonathan administration in everything for what many believe to be filthy lucre. But, why it did what it did is best known to it. Without any qualms, the military took sides with the ruling party in elections without regard for its operational rules, which state that it should distance itself from such matters.

At best, it could only help the police in maintaining law and order.

It was under the guise of maintaining security during elections that the military helped then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the Ekiti State Governorship Election on June 21, last year. Till today, some military personnel are still aggrieved with what happened in Ekiti. One of such officers is Captain Sagir Koli, who spilled the beans on how the military rigged the Ekiti poll for PDP. To save his life, Koli fled the country.

There is a lesson to be learnt in all this by the new security topshots - Maj Gen Babagana Monguno, NSA, Maj Gen Abayomi Olonishakin, CDS, Maj Gen T.Y.Buratai, COAS, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CNS and Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, CAS. They should strive to ensure that they are not used to fight political fights that do not concern them. They should leave politicians to their wily ways and concentrate on how to save the nation from Boko Haram’s stranglehold. If they cannot defeat Boko Haram and rescue the Chibok girls the change of guards would have been in vain.

The sack of their predecessors will

only have meaning if, in the discharge of their duties, they meet the people’s expectations.

But the billion naira question is, is their appointment subject to the Senate’s approval? The answer is capital NO. The Constitution does not confer such power on the Senate. Although, Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 1, 2013, in his verdict in a suit filed by activist lawyer Festus Keyamo, held that the appointment of Service Chiefs is subject to the Senate’s approval, he may not have attuned his mind to the provision of the Constitution in arriving at that decision. His verdict was based on Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation, which states : The president, may, upon consultation with the Chief of Defence Staff and subject to confirmation by the National Assembly, appoint such officers (in this Act referred to as ‘’Service Chiefs’’) as he thinks fit in whom the command of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as the case may be, and their Reserves shall be vested. Was the judge right to have used this provision without recourse to the constitutional provision, which grants the president power to appoint his Service Chiefs without seeking the National Assembly’s approval?

Again, in my layman’s view, the answer is no and in support of my submission, I cite Section 218 (2) of the Constitution, which reads : The powers conferred on the president by subsection (1) of this section shall include power to appoint the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and heads of any other branches of the armed forces of

the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.

From the foregoing, we can see that there is a conflict in both provisions. The Armed Forces Act says that the president may consult the CDS and subject to the National Assembly’s confirmation, appoint the Service Chiefs.

But the Constitution states that the president will appoint the CDS and the Service Chiefs without recourse to any other authority. Service Chiefs are not ministers, who the Constitution, in Section 147 (2) says can only be appointed by the president subject to the Senate’s confirmation. Being the nation’s supreme law, what lawyers call the grundnorm, the Constitution supersedes any other legislation.

Where there is a conflict, the constitutional provision prevails. And in this instance, it cannot be different. The Senate is not constitutionally empowered to confirm Service Chiefs. e cannot blame former President Jonathan for sending the names of the immediate past Service Chiefs to the Senate for confirmation based on Justice Adamu’s verdict. He acted in accordance with the exigency of that time. But we can save Buhari from making the same mistake two years after that verdict or

W

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

we will continue to live a lie - that the Senate is empowered to confirm Service Chiefs, while the president is duty bound to send the names of Service Chiefs to the National Assembly.

It is in our collective interest for the Attorney-General of the Federation, whenever he is appointed, to challenge Justice Bello’s contentious judgement at the Court of Appeal and if need be, the Supreme Court. We will be expanding the law, rather than allowing this contentious verdict to remain the law, if the attorney-general, who was a party in the Keyamo suit, takes this matter ‘’upstairs’’ as lawyers would say. Otherwise, the Senate will continue to exercise the power it does not have, while the president will continue to act contrary to the Constitution.

‘We can save Buhari from making the same mistake as Jonathan or we will continue to live a lie - that the Senate is empowered to confirm Service Chiefs, while the president must send Service Chiefs’ names to the National Assembly’

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

20

COMMENTS

S

OMETIMES, even an adversity is not without an advantage. One painful lesson from June 9 National Assembly disgrace and APC we are(NASS) once again reminded thatdisaster we areisathat nation of many nationalities with different world views. What the Fulani see looking at June 9 from their own cultural prism is different from what the Igbo see. What the Yoruba see is different from both. Where the Fulani see pragmatic politics in action and the Igbo, business deals, what the Yoruba see is treachery and outright theft. The fault is not in their stars but in their cultures.

Bukola Saraki’s father claimed he was a descendant of a powerful Fulani hegemonic ruling class that migrated from Mali some 150 years ago. And for the Fulani, struggle for power is an obsession. And for its pursuit, as in war, all is fair and foul. This perhaps explains why Saraki does not see trading off the victory of his party to satisfy his ambition as a national disgrace and personal tragedy for a politician with eyes on the future. He does not believe he owes the nation an apology, or his party an explanation. He has in fact moved on to consolidate his hold on power by ignoring the directives of his party on the composition of National Assembly (NASS) principal officers. In this regard, not even the fact that his father became senate leader in a house where his father’s NPN had only 35 of 95 senators in the Second Republic counted for much. Saraki shares a common bond with Abubakar Atiku, another Fulani whose pursuit of power makes him move with the winds behaving like a woman with five husbands with loyalty to none. As a pragmatic Fulani trader of power and influence, Atiku has already reminded his APC colleagues that politics, as war, may not always produce the expected result. Despite strident denials by his aides, his eyes are already set on 2019.

For the Igbo for whom everything is business, June 9 fiasco is an opportunity to do business which allows for reaping from the sweat of others. Ekweremadu was in all his elements telling Nigerians how the deal to usurp what rightly belongs to others was negotiated in the dead of the night by well known PDP deal-

June 9: Fallout of clash of cultures ers and wheelers. For him and his Igbo nation, immorally snatching the deputy senate presidency was just another successful business deal which called for celebration. And indeed, drums were rolled out while Enugu was shut down to celebrate what they described as ‘snatching victory from the jaw of defeat’. Neither the Ohaneze nor any notable Igbo man has publicly condemned Ekwerenmadu’s opportunism. If anything, the rank and file of Igbo people who have nothing to show for Ekwerenmadu’s eight years as deputy senate president have declared anyone that asks him to drop what he has immorally taken, an enemy of the Igbo nation.

For instance, the South-east caucus (55 federal lawmakers, including all the Senators and members of the House of Representatives,) after rising from ‘a crucial meeting ‘noted with a deep sense of concern the orchestrated attempts to malign and undermine the highly esteemed person and office of the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu”. They accused his critics of pursuing ‘narrow political interests over and above the larger interest of peace and equity in the country’.

The youths are not left out. From Umuahia,

‘It is a shame that without the towering figure of the white man, we have been unable to manage our affairs since 1962. Our parasitic ruling class who shared among themselves and their family members the conglomerates set up by regional governments in the 50s and the federal governments since independence have continued to promote the current unworkable system’

E

VER since former President Jonathan lost the presidential elections on March 28, which some of us knew he will never win based on the facts that we all know and the statistics available, majority of Igbo have been unhappy and angry. They have been cursing and abusing the President and APC leaders wishing that President Buhari never existed and APC never formed. Many of them have been so frustrated after the elections that they are now looking for a way to get back to the APC controlled federal government.

Now, one Nnamdi Kanu who has been dreaming about the State of Biafra has provided a space for them to vent their anger. Some of them have joined him to wish for the State of Biafra. Suddenly the so-called Radio Biafra has created a momentum for them. On facebook I have watched with a keen interest what these guys dish out on daily basis in the name of fighting for Biafra. They tell blatant lies, create havoc, make terrible noise, abuse other Nigerians, and preach unimaginable propaganda and hate that at once put Igbo land in potential danger. I have been waiting for the South-east governors to speak up but they have maintained a deafening silence that suggests complicity. I have also waited for our elders to call him to order but nothing has happened. With the so-called Radio Biafra, he has unleashed an unimaginable trailer-load of lies and potentially dangerous propaganda that has put Igbo nation in danger. It is now 45years after the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War and I think that the Igbo must rise up to stop this man who never saw the 1967-1970 Civil War and who may not know the implications of what he is doing. He has never consulted anybody to seek his opinion. He has been speaking to the gullible and not too educated people in Igboland, and very soon these uneducated people will take a dangerous decision that may decimate and destroy Igboland. Soon our people will start complaining that they were not consulted. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed.

Woe betides a nation whose leaders are children. If we elders do not talk about this evil, posterity will never forgive us. Let us speak out and if these children do not hear us, then it should be on record that we spoke. About a month ago the barrage of lies and uncontrolled propaganda Radio Biafra dished out everyday drew the attention of NBC which asked Nigerians to stop listening to this useless radio station.

Now here are compelling reasons why Igbo must remain in Nigeria in their own interest. The Igbo fought a civil war of self determination between 1967 and 1970 and lost about

the national president of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro has issued a statement asking the All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and other “anti- Igbo forces in APC” behind the plot to remove Ike Ekweremadu as the deputy senate president to retrace their steps or face the wrath of Igbo youths. Similarly Comrade Patrick Afuberah, Secretary General, Ndigbo Youths Organization (NYO), a pan-Igbo youth group has in a statement said “The calls from some APC Senators and leaders for the resignation of Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President is unacceptable to us and in fact an insult to the Igbo race.”

From far away Jos came a statement signed

by Dr. Ugo Ihekuna and Chief Elvis Chukwu, President and, Secretary General of another Igbo socio-cultural organition – Izu-Umunna Cultural Association, and a think-thank of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, saying ‘it will hold President Mohammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress responsible should anything happen to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu’.

But as against what the Fulani north and the Igbo east saw, looking at June 9 from their own cultural prism, what the Yoruba west saw was markedly different. Where the Fulani saw real politics, the Yoruba saw treachery. Where the Igbo saw business deals, they saw outright theft. The wages for the former is banishment and the later contempt. Were Saraki to be Yoruba, he and his off springs face the prospects of sharing the fate of Afonja, who driven by his ambition sold out to Alimi who later upstaged him leading to the loss of Ilorin to

the caliphate. But as indicated above, the fault is not in their stars but in their different cultures.

WE are back to where we were 85 years ago when the white man first asked us to look at ourselves in the mirror. We claimed our cultural differences had been exaggerated by accident of colonial rule. We chose to live in denial. It was the white man who reminded us that ‘Just like the Scandinavian of the Baltic, the Slavs of Bulgaria are different from the Semitic people of Egypt and Morocco, the Hausa of Zaria are different from the Bantus people of the Benue Valley,’ the 200,000 Ogonis who escaped from the tyranny of South Africa Chaka the Zulu, the Effiks, Ibibios, the Igbos, and the Yorubas, all of who were at different levels of cultural developments. They spoke of ‘the cannibals of the mama hill, the unsocial Mumuyes of Muri Province and of naked warriors” of the inner eastern tropics.

They even at the period dismissed the idea of one Nigerian nation as dangerous.

In an address to the Nigerian Council on December 29 1920, Hugh Clifford, the then Governor General of Nigeria asserted that the British policy was to support ‘the local tribal institutions and the indigenous forms of government based on the ‘social institutions which have been evolved for it by wisdom and by the accumulated experiences of generations of its forbearers’. As if Clifford saw our today in 1920, he added “if suddenly the impossible were feasible’, that those separated by difference of history, traditions, social, political and religious barriers were indeed capable of being welded into a single homogenous nation’, it would be a disservice to the concept of national government which secures to each separate people the right to maintain its identity, its individuality and its nationality Today, eighty five years after this warning, and forty three years after our selfish and greedy new inheritors of power derailed the workable federal arrangement that held so much promise for our nation at independence, we are confronted by clash of cultures which Clifford predicted would become a threat to the concept of national government if not well managed.

It is a shame that without the towering figure of the white man, we have been unable to manage our affairs since 1962. Our parasitic ruling class who shared among themselves and their family members the conglomerates set up by regional governments in the 50s and the federal governments since independence have continued to promote the current unworkable system that produced a Bukola Saraki as Senate President. With the experiences of Canada, India and even Europe to copy from, it is time we face our own demon.

Why Kanu’s Biafra radio must be stopped

By Joe Igbokwe one million people. This should be taken as a huge price for the unity of this country. Having paid this monumental supreme price I think Igbo should work for the unity of this country based on social justice, equity and fair play.

Moreover, Nigeria has three major ethnic groups: Hausa/ Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo. The Hausa/Fulani has Hausa people stretching all through the Sahel to the Sudan. They are mostly Muslims and they have contact with the Arab world. The Yoruba nation has Togo, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone and even up to Brazil and Cuba to run to where their kinsmen are. Igbo nation has no outlet anywhere in the world where the language is spoken. Therefore they must see Nigeria as where they belong and work for its survival.

Nigeria provided a big space for Igbo to spread their tentacles, explore, excel and blossom. South East is too small for this highly mobile and dynamic people to thrive. The world pays attention to Nigeria today because of our size and population. If Nigeria splits into smaller countries the world will pack their bag and baggage and leave. Population and size make a nation a destination.

Assuming we manage to get a State of Biafra, which state in the South-east will produce the first President? When Enugu State was created, the late Governor C.C Onoh sacked all the civil servants and teachers from Anambra State. Recently former governor T. A. Orji of Abia State sacked workers from Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States. Now how can we manage Biafra with this attitude?

The Igbo control 60-70% of all the imports in Nigeria and other Nigerians, Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani, Ijaw, Efik, Birom, Tiv, Idoma etc provides huge market for Igbo mobile and big time traders.

Monumental inter marriages between Igbo and Yoruba and other ethnic groups have thrived for close to 70years now that we cannot just dismiss all these with a wave of hand.

Igbo own huge and massive investments in property in Lagos and Abuja, and other state capitals in Nigeria. Now are you going to wish all this away?

Other Nigerian cities have provided safe haven for Igbo as places to run to cool off whenever self inflicted crisis arise or other problems. When kidnapping became a way of life in

the South-east, our people moved to other parts of Nigeria to settle. Now where will Igbo go when confronted with these problems in Biafra?

How can Igbo thrive without their Lagos and Abuja or PortHarcourt? What happens to all their connections and relationships in these places?

Can someone tell Nnamdi Kanu that wars may be fought for 50 years and people will die to achieve Biafra? The war may even consume Nnamdi and all the members of his family and millions of others without achieving the purpose.

We have been so inter-married, interwoven, intertwined, inter-related that the idea of separation may not be encouraged. I do not want to lose my friends from the other parts of Nigeria for anything.

I can go on but there is no need to continue to do so. We must be strong enough to stop this old problem of looking down on people who are different from us. This is the problem of Nigeria. Nigeria’s diversity is a big plus for all of us to excel. United we stand, divided we fall. I confess that Igbo have not played better politics in Nigeria since 1970 and that has been our bane. Anytime we want to change bad leadership in the country, Igbo as a block will resist it. It happened in 1993 and we lost everything. In 2015, Igbo were at it again but forces of history prevailed. Igbo can do better than this.

However, I want Nigerian leaders to show leadership by carrying all Nigerians along in distributing power and resources. If there is no justice, there will be no peace. If there is no peace there will be no progress. Let justice prevail. Let us be fair to all concerned. If the truth must prevail and it must prevail, Nigeria has not been fair to Igbo since the end of civil war. They tell us that there is no victor and no vanquished but in actions and deeds, the victors are still celebrating and enjoying the spoils of the war while the defeated are still languishing in abject neglect. For instance, of all the six zones in Nigeria, only the South-east has five states. We have found solace in all these because we have found out that those who are still oppressing the Igbo in Nigeria are not better.

We also take solace in the findings of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council that all acts of indignity against human persons, against human society debase the perpetrators more than the victims. It is not that the offended cannot forgive but have the offenders repented? This injustice must stop now for the sake of unity of this country.

• Igbokwe writes from Lagos

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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COMMENTS

I

AM still excited about President Buhari’s pre-election promises to suppress corruption and to effect change in our country. I believe he has the honest inclination to accomplish these things, but as I watch his presidency in the weeks since his inauguration, I am gradually being compelled to wonder whether the fundamental realities of our country are not just too powerful for anybody’s urge for change. I hope I am wrong – but I doubt that.

In the circumstance, I find myself having to revisit universal thoughts about the feasibility of a country like ours – about the possibility of orderly and harmonious growth, progress and prosperity in a country like Nigeria. Of course, my strong desire has always been that Nigeria should survive, thrive, and prosper. But, even the little girl who is buying biscuits on one street to go and sell for a little profit on other streets must ask herself the question at every turn whether it is possible for her little transaction to yield her desired outcome. Questions of that nature about a huge enterprise like a country may not necessarily yield a “Yes” or “No” answer, but it can help to identify the fundamental problems and how to tackle them.

Our Nigeria is a country of great diversities, but the most significant diversity is the ethnic national diversity. Nigeria is a country of about 300 ethnic nationalities large and small. Each ethnic nationality is identified by its own homeland, culture, acceptance of itself as a group, possession of its own image and pride and, having managed its own life somehow for probably thousands of years, desirous of managing its own life and destiny. For such a nationality, large or small, having to live with other nationalities in a country, sharing the sovereignty of one country with other similar nationalities, or even having to accept any sovereignty above its own ethnic national sovereignty, has never been easy in human history.

Actions of the most powerful nations in recent history ignored that vital fact and pro-

‘The poorer the quality of the governance of a multinationality country, the greater the chances of ethnic national conflicts in it – and the greater the chances of secessions and even total break up’

T

HE gangsterism involved in the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President amongst other things is vividly illustrated by his own admission of hiding in the car park of the National Assembly before dawn on the day of the election.

He reportedly said: “I sat inside a small car parked in front of the assembly from 6am until 10am”.

A chronological replay of the subsequent acts and scenes of the day will reveal further unethical, immoral but seemingly legal decisions to ensure his emergence as the number three man in the country. When did Nigeria descend to this abyss of immorality?

When did we exchange gangsters for political leaders?

The conspiracy involved in the planning of the inauguration of the eighth National Assembly on June 9 is an issue that should be properly and painstakingly investigated by the Inspector General of Police (IG) for several reasons. The Police Act, (Police Act CAP 359 Laws of the Federation 2010) apart from vesting the IG with the duty and powers to enforce the laws also place on him vicariously the responsibility to maintain a national ethical standard that will portray the nation in good light in the comity of nations, (see Part II section 4).

A few years ago, Colin Powell, the American Secretary of State and earlier, the chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff of the American Armed Forces, described Nigeria as a nation of scammers. The whole nation rose in one voice to defend Nigeria reputation from such verbal assault. Recent development has come to justify Powell’s assertions which was based on this summation of the country’s profile in the American records.

The handling of the rules of the Senate in the present dispensation has revealed some underhand conspiracy, tinkering and brazen impunity even in dealing with distinguished

Can we really hold and build Nigeria? duced many of today’s countries in which many weak nations are combined together with one another, or subsumed under more powerful nations - such as the creation of Belgium in 1831 by the Concert of Europe, the creation of Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, etc., by the victors of the First World War, the inclusion of many small nations with Russia in the Soviet Union, and the creation of many multi-nation countries in Asia and Africa by late 19th century European imperialists. In the course of the 20th century, nationalities included in these modern arrangements, and even nationalities similarly involved in earlier periods of history (like the Irish, Scotts and Welsh in Britain, the Basques and Catalans in Spain, the French Canadians in Canada, etc.) have increasingly sought to free themselves in order to establish their own autonomous and separate countries.

In our modern world, the general growth of literacy and education has served, and is serving, as a dynamic stimulus to the growth of the phenomenon of ethnic nationalism and demand for ethnic national autonomy. Universally, education tends to enhance ethnic national group knowledge, pride and desire for self-rule.

Another factor boosting the desire for ethnic national separateness in our time is the observed tendency of multi-nationality countries to be slow in socio-economic development. Among developing countries, those that comprise diverse nationalities have tended to suffer significantly slow socio-economic development. As one Gerald Scully points out in a report for a policy agency in the United States, “Culture standardizes relationships by allowing people to make reasonably confident assumptions about the reactions of those with whom they interact. Even if different groups live together peacefully (in the same country), the lack of a common language and common norms reduces cooperation and increases the costs of transacting.” And the consequence of that is usually the enhancement of inefficiency and waste in the economic system – resulting in slow development and poverty. Stephen Lampe in Building Future Societies argues that development finds a fertile ground in an atmosphere of homogeneity: “The more closely development projects reflect the circumstances of a people, the more

the projects can be said to have conformed to the Law of Homogeneity; and the more sustainable such projects are likely to be”.

Also, the growth of every culture has its own unique trajectory – the direction in which its customs, laws, economy, political traditions, and its system of rewards, are growing.

When the diverse cultures of diverse nationalities cohabit and compete in a country, especially an underdeveloped country, confusion and inefficiency are usually the consequences. The common experience is that a dominant nationality (whether the dominance is numerical or political), is prone to structure economic and political opportunities to the benefit of itself and its members – with the usual result of conflict, economic inefficiency, and increased chances of poverty for the country. A report by Japan’s Institute of Comprehensive Studies asserts that without a strong national spirit and confident identity, a country cannot efficiently take advantage of development assets in the world and rise to high levels of development.

Two Japanese economists with considerable experience in the study of the Japanese development model in the years after the Second World War, Yujiro Hayami and Yoshihisa Godo, assert that the development efforts of a culturally homogenous country are likely to be more productive than the development efforts of a culturally heterogeneous country – that the more development efforts, assimilation of technology, and transformation of institutions, are correlated to the culture of a people, the greater are the chances of success.

Furthermore, experience in most countries indicates that a country, especially an underdeveloped country, comprising diverse nationalities, is less likely to adopt institutions of freedom, or to run them sincerely and with integrity. In such a country, the endless jostling of the component nationalities for advantage, and the manoeuvres of the dominant nationality to sustain its dominance and allocate the most advantages to its members – all these usually tend to result in distortions of the political process, the manipulation of elections, the falsification of vital records, the appointment of poorly trained and ill-equipped ethnic national favourites to vital public jobs (even when more educated and better trained citizens may be avail-

Nigerian thoughts able), the padding of important institutions (like the courts, the police, the military, the regulatory agencies, etc.) with persons dedicated Banji Akintoye to ethnicsectional missions, discrimination in the allocation of public appointments and economic opportunities, and so on. All these detract from human freedom and dignity. In the report earlier referred to, Gerald Scully opines that “a lack of personal freedom is correlated with the degree of cultural heterogeneity in many non-Western societies”.

National heterogeneity in a country also fosters inefficiency in the political and economic systems in some other ways. There is no question that economic freedom and rule of law are fundamental requirements for the achievement of high levels of economic growth in the modern world. According again to Scully, scholars are coming more and more to the recognition “that the key to economic transformation of the Third World is to move toward freer institutions, and that cultural heterogeneity is the major barrier to such transformation”.

In short, countries comprising diverse ethnic nationalities have very serious troubles.

On all continents, the nationalities that are parts of such countries are agitating, and challenging in various ways the continued existence of the countries to which they belong.

The poorer the quality of the governance of a multi-nationality country, the greater the chances of ethnic national conflicts in it – and the greater the chances of secessions and even total break up.

The needed change of direction won’t be easy; but Buhari can lead us to accomplish it if he sincerely tries. Will he? Or, will they let him?

Still on National Assembly perfidy

By Ayo Osunloye senators in hallowed chambers that is expected to be the uterus of our laws. The amendments to the rules of the Senate cannot be attributed to any sitting of the Senate and as it was seen, it was used to outflank other senators. A request on the floor of the Senate by Senator Kabiru Marafa to clarify its origin was treated with impunity and ruled out of order.

When the foundations are faulty, what can the righteous do? The foundation of the eighth Assembly is erected on falsehood and this must be corrected. The origin of the amendments foisted surreptitiously on the assembly must be investigated and prosecuted. Rules of the senate were amended to achieve certain predetermined agenda of the conspirators. The voting procedure traditionally in the standing rules of the National Assembly had been by voice acclamation and or division. The rules were amended prior to the inauguration without disclosure to or to the knowledge of all the elected members.

The amendments were given physical expression by the provision of ballot boxes and papers, and probably electronic devices for electronic voting to make secret balloting a fait accompli. They will create a situation in which political parties cannot measure or ascertain the fidelity of its elected members.

With the amendment in place, the conspirators executed with military precision the inauguration operation with the principal actor cum beneficiary hiding in the National Assembly car park and the critical mass electors (PDP senators and associated APC conspirators) admitted into the chambers with the proceeding flagged off on the dot of 10am.

The Clerk of the National Assembly and all the other officials and elected members present cannot in good conscience deny that they were executing a self-serving proceeding to the disadvantage of other members at the time, legal but unethical and immoral.

I ask, can we build a nation on such a foundation? President Muhammadu Buhari owes it a duty to the vast silent moral majority of this country to cause and direct the Inspector General of Police (see Police Act Part II section 10) to investigate and prosecute all the conspirators in this legislative coup against the will of the people of Nigeria.

For the war against corruption, to be effective, it must be applied starting from high places. It is popular opinion that Nigerian jails are not for the political and economic elites but for the common people. This erroneous belief must be destroyed by the actions and disposition of the President in confronting corruption, impunity and criminals in high places. A situation where the assets of a thoroughly corrupt governor are only seized without a jail term, and over 10 former governors have cases to answer in courts for more than five years without a conviction or otherwise encourages distrust to government amongst the people.

The utterances of Senators Mao Ohuanbunwa and James Manager reveal the unconscionable leadership with which the country is yoked. Both senators believe that the separation of power does not permit the police to investigate crimes and misdemeanor in the legislature. They also aver that whatever is done in the National Assembly is covered by legislative immunity and that at worst, the police formation in the assembly complex is good enough to do the job. I

do not agree because I fear the National Assembly police will merely massage their bloated legislative egos. They had better know that the laws of the land is higher and greater than the lawmakers of the land.

The attempt of the PDP publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh to pull the wool over the eyes of the people by blackmailing the government with accusations of autocratic tendencies will not equally wash. The people have voted for change and it cannot be “Business as usual” I call on President Muhammadu Buhari to muster the historical will of Hannibal to confront the enemies of the country and I pray for his success in this task.

• Osunloye, an architect is chairman Lagos State Afenifere Renewal Group.(ARG).

‘When the foundations are faulty, what can the righteous do? The foundation of the eighth assembly is erected on falsehood and this must be corrected. The origin of the amendments foisted surreptitiously on the assembly must be investigated and prosecuted.

Rules of the senate were amended to achieve certain predetermined agenda of the conspirators’

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

Despite the White Paper upheld by the government, parties in the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) crisis have yet to sheathe their swords. They are still brawling. Those indicted have asked the government to review its decision to uphold the White Paper. The review panel is expected to submit its report this week, report ADESOJI ADENIYI (Osogbo) and ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA.

UNIOSUN’s unending crisis •Review panel’s report expected this week

O

SUN State University (UNIOSUN) started with a lot of promise eight years ago. Today, the institution is under threat from an internal crisis.

The governing council and the management have been engaged in a battle of wits for months, leading to the constitution of a visitation panel by Governor Rauf Aregbesola. The white paper on the panel’s report rather than settle the crisis, seems to have stoked the fire. Those punished for their roles in the crisis are not satisfied with the white paper which was upheld by the government last month.

A panel, it was learnt, has been raised to review the white paper. The panel is expected to submit its report this week. It will consider the petitions of the principal officers the Vice Chancellor (VC), recommended for sack by the Visitation Panel. They are: Prof Bashir Okesina, Deputy Vice-Chancellor-elect Prof. Siyan Oyeweso; Registrar Dr. Faniran Olusakin; Bursar Alhaji Lasisi Adebayo. It is also expected to consider the prayers of others, like Prof Wasiu Gbolagade, who have been barred from holding positions of responsibility in the university.

Okesina was recommended for sack, following his suspension by the governing council for alleged professional and administrative misconduct, fraud, nepotism, neglect of university infrastructure, delay in starting distance learning programme, misuse of official car, incitement of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) against the council and inflation of contracts, among others.

Oyeweso was recommended for sack for: his “negative roles in the crisis; his ambition-driven over-influence over the vicechancellor which contributed immensely to the VC’s irredeemable mistakes in the administration of the university; and for attending two rebellious meetings against the council held in the Vice-Chancellor’s house with other principal officers.”

The sack of the registrar and the bursar by the governing council was upheld by the Visitation Panel. Prof Gbolagade, provost of the Post-Graduate College, was barred from holding any position of authority in the university for his “roles in the crisis and for attending the two clandestine meetings against the Governing

• Okesina

• Olawoyin

•Oyeweso

•Gbolagade

‘

The recommendation of the Visitation Panel that my appointment be terminated - a position accepted by the government of the State of Osun, needs a critical review and reflection given my antecedents in Osun State University

’

•Continued on page 26

INSIDE

Scholarship changed my life, says KC’s best -Page 28

AUST wins $8m World Bank grant -Page 37

CAMPUS LIFE Union of many strands -Page 29

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

26

EDUCATION New varsity to focus on vocational education From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

T

HE Proposed Kola Daisi University (KDU) Ibadan, Oyo State, will concentrate more on vocational education and skill acquisition in order to reduce unemployment in the country.

The Founder of KDU, Chief Kola Daisi, disclosed this on Tuesday during a meeting between university's Board of Trustees (BoT) and Highbury College, Portsmouth, held at Civic Centre, Ibadan.

The discussion dwelled on the establishment of a Vocational/skill acquisition centre at the proposed university.

"They (students) will be exposed to vocational training and skill acquisition of various types while studying in KDU. Highbury College is specialised in training student in different vocational skills. We have discussed with them on collaborations over two years ago and that is why they have decided to send over their Regional Director for Africa to deliberate further on it.

"They are here to assess the level of our preparedness and visit the site of the university. We are proposing four colleges at KDU, two is about to be completed and will gulp N1 billion," he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the board, Prof Adeniyi Osuntogun, noted that unemployment is increasing because many graduates are looking for white collar jobs but lacks vocational skills.

F

ORTY-one students of the Benson Idahosa University (BIU), in Edo State will graduate with First Class honours during the 2014/2015 graduation on Saturday.

This is out of a total of 871 graduands that would be awarded first and post graduate degrees.

Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, who disclosed this at a press briefing said the institution decided to shift its convocation to June to enable its graduates •Continued from page 25 Council held in the VC's house with other principal officers of the university.”

Others like Prof B. R. Olorede are to be disallowed from holding positions of responsibility in the university for the next five years. Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-UNIOSUN chapter) Dr. Oluseye Abiona was relieved of his appointment as Coordinator of the Centre for Renewable Energy.

The paper also recommended that the bursar (Adebayo), Prof. Kizito Folorunso, Prof. Gbolagade and any other person yet to refund the money paid to them as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) proceeds should make the refunds with immediate effect. It equally recommended the dissolution of the Prof Gabriel Olawoyin-led Governing Council.

The affected principal officers and others petitioned the government not to implement the recommendations, which they termed as unfair. They claimed the allegations against them were false.

In his June 27 petition to Aregbesola, Oyeweso faulted the claim that he negatively influenced the VC. He argued that as an adult, Okesina with his academic and professional attainment was not a robot to be pushed around.

Oyeweso, who claimed that he was not given fair hearing, described his sack as premeditated, "a subtle attempt at targeting him for persecution, harassment and intimidation."

Defending his role in the crisis Oyeweso said: "I have always canvassed mediation, negotiation,

•JSS 3 pupils of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls’, Ikeja, Lagos, during their graduation.

Yale varsity alumni to help recruit more Nigerians

T

HE Yale Club of Nigeria was launched last Saturday with high hopes that it would open opportunities for more Nigerians to be enrolled into the ivy-league university on scholarship.

Pioneer president of the association, Dr Haroun Adamu, said at the cocktail launch of the club held at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, that Nigerian students who successfully scale the stringent admissions process would benefit from the Need-Blind scholarship of the institution.

He said the club would serve as "an intermediary between Nigerian stu-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

dents and the admission office of Yale University in order to facilitate their admission to Yale".

The Yale Club president said he looked forward to increased enrolment of Nigerian students. He noted Nigerians had lost admission opportunities from the university because there was no alumni group.

"We have noticed in the past, the dwindling numbers of our students attending Yale and Ghana that has the opportunity of setting up such an organisation is taking off the shine, sending students. We feel that as an

41 bag first class at BIU From Osagie Otabor, Benin

apply for post graduate studies in September.

The VC said the university would consider some of the First Class graduates for immediate employment.

He said the convocation lecture titled "Effective Educational System: A Panacea for Societal Development and Transformation" would be de-

livered by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Izevbigie said the university plans to pay its lecturers more than Federal universities because of the international status the institution has attained.

He disclosed that the Michigan State University is collaborating with BIU to build a Bio-reactor for the conversion of carbon-based waste into electricity to supplement energy needs.

organization, we can interface with parents who would send their children to Yale.

"We would conduct interviews and send recommendations on behalf of these students, so that they can be admitted. Once they make the grade, they would be on scholarship. They would not pay anything. So we are losing opportunities such as we have been gaining in the past. Someone like me, 50 years ago, I had the opportunity to go to Yale on scholarship and I would like to see more of my type going to Yale," he said.

Haroun, founder, Adamu Consulting & Associates, Zaria College, and others, said that the alumni members were proud of the their alma mater because of its rich heritage and the prestigious old students, and would want more Nigerians to benefit from the kind of education the university offcers.

He said the university has produced great leaders, among them five presidents of the United States, including George Bush Junior, congress members, and Supreme Court justices in the United States.

In Nigeria, the university produced Prof Julius Okojie, Executive Secre-

tary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), among others.

Okojie, was represented by Prof Akaneren Essien, a visiting professor to the NUC, who said that he (Okojie) exhibits the leadership ideals of Yale.

"Prof Julius Okojie, the executive secretary of NUC is an alumnus of Yale University. He earned his masters in Forestry from that university in 1976. He imbibed very strong values of Yale University that has helped him to administer university education very well in this country. He served as VC, university of agriculture, Abeokuta, during which that university came first by the ranking of the NUC at that time, in 2001 and also served as the foundation VC of Bells University of Technology," he said.

Eddie Mandhry, Director for Africa, Yale University Office of International Affairs, witnessed the launch and said the university was proud to be associated with the club. He said Nigeria is one of the four countries with the largest number of international students in the institution so is an important stakeholder. The others are Ghana, South Africa and Kenya.

UNIOSUN’s unending crisis discussions, mutual respect and round-table dialogue as useful tools for conflict resolution."

He warned that implementing the white paper recommendations would not help the university.

"I am deeply convinced that the termination of my statutory appointment or relieving of appointment of principal officers, and banning some professors from holding university appointments, without sound rational justification, will not provide an enduring solution to the UNIOSUN crisis. It is an ill-wind and a seed for future troubles. The recommendation of the Visitation Panel that my appointment be terminated - a position accepted by the government of the State of Osun, needs a critical review and reflection given my antecedents in Osun State University in particular and Nigerian university system in general."

Rejecting their sack, the registrar and bursar, Olusakin and Adebayo, in their joint letter to the visitor, said they should not be victimized because of the crisis between the council and the university management.

"We have put in substantial number of years of services and it will not augur well for our career to be destroyed when we have only two years to leave the service just because of disagreement between council and management. Our plea is for you to reconsider the position of government on the termination of our appointments," they said.

They were silent on the allegations of misappropriation of funds, for which the council suspended them.

They also faulted the panel for not recommending the dissolution of the council, which is involved in the crisiswhile it asked that the management team be punished.

They urged Aregbesola to dissolve the council since many of its members are party to the crisis.

They said: "This recommendation that the Council led by Prof Olawoyin 'should be tasked to commence and complete the process for appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Bursar; and have an approved Conditions of Service for all categories of UNIOSUN staff within a maximum of six months, after which

it should be dissolved'… is no other thing than a miscarriage of justice.

Where then is the avoidance of a party winning and another losing? It is unjust, unfair, pre-meditated and an attempt to cause confusion.”

In his defence, Gbolagade said allegations that he attended anticouncil meetings allegedly held in the VC's Lodge with other principal officers of the university were inaccurate as some council meetings usually held outside the campus.

Gbolagade also warned that the panel's recommendation that he should not be allowed to hold any position in UNIOSUN for the next five years could backfire as the institution does not have enough professors.

"For your information sir, we have about 13 permanent professors in the whole university that are on ground.

Out of these 13 professors, two have gotten Council approval for their Sabbatical leave. One will be going on leave of absence to Centre for Black Culture very soon. There will now be 10 professors left, out of these 10 professors the three most senior professors have been indicted not to

‘For your information sir, we have about 13 permanent professors in the whole university that are on ground. Out of these 13 professors, two have gotten Council approval for their Sabbatical leave. One will be going on leave of absence to Centre for Black Culture very soon. There will now be 10 professors left’

hold any post in the university. It remains seven professors to occupy all the administrative positions in the university. How will these not affect the seamless running of the system sir? Our university is young and fast growing and I appeal to you to kindly temper justice with mercy."

How will this crisis be resolved for the university to grow? Members of the university community, including lecturers, non academic staff and students shied away from commenting. Some of them believe the dissolved council, particularly its chairman, who just resigned, was high handed. He has been replaced by Prof.

Obafemi Ajibola, a member of the council. They said he had not spent enough years as a manager in the university to understand how the system works.

Other stakeholders said the university has been "heavily politicised" by some people.

But, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) UNIOSUN chapter chairman, Mr Lekan Idiat, told our reporter on phone that such backlash should not be seen as strange. As a body, SSANU , he said, has since moved on.

"That is a normal thing. Anytime such a situation occurs, there is no way people would not react. However, for SSANU, we have to move on.

Government has taken its decision.

SSANU is only interested in peace and justice. Our interest is in the overall development of the university," he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

27

EDUCATION Imo Police take anti-cult campaign to schools

Relief as LASU Senate sets new exam dates GITATIONS by students of the Lagos State University (LASU) to write their examinations have paid off with the announcement of dates by the management.

The announcement comes following the approval of a review of the academic calendar for the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 academic sessions by the university Senate last weekend.

According to the university’s bulletin of last Friday, the first semester examination will begin on July 22 and end August 4, 2015, while the second semester exam is scheduled to hold between November 23 and December 4, 2015.

Although the Senate met last Friday, the information was made public on Tuesday.

Students’ Union Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lasisi Fatai, told The Nation on phone that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode directed the Senate to hold an emergency meeting, following their protest to his office last Wednesday and another at

A

T

By Adegunle Olugbamila

the university’s main gate the following day.

“Our agitations have finally paid off,” Fatai said triumphantly on Tuesday.

He said the protests followed a 48hour ultimatum by the union to the management last Monday.

“We want to thank our Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for directing that the Senate convened an emergency meeting to find lasting solutions our challenges. We had to embark on the protest when we realised the situation was getting out of hand,” Fatai said.

He blamed the development on accusations and counter accusations between management and workers. He lamented that since March 16, 2015 when workers forced the Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa out of the university, the Senate and two administrative blocks have been sealed off by workers’ unions with fetish materials all over the place thereby turning the university into a shrine of sorts,

•Prof Obafunwa

which Lasisi described as ‘uncalled for’ in the university system.

The students had been in high spirits when Obafunwa promised that the examination would starton July 6, 2015. However, this changed when a circular issued a fortnight ago announced the postponement of the examination “due to outstanding fees and non-registration, as well as inability of Senate to sit and ratify the reviewed academic calendar”.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities-LASU chapter had promptly responded, condemning the postponement.

HE Imo State Police Command has kicked off a sensitisation tour of secondary schools in the state as part of its anti-cultism campaign.

In a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the Command, said the purpose of the visits is to talk to the students on the dangers of cultism and other related vices.

Some of the schools to be visited as part of the campaign include, Police Secondary School Isu-Nwangele, Isu Girls Secondary School, Emmanuel College Owerri, Holy Ghost College Owerri, Government College Owerri, Owerri Girls College and Naze Secondary School.

Others are, Egbu Girls Secondary, Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School Owerri, Amakohia Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School Owerri and Boys Secondary School New Owerri, among others.

During a similar programme in

New UNIPORT VC promises transformation

T

HE new Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof.

Ndowa Lale, says he would transform the school into a world-class institution within his five-year tenure.

He said this at his investiture/inauguration as the Eighth VC of the 40year-old institution at the Convocation Arena of the campus in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

The event, which was part of the institution's 30th convocation (supplementary), also featured the conferment of an honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc), on the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe.

Lale was decorated by his predecessor, Prof Joseph Ajienka.

The new VC promised to turnaround the fortune of the institution by ensuring improved academic excellence, research, human resources development as well as structural development, among others.

Lale said: "On my part, I promise this solemn assembly and all that stakeholders - the Governing Coun-

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

cil, university community, students and Nigerians that I will commit myself to actualising the lofty dreams of the university to become one of the world-class universities known for excellent teaching, ground breaking research, innovation, and creativity.

"I plan to take the university to the desired haven through rethinking the structures for driving our academic programmes, implementing creative resource-mobilisation strategies to fast-track infrastructural development; incentivising and motivating staff for sustained productivity by instituting a robust welfare scheme; promoting scholarship amongst staff and students and implementing strict discipline to stem the spate of unethical and unprofessional practice among staff and students."

Earlier in his address, Ajienka said the investiture of the new VC was the first of its kind in the history of the institution, urging him to reciprocate the honour done him by ensuring that

• Wigwe (left) being presented with the DSc. certificate by Ajienka at the event.

he moved the campus forward through sustained development.

"Today, this university will be making history in the investiture of the Eighth Vice-Chancellor. It is the first time we are hosting such an investiture in this university.

"We aptly commit him to leadership as it should be; leadership that starts under the progression, grace and guidance of the Almighty."

Ajienka also spoke of the institution's strategic plan of 2015-2020, which would cost N20.6 billion to implement.

Under his watch, he noted that UNIPORT was recently ranked first in Nigeria and number six in Africa in research and development, adding that it would continue to break new grounds in the area and others to sustain the position in the country and also improve in Africa.

• A group picture of ASUP members and awardees after the event.

T

HE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) chapter, has honoured some retired lecturers of the institution. They included the former deputy rector Mr Kolade Oshinowo.

The event was the maiden valedictory congress organised by the union.

Oshinowo advised workers, especially academics, to prepare for their retirement while in service.

Once in retirement, Oshinowo said, most people were forgotten except few productive ones who were relevant.

"Service is not for a lifetime," Oshinowo warned. "People should be conscious of time as lots of it is wasted

YABATECH ASUP fetes retirees

By Adegunle Olugbamila and Ajose Sehindemi

on unproductive things which should stop. Become an expert in your field, write books if you are in the arts; fabricate if you are in the engineering; just do something with time."

Oshinowo who was the special guest of honour, urged the lecturers to take advantage of opportunities like research and others they enjoy while in service, in addition to knowing when to retire.

“I retired when I was 60 despite inducements to stay," he added.

Chairman, ASUP, YABATECH Comrade Adeyemi Aromolaran gave reason for the event.

He said: "The purpose is to honour ourselves, in particular, our senior colleagues who are retiring after years of meritorious service to the college, and also to fraternise with our seniors that have left over 20,30,40 years ago.

"It was borne out of observation of the perceived indecent manner in which our members have been retiring after years of service without celebration.

"In ASUP-YABATECH lexicon, the

valedictory congress has come to stay as an annual event from now on."

The awards were divided into three: category one was for the elder statesmen, old retirees of over 10 years and above. The second was meant for past ASUP chairmen, while the immediate retirees comprised the third cadre.

Over 33 awards were presented to the retirees.

Aromolaran calls on YABATECH management to put in place a befitting annual retirement celebration of workers' years of service to the institution".

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri and Ibrahim Adam

Lagos, the Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) urged pupils to avoid criminal activities.

They made this appeal at the inaugural session of the mentorship platform project Nigeria organised by the African Youth Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP) in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Social Development, Lagos state.

The programme, aimed at commemorating the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, held at the Sam Shonibare Community Centre, Surulere, Lagos.

The theme was: "Let's develop our lives, our communities, our identities, without drugs."

Commissioner of Police, Lagos state, Kayode Aderanti, described drug trafficking as a major crime, which enhances other violence in the society, adding that the government should create more channel for mentors to educate students on crime reduction.

Represented by Edward Egbuka, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Area 'G' Commander, Ogba, Aderanti said: "This is the best time to groom you all to abstain from criminal activities because you are less than 17 or 18. And with all you hear today, you will know what is right for you. If you also have the fear of God, you will have a good mindset that this thing is wrong.

Watch you company, be focused and be committed because we have Presidents, Governors among you all.

"To our parents too, good name is better than gold. Try to teach them the importance of hard work, importance of diligence because the family is the building block of the children."

New chair for VCs’ committee

T

HE Committee of Vice Chancellors (CVC) has appointed Prof Adebiyi Daramola, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), as its chairman.

A letter conveying the appointment signed by Secretary-General of the committee, Prof Michael Faborode, reads in part: "I hereby write to inform you formally that at the special meeting of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities (CVC) held on Thursday, June 25, 2015 members unanimously appointed you as the new chairman, and by extension, the Chairman of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities comprising Vice Chancellors of federal, state and private universities in Nigeria.

“In line with the tradition of CVC, your appointment takes effect from August 18, 2015 when the serving chairman and his alternate, Professors Joseph Ajienka and Abubakar Rasheed would have completed their tenures.”

This appointment confers on Daramola the authority to represent both the CVC and the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) in all important meetings, functions and engagements that require the attention of the two bodies.

Faborode has also congratulated Daramola, assured him of the cooperation and support of the secretariat in ensuring the accomplishment of his vision during the period of his stewardship.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

28

EDUCATION

Scholarship changed my life, says KC’s best

A

T the twilight of his primary school education, Abraham Awamba, lost his father – eclipsing hopes of furthering his education.

His mother toiled day and night to fund his education and that of four other siblings.

Fast forward to today. Awamba has been guaranteed of sponsorship up to Ph.D level. He was one of the three best graduating students honoured during the valedictory service/speech and prize-giving day of King’s College, Lagos, last Saturday.

The 16-year-old could not hide his excitement as he shared his dreams of studying medicine with The Nation, thanking the Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation (DOAMF) for making it possible through a sponsor.

“I am happy, excited and above all thankful to DOAMF (Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation) for the opportunity they gave me. I never knew I would go to secondary school. Ours was a hopeless case because I can still remember how my mum would suffer to raise my primary school fees.

“But today, I didn’t just attend any school, I was sponsored and sent to one of the best schools, they have always provided my needs and ensured I lacked nothing.

“Today, I am a step closer to my dream of becoming a medical doctor.

I want to thank the foundation and also my sponsor for drying our tears.

I also want to tell other children who

By Precious Igbonwelundu

think all hope is lost that they should not give up.

Aside being one of the three best graduating students, Awamba won the Maria Ezenkwe Prize for the best graduating student in Biology; MTN prize for the best in English Language; Mrs. Owumi prize for the best in English and Otunba Dele Olapeju prize for best in English.

His journey to greatness His mother, Mrs. Bridget Awamba, said fortune smiled on her son after one of his primary school teachers discovered him.

“I was working at the primary school where my son attended. I assisted them with computer work.

One of his teachers discovered that he was a very intelligent boy. She knew I did not have money so she brought a form for scholarship one day for us to fill.

“After filling the form, my soon attended the interview by the DOAMF and he did well. That was how they started sponsoring.

“He was first sent to Saint Finbarrs Secondary School; he performed excellently there and was later transferred to King’s College where he completed his secondary educaqtion.

“I am grateful to DOAMF and to my son’s sponsor for giving him a life I could never have been able to afford. They gave him education and have promised to sponsor him to any level he wants to attend; I would not have been able to give him that.

•From left: Mr Alex Eyitene, Awamba, Mrs Akujobi, Mrs Awamba and Acting Programmes Manager, DOAMF, Ms. Sorochi Ugorji at the event.

‘I am grateful to DOAMF and to my son’s sponsor for giving him a life I could never have been able to afford. They gave him education and have promised to sponsor him to any level he wants to attend; I would not have been able to give him that’ A DOAMF board of trustee member, Mrs. Sotonye Akujobi, said Awamba is one of 74 poor but brilliant children the foundation has offered scholarships across the country. The children are sponsored by various members of the society to assist them achieve their dreams in life.

Mrs. Akujobi said that Awamba’s sponsor, who does not want to be named, was proud of him.

“Awamba is an intelligent child and so, it is a source of motivation for his sponsor. Aside being intelligent, he is well behaved,” she said.

Speaking at the programme, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala said that the Federal Government had invested in educational facilities, and teachertraining in the 104 unity colleges.

He also said that new teachers are being employed and posted to the schools.

“New teaching staff have also been recruited to address the shortage of teachers in the Federal Unity Colleges. ICT and Trade subjects for entrepreneurship as compulsory cross-cutting core subjects have been introduced,” he said.

Earlier in his address, Principal of the college, Mr Oladele Olapeju, expressed concern over

government’s policies on education which he said tend to lay undue emphasis on examinations to the detriment of knowledge acquisition.

“While agreeing that examination is essential in measuring learning achievement, the situation is very disturbing as our graduating students spend almost five months crisscrossing one examination hall to the other with barely little time to study.

The experience is too harrowing and on the long run costly to knowledge acquisition.

“The Joined Admissions and Matriculation Board must strive to adjust its examination date to July ending every year in order to allow the final year students concentrate on their studies,’’ he said.

Parents urged to do their part

P

•Cross section of graduands of Roshallom International Secondary School, at the 14th Valedictory Service and Prize-Giving ceremony of the school.

University not the ultimate, graduands told

U

SUALLY, during graduations, graduands are counseled to go to the university so as to become doctors, pilots, engineers or take up other juicy professions.

But this was not the case at the 2015 graduation of Pacific Comprehensive College, Shasha, Akowonjo where pupils were told to pursue their dreams no matter what it is.

Held at the college's multipurpose hall the graduation was well attended by parents and well wishers.

The school's chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr Omosowon Remi, told parents present that while university education is desirable, it is not the only option.

"There are options in entrepreneurship, being an artist, sportsman or women, musician, dancer, writer, and many others.

Help your wards discover his or her

By Medinat Kanabe

area of strength and where his or her passion lies. In the choice of an appropriate career and be supportive to them at all times," he said.

He said the school takes entrepreneurship programmes for their students including electronic, garment-making, data processing and book keeping very seriously.

"Book keeping is very important because every successful person no matter their profession must be able to understand records so that their accountants will not cook up figures and cheat them," he said.

He advised the graduands to persevere, follow their passion, be creative, learn from others' experiences of when making any major decision, and dream.

On his part, the principal, Mr Mekwunye Andrew, said education is a means to an end but not the end

itself.

"You may have played in the school team as a footballer but now you are going to play against the world. You do not need to recite all the laws in Physics and Chemistry to be celebrated. If your calling is in music, drama, comedy, dancing or sports do not hesitate to go for it. Plan you goals in your area of strength and you will succeed," he said.

One of high points of the event was the presentation of prizes. The best graduating pupil, Akinrinlola Daniel got N88, 000 for being best in English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Further Maths and Civic Education.

In an interview, Daniel, who is the outgoing head-boy said he intends to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the university in order to help develop the value of electronics and electrical appliances in Nigeria.

RINCIPAL of the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, Rev Chris Ugorji, was excited about sending off the first set of SS3 pupils since assuming office last August.

The graduands, over 500 of them, were gaily dressed in blue blazers on white. Proud parents, who looked their best also turned out in large numbers to celebrate the most significant day that marked the end of their wards' secondary school education.

The event was graced by a long line of dignitaries from the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, the private sector and host community.

Ugorji's 24-page report ended with an admonishment to the graduands to allow themselves be guided by God to succeed in life.

"To our students who are passing out, congratulations for completing your secondary education in this great college. Remember as you leave this college, you are stepping into an outside world full of challenges. Brace up to face the challenges and overcome them because there lies your success in life. Let the Spirit of God be your guide. Be disciplined at all times; be good ambassadors of the college, so that you can be useful to yourself and the society at large.

May God bless you," he said.

However, Ugorji also had a word for parents, cautioning them against abandoning their wards for the school.

He said: "Our message to our parents today is that they must continue to train their children both in character at home so that when they come to the colleges, we will have less work to do. Many of our parents have left their children to

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

the teachers alone, we are all stake holders; many of our parents are doing it but majority are still not doing it. But I am sure with what we are doing on ground here, as we continue to continuosly preach.

Parent will begin to take their place in their homes for their children In his address, the Director, Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, Mr Chike Uwaezuoke, praised the principal for improving the infrastructure of the school.

"Moving round the college, it is evident that infrastructural development is receiving prime attention as the college is definitely wearing a new look with remarkable improvement in the general environment when compared with the previous years," he said.

His counsel to the graduands was that they should make use of all they learnt in the college.

Also speaking, the Director, Technical and Science Education, FME, Dr Rosetta Isiavwe, underscored the importance of the science and technical education the graduands had received.

"Science and Technology education is very important for the development of any nation. Many developed nations are able to achieve so much because of science and technology.

Today, we communicate daily with our friends, relatives and loved ones on phone. This is a product of science and technology education.

Therefore, as you go into the larger society, I challenge you to think more about what you can contribute to the development of your country, Nigeria," she said.

‘Why medical students should play politics’

Towards a conducive climate Page 31

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

Page 34

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

The return of students’ unionism at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has given birth to three ideological groups, which have a large students’ followership. The school does not recognise the groups. Their members must respect the law to operate on the campus, write CHIMA AZUBUIKE, DIPO MOHAMMED and VICTOR AGBOOLA (400-Level Philosophy).

Union of many strands T

HE return of students’ unionism at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), after a 10-year ban, has given rise to a new political culture.

Some political tendencies with contradicting ideologies have emerged. The aim is to grab power for the good of students.

Three groups – the Progressive, the Redemption and the Transformation - constitute the major political teams on campus. They were founded to provide sustainable and pragmatic leadership for students.

Their influence is reflecting on politically-inclined students. Their support base is becoming wider because of the support they have on the campus. Although the groups have distinct ideological orientations, they collaborate to forge a common front in elections.

Despite winning the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election, the Progressive believes it could only lead by collaborating with the Transformation group, which has only a member in the executive. The groups have become a melting pot for achieving the union’s objectives.

The groups started at the Faculty of Social Sciences, which is reputed on campus as the home of union politics. They spread to other faculties and became political parties of sort. The Redemption group is believed to be a “child of necessity”, which was formed to stabilise the emerging ideological blocks.

Investigation by CAMPUSLIFE showed that each ideological group was formed to insulate the union from management influence. It is believed that any student-leader who hobnobs with the school authorities would lose students’ support.

The Progressive Chairman, Surajudeen Adebakin, a 300-Level Psychology student, described the

•The UNILAG union parliament building

‘The Progressive maintains good communication, because when people say things, they have to say it in the right way.

The group is made up of students with high intellect and individuals of high political pedigree, who are not only focused on service delivery but have good conduct and ideals’ group as a political forum that develops students for leadership. He said the aim of the group could be understood from its slogan: “leadership for service”.

Surajudeen pointed out that the Progressive is a platform for students to learn the art of politics, maintaining that the group is ideologically-inclined and politically

structured. According to him, diplomacy remains a key point of the group’s ideals.

He said: “The Progressive maintains good communication, because when people say things, they have to say it in the right way. The group is made up of students with high intellect and individuals of high political pedigree, who are not only focused on service delivery but have good conduct and ideals.”

The Transformation General Secretary, Gbenga Ogunjimi, a 200Level Psychology student, said the group comprises those, who believe politics is a purpose-driven

venture, to maintain high discipline, transparency and accountability as core values.

He said the group derived its philosophy from the necessity that gave rise to the change slogan in the country. He said: “We see elective offices as a trust. The process of nominating a candidate for election is based on recommendations of committee of enquiry, which is set up to investigate the conduct and achievements of candidates.

We do this to restore values to our unionism.”

•Continued on page 29

•Cleric cautions Corps members against homosexuality-P32 •Stop meddling in unionism, NANS tells authorities-P33

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

30

CAMPUS LIFE

Appointment of Vice Chancellors

“P

URSUANT to the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous

Provisions) Act No.11 of 1993 as amended

by Decree No.25, 1996 and further amended in 2003 and 2012 respectively and other agreements as contained in the 2009 FGN-Staff Union Agreement, the Governing Council of the University of…”

Whenever one sees the above statement, we know the office of the vice chancellor (VC) of the university in question is about to become vacant. But as most of us are aware, the appointment of a vice chancellor, as “simple” as it may look, has all the trappings of the Nigerian scenario rolled up in one. From the traditional ruler of the host community, chancellor and pro chancellor to the state governor and presidency, the “competition” is often stiff.

In some cases, it is not always the best qualified candidate that is selected because politics and ethnicity play a fundamental part. Except for some of the VCs of the new varsities established during the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan, most, if not all are often indigenes of where the varsity is located.

It was reported last month that lecturers under the aegis of the Cross River Northern Senatorial Zone Academics at the University of Calabar, Cross River State wrote a letter to the state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, titled: “The vice-chancellorship of the University of Calabar Justice for the Northern Senatorial Zone.”

With this letter, they have succeeded in adding another twist to an already complex selection process.

In the letter, they raised “the alarm” over plans to sideline candidates from the region for the position of the institution’s vice-chancellor. The tenure of the incumbent vice-chancellor, Prof.

James Epoke, expires in December 2015.

The lecturers are towing this line because they claim the senatorial district has not produced any VC since the inception of the university in 1975. The letter signed by the chairman and secretary of the body, Prof. Edde Iji and Dr. Liwhu Betiang respectively said the move to raise the bar on the requisite experience of eligible candidates from five to ten

years was to sideline conwith testants from the northern district. ”While it is an estab08116759750 lished academic tradition (SMS only) that whoever is to be con•aagboa@gmail.com sidered as the vice-chancellor must be a professor, the details of years of experience as one and other prerequisite are 1948 and the early 1980s. My reading of the drawn by the governing council, taking etiology of the malaise is the entrance of into cognisance the peculiarity of the unistate universities into the university eduversity. It is for that reason that the years cation space with state governments insistof experience as a professor for appointing that vice-chancellors should be indiment of vice-chancellor vary from univergenes of the state with other principal ofsity to university. Thus, in the University ficers shared among senatorial districts. of Calabar, it has ranged from five to seven This gradually spread to federal varsities with the present vice-chancellor being when governors started pressurising the seven as professor as of the time of his federal government to appoint indigenes appointment in 2010.” The letter read in as VCs. What we see being played out in part.

Cross River is also applicable in Benue and This is where we are today. But it got other states where there are zones or ethme thinking how we arrived at this state nic groups that have not produced VCs for where academics who are supposed to be federal varsities. global citizens in outlook suddenly beThis is the singular reason why the apcome clannish in disposition. Is it politics pointment of VCs has become very controor our unique environment that versial; resulting in ethnic groups coming oftentimes constructs, or deconstruct, the together to “fight” one another once there way we reason? What has zone, state of is the need for a new VC. The issue also put origin, ethnicity or religion got to do with VCs under pressure, especially during reacademic excellence? cruitment of staff and admission of stuI recall that most of the vice-chancellors dents. The greatest of these challenges lies that were appointed before we arrived at in curbing mediocrity in the system. this sorry state served outside their states Again, it reflects the insularity that is eviof origin and they did well. The list indent in the nation’s politics in which there cludes Prof. Akinkugbe, a Yoruba who are no rooms for “non-indigenes,” even in served as the VC of the Ahmadu Bello states they have domiciled since birth. It is University, Zaria. Prof Adamu Baikie, a however not a general thing because some Northerner, who served successfully as VCs stand their grounds in the areas of the VC of the University of Benin, he even competence, merit and intellectual develgot a second term; Prof. J. Ezeilo, an Igbo opment. But when the system insists an inand Christian, who served as the VC of digene gets the job, what it means is that the Bayero University in Kano. the post will go to the lowest intra-facOthers were Prof. Essien-Udom, an tional consensus. This lowers the quality Ibibio, who was at the University of of governance and academic delivery in Maiduguri. Late Prof. Tekena Tamuno, an such a varsity.

Ijaw, who served as the VC of the UniverI however need to point out here that sity of Ibadan; Prof. Onwuemechili, an there is nothing wrong in having an indiIgbo, who was at the University of Ife as gene appointed as VC if his/her selection the VC; and Prof. Ayandele, a Yoruba, who is purely on academic and managerial served as the VC of the University of Calamerit and not because it is now ‘the turn of bar.” an indigene.’ But unfortunately, the latter I’m of the opinion that the current phecriterion currently holds sway in almost nomenon is a blight which is affecting all of our varsities. good governance for which the Nigerian Apart from pressurising the presidency university system was noted for between and governors, the local communities, es-

Union of many strands •Continued on page 29

On the groups’ strategy for future political participation, Gbenga said Transformation’s immediate goal is to spread its tentacles across faculties.

Redemption was founded before the inauguration of the union parliament to redirect power struggle and position its members for election into the parliament.

Its Chairman, Olawale Dasaolu, a 500-Level Law student, said members felt students were divided, hence, the need to balance the political tendencies. Olawale said equality was the key point in forming the group. He said: “The level of acceptance by students determines the level of success of a political group. We believe offices of the Students’ Union should be shared demographically, in a way that will give all faculties and Halls of Residence equal and adequate representation.”

While the groups have their objectives and programmes, their legitimacy remains questionable.

The Deputy Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Karo Ogbinaka, said the groups are illegal. The constitution of the union, he said, does not recognise any group.

Ogbinaka said the groups could

Pushing Out

not prevent non-ideological students from standing for election.

He said the institution would not stop students from forming political groups, if they conduct themselves well.

Political groups, he said, would evolve in any society, adding that it is important to check if the ideologies and manifestos of the groups are beneficial to students to enable them garner support.

He said: “So long as they have not broken the rules, there is no problem with any student or group of students proclaiming ideology. If the activities of the political groups become a culture, students will be able to form coalition, which is a good thing. But students must be vigilant so that the groups will not be hijacked by unscrupulous elements seeking any available platform to cause trouble and breed unhealthy rivalry them.”

While the groups are not recognised by the school, they draw a large students’ followership.

Each group shares similar aspirations, goals and ideologies with the other. The aims are geared towards providing quality representation for students.

Agbo Agbo

pecially the traditional rulers also put enormous pressures on university councils whose recommendations the government relies upon in ratifying appointments.

Most council buckles under the pressure and appoints the indigene – qualified or not. The indigene vice-chancellor, in turn, shares academic and other appointments among members of staff from local governments in the state and the university is turned into a shamefully parochial institution with merit grossly compromised.

We should also not forget that patronage of the traditional rulers, who pressed for the appointment, is a necessary payback through contracts and admission of less-qualified candidates from the community. If we are looking for one of the factors negatively affecting good governance in the Nigerian university system and depressing quality of the delivery system, we should seriously look at this vexed issue of indigene vice-chancellor.

Is it surprising that we are always missing from the global rankings of varsities?

The pattern we’ve consciously or unconsciously adopted is definitely inimical to the growth of excellence, which the ivory towers represent. The world will not succumb to a “Nigerian standard” because we want to adapt our system to “local sensibilities” in a sector that plays on globally defined standards. Reducing the loftier academic-cum-administrative position to ethno-religious and municipal enclaves is akin to sacrificing merit on the altar of mediocrity.

It has finally caught up with us and it is plain for all to see. Our graduates are nothing to write home about; the system is in an all-time low with majority of our lecturers sending their children or wards to foreign varsities because they know what we have here are “Jankara” varsities where standards have fallen drastically.

The appointment into the office of VC – who must be a man or woman of moral and intellectual integrity – should transcend ethnic or religious politics. There is the need for contestants to have a level playing field. But my worry is that the way the system is structured now, I doubt whether we can achieve this in the actual sense.

But we cannot continue like this. We need to look ourselves straight in the eye and tell ourselves the home truth; the system can never make headway if we continue to celebrate mediocrity in whatever form we try to justify it.

His tenure as Lagos State University Students’ Union Government (LASU SUG) president was marred by struggles against fee hike, which forced the government to revert to the old fee. Nurudeen Yusuf, a 500-Level Law student, wants to take a shot at Southwest leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). He tells SIKIRU AKINOLA what he intends to achieve if elected.

‘I’ll restore students’ confidence in NANS’

Y

OU have handed over as Lagos State University (LASU) Students’ Union Government (SUG) president. Why do you want to lead students in the Southwest?

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is at a crossroads in the Southwest, which was once seen as the most vibrant zone.

My aspiration is a beacon of hope, because NANS in this part of the country has not lived up to its billings.

The dreams of our past leaders that inspired vibrant unionism have been smothered. Today, thousands of students have looked away in disillusionment and frustration.

The leadership has failed to provide an enabling environment for

students to show their leadership skills and academic prowess.

The minimum acceptable standard of leadership should be to improve the level of intellectual culture of the students, starting from the most basic form of education to the higher institutions. Leaders must also be able to protect students against victimisation and unlawful expulsion. Given the experience I had as president of LASU Students’ Union Government (SUG), I believe I am competent to restore confidence in NANS. I intend to offer a responsible and responsive leadership, having satisfied the requirements of the association and the electoral laws.

How do you plan to scale the hurdle, given that students from

•Nurudeen

Lagos State and Obafemi Awolowo universities are seen as too ideological for NANS leadership?

First, Lagos is the Centre of Excellence, while Ile-Ife is the cradle of Yoruba civilisation. These uncommon features resonate in whoever is taking the gauntlet of leadership from these axes. The exemplary leadership qualities students from these places have are easily seen anywhere. But, we will not fold our arms while some people plan to abort our common destiny. I am the only one, who is running normal academic programme among the candidates. We cannot continue to entrust our leadership in the hands of people whose studentship has question mark.

•Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

31

CAMPUS LIFE No fewer than 200 secondary schools pupils in Kwara State converged on the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) for a training organised by Plant-for-the-Planet on how they can promote a friendly ecosystem through tree planting. WALE AJETUNMOBI reports.

Towards a conducive climate

I

N the past two decades, scientists have been warning of the dire consequences of the rising temperature of the earth, which has led to global warming. The presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and deforestation have been identified as the salient causes of climate change.

With many countries seemingly unconcerned about arresting the situation, several bodies are rising to the challenge, to raise awareness about the consequences of global warming solution and to seek solution to it. Such is the aim of Plantfor-the-Planet, a children’s initiative founded in 2007 in Germany by Felix Finkbeiner. Its objective is to mobilise young volunteers for tree-planting in communities to combat climate crisis.

Last week, a group of young men was at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) to sensitise and train secondary school pupils in Kwara State on how they could promote green climate in their communities.

The event held at the basement of the university auditorium was attended by about 200 primary and secondary school pupils.

Facilitators at the training included Dr Raheem Usman of UNILORIN’s Department of Geography and Environmental Management, and Dr Fola Babalola, a lecturer at the Department of Forest Resources Management.

During the training, the participants were educated on the causes, effects and solutions to bad climate facing the world. They were also sensitised on the importance of tree planting within their environment.

The earth, Usman told the pupils, consist of the air, water, land and living things, stressing that an injury to any of the components would cause injury to the other constituents. He noted that climate change was caused by the large amount of carbon monoxide emission

•Participants with the event’s facilitators after the session

in the air by vehicles, airplanes, power plants and manufacturing companies.

The lecturer warned that the earth would be unsafe for human beings and animals if adequate measures were not taken to curb the menace of climate change occasioned by the increasing temperature of the earth.

The condition, he said, is causing the melting of glaciers (ocean ice) and rising water level.

The environmentalist, however, said massive planting of trees was the easiest and cheapest solution to solve climate crises, noting that trees have the ability to absorb the carbon monoxide being released into the atmosphere through human and industrial activities.

On his part, Babalola said human beings, through their activities over the years, have produced more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, making it thicker and causing earth temperature to rise.

He listed the consequences of climate change to include flooding, wildfire, constant droughts, shortage of food and potable water and extreme weather conditions.

He said: “Rising sea level will force hundreds of thousands of people in coastal zones to migrate to areas with better living conditions, which would eventually lead to overcrowding in these areas.”

Babalola disclosed that 175 million

•A pupils demonstrating how to plant a tree to his colleagues during the training

children are affected by climateinduced natural disasters yearly, saying: “Many of the deadly diseases, which affect children, such as malaria, diarrhoea and malnutrition are highly sensitive to climatic conditions threatening survival and healthcare.”

The Forest Resources Management expert said the best way to curb the effects of climate change was for people to engage in tree planting, noting that trees would convert the oxide of carbon in the atmosphere

into less harmful oxygen.

He added: “To reverse the present condition of the climate, people must stop deforestation and embrace sustainable afforestation.”

After the seminar, the facilitators engaged the participants in training session, where they were taught how to properly plant trees. The participants were certified as Global Climate Justice Ambassadors.

The programme Co-ordinator, Wale Bakare, said the ambassadors

were expected to raise awareness and educate their peers about climate crisis. He said: “They also have a goal of planting one million trees in the country to make it habitable for humanity and other living organism.

The Climate Justice Ambassadors are members of a global children’s network, who make a real difference by planting trees, talking to their young people and adults about climate change, conserving energy and inspiring people to care and act now for their future.”

Some students of higher institutions, under the aegis of Great Minders Organisation, have donated materials to orphans and street kids. OLATUNJI AWE (400-Level Political Science, Ekiti State University) reports.

Students with hearts of gold I TS interest lies in empowering the young to build a better nation.

Penultimate Saturday, Great Minders Youth Organisation, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) comprising students of higher institutions, fed scores of orphans and street kids in its charity programme tagged: Feed a market child.

The event, held in Ilawe Ekiti, started with the NGO members’ visit to the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade, in his palace.

The monarch praised the students for initiating the idea to feed market children, noting that he was pleased to see youths floating good initiative to promote the ideals of the nation. The traditional ruler promised to support the project, noting he has similar initiative to help and support the needy within his town.

The NGO president, Temitope Awelewa, a 500-Level Geology student of Ekiti State University (EKSU), said his team considered it imperative to visit the monarch as one who has passion for youth development initiative.

The students presented Oba Ajibade’s a portrait of himself as gift for his passion for youth development.

Afterwards, the team moved to OkeEmo Hall in the community to meet the children. There was a seminar anchored by the team women leader, Opeyemi Ajetomobi, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, where the children were told the importance of education.

The event featured contest, games and picnic, where the children had the opportunity to interact and share their thoughts on various issues.

The highpoint was the distribution of food items, school uniforms, writing materials, shoes and toiletries to 30 of the children adopted by the NGO. Temitope said the initiative was borne out of the members’ passion to uplift the less privileged in rural communities. He said many children in villages go to school twice in a week and spend the rest of the week in markets, looking for daily bread.

He revealed that many of the students were taken back to school through the project are the best in their classes. This, he said, made the NGO adopted the 32 orphans, with the aim to provide their basic needs and give proper mentoring.

Opeyemi said she thought the idea

was not feasible when she learnt about it, given the stress and resources involved to travel round rural communities. “But, considering the Temitope’s extraordinary leadership and passion, I accepted to be part of it and gave it a try. I am happy we are affecting children’s lives positively,” she said.

Kayode Oshinubi, a graduate of EKSU and a member of the NGO, said: “The activities of the organisation need support and encouragement from members of the public. We need to make maximum impact on children to ensure they grow to become responsible people. Change cannot just happen; it must begin with individual’s effort to cause the change.

That students of higher institution can embark on this project is uncommon and courageous.”

Deborah Jemiyo, a 300-Level Agriculture student of EKSU, said she was impressed when she was told about the activities of the NGO. “I did not hesitate to join the group because we share the same passion,” she said. She urged affluent people support the initiative to raise a poverty-free generation of children.

•Temitope presenting the portrait to Oba Ajibade

•Members of the group giving food materials to one of the orphans

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

32

CAMPUS LIFE Cleric cautions Corps members against homosexuality

P

ASTOR Niyi Haastrup of House on the Rock Church in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has advised youths not to practice homosexuality. The cleric spoke at a send-off for Batch B National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

Haastrup cautioned the youth against the practice, saying it was sign of the end time. The pastor described as devilish, the practice of a man marrying another man, noting that God’s wrath would descend on anyone practising sodomy.

He said: “We should not conform to practice of certain nation of the world or believe in what the world believes about same-sex marriage. It is a sin and God forbids it. We should not tread the path of the street boys and girls who sell their bodies to men and sell their souls to the devil.

Some of them do that for money while others do that to glorify the Devil. Let your mindset be instructed by the word of God.”

From Emmanuel Shebbs

UNICAL The cleric urged the outgoing Corps members to use their skills for godly cause, saying: “There is a belief that Christians are dullards and they don’t come first in whatever they do. That is a lie. The bible said, greater is He that lives in you. You will explore the world, because you have the blessing of God that saw you through school.”

The compere, Ms Faith Ukpai, gave the Corps members an opportunity to share their experiences in Calabar during their service year.

The event featured the music ministration by Kelvin Sap, Moses Umoh’s crew, Vighor and Co., among others. Adviser, a Port Harcourt-based comedian and one of the Corps members, entertained the audience.

During the thanksgiving service, which followed the event, Haastrup blessed the youth, advising them to

•Haastrup (third left) with the Corps members after the thanksgiving

remember God as they go out to look for job.

Some of the Corps members, who excelled in their academics, were

given cheques of N15,000 to encourage them. Haastrup said: “We need to encourage Christian students to

study hard. We don’t just care about your spiritual life; we also need to care about the academic achievement of our students.”

CAMPUSLIFE man gets multipe awards

A

•Okonkwo (right), with Prof Ogbuagu (middle) and a staff of the bank during the visit.

Provost seeks students’ support

P

ROVOST of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, has said his vision is to make the college the best in the country. The dream, he said, is achievable with the support of the staff and students.

He spoke at an interactive session with the students on the campus last week. The provost earlier received the top management staff of Fidelity Bank Plc, led by the Managing Director, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo.

Ogbuagu, a professor of Industrial Chemistry, said his administration had recorded progress in the college, urging for more support from students.

He advised students to stop the excessive use of social media, saying many were being distracted from

From Emeka Chukwuemeka UMUNZE their studies because of their addiction to social media. He said students must resist the temptation to engage in anti-social activities, warning them against indecent dressing, cheating and exam malpractices.

The provost said the management would not hesitate to punish the offenders, saying: “We shall expel such student whose behavior does not conform to the laid down rules of the college.”

He assured that the college would not renege on its duty to offer students support to enable them actualise their dreams. He observed that the only way for students to succeed academically is by studying hard, doing assignments and being punc-

tual at lectures.

He said scholarship would be given to best students at the end of every session, to encourage students to work hard.

He said he was satisfied with his achievements in the past years in office, promising to pursue his programmes aggressively to make his administration attain its goals.

Responding on behalf students, Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, Raphael Ezeonyedika, hailed the provost and his team for creating time to interact with students and listening to their challenges. He pledged students would not disappoint the management, expressing optimism that the meeting would help students understand the college’s leadership.

UNN hosts young astronomers programme

T

HE University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is hosting the international Special Astronomy Summer School (SASS) for young astronomers. The programme is an initiative of the institution’s Centre for Basic Space Science.

The workshop is designed to train young astronomers among engineering and science students.

Interested lecturers and postgraduate students are also free to participate in the programmes.

According to a statement by the Head, Public Relations Unit, Mr Chigozie Wali, the workshop would hold between July 13 and 18. It is being organised in collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Canadian Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA), Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and

From Oladele Oge

ENUGU Astrophysics, University of Toronto, Canada and Astronomy for Development in Cape Town, South Africa.

Wali said the motive behind the programmes was to promote brilliancy among young astronomers and researchers in the area of space research.

He said: “The astronomers and space scientists experts, such as Prof Fidelix Opara and Emeritus Prof Pius Okeke are among the set of instructors to receive the international participants on behalf of the centre.

“Other participants include the representatives of the federal and state ministries of Science and Technology and Director General of NASRDA, Prof Sheidu Mohammed.”

CAMPUSLIFE reporter has emerged as one of the best Corps members in Enugu State. Emmanuel Ahanonu won multiple awards during the passing-out ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) held at Okpara Square in Enugu.

Emmanuel, a graduate of Political Science at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), was one of the 10 outstanding Batch “B” Corps members honoured for their good conduct and lifechanging Community Development Service (CDS) projects. He served in Community High School in Emene Local Government Area of the state.

Emmanuel said he had always nurtured a desire to affect people’s lives positively, noting that NYSC gave him an opportunity to actualise his dream.

He said: “It has been my dream that if I have an opportunity, I will give my best to my fatherland in terms of selfless service.

Today is a remarkable day in my life.”

He said he was moved by the lack of basic human needs in his host community and embarked on the projects that earned him the awards.

Some of his CDS projects in-

Borehole for school

M

•Wali

EMBERS of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai chapter of the National Association of Niger State Students (NANIS) have pooled resources to sink a borehole in Kobo campus.

The borehole is the first major developmental project embarked upon by the association since its inception. It was sunk to alleviate students’ water challenge.

Students hailed the project, describing it as selfless gesture.

Amina Lawal, a 200-Level Science Education student, said water shortage had been a challenge in the school since it was established. She said the borehole would lessen the burden of students in getting water.

Isaiah Iliya, a 100-Level Sports

From Jennifer Umeh

ENUGU cluded vocational training for pupils on how to knit sweaters and design beads, donation of press boards to schools, establishment of press clubs in four secondary schools and two higher institutions, organising extramural classes twice a week and initiating new ideas as the head of Editorial and Publicity CDS group.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi praised the Corps members for their life-changing projects, saying their contributions to the development of the state would not be forgotten. He pledged his administration’s commitment to partnership with the NYSC. The NYSC Co-ordinator, Mrs N.E. Ukagha, assured that the body would continue to reward excellent service, diligence, hard work and outstanding performance by Corps members. She urged Corps members to continue to show faith in the corporate existence of Nigeria and engage in acts that would promote national unity, peace and development.

Emmanuel was also honoured as Best Corps Member and Most Outstanding Corps Member in Emene. He dedicated the awards to God and his colleagues.

From Joy Hananiya

IBBU Science student, said: “I am very proud of NANIS for embarking on the borehole project. I just hope others would see this as an example of the things they should be doing to complement the management’s effort to provide basic amenities.”

Habiba Abdulmalik, Vice President of the association, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE on behalf of the president, Ahmed Abdullahi, praised the management for supporting the association’s move.

She said: “We came up with the idea of the borehole and we wrote to the authority for a place to sink it. Since there is a borehole in permanent site, which was provided by the Students’ Union Government (SUG), we thought the Kobo campus should have one too.” She promised the association would do more to leave a lasting legacy.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE Association canvasses clean environment

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•The beneficiaries with the old students

Pupils get old students’ scholarship

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IX pupils of Opi High School in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have been offered scholarship by old students of Opi High School.

The old students were in the school to meet the management on the areas they could support their alma mater. Mr Victor Ezea, a Mathematics and Business Studies teacher, told them that the pupils have a phobia for Mathematics and lacked necessary textbooks.

The old boys moved round the classrooms to sensitise the pupils on the need to focus on their studies. They held mock examination for the pupils in Mathematics and English Language to select those to benefit from the scholarship.

The old students said they chose

From Emmanuel Ahanonu

ENUGU the two subjects, because they are core subjects required for admission into higher institution.

After the examination, six pupils, who scored highest marks, were offered scholarship. Others, who had higher scores, were presented with dictionary and textbooks. The school principal, Mr Ofor Ogbonna, described the beneficiaries as “lucky ones”. He hailed the old students for the gesture, saying they were making the school to be proud of them.

Kingsley Isiani, Students’ Union Government (SUG) president of Institute of Management Technology (IMT) in Enugu, who attended the school 10 years ago, advised the

pupils to be of good conduct. He said: “It is only through hard work that you can achieve your dreams.”

Some of the winners in junior school who received books include Harrison Ezia, Aboy Odinaka, Uchenna Ona, Chibuike Ugwuneze, Chiwendu Isiwu, Chukwuemeka Ezenwa and Chidinma Ocheni.

In senior school, the winners were awarded with one year scholarship in addition to books gifts.

They are Eberechukwu Asadu, Onyedikachi Nnadi, Uchenna Idogu, Nnenna Asogwu, Kingsley Duhu and Chidinma Ugwuanyi.

Mrs G.C. Eleje, a teacher, described the old students as worthy ambassadors. She prayed for more blessings upon them and their careers.

Varsity disowns social media advert

T

HE management of Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, has dissociated itself from a publication on social media, asking admission seekers to apply for its post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Principal Assistant Registrar (Admissions), Mr Tajudeen Salami, said the advertisement was fraudulent. He said: “Our attention has been drawn to an online publication that indicates that the univer-

From Yomi Ayeleso

AAUA sity has advertised its 2015/2016 post-UTME. The information did not emanate from the school but from unscrupulous elements using social media to defraud unsuspecting applicants. We have not advertised any examination because the committee handling the postUTME has not taken decision on what the cut-off mark would be.

“It is instructive to state that

Adekunle Ajasin University does not advertise on social media. The university advertises on its website and in print and electronic media.

We advise the general public to disregard such advert on social media; it did not emanate from the University.”

He advised applicants and the public to be wary of fraudsters.

Salami said the examination would be advertised at appropriate time on the usual media the school uses.

HE Associations of Society of Environmental and Health Science Students (ASEHSS) at the National Open University (NOUN) in Lagos, has advised Lagosians to maintain clean, safe and sustainable environment in their nighbourhood. This, according to the group’s President, Oshobhaseva Iyasele, would make the state free of diseases and sickness.

Iyasele spoke during the road beautification embarked on by the

Students celebrate birthdays

T

HIRD year students of History of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) born in June were celebrated penultimate week by their colleagues.

The students were led to the Faculty of Arts Lecture Theatre, where the event was held, by their course representative, Sunday Iroegbu.

It almost turned to a comic session when one of them, Natasha Awele, known as the Mommy of the department, took to the podium to describe the celebrators

From Sunny Ibeh Jnr

UNIBEN in flattery language.

But, the students were described as hard-working, intelligent, friendly and sincere. The event came to its climax with the cutting of cake by the celebrators in company of their friends. The celebrators include Chiamaka Anadu, David Iroegbu, Emmanuel Onose, Daniel Obiora, Celestine Okpalaugo and Glory Ugonma.

One of them, Chiamaka, said she was surprised by the display of

love by her colleagues, adding that she felt honoured. “I am really happy for this. I want to use this medium to thank my course mates for the honour,” she said.

Speaking after the event, President of the department’s association, Samson Chika, said the event was to promote unity and love among the 300-Level class. He said: “We are happy that the event came to reality. It is to foster love and unity amongst us and to honour the celebrators in our own way.”

NOUN association at FESTAC Town. He said: “A clean environment is the only way of solving the myriad of health challenges bedeviling the country. We must always keep our homes and environment free of germs.”

Iyasele appreciated former chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Ayodele Adewale, for his vision in transforming the council through strict adherence to environmental laws.

The association’s Vice President, James Ohiagbara, appealed to the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to create an enabling environment for students to contribute their quota to the development of state and the country. He advised residents to plant trees and maintain clean environment.

‘Most private varsities are profit-driven’

A

CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Anthony Adefuye, has raised alarm on the proliferation of private universities in the country. He said proprietors of the private schools are driven by profit rather than the purpose to impart knowledge.

The former lawmaker spoke during the Political Science Students Association (POSSA) Day at St. Augustine College of Education in Akoka, Lagos.

Adefuye said while the number of graduates in the country had been increasing, there are no jobs available for them. He advised parents to be careful of sending their children to universities where they would be turned to educated illiterates.

He said “Most of the private universities we have today are established to collect your money.

They have vast land, but with a few building on it. Most of these schools cannot produce students that can face the real challenge of the world. We have to be very

By Gbenga Aderanti careful.

“We must not be deceived by the noise they make about the universities. When we turn out too many students, everyone knows the principle of demand and supply in economics; we have so many graduates without good jobs.”

He praised the college students for their academic excellence, saying he was ready to employ graduates of the institution.

The students honoured Adefuye and former Lagos Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, for their brand of politics and leadership.

The POSSA president, Miss Onyinye Alozie, said, the association honoured the former Deputy Governor as Best Political Role Model, noting that it was during her time that Lagos was named Centre of Excellence. She described Ojikutu as an “Amazon who focuses mainly on giving back to the society”.

Stop meddling in unionism, NANS tells authorities

T

•Students celebrating with their colleagues

From Faruk Hamzat

HE Zone B arm of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the autonomy of Students’ Union Government (SUG) in higher institutions.

It condemned the practice of union leaders going through the management’s administrative chain for approval of funds and projects. NANS said it would not allow the subjugation of Student Representatives’ Council, which is empowered to give such approval.

In a statement by the zone’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Pedro Obi, NANS said SUG should have the freedom to run its affairs just as the workers’ unions.

Obi said: “The excuse by managements of higher institutions to check financial recklessness in Students’ Unions holds no water, because parliament is the only body empowered by union constitution to perform checks and balances on

From Temitope Yakubu

ABUJA executive in line with best practice.”

He warned the management of the Abia State University (ABSU) in Uturu to stop meddling in Students’ Union affairs, saying the conduct was affecting the smooth running of the union.

Pedro also condemned the action of the Rector of Delta State Polytechnic in Ogwashi Uku, Dr E. Mogekwu, for using security agencies to harass students’ leaders.

He said: “NANS demands from higher institutions’ managements to completely desist from meddling in the running of Students’ Union. It negates the philosophy which brought students’ unionism into existence. We are sounding a note of warning to all institutions involved in this crime to turn a new leaf or face the wrath of students.”

‘The excuse by managements of higher institutions to check financial recklessness in Students’ Unions holds no water, because parliament is the only body empowered by union constitution to perform checks and balances on executive in line with best practice’

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

34

CAMPUS LIFE Many medical students shy away from politics because of their academic workload. Is that wise? No, say participants at a summit organised by the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NiMSA). The participants argued that medical students lack leadership skills because they are apolitical, reports EDDY UWOGHIREN (300-Level Medicine and Surgery, University of Benin).

•Participants after the conference

‘Why medical students should play politics’ M

EDICAL students have been advised to participate in politics to acquire leadership skills for self development.

Dr Phillip Ugbodaga, former chairman of Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) made this plea at the Igbinedion University in Okada, Edo State penultimate week, during the maiden Leadership Summit organised by the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NiMSA).

Dr Ugbodaga spoke on Medicine and politics: Mentoring medical students for leadership, where he said medical profession lacked vibrant youth wing because students were not interested in politics. Noting that there was need for progressive leadership in the healthcare management system, Ugbodaga said there would be paradigm shift if students showed interest to fill the

vacuum.

He said: “Medical students and young doctors are seen as people who don’t need to socialise and engage in any other activities apart from medicine. Because of this, medical students receive no structured guidance about becoming effective community leaders; they only learn after leaving school. This is the reason students must take up leadership role while in school.”

Observing that other professions have representations in national politics, the former NMA chair said medical students were always conscious of academic workload they needed to cover. This, he said, was the reason they failed to develop their leadership skills.

“They just pass through medical school without any thing to hold on to. If we have enough doctors in the National Assembly, they will

push for laws that will improve healthcare delivery to Nigerians.

We have health bills pending without little hope it would be passed into law. The bill would benefit medical students, because it would encourage exchange programme,” he said.

Dr Amina Okhakhu, president of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) in the state, spoke on Medical career and life outside medicine: Finding a balance. She told students to always balance their studies with extracurricular activities they engage in.

She said: “In medical school, the struggle for a balance between academics and leadership role is usually a difficult task. Medical students in leadership position find reasons to question their choice to participate in politics when faced with the demands of leadership. At times,

medical students get disapproval from friends and lecturers to participate in politics. All these challenges reduce the number of medical students in leadership role on campus.”

While getting involved in leadership, Dr Okhakhu said students must not allow their primary aim in medical school to suffer.

Earlier, Stephani Oni-Ogunbor, NiMSA’s Vice President for Internal Affairs, said the declining participation of medical students in politics informed the programme.

She said the association had an objective to see that medical students getting involved in politics.

“During the summit, we seek to identify concerns and priorities with respect to leadership in medical practice. We will deliberate on possible components of successful leadership intervention for medi-

cal students and derive the possible means of integrating leadership training in the medical curriculum,”Stephani said.

The event also featured power summit, proposal writing session and fund raising. These were followed by a football match between the host and the delegates. The match ended 2-0 in favour of IUOMSA. There was also dinner and Red Cross training for the students.

Emmanuel Edigberhi, a participant from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), praised NiMSA for floating the summit. He said he was marvelled by the speakers’ message, adding that he was better equipped for leadership role. He said the summit provided him opportunity to relax and build friendship with other medical students.

counting of votes for Assistant General Secretary. It was gathered that about 40 ballot papers, which had one of the contestants’ name, Oluchi Ujoh, were imported into the ballot box.

Candidates’ agents raised the alarm, arguing that it was possible for the controversial ballot papers to be “neatly arranged” if someone had not cast multiple votes.

The attention of Nwoke was drawn to the development, which led to examination of the ballot papers.

Nwoke said there was no evidence to show that anyone cast more than one vote, ordering the ballots to be counted as valid votes.

At the end of the exercise, the Dean of Student Affairs, Mr Samuel Uzoanya, declared the results in

Abia varsity’s poll of controversy Abia State University (ABSU) Students’ Union Government has held its election, after months of delay. UCHECHUKWU AMANZE (100-Level Medicine and Surgery) and FAVOUR NNADI (300-Level Medical Laboratory Science) report.

T

HE Abia State University (ABSU) in Uturu was agog last Tuesday, for the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election.

But the exercise came after months of delay.

There was row over delay with some students accusing the president of being the brain behind it.

The development left the political atmosphere charged, as candidates jostling for positions groaned after they ran out of money to run their campaigns.

The poll was held amid uncertainty, which resulted from the delay. A day before the election, the candidates met with students at a forum where they reeled out their manifestoes. The exercise, held at the school auditorium, almost ended like a political rally, as candidates and their supporters disrupted the show with campaign

materials and songs.

The candidates, who spoke of their programmes, were cheered; those who gabbled were booed by opposition supporters.

On the day of the election, the contestants embarked on last– minute canvassing for votes. Security was tight on the campus. Security men frisked every student moving into the school to vote. It took hours for some students to gain access into the campus through the school gate.

The election was supposed to be held at the New Examination Hall, but the massive turn out of students made the electoral committee, led

by Students’ Affairs’ Officer, Mr Emma Nwoke, to change the venue to the school pavilion.

At 10am, accreditation of electorate started. The prerequisite for voting was the copy of school fee

•The ABSU gate

receipt. The voting started at noon and ended at 3pm, after which counting of votes followed. As the exercise went on, candidates’ supporters, who gathered a few meters away from the pavilion, jubilated as rumour milled round that their candidates were leading.

In the middle of the exercise, a controversy ensued, following the discovery of malpractice in the

•Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

35

CAMPUS LIFE

“G

“RATITUDE is what defines the humanity of the human being”-Elie

Wiesel In a country that stands in defiance to normality and rationality, be it in the realm of the physical or spiritual, every theory and theorem in history books have had to be re-written to accommodate the peculiarity of Nigeria. From economics to law, as well as the sciences, none seem to be spared as events have reduced them to mere conjectures.

An example is apt here: humans flying at nights from Sango in Southwest Nigeria to attend meetings inside a mango tree in Okija in the Southeast. Save the uniqueness of Nigeria, the gentry economist - whose name in those days makes males become feminists and females extremists in the genderequality business - would never have fallen so deep in the space of public opinion.

That a white edible food could be made from a dark pot still baffles our imaginations. So, the narrative of Moses and Pharaoh was not a mere thing of history confined to

I

T would appear a billion dollar question to any rational being if asked whether corruption can ever be eradicated in Nigeria. Surely, to many, that mission is like building castle in the air or embarking on a wild goose chase. But, I ask, why should a shadow of scepticism be cast on the prospect of exterminating this demon called corruption? Corruption is a demon which has shattered the nucleus of our moral fabric as a society.

Whether you like it or not, our beautiful land is now notoriously regarded as the haven or epicentre of corruption. And so shall it be, until the day we frontally wage a war against it. But, while we anticipate such an auspicious day, it is significant to assert that reasons abound as to why we have been unable to stamp out corruption in our land.

Chief among the reasons the corruption malaise seems unabated is our leaders’ perceptions towards corruption. The breeds of leaders who preside over our affairs possess a hackneyed perception on which act of economic malfeasance constitutes corruption. They are pitifully bereft of logic to discern between theft and corruption. Little wonder, our former President was credited to have described, in a media chat, that the looting of million or tril-

S

CHOOL systems around the globe face a challenge pertaining to the regulation of cell-phone use by students in schools. Without doubt, there are drawbacks and benefits of cell phone use. School administrators, teachers, parents, and students continue to struggle with policies on cell-phone use in schools since a ban is no longer accepted as the best policy.

The confiscation of cell phones, an initial reaction by school administrations, has been very controversial. Some schools take the phones from the students and never return them; others keep them until the end of the school day. In either case, parents are notified that their children have violated the school policy on the use of cell phones during school hours.

Although such confiscation policies were approved by school boards, some angry students and parents still resent the policy. In other strategies for dealing with cell phone use, some teachers require that phones be turned off in classrooms and placed out of

Jega and the parody of the dark pot the holy books. That a government who loathes democratic process would appoint a disciplined, cerebral and upright man like Prof Attahiru Jega is a confirmation of the correctness of Moses’s adventure in Egypt.

In an office previously occupied by feeble-minded men who submitted the noble mandate of electoral reforms and conducts to the whims and caprices of Abuja, Jega has shown the whole world that all hope is not lost in Nigeria. His conduct and disposition paved a way for sanity to prevail at the polls.

With Jega, the lost confidence has been regained as those individuals who had written us off did not only have a rethink, but withdrew their misguided theorem.

As Jega took a bow recently, it was imperative for President Muhammadu Buhari to make wide consultations on the appointment of a worthy successor as the country still has men of honour in abundance. If democracy is here to stay,

By Modiu Olaguro continuity in ideology and diligence at par with that of the Bayero academic must be the only yardstick.

Jega’s handling of the Indepen-

dent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was a never-ending battle between vision and mission; while vision stretches over time, its counterpart works on immediate gains. That the professor managed both is a testament to his administrative acumen as a man of the moment. His mission to conduct free, fair and credible elections was accomplished while his vision to strengthening the commission to become a force to reckon with among our national institutions was not left in abeyance.

In 2011, the first set of national elections was cancelled due to issues that showed the naivety of INEC which not only made Nigerians lose confidence in the process, but made them fume at the enormous resources that was spent on that futile exercise. Now we know that that singular decision by Jega and his team was a calculated attempt aimed at strengthening the electoral body.

That this year’s elections was a

better exercise than 2011 is no doubt. What better way to prove one’s worth by working to avoid previous mistakes? Election after election, poll after poll, it was evident Jega was hell-bent on making a bold statement that we can get it right in Nigeria.

With the introduction of the permanent voters’ card (PVC) and electronic card readers, Jega succeeded in making the voting process credible and largely hitch-free. Although he takes a bow while the job at INEC is still far from perfection, only the blind would fail to see that Jega left INEC better than he met it.That alone is a consolation.And as the noble prophet of Islam (SAW) said: “he who is not grateful to man will definitely not be grateful to God.”Having faithfully served Nigeria in the line of duty, you are hereby discharged and acquitted.

•Modiu is a Corps member, NYSC ILORIN

Why corruption persists lions of naira is just mere stealing. And if it was ever corruption, then America would know. That’s the height of folly, especially with our democratic experience.

Equally, the menace of unbridled impunity exhibited by our leaders has tremendously contributed to the alarming growth of corruption in our country. It is now a common sight to see our leaders disregarding arrest warrants blatantly as a result of their status or connection with an influential figure in the corridor of power. In the same vein, a situation whereby our leaders are immune to prosecution over glaring cases of gross misconduct is an injustice of the highest order.

It is as a result of the obnoxious immunity clause which shields our leaders from trial that they milk our treasury with reckless abandon.

Besides, another reason corruption has continued to defy total elimination is tied to the weak anti-corruption crusade and proliferation of toothlessanti-graft agencies.The ICPC, EFCC and other anti-graft agencies lack a clear-cut policy on stemming the tide of corruption. Rather than use

these statutory bodies effectively, our leaders are swiftly deploying them for political vendetta. Little wonder, cases on corrupt practicesusually do not stand the test of prosecution as they are silently swept under the carpet after achieving the sinister motive of witch-hunting.What is even bewildering is the fact that the modus operandi of the various anti-graft agencies is, by all estimation, contradictory.

Similarly, the lust for excessive materialism and ostentatious lifestyle is also a contributory factor to the growth of corruption.

In the era we live, the ultimate desire of most of our youths and leaders is to be endowed with all possible material luxuries such as posh cars, magnificent castles, ostentatious fashion and high-tech mobile gadgets.

In their obscureperspectives, these expensive items are what constitute success in life. The sermon of hard work, perseverance or dignity in labour is thrown to the dogs. As a result, the privileged minority pilfers our common patrimony in a bid to attain prosperity while leaving millions to wallow in excruciating poverty.

Furthermore, to say that corruption is now a norm and that it runs freely in our DNA will not be a conjecture, as virtually many Nigerians do not show contempt or disdain towards this diabolic vice.

In fact, those who have been convicted for money laundering are idolised, honoured with titles and celebrated as icons. The avalanche of drug barons, thieves and exconvicts who parade themselves as our governors, senators and lawmakers, bearstestimony to that effect. Mysteriously, fundamental facets of our human endeavours such as education, judiciary, marriage and religion have become permeated with the reek of corruption.

In the same light, the monetisation of our mainstream politics has done incalculable damage to the campaign and war against corruption. Thesituation whereby politiciansare forced to spend their wealth dishonestly, either by bribing crooked electoral officers or sharing bags of rice, branded attires and other essentialitems to the electorates is offensive.

Such acultureobviouslyfuels the aspirant’s urge to loot in their

Cell phone use by students

By Huzaifah Ashade sight; others label the phones and place them in a container on the teacher’s desk until the end of class.

Moreover, inappropriate use of the phones, especially for cheating during tests, has punishments ranging from reduction of the score by a particular percentage to failure of the exam. Disrupting class with texting, playing video games, inappropriately using the photo features, or receiving calls can affect students’ participation in class as well as grades. Not all parents want the schools to control phone use.

Some cell phone providers offer tools for parents to control phone usage, carefully customised for each child on the plan. Some parents prefer to be the ones having maximum control over their children’s cell phone use instead of school authorities. Effective monitoring and safety are the main reasons

parents want their childrento to have access to cell phones during school hours. Many parents recognise the distractions cell phones can create in the classroom, and are concerned about mobile access to inappropriate content.

Recent research has revealed that texting in class, in lecture rooms, library etc, has become asignificant problem in schools.

A recent university study found that 90% of collegestudents surveyed admitted texting during class. Some even admitted sending messagesduringtests.

This rampant abuse has led some professors to ban phones during tests orlectures. One of my professors once warned us that if he ever gets to see a phone in a student’s possession during a test,the owner would automatically fail the test, whether the phone was in use or not.Severe penalties like scoring zero in a test, as cautioned by my professor, go beyond the classroom.

It is a question that keeps some

parents awake at night. Should their children be allowed to take mobile phones to school? Now economists claim to have an answer. For parents who want to boost their children’s academic prospects, it is no.Cell phones, and especially smartphones, can present considerable distraction to their owners and nearby classmates. Distractions come in the form of text messages, phone calls, unrestricted internet access and a host of entertaining applications.

When set to run silently, these phones can also distract both when students are in class and during free periods that ordinarily should be dedicated to studying.

Cell phones have definitely become fixtures today life for most people. Phonescontinue to be upgraded with extraordinary technology that makes them even moreattractive and engaging.

With their widespread use, this debate will continue.

There arepeople who believe

By Mahmud Abdulsalam quest to recoup the humongous amount theymay have expended during the electioneering.

Actually, the factors inhibiting the eradication of corruption in Nigeria are overwhelming. And also, their festering existence in our polity has made our blessed countryhell on earth. However, the odds, Nigeria must be rid of this vice, as it is not our birth right. And this would only be a possibility if our leaders remain resolute and reapproach the war against corruption with a sense of burningpatriotism.

It is only then that we can b on the right path to redemption.

•Mahmud, 200-Level Mass Comm., FLACLGS Minna

that students should be taught about proper cell phone etiquette andpersonal responsibility for their use of the phones and are opposed to banning them.

Otherssee no other alternative but to support a complete ban of cell phones in the schools.

In addition to the argument that students should be allowed to carry cell phones foremergency purposes, there well may be an argument for actually using cell phone technologywithin the classroom. Cell phone companies advertise their products’ new and trendy featuresall the time. Computers are wonderful educational tools; perhaps cell phones can be too.

Lastly, in my perspective, I think technology as a whole is useful and at the same time, it has multifarious side effects and cell phone issue with students is one big bad effect. I think banning cell phone from school will be perfect, so as to let students focus on their studies while in school.

•Huzaifah writes from Islamic Science University, Malaysia

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

36

CAMPUS LIFE NUC approves courses for Obong varsity

T

A •The club members with some staff of the hospital

Club donates to babies

N

URSING mothers at the Central Hospital in Auchi, Edo State were all smiles when members of Leadership, Experience, Opportunity (LEO) club of the Federal Polytechnic in Auchi (AUCHI POLY) visited the hospital to donate materials to new born babies.

The gesture was part of the club’s humanitarian services lined up to mark the lion calendar. Its president, Stephen Agbra, said the donation was to put smile on the faces of the less privileged.

He said: “We have the objective to put smile on the faces of the people in communities by ensuring we meet some of their needs. In doing so, we give our members an opportunity to experience leadership and humanitarian skills.

“It is said that every man should lend helping hand to his fellow man. We should always take up responsibility to attend to the needs of the people who don’t have much. The club provides a platform to carry out the humanitarian work. We render the

From Sampson Unamka and

Richard Obote AUCHI POLY

selfless service to people and we don’t even expect a thank you from it. Our reward will come from God.” The Medical Officer of the hospital, Dr Richard Ehigiator, praised the students for the gesture, describing it as rewarding exercise.

The beneficiaries are Mrs Latifat Abdulsalam, Mrs Rose Godsent, Mrs Mariam Zika, Mrs Rukayat Momodu.

The maternity ward matron, Mrs Philomena Aghughu, on behalf of the nursing mothers, appreciated the students for the gifts.

She said: “We appreciate your gifts to the new babies and the goodwill you have extended to this hospital. We pray God will continue to protect and guide you in all your endeavours. We appreciate other clubs and urge them to always visit us.”

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor

08061522600

HE National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment of five new programmes for Obong University in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The new programmes, which are to be taught at the Bachelor’s degree level, are Public Administration, International Relations, Political Science, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, and Sociology.

The commission, in a letter signed by Dr Gidado Bello Kumo, said that the approval followed a resource evaluation visit to the institution by panels of experts to assess the human and material resources available for the programmes to take off.

The NUC said after due consideration of the report submitted by the panel, its management committee, at its 442nd meeting, approved the establishment of the programmes beginning from 2015/2016 session.

•Prof Udoudo with members the NUC team during a visit to the school From Borono Bassey

UYO The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Moses Udoudo, hailed the commission for what he described as a thorough and painstaking process, which led to the approval of the programmes. He noted that the feat would strengthen the institution.

The VC said facilities had been put in place for the easy take off of the new courses.

Abia varsity’s poll of controversy

•Continued from page 34

front of the Administration Block.

Ugochukwu Chukwuemeka, a 500-Level Law student, emerged the president, polling 1,160 votes to defeat Godwin Nwankwere, Fredric Israel and Christian Otutu, who garnered 475, 293 and 215 votes.

Also Princess Chukwuemeka was elected unopposed as Vice-President. Others elected include Felix Onyekwere, General Secretary, Oluchi Ujoh, Assistant General Secretary, Ireland Adaobi, Director of Socials, Ndu Okeke, Director of Welfare, Chimezie Ezemdi, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Reuben Uchenna, Treasurer, Ozioma Eluwa, Director of Sports, Victor Alugo, Financial Secretary and Amaka Kelechi, Director of Transport.

Uzoanya urged the elected students to be good ambassadors of the school.

Despite the controversy that trailed the exercise, members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Abia State chapter, who were around to monitor the election, described the election as successful.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE after the exercise, the NANS Treasurer, Rodney Okwusi, said the election was free and fair. He hailed the electoral committee for what he called a “job well done”.

Jeniffer Obiah, a 100-Level Medicine and Surgery student, praised the school security personnel and the electoral committee for making the process free of malpractice and violence.

Bonaventure Ifoegbu, another student, said: “The election was devoid of hitches and this is commendable.” He advised the students’ leaders to work hard and make the union better.

‘I ‘ll restore students’ confidence in NANS’ •Continued from page 30

What do you think is responsible for the ideological decline in NANS in this part?

NANS is a structure erected on leftist ideology to serve as dependable pressure group.

The existence of the body is not by accident, but as a result of exposure of the NANS founding leaders to the yearning of the people and students. Just as the likes of Obafemi Awolowo were spurred to struggle for our independence, NANS founding members secured liberty for the students’ movement and laid the foundations for vibrant students’ union. They built the most vibrant students’ movement, nurture the institution and defended its ideologies.

These ideals have been eroded by the ineptitude of dim-witted students’ leaders who have ruled in the past years. NANS is being misrepresented, vilified and seen as group of bandits. But, change is inevitable. We must sort separate the chaff from the wheat.

What will you correct if elected as Zone D coordinator?

I would, first of all, restore the trust students have in the body. Because of years of broken promises and inaction, students are skeptical about NANS and its leadership.

We would adhere strictly to the principles to regain the confidence of members and avoid the past failure. The disconnection between NANS and students would be a thing of the past. This is the core of our strength as enshrined in the preamble to the NANS constitution. I am also coming to restore the hopes and aspirations of students in the Southwest by keeping faith with the tenet of unionism, which is activism. We must

retrace our steps and restore our shared values.

What is your expectation from President Muhammadu Buhari on education?

Nelson Mandela said education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world. Lee Quan Yew led Singapore to prosperity through human capital development. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said the core element of All Progressives Congress (APC) mission is to make education, from primary to university, accessible to all people, regardless of economic circumstances. To survive in the modern world, education remains the key. Therefore, we do not like a situation where only eight per cent of our national budget is allocated to education.

We want President Buhari to increase the quota to 41 per cent as done in Kenya. Our campuses are veritable platforms for cross fertilisation of ideas to transform our society. Some of country’s challenges would be solved in the president invest heavily in education.

Is it true that some politicians sponsored you during the LASU fee hike struggle?

Let me put the record straight. Nobody, whether politician or lecturer, sponsored our struggle against the Lagos State government during the LASU fee hike struggle.

If anyone or group of persons, except students, claimed to have sponsored the struggle, let him come out and say it in the public. The struggle was for our well-being and we took it up to the level that forced former Governor Babatunde Fashola to reverse the fees. Though we were persecuted, but we thank God we did not fail.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

37

CAMPUS LIFE

UI VC bags Medical Science Excellence award

V

ICE Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof Isaac Folorunso Adewole, has bagged a United Kingdom (UK) award for outstanding contributions to medical screening and preventative medicine.

Adewole was honoured at the University of Sunderland convocation under the Faculty of Applied Sciences for his impactful scientific contributions to Obstetrics and Gynaecology which have improved the lives of countless women in Nigeria.

The other recipient is Sue Sharpe (Officer of the British Empire) who also got Honorary Doctor of Science.

Adewole was awarded a Doctorate of Science in recognition of his outstanding academic career and his commitment to the promotion of medical screening and preventative

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

medicine in Nigeria.

The university also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Sunderland focused on “progression arrangements for students within courses from undergraduate to postgraduate courses; transnational education and dual award degrees; collaborative and cooperative supervision of postgraduate research students and development and implementation of research and external engagement projects, particularly to support the development of academic staff” Adewole is the Principal Investigator of the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria, Co-Principal Investigator of the Medical Education Partnership, a former Chairman of the

National Task Team on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, and Principal Investigator for ‘Operation Stop Cervical Cancer’ in Nigeria.

Presenting the award, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sunderland Prof Shirley Atkinson said Adewole’s significant contributions within his field were capable of inspiring graduates of her institution as they begin their own careers.

Reacting to the award, Adewole said he would continue to beam his searchlight of research on all threats to human existence adding that the award was in recognition of education and teamwork in taming a global scourge.

According to him, any war against terror must be fought through col-

lective efforts to nip it in the bud including assemblage of sound team of experts capable of unmasking the masquerade with a view to reducing the fear, pain and terror certain diseases have inflicted on mankind.

“An African proverb says ‘until you unmask it, a masquerade remains a terror’. A war against terror - of any kind - is best achieved through collective efforts. Our modest contributions from our corner of the globe have helped in restoring hope to millions of people without hope. It has become a lamp among the armament that unmasked the monster HIV and we shall continue to beam the light of research on all threats to human existence. This award is recognition of the power

Don faults Evolution Theory

T

• From left: Prof. Sola Odusanya, Prof Okojie, Prof. Charles Chidume and Dr. Akin Ojo. From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Nigeria.

Redeemers University, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, University of Jos, University of Benin and five other prominent universities in the country are among the 19 schools with the mandate to conduct research into various priority needs of SubSaharan Africa. Each of the schools has $8million for its project.

Okojie said the initiative intends to strengthen the capacities of benefitting universities to deliver high

quality training and applied research in specific disciplines.

He stressed that for the past 30 years, Nigeria "has been taking a back seat" in research, warning that if the country with 10 centres does not succeed, the whole effort of the World Bank might be in vain.

"I must say for the universities that are on board, this is an opportunity to advise them. They must be thoroughly focused on their desire for research. They must address relevant areas of needs in the sub-region. Africa has a lot of problems.

If we explore this opportunity, if we

Poor policies cheating Nigeria out of being education hub

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HERE is a huge demand for tertiary education services in Nigeria. Yet, the country is not the first choice destination for establishment of campuses of foreign universities.

Ghana is more favoured over Nigeria in this regard as the country hosts some foreign universities - including Webster University - which is seeking to enroll Nigerian students in its Accra campus.

Prof Benjamin Akande explained why at an interaction with journalists at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Professor of Economics and former Dean of the university's business school said the Ghanaian government makes procedures easier to follow than its Nigerian counterpart.

"The decision to go to Ghana for us was a strategic first step. The environmental responsiveness of the government made it easy. As you know and I know that is not the case here in Nigeria. When the decision was made I was part of the process. I wanted to make sure it was on solid ground and it was," he said.

Akande said it was painful that as a Nigerian the campus could not be established in his country; but added

of education and teamwork in addressing a global scourge.”

In 2013, Adewole was also presented with the Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in Research in recognition of his contribution to improving the health of Nigerian women.

EKSU FILE

AUST wins $8m World Bank grant HE African University of Science and Technology (AUST) has won $8 million World Bank grant to establish 19 African Centres of Excellence (ACE) in universities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Briefing reporters in Abuja, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Julius Okojie, said the university eventually met the requirements for being enlisted among the centres, which it could not meet up with when they were unveiled last year.

He expressed joy that the institution would develop its project in materials.

He said: "We are happy that we retained the specific programme that won the ACE in the African University of Science and Technology, which is called the Pan African Materials Institute, PAMI." The institute would focus on the development of materials for solar energy, health, water purification and affordable housing/infrastructure. It would also support the training of critical mass of PhD graduates and professionals from the industry, government, business and development partners that could contribute effectively to the development of West and Central Africa.

Okojie said AUST would join nine other universities already listed in

•Prof Adewole

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

that the institution is open to collaborations if the government is openminded.

Webster University, Ghana, is one of the nine campuses of the institution, which was established in the United States in 1915.

Underscoring the advantages of international institutions like Webster establishing in Nigeria, Akande said the institution would bring in over 100 years' worth of experience delivering quality tertiary education that is labour-market ready.

Apart from Ghana, Webster has campuses in Geneva, Switzerland; Bangkok,Thailand; Leiden, Netherlands; Vienna, Austria; United Kingdom; Athens, Greece; China, and St Louis, which is the main campus in the United States.

Ms Christa Sanders, Director of Webster University also said that students of the institution enjoy the unique opportunity of studying for a semester or session in other campuses of the university at no additional cost.

"Study abroad is one of the exciting pieces of Webster University. We give free air fare. We encourage our students to visit any of the nine campuses - spend a time say in Bangkok,

•Prof Akande

Thailand. From the Ghana campus, we have students studying in the U.S. and U.K," she said.

Another feature Ms Sanders said is unique about the school is its global citizenship programmes to help the students develop skills that would serve them well in any part of the world. She said the students are exposed to critical thinking, ethical, oral and written skills aimed at preparing them to compete on the global stage.

At the event, the university introduced its new one-year MBA programme tagged the "Faster Master." The 36-credit hour programme requires students to complete two courses in a nine-week term until all programmes are covered.

spend funds on research that will affect our brothers and sisters in other African countries, this will serve the purpose.

"The World Bank has always advised us that we should work with other universities so that we don't replicate what others are doing," he urged.

Responding, Vice-President, Academic, Prof Charles Chidube, said AUST was established to cater for talented young people in the African sub-region. He said the school had graduated more than three hundred masters' holders from over 19 countries in Sub-Sahara Africa.

According to him, the school only runs post-graduate programmes.

"Our PhD programme is extremely rigorous, we have requirements. They must do advanced courses for PhD. He said so far, the school had graduated five PhDs and that six more would be graduated before the end of this month.

He assured that with the quality of staff available in the institution, the university would deliver on its mandate.

Head of the Pan-African Materials Institute in the school, Akin Ojo, said the focus of the Institute "is on materials development for Africa."

He said the project aimed at making African economy a knowledgebased, and exploring materials on the continents for its prosperity.

The ACE project is an initiative of the World Bank spread across seven countries namely, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Republic of Benin, Ghana, Cameroon, Togo and Senegal.

Universities in these countries competed for slots on the project and Nigeria won 10 out of the 19 approved centres. The implication of losing one ACE (AUST) would have been a loss of $8 million approved for that centre. That one would have been reallocated across board, thus reducing Nigeria's portfolio.

A PROFESSOR of Philosophy in Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Zacchaeus Ogundare, has faulted the Evolution Theory of man which claims that life emerged from the physio-chemical reactions in inorganic matters.

Ogundare, who said this at the 42nd Inaugural lecture of the university, noted that the theory could be inconsequential after all since new studies revealed that evolution could not bridge the gap of the huge leap between chance explanation and possibility.

In the lecture titled: "Origin and Existence: The inconsequential conclusion", he explained that evolution, which supports spontaneous generation of life from nonliving matter, could not explain, for example, the origin of the genetic code.

He added that intelligent source of life, such as egg and chicken, photosynthesis, the order in the Milky Way galaxy with its billions of stars and the natural laws that govern the universe could not favour evolution.

EKSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina, described Ogundare as a hardworking, focused and highly cerebral intellectual who had devoted immense energy into research of epistemology and philosophy of science.

Sandwich PG students take oath NEW students of the 2013/2014 Contact Session Sandwich Postgraduate programme of EKSU took their matriculation oath penultimate Friday to mark the beginning of their studentship.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oladipo Aina, who was represented by the Deputy ViceChancellor (Academics), Prof Ibiyinka Ogunlades described the matriculation as hyperbolic because it was the first one after the nomenclature of the school of postgraduate studies changed to College of Postgraduate Studies.

Aina warned the students against untoward behaviour and advised them to face their studies in order to achieve their goal of becoming part of the people with higher degrees in the society.

He explained that the university would not lower its standard or water down admission requirements because of low number of candidates.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the students for their determination to invest in self development.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

38

CAMPUS LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS

FEDPOFFA FILE

Verification for retirees TO update the records of pensioners, the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, has conducted verification for the institution’s retirees under the Unified Pension and Gratuity Scheme.

Speaking at the opening session of the exercise, the Rector, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo, said the institution attached much importance to the well-being of her pensioners, and that that was the reason behind the establishment of a separate unit for Pension and Passages to attend to pensioners’ needs.

The Rector, who spoke through his Deputy (Administration) Dr Ayodele Olaosebikan, said management had always ensured prompt payment of pension immediately workers were paid monthly salaries.

Chairman of the Polytechnic Pensioners Association of Nigeria, Mr James Fabule, said there was no fraud in the institution’s pension matters, noting that no pension arrears were being owed while all the backlog had been paid.

Rector’s deputy now NIM Fellow THE Nigerian Institute of Management has conferred its Fellowship on the Deputy Rector (Academics), Dr Okonta.

The statement was contained in a letter signed by the Registrar. M. K. Sulaiman.

According to the letter, Dr. Okonta, would be required to be more actively involved in all programmes of the institute through the Academy of Corporate Management where his competence and area of specialisation will be utilised.

The conferment ceremony will hold on Thursday, August 27, this year at Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.

APPROACHING DEADLINE CCMP Fellowships to Attend the UN Climate Negotiations in Paris THE Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) led by Internews' Earth Journalism Network has the pleasure to announce that we are opening Fellowship opportunities for journalists to attend the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) being held in Paris, France.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: July 31, 2015 As part of the fellowships, the CCMP will cover travel, lodging and daily subsistence expenses, arrange press accreditation at COP21, and provide

other support services. Please note that, although the costs for visas will be reimbursed, the process of obtaining a visa is a Fellow's responsibility. During the COP 21, the Fellows will benefit from a series of specially designed activities, including an orientation session, daily breakfast briefings, and most likely a field trip and a media clinic.

To be eligible for this Fellowship, applicants must: •Be a professional journalist from or representing an established media house.

•Fill out the application form at the link BELOW, including answering essay questions that illustrate his/her commitment to reporting on climate change issues •Be available to travel to Paris, France

program will be the opportunity for Fellows to exchange views and information with their journalistic peers from around the world.

Criteria for evaluating applicants will include the prospective Fellow's demonstrated interest in climate change issues; their audience; and the ability of the Fellowship to provide an opportunity for those journalists who might not otherwise have a chance to cover such events.

Journalists will be asked to submit also examples of their work, which can be sent in a native language. Nevertheless, a good command of English is expected in answering the essay questions.

To create or view an application please create an EJN account.

Prof David Olufemi Bamgbose is the National Chairman of the 50-member Association of Proprietors of Private Colleges of Education in Nigeria. In this interview with SEYI ODEWALE, Bamgbose criticises the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for excluding private colleges of education from benefiting from its funds, other issues.

‘TETFUND law is discriminatory’

P

RIVATE colleges of education are excluded from benefiting from the TETFund fund. What is your take on this?

At the twilight of the last administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, about 48 bills were passed by the then Senate in one day for presidential assent. One of such was the TETFUND bill.

TETFUND originally was Education Tax Fund (ETF), whereby companies and organisations contribute about two per cent of their profit into the fund for the purposes of strategic interventions in our institutions.

The idea was to give a more microscopic view or attention to tertiary institutions. It was later changed to TETFUND (Tertiary Education Trust Fund). But to our utmost dismay, private tertiary institutions were excluded as beneficiaries.

Did you find out why?

What we discovered, according to them, was that private tertiary's inclusion would encourage proliferation of such institutions.

In the first instance, government gives approval to such institutions?

How then can you say it will encourage the proliferation of such institutions? There should be needs assessment, which should be carried out to know the number of institutions that you want in a particular environment and at a particular time.

So, I think it is a lot of disservice to many public spirited individuals, who have invested their resources, time and money in supplementing government's efforts in establishing private tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Proprietors of private universities are also excluded but they don't seem to be reacting this way Private universities are reacting,

Book to help African-trained doctors survive in UK

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ITH two-thirds of doctors struck off the medical register in the United Kingdom coming from Africa, Dr Adaeze Ifezulike has written a book, Medicine Abroad, to guide new doctors seeking to practise abroad.

The family physician and general practitioner hopes that lessons from the book would help reduce the negative statistics and enhance the career of African-trained doctors in foreign countries.

While defending the quality of medical training offered by Nigerian medical schools, Mrs Ifezulike who has practised for 16 years abroad attributed the challenges that Nigerian/African doctors face to a lack of understanding of cultural differences in the practice of medicine in the UK. She said she wrote the book in response to enquiries by Nigerian parents making plans to send their wards abroad to study or practice medicine.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka trained medic said when she started out after studying Medicine that she needed such guidance but got none.

She said: "This book came out of my own need. I got to the UK and found that it was really different. I really wished at that point that I had someone to guide me. There are cultural, societal differences. There are also patients' differences. I found out that there were very high rates of disciplinary measures against foreign

with arrival in Paris on November 30, 2015 and leave no earlier than Dec 13, 2015.

•Provide a letter of support from an editor, producer or supervisor who can confirm your ability to publish or broadcast your material in an established media organization. Freelancers are welcome to apply, but must provide this letter of support.

The CCMP fully respects the editorial independence of all journalists.

Throughout the conference, Fellows are free to report as they see fit. As well as the requirements above we ask that journalists agree to provide copies or summaries of all the stories they file during COP21 for posting on our websites, and that they show collegial attitude towards other Fellows. One of the main benefits of this

but I want you to know that there are peculiarities in tertiary institutions. Talking specifically about private colleges whose association I chair, we are very peculiar. One of the challenges that we have is low enrolment because of the perception of teachers in the society.

How are teachers perceived?

If you walk into secondary schools now and ask to know how many of the pupils will want to be teachers in future, you will hardly get up to 1 per cent positive response from them. The blame for the rot in basic education has been heaped on the colleges of education because we produce teachers at that level. So, stakeholders in education have now said if we are having problem at that level, look at colleges of education.

I think there was a policy that graduates of colleges of education are not to teach in secondary schools?

By law, they teach in primary and junior secondary schools. Of course, specialised teachers' institutions are better than those produced from conventional institutions. Teachers' education is peculiar. You need to have certain disposition. You don't just educate teachers, you train them.

It involves sound moral education, codes and knowledge, which specialised institutions have.

Unfortunately teachers in public schools are blaming the rot in schools on teachers of private school, but my argument is this: if you look at the graduate output from private colleges of education in Nigeria you

•Prof Bamgbose

will see that our contribution is not up to five per cent which to me, is the best in the sector. The reason is this: we have the best students to teacher ratio because of low enrolment, we don't just teach our students, we train them. We don't have the challenge of large enrolment such as unwieldy hall. We have teachers who are more than adequate enough to take care of those we have enrolled.

If government is saying it does not want to support infrastructural projects embarked upon by private institutions, what about staff and students of such institutions? Are they all not citizens of this country?

Is it only through Federal Government that the fund can be accessed? Can’t state governments assist private colleges.

State governments have their cups full already. We are not even talking about budgetary allocations, but the money that was contributed by private companies and organisations. TETFUND is from private sources, so why are they saying private institutions are not entitled to benefit? Our argument is not that we should be included in the budget. Our position is that we should not be left out of the fund which come from private organisations and companies.

Ambode, others for AOCOED 35th convocation

A

• Dr Ifezulike and her brother, Mr Mike Ogbalu III, holding copies of the book.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

medics. A research by The Telegraph paper revealed that two-thirds of those doctors struck off from the medical register were foreign medics. This can be a big blow to families. I found out that the issues were not with passing exams but cultural differences."

Highlighting one major difference between medical practice in Nigeria and abroad, Dr Ifezulike said over there, the doctor-patient relationship was that of equals, unlike in Nigeria where doctors impose their diagnoses.

"In our culture here in Nigeria, the doctor is regarded as king. Moving

over to UK, I found that the consultation is between equals. I understood that you don't just tell a patient this is what you need to do. It is so important that there is a rapport. The patient must be made to feel that he is a part of the decision," she said.

Mrs Ifezulike got a taste of that herself as her brother, Mr Mike Ogbalu, who supported her at the presentation of the book, said she passed all qualifying examinations except the one on patient management, which the assessors considered important.

Dr Ifezulike hopes that issues discussed in the Medicine Abroad would be addressed in reviewing medical training to reflect the right attitudes.

TOTAL of 3,028 NCE graduates of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto/Ijanikin (AOCOED) would bid the institution farewell at her 35th convocation on Wednesday, July 22.

The Lagos State Governor, who is the Moderator of AOCOED Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, approved the convocation. He would attend with his top principals, a statement signed by AOCOED Deputy Registrar, (Information/Public Relations Unit) Adebowale Odunayo, said.

Odunayo, who is also the Chairman, Media Sub-committee of the convocation Ceremony Committee, said activities for the landmark event begin tomorrow with a jumat service at the college mosque, ditto for the interdenominational Christian service at the college chapel on Sunday.

•AOCOED Provost, Wasiu Olalekun

Bashorun

The Provost, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State (now Adeyemi University of Education, Ondo) Prof. Olukoya Ogen, would deliver the convocation lecture on Tuesday.

The lecture, which has as theme: 'Teacher preparation efforts: Challenges and the way forward' holds at the institution’s DDP Hall at 10.00am.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

39

EDUCATION

BSN takes HIV /AIDS campaign to schools

T

HE Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has advocated proper conduct rather than the use of condom for the prevention and spread of the Human Immuno Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

The body is admonishing young people, especially pupils of public and private secondary schools, to adopt healthy lifestyles as they grow into adulthood.

Deputy Manager, Church and Public Relations, of the organisation, Benjamin Mordi, made the call at a workshop and presentation of a book, "HIV/AIDS

From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

Pandemic: Conduct, not condom," to pupils of Nosakhare Model Education Centre, Benin, Edo State as part of activities to mark the group's tour of the Southsouth region.

Mordi explained that while huge resources had been deployed by the Federal Government in the provision of condoms as a preventive measure, BSN believes the right sexual attitude is an effective solution towards checking the spread of the virus which had

claimed millions of lives and dreams.

"What we do in the Bible Society of Nigeria is to break any known barrier that will make the word of God inaccessible to people. We have translated the Bible into different languages and produced it in grails for the visually-impaired," Mordi said.

"But beyond that, we, also care for the physical health of the people we produce the bible for.

That is why we have gone ahead producing this material as our intervention strategy to stem the

HIV/AIDS pandemic,’’ he added.

The Youths and Programmes Officer, Olayinka Moka, said the publication was targeted at teenagers, who, according to her, remain ‘’the most vulnerable in the society’’.

"We decided to write a book about conduct. We believe that is a major way to combat the pandemic in our own little way. We may not be talking about eliminating. We are talking about bringing HIV/AIDS to the barest minimum among the students first because they are young and adventurous. They are the most vulnerable," she added.

Teachers urged to apply for NB’s N50m largesse

W

ITH N50million worth of prize money for grabs in the Maltina Teacher-ofthe-Year award, Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc is urging more teachers across the country to apply for the competition.

The award, funded by the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, seeks to reward creativity, dedication, and excellence of teachers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mrs Emete Tonukari, Corporate Social Responsibility/ Sustainability Manager, said at a briefing on Friday that the deadline for application has been extended to July 24, urging teachers from the farthest part of Nigeria who are doing good jobs but may not enjoy the visibility of the urban centres to put in entries.

"Since the launch of the award in May, people have visited the website to download forms. Because of popular demand, we have extended the deadline to July 24. We have also opened a help desk account that people can send email to for clarifications and a dedicated phone line," she said.

The competition will produce state winners, each of whom would be rewarded with N500,000. They would then undergo further screen-

• From left: Vivian Nkem, Head, Government Relations, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Mr Ekanem, Dr. Nwaobiala, and Mrs. O. A. Ariba, Deputy Director, Basic Education at the Ministry when NB Plc's management team visit the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

ing to shortlist the 10 that would qualify for the final. The overall winner will get a total prize money of N6 million. The first N1million would be presented at the award, while N1 million would be paid into the winner's account each year for the next five years. The teacher would also get an overseas training, while the school gets a project worth N25 million.

The first runner up will get N1 million while the second gets N750,000.

Mrs Tonukari explained that the prize money has been deliberately packaged to exceed what the firm presents to winners of entertain-

ment competitions it sponsors in response to criticism that educationrelated programmes do not attract enough prize money.

Emmanuella Imumonlen of Keskese Ltd, said the applications would first be screened by some handlers, who would remove what is not necessary. The next stage would be handled by assessors who would mark the applications and pass on to a panel of judges comprising respectable professionals in the education sector.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has commended the imitative.

Speaking during a visit by Nigerian Breweries management team

led by Mr. Kufre Ekanem, the Corporate Affairs Adviser to the ministry at the weekend, Dr MacJohn Nwaobiala, Permanent Secretary, FME, praised the firm for a project he hoped would restore dignity in the profession.

"I want to commend Nigerian Breweries plc for initiating the Maltina Teacher of the Year programme because it aligns perfectly with our vision to bring back the glory days when teaching was a respectable profession and people took pride in teaching. We all must join hands to bring dignity and prestige to teachers if we want to see improvement in our education system," he said.

More teachers needed, says retiree

By Pascal Okezu

A

RETIRED head teacher Alhaja Kuku Olufunke, has urged the government to look into the employment of teachers in public schools.

She spoke during her retirement/ signing off at Community Model Nur/Pry School, Ijanikin Lagos.

In her words, there are little or no major problems facing teachers in Lagos State. "For the structure and the salary of teachers most especially in Lagos state, the government is really trying as it is not owing.

"In the issue of manpower," Olufunke spoke further, "we are not having enough teachers, and as you can see many of us are retiring. We are supposed to be replaced, but for the past four years, there has been no employment of teachers most especially into the primary schools. In my school for example, you will not notice that there is a staff shortage, because we have really done a lot to improve the school.

She also advocated a change in the curriculum. According to her, the curriculum should be constantly updated and improved.

She described 'dedication' as a major key to having a successful career in the teaching profession "I see myself as a dedicated person, and at the end of the day, I achieved a lot."

The school Assistant Headteacher Mrs Helen Nwankwo, extolled kuku's virtues, describing working with her as a 'wonderful experience.'

"It's been wonderful, she is a very hard working ‘We are not woman, anything you having want to learn enough in teaching, you can learn teachers, and from her, she keeps to time, as you can see always dedi- many of us cated to what she wants to are retiring. do" We are Two pupils supposed to of the school, D a d e j i be replaced, Omolara and but for the David Isaac past four appreciated Kuku's pa- years, there tience as well as her strict but has been no loving atti- employment tude towards of teachers’ chil-dren.

Experts seek inclusion of security studies in curriculum

H

OW to tackle insecurity in the country topped discussions among proprietors, rectors, and chief security officers of various tertiary institutions and other stakeholders who gathered in Abuja for a two-day workshop on security and leadership capacity building.

The event had as theme: 'Repositioning learning institutions for effective management and secured learning environment.'

Experts suggested that schools should introduce Security Studies in their school curriculum.

This, according to them, will reduce incessant bombings and insecurity in some parts of the country.

They also recommended that schools employ capable security personnel instead of old men who merely open and close gate for whoever goes in or out of the school without proper security checks.

Speaking on behalf of the attendees, the Managing Director, Skylight Ventures, Mrs. Folake Yobah, suggested that crime prevention and the inclusion of security studies in the curriculum of Nigeria's education system, starting from the elementary level would help address the security challenge.

Yobah explained that Security Studies at the basic level would en-

From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

able a child know it means to be security conscious.

She said: "From vulnerability assessment and audit we have been carrying out in Skyhigh Ventures Limited, we discovered that measures must be put in place to avert future calamities. Proactive steps must be taken by stakeholders to curb vices and vulnerabilities in our learning environment.

"Life is precious and has no duplicate. Our children are gifts from God and we have the duty to take care of them. But with the recent threats on their lives, we are left with no choice but to do our best as humanly possible putting physical security solutions in place and we believe God will bless our efforts,” Yobah said.

She lamented that Nigerians have neglected the importance of security while paying more attention to cars, houses, and other luxury.

Also speaking, the former director of Basic and Secondary Education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Mabel Ozumba, said the issue of security is very appropriate and its impact cannot be underestimated.

Mrs. Ozumba said: "Talking of security, we are not looking at the Northeast alone; there are different levels of insecurity like kidnapping,

raping and others. If we must address the issue of insecurity, we must know who are involved and how well are we going to do it.

"In learning environment, it is important to get all hands on deck, not the old men we have all over the

gates. As far as I am concerned, they are gatemen, they are best at opening and closing the gates. We need to get people who are competent and very alert because security needs an all time attention and dedication.

"We want to know who is coming

in, for what and why? When did he come in? We need to have a checklist, empower people including the students. Nigerians are used to walking past people and probably because the person came with big car, because of the status, we just let them pass.’’

Mrs Yetunde Onanuga representing the Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun(second left), Master Onwuha Nnemeka (second right, 1st position), Master Onmoya Prince Dan (first left, 2ndposition), and Master Anuigbo Stephen (first right, 3rd position) during the presentation of prizes to the trio at the sixth edition of Prof. Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange essay competition in commemoration of his 81st birthday anniversary held at Governor's Offices complex, Abeokuta

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

Multiple routes to success

I

AM a firm believer in the Yoruba proverb that states that multiple routes lead to the market (Ona kan o wo ja). I am also very concerned about the huge number of school leavers we churn out each year who are unable to gain admission into the Kofoworola tertiary institution immediately.

The few among them who are born to rich families have no probKofosagie@yahoo.com lem. They are sent abroad with08054503077 (SMS only) out delay. The majority, who belong to the middle and lower socio-economic classes, do not have it so easy. For those from middle class homes, they may need to stay at home (for one + years) until they gain admission into a public university. For those from poorer backgrounds, the task is even more daunting. Even if they get admission, there may be no money to pay.

However, I strongly believe these two groups can apply the Yoruba proverb to their lives. My belief is drawn from the fact that the environment is replete with resources we can use to learn, grow, develop, and excel. Yes, it is true that those in possession of material resources can easily access them with their wealth. However, these resources also answer to those who do not have so much financial clout. For instance, I have noticed that the basic materials young babies need to learn (colours, sand, music, and human contact, etc.) do not need to be bought with money. As a result, the child born to a downtrodden family, who sits in the sand to play while his mother smokes fish or sells vegetables, would not lag behind the child whose parents can afford expensive sand box toys to develop their fine motor skills.

So, for young people who find that they are out of school and there seems to be no road ahead, it is time to explore alternative routes. One of my friends did. Born and bred in one of the least educationallydeveloped states in eastern Nigeria, she had to go that route; and she has an amazing story.

She did not make her O Level results the first time she wrote as an SS3 pupil, which angered her father who vowed not to spend money on another examination. She had to find the means by herself. She started out learning to type, and then moved to using the computer when it was still a new phenomenon, and then desktop publishing. In gaining these skills, she did not enroll in any formal training institution, so did not have to spend any money on training. She was able to exploit her social capital (friends, family, colleagues and customers) to learn all she needed to learn. I believe she also succeeded because she was focused on what she wanted to achieve. She was not distracted from achieving her goal.

By the time she gained all these skills, it opened up greater job opportunities for her and she soon began to earn more money. After sometime, she decided to continue her formal education. She wrote the relevant examinations and was admitted into the university. She graduated with honours and today is a professional who falls back on those early skills she learnt when the journey was far from smooth.

Despite the difficult terrain in Nigeria, so many opportunities still exist for young people to develop skills, get educated, and start out on a career path before tertiary education works out. For instance, a teenager interested in studying Accounting in the university, does not need to wait donkey years to get admission to start it. With O Level results, he/she can enroll for the Accounting Technical Scheme (ATS) of ICAN, which can be used for Direct Entry. Taking professional examinations of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) can also serve as an alternative route to tertiary education.

There are similar qualifications in other fields as well. In the field of Technical and Vocational Education, there are so many programmes that lead to internationally-recognised certifications in maritime, welding, etc. The same is true for the hospitality, baking, aviation, name it.

With the advent of technology, self development has even gotten easier. Many experts have canvassed for the development of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode of education in Nigeria to enable many more people access education than physical facilities can allow. I had reported it for years. I knew about the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), which allows learners from all over the world to take free courses offered by various institutions. Some of these courses come with certificates of completion, some of which could add up college credits for the beneficiary. But it was but it was only last month that I tried participating in one and I found that there is so much one can do in terms of self development online. The programme was a journalism course on Mathematics anchored by the Knight Center for Journalism at the University of Texas, Austin. I had to watch videos, read articles, participate in the discussion forums, and take quizzes. It was not easy, but I enjoyed it and plan to do it again.

Young people should learn to take advantage of the positive aspects of technology to learn about useful things that can enhance their lives.

Rather than spend hours chatting on social media platforms, they should invest time in gaining new skills that would boost their employability.

These are some of the many routes to the 'market' that I know. Readers are welcome to share more routes with us.

Belo-Osagie

•Procession of Nursery school pupils of Lead-Forte Gate Schools, Ogudu during the 14th graduation of the school.

150,000 pupils take placement test in Lagos

S

AVE for a few hitches, the Lagos State placement test for admission into public secondary schools for the 2014/2015 academic session went smoothly last Saturday.

The examination was written by about 150,000 primary six pupils in 235 centres across the state. Ninety thousand of the candidates were from public primary schools, while 60,000 were from private schools.

The challenges encountered during the examination included insufficient OMR sheets and inability of some candidates to locate their centres on time.

Dummy OMR sheets were used in place of the originals in centres that had shortages.

At the Education District II, where the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs Ronke Shoyombo; the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary of District II, Mrs Titilayo Sholanrin, and District 1, Mrs Florence Ogunfidodo monitored the exam, latecomers were allowed to write the examination.

In Army Cantonment Junior Sec-

By Jane Chijioke

ondary School, about 33 candidates were absent.

Mrs Shoyombo explained that the examination was one of the ways through which the state government was trying to bridge the gap between public and private schools.

She noted that the questions were designed for both public and private schools.

She said though many private schools have not been approved in the state, no pupil would be denied education because of the status of their school.

"In Lagos State we have about 18,000 private schools and about 4,000 are approved and we are moving to 5,000. With that, any decision you make as the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, the child should be at the centre of it all. We cannot prevent our children from accessing education because of the status of their schools, so we are making provisions for children that are coming from unapproved schools. But that does not mean that we will approve schools that do not have good teaching and learning

‘So we are making provisions for children that are coming from unapproved schools.

But that does not mean that we will approve schools that do not have good teaching and learning conditions’

conditions. We have been putting a lot of measures in place; we have been working with quite a number of schools that are not approved and we have been sending out signage approval and that is going to deter parents from sending their children to unapproved schools. I can assure that between one to three years we will be able to overcome all our hurdles but we are working on them," she said.

Mrs Ogunfidodo described the conduct of the examination as 80 per cent satisfactory despite increased candidature. She noted that the government has provided infrastructure to cater for the large intake and would continue to provide more.

She also promised improvements next year.

"By next year, we will improve, especially in locating the centres and production of OMR sheets," she said.

On her part, Mrs Sholanrin said the 235 centres were sufficient enough to accommodate the large number of pupils for the examination. She noted that physically-challenged pupils were well taken care of. She said the Computer Based Test which was piloted in some schools, would cascade to other exams in the state.

A parent, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ayinde, who resides in Agbede in Ikorodu, said there are no enough schools in the area. She said there is only one primary and secondary school, which are merged in the area.

Results of the examination would be released in two weeks.

Graduating pupils advised on standards

G

RADUATING pupils of Mind Builders School, Alausa, Lagos have been charged to set goals and academic standards to achieve success in secondary school.

Director of the school, Mrs Bolajoko Falore, gave the charge at the 14th valedictory and graduation of primary six pupils, held in the Exclusive Hall of the school, last Wednesday.

Mrs Falore said: "I charge you to go out there and set a goal for yourself. Look back and think of where you are coming from. Set a goal in your academic standard. Go out there and make a big difference and always remember your alma mater."

Full of pride, the school director expressed her belief and hopes for her pupils.

"They are well-grounded in academics, morals and other areas.

They are outstanding. My students

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

have good social etiquette. When they go out, they are always recognised for these qualities and they always make me proud," she said.

Mrs Falore, who directs the four divisions of the school- reception, nursery, primary and high schoolcondemned parents and schools that aid their wards in skipping primary six.

She told our correspondent: "As a professional, I do not feel comfortable and happy about pupils skipping primary six. There is a reason why the government made the primary school a six-year course. I am an advocate of 'the child must go to primary six'. I am sure that these ones graduating have the maturity, both physically and mentally. There is no way they will get to secondary school and not perform well.

You can be very brilliant, but if you

do not get to the maturity age, it will reflect."

The head teacher, Mr Ezekiel Awe gave tips on making a successful journey out of life.

He said: "Everything we have taught you, keep them, especially self control and patience. Life is a journey, so run with these values.

Have a goal and a vision so that you would not be sidelined by bad peers and company. Keep to your pillars of character as taught by Mind Builders School."

Representing the teachers, Mr Ayo Sosanya advised them to apply wisdom to whatever they do.

Graduating head girl, Dabira Omotosho, who wants to grow up to be a teacher, was nostalgic about her departure from the institution.

Delivering her valedictory speech, she advised her peers to: "Believe in yourself, be a light, always pray to God and He will crown your efforts with success."

‘As a result, the child born to a downtrodden family, who sits in the sand to play while his mother smokes fish or sells vegetables, would not lag behind the child whose parents can afford expensive sand box toys to develop their fine motor skills’

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

43

SHOWBIZ

Secret of our success,

by Yeni Kuti

Victor Uwaifo dazzles fans with 100 push-ups

T

V

ETERAN musician, Sir Victor Uwaifo is at the moment preparing for a joint concert with Hip hop star, 2Face Idibia. And to show that he is up to the task of headlining such a huge show as the Eargasm event, he dazzled all with a hundred push-ups at a press briefing on Tuesday.

The concert, slated for July 26 at the This Day Dome, Abuja, is styled as an evening of classic renditions.

Guest performers include Sunny Neji, Daniel Wilson, Niyola, Dammy Krane, and Yung6ix.

Organisers say fans will get the luxury of hearing live renditions of recently released songs like Tupepe, Kirikisi off the Legend Reborn album as well as classics like Joromi and Guitar Boy. The award winning energetic performer, sculptor and lecturer, to

• Victor Uwaifo

mention a few of his endeavours, is ready to blow minds come July 26 in the company of a younger generation of artists with the same fire, Eargasm is sure to be a classic event.

Eargasm is put together by Buckwyld Media Network Ltd, a content design and production so-

lutions company in conjunction with Yankee Entertainment and Hypertek Digital.

Media partners for the event include Black House Media (BHM), NET, Studio 24,STV, COOLFM, Wazobia FM, Kiss FM, Hot FM, and Hip TV.

Pardonable Unforgivable parades mix of stars

By Joe Agbro Jr.

• Rachael Oniga

T

HE issue of life after marriage has come on the front burner in a forthcoming movie, Pardonable Unforgivable written and directed by Yinka Ogundaisi.

Against the backdrop of crashing marriages and people becoming single after the loss of a partner either through death or divorce, the movie-maker has turned his lens to what goes on after the relationship ends.

According to Ogundaisi, “what is pardonable and at the same time forgivable? The answer would be, ‘it’s life itself because what some people find acceptable is not acceptable to some other people.’ What we often see every day is marital infidelity.’”

Though Ogundaisi says the movie examines the role of trust in marriages, he also acknowledges that it treats some subsets which have become every day scenarios.

The star-studded movie has a cast of veteran and fresh actors. Amongst them are Yomi Obileye, Dejumo Lewis, Lanre Hassan (Mama Awero), Toyin Adegbola, Gloria Anozie, Uche Macaulay, Rachael Oniga and Aisha Abimbola.

Abimbola who considers acting alongside professionals who have been in the industry before her challenging, thinks that the message of Pardonable Unforgivable is potent.

“Many homes are broken for nothing,” Abimbola said. “Just a little patience would have saved the mess. Just listen, communicate, and get feedback.”

Ogundaisi also believes that the message is vital for every segment of the society.

“We are having a growing population of lonely women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s,” he said.

“These are women who are living alone either because they’ve been divorced or because the husbands are dead. If the husbands are dead or there is divorce, should they, as their male counterparts take younger lovers. That is the first subset of the story which is dealt with in the movie.”

The movie also highlights aged people, particularly men who think that their wife’s old age is a licence to frolic with younger women.

MTN Foundation turns out music talents with fanfare

T

HE Agip Recital Hall, MUSON centre, venue of this year’s 8th Graduation Ceremony of the MTN FoundationMUSON Music Scholars Programme was filled to capacity with enthusiastic guests made up of music lovers, friends and relatives of the graduating students as the MTNF Awardees bow out of the two years Diploma programme.

The ceremony started with the MTNF/MUSON Scholars appreciation concert where the graduating students exhibited their mastery of musical instruments and vocal renditions. Guests at the event got excited as the graduands dished out some contemporary Nigerian tunes with their classical musical instruments.

The 21 scholars, who graduated with Diplomas in Music, are the eighth set of beneficiaries of the MTN Foundation’s music scholarship programme.

The highpoint of the musical concert was the special appearance of MTN’s Brand ambassadors, Cobhams and Sound Sultan, who displayed their dexterity in the art

of singing and playing instruments.

Mr. Dennis Okoro, Director, MTN Foundation, in his speech, commended the graduating students for living up to the values of the MTN Foundation. He stated that such qualities as diligence and dedication coupled with their determination has made them successful on the programme.

“So far, the MTN Foundation has invested over N200 million in the MTNF-MUSON Music Scholars Programme. In the past 9 years, the programme has produced 212 music scholars who have received exposure to the highest standards of composing and production of world class music. This includes the 21 Music Scholars that graduated in this 8th Graduation Ceremony” Okoro said.

Speaking further on the impact of the programme, Okoro informed that “recently, some of our awardees got opportunities to compete with the rest of the world in Italy and Spain. Many of them are sought locally and internationally and they are doing very well, making their marks across the

world.”

Presenting the best three graduating students who had lived up to the standards of the MTN Foundation values of leadership, excellence, creativity and integrity, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTNF counseled the winners to ensure they maintain those qualities that made them distinct.

The winners were: OladimejiAdelaja; Olusegun Alphonso and OlusolaOlufa. The graduands expressed their appreciation to MTN Foundation by rendering a special song titled “everywhere you go.”

The Guest Speaker, Mr. Yemi Akinsanya, while commending the MTN Foundation for championing the Music Scholars programme, expressed his assurances that the graduands will be good ambassadors of MTNF as they go ahead in their pursuit of excellence.

The MTNF/MUSON Music Scholarship Programme was instituted to provide less privileged, but talented students, an opportunity to acquire qualitative music education. The scholarship covers tuition, books, and daily stipends.

HE Kuti family is known for success in their various endeavours, especially in music. In the last three generations, the family has blazed a trail in music, academia, and civil rights activism. This might be baffling to most people, but in a recent interview, Yeni Kuti, the Afro beat creator’s eldest child and daughter credits their success to hard work and a forthright nature.

The dancer/choreographer turned TV presenter says, “We are a forthright and proud Nigerian family, and would not want to be caught doing bad things. Also, our forbearers were high achievers, so we can only try to carry on the torch, which is why Dede (my grandmother) is my role model” As anyone who visited the shrine during Fela’s lifetime can testify, he was an avid rehearser who practiced playing his instrument daily, and could be heard blowing his sax late in the night, into the wee hours.

She said, “Years ago, my grandmother teased Femi for not consistently practicing his Saxophone, Femi felt embarrassed, and never gave up playing his instrument every day ever since.” “Femi is a self taught trumpet player; he contin-

By Jane Kolade

ues to practice his art day in day out.”

The Kuti family is the popular western Nigerian family that gifted Nigeria with popular and illustrious individuals who have made names that resonated far beyond the borders of Nigeria. The list spans three different generations over the years. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti; iconic afro-beat maestro, Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, and Beko Ransome-Kuti, all of blessed memory wrote their names in the sands of time in their chosen fields, Fela in music, Olikoye in medicine, and Beko in Law, all three activists were off-springs of the late Reverend Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, both pacesetters in their own right, He as a cleric, educationist, and talented singer which earned him the nickname “the singing minister”, while his wife was a feminist advocate, and politician.

The third generation is also holding their own, as Femi AnikulapoKuti has been nominated twice for the Grammy awards, while his brother Seun is a successful afrobeat musician.

• Yeni Kuti

Tuface, others honoured as Legendary Show berths

By Joe Agbro Jr.

A

new event, The Legendary Show, is set to showcase the exemplary achievements of Nigerians. According to organisers, the show, from the stables of Glass House Entertainment aims at ‘celebrating making, and inspiring legends.’

The show which focuses on different aspects of human life such as music, literature, the performing arts, sports, politics, artistry and many others, started filming the first season on Friday, June 19, and ended on Monday, June 22.

It divides the legends into five categories - Perennial Legends, AllTime Legends, Today’s Legends, Next Generation Legends and Kids’ Legends.

Amongst those honoured in the first season are the late footballer Rasheed Yekini, folk musician and theatre practitioner Jimi Solanke, reggae musician Ras Kimono, ace broadcaster Patrick Doyle, DJ Jimmy Jatt, and hip hop artiste 2face Idibia.

The show, which will be airing soon follows the format of an interview, a performance which sees each legend stamping his or her footprint on the ‘Sand of Time’, and the actual presentation of the footprint-turnedaward, in every edition.

• 2face

44

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

45

THURSDAY JULY 16, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have stepped up their anti-corruption battle. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines why the anti-graft war is on the rebound and highlights the impediments to the crusade.

Re-invigorating anti-graft war I

N a renewed onslaught against former public officers involved in misappropriation of public funds, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arraigned three ex-governors in court. Nigerians, who had lost faith in the capability of the EFCC to effectively fight corruption, were taken aback.

Observers have criticised the tardiness and the shoddy manner the agency has been handling some cases. Some of the cases have remained in court for over seven years. Those accused of looting the treasury have been granted bail and some of them have found their way back in public office as governors or senators. What is responsible for the renewed enthusiasm in the war against corruption by the EFCC? The general impression is that the recent moves by the EFCC is to impress the new administration and escape President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s sledge hammer. Nigerians are not impressed because many of the cases filed by the EFCC over the years are still dragging in court. They note that, apart from the conviction of the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, former Board Chairman of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Chief Olabode George (he was pardoned) and former Bayelsa State Governor Mr. Diepreye Alamieyesigha, the anti-graft agency has not recorded any other landmark judgment.

A lawyer, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), said the apprehension over the fate of the corrupt cases filed by the EFCC was not misplaced. He observed that the cases had dragged on for too long. Ali identified major reasons for the protracted litigations. He doubted if the EFCC had qualified people to handle its investigation. He said, if investigations were not thoroughly done, the case would suffer series of adjournments. The question is: Has the EFCC done its assignment properly before heading to court?

Ali said: “The defendants often fight back through their lawyers who capitalize on the loopholes in the charges preferred against them and apply for frequent adjournment. The EFCC prosecution needs specialised training so that they could file the charges properly and appear at every hearing.

“The attitude of Nigerians to cases of corruption is not helpful. There is no pressure on anybody to do the right thing. The judiciary must be well equipped to perform. Our judges still record court proceeding in long hand which prolongs trial of cases.”

Another lawyer, Dr Fred Agbaje, said the EFCC must do away with lawyers, who are more interested in collecting huge money without showing any seriousness as the prosecution. He said: “There are lawyers on the EFCC payroll who, after collecting what we lawyers collect as ‘fat brief’, cannot secure at least a conviction. Or how do you rationalise a situation where out of 48 or 50 charges, a lawyer cannot secure a conviction of at least 10 of those charges and the accused is ultimately left off the hook, by being discharged and acquitted.”

Lawyer and human rights activist Edwin Ogbuagu blamed the slow dispensation of justice on the EFCC’s shoddy investigation and the penchant for filing amendment charges against accused persons after their arraignment. “The defendants’ counsel always seizes that opportunity to ask for adjournments to enable them study and respond to the new charges,” he added.

The human rights activist observed that lawyers hired by the EFCC have contributed to the setback. He said many of them might be conniving with the defence team to elongate the trial, especially those involving highlyplaced persons, for their mutual benefit. He also observed that former governors on trial followed a familiar pattern of challenging the jurisdiction of the courts.

He said the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is also a cog in the wheel of EFCC because the minister dictates to the commission the cases to pros-

•EFCC operatives at work.

ecute and those that should be kept at bay. He called for autonomy for the EFCC, to enable it tackle cases of corruption within the civil and public service.

But, the EFCC has disagreed with those accusing it of abandoning the case files of corrupt politicians, saying they are doing so out of ignorance. The commission said it had done so much and had taken high profile cases to court to determine.

Cases abandoned by EFCC Over the years, corruption trials have not gone beyond the plea stage, some for as long as seven years after the first arraignment in court. Many public office holders accused of corruption are still walking free. Some of them have been elected into the National Assembly.

Former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu was arraigned on July 27, 2007 before an Abuja High Court on a 107 count charge of money laundering, official corruption and criminal diversion of public funds in excess of N5 billion. He approached the Court of Appeal to set aside the ruling of the Federal High Court that he had a case to answer. The appellate court dismissed the appeal for lack of merit and gave the anti-graft agency the nod to prosecute him. With the charges still hanging on his neck, the former governor became a presidential candidate in 2015. He later contested for a Senate seat, which he lost.

Former Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye was arraigned by the EFCC before an Abuja High Court on a 23-count charge involving N700million. He was granted bail, but he challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him. He argued that the alleged offence committed by him took place in Plateau State and the funds involved belonged to the state.

He said his trial ought to take place in the state, not in Abuja. The judge dismissed Dariye’s objection. He later went to the Court of Appeal, which also threw out the application and ordered him to face trial. While the case was still pending before the court, Dariye won a senatorial seat in 2011.

Former Governor Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State was docked on a 32-count charge of stealing N36billion from the treasury. He was

•Lamorde

The general impression is that the recent moves by the EFCC is to impress the new administration and escape President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s sledge hammer granted bail on July 27, 2007 by Justice Binta Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja. His bail was contested by the EFCC on the ground that he claimed multiple nationalities and could jump bail, if granted.

Turaki has secured the transfer of his trial to his home state. While the argument over his bail was on, Turaki won a seat in the Senate.

He was in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2011.

His Enugu State counterpart, Chimaroke Nnamani, was also arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on a 105-count charge for allegedly stealing N5.3billion The case, lasted for eight years. He was a mem-

ber of the Senate between 2007 and 2011.

Former Governor Jolly Nyame of Taraba State was docked on 41-count charge in July 2007. He was alleged to have embezzled N1.3billion and collected N180million from a contractor as a kick-back from a N250 million contract awarded to the company for the supply of stationery to the state government.

The former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was arraigned before an Abeokuta High Court by the EFCC in April 2012 for alleged fraudulent conversion of land and diversion of public funds. His trial has suffered numerous adjournments without major progress.

The trial of the former Oyo State governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja , who was arraigned by the EFCC in 2008 has followed similar pattern with numerous adjournments. Ladoja was docked alongside his former aide, Chief Waheed Akanbi, on a 10-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N4.7 billion.

The accused were alleged to have conspired to convert properties and resources derived from an illegal act, hoping to conceal their illicit origin.

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos in 2007 for alleged mismanagement of N1.2 billion poultry project during his first tenure. Upon application filed by Fayose, the court transferred the case to the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti. Like he did in Lagos, Fayose brought an application to quash the charge in Ado-Ekiti. The application was dismissed

by Justice Adamu Hobon, who described it as an abuse of court process. The case is still pending in the court.

Way forward Constitutional lawyer Prof. Itse Sagay advised the EFCC to live up to its responsibilities. He said the anti-graft agency should ensure that cases are brought to logical conclusion. He said the election of Buhari should encourage them to do their job without the fear of being victimised. “I believe, if well funded, just like the INEC is funded, the commission would perform optionally,” Sagay added.

• Continued on page 10

46

THE NATION THURSDAY JULY 16, 2015

The PDP will remain a factor. The APC must embrace the ‘reality that the PDP, despite its ouster from power at the

’

centre, is still strong and formidable. PDP is a promising party

POLITICS All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed spoke with reporters in Lagos on efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle insecurity, revatalise the economy and reinvigorate the anti-corruption war. He also reflected on the National Assembly crisis and efforts being made to resolve the logjam. EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

‘No hiding place for corrupt officials’

I

S there any justification for the delay in the release of ministerial nominations

by President Muhammadu Buhari?

A lot of work is been done to ensure that equity and balance are maintained in compiling the ministerial list. I don’t think the government is unduly slow. However, the most important thing is that people have laid emphasis on this appointment to the detriment of whether the government has settled down or not to govern. But, to tell you the truth, this government is on course. Three issues are cardinal and the government has taken them as its priorities. These are security, the economy and the anti-corruption battle.

Could you shed light on these three priorities and how government has approached them?

In the area of security, I think he has lived up to expectation. What has been achieved in the last few weeks in the area of security is phenomenal. The President has held meetings with Niger, Chad and members of the Chad Basin Commission-Cameroun, Niger, Chad and Benin-and territories where the Boko Haram has been operating, in an attempt to make sure that insurgency is curtailed. He has moved the headquarter of the military command to Maiduguri. By the end of this month, he will launch the multi-national joint task force. When that is done, it will cripple the Boko Haram insurgency. It would appear that in the last two weeks, the insurgency has actually been on the increase. Because the sect has been dislodged from their forest and their hideout, they are now attacking soft targets, including markets. They have been cornered. They have been dispersed.

With the intelligence gathering put in place now by the forces, the base of Boko Haram has reduced. So, I think in the area of security, some efforts have been taken.

In the area of the economy, he has really settled down. When the government came, a lot of money was owned at federal and state levels. If it was not addressed on time, it could lead to industrial unrest and crisis, not only for the states, but for the nation. When the APC came in, 16 states were owing between three and nine months salary arrears. There should be no blanket labeling. It is wrong to attribute the inability of the state governments to pay to incompetence. What happened was that while the government was getting 720 billion in 2014, it reduced to 388billion by 2015. If on the average, in 2014, 720 billion was disbursed to the three tiers if government, by April 2015, it has gone down to 388 billion, clearly, it is almost 50 per cent decrease. There is no way, even in the best managed economy, without a shock absorber, it will be hard for the state to meet their

obligations.

The President believes that it is scandalous not to pay workers. He believes that workers deserve their pay. You can imagine the damage has been done been done in the last nine months? If someone does not get salary for nine months, how can he feed his children? How does he goes to work? How does he foots medical bills? So, this bail out is being downplayed for reasons best known to them. But, I know it is one single act that has touched the lives of more Nigerians. It is socially and politically important. It is the best way to save the economy. You get more money, you buy more goods. When you buy more goods, you manufacture more goods. When you manufacture more goods, you employ more people.

The President has also asked the Central Bank to create a loan of between N250 and N300 billion for them to be able to pay their arrears.

But, he has now asked the Central Bank to go and negotiate on long term basis the debt owed to commercial banks by the states. This is as important as the bail out. The states will be able to pay their salaries as at when do and be able to meet other obligations. By restructuring these loans, states will survive. There is a standing order that N500 m should be deducted from the allocations to some states monthly to service debts. With the restructuring of their loans from short-term to long-term, they will have more money to pay salaries and undertake developmental programmes.

The question is not about where the money comes from and who saved the money. It is about creative ingenuity of the government. The money has been there all along. Why has it not been used for this purpose? If the priority of any government is the welfare and wellbeing of the people, I don’t see any reason why people are not paid their salaries. No penny was taken from the Excess crude Account. The money came from what has accrued to the NLNG. Also, the Central Bank was asked to create the soft loans for banks. The critics do not know the terms of the soft loans. They have also forgotten that, a few years ago, when banks were in trouble, the Federal Government came out and bought the debts of these banks. That was how they created ANCON. Five Nigerians were owing banks in excess of N700 billion. If the Central Bank could buy the debt of five Nigerians to save the banks, why can’t Central Bank buy the debt of 20 states for less than N700 billion? This is a caring government.

This is a government that believes that the welfare of the people is important.

What about the anti-corruption battle?

•Mohammed

If a governor is corrupt, he can only be free for that period he is in office.

After that, he will be brought to justice. When you have a regime that is sincere about the anticorruption war, it will send a signal to the governors that the time for corruption is over In the areas of anti-corruption and transparency, things have changed. It is the first time that they were seen all the figures at the meeting of the National Economic Council. The truth is now coming out. We are now in an era of transparency. The Central Bank governor even aid that, because of the frugal approach to the economy, blockage of leakages, the foreign reserves have gone up by two billion dollars in a month. People are not looking at all these. They are looking at the appointments that have not been made. But, I know that, in the not too distant future, key appointments will be made and thye ministerial list will come out.

But, the President has got approval for 15 special advisers from the Senate...

It is part of the key appointments the President will be making. But, the President wants to be painstaking about it. He has gotten the

number. The names should be look out for.

Normally, these appointment are made within the first six weeks. But, we are not doing too badly. There is the need for balancing, in terms of the diverse ethnic units and religions.

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said that what is being disbursed to them is what is due to them...

They know that it is not true. What prevented their own government? They only left two months ago. Benue and Kogi states, which were PDP states, have been owing salaries before they left. What prevented them from using the money to help the states? why did not occur to them that they could approach the Central Bank to arrange soft loans. Why can’t they approach the Central Bank to re-negotiate the loans they owe to commercial banks? That is hallow thinking on their part.

Fears are rife that, if the governors fail to moderate their spending habit, their states may still come back to the same situation they are facing now...

I don’t want to believe that governors of all the states that are unable to pay salaries are poor.

You know if a governor is corrupt, he can only be free for that period he is in office. After that, he will be brought to justice. Look at what is happening today. Ohakim, Nyako, Lamido and their children are answering questions; which means that no governor is free. He may be free when he enjoys immunity. Look at another former governor, Nnamani. He is asked to forfeit property. When you have a regime that is sincere about the anti-corruption war, it will send a signal to the governors that the time for corruption is over. Is that why people who should be paid should be punished? Imagine people not being paid for six months. The President felt that it is scandalous not to pay workers. What is the duty of government? We were worried at the transition level because we knew how much was being owed at the federal and state levels. With the load that has been lifted off the state, the bailout, the loan, you will see that there will be stability in the society. You saw what happened in Osun. As they were announcing the package, people were already demonstrating. If the package has not been announced, they will still be demonstrating by now. It could have become violent. It is very unfortunate that this could happen where Rauf Aregbesola is governor. He is one governor I can attest to his frugality and transparency.

From N3.6 billion, the allocation dropped to N1.6 billion. How can the state survive? That is why the relief is a welcome development. The President has not made any distinction between the APC and the PDP. The APC asked for bail out. The President said all governors should go back and enforce fiscal discipline in their states.

In the last administration, the former President gave N2billion to each of the PDP states as ecological fund, leaving out the APC states. But, the present governor has genuine intention and it is transparent.

Edo PDP crisis deepens

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•State Governor Osun Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Executive Chairman, Safari Books Limited, Chief Joop Berkhout (left) and Professor Johnson Ekpere (right), at Ibadan Airport.

RISIS is brewing in Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as chieftains from Edo North Senatorial District have called for the dissolution of the State Executive Committee and the sacking of local government officers.

The protesters were led by former House of Representatives member from Owan Constituency Mr Johnson Abolagba.

The former legislator said that the State Executive Committee led by Chief Dan Orbih has failed.

He explained that the committee has failed to win any election in the past six years, adding that it has outlived its usefulness.

Abolagba said the next executive committee will work hard to secure victory for the party in next year’s governorship election.

In a letter to the National Secretariat of the PDP signed by Abolagba and 18 other chieftains, the aggrieved stalwarts maintained that the executive committee has become a liability. .

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

They called for the setting up of a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the party and organise free and fair congresses.

Abolagba said: “Edo North PDP leaders should be allowed to determine its political future rather than its political future being determined by non Edo North leaders or Edo North leaders perceived to be loyal to some national leaders of the party”.

He lamented what he described as the mass exodus of members to the APC, adding that the current leadership has embarked on actions capable of causing disunity and destruction in the chapter.

Abolagba added: “Having looked at the situation, which is unacceptable, we have come to the conclusion that the present leaderships of the party at all levels in the state cannot lead the party to victory in future elections.”

47

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

THE NATION

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

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‘Blood is vital to longevity’

LOOD is life. Knowing one’s blood group can ensure longevity. According to a Naturopath, Dr. Adebukola Olujide, the knowledge of a pension’s blood group can help to determine the foods, drinks (apart from water), spices and condiments suitable for his health.

“A fundamental relationship has been established between each blood type and the dietary and lifestyle choices that will help each person to live at the optimal best,” she said.

Dr Olujide said knowing one’s blood group can equally help in averting illnesses, as one will take cognisance of which vitamins and supplements to go for or avoid; which medications functions best in the systems. The best form of stress management one can engage in, what mode and duration of exercise is best for their constitutions.

She said the knowledge of the blood group and how same affect health would make one avoid common viruses and infections, how to fight back life threatening disease, how to slow down the ageing process by avoiding factors that are against one’s blood type/group, which cause rapid cell deterioration.

It does not stop there. Knowing one’s blood group “has even been used to know people’s personality as each of the blood group has different personality traits and peculiarities.

The knowledge and use of blood group for these benefits is for both children and adults,” said Dr Olujide.

She shared her personal experience, as she used to feel irritated and impatient with one of her children because of what she saw as his slowness and lack of agility – until she got to know that he was only showing behaviour typical of his blood group. And she adjusted to his lifestyle.

Dr Olujide explained that each person’s blood type (in the ABO Blood Group System: A, B, AB OR O) has been found to be one of the keys that unlocks the door to the mysteries of health, disease, longevity, physical vitality and emotional strength. A person’s blood type could determine his susceptibility

‘Knowing one’s blood group has even been used to know people’s personality as each of the blood group has different personality traits and peculiarities. The knowledge and use of blood group for these benefits is for both children and adults’

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

to illness, which foods to eat and how the person should exercise; it is a factor in energy levels, the efficiency with which one burns calories, people’s emotional responses to stress and even their personality type.

She said the connection between blood type and diet may sound radical, but it is not. “It has long been realised that there was a missing link in the comprehension of the process that leads either to the path of wellness or the dismal trail of disease. There had to be a reason why there were so many paradoxes in dietary studies and disease survival.

“There also had to be an explanation for why some people were able to lose weight on particular diets, while others were not; why some people retained vitality late into life, while others deteriorated mentally and physically.

Blood type analysis has helped to explain these paradoxes. And the more the connection is explored, the more valid it is found to become,” said Dr Olujide.

The naturopath explained that blood types are as fundamental as creation itself, “Because in the masterful logic of nature, the blood types follow an unbroken trail from the earliest moment of human creation to the present day. They are the signature of human ancient ancestors on the indestructible parchment of history.

“Discovery has been made on how to use the blood type as a cellular fingerprint that

unravels many of the major mysteries surrounding the human quest for good health.

This work is an extension of the ground breaking findings concerning human DNA. The understanding of blood type takes the science of genetics one step further by stating unequivocally that every human being is utterly unique. There is no right or wrong lifestyle or diet; there are only right or wrong choices to be made based on people’s individual genetic codes,” said Dr Olujide.

She said a lot of work in the field of blood type analysis has been carried out with interesting findings. “For example, patients who were Type A seemed to do poorly on highprotein diets that included generous portions of meat, but did very well on vegetable proteins such as soya and tofus. Dairy products tended to produce copious amounts of mucus discharge in the sinuses and respiratory passages of Type As. When told to increase their levels of physical activity and exercise, Type As usually felt fatigued and unwell; when they performed lighter forms of exercise, such as yoga, they felt alert and energised.”

Dr Olujide said on the other hand, Type O patients thrived on high-protein diets, and they felt invigorated by intense physical activities, such as jogging and aerobics, fitting aptly into the saying one man’s food is another man’s poison. Correlations have also been found between the ABO blood types and

Senator donates supplements, milk to mothers

CAM practitioners set up task force to curb charlatans

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AN quackery be routed in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)?

Yes, says the National Complementary and Alternative Medical Association (NACAMA), which has set up a task force, the National Practitioners Verification and Hospital Re-certification Committee (NPVHRC), to sanitise its practice.

The association’s president, Prof Peter Katchy, said charlatans were ruining the image of the profession, which underscored the need for some regulations.

Katchy, who represented the country’s alternative medicine at the 25th International Medical Conference in India, spoke on arrival in Lagos.

The committee, according to him, would ensure practitioners comply strictly with the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Good Complementary and Alternative Medical Practice in Nigeria.

He said the practice has been invaded by quacks, who were practising under the pretext of attending some ‘recognised’ schools.

Katchy said the committee would act as a functional national team to redeem the association’s image and correct misconceptions from well informed people about the profession.

Besides, it would also flush out fake manufacturers of medicines

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By Wale Adepoju

labelled Alternative Medicines and Mobile College Centres, such as, Centre for Traditional Medicine Practitioners, which has metamorphosed into Centre for Alternative Medicine Practitioners.

“Also, any other of such mobile medical institutes that ascribed alternative medicines to such dubious centres, which move from one hotel to the other in states collecting money from ignorant subscribers on a one-day workshop to become doctors and issue such valueless and worthless certificates to them as medical practitioners.

“The terms of reference of NPVHRC is to shut such institutions and bring the criminal operators to book,” he said.

He said it would also ensure that duly registered complementary and alternative medicine hospitals and clinics comply with the laid down formats for CAM hospitals and clinics.

Moreover, it would stop wanton abuses and misrepresentations of drug peddlers, who claimed that their concoctions are alternative medicines.

Katchy urged the Federal Government to reopen the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM) in Abuja to support the training of practitioners.

•Dr Olujide

a predilection for certain diseases. For example two major diseases of the stomach are associated with blood type. The first is the peptic ulcer, a condition often related to higher than average stomach acid levels. This condition was reported to be more common in people with Type O blood than in people with other blood types. This correlated with the earlier observation that Type O patients did well on animal products and protein diets—foods that require more stomach acid for proper digestion.”

According to her, the second correlation was an association between Type A and stomach cancer. Stomach cancer, she explained, was often linked to low levels of stomach acid production, as was pernicious anaemia, another disorder found more often in Type A individuals. “Pernicious anaemia is related to a lack of vitamin B12, which requires sufficient stomach acid for its absorption. In other words, Type O blood predisposed people to an illness associated with too much stomach acid, while on the other hand, Type A blood predisposed people to two illnesses associated with too little stomach acid,” said Dr Olujide.

•Katchy

He said: “The former Minister of Health for State, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, has rectified the curriculum of the latent college and approved for the payment of outstanding rents and staff salaries. Sequel to this development it is expected that any moment from now, the present administration will allow FEDCAM to be reopened for academic activities.”

He reassured that NACAMA was the only legitimate medical association for practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine in Nigeria.

Besides, the Federal Ministry of Health and state ministries of health recognised the association’s certificate.

HE Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Solomon Adeola, has donated supplement to enhance the nutrition of expectant and nursing mothers in the 28 Local Council Development Areas of his district.

Making the donation of over 3000 tins of Frisomum Milk in his Senatorial Office in Ikeja, to some primary health care centres’ representatives, Adeola said the gesture was part of his programme to ensure that he impacted positively in areas of need of his constituents, adding that proper nutrition for pregnant and nursing mothers is a preventive measure against illhealth and diseases, particularly the expectant mothers and infants.

The Senator who was represented by the Director General of his campaign organisation Hon. Kehinde

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By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

Joseph said he is concerned about the health of his constituents particularly women and children adding that as much as possible, he will continue programmes that will impact positively on the lives of his constituents.

Lauding the gesture of the senator, Mr. Jimoh Yusuph, the Council Manager of Olorunda LCDA, said what senator Adeola did is a blessing as he is starting his constituency programmes from the womb where we have unborn children that cannot talk while the medical officer of Otun Awori LCDA Dr. Okonma Anne expressed appreciation and joy that a legislator has the interest of pexpectant women and unborn children at heart.

Eat apple, get skinnier

ACKING in quite a bit of soluble fiber (4 grams per medium apple) for a modest amount of calories (95) makes apples a filling, sweet snack. Plus, a medium apple counts as one cup of fruit, so after eating one you’re well on your way to meeting your daily fruit quota (around two cups for adults on a 2,000-calorie diet). They also are a good source of immune-boosting vitamin C (providing 14 per cent of the Daily Value).Weight Loss •Apples satisfy hunger for few calories so it’s not surprising that they

can be part of a healthy diet that promotes weight loss. And in a recent study, dried apples also helped participants lose some weight.

Women who ate a cup of dried apples daily for a year lost some weight and lowered their cholesterol and heart disease markers. Florida State University researchers think apples’ antioxidants and pectin (a type of fiber) are responsible for the benefits—and think that fresh apples would be even more effective.

•Source:www.eatingwell.com

48

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

NATURAL HEALTH

Understanding and controlling bad breath (Halitosis)…1

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ODAY, I remember the general morning assembly of my generation’s primary school days. It took place on the play field, if the school had one, or elsewhere out door on the grounds. Each class field in a long queue, attended to by the class teacher. After the Christian “worship” and prayers, it would be time for “health” inspection. Every-one showed his nails. If they were long or the underneath was dirty, they were cut and cleaned and, as punishment, the pupil was caned. The uniform, too, was inspected. Pupils who were dirty and/or wore torn uniforms were caned and sent home. Bushy hair was cut with attendant punishment. Anyone who did not bath that morning was ordered bathed by a pupil of the opposite gender. For this reason, everyone took personal hygiene seriously. And for pupils whose mouth smelled, either from bacterial or viral degradation of their mouth tissue, or from the breakfast of that day, a public mouth cleaning took place. Then those days, I learned to clean my mouth after every meal and to try and smell my breath before leaving home for school in those days and, today, before hopping off to work or elsewhere.

Today, almost every adult of my generation is conscious of personal hygiene. We bath in the morning and before we retire to bed. Some men cut their hair about two times a month. In the female personal hygiene market, the salons are making good fortune from hair treatment, retouches and styling. Our dressing has now left the realm of wearing something to cover nudity to ego or power packaging and, for many women, coquetry in addition. But many people, men and women, young and old, fail in one department … their breath. For the breath of many people stinks.

About four years ago, a woman aged 24 asked me for natural cure of her bad breath. When I asked if there was anything unusual about her mouth, tongue and gum, it turned out there were many. Her tongue was heavily coated with grayish and slimy matter, and the inside of the cheekbone, on one side was, a ring of infected tissue reddish on the inside and ringed by whitish dots of inflamed matter on the edges. The Yoruba of south- western Nigeria call it owo eyo (r: m: r :) because it resemble a coin, which is owo or money or cowrie (owo eyo), used in pristine times as a medium of exchange. This is caused sometimes by the human papilovirus and requires antiviral treatment. There is no doubt that exudations from this infection can tamper with clean, fresh breath.

When we think, or talk of, bad breath, we think, quite naturally, of the mouth. But bad breath sometimes, if not often, has origins in the sinuses of the nose, the throat, upper respiratory tract, the stomach, the intestine, diseased liver and kidney(s), cancer, the blood and the lymph. In the mouth, bad breath may be temporary or chronic, that is, longstanding. Temporary bad breath may arise from the eating of spicy foods which release sulfur and certain essential oils in the mouth, intestine and blood. Bacterial in the mouth may degrade these oils and worsen the breath.

While such bad breath may be easily overcome by brushing teeth and gums and resorting to mouth washes, a more difficult type may defy these approaches to eliminate it.

This more difficult type often results from a film of bacteria which clings to the teeth and gums and enables these bacteria to eat up food remnants in the mouth that is not cleaned up after a meal. The poisons from this action cause teeth decay and gum disease, among several mouth aliments that are their handiwork. According to the Microbiome Database (HOMD), there are about 700 prokaryote species of bacteria in the human oral cavity.

There are about 200 projects ongoing worldwide to determine just how many bacteria, friendly and otherwise, that are present in each person’s mouth. Dr. Eric Shapira, at the time he was assistant clinical professor and lecturer at the University of the Pacific School of dentistry, said “there are 50 trillion of these microscopic organisms loitering in your mouth.”

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HESE bacteria may be living or dead. One of the ways it would appear nature gets rid of them is through antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) present in the saliva. Many studies suggest that the production of IgA in the parotid siliving gland decreases with age, which may suggest why, all things equally, the mouths of young people are more resistant to bad breath or mouth odour than those of much older people.

Dr Shapira suggests that, to get rid of this film of bacteria, the teeth should be brushed, clean of them, after every meal. Where a brush and toothpaste are not readily available, he says: “When you can’t brush, you can rinse. Go to the restroom after meals and get a mouthful of water, swish it around and wash the smell of food from your mouth.”

He says that if you are at a restaurant and you cannot excuse yourself from the table that is not a food excuse not to clean up. “Take a sip from your water glass”, he says, “and discreetly circulate the water across and around your teeth, then swallow those offending bits of food.”

Failure to do this is one way of causing trouble in the mouth. Another way may be through tooth-picking food debris caught between two teeth. A pick may miss the target and injure the gum by puncturing it. I learned my own lesson about this the hard way. Today, I use dental floss.

It comes in different forms. I have graduated from the thread type to the type with a structure like a harp. I have seen even two types of this. The American-made type lasts longer. After use, I keep it in saline water and may re-use

over, say, one week. The string of the Chinese brand is thinner, and may break before a second flossing.

Dr Shapira must laugh when he learns about how I break his rules on rights that I am too tired to clean up and would like to just fling myself into bed after work. On such a night, I may open one or two capsules of Golden seal root and empty them in my mouth. Then I brush it on the gums teeth and tongue. The anti-microbial prevents adherence of the microbes to human tissue and then kills them. In the alternative, I may do the same with Diatom, also called Diatomaceous health or Edible Earth. It does the same and more. In addition to this, one may try mouth washes. Dr Shapira says the choice may be determined by colour and flavour. I take notice of two from his suggestion. The colour of one is green, the other red. The green contains essential oil such as thyme, eucalyptus, peppermint, and winter green as well as sodium benzoate or benzoic acid for preservation. The red may contain zinc compounds. A deficiency of these compounds has been linked to bad breath.

If these do not appear to help, a dentist may be consulted.

For the problem may be hibernating in the root canals or may arise from decaying mercury fillings or decomposing gums.

Dr James Lind We cannot talk about oral or mouth hygiene without a mention of Dr. James Lind (4 October 1716 to 13 July 1794).

A Scottish physician, he save British sailors from a seemingly intractable problem of gum disease and falling teeth.

He discovered that citrus fruits prevented scurvy, a condition of bleeding gums, gum and teeth disease. In those days, the importance of Vitamins C for the prevention of scurvy was not known. Scurvy or bleeding comes when connecting tissue of cells is weak. Vitamin C and the bioflavoniods strengthen connective tissue. Dr Linus Paule, father of Vitamin C research of our generation who died at the age of 103 and received two Nobel Awards on Vitamin research not shared with any one, found that, by the time the gums start to bleed, bleeding would have been going on in the organs for long time. In Dr Lind’s days, 1,400 of 1,900 sailors died of survy in one single incident.

Although Dr Lend was not the first to suggest citrus fruits as anti–scorbutic agents, he was the first to study their impact in 1747, which has been suggested as one of the first clinical experiments in medicines history. He divided scurvy-suffers sailors into six groups and found that the group which took cider with their meals and that which had two oranges and one lime recovered significantly enough to be fit for work.

Borrowing a leaf from Dr Linds work, I began my breakfast this Ramadan 2015 with the juice of four oranges and that of four limes in which I dissolve one teaspoonful of wheatgrass powder for minerals and vitamins, and a quarter or half teaspoon of spirulina for proteins. Then, I do not forget to take 1,000mg of the alkaline or buffered form of vitamin C. Wheatgrass and spirulina contain chlorophyll, which deodourses the mouth and blood, and kill germs, besides.

Sinuses, tonsils Bad breath can come also from inflamed, blocked or dripping sinuses. These are hallow passages in the nasal cavity which facilitates air movement in and out of the body and helps in the balancy of pressure. We can tell of their importance when they are blocked through the heaviness we feel in the head and in the ears. Congestion in the sinuses encourages the proliferation of germs which, in turn, breeds odour. The odour, being gaseous, may appear in the mouth as bad breath. It has been suggested by some authorities that these congestions occur to trap germs and should not be supressed but rather encouraged to do their job which involves trapping and sweeping out the microbes and disturbing foreign agents. In biochemic medicine the colour of the mucus indicates a certain cell salt

e-mail:johnolufemikusa@yahoo.com or johnolufemikusa@gmail.com

deficiency which gave rise to the condition. For example, a bloody mucoid discharge indicates a need for ferrum phosphate. Oregano oil spray are useful in keeping the sinuses free as are other circulation promoting herbs such as cayenne. If the tongue is gray, indicating candida presence, it is the time to take anti-fungals such as Amazon AF or Amazon CF or pau d A’rco. Use may be found for colloidal silver. It may be let in through a dropper and sniffed in, used for a mouth wash, or taken internally, as oral trush may indicate overload of candida in the gut and/or blood stream. This treatment may also be adopted for throat and upper respiratory tract conditions which may breed germs and throw up such odour that may seek outlet through the mouth.

Diabetic breath A fruity smell in the breath suggests serious diabetes.

The breath is often a telling tale for diagnosis. At the western new england university, researchers were testing a breath analyzer which can detecth if the patient is diabetes free or prediabetic. Diabetes releated bad breath (halitosis) has two major origins. The first is Periodontal disease (gum disease). The other is the presence of large amounts of ketones in the blood. Periodontal disease is like a two-way traffic or double-edged sword. Diabetes can cause periodontal disease, periodontal disease can complicate the problems of diabetics. A report on the IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Science says about one in three diabetics may experince periodontal disease, heart disease and stroke. Diabetes reduces blood flow by thickening the blood and causing blockages to circulation. When the gums are not well supplied with blood and oxygen, they may become weak and succumb to infections. Infections eat up the gums, causing bad breath. If diabetes elevates glucose levels in the mouth, this will promote bacteral growth, infection and halitosis (bad breath). Gum infections are more difficult for the body to fight when glucose levels in the blood rise. In gum disease, germs attack the structure which builds the teeth down in the gum. Gum disease may lead to gum inflamation (gingivitis). Inflamation has been found to affect metabolism and raise blood sugar, which is bad news for the diabetics some of the symptoms of periodontal disease, which produces bad breath, are redness of the gum, bleeding gums, teeth sensitive to cold and heat and receding gums. As for high levels of Kentos in the blood which manifests in the breath, they arise as a factor when the body isn’t burning glucose and there is a resort to fats for energy. Kentons build up in the blood and urine. They are produced, also during a fast or restriction to a high protein diet, and low carborhydrate diet. Bad breath comes with high Kentons level. One Ketone fraction called Acetone is a chemical found in nail polish. So, it can cause an odour in the breath which resembles nail polish. A high Ketone level may cause a condition called Ketoacidosis (DKA), the symptoms of which may include a sweet and fruity odour in the breath, more frequent urination, nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting elevated blood glucose levels, shortness of breath, and mental confusion.

ATURALLY, the question will arise: how can one normalise blood sugar level? This is an important question often addressed in this column, because elevated blood sugar is too dangerous to health and life to be treated with kid gloves. Many people do not know their blood sugar levels had been rising for years. They get to know when their Kidneys have problems filtering the urine out of the blood. In extreme cases, a paralysed kidney function may lead to amonia odour in the breath. If you were ever in an office of the 1980s where building plans were printed, the stench which greeted you in those days was ammonia. It is the stench you encounter in the pit toilet filled with nitrogenous waste. This waste is plentiful, too, in the constipated intestine, which is a mini pit toilet. If the ammonia in the intestine escapes into the bloodstream, it may cause aches and pain in the brain. In this case, it is stupid to try to suppress the pain with pain killers instead of tackling it at the root. The kidney is meant to screen it out of the blood. When it fails on a large scale to do this, the ammonia may appear in the breath as a symptom of kidney disease. Like blood pressure (low or high) from which I have seen many people die, I do not take elevated blood sugar for granted. To aid balancing of blood sugar, I have learned over many years the importance of blood sugar cleansing, recomposition of the blood, or blood building, and the care of the endocrine glands which function like an orchestra, with the pituitary gland as the choir master. These endocrine glands include the pineal gland pancreas, the thyroid, parathyroid, the adrenal glands and the pituitary, the testes and the ovaries. There are herbs which work for them all in various degrees as there are herbs which are specific for each. As an example, the red kidney bean pod, taken as tea, clears up all swellings caused by kidney insufficiency. So does Serrapeptase which dissolves blockages. I have experimented with diatom, and have witnessed my random blood sugar come down to 90 from about 140. I am yet to check its effect on cholesterol which it is said to also control.

My favorite blood sugar burners include Chromium, Cinnamon, Fenugreek, Bitter melon, Kyolic, Magnesium, Zinc, Horsetail and proprietary blends which include Nature’s way blood sugar, Bell’s Blood sugar balance, which is currently on my medicine cabinet, Amazon pancreas support and the likes of them. They incorporate these and many other sugar burners in varying and different proportions.

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•To be continued.

Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 08116759749

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

49

NEWS Commonwealth Sec Gen candidate Sanders for Nigeria

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NE of the four candidates for the influential post of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Sir Ronald Sanders, is expected in Nigeria between July 26 and 30 to deliver the keynote address at the international conference on the EUECOWAS Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).

The conference organised by Africa Today will take place between July 28 to 29 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. The renowned diplomat and scholar, who is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, is expected to share and give his insight into international trade negotiations, most especially as they pertain to the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries, with members of the Nigerian business community and government officials.

Sir Sanders has considerable experience in international trade negotiations especially with the European Union (EU).

He was a member of the Caribbean team that negotiated with the EU on their EPA. Aside that he was also a former Ambassador to the old European Economic Community (EEC) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Caribbean region has since signed their EPA with the EU. Justifying inviting Sir Sanders to Nigeria, publisher of Africa Today, Mr. Kayode Soyinka, said in Abuja: “I sit with Sir Sanders on The Round Table – the Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs, which has been publishing since 1910. And I have been very privileged from that close quarter to know and respect his views on the EPA, which are very progressive and I would like my people here in Nigeria, in particular, and ECOWAS and Africa in general to listen to him. That is why we are bring him to Abuja for this EPA conference as the Keynote Speaker.”

Soyinka added that “Nigeria, most especially members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANT) NACCIMA – the chambers of Commerce, and of course the consumers, can get the benefit of the Caribbean experience from someone like Sir Sanders close to the center of the negotiations. Sanders has a progressive view about the EPA and his views will be beneficial, insightful and an eye opener for Nigeria, ECOWAS and the AU”, adding that “his contribution to the discussion in Abuja will go a long way in deciding whether it is helpful for and beneficial to Nigeria, ECOWAS and Africa as a whole to sign the EPA or not”. As Africa’s economic powerhouse, other countries on the continent will certainly take their cue from Nigeria’s decision.

The EPA, a controversial issue over the years, is a reciprocal preferential trade agreement being promoted by the EU to create a Free Trade Area [FTA] between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States [ACP] through six regional economic communities into which the ACP is divided. The ECOWAS Commission, one of the six regional economic communities, negotiated agreement on behalf of the 16 countries in West Africa, including Nigeria. The agreement was concluded in July 2014 after 11 years of negotiations. Nigeria has expressed reservations on the agreement’s current form

By Wale Ajetunmobi

due to the perceived economic implications to its economy.

The EPA agreement is also an emotive issue for members of Nigeria’s organized private sector including members of the influential Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANT), NACCIMA – the chambers of commerce, the consumers and NGOs. Members of these associations will be at the receiving end if and when Nigeria signs the agreement with the EU. Deadline for signing the agreement was last October and Europe has said it will not come back to the negotiation table. Nigeria, in 2014, supported by other African countries, had refused to sign saying the agreement’s terms were not favourable to Africa. This is despite progress being made by some regional blocs towards finalizing these trade pacts.

The conference, which is in partnership with the Bank of Industry in Nigeria, is expected to put the EPA and its economic ramifications on the continent’s economy on the front burner of national discuss, enlighten ordinary citizens and business people about the agreement, examine the agreement’s pros and cons as it affects Nigeria’s economy and that of the west African (ECOWAS) sub-region, and Africa as a whole. To sign or not to sign the agreement will most likely be President Mohammudu Buhari’s first major foreign policy action since been sworn in as Nigeria’s President May 29.

Sanders’ contribution at the conference will no doubt, elevate the discussion. He will be joined by other distinguished speakers including Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, managing director, Bank of Industry, Dr. S.U. Jacobs, president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, and Ken Ukaoha, president, National Association of Nigerian Traders, Prof. Ademola Oyejide, an Emeritus professor of economics from the University of Ibadan, among others.

The conference is being organized because of the importance attached to the agreement especially as it relates to the economic growth of Africa especially the West African (ECOWAS) sub-region.

Sir Sanders, a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, was a former High Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom and former Ambassador to the European Economic Community (EEC) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He is also a member of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group (EPG). Known as a progressive minded international personality, he is currently seeking to become the Secretary General of the Commonwealth. His visit to Nigeria could, no doubt, enhance his visibility especially among African members of the Commonwealth of which Nigeria is key.

•Sanders

WHAT THE PRESIDENT, OTHERS EARN

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

DISCOURSE

Aregbesola: moving Osun from mediaeval dependency to modernity Managing Nigeria’s dependent states: Aregbesola and the case of Osun •Continued from yesterday.

REGBESOLA’s prognosis has now been proven to be correct, although it seemed then that the governor was only crying wolf where there was none. Workers who are accustomed to the profligacy of the past did not believe that government resources would someday be insufficient to meet its obligations.

To finance its capital projects, Government had to resort to the Capital Market to raise bonds, and by this it was able to devote 60% of the state’s resources to capital projects, whilst recurrent expenditure was pegged at 40%. Governor Aregbesola painstakingly explained the implications of the situation to the public at his novel all-night phone-in live-audience programme, ‘Ogbeni till Day Break’ and monthly public physical exercise ‘Walk to Live’ rallies in town after town. He emphasised that it was important to embark on critical capital development projects and programmes designed to modernize the State, institute modern social services and attract investments that would create a viable economic base in order to pull Osun out of its dependent status. This is the basic strategy of the Six-Point Integral Action Plan of the new government enunciated in the ‘green book’ for transforming the state.

Workers had become accustomed to the euphoria of better pay for as long as it lasted from 2011 to 2013, but it was not long after that the Federation accounts allocation to Osun dropped dramatically from a high of N5billion (Five billion naira) in 2012, to as low as N400m (Four hundred million naira) per month in April 2015. With this, the salary crisis had become an emergency: workers could no longer be paid, and the banks which had been extending credit to government to bridge the ever-widening gap in its obligations stopped extending credit to the State.

This effectively brought all activities, including on-going capital projects in the state to a halt.

As things stand now, the State’s entire Federal Allocation is exclusively for the benefit of government and its workers;we are operating an unsustainable welfare state that will sooner anger the excluded 98% of the population who fend for themselves. The States and Federal governments owe collectively close to a trillion naira debts for salaries, pensions, bank charges, contractors’ bills, etc without payment of which their economies will remain in a state of paralysis.

The injection of cash from the Public Sector through payment of workers’ wages and contractors’ bills provides disposable income that translates intoincome for businesses, traders, transporters, artisans, food vendors, etc, and tax revenue for government. The absence from circulation of this important cash for over six months is deeply felt in the local economy. The cash – flow of a modern State ought not to be so tied to one risky source; this is not good for the future of labour, government or businesses.

Underlying reason for states’ low IGR and federal dependency status The underlying conditions that triggered 2014/2015 salary crisis are a repeat of the conditions leading up to Nigeria’s economic disaster of 1982 because we have not taken to heart the lessons from that era. Like the federal government, most of the States failed to anticipate and prepare themselves to cope with the scale of the financial down-turn again this time because we found

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By Abimbola Daniyan

ourselves somewhat insulated from the 2008 financial melt-down in the leading industrial economies.

Nigeria’s governments after the First Republic have been propped up with Oil income and government organs have been multiplying like mushrooms in theforest and in effect loss-making ventures where budgets reflect neither true costs nor benefits for the citizens.The inability of Nigeria’s dependent States to generate an impactful level of internal revenue is rooted in the absence of a genuine local economy based on industries that are not tied to Government’s Oil revenue and the importation syndrome. Industry is the biggest source of IGR in a normal developing economy.

Nigeria’s so-called neo-liberal macro-economic policy centred on importation of foreign goods (in effect exporting Nigerianjobs abroad), and entrenchment of inefficient municipal services, corruption, etc, are all leading to de-industrialization and ever deeperdependency and underdevelopment. This is the result of Nigeria’s so-called development strategy: import substitution turned to import dependency and trickle-down development.

If Nigeria’s fortune is to change for the better, this recession gives us the opportunity to confront the realities of our weak and shallow economy. States’ lack of sizeable internal revenue is an indictment of Nigeria’s lopsided federalism whereby the states are mere adjuncts incapable of making any fundamental changes to macro-economic policy, and this makes both State and Federal Governments weak and vulnerable to manipulation by foreign interests. The states are guilty of fickleness, juvenile dependency behaviour and lack of creativity, intuitive initiative and the discipline to follow through good ideas for the longer term benefit of their people because of bad politicsthe right things never get done out of fear of losing an election, an alltoo-real fear.

The great diversity of Nigerian States, cultures and climatic conditions, the bases of complementarity and means of positive competition, two critical ingredients for national economic virility and success have remained unharnessed.

This makes Nigeria hostage to a neo-colonial and subordinate mindset of waiting for ‘ideas from abroad’ in a world of developmental competition anchored by a strong sense of national identity, initiative and creativity.

It is time to formulate a thorough-going economic strategy for the country and its component regions with which we can build without further delay a lasting foundation for a vibrant economy and finally change the culture of entitlement and sharing of booty that has become ‘Public Service’ in Nigeria.

For example, why should Federal allocation be for payment of government salaries? Federal allocation belongs to the entire population of

a state and should be invested primarily in capital formation projects and activities, such as critical infrastructure and direct business opportunities that enhance growth, create jobs and expand revenue), thus enabling the economy of a state to grow.

When contractors handling visible construction works that help to create a future for the children of today’s government workers don’t get paid, their workers don’t get paid.

Let us treat all workers equally, government and contractors’. A State’s government’s workforce should be paid from the state’s internally generated revenue, and thisshould in turn determine the size of the workforce. No business employs more workers than it can reasonably pay from its earnings, not from donations. We are not in a wartorn zone where disruption of normal life makes charitable donations the only lifeline available. It should be mandatory for government to pay its employees based on performance as it is done in the rest of the economy,rather than continue in the indulgence that is ruining many lives unknown to most of them.

The high cost of generating alternative power with diesel-electric sets has forced many manufacturing companies to move their operations outside of Nigeria while manufactured goods are smuggled in. It is such that even IT and mobile telephone service companies touted as models of growth now prefer to locate their core activities in territories with dependable and cheap power supply. Another serious problem is extortion and collusion by government agents and officials who facilitate the exporting of capital that is badly needed for development at home.

The number of manufacturing companies in an economy that is the biggest consumer of imported goods in Africa is not unexpectedly small for all these reasons. Until there is a change from this economic policy and the negative operating environment, Nigerian states will continue to generate very low levels of IGR and attract only a handful of desperate ‘businessmen’, not genuine investors and manufacturers. A trickle-down economy works like the filter blocking the passage of the solidsin a stream (such as targeted investmentsin resource utility maximisation and talent development) the building blocks of a production and manufacturing economy; this means that the pivot on which our IGR hope hingeswill be built only when we have a different kind of development policy.

States’ IGR breakdown shows that they are dictated by Nigeria’s importation-centred economic policy which kills industries and bloats up the bureaucracy- the reasons why the States are unable to grow their IGR substantially. The absence of industries has meant that most of the states depend on Government workers’ PAYE tax for fully 50% of their IGR, a great irony whose meaning is better understood now that government is unable to pay its workers. It is an absurd kind of econ-

‘This way of life fuels inflation, extortion, ever rising demand for wages by the unions, pilfering, treasury lifting and all manners of fraud just to ‘meet up’, and everybody puts everyone else they can under pressure. It has institutionalized wickedness as the way of life in Nigeria’

omy. Other sources such as licensing fees (vehicles, radio, TV, etc), real estate land charges, tenement rates, markets rates and rents, and the least of these, Private Sector small businesses’ taxes, (including PAYE) in a healthy and diverse economy should be contributing at least 60% of the IGR.A few states Lagos, Anambra and Osun have managed to invest in construction and industrial manufacturing ventures. Anambra has no debts primarily because the state under Governor Peter Obi failed to embark on any longterm vision-driven project, typical of a former banker who fearsto take the pill they shove down the throat of borrowers. But the future will come sooner and Anambra will find itself ill-prepared to deal with its infrastructural bottlenecks.

Infrastructure-led development, investing in Agriculture,industrial entrepreneurship and human capital development and tools, not patching up what we have today, are the keys to long-term competitiveness.

Confronting the realities of Nigeria’s weak and shallow economy ‘A weak system breeds a weak ethos and makes a cynical society’ Nigeria’s economy is truly an irrational one. It is a fact that corporations are more efficient than countries, and it is important to know why. The main reason is focus on objectives, resource concentration, efficient organization design, lean management, more hands at the coal face, systems, processes, standards, effective mission controls, performance management, fairness to all, caring for their greatest assets (human capital), etc. Let us have some perspective on Nigeria’s true status in the world. The world’s biggest company is a retailer(WalMart)operates in 11,495 locationsand employing 2.2million people it earned revenue of $486billion in 2014, meaning that each employee contributed or (is worth) $1.434million.

Toyota, the world’s biggest manufacturer employs 338,875workers and earned revenue of $252billionin 2014, meaning each employee contributed (or is worth) $743, 637. These corporations have run their businesses profitably for generations and they are growing stronger. These businesses spend no more than 15 to 20% of their revenue on administration and you can see the work done, compare this to Nigerian governments that spend 70% of their budgets on salaries and nobody can point to work done anywhere!The total output of Nigeria’s 176million peoplewith‘rebased’ 2014 GDP is $594billion dollars, meaning each Nigerian contributed (or is worth) not more than $3, 375 or N675, 000. If you ask the average Nigerian,that is ‘big money’ and he/she will gladly ask to be given that N675, 000 as their share, now!

This is really the way we are and itmeans thatany Nigerian, no matter how ‘big’ we may consider him/ her to be,is seen in the eyes of the world to be worth no more than just that. And it is one reason the world treats us shabbily.

We produce next to nothing but have a high taste for the goods that others produce and we import, if possible, steal them. Our dependency is both external and internal, for example, most southern States depend on the northern States for at least 50 per cent of their food consumption. We import and burn N3.5trillion on diesel and petrol for standby generators and automotive cars, trucks and trains annually,

•Aregbesola

whilst also flaring all the gas we could have used to generate the electricity needed to save ourselves from this wastage. Besides the capital cost of generator imports, self-generated power costs ten times as much as grid power! It is like buying one item and paying for ten without knowing.

This way of life fuels inflation, extortion, ever rising demand for wages by the unions, pilfering, treasury lifting and all manners of fraud just to ‘meet up’, and everybody puts everyone else they can under pressure. It has institutionalized wickedness as the way of life in Nigeria.

In the midst of all this the main reason we have government is forgotten: the security and welfare of the citizens (i.e. empowerment to grow and prosper in safety and security). The States and Local Governments simply complete the circle of Nigeria’s irrational economy.

Those who work for our governments (from the President, State Governors, Senators, Representatives, Justices of the Supreme, High and Low Courts at the Federal, State or Local Governments), are addicted to this system of guaranteed personal income, whether work gets done or not, relevant quality or not, and efficient or not. It has created a State in name but not in character.

Also common to the state and federal civil services is the absence of a genuine performance management system, meaning that workers get paid whether they perform and deliver results or not, because there are no performance standards (tasks and targets, qualitative and quantitative) to hold workers up against.

Yet there is an annual performance appraisal system which is merely a bluster and blackmail instrument.

Everybody scores 90% and above!

Many activities of government lack rigorous monitoring and control because of a cultivated mindset that prevails among government employees as State dependents that live on the assumption that a seat is all it takes to own the budget and one’s monthly pay is assured without a question. It has also cultivated a cynical citizenry who believe that those inside our governments are simply salting away money, and on this account do not trust them.

But we have progressed somewhat: from reckless sharing of money without any development worth its name to overleveraging what little there is because there is not enough left after salaries. This leads to heavy indebtedness to local contractors on account of which many projects are executed in fits and starts with consequent price escalation from accumulated interest on bank loans, the cost of rework of projects damaged by rains such as unprotected earthworks, vandalism and the effect of inflation on prices. This situation calls for careful selection and balancing of project portfolios and tightly disciplined cost and schedule management that is not a strength of government.

•To be continued...

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

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PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Nigeria needs 12.8m houses in six years, says CMD chief

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IGERIA needs 12.8milion houses in six years to fix its housing problem, Centre for Management Development (CMD), Director-General,Dr. Kabir Usman.

He spoke at the unveiling of an institute - the Mortgage and Real Estate Academy (MOREACA DEMY) - in Lagos.

He said the Federal Government, through the CMD and a firm, Western Atlantic Corporation Limited (WACL), established the industry.

Under the initiative, a publicprivate partnership, training would be held in Lagos and Abuja.

“We need to build 2.8 million houses annually over the next six years to enable us bridge the housing deficit gap in the country,” Usman said, adding that mortgage facilities were out of the reach of several Nigerians; hence, the need to build capacity.

He said the training had become essential to fill the gap in a country with a growing population and huge housing needs. The

• Centre, Western Atlantic partner on training Stories by Muyiwa Lucas

academy is a pilot scheme and would be replicated in other sectors, he added.

Coordinator, MOREACA DEMY, who is also the Managing Director of WACL, Prince Ade Akinfolurin,Prince Dapo Adelegan, said the institution would offer compulsory training and certification to mortgage and real estate practitioners.

He reiterated that it was imperative for operators to participate in the course to keep them abreast of many innovations that would keep them competitive and sharpen their skill in the provision of affordable houses and mortgages, adding that ultimately, only professionals could render mortgage and real estate services.

“By implication,” he noted, “all mortgage service providers, including relevant staff of government housing corporations and

those responsible for provision of affordable housing, including mortgage bankers are required to register with MOREACADEMY for the annual, certification course. He said professionalism would eradicate fraud.

“For instance,” he pointed out, “when a property is transferred from one hand to the other, there is a tax that sellers and buyers are supposed to pay to government; such revenue has eluded the government over the years; the courses we offer at MOREACADEMY shall correct all the irregularities nationwide.

Eventually, anyone, who does not have the sort of certification we offer, will not be licensed to practise Real Estate or Mortgage in the country.

“What we offer is value added.

This is on-the-job training; what is needed to develop the act of professionalism in our people, not people taking up a job and at the end of the day what they think they

have is not what is applicable.

What we are offering is what is applicable on the job for both mortgage and real Estate professionals. That is why we are the only agency, for now, that is registered in the country to offer the professional courses. Those who wanted to take this course in the past had had to travel outside the country.”

According to Akinfolurin, for years, the nation has suffered material, human and economic losses, arising from the fact that the real estate sector has been left in the hands of quacks.

He said professionals in the sector were less than 50 per cent, noting that this had led to the fraudulent practices in the industry.

“Every economy is measured by the number and sophistication of real properties that adorn the landscape of a nation as well as quality of properties churned to its citizenry, be it commercial or residential. Without a properly planned and professionally managed housing system, citizens

would be struggling. That is why in Nigeria, you see people working in Abuja but have to commute daily all the way from Kaduna.

And lots of people have to live in Mowe or Ibafo or even close to Abeokuta, from where they go to work in Lagos. If they all have opportunities of living in Lagos, they will not live elsewhere,” Akinfolurin said.

The trend, he further noted, could only be reversed by a veritable institution that would guarantee necessary capacity building programmes capable of taking the real and mortgage industry to an international height.

“This is what MOREACADEMY sets out to achieve by instilling professionalism,” he added.

MOREACADEMY will offer courses in the real estate and mortgage education for mortgage loan originators, mortgage loan processors, underwriters, mortgage brokers, mortgage lenders, real estate brokers/ agents, property managers, appraisers/valuers, and real estate inspectors/developers.

Firm renovate primary school

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LUSWORLD Roofing has concluded arrangements to restore or renovate the roof of one public primary school in the country.

Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John Igbaifua made this known in Lagos.

He said for the change that Nigerians were clamouring for to come to reality, all hands must be on deck, adding that one of the best and easiest ways to effect change in any society is via its education system.

“As Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘Be the change that you want to see in the world’. The change we so much desire starts from us. The easiest way to achieve this is by supporting sound education for the young ones, especially at the

primary school level because only sound minds make sound decisions. The environment where the students are thought goes a long way in determining the success or failure of any education policy.

Good environment breeds sound education which in turn breeds sound mind and sound minds make sound decisions,” he said.

Igbaifua added that though no specific school had been chosen, the lucky one would eventually emerge through voting by the public via the social media network, noting that this started last May and the school with the highest votes gets the nod.

Early this year, the company, with two of its foreign partners, organised a training for youths in roof repairs and maintenance.

Expert advises govt on housing • From left: CMD Director to Director-General’s Office, Abdulazeez Ogboli; Dr. Usman; Prince Akinfolurin; WACL Company Secretary, Mrs Chinelou Anosike, and Director, ICT, CMD, Salisu Abdullahi, after the event in Lagos.

Lagos, River Basin to partner on dam

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AGOS State is collaborating with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority on the modalities for releasing water from the Oyan Dam, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Ministry of the Environment Mr. Ayodeji Adenekan has said.

He said the partnership was aimed at preventing flooding in the state.

“We have agreed on how water would be released from the dam.

It is necessary for the authority to release part of the water so that the dam will not be destroyed, but we have related with them well and agreed that they will release it gradually so that it doesn’t flood Lagos.The collaboration is still ongoing but there is cooperation,” he said.

Adenekan also identified the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into waterways, such as drains and canals, as the major reason for flooding in the state.

He made this known at a forum with reporters.

“The greatest challenge we have here is dumping of refuse in drains.

If we don’t have refuse in the drains and it is only water, it will flow and only the silt will be left, because flood by its nature, carries sand,” Adenekan explained.

He however regretted that flooding had been compounded by

dumping of pet bottles, satchet water bags, plastics and other refuse in drain channels.

Though Adenekan agreed that covered drains would go a long way in stopping refuse dumping, he explained that there was a need for residents to cultivate positive attitudes toward the environment. Until this attitude was adopted, covered drains, he said, might not be an appropriate option, adding that there had been instances where people had been found opening up manholes and dumping refuse in them.

“Open and covered drains have their advantages; we combine them. There are some roads that are properly covered but it is difficult to clean such drains because the slabs are usually very heavy.

We try to look at what is most appropriate; in the places where we need to cover drains, we cover; but in places where we do not need to cover, we leave them open,” Adenekan explained, adding that when drains were opened, they were easily accessed for cleaning.

He added that the state only covered drains where there might be danger.

He however assured that when residents’ attitudes changed, the government would cover all the drains.

The Permanent Secretary said that the government was proactive in preventing flooding. He said, before the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s report on the rains and flooding patterns for the year was released, the state had prepared ahead by clearing its primary water channels to prevent heavy flooding; identified black spots and ensured that such areas were dredged ahead of time. So far, over 25 primary channels and outfalls had been dredged, while over 13 would be dredged in the next phase.

He said flooding in Lekki and Ajah was caused by indiscriminate sand-filling. He however said the problem had been taken care of in the state’s new master plan.

He said under the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project funded by the World Bank to increase sustainable access to basic urban services through investments in critical infrastructure, the ministry had taken over some of the projects that were not completed, especially the drains.

“We have taken over the drainage projects that were not completed. What we are after is ensuring that the state is flood-free and the work is ongoing,” he explained.

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HE Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) has called on the government to come up with viable legal framework for real estate sector to provide affordable houses for Nigerians.

The Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC), Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran, spoke at the NBCC Breakfast Meeting in Lagos.

Speaking on a topic, Real Estate: an agenda for the new government, Ogunniran identified unavailability of titled land, multiplicity of regulatory authorities with oversight functions, unfriendly approval, lack of infrastructure, poor funding and labour shortage as some of the challenges confronting housing development.

He said most of the problems were as a result of lack of clear legal framework for the industry.

He however advised the government to enact quality laws that would pave way for affordable housing.

Ogunniran explained that affordable housing is possible with a new approach in which the government would be responsible for the provision of land, infrastructure and enabling environment for investors.

“At that platform, we would have financials, developers and other regulatory agencies who will make it easy and cheaper to deliver those houses at a price point that is affordable by the

people in that category.Under the present dispensation it is difficult to deliver houses in that category because you have to buy your land in the open market, apply for permission and approval in the same way, pay all the fees, go through custom without any concession,” Ogunniran explained.

He said Nigeria is ranked 86 out of 102 in the Global Real Estate Transparency Index, adding that this was not good enough. He cited success recorded by Kenya in the sector, urging Nigeria to emulate.

President, NBCC Prince Dapo Adelegan, said with the population of over 170 million, Nigeria will need about 16 million housing units to shelter its citizens since over 50 per cent of people are either homeless or live in inadequate houses.

He said it had become obvious that the government could not meet this crucial need of the people, hence the need for publicprivate partnership.

He said: “It is important to have some public-private partnership arrangements to come up with an ingenious ways to build cheaper homes and provide affordable mortgages to the citizens. NBCC will collaborate with UPDC to pursue passage of viable legal framework at the National Assembly to enhance provision of affordable houses for Nigerians.”

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-07-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-07-15

Capital Bancorp moves to deepen market penetration

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APITAL Bancorp Plc, a leading investment company quoted on the NASD Plc, has outlined a nationwide investors’ education and empowerment programme as part of the group’s efforts to build investors’ confidence and enhance participation in the Nigerian capital market.

The first investors’ forum under the initiative is billed to take place on next week’s Thursday at Four Point Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Addressing journalists on the initiative, Managing Director, Capital Bancorp Plc, Mr. Aigboje Higo explained that the Nigerian capital market has an array of investment opportunities that investors could take advantage of to build their wealth.

According to him, the investors’ forum was designed to encourage active participation of domestic and high net worth individuals and institutional investors in the Nigerian capital market, bolster the confidence of current and potential investors in the market and to show with

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

empirical evidence that domestic investors who have stayed in the Nigerian stock market post 2009 and invested wisely have indeed enhanced their wealth.

Aigboje noted that participants which comprise high net worth local and foreign investors as well as other categories of investors shall be exposed to an array of investible opportunities in the Nigerian capital market, risks and rewards of investment and other issues of interest.

He pointed out that the investors’ forum would be replicated in the other geo-political zones of Nigeria. ‘’This is our corporate contribution towards creating awareness of investible opportunities in the Nigerian capital market. The regulators cannot undertake this assignment alone, hence, we must all join together to reinforce investors’ confidence through provision of investment-related information and showcasing the great development

in the market through information and communications technology,’’ Higo said.

He outlined that the forum would attract the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema; Executive Director, UBS, Nigeria, Mr. Henry Erimodafe; Managing Director, NASD Plc, Mr. Bola Ajomale; Executive Producer, Kayode Fahm Production, Mr. Kayode Fahm and Managing Director, RTC Advisory Services Ltd, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje among others.

Commenting on the on-going recapitalisation of capital market operators, Higo described it as a development that would enhance investor value and noted that it would not lead to oligopolistic market.

He explained that Capital Bancorp had met all the requirements for recapitalisation and minimum operating standard adding that the recapitalisation programme would promote healthy competition in the capital market.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-07-15

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MONEYLINK

FCMB, Union Bank, others offer $445m loan to Accugas

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IRST City Monument Bank Plc, (FCMB), Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Ecobank Nigeria have granted $445 million Senior Debt Facility to Accugas Limited.

Other banks in the deal are Firstbank of Nigeria Limited, Ecobank Nigeria and United Bank for Africa Plc. FCMB Capital Markets Limited, the investment banking subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc, facilitated the successful closure of the deal.

Accugas is the indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Seven Energy International Limited, an independent Nigerian integrated oil and gas exploration, development, production and gas distribution company.

The agreement signing ceremony of the facility, which was provided by a syndicate of banks, was held yesterday in Lagos.

Accugas Limited said it will use the funds to refinance its existing facilities and to support additional medium-term capital requirements. This will enable the company achieve its objective of satisfying the growing energy demands from power plants and industrial users in Nigeria.

FCMB Capital Market played the role of Joint Structuring Bank, Joint Mandated Lead Arranger and Technical Bank in the transaction. In its role

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Stories by Collins Nweze

as Joint Mandated Lead Arranger, it contributed significantly in the arranging the Facility.

FCMB Capital Market has also demonstrated its ability to allocate the technical risks associated with complex projects of this nature having performed the same role on a number of transactions. This included the $225 million Accugas II transaction secured in 2013 for the construction of the company’s Central Processing Facility (CPF) and second gas pipeline project from Uquo to Oron in Akwa Ibom state to supply gas to the Niger Delta Independent Power Plant at Calabar, Cross River state.

In its capacity as the Technical Bank for the $445 million facility, FCMB Capital Market worked with the lenders and their Technical Adviser to ensure that Accugas satisfactorily addressed all technical milestones, including surface and sub-surface related issues.

Speaking after the agreement signing ceremony, the Executive Director of FCMB Capital Markets, Mr. Tolu Osinibi, expressed excitement on the successful closure of the deal and also commended Seven Energy for its ongoing and significant contributions to the development of

Nigeria’s energy sector.

According to him, “aside from playing its part in ensuring the successful completion of the transaction, FCMB Capital Markets will continue to take seriously its commitments and responsibility as the Technical Bank”. Mr. Osinibi added that “this role remains important towards ensuring that Accugas continues to realise its expansion plans, by adequately monitoring the various complex issues associated with the projects, on behalf of the syndicate of lenders”.

The Chief Executive Officer of Seven Energy, Mr. Philip Ihenacho, thanked the team for the laudable work done to bring the capital raising exercise to a close, adding that “the project financing deal is a milestone in the history of our company, especially as it demonstrates Banks’ confidence in the gas sector’’.

According to him, “for Nigeria to be able to develop domestic gas infrastructure to solve the problem of power sector in particular, we need to begin to mobilise capital to projects like this. We now have almost 300km of gas pipelines. Our company has a gas producing plant that is one of the largest in sub-sahara Africa with focus on domestic supply of gas. We currently supply gas to some power plants. The backing of the

‘Retail banking’ll lead to profit’

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•CBN Governor Emefiele

Godwin

banks has made this possible and we are very happy about this development”.

Mr. Iheanacho identified inability to move the product to end users as the main challenges of gas exploration in the country. ‘’There is a lot of discovered gas in Nigeria. The challenge is actually in terms of getting the gas to customers because unlike oil, where you can truck it or move easily, gas, can only be transported through pipelines or by liquefaction compressors’’.

Analysts are of the opinion that the various projects being executed by Accugas are important developments towards monetising gas, bridging the supply deficit and stimulating further investment in Nigeria’s gas infrastructure.

10 win cash-less eNNovation Challenge

IGERIA’S cashless policy agenda re ceived a boost recently when 10 young Nigerians emerged winners in the eNNovation Challenge, organised by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems Plc (NIBSS) with two global technology giants, Samsung and IBM. It is an online crowd sourcing contest, open to the public.

“The contest seeks to promote the spirit of innovation, and showcase the depth and variety of talent available for cognitive cultivation in the national economy,” Ade Shonubi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NIBSS said.

NIBSS conceptualised this pan-Nigeria, multi-disciplinary contest, collaborating effectively with IBM and Samsung to ensure that initiative benefitted from the global best practices and benchmarking standards of these two technology companies.

The entries were adjudicated using several parameters, including creativity, uniqueness, practical application/impact and potential for commercial viability.

“The contest was borne out of our proactive measure to solve some of the challenges posed by the nation’s cashless policy programmes,” Shonubi explained.

Over 1,800 entries were received at the initial stage of

the competition earlier this year. The screening and judging panel comprising top Industry executives from Central Bank of Nigeria, NIBSS, eTransact, Microsoft, Paga, Konga, Samsung, IBM, TEP, Dudu Mobile, and the immediate past MD of CitiServe Ltd. Shortlisted the best thirty entries from which the top ten ideas were selected from.

Eventually, only four of the entries in the top 10 group met the project/judges’ predefined standards for ‘outstanding innovation’, earning each of them the top prize of N350, 000 in addition to other gift items. All the top ten finalists also received Samsung tablets, printers, notebooks and T-

shirts.

The prizes were presented to the finalists during the grand finale, an ideas and prize presentation of the eNNovation Challenge held in Lagos.

This maiden edition of the competition succeeded in harvesting innovative ideas that tackle and resolve some of the obstacles against electronic payments, deepening and fomenting the culture of electronicand digital payment channels in the country.

“IBM is proud to be associated with this laudable initiative which aligns superbly with our focus on promoting technology innovation and talent,” Taiwo Otiti, Country General Manager, IBM West Africa said.

Ecobank ‘champion’ of African economic integration

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HE Ivorian Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan has praised the Ecobank Group as “an indefatigable pioneer of African economic integration that continually champions economic development on the continent and in Côte d’ivoire particularly”.

He spoke when Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire inaugurated its new head office building in Abidjan.

Established in Côte d’Ivoire in 1988, Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire is one of the 36 subsidiaries of the panAfrican banking group Ecobank, under the group’s parent and holding company Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI). Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire finances 13 per cent of the Ivorian economy, having paid 14

billion CFA francs ($ 23.5 million) in taxes to the Ivorian Treasury in 2014.

With 655 employees and 55 branches across the country, the Ivorian subsidiary has total assets of 850 billion CFA francs ($ 1.4 billion) and recorded profit before tax of 17 billion CFA francs ($ 28.7 million) in 2014.

Group Chiref Executive Officer (CEO) Ecobank, Albert Essien, said: “Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire is a pearl in our network and we are proud of our subsidiary. It provides us with an important platform through which we can continue to contribute to the economic development of Côte d’Ivoire as we offer our Ivorian customers access to banking services and financial re-

sources.”

The Mayor of the host district of Plateau, Bendjo Akossi, emphasised that Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire’s new head office building was designed by African architects. The building’s main architect, Ibrahima Konare gave a presentation showing the various stages of construction and highlighted the avantguard design of the building.

Chairman, Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, Pierre Magne, said the new head office was cost 12 billion CFA francs (USD 20.2 million), adding that it “showed the confidence of the Ecobank Group in the future of Côte d’Ivoire and its firm commitment to support the country in its journey to towards the 2020 develop-

ment horizon”.

Deputy Group CEO of Ecobank, Evelyne Tall Daouda, said: “This head office building illustrates the firm commitment of the Ecobank Group to consolidate its position in Côte d’Ivoire, to contribute to the development of the Ivorian economy, to take part in the creation of wealth and tangible employment for young people, and to provide banking services for more and more Ivorians.”

She also congratulated the Managing Director of Côte d’Ivoire, Charles Daboiko and his team on completing the building.

Duncan cut the ribbon to declare the building open.

He and guests signed the guest book and took a tour of the building’s banking branch.

CCESS Bank expects its retail banking business to turn to profit this year, contributing up to 10 per cent to profit before tax next year and 20 percent by 2018/19, Chief Executive Herbert Wigwe said.

He said most of its 350 branches would make profit this year after it regained market share following the acquisition of rival lender Intercontinental Bank three years ago. “Before the end of 2018/19 we would see what would be a 20 percent contribution from retail,” Wigwe told Reuters in Lagos.

However, he said the lender was cautious about creating risk assets this year and was targeting 10 percent loan growth due to domestic market conditions and high interest rates. It grew loans 20 percent last year.

Two years ago, the top tier lender said it aimed to grow its customer base to between 15 million and 20 million across its African markets by 2018, from around six million, as it shifted its focus to retail banking.

The bank, which jumped to fourth position out of 21 Nigerian lenders from ninth in 2007, said it expected to sign on two million customers and another two million through its cards product, Wigwe said. Access Bank shares, which fell 24.2 percent last year, ended flat at N5. Wigwe said the bank successfully concluded a rights issue despite low sentiment in the stock market and foreign investors’ apathy due to worries over the naira currency amidst lower oil prices which slashed government revenues.

He declined to give further details pending the approval of the offer by regulators. Access Bank launched a cash call last November to raise 68 billion naira from existing shareholders.

Banks have been shoring up their balance sheets in preparation for the adoption of stricter international capital requirements, which would otherwise see capital ratios for most of them drop by between 100 and 400 basis points.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

56

CITYBEATS Court stops reporters’ coverage of Ejigbo abused women case •Witness is a minor, says DPP

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USTICE Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Ikeja High Court in Lagos yesterday barred reporters from covering the trial of those accused of abusing three women in Ejigbo, Lagos, three years ago.

The accused allegedly robbed pepper on Mrs Ajoke Agomo and her daughter’s bodies at Ejigbo market.

Justice Ipaye ordered reporters and others out of the court room at the instance of Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs Idowu Alakija.

The drama started after Mr Tunji Busari, counsel to the second and third defendants, had finished crossexamining the first prosecution witness, Mrs Agomo.

The DPP told the judge that her second prosecution was ready to testify, but sought her protection because she is a minor.

The 17-year-old witness, Nike Agomo, came out and entered the witness box following which the court registrar administered the oath on her.

Mrs Alakija then urged the judge to clear the gallery for the witness.

Responding to the judge’s question, the DPP said: “My Lord, the

•The suspects...yesterday

witness is a child and needs to be protected. She is just 17.”

Earlier, under cross-examination

by Busari, Mrs Agomo said Buhari Yusuf and Aruna Abdullahi brought the pepper that was rubbed on her body.

The witness said the defendants mixed the pepper with Chelsea dry gin before rubbing the substance on

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE.

her and her daughters.

She said: “ By the time I got to the scene of the incident, my daughters were already being maltreated and Iyaloja ordered that I should be stripped naked too. All I want in this matter is justice.”

The government preferred charges against Ahmed Adisa , Isiaka Waidi, Saheed Adisa, Lateef Tijani,

Oloruntoyin Dauda, Adekunle Adenuga, Azeez Akinosun, Jimoh Busari, Buhari Yusuf, and Abdullahi Aruna for the alleged torture and molestation of the women.

They are accused of conspiracy, attempted murder, sexual assault, malicious administering of poison, obtaining money by false pretences and deprivation of liberty.

Three-storey building collapses in Lagos

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THREE-STOREY building collapsed yesterday in Ebute Meta, Lagos Mainland, barely one week after a similar incident in nearby Yaba.

About half of the building at 29 Oloto Street collapsed on the right side, leaving the other half hanging dangerously over adjoining buildings.

The building has not been occupied since 2012 after a portion at the rear collapsed, forcing residents in the front to leave.

A correspondent observed that rescuers from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSBCA) were at the scene working.

The officials were using sledge hammers to demolish the building from the point of partial collapse.

Some residents of the area expressed the fear warned that if the demolition is not properly done, it may endanger other buildings.

A resident, Folami Goriola, ap-

pealed to the government to ensure a controlled demolition to safeguard other buildings.

Goriola said the occupants of 27 Oloto Street, where he lives had been given notice to run an integrity test a second time.

He noted that the test would ensure stability of their building which is adjacent to the remaining portion of the collapsed building.

“We are nursing the fear that the wrecks may fall over our building,” he said.

A witness, Femi Adagunduro, said the building collapsed early yesterday.

“The collapse happened at exactly at 5.28 a.m. precisely and I called the police emergency number and they responded immediately,” he said.

Mr. Adagunduro explained that the building had been marked for demolition since 2012, adding that the occupants had made efforts to ensure it was pulled down without success.

‘I’m tired of being lonely’

‘

The collapse happened at exactly at 5.28 a.m. precisely and I called the police emergency number and they responded immediately

’

He lamented that the building was a hideout for social miscreants was also used as refuse dump.

Another resident, Rotimi Azeez, said not fewer than 10 persons were killed when the rear of the building collapsed in 2012. The demolition to its being marked for demolition.

“The demolition was delayed till it collapsed after 5 a.m. in the morn-

ing today,’’ he said.

Efforts to get LSBCA’s reaction failed as an official told NAN that they were not allowed to speak to the press.

“We are not allowed to speak.

Our General Manager and other executives came here this morning,” she said.

LASEMA General Manager, Michael Akindele told reporters that buildings served demolition notice in the area would be pulled down without delay.

“Let me assure those that their buildings have been marked for demolition that we have commenced the demolition.

“Once there are proofs that tests have been done, we will demolish such buildings,” he said.

Akindele said the agency was putting up a local system to overhaul emergency management to ensure more effective speedy response to emergencies.

He said the residents’ claim that the collapsed building had earlier been marked for demolition in 2012 would be investigated.

By Basirat Braimah

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MIDDLE-AGED man, Abiola Ajayi, has urged the Agege Customary Court to dissolve his marriage to his wife, Helen.

Mr Ajayi said he brought his wife’s case to court because he wants to re-marry.

“The problem started when one of our daughters took ill and my wife volunteered to visit her; since then she hasn’t returned home,” the petitioner said.

He said he wasn’t at home when she packed all her belongings, adding: “I learnt from neighbours that she brought a truck to pack her things to the extent that she emptied our water tank and carried it away. Then, I thought I was robbed. It was later I got to know she moved to the house she built in Ijegun and I never heard anything about it,” he said.

He said his family and church members went to plead with her, all to no avail.

“She didn’t have a genuine reason for leaving me but only accused me of having an affair with one of my relations who visited me when she was away.

“I am a Jehovah’s Witness and my doctrine frowns at being alone. It’s been eight years since she left our home and I have been lonely hoping she would return. I am tired of waiting; I need another woman,” he said.

Mr Ajayi said he didn’t know what to do anymore since his wife said she wasn’t going to appear in court.

The court’s President, Pa Adekunle Williams, ordered the respondent to appear on August 3.

Estate agent faces N8.5m fraud charge

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55-YEAR-OLD estate agent, Adewale Omolaja, was yesterday arraigned in an

Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a stock broker of N8.5million.

Omolaja is standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, impersonation, forgery and fraud.

Prosecuting police officer Adoga Amedu said the accused with others at large committed the offence in April.

Amedu said the accused allegedly presented himself as Mr Joseph Adebayo with some forged documents including banks forms for opening account and a driver’s licence.

“The accused used the forged documents to defraud Midas Stock Brokers Ltd of N8.5 million.

“The accused fraudulently sold shares belonging to Adebayo and also converted same to his own,” Amedu said.

The offence, Amedu said, contravened Sections 285, 363, 378 and 409 of the Criminal Law which prescribes three years imprisonment for offenders.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

His counsel Mr Chris OwenBrown urged the court to grant the accused bail on liberal terms.

Magistrate J. O. Adepoju granted the accused N 250, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

She said the sureties must be resident on Lagos, employed and also show evidence of three years’ tax payment.

The case was adjourned to September 9.

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Firms cry out over threat of flood

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

F

IVE entrepreneurs in Lagos have cried out over the threat of flood to their operations.

They claimed that the flood arose from a blocked drain because of a structure being erected by Mr Orji Umeh Tochukwu.

The firms said the drain cost residents of Sanya on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway N45million to build.

Chairman of the residents association, Mr Dipo Odewumi, who conducted reporters round yesterday, said the firms were suffering from Tochukwu’s action.

Odewumi said the area hitherto had no history of flood because the drainage discharges water into the canal.

The affected firms, he said, are Capital Oil, which has its tank farm in the area, Impacto Nigeria Ltd, Chronotech Nigeria Ltd, Ghalayini Nig Ltd, and Jacobod Nig Ltd. These companies, he said, deal in petroleum products marketing, marble and tiles production, digital disks and merchandise warehousing businesses.

He said Tochukwu shunned the residents peace moves by resorting to night construction after initially agreeing to stop work.

Odewumi, said the residents through his company, Jacobod, wrote to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning, urging the government to arrest the situation before things got out of hand.

According to him, now is the time to abate this illegal activity before the property rises up beyond this stage and become impossible to correct the alteration it has done to the layout.

Brandishing a layout which he said showed Tochukwu’s development as illegal, he wondered who could have given approval for a structure to be constructed on a road. To him, the demolition mark on the structure’s perimeter fence showed that the structure has no approval.

Odewunmi urged the government to “as a matter of urgency intervene in this illegal act of construction and intentional blockage of drainage that ensures the entire area is flooded anytime it rains”.

Mr Tochuikwu declined comment when contacted by The Nation.

He cut the phone after our correspondent asked him to state his side of the story. He also refused to reply a text sent to him on the matter.

Court saves 10-year marriage

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N Ikorodu Customary Court in Lagos yesterday saved the 10-year-old marriage of an

alcoholic wife.

Its President, Mr Olu Adebiyi, after several adjournments and interventions resolved the differences.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the husband, Mr Hakeem Mabadeje, who resides at Oguntuga Street, Eyita in Ikorodu, approached the court in April, seeking the dissolution of his marriage to Jarinatu.

The 53-year-old trader said he could no longer cope with his wife’s drinking and demanded dissolution of the marriage.

“She drinks to the point of unconsciousness; she has turned me to an object of ridicule in the neighbourhood.

I am fed up, I am no more in love with her,’’ Mabadeje said Adebiyi said: “This marriage has taken a new shape after the wife pleaded with the court to save her marriage.

“She also promised to sign an undertaking that such a disgraceful conduct (drunkenness) will not repeat itself.

“I hereby urge both of you to go home and continue in love and peace.’’

An elated Jarinatu, 48, thanked the court for saving her marriage.

57 THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Bricklayer jailed 12 years for rape

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33- YEAR-old bricklayer, Taoreed Oseni, has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by an Ikeja High Court in Lagos for raping an 18-year old bread hawker.

Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya said the jail term would begin on August 2, 2012 when the defendant was remanded in prison custody.

Oseni was said to have committed the offence on July 20, 2012 at an abandoned public toilet in

By Adebisi Onanuga

Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos.

During the trial, the victim told the court that Taoreed informed her that her boyfriend was calling her and she asked him where he was.

She said the convict tricked her and led her to a public toilet where her boyfriend was said to be waiting for her.

On getting to the public toilet, the convict was said to have had carnal knowl-

edge of her.

She said she pleaded with the convict to spare her, but he hit her on the forehead with bottle.

She said when Oseni did not listen to her plea, she succumbed, adding that the defendant raped her in the abandoned public toilet.

The convict claimed that he committed the act because he was drunk.

Justice Ogunsanya said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Truck owners deny attack on journalist

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EME Border Truck Owners Association (SBTOA) has denied beating up a journalist Yomi Olomofe. Its Patron, Alhaji Suleiman Momoh, said in a statement yesterday that reports of SBTOA’s members involvement in the alleged assault were incorrect.

Olomofe, Momoh claimed, merely tried to deceive the public about what actually transpired in order to get cheap popularity and gain public sympathy.

He said: “We are hard working and contributing our quota to the logistics and transport sector of the nation’s economy at Seme border. We are responsible men and women of repute doing our best, working daily to feed our families and move the nation forward.”

Olomofe was beaten up by suspected smugglers who it was claimed, were infuriated by his attempt to file a report on their activities at the Seme Border.

Momoh said the fight was

over a deal between the parties.

He called on the security agencies to investigate Olomofe’s allegations that he was beating up by smugglers to unravel the truth surrounding the incident.

The SBTOA chief also asked that Olomofe’s claim of being a journalist should be investigated.

Momoh said linking him with the incident was a figment of Olomofe’s imagination, adding that as a chief and community leader, he could not descend so low.

‘My wife abandoned our kids, took my car’

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N Ikorodu High Court in Lagos yesterday heard how a woman abandoned her four children and went away with her husband’s Toyota Rav 4 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

The husband, Mr Friday Enurhobor, said he bought the SUV in 2009 for his personal use; but he allowed his wife to drive it because of their children even after their relationship broke down in 2010.

He denied giving her the car as a birthday gift, adding that he left her a spare key to enable her take the kids to school from her sister’s place at the University of Lagos, Akoka, and for their convenience.

Enurhobor was testifying in a divorce suit he instituted

By Robert Egbe

against his wife, Naomi.

The petitioner said their children had always been in her custody, claiming that his wife still sneaks into his matrimonial home whenever he wasn’t around.

He said: “In November 2013, I found out she had rented a place at Bariga and was living there without my knowledge. I took possession of our children and my car from the respondent in December 2013. I gave her permission to use my car, but she came to my house on March 10, 2014 with my kids and left alone with my car.”

Enurhobor said he reported that the vehicle was stolen at a Police Station in Ikorodu, adding that he sus-

pected the respondent and one Abiodun Fadeyi.

The petition told the court : “Before that, I had never seen Abiodun Fadeyi before. I led two police officers to where the respondent works, to confirm if the car was in her possession and truly she told us where the car was and we found it at a mechanic workshop at Iwaya, Yaba.

I found documents in the car bearing the name Abiodun Fadeyi and another document showing the respondent’s name to be Naomi Fadeyi. I have not lied to this court.”

Justice M.A. Savage ordered that Mrs. Enurhobor be allowed to see her children.

He adjourned the case till October 28.

‘Why rape victims don’t get justice’

By Medinat Kanabe

•Mrs Itoro-Anaba

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HY is it difficult to get justice for rape victims? It is because of the absence of reliable and verifiable and lack of support services, says Mrs Itoro-Anaba, Founder of Mirabel Centre, a nongovernmental organisation that deals with rape cases.

She said: “The reported cases of sexual violence, especially child sexual abuse have become a topic for national discourse. The malaise is generally acknowledged by government officials and human rights ad-

vocates to be endemic. Perpetrators of sexual violence act with impunity due to corruption and incompetency in investigation and prosecution of such cases.

“One of the biggest challenges in seeking justice for the survivor is the absence of reliable and verifiable data and lack of support services. This disturbing situation has led to many survivors not seeking help nor reporting to the police.

“In a bid to fill this gap and provide a safe and comfortable place for survivors of rape and sexual assault to receive needed professional care, Partnership for Justice (PJ), with funding from Justice for All Programme of the Department for International Development (DFID) of the British Council, established the first sexual assault referral centre in Nigeria. Known as the Mirabel Centre, it opened

its doors to the public in July 2013.”

She added that a conference is scheduled to hold on July 22 that will focus on the roles of men providing support to survivors of rape and sexual assault.

She explained that in two years the centre has provided free services to 737 clients, the youngest being 10 months old and the oldest 70 years. “This number is made up of 17 male clients and 720 female clients.

Many of these clients are referred to the centre by the police (Family Support Unit (FSU) and non FSU), the hospital, civil society organisationCSOs, government agencies and some just walk into the centre for treatment,” she added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

58

NEWS

•Participants at the maiden National Annual Conference of the Association for Moral Education in Awka, Anambra State...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Buhari seeks diplomatic corps’ support to end terrorism

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari sought yesterday the support of members of the diplomatic corps towards ending terrorism in Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.

He made the call when he broke Muslim fast with them at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. It was the first time the president would meet the envoys after his inauguration on May 29.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Buhari noted that the annual breaking of fast during Ramadan with members of the diplomatic corps has become customary in the presidency.

According to him, Nigeria was prepared to play any leadership role in Africa and beyond towards bringing about development and improvement of lives of citizens.

His government, he said, was already taking necessary steps to end Boko Haram insurgency.

He said that such steps include the rejigging of the nation’s security architecture through replacement of service chiefs on Monday.

The President stressed that the support of countries within the African region and the Lake Chad area would help a

great deal especially now that Boko Haram has joined forces with the Islamic State of Iraqi and Syria (ISIS) which has the capacity to extend their activities to other parts of the world.

Thanking their countries for the support for his elections, President Buhari said his government will work towards diversifying the economy and blocking of leakages in the

course of fighting corruption.

Ambassador Oubi BachirSaharawi Republic (Western Sahara), who is the Dean of diplomatic corps, praised the President on his election and the people of Nigeria for a peaceful democratic transition.

He said the commitment to the unity of Nigeria was a display of high sense of citizenship and nationalism.

Ambassador Oubi, who also thanked the President for hosting them to the breaking of fast in the Month of Ramadan condemned the insurgency in the North East which he said has nothing to do with Islam.

He also said that members of the corps believe the efforts of the president would be a success and assured that they would all stand to support Nigeria end terrorism.

Saraki, Ambode, NHRC boss to speak at Unity Schools National Dialogue

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ENATE President Bukola Saraki, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu will be leading other alumni of Nigerian Unity Schools to examine the roles of their alma maters in nation-building, at a one day national dialogue in Lagos on July 22.

The 104 Unity Schools include all the Federal Government Colleges, Federal Government Girls Colleges, Kings College Lagos and Queens College, Lagos.

Organised by the Federal Government College Kano Old Students Association (Lagos State branch), the one day dialogue will, among other things, examine how successful the schools have served as a platform to mould future leaders that can advance the cause of unity, peace and progress in the country in line with the vision of the founding fathers.

According to a statement by Dr. Olaseinde Eletu, Chairman Organising Committee of the event, Prof. Odinkalu will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Saraki and Governor Ambode will be special guests of honour at the event which is being organised by FGC Kano Old Students Association in conjunction with the National Secretariat of the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA).

The event with the theme: “Role of Unity Schools in Nation Building” holds at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos by 10am.

El-Rufai retires 20 Perm Secs

K

ADUNA State Governor, Mallam Nasir elRufai has announced the retirement of 20 Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service.

The decision, according to the governor, followes the streamlining of ministries from 19 to 13; and also to cut cost in governance in the state.

This was also as the governor approved the appointments of more aides and chief executives of agencies in the state.

The governor said retiring the permanent secretaries were part of government’s efforts to free up resources to be used for the provision of qualitative schools, hospitals, roads and other public goods.

The government, he argued, had at inception declared its determination to cut costs, drive efficiency and improve

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

service delivery, is continuing the restructuring of its agencies.

According to him, to ensure that the number of permanent secretaries is properly aligned with the new structure, there will be only 13 permanent secretaries for the 13 ministries.

The ministries are, Justice, Agriculture and Forestry; Commerce, Industry and Tourism; Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture.

Others are Environment and Natural Resources, Women Affairs and Social Development, Water Resources, Health and Human Services, Education, Science and Technology, Budget and Planning,Finance, Works, Housing and Transport.

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

•From left: Lukman; Chieme Akujobi and Ms. Ugorji at the inauguration of the sick bay.

PHOTO:PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

Why we are involved in fight against malaria, by Mobil

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OBIL Producing Nigeria (MPN) said yesterday that it has donated over N19billion globally to the fight against Malaria, with Nigeria haviing over N3billion.

The multinational oil firm’s Group Medical Director, Dr. Mohammed Bello spoke in Lagos at the inauguration of the Victoria Island Primary School sick bay donated by the Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation (DOAMF).

Bello, who was represented by the firm’s medical doctor, Effiam Abbah, stated that the donations were received by NGOS, nonNGOs, USAID and roll back malaria, adding that the amount has made Mobil the largest corporate donor to the fight against Malaria in Nigeria.

He said: “Since 2000, Mobil has contributed more than N19billion globally to NGOs, non NGOs, such as USAID and roll back malaria which made Mobil the

•Donates over N3b to Nigeria •Foundation donates sick bay to school

By Precious Igbonwelundu

largest corporate donor to fight against malaria in Nigeria with over N3billion” “We are involved in all aspects of the fight against malaria advocacy, research, development, control, treatment, prevention and education programmes.

“Our programmes have reached almost 105 billion people, provided over 13 million insecticide treated nets, over two million treatments and over 1.1 million rapid diagnostic tests and has also reached out to over 30,000 pregnant women in our operating communities with services and commodities to prevent and control malaria, ensuring the health of mothers and safety of the unborn child, amongst others.”

On the sponsoring of the sick bay, Bello said they were approached by the foundation but decided to begin the project at the Victoria Island

school premises, which is in their host community.

Also speaking, DOAMF’s acting Programmes Manager, Ms. Sorochi Ugorji said the foundation embarked on the project as part of its commitment to safer schools.

She stated that its choice of the primary school that housed four schools with an estimated population of 2000 was sequel to an emergency situation that affected a pupil of the school recently, adding that with the fully equipped facility, pupils can receive first aid before being transferred to hospitals for serious cases.

She said the establishment was committed to enhancing the education and health of less-privileged children and youths.

She stated that aside providing the facility and equipping it with drugs and other materials, the foundation has trained health officers, who are members of staff of the

schools on basic first aid adminstration.

Ugorji, also said that the foundation will continue to supply the school with drugs and other materials needed for the well-being of the pupils.

She said the sick bay, which came with furniture, medical and safety equipment will go a long way to act as a stop gap in mitigating health issues and drastically decrease fatalities that could have been prevented when injuries and illnesses are treated early.

In his remark, the school principal, Rufai urged the local government to deploy a resident to man the facility, noting that the trained health workers alone, may not be enough.

At the event were the local government education Inspector for Etiosa, Taiwo Lukman and the local government health officer for Iru|Victoria Island, Dr. Wale Akeredolu, among others.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

59

NEWS

11 die as rustlers invade villages

Jos cleric decries attack

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HE Primate of the First African Church Mission Inc. (FACM), His Grace, Most Reverend S.G. Abimbola (JP), has condemned the attack on its parish in Jos, the Plateau State capital, by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

A statement by the church’s General Secretary, Bro. Jide Winsala, said after an assessment of the carnage, it was discovered that FACM had coexisted with other faiths in the area for over 60 years.

The Deputy President and Chairman, Finance Committee of the church, Brother S.O. Taiwo JP, urged members to live in peace with their neighbours.

He implored the federal and state governments to help in rebuilding the churches and mosques destroyed by terrorists, adding that they should ensure the security of life and property.

E

LEVEN people were killed, when cattle rustlers invaded three villages in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The gang lost eight members of the gang were killed and three villagers died during a counter-attack by vigi-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

lance groups.

The rustlers last weekend attacked Kwati, Basa and Kaore villages at Lakpan the local government and stole cows.

Irked by the invasion,

vigilance groups in the area confronted the rustlers, resulting in the death of eight members of the gang. Three vigilante were killed.

The lawmaker representing Niger East, Senator David Umaru, visited the villages. He decried the activities of the cattle rustlers.

The legislator urged the government to tighten security.

He lamented that the residents were helpless and vulnerable to attacks.

The Head of Kwati, Alhaji Barko Barua, implored the government to tighten security for his subjects to farm.

70 technicians trained in Zaria From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

T

HE National Automotive Council (NAC) has trained 70 auto-technicians in heavy duty trucks maintenance and tyre repairs and maintenance at the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, (NITT), Zaria.

Speaking at the end of the two-week training, the Director-General and Chief Executive of NITT, Dr. Aminu Musa Yusuf, congratulated the participants on the successful completion of the training.

He said the exercise gave them the skills to combat the problems prevalent in modern vehicles.

The director-general urged the participants to use the skills to enhance service delivery, promising them that NITT would train anyone willing to be trained.

Dr. Yusuf hailed NAC for initiating the training, which he said would empower mechanics.

He warned the trainees against selling the tools, “as this will be counter-productive.”

The Director-General of NAC, Aminu Jalal, said the skill gap analysis of mechanics done across the country on repairs and maintenance of modern vehicles showed that the majority of the mechanics lacked skills and equipment to maintain modern vehicles, hence the need to organise a training.

•From left: Representative of the IDPs, Mrs. Liyatu Ayuba; Dr. Uchenna Ukachukwu (Treasurer); Dr. Calista Okoro (Member); Dr. Okoro; VP, ANWAD Inc., Dr. Ada Moman (sixth left); Dr. Adejoke Sheyin and Dr. Grace Opigo (PRO), at the event... yesterday

Women academic doctors fete IDPs

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HE Association of Nigerian Women Academic Doctors Incorporated (ANWAD Inc), yesterday empowered widows in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ahead of its conference scheduled for today.

The women also distributed food items to Internally- Displaced Persons (IDPs) and visited the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOCLEF).

The National President of the association, Dr. Henrietta Okoro, during the visit, said the vision of the group was to empower women, children and youths.

She said women and chil-

From Olugbenga Adanikin and Grace Obike, Abuja

dren were neglected, which could result in engaging in vices.

Dr. Okoro said: “Part of our vision is to help the government. We need people to support us. So we are trying to cover all states because ANWAD involves all ethnic groups- the Hausa, the Igbo, the Yoruba, the Efik. We are trying to reach out everywhere.”

On the IDPS, she urged the government to provide more resources to cater for their needs.

“I really feel for the children. You can see that a lot

of them barely eat when they are just scrambling for ordinary tissue papers.

These things don’t cost much. I believe government will do something,” the ANWAD national president said.

Some of the relief materials distributed to the lessprivileged included bags of rice, toiletries, noodles, among others. Tailoring and hairdressing machines were also donated.

The representative of the IDPs in Durumi, Mrs. Liyatu Ayuba, hailed the kind gesture.

She attributed their sordid condition to the attacks by the Boko Haram insur-

Why I beheaded my neighbour, by suspect

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SUSPECT, who allegedly killed a farmer and cut off his head, has confessed that he wanted to use it for rituals.

Raphael Agazi, after allegedly killing his neighbour, cut off his head and buried his body in a shallow grave at Utonkon in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, on Monday.

The Nation investigation

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

showed that the two farmers had been quarrelling over a parcel of land.

Agazi was arrested while attempting to escape with the victim’s head and handed over to the police in Otukpo.

He confessed during interrogation that they were

fighting over a land.

The suspect said a fight ensued between them on Monday morning and he cut off his head.

Asked what he wanted to do with the victim’s head, he said he intended to use it for rituals.

Police authorities said the suspect would soon be arraigned.

PDP ‘ll bounce back, says ex-minister Moro

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ORMER Minister of Interior Comrade Abba Moro said yesterday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would bounce back before the 2019 general elections.

He attributed the party’s defeat at the last polls to internal wrangling.

Speaking after a thanksgiving service organised in his honour by the Committee of Friends at the Holy Name Catholic Church, Ugbokolo in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue

•’I take responsibility for Immigration recruitment disaster’ State, Moro claimed that the large votes the All Progressives Congress (APC) got during the elections were cast by aggrieved PDP members.

He boasted that the party would bounce back soon, urging supporters to close ranks.

The ex-minister said he took responsibility for the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment disaster, which led to the deaths of

many Nigerians.

According to him, the actions and in-actions of his subordinates were his responsibility.

Moro said the budget of the Ministry of Interior from three to 11 months when he was in office was not up to N25billion.

“I wonder why some people, who don’t wish me well, will castigate me for a fraud

•Moro

above such a huge amount.”

He enjoined Nigerians to support the President Muhammed Buhari administration.

gents.

“We know the problem that brought us here, which is Boko Haram. We thank you so much for leaving your office to assist us. May God protect you and your family,” Mrs. Ayuba said.

At WOCLEF, the National Coordinator, Mrs. Umaru Veronica, said the gesture would influence other women and girls in the centre.

She said about 22 people were undergoing training, adding that over 3,000 people had graduated since inception.

Tension in Kwara college From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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HERE is tension in the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, over four months’ salary arrears.

The institution’s chapters of the College of Education Staff Union (COESU) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have urged the state government to intervene on the crisis.

They enjoined the government to pay its suspended subvention to the college for the salaries of their members to be paid.

Speaking with our correspondent, the COESU Chairman, Saba Daniel, said: “We appeal to the government to come to our plight.

“My advice is for the government to do what is right at the right time. They owe us arrears of salary.

They should pay us.”

The NASU Chairman, Najeem Anas, said the union lost six of its members, following the financial crisis.

Said he: “From the bail out given to states by President Muhammadu Buhari, I believe the government should be able to pay our outstanding salaries.”

The Provost, Dr. Isiaka Opobiyi, said: “The state government is mindful of the critical situation. I’ve just spoken with somebody in the Government House and he said they are deliberating on how to pay salary arrears.”

24 dead, 220 injured in accidents in Gombe From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

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WENTY-FOUR people were killed and 220 injured in 48 accidents between January and June, the Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Gombe State Sector Command, Mr. Ayobami Omiyale, has said.

He said the figures represented 32 per cent reduction in crash rate and 21 per cent reduction in the number of deaths, compared to last year’s 71 accidents, 279 injuries and 44 deaths.

Omiyale said the reduction were as a result of many variables, which included influx of people, increasing number of vehicles and probably more money in circulation, among others.

The commander, who spoke on the command’s preparedness for the Eid-il-Fitr, said FRSC had put in place a special patrol for the period code-named ‘Operation Eid-il-Fitr’.

He said the operation began yesterday and among others would focus on dangerous driving, over-speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, overloading, underage driving, driving without seat belt, driving with forged documents and driving mechanically-deficient vehicles.

Omiyale said breathalysers would be used to test motorists to detect those driving under the influence of alcohol, and radar guns would be used to detect over-speeding.

According to him, the command would deploy 510 personnel comprising 60 special marshals and 450 officials made up of 120 officers and 330 marshals in the operation.

The commander said the command was expecting the government to donate patrol vehicles to facilitate their activities.

He urged drivers to ensure that their vehicles were in good condition.

Omiyale enjoined motorists and motorcyclists to be their brother’s keepers by ensuring the safety for those who might be at the risk of accidents.

He said motorists should eschew things that could result in crashes.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

NEWS NNPC under fire over $1.2b transfer Continued from page 4

daunted in unravelling what happened to the dividends as well as previous taxes paid by the NLNG, as part of ongoing efforts to plug all financial leakages, ensure the payment into the Federation Account of all funds and stop the looting of the treasury.

He said: ‘’It is not by accident that until the advent of the Buhari Administration that has decided to enthrone transparency in governance, no one has heard anything about NLNG dividends and taxes, while the funds therefrom have not been shared as they should have been. This is not right.

‘’A situation in which funds meant for all Nigerians are eaten up by a few will no longer be tolerated. Those who are opposed to the efforts by the Buhari Administration to clear the rot left behind by the past government and restore transparency to the system are enemies of Nigeria.’’

IBB to Buhari: change tactics against terrorists Continued from page 4

Muhammadu Buhari, as a military officer, understands the import of these altruistic suggestions and I trust that he will take steps to apply some of them that fit into the mainstream strategies already in place.

“The approach has to be a holistic one, well coordinated with full onslaught launched by the day and night to route these insurgents to surrender.”

The former Military President pleaded with the media to stop glorifying the horrendous activities of Boko Haram.

He said: “Media intelligence is required in helping to assemble information and distilling such information in a manner that would benefit the fight against terrorism.

“Going by the news and information we get everyday, I feel very strongly that the media has a greater role to play in the management of information.

“The types of headlines and lead stories that are promoted in favour of the insurgents could only help to motivate members of Boko Haram rather than demotivate them. “ I expect, with a deep sense of patriotism, to see a greater deal of positive news promoted in support of military efforts at confronting this menace than a celebration of Boko Haram carnage, day in and day out.

“Information management is very key to confronting an unconventional warfare, such as the one under reference, which is further complicated by the unfashionable method of suicide bombings.

“It is a strange dimension to this whole exercise of insur-

gency and has further compounded our earlier strategies in helping to nip this monster in the bud. The media, it must be emphasized, has a greater role to play in this information management system where a well defined synergy is encouraged between members of the media and the military hierarchy.

“On a good day, as is often said, the idea of taking some Boko Haram suspects and prisoners to Anambra State should not be public knowledge, if we are truly serious about information management. ”Each time we celebrate the dastardly acts of Boko Haram on the front pages of our newspapers and electronic platforms, it is a score for Boko Haram. We must weigh such information against our collective national interest. Do we subscribe to Boko Haram or to the Nigerian nation?

“Since we are of good conscience and subscribe to the Nigerian nation, military efforts and achievements in the fight against insurgency should be given primacy than what a suicide bomber has just done.

“We must make it a duty to encourage and motivate our military personnel; those who have died in the course of this struggle and those who are still there on the battle field trying to make the Nigerian society safe for all of us.

“The families of those who have lost their gallant fighters and bread winners must be catered for beyond the present tokenism. This initiative will serve as incentive to others who are still in the trenches battling to keep us safe.”

Gen. Babangida said the re-

curring attacks and killings by Boko Haram had no doubt raised the adrenalin of Nigerians. ”Events in the last four weeks have continued to raise our adrenaline, in a season of apprehension and utter suspicion, about our security engagements and the sum total of our collective sufferance as a nation.

“The heightened tension is occasioned by renewed hostilities and mindless bombings predominantly by suicide bombers who have decidedly chosen the option of death to life.

“We have seen the worst of human follies in the conduct of these avoidable carnage and bloodletting by unscrupulous persons under the guise of religion, doing havoc to our sense of nationality.”

He asked God to touch the hearts of Boko Haram members whom he accused of portraying Islam in bad light.

He said: “For want of no discernible ideology, they have continued to portray Islam in very bad light, making members of other religions to perceive us with scorn. Islam, which I was born into, some 74 years ago, is a very peaceful religion that preaches brotherliness and togetherness.

“It is a religion that encourages love, affection and respect for our neighbours and mankind.

“It is one religion that has an abiding influence on its adherents to cooperate with one another and promote peace in their respective communities.

May God touch the hearts of these insurgents so that the untoward act of bloodletting will permanently cease. Happy Eid-el-Fitri to all.”

Push for ex-Service chiefs probe over Buhari’s papers Continued from page 4

that bad. You can see why we are celebrating their exit in the barracks.

“As a matter of fact, one or two of the Service Chiefs indirectly funded the campaign activities of a party in their states through their proxies.

“In fact, there is a case of a former Service Chief who was ‘crazy’ with acquisition of property in Abuja for himself and his relations.”

The Nation learnt that “a fresh lead” would force a revisit of the Buhari Secondary School Certificate row.

It was gathered that the alleged ‘dislocation’ of the certificate from the President’s file is likely to be investigated to give the public the “other side” of what really transpired just before the general elections when the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleged that Buhari had no certificate.

A military source said: “Some respected but retired military officers are demanding a probe of the circumstances behind the certificate saga because it created a division in the military.

These aggrieved officers have insisted that credentials of every military officer are always

in their files.

“There is a fresh lead that the President’s file might have suffered some mutilation or misplacement. While some claimed that the certificate had been misplaced since the 1980s, others alleged mutilation as a result of some political factors.

“Some military officers alleged that the certificate might have got lost in transit when the military was relocating from Lagos to Abuja in the 1990s.

“The essence of the investigation is to set the records straight and put issues in the right perspective.”

28 soldiers die in Boko Haram, Tiv/Fulani clashes

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HE 72 Special Forces Battalion, Makurdi, Benue State yesterday counted its losses in the ongoing battle against insurgents and the Tiv/Fulani and Agatu crisis in Benue State.

Commanding Officer Col. Timothy Lagbaja said the Battalion lost 28 soldiers to the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and in Benue State in three years.

Col. Lagbaja's testimony came amidst report that the insurgents had again seized the Maiduguri-Damaturu

From Joel Duku, Borno and Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Highway and invaded communities to attack villagers.

Yesterday's attacks by members of the deadly Boko Haram sect was barely 48 hours after they raided Mainok in Borno State, where they killed over 30 persons and torched most part of the village.

The commanding Officer told reporters in Makurdi that his command lost four officers and eight soldiers to the Tiv/ Fulani and Agatu crises in Benue between 2012 and 2015.

He said the remaining 16 were lost to insurgency in the northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, adding that many others, who were injured, were either flown abroad or treated in the country.

Col. Lagbaja said the battalion alone had deployed about 500 soldiers to serve in the special security outfit code-named "Operation Zenda" to maintain internal security in the state.

He, however, said the effort was paying off as weapons Continued on page 61

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

61

FOREIGN NEWS Pluto probe makes contact with mission control

Tutu in hospital

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signal has been received from the New Horizons probe, which soared past Pluto on Tuesday.

Data from the call home suggests the spacecraft suffered no upsets or damage during its flyby of the dwarf world.

The message took four hours and 25 minutes to traverse 4.7 billion km of space - and was greeted with jubilation.

• Members of the New Horizon team in Laurel, MD react to seeing the spacecraft’s latest and sharpest image of pluto on Tuesday

PHOTO: NASA

IMF demands huge debt relief for Greece

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HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) clashed with Greece's eurozone creditors Tuesday, saying Greece needs a monumental debt relief.

"Greece's debt can now only be made sustainable through debt relief measures that go far beyond what Europe has been willing to consider so far," the fund said in a new report.

The IMF said Europe's

choices are limited if Greece is to remain in the eurozone and return to international money markets.

It said European countries would have to either "very dramatically" extend the grace periods on Greece debt, or concede to "deep upfront haircuts." The fund then went even further and said Europe might be forced to just hand Greece some cash, suggesting "explicit annual transfers to the

Greek budget."

Tsipras: I don't believe in new Greek reforms The report puts extra pressure on other eurozone leaders. They have so far rejected the idea of debt forgiveness and transfers to Greece, trying to protect their own taxpayers from pouring more money in to the country. The most they seem to be willing to consider is some form of debt restructuring.

And while the IMF encouraged Europe to consider debt relief, it gave no hint it would consider doing the same with its own po rtion of Greece's 312 billion euros ($343 billion) debt.

The fund warned that it may not be able to participate int the new $96 billion bailout deal, unless Greece's finances are brought under control.

Greece will need 85 billion euros ($93 billion) by 2018.

The country's debt is set to reach 200% of GDP in the next two years, compared to the current level of 177%.

The IMF blames the Greek government for the situation. The radical left-wing government backtracked on number of economic reforms. On top of that, the turmoil of the last two weeks -- which led to bank closures and capital controls -- have sunk Greece's finances even further.

OUTH Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu will spend a second night in hospital for treatment of a "persistent infection", his family says.

Archbishop Tutu thanked "everyone who had sent love and prayers" since his admission to hospital in Cape Town, his daughter Reverend Mpho Tutu said.

The family hopes he will be able to return home "in a day or two", his daughter said in an earlier statement.

He retired from public life in 2011 but continues to travel widely.

The 83-year-old Nobel peace laureate cancelled a planned trip to Rome in December following another infection.

The admission is not thought to be linked to Archbishop Tutu's treatment for prostate cancer, which has afflicted him for more than a decade.

His hospitalization comes a few days after he renewed his wedding vows to his wife Leah Tutu to mark their 60th wedding anniversary.

•Rev. Tutu

NEWS Continued from page 60

that have hitherto in the hands of wrong people had been recovered.

"High criminality in the state has been reduced to few isolated cases of killings,'' he said.

Boko Haram terrorists yesterday returned to attack villagers and halted commuting on the Maiduguri-Damaturu Highway for the fourth ?time in a week.

In a bid to save Eid-el-Fitri holiday travellers from driving into an ambush by the insurgents, security operatives battled to stop them.

Villagers had earlier reported 15 persons killed on Tuesday night as militants continued their raids on the only safe route linking other parts of the country with Maiduguri, the epicentre of the insur-

28 soldiers die in Boko Haram, Tiv/Fulani clashes gency.

Warsala, a village at the boundary between Borno and Yobe states, was the latest community on the troubled highway to be hit by the extremists.

The agrarian community is not more than five kilometres from Ngamdu, another village on the highway that buried 10 persons killed by Boko Haram terrorists on Friday night.

Reports said that the Tuesday night attack on Warsala came barely 24 hours after the terrorists attacked Mainok, a village located on the same highway and about 40 kilometres away from Warsala.

A traveller on the route,

Hamza Baba, narrated how he drove through a village practically deserted, claiming he sighted some smoking trucks believed to have been set ablaze by the insurgents.

Baba, a government official travelling to his country home for the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, said: "The trucks were attacked and burnt by Boko Haram terrorists who shot their drivers.

"A villager, who had a luggage on his head and standing by the road side to board a vehicle to Damaturu, informed me that the attack took place at about 8pm when the gunmen arrived in Warsala, shooting sporadically. He said eight persons were found

dead this morning and that he had to flee because the gunmen said they would still be back.

"Another trailer conveying commodities to Maiduguri was attacked, and the driver killed early this morning (yesterday) in Ngamdu village, about two kilometres away from Warsala, which is a village under Yobe State.

"This has forced the villagers to start fleeing their homes en masse this morning (yesterday). I saw more than 3000 of them leaving; many were trekking, some were conveyed in trucks.

"The Damaturu-Maiduguri highway is becoming a dead zone; this is the fourth attack

this week from Monday. I wonder why intensive patrol measures are not being launched to stop this."

On Monday, reports from Mainok in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno, indicated that at least 30 persons were killed, and many others injured by rampaging terrorists.

Mainok is about 65 kilometres from Maiduguri.

The attack lasted about five hours as the gunmen took their time to ensure that no single edifice in the village was left untouched.

Sources said more than a hundred Boko Haram terrorists had, at about 5:30pm, stormed Mainok town and

opened fire on civilians, killing at least 40. More than 30 vehicles that were trapped near the village were also burnt as well as hundreds of homes.

Abubakar Danmalam, an operative of the Civilian-JTF, who visited Mainok on Tuesday, said "about 30 persons, and that include those travellers that were trapped on the way while travelling on Maiduguri-Damaturu road," were murdered.

"We have buried some of the people that can be buried but some of them were burnt beyond recognition; some of our foodstuffs were carted away," he said.

Buhari, Obama to discuss terrorism, economy, other issues Continued from page 4

Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele and permanent secretaries in the ministries of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade and Investment.

The US trip will also afford President Buhari the opportunity of a reunion with members of the American War College Class of 1980 in which he was a distinguished participant.

After his meeting with the President yesterday, Chief Anyaoku, who spoke with reporters and gave an insight into his mission at the State House.

He said: ”We talked international affairs, including particularly, the President’s impending visit to the United States.”

The former Commonwealth scribe however declined to disclose details of the meeting as he stressed that it would be inappropriate for him to publicly di-

vulge the advice he gave Buhari privately. ýBut he expressed confident in President Buhari’s commitment to the anti-corruption fight.

Anyaoku said: “I had a positive discussion with the President, we discussed international affairs, including in particular his forthcoming visit to the United States on the invitation of President Obama.

“We also touched on some national issues because of the strong link between foreign policy and domestic issues. I put at his disposal the benefits of my long experience on governance matters with Heads of Governments of 54-member countries of the Commonwealth and also other issues related to internal affairs.

“I can tell myself talking to a President who is very determined to effect a real change in

the circumstances of our country and very determined too to being to bear on his administration the generally perceived attributes of his character, which I believe many Nigerians would support.”

On corruption, he said: “Well, I believe that before he became president, he was known as somebody who has very strong passion for anti-corruption, I believe that he is determined to fight and he would go a long way in doing so. Corruption is a very endemic issue in our society and I’m quite impressed of his determination to do something about it.

“Well, I can tell from the strong impression I got from my discussion with him that he is very determined.”

Publisher of Ovation magazine yesterday Dele Momodu was also at the Presidential Villa.

He said: “I met with Mr. President and our conversation was very candid and I find him extremely jovial. We discussed different issues affecting our country and I gave him my own idea as a publisher, journalist, a columnist and the way forward for Nigeria.

“He laughed a lot about some of the things I said, I will share one of them with you. I said women must be involved in the governance of Nigeria and he looked at me. I said Sir, women cannot marry two husbands but a man can have four wives and 10 concubines, he almost choked ýhe laughed so much.

“I said so when you talk about corruption the needs of women are not as big as that of men and he said that is a very interesting theory.”

He said that the issues of insecurity and corruption were also discussed at the closed-door

meeting. ”We spoke about security and the efforts he is making, we spoke about anti-corruption crusade and I must say today he reassured me that not only does he know what he is doing, he is determined to make Nigeria work,” Momodu said.

He denied a report on the social media which quoted him as saying that the President was too slow.

Momodu said: “You know how social media people can post anything. I actually wrote him a memo and one of the things I told him is that the job of a columnist is that of an adviser who is not paid, in fact journalists all of you standing here do more worký than those paid to advise the president and that it is good to listen.

“And I know he reads voraciously and that was one of reasons he was able to invite me

because I wrote what I called a desperate memo to President Buhari.

“Of course people slanted it, some people said maybe we are no longer supporting him and all that.

“If you like someone you must be able to tell him the truth at all times, and what I have realized in so many years of interacting with people in government is that once you get to power, people stops telling you the truth, they tell you only what they think you want to hear.

“And I’m happy he said we should argue with him, tell him the truth if things are going wrong ýand we should not be afraid of telling the truth.

“And for a man who has been maligned for so many years that he doesn’t like the press, is a welcome development that he is able to reach out to members of fourth estate.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

62

NEWS

•President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) with Director , ederal Ministry of Information, Mr Umar Lambo (left); Mr Dominic Onyeche; Permanent Secretary, Mrs Folashade Yemi-Esan; another Director, Mr Emmanuel Agbegir after meeting with the President in Abuja.

•Buhari welcoming outgoing Turkish Ambassador Mr Mustafa Pulat when he visited him in Abuja

•L-R: Representative of Lagos State Governor, Dipo Olorunrinu; representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Wale Adurosakin; Executive Secretary, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Deaconess Modupe Ajibola-Ojodu and Council Manager, Mr. Segun Ajayi, at the Tree Planting exercise in FESTAC Town, Lagos.

•Representative of Lagos State Governor, Hon Adefunmilayo Tejuoso (middle); Executive Secretary, Mushin Local Government, Mr Babajide Bello (second left) and representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Bade Adebowale at the Tree Planting exercise at Badejo Kalesanwo street, Mushin

•Lagos State Governor’s wife Mrs Bolanle Ambode watering a newly planted seedling at the Annual Tree Planting exercise at the Lagos City College, Sabo, Yaba... on Tuesday. With her are Assembly Speaker’s wife Mrs Fausat Obasa (behind Mrs Ambode) and others.

•From left: Sector Commander, FRSC in Enugu State, Mr David Mendie; Crown Mayor of Nike Clan, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu and Chairman, Enugu State Council, Mr Louis Dilibe, during an advocacy visit by the Sector Commander to the Igwe at Ibeagwa Nike, Enugu State on ..Tuesday •Executive Secretary Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Fausat Olajokun (third left); Hon Ade Oshuntuyi (left); Head of Department, Education, Mrs Folayemi Hamzat (second left); Council Manager, Mr Rasheed Pedro (second right) and Hon Rasak Amosu at the annual tree planting in Lagos.

•Representative of Governor Ambode, Hon Abdulkadir Ayeola (left); Alayandelu of OdoAyandelu, Oba Ganiu Asunmo (middle) and Executive Secretary, Ikosi Ejirin Local Council Developoment Area Hon Sulaimon Yusuf planting a tree at Agbowa-Ikosi

•Representative of the Lagos State Governor and General Manager of Lagos State Environment Protection Agency (LASEPA), Adebola R. Shabi (second left), planting a tree at the premises of Skin Beauty Ltd, Oregun to mark this year's Tree Planting Day. With him from left is the M.D. Skin Beauty, Mr Lanre Ogunlesi, Chairman Of The company Mr Ade Ogunlesi (second right) and an official of the company.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

SPORT EXTRA ARSENAL 4 - 0 SINGAPORE XI

Iwobi excites Okocha • Akpom nets hat-trick

E • Akpom

RESULTS Globacom League IfeanyiUbah 1-2 Kwara Utd Bayelsa Utd 0-0 Rangers El-Kanemi 1-1 Heartland Pillars 1-1 Wikki Tourists Enyimba 3-1 Sunshine Stars Sharks 2-0 Abia Warriors Giwa FC 2-1 Nasarawa Lobi Stars 1-0 Akwa United Dolphins 1-0 Shooting Stars Today’s match FC Taraba vs Warri Wolves Int’l - Asia Trophy Everton 5 - 4 Stoke (pen) Arsenal 4 - 0 Singapore XI Int'l - Club Friendlies S’ramento 1 - 0 Sunderland G'irligi 0 - 0 Persepolis 1860 Muenchen 1 - 3 Bremen Eskisehirspor 0 - 3 Foolad Mersin 0 - 2 Sepahan Fiorentina 0 - 0 Gyirmot Bologna 6 - 0 Tiva Sciliar Rio Ave 1 - 0 Guimaraes B Carpi 2 - 4 Inter FC Cologne 3 - 1 Fortuna F.Sittard 1 - 5 FC Porto Genk 1 - 0 Charlton FC Schulz 0 - 11 Palermo Swansea 1 - 1 Gladbach

X NIGERIA skipper Austin Okocha was impressed with the performance of his nephew, Alex Iwobi, in Arsenal’s 4 - 0 defeat of Singapore XI so much so that he took to social media to express his joy.

Alex Iwobi lasted 72 minutes on the Singapore National Stadium turf before making way for Jon Toral.

“Feeling head over hills watching my nephew Alex Iwobi live with Arsenal against Singapore eleven in preseason..great stuff son,” the ex Nigeria number 10 said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, his teammate Chuba Akpom will be making the back pages today , having bagged a hat - trick against the Asian opponents.

The England youth - player opened scoring on the half - hour mark before extending Arsenal’s lead in the 76th and 79th minute.

Chuba Akpom must have been listening when Arsene Wenger told the young fringe players this tour was their chance to impress.

Teenager Akpom started up front for Arsenal in the Barclays Asia Trophy and went home with the match ball having scored a hat-trick in a very comfortable win against a Singapore XI. The former Nottingham Forest loanee confidently slotted home his penalty kick after Spaniard Jon Toral was brought down in the box This would have helped to convince the Arsenal boss he was ready for bigger challenges, after brief loan spells at Brentford, Coventry and Nottingham Forest, where he spent two months last season.

The quality of opposition was not the toughest but Akpom, who has been in the Arsenal ranks since the age of six, impressed and booked his team's place in Saturday’s final against Everton.

He opened the scoring in the first half, added a penalty after the break and completed his treble with a simple header from close range as the local team buckeled.

Iwobi missed two good chances in the second half, unable to keep down his efforts after being found in front of goal, first by the Ox and then Mathieu Debuchy.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, starting a game for the first time in more than four

months and facing an important campaign, looked sharp, ripping through the Singapore defence and beating the keeper only to be denied by a goalline clearance from Madhu Mohana.

Arsenal went two up on the hour, when Debuchy was tripped and Wilshere converted from the spot.

That was the key for Wenger to replace Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mathieu Flamini with Dan Crowley, Chris Willock and Gedion Zelalem, and the Arsenal team comprised five teenagers.

Goalkeeper Mahbud almost punched a Zelalem corner into his own net, before he was adjudged to have fouled Jon Toral, another young Arsenal substitute.

Kwara Utd beats IfeanyiUbah 2-1

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WARA United started life without suspended head coach, Tunde Abdulrahman with an away win in Oba where they defeated their hosts, FC IfeanyiUbah 2-1 yesterday in a Glo Premier League Week 18 tie.

The Harmony Warriors had to come back from a goal down to get their much desired three points after Okereke Maduabuchi got the curtain raiser for the Anambra Warriors in the 8th minute.

Bobga Sambo got the leveller for Kwara United in the 26th minute before Ismaila Gata's scorcher four minutes later handed valuable points to the

From Tunde Liadi,Owerri Harmony Warriors.

They are on 19 points from 17 matches while FC IfeanyiUbah are on 27 points from 18 matches. They are sixth.

• Moronfade Adebayo of Kwara United against Michael Ohanu of F.C IfeanyiUbah on Wednesday

Iheanacho stars in Man City’s win

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ANCHESTER City began their pre - season tour of Australia with a victory against Adelaide United in a scrimmage on Wednesday morning.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini handed Nigerian youth international Kelechi Iheanacho a spot in attack alongside Spain younster José ángel Pozo .

Iheanacho was lively in attack and would have given The Citizens the lead in the 16th minute but his shot curled away from the target after he had evaded his markers.

On the half hour mark, the 18 - year - old sent an inviting ball to Ntcham but the Frenchman missed the target. The Nigerian starlet was substituted before the start of the second half.

• Iheanacho Brandon Barker and Bruno Zuculini netted a goal each in the second half to give Man City a 2 - 0 win.

Sunshine stay top despite 1-3 loss

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NYIMBA defeated league leaders Sunshine Stars 31 to close gap at the top on Wednesday in a Week 18 game of the Nigeria League in Aba. However, Sunshine Stars still lead the table with 33 points from 18 games, same points as Enyimba but they enjoy a superior goals difference.

Stephen Eze scored an own goal in the 36th minute to give Enyimba a 1-0 lead.

Nzube Anaezemba then doubled Enyimba's advantage in the 45th minute.

Ezekiel Bassey made it three nil for Enyimba three minutes into the second half.

Tunde Adeniji scored Sunshine's consolation goal from the penalty spot when he sent goalkeeper Femi Thomas the other way after Emmanuel Anyanwu brought down Ozor Chinedu.

In the 75th minute, Sunshine Stars Adigun Adebayo was sent off following a second yellow

card for a reckless tackle on Ezekiel Bassey.

In the 12th minute, Femi Thomas saved on second attempt off Sunshine's Tamen Mendrano shot at goal.

A minute later, Ifeanyi George fired over the bar with an empty net at his mercy after he had rounded Sunshine goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

In the 21st minute, Ifeanyi George was denied by goalkeeper Ezenwa.

Stephen Eze made a goalline clearance save for Sunshine to deny Christian Obiozor and on the hour, Adeniji's well-taken free kick was saved by Thomas.

Six minutes later, Adeniji was denied a goal by the wood work after Thomas in Enyimba’s goal was beaten.

A minute later, Paul Onobi tested Thomas, but the Enyimba goalkeeper pulled off a save.

Two minutes to the end of the game, Thomas denied Sunshine striker Adeniji when he tipped away from danger his effort.

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

TODAY IN THE NATION

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

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AST week, President Muhammadu Buhari handed the insolvent state governments a financial bailout of N713.7b. The financial package was reported as consisting of accruals from the LNG (N413.7b), a special CBN intervention fund of between N250b andN300b, and the rescheduling with federal assistance of the states’ outstanding bank loans.

In addition, the sum of $1.7b from the ECA was shared among the three tiers of government. But it was stated that this was not a part of the bailout package offered the insolvent states by the Federal Government. Some 24 or more state governments owing their workers salary arrears of seven months or more will share this federal largesse. This generous financial bailout is almost unprecedented in the annals of public finance in Nigeria. It should be regarded as exceptional. It would be wrong of the states to draw the conclusion from this bailout that such measures can be repeated in future. Even if this was possible, it negates the constitutional principle of federalism in which all states, including the federal, are coordinates. It reinforces the existing tendency of the states becoming increasingly dependent financially on the centre. This is bad for federalism.

The financial relief measures provided the insolvent states with an immediate lifeline and temporary relief. They were widely welcomed in informed financial circles all over the country as necessary and timely. The finances of the insolvent states had collapsed once the oil revenue started falling. Even the few relatively solvent states stood in danger of being dragged down by the insolvent states. The package will immediately help the insolvent states to meet their wage and other financial obligations to their workers. The finances of the Federal Government too were so bad that it too needed a bailout. Before leaving office in May, the previous PDP Federal Government had borrowed over N400 billion from the CBN to meet its immediate financial obligations to its workers. This is half of what it needs to borrow from the CBN in this fiscal year. In some cases federal workers and pensioners had not been paid for upwards of four months, leading President Buhari to complain bitterly that his new government met an empty treasury. Certainly, federal finances were just as bad as those of the insolvent state governments. Many vital federal projects have had to be put on hold as a result of the poor state of federal finances.

Now public finances in Nigeria have generally not been handled with the transparency, prudence and diligence that are needed to ensure financial stability in the country. At all levels, governments have spent public funds recklessly on unproductive ventures. All governments like to spend money, including unearned income. This is what accounts for Nigeria’s woeful record of financial recklessness and corruption. Its record of budget deficits is uninspiring. It

RIPPLES ONDO PENSIONERS BEG MIMIKO TO PAY N13b GRATUITY–News

Why beg him?...You don’t have to beg for what belongs to you

VOL. 10, NO. 3277

‘It is a shame that without the towering figure of the white man, we have been unable to manage our affairs since 1962. Our parasitic ruling class who shared among themselves and their family members the conglomerates set up by regional governments in the 50s and the federal governments since independence have continued to promote the current unworkable system’ JIDE OL UW AJUYIT AN OLUW UWAJUYIT AJUYITAN

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Federal bailout of insolvent states

•President Buhari is estimated that the debt stock of the state governments is now over N600 billion, while that of the Federal Government is in the trillions of naira. All these domestic as well as external debts, now increasing steadily, will have to be paid off someday.

Governments may need to borrow occasionally to executive projects that contribute to economic growth. But this is not the case at all in Nigeria. Very often the public sector borrows money for projects that it

does not really intend to implement, or that contribute little or nothing to economic growth in the country. For instance, many of the insolvent states are building local air ports, hotels, stadia, and funding other similarly unproductive projects, such as the Tinapa tourist resort that are inherently wasteful. But the banks are only too willing to lend money to the financially imprudent states because they know that, no matter what happens, they will get their money back through federal guarantees and deductions at revenue source. They prefer lending to the state governments to lending to the private sector which is better placed to use borrowed funds more judiciously and create more jobs. Quite often, public sector borrowing crowds out the private sector from access to vital bank loans.

What is to be done to restore Nigerian public finances to stability? The solution is clear and has been well articulated for years by leading financial experts. First, budgetary deficits have to be drastically reduced to contain inflationary pressures and more public borrowing. The deficits can easily be reduced if identified leakages in revenue collection are plugged. What has been going on in the NNPC where a lot of revenues are not remitted to the Federal Government is simply scandalous and should be brought to an end. In fact, Nigeria will lose nothing financially by scrapping the NNPC totally. It has become a financial drain pipe that the country can no longer

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afford. Secondly, and in this context, it is time to end the so-called oil subsidy which has become the source of financial scam in the country. It is the oil importers and their agents in the NNPC who benefit from the subsidy, not the poor. The public is tired of the long queues at petrol stations for fuel.

Where it is available it is being sold for over N150 per litre. So, where is the subsidy? We should no longer put up with the supply blackmail by the oil importers. Savings from the withdrawal of the oil subsidy can be better utilised by building more oil refineries. Thirdly, all the governments of the federation have to increase their internally generated revenue as Lagos State has succeeded in doing over the years. It is estimated that it generates internally about 70 per cent of its annual budget. Where it has borrowed, it has the capacity to repay the loan without much strain. Fourthly, the Federal Government should be more cautious in offering borrowing states bank guarantees. Such federal guarantees should only be extended to states that have a credible record of financial management, not those who continue to borrow recklessly.

In all these cases of financial profligacy, it is the people, particularly the poor, who suffer the consequences of this financial recklessness. Salaries are unpaid, families and children suffer and projects that are of direct benefit to the public in the health and education sectors are simply put on hold, as is the case now. Just as there is no free lunch, there are no free funds. All borrowed money has to be paid soon or later. And the burden of repayment is always on the poor.

The poor people of Greece are now facing the excessive borrowing of their governments in the past. They now have to bite the financial bullet. Those who took the decision to borrow and spend such borrowed money recklessly hardly ever suffer any consequences, as they would have stashed enough money away to ensure their future comfort and that of their family. Already, several governors are being interrogated and prosecuted by the EFFC for the vast sums of money they have stashed away. It is still possible for them to be let off the hook for lack of diligent prosecution by the EFCC. But who will bailout the poor from this huge financial burden when it is pay back time?

• For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

HARDBALL HE Guilty are Afraid, James Hadley Chase, the crime thriller great, would have dubbed it, being the title of one of his ever-racy novels.

But Hardball prefers Jonathan Agonistes — the agony of Jonathan — being the reported unease former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan feels, over reported plans to find where some US $2.1bn in oil money nestles.

The Nation, in its lead story of July 15, reported: “Jonathan kicks as Buhari plans US $2.1b oil cash probe” — with the accompanying rider: “Ex-President seeks protection”.

Protection — why? The story reported Jonathan to have made a save-my-soul (SMS) Abuja sortie; and literally plans a protest placard, to Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, chairman of the National Peace Committee, that did much to ease tension before, during and after the epochal March/April elections, after which President Jonathan and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost power.

The story said former President Jonathan craved “protection”, from the Abubakar committee, against any alleged “blackmail” from the new Muhammadu Buhari presidency, over possible missing money, from the ever-leaking oil purse.

Already, Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole has gone radical, daring Jonathan and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, his economy czarina, to speak up on how US $1bn allegedly disappeared from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), with Oshiomhole alleging

JIDE OLUWAJUYITAN

Jonathan agonistes Okonjo-Iweala illegally withdrew the money to fund Jonathan’s electioneering.

The former president must have been unnerved that the hard-punching Oshiomhole was part of the quartet the National Economic Committee (NEC) set up to investigate how the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), they of opaque operations, spent N3.8 trillion in three years.

But a closer look at the quartet would reveal an intricate balancing, between the two major political parties: Oshiomhole and Nasir El-Rufai (APC), counter-balanced by Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe). Alhaji Dankwambo, one of only two PDP governors from the North now; while Governor Emmanuel is a protégée of Godswill Akpabio, a rabid Jonathan supporter. So, opposing partisan bile should cancel themselves out.

So, why does Jonathan fear?

As for the appeal to the Abdulsalami Abubakar National Peace Committee, nothing on the surface is wrong with it. In a milieu that lays so much store by barking power, it is pleasing that quiet influence is weighing in. Besides, Dr. Jonathan should do everything logical, lawful and legitimate to protect his name — and legacy.

Where Hardball vigorously disagrees is the reported allusion to post-poll but seem-

ing pre-concession agreement, which appeared to have formed the basis of Jonathan’s acceptance of electoral loss.

The Abubakar committee’s appeal to common sense and honour was laudable — even more so, as Jonathan bought into it; and accepted defeat in a poll he was clearly worsted. He, other things being equal, could not have done otherwise, anyway. With his defeat, his covenant with Nigerians, as president, had been shred.

So, while applauding Jonathan for choosing the honourable path, that concession cannot — and will not — be a basis for perpetual blackmail, against positive action, especially where there are legitimate questions on his government’s handling of the economy, which put most of our people in ruin, are begging for answers.

Jonathan should get his due honour. But that should not shield him from flak, arising from the rot his presidency left. And certainly, the Abubakar committee must not be party to any illicit cover-up. Every question must be put, and answer entered, in the public space.

Nigeria is no medieval enclave where a few potentates enter a redoubt, and emerge (that word again!) to pronounce everything settled, even when their subjects have serious doubts. It is rather a 21st century democracy, where the citizens must press their rights to know.

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Editor Daily:08111813080, 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, Mila 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO