The Nation June 14, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News Boko Haram members misguided, says Abdulsalami P8 Sports Utaka, Moses my jokers, says Eagles coach Keshi P24 Business SIM registration: MTN leads with 33.9m subscribers P11 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2156 THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Tambuwal rejects plea to help retrieve $620,000 bribe Okonjo-Iweala warns against recession

House summons emergency session Police to PDP, lawmakers: tell Lawan to surrender

•World Bank: Developing countries vulnerable From Nduka Chiejina and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

From Yusuf Alli, Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

N

IGERIA got yesterday a wake-up call on the economy.

Be prudent or risk a recession, Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told the government.

She cited the situation in Greece and Spain, which require a bailout from the European Union, to buttress her argument that the economy is not insulated from a recession. She urged the government to be cautious.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy urged the government to be prudent in managing its finances.

H

OUSE Speaker Aminu Tambuwal has rejected a plea by security agents to help retrieve the $620,000 cash businessman Femi Otedola gave a lawmaker, Farouk Lawan.

The police have asked Lawan, chairman of the ad hoc committee which probed the multi-billion naira fuel subsidy scandal, to surrender the cash, which he admitted collecting. But the lawmaker says he will not give up the evidence that Otedola bribed him against his wish.

Besides, he has not shown up at the police Special Task Force (STF) probing the matter to say all he knows about the bribe.

Tambuwal is said to have rejected the request because, according to sources, “he does not want to be roped in”.

The Speaker was said to have been suspicious of why security agencies were mounting pressure on him to get the cash from Lawan.

A legislative aide said: “The Speaker turned down the request because security agencies might come up with a theory that Lawan kept the bribe with Tambuwal.

“Although the security agencies were not happy with the Speaker’s attitude, the man said as a lawyer he has enough experience to know what could happen when you are turning in evidence.

“He has fears that with a little shred of evidence, he might be roped in.”

The police yesterday reached out to prin-

‘

There have been rumours here and there, especially because of delay in payment. This is due to the new electronic payment system being implemented by the federal ministry of finance

’

Continued on Page 4

THE FIGURES

$5m $3m $500,000

•The amount Farouk Lawan allegedly demanded from Otedola

•The amount Otedola was said to have reduced the bribe to

$120,000

•The “marked” cash collected in two installments from Otedola by Lawan •The cash allegedly collected by committee secretary Azubogu from Otedola

•Pa Alimi at the convocation...yesterday. Story on Page 5

PHOTO: NAN

Man, 75, graduates at LASU

•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

She spoke yesterday at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during a debate on the state of the economy.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku, who told reporters what transpired at the FEC, however, said Mrs Okonjo-Iweala debunked the rumour that Nigeria is broke.

Maku said the government’s delay in meeting its obligation to creditors is not a sign of weakness.

Some Federal Government workers do not receive their monthly salaries on time.

The minister said this is due to the ongoing Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

“Presently, we have no problem in terms of our finance management. There have been rumours here and there, especially because of delay in payment. This is due to the new electronic payment system being implemented by the Federal Ministry Continued on Page 4

•INDUSTRY P17 •SPORTS P24 •EDUCATION P25 •NATURAL HEALTH P45•E-BUSINESS P47

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

2

NEWS THE DANA AIR PLANE CRASH

•The late Mr Jeremiah Okwuchukwu and his wife, Josphine

•Joel, Esther and Chisom Okwuchukwu

Hope rises for children rescued A

LL was well for the Okwuchukwu family until Sunday, June 3 when the illfated Dana Air plane crashed into their home in Iju-Ishaga, killing the couple and their youngest daughter, Ngozi.

On that fateful day, the entire family of six was ‘cooling off’ after returning from church. Their father, Mr. Jeremiah Okwuchukwu, asked his daughter, Esther, to check on the plumber.

Since Esther took longer time than necessary on the errand, Okwuchukwu asked the eldest child, Joel to find out what may have been wrong. But Joel did not leave the house alone; his younger brother, Chisom, accompanied him.

Unknown to them, it was fate that was shielding them from being victims of that Black Sunday,

‘No level of compensation’ll bring back loved ones’

T

HE Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Mr. Jacky Hathiramani, has said no amount of compensation can bring back victims of the June 3 crash.

Hathiramani, in a letter to the families of the victims, said the company has the responsibility to compensate the bereaved families.

He said: “We appreciate that no level of compensation will bring back your much loved one. Nevertheless, we are making arrangements as quickly as possible to compensate every bereaved family in accordance with the law that governs tragedies such as this, and in honour of our duty to you and others.

“We do not imagine that this will make up for the pains that you are going through but we, however, hope that this lessens your pain knowing that you are not alone in these difficult times.”

By Miriam Ndikanwu

which eventually claimed the lives of their parents, Ngozi and

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

He said Dana Air has put structures in place to ensure prompt payment of benefits to families.

He said it has opened three dedicated toll-free lines manned by well trained personnel, solely for claims administration and payment procedures.

The airline’s decision to open dedicated toll-free lines, said Hathiramani, is to make it easier for the bereaved to get necessary details on payment of claims.

The airline said the interim payments should be made shortly to the families of those passengers who lost their lives in the crash.

Dana added that steps have been taken by the insurers to identify the affected families of the Iju-Ishaga community and establish the extent of the losses to enable appropriate calculations of the compensation to be made.

the 153 people on board the flight.

They were some of the casualties on ground.

Unlike his other siblings, Ngozi was not allowed to go out of the house because her mother was

•Hathiramani

plaiting her hair in preparation for school that week; but this did not come to be as the three died when

Life at displaced persons’ camp

F

ALOLA Street, Ipaja hosts some of the people displaced by the Dana Air plane crash.

On this street, the Lagos State government has created a temporary home for the internally displaced.

When The Nation visited the camp yesterday around noon, it appeared unoccupied. Most of the occupants were said to have gone to work.

The camp is made of concrete buildings painted cream and brown.

The floor of the compound is covered with interlocking paving stones.

There is an air-conditioned main hall, in which meetings are held and an administrative building, which is opposite the security block. It also has a clinic, a spacious dining hall, a kitchen, a generator house and a recreational shed.

The three buildings in the compound have 18 rooms. The Nation was told that each room, with six beds, six wardrobes, three toilets and three bathrooms, is meant for a family.

There are four reservoir tanks connected to a ‘pumping-machine’, which supplies water.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), which is in charge of the camp, Dr. Damilola Okeosanyintolu, told this reporter on phone that the laws of the camp had been relaxed to permit easy entry and exit.

Okeosanyintolu said: “We have done it in such a way that they (dis-

Another victims’ body to be released today •’Claims on crash may hit over $100m’

T

HELagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) will today release the body of a victim of the Dana Air plane crash to the family, The Nation has learnt. The body was identified yesterday after a DNA was conducted on it.

The LASUTH authorities are still collecting DNA samples from families of charred victims to ensure the remaining bodies are identified.

A source said with the cooperation of relatives of the victims, the remains would be handed over to their families for proper burial, “no matter how charred or dismembered the bodies may have been”.

To prevent further trauma to families of the crash victims due to misinformation, Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed has been authorised to speak on release of bodies to families.

By Damilola Owoyele

placed persons) can go and come back from work at their convenient times.

We have also provided them with a Lagbus to convey them to major bus stops where they can board commercial vehicles going to their various workplaces.”

He stated that relief materials such as clothes, cooking utensils and food materials had been given to displaced persons.

The government has classified the affected residents of Iju-Ishaga into three categories: the severely affected, the moderately affected and the

By Wale Adepoju

A source said the decision was taken at a meeting attended by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, Ahmed and the Chief Medical Director of the LASUTH, Prof.Wale Oke. This was made known yesterday by Idris, after a threehour meeting at LASUTH. The President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr. Wole Adetimehin, yesterday said the total claims payment to families of the victims and others might be as high as 100 million dollars (N15.5 billion).

Adetimehin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the worth of the plane, the passengers, third party liabilities and consequential losses would need to be quantified.

mildly affected. The severely affected are those who do not have any accommodation and have been provided the abode of the camp temporarily.

The camp commandant, Mr. Ganiyu Wewe, said of the 38 displaced persons who had put up at the camp, only two were available at the time the reporter visited.

One of them, Mr. Olatunji Lawal, a businessman of 2/4 Okisanya Street, a street adjoining Popoola Street, where the plane crash occurred said he has suffered financial loss due to the crash. He also has impaired sight.

He said: “While sleeping I was

awoken by a thunderous sound. I rushed out almost naked, only in my boxers. Because I couldn’t see well, I was told that a plane had nosedived into our area. We were advised to run because the plane might explode.

Smoke had engulfed everywhere.

The gaseous emission has worsened my eye condition, and my health too because I am often affected by high blood pressure.

“My properties were looted when I came back to my house. A bag containing money, camcorder, and land documents were stolen. One of my cows, which was hit by the plane was butchered and shared by urchins. I

don’t know the whereabouts of the other 22 cows. They are large cows that cost N200,000 each.”

He said he has relocated his family to Abeokuta because his house had a crack and he was not sure if the foundation would bear the weight of the building. His residence was a 4-flat tenement. He said after the severely affected were relocated to the resettlement camp on June 6, he decided to speak with the General Manager of LASEMA, who then gave him the status of ‘severely affected’ because of his health condition.

When asked about the state of accommodation at the camp, Lawal said that it was ‘super.’

He said: “We are given three-square meals daily. And the workers often asked if it wasn’t enough so that they could give us more. There is good electricity supply. And at 7:00 pm every day, the generator is put on if there is no light. They also put it on in the mornings.”

On his health, he said: “A doctor from the Ministry of Health, who was sent by the SA to the governor, came to this place this morning just because of me.

The doctor said he will refer me to a specialist at LASUTH tomorrow.”

Okeosanyintolu, when asked to comment on those who refused the accommodation, said: “We are trying our best, but we can’t force them. But we are working hand-in-hand with those affected by the crash so that we can ameliorate the effect.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

3

NEWS THE DANA AIR PLANE CRASH

‘How a cook’s advice saved me from Dana crash’ W

•The late Mrs. Okwuchukwu, her daughters, Esther (right) and Ngozi (left) who also died when the plane crashed on their home

at crash site the plane crashed into their home.

Since the incident, life has not been the same for the three children, Joel, 11, Chisom, 9, and Esther, 7.

The children, who were left at the mercy of a Good Samaritan when the incident occurred, were rescued at the crash site by Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) when he visited the scene and learnt of their story.

Fashola has since then taken custody of the children, while awaiting contacts from their family members.

A director in charge of Child Development, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Development (WAPA), Mrs. Alaba Fadairo, told our reporter yesterday that all is well with the three children.

Though Fadairo did not disclose the location where they are being

looked after, our reporter gathered that the children are living with the governor at the State House, Marina.

Fadairo said: “The children are in the custody of government.

Some family members have made contact with us, but government is still keeping the children because we are working on a plan that will be in their interest.

“We understand how traumatic the incident has been for them and as such decided to keep them within the family circle to help them outlive the situation.

“Government also has plans for the education of the children to ensure that they can get back to school and continue their schooling, which has been temporarily affected by the air crash into their residence.”

Charles Ntuko: He died developing entrepreneurs

•The late Ntuko

H

E was one of a group of seven who travelled to Abuja for a parley on the final leg of a project. On June 3, Charles Ntuko and four others decided to return to Lagos through a Dana Air flight. Two chose to stay. The five, who boarded the flight, including Ntuko and Mrs. Tosin Anibaba, perished with the crash.

Mrs. Anibaba has since been buried and a lot has been written about her, but not much has been said about Ntuko.

A friend yesterday said: “He lived a life that was worth mentioning and was very dear to me that I mourned him till yesterday.”

His full names were: Charles

Chukwudi Ntuko. He was President of the National Union of Accounting Students (UNEC) from 1990 to 1991.

Former Managing Director of Amex Brown Ltd and Hitwave Ltd, producers of Joke and Santa Val fruit juice, Author of “what’s in your hand”, he lately devoted himself to promoting entrepreneurial development, especially among youths. This is evidenced in his book on entrepreneurship entitled “What’s in your Hands”. He carried with great dedication and passion, the vision of motivating, encouraging and mentoring the youths and channeling their youthful zeal, vigour, enthusiasm and stamina towards productive endeavours for the good of the society.

Ntuko collaborated with notable NGOs, such as the Sound Minds Initiative and the FATE Foundation, to develop entrepreneurs. His last project in this line was a project with the FATE Foundation for MTN Nigeria Limited. He was one of the seven judges for budding entrepreneurs’ competition. The Port Harcourt and Lagos legs of the project were concluded successfully.

The final leg was what he concluded in Abuja before boarding the illfated Dana Air flight.

He is survived by a young wife and two children, ages 7 and 3, who are resident in Canada.

HEN a cook advised Mrs. Yeye Rewane to rest instead of flying back to Lagos that Sunday morning, little did she know he was an angel sent to save her life. That advice turned out to be the saving grace for her. But for it, she would have perished with other passengers on the ill-fated Dana plane that crashed in Iju-Ishaga, on the outskirts of Lagos. Rewane had booked and even paid for ticket of the flight on Friday as soon as she arrived in Abuja for a family wedding at the airport.

At the wedding, she said she danced until there was no strength left in her. At a point, she had to pull her shoes to get relief. When she woke up that Sunday morning, she was totally exhausted. But she struggled to get up from bed to prepare for the trip.

Mrs. Rewane said: “I called the cook of the apartment where I stayed to go get the ticket for me so that I can get to the airport on time. I had even paid for the ticket. But the cook gave an unusual advice. He then said: ‘Madam, I saw you were tired at the wedding and even removed your shoes. Please don’t go. Just rest and

By Sunday Oguntola

you can go on Sunday.’”

Mrs. Rewane heeded the advice without reasoning. She said it didn’t even occur to her she would be losing money. “I just listened to him without argument and went back to sleep,’’ she recalled.

She was still sleeping when the crash happened and her phone started ringing. Concerned relations were on line to confirm if she survived the crash. Many of them knew she was booked to be on the flight.

“My cousin, Omosola Rewane, was the one who called me first. He said there had been a crash. I was just shivering and could not talk.”

Rewane was so shocked that she stayed indoors for two days. She was just imagining what would have happened if she did not abort the trip. It took her over 48hours to travel back to Lagos. This time, she chose to return by road.

“I couldn’t return by air again! For two days, I locked myself inside full of shock.”

Her cousin and his family identified on the manifest as Awani O and Awani P died with others. So were some of their employees with

Mrs. Rewane: saved by a cook

them. A grateful Rewane said God must have preserved her life for a reason.

“Maybe God gave me a second chance to amend my ways,’’ she reasoned.

After crash, new anxiety for travellers

T

HE ordeal of flying in Nigeria begins with the chaotic crowds waving wads of cash who surround ticket agents in sweltering terminals lacking air-conditioning.

Then comes the surge toward the overwhelmed clerk who handles check-in.

Getting onto the plane itself can seem to be an accomplishment, given the lack of audible announcements, working signboards or uniformed employees with knowledge of just how long the inevitable delay will last.

But it is only when a passenger is settled into the aging jetliner that the real adventure begins.

Air travel here can be a routine experience, but one that exists on the edge of catastrophe, as the plane crash last week in Lagos underscored. How a shiny airliner full of successful Nigerians - all week news reports detailed the accomplishments of various high-ranking civil servants and ingenious entrepreneurs - ended up a mass of charred wreckage in the mud of a workingclass neighbourhood pointed up the worst nightmares of every traveller in this country so full of both dynamism and dysfunction.

Decades back, planes crashed so regularly that many Nigerians stuck to the dangerous roads to get from here to, say, Abuja or Port Harcourt or Kano. But the government closed the airlines of rogue operators and warned the rest that shortcuts were not allowed. The reputation of the country’s aviation industry improved, experts say, to the point that United States officials in 2010 gave Nigeria’s carriers Cat-

egory 1 status, the highest safety endorsement.

Then the crash on June 3 of a Dana Air flight from Abuja, the capital, which killed all 153 people aboard as well as an unknown number of people on the ground, raised all the questions again. The anxiety surrounding Nigerian air travel continued on Friday night, when the runway lights failed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, forcing the diversion of some flights and leaving passengers stranded.

On a recent morning at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, a pilot for a leading Nigerian carrier opened up about his fears. He will not board his company’s aging Boeing 737s, he said, because they are not maintained properly. Maintenance, he said, is a joke. Safety inspectors have been bribed, he asserted. Pilots have engaged in eccentric behaviour in the cockpit, jeopardising the lives of passengers, he said. Finished with his indictment, the pilot left to fly his plane.

To be sure, an overwhelming majority of flights in Nigeria, as anywhere else, begin and end without noticeable incident, even if pilots seem to announce incorrect destinations regularly. Apart from the discomfort - old planes, some pushing 30 years old, jammed with seats and haunted by the odors of decades of bad meals - they are like flights anywhere. And yet every now and again, they stand out.

A plane for a major Nigerian carrier was approaching Lagos at the

end of a recent all-night international flight. The city came into view - the warren of streets near the airport was below - and the plane seemed to be descending. Suddenly the view changed.

The plane was flying over fields and swamps. The city receded into the distance. Yet the weather was perfect. The plane was no longer, it seemed, approaching Lagos. After a few minutes, the captain’s voice came over the intercom: “Ah, distinguished ladies and gentlemen” this is how Nigerian pilots address passengers - “I’m sorry, but I’ve missed my landing. I’m going to have to try again.”

The plane became very quiet. The flight attendants were frozen in their seats, their faces immobile. After 10 minutes, the pilot tried again, and the plane landed without incident.

On a recent domestic flight - again involving a major carrier - the small jet hit heavy turbulence. It went on and on, the plane bouncing up and down, minutes turning into a quarter-hour and a half-hour.

The pilot’s voice came over the intercom - but not to give information about the flight. To sing. In a cracked and wheezy baritone, the (evidently) aged pilot began to intone an improvised ditty in praise of his own carrier: “Oh, I love to fly Air Nigeria! Air Nigeria is the best!”

The plane bounced up and down, and the captain sang.

Eventually the jet landed at its provincial destination. The passengers, almost all Nigerians, disembarked, impassive and silent. They appeared to be used to these ordinary experiences that edge near - uncomfortably close - to the extraordinary.

Lawyer demands reports of investigations

L

AGOS lawyer Mr. Bamidele Aturu has asked Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah to release reports of past air accidents’ probe.

Aturu, in a request made under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, is seeking full disclosure of investigative reports of all air accidents since 1969 to date.

He said: “I hereby request pursuant to sections 1, 3 and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 that you kindly use your good offices

By Segun Balogun

to make available to me or grant me access to the Reports of all the air crashes, accidents and or incidents that occurred within the Nigerian Airspace between November 20, 1969 and June 3rd 2012 not later than 7 days after you have must have received this letter/request. If the report on the crash of 3rd June 2012 is not ready as is presumable kindly indicate so and let me have an idea of when it may be ready.

“Perhaps more importantly our people need to have reports of the investigations statutorily conducted into previous air crashes in Nigeria, if any, since 1969 in order to satisfy themselves that necessary preventive and regulatory measures are being taken by the relevant government agencies.”

Aturu warned the minister, in the event she failed to “provide the information within the period stipulated by law” to get ready for the appropriate legal action.

4

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

NEWS Okonjo-Iweala warns against recession Continued from Page 1

•Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar displaying a giant copy of the Holy Qur’an presented to him by fFormer Military President Ibrahim Babangida (right) during Abubakar’s 70th birthday celebration in Minna...yesterday

Group alleges plan to remove speaker

S

OME rights activists have raised the alarm over an alleged plot to use the $620,000 bribery scandal as a platform for the removal of House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) advised the House leadership to “remain firm, committed and not allow any intimidation and blackmail to deter it from performing its constitutional role”.

CISLAC, which made the allegation in a statement by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, accused some forces in the Executive and some fuel importers of being behind the plan.

It alleged that the anti-Tambuwal forces were never comfortable with the way the leadership of the House had been managing its legislative business.

It accused the forces of planning to use the allegation

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

against the Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc committee on Fuel Subsidy, Hon. Farouk Lawan, as an excuse to oust the leadership.

The statement reads: “An offence allegedly committed by an individual member should not be used as an excuse to create another crisis in the House of Representatives.

“And if indeed those agitating for the use of an individual’s alleged misdeed to oust the present set of leadership of the House are sincere, they should as well call for the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan for overseeing a regime in which trillions of naira was siphoned in various scams, including the N1.7 trillion subsidy fraud.

“CISLAC suspects complicity on the part of the Presidency in the current move to remove the leadership by spon-

soring some faceless groups to call for the resignation of the Speaker.

“This move, the organisation suspects, is aimed at achieving a two-fold agenda of discarding the recommendations emanating from the fuel subsidy probe committee’s report as well as remove the leadership of the lower chamber which the executive had considered too independent and assertive.

“The 7th session of the House of Representatives is arguably the best session of the National Assembly since 1999.

The leadership has been honest and meticulous while the House has always sided with the position of the larger population.

“We are witnesses to how the House handled the probe into the collapse of the capital market and quickly disbanded the earlier committee when it emerged that there was dishonesty and bribe allegations

on the committee.”

The organisation urged the House leadership to “remain firm, committed and not allow any intimidation and blackmail to deter it from performing its constitutional role.”

CISLAC added: “Lawmaking, representation, constituency outreach and oversight/ probe are functions of the National Assembly as enshrined in the constitution.

“Therefore, no amount of threat and intimidation should blackmail credible lawmakers from exercising their legislative duties.

CISLAC however called on the House leadership to categorically come out and dissociate itself from any wrongdoing and let any member involved in any unethical conduct face the wrath of the law as it has done in the case of a former Chairman of the Capital Market Committee, Hon Hernan Hembe.”

of finance.

“There has been occasional delay in payments in some departments. But, that has nothing to do with Nigeria’s financial position.

“Our economy is sound; our economy is growing, the fastest in the continent and we also know that our external reserve has gone up to about $35billion now.”

He said government would continue to improve on the nation’s external reserve through probity and prudent management of the economy.

The World Bank also raised the alarm over the ripple effect of the fragile economic situation in Europe on developing economies. It, however, said the economy of countries in sub Sahara Africa is growing.

In its Global Economic Prospects (GEP) for June 2012, the World Bank, which urged developing countries to prepare for tougher times, said: “A resurgence of tensions in highincome Europe has eroded the gains made during the first four months of this year, which saw a rebound in economic activity in both developing and advanced countries and an easing of risk aversion among investors.”

“Since the beginning of May 2012, developing and high-income country stock markets have lost some seven per cent, giving up two-thirds of the gains generated over the preceding four months.

“Most industrial commodity prices are down, with crude and copper prices down by 19 and 14 per cent, respectively, while developing country currencies have lost value against the US dollar, as international capital fled to safe-haven assets, such as German and U.S. government bonds.

“So far, conditions in most

developing countries have not deteriorated as much as in the fourth quarter of 2011. Outside of Europe and Central Asia and the Middle-East and North Africa, developing country Credit Default Swap (CDS) rates, a key indicator of market sentiment, remain well below their maximums from the fall of 2011”, the report stated.

It added that increased uncertainty will add to pre-existing headwinds from budget cutting, banking-sector deleveraging and developing country capacity constraints.

The World Bank projects that developing country growth will slow to a relatively weak 5.3 per cent in 2012, before strengthening somewhat to 5.9 per cent in 2013 and 6.0 per cent in 2014.

However, growth in high-income countries will also be weak, 1.4, 1.9 and 2.3 per cent for 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively – with GDP in the Euro Area declining 0.3 per cent in 2012. Overall, global GDP is projected to rise 2.5, 3.0 and 3.3 (1) per cent for the same period.

Should the situation in Europe deteriorate sharply, no developing region would be spared. Developing Europe and Central Asia is especially vulnerable because of its close trade and financial ties with high-income Europe, but the world’s poorest countries will also feel the fall out – especially countries that are heavily reliant on remittances, tourism or commodity exports or that have high-levels of short-term debt.

Economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, the report said, remained robust in 2011 at 4.7 per cent. Excluding South Africa, growth in the rest of the region was stronger, at 5.6 per cent, making it one of the fastest growing developing regions.

Tambuwal rejects plea to help retrieve $620,000 bribe Continued from Page 1

cipal officers of the House and influential members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prevail on Lawan to appear before it today or face the consequences.

The House and the Police were involved in a hide and seek game yesterday.

The House said it on June 6 struck an unwritten agreement with the police hierarchy that Lawan could only be available in two weeks after it might have concluded its internal investigation into the matter.

A source said in the presence of the principal officers of the House, the police hierarchy communicated the agreement to the investigating desk.

Ahead of the police final decision on Lawan today, there were indications that five to 10 more lawmakers might be invited by the police based on audio tape of the conversation between Otedola and Lawan.

The Nation learnt that the police may crack down on Lawan today, if he refuses to honour police invitation.

A source said: “We have sent emissaries to Lawan; they are talking to him to honour police invitation. We are hopeful that this persuasion will work.

“Let us see how it will go,

Lawan may urge court to protect his rights

H

OUSE member Farouk Lawan may head for a Federal High Court to seek the protection of his fundamental rights as the police insist he must show up.

A source said: “The House, an independent arm of government, is already investigating this matter and the police should be patient.

“We suspect that there is more to the police hastiness than meet the eye. I think Lawan may go to court against Otedola and the Police.

“If Lawan is in court, the matter may become prejudicial for consideration and the police will not be able to arrest him.”

A police source had told The Nation that the lawmaker may be arrested of declared wanted. House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and his principal officers yesterday met for hours on the bribery saga and the “odium” it is attracting to the House.

It was gathered that the House management unanimously decided to convene an emergency session to review the issue and find a solution to allow the chamber move

but I think by the end of Thursday, Farouk must have chatted with the Police. We are just trying to be civil.”

But a member of the House said: “When some of our principal officers met with the police team on June 6, they asked the hierarchy to give them two weeks to investigate the allegation before asking Lawan to report for interrogation by the STF. “The principal officers were obliged the two-week request.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

forward.

A source at the session said: “Even though we are on recess, we have decided to recall our members for an emergency session on this bribe matter. Our members are getting agitated that it is casting a stain on them as if it was a corporate thing.

“We also approved a suggestion to throw the debate at the emergency session open to Nigerians. It will be widely televised by the electronic media, especially television stations.A statement by Clerk of the House of Representatives Mr. M.A. Sani-Omolori, reconvening the emergency session for tomorrow, said: “This is to inform all Honourable members of the House of Representatives that the House would reconvene to hold a plenary session on Friday June 15th, 2012 at 10am prompt. Honourable Members are advised to take note and attend promptly, please.”

A spokesman of the House, Hon. Victor Ogene, said the meeting is to protect the in-

That is why Lawan has not appeared before the STF. We are only honouring our own part of the unwritten agreement.”

The source went on: “That claim by some lawmakers appears strange because Lawan is in the country for his recess.

We are not aware of any agreement. With the international dimension the matter has taken, does he need two weeks to report to the police to make a statement?

stitutional integrity of the House.

“In the light of the recent happenings, we think that an attack on the institutional integrity of the House is a direct attack on all members. And no responsible institution will sit back especially when the attack is directed at the subsidy report which goes to the root of the rot in the oil sector.

“Instead of waiting for the debate and allegations to go back and forth, we want to stay the focus on the fuel subsidy report.”

On if Lawan will be suspended on Friday as believed in many quarters, Ogene said it is for the members to decide at the session.

The House as a bastion of democracy will only take a decision based on the submissions of its members and majority opinion not pre-conceived notions. But the institutional integrity of the House will be on their minds and this goes beyond any single person’s interest. We will do what we need to do to be on the side of the rule of law and the people of Nigeria. We cannot be expected to fall short of that,” he said.

“We have reached out to the House leadership through eminent Nigerians to allow Farouk to come to the police.

That is the latest on this matter; let Farouk Lawan honour the police.”

It was learnt that the House leadership was battling last night to find a solution to the issue between it and the police.

A member of the House from the Northeast said: “For hours, Farouk Lawan met

with Tambuwal and principal officers at the Speaker’s residence on Wednesday on how to handle police invitation.

“A solution is being found in such a manner that it will not affect our relationship with the police. Let them be patient.”

It was also learnt that five to 10 members of the House might also be invited by the police based on the audio and video tapes which were being shown some key House members yesterday.

The police source added: “Yes, we may invite more lawmakers, but we want to hear from Lawan first; that is the logical order. Let everybody talk to him to report by Thursday or else it may be a different story.”

The ongoing investigation has, however, created panic among House members following the rush to watch the video tape of the Otedola-Lawan game and listening to the audio tape by lawmakers A source said: “From the tape, the negotiation was higher Otedola did not start videotaping, until when the rate was reduced to $5million. Later Otedola reduced it to $3million.

“There was another interesting aspect where Otedola told Lawan that the balance of the $3million was ready and the oil baron was asked to fly in the balance.

“Otedola said as soon as he got to Abuja , he would call Lawan but the lawmaker could be heard loudly saying: ‘It is possible we might be in the chamber but I will give you the number of a trusted hand… (A member of the House).

“The said member, who was a union activist before his election, was said to have come from a Yoruba speaking area in the North-Central zone of the country.”

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

5

NEWS

‘If God spares my life, I will continue to doctorate level’ •Septuagenarian steals show at LASU’s graduation

H

E was not the best of the lot. But Pa Amodu Alimi, arguably the oldest graduate of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, was the star yesterday at the university’s 17th convocation.

He was awarded a first degree certificate in Sociology.

LASU said from its records, Alimi is 80. His son claims he is 75.

Aside getting a special mention form the Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa, Alimi was the darling of students, members of staff and guests, who hugged, shook hands and took group photographs with him.

Alimi nicknamed ‘the youngest student’ enrolled at LASU in 2004.

He said the decision to enroll for his first degree in a conventional university was in fulfillment of his passion to become an academic, which, he said, the circumstance of his birth denied him during his youthful days.

Speaking with The Nation, Alimi said humility and respect for constituted authorities saw him through.

He said: “University is not a place for frivolities. I knew where I was coming from and what I came to do here.

“When I retired from LUTH in 1992, I didn’t want to be an old man who would stay indoor and wait for three basic meals from his children.

So, I saw going back to school as an opportunity, which I lost while working as a civil servant. I was determined to bear with any negative and positive experiences my going back to school could bring at my age.”

Alimi recalled that a lecturer once seized his handset for one week for

• Pa Alimi (middle) with first son, Gbade (right), daughter, Morenike, his grandsons, Seun and Ayo Williams (in front of Morenike). Others from left are: Alhaja Raji Adenike, (neigbour), Dr Akeem (son) and Yetunde (granddaughter) PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

By Adegunle Olugbamila

forgetting to switch off during a class session. He also recounted when he dozed off in class and was advised by the teacher on the danger of consuming heavy food ahead of lectures.

Alimi’s eldest son and sponsor, Gbade, a chartered accountant, said he was happy when his father indicated interest in earning a de-

gree.

He said: “Daddy is not the type who loves to sit in one place. Besides, he is naturally a strong person. He always loves to keep himself busy. He has never fallen sick or complained of headache all through his years as undergraduate. He could not go to school because of his desire to see all of us through school. So, when he said he wanted to return, it was good news for us all to support him.”

His granddaughter, Yetunde, also saw him as an inspiration.

She said: “I’m glad to have a grandfather who could be doing what many of us could not do even as youths. He is an inspiration to all of us. His life has prodded us to aspire for the peak in our academic careers.”

An employee in LASU library said Alimi used to spend substantial part of his time in the library.

He said: “Baba was always here

Court tells Fed Govt to hands off MMA2

F

OR failing to comply with the rules of the court, the Federal

Government yesterday lost its appeal against the judgment of a Federal High Court on the Murtala Mohammed Airport Domestic Terminal 2 (MMA2), Ikeja, Lagos.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja said the government failed to prepare and transmit the record of the trial court within 30 days if a court registrar failed to do same in the first 60 days after delivery of judgment.

In the unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel chaired by Justice Zainab Bukachuwa, the court said: ‘’The applicant is entitled to ask for an extension of time after the 90 days which the applicant did not do. ‘’It is not an optional duty; the rule of court must be obeyed, because it is mandatory. At the end of the day after considering reasons, I found them not cogent and compelling.

“When the rules of court are specifically spelt out, the parties have no other duty than to comply with such rules. Besides, there was no application for an extension of time by the appellant.

“The notice of appeal was filed in June 2009; the Registrar by the rules of this court has 60 days within which to transmit the records of appeal. Rules of court are made to be obeyed and when there is no compliance, the court would have no choice than to dismiss the appeal. This appeal is hereby dismissed with no cost

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

awarded to both side. ‘’This appeal is therefore summarily dismissed. I make no order as to cost.’’

Concessionaire - Messrs BiCourtney Limited, sued the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, following the failure of the Federal Government to implement an April 24, 2003 concession agreement in respect of the MMA2 in.

By the concession agreement, all scheduled domestic flights in and out of Lagos must use the MMA2 concessioned to Bi-Courtney Limited by the Federal Government.

The concession period which is 36 years with effect from 2003 allows the firm to collect all levies and charges from scheduled domestic flights in and out of the Lagos state.

In a nine-paragraph affidavit in support of its suit, the firm said that sometime in year 2001, the domestic terminal of the MMA was engulfed by fire which totally destroyed the airport that caused the federal government to shut it down.

The firm consequently submitted a bid proposal to the Federal Government to re-develop the burnt terminal on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

Bi-Courtney Limited and the Federal Government signed a concession agreement on April 24, 2003, mandating the firm to design, build and operate MMA2 and the

ancillary services for 36 years to enable it recoup its investment.

But contrary to the terms of the agreement, since MMA2 became operational on May 7, 2007, the Federal Government has been carrying out its business as usual.

The firm averred that by its letter dated June 20, 2008, it referred the Federal Government’s activities to the committee earlier set up by the two parties which resolved the disputes in its favour.

But the Federal Government refused to comply with the committee’s decision, which informed the filing of the suit before the court.

Justice Anwuli Chikere of an Abuja Federal High Court, on March 3, 2009, ordered the Federal Government to stop operating domestic flights in and out of Lagos State from any other airport other than MMA2, except the airport terminal owned or operated by the Bi-Courtney Limited during the concession period.

The court also directed the Federal Government to render an account of all revenues that has accrued to it from scheduled domestic flights operation conducted from any terminal other than MMA2 in Lagos state after MMA2 became operational on May 7, 2007 and all such revenue shall be remitted to the firm.

Justice Chikere further restrained the Federal Government from constructing any airport terminal in Lagos state or concessioning any for scheduled domestic flights other than MMA2

everyday even during strikes. He usually troubled us to get him one book or the other. There is hardly any book baba did not have or buy.

He was always the first person to be here and the last to leave.”

Alimi , who is studying for a Masters degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations at LASU, said he wouldn’t quit until he acquires his Ph.D “If God spares my life, I will continue to doctorate level,” he said.

Bishop condemns dishonest clerics From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

A

Dr. Babalakin

without giving the first right of refusal and concessioning to BiCourtney.

Not satisfied with the judgement of the trial court, the AGF appealed against it.

He asked the appellate court to dismiss the judgment which was delivered for want of diligent prosecution.

Bi-Courtney’s counsel, Dr Olawale Babalakin, (SAN), argued that the Federal Government’s appeal was a ploy not to obey the court judgment on the grounds that the AGF failed to compile and transmit the trial court record as required by the appeal court rule.

He asked the Appeal Court to dismiss the appeal as required of the court in the circumstance the applicant failed to transmit court’s record on appeal within the stipulated 90-day period.

NGLICAN Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, has identified dishonesty as a major obstacle to the success of missionary work.

The bishop spoke at the third session of the 28th Synod at St. James Church, Awada.

He condemned priests who are not true to their calling.

The bishop said: ‘’Missionary work has become an employment to those who are looking for food.

It has become a business to those who cannot excel in other areas of life.

“This has put the 21st century mission in extreme difficulty. Lack of genuine shepherds is the bane of 21st century missionary exploits.

“The church is called to be the voice of the voiceless and the conscience of the society. The church should show the light in this dark world. When a harvest is ripe but not harvested, it results in a waste and thereby frustrates the labour of the sowers.

“Unfortunately, the harvest Jesus speaks of in this context is plentiful but the labourers are few. What this means is that if there is no intervention, the amount of waste will be much.’’

In his address entitled: “The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few” , the bishop stated that God is always in the business of searching for man because of his love and special interest in man.

6

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

NEWS Aregbesola: security is everyone’s business

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday said security is the responsibility of everyone.

He spoke at the House of Assembly during a public hearing on the Security Trust Fund Bill.

The aim of the bill is to assist security agencies through the provision of equipment and logistics.

Heads of security agencies, representatives of the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders were at the hearing and they presented their positions on the bill.

Aregbesola said managing security is a huge task, which begs for the attention of all stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors.

He said that the bill was put together to give all contributors to the fund a sense of belonging in its management.

The governor said the state needs over five choppers, power bikes, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and patrol vehicles to tighten security.

He said government alone cannot provide the fund needed to ensure security and urged everyone to contribute to it.

Aregbesola said: “Government alone cannot do it, because the fund needed for security is huge and other

Senator’s empowerment programme flops From Damisi Ojo,Akure

T

HERE was drama in Akure,the Ondo State capital, yesterday when hoodlums suspected to be supporters of the ruling Labour Party (LP) reportedly hijacked various empowerment materials purchased by Senator Ayo Akinyelure (Ondo Central).

The items, said to be worth over N70 million, were to be distributed to party loyalists in the six local government areas that make up the senatorial district.

They were said to have been seized by the LP urchins at the distribution centre in Afunbiowo Estate, Akure.

Among the items carted away were cars, motorcycles, sewing machines, hair dressing equipment, clippers and generators.

It was gathered that in the process of hijacking the materials, many people were injured.

A middle-aged man, who was reportedly stabbed in the stomach, is on admission at a private hospital in Akure.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who was said to be the special guest at the event, expressed disappointment over the development.

Some notable LP leaders including Kayode Ajayi (a.k.a. Ekun) and Ade Fayeun (a.k.a. Ade Basket) were said to have received Tipper lorries as gifts for their support for the senator.

Akinyelure was said to have been attacked several times by LP loyalists in his constituency for allegedly neglecting them since he became a senator.

The senator could not be reached on the phone for comments yesterday. He also did not respond to text messages.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

elements of good governance are competing for the government’s attention.

“I am not here to lord the bill on the lawmakers, but to explain why the bill was put together. Ordinarily, the sponsor of the bill is not supposed to speak at the public hearing, but I thank Mr. Speaker for giving me the privilege to air my views.”

Speaker Najeem Salaam said the bill has not reached the level where the opinion of outsiders, including the governor, would no longer count.

He said: “I commend the governor for counting his opinion in, because he is a stakeholder. As a member of the public and the chief security officer of the state, his suggestions may be useful.”

•From left: Oyo State Chief Justice Mrs. Badejoko Adeniji, Ajimobi, Mrs. Sunmonu Adeyemo...yesterday

and Deputy Governor Moses PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

Ajimobi to change Ibadan Airport to Cargo Airport

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday revealed his plan to transform the Ibadan Airport into a Cargo Airport.

He said it would complement the Erunmu dry-port and the new development corridors on the 110km circular road.

Ajimobi spoke during the plenary session of the House of Assembly, while giving account of his administration stewardship in the last one year.

He said in the second year of his tenure, he intends to focus on the transformation of the Ibadan Airport to a Cargo Airport; the supply of natural gas to the state; and the expansion of the rail facility.

Ajimobi said efforts are ongoing to partner develop-

•Governor hails lawmakers From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

ment organisations in implementing the projects.

On some of his achievements in the last year, he said: “We have started paying a minimum wage of N19,100 and have brought the salary structure of Oyo State at par with comparable states in the Southwest.

“We have repaired and built 199 roads and eight bridges across the state.

Work is ongoing on the fly over at Mokola round about, the first in the 35 years of the state and the first to be built by a democratically elected government.

“Work is ongoing on the repair of 235 blocks of classrooms in primary and sec-

ondary schools and we have resumed the supply of science and home economics equipment and furniture in schools.

“Last year, government paid over N396 million West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees and distributed about 3.3 million exercise books to primary school pupils.”

Thanking the lawmakers for their peaceful coexistence in the last one year, irrespective of their party differences, the governor said: “At the inception of this administration, the legislature was fairly composed of members of the three different parties, with none having a comfortable majority to guarantee rancour-free legislative activities.

“Hardly in the history of the parliament in Oyo State, not even when one party was in the clear majority, did we have the kind of peaceful, mature and patriotic legislature as we did in the past year.

“I doff my hat for the speaker, principal officers and members of the Assembly. I am most grateful that with the business of the last one year, you have lived to the bidding as one of the foremost parliaments in Nigeria.”

Speaker Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu thanked the governor for approving funds for constituency and capital projects of the Assembly members, which she said has enabled them to perform their duties diligently.

Terminate agreement with Ladoja, Lam urges governor F

ORMER Oyo State Governor Lam Adesina yesterday urged Governor Abiola Ajimobi to terminate his “working agreement” with former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and the Accord.

The Oyo Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader said contrary to the claim by the Accord, ACN never entered into any agreement with Ladoja or his party before or after the 2011 elections.

Speaking at Lafia Hotel,

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Ibadan, during an interactive session marking the first anniversary of the ACN administration, Adesina urged the governor to make peace with those who contested the party’s governorship ticket with him, especially Senator Femi Lanlehin and Ismail Adewusi.

He said: “ACN has no

agreement with Ladoja or his party. It is only our governor that entered into a working agreement him. I urge our governor to terminate whatever agreement he has them.”

Adesina said the party is superior to any individual and urged Ajimobi to ensure that all members of his executive are card-carrying ACN members. He said many members, who suffered for the party, have not been compensated.

On claims that Ladoja helped in enthroning the ACN government, Adesina said himself and the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, were instrumental to Ladoja’s emergence as a senator in 1993.

He said he also assisted Ladoja to win an election into the constituent assembly during the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha and was disappointed when “the PDP used the same Ladoja to rig him (Adesina) out of office in 2003”.

ACN. ACN is led by responsible leaders and I am interested in the development of my state and the Southwest.

“PDP and the Labour Party (LP) are dead. I assure you that ACN will win the October 20 governorship election, because our people are in support of the political and economic integration of the Southwest being initiated by ACN leaders.

Agunloye, who received the defectors, said many prominent politicians have joined the ACN through the “Omoluabi” platform.

Describing Mrs. Taiwo as a pillar of politics in the community, he said the defectors

have made the right decision by joining a progressive party.

Agunloye said: “Today, through the Omoluabi platform alone, the ACN has made tremendous progress with its membership drive across the state. In 2011, we facilitated the harvest of thousands of new members.

“In the last one year, the Omoluabi platform has raised the ACN flag, promoted its ideals and supported the party’s cause as various levels.”

Former Commissioner for Transport Omoniyi Omodara and the Education Secretary of Akure North, Saka Yusuf, were at the event.

Ondo PDP Women’s Leader, others join ACN

O

VER 500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, led by the Women’sS Leader, Mrs. Olayiwola Taiwo (a.k.a. My Taiwo), yesterday joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Mrs. Taiwo said they were attracted to the party by the “Omoluabi” platform, headed by Dr. Olu Agunloye, a governorship aspirant and former minister of power and steel.

She spoke with reporters shortly after defecting to ACN at her ward in Oba-Ile, Akure North local council.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

Mrs. Taiwo, a former House of Assembly aspirant, said she dumped PDP because the party lacks internal democracy.

She said: “I was an ex-officio at the Southwest level, when the party lost the last general elections in the region due to the selfish interest of some PDP leaders. We tried to unite members, but some powerful forces, who were only after their pockets, kept on frustrating our moves.

“As a progressive Yoruba daughter, I think I have taken the right step by joining the

She said the Seventh Assembly has processed 28 bills, 18 of which had been passed.

The speaker said most of the outstanding ones are either at the second reading or committee stage.

She said: “The legislature has initiated other bills sponsored by members, which include the State Security Trust Bill, the State Office of Disability Bill and the State Agricultural Inputs Supply and Products Dealing Board Bill, 2011.

Similarly, members of the House have presented 200 motions are aimed at improving the quality of lives and reinforcing service to the people.”

The first female speaker in the state advocated a continuous partnership between the executive and legislative arms of government.

Neighbour allegedly kills two brothers From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

M

IDDLE-aged man, Mr. Deji Oloyede, allegedly killed two brothers, Ajani and Julius Awodele, in their rooms in the early hours of Tuesday.

The incident occurred at Latimogun compound in Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State.

It was learnt that Oloyede reported himself to the head of the compound after allegedly committing the crime and was handed over to the police.

Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ipetumodu Police Division, Mr. Musa Okene confirmed the incident. He said the matter had been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department in Osogbo, the state capital.

Okene said the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, for autopsy.

A neighbour, Alhaji Musibau Adetokunbo, said the suspect and the deceased had been living peacefully in the same building for over six months.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

7

NEWS

N2. 2 b Pension fraud: EFCC tenders documents in court T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday tendered two sets of documents in the ongoing trial of Dr. Shaibu Sani Teidi and two others over alleged N 2 billion check-off dues fraud.

The two others, who are being prosecuted for defrauding the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, (NUP) are Alhaji Ali Abatcha and Elder Actor Zal, President and Secretary General of NUP respectively.

A statement by EFCC’s Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren said: “Two prosecution witnesses were led in evidence by Emmanuel Nonso Egwuagu from Godwin Obla’s Chambers at the resumed hearing of the case.

“They are Mr. Njoku Everest, Assistant General Secretary of the Union and Mr. Chikezie Aguocha, an official of First Bank of Nigeria , Plc.

From Kamarudeenn Ogundele, Abuja

“While Everest tendered documents concerning total expenditure that was incurred by the union, based on the money that came into the Union’s account between April 2008 to March 2011, Aguocha, who was subpoena on May 10, 2012, also produced seven documents which included statement of account of the NUP domiciled at the Garki branch of the bank, statement of account from the date it was opened to December 31st , 2011 as requested, account opening forms, mandate cards and reference forms and account update form.

“Also tendered before the court, was the payment instruction/instrument of the account within the stated period”, the state-

ment added.

Dr. Shuaibu Sani Teidi, Alhaji Ali Abatcha and Elder Actor Zal were alleged to have, at various times, between 2008 and last year conspired to defraud, obtained from the Pensions Department, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation various sums in the aggregate amount of over N2billion.

Dr. Teidi, while in the Pensions Department, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, allegedly used his position to over pay the Check-off Dues to the NUP which in turn returned the excess payment to Dr. Teidi.

In the proof of evidence presented before the court, Elder Zal had in his confessional statement to EFCC alleged that various sums of money were paid to Dr.

Shuaibu. Zal said the NUP received N60, 958, 850.48 on April 23, 2009. Of the amount, N20 million was given to Dr. Shuaibu as kick back. On August 14, 2009, N65, 500, 650) was received as check off dues and Dr. Teidi allegedly got N20 million as kick back. He said that of the N2, 290, 593, 322.95 that fraudulently accrued to NUP in the period of 2008 and 2011, N245, 000,000. 00 was allegedly given to Dr. Teidi as kick back.

According to Zal, the reason Dr. Teidi gave for his demand was for onward distribution to the Permanent Secretary, Head of Service, Accountant-General office, National Assembly and EFCC to facilitate smooth payment of monthly pensions to the pensioners.

After cross-examination

of the prosecution witness by the defence counsels, led

by S. I Ameh, the court adjourned the case till October 16, for continuation of trial.

Count one of the four count charge reads: “that you, Dr. Shuaibu Sani Teidi, Alhaji Ali Abatcha and Elder Actor Zal at various times between 2008 and 2011 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to by false pretences and with intent to defraud obtained from the Pensions Department, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation of Nigeria, various sums in the aggregate amount of N2, 290, 593, 322.35, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3)of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

•Aregbesola (second right) at the turning of the sod...yesterday. With him are Iyaloja of Osun State, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade (left); Deputy Governor Titi Laoye-Tomori; the Ataoja of Osogbo; Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; Commissioner for Rural Integration and Special Duties, Ajibola Basiru Suradeen; Developer of the international market, Femi Osoniyi and others

Osun begins building of modern market, shopping mall

T

HE Osun State Government yesterday began the building of

a multi-billion naira international market and a shopping mall.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, at the turning of the sod of the ultra-modern market to be named Ayegbaju International Market and Shopping Mall.

He said the vision and mission of his administration is to transform the state into a model.

When Osun State was carved out of the old Oyo State on August 20, 1991, the site of the proposed market was made the first Governor’s Office.

Aregbesola restated the commitment of his administration to replacing the riotous commercial activities in

the state with an orderly market system.

He said the revival of the state’s economy is paramount to his administration’s SixPoint programme to banish hunger and poverty.

The governor, who attributed the chaos that characterises traditional markets to a lack of organisation and proper planning, said the proposed market would be a clear departure from the old system.

He said the building of the modern market would be a positive statement of a new order.

Aregbesola said: “Our plan as government is to construct the ultra-modern market and make the state the commercial nerve centre of the Southwest.

“Part of our Six-Point Integral Action Plan is to banish poverty, banish hunger and

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

banish unemployment. In realising the vision, it is imperative to make Osogbo, the state capital, the commercial hub of the Southwest.

“We know that creating a commercial hub in our state capital entails a lot of infrastructural development in terms of good road networks and, of course, markets of international standards that will be a veritable place of exchange of goods and commodities.”

The governor said the Ayegbaju Market is among those the government is proposing to establish in Osogbo and other major towns in the state.

He said: “We have resolved to improve the economic, commercial and social life of the people and increase the revenue generation capacity

of the government to deliver necessary social services to the people.

“One of the challenges facing our race is that of meticulous and careful organisation of our activities and in the area of commerce. This is exemplified by street trading, trading in shanties and setting up of stalls on road setbacks with the attendant evils of danger to the human life, negative impacts on aesthetics of our towns and cities, distortion of layout plans and of course, making shopping a really excruciating task for the citizenry.

“It is our vision and mission to make this geographical space, called the State of Osun, a springboard of positive change to our race. As such, embarking on this market project is not accidental but a part of our overall intention of being agents of

positive change. From the design of the market, it is clear that upon its completion, the ways in which commerce is being carried out here will have been positively impacted.”

The Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Ajibola Bashir, said the market will have 770 open stalls, 392 lock-up shops, 80 office spaces, 192 key clamps, warehouses, public parking, a trailer park, a cold room and a bukateria.

He said the market will have social amenities, such as a medical centre, a 24-bedroom hotel and mega shopping malls comprising 100 exclusive stores and a cinema.

According to him, the construction of the market was awarded to Edward Property Konsult under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Magistrate dismisses cases against ‘electoral offenders’ in Cross River

By Joseph Jibueze

A

CHIEF Magistrate Court in Effraya, Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, has dismissed four cases brought by the Federal Government against some officers charged with electoral offences allegedly committed during the February 25 governorship election.

Ogunmokun Adeleke, Stanley Isaac, Joseph Nwobi and one Tolani were arraigned on different charges on April 30.

Three of them were National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

Chief Magistrate Richard Oniah struck out the charges and discharged them.

He said there was no evidence before him that the private prosecutor engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Emmanuel Sani, obtained the Attorney-General of the Federation’s fiat.

Mr Oniah said there was also no evidence that Sani accepted INEC’s appointment to prosecute as a private practitioner, adding that the prosecution was not ready for the trial.

The defence counsel had raised a preliminary objection to Sani’s appearance, arguing that as a private lawyer, he required the fiat of the AttorneyGeneral to prosecute.

But Sani tendered the original of his letter of engagement issued to him by INEC. He told the court that electoral offences can be tried in either the Magistrate Court or High Court of a state where an offence was committed.

Sani argued that the trial was at the instance of INEC and could be prosecuted either through its legal officers or private legal officers appointed by it, in line with Section 150 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act. The lawyer stated that electoral matters were sui generis (excluded from the general practice regarding the prosecution of general offences).

The Magistrate was told that no authority can question INEC’s powers to appoint private lawyers to prosecute electoral offences.

But the Chief Magistrate disagreed with Sani’s submissions.

Meanwhile, INEC said it is dissatisfied with several aspects of the ruling.

Danjuma’s N2m for brain tumour patient From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

THE founder and Chairman of TY Danjuma Foundation (TYDF), Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), yesterday donated N2million to a brain tumor patient, Ikechukwu Alumona.

The former Army Chief wrote the N2million cheque in Abuja when he was informed of Aluomona’s worsening condition.

A Pastor was alleged to have refused to release the 28-yearold man’s surgery fund in his possession.

The pastor is said to have been the single signatory to the bank account opened for the public to assist the patient.

Some donors were said to have paid over N4million into the account for the surgery.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

8

NEWS

Boko Haram members are misguided, says Abdulsalami

A

FORMER Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, yesterday said members of the Boko Haram sect are misguided elements whose insurgence is not insurmountable.

Addressing reporters after a special prayer on his 70th birthday at his Hill Top home in Minna, the Niger State capital, the former military leader said he has no regrets in his 70 years on earth.

He noted that poverty is not a tool for the socio-political crises the country is experiencing.

Urging Nigerians not to be deterred by the challenges confronting the nation, the former Head of State said Nigerians should not fold their arms and allow things to worsen.

He said Nigerians must search for solutions to the current challenges.

Gen. Abubakar said: "The whole world is full of problems and challenges. It is happening all over the world and not only in Nigeria. I know that here we will all say we have Boko Haram, we have kidnappers and what have you. Yes, we do have them, but we should not fold our arms and throw our hands into the air and let things worsen.

"We should keep trying and pray that those misguided elements will give peace a chance.

Nigeria is not the only country ridden with poverty and economic problems. I believe it (poverty) is not a tool for what is happening in the country."

On Nigeria's democratic process, the former Head of State noted that in the past 13 years, the nation has been passing through a learning process.

But he expressed satisfaction

Jonathan hails ex-Head of State at 70 From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on his 70th birthday.

The former military leader clocked 70 yesterday.

A statement by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the President prayed God to grant Gen. Abubakar good health and many more years of fruitful service to Nigeria.

The statement reads: “On the occasion of your landmark 70th birthday anniversary, I write on behalf of my family, the government and people of Nigeria and on my own behalf to extend warm felicitations to you.

“There is no doubt that over the past 70 years, you have lived a richly productive and fulfilled life. Your uncommon diligence, gallantry, loyalty, patriotism and enduring sense of committed service saw you rise, not only to the pinnacle of your chosen military career, but also saw the onerous duty of the political leadership of our nation thrust upon your shoulders at a critical period in Nigeria’s developmental history.

“It is to your eternal credit that you acquitted yourself demonstrably well as Head of State and courageously midwifed our country’s transition to civil democratic governance in May 1999.

“You have also been steadfast and ready to continue to give of yourself in the service of our nation and in the course of the process of conflict resolution and peace building across the African continent.”

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

that things are on course.

Gen. Abubakar advised politicians to play the game as a giveand-take process.

He said politicians need to imbibe the ideals of the late Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, the exponent of "politics without bitterness" because they cannot win all the time.

He said: "People should give whoever is elected the necessary support so that the nation can move forward."

On the 2015 elections, the septuagenarian retired general urged politicians not to overheat the polity to get power.

Reminiscing on his life, Gen. Abubakar said: "I have no regrets in the past 70 years. I thank God.

By His grace, He has lifted me to the highest level somebody can attain, and I thank God for this.

"I am 70 years old today; I am married and have children and grand-children. They organised this prayer. I am very proud of my family. I thank all of them.

Sincerely, I have no regrets."

The Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Alhaji Bashiru Mohammed, led the prayer.

At the event were: Alahji Umaru Ndanusa, a former National President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Senator Zaynab Kure and the wife of the governor, Hajiya Jummai Aliyu.

Fed Govt approves new visa regime, HE Federal GovernN2.039b contracts ment yesterday approved a new visa policy

T

regime at its weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.

It also approved N1.94billion for the rehabilitation of Ughelli Power Station and $554,785.78 (about N89.88milion) contract for the electronic management of the National Health Insurance Scheme (e-NHIS).

This represents 40 per cent of the $1,386,964.45 (about N224.69million) cost of the contract. The balance, which represents 60 per cent of the contract, will be covered by International Finance Corporation (IFC), an agency of the World Bank. The contract was awarded to Accenture.

Addressing reporters at the end of the meeting, presided over by President Goodluck

T

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Jonathan, Information Minister Labaran Maku said the essence of the new visa regime is to make it easier for Nigeria’s visitors because the old visa regime has been eroded by current realities.

Maku, who spoke alongside Health Minister Prof. Chukwu Onyebuchi and Interior Minister Abba Moro, noted that the new regime is “to facilitate easier access, especially by foreigners who want to invest in the country”.

He noted that the new regime has many components that would allow strategic visitors to get their visas at the point of entry.

The minister said the new regime would have definite peri-

ods of up to 10 years, for those who would come for business.

Maku said the fact that the Nigerian economy has become the investment destination makes the new visa regime inevitable.

Moro said: “The new visa regime has been approved by the FEC. The assumption and dynamics, on the basis of which we had our old policy, have changed in line with the realities of our time.

“Most significantly is the fact that we have been in recent time witnessing security challenges in our country and it becomes necessary that we must attack the problem from all sides. The way you enter and get out of Nigeria constitutes a vital component of fighting internal security.

‘Air Nigeria not grounded’

HE Chairman of Air Nigeria, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, yesterday said the airline was not grounded by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

He said the airline only suspended operations to rework its operations after the pilots and engineers called off their one-week strike.

The businessman said the strike was uncalled for, adding that it was the handiwork of some external forces.

Ibrahim told reporters in Lagos that Air Nigeria would resume operations today after it goes a clean bill of health from the NCAA. According to him, Air Nigeria has an impressive safety record, being the longestserving airline in Nigeria.

Ibrahim said the airline has been registered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and has passed the International Operations Safety Audit (IOSA).

He said Air Nigeria’s safety record could only be compared with that of British Airways and other foreign carriers because “it is the only carrier in Africa that has remained for five years on the IATA registry”.

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

The businessman said the airline is the safest carrier in Nigeria as IATA and NCAA audit on the airlines has proven that it is the airline to beat.

Ibrahim noted that nothing is wrong with the Federal Government’s review panel on domestic airlines’ operations.

He noted that double checks on the operations of aircraft in the country would improve air safety.

According to him, though nothing is unusual about the age of aircraft operating in the country, a scenario where operators utilise very old aircraft, which is described as “grand papa aircraft”, should not be allowed.

He said Air Nigeria has in its fleet relatively new airplanes, adding that most of them are newer than the airplanes used by some foreign carriers operating in Nigeria.

He said: “NCAA has cleared Air Nigeria for flights. We only informed the regulators about our strike. It is only natural for us to notify them that the strike is over. Air Nigeria cannot be grounded.

It is the safest airline in Nigeria...”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

9

CITYBEATS

Lagos inaugurates 24-member CDAC

L

AGOS State government yesterday, inaugurated a 24-member Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC), warning them to shun all forms of corrupt practices.

The state Commissioner for RuralDevelopment, Cornelius Ojelabi, who inaugurated the new CDAC at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, charged members to monitor and report any mismanagement of the council funds.

"It has been observed that a lot of CDAs do not have proper records of their accounts, some don't even have a bank account at all while it is the Chairman and his caucus who spend the money of others without

By Miriam Ndikanwu

proper recourse to the entire association.

"This, your council must try to put an end to with proper monitoring of CDAs/CDCs activities. Just as your predecessors have done, you must ensure total cooperation of your members, that is, CDA/CDC in monitoring, managing and maintaining government properties and projects in their domain.

"You are also to monitor and report or discipline where necessary, any mismanagement of finance of CDC/CDA and ensure that their funds are invested in viable projects." he charged.

Ojelabi urged the executive of the body to be more dedi-

cated and committed to the task of development of all the local government areas and local council development areas through effective monitoring of all the CDCs in their domains.

"You must ensure that the provision of the constitution setting up the council be your watchword. You are to plan, co-ordinate and execute community development projects in the state and ensure compliance with government policies and programmes," he said.

He charged the new executive to educate and enlighten their people on the need to cooperate with contractors handling government projects in their areas, saying that exhorting

money from them could drive away development from such communities.

According to him, the efforts of the state government in the provision of socio-economic facilities for Lagosians in all the 57 LGA/LCDAs in the state to further improve the living standard of the citizenry could not be over emphasized.

"However, with the limited funds at the disposal of the government, we cannot do it alone, so I want to implore you to continue to promote self help projects in the communities and where necessary complement government efforts on completion and maintenance of existing government projects so that the funds to be used in the

maintenance by the government can be channel towards other developmental projects.

"You should encourage your CDAs to invest their resources in profit making ventures that will yield interest for them to complement government efforts in the maintenance of their facilities.

CDAs should be able to do minor repairs on some of the facilities provided for them, instead of waiting endlessly for government for such petty things," he stated, adding, "I want to implore the new executive to let transparency, probity, accountability and good stewardship be their watch word."

Assembly passes nine bills in one year

By Oziegbe Okoeki

T

HE 7th assembly of Lagos State House of Assembly, which clocked one year on June 4, has passed nine bills into laws, 42 resolutions and 21 motions.

Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts of the House, Hon. Bolaji Ayinla, disclosed this at a Village Square meeting held with members of his Mushin 2 constituency, on Tuesday.

The bills passed into laws according to him, are: Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency Law; Lagos State Public Procurement Law; Lagos State Tenancy; Appropriation (Amendment) Law, 2011 (ReOrdering of priorities in Y2011 Budget); Appropriation Law; Lagos State Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Law; High Court (Amendment) Bill; Lagos State Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Bill and High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2012.

According to him, one of such resolutions which concerned his people in Mushin was moved by him.

He said: “I have raised a motion on the floor of the Lagos State House of Assembly urging it to pass a resolution to give a helping hand to Mushin Local Government Council in ensuring the security of lives and property of the people.

This motion has since been adopted and passed as a resolution of the House.”

Ayinla distributed thousands of rain coats to students and pupils in the public secondary and primary schools in his constituency in preparation for the rainy season.

He also used the opportunity to unveil his quarterly inhouse journal, ‘The Ambassadors,’ and informed that he has facilitated employment for some of his constituents into civil service while he had empowered some others to be financially independent.

“Our success story includes fixing of 15 personnel into the Ministry of Sports; 27 personnel into Lagos State Internal Revenue Service; 15 personnel into the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA); 15 personnel for the Lagos Marine Police,” he said.

•Beneficiaries of the raincoats by Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla

PHOTO: O ZIEGBE OKOEKI

AIG reads riot act to corrupt policemen •Era of N20 notes over

By Jude Isiguzo

•Tsafe

T

HE Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, comprising Lagos and Ogun State commands, Mr Maman Tsafe, has warned corrupt and indisciplined police officers and men to embrace the ongoing reforms in the force or be prepared to be forced out.

Tsafe, who was recently promoted, threatened that the force was no longer ready to keep those not committed to the job of policing.

He said that no corrupt policeman would be accommodated in the force again and warned all those involved in corrupt practices to accept the change in the force as the era of N20 notes collection by policemen has gone forever.

“The Inspector General of Police has reiterated his commitment to put an end to road blocks on all roads in the country and there is no going back on that. We are also committed to this.

“We have directed the commissioners of police to ensure that there is no form of road block anywhere. We must fight this cankerworm.

The N20 naira syndrome is a thing of the past. Any policeman arrested is leaving the force. There is no going back

on that. Corruption must be fought in its totality.

“While we are reforming ourselves, members of the public should also beware, because we will fight corruption internally and go outside to also deal with it. Members of the community who think they want to be corrupt should be careful because if they are arrested the full course of the law will be applied. Bail is free and free in all sense, so nobody should pay for it. No suspect can be granted bail if that suspect is not qualified,” he explained.

The AIG, who spoke with The Nation after a security meeting with his officers and men yesterday, said that one of the crime fighting methods that would be adopted in the Zone is community policing.

Police arrest five robbery suspects

F

IVE suspected armed robbers have been arrested by police operative attached to Area 'E' Command FESTAC town Lagos.

Three AK47n, locally made guns and ammunitions were also recovered from the hoodkums hide out in Ijegun area, Satellite twon.

It was gathered that the bandits who have bee terrorising Festac and its environs for a long time and all efforts to arrest them had earlier proved abortive. The robbers were liked to bank invasions and attacks on some banks, eater-

•Three AK47

By Jude Isiguzo

ies, and supermarkets in the within the Area Command in the last one year.

However, on Monday, following a tip off, the Area Commander, Mr Dan Okoro, am Assistant Commissioner, led policemen to the robbers hide out at Ijegun.

Five of the suspects were arrested while others escaped.

The gang's armoury was also invaded and firearms were recovered.

A police source at the Area

Command told The Nation that efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects have begun.

On how the gang was arrested, a police source who pleaded anonymity, said, "The gang had operated somewhere around Trade fair complex and Satellite town. Some members of the public who have been suspecting their movements in and out of their hideout alerted the police. We monitored the gang for some days before we decided to swoop in on them.

We arrested five other the hoodlums while about three others escaped.”

“We are going to fully explore all the strategies of community policing to better secure the zone. We will work with stakeholders and members of the community who are abreast with their terrain.

We will employ their knowledge to assist us fight crime.

Our policemen are also advised to wake up and face the challenges that are coming .

If you know you cannot move with this trend now, you better surrender your uniform and go. We are only ready to work with those who are committed. Your level of commitment will be accessed continuously. If you are fit to remain, we will work with you; if we find you unfit we will kick you out and work with those who are fit.

“Members of the public are also very important in our commitment to fight crime.

We urge them to assist us with information. Information dissemination is very important while we are fighting crime.

Commissioners of Police of the two states (Lagos and Ogun) have been directed to ensure visibility.

Visibility is to ensure constant motorized and foot patrols. They are to ensure that officers should arrive on their beats on time and leave when they are supposed to. Policemen who disobey these orders would be dealt with. For criminals, we warn them to be reformed or get prepared to face war because they will no longer be accommodated in Lagos and Ogun,” Tsafe said.

Man, 33, arraigned for stealing N375, 000

By Owolabi Tumininu

A 33 YEAR-OLD man, Jack David, was yesterday, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate District Court, sitting at PWD, presided over by Mrs. A.B. Olagbegi Adelabu, for allegedly stealing a sum of N375, 000.

The prosecuting police officer, R. Williams, an Inspector, told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offence on December, 21, 2011 at about 12:00 noon at No. 25, Odiase Street, Ojodu Berger, Ikeja.

David and others at large, were alleged to have conspired among themselves and unlawfully stole the sum of N375, 000 belonging to Mr. Odiase Timothy by false pretence.

The offence according to the prosecutor is punishable under section 312 of the criminal laws of No. 11 Vol. 44 laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The charge, read by the Inspector Williams, stated: "That you Jack David on the 21st day of December, 2011 at about 12:00 noon at No. 25, Odiase Street, Ojodu Berger, Ikeja, in the Ikeja Magisterial District did conspire with others now at large, to commit felony and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 409 of the criminal law No. 11 Vol. 44 laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

"That you Jack David and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did unlawfully obtain the sum of N375, 000 from one Mr. Odiase Timothy by false pretence and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 312 of the criminal laws No. 11 Vol. 44 laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011."

Fire at O'Jeez PROMPT intervention of the men fire service from Iganmu and Ojuelegba yesterday, prevented the O'Jeez Restaurant inside the National Stadium, Lagos, from being completely razed by fire.

Kehinde Savage, an athlete, who witnessed the incident, said that he was training at the stadium's main bowl when he noticed the fire.

"It started with a heavy smoke from an office attached to the ground floor of the stadium and was spreading to the VI section when I quickly raised the alarm," he said.

Savage added that although no life was lost, the kitchen of the restaurant, formerly known as "Caterbest' and the office where the fire started, were badly affected.

"But thanks to the fire services, they arrived on time with their vans and started to put out the fire, otherwise it would have spread further," he said.

NAN correspondents report that several kitchen utensils, refrigerators and freezers were burnt.

Joseph Edebatu, the Chief Executive Officer of O'Jeez, said that he was not around when the fire started, but was told that the fire started from the office closed to the restaurant.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

10

NEWS

‘Nigerians should query Abiola’s death’

Ondo PDP CWC backs governorship aspirant From Damisi Ojo, Akure

T

HE Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ondo Central Senatorial District yesterday endorsed Dr Oluwadare Bada as its candidate in the October 20 election.

A statement at the end of its meeting at Helena Hotel, Akure, the state capital, said leaders and delegates from the six local government areas under the district are backing Bada.

The PDP candidate was the Chairman of the State Health Management Board (HMB) in the Olusegun Agagu administration.

He was a governorship aspirant of the ACN in the 2007 but defected to the PDP. The local government areas that have backed him are: Akure South, Akure North, Idanre, Ifedore, Ondo East and Ondo West.

The party’s CWC suggested that the Central Senatorial District should produce the candidate.

The motion for Bada’s adoption was moved by the former Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Kunle Agunbiade, and seconded by Prince Bisi Adebiyi. Members of the CWC unanimously endorsed the motion in a voice vote.

The meeting hinged its request on the principle of equity, saying the two senatorial districts - Ondo North and Ondo South – have spent eight years and another six years at the helm of affairs in the state.

It noted that Bada would be a good political brand for the party.

At the meeting were all the Ondo CWC members; the Senatorial District Chairman, Charles Adeduro; former Chairmen of Idanre, Akure North, Ondo West, Ondo East, Akure South and Akure North local government areas, Babalola Ademola, Ajibola Owoeye, Akinbowale Afolabi, Mrs Adesola Oni and Wemimo Olaniran.

Others were the local government executive members of the PDP in the six local government areas.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

•The late Chief Abiola

T

HE Ekiti State chapter of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) yesterday urged Nigerians to enquire into the circumstances that led to the death of the late business mogul and politician, Chief Moshood Abiola, under the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar government.

The late Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which Gen. Ibrahim Babaginda annulled. He died in detention under Abdulsalami, who succeeded the late Gen. Sani Abacha, the Head of State who incarcerated the late politician.

Recalling the events that led

to Abiola’s death, ARG noted that in the heat of the post-election military arrangement, Gen. Babangida “stepped aside” to pave the way for Chief Ernest Shonekan, the leader of the interim government which Babangida put in place after annulling the nation’s freest and fairest election.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by its State Coordinator, Bunmi Awotiku, Afenifere decried what it described as the “public’s shortterm memory malaise”.

It said this is why the circumstance of Abiola’s death has been swept under the carpet.

The group noted that the annulment and the politician’s death, coupled with the people’s failure to revisit the circumstance, is “the worst injustice in the history of Nigeria.”

Urging Nigerians to “cast away the slough of fear and

wean themselves of the malaise of forgetfulness”, Afenifere advised eminent Nigerians to find out “how he died just after he held a meeting with concerned foreign powers alongside members of the junta”.

It noted that while it is good to immortalise the late politician, “it is more important to try and raise queries on the nebulous circumstances under which Chief Abiola, who was not known to suffer any particular ailment at the time, died”.

Afenifere added: “We hereby wish to call the attention of eminent citizens of our great country to pick the gauntlet of exhuming questionable circumstances under which the winner of the June 12 election died.

“They said Abiola died, but in which hospital and under which circumstances? We don’t know. Like so many people, we believe Abiola was killed. But why could a sinless winner of an election deserve death as a

reward from a country which he sought to serve?

“While the efforts to immortalise him is going on and while the Federal Government may seek to consider naming the National Stadium after the acclaimed ‘Pillar of Sports in Africa’, significant thought and action should be spared, causing legal enquiries into the death of Chief MKO. “It is time Nigerians seek answers to the killing of Abiola; it is time the seeming mystery surrounding his death is exposed and explained. It is good to honour him. But it is more honourable to enable posterity know the particulars of his death.

“The death, or rather killing, of Chief Abiola in detention under the leadership of Gen. Abubakar is a burden the Federal Government has to conscientiously discharge. This is the ultimate honour, which can be accorded democracy, which his death has made possible for the benefit of Nigerians.”

FADAMA disburses N1.5b to boost agric in Southwest

By Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

T

HE Third National FADAMA Development Project has disbursed N1.5billion to beneficiaries of the agricultural projects in the Southwest.

The organization said it has disbursed “$19million out of $36million allocated the zone, with a balance of $17 million for beneficiaries to access.

Addressing the beneficiaries at a forum in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, during the 6th Joint World Bank and Federal Government Supervision Mission in the zone, Team Leader Obadiah Tohomdet said FADAMA projects are implemented in 658 local government areas of the federation.

He added that 649,367 households have benefited from the project across the country.

“So far, 735 FADAMA community associations and 7,542 user groups have been supported in the zone through the execution of over 4,135 developmental sub-projects, which include oil palm and garri processing equipment, road construction and rehabilitation, market construction and other income generating assets,” Tohomdet said.

He hailed stakeholders in the zone, saying state governments in the area should ensure prompt payment of their counterpart funds to accelerate the implementation of the projects.

The National Project Coordinator of FADAMA, Mr. Tayo Adewumi, who was represented by the Senior Community Development Specialist, Dr. Victoria Agu, said the aim of the project is to “evaluate implementation status, identify weaknesses and also consolidate performances to achieve greater success”.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Babajide Arowosaye hailed the performance of the project in the state.

He promised the government’s commitment to prompt release of outstanding counterpart funds for the project.

The commissioner noted that the project has impacted positively on the lives of the residents.

‘We have only one paramount monarch in Ile-Oluji’ From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

T

HE traditional ruler of Ile-Oluji in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Stephen Adedugbe, yesterday criticised those agitating for the elevation of some village chiefs, called Oloja, to full-fledged monarchs in the area.

Oba Adedugbe accused a prominent indigene of allegedly championing the agitation to cause a crisis.

The monarch addressed reporters in his palace.

He noted that the issue of upgrading some village heads to oba had been tabled before the state government, even before the inception of the present administration.

Oba Adedugbe said: “Ile-Oluji community is headed by a paramount traditional ruler who is also the prescribed authority over chieftaincy matters in the area. He is a first-class oba in Ondo State and a one-time Chairman of the State Council of Obas. At no time in the history of Ile-Oluji has any Oloja been made the head of the community.”

The monarch said he personally followed up the matter during the Olusegun Agagu administration and under the present administration.

He hoped that the proposal would be carefully articulated to forestall any crisis.

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; Kwara State Deputy Governor Peter Kisira; and Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Raliat Elelu-Habeeb, at this year’s Biennial Law Week of the Ilorin branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Ilorin... on Monday.

Group canvasses support for Ondo ACN female aspirant

A

GROUP, the Forum for GoodGovernance(FGG), yesterday called for support for the governorship aspiration of the former Chairman of Ondo State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose (nee Ajasin).

It hailed the leadership of the party for its steadfastness and determination to rescue the state from profligacy.

In a communique after an emergency meeting by its Secretary-General, Mr. Ayo Williams, the group called for strict adherence to the principle of fairness and equity, in line with ACN’s slogan: “Democracy for Justice”.

T

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

The communiqué said: “We resolved that Owo/Ose, where Mrs. Anifowose hails from, should be allowed to produce the next governor.

“It is widely believed in many quarters that the choice of the former ACN Chairman, a former Attorney-General and consistent party member who has been able to consolidate the broken pieces of ACN in the state, should be considered for the ticket.”

It said Mrs Anifowose’s aspiration would encourage the women in the state, who constitute over 59 per cent of the electorate, to vote for ACN.

“It is widely believed among Ondo State electorate that Mrs. Anifowose has been trained and moulded in the principle of good governance, accountability and transparency through her late father, former Governor Adekunle Ajasin,” it said.

The group noted that the adoption of the ACN aspirant as the party’s governorship candidate would settle possible post-primary rancour among male aspirants because she is credible and the only female aspirant.

It said: “We cannot afford the mistake of the past, where male governors had their way to the State House and manipulated

the resources for their personal gains.”

The group urged the national and state leaders of the party to be guided by the peculiarity of the state’s politics, including zoning and merit, to choose the right candidate.

It noted that while the Akoko axis of the Northern Senatorial District has a senator, the deputy governor, the Deputy Speaker and many other key positions, the Owo/Ose axis has none.

It advised ACN leadership to be careful of those it described as “pretenders and money bags” in choosing the party’s standard bearer so that the party will be victorious in the October 20 poll.

Customs seizes N12m ‘harmful’ frozen chickens, over to the state ComIndian hemp in Ogun handed mander of National Drug Law

HE Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it has seized “harmful” frozen products and cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) worth over N12million.

It blamed increasing importation and smuggling of contraband poultry products from neighbouring countries on selfish businessmen who overlook the health implication such products pose to fellow Nigerians.

The command noted that despite the “health hazards inher-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

ent in the consumption of imported frozen poultry,” which compelled the Federal Government to ban its importation, they “have become the new smuggling attraction” to smugglers.

Addressing reporters at the command’s headquarters on Quarry Road, Abeokuta, its Comptroller, Mr. Akande Bamidele, said in the past two

weeks, the command has seized and burnt 985 cartons of banned poultry products valued at N4,432,500.

Bamidele said during his command’s anti-smuggling duty, it seized cannabis sativa weighing 1,102 kilogrammes and valued at N7,714,000.

The drugs, which were packaged in 53 sacks of 10kilogrammes each, four sacks of 10kilogrammes each and one sack of 17kilogrammes, were

Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Mohammed Mohammed, in the presence of reporters.

Bamidele said the NCS would intensify efforts for the “interdiction of frozen poultry products” and other contraband to “secure the health, economy and territorial integrity of Nigeria”.

He added that the security of the nation and its borders is not the duty of one government agency but that of all agencies and all the citizens.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘With the addition of the three million metric tonnes line, Dangote Cement is capable of producing 6,000 tonnes per day, and ranks among the biggest in Africa and one of the largest in the world.’

- President Goodluck Jonathan

Naira eases despite CBN intervention

T

HE naira eased further against the United States’ dollar on the interbank yesterday despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) intervention to calm market forces and an increase in supply of the greenback at its bi-weekly foreign exchange auction.

The naira, according to Reuters, ended at N162.95 to the dollar on the interbank yesterday, recovering from a 22-week low of N163.68 it hit the previous day. It ended at N162.65 on Tuesday after a CBN intervention, dealers said.

Dealers said the apex bank has intervened on the interbank market and has also increased the amount of dollars sold at its auction to support the naira.

At the auction on Wednesday, the bank sold $400 million at N155.90 to the US dollar, higher than the $300 million it auctioned on Monday.

“The Central Bank is interested in keeping the exchange rate below N163 to the dollar level,”one dealer told Reuters, adding that hiking dollar supply at its auction was a signal.

Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves hit a 21-month high of $37.64 billion by May 28, which could give the CBN some flexibility to defend the naira in the coming days. The bank still maintains its target band of between N150 and N160 to the dollar.

The naira has fallen relentlessly in recent weeks, despite CBN interventions to prop it up, driven initially by dollar demand from fuel importers but later by an exodus of foreign investors out of bonds repatriating their returns.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil - $123.6/barrel Cocoa - $2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold - $1,800/troy ounce Rubber - ¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -12.6% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.18% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $34.6b CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

FOREX -

0.2958 206.9 245 156.4 1.9179 241 40.472

•From left: Mahmoud Mustafa, Director, Finance, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB); Ernest Nwapa,Executive Secretary; Omamofe Boyo, Deputy Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC; Patrick Oba, Director, Planning Research and Statistics, NCDMB and Bandele Badejo, Chief Executive Officer, Oando Energy Services Limited, during Oando executives courtesy visit to the NCDMB Office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

‘Oteh used private account to collect funds’

T

HE embattled Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, allegedly masterminded the opening and use of a private account to collect funds from donors for the Project 50, The Nation has learnt.

This was a contravention of the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) .

A source said this was the reason she was sent on compulsory leave by SEC Board on Monday.

Donors to the funds were said to have included financial services organisations and capital market stakeholders.

Ms Oteh was said to have admitted to the panel set up

by SEC Board that she was the Chairman of the Project 50 Committee and also managed funds deployed for the event.

•It’s not true, says aide

By Taofik Salako

Project 50 was organised by SEC to handle its 50th anniversary.

But the SEC Board was kept in the dark over the management of the private account.

Part four of the ISA sets out the financial provisions of SEC. Section 19 states that the Commission shall establish and maintain a fund into which shall be paid the following- funds provided to the Commission by the Federal Government, penalties, fees, charges and administrative cost of proceedings and monetary gifts, contributions and other funds that may be received by the commission. It adds that the commission shall maintain and operate bank accounts for funds as ap-

proved by the Board of the Commission.

Section 21 stipulates that SEC shall establish a reserve account into which all surpluses from the main account shall be paid and disbursement from the reserve account shall be approved by the board of the Commission.

The opening and use of the private account also undermined the accounting and reporting provisions of the Commission.

Section 26 of the ISA requires that the Board of the Commission shall cause to be prepared, not later than September 30 of each year, an estimate of the income and expenditure of the Commission during the next succeeding year and when prepared, they shall be submitted

to the Minister and the National Assembly.

ISA demands that the Commission shall cause to be kept, proper books of records and accounts which shall be audited by auditors appointed by the Board of the Commission.

Section 27 of ISA states that the Commission shall not later than three months after the end of each year, submit to the Minister and the National Assembly, a report on the activities and administration of the Commission during the immediately preceding year and, shall include in such reports, audited accounts of the commission and the report of the auditor on the accounts.

Ms Oteh was alleged to have frustrated efforts to investigate the private account, which led the board to decide to send her on compulsory

SIM registration: NCC pays N2.4b to contractors

T

HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has so far paid N2.4billion to the seven vendors contracted to carry out Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card registration exercise, a report has shown.

The National Assembly had appropriated N6.1 billion for the project, expected to provide a credible data for the registration of telecoms subscribers.

Seven consultants were recruited to carry out the exercise in the six geo-political zones.

They are: Chams PLC (Lagos), DataGroup IT (Northeast), Eagle/CBC Consortium (North West), E-keneth/Sagemetrics (Southsouth), Joint Komputer Kompany (Southwest), Private Networks Nigeria (Northcentral) and SW Global Lim-

•MTN leads with 33.9m subscribers

By Adline Atili

ited (Southeast).

There have been concerns about whether the commission had prudently spent the funds allocated for the scheme.

According to a new survey on the status of the project conducted by the Joint Action Committee for Information and Communication Technology Awareness and Development (JACITAD), the contract sum was originally drawn with the hope that the partners would register the subscribers.

However, the need to complete the exercise on time necessitated the inclusion of telecoms operators. This, according to the report, scaled down

the money paid to the partners significantly such that less than 40 per cent of the budgeted amount has been paid.

Consequently, the commission only paid the partners based on the number of SIM cards registered.

For instance, Chams’ contract sum was N760 million and the firm was assigned to cover Lagos.

The report showed that less than 40 per cent of the sum has been paid.

According to the report, NCC has put in place a well-articulated and enforceable corporate governance strategy and risk mitigation processes. Initial payments of 15 per cent of contract sums to the frontend partners were predi-

cated on submission of Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) of equivalent value from a reputable bank.

The report noted: “Payment of 20 per cent of contract sum was upon certification of deployment of facilities in not less than 50 per cent of the coverage areas; further payments upon certification of submitted data by the Project Management Consultant.”

Analysis of data submitted by the operators to NCC showed MTN leading registered subscribers with 33.9million SIM cards as at March 31, this year.

Globacom registered 15.1million; Airtel, 14.1million; Etisalat, 12.7million; while the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators were only able to register 2.7 million Removable User Identification Module (RUIM) cards.

leave to further investigate the matter.

The SEC Board’s Audit and Finance Committee, which probed her, reported that the troubled director-general did not co-operate with it, it was learnt.

However, an aide to the embattled Director-General said she had responded to SEC’s audit committee’s enquiries on the finances of the Project 50, denying that there were no donations or accounts for Project 50.

The aide absolved the Director-General of any complicity or corrupt practices, alleging that the board was ganging up against her because she denied them opportunity to lay hands on funds.

The aide said funds for the Project 50 were routed directly from sponsors to the benefiting organisations.

NCC raids Jide Taiwo & Co office

By Adline Atili

T

HE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) yesterday raided the offices of an estate surveyor, Jide Taiwo and Co., on Victoria Island, Lagos for violation of software giant Microsoft’s Intellectual Property (IP) rights.

During the raid, NCC found, among other pirated Microsoft products, unlicensed versions of Microsoft software products, such as Windows Vista, XP, Windows 7, Microsoft OFfice 2010 and Microsoft Windows XP Professional.

NCC’s Executive Director, Enforcement,Augustine Amodu, decried intellectual invention that did not translate into financial gains for inventors, adding: “Piracy hurts the economy as much as the individual.”

12

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

13

14

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

15

16

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

17

INDUSTRY

LCCI threatens to sanction erring industries

T

HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned that it will sanction member-industries that contravene its code of business ethics.

The chamber said it would not hesitate to withdraw the certificate of any member whose operations compromise its integrity and reputation.

Speaking at a reception organised for new members, LCCI President, Mr. Goodie Ibru said the chamber was committed to high ethical standards, integrity and responsibility in business practice.

He said: “As businessmen and women, we have obligations which transcend profit making.

We should pay adequate attention to the integrity of our business transactions and practices.

I, therefore, enjoin you to be committed to the ideals of business ethics and responsible corporate citizenships.

“Indeed, we have a code of business ethics to which all members are to subscribe. I would like to caution that a breach of this tradition of integrity and honour by any member will be viewed seriously and be visited with appropriate sanctions.”

According to him, it has become imperative for members to sustain the chamber legacies.

“The LCCI has gone a long way to build its present image and

From left: Ibru, welcoming the Executive Secretary/CEO,Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mr Mustapha Bello, while Guest Lecturer and Sector Director, Africa Region, World Bank Washington, Marcello Giugale (middle), at the Democracy Day lecture of the Chamber.

Stories by Toba Agboola

credibility through vision, selfless services and integrity of illustrious founding fathers and

their worthy successors. It, therefore, behoves of us as inheritors of that glorious and enduring legacy to keep the flag flying at

all times.”

He told new and old members that as businessmen and women, it was their duty to

project a positive image for Nigeria by conducting their businesses responsibly and with the highest ethical standards.

He said the chamber, which was founded over a century ago, had consistently dedicated itself to the promotion of commerce and industry.

“The LCCI also articulates the opinion of the business community on commerce, industry, mines, agriculture and the economy as a whole.”

He added that the chamber offers various services to its members, especially in the realm of development, arbitration and mediation services.

In a related event, the chamber has said the security situation is impacting negatively on the investment environment.

This, it said, has led to declining confidence across the broad spectrum of prospective domestic and foreign investors in the economy.

Chairman of the chamber’s membership committee, Dr Wole Ogungbehin advised the new members to support the chamber through their active participation in its activities.

He said members should endeavour to attend the chamber’s meetings and events regularly as benefits are better derived from the chamber through active participation. He urged them to pay subscriptions as and when due.

Nigeria, others to benefit from $13.5m cocoa initiative

N

IGERIA and three other African countries have been selected as beneficiaries of the $13.5million African Cocoa Initiative(ACI).

The ACI will lead to the establishment of 100,000 farms across the continent.

According to Country Representative of International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development (IFDC) in Nigeria, Scott Wallace, the others are Ghana, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire.

He said other agencies that

would join the initiative are the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, which would provide expertise in genetics, and the Alliance of Cocoa-Producing Countries.

Wallace said the ACI’s fiveyear programme, entitled Global Development Alliance, which began in January, would help to develop the cocoa sector in the four countries in four critical areas.

He said the programme would foster public-private co-operative investments in cocoa and agriculture.

“It will also improve the genetic quality and productivity of cocoa varieties under cultivation and expand farmers’ education and training programmes,” he said.

ACI, he said, was a public-private partnership initiative that would bring together the World Cocoa Foundation, cocoa industry members, the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative and United States Agency for International Development(USAID) under the programme.

Wallace said IFDC, which is an implementing agency of ACI, would provide expertise to im-

prove participating farmers’ access to fertiliser and would recommend its appropriate use.

Between 2007 and 2009, IFDC was involved in an association building project to increase the income and improve livelihoods of resourcepoor cocoa farmers in Ghana.

In a related event, the International Cocoa Coordination Organisation (ICCO)has urged Nigerian manufacturers to explore the potential in cocoa so as to produce more cocoa-based products.

ICCO Project Coordinator, Mr Yunusa Abubakar said the measure would improve the benefits of co-

coa farming.

Abubakar said there was the need for researchers to do more in the area of cocoa products that could be adaptable to the tropics, as most cocoa products could not be stored for a long time in the region.

He said cocoa was mostly produced in West Africa, but widely consumed in Europe and America.

He said: “Our researchers and manufacturers should step up efforts to tap into cocoa properly and produce more local beverages from it. We can increase the benefits farmers get from cocoa by encouraging local consumption.”

Who owns the Honeywell?

B

EFORE a business can establish commercial relations with customers and other businesses, it must create an identity for itself, its goods and services. Competition becomes keen when rival products or brands become easily mistaken for each other.

In fact, part of a business’s greatest legacy is the goodwill it has established with customers, while part of a product’s identity is the reputation it has earned for quality and value.

As a result, businesses commit significant resources towards building their brands, identifying their goods, distinguishing their products, and cultivating goodwill. The four principal devices businesses usually employ to distinguish themselves are trade names, trademarks, service marks, and trade dress.

Trade names are used to identify corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and other business entities. A trade name may be the actual name of a business that is registered with the government, or it may be an assumed name under which a business operates and holds itself out to the public. Similarly, trademarks consist of words, logos, symbols, slogans, and other devices that are affixed to goods for the purpose of signifying their origin and authenticity to the public. Whereas

trademarks are physically attached to the goods they represent, service marks are generally displayed through advertising. Trade dress refers to a product’s physical appearance, including its size, shape, texture, and design. Trade dress can also include the manner in which a product is packaged, wrapped, presented, or promoted. In certain circumstances particular color combinations may serve as trade dress.

When a business uses a trade name, trademark, service mark, or trade dress that is deceptively similar to competitors,’ a cause of action for infringement of those intellectual property interests may exist. The law of unfair competition forbids companies from confusing customers by using identifying trade devices that make their businesses, products, or services difficult to distinguish from others in the market.

In line with this, it will be tantamount to repeating the obvious scenario to say it is mandatory in Nigeria that trade names are registered within 28 days of commencement of business. The essence of this is to ensure that no trade name used deceives or causes confusion or even possibly mislead members of the public as to the distinctiveness between two separate trading entities. Once a trade name is registered, no other entity can use such

a trade name or attempt to register a separate and independent business using the same or a similar trade name.

That, of course, is why the Registrar-General at the Corporate Affairs Commission is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring orderliness in the registration process. An infringement is a serious offence that the Commission usually frowns at vis-a-vis the legislation that backs enforcement.

But the ongoing imbroglio between a foremost Nigerian conglomerate, Honeywell Group and Honeywell Automation And Control Solution West Africa Limited puts a question mark on why it is important that the latter stick to using that same name after establishing that a company or group of companies is already in existence in that name.

Honeywell Group is claiming that its trade name “Honeywell”, which was duly registered in Nigeria in 1971, almost four decades ago, has been infringed upon by the inadvertent registration of Honeywell Automation And Control Solution West Africa Limited.

Realising the error that Honeywell Automation And Control Solution West Africa Limited had been registered wrongly, the CAC took a bold step and requested that Honeywell Automation And Control Solution West Africa Limited return the certificate issued to it with a new name to be

considered.

Honeywell Group is insisting that since its incorporation in 1971, it has variously registered limited liability companies under the “Honeywell” name operating in many sectors of the Nigerian economy, including foods and agroallied, infrastructure, energy, real estate and services. In fact, the Group today boasts of 17 subsidiaries through which it touches lives of Nigerians and others resident in the country.

Apart from the fact that the subsidiaries of Honeywell Group operate in strategic sectors, their products and services usually have imprints that easily link them to their mother brand.

The Group’s flagship company in the foods sector, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (HFMP), was even successfully listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in October 2009. Three years before then, HFMP was the first flour mill in Nigeria to be awarded the NIS ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality management systems.

Besides, Honeywell Group has, over the years, contributed to human and social capacity development in Nigeria through diverse platforms.

Such platforms include the Oba Otudeko Foundation. Formally inaugurated in 2003, the Oba Otudeko Foundation is committed to

programmes aimed at ensuring that Nigeria keeps pace in the technologies and competencies that will define the 21st century and beyond, through people empowerment, capacity and institution building.

Honeywell Group is also reputable for promotion of entrepreneurship studies through such initiatives as Endowment of the Pan-African University Entrepreneurship Centre, Endowment of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies and Donation of a stateof-the-art auditorium (Honeywell Auditorium) to Pan-African University.

With this, it is crystal clear that Honeywell Group is an household name in the country that people from different socio-strata know has been in existence for long.

No wonder the Oba Otudeko-led Honeywell Group was taken aback when the incident started unfolding.

That, of course, is why the Group insisted it is misleading for another company to attempt to ride on the goodwill and reputation it has garnered in the Nigerian market by using its trade name without due recourse to it.

In order to validate this, Honeywell Group headed for the court of law to seek injunction that will establish the true ownership of the Honeywell trademark in Nigeria.

18

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Assessment brouhaha •Ekiti Teachers should subject themselves to tests

A

BOUT 16,000 teachers in primary and secondary schools in Ekiti State on June 4 boycotted the Teachers’ Development Needs Assessment (TDNA) test, organised by the state government. According to the government, the test was to “enhance the capacity of the teachers and improve their performance”. It also said that the assessment was “neither a promotion examination nor aimed at sacking teachers who perform poorly”.

But the Ekiti State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which also directed its members to down tools in reaction to the decision, argued that the test was aimed at cutting down the number of teachers in the state. They claimed that “after similar examinations were conducted for top officers of the local government service commission and head teach-

‘We are surprised that teachers in a state reputed to be ‘Fountain of Knowledge’ are running away from acquisition of knowledge that would have been verified through an assessment test that is in their interest and intellectual development. The teachers should settle down for the assessment test in order to prove their mettle. It is in their interest as well as that of Ekiti State’

ers of public secondary schools last year, some of them were “either sacked or demoted”.

Although the NUT had directed its members to resume work on June 7, there is the need to critically examine the fundamental issues at stake. First, Ekiti State government has the right to conduct tests or remedial courses, for its employees, the teachers. Moreover, the teachers have the right to fear the unknown, especially as they had cited a precedent where a similar test in the past led to the sacking and demotion of some officers of the local government service commission and heads of public secondary schools.

As for the teachers’ fear of the unknown, the state government has come out categorically that there would be no such thing, and that the exercise was in their own interest as it has the advantage of using it to ascertain individual’s level of academic performance. We agree with this, and especially so when the government also assured that those who failed to measure up to standard would have the opportunity to improve on their knowledge and quality of teaching.

Clearly, the teachers’ fears were unnecessary and unjustified. If they pushed their position too far, we can only come to one conclusion, i.e., their fear was an admission of intellectual laziness that could be exposed by their possible failure if they took the proposed assessment test.

We believe that some of the teachers who are sure of themselves would have taken the assessment test if the NUT had not ordered them to boycott it.

However, it is generally known that

some examinations are routinely held for the purpose of promotion in the civil service, the teaching service not exempted.

It is therefore not unlikely that the government might want to use the information got from the aborted exercise to initiate promotions for brilliant teachers.

The test was also important in bringing up to date the teachers’ knowledge of the subjects they teach, especially in this age of high technology that keeps changing at an astonishing rapidity. In this case, assessment test might help some lazy teachers and even hard working ones to update their knowledge acquisition from reading and the internet.

Surely, teachers should be up to date in the knowledge of the subjects they teach and even the ones they do not teach.

Since knowledge is dynamic, every teacher should endeavour to brush up his/her knowledge and bring it up to date periodically. Failure to do this would reduce the teachers to miserable deadwoods.

We are surprised that teachers in a state reputed to be the ‘Fountain of Knowledge’ are running away from acquisition of knowledge that would have been verified through an assessment test that is in their interest and intellectual development. The teachers should settle down for the assessment test to prove their mettle. It is in their interest as well as that of Ekiti State. They can only express fears if they think the exercise is unlikely to be fair. Teachers who are miserable deadwoods cannot produce outstanding students.

Banks and biometrics •Developing such a data bank for customers has implications for privacy

R

EPORTS that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may soon compel Nigerian banks to rely on biometrics data for their ‘know your customer programmes’, gives cause for apprehension. This may entitle the banks to ask Nigerians to queue up for the collation of their biometric data as the latest requirement for service in the industry, and we are worried about the security implications. According to reports, this new requirement will take off in September and be completed by the end of December.

While the advantages of biometric data are huge, worries over the security of such data in private hands must be examined.

The way to go is to push for a national biometric data base, to be in the custody of state institutions, with statutory responsibilities. Such national data can then be made accessible to banks, security agencies and for all other lawful uses. The command control will ensure that there are few or no manipulations; even as the temptation to use same for unlawful purposes that may be injurious even to the nation’s well-being will be few and far between.

So, while biometric data may be the most sophisticated way of confirming the identity of persons in modern time, there are the personal security worries of such data in the hands of private institutions, like a bank. We know that biometric data will ensure that there are no identity duplications; that forgery of other people’s identification will be eliminated; that the subsequent identification of persons involved in any transactions are conclusive;

among other advantages. Yet we ask, where are the guarantees that a privately owned enterprise like a bank would not compromise such privileged information in their custody, to the detriment of the customer? For instance, we are not aware of any statutory provisions that will protect such data collated by a bank.

Still on the advantages of biometrics, there is no doubt that criminality associated with duplicitous identity process in Nigeria has aided many of the country’s challenges, and this may have informed the new charge by the Central Bank. In our chaotic commercial environment, there are several instances in the country, where huge sums of money, usually from government sources, are withdrawn from banks, and when the banks are questioned, they are unable to trace those involved. Also, huge sums of public funds meant for projects usually develop legs in the peculiar Nigerian banks, while the projects the funds are earmarked for are abandoned.

It is also probably only in our clime that officials of state and institutions award contracts to ‘ghosts’, who get paid huge sums of money, and when the very same officials are called to account, they claim not to know how to track the culprits. No doubt, the poor state of infrastructure and requirements of modern society are traceable to such criminal conducts masquerading as public service. In the current democracy, public institutions and regulatory agencies also receive bribes. But upon enquiry, there is usually the claim by investigators that they are unable to

trace the sources or end points of the corrupt funds, even when huge cache of cash is allegedly paid out.

All said, while there is an urgent need for a national biometric data base, it cannot be in the control of a private body.

What Nigerians expect is that the national bodies created to garner and protect the data will swing into action and, unlike in the past, discharge this onerous responsibility diligently. The security crisis ravaging the country seems intractable substantially because of the lack of a national data base. It is again probably only in Nigeria, that there is no national identity data base, such that foreigners frequently claim Nigerian nationality, with the attendant embarrassment to the country.

‘So, while biometric data may be the most sophisticated way of confirming the identity of persons in modern time, there are the personal security worries of such data in the hands of private institutions, like a bank. We know that biometric data will ensure that there are no identity duplications ... Yet we ask, where are the guarantees that a privately owned enterprise like a bank would not compromise such privileged information in their custody, to the detriment of the customer?’

Saving the rainforest — and making money off of it

O

NE OF THE GREATEST weapons against climate change sits on vast tracts of undeveloped Brazilian land.

The country is home to nearly half of Earth’s rainforests, gobbling up 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year — a third of the United States’ 2010 greenhouse gas output. Maintaining, and expanding, what the Economist aptly termed “the world’s lungs” will be essential to fighting global warming, not to mention preserving biological diversity and water systems.

The good news: With the help of satellite monitoring and other tools, Brazil last year slowed illegal deforestation to a fifth of its peak in 1995, when the country lost a whopping 29,000 square kilometers of its rainforest to unauthorized slashing. The bad news: Brazil’s government is weakening its landmark Forest Code, the legal basis for that improved enforcement.

Rural interests in the Brazilian legislature pressed revisions to the Forest Code that would have granted amnesty to those who engaged in illegal deforestation before 2008 and drastically reduced the amount of rainforest landowners are required to preserve. Brazil’s Institute for Applied Economic Research estimated that the “ruralista” bloc’s code would have resulted in the loss of 190 million precious acres. Despite a prominent environmentalist campaign, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff last month vetoed only a few of the most troubling revisions, softening preservation mandates.

Environmentalists argue that there is already plenty of cleared, arable land available in Brazil, and that the goal should be to grow more on it. Yet it is difficult for individuals to profit from holding unused forested plots, and there is economic opportunity in expanding production of Brazilian commodities, such as soybeans and orange juice, to feed the world’s growing population. In other words, it’s hard to preserve forests when international markets do not value them.

World governments must change that. Instead of expecting Brazil and other countries to bear all the costs of preserving ecologically valuable land, fairness and efficiency argue for an international program to turn forest preservation into a source of income. In its most efficient form, the money to pay for saving forests would come from an international carbon market, not from strapped national treasuries. But gridlock in international climate talks, mostly relating to issues other than deforestation, has made progress on creating such a program unacceptably slow.

For now, a “voluntary” market exists to serve environmentally minded corporations and individuals who would like to offset their carbon-producing activities by financing forest preservation. As states, provinces and nations ramp up cap-and-trade carbon-pricing schemes, there is opportunity to hook forest preservation into them, too. But deforestation, in Brazil and elsewhere, is a massive problem, much larger than the meager amounts spent to address it so far.

Brazil’s legislature, which may act following Ms. Rousseff’s partial veto, should reconsider its new forest code. But the international community, led by the United States, must also give developing nations more incentive to preserve their ecological wealth.

– Washington Post

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria is faced with a lot of public health challenges hence the need to design programs to address these problems in order to improve the health of the citizens. Though there have been different emergency plans by governments, the country is still at risk of disease outbreak. The number of disease Nigerians are exposed to demands that we have an effective and efficient emergency response and preparedness system so that we can reduce the number of cases and deaths arising from disease outbreaks.

In order to achieve this, there must be an institution with a capacity to provide prompt and effective public health interventions to Nigerians. Surveillance of potential threats which is one of the means by which disease outbreaks are prevented needs to be given maximum attention.

National emergency response and preparedness team was constituted by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in recognition of the importance of disease prevention and control. But having the department of public health which is responsible for public health, emergency preparedness and response as well as disease prevention and control under the FMOH has not helped matters besides the mission of public health as defined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM)

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

The national public health agency alternative which is “fulfilling society’s interest in assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy” has not been achieved by the department of public health under FMOH. Every year, Nigeria records an outbreak of different diseases which kill innocent Nigerians in their thousands. Despite this yearly occurrence of outbreak, there has not been an effective and efficient emergency response and disease prevention system in Nigeria. This

is why the department of public health under the FMOH needs to be upgraded into an agency with or as part of the FMOH that will focus on emergency planning and preparedness; disease prevention and control; and promotion of the health of Nigerian people while the FMOH focus on other issues.

The FMOH is a public health agency and service of government but its response system is slow. The role of the department of public

health in disease prevention and control under the FMOH has not been felt over the years. Epidemic prone disease such as CSM, Cholera, Measles, Lassa Fever, Yellow fever as well as other disease of public health importance like diarrhoea, malaria, plague, tuberculosis, pertussis, onchocerciasis, pneumonia, HIV/AIDS, STI, hepatitis B and so on, require a specialized agency to mitigate their effect on the population. The estab-

Orji’s Ambassador of Peace award

S

IR: The rationale behind the recent award of peace ambassador on governor Theodore Orji of Abia state by the National Council for Peace and Unity was justifiable, considering the alarming security situation in the state before now when kidnappers nearly took over the state. His government gave enormous support to the security agents to bring the situation under control. Before the

kidnapping saga was subdued, some cynics called for his resignation for failure to provide security for the people.

Then, Aba, the commercial nerve of the state was deserted and the residents of the state could not sleep with their two eyes closed.

But today the situation has changed with a peaceful atmosphere and still none of the cynics and critics had seen reasons to com-

mend his efforts. Before now, the state was always at loggerhead with the Federal Government, thereby denying the people of the state their fair share and attention from the central government. The cordial relationship between the state and federal government since Orji rejoined PDP and won his second term in office has attracted a lot of federal attention to the state in the areas of appointments,

On the quest for cassava bread IR: I have followed the debate of the health benefits or otherwise of cassava bread being recommended by the Federal Government through the Minister of Agriculture and Rural development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina. I would therefore like to make some comments.

In the early 1990s, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, then Presidential aspirant outlined amongst other things a plan” to grow groundnuts, to purchase wheat to maintain a stable price of bread”.

Jakande a veteran journalist

S

lishment of a National Public Health Agency will increase the capacity of FMOH to provide prompt and effective public health interventions to Nigerians. This is necessary if government must reduce the incidence of disease and disability. Surveillance, emergency preparedness, disease prevention and control will be the main responsibility of the NPHA thereby relieving the FMOH of the burden of having to ensure the health promotion of Nigerians along with other functions of the Ministry. The estabalishment of NPHA is imperative if the public health problems in Nigeria must be addressed besides the agency will be concerned with threats to the health of the Nigerian people.

• Bolaji Samson Aregbeshola University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.

must have reasoned this plan out carefully. In his days as an administrator he was known for matching words with action.

I think we need to consider this option by Jakande if not groundnuts but some other cash crops rather than using Nigerians as guinea pigs for cassava bread.

I think we need to take the difficult option of reviving the production of cash crops. This would give us cash to import wheat and other essential items we cannot grow at home. We have only recently been informed that our non-oil exports

under the U.S African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) are negligible compared to our oil exports. In 2011 Nigeria exported 34 billion dollars worth of oil to the U.S. and only 150 million dollars worth of non-oil exports.

For instance why can’t Nigeria grow coffee to purchase wheat from the U.S. or else where?

The U.S. imports $4 billion worth of coffee every year and Nigeria is a coffee growing nation. Coffee is known as Brown Gold. One of the mandates of the

Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State is to do research on coffee.

We are told that President Goodluck Jonathan now eats cassava bread in the Presidential Villa but does he drink coffee to wash the cassava bread down?

Americans consume 400 million cups of coffee every day. This is good business for Nigeria.

• Augustine Bickersteth, London, England

Togonu-

infrastructural developments and others.

Governor Orji’s outstanding stride in reconciling all major stakeholders in the state which include Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Mao Ohabunwa, Emeka Wogu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and others under one umbrella is unprecedented. The development has brought genuine peace, reconciliation and progress in the state since then.

No matter what anybody says, the political cum economic situation in the state today is better than yesterday. Politicians including those in opposition parties are not being harassed or molested by anybody. Those who have been in the habit of avoiding coming home before now, for the fear of molestation are always at home often.

So also those who have been avoiding the government in the state and its activities for the past decade have seen reason now to identify with the government in order to move the state forward.

• Elizabeth Nwakandu (Mrs.) Umuahia, Abia State

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Nigeria! Cry the beloved country

T

HE plane crash of Dana Airline on Sunday June 3, has again brought into the fore all that is wrong in Nigeria.

This aircraft was built in 1983 and had been used by Alaskan Airline, a regional airline in the United States until it was grounded in 2006 after all kinds of mechanical problems and after it was almost time expired; it was this scrap that Dana Airlines went and bought in 2008 knowing fully well that the lifespan of a plane is between 25 and 30 years.

The people who brought this plane to Nigeria were tempting fate and experimenting with the lives of our people for profit. We also know that this plane had had near misses even in Nigeria to the extent that a non-expert like Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom had had to warn the company not to toy with the lives of Nigerians when this plane malfunctioned in one of its flights from Uyo to Lagos. The BBC reported after the accident that even if there are institutions to monitor the aviation industry in Nigeria, officials of these institutions have been so corrupted that they hardly do their jobs without asking for and taking bribes.

One should never be surprised by these comment no matter how patriotic one may be after all this is the same country where an oil subsidy budget of 240 billion naira a year ballooned to 1.3trillion and where a garbage collector who had no business with importation of petroleum heard about subsidies being collected and with friends in the right places got credited with over 1billion naira for doing nothing. Is this not the same country where billions of naira of Police pension funds were stolen by Civil Servants whose responsibilities are to manage these funds? The fact of police pension fund being stolen is an unbelievable effrontery; the fact that this country is still standing in view of the buffeting of the structure through all kinds of nefarious activities by people who are supposed to protect it is a miracle.

This is the situations in which electricity tariff has been jacked up for non-existent power. No country can develop without power. All the small and medium enterprises (SME) that should engage millions of people need power to function.

Rapid agricultural production needs electricity

visits the ports, particularly the Lagos Ports, one is saddened by the man hours, days, weeks, months and money lost as a result of the chaos and the demurrage paid by government because of the inefficiency of our system.

Sometimes one wonders how our economy has been sustained in spite of all these chaos.

A friend phoned me from the United States Jide wondering what kind Osuntokun of country Nigeria is, because after the crash of penultimate Sunday, salvage operation could not commence until the crowd had to be dispatched by teargas and scavengers driven away from the scene of the accident. CNN, the American news network even showed some of our people on the wings of the airplane doing inexplicable things when they were not part of the salvage operation. Our people have become so materialistic and money crazy to the point that they have no respect for the dead nor for the sanctity of life. This is a call for moral rearmament in this country.

‘CNN, the American news network even showed some of our people on the wings of the airplane doing inexplicable things when they were not part of the salvage operation. Our people have become so materialistic and money crazy to the point that they have no respect for the dead nor for the sanctity of life. This is a call for moral rearmament in this country’

A can of worms

M

ANY in the executive arm of government may today be cursing the day they ever voted in support of fuel subsidy removal. With what we are hearing from the ongoing probe of the House ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management all is not well with the oil sector.

The reason for this is not farfetched: those charged with ensuring that the sector works are the ones killing it.

These people abound in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Department of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

They saw an opportunity to make fast bucks in the payment of fuel subsidy and seized it with both hands, without any care in the world for its collateral damage on the economy. Before we knew what was happening, the damage had been done, with the country losing billions of dollars in revenue.

Subsidy payment was their pot of soup and they guarded it jealously until it was discovered to be a huge fraud. The discovery of the fraud was the beginning of their headache, an ailment they may not recover from until they are imprisoned. This is not a curse. It is just a natural sequence of events.

The ongoing probe by the House will only have a meaning if all those indicted are made to face the full wrath of the law at the end of the exercise. Anything short of this will amount to an exercise in futility. Since powerful men are behind this subsidy fraud they will do everything within their means to ensure that the report does not see the light of day. But it is left to us as a people to rise as we did against subsidy removal to see that they pay the price for their inhuman act. After stealing the nation blind, some of them still had the temerity to publicly speak in support of subsidy removal.

Subsidy removal was good in a way.

If not for the removal and the people’s rejection of it, this probe and other measures now being taken to reform the oil sector may not have arisen. What this implies is that only the people can save themselves from government’s

Since 2007, the Foreign Reserves of this country have been going down in spite of the fact of increase in the price of crude petroleum and in the volume of production to almost 2.6million barrels a day. Yet we cannot see what the money is being spent on. The roads are bad and in all my life, they’ve never been as bad as this even when we did not have petroleum. On Friday, June 1, and Saturday June 2, the roads to Ibadan from Lagos were shut down because of multiple accidents by fuel tankers and articulated trucks.

On a road that is full of craters, it is even an amazing miracle that only about 20 people got roasted on that road and yet we have not only a government but 36 governments in this country and the Federal Government whose responsibilities are to provide infrastructure seems completely immobilised and bereft of ideas. Vehicular movements on the roads have replaced trains on railways. In any normal country including our less endowed African neighbours, heavy haulage is done by railways not by roads. When the much maligned colonial masters were here, we had functioning railways. But the moment our people took over, those with private interest in road haulage sabotaged the railways and we have never recovered since then. We are constantly told about contracts for the rehabilitation of our railroads without any results.

In my home in Ibadan and in my state in Ekiti, electric power is a rarity rather than a common place thing. We have not had power in the new Bodija area in Ibadan for almost six months. Sometimes when the power comes, it blows up all our electrical gadgets and sometimes lasts for about two to three minutes before it goes out again and yet we hear about the wonderful things that government is doing about power generation and distribution and how by December, we would be begging for people to take our generators from us.

This is the situations in which electricity tariff has been jacked up for non-existent power. No country can develop without power. All the small and medium enterprises (SME) that should engage millions of people need power to function. Rapid agricultural production needs electricity. Our hospitals, our universities, our schools, industries, every facet of our lives need electric power. A country of 150million people still struggling to produce 4,000megawatts of electricity is a primitive and unserious country.

It is not because we don’t have the people, the resources and even the know-how, what is killing this country is ineptitude and corruption and the payment of little attention to merit. If careers were opened to talent, the right kind of people would be governing and running this country. When one

Farouk Lawan’s trying moment

H

ON. Farouk Lawan needs no introduction. He has been in the House of Representatives since 1999, and is now an an institution of sorts there.

It is said that he wields enormous powers which make those who want to become principal officers to kowtow to him.

Lawan enjoys a cult following in the House. Both new and old members always surround him. Many new members flock to him because of the belief that being in his camp will yield positive results.

Though petite in stature, Lawan has capacity for big fights.You can ask former Speaker Patricia Etteh what it is like to cross Lawan’s path. In 13 years, Lawan has become larger than life in the House, even though he has never held a principal office. He prefers a sit on a committee and he has chaired the Committee on Education for years.

Once in a while, he is called upon to chair ad hoc committees when the issues involved are thorny. All these

years, he has comported himself but we still hear stories about him, which is not an unusual thing in our clime.

Lawan may not be the most vibrant member in the House, but he has a way of drawing attention to himself through his activities. Although, he has a tiny voice, it is heard loud and clear whenever he speaks because his words pack weight. He stalks those who cross his path like a hunter, but today, the hunter is being hunted.

When Lawan was made chairman of the House Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management, he must have thought that as a veteran parliamentarian he has what it takes to pull off the job. Because it was a highly sensitive assignment that he and his colleagues were embarking on, we warned here (See A can of worms first published on February 9, 2012 but reproduced today because of its topicality) that the panel members must be careful in order not to fall into temptations.

Our warning went unheeded. See what is happening today with the alle-

gation by oil sheikh Femi Otedola that Lawan demanded a $3 million bribe from him to clear his company, Zenon of any misdemeanour in the muchpublicised fuel subsidy bazaar.

With this allegation, Lawan, who has admitted collecting $620,000 out of the money, has been put on the spot. Did he demand such a bribe from Otedola?

He says he didn’t, but that he was just playing along. Why play along with fire when you know that it will burn you?

Why didn’t he report the matter to the police or simply just ignore Otedola’s invitation? Questions, questions and questions.

No matter how we look at this unfolding drama, the obvious aim is to vitiate the subsidy probe report, which indicted many oil firms for collecting billions of naira without importing fuel.

My prayer is that Lawan does not provide the oil cabal the ammunition to rubbish the report. What a sad way to end the subsidy saga. Yet, we warned them.

policies which they consider inimical to their interests. If the people had not risen against subsidy removal, the shenanigan would have continued, with a few smiling to the bank, while majority of their compatriots are suffering.

Were there no measures in place to prevent foul play in the payment of subsidy when it was introduced years ago?

If there are, why were they not complied with? Who are those entitled to subsidy payment? What makes them to be so entitled? These are some of the questions once raised here which are being asked again because of their relevance to this subject matter. The House probe has dwelt on some of these issues but no cogent answers have been

provided by those in a position to do so. In most cases, they were cagey and not forthcoming in their responses.

There is a lot going on in the oil sector which we don’t know about because the government itself is not truthful with the people. Rather, it is more interested in protecting the ‘fat cats’ milking the country.

Ever before contemplating the removal of subsidy, the government was in possession of an audit report on NNPC, detailing all the financial atrocities in the corporation. The government kept quiet about the report. If the government knew it was not going to implement the report why did it commission KPMG to audit NNPC? Was it

the firm that recommended the removal of subsidy, which to all intents and purposes is not only a lie but a big fraud? If it was the firm’s recommendation, why implement an aspect and leave the rest? Thank God for activist lawyer Olisa Agbakoba’s revelation at the House probe. If Agbakoba had not spoken about the KPMG report, I bet you, the Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke, would not have said anything about it.

Yet, here is a report that touches on the affairs of a company whose board she chairs. Can Mrs Alison-Madueke say she is not aware of such a damning report on NNPC? If she is aware and did nothing, how are we sure she will act on other reports that may soon emerge on the mess going on at NNPC? How sincere is she in asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the subsidy fund payment? Was that not an

‘Lawan has a tiny voice which is heard loud and clear whenever he speaks because his words pack weight.

He stalks those who cross his path like a hunter, but today, the hunter is being hunted’

Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

action taken on the spur of the moment? The subsidy matter is no longer an issue to be toyed with. It has developed a life of its own and whether the Alison-Maduekes of this world like it or not, the nation shall get to the bottom of this fraud one way or the other.

For now, Mrs Alison-Madueke is the custodian of our oil fortune, so it behoves of her to play straight with us and refrain from hiding anything that may assist the Farouk Lawan-led House panel in untying the subsidy Gordian knot. If we consume 35 million litres of petrol a day, how come subsidy is paid on 59 million litres? Is she not aware of this sharp difference which apparently jacked up the subsidy payment? Something is definitely wrong somewhere. This is what the probe should help us unearth because by doing so we may be on the way to ensuring sanity in the weird world of the oil sector.

The probe panel needs not bother over threats and blackmails which will surely come from various quarters. But the panellists should remember that this is an assignment thrust on them by circumstance and the whole world is waiting to see how they will acquit themselves. If they do it well they will write their names in gold, but if they fall into temptations, they will soil their names and the institution they represent. They dare not fail the people.

SMS ONLY: 08099400204

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

A

S I reflected on June 12, the anniversary of the most credible election in the nation’s history, which both Humphrey Nwosu, the umpire of that election, and the highly respected Adamu Ciroma, affirmed was won by MKO Abiola ‘fair and square,’ along with other unfolding events since June 29, what comes to mind is the strident admonition of Pastor Enoch Adeboye: ‘May evil men never rule us again’. This has become signal tune for millions of Nigerian mobile phone users. We have no reason to doubt the man of God’s labeling of our past leaders as evil men since they have all at one time or the other sought his spiritual help.

But I also think the Pastor’s admonition also covers the men and women of iniquity that surround our evil leaders.

On Sunday June 3, we had a plane crash that consumed the lives of promising 153 Nigerians. Preliminary report has shown it was partly the result of corruption on the part of government authorities that opted to serve self first before Nigeria. And all this happened while the minister of aviation was fighting an unwinnable war with foreign airlines instead of confronting his fellow ministers, legislators and governors that fly Business Class because they have access to free state money. Little attention was paid to the operators of domestic airlines.

As part of our misfortune, it was only this Monday that, Lawan Farouk, the chairman of the House ad hoc committee probe that indicted the executive and PDP for supervising the theft of about N2 trillion was himself allegedly caught on video collecting $500,000 cash as bribe from Femi Otedola of Zenon Oil. By strange coincidence, Obasanjo, Jonathan and David Mark who have for 13 years jointly supervised the looting of our nation were said to have been the first to view the video of the alleged bribery scandal.

On the rechristening of Unilag, the president has proved those who initially insisted it was a thoughtless decision by an incompetent president wrong. It is obvious from his latest move that all the talk of Abiola’s sacrifice which deserves recognition was all but a ruse. It was all about President Jonathan’s survival for which neither the name Unilag as a 50 year old successful brand nor the name Abiola as a Nigerian hero was too hallowed to be sacrificed.

The President’s actions was also coming after sustained passionate appeals by respectable ad credible national icons like Emeritus Professor Festus Ade, Ajayi, a former Vice Chancellor of Unilag and Wole Soyinka among many others. Ibidapo Obe another former VC of the university spoke.

T

ODAY, something akin to a revolution kicks off in the educational system in the State of Osun. Four hundred Senior Secondary School pupils selected by the state government would file out to pick a learning tablet – Opon Imo –in what marks the beginning of the two-week test-run of the low cost learning device introduced by the government to bridge access to teaching and instructional materials.

The occasion is historic because these lucky pupils enjoy the vantage position of being pioneers of the Information-Technology driven educational legacy of the Rauf Aregbesola administration. Alongside their teachers, they will, for the next two weeks embark on the training on the use of the Opon Imo, arguably the first, stand-alone electronic learning tablet in the world.

What is Opon Imo? And why this time?

To the first, the answer is that the Opon Imo (tablet) is a self-study aid, a robust electronic device with uniform learning content designed for the use of Osun Senior Secondary Schools.

The electronic tablet comes pre-loaded with students’ prescribed textbooks, tutorials and past questions in the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) – learning aids traditionally known to be beyond the reach of majority of students. It has an in-built feedback mechanism for monitoring students’ performance.

This is what the government of the State of Osun seeks to make available to all its senior secondary students for free. Through the initiative, the state government seeks to expose pupils of its senior secondary schools to information technology at an early age.

The second question –which relates to the question of its timing – obviously speaks to the administration’s imperative to address the multi-faceted challenges of the educational system particularly the challenge of availing the beneficiaries of its public schools with modern and user-friendly learning tools.

A bit of the background of the state of education in Osun State would seem necessary here.

Tragedy and Pastor Adeboye’s ‘evil men’ Alumni among who were most of the nation’s decision makers spoke and had a rally. Impressionable young students whose hope was to attend Unilag demonstrated for a number of days which forced the university authorities to shut the institution. Those that can be considered real friends of Abiola spoke and pleaded that he be accorded a national recognition and called attention to the existing National Assembly resolution recommending that the Abuja National Stadium be named after him. There has been no voice of reason from the President’s cabinet, his advisers or PDP, to prevail on him to take a right decision for a change.

The same scenario played itself out in January this year, when men of iniquity who instead of advising the President against removal of phantom fuel subsidy were busy haggling over how to share about N2 trillion stolen from the nation. Before then it was the same evil men that encouraged Jonathan to derail his party zoning policy following an alleged sharing of N1billion ostensibly for mobilization on the eve of the PDP convention.

Those who do not share Pastor Adeboye’s faith cannot but agree with him that our past leaders like Babangida, Abacha, and Obasanjo are all men of iniquity surrounded by depraved men and women. Babangida and his evil men while sowing the seed of future economic and political instability claimed they were sacrificing their present for our future.

Surrounded by evil men some of whom are in today’s National Assembly, he announced his ‘stepping aside’ on a national television.

Abacha like Babangida embarked in a sham

constitutional review exercise, registered five parties that at the end adopted him as their presidential candidate with a swan song ’Abacha today, Abacha tomorrow and Abacha for ever’. Some of these evil men are still in government.

For eight years Obasanjo served none but Obasanjo and probably the soldiers and PDP. While he was scheming term elongation, the evil men surrounding him embarked on massive looting of our resources. And like Babangida, Obasanjo left instability by saddling the nation with ailing Yar’Adua and his god son, the crafty Jonathan.

With the way President Jonathan, the silent operator and his men are running the nation, there is no other time Pastor Adeboye’s admonition is more relevant than now.

Jimoh Ibrahim and the Dana tragedy Following the tragic death of 153 Nigerians in the recent Dana air disaster, Jimoh Ibrahim, a key player in the aviation industry had been asked for his views on the call by some senators that all those connected with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority especially NCCA officials should be sacked. Ibrahim could not hide his disgust about senators who know next to nothing about aviation but chose to pontificate…. “just because we elected them does not mean they can just talk any how…Let them come to the industry and see if they can successfully managed one aircraft…” Ibrahim raged on and on.

One can understand Jimoh Ibrahim righteous indignation. Government has been part of the problem of the aviation industry. And as an insider and a key player, he probably

Opon Imo: The coming of Osun’s e-learning tool

By Bamidele Olajuwon The Rauf Aregbesola on coming to office in November 2010 met a derelict and thoroughly dysfunctional educational system. So bad was the state of physical infrastructure in public schools that a good number could pass for pigsties. It was inside these utterly unsuitable structures that the visionless PDP administration had sought to impart knowledge to the state’s treasures. The situation of the teachers was better imagined; not only were they illmotivated and dispirited, the so-called standards which the then administration had sought to anchor its educational plans would best pass as haphazard, inconsistent and unreliable. Things were so bad that even promises made by the administration to offset the bills of the students in the public examinations could not be redeemed. The situation left the hapless students with the embarrassing situation of having their results withheld by the examination bodies. No wonder that disappointing results in public examinations became its corollary. These were the mess that the Aregbesola administration inherited on coming to office.

As it emerged, just as the challenges were multi-faceted, the state government’s responses were to be no less, bold, frontal and holistic.

Not known to settle for half measures, no sooner than the administration settled in office that it initiated an educational summit to look at the various facets of the problem plaguing the sector. The summit drew participants from among the nation’s topmost practitioners in education – including the Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka – to lay what is now the foundation to reposition the state’s educational sector.

The direct consequence of that summit is the

restructuring of the state public schools, construction of modern user-friendly millennium schools, and provision of school uniforms across the board to address the twin challenges of access and standards, issues which had been identified as critical to turning the sector around. Of course, for the teachers, it was to be a completely new experience in training and empowerment both to shore up their skills and competences, and to boost morale that were hitherto at their lowest ebbs.

We can go on to talk about the state government’s other initiatives such as O’Meals, a scheme to deliver to deliver quality meals to children in public schools expected to gulp N1.56 billion a year. There is also a programme to distribute school uniforms free to pupils in the state which is expected to cost N2 billion also in a year. The government has cared to remind those who choose to dwell on sunk costs, that the multiplier from the O’Meals programme, in terms of its spin-off on its domestic agriculture, and the employment of 100 tailors for the school uniform programme far outweigh the costs to the state.

The same also applies to the Opon Imo initiative. To be sure, the government of the State of Osun may have opted to follow the trail blazed by the government of India in the revolutionary learning solutions so fitting tagged Opon Imo (tablet of knowledge) to address the problem of access to vital educational resources.

The latter had introduced the Aakash, a low cost android-based learning device in 2011 under a programme to link 25,000 colleges and 400 universities. Although both the Opon Imo and the Aakash share in some basic, functional similarities of facilitating and deepening access to reading and instructional materials, their ar-

knows more than outsiders. But unlike Ibrahim, I think it was precisely because the elected men have failed us that we are daily visited with tragedy either in the air, road or even in our homes. A peruse through the history of aircrafts operating in Nigeria show apart from Arik fleet with an average age of five years and Ibrahim’s fleet’s average age of 12, most others range between 22 and 40 years.

Jimoh Ibrahim could not have forgotten that currently two former aviation ministers are being prosecuted for alleged mismanagement of the Aviation Intervention Fund or that the position of NCAA that has been alleged to be awash with corruption on the crashed Dana airline is at variance with that of the minister.

Jimoh must also be told that it was the failure of the National Assembly that paved the way for the emergence of some Indian crooks and their Nigerian counterparts already indicted either for asset stripping , for refusing to pay bank loans even after receiving fuel subsidy or for colluding with bank officials to write off their indebtedness as bad loans as celebrated business whiz kids controlling the critical aspects of the nations economy. Why must investors continue to behave as if they are doing Nigerian consumers a favour? We are all left at the mercy of airlines, fuel importers cement cartel and domestic gas suppliers while our President continues to appease beneficiaries of BPE sales which Lawan committee has described as ‘bad example of privatization’ as ‘in most cases, most of our enterprises were dashed out’ I think the Dana tragedy and Ibrahim outburst provide another opportunity for the National Assembly to take another look at the character of all those managing the critical sectors of our economy. Elsewhere in the world, this is the major engagement of elected officials.

‘Those that can be considered real friends of Abiola spoke and pleaded that he be accorded a national recognition and called attention to the existing National Assembly resolution recommending that the Abuja National Stadium be named after him’ chitectures are different – as both were designed with the uniqueness of their environments in mind. Whereas Aakash draws its contents and relies on external sources (the web) for content, the Opon Imo relies on internal memory and hence more suitable to our environment where network services and epileptic and unreliable.

It promises to be a new, revolutionary, learning experience for the state’s secondary school pupils.

Beyond that, there is something novel in the methodology of the introduction of the Opon Imo that stands out for commendation. Being perhaps the first of its kind anywhere, the state government has been expectedly, deliberate and methodical. That obviously informs the first test-run expected to wind up in two weeks.

The idea behind the first test-run is to enable users raise issues and make their observations known to enable government make adjustments. By July 14, another 1000 students are expected to be signed on in multiple schools to the main pilot programme. By September 30, the first phase of the roll-out is expected to commence with 50,000 tablets to SS3 students across the state. By March 31, 2013 another 50,000 tablets is expected to be delivered to SS2 students. In the third phase of the roll-out, all the tablets are expected to be assembled in the State of Osun. Under this phase, the state’s SS1 students would have been covered. By then, the initiative is expected to have delivered jobs and transferred new skills to the citizens of the state – not to talk of revenue into the government’s coffers.

That is why the current developments in the state is nothing short of a revolution.

• Olajuwon, a public affairs analyst writes from Lagos

‘The electronic tablet comes preloaded with students’ prescribed textbooks, tutorials and past questions in the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)’

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

23

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

INSIDE

Ogun nursing student is best

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

Five members of the National Universities Commission (NUC) staff died in the June 3 Dana plane Air crash at Iju-Ishaga on the outskirts of Lagos. Their death has marred preparations for the celebration of the Commission’s 50th anniversary, GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

A student of the Ogun State School of Nursing, Ijebu-Ode, Miss Adenike Adenike, has emerged the best in an essay competition among students of nursing across the country.

The essay competition tagged: Health of Women: A call for paradigm shift in family and reproduction health, organised by the Florence Nightingale Speech Contest Organisation, was held at the School of Nursing Eleyele, Ibadan.

-Page 37

•Prof Onwuliri

• Alhaji Dukawa

•Mrs Obi

•Mr Ehioghae

•Mrs Shuaibu

Two FCT schools for US Two FCT schools-JSS Jikwoyi and GSS Jibi, have qualified to represent Nigeria at the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) World Cup which will take place between July 24 and August 4 in San Francisco, US. -Page 39

CAMPUS LIFE •An eight-page section on campus news, people etc

Exit of an ex ‘peoples’ VC HE was the people's ViceChancellor (VC). When Prof Celestine Onwuliri retired from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) last year, many felt his exit because of his fatherly disposition.

-Page 29

• Sympathisers and rescue operators at the site of the crash

NUC mourns its dear ones

A

T a time when it should be getting set for the celebration of its 50th anniversary, the National Universities Commission (NUC) is mourning. It is mourning the death of five of its workers in the June 3 DANA Air plane crash in Iju-Ishaga on the outskirts of Lagos.

All 153 on board the plane died.

Six others died on the ground. The NUC officials were members of the Commission’s Standing Committee on Private Universities (SCOPU) on their way to Lagos to appraise a proposal for the establishment of Anchor University owned by Deeper Christian Life Church. They are: Mallam Mahmud Dukawa; Mrs Chinwe Obi; Prof. Celestine Onwuliri; Sonny Ehioghae and Mrs Memuna Shu’aibu.

Prof. Onwuliri was the chairman of SCOPU at NUC and husband to the Minister of State for Foreign

PHOTO: MOSES OMOSEHIN

Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri. The others were deputy directors. Mrs. Obi manned Facilities and Infrastructure; counterpart Mallam Dukawa, Treasury. Mrs Memuna Shuaibu, Open Distance Learning and Mr Ehioghae, Establishment and Staff Matters.

Since their death, the NUC Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja and their homes have been hosting sympathisers.

The Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, expressed shock when she visited.

She said: “We will continue to pray for them. We pray that their families have the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

NUC Executive Secretary Prof.

Julius Okojie said the late deceased were some of his finest who responded to the call of national duty at short notice.

He said: “It’s a very sad event of

deaths for NUC, which I do not think we deserve.

“When it happened, I was told it (aircraft) was from Abuja to Lagos, I didn’t think any of my staff was involved in it. For us, it’s going to be a long period of mourning as NUC was on the verge of celebrating its Golden Jubilee.

With this misfortune, there will be no such celebration.”

Okojie said 10 members of staff were initially billed for the trip.

“This man, Mahmoud Dukawa, has nine children.The only consolation we have is that it could have been worse if the 10 of them went.

“When they started counting, this one didn’t go, this one didn’t go, I said thank you God, we didn’t lose it all. The 10 of them would have been on that flight. I saw the • Continued on page 26

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

26

EDUCATION EKSU FILE

VC warns against extortion THE Vice-Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina, has advised staff against the extortion of students.

He gave the charge during the monthly prayer meeting of the un i v e r s i t y c o m m u n i t y , f o r June, held at the university's main auditorium.

He also advised students against exam malpractice and indiscipline, likening such acts sins before God. T h e V C u r g e d t h e students to study hard, and be steadfast in prayers to perform well in their exams.

EKSU commiserates with NUC over crash THE Council, Senate, students and the university Community have commiserated with the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Julius Okojie on the loss of five staff of the commission in the Dana Air Plane crash at Iju Ishaga, Lagos on Sunday, June 3. The condolence message was contained in a letter dated June 6, this year, and signed

by EKSU VC. According to the VC, "Our hearts goes to you on this occasion; it is our prayer that God would grant you and your team in the commission the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss".

It will be recalled that a special prayer was said for those who lost their lives in the crash during the monthly prayer held by the university recently.

Mgt. cautions on roads to varsity TO ensure safety of lives of staff and students, the University Management has again urged the members of the University Community and other users of the Ado-Ekiti-Iworoko road to exercise caution on approaching the University gate from both ends.

The university has also drafted special marshals led by Prof W. O. Adebayo to enforce speed limits within the institution even as the management has invited officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission to patrol the Ado/Iworoko road.

Workshop lauded THE one-day workshop on communication and minutes writing skills organised for the administrative officers of EKSU has been described as a step in the right direction to realising the vision of the university.

The workshop, which is essentially to sharpen the skills of the administrators, has also been seen as timely in resolving challenges in minute taking at committee to management levels.

The observation was made by the VC while declaring open the workshop at Delight Hotel, Ilawe Road, Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, last week. He also commended the facilitator of the workshop, a former registrar of the University of Ibadan, Chief Moji Ladipo describing her as a top class administrator with long university culture and tradition who could guide other administrators working in a world- class university.

The Registrar, Dr. Omojola Awosusi said his observation overtime was that many people have difficulties with writing of minutes, and therefore decided to invite Mrs Ladipo, to facilitate the workshop.

• Pupils of National Primary School, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos with some staff members of MTN Nigeria, who donated learning materials to them during the ongoing MTN staff annual volunterism programme tagged 21 Days of Y'elloCare.

Dana Air crash grief engulfs NUC •Continued from page 25

10–year-old son of Dukawa. I remember I was 11 years old when my father died and I knew what it was. What can you tell a 10-year-old boy? The man has nine children.

“I tried to persuade this woman (Mrs Obi) not to travel; I said ‘go and do your work with TETfund (Tertiary Education Trust Fund), she said ‘no’.

“She got somebody to go to TETFund. On Friday night when I got here and I saw her missed call, I called her again and said ‘what is your problem?’ Must you go? But you see, they are the frontline officers, she didn’t want to abdicate her responsibility because that is her primary role.

“This year, we are supposed to be celebrating our 50th Anniversary but we have no cause to celebrate

now. We know each other in NUC. Some of them have been here for more than 28 years.”

The Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, was also crestfallen, saying: “When I was told the Foreign Affairs Minister was involved, I said no. I have checked. It was later when I saw the wife that she confirmed it was her husband. I was really touched. It is most unfortunate that people will die like that.

“If it is how it pleases God. If it is the way it suits Him; so be it; but it’s really painful.

At their homes, it was wailing and weeping. Sympathisers solemnly walked into the Abuja home of the bereaved Prof. Onwuliri.

Among the early callers were Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Tony Anenih; former Minister of Health Prof ABC

Igbinedion Varsity re-appoints HE Registrar of Igbinedion Registrar University Okada, Edo State, Mr Edwin O. Okoro,

T

has been reappointed for a second term of five years.

Okoro's reappointment was announced by the university's Vice-Chancellor Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, after it was approved by the Governing Council chaired by the Pro-Chancellor Prof David Awanbor.

Okoro was first appointed Registrar in May 2009. He was Deputy Registrar at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), a position he held for nine years.

At FUNAAB, Okoro, the most Senior Deputy Registrar, acted as Registrar at various times between 2003 and 2006.

Since he assumed office at

Igbinedion University, he has contributed immensely to the growth, stability and administrative efficiency of the university's Registry in particular and academic administration in general.

Okoro, who hails from Arochukwu, in Abia State, is a graduate of the University of Ibadan from where he obtained a BA Hons 2nd Class Upper Division in 1979, and a Master's in Industrial and Labour Relations in 1994.

He is a Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM) and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (ACIPM).

Nwosu; a delegation from NUC, including colleagues of the deceased and some members of the National Assembly.

Prof Onwuliri was depressed and could hardly answer the visitors.

She was mostly seen nodding in response to greetings.

Anenih refused to speak with journalists.

Nwosu said: “Prof Celetine Onwuliri was best known to most of us as Cellman. He was the best and the brightest in intellect, moral and behaviour. I’ve known him for over 37 years. He was on sabbatical at NUC and it was just to head a committee going to Lagos but he met his call.”

Grief prevailed at the NUC quarters in Karu, a satellite town to Abuja where Mrs. Shuaibu lived.

The widower, Mr. James Shuaibu, and their four children were, pensive.

“My wife was good”, he muttered to this reporter. “Too wonderful. Where do I start from now? God has taken her from us. I am finished.”

The Shuiabus only son, Hamza, 21, recounted his last moment with his mother.

“She offended me before she travelled and later she called and hugged me, apologising. And after that, my last word to her was bye as she entered the vehicle and moved. Before she left , I told her that I would be hanging out with my friends. She called my sisters before she boarded. She said I am

going into the plane and normally whenever she landed she called.”

A neighbour, to the late Mallam Dukawa, Muhammad Ali Babangida, said of him. “We lived together in the quarters and I am their Imam. Mallam Dukawa was a God-fearing person. He was humble and knew the rights of his neighbours, friends and relatives.

“As if he knew death was knocking,his last words before he travelled was that when one died, we should mourn but we should not cry for the dead and that the world is temporary. Nobody will live forever. That was his last statement.”

It was the same agony at the home of Mrs Obi. Her husband Mr John Obi, who told reporters, their last moments that fateful Sunday, said no compensation could assuage the loss.

His words: “She was at the Dunamis Church (the church is at Area One, Abuja) where we worshipped on Friday. She was also there on Saturday. On Sunday, we went to church together. It was after the church that I drove her to the airport. Before she boarded, her last words was that ‘okay ,we would talk’ that meant when she got to Lagos, she would call me.

She did not call before the crash.

When we heard about the crash, we were calling but her phone was switched off.

“Something has gone out of me. I do not know how I can cope without her. When you have been relating with someone, especially your wife for years, and suddenly she is no more, that vacuum is not easy to fill.

Institute closes admission

T

HE Institute of Certified Sales Professionals (ICSP), the umbrella body of sales practitioners, closes its direct membership admission by midJuly, this year.

The Registrar of the institute, Mr Cosmas Itobore, disclosed this during an interactive session with reporters in Lagos.

Itabore said before now, the wrong impression had been given that careers in sales were for allcomers, without much attention to specialised skills, formal training and hands-on influences, despite the fact that sales constitutes the most critical node in an organisation's customer service

value-chain.

He pointed out that ICSP was founded to reposition the practice of sales in the country.

He advised practitioners to take advantage of the present direct membership admission window to key into the sales institute before the period runs out.

He said whoever misses this opportunity would have to go through three years of tough exams to become a member, adding, "Such a person will also miss all the eyepopping benefits of joining what is billed to become one of the most innovative and popular professional institutes in Nigeria from the ground-floor. "

“At last ... what is good for the militant is good, or better, for the brilliant!”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

27

EDUCATION

‘Blame govt for HND/BSc dichotomy’

I

T is not only polytechnic graduates that suffer discrimination in the job market. It also affects the managers of their institutions, the Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Dr Abdulazeez Lawal, has said.

During an interview wth The Nation, he said poly administartors are not accorded the same respect as their university counterparts.

Lawal, who clocked one year in office as rector on June 1, said despite pronouncements to the contrary, the Federal Government fans the flame of HND/BSc dichotomy by treating managers of tertiary institutions differently when consulting with them.

He said: "I think the government has preference for university education than the polytechnics.

The Federal Government invited the Committee of Heads of Polytechnics, Vice-Chancellors and Provosts of Colleges of Education to a meeting.They spent hours consulting with the vicechancellors. When it came to our turn, they just told us to submit our

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

papers. The government itself has to redirect its policy. BSc/HND graduates are not competing with one another.They are playing complementary roles."

To erase the negative perception against polytechnic education -also held by parents, who discourage their wards from applying to polytechnics, Lawal said lecturers at LASPOTECH build confidence in their students.

"We have to build confidence in them. For instance, we talk of Bisi Onasanya the FirstBank Group Managing Director, whose certificate is from our polytechnic.

We tell them it is essential for them to demonstrate their skills so that, not the certificate, but their skills will speak for them," he said.

However, Lawal said LASPOTECH has put in place adequate facilities and has qualified manpower to provide students with training that differentiate them from products of other institutions in the labour market in the past 12 months, building on the

foundation laid by his predecessors.

Within that time frame, the Rector said his administration has completed many projects including putting up two out of eight blocks in the School of Technology complex; provided additional laboratories for the Food Technology and Science Laboratory Technology programmes; constructed a block of classrooms for the School of Part-time Studies on the Ikorodu campus and rehabilitated the administrative block at the Isolo campus.

Lawal said this and many other efforts, as well as funding from the Lagos State government earned the institution accreditation for all its 36 programmes presented before the team from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in April.

"The NBTE team was very impressed. When they left, they told us that they would encounter problems accrediting programmes of other institutions in future because the standard LASPOTECH set for them cannot be met by

BABCOCK FILE Ben Carson at 10th convocation

• Dr Lawal

others. This is the first time the state government will provide funds for accreditation. We were scored high even in areas outside academics," he said.

In the pipeline for further development of the polytechnic, which Lawal said, is being proposed for conversion into a university of technology, are the establishment of an e-library, construction of students' hostels on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis and the re-engineering of the part-time programme.

Elizade Varsity takes off

E

LIZADE University, IlaraMokin, Akure in Ondo State has joined the 50 existing private universities and the 74 public universities in the country.

Prospective students, who bought the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms at designated banks and all branches of Elizade Nigeria Ltd nationwide, will converge on the university tomorrow to write the entrance exam.

Ahead of the take-off of the university's academic activities, its proprietors have put in place adequate infrastructure, well beyond the 500 students the NUC approved for its take-off, according to its pioneer Registrar Mr Omololu Adegbenro.

During a facility tour of the university last Thursday, Adegbenro said activities would take off at the university's two pioneer faculties - Basic and Applied Sciences and Humanities and management Sciences - with programmes such as Biological Sciences; Physical and Chemical Sciences; Mathematics and Computer Science; Accounting and Finance, Administration as well as History and language Studies.

The Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Adegbenro added, would accommodate other

•Aerial view of the university

By Adegunle Olugbamila

faculties such as Humanities and Management Sciences.

The state-of-the-art facility, according to the Registrar, has features such as two Physics and two Chemistry labs; 300-seater auditorium, Deanry; four equipped computer labs and lecture halls of varying sizes.

Other facilities are the university centre, two hostels - one for males and the other for females; four 3.500 KVA generators with modern control panel that switches on automatically during

outages and water treatment plant with functional boreholes.

Other facilities include: a medical centre, 11,000 volumes of books and 6,00 e-books for the library and staff quarters for the senior staff of the university.

"The university will be fully residential; so we have put in place 10 buildings each comprising four flat of five rooms each. We also have separate buildings for the deputy vicechancellor; registrar; bursar, librarian and the vice-chancellor's Lodge.

Adegbenro quoted the

university's mission as saying it is to 'be specialised institution that shall be an epitome of the best traditions in the production of self- reliant ethics - conscious, globally competitive graduates imbued with prerequisite skills, competencies and ability to be key players in the nation's quest for socio-economic and technological development.

According to Adegbenro, the dream of its proprietor is to make Elizade University a meeting point between the rich and the poor. He said each classroom has been designed with special attention to the need of the physically challenged students.

RENOWNED Paediatric neurosurgeon, Benjamin Carson Snr. has said every human being is immensely and exceptionally fashioned to be what he wants to be in life.

He stated this while delivering the commencement speech at the 10th convocation of Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State.

He said: "If you think you are a victim, you are; and if you think you can succeed, you can succeed" Recalling his earlier years as a student, he said: "I had exactly the same brain while I was doing badly and when I did well, but what made the difference is attitude."

Host community gets transformers TO boost power supply in its host community, Babcock has donated transformers to Ilishan community.

Speaking at the presentation, the VC of the institution said the institution might not have all the needed resources to meet the community's demands, but is committed to helping the host community enjoy improved standard of living.

He said the university is not just another community away from Ilishan community but a part of it.

He said the gifts were Babcock's own way of saying: 'Let there be light in Ilishan.'

Expressing the community's appreciation for the gifts, the Chairman, Ilishan Development Council, Otunba Olu Osibodu thanked Babcock University for its numerous contributions to the welfare of the community.

"Your presence in this location is not a coincidence. This land was prophetically referred to as Oke Oyinbo years before the white came, which shows that God planned your being here," he said.

Graduating class donates BABCOCK graduating class, also known as called (Ruby Class), has donated sports materials to the school.

Speaking at the prsentation, the President of the class Mayowa, said they undertook the multimillion naira projects because they desired a problem-solving project that would impact the students'population.

Mayowa said he expected the facilities, which include other equipment, such as basket balls, jerseys, Nike trainers, among others, to improve the skills of its students and reputation of the institution.

Lagos commissioner meets basketball teams

T

•Mrs Kehinde Nwani, Director, Meadow Hall School, Lekki (middle) with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of the school during its 10th anniversary celebration at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, lagos.

HE Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye has received the male and female teams that will represent Lagos State in the Nestle/ Milo All Nigeria Basketball Championship that has begun in Akure, Ondo State.

The teams are from International School, Lagos (Boys) and Ajigbeda Girls High School, Surulere (Girls).

Welcoming the pupils, the commissioner said she was proud of their achievements and confident that they would do the state proud at the tournament.

She also said she did not expect anything less from the teams because they must have prepared hard for the tournament. She

advised them to be disciplined, play by the rules and be wellbehaved.

She expressed the confidence in them, adding that education is not just about academics but includes sports.

She thanked the coaches for their dedication and commitment.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo, congratulated the pupils in advance and advised them to be good ambassadors of the state.

The team captain, Master Morounfoluwa Ogundipe, thanked the commissioner for making the time to give them her blessings as they embark on the journey to Akure.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

EDUCATION

FCTA plans new camp for FCT NYSC

T

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has promised to assist the FCT National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with a new camp site in the territory.

The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who stated this in Abuja while welcoming to her office the new FCT Co-ordinator of the NYSC, Mr Frank Okey Ekpunobi, said a new camp would help to ensure a more secured environment for the corps members.

"I am concerned about the current NYSC Camp in FCT. We need to make it conducive for our young people. We need a safe environment for your young people. We have promise that we would provide land for FCT NYSC as part of our agenda to decongest the city.

"The Board of FCT NYSC would also need to include it in its 2013 Budget in order for us to accommodate this.

“If it is not in the budget, it is difficult to accommodate. We will ensure that we have a conducive and secure camp for the Corps," she said.

She said the FCTA would continue to partner with the NYSC to realise of the transformation

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

agenda of the Federal Government and the FCT. Earlier, the FCT Co-ordinator of the NYSC had commended the FCTA administration for the transformation in the territory, particularly roads construction, satellite towns' development and low crime rate.

He, however, solicited the intervention of the administration in providing a new camp for the NYSC. "The office, which we are staying, is not conducive for effective administration. We require the help of the FCT administration in the area of new camp for corps members and also housing for staff of the FCT NYSC," Ekpunobi said.

The NYSC scheme was established on May 22, 1973 by the Federal Government as part of measures to encourage the development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and also promote national unity.

The scheme aims at inculcating in Nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community, and to emphasise the spirit of oneness of Nigerians, irrespective of cultural or social background.

• Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola on Eko Project Mrs Ronke Azeez (left) conducting the cutting of the cake to mark the 60th birthday/ send off party organised by Education District IV Oshodi for its outgoing Tutor-General/ Permanent-Secretary Mrs Foluso Bolajokoo Ogunlana with her husband Mr Olusegun at the district headquarters in Oshodi ... on Monday.

PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

Jonathan's book gift to the Nigerian child

By Simeon Nwakaudu

•Wike

S

INCE President Goodluck Jonathan became the nation's leader, he has never hidden his desire to ensure that the Nigerian child gets the right quality of education.

When the President launched the Bring back the Book programme, many social commentators had dismissed it as a flash in the pan.

After his victory at the polls, President Jonathan has taken critical steps to revive the nation's education sector, especially the basic education sub-sector. The president maintains and rightly so, that it is the right of every Nigerian child to have access to basic education,

irrespective of the circumstances of his/her birth. To him, a sound basic education cannot be possible if the children do not have access to books and other instructional materials to enhance their knowledge and become worthy citizens, prepared to advance the cause of the nation.

It was on the premise that the President directed the Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to ensure that all primary school and junior secondary school pupils have access to textbooks in core subjects including the English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies and the Basic Introductory Sciences.

For the President, no Nigerian child should be denied the opportunity of building his/her knowledge based on the ground of his/her poor social background. The President's position is premised on surveys from the Federal Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, which indicate that although the present administration's interventionist programmes in the basic education sub-sector has led to increased enrolment in schools across the country, there remains the

gap of the scarcity of instructional materials and books available to the less privileged Nigerian child.

On Thursday, last week, President Goodluck Jonathan flagged off one of the most courageous book distribution initiatives aimed at returning the country to the days of qualitative learning with a view to building a critical foundation for the general development of the nation.

The flag off which was performed on behalf of the President by his vice, Namadi Sambo, was witnessed by the state education commissioners, chairmen of state Universal Basic Education Boards, teachers and pupils from the 36 states of the federation.

At the event held at the Model Primary School, Maitama Abuja, Sambo distributed books to select children from the six geo-political zones from the primary and junior secondary school cadres. From the faces of these kids, one could see their joy and appreciation for the President's worthy priceless gifts.

In the next few weeks, the Federal Government will conclude the direct distribution of 14 million copies of primary one and two textbooks in English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Basic Science and

• The Pro-Chancellor of OOU, Dr Segun Oshin (4th from right) in a group photograph with professors in the university after an interactive session with them on the way forward.

Technology. Also to be distributed are assorted library resource materials for junior school pupils totalling 4,929,593million copies.

These books are to be distributed directly to benefitting Nigerian children.

The President has instructed that every single book must get to the less privileged Nigerian child at no cost to his/ her parents. To this end, the Federal Ministry of Education and UBEC have put in place mechanisms to check the activities of fraudulent officials in the supply chain.

One of such measures is the setting up all encompassing books' distribution committees from the federal through to the states down to the the local government councils.

Timelines have been given to the committees with the overall supervision by the Mr Wike to be assisted by the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed for the direct distribution of the books to the children.

Another measure introduced is the bold inscription on every school page of all the books that they are not to be sold, but to be distributed free of charge. Beyond all these, is the involvement of security operatives at states and local councils to arrest and prosecute any official or trader found to be in possession of diverted copies of the books.

Wike, a lawyer, believes that the monitoring mechanisms are robust enough to protect the interest of the Nigerian child and ensure that the books are not diverted.

He said: "The Ministry of Education will neither accept nor tolerate the malady of the past where such textbooks were either found in the open markets despite the branded inscriptions against such unwholesome practices or left unutilised in the storerooms of schools, unprotected from destruction by water and pests. For us, education remains key to national development and the administration of President Jonathan is determined to ensure that primary school pupils and Junior Secondary students have access to relevant books for better learning to take place".

OAU VC lauds winners THE Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Bamitale Omole, has restated the commitment of his administration to further develop human and intellectual resources for the overall development of humanity.

Omole stated this when the Head of Department of Mathematics led other colleagues to present the trophy/plaque won by four students of the department who came first, at the National Mathematics Competition in Abuja.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the VC, who commended the students: Lawal, Yussuf Titilope; Afolabi, Abiodun Oluwaseun; Ilori, Kehinde Gabriel and Zakariya, Yussuf Feyisara, for doing the university proud, urged other students to emulate them so that the academic soundness and intellectual excellence of the university would be known worldwild.

UNIOSUN mourns Olashore The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN)), Prof Sola Akinrinade, has commiserated with the university's Chancellor and Chairman of Osun State Council of Obas, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife on the death of Oba Oladele Olashore, the Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesaland.

In a statement Prof Akinrinade said Oba Olashore, during his lifetime, was a great friend of the university who shared its vision and was a keen promoter of its development.

Said Akinrinade: "Oba Olashore was also a great lover of education as easily attested to by his proprietorship of the now renowned Olashore International School. But lesser known but probably of greater impact was his establishment of Iloko Model College, a truly model school that has established its credentials with the outstanding performance of its students in national examinations.”

29

A memorable outing for freshers

Akwa Ibom students’ day of culture

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

Page 34

Page 31

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

As Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), the late Prof Celestine Onwuliri, who died in the June 3 Dana plane crash in Lagos, was well loved by staff and students. News of his death, barely one year after his retirement, shook the university community. VICTOR NWOKEDI (200-Level Polymer and Textile Engineering) writes.

•The late Prof Onwuliri (fifth right) commissioning some SUG projects last June before his retirement as FUTO VC

Exit of ‘people’s ex-VC’

H

E was “the people's Vice-Chancellor (VC).” When Prof Celestine Onwuliri retired from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) last year, many felt his exit because of his fatherly disposition.

On retirement, the late Professor of Zoology and Parasitology joined the National Universities Commission (NUC). He was on an NUC assignment as member of the Standing Committee on Private Universities (SCOPU) when he died in the June 3 DANA plane crash in IjuIshaga, on the outskirts of Lagos.

Prof Onwuliri’s death threw the FUTO community into mourning. Staff and students have been reliving their encounters with the late former VC, whose wife, Prof Viola Onwuliri, is the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. He was described as a philanthropist and highly religious.

His stint as VC between 2006 and 2011 was said to be one of the most eventful in the history of the 31-year-old FUTO. He was said to have transformed the university. His administrative skill was described as superb.

During a colloquium held last June by the FUTO Governing Council to celebrate his achievements, the chairman, Vita Abba, de-

scribed the late VC as a great achiever, who brought all-round development to the institution. The construction of over 50 buildings and lecture halls were credited to him.

Students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, expressed sadness over his death. Favour Ifeoma, 500-Level Chemical Engineering, said: “It is sad that such embodiment of excellence would die in such a manner. We mourn him seriously and may his soul rest in peace.”

To Ebuka Ezenwanne, the former VC’s death “is very unfortunate.” The 300-Level student of Computer Science said: “Prof Onwuliri was a very nice man during his time as Vice-Chancellor. He was an inspiration to many students because of his achievements as an academic and administrator.”

Gerald Nwokocha, a graduate of FUTO and corps member serving in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said: “His death is a great loss, not just to his family but also to the nation. He was a reputable man of academic excellence with great leadership qualities, a man of many qualities and it is sad that he had to die in such a way.

I sympathise with his family and may God console them.”

Everest Anyanwu, 500-Level Biochemistry, said: “I had the privilege of meeting with Prof

PHOTO:GERALD NWOKOCHA

Onwuliri when he was Vice-Chancellor. He was humble and soft-spoken. He was eager to listen, instruct and give the necessary advice. His doors were always open to students. He took our welfare as a major task. He was not just a VC but a father and friend to students. It is so unfortunate that he died in such a manner.”

“Prof Onwuliri was a rare gem,” said Mary Godwin, a graduate of FUTO:“He was a source of inspiration to most students. He lived a humble life, worthy of emulation. He was a devout Catholic. Though his death is a shock to us, but I believe he is resting in the bosom of our Lord.”

“The vacuum left by the death of Prof Onwuliri would be difficult to fill because he was a unique person,” said Joyce Adole, a former student of University of Jos (UNIJOS), who was in school when Onwuliri was the acting VC. Jane Nwaogu, a final year student of Public Health Technology, could not hold back tears when she spoke to CAMPUSLIFE. “I thought it was just a rumour. I put a call through to Mrs. Onwuliri to confirm but I could not reach her. I was shocked when I confirmed that he was in the plane. Prof Onwuliri was caring and like a father to me. I don’t know why he had to die this way.”

•Bank donates bus to varsity- P32 •Aregbesola, others ‘walk to live’ at OAU-P33

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

30

CAMPUS LIFE NGOZI AGBO (1975-2012)

Coca-Cola, students commiserate with The Nation

T

OP officials of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited have paid a condolence visit, last Thursday, to the corporate headquarters of The Nation newspaper over the death of the coordinator of Campus Life section of the paper, Mrs. Ngozi Agbo.

The beverage company also expressed sympathy to the family of the late Mrs. Agbo and the teeming Campus Life correspondents across Nigeria higher institutions. The arrival of the officials coincided with the visit of students from different campus to commiserate with management of The Nation.

Speaking on behalf of the CocaCola company, Public Affairs and Communication Manager, Mr Clem

From NTA TV College, Jos On behalf of the Management, staff and students of the College, I wish to express our most sincere deep condolence to you and The Nation Newspaper family, on the death of the Coordinator of the Campuslife in The Nation, Mrs Ngozi Agbo.

Late Mrs Ngozi Agbo in her life time has contributed positively and immensely to the society through her searchlight on The Nation’s Campulife which we also benefitted greatly.

•Mr Mba (sixth right), Mr Ugorji and Mr Otufodunrin flanked by the students during the condolence visit last Thursday PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA From Wale Ajetunmobi LAGOS

Ugorji, said the news of Mrs. Agbo’s death was received by company as a shock, describing the loss as multidimensional not only to The Nation and journalism profession, but also to the nation at large.

In company of Mr. Emeka Mba, a Her death no doubt has created unbridgeable gap not only to The Nation Newpaper, but also to the entire Nation, but I exhort you to take solace in the knowledge of the hereafter and pray the Almighty Father in his immeasurable and inconceivable love and eternal mercy to grant you and her entire family the fortitude to bear the pain of her separation.

Please accept our most condolence.Best wishes.

Dr. Ayo Fasan, Rector.

senior staff of Coca-Cola, Ugorji handed over the company’s condolence letter to the Daily Editor, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso and Online Editor of The Nation, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin. He described the late Mrs. Agbo as a fine professional, who has used Campus Life pages of change the views of students away from criminal engagements.

Ugorji said: “Campus Life to Ngozi is not just a passion but a mission which is centred towards youth development. Ngozi left two vital things behind; an offspring and a legacy that will continue to benefit the youth of this country.” He added that Coca-Cola had gone far in sponsorship of Campus Life and that the company was not ready to give it

From University of Calarbar (UNICAL) On behalf of Management and Students of the University of Calabar, I wish to convey the heartfelt condolences of the University community over the sudden demise of a mentor Par excellence, the campus-life National Editor, Late Mrs Ngozi NwozorAgbo.

Though shocked by her premature exit and even more grieved by the circumstance of her passage, the university of Calabar community is consoled by her enormous and significant contributions as a facilitator towards the ethical development of students based

•The late Ngozi

journaslism as exemplified by campus life.

up.

Responding, Omotoso said the visit by Coca-Cola officials showed the importance the beverage company attached to the partnership between it and the newspaper. He assured the visiting students and the Coca-Cola officials that the management was ready to take up Campus Life where Mrs. Agbo left it.

The management, Staff and indeed members of CampusLife University of Calabar have been left stunned and devastated by the news of the death of not only an Iconic National Editor but a unique mentor and role model.

While the University of Calabar commiserates with the bereaved The Nation Newspapar, Campuslife Unical and family of the deceased over this monumental loss, I urge us all, especially members of the family to take solace in her invaluable contributions to the society and the useful legacies she left behind.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.

Prof James Epoke Vice Chancellor

Adetunji Olusegun, 400-Level Electrical and Electronics Engineering, is clerk of the Students’ Representative Assembly, the legislative arm of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna) Students’ Union Government (SUG). He spoke with FAITH OLANIRAN on the functions of the students’ union and how he would like to be remembered.

H

OW will you compare the previous Students’ Repre-

sentative Assembly with the present one?

The previous legislative house did enormous work and we really appreciate the efforts of the members, improving the lot of students on campus. The present set is focusing on students’ welfare which was lacking in the programmes of the past set.

What have been your achievements since coming to office?

As the clerk of the house, I have been trying to see how my con-

‘Student unionism is not about looting’ stituency can be affected the more owing to the fact that their votes brought me to the house. I have renovated the toilet facilities meant for the students of the school of Engineering, which was abandoned for three years. I am also introducing a debate in the house that will make credit facilities available to students going for compulsory Industrial Training (IT). If this is accepted, it will help boost the grade point of students and make their training successful.

What are the challenges you are

facing?

This is the issue of student orientation. The mentality of students is that unionism is all about looting and amassing wealth. Students are not cooperating with us because they believe we are making money and getting all the fame. But this is not true. Members of THE union are elected to ensure the students are treated fairly by the school authority.

How is the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the union?

Presently, the executive and house are working hand in hand to achieve A common goal of making the union accountable to students. For any students’ union government to achieve its goals, there must be cordial relationship between the arms of the union.

What would you like to be remembered for?

I will like people to remember me for my undying spirit of selfless service to humanity. I also want people to remember my passion for welfarist ideals.

•Adetunji

Uchenna Ugwu graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka. She will be completing her Youth Service today. Uchenna built a Guidance and Counselling unit, through Community Development project, which she donated to the inmates of the Onitsha Prison. She spoke to EMEKA ATTAH on why she embarked on the project.

‘Prisoners need proper counselling’ •Uchenna

W

HAT was your impression when you were posted to serve in Onitsha prison?

I did not any fear because as a Psychology student, I was involved in a programme for prisoners while in school. So, when I was posted to Onitsha prison, I was excited. I saw it

as an opportunity to meet and interact with the inmates one-on-one. Prisoners are also human beings and if you understand them, you can work with them.

Why did you donate a Guidance and Counselling unit to the prisoners?

In the course of my youth service, I discovered that the inmates needed a decent home for special services. They needed reformation and proper guidance so that they will be properly reintegrated into the society. So, I

reasoned that building the unit would make me have easy access to the inmates, relate with them oneon-one to know what they are going through and then find a way to reform them.

How did you manage to carry out the multi-million naira project given the meagre stipend you received as monthly allowance?

It was not easy getting financial assistance from people. But after soliciting for help from different people, I eventually succeeded. It

was difficult in the beginning but another secret that worked for me was when I changed from asking for money to listing out the materials needed for the project. Most people donated the materials which I eventually used to complete the project. Somebody I visited for assistance said I should leave immediately or he will invite security to throw me out. Another openly asked me why I was bothering myself over government responsibil-

ity but I remained resolute. It was the rejection that actually motivated me the more and I eventually had a breakthrough.

Advice to fellow corps members who may think that such laudable project is unachievable?

I tell them that being a corps member is an advantage. You can walk into any organisation and tell the management what you want to do as long as your commitment is to develop the society. One must not be scared, though you may be rejected along the line. You must have it in mind that at the end, everything will work out fine.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

31

CAMPUS LIFE

A memorable outing for freshers The matriculation of students admitted into the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), AgoIwoye, Ogun State, was held two weeks ago.

MODESTUS DIKO (400-Level Microbiology) and MURITALA OMIKUNLE (400-Level Mass Communication) write on the exciting event that lasted for a week.

I

T was a week-long event.

For five days, academic activities were virtually suspended on Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, welcomed its new students.

The event started with the freshers’ orientation, which was done in the institution’s two campuses on Monday and Tuesday.

The freshers were intimated with rules and regulations of the school’s and caution against act that can lead to their expulsion.

At the main campus, the students’ orientation was held at Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) Hall on Monday. Those at the mini campus took their turn on Tuesday at the Mini Campus Lecture Theatre.

On Wednesday, the students’ in various colours of Ankara brocade moved round the campus in groups to mark Ankara Day. The Pacesetter Theatre evening was held on Thursday. On Friday, the main matriculation and award night took place.

The matriculation took place at the OGD Hall and some motivational speakers were there to orientate and motivate the freshmen.

In their matriculation gowns, the students expressed themselves in various fashion styles. They took pictures and danced music wafting from different locations of the campus.

As the programme began, Mr Sam Oyeleye, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the school, announced the arrival of the principal officers of the institution, who were led by the Vice-Chancellor, (VC) Prof Wale Are Olaitan. Others included the deputy ViceChancellor, Provost of College of Medicine, Registrar, Mr Femi Oyewole, and representative of

the Librarian, Mrs L. Oshinubi.

Others were Dean of faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Prof Dapo George, Dean of Faculty of Arts, Prof O. Fadahunsi, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Idowu Adegbite, Dean of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof A. Adenuga; Dean of Pharmacy, Dr I. Kazeem; Dean of Education, Prof Olasukanmi Gbadamosi, who was represented

by Prof Taiwo Edun, Dean of Student Affairs, Dr G. Odunaike and Dean of Faculty of Science, Prof S.A. Bankole.

Also in attendance were members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), parents and guardian of the matriculating students. Musician were also on hand ground to entertain guests.

No sooner had the VC declared the ceremony open, than the deans presented their students for matriculation oaths. In quick succession, the oath was taken by the students, who swore to subject themselves to the school’s rules and regulations after which Prof Olaitan gave short speech admitting them into the institution.

Prof Olaitan said after taking the oath, the students could not claim ignorance of the school rules.

He promised to provide more facilities to meet the demands by the staff and students.

He, however, admitted that there were challenges but said due processes were being followed to tackle them. He said the senate has approved all outstanding students’ results and promised that the online method would soon replace the manual way of releasing results.

The VC advised the students to be of good behaviour and shun cultism, saying only associations

Essay competition for undergrads

T

HE Nation CAMPUSLIFE, in collaboration with AfricanLiberty.org and Network for a Free Society, is calling for entries into an essay competition. Details are as follows: Topics: •The Predatory State: Its Origins and Implications for Economic Growth •Statism (State Interventionism) or Free Markets: An essential ingredient in Africa’s Economic growth?

•Protectionism or Trade: Alternatives for Africa’s economic growth Note: Applicants are expected to choose one of the topics above. The format of the text should be in MS Word and not more than 1,500 words.

Interested students should please request for the background material from Adedayo Thomas at adedayo.thomas@gmail.com and copy Wale Ajetunmobi at ladycampus@yahoo.com.

On the first page of the completed essay, please write your full names, department, year of study and name of institution. Also include your email address and GSM line.

Send your entries to adedayo.thomas@gmail.com and copy ladycampus@yahoo.com.

Entries will be received between June and July 20, 2012.

Prizes: 1st - $1,000 and scholarship to 2012 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy at the Catholic University in Quelimane, Mozambique from August 8 - 11, 2012 2nd - $700 and scholarship to 2012 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy at the Catholic University in Quelimane, Mozambique from August 8- 11, 2012 3rd - $500 and scholarship to 2012 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy at the Catholic University in Quelimane, Mozambique from August 8 - 11, 2012 4th - $300 and scholarship to 2012 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy at the Catholic University in Quelimane, Mozambique from August 8 - 11, 2012 5th - $100 We have eight consolation prize of $50 each.

Announcement of winners: August 2, 2012. All entries will get a free CD “Ideas for a Free Society” containing 100 textbooks on various field of studies.

•Miss Fresher with her friends displaying the plaque

•Some of the frehsers posing for CAMPUSLIFE after the matriculation ceremony

which were duly registered with the Students’ Affairs unit were recognised by the institution.

He praised parents for sending their children to the university despite the financial challenges.

Oyewole surprised the students when he announced extension of the payment of school fees by two weeks.

In the evening, the students trooped to Meekad Hotel, Ago-

Iwoye, to attend the award night organised by the students’ union.

The programme was anchored by popular student-comedians, Dynamic V and Penzer.

School artistes, such as Didi, Brain, Jay November, Double F, AKT and Dereal, entertained guests. Awards were presented to Most Reliable Class Representative, Most Creative Fresher, Most Influential Fresher (male), Most Influential Fresher (female),

and Hottest Chic. Most Influent Fresher in male category went to Olamide Babayemi, while Gift Opara won the Most Influent female fresher.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Richard Ayobami, one of the matriculating students admitted into Mass Communication Department, said the ceremonies were memorable. No fewer than 4,000 freshers was admitted.

The faculty of Law students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) dropped their wigs and gowns to socialise last weekend. UCHE ANICHEBE (400-Level Law) reports.

Variety night for Law students

•Some of the Law students at the event

L

AST Friday, the Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka, Anambra held its Variety Night. It was a night of glamour and entertainment as Law students and their friends from other faculties trooped into the Garuba Square, the venue of

the event. The event was graced by members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) and officials of the varsity’s Directorate of Transportation.

There was no dull moment as the night was ‘loaded’ with fun-filled activities, ranging from beauty pag-

eant, modelling sessions, music and dance performances by renowned artistes in the varsity to other side attractions.

Some celebrities on campus and popular student-artistes attended the event.

•Continued on page 36

32

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE Faculty gets exco

T

HE Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Calabar (UNICAL), comprising departments of Accounting, Banking and Finance and Business Management, has inaugurated its new executive.

Bassey Atumba as the president of the Faculty of Management Sciences Students Association (FAMSSA).

Others are Eberechukwu Mbaukwu, Vice President, Kingsley Johnson, Secretary General, Ncha Nyong, Deputy Secretary General, Victor Dickson, Treasurer, Smart Ikpi, Director of Socials, Akpan Okon, Director of Information, Solomon Uduak, Director of Welfare, Uno Ethothi, Director of Sports and Chuks Ugbajah, Director of Protocol.

T

New leaders for Law From Stanley Uchebu and Emmanuel Ogar UNICAL

General Secretary, Rachael Tamunotonye, Financial Secretary and Doris Manyor, Treasurer. Others are Dennis Akpata, Okon Kyrian and Emmanuel Agi as Director of Sports, Director of Socials and Director of Information.

Speaking during the inauguration, which took place at the Faculty of Law Moot Court, the Dean,

Prof K.S. Ebeku, urged the executive to always abide by constitutional provisions and resort to dialogue at all time.

Responding, Oko appreciated the Dean and the faculty staff for showing support for the students’ cause.

“The inauguration marks a new beginning for the association. We will ensure the association remains vibrant and caters for the welfare of the all students in the faculty,” Oko said.

In his acceptance speech, Bassey thanked the students of the faculty for voting for considering him worthy to lead them. He praised the courage of the electoral committee that conducted the poll that brought him into the office. He pledged to bring unity among departments that make up the faculty and create cordial relationship between students and the management.

The chairman of the occasion, Prof Joseph Udoayang, in his closing remark, tasked the students’ leaders to always protect the image and interest of the faculty as well as the students.

Writing workshop for students

•The new members of LAWSAN executive

HE Law Students’ Association of Nigeria (LAWSA), University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter, has inaugurated its new executive members (exco) for the 2011/2012 academic session. It got the exco after its deproscription by the university authority.

The association was proscribed last July 27, following the controversy that trailed the conduct of its election.

The exco is headed by Oko Ogbudu, with seven other members. Awhen Ogar is General Secretary, Ayi Ekpeyong, Deputy

From Stanley Uchebu UNICAL

T

HE Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) chapter, has held a writing workshop for students. The programme took place at the Seminar Room of the Institute of Cultural Studies, OAU. It was attended by scholars, graduates and undergraduates.

The programme, which was anchored by Oladele Madamidola, a 400Level student of English, began around 11:30am. In his remark, ANA Editor-in-Chief John Odeyemi said the workshop was put in place to prepare students for the challenges ahead.

The programme, which comprised series of lectures by various speakers, had Prof Segun Adekoya, a professor of Literature and Head of the English dependent, as the first speaker. He spoke on the challenges and prospects of a good writer. He said a writer should be disciplined, imaginative, observant, persistent, sensitive to happenings in the society, ready to deprive himself of pleasure, and ready

From Taofeeq Adebayo OAU

to find time for writing.

He said that writers’ happiness came from the fact that their works outlive them, citing the example of Christopher Okigbo who had just a book but whose name refuses to leave the lips of the people.

Prof Gbemisola Adeoti, a professor of Literature and Director of the Institute of Cultural Studies, OAU, was the second speaker and he spoke on the pros and cons of writing a good drama Miss Ifeoluwa Adeniyi, a graduate of the university and staff of Splash FM, an Ibadan-based radio station, who was the third speaker spoke on Writing for the media: The demands. To write for the media, she said, one needed to be versatile and understand the art of composition. She stressed the need for students to groom themselves in English Language and speak it often so they could become masters in it.

The programme ended with a remark by Prof Adekoya in the evening.

UNILAG resumes next Monday

T •Prof Usman (left) presenting the trophy to the captain of School of Pure and Applied Science

Science faculty wins VC’s Cup

T

HE School of Pure and Applied Science (SPAS), Moddibo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, Anambra State, has won the annual ViceChancellor’s Football Competition for the 2011/2012 academic session.

The faculty beat the School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT) 1-0 to win the inter-faculty football competition. The match, attracted students, staff and principal officers of the university including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bashir Usman, Acting Registrar, Alhaji Abubakar Babajo, Librarian, Prof Benki Womboh, the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Ja’afaru Ali and officials

From Philips Ogbaje MAUTECH

of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), among others.

Prof Usman described the performance of the students as “fantastic” and congratulated all the participants.

He said that there was no winner or loser. “You are all winners for participating in the competition,” he said.

Dr Ali promised to expand the competition to include other games, such as basketball, volleyball and badminton.

The president of the SUG, Nurudeen Saleh, praised the players for the skill exhibited on the pitch.

He said: “Even though my faculty lost

out in the competition, it is normal in every competition that there will always be a winner and a loser.”

The highlight of the occasion included the presentation of THE trophy and awards to the winners of the tournament and players who performed well in the competition. The award of the best goal keeper went to Friday Felix, a student from the faculty of Management and Information Technology (SMIT). Francis Ajah from the faculty of Pure and Applied Science was the best Defender. The award of the highest goal scorer went to Emmanuel Kalmafi, who is also from the faculty of Pure and Applied Science.

Students plan off-campus union

T

HE students of Kwara State Polytechnic (KWARA POLY) residing off-campus are planning to establish an off-campus Students’ Union Government (SUG), CAMPUSLIFE has gathered.

Their plan, it was learnt is informed by the insensitivity of the Students’ Union and its lacklustre performance. The students complained that their colleagues who stay off-campus had been suffering since the present SUG came on

From Adekunle Oladunni KWARA POLY

board:“We don’t have electricity, water and security is but watery, and nobody has been taking any step to address this; why do we say we have SUG then?” one of them queried.

The off-campus students have fixed their “SUG election” in the same period the school SUG election is to be held. Notices and post-

ers of contestants have been pasted on the campus.

Ibrahim Babatunde, a Banking and Finance student, said: “I am happy about the development because we have been suffering without any help from the school SUG. Electricity has been as scarce as water supply. No representative to express our feelings to the school authority. I think this is the right thing to do. Let us have our own SUG off-campus.”

HE Senate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has lifted ban on the academic activities in its emergency meeting it held last Monday.

Presided over by Prof Rahman Bello, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, the Senate called on students to resume on Monday, June 18, 2012 and directed that the hostels be opened on Sunday June 17, 2012 for students to prepare for resumption.

CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the school

From Tosin Adesile UNILAG

academic calendar has been adjusted to accommodate the lost time that resulted following the death of Prof Babatunde Sofoluwe, the instition’s Vice-chancellor and demonstration by students following the change of name. The members of the Senate present at the meeting rejected the proposed renaming of University of Lagos, saying it was unacceptable and had no legal backing.

Bank donates bus to varsity

I

N carrying out its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Wema Bank Plc has donated a brand new 30-seater bus to Lagos State University (LASU). The donation took place at the university Senate Chamber, where the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Segun Oloketuyi, who led the bank team, described the gesture as a show of commitment and symbiotic relationship between the university and the bank.

Oloketuyi said: “This is a community bank with tremendous presence in all parts of the county. Our philosophy is to add value to institutions where we operate. This is one of the

From Olasunkanmi Arowolo LASU

events. There will be many others we shall celebrate together.”

Commending the bank officials, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa, said: “Today’s event has further strengthened our hands. I believe together we will succeed in transforming LASU. I want to say a big thank you for this wonderful gesture.”

The university Registrar, Mr Lateef Animashaun, on behalf of the management, thanked Wema Bank for the gesture.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

33

CAMPUS LIFE

Business centres relocate

S

•The Nollywood stars in a group photograph with Governor Aregbesola and his Deputy Mrs Laoye-Tomori

Aregbesola, others ‘walk to live’ at OAU

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has described exercises as essential for the development of the mind and the body.

Speaking when he and his executive council members and many others visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade II, Aregbesola said it is part of the body’s right to exercise it.

Aregbesola, his deputy, Mrs Grace Laoye-Tomori and others were at the Ooni’s palace during the “Osun Work to Live Fitness Programme” held in the ancient town. The exercise ended on the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus.

The programme entailed a walk of five kilometres beginning from Oduduwa College to the palace and then to the OAU campus, where par-

T

HE Baptist Student Fellowship (BSF), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) chapter, has held an induction and handing-over ceremony at the covered pavilion of the institution’s Sports Complex last Sunday.

The outgoing members of the executive led by Emmanuel Taiwo, 500Level Pharmacy, congratulated the incoming leaders, urging them to ensure continuation of the fellowship values.

The new leadership is headed by Eyitayo Oyekola, 300-Level Economics Education. Adebayo Alade, 300Level Material Science and Engineering, is Vice President, Victoria Akanmu 300-Level Fine and Applied Arts, Sisters’ Coordinator, Abiola Bolatito, 400-Level Agricultural En-

From Taofeeq Adebayo OAU

ticipants converged.

Other participants are former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), former coach of the national soccer team Chief Agboola Onigbinde and Yoruba movie actors.

Akeredolu said the programme would remain indelible in the minds of Ife people who walked with Aregbesola. “To see a governor moving on the streets with his people is a thing of pride. To now walk a distance of close to about 10 miles, the feeling will forever remain in the people’s minds,” Akeredolu said.

Prof Bamitale Omole, the Vice Chancellor , receiving the gover-

nor and his entourage, said: “To us in Ife, this is a very unique initiative by Governor Aregbesola.”

The VC told Aregbesola of the institution’s readiness to host the University Games later this year.

Onigbinde explained the benefits of constant exercise to the participants.

The Obalufe of Ile-Ife, who represented the Ooni, presented a copy of the Holy Qur’an to Aregbesola as a gift.

Aregbesola said: “Ife has a reputation that is unbeatable. The message we are passing on is to let us know that your body has rights and part of the rights of the body is not only the food we eat but also exercise to ensure we are physically fit.”

Fellowship inducts exco •Final year students storm Idanre Hills From Opeoluwa Sonuga OAU

gineering, and Segun Fadeyi, 300Level Medicine, are Prayer Secretaries.

Present at the induction ceremony were the lead cast in Mount Zion’s Christian home video Fiwajomi, who is also the Director of Works and Services Unit, BOWEN University, Iwo, Arch. Biola Akinola, National Coordinator of the BSF, Rev. Joshua Ibukunoluwa, BSF of OAU Alumni Association President, Sola Asa; former presidents of the fellowship, Laolu Babatunde and Oluwole Amos;

Pastor Jide Olagunju and Pastor Vincent Ekperemechi.

In another development, the notable Ondo State tourist attraction, Idanre Hills, on Saturday May 26, played host to the Final Year Brethren (FYB) of the fellowship. “Royal Clique” as the fellowship FYB are fondly called, joined by some fellowship members to relax and appreciate nature.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Jonathan Onigbinde, 500-Level Urban and Regional Planning, said: “The trip was fun-filled, Godly and an expression of love and unity.”

•Cross-section of the freshers taking matriculation oath

Varsity matriculates freshers

T

HE matriculation of the newlyadmitted students of Usmanu Danfodio University (UDU), Sokoto has been held.

No fewer 4,000 students took oaths to resume for the 2011/2012 session.

The freshers cut across faculties which include Science, Social Science, Management Science, College of Health Science, Education, Law, Art and Islamic and Agriculture. The faculty of science has the highest number of freshers, with over 1,000.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof R.A. Shehu, urged the students to take their

studies seriously. He advised the students to walk on the right direction as their academic journey begins with a step.

He added that the class test, course attendance and assignments will contribute to their final marks for each course. The VC emphasised that students should work in accordance with the school rules and regulations and to dress in a way to promote excellence in learning and character.

Congratulating the students on their admission, Prof Shehu noted that the university was fully equipped to teach

all its programmes. One of the matriculating students, Balkis Tihamiyu, who was admitted to study, spoke to CAMPUSLIFE after the matriculation ceremony. She said: “The online registration which was introduced by the management last session is an advantage to us because it lessens our stress as new students compare to previous year.

It will continue to be so to enable students have easy access information online. This also will save next year’s applicants the stress of travelling far distance for admission and registration.”

TALLS, kiosks and containers of business outlets adorning the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFAPOLY) have been relocated.

The change has created room for easy movement of vehicles.

CAMPUSLIFE learnt that the management observed the difficulties experienced by students and visitors in passing through the area, because of the business operators activities. Consequently, the Rector of the institution, Dr Mufutau Olatinwo, invited the Director of Works, Directors of Physical Planning and Medical Service to a meeting, where it was resolved that all food vendors and other merchants would be given new site to restore order on the campus.

“The move became necessary to make the school one of the most beautiful campuses,” the secretary to the office of the Polytechnic Consult, Mr Jerry Owoseni, said.

While visiting the affected traders, Funmi Akindeko, who operated a boutique in the old site, told CAMPUSLIFE that it was not easy

From Akinola Oluyi OFFA POLY

for her to relocate her wares to the new shop. She also said that rebuilding her new shop was costly.

A photographer, Mr. Elijah Odunire, said the relocation affected his business. “There is no customer again, we just stay here without any customer patronising us,” he said.

However, students’ opinions are different. Muyideen Ayodele, ND 1 Computer Science, said: “I am very happy about the management’s decision to sanitise the campus. If visitors come, they will know that Federal Polytechnic Offa has changed for good.” Mufutau Ayodele, ND II Mass Communication, said the new development was welcome.

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Adeyinka Adeyemi, and the president of the Students’ Union, Oluwatosin Ogunkuade, implored students and the affected traders to cooperate with the school management on its efforts to transform the institution.

‘There is no customer again, we just stay here without any customer patronising us’

LASU to host Champions League

T

HE Lagos State University (LASU) is set to organise the season two of “LASU Champions League”. The league, which used to be “LASUSU Champions League”, is brought by Campus Sport Initiative(CSI), in collaboration with Lagos State University Students’ Union (LASUSU).

The students’ union Sport Director, Abdul-baqi Badru, said the competi-

From Olasunkanmi Arowolo LASU

tion will be used to determine the best football team of the year. He said winners and runner-ups in the Dean’s Cup would come together to compete for the number one position in the university as the best football team.

Abdul-Baqi gave the breakdown of the competition as follows: 16 teams will play at knockout stage and eight teams will qualify to the quarter final. The eight teams will then slug it out to reach the final stage.

Abdul-Baqi urged Sport Directors of each faculty to submit the names of their players on time to prevent disqualification.

Students live in fear after robbery attack

F

OLLOWING the incessant robbery attacks recently at Ikare and Akungba-Akoko, the host communities of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), students of the institution who reside in the two communities now live in perpetual fear of imminent attacks.

A cross section of the students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE condemned the security situation, a situation they said could not prevent the recurrence of the robbery incident.

One of them, Faruq Oladele, 200Level Philosophy, said: “Indeed, we are afraid now at my hostel because we don’t know when the robbers will strike again. Unlike the past when we always leave our door open at night, these days we dare not do that because we are all scared.”

Another student from the department of Industrial Chemistry, who simply identified himself as

From Imoleayo Oyedeyi AAUA

Emmanuel and lives in Ikare, the neighbouring town, said: “These days, I hardly sleep with my eyes closed. Even after I have locked my door and the gate, I still find it hard to sleep because the past robbery incidents still come to mind.”

The students called on the federal and state governments to beef up security in both communities to prevent recurrence of robbery attacks in the area. “We want the government to beef up security in Ikare and Akoko to avoid further attacks from robbers.

Right now, the two communities need tight security to safeguard our lives,” Akin Oladepo, a student, told CAMPUSLIFE. Glory Sabastine, a Microbiology student, said: “Since the day robbers raided some banks in Ikare, the banks in Akoko have closed for operation and their closure is really affecting us.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

34

CAMPUS LIFE Akwa Ibom students at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) marked their Cultural Day last week. MICHAEL ADEBAYO (200-Level Computer Science) and INIOBONG IWOK (300-Level Sociology) report.

•The female troupe

A

T the sight of students moving in traditional regalia last weekend, visitors to the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) may mistake the scene to be a cultural contest. But it was not to be.

The students of Akwa Ibom State were holding a programme to mark their cultural day.

The event was an exhibition of the rich Akwa Ibom culture as the students, under the banner of National Association of Akwa Ibom Students (NAAKIS), moved round the campus to display their heritage.

It was the maiden cultural day of the Akwa Ibom students but the colourful event almost brought the institution, which was populated

by Yoruba students, to its knees.

“Akwa Ibom Isann, Nyahn” - the expression used by the students to show their strong belief in unity on foreign territories – rented the air persistently. Their dress sense was

•Students performing Ethighi dance

Akwa Ibom students’ day of culture unique as their language. One group after the other, the students flocked into the expansive Geology Lecture Theatre where the ceremony for the cultural day was held.

Among dignitaries present at the occasion was the Kwara State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Raji Muhammed, who surprised the students when he greeted them in Akwa Ibom native language. In his address, Muhammed praised the students for entrenching peace on the campus, saying Ilorin had become the second home for Akwa Ibom people.

He relived the “good relationship” that existed between him and his former boss, who is an Akwa

Ibom indigene, during his professional career. He thanked the students for honouring him with an invitation.

“Akwa Ibom Isann,” Muhammed greeted while the students responded: “Nyahn”. “I am happy that the association of Akwa Ibom indigenes thought it wise to exemplify the unity that exists among various tribes and ethnic groups in the country by inviting a humble entity who is standing before you today,” the Commissioner said.

“I am proud of my origin though, but I envy your tribe because of your sense of culture and enthusiasm. I had worked with an Akwa Ibom indigene that happened to be my immediate past

boss during my professional career years in Abuja. He is a good man.

I want you to feel at home in the State of Harmony and savour the serenity of the state, and when you go home, you will tell them that Kwara State is another home for your people,” Muhammed said.

The students showcased their cultural diversities in drama and Etighi dance. The audience watched with pleasure as the traditional troupe wriggled their bodies during the display of the rich Akwa Ibom culture. The Etighi dance was delivered in choreography by the dancers.

One of the ecstatic moments in the programme was the drama presentation. Though a title was not given, but the bottom line of

the 15 minutes play was the message that people should not exchange their cultural values and heritage with Western civilisation.

A female character in the play almost ruined her love relationship with a male character because she could not prepare the local delicacies. In order to salvage the situation, she ran to her despised friend who took pleasure in local delights. The friend taught her how to prepare various types of local meals and with such confidence, the love was regained.

During the much-awaited ‘item 7’, students’ parlance for meal, local foods such as fufu, pounded yam and afang, white soup. Some of the students said the food took them back home. The president of NAAKIS, Gregory Nyah, 400-Level Education Management, expressed delight, saying the event was a success.

Engineering holds week of funfair The social side of Engineering students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka was displayed during the week organised by the Nigerian Universities Engineering Students Association (NUESA). OLUCHUKWU IGWE (300-Level Chemical Engineering) captures the event.

I

T was an activity-packed week for the Engineering students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka. The students, under the auspices of Nigerian Universities Engineering Students Association (NUESA), held a week that was described as unprecedented by the members of the association.

The commencement of the week coincided with the final match of the Dean’s Cup football competition that was played between the departments of Industrial Production Engineering and Material and Metallurgical Engineering. The Industrial Production Engineering won the trophy.

On that same day, the students of the Engineering faculty moved round the campus in an awareness campaign. Clad in different colours of lab coats and helmets, they played and danced to assorted songs as they moved from one faculty to another.

The procession took off from the Engineering faculty and terminated at the faculty of Social Science at the Garuba square.

On Tuesday, students from all the nine departments that make up the Engineering faculty went on an excursion to Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Nnewi. Also, the departments of Chemical Engineering and Agriculture and Bio-resources engineering visited Ibeto Pet-

rochemical Industry, also located in Nnewi axis. Polymer and Textile Engineering students visited Innoson Plastic Industry, located in Enugu, while the departments of Electrical and Electronics and Computer Engineering visited Electronics Development Institute, Aba, Abia State. Civil Engineering students visited a construction site at Ekwulobia being undertaken by Tonibiz and Company Limited, a civil and environmental engineering firm.

The Wednesday of the week was the day for picnic, which took place at the swimming pool site of Marble Arch Hotel, Awka. The event featured a lot of activities such as dancing, eating and drinking competitions. There was also Mr and Miss Swag contest.

Chamberlain Akuchieani, 200-Level Civil Engineering won the male category while Onyinye Chikelu, 200-Level Chemical Engineering was named Miss Swag.

The high point of the occasion was the crowning of Mr and Miss Engineering 2012. In the colorful event, contestants appeared in various attires to display their sense of fashion, culture and creativity. Davidson Okoroanyanwu, 100-Level Civil Engineering was announced as Mr Engineering while Chigozilim Oliobi, 300-Level Chemical Engineering was

•Some of the Engineering students after the awareness

•Mr and Miss Engineering

crowned Miss Engineering.

The students held a symposium on

Thursday at the Postgraduate Hall of the university. The theme of the programme was The role of Engineers

in combating terrorism in Nigeria. The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Muhtari Ibrahim, and the State Director of State Security Service (SSS), Alexander Okeiyi, delivered papers at the programme. They spoke on national security and the menace posed by the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram members.

Also, Emmanuel Nweke, an engineer, spoke on the technologies and invention that can help to combat terrorism.

The NUESA officials used the opportunity of the programme to induct new members, who were freshers, into the fold of the association. There was also a contest on the theme of the symposium. Five contestants presented papers on the topic but Sandra Onwuatuelo, 300-Level Chemical Engineering, carried the day.

Award of excellence were given to notable individuals who contributed to the growth and development of Engineering discipline in the state, among whom included Sen. Andy Uba, Anambra South Senatorial District, Mr Nweke, Mr Michael •Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

35

CAMPUS LIFE

For a beautiful soul, Ngozi Agbo

By Onyinye Nkwocha

I

DO not hold it against Wale Ajetunmobi for being the one that broke the most devastating news yet in my life. His voice will forever be stamped in my memory.

Late in the evening, my phone rang.

The caller was Wale and I had thought it was a mistake. I ignored the call. He tried back and I picked.

“Hello Wale,” I answered in a low HE rapid influx of graduates into the labour market without jobs being provided should concern us as Nigerians. It is becoming a norm in recent times that after finishing from the university, polytechnic or college as a fresh graduate, it is almost impossible to a befitting job. This development has been killing the morale of youth that are said to be the leader of tomorrow, thereby discouraging them and narrowing their minds to becoming shallow-minded and decreasing their appetite for education.

Sadly, the government has neglected this aspect of our national life viz-a-viz its importace to the growth of economy. They are only

voice. “Hi Onyinye, are you asleep,” he replied. “Yes,” I retorted, asking why he was not sleeping at the time.

“I can’t sleep and I don’t think I will,” Wale answered. “Why,” I demanded jocularly, but he replied: “Onyinye, I want to tell you something”. I said: “What is it?” With a shaky voice, Wale said: “Onyinye, Aunty Ngozi is dead!” “What do you mean Aunty Ngozi is dead?” I asked. As he managed to tell me what went wrong, the sleep cleared away from my eyes and my heartbeat increased as though, armed robbers were knocking at the door.

I was left me miserable throughout the whole night.

I rose up in my bed thinking of my last moments with Mrs. Ngozi Agbo. May God bless every moment I spent in her company. It was on a Tuesday in April, this year. I visited Aunty Ngozi at the office that day. As she was finishing the production of Campus Life pages,

T

she invited me to join her for the lunch. She took me to the cafeteria located in the premises of The Nation to eat and discuss, while he asked Wale to “continue with the caption of the pictures on the pages and print for the Editor.”

Aunty insisted that I should add moin-moin to my lunch, but I said I wanted beans instead. “What is the difference between beans and moinmoin?” she asked. I laughed and walked away with our plates of food. She told me she could not sit in the staff kitchen because the air conditioner in the place was bad. The air was stuffy, so we went into the cartoonists’ office to eat.

It was there Aunty gave me the most inspiring advice I ever had in my life. I made a promise not to live an unfulfilled life; you smiled and told me it was well. Some minutes later we left the office in her husband’s car, and I came down at Oshodi. She gave me enough money for my transportation back home. I

bade her goodbye and that was the last time I saw Aunty Ngozi.

On a Tuesday again, (this was a week before she died), she called me.

We joked and talked about some new Campus Life reporters from my school. I ended the conversation with the saying: “see you in Lagos for my youth service”. But now, Aunty Ngozi is gone. She didn’t wait for me to put the corps members’ uniform.

She didn’t wait to grow old with her husband. She didn’t wait to raise the long awaited baby. She did not even consider the growing Campus Life reporters, for whom she was a mother.

Knowing that she gave me courage to face this hard life, I can’t stop crying since the time I heard the death of Aunty Ngozi. She gave me pen with which to write and solve our problems on campus, the paper on which I wrote this piece was smeared with blotted ink. My heart aches so much. I think my soul hurts too. My friends have been asking me

to try and get over it, but I can’t. I owe Aunty Ngozi more.

I don’t want to do anything but hold on to our last memories. I want to hold on to her voice, her smile, her gift and everything she shared with us. To say I will miss Aunty Ngozi cannot fully convey my hurt emotions because I love her deeply.

But I am comforted because I know she died a child of God. She was in this world but she was not of this world. Aunty belonged to the tribe of Judah. So now, I hope she dances into His presence. I believe she is smiling down on us now. I know she is happy wherever she is. I do not blame her for leaving so soon, God needs her back to the gathering of the saints. Go on well sweet aunty, we shall meet again someday.

I love you! I love you!! I love you!!! I will carry you in my heart forever.

Onyinye just finished from English and Literary studies, IMSU

What future does Nigeria have? focusing on how to gain more money from the oil and gas sector. What the government has failed to realise is that, these upcoming ones they have neglected will not have the capability to rule the nation when the time is ripe and they may perhaps not have the wisdom to govern the country forever.

There will be no one to take their place because those expected to be there have not had the opportunity to attend schools due to the high cost of living in the country. Those that are fortunate to go to school

By Sharon Oremichen are unfortunate not to get job due to favoritism and tribalism in the system. What then will become of the next generation?

Will illiterates or the so-called halfbaked graduates be given the responsibility to govern? Or will thieves and corrupt leaders rule forever? The future of this country is bleak and will get bleaker if the successors of the present leaders are neglected. This can only be avoided if and only if the government decides to open its eyes and do what

is right.

Actions have to commence quickly! As it stands today, Nigeria does not have a pride of place in the international economy order. Our currency is almost becoming useless. Even Ghana’s Cedi that used to be rated low compared to our Naira already has more value than our currency, and nobody is concerned that the country moves adrift. Those who will save this country from the shackles of poverty are not educated and are already inbuilt with the spirit of corruption and unjust behaviours.

Nothing in this country can be done without passing through the back door, from WAEC examinations to seeking employment in the labour market. All this has to stop.

Hopefully, there will be divine intervention in the country, as we continue to pray that our government gets back to its senses soonest and help the education sector and other sectors of the economy, to move this country forward to its rightful place.

Sharon, 200-Level Communication and Media Studies, ACU

Oloyede came, saw but...

F

OR full disclosure: I belong to the category of people who rightly for a cause, perceive the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) project as an existential necessity not only for the upliftment of its immediate community but also the “Nigerian agenda”.

It is for this reason that I have in the last two years indulged myself in whatever attempts or efforts to promote the image of the university. And particularly to be active in the effort to revamp the dwindling glory of the Law Faculty, my immediate constituency.

Thus, anyone who reads this must not at all, presume that it is promotion of an individual or a group. Conversely, it should not equally be construed as a “pull-him-down” or “see-no-good” piece, which is characteristic of most Nigerian critics. It is simply an honest critique of a school and its administration by an alumnus who sure has a stake in the advancement of his Alma Mata.

The bitter truth is one may like Oloyede or even loathe his impatience for results and excellence, his rigour and insistence on due process, his altruism, his relentless pursuit of skills and training, his decisiveness. But you can hardly fault his motives, his insatiable hunger for institutional building and above all, his abiding faith in one Nigeria.

It is little wonder that he was appointed as the Secretary of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and has since remained a formidable pillar in that institution. Oloyede is an all-round first class material. He is an administrator per excellence.

It is little wonder that a feeling of unhappiness has pervaded the whole campus immediately Oloyede’s exit time started tickling.

That palpable fear of the unknown is not only noticeable in the gown but also visible even in the town. The government is indisputably feeling that there is need to appoint an individual that could ‘at least’ maintain Oloyede’s pace.

The reason may not be far-fetched. There are a lot of things that the town and gown, especially the students, will miss in VC

By Abdulkareem Alabi

Oloyede. He works 24/7 to get things done.

Over the years, Oloyede has practically prevented randy lecturers from taking undue advantage of their students; he stamped out what I call “sexually transmitted degrees”.

He brought back students’ dignity by resuscitating Students’ Union Government (SUG), thereby giving the students opportunity to be part of the decision making in the school. He almost allowed the students into the Senate before the fine idea was allegedly bungled by an overzealous union leader!

Oloyede proudly took the university to international arena, a step that resulted into an unprecedented influx of international students into the school and excellent international rating of the university as the university of first choice in Africa.

However, like all humans, Prof Oloyede has his weak points. In the course of his assignment, he definitely made one or two mistakes that would not have gone down well with some elements in the university (I am particularly one of them). Some of the mistakes were done personally, albeit inevitably or avoidably, while others were done by overzealous university officials in the name of the VC. But as the saying goes, the bucks stop at his desk!

One of such undoing is the seemingly carefree attitude of Oloyede to the overzealousness of the university security agents, who carry out their operation like gods of thunder within the school. They intimidate the students for no just cause. They dub radical students as ‘enemies’ of Oloyede’s administration. Anytime they carry out their ‘nefarious’ activities, they are usually quick to say they are acting on the authority of the VC, even in cases where they only act to boost their personal ego.

It is quite heart-rending when there is no information from Oloyede’s office when such atrocities are being carried out by the security unit, which ironically parades some of the best intelligence officers.

The security unit and by extension, the ad-

ministration itself, take most critics of the management, as ‘disgruntled elements that do not mean well for the university’.

Severally, this writer has been a victim of such, the most embarrassing being when I and other student activists from across the country exercised our inalienable right to dissent and protest the unjustifiable ousting of Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami from the Court of Appeal under the banner of the National Association of the Nigerian Law Students.

The university security agents, in their trademark Gestapo method, trailed me and my colleagues for weeks even outside the university, without minding the fact that as a graduate I was no longer bound by the rules of UNILORIN. More so, the said protest happened outside the university premises and had nothing in connection with the interest of the university. They dusted my files, queried my faculty lecturers and the faculty officer all in a bid to get at me. Till date, I’m still in the dark as to why I was being hounded and who gave the directive for the witch-hunting.

There are lots of anomalies that the Oloyede administration met on ground but did little to correct. One only hope that the incoming VC will take a cue and probably also learn how to minimally prevent the problem from raring their heads again in the university.

By and large, the Oloyede’s tenure in the life of the university is an enviable outing.

There is no doubt that he came and saw in the university, but whether he conquered is a question opened to be answered by history and programmes of his successor. Although one may argue that the choice of who succeeds him is way beyond him, but I make bold to say that the manner with which he emerged as VC, which was devoid of sentiments and parochialism, could also be employed here, and he is a big stakeholder in ensuring that. Merit and not mediocrity should be the watch word, so that what he and his predecessors toiled day and night to put together will not vanish overnight.

Abdulkareem is a corps member, NYSC Lagos

By Esther Adeyemo

Attributes of a good political leader

A

LEADER can be said to be one that mobilises followers to achieve unity and common goals. A good leader leads by example and creates a friendly environment for members of the society. A political leader is, therefore, a person that is committed to carrying out the mission, vision and goals of the community or country. He keeps his mind open to other people’s ideas and comes up with new ways to accomplish the societal objectives.

A good political leader is focused and constantly remembering his mission and vision. This will enable him to stay on track and keep other on tracks through scheduling time to meet with the members of the community to establish a symbiotic relationship towards achieving success.

He motivates the citizenry to speak their minds about the state policy by organising a town hall meeting for people to ask questions.

By so doing, he enables the ordinary people to contribute to the development of the community and consequently, fulfilling the dream of partici-

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

36

CAMPUS LIFE The Chaplaincy of the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, has hosted the Archbishop of Owerri on the campus. UGOCHUKWU EGWUMBA (500-Level Electrical and Electronics Engineering) attended the programme.

Catholic Bishop visit IMSU AST Wednesday, students and staff of the Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri rolled out the drums to host the Catholic Archbishop of the Imo state diocese. In an atmosphere redolent of ecstasy, the students and members of the university principal officers gathered at the school main gate to welcome Bishop A.J.V. Obinna on campus.

Unlike a Wednesday when students would engage in social and sporting activities on campus, this day was different as all students, especially the Catholic denomination, trooped out to receive the visiting clergyman.

The St. Joseph Catholic Chaplaincy in the campus was filled to the brim. The Mirror of Justice, a theatre troupe, and St. Augustine dance group prepared the floor for the visiting Archbishop with their display of culture. At the sight of the crowd that had waited for his arrival, Bishop Obinna was surprised.

As the vehicle that conveyed the Bishop to the campus halted, he came down and was received by the Chaplain, Reverend Father A.P.C. Njoku, members of the Chaplaincy council and the students. He then walked with the crowd to the chaplaincy amidst singing and dancing. “I was expecting to drive straight down to the chap-

L

laincy but was amazed to see a crowd at the school’s front gate in jubilant mood to receive me,” he quipped.

At the Chaplaincy, Bishop Obinna presided over a Mass, during which he admonished students to be upright in whatever condition they might find themselves. The chaplaincy choir later rendered songs during the mass, which moved the Bishop to applaud the delivery of the hymns.

After the mass, everyone headed to the new Chaplaincy Grotto, Màrìæ Røsá Mýstïçã (Maria Rosa

•The picture shows procession of the Bishop A.J.V. Obinna with the Chaplain of IMSU Rev. Fr. A.P.C.Njoku and students

Mystica). The statue was blessed and inaugurated by the Bishop. He used the moment to explain to the people on the right ways to use sacramental.

The Bishop was presented with gifts by the Nigeria Federation of

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

Catholic Students (NFCS), the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary and other sodalities, the Chaplaincy council and the school management. A ladies’ forum, Igba Umu Ogaranya performed Atilogun dance to entertain the Bishop. Also, the St. Anthony dance group and Mirror of Justice performed various cultural dance steps.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Michael Nwaokorie, the NFCS president, said: “I am so excited to have His Grace come visiting and to bless our new Grotto”. Oluchi Nkume, 400-Level Management, said: “Since my time in this school, this is the first time the Bishop would visit on a weekday. I wish he would come more on weekdays.”

A variety night for Law students •Continued from page 31

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anseek Designs, a fashion outfit, Mr Anseek Ekechukwu, was at the event, where he held the students spellbound with his display of colourful outfits by his group of models.

The pageant session, which was the prominent programme in the event, was anchored by the CEO of Duchess Couture and the Mr UNIZIK, Mike Ahamba. The contestants were at their best as they strove for the coveted position. The panel of judges, which comprised Miss Globacom and the Face of UNIZIK, Praised the contenders for their display of intellect.

The contestants displayed casual, native and dinner attires. They were judged in the areas, alongside their presentation and answer to general questions. In the end, Pascal Onyejelam won the male category and was crowned Mr LAWSA. The female category was won by Jen-

nifer Anazor. Speaking, the judges admonished the winners to be good ambassadors of their faculty and the school at large.

CAMPUSLIFE spoke to Francis Nkenke, the students’ union Social Director and the organiser of the event. He said: “The success of the event shows that the faculty of Law always sets the pace for other faculties to follow. We thank God that everything went well.”

Ifeoma Dumebi, a student of the Law faculty, said: “Well, the event is okay. The turnout is very impressive. I am very glad we can hold an event of this magnitude. This is an opportunity for us to relax and for a while, put aside our books to socialise.”

A student from the Geology department, who simply identified himself as Shady, said: “The event started out fine, but towards the end, was disrupted by rainfall. It was fun and interesting. I loved the modeling session and the music presentation programmes.”

Engineering holds week of funfair •Continued from page 34

Egbebike, former senatorial aspirant, Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Innocent Chukwuma; Chief Executive Officer of Chikason Group of Companies, Sir Chika Okafor, Managing Director of Anambra Road Maintenance Agency, Mr Charles Ifeakor, Lady Chinwe Nnedun, Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) and Mr

Raphael Odera, Chief Executive Officer of Odera Stone International Limited.

In his speech, the Dean of the faculty of engineering, Prof Okechukwu Onukwuli, urged the students to think out solution to the can insecurity using their engineering skills. NUESA president, Nathaniel Njoku, attributed the success of the programme to the collective effort of the members of the executive and the week committee members.

Attributes of a good political leader •Continued from page 35

patory government.

A good and successful political leader is one who is confident and decisive, knowing truly that reaching a compromise is not usually possible and as such, he is not afraid to make the final decision even if it will hurt his interest or his associates.

A good political leader must be sympathetic in nature. That is, he must have ability to understand peoples’ feelings, their immediate needs and demands. He must command respect and not compel cheers. He uses his foresight to identify lapses in the economy and also act to eliminate the anomaly to safeguard the economy. The maintenance of peace among the tribes that make up the society is another serious quality to know a good leader.

A good political leader looks at a policy from all perspectives, seeing it through the angles of the stakeholders and assessing the effect on the entire citizens. A leader who fails to recognise the people

have failed from the beginning.

A good political leader builds his successor with the input from his predecessors. If he does not consult before taking any step, then he has set out to fail and he may never achieve anything meaningful progress than where his predecessors left the society. Such leader will continue to be resentful while his peers will continue to be ahead of him.

In conclusion, there is no way to adequately describe all what it takes to be a leader. But a true political leader must make leadership a process. He may not be an expert but his willingness, the desire for knowledge is one of the critical attributes to make him a good political leader. He must continue to reassure the entire community with popular programmes. In all, a good political leader must be a servant of all, with integrity, transparency, responsibility, accountability, equality, fairness, efficiency and effectiveness.

Esther, HND II Mass Communication, BIDA POLY

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

37

CHILDREN'S DAY

•Vice-Chancellor, Babcock University Prof J. Kayode Makinde (in yellow helmet) in a hand shake with Chairman, Ilishan Development Council, Otunba Olu Osibodu, during the presentation of a transformer by Babcock University to Ilishan community. With them are Senior Vice-President, Prof Iheanyichukwu Okoro (extreme right) and VicePresident, Development and Strategy, Mr Iyanda Olukunle (left).

Ogun nursing student is best essay writer

A

STUDENT of the Ogun State School of Nursing, Ijebu-Ode Miss Adenike Adewunmi has emerged the best in an essay competition for students of nursing in the country.

The competition tagged: Health of women: A call for paradigm shift in family and reproduction health, organised by the Florence Nightingale Speech Contest Organisation, was held at the School of Nursing Eleyele, Ibadan.

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

During a visit by the management of the School of Nursing, IjebuOde, to present the award winner to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, in his office, the latter charged student nurses to educate and enlighten their patients. He said they should impact positively on the lives of the people now and in future.

He urged them to be involved

more in health promotion, aspire to live exemplary lives and be role models to others coming after them.

In a statement the Information Officer in the ministry, Miss Seun Oyelade, Soyinka pointed out that the state government is committed to improving intellectual skills of its students in institutions of learning.

Adewunmi expressed delight and gratitude to God for the success.

School decorates outstanding pupils

S

EVENTEEN pupils of Unique Heights Junior and Senior Secondary School, Magodo, Lagos, have been honoured as scholars in the 2012/ 2013 academic session.

The pupils, drawn from various classes, performed well in the first and second term examinations, recording 10 or more distinctionsin the junior classes - and seven or more in the senior ones.

These pupils, who were recognised at the school's first Honour Roll award, were decorated with blue ties and badges, which would distinguish them from their peers, who would continue with the use of red ties without badges.

The Principal, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olatunbode, said the school decided to motivate the excellent pupils not only to further

•The pupils after their decoration.

By Akinyemi Oluwayemisi

encourage them, but to also inspire their mates so they could seek to perform better in the forthcoming exams.

"The usual tradition in schools and even homes is that brilliant pupils are seen to need no further motivation and all efforts are concentrated on those who may be lagging behind in their studies.

Parents and even teachers propel the academically poor to work with promises of one thing or the other.

“But we look at the situation and think there is also the need to place the best performing ones on a higher pedestal and give them a distinguishing appearance so that among their peers, they would stand out and can be envied," Olufunmilayo said.

In a similar development, Miss

Omorinsola Alatise, who represented the founder/Chief Executive of the school, Mrs. Ebunoluwa Oluwo, said the school's desire is to groom future leaders who would compete to achieve greatness.

One of the honourees and Year Seven pupil, Nifemi Ayodele Esho, who hopes to become a medical doctor, having 15 distinctions out of about 17 subjects, scoring above 80 in more than 12 subjects. Her father, Mr Ayodele Esho, said he had always expected her daughter to do well because of her love for books.

Meanwhile, the new prefects for the school have been appointed with Ogbebor Osaretin emerging the Senior Boy. The new prefects pledged their readiness to serve the school to achieve its goals.

EDUCATION Ex-AEAA chief harps on record keping A FORMER President of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) Prof Olu Aina has advised Nigerians to keep records for history.

Aina gave the advice at a sensitisation for the 14 new members of the association in Abuja.

Aina, now a member of he Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC), said it is only records that keep history alive; ‘therefore you have to be on top of your work and be a professional to the core’.

He said: "I never liked History when I was in school because I had problems with dates and names.

“In my adult life, however, I made up for this deficiency by encouraging my children to devote time to history because I believe that it is in History that the present and, indeed, the future finds meaning.”

Aina, however, called on the association to share knowledge with their colleagues and be openminded to critiques. He said if all these were done including hardworking and diligence, they would shape the world.

President of the association, Prof

Dibu Ojerinde, said the meeting was convened to orientate new members of the association and to tell them its history.

Ojerinde, who is also the Registrar, Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), said the meeting was also aimed at intimating the members on the mode of presentations of articles and research at the group’s conferences.

According to him, the practice of educational assessment for the association is to provide educational improvement processes and framework in which agencies would undertake co-operative projects.

He said the association also evoked the quality assessment in the educational systems and witnessed the formation of exams councils or boards in Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said representatives from different professional bodies, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) the and Advertisng Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) were at the event.

Others were the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Chartered Insititute of Administrtaion (CIA), and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Cleric identifies pillars AS CMS Grammar School (Boys) celebrates its 153 years anniversary, of character Dr Yinka Omololu, an old boy of the school, gave the students the six pillars of character.

They are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship, he said.

Omolol,u who sated this at the event tagged The impact of a Grammarian said trustworthiness should be the hallmark of a Grammarian (a product of CMS), noting that they should be able to impact on pupils trust without fear.

He said grammarians should give respect to whom is due. He also admonished them to be language experts since same is the medium used to command respect.

He said members aside being responsible, should inculcate same into others.

Omololu pinpointed behaviour,

By Ramat Musa

and appearance, two virtues which he said, could see them through the challenges of life.

“Fairness is also part of the impact in respect of who you are and what you are, you must be fair at all cost.

This means treating people equally without bias,” Omololu added.

The cleric listed caring, urging them to provide welfare and protection for those lacking them.

Omolu harped on citizenship, saying old students of the school have no cause to abandon their alma mater.

“You should be a member of the old boys of the school to have the full right to certain things. When you are a citizen, you cannot be deprived of your rights, he said.

UNILAG: Press Club pleads with govt on renaming •Varsity resumes Monday MEMBERS of the Press Club of the University of Lagos (now Moshood Abiola University) have appealed to the Federal Government to rethink the change in the name of the institution.

They spoke at a briefing at the NUT House, Alausa, Ikeja. They were led

by Tosin Adeshile, Adeyemi Olaleye and Mr Wasiu Olaitan the Public Relations Officer of the club.

President Goodluck Jonathan had announced the renaming on Democarcy Day to immortalise the business mogul and winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election Chief Moshood K. Abiola.

Adeshile said the students prefer the name the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to Moshood Abiola University.

He said the UNILAG brand is respected nationally and internationally, wondering why the government chose to change its global image.

The students faulted the timing of the announcement,saying that it coincided with the funeral of its Vice-Chancellor Prof Adetokunbo Sofoluwe as well as preparations for the university’s 50th anniversary.

He said: "What Nigerians need to know are solutions to the problems of unemployment, bad roads,

By Ramat Musa and Dawodu Olawale

epileptic power supply in Nigeria and many other things, instead of the renaming of the school.

“We are not against the government honouring M.K.O. Abiola, but what the president did was undemocratic in honouring a man of democracy.”

He said the students have teamed up with the alumni to file a suit, which has been fixed for hearing on July 10. The student writers, however, said that they had stopped their protest.

Their next strategy, they disclosed, would be to phone members of the National Assembly or send sms to them until they grant their request.

Adeshile argued that the best universities in the world maintain their names.

"If they (government) feel like changing the UNILAG brand, it is not the proper way of celebrating a hero. Perhaps, they should have named a holiday after him Abiola.

Meanwhile, the management of UNILAG has announced that the school would resume on Monday, June 18.

The Senate at its emergency meeting on Monday, also ordered the reopening of halls of residence from Sunday.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

38

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS

UI FILE

VC condoles with crash victims THE Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Prof Isaac F. Adewole, has commiserated with the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Julius Okojie and Nigerians over the death of five key officers of the NUC. In a statement by its Director of Public Communication, Mr Olatunji Oladejo, it stated: "The National Universities Commission lost five personalities in that air crash including a former ViceChancellor and husband to a Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. So, to the NUC and the family of education, that crash is truly a tragic loss for this country and tertiary education."

Adewole condoled with the families of all the victims and prayed that God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Arisekola, others donate to UI zoo THE Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao , has donated one male lion to the Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan(UI).

Similarly, Dr. Gani Adeniran , a member of UI Governing Council and Dr. Oyetayo, an alumnus of UI, facilitated the donation of a male Baboon to the Zoological Garden

by Mr and Mrs. Kodi Ogbona.

Also, Ogundele Ameerelaye of Abule Fadaka in Ife South Local Government, Osun State, donated one monitor lizard to the garden.

These donations, according to the Acting Director, UI Zoological Garden, Dr.Olajumoke Morenikeji, were aimed at collaborating with the garden to reclaim its foremost glory in Africa.

In a statement by Mr Olatunji Oladejo, the University's Director of Public Communication, said the VC thanked the donors for the gesture and urged other Nigerians to emulate them.

VC restates commitment to agric PROFESSOR Isaac F. Adewole, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, has restated the University's commitment to massive investment in food security.

He disclosed at the First Annual Memorial Lecture in honour of Emeritus Professor Victor Adenuga Oyenuga, the first Nigerian Professor of Agriculture in the Trenchard Hall of the university.

The event was organised by the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.

He said the programme was being pursued by his administration "such that we can feed not only UI, but we want to feed Ibadan and make an impact on the food situation in this country.

“In addition, we remain committed to transforming the Teaching and Research Farm to which celebrities like the late Prof.

Oyenuga committed themselves throughout their lives."

In a statement by the University's Director of Public Communication,Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, stated that Professor Adewole said "all stakeholders would be proud of the on going process of the transformation in the University's Teaching and Research Farm. According to the Vice Chancellor, "we believe that when we finish with the Teaching and Research Farm, you will be truly proud of the transformation that will come out of the Farm. We give that commitment as part of this celebration."

APPROACHING DEADLINES UCSC Africa Scholarships 2012/ 2013 for African Countries Students Africa Scholarships 2012/2013 in International Business, Business Administration, Economic, Banking and Finance etc at UCSC, Italy Study Subject(s):International Business, Business Administration, Economic, Banking and Finance etc Course Level:Masters Scholarship Provider: UCSC Scholarship can be taken at: Italy Eligibility: Students either citizens or residents of the above countries may apply for these scholarships that are applicable only for the given degree programs taught in English

Admission requirements for all programs include completion of at least a Bachelor Degree from a recognized university and IELTS 6.0 or equivalent if English is not the official language in your country. For the MBA at least three years of work experience and GMAT/GRE are required (students can apply without a GMAT/GRE score; however this test has to be taken before program commencement).

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries: Northern Africa: Libya, Egypt, Western Africa: Ghana, Nigeria, Eastern Africa: Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Southern Africa: Republic of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe,

Scholarship Description: The full scholarships include tuition and room for the duration of the program. Candidates that do not qualify for the full scholarship may be selected for the partial scholarships that cover part of tuition, whereas all other living costs and travel will be at the expense of the student. Do note that recipients of a full scholarship should expect to cover additional living expenses for the duration of the program estimated at a minimum of •250 per month, whereas the partial scholarship recipients should expect to cover a minimum of •850 per month for rent and food.

How to Apply: By Email Scholarship Application Deadline: Contact Employer

The Vice-Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof Femi Mimiko, spoke at a briefing to commemorate his 30 months in office.

SEUN OLALUDE was there. Excerpts:

‘My administration has done well’ •AAUA records growth in 30 months N the past 30 months, what are the physical growths in the varsity?

Two and half years gone, we have been able to provide infrastructure, staff welfare, internalisation of our programmes; maybe one can look at it from these aspects.

When I came in, I had a strong conviction that we needed to improve on our academic programmes. The first thing we did was to institute a merit-based admission, which means you don't get admission to AAUA through any other means than the quality of your performance in the UTME (Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examinations) and post-UTME, which was very critical. By the grace of God, we have been able to maintain that for three years. It has served us well because it has improved the self-confidence of our students.

Second, we set out to review our academic programmes, not just to update them, but to make them more relevant.We gave our students an additional entrepreneurial dimension which we consider very important and critical for higher education at this stage of the nation's development.

We did all of that by the grace of God. Today, we have full accreditation of all of the programmes we run in this university by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

A couple of weeks ago, the accreditation team that visited our

I

institution said the equipment we have assembled in the Mass Communication department is actually the best in the country. We were encouraged to make sure the equipment are well-maintained.

The greatest of our achievement is the infrastructure. When we got here, there was inadequate space for lecture halls and laboratories.

We have tried to remedy that in a fundamental way. In few months, structures will not be a challenge to this university.

Can you speak on physical structures being constructed or completed ones?

Today, we have nothing less than 30 buildings under construction.

The outstanding one is the fivestorey building, which started couple of months ago. It has 26 classrooms and four lecture theatres; two 500-lecture capacity centre that are nearing completion.

Aside, there is the 300-capacity lecture theatre that is also nearing completion. A 10-kilometre road network is also on-going. In fact, there are lots of construction. We anticipate that at the end of this year, the problem of classrooms would have been solved.

What about teaching and research?

We have also tried to improve the quality of teaching.We have extensively supported academics to undertake their participation at conferences since we came on board. All you need is evidence that such papers that you prepare have

been accepted to be presented at international conference.We do support our academics to attend local and international conferences at least once in a year.

We have also paid attention to the general environment for scholarship, which to us, is very important.We have tried to improve the presentation of our lecture rooms, such that our students find the place convenient and quick to learn. In terms of social relevance, we have continued to reposition our programmes to make them more impactful not only on the immediate community but the larger community.

How have you being able to tackle students' accommodation?

We have begun something pertaining to that.The focus is mainly the female student. We want to quickly do this because we don't have control over what happens to our student outside the campus.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has started a project on that which was stopped.

We hope to continue (the project) to accommodate many of our students. We are hoping that we will able bring our student together.

How have you managed your staff?

We have never relented on staff welfare.We have managed to strengthen the staff as individuals and as a union. For instance, this university was the first to implement the salary complement of the Federal Government-staff union agreement.We have

•The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, showing the prototype of the proposed Faculty of Engineering to Dr Daniel Erickson of Lousiana Technology University, United States. Watching are Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD (left) Prof Sidi Osho, and Prof Israel Orubuloye, Chairman, Board of Trustees

• Prof Mimiko

implemented the new salary package recently approved for medical workers, in addition to the minimum wage policy that was approved late last year.

What are your strategies in insecurity on campus?

We try to pay attention to issues relating to our students because that is the primary constituency. The first thing we have done is what I call concentralisation. I have told the students repeatedly that it serves nobody any advantage to have academic programme suspended and calendar truncated.

I made it clear to students that they have every responsibility to ensure that the university draws seamlessly to ensure regularity in their calendar.

We have instituted what we call Vice-Chancellor-Student forum, which is a platform to bring together faculty, departments, and associations; it is a big assembly where we meet from time to time to avail ourselves the opportunity to listen to the students, get to know their frustration and aspiration. I must say it has served as a veritable help to better.

We have also supported them with the provision of transportation facilities with many others which are critical to the student.

How is AAUA relationship with its host community?

We have been able to start four different institutes. We have in place the Leadership Institute for Sustainable Development. It is an instrument through which we make available expertise from members of the university community and the outside world in terms of partnering with the private and public sectors to do a view of the things that modern universities are supposed to do. We also have the AAUA theater centre where staff and students from time to time make script presentation not just for the benefit of the university community alone but for the entire AAUA community.

We are able to float the Women and Children Development centre which is the platform to draw attention to issues relating to women and the girl child. We deliberately did not call it gender centre because women are special organ. This is not just for the members of the institution alone but our neighborhoods as well.

39

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

EDUCATION At 75th anniversary, Edo ‘boys’ urge govt to tackle erosion

Two FCT schools for US WO Federal Capital Territory (FCT) schools - JSS Jikwoyi and GSS Jibi - have qualified to represent Nigeria at the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) World Cup, which will take place between July 24 and August, 4 in San Francisco, United States.

The national competition, which took place at the Tinapa Resort in Calabar had 23 teams from 16 states competing for the two coveted spots and the right to represent Nigeria at the World Cup. GSS Jibi came first in the Social Enterprise Business category while JSS Jikwoyi came first in the Socially Responsible Business category.

Both schools came first and second at the 2009 SAGE World

T

E

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria as represented by Junior Secondary School, Jikwoyi, which won the SAGE World Cup four times in the last five competitions, which took place in Ukraine in 2007, Abuja in 2008; Brazil in 2009 and US in 2011 by defeating teams from countries, such as the US, Russia, China, Singapore, Canada, South Africa, Great Britain and Ghana, among others.

The Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed asnd the Secretary for Education, Mallam Kabir Usman, expressed delight at the victory of the pupils and assured that both schools would be good ambassadors of the country.

The SAGE World Cup is open to

•FCT Minister, Muhammed Bala

secondary school pupils all over the world and is intended to create a generation of young entrepreneurial leaders whose innovations and social enterprises address the needs of the global community.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

DO College Old Boys Association (ECOBA) has expressed fear on the devastation caused by a threatening erosion menace in the college.

President of the association, Alhaji Safuyanu Momodu, raised the alarm at the 75th anniversary celebration of the college tagged: Celebration of excellence.

Safuyanu, who urged the state government to eradicate the menace also called for renovation of some dormitories and classrooms.

The ECOBA chief noted that the school has been subjected to changing fortunes over the years, adding that the speed with which it bounced back after the renovation in 2005, bears testimony to the

college uniqueness.

On the awards presented to some pioneer pupils of the institution, Safuyanu said it was geared towards inspiring other older boys of the college at improving their alma mater.

He called for donations to fund the medical bills of a pupil in the college, Matthew Aigbokhai to undergo bone marrow transplant at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Those honoured with award of excellence were Hon. Justice Andrew Otutu Obaseki; Chief Humphrey Ozigbo; Obasonyen N'Igbesanwen of Benin; Prof.

Emmanuel U. Emovon; Amen Aghedo, an engineer and Sunny O. Cole.

standards for yourself. Look into the future; your country and the world need you, so you need to be the best. You must build yourself to that level where you will be capable of addressing the various challenges the world faces," Swaniker said.

Mrs Folasade, in her address, said Corona Schools annually strives to make her pupils “intellectually active; creative and curious; disciplined, self-directed and goaloriented; critical thinker; confident; physically, verbally, socially and academically competent, among other qualities, which she was also proud the outgoing pupils would demonstrate.

On the theme of the event, We made majic, Mrs Adefasyo said, it was simply a fallout of a promise once made and fulfilled.

"The theme for this graduation is based on the promise given to us by the prefects. During our retreat, they promised us that they would be the greatest set ever. Publicly, I thank them for that promise. Like all big, hairy and audacious goals, it was probably unattainable, but in setting themselves this goal, they shot for the stars and did make magic."

She thanked the Trust Council, CSS Board, Management and staff for their commitment to the goals of the institution.

Corona holds graduation

C

ORONA Secondary School (CSS), Agbara in Ogun State on Saturday held its graduation.

The occasion, which held at the school premises, was remarkable not only because the 74 graduands had a six year- sojourn in the school, they also turned out to be one of the outstanding sets in the school's history.

It was, therefore, no surprise that the open field of the CSS was branded in the ash/pink colours.

The male graduands were clean in their pink suits and white shirts.

The females beamed radiantly in their black suits and pink shirts complementing it with killer highheeled shoes.

The graduands were led in a procession by the school’s Director Mrs Folasade Adefisayo and her two deputies (Pastoral and Academics) Mr Adesina Okunubi and Mrs Chinedum Oluwadamilola) and members of the Coronal School Trust Council (CTCS) and other guests.

In his address, the Guest Speaker Mr Fred Swaniker identified a tripod upon which the graduands could forge ahead to be leaders in future - service, starting young and achieving excellence.

He said the graduands owe their country and humanity the challenge to serve to attain

• The outgoing pupils singing a farewell song at the event

By Adegunle Olugbamila

leadership.

Mr Swaniker, who is also the CoFounder, African Leadership Academy, Johannesburg, South Africa, told them not to think they are too young to initiate ideas that could graduate into a big dream tomorrow. He noted that some of the world's personalities such as Bill

Gates, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and Nelson Mandela once had a brainwave in their teens, and nurtured it into global reckoning.

With their training in CSS, he expressed optimism that the graduands had the world in their finger tips and could, therefore, step further to attain excellence.

"At this point you, must set high

M

•From Left: Executive Ikoyi Metro Rotary Club, Rotary International Emeka Onohwakpor, with the club President Ify Ejozie working with the pupils of Aunty Ayo Girls Junior High School, Lagos, at its electronics library/ learning centre donated by the club to the school.

School celebrates 10th anniversary

EADOW Hall, Lekki, Lagos has celebrated its 10th anniversary.

The event held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island on Saturday.

Tagged Red Ball, its venue as well as guests had their attires branded with red.

Speaking on the occasion, the school’s Director, Mrs Kehinde Nwani, said the red ball, was just to show the significance of red to the school. She said: "First of all it (red) represents the blood of Jesus. What we have been able to do so far have been with the lord God Almighty.

“So, when we are thinking of red, we are thinking of the blood of Jesus Christ. Red also represents so many

things; for example love, boldness and danger in a very good way among others.

She added: "We are thanking God who showed us excellence. God has done a lot for us.

“We believe Meadow Hall is an excellent school."

Mrs Nwani said at 10, Meadow Hall has recorded so many success including the school’s ongoing expansion to incorporate its college, establish Meadow Hall Consult, a resource centre, a field trip unit and enter into partnership with the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to train teachers.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

40

EDUCATION

NIM, ABU partner on management training

T

HE Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) has signed an agreement with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria on staff and students training in management.

The agreement was okayed when a team from the institute led by its President/Chairman of Council, Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, paid a visit to ABU. In his welcome address, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdullahi Mustapha, who expressed delight at NIM’s initiative, said the collaboration would not only sharpen the management skills of his students, but would also help keep them

By Nneka Nwaneri

focused and make them use their time profitably.

He commended the institute for its contributions to nation building in the past 50 years.

He said: “The Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) is built to be a very relevant professional body, which has been making invaluable contributions to the growth and advancement of Nigeria over the years through its human capital development and training programmes.”

He noted the contributions of the institute in capacity building and youth development through its

strategic partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) under which arrangement it trains corps members in skills acquisition and management; and its foreign training in collaboration with renowned universities and institutes abroad.

Dr. Olawale-Cole said the institute has been contributing to nation building through professional management, capacity building, consultancy, reengineering, human capital and youth development and that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in professional management training.

The staff training is to take immediate effect, while the institute’s students’scheme is expected to take off at the university during the 2012/2013 academic session.

•Director, Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Mrs Olufunke Fowler Aniba (left); winner of the sixth annual competition Master Are favour and Director, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr Akinyele Adejugbe, at the presentation of prizes to the winners of the Mathematics Arts and Essay competition hosted by the school in Lagos.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

A

Centre to introduce digital learning to pupils

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation, Talent Centre, has concluded plans to introduce digital learning in primary and junior secondary schools.

Addressing school owners at an educational stakeholders' forum, Chief Operations Manager of the Centre, Mrs. Ayopeju Njideaka, said the idea is to improve the quality of teaching and learning, thereby granting them access to international best practice.

She said schools should grab the competitive advantages available in the 21st century teaching and learning, saying that one of the challenges experienced in the education sector is that emphasis is

placed on teaching and not learning and that has resulted in high rate of failure.

Describing pupils as digital natives, who should be taught with digital instruments if desired results are to be achieved, Njideaka said the centre understands that learning should be fun and digitally inclined.

Hinting that the centre comprises an interactive board, a tablet PC for each pupil to access the content and an IT tutor, she added that there would also be centres in selected schools in Lagos State for a start where other schools around could take their pupils for learning.

UBEC condoles with Jonathan, NUC

T

HE Management of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has commiserated with President Goodluck Jonathan, the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okogie over the death of passengers and crew members aboard a Dana Air plane, which crashed at Iju Ishaga, a Lagos suburb penultimate Sunday.

Its Executive Secretary, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed, who led the management team to NUC to condole them over the loss of five of their employees, prayed God to grant the departed eternal rest.

He said: "We pray God to grant the bereaved families the strength

•Dr Modibbo

to bear the loss of their beloved one".

Earlier, he described the loss of his five senior staff as a blow to the Commission, noting that they were committed and dedicated staff.

Also speaking at the forum, a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Gloria Adedoja, said the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning complements traditional approaches to learning.

She said effective instruction using the right medium builds bridges between students' knowledge and the learning objectives of the subject as she added that technology helps showcase complex ideas in a short period of time, offers both cognitive and affective experiences, connects learners with events that are culturally relevant and connect theories taught in the classroom with real world events and policies.

She said technology also help maintain students' interest, sharpen their analytical skills, aids student retention of knowledge, motivates interest in the subject matter and enable students see concepts and new examples when they are watching television, listening to music, or are at the movies with friends.

In his speech, Prof Francis Egbokhare of UI said the most important factor in the quality of education is the quality of teachers.

According to him, what the education sector is faced with is a case of shortage, as well dearth of good quality teachers, adding that it is coupled with crisis access, quality, content service and support.

He further said the university needs to create opportunities for global networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration for improved learning and providing access to content of global standards.

EDUTALK

with

Ekiti and its teachers

U

SUALLY, groups find it difficult to record 100 per cent success in carrying out an action. For instance, if a national Kofoworola union calls for a strike, boycott or protest, it may be ineffective in some parts of the country. A case Kofosagie@yahoo.com in point is the subsidy removal 08054503077 (SMS only) strike of January. While it was total lockdown of businesses in the Southwest, in some parts of the Southeast and Southsouth, it was business as usual.

However, the Ekiti State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) succeeded in getting its members to boycott the Teachers Development Needs Assessment (TDNA) tests scheduled for June 4. Not one teacher broke rank and showed up in the 39 centres across the state to write the tests which Dr Eniola Ajayi, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology said would help the government indentify training needs of its 16,000 primary and secondary school teachers.

The Ekiti State government is defiant that the tests must hold. The teachers, on the other hand, remain suspicious of the government's motives for conducting the assessments despite repeated assurance by the commissioner that the results would not be used to retrench teachers. According to her, the assessment will be a continuous exercise so no teacher would be sent packing because he/she failed the first set of tests. Rather, training needs would be identified so that the government can know what to do to improve its teachers and consequently better its 27 per cent performance in the Senior School Certificate Examination.

I do not understand why teachers should kick against assessments. If they are not worried about their competence in the classroom, then they should have nothing to fear being assessed. Yes, it is true that some principals and vice-principals lost out when the state decided to re-articulate the administration of secondary schools last year (i.e. bring junior and senior secondary schools under the same management).

But there was no way that would not happen under such a policy. If there were 100 schools before and they had to reduce to 50 under the rearticulation policy, it simply meant 50 principals had to lose their positions. And, to determine the 50, all principals and vice-principals were tested. Those who survived were retained, others, unfortunately, had to be content with a demotion.

That that happened to some of the principals is insufficient reason for the NUT to boycott the TDNA. If the union is not comfortable with the assessment, it should reach a compromise with the government rather than sabotage efforts to improve the quality of education in the state.

Belo-Osagie

From My Inbox Re: So unpopular a change (Thursday, June 8, 2012) GEJ and his sycophantic orchestra the FEC wouldn't name the Abuja National Stadium or any of the newly created federal universities after MKO, for that wouldn't serve their purpose of sowing seeds of division amidst Nigerians that they might loot more of the public funds. From Agwuja E.A, Lokoja. 07055338404 President Jonathan should leave UNILAG alone. Can he name any other 50 year-old prestigious university in the world that had its name changed at 50? Harvard had its name changed after only three years of existence. A 50-year old university has already made its name a brand. Abiola should be honoured but not by changing the name of an old university. The national stadium is there. If it must be a school then let it be a new university that the federal government will now build up into a world class university. Ghana did that for Nkrumah; they did not rename a 50-year old university after him.

The senate should not pass the bill. From 08077375079 Voices against the re-christening of the Lagos State University (sic) remind me of an adage in Afo (a tribe in the Northcentral) that goes: "Ngba oko agyi onu mo'ode azote okwu kwole ngwu oku onyiwuma.

Okwu ba eyi kwole mo." Meaning: If a woman didn't love her husband any longer and divorced him, if asked why, would say she did it because the husband and his family ate snake's leg but denied her.

But snake doesn't have leg. A good politician, activist and an ideal person is one who criticises what is worth criticising and commends what is commendable, even if it is from his/her enemy. Some of those condemning the President for the renaming now, are those since 1998, calling that MKO Abiola should be immortalized. We must be sincere. A person that has not eaten for days would not pick offence if somebody gives him food in the midnight. From Timothy Inaloko Ogu, Nyanya, Abuja.

Kofo, thanks for your short piece on Thursday on the unpopular change. I think that the President could have changed the name of the University of Port-Harcourt to MAUPH to make that obscure university more popular. From Dola Ogunsi, an engineer.

Great piece, so unpopular a change. From John, Calabar.

Good one for Thursday's Edutalk column. Remain blessed. Nnamdi Okafor.

Re: Adieu Ngozi Agbo Good morning Aunty Kofo. Welcome back. I have been missing Edutalk. I'd craved to see you at our recent May CampusLife workshop, but…How's the baby? Just to commend your good work and sympathise with The Nation/CampusLife family on the demise of Aunty Ngozi. Happy Day. From Ishaya Osu, FUTMINNA.

42

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

43

44

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

45

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

THE NATION

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

CLINIC DAY

‘Stroke is preventable, curable’ duce blood pressure, and thereby reduce the risk of stroke.

The Chief Executive Officer, Health Forever Products Limited, Ikeja, Otunba Olajuwon Okubena, answers the question.

The use of Jobelyn for the treatment and prevention of stroke

S

TROKE has become very rampant and it has no age barrier. If it does not result into instant death, it could turn the victim into a vegetable for the rest of his life with the quality of life reduced to almost zero.

In some instances, it may give some warning signals but in many other cases, no warning will be given. While browsing on the internet, I stumbled on a publication which is reproduced below: “May is National Stroke Awareness month and a time to raise our understanding of the emotional, physical, and financial impact that stroke has on our friends and family.”

A stroke causes a loss of function due to an interruption of blood flow to the brain. Those who suffer a stroke usually experience a number of symptoms, which may include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs—especially on one side of the body; confusion; trouble speaking; loss of sight; severe headaches; and loss of balance. Risk factors include hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, advanced age, gender, and race.

Stroke affects more than 800,000 people each year and ranks among the five leading causes of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the world. Although a stroke may not be entirely preventable, familiarity with the symptoms of a stroke can prompt you to get help faster, which can make a difference in recovery.

Use the acronym FAST to remember the warning signs of a stroke: F - FACE. Ask the person to smile.

Does the face appear crooked or drooping?

A - ARMS. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S - SPEECH. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?

T - TIME. Call your doctor immediately if you observe any of these symptoms.

It is important for people to understand stroke warning signs and get to a hospital FAST in case they are eligible to receive the appropriate treatment. Time is an important factor associated with determining whether a patient can receive it or not.

A scientist once said that oxidative stress may be at the root of some strokes, as the body may be unable to neutralise celldamaging free radicals, which can lead to inflammation and vascular damage.

How might antioxidant-rich foods reduce this stroke risk? According to the scientist, vitamins C and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, and other such compounds scavenge free radicals, thereby inhibiting oxidative stress.

‘One of the newest, and yet oldest treatments for stroke prevention is the dietary intake of plant compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidant compounds that are characterised by their polyphenolic chemical structure’ Antioxidants, especially flavonoids, may also help improve endothelial function and reduce blood clotting, blood pressure, and inflammation.

How could stroke be prevented?

Eating a healthy, antioxidant rich diet is associated other healthy behaviours. People who tend to eat healthier tend to also have healthier lifestyles as a whole, it is also noteworthy that the diet had an independent beneficial effect on stroke incidence.

The most congruous finding of epidemiologic studies is the lower risk of stroke among individuals with frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables. Eating a diet high in antioxidants may protect against ischemic stroke, an Italian cohort study showed.

Antioxidants come from a variety of food sources, including fruits, vegetables, coffee, chocolate, red wine, whole grain cere-

• Okubena

als, and nuts, and diets high in antioxidants have been associated with reduced inflammation and increased circulating antioxidants.

One of the newest, and yet oldest, treatments for stroke prevention is the dietary intake of plant compounds called flavonoids.

Flavonoids are antioxidant compounds that are characterised by their polyphenolic chemical structure.

Flavonoids are responsible for primary anti-oxidative effects by attracting oxygen free radicals before these free radicals can cause cellular damage.

Over 4,000 flavonoids have been discovered, and they are found in fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts, flowers, and bark.

The best sources of flavonoids in human consumables are red wine, tea, onions, and the ubiquitous agent of health care: APPLES! Flavonoids have also been found to aid in vascular smooth muscle relaxation, which can re-

Jobelyn is a herbal product derived from Sorghum bicolour. For several centuries, the people of South-Western part of Nigeria have been using this plant in its raw form to treat and cure many diseases including stroke.

The impression that I was given that this particular remedy is a cure-all for diseases like Stroke, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, HIV, Parkinson’s disease and sickle-cell anemia seemed illogical to me and in an attempt to find out the truth or otherwise, I have set out to carry out scientific investigations over the past 17 years.

My initial focus on the remedy as a blood boosting agent was successful and two publications in the African Journal of Biotechnology in September, 2003 confirmed that Jobelyn derived from Sorghum bicolour has the potential to be a substitute for blood transfusion except in emergency situation.

This does not give a clue to the cureall claim of the product until I became aware of the Antioxidant properties of the product. Several studies in the USA and Germany confirmed that Jobelyn is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world.

A synthetic antioxidant may have the ability to reduce the brain damage following a stroke by more than 40 per cent — even if it’s taken hours after the stroke happens.

A new study shows the antioxidant, known as AEOL 10150, neutralised hazardous free radicals and prevented cell death in a mouse model of stroke.

Researchers say the antioxidant is designed to mimic a natural antioxidant, but it works against a wider range of free radicals and also lasts longer in the body.

Total ORAC FN, short for Total Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity for Food and Nutrition, is a laboratory analysis that measures the total antioxidant power of foods and nutritional products.

During April 2009, Brunswick Laboratories, a global leader in antioxidant R&D and testing, introduced its Total ORAC for Food and Nutrition (Total ORAC FN) test. Now patented, Total ORAC FN measures antioxidant activity against five of the most important free radicals found in humans: hydroxyl, peroxyl, peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen and super oxide anion.

Total ORAC FN, considered a breakthrough technology, combines all five measurements into a single, easy to use test result. The original ORAC essay measured only one of the five major radicals, the peroxyl radical, giving an incomplete picture of the antioxidant strength of a product.

The five major free radicals work individually and in combination with each other to cause damage to many systems in the human body and can affect total health. At times, environmental factors such as pollu-

‘It is, however, more advantageous to use Jobelyn to prevent stroke and many other diseases by taking a daily dose of two capsules, twice daily.

The old adage that prevention is better than cure applies in this case’

QUESTION My Blood pressure (Bp) is 160/ 135 and I noticed that my vision is not too clear. Please how can I prevent coming down with stroke?

- Rasak Ibikunle, Lagos tion, radiation, cigarette smoke, UV light, and herbicides can overwhelm the body’s natural ability to fight the free radicals and the damage they cause.

Total ORAC FN allows premium food and nutrition products to be differentiated in the marketplace by providing a single Total ORAC FN “score.” Jobelyn scores 37,622.

Having realised the potency of Jobelyn as a powerful antioxidant, we have tried it for the treatment of many diseases including stroke.

For stroke that happens within 24 hours, Jobelyn taken six capsules, four times daily at intervals of three hours and accompanied with daily water intake of at least three to four litres would reverse the damaging effects of the stroke within a period of two to four weeks.

For stroke that had taken long, the treatment that we have successfully adopted is four capsules of Jobelyn, three times daily, also with at least three to four litres of water daily. In this case, reversal or near-complete reversal would be possible within a period of four to six months.

It is, however, more advantageous to use Jobelyn to prevent stroke and many other diseases by taking a daily dose of two capsules, twice daily. The old adage that prevention is better than cure applies in this case.

There are other aspects of health where Jobelyn has been tried. We have devised a formula for the successful treatment of Arthritis. We recommend that patients take three capsules of Jobelyn, three times daily, with three bottles of water (1.5 litre size) and in three months, the problem should be resolved.

We even offer money back guarantee if the result is not achieved.

This formula could also be tried for Diabetes.

Our clinical studies of Jobelyn on HIV have confirmed that it increases the CD4 count very rapidly and improves the general well-being of patients and we are aware that a daily dose of six capsules in three divided doses is capable of providing the necessary support that would ensure the general well being of patients.

In a similar vein, sickle-cell anaemia patients sustain their health and maintain their general wellbeing by daily use of one capsule both in the morning and evening.

Conclusion In concluding this piece, it is necessary to emphasise that a healthy diet which includes regular consumption of fruits and vegetables would prevent many serious diseases but we need to state that a powerful antioxidant like Jobelyn, concentrated in capsules could as well prevent you from diseases and taken at a higher dosage could also reverse diseases and help you to maintain your wellness.

For further information, please contact Otunba Olajuwon Okubena on: E-mail: okubena@healthforever.com

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

46

NATURAL HEALTH

Coping with health hazards of Dana Air crash T

HIS is a season of joy stained in many hearts by the sorrow of Nigeria’s worst air disaster. On June 3, 2012, the plane lost balance only about two minutes from the tarmac and plunged into residential apartments. It is a time of such anguish, which tends to weaken or damage the vital organs of those people who are directly involved and those of us who grieve in sympathy. It is wishful thinking to assume that the grief can be easily taken away. It will tarry with us all for a while. But we can minimise its damaging effect on our health by recognising that it can deplete our life force and by restocking the pantries of our cells so that, whenever the mourning is over, we can have enough stock in the store to hit the road with once again. I hold very strong views about life and so-called death which I believe are better held off till a more auspicious time. But the bottom line is that there is no accident in God’s wonderful Creation.

If, as Christians and Muslims, we give God the honour of Perfection, we’d recognise that, in an accident-free Creation, every event has a purpose and an explanation for being. And since Creation is beautiful and sweet (for all that God creates is good) all occurrences can only lead to these same ends.

From this perspective, I can conclude, therefore, that we all need the everyday experiences we encounter to polish us up into more mature, more developed persons and, therefore, more upward looking and more inwardly beautiful.

Let me offer a personal experience about this matter of events being no accidents. I could have been electrocuted about seven years ago, and many people would have thought the event was a pure coincidence or, as is now commonly thought of in Nigeria of today, a “spiritual attack”. I had just cleared my car and parked it in front of my house (39 Emina Crescent, off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos), returned to the house to bathe and prepare for the office. About 30 minutes later, I was at the foot gate, ready to go. As I undid the gate bolt to open it, the silent inner voice told me: “Why don’t you go and recheck the door of the main house?”

The premise was big, by regular standards, that door about 30 paces from where I was. I hesitated. I was sure I locked the door before I locked the main gate. But the voice persisted: “What do you lose by rechecking?”

This time, I heeded the advice. And just as I turned to return to the house door, that is before I could take the first step backwards, I heard sounds which seemed to me to be heavy sporadic gunshots, and, immediately, the air filled up with shouting and the smell of burning metal. My dog, which had accompanied me to the foot gate, and I fled into different directions, I to the back of the house, believing that armed robbers were operating right in front of the house gate. It was drizzling. Soon, the shouting and cracking sounds stopped and, concluding the worst was over, I peeped from safety.

What did I see? The wooden electric pole by the gate of the house had fallen right on my car with the live cables either on the roof, bonnet, boot or nestling around the vehicle. I was dumbfounded. So, I would have been electrocuted!

That event was to remind me, all over, of the many helping beings I had learned about 30 years back surround each of us to guide our thought and actions aright. If we always humbly listen to their subtle suggestions or promptings, we’d have fewer “had I known” situations in our lives and recognise that there aren’t “accidents” in this world. When I wrote about this after my shocking experience, a young, married mother of three, who was then one of my wife’s students at the Lagos State University (LASU) came to see me at home to ask if I was speaking about “Guardian Angels” and to narrate her experiences. The “Guardian Angel” is the best expression many people have coined to describe what is a long chain of guidance from Paradise, the spiritual home of man, to the earth. I guess this comes from the Biblical reference in the Book of Revelations to an Archangel presiding over the affairs of each of the seven Universes (“… to the seven churches in Asia..”) , where the word “Church” represents the Universe, “Asia” is the spiritual name of the entire Creation or World, and Ephesus is the spiritual name of our Earth. This Yoruba Muslim woman had wanted to marry an Edo Christian fellow. But her parents objected. She then married a Yoruba Muslim cleric. She wasn’t enjoying the marriage and, as often happens in such situations, began to “miss” her former boyfriend. Meanwhile, they had lost physical contact. But, inwardly, they were seeking each other. He had married and the marriage had collapsed. One day, while waiting at Alade Market bus-Stop, in Ikeja, Lagos, to board a bus to school, she bumped into a mail dispatch man in a bus rush. The letters scattered on the road. She apologised and helped him pick them. To her shock, one of the letters bore the name and address of her former boyfriend. She told the mail runner her story, and he let her copy the address. Trust a woman in love.

She found him out. A catholic, he asked his priest for advice.

He was told to do nothing unless she got out of that marriage.

She asked me if she should. I told her it was strictly a personal decision. For me, I won’t jump out of a marriage unless, fundamentally, the union is not a marriage. All too often, marriages break up on flimsy, selfish grounds, each party wishing to make the other himself or herself, in other words, trying to pulverise and possess that party.

I have told these stories to express my belief in a world free of “accidents,” a world in which everything that happens has a cause and a purpose, an understanding of which is like a soothing balm on broken, injured hearts, and mangled nerves, and a healer of wounds. In any case, isn’t it possible that, while we grieve and injure our health, some of those who have crossed over have found themselves in a much better world, and are wondering why we are sulking that they have gone away and disturbing their peace? Someone has said we grieve because they left spaces or gaps in our lives. In that

case, wouldn’t our grieving be selfish?

Moses and Elijah left and were called into higher service evidenced in the Transfiguration of Christ. Christ left to pave the way for the “Comforter” to come.

It is human to grieve. But as the story of Bathsheba’s son for King Solomon teaches us, we should see bereavement as a message, learn the lesson it brings, and then move on until our own time comes. Sorrowing for too long stresses all cells and organs of the body, especially those of the brain and the adrenal glands. There are two of these glands, shaped like a bean, perhaps indicating thereby that eating beans is good for them. Each adrenal gland sits one on top of each kidney.

The adrenals are the body’s shock absorbers. They produce hormones, chemical messengers, which help us to cope with stress. Imagine a modern car without an efficient “brain box” and worn out shock absorbers!

Stress is a condition in which forces or pressure within and outside the body acting against it has become too much for it to handle, literally speaking, with “kid gloves” A stressor may be a car rushing towards us or, in days of old, an animal attack. The brain recognises a dangerous situation through the chemical substances our fear causes the body to produce.

We all know the body’s biochemistry charges all the time on the basis of our feelings. When we are sad, our face betrays our mind, and we may loose appetite, be unable to sleep, or think clearly and suffer indigestion in addition to other symptoms, depending on the degree of the stressor(s). The adrenal glands respond to the brain’s instruction to produce resources that will make the body cope with stressing event. Two of the most well-known adrenal secretions for this purpose are adrenalin and certisol. These hormones are produced in small amounts in normal situations and in bigger quantum during emergencies. The brain, too, is overworking at this time.

Like the lungs and the heart, the brain never goes to sleep when we do, although its workload may decrease. When it has to work harder all day, it consumes more of those chemical substances which prevent it from heating up and breaking down. These are called neurotransmitters. They transport messages from one brain cell to another, down the nerves, through electrical impulses, to every cell of the body, and take feedback to the brain. How well stocked the brain is with its neurotransmitters and calmants will determine how “cool and calm” and stable it is. A substantial loss of neurotransmitters has been linked to states of anxiety and depression, among other negative health conditions.

Imagine the anxiety, stress and depression of bereavement overworking the brain, to the point that it cannot relax or send the bereaved to sleep naturally, while adrenaline and cortisol are mobilising abundant energy resources to confront these challenges. These hormones shut down many systems in the body, pumps in more glucose into the muscles, preparing the grounds for cholesterol build-up and heart disease among other problems, if the energy burst is unused.

But often the energy is unused during grieving and soaks the body! Excess but unused energy is another source of stress which the adrenals will have to deal with. This means overwork and, sooner than later, adrenal exhaustion and burnout may occur which may hasten the aging process and, in serious cases, promote physical death. Don’t we often see grieving people who suddenly grow old, fall ill or die in the process?

This column cannot address all the health problems that may follow poorly-managed stressful situations. Three of them appeal to me. One is insomnia or sleeplessness. Another is high blood level of uric acid at this time. Then, there is adrenal exhaustion or burn-out.

the mind is disturbed. The importance of melatonin to health is underscored by the results of experiments with mice in which the pineal glands of young mice were swapped with those of old mice. The pineal gland, in the brain, produces melatonin. The young mice with aged pineal glands aged rapidly and died, whereas the old mice with young pineal glands lived 30 percent more than was expected. Since then, melatonin has won respect as an anti-aging substance, with some doctors prescribing it even in cancer theraphy. Melatonin supplement is, therefore, good for people who find it difficult to sleep or to sustain deep sleep. Its precursors, serotonin and tryptophan (as 5-HTTP or 5-hydroxyl trypophan) are available in health food stores. But these are not the only losses in the brain induced by disturbed mind. All the Bvitamins need replacement as do, Acetycholine, to which lecithin is converted, Vitamin C, Zinc and, very important, Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). In the EFA family are Omega-3 fish oil, Flax seed oil and their proprietary blends such as Udo’s Oil. The brain is about 60 per cent fat by weight, and requires the soft (soluble at room temperature), unsaturated fats to keep it “cool” and functioning well, like the engine oil of a motor car. Like the car’s engine oil, EFAs are not a one-off supplement. I mention this because people often ask for how long they must be taken. Insomniacs will also find useful other easily exhausted brain relaxants such as Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, the five phosphate cell or tissue salts (ferrum phos; cal.phos.; mag.phos.; kali phos. and Natrum phos.), St John’s wort oil or tea, Chamomile, Valerian root, Skullcap, Feverfew, Passion flower, Lemon blossom and proprietary blends such as Bell’s Master Herbalist Sleep and Retax Tea and the likes of them.

Uric Acid

This is a torment for many people, who may experience local stinging or heat sensations or wide spread peppery feelings, some of which are caused by the irritation of MSG… monosodium glutamate, or brain damaging food flavoring agent. Uric acid is produced from Purines, a byproduct of protein digestion. Ordinarily, it is converted into a soluble form, urea, by uricase, an enzyme, and excreted with urine.

Remember that the B vitamins are over consumed by stress, causing a deficiency in some cases. One of the deficiency states could be Vitamin B5, also known as Pantothenic Acid.

It is involved, like Uricase, in the conversion of uric acid to urea for urinary excretion. Uric acid blood level may also rise if Vitamin E deficiency has caused damage in the nuclei of cells, where uric acid is made, leading to over production of it. Uric acid may cause gout and arthritis and other problems.

Lime water taken on empty stomach or with food may help to reduce the load. Supplementing the diet with Vitamin B5 combined with the B vitamins helps to ensure adequate B5 blood levels, without B5 taken alone inducing a deficiency of other B vitamins, as all members of the group work together.

Another way to take B5 (Pantothenic acid) is to take calcium patothenate. This is calcium and Pantothenic and combine calcium too neutralises acid.

Adrenal exhaustion

Arguably, credit for the word stress in medicine goes to Dr Hans Selye, who showed how the condition exhausts the adrenal glands. Exhaustion means they can no longer function optimally. When it comes to adrenal “burn-out,” that means a sort of “surrender.”Prior to that time, the adrenals, unable to make enough of its hormones, would have been converting sex hormones to stress hormone, a possible reason why people who are stressed up have poor libido or sex drive, and why this condition often improves with treatment for adrenal revival. To rebuild adrenal health, Vitamins A, B, C and E are required along with Adrenal glandular supplement. Many studies highlight the importance of Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid. It protects the adrenal cortex and supports the adrenals to produce more of its anti-stress hormones. Dr Agnes Faye Morgan takes the credit for the discovery that Vitamin B5 deficiency damages adrenal tissue. In experiments with animals, B-5 deficiency damaged the adrenals and caused premature graying of hair, whereas addition of B-5 to the diet healed adrenal damage and brought recolouring of hair. Dr Roger Williams, discovered Vitamin B-5 and wrote the book THE WONDERFUL WORLD WITHIN, a revelation of how nutrient availability or deficiency prolonged life or imbibed it. Adrenal revival has been helped for many years with Gingeng, Licorice, Borage Oil, Omega 3 oils, Flax seed oil and proprietary supplements, of which I am used to SWANSON’S ADRENAL ESSENTIALS, which includes adrenal glandular, and AMAZON ADRENAL SUPPORT, a blend of seven herbs which exhibit muscle relaxant, aphrodidiac, adaptogenic, detoxidant, immune stimulant and regenerative tonic effects in addition to boosting and balancing hormones and enhancing immune function.

Aeroplanes fly over my house. At 1:30am, one signals me to leave the library. At 4:30am another rouses me to empty my bladder. That’s when I don’t sleep like a baby, drooling saliva from the corners of my mouth. So, I feel deeply the Dana Air crash of June 3. The stories of death are too gory to tell. It could have happened to anyone. It is human to grieve.

Insomnia But as we grieve, let’s remember that God is perfect, that He What makes us sleep at nightfall is the neurotransmitter created no evil, that no “accident” occurs in His Creation, that called melatonin, which has been nicknamed “time-keeper” the persons killed in the crash are gone, perhaps for their of the body. Unlike other antioxidants, it is present in every own good, and let’s not with grieving compound our health part of the cell. As soon as darkness comes, the signal of the issues. The Lord Jesus told people grieving for him to grieve eye to the brain causes the latter to order more production of instead for themselves. Grieving, it is now known, disturb melatonin from tryptophan and serotonin Tryptophan is an the departing or the departed, and even make some earth essential amino acid, serotonin, a neurotransmitter. Serotbound. Solomon rose from his bed of ash when his sick son onin production requires Vitamin B6, which, like all the B

by Bathsheba died, despite his prayers, wore the best of his Vitamins, is an anti-stress vitamin and is lost along with them clothes, ate his choice food and sang merrily to his Maker. in the body’s overconsumption of anti-stress substances when Let’s do the same today. e-mail: www. olufemikusa@yahoo.com Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

47

e-Business Samsung launches ‘smart’ digital cameras

C

ONSUMER electronics company, Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), has launched four lines of smart cameras, offering Wi-Fi connectivity for photo sharing, backup and a host of other smart features.

The digital cameras, Samsung WB850F, WB150F, ST200F and DV300F, enhance the advanced optical zoom and image quality of photos with wireless capability to facilitate sharing and saving images in any part of the world.

The Samsung cameras are equipped with Beauty Shot. According to the company, this feature is like having your own make-up artist, right in your camera. It automatically identifies imperfections and retouches them so that faces appear brighter and smooth. With different level settings, you can control the amount of retouching that takes place.

“All of these cameras take such im-

pressive pictures that people will want to share them immediately – and with integrated wireless features, they’ll be able to do just that.

Now, photographers don’t have to compromise. They get the benefits of a great digital camera – including optical zoom, high quality image sensors, true flash and image stabilisation, along with the connectivity they expect from Samsung,” Product Manager, Digital Imaging, SEWA, Mr Chuck Ofoma, said.

Ofoma said the new smart cameras also interface with Samsung’s line of smart TVs, Personal Computers (PCs), tablets and smartphones, creating a truly unique and integrated ecosystem. The four models support Remote Viewfinder features, allowing users to remotely control the camera’s shutter, zoom and flash from the palm of their hand, using any Android-based smartphone or tablet.

New digital pay TV coming

D

ETAILS Nigeria has announced the launch of GOtv, the newest pay television service on the latest Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-T2) technology.

In a statement by Details Nigeria, GOtv is a low cost product that utilises the latest DVB-T2 standard technology which leapfrogs the outdated T1 system that is still being utilised by some pay television operators to launch digital services, thus providing Nigerians with the latest digital technology available worldwide.

The statement read: “GOtv provides television lovers with a dramatic improvement on picture and sound quality and an exciting channel line-up. It offers subscribers the most advanced technology and broadcast system in Africa and the rest of the world and is currently the only digital television pay service on DVB-T2 technology in Nigeria.

“Featuring two bouquets, GOtv offers great family entertainment channels and subscribers will be able to enjoy a wide selection of local and international channels; a total of 33 channels for GOtv plus and 22 channels for GOtv at an affordable price.

“GOtv subscribers will have access to news, children programmes, documentaries, series and movies. The channels are carefully selected to cater for a variety of tastes and cultures. The service does not require a satellite dish and there is no installation cost. All it requires is a GOtv decoder and a stub or grid antenna.”

Some of the channels that will be available to GOtv subscribers include AfricaMagic Movies, E! Entertainment, Discovery World, select sports, Al Jazeera, CNN, Channel O, Disney Junior, Islamic Channels, One Gospel and Sound City, among others.

Edo State tops ICT rating

A

REPORT by the Intelligence Unit of Technology Africa, a platform for celebrating Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development programmes, has rated Edo State high in technological initiative.

The state defeated 35 other states in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory to emerge winner of the ICT State of the Year award at the Titans of Tech Conference organised by Technology Africa.

In a statement by the organisers, the Intelligence Unit did an assessment of ICT development in states, with Edo State under the leadership of Governor Adams Oshiomhole emerging winner.

The report from the Intelligence Unit showed that the state had undertaken a major upgrade of its ICT infrastructure including establishment of a modern government data centre, as well as data communications links to connect government offices.

Additionally, the report showed that the state had completed ten major ICT projects, including the Edo State biometrics project, upgrade of the state’s ICT infrastructure, creation of ICT jobs, computerisation of Edo State employee and pensioners’ payroll, automation of government functions, computerisation of tax administration, introduction of citizen ID card and ICT training for civil servants, among other initiatives.

Aero launches online sales channel

A

ERO Airline has been added to Wakanow travel portal. According to the company, this is an additional distribution means, thus increasing the airline’s sales channels and enabling Aero customers to buy tickets directly on www.wakanow.com. The introduction of this platform is in addition to other sales, booking and payment options provided by Aero for customers’ convenience.

In a statement by the airline, “The travel portal allows users to explore all travel

options available. With a credit or debit card and Internet access, a passenger can now easily purchase an Aero ticket anywhere in the world and at any time.”

The company’s Managing Director, Captain Akin George said: “The idea is to make travel easier for Nigerians, especially in this cash-less era.

As Nigeria continues to enhance its Internet services and payment infrastructure, this type of sales channel will witness a growing demand and will soon become the leading source for ticket purchase.”

Firm to select supplier for cable system

W

ASACE Cable Company has begun the procurement process to select a cable system supplier for the construction of its undersea fiber optic cable system, which will create new and unique communication routes to support the communities around the Atlantic Basin.It will develop, operate and build a new network connecting Africa to the US. WASACE has retained two financial services companies including Aterios Capital as financial advisors to source

funding for the project.

CEO of Aterios Capital Olabode Abikoye said: “We believe this project is timely and provides a unique opportunity for freeflow of information and data between the two largest economies in the Americas (US & Brazil), Africa’s largest economy (South Africa) and Africa’s fastest growing economy (Nigeria) as well as with the rest of the world. It ties in with our focus on infrastructure development in sub-Saharan Africa and we are proud to be associated with it.”

•From left: Miguel Braojos; Tim Akano and Sebastien Pavie, at the seminar.

Cash-less: Experts advocate increased information security

E

XPERTS from US-based Information Technology (IT) security firm, SafeNet Inc., have implored companies to step up their act in data and information security to mitigate threats and vulnerabilities.

At an IT security seminar, in Lagos, SafeNet’s Regional Sales Director, Middle East and Africa, Sebastien Pavie, said with the coming of cash-less policy, security is paramount for organisations such as banks, telecommunications and other electronic-business (ebusiness) companies.

“Cash-less requires a lot of security components, such as hybrid security models that can secure overall security transactions, particularly, encryption of data,” he said.

He said as leader in data protection, authentication and encryption, SafeNet’s solutions will help organisations get a high level of security and solve the challenges they are facing security-wise.

The company’s Vice President, Sales, Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Miguel Braojos, added that in order for the cash-less policy to be successful, electronic payment

Stories by Adline Atili organisations require flexible and scalable authentication solutions that will enable them secure user identities, extend protection to highly sensitive transactions, and evolve quickly to address new environments, from mobile to virtual.

Also speaking, Vice Chairman of WINI Group, SafeNet’s representative in Nigeria, Mr Tim Akano, added: “The cash-less economy directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria has thrown up and brought to the fore, vulnerabilities existing in Nigeria’s e-commerce platform, data breaches, identity theft and a host of other pressing challenges.

“Additionally, there is the general apprehension about using electronic platforms for transations, especially for those who have got their fingers burnt.

Thus, it is imperative for financial and associated sectors to ensure security of not just the platform, but more importantly, safety of customers as they carry out financial services within the cashless economy.”

Akano noted that recent report by global payments processing firms, MasterCard and Visa, estimated that in the month of April 2012, about 1.5million MasterCard and Visa cards were compromised. “This incidence may increase in Nigeria if financial intuitions do not take the issue of IT security seriously,” he said.

He pointed out that data from banks and other companies involved in e-payment were already being hacked into internally and externally. “And now that Cameroon and Nigeria have been identified in the world as the two most notorious countries with regards to epayment fraud, all hands must be on deck to ensure success of the cash-less policy,” Akano said.

He noted that WINI Group, in collaboration with SafeNet and 24 other security and risk management firms, has core competence in wholesale ITsecurity solutions, risk management, business process optimisation services, physical security and training.

Airtel unveils new tariff plan

A

IRTEL has re-launched its flagship 2Good plan with extra benefits. It allows customers choose from three time bands during which they can connect family, friends and business associates at a pocketfriendly net rate of 10k per second.

The service, 2Good Time, has three special time bands: traffic time5am to 7am.; lunch time - 1pm to 4pm and party time - 10pm to 12am.

The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Deepak Srivastava, at the launch of the service in Lagos, added that subscribers will also enjoy midnight on-net call rate of 10k per second as well as 20 free SMS on first monthly recharge of N100.

Srivastava said the company will continue to offer innovative, flexible and affordable value offerings that will meet the growing demands and needs of all its customers.

He said: “The 2Good Time tariff plan with its three options is in addition to the special attraction of 2Good such as low international call rates, 20 free complimentary SMSs and 20k per second flat onnet and off-net call rate. To

subscribe to the traffic time service, customers are to dial *555*1#. Those who prefer the

lunch time or party time options are to dial *555*2# and *555*3#, respectively.”

How to tackle Internet crime, by firm

I

NFORMATION security solutions firm, Symantec, has called for robust corporate governance in the Information Technology (IT) sector, to tackle security risks and threats.

According to Symantec’s Internet Security Threat Report April 2012, Nigeria ranks 59 th globally in Internet threat positions; the United States is the top country of origin for attacks, accounting for 35.6 per cent of all attacks detected by the firm’s sensors.

The firm noted that increasing threat attacks on countries is in part due to broadband Internet, penetration of mobile devices and a booming economy.

At a media roundtable in Lagos, Symantec’s Territory Manager, Indian Ocean Islands, West, East and Central Africa, Mr Sheldon Hand, stated that security risks and threats, consumerisation of IT, as well as information

explosion, have led to new complexities and challenges. He lamented the lack of backup solutions for efficient information protection and retrieval.

He added that more than half of Small and Medium Businesses (SMB) in the country do not have disaster recovery plan, adding that 71 per cent of SMBs that suffer a cyber attack never recover.

He said as the country transits to a cash-less economy, enterprises and consumers need to be on guard against four key trends in the security landscape that may make or mar the policy.

These trends, according to him, are: malware attacks, targeted attacks, mobile threats and data breaches. “As we transit to a cash-less economy, customers have to have confidence that the systems is available, reliable and secure,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

48

e-Business

Internet, imperialism and us (1)

Matters e-Rising Segun Oruame segun@segunoruame.com

S

omebody asked me the other day about imperialism on the Internet and I was forced to wonder aloud if we are not all being re-colonised by the awesome machine called the Internet. I was forced to express salient fear that in time to come, we and our unborn children will all become products of the subtle online propaganda that is making us buy into western ideas without questioning the rightness or otherwise of such ideas.

The Internet is certainly a beautiful machine.

It has opened a vista for once unexplorable bastion of knowledge and has bridged the gap between cultures and settlements scattered across continents. But it is a monster capable of recreating people. Just wonder what the Internet could have done in the days of the cold war. It could have been a perfect tool to spread ideologies within milliseconds and capture the soul of men for keeps within the camps of socialists, communists or capitalists and such other ideologies as caught the fancy of men.

But the Internet commercially happened upon us all after Glasnost and Perestroika had knocked the last nail on the coffin of socialism in the former Soviet Union and capitalism was already beginning to invade China, the last stronghold of communism, with an unfathomable frenzy. So mercifully, we never had an Internet to prolong the cold war beyond five or so decades. Thank Heavens!

But the powers of the Internet are not so latent that only very discerning observers will be able to see the great impacts those powers are having on our psyche as individuals and communities who are functional attributes of long established cultures. In a nutshell, we

are a people with history, culture or what you may call heritage. Now, there is a gradual invasion of that heritage and over time, we may end up becoming a people totally severed from their heritage and who cannot find a place within the context of the present as established in an Internet age, or what western idealists have found a good euphemism for in the term ‘global village’ or the more technical term ‘knowledge age’ as frequently interchanged with ‘knowledge economy.’

The theme of the dysfunctional individual or community as a result of colonial invasion was a common one in the immediate post-colonial literature of Africa. And you can see all these in Chinua Achebe’s No Longer at Ease, Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet born and Two Thousand Seasons. There are several others and they will surely become handy as the subject matter of finding an African, to be more specific, a Nigerian Identity; or to even be more specific, a Yoruba, Hausa, Ibo or Edo Identity in an Internet age becomes more pronounced.

This is a question we all must go back to: Does Edo or Twi or Berom deserve an identity on the Internet? Presently, the language of the Internet as is the language of global commerce, is chiefly English. Almost 85 per cent, if not more of Internet contents, are in English. Then come French, Japanese, German, Spanish and the rest of them. Interestingly, the world’s most populous nation, China with nearly two billion people followed by India close to one and half of a billion people have no intimidating presence on the Net as to be as influential as English in a global context.

But they are making efforts to have their identity established and their heritage protected

and promoted online.

But that is not even as significant as what the South Africans are doing. Because South Africa is nearer home and is also an African country, their efforts to have an identity online should have a deeper and more instructive lesson for us. South Africa is launching a portal to carry everything about its 11 official languages and the culture of the people who speak the language. It is a database that symbolises one thing: the expressed determination of the South African government to protect and promote the heritage of its 45 million people.

There is no such effort here and I fear that the South African project may not positively influence their Nigerian counterparts to act now and even influence a wider African interest in such schemes. There are several reasons why we must act fast. About seven years ago, a national daily reported the death of one Nigerian language because the only individual that could speak the language died within that same period the report was carried. Of course, since then I suspect that many languages within our border have silently gone into extinction.

Those that are well or commonly used apart from Hausa or say Yoruba or Ibo do not have bright prospects of fighting off the language siege on the Internet. Even the three main languages (and why should a country of 150 million people have only three) do not have any programme for conservation. One day, the phonology, syntax as well as literature written of these languages and several minor ones will simply cease to exist.

We have a problem with making our children speak our local languages at home as

they prefer to speak English, influenced by the constant bombardments of the English Language in the classrooms, on the TVs, radio, and etcetera. Now, we would have to fight a losing battle against the greatest motivator of the New Age: The Internet.

Every content clicked on in virtually all accessible Internet points in Nigeria is foreign.

And you can be sure that the language for conserving or expressing such content is English. Because the Internet has such a profound influence on the mind, we are by implication going to end up with a generation of people that have been steadily severed from their heritage who try as they may, cannot find an identity in the New Age because they were not properly groomed in it.

The idea of the New Age does not presuppose that we should become castaways to become acceptable in a mix of cultures established within the core or heart of western values. Ask the Chinese or the Indians, they have found relevance in the emerging knowledge economy not within western tradition but within the core of their own oriental heritage. Have you ever seen Chinese products without a Chinese character or an Indian so estern there is no scent of orient in his/her mannerism? To the Chinese or Indian, the New Age economy is just another concept to become more Indian or Chinese in a global context, to which he/she as a Chinese or Indian, claims bona fide rights by articulating and sharing his/her own cultural attributes with another that has, by the design of the Internet, become very contiguous. Where is the Nigerian place in this context?

MTN plans 3,000 base stations

M

TN Nigeria has signed a major agreement with equipment vendor, Ericsson, for comprehensive network modernisation and swap-out of its network across the country, spanning a period of one year.

The exercise which is part of the $1.3billion earmarked for network infrastructure for 2012, will entail upgrading and replacing of key network components with newer versions for enhanced capacity and improved quality of service, according to the company’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Mrs Lynda Saint-Nwafor.

“Our local team working closely with our

Stories by Adline Atili technical partners and experts began work in April this year. They have done much of the back-end work preparatory to the actual swapping of network components in the days ahead,” the MTN CTO said.

She said the project involving three technical partners, Ericsson, Huawei and ZTE, will be carried out at night to minimise impact on quality of service.

She added that the exercise will be done in clusters, such that select Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in disparate parts of the country will undergo simultaneous upgrade to further ensure that the impact is barely felt

by subscribers.

The MTN CTO also said the Telco has planned to deploy 3,000 energy-efficient BTS across the country for provision of better telecommunications services to subscribers.

She said the modernisation and swap-out exercise which is “in pursuit of world-class quality of service on the network,” would affect all aspects of the network from radio to transmission and core network.

According to her, all legacy equipment the company had installed since commencing operations in the country 10 years ago, would be phased out, to be replaced with

state-of-the-art equipment, with better capacity and flexibility.

She noted that even power generation would be affected as the operator would be swapping existing power systems at most of the sites with environmentally-friendly hybrid power solutions.

According to her, about 4000 BTS sites would run on hybrid power system by the end of the year, up from the current 2000.

While appealing for subscribers’ understanding for “slight inconvenience during implementation of the project,” she assured subscribers of a new era of enhanced service quality upon completion of the project.

‘How IPv6 can aid technology development’

M

IGRATION to the new Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) has been described as key to the continued growth of the Internet in Nigeria.

IPv6 is the next generation protocol for the Internet, designed to provide several advantages over current Internet Protocol Version 4 (or IPv4).

Both IPv6 and IPv4 define how data is sent from one computer to another computer over packetswitched networks such as the Internet.

Executive Director, Operations at DigitalSENSE Africa Media, Mrs Nkemdilim Nweke, at an IPv6 conference in Lagos, urged the country to make an early start in re-examining modes for future Internet connectivity based on IPV6, in order to compete globally.

She said America and Europe were already in the lead in encouraging the incorporation of IPv6 in their networks and telecommunications infrastructure, adding that Nigeria should encourage same.

According to her, migration to IPv6 has inherent technological and economic benefits for the nation and its rapidly advancing technology.

She explained that IPv6 was developed to replace IPv4, which was conceived during the early days of the Internet and is almost exhausted.

“Each Internet-enabled device such as a computer, tablet or smartphone–needs its own IP address-the sequences of numbers used to identify a device-in order to connect to the Internet.

•Channel Manager, Nigeria and Ghana, Symantec, Mr Adeyemi Adeleke; Finance Director, JSP Communications Consultancy, Mr Joseph Adeboyejo and Symantec Territory Manager, Indian Islands, West, East and Central Africa, Mr Sheldon Hand, during a media roundtable in Lagos.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

49

50

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

51

52

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

53

54

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

55

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-6-12

NSE to launch Shari’ah Equity Index

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is set to launch a certified Shari’ah Equity Index as part of efforts to deepen the Nigerian stock market and broaden the acceptability of the market to the global investing public.

The NSE already has six indices including the main value-based index, the All Share Index (ASI), which tracks the prices of all quoted companies. Other indices are based on the 30 most capitalised stocks, banking subsector, insurance subsector, oil and gas subsector and consumer good sector.

The Shari’ah Equity Index would be known as the “NSE Lotus Islamic Index” and would consist of companies that are in conformity with the principles of Shari’ah.

The index, which will be developed in collaboration with Lotus Capital, will increase the breadth of the market and create an important benchmark for such investments as the alternative noninterest investment space widens.

It is the first index created to track the performance of Shari’ah compliant equities on the floor of the NSE.

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Speaking at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NSE and Lotus Capital, Head, Corporate Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Bola Adeeko said that investment instruments such as Exchange Traded Funds can be built on the Index, and that investors with a preference for ethical/and Shari’ah compliant investments can invest in same.

He described the signing of the MoU as a vital development step for the market.

According to him, the NSE Lotus Islamic Index would further illuminate the massive investment opportunities available to ethically minded investors, both in Nigeria and overseas.

All the companies that will appear on the index have been thoroughly screened by Lotus Capital, in accordance with a methodology approved by a Shari’ah Board.

He added that even after companies are accepted into the index, they will still be subject to periodic screenings to ensure their continued compliance.

He noted that if any company fails to meet the re-

quired standards, they will be removed from the index.

In her remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Lotus Capital, Mrs Hajara Adeola, noted that many ethical investors were not sure whether they can invest in the stock market but the introduction of Shari’ah index would be a crucial step to make the market more accessible and inclusive.

“Whilst there are some industries, such as alcohol, “interest based” financial services, to name a few, that are clearly prohibited, there are several companies that are suitable for investment by an ethically minded investor,” Adeola said.

She explained that an individual or corporate investor would have to conduct thorough research and be knowledgeable in Shari’ahlaw permissible investments in order to discern such suitable companies.

According to her, with the advent of the NSE Lotus Islamic Index, more ethically minded investors will be able to easily and safely participate as the NSE Lotus Islamic Index eliminates the research costs, and compliance concerns, an ethical investor was hitherto burdened with when creating an Islamic investment portfolio.

The Islamic index will also serve as a platform for creating more products such as Exchange Traded Funds and other Funds that are linked to the index.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-6-12

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

56

MONEY LINK

NAICOM suspends Prime Investment Insurance

T

HE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has suspended Prime Investment Insurance Brokers Limited from doing business as insurance brokers with effect from today.

The action, according to a state-

By Akinola Ajibade

ment from NAICOM, is geared towards restoring confidence of the insuring public and eliminating all forms of unethical practice in the industry.

firm handled the Ondo State Government property insurance account.

It added that after a careful study of all issues relating to the account, the commission was “satisfied that your company acted unpro-fessionally without regard to ethical standard expected.”

Some of the infractions of the broker include receiving commission in excess of the maximum

NAICOM said the suspension of the Akure-based insurance brokers’ license would remain until further notice.

The suspension according to the statement became necessary following the manner in which the

Premium Pension meets N1b capital base REMIUM Pension limited has said it is among the six Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) that have met the N1 billion capital base requirement of the Nigeria Pension Commission (PenCom).

PenCom had increased the capital base of pension administrators to N1billion to enable them buy information and technology(IT) facilities, build up their capacity, among meeting other operational challenges.

Addressing shareholders at the PFAs seventh Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja yesterday, the Chair-

P

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor) man, Alhaji Aliyu Dikko, said the company has met the guidelines, regulations and circulars from PenCom. He said the firm made a profit after tax of N629.58 million, adding that the board and shareholders have approved a dividend of 30 kobo per share and a bonus share of one new share for every 10 held. This development, he said, “is the fifth time in a row the company has declared dividend and the first time it would issue bonus shares.”

Dikko explained that the consolidated

portfolio of Premium Pension Limited grew to N165.112,739, 871 representing an increase of 34.16 per cent as against the N124.1 billion recorded in 2010.

The firm’s Premium Growth Fund (RSA) increased from N60.68 billion in 2010 to N92.70 billion in 2011, representing an increase of 52.78 per cent. Also, he said the company’s retiree funds rose from N16.94 billion in 2010 to N25.23 billion.

However, the Legacy fund portfolio recorded marginal growth of 1.41 per cent from N46.5 billion to N47.19 billion.

Cash-less: LGAs seek exemption from banking charges

T

HE Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Lagos State have asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to review its cashless banking policy by exempting them from charges.

They made this call yesterday at a workshop on Cash-less banking organised by Lagos State Office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments in collaboration with CBN. The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Revenue and Taxation, Mr Abimbola Shodipo said there was need to exclude the LGAs from charges that follow when account holders exceed the N1million and N3million cash limit for individuals and companies respectively. He said the commencement of the these charges in Lagos state when the cashless initiative is yet to commence in other states is unconstitutional. “ Lagos state should not be singled out for punishment in the cashless policy”, he said.

Shodipo advised the CBN to review the policy to address the issues raised.

He, however, admitted that the policy is good for the economy and will enable government to achieve the Vision 2020 initiative.

Banks urged to comply with BASEL II

B

ANKS have been advised to comply with the provisions of BASEL 11 Tier Capital to foster growth. BASEL 11 seeks to set and maintain certain capital adequacy ratio of banks.

The Senior Risk Adviser, H Pierson Associates Limited, Mr Dhanaanjoy Misra, made this call in Lagos.

He spoke during a workshop on BASEL II organised for the risks management officials of banks in Lagos recently.

He said banks must align their corporate governance framework with that of the international standards, if they want to manage their capital well.

Misra urged banks to provide a strong adequacy ratio, stressing that the de-

By Akinola Ajibade

velopment would enable to meet their day-to- day operational challenges.

He said inability of banks to maintain a certain capital adequacy ratio in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s directives would affect their operations.

He said BASEL 11 has to do with operational and credit risk management, advising banks to manage the two areas well.

He said: “CBN came with guidelines on risks management so that banks would comply with them. These sets or rules are provided to prevent banks from flagrant abuse of loan portfolios, among other issues. At this juncture,

banks must know how to play well by having a stringent loan portfolios measures in place. They can achieve this objective, by taking certain internal decisions that would lead to growth.”

He said the more risky the loan portfolios of banks, the more the damage done to their operational capital.

According to him, banks must get their own assessors before they can actually calculate their own risks.

“People that have adequate knowledge of banking operations must be allowed to manage risks. When this happens, the issue of mismanagement of funds would be reduced. Customers and banks are judgmental in their approach to issues of funds management,” he said.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 150m 150m 138m 138m 113m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 13-6-12 SYMBOL

FIDELITYBK FO UBN PAINTCOM WAPIC MAYBAKER AIRSERVICE TRANSCORP CONTINSURE RTBRISCOE

O/PRICE

1.20 10.00 3.01 1.26 0.63 1.59 1.52 1.33 0.71 1.50

C/PRICE

1.26 10.50 3.16 1.32 0.66 2.04 1.59 1.39 0.74 1.56

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

O/PRICE 1.40 15.35 1.01 2.65 5.32 3.30 6.00 3.00 0.76 3.28

C/PRICE 1.33 14.59 0.96 2.52 5.06 3.14 5.71 2.86 0.73 3.17

CHANGE 0.07 0.76 0.05 0.13 0.26 0.16 0.29 0.14 0.03 0.11

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date 29-2-12 27-2-12 22-2-12

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 13-6-12

SYMBOL GTASSURE CADBURY AGLEVENT ETERNAOIL DANGFLOUR VITAFOAM NAHCO REDSTAREX JAPAULOIL FCMB

Exchange Rate (N) 155.8 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

CHANGE

0.06 0.50 0.15 0.06 0.03 0.09 0.07 0.06 0.03 0.06

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

By Collins Nweze

He said the state government is fully in support of the policy and will continually assist the apex bank to realize its objectives in this direction. The workshop was meant to enlighten and expose the functionaries of local government councils and education authorities to the imperatives of electronic payment system.

Also, the CBN’s Director, Banking and Payments System Department, Mr Dipo Fatokun said CBN has already extended the charges waiver on LGAs for only revenue collection accounts.

He said that the cashless policy will be constantly reviewed to address current realities and meet stakeholders’ expectations.

According to him, the apex bank is encouraging financial inclusion and financial literacy to ensure that the government succeeds. “ We are in constant dialogue with domestic money banks, and other stakeholders in the industry to ensure that policies are reviewed to reflect changes from time to time ATM fraud has also reduced by 98 per cent.

The Chip and Pin has assisted in this directive”, he said.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

prescribed by law and leading a consortium of brokers, consisting of unregistered brokers and facilitating the deduction of some amount of money categorised as Christmas gift from the premium due to the underwriters.

“The firm is further warned that any violation of this suspension order will lead to outright cancellation of the company’s operational license,” the statement said.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 124.28 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 105.00 THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.75 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.08 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.95 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,710.94 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 8.95 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 7,446.88 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 124.16 104.34 0.73 1.08 0.93 1,703.76 8.51 1.33 1.80 7,250.53 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

57

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

58

NEWS Zamfara attack: Residents flee HREE days after the Dangulbi midnight attack on

Gunmen kill three policemen T •Two injured G

UNMEN on Tuesday evening killed two policemen on a highway in Borno State. Two others were injured.

The victims were said to be members of the Federal Highway Patrol of the Nigeria Police.

It was learnt that the gunmen attacked six policemen on duty on the MaiduguriBama Road about 5pm, killing two and injuring two.

An eyewitness said though men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) at the Dalori military post rushed to the scene, the gunmen escaped before their arrival in an unmarked vehicle, fleeing towards Konduga, 40 kilometres

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri and Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

away from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Confirming the incident yesterday in Maiduguri, the Police Public Relations Officer, Gideon Jibrin, said: “We received the report this morning, indicating that two of our men were killed and two were injured.”

He said the two injured policemen were taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).

Jibrin said nobody has

been arrested, adding that the police and JTF are investigating the incident.

Gunmen on Tuesday afternoon also killed a police Sergeant, Ishaya Mishel. The incident occurred at Nasarawo (also called Takum junction) in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

They were said to have shot the policeman and he was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo where he later died of severe injuries.

The police authority said Mishel was on duty with his

colleagues when the gunmen attacked him. They also snatched his rifle.

Police spokesman Amos Olaoye confirmed the incident yesterday.

He said: “We are interrogating Mishel’s colleagues who were on duty with him. We want them to tell us what really happened.”

Olaoye urged policemen not to be discouraged by the terrorists’ attacks. He said they should continue to discharge their duties.

The deceased hailed from Jimeta, Yola in Adamawa State.

His body has been deposited at the mortuary of the FMC.

Two dead after gun duel with task force men

T

HE bodies of two people were found at Bukuru in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State after a group of armed youths allegedly engaged in a shootout with men of the special task force on the enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcyclists.

An eyewitness, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “Some commercial motorcyclists at Bukuru held a meeting overnight with a resolve to frustrate the enforcement of the new law which they consider as against their interest.

“We thought they were joking, but as early as 7am, they began to ambush members of the special task force who were going round the city to ensure compliance.

“On sighting the task force men, the youths shot at them. The task force men retaliated.

•78 motorcycles impounded From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

“The gun duel lasted for over 30 minutes and in the end we learnt two of the youths were killed and some escaped with injuries.”

The Nation learnt that the incident resulted in confu-

sion at Bukuru as business premises and offices were shut. Banks were also shut.

Proprietors of schools closed down and sent pupils home.

The task force men were said to have also faced a similar encounter on Bauchi

Road and other areas occupied by the Hausa, as they resisted the enforcement of the law.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emmanuel Abuh, said: “Men of the special task force have impounded 78 motorcycles and arrested owners for refusing to comply with the law.”

Uncompleted building collapses in Abuja

A

N uncompleted storey building yesterday collapsed at the Apo mechanic site area of Abuja.

Although nobody died, the three men working at the site were trapped. They were later rescued.

Spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Yushua Shuaib confirmed that three people were in the

•Three injured From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

rubble and had been taken to the National Hospital, Abuja where they are receiving treatment.

An eyewitness, Paul Nwankwo, said the building collapsed about 7am.

He said he was at a local eatery having breakfast when he heard a loud sound

and he rushed out to find that the building had collapsed.

“I heard a loud bang and rushed out. Then I discovered that the building had collapsed.

“I ran to my house to get a shovel and a digger and together with the other people we rescued the three victims, though two of them were severely injured,” the witness added.

Dangulbi, Sabuwar Kasuwa, Guru and Biya villages in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, residents have continued to flee the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a group of bandits attacked the villages on Monday, killing 26 people, including women and children. Many people were injured.

The incident has created fears in the area, leading to the exodus of residents.

One of the survivors of the Monday attack, Malam Lawali Hassan, said in Gusau yesterday that people who survived the incident had fled to Maru community and Gusau.

“Anybody who remembers that incident will never wish to remain in those villages because of

the level of insecurity and the fear that the bandits can attack us again,” he said.

Hassan said he narrowly survived the attack and had since taken refuge in Gusau.

“When I was fleeing the village yesterday (Tuesday), I saw several other families leaving the area for a safer environment,” he added.

According to him, few mobile policemen and military personnel are patrolling the area.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Zamfara, Haruna Abdulmalik, said Dangulbi had been under police and military surveillance.

He said the command was bent on arresting the bandits and restoring security.

Abdulmalik said nobody has been arrested.

Northeast leaders decry insecurity

A

GROUP, the Concerned Northeast Elders Forum, has decried the high rate of unemployment, poverty, backwardness in education and insecurity in the Northeast geo-political zone of the country. It said these have contributed to the underdevelopment in the region.

Speaking yesterday through the Waziri of Bauchi, Alhaji Mohammed

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

Bello Kirfi, during the opening of its inaugural meeting at the Fariah Suites in Bauchi, it said although the zone has been described by the latest world geological survey as one of the potentially richest regions in the world as it is blessed with a favourable climate for agriculture and many minerals, the zone still remains backward.

Baptist men celebrate Fathers’ Day

T

HE men of First Baptist Church, Itire, Lagos, under the aegis of the Men Missionary Union (MMU) and their counterparts in the churches under the Nigerian Baptist Convention will on Sunday celebrate Fathers’ Day. The MMU executives; Messrs. Biodun Popoola, Clement Eleyinmi, D.O. Olaniyan and M.O. Okerinde said members who have excelled as responsible fathers and loving husbands would be honoured during the event.

The Minister-in-charge of the church, Pastor A.P. Oyeyemi, said all members are expected to participate in the programme.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

D

ear Sir, please I went for a sperm test and the doctor said that I have staphylococcus. My sperm count is very very low (just 3%) and he gave me tablets to take. What will I do to boost my sperm count to normal? My doctor said that if I am through with the medicine he gave me, I should come back.

He said the normal sperm level is 64% – Tayo Dear Tayo, when you are done with your staphylococcus treatment, see your doctor like he suggested. He may recommend a medicine that will boost your sperm count as well. If he doesn’t and dismisses you, then you can take Repro Aid for Men. It is a natural supplement that improves sperm count and motility to boost fertility – Uche My husband wants more children even though we have four children (three girls and a boy). I think it is because he wants more boys. But what if we try again and have another girl? I need your advice – Mrs Okoye Dear Mrs Okoye, four children is more than enough, no matter how rich you are. Children require attention. When you have too many children, you cannot give each of them enough attention and it becomes very stressful doing so too. Besides, in this day and age, we should learn to appreciate the gift of God, whether boy or girl. A lot of married people try for years without even getting pregnant so you are very lucky. So please explain to your husband to be grateful for the children God has given you. He should also be very careful not to give your female children the impression that he does not value them. That will be terrible Uche Please I want to ask if I can get any natural product to enlarge my breasts. My breasts are small which doesn’t make dresses fitted on me. This makes me to use extra pads added to my bra most times when I dress up. My man doesn’t complain but he sometimes wishes it were bigger – Stella Stella you can try Grobust supplement. It is a natural supplement for breast enlargement – Uche

I am a regular reader of your column and I recently found out that I cannot perform more than one round during sex. Please I need your help – Stanley Dear Stanley, a natural performance supplement such as Cockstar or Enzyte, will help you have intercourse several times without being tired. They will also give you stronger erections – Uche Good day and thanks for helping people through your column. I am 29 years old and I have a very small penis. It is even smallest when not erect. I want it bigger. I also ejaculate within minutes of having sex. I need your recommendation. Thanks in anticipation – Obiora Dear Obiora, a penis is supposed to be small when not erect. But if it is still small when fully erect and you want to enlarge it, then you can do so with a penis pump, an enlargement cream or an enlargement supplement. If you want to use a pump for enlargement, ask for Precision Calibrated Pump. If you prefer an enlargement cream, ask for Mega Me Enlargement Cream and if you would rather use a supplement for enlargement, ask for Max Size supplement. They are all very good. To prevent premature ejaculation, apply the Emperor’s Delay Cream a few minutes before sex – Uche I am female, I have never had an orgasm and that is why I don’t enjoy sex – Martha Martha you need a vibrator and an orgasm gel.

Use the Daffy Deep Stroker vibrator and Liquid Sex orgasm gel during intercourse and you will climax over and over – Uche That’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

59

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

NEWS

Gunmen kidnap Uduaghan’s cousin

A

MAN described as Delta State Governor E m m a n u e l Uduaghan’s cousin has been kidnapped.

Pa Sam Uduaghan was forced into his Toyota Camry Car at the gate of his home on DLA Road, Asaba, by a gang who came in an unregistered car.

His family said the kidnappers are yet to contact them.

It was gathered that the governor, Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar and stakeholders met at the Government House.

The victim, sources said, was abducted when he came out of his car to lock the gate.

The incident happened as the government donated 60 patrol vehicles and some communication gadgets to the police.

Abubakar said: “I am touring the various commands in the country and in view of the fact that the incident happened and we are particularly happy that the ex-Super Eagles midfielder, Christian

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Obodo, has been rescued.

“I want to reassure Deltans and Nigerians that we shall continue to do our best about the security situation.”

Uduaghan said the state donated 110 patrol vehicles and two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the police.

He raised concern over the release of some arrested policemen allegedly linked to kidnapping in the state.

According to him, kidnappings reduced during the incarceration of the policemen but increased after their release.

“Deltans want me to send a message to you on recent happening in the state and even the House of Assembly deliberated on it.

“What is bothering us is that their release coincided with the recent upsurge in kidnapping in the state. So we want you to take a second look at the issue,” Uduaghan told Abubakar.

Benin monarch forgives Igbinedion From Osagie Otabor, Benin

T

HE Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa, has lifted the suspension of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

Igbinedion was suspended in 2007 from participating in palace eventsfor alleged anti-palace activities.

In 2010, the Esama publicly apologised to the monarch when his daughter, Omosede, was to marry a nephew of the monarch.

The apology was rejected and the royal family boycotted the wedding.

Last year, Oba Erediauwa warned those begging on behalf of Igbinedion to desist from doing so.

A statement by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, was silent on why the suspension was lifted. Igbinedion is yet to comment on the issue.

Aspirant backs Edo PDP candidate

F

ORMER Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Edo State, Kenneth Imasuagbon, has given his support to the party’s candidate, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, in the July 14 election.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, Imansuagbon said he took the decision after consultations with his supporters and coupled with the respect he had for the party leadership and his belief in the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said he made up his mind, as a loyal party member, to work for the party’s victory and urged his supporters to do same.

Fed Govt to replace promotional exam with performance contract

T

HE Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has said it will introduce a performance contract in place of the current promotion examination, in conformity with global best practices.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its 41st conference in Port Harcourt, the River State capital, the government suggested that the commission should experiment the idea with some ministries.

Other highpoints of the communiqué include the call for proper and sufficient budgetary provisions of the FCSC to enable them execute their constitutional mandates effectively.

This year’s conference was held under FCSC Chairman, Deaconess Joan Olatoyosi Ayo, with the theme: The Transformation Agenda and the Public Service in Nigeria.

The communiqué reads: “Performance contracts are agreements which will hold officers accountable for achieving performance targets, dem-

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

onstrating appropriate competency levels and ethical behaviors.

“It essentially supports the setting of specific performance targets in a format that can be effectively measured and monitored to ensure efficient quality service to the people. It involves also the recognition and reward for high performance as well as appropriate punitive measures for non-performance.

This has been successfully implemented in Kenya, South Africa and Malaysia.

“Similarly, structured systematic intensive training and retraining for the development of officers at all levels to improve their capacities in the discharge of their duties was recommended.

“The conference equally agreed on the need to ensure regular liaison between the FCSC and state civil service commissions as a matter of policy on all issues of common interest.

•Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi talking to Managing Director, Indomie, Bebark Singer (middle) and Managing Director, Dufil Prima Food Plc, Bau Muki, when the duo visited the Government House, Port Harcourt

V

Sambo calls for free, fair election in Edo

ICE-President Namadi Sambo has urged stakeholders to ensure free and fair election in Edo State.

Sambo, who heads the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign committee, said this yesterday during the inauguration of the committee at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The Vice-President said: “President Goodluck Jonathan has said it all. In this country, we shall continue to have free and fair elections. It is going to be one-man-onevote; one-woman-one-vote and one-youth-one-vote.

“Nobody should go back to the old style of creating havoc, disorderliness and mischief. We will proceed with military action to deliver Edo to the PDP.” The party’s National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, said the history of the PDP cannot be complete without Edo. “Some of our founding fathers are from Edo and we must work to ensure our victory at the poll.

“This is the first election to be conducted under my watch as national chairman.

“You have all been carefully selected for this very important assignment and we trust your ability and capacity to deliver victory for our great party.”

The Adams Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation (ADOCO) has urged those planning to rig the July 14 governorship election to get ready to face the consequences of their action.

“They risk being roasted by the people,” the organisation’s Director of Publicity,

Monarchs praise governor MORE monarchs have lauded Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole for transforming the decaying infrastructure in the state in three years.

The traditional rulers in Uhumwonde Local Government Area urged the governor to sustain his development agenda when re-elected.

The Enogie of Eyean, Osazuwa Iduriase and the Eholor of Isi, Orosanye Ihenua, spoke when the governor visited them during his campaign tour.

Iduriase said: “What you are doing in EdoState is an indelible thing. There are about five governors working in Nigeria and you are number one. On July 14, you will surely come back to the Government House. You have done so much for Edo State and we will reward you with our votes.

Ihenua said: “This is the first time in 30 years that a governor is coming to our community. We observe all the good works you are doing, particularly in Isi. Oshiomhole assured the traditional rulers that all the projects his administration started will be completed in his second term.

The All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS ) in the state has reaffirmed their support for Oshiomhole.

•Campaign group warns against rigging

•’Aki’: don’t sell your voters card From Osagie Otabor, Benin and Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

Prince Kassim Afegbua, said in Benin yesterday.

He said: “We have been bombarded with calls on the election and the thickening plot by the PDP to rig the election.

“We are familiar with their stock-in-trade and we declare that we will resist every attempt to undo the electorate. Anybody who tries to rig will be roasted immediately.”

On the PDP National Campaign Committee, Afegbua said the party reserved the right to choose whoever it

likes, adding that it does not have the right to rig the election.

He said: “When you see a failing project, you know the signs from day one.

From what the PDP has exemplified at its national office, it is obvious that it is aware that their candidate has no chance.

“If they want to import spent forces into the state and help their failed candidate that is their business.

“As far as we are concerned, they cannot manufacture voters from Abuja.

If they try to manufacture voters, they will meet their waterloo.

“We are very vigilant. Our eyes are wide open. We will not allow them any space because they intend to create crisis and try to manipulate the exercise. They will meet very strong resistance from us.

“We are not losing sleep over this election because all those who are the real politicians in Edo State are already in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),” Afegbua said.

He added: “This election will show the world the real intention of the President Goodluck Jonathan transformation agenda.

“The world will use this election as a case study of the one man, one vote mantra.

“We will send our men to the field to monitor the election. We will not allow the PDP to use looted funds to buy our people for the sake of power.”

Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly called Aki, urged the people not to sell their voters card.

Aki spoke at an ACN rally in Emu, Illushi, Ugboha and Ewohinmi in Esan South East Local Government.

He urged the people to trust in the Oshiomhole administration.

Addressing the rally, Oshiomhole said it was the people’s choice to choose between projects executed by his administration or the evil perpetrated by the PDP. Oshiomhole said his administration has used resources to develop every part of the state.

“Our works speak louder than our voice. You have your choice to vote between evil and what is good.”

60

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

61

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

62

NEWS FOREIGN Life sentence for ex-Tunisian leader Mimiko’s govt deceitful, says Ondo PDP

T

UNISIA’S ousted president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has been given a life sentence in absentia by a military court over the killing of protesters in the country’s revolution last year.

A separate court also jailed him for 20 years for inciting violence and murder.

The exiled ex-leader faces a number of other trials; he has also already been sentenced to dozens of years in jail.

The sentences come as Tunisia’s new government seeks to quell rioting across the country.

On Tuesday Fehmi alAouini, a young Tunisian shot in the head during three

PUBLIC NOTICE EGI ASSOCIATION OF SKILLED PROFESSIONALS This is to inform the general public that the above named Organisation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration Under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. COM. EJIKE OJUM 2. COM. PROMISE IKEAGWU 3. COM. DICKSON IKEZI 4. COM. AZUBUIKE OLORI 5. COM. CHRISTIAN AJIE 6. COM. TRUTH UKADIKE 7. COM. LAZ EMMA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To Foster peace and Unity in Egi 2. To Empower members in skill training.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: CHIKODI ONYIGE ODU (MRS) Family Fields chambers, S.C. Dike & Co. No 7 Aba Road, P.H. Tel:08065225248

days of violence, died of his wounds in hospital.

The government imposed an overnight curfew in eight areas following the riots, which were sparked by an art exhibition deemed offensive to Islam and saw several police stations set on fire.

It blamed ultra-conservative Islamists known as Salafists for the unrest, which correspondents say is the worst since Tunisians overthrew Ben Ali early last year.

However the Salafists deny involvement.

Prosecutors had sought the death penalty for Ben Ali over the killing of 22 people while trying to put down revolts in the central cities of Thala and Kasserine, AFP news agency reported.

Ben Ali’s former Interior Minister, Rafik Belhaj Kacem, was given 12 years.

CHANGE OF NAME OGUNBODEDE I former miss Oluwakemi Omolabake Ogunbodede now wish to be address as Mrs. Oluwakemi Omolabake Ademola Mogbojuri.General public should take note

T

HE Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the ruling Labour Party (LP) government of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of spreading falsehood.

It faulted the government’s claim that the Mimiko administration was providing buses for inter-city transport in Akure, the state capital, and that these would be free for primary and secondary school pupils.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Wale Ozogoro, PDP said: “It must be put on records that these buses were

T

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

provided by President Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP Leader, to cushion the effect of partial removal of fuel subsidy.

“These buses have been provided months ago in white and blue colours, which were later painted into LP colours and released to the public on June 12.

“It is disheartening and wicked for a government that claimed to be progressive to want to reap where it did not sow.

“The act of cosmetic approach to governance by the

present government is condemnable and not what the people bargained for.”

The party said the state government had received over N400 billion from the Federation Account, borrowed over N50 billion and inherited over N38 billion from the PDP-led government under Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

The statement added: “The question we are asking is: what has the LP government under Mimiko done with these funds?

PDP provided these buses for the use of Ondo State people and not LP. That is running a deceitful government.”

Okereke-Onyiuke’s, others’ trial stalled

HE trial of former Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Dr Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, at the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, was stalled yesterday because her lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), was absent.

A lawyer on the defendant’s legal team, Mr Fred Agbaje, told Justice Christopher Balogun, that Olanipekun

By Joseph Jibueze

would have loved to handle the case himself.

Agbaje said the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President was attending a meeting of pro-chancellors of universities. Olanipekun is the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI).

Justice Balogun, adjourned proceedings till June 21.

The Lagos State Government, in two separate

suits, accused Dr OkerekeOnyiuke, her deputy, Alhaji Lance Musa Elakama, and six others, for allegedly stealing N3, 301, 000, 000 billion .

But the defendants filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the prosecution has failed to disclose a prima facie case against them.

They also argued that information contained in the charge was filed without investigation by the police.

63

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012

NEWS

Two women lay claims to baby

T

WO women have laid claims to a baby boy, Emmanuel Okoro, who was recovered from alleged human traffickers by the police in Imo State.

Emmanuel, who was born on August 9, 2010, was allegedly stolen from his parents’ home at Awada-Obosi in Onitsha, Anambra State, by a nurse, Ngozi Okeke.

The baby was 18 months old, when the suspect, who pretended to be an aunt, tricked the house help that was taking care of the child and took him away.

Emmanuel’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chinedu Okoro, reported the case to Awada Police Station and a few months later, Ngozi was arrested while allegedly trying to steal another baby.

It was learnt that Ngozi specialises in stealing children from Onitsha and taking them

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

to her home in Imo State, where she sells them.

When she was arrested, the Okoros’ house help identified her as the person who stole Emmanuel.

It was learnt that the baby was recovered but the police could not hand him over to the Okoros because another woman, who said she left her baby in Ngozi’s care laid claims to him.

The Okoros’ counsel, Mr. Ignatius Umennabude, has petitioned the Commissioner of Police over the police’s refusal to release the baby to his clients.

He said they denied his clients access to the child, whom they claimed was with the Social Welfare Officer in Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Umennabude said the Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told them that the other woman laying claims to the child said she gave birth to the baby when she was still in school and told the nurse to take care of him until she completed her education, but her baby was nowhere to be found when she returned.

Ngozi said the baby belongs to the Okoros and could not provide the whereabouts of the other woman’s son.

The police said a DNA test would be carried out to determine the baby’s parents.

Ngozi and 12 others have been arraigned for allegedly stealing and trafficking children.

Police spokesman Sam Oodee could not be reached for comments.

Arewa group wants subsidy report implemented •Probe Lawan, Otedola, says Clark From Yusuf Ali, Abuja and Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

•Lawan

T

HE Arewa Youth Congress (AYC), an umbrella group of youth organisations in the North, yesterday warned against scuttling the implementation of the Fuel Subsidy Management Report because of the alleged implication of a member of the House, Farouk Lawan in a $620,000 bribery scam.

The group called on Nigerians to resist any attempt to scuttle the implementation of the report.

The President of the Congress, Comrade Ibrahim Abubakar, in a statement in Abuja , said Northern youths,

like many other Nigerians believe that the committee carried out a thorough job in exposing underhand dealings in the fuel subsidy management.

The statement said: ‘’We have studied the report of the Farouk Lawan-led ad hoc committee that probed the fuel subsidy issue and we are convinced that the panel did a good job.

“That is the reason we strongly believe that the recommendations of the committee should not be swept under the carpet.”

“We wish to call for a thorough investigation into the bribery allegation involving Farouk Lawan, and anyone found culpable should be made to face the wrath of the law.

The group said it is worried that the Executive arm of government had deliberately refused to implement reports of similar probes undertaken by the lawmakers.

Also, one time Information Minister Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, yesterday said Hon. Farouk Lawan, and businessman Femi Otedola should be probed over the alleged $3million bribe.

He said both of them are liable.

Clarkn,who said he had earlier praised Lawan added that Lawan ,who collected the money and Otedola, who gave the money whether marked or not, should be investigated.

The Niger Delta chief said for federal lawmakers to uphold their integrity, they must abstain from anything with negative impact on the country, especially corruption.

FERMA inaugurates road maintenance, funding HE Managing Director tion agenda,” Amuchi added. panels of the Federal Road The committees were drawn

T

Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Gabriel Amuchi, an engineer has inaugurated two sets of stakeholders committees to address the challenge of funding and maintenance of roads in the country.

They are FERMA Stakeholder Committee on Road Maintenance and FERMA Stakeholder Committee on Road Maintenance Funding.

Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, Amuchi stated that the plan is to

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

achieve a sustainable partnership on road maintenance.

“The stakeholder committee is to fashion out an actionable strategy for generating or accessing additional revenue for carrying out road maintenance, as stipulated in the FERMA Amended Act, 2007, to further promote the progress in the road maintenance area of the transforma-

Okorocha sacks six commissioners From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

I

MO State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha yesterday sacked six of his commissioners.

They are: Chief Ejike Uche (Public Utilities and Rural Development), Nze Ogueri Enwerem (Commerce and Industry), Dr. Obinna Duruji (Information and Strategy), Mr. Ogwazuo (Culture and Tourism), Mr. Nelson Ezerioha (Transport) and Mrs. Chioma Ogueke (Housing and Urban Development).

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, announced this while speaking with reporters at the Government House after the State Executive Council meeting.

He said a list of commissioner-nominees has been sent to the House of Assembly for screening.

The nominees are Ichie Uche Mbanaso; the Mayor of Orlu, Mr. Chinedu Offor; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media Lady Nnanna Okoro; Mr. Chima Iwuchukwu; Mr. Emma Ekweremba; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Prince Charles Onuoha.

Madumere said the portfolios of some Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants were reshuffled and would be announced soon.

from management staff of the agency as well as the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON).

Edo Police: no convoy movement on July 14

E

DO State Police Command has said it would not allow any convoy movement during the July 14 governorship election.

It said police orderlies would not be allowed to follow politicians or anybody to polling units. Commissioner of Police Olayinka Balogun said policemen are prepared to deal with trouble makers during the elections.

“We are going to play our role in safe-guarding men and material during the election,” he said just as he advised youths to be law abiding, warning that any of them that wants to foment trouble would be treated as a criminal.

“We should not glorify elections; we should make elections as a kind of hydraheaded monsters otherwise, we would be diminishing ourselves and we should not allow it to be our masters and cause unnecessary panic.

TODAY IN THE NATION

www.thenationonlineng.net

‘‘Lawan has a tiny voice which is heard loud and clear whenever he speaks because his words pack weight.

He stalks those who cross his path like a hunter, but today, the hunter is being hunted’

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7, NO. 2156

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

H

E is no stranger to controversies. A veteran of tough business and political battles – he, in fact, died in one of such struggles – he never got wary of fighting. He fought poverty and won. He fought deluded military giants and won. He fought business gurus and won. But, I doubt whether the late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO, for short) would ever have imagined the uproar that has greeted the renaming of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in his honour. I doubt it.

But, let’s for a moment imagine that Abiola, winner of the June 12 presidential election – Nigeria’s freest and fairest ever – had the opportunity of joining the raging debate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s gesture and other issues. What would he say? The dead do not talk but, dear reader, just a little imagination of a reporter’s encounter with the ebullient chief. Here we go: Good afternoon chief. Tuesday was the 19th anniversary of your historic election as president on June 12, 1993. What are your thoughts on the momentous occasion?

Thank you. Thank you, my friend. You see, one day – I hope not too long – Nigerians will realise the symbolism of that election.

That was the day we all buried our differences to say things must change. There was no Hausa, no Igbo, no Yoruba, no Nupe ; we were all one, fighting a common cause. We hoisted the flag of unity. But the enemies of progress, who held Nigeria down, insisted that the people would not go. So, I …

Would your election have changed anything, considering the popular thinking that you were too rich to know what the poor were going through?

Me?(He laughs loudly and then got sober again, frowning). You see, my dear brother, I am from a poor home. I know the type of music that goes on in the stomach of a poor man and it is very unpleasant. I was a drummer boy. I fetched and sold firewood to pay my school fees. Go and read my manifesto, Farewell to poverty. I know how to free our people from poverty. That was why I joined the progressives to see that power changed hands.

You see, poverty is a dangerous animal. The more you chase it, the more it calls back at you. Ignorance and poverty are sisters and brothers, children of the same mother and father. If we are to eradicate poverty, we must remove ignorance.

But, chief, why were you so sure you, a businessman and not a politician, could handle the job?

Fine (He smiles broadly, the dimples on his cheeks showing). It was the first time we were going to have a president with solid professional experience, solid educational background and professional training. The rest were just in that day and age; it was not enough. You can’t teach an old dog a new trick; it’s not possible. I knew what the job was all about. That’s why I wanted it. I wanted to change things, make everybody happy. I wanted to banish hunger. But, as you know, you can’t drive a car from the back seat. The

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

Abiola: Chance meeting

•The late Chief Abiola

only guy who has any chance of driving a car is the guy who sits by the steering and I wanted to get that seat - drive that car as I wanted.

There has been a lot of arguments over the renaming of the University of Lagos(UNILAG) Moshood Abiola University Lagos(MAUL) to honour you.

Thank you, aburo (my young one). You see, I really don’t understand why the government should deliberately take a step that looks damn good on the surface, yet it has sparked so much acrimony. Honestly, I don’t know. How…how…how…how much consultation was made? Were our people involved? Who and who and who…who did they talk to? You see, this is what happens when you try to shave a man’s head in his absence. It is an exercise in futility. I won a pan-Nigerian mandate; I remain a detribalised Nigerian and I deserve more than this. I hope you understand. I thank the authorities for what they have done, but, you see, a sacrifice is necessary only if it will be acceptable to the gods.

Your supporters are saying they should proclaim you President, make June 12 or your birthday a national holiday and name a national monument in Abuja after you.

I thank them all. That is a sound argument.

I’m no sectional president. I am President

RIPPLES I TOOK OTEDOLA’S $600,000 TO EXPOSE HIM–Farouk Lawan

...Please TELL US ANOTHER LIE

and Commander-in-Chief; that’s what I bargained for and that’s what I got. This kind of recognition, our people can hardly understand. Something is wrong somewhere. Isn’t it said that we should beware of the Greeks when they come bearing gifts?

You see, I contributed a lot to the development of education, using my God-given resources. Nobody can deny me the fruits of my labour, but when a matter is like this, you engage the reverse gear.

But, chief, the Bill has been sent to the National Assembly and once it is approved, the matter ends.

No. I disagree. Let me ask you (His voice rises), who is that person whose decision is irrevocable? Nothing is irrevocable in politics; Irrevocability is of God. You can’t piss on my back and say it’s raining. No. And that’s what I told Ibrahim when he said they had annulled that election and that the decision was final. I said ‘no’ and I meant it. Why? You can’t abort a pregnancy when the baby is already born. You can’t. If you have seen any problem with my election, let the world know. It is no use killing a new born baby just because you do not like the midwife.

And talking about Gen. Babangida. He was your

Y

friend and people expected…

You’re right, but don’t forget that I once said that with a friend like Ibrahim, nobody needed an enemy. The people made fine beads and a man (Babangida) seized them and put them on a frog (Interim National Government) but they didn’t fit. Then, a snake (Abacha’s regime) seized the beads and put them on. What waist has a snake to wear beads on? Ibrahim did not behave like an officer and a gentleman. He said he couldn’t sacrifice the country’s interest on the altar of friendship. What does that mean? I remain the custodian of a sacred mandate, freely given to me by Nigerians and nothing will make me surrender it. Never!

Were you sure before you went into the election that Gen. Babangida was ready to go?

Oh yes! Ibrahim told me he would leave.

He assured me he was going. I, unlike many people, never doubted his sincerity and integrity. But, you know, power is like a tiger.

If you ride a tiger, you must be very careful when you get down; otherwise, you find yourself in the tiger’s belly. And I made my position clear when I discovered that he was not ready to go, that he loved power so much. I said the man was like a sheep in a salt market. Unless you carry the sheep from the salt, it would poison itself. Ibrahim was constituting himself into a poison for the political system.

Sir, what do you advise the progressives and all those who believe in the principles for which you died to do?

Well…(His voice changes; low and subdued).

They should not give up. They must unite to fight. In politics, no man can fight alone. Nothing is expected to move smoothly, without hitches here and there. There could be some traffic jam on the way; there could be petrol shortage, but we will be there (Aso Rock).

Thank you, chief for your time.

Thank you, aburo. May Allah protect you and all yours in these turbulent days.

Otedola vs Farouk Lawan

T

HIS is one movie that is sure to be a huge box office hit. Consider the elements- big stars, big cash, intrigues, suspense and more. The cast- a frontline businessman who grew from hawking diesel in jerry cans and drums into an oil baron. And a diminutive man who is of no small political stature. He is acclaimed to be a man of integrity.

Femi Otedola says Honourable Lawan Farouk collected $620,000 bribe from him to get his Zenon Oil off the subsidy scandal list. The cash, says the businessman, is marked by security agents who supplied it. And he filmed it all as the lawmaker collected the dough.

Farouk, after an initial denial, says: “Yes, I got cash from you, but you put pressure on me to take it and I told a House official about it.”

The police are asking Farouk to surrender the cash. He says he won’t. Reason: it is the only proof , he says, that Otedola bribed him.

Now, some questions : Why did Lawan keep the cash for this long? Is it true he was after the balance, having billed Otedola $3million? Isn’t this a do-or-die move to kill the subsidy probe report? Who are Otedola’s backers?

Nigerians are already announcing: “The Oscar Awards for the best film in Wayo Category – I go set you up. Actors: Otedola and Lawan. Plot: Otedola bribed Lawan to set him up. Lawan collected the bribe to set Otedola up. Watch out!!”

Now that set-up has jammed set-up, what happens? We are waiting.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

HARDBALL ESTERDAY, the Plateau State government began enforcing a ban on the operation of commercial motorcyclists (Okada) in Jos metropolis. The major reason for the ban, as other cities across Nigeria have indicated, is insecurity. In spite of efforts to regulate the use of motorcycles as commercial taxis in Jos and elsewhere, security agents have often been overwhelmed by the operators’ refusal to obey traffic laws and other regulations, not to talk of the criminals who use Okada mask to do evil. In frustration, the government has sometimes overreacted to the excesses of Okada operators, thereby provoking civil disobedience and economic dislocations. Plateau State is not the first state to place a ban on Okada. A few other states have done so; while Lagos has made a half-hearted attempt. It is expected that given the health and security concerns involved in using motorcycles as taxis, a few more states will summon the courage to outlaw it in the coming years.

This is not the first time Plateau State will be placing a ban on Okada. It has attempted it before and failed. The state hopes to succeed

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Jos and commercial motorcyclists this time after what it claimed were extensive consultations with all stakeholders. The two major reasons states give for banning Okada are health and security. Even if the business is well regulated and operators obey rules, accidents on Okada are often more devastating, as orthopaedic hospitals can attest, than car crashes. The health concerns are real and troubling, and deserve to elicit the serious attention some state governments have given the unorthodox transport business. Operators and other social and economic commentators, however, argue that the consequences on employment and crime of banning Okada are unquantifiable and difficult to grapple with. They are right; but these consequences must be weighed against other benefits on health, safety and stability.

The Federal Government may have been negligent in developing, or allowing the development of, a modern transportation system for the country, and may have rec-

onciled itself to the indefensible practice of using Okada as taxi. But sooner or later, as insecurity continues to ride on the back of Okada, and as the health and safety of commuters suffer as a result of patronising that backward means of commuting, the country will be compelled to take drastic steps to remedy the problem. Jos is the latest city to take the bull by the horns.

Lagos has its own date with destiny sometime in the near future. It is an unpleasant decision, but it is one that must be taken soon.

The country must urgently summon the will and common sense to develop an alternative system of urban transportation that is sensible and practicable, one that does the image of the country credit and provides alternative means of employment for the teeming population of Okada operators. Surely, devising this alternative should not tax our gentle brains too hard or set our inflammable emotions on fire.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO