The Nation June 30 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

How Daniel sold assets, by Amosun NEWS – Page 5

•Governor vows to recover property

Panel to probe Akala’s contracts NEWS

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 6, NO. 1806 THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

Four dead as two-storey building collapses in Abuja

N150.00 PAGE 4

Boko Haram will be crushed, says Army chief From Dele Anofi, Abuja

T

HE army talked tough yesterday on security threats in the country, especially kidnappings, and killings

by Islamic fundamentalist group Boko Haram.

Chief of Army Staff Lt.Gen. Onyeabo Azubike Ihejirika said the extremist group would be hunted down. He spoke with reporters at the Army Headquarters in Abuja The army chief labelled Boko Haram as traitors and terrorists who must be exposed. He also proffered ways of eliminating kidnapping and security threats posed by armed groups.

Gen. Ihejirika said militancy has reached a worrisome level and blamed the escalating security challenges on porous borders, slacking Customs vigilance at the ports and proliferation of arms in the West African sub-region, among other factors.

He said Boko Haram,

•The scene of the collapsed building ... yesterday

‘

I was at the shop when the iron rod ... started shaking. All of a sudden, the house came down. To the glory of God, we rescued eight people; two have died.

’

•One of the survivors being rescued ... yesterday

Continued on page 2

Cabinet: Jonathan consults on last set of nominees Kaduna, Ondo, Cross River, Senate clears Alison-Madueke, Plateau slots yet to be filled Chukwu, Orubebe, Rufai, others

T •Dr Jonathan

HE President’s lastminute consultations are delaying the presentation of the last set of ministerial nominees.

The nominees are expected from Kaduna, Ondo, Cross River and Plateau states as well as four geopolitical zones - Southsouth, Southeast, Northwest and North-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

east.

President Goodluck Jonathan will finalise discussions on the list when he returns home tomorrow from an African Union (AU) meeting.

It was also learnt that World Bank Managing Direc-

tor Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who has got an offer to join the cabinet, is expected to make her decision known by the weekend.

Okonjo-Iweala will occupy the Southeast slot in the cabinet.

Dr Jonathan spent a greater part of Monday and Tuesday consulting on the remaining

eight slots.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Our leaders and governors are divided on how to share the geopolitical slots and all attempts to streamline their positions have failed.

“In the last 72 hours, our leaders have been meeting on the zonal slots and the need

to review nominees in one or two states.

“The battle grounds are the South-South, Southeast, Northwest and Northeast.

For instance, in the Southsouth, party leaders are still looking into the agitation for zonal slot by GovContinued on page 2

•INDUSTRY P13 •SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •NATURAL HEALTH P47

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

NEWS

s

•President Goodluck Jonathan (right), Chairman, African Peer Review Mechanism Forum (APRM), Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Melez Zenawi and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa (left) arriving for the meeting of APRM in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea...yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

•Cross section of trainees at the orientation programme for 176 trainees going to South Africa PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE under the amnesty programme in Abuja ... yesterday

How Boko Haram will be crushed, by Army chief Continued from page 1

which struck on June 16 at the Police Headquarters in Abuja, away from its centre of operations in Maiduguri and the Northeast, has succeeded in breaching security a few times because of the general complacency towards security and the groups novel tactics of intimidation and hiding away in the midst of the people.

Gen. Ihejirika vowed that the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named Operation Restore Order, which has just been raised to battle the extremist group, would check its onslaught, notwithstanding the fact that the JTF is not a purely Nigerian Army operation.

He said he would not be satisfied until Boko Haram is eliminated. The army, he said, will in the next 10 years

concentrate on internal peace support operation as a means of ending insurgencies in the country.

Said the Army chief: “Nobody should be intimidated

by Boko Haram. That is their tactic, to intimidate the people into not offering information about them. If they are not cowards, they should come out in the open.

“The terrorists live within the people and by that able to intimidate them into not giving them out to security agencies, but they need to be exposed to be arrested. Sometimes, they may not have those weapons in their individual houses, so that when they are arrested in their houses, you may not find anything incriminating, yet they are there.

“It is possible they have some hideouts where they

hide their weapons to avert anything incriminating being found on them.”

He said the JTF should not be misconstrued as a purely military affair, adding: “To say that Army will play a leading role would be grossly misleading because 90 per cent of the job involved requests intelligence and patriotism.

“The involvement of the military is mainly because of the sophistication of their operation, the type of weapon they use, among others.”

He said the information from the generality of Nigerians would be vital in finding a lasting solution to the menace of Boko Haram. “Nigerians, religious leaders, traditional leaders, everyone must come out and expose these traitors,” he said.

In his view, the latest attacks by Boko Haram should awaken security consciousness in Nigerians. “Nigerians are too accommodating, our borders are too porous and Custom officials have not done enough because arms and ammunition used by these groups are imported.

“All hands must be on deck; the Customs must change their attitude, especially as it concerns importation of arms into this country.

All must live up to their responsibilities.”

He advised Nigerians to be security conscious, noting: “Security can be breached in several ways and anywhere.

That is why we are pleading with people to take security seriously.”

On whether to dialogue with and grant amnesty to Boko Haram, Gen. Ihejirika

said: “Amnesty is not the concern of the Army, for the Army, the issue is that innocent people are being killed unnecessarily. Committing crime for no just cause by whatever name cannot be allowed to happen.

“They have only managed to capitalise on the general complacency towards security to do one or two things they have been able to do. It is criminality that should not be given any chance at all under any guise”.

While the Army Chief also declared unalloyed loyalty to constituted authorities, he said the theme of the Nigeria Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2011 billed for Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, which is “Enhancing the capacity of the Nigerian Army to meet contemporary security challenges” was apt be-

•Gen. Ihejirika ... yesterday

cause “it is coming in the wake of our transformation efforts, national taste of democratic practice along with its accompanying challenges of security”.

Senate clears Alison-Madueke, Chukwu, Orubebe, Rufai, others

T

HE Senate yesterday confirmed seven of the 34 ministerial nominees presented by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday. The seven were members of the last cabinet.

The successful candidates and their previous portfolios are: Emeka Wogu (Labour); Bala Mohammed (FCT); Diezani Alison-Madueke (Petroleum); Godsday Orubebe (Niger Delta); Onyebuchi Chukwu (Health); Caleb Olubolade (FCT Minister of State); and Ruqayyatu Rufai (Education).

The nominees were confirmed after taking turns to answer questions from the senators with emphasis on their previous portfolios.

Former Minister of Health Prof. Chukwu was particularly outstanding, answering virtually all the questions. He proffered solutions to the issues raised.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) took the former minister up on the prevalence of malaria, malnutrition/kwashiorkor and carbon monoxide fumes ravaging the health of children.

She asked him he intended to tackle the problems, if confirmed.

Chukwu said solution to malnutrition lies in the education of the girl-child to acquire the basic training in nutrition to prepare them for motherhood.

This, he said, would enable them to know the right nutri-

Cabinet: Jonathan consults on last set of nominees Continued from page 1

ernor Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and a prominent Ijaw leader.

“The division is affecting the fate of such nominees as Prof. Rufai Alkali (Gombe), Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN) from Ondo and Kenneth Gbagi (Delta).

“For the Southeast slot, some PDP leaders want Mrs. Josephine Anenih to come on board, Okonjo-Iweala does not accept the terms of the job offer, especially the salary package.

“Regarding the Northwest, Vice President Namadi Sambo has succeeded in getting the slot for Kaduna State, with a caveat that it must be given to a woman.

“The search for the woman nominee from Kaduna State is still on.”

Responding to a question, the source From Gbade Ogunwale and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

tional diets for their children which, according to him, are not necessarily expensive.

Chukwu admitted the existence of malnutrition among children, regretting that such a problem is associated with only war situations.

On environmental pollution caused by fumes from power generating sets and the attendant health hazards, Chukwu stressed the need for regulation and control in the meantime.

The lasting solution, he said, can only be achieved with the government fixing the power sector to ensure

•Mimiko: I didn’t nominate Omobola Johnson added: “The Senate will get the last list of eight nominees on Monday.”

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday denied nominating Mrs Omobola Olubusola Johnson to represent Ondo State in the cabinet.

In a statement by his spokesman Kolawole Olabisi, Mimiko said: “The woman in question is unknown to me. She is not a member of the Labour Party (LP) and I do not belong to the PDP; so it will be wrong to report that I nominated her.”

The PDP in Edo State yesterday denied campaigning against its ministerial nominee, Mr Mike Onolememen, for allegedly being a cousin of a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih.

stable electricity supply.

He also addressed questions from Senator Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central) on traditional medicare and how the government can accommodate the practitioners in the nation’s healthcare system.

The nominee informed the senators that the health ministry under his watch had already commissioned experts who have been working on how to incorporate herbal medicare into orthodox medical practice.

But, he said, it has not been easy for the practitioners to come together to provide a common front.

Besides, the ministry has been having difficulty con-

The party made the clarification in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Okharedia Ihimekpen, against the backdrop of moves to pressurise the President to drop Onolememen.

The statement said: “In a bid to put records straight against the tissue of lies concocted by some disgruntled politicians on the choice of the ministerial nominee from Edo State, it has become pertinent to highlight that Onolememen is not a cousin of Chief Tony Anenih.

“Some disgruntled politicians who did not make President Jonathan’s ministerial list have mischievously entered into a fruitless propaganda, claiming that the Edo State ministerial nominee of Mr. President was actually a first cousin of Chief Anenih.”

vincing herbal medicine practitioners to submit their products for scientific analysis.

Senator Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central) pointed out the need for Community Health Insurance that would enable rural communities to benefit from the healthcare system.

But Chukwu said it is not only rural communities that need proper healthcare but the entire Nigerian people, adding that the best solution lies in reviewing the existing National Health Insurance Scheme to make healthcare compulsory for everyone.

He stressed the need for improvement in the health sector in terms of facilities and attitudinal change from healthcare

providers to cope with the challenges of communicable and non communicable diseases.

Mrs Alison-Madueke was taken to task on kerosene scarcity. She explained that round tripping activities on the part of unscrupulous marketers have been responsible for the scarcity.

According to her, the quality of kerosene being used in domestic cooking is the same quality with the one used in aviation fuelling, giving rise to situations where the marketers divert the product meant for domestic consumption to the aviation sector for higher profits.

She also identified hoarding as part of the problem, saying that the nation consumes an

average of eight million litres of kerosene daily whereas the product used to be available to the tune of 11 litres per day in the last 12 to 14 months.

On the deluge of petitions against her, Mrs AlisonMadueke said she stepped on some powerful toes in the course of her duty as Petroleum minister, particularly in the implementation of the policy on Nigerian Content, which, she claimed, did not go down well with some stakeholders.

She insisted that she was never indicted by the Senate, as alleged by some of the petitions, saying that if that was the case, she would not be standing before the Senate for screening.

The former minister said there would be stable supply of petroleum products when the Turn Around Maintenance that is going on in some refineries is completed and when the three new refineries in Lagos, Kogi and Bayelsa come on stream.

She added that with proper implementation of ongoing policy in the oil and gas sector, the nation will stop importing petroleum products in the next three years and will start exporting the products in the next four years.

Emeka Wogu, Bala Mohammed, Godsday Orubebe, Ruqayyatu Rufai and Caleb Olubolade also answered questions relevant to their former ministries. They were adjudged to have given a good account of themselves. The screening continues today.

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

3

NEWS

Cancer survivors, experts set agenda for world leaders Ahead of the United Nations high-level meeting on NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs) slated for September, the American Cancer Society (ACS) hosted cancer survivors, cancer control advocates and experts in New York, United States, where they decided that cancer must be fought at the highest level of government, if the world is to be saved, writes Assistant Editor (News) OLUKOREDE YISHAU

P

RINCESS Nikky Onyeri was in New York, United States to tell the world that cancer is not a death sentence. In 1993, she was at a clinic in Nigeria to have medical check-up. The doctor simply had a feel of her left breast and pronounced she had only six months to live, having been inflicted with cancer.

After a second opinion in the United Kingdom, she realised that the situation was not as bad as the Nigerian doctor had painted it. She only had a benign cyst. After a year in the UK, she got over the cyst and returned home.

In New York, she joined many other cancer survivors from some 50 countries who went to the United Nations to call for a radical shift in the global body’s commitment to taming cancer.

Onyeri, who, in the last 15 years, has been committed to increasing awareness about cancer, believes that the global leaders’ high-level meeting on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in September must boost the fight against NCDs, such as cancer. That was why she, Oluwakemi Oyegbile, another cancer survivor and Seun Akioye, a cancer control advocate, met last Monday with Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Joy Ogwu, to discuss the need for the country to be more committed to the fight against NCDs. She said: “Cancer is not a killer disease. With the United Nations High-level Meeting in New York in September 2011, it is my sincere hope that women who suffer from cancer will receive attention in the outcome document that will be released at the end of the session.’’

Onyeri and over 80 other cancer surivors, journalists and cancer control advocates were flown into New York by the American Cancer Society (ACS), as part of its wellcoordinated efforts to persuade world leaders to quell NCDs. The ACS took this decision because of the fact that cancer is ravaging both wealthy and developing countries, and accounts for more deaths than tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The ACS, in a report made available during the New York sessions,

•A cross-section of cancer survivors, cancer control advocates and journalists at the pre-UN High-level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases

said almost 80 per cent of the world’s deaths from NCDs occur in developing countries. In China and India, such NCDs are rapidly emerging as major health challenges, fuelled by lifestyles and diets change.

The incidence of cancer in low-income countries shows the ACS report is expected to rise by 82 per cent by 2030. The expected rise in richer countries is 40 per cent.

“The costs of doing nothing increase as non-communicable diseases rise, overwhelming resourcepoor health systems and slowing economic growth,” the report indicates. The ACS cites the World Economic Forum (WEF) report, which shows that NCDs are among the three greatest risks to the global economy because of the escalating cost of care, the threat to productivity from death and lingering disease and the impoverishing impact on families.

Sadly, noted the report, less than three per cent of global health aid is directed at preventing and treating non-communicable diseases. Another sad tale: though developing countries bear 80 per cent of the global cancer burden, only about five per cent of the money spent worldwide on cancer goes to the developing world.

Jordanian Princess Dina Mired, while addressing journalists and cancer survivors at New York’s plush Pierre Restaurant, described the situation as “cancer genocide.”

She said gone were the days when cancer ‘’passed unnoticed’’ as the disease of the rich. She said all must act to address the cancer epidemic.

Speaking, Nobel Laureate Dr Harold Varmus said there is an urgent need to tackle cancer and other NCDs in a global effort, because of the many unanswered questions about cancer and its link with infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/ AIDS and malaria.

Varmus, who is director of America’s National Cancer Institute, said a lot of hope is also being placed in medical advances and the increasing

•Nathan

availability of cheap cancer drugs that were once beyond the reach of the developing world.

Director of the Institute of Public Health at Georgia State University, Prof. Michael Eriksen, called for stiffer tobacco control measures as a way of fighting NCDs. He said: “Smoking is all about image and cigarette packages represent extremely powerful images just like traditional marketing used to.

Plain packaging is still a long way off in the US because of the power of the tobacco industry. But sometime in the future, it will eventually become the norm.”

Eriksen’s observation makes sense when juxtaposed with the fact that of the many countries that have ratified the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), less than

10 per cent has domestic tobaccocontrol policy.

Nigeria is awaiting the assent of President Goodluck Jonathan to the National Tobacco Control Bill, which is the domestication of the FCTC. United Nations Deputy SecretaryGen eral Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro said raising awareness is the economical way to fight cancer and other NCDs. She urged governments, the private sector, the academia and scientists to join forces against this deadly scourge.

Migiro spoke at the UN secretariat, New York last week Monday during a Media Forum on NCDs, organised by the ACS and the UN Department of Public Information, for the reporters who participated in the pre-UN High-level September meeting.

She said without all stakeholders joining forces, the fight against NCDs cannot be won.

Migiro said: “Unlike sicknesses caused by a mosquito, a virus or an infection, NCDs are linked to factors like food, tobacco, environmental pollution and a lack of exercise.

These may sound like matters of individual habits. After all, people can decide for themselves whether they smoke or drink too much or whether they fail to get exercise or overeat. Changing individual’s habits is essential, yes. A major part of our campaign will be to promote exercise, reduce excessive consumption of alcohol and cut the use of tobacco products. But this is not only a campaign for individuals.

“Governments can take decisions that reward and encourage healthy habits. Equally, they can raise the financial cost of unhealthy habits.

Governments can also strengthen healthcare for people with NCDs. They can fund research. Academics and scientists can foster progress.

And the private sector can make sure that, while they pursue profits, they also protect health. Companies can adjust formulas of their foods to include better ingredients and ban

those that are known to be harmful.

Companies can also act responsibly when marketing products to children. And all of us can take measures to keep harmful chemicals out of our environment. Raising awareness is a simple and economical way to prevent NCDs.” She added that the bulk of new cases of NCDs can be prevented if the main risk factors such as tobacco use, excessive consumption of alcohol, unhealthy diets and lack of exercise can be checked.

Migiro condemned the impression that NCDs are illnesses of the rich, saying Africa has the highest rate of people living with raised blood pressure and that poor countries suffer 80 per cent of the NCD death toll.

Migiro said the UN High-level meeting on NCDs slated for September will provide the needed political will to fight the diseases. “We at the United Nations are strongly committed to doing everything we can to help,” she said.

The commitment Migiro spoke about, according to ACS’s National Vice President, Nathan Grey, had been lacking. He said policy makers and governments have largely ignored cancer and other NCDs. He said: “While we have made and continued to make progress against diseases that were termed incurable at some time, cancer is still under reported and underfunded.

The percentage of public and private health funding of cancer in low and middle income countries is just 5 percent.”

No wonder, ACS’s Vice President of Regional Strategies Alessandra Durstine said the United Nations High Level Meeting provides “an incredible opportunity to put the spotlight on the importance of cancer control and to give a global voice to those affected by cancer and other non communicable diseases.”

The world is waiting with anxiously to see what happens during and after the UN High-level Meeting on NCDs next September.

Senate okays 20 Special Advisers for Jonathan

T

O assist President Goodluck Jonathan in carrying out his functions, the Senate yesterday approved twenty Special Advisers for him.

The President had requested in a letter to the Senate for the approval of the Special Advisers in line with Section 151 (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The Senate’s approval did not come easily yesterday as many senators sought to cut in the number of Special Advisers from 20 to 10.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

They believed that if the Senate could cut its running cost by 40 percent, the Executive should start taking steps to reduce the cost of governance.

Speaking on the matter yesterday, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said: “As we are cutting down our running cost by 40 percent, may be the President should also consider reducing the cost of running government by the executive

by 40 percent.”

Senator Umar Dahiru said: “Bringing twenty special advisers will be over burdening the governance. The 20 Special Advisers added to the about 36 ministers is a large number. Since we believe that we should cut the government running costs, we should cut the number.”

“Let us set up a committee to look at the appropriate number to be engaged by the President.”

Senator Chris Ngige maintained that twenty special ad-

visers for the President is mind-boggling.

“The President should start with a number that we think will reflect the mood of the nation. Let him start with ten special advisers.”

But Senators Ahmed Sani Rufai, Heneiken Lokpobiri and Odion Ugbesia disagreed with their colleagues by stating that twenty special advisers is not too much for a president of any country.

Senator Odion Ugbesia said: “I am surprised we are going through this argument.

Twenty special advisers, I think is too small for president of a country.”

“Governors have many special advisers and nobody is questioning that.” He noted But before putting question on the matter yesterday, the Senate President David Mark paving way for the request to be approved said: “How much is the salary of 10 special advisers? We can look at other ways to cut waste.”

The voice votes yesterday supported the approval of the

•Jonathan

twenty special advisers for President Jonathan.

CTION

4

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

NEWS PDP to summon emergency BOT, NEC meetings

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is planning an emergency meeting of its major organs with a view to repositioning the party, it was learnt yesterday.

The major organs of the party include the National Caucus, the Board of Trustees (BOT) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).

The leadership of the party is presently consulting on how to correct the current imbalance in its zoning arrangement and also fill the post to be vacated by members of the National Working Committee (NWC) who have been nominated for ministerial positions

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The election of Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal from the Northwest and Emeka Ihedioha from the Southeast as Speaker and Deputy Speaker by the House of Representatives caused a major crack in the zoning arrangement. The positions were earlier meant for the Southwest and

From Sanni Ologun, Abuja

Northeast.

PDP’s Acting National Chairman Dr Haliru Bello Mohammed and the National Auditor, Dr Samuel Orthom are among the 34 ministerial nominees being screened by the Senate.

If successful, Mohammed will hand over to the National Secretary Alhaji Abubakar Baraje in line with the party’s constitution while Orthom’s replacement would have to be sourced from the North Central Zone.

Orthom is from Benue State in the North Central region.

A highly because of the president trip to Equatorial Guinea placed PDP source said the emergency meetings may not be next week.

Jonathan is presently in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea to attend a three –day summit of the African Union (AU).

Jonathan in Malabo for AU Summit From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan arrived Malabo, Equatorial Guinea early yesterday for a three-day summit of the African Union (AU).

He was received on arrival at the Malabo International Airport by the Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Ignacio Milam Tang, Permanent Secretary in Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Martins Uhoimoibhi, Nigerian Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Ambassador Gregory Okon and other high ranking officials of Nigeria in Equatorial Guinea and the AU. Jonathan was accompanied by his wife Dame Patience and some senior aides. He immediately proceeded to the AU Conference Centre in Sipopo, Malabo from the airport to participate at the 25th NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee meeting.

He is also expected to attend the 15th Summit of the African Peer Review (APR) Forum of Heads of State and Government, the Summit of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, and also have an interactive meeting with a cross-section of the Nigerian Community in Malabo at the Nigerian embassy this evening.

LP ‘not lobbying for appointment’ From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

LABOUR Party (LP) yesterday said it did not lobby President Goodluck Jonathan for appointments.

National Chairman Dan Nwayanwu said his party’s support for President Goodluck Jonathan during the electionwas not because it expected to be rewarded with appointments or participating in his government.

Nwayanwu explained that the LP accepted to support Jonathan because he accepted to buy into the manifestoes of the party.

He said his party’s subscription to the Government of National Unity (GNU) would not lead to the death of critical opposition.

I

Four dead as two-storey building collapses in Abuja

T was a pitiable sight yesterday as officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) battled to save the lives of workers and vendors trapped in a three-storey building which collapsed on the border of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

As at last night, four people have been confirmed dead in the incident.

An eye-witness, IfeanyiChukwu Idoko, an electrical parts seller , said: “I was at the shop when the iron rod they used for the deck and columns this house started shak-

I

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola inspecting the passing-out parade/piping ceremony of the Basic Course of the Federal Road Safety Corps 2011 Officer Cadets, at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Parade Ground, Ede, Osun State.... yesterday

From Kamarudeen Ogundele and Bukola Amusan, Abuja

ing. We thought it was the people that were shaking it. All of a sudden, the house came down. I rushed to my neighbour to collect three hammers; two have broken. To the glory of God we rescued eight people, two have died. The last person was rescued when they brought in a crane”.

The building is between two private schools near a

check point at Mararaba, on the outskirt of Abuja.

Many parents who took the collapse for a bomb explosion rushed to schools to evacuate their children.

Experts blamed the incident on lack of political will to enforce the National Building Code. The National Assembly was also not spared for not passing the bill on the building code into law, six years after it was sent.

The incident which occurred at about 10am worsened the traffic situation on the Abuja-Keffi road, even as residents bemoaned the slow pace of rescue operation.

Through the collective efforts of volunteers, eight people have been rescued before the first crane was brought at about 1pm.

But the Zonal Coordinator of agency in Abuja, Mr. Ishaya Chinoko said no few-

IGP cuts short visit to U.S

NSPECTOR-General of Police Hafiz Ringim has cut short his visit to the United States to honour a Senate invitation to testify on the security situation in the country, officials said yesterday.

The Senate after a debate on the spate of security breaches in some parts of the country on Tuesday summoned security chiefs to brief it on the situation.

Ringim, who arrived in Washington on Sunday, was scheduled to deliver a keynote address tomorrow on “The Challenge of Police reform in Africa’’, at the Cen-

tre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

A spokesperson of the CSIS told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York by telephone that the Police chief would no longer attend the event.

“He called this morning (Wednesday) to inform us that he will be leaving Washington tonight (yesterday) to honour an invitation from the Senate on the security situation in the country,’’ the official said.

The official told NAN that the Centre had contacted other panelists over the change of plans by the keynote

speaker.

The Centre was also making plans to have someone from the Nigerian embassy in Washington D.C to stand in for the police chief.

Yesterday, an email from CSIS to NAN provided further details: saying “Due to a last minute schedule change, Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim will not be able to attend and thus will not deliver the keynote address as planned.

“The panel discussion will continue as scheduled, and will feature: Charles Snyder Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Nar-

US: 70per cent visa applicants in Nigeria are approved From Dele Anofi and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

A

•Ringim

cotics and Law Enforcement Affairs U.S. Department of State Sarah Margon’’.

Curfew imposed on Abuja centres

T

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) yesterday imposed limited curfews on recreational centres operating in Abuja. The measure came two weeks after a deadly bomb attack rocked Force Headquarters claimed by a radical Islamist sect.

With the directive, night clubs and cinemas are to close shops by 10pm daily, including weekends. Beer parlours and billiards centres are also affected by the policy.

Parks and gardens that admit children would now close at 6pm.

The city also banned parking of vehicles on roads where

most government offices are located.

“These measures are necessitated by the need to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the federal capital territory (in light of) the prevailing security concerns,” said a statement signed by the city’s spokesman Muhammad Hazat Sule.

The new security steps follow the June 16 bomb attack which claimed at least two lives, including that of a police officer at the car park of the police headquarters.

The Boko Haram sect, blamed for series of gun and bomb attacks in the Northern part of the country in recent

months, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The sect had ealy in the week launched two attacks in in which 30 people were killed, 25 or them in multiple bombings at an outdoor beer drinking spot.

In a bid to curb common crimes such as robberies a few years ago, authorities tried to get beer gardens to stop serving alcohol after 7pm.

The measures, which are expected to have negative economic repercussions, have been described by an economic analyst as an “overkill”.

The analyst, Onah Ekhomu said: “I think it’s a knee-jerk reaction, but it’s overkill.

er than 11 persons were rescued and taken to Asokoro District Hospital and Maitama General Hospital.

Chinoko thanked the residents for their assistance in carrying out the rescue operation.

It was, however, learnt that no fewer than 22 people may still be trapped in rubble of the building, the owner of which was unknown.

These include artisans who were preparing for the day’s job, food and water vendors.

A woman and her two children were said to be among those trapped.

“We are not at war and the authorities can take care of this problem.

“First of all by doing that you have already told the terrorist that they have won.”

Boko Haram, which launched an uprising in 2009 in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, had in previous months targeted police personnel, politicians, community and religious leaders usually by its gunmen riding on motocycles.

But the members have widened their scope of operations to ordinary civilians at beer drinking spots and worship places. The latest of such attacks claimed 25 lives in Maiduguri on Sunday.

BOUT 70 per cent of visa applicants in the country were annually issued visa in Nigeria, United States Head of Consular, has said.

The Consular Chief, Mr. Steve Frahm,who spoke with reporters yesterday in Abuja said: “Generally speaking based on statistics, Nigeria is the lowest of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) states with a low refusal rate. About 70 per cent of tourists and business applicants were approved visas last year. Nigerian students also enjoy more visa approval in the sub-saharan Africa.

Presently, we are planning to interview 40,000 applicants in Abuja this year and there will be more than that in Lagos”.

Frahm attributed visa refusal to late planning and submission of wrong details by applicants.

He added: “It is important to remind people that visas processing should not be the last issue to consider in a travelling plan but rather the first. Applicants should think about planning for a training programme or conferences in the US a year in advance not two weeks or less to the event.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

5

NEWS Lagos Assembly screens 13 nominees

By Oziegbe Okoeki

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HE Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday began the screening of 37 commissioner-nominees and special advisers presented by Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN).

Thirteen were screened yesterday, 12 would be screened today and the remaining tomorrow.

Speaking before the exercise, Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji said: “It is a constitutional provision, we will do our best to ensure that only those who have values to add to governance are allowed to work with the governor,” Ikuforiji said.

Those screened are: Adetokunbo Abiru; Tunji Bello and former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Ben Akabueze.

Others are: Mrs. Yewande Adesina; Wale Ahmed; Jimoh Ajao; Mrs. Aderinsola Disu; Ayo Gbeleyi; Olutoyin Ayinde; Oyinlomo Danmole; Ademorin Kuye; Dolapo Badru and Seye Oladejo.

The lawmakers, who don’t sit on Wednesdays and Fridays, decided to do so to conclude the exercise on time.

Ahmed, Ajao, Bello, Badru and Danmole were told to take a bow because they were former lawmakers or commissioners. Other nominees were questioned before been allowed to go.

Ajimobi sets up committee to review contracts by Akala

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday set up an eightman committee to review contracts awarded by his predecessor, Adebayo Alao-Akala.

Inaugurating the committee in his office in Ibadan yesterday, Deputy Governor Moses Alake-Adeyemo said the exercise would encourage due process and transparency in the conduct of government business.

The committee, which is headed by Oluremi Osiberu, will ascertain the level of commitment of the past administration to contractors.

Members are A. I. Adenrele (Secretary); A. Isola; Cliff Enobum; S. Amusan; Femi Adetunji and A. W. Gbadegesin, who is representing the Ministry of Justice.

The committee, which has eight weeks to scrutinise books and physical projects,

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

is empowered to identify outstanding contracts, examine the extent of compliance with due process while awarding the contracts.

It is also to establish or verify the extent of completion of each contract and recommend appropriate sanctions to those found culpable and advise on payment of genuine ones.

Alake-Adeyemo said the exercise was not targeted at any official nor is it to witchhunt anyone.

“The findings of the committee would assist the government to establish whether the contracts were awarded in conformity with the Public Procurement Act and to determine those areas that require urgent government attention,” he said.

How Daniel sold public assets, by Amosun

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday reviewed land transactions under the administration of his predecessor, Gbenga Daniel, who he alleged sold state property at giveaway prices to “friends and cronies”.

He accused Daniel of using two agencies - the Gateway Holdings Limited and the Bureau of Lands and Survey – to dispose public assets and shortchanged the state.

He said the state was shortchanged by the bureau to the tune of N22 billion.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, was the Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Holdings Limited.

Gbenga Ogunnoiki was the Director-General of the Bureau of Lands and Survey.

According to Amosun, Gateway Holdings gave away common assets without due process in the name of concessions.

The governor said there are existing laws forbidding the concessioning or sales of certain public assets to individuals.

He lamented that the Daniel administration established Gateway Holdings to circumvent the stipulated laws.

“To facilitate the conces-

•Bureau of Lands shortchanged state by N22b From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

sion, the Daniel-led administration created the Gateway Holdings Limited to move those assets into the Holdings and began to sell them to friends.

“We will recover such public assets for the state.”

The governor spoke at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, during a parley with stakeholders, including labour unions, students and civil servants among others.

It was the governor’s maiden “State of the State Address” to mark his one month in office.

The governor said the concessions were done in a manner that contravened due process.

He said whatever decision to be taken on the matter would be discussed at the State Executive Council meeting.

“One thing that I observed, which runs across all the concessions, is that all did not follow due process.”

Amosun regretted that the sales were done in questionable circumstances.

“Even the Gateway Trail-

er Park near the old Toll Gate at Ogere, in Ikenne Local Government, was concessioned for 25 years on May 2 (a public holiday) at N25 million.

Amosun said: “It is the worst abuse of power by any administration.

“In this case, the Gateway Holdings had no clue of this invidious concession that was entered into on May 2 at the end of the last administration’s days.

Amosun said the Gateway Hotels were given out in similar circumstances.

“After they had been valued by Ayo Otegbola & Co at N1, 408,694,108 in 2009, only N300 million was paid to the state through the Gateway Holdings Limited.

“The Gateway Hotel, Ijebu Ode, after valuation at N707, 529,709, was concessioned for N100 million or an average of N30 million per annum.”

The governor also accused the Daniel administration of trying to kill agriculture by concessioning key assets in the sector.

He said: “Remo Rubber Plantation was given out at N20 million for 60 years.

“Also, Apoje Farms, which

occupies about 8,000 hectares of land, was given out for 30 million on a dubious concession term.

“Also, Ikenne Dairy Farms was concessioned for 25 years for a fee of $1million, but no record of this transaction is reflected in government’s accounts.”

Amosun also told stakeholders how the state was cheated of N22 billion through the Bureau of Lands and Survey by remitting less than what was possibly accruable to the state from land sales and ratification in the last eight years.

He noted that 41 hectares of land allocated to private developers on the LagosIbadan Expressway could have fetched the government N33.8 billion, going by the Bureau’s rate.

Amosun said: “The revenue that ought to accrue to Ogun State from the huge land allocations was at least N33.8 billion, if we use the Bureau rates.

“Curiously, for the entire period of eight years, the last administration posted a meagre N10.9 billion for land allocation and N577 million for land ratification.”

Group denounces Boko Haram

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HE Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS), Lagos State, yesterday dissociated itself from the Boko Haram sect.

At a briefing in Lagos on the Society’s 12th Biennial congress and Eighth merit award, the Chairman, Council of Missioners, Zakariyyah Thanni, said members cannot associate themselves with people who are encouraging ignorance.

He said: “Islam encourages knowledge and any group or individual, who condemns acquisition of education, is not part of Islam.”

ADS Chairman, Lagos State council, Nurudeen Okuleye said Islam is a peaceful religion, which neither preaches nor supports violence.

He condemned the faceless group, which he said, is not following the principles and teachings of Islam. “Islam preaches education. For any group or individual to say Western Education is forbidden, that person is not a Muslim.”

Ondo REC faults lawmaker’s claim

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HE Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Akin Orebiyi, yesterday at the election tribunal sitting in Akure said the surname of the lawmaker representing Owo Constituency 1 was Arowole, according to Form CF 001.

The Labour Party (LP) lawmaker, known as Samuel Arowele, had earlier disowned his surname “Arowele”, which he submitted on oath to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its candidate for Owo constituency I, Ogunoye Folashade had accused Arowele of alleged certificate forgery.

Ogunoye, in a 23-page petition filed at the tribunal, averred that Arowele’s pri-

mary school and ordinary level certificate (WAEC/GCE) certificates were forged.

He also alleged that the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, diploma certificate presented by Arowele was fake.

ACN said the lawmakerelect could not have got admission to study business administration in any university with one credit in Yoruba.

At yesterday’s sitting, Orebiyi said Arowele did not inform the commission that he attended Festcom Institute Consult and that the institution’s name was not on the certificate he presented to INEC. The REC position contradicted Arowele’s position that he attended Festcom Institute and OOU.

•Chairman, Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue Service Babatunde Fowler speaking at the Lagos State Polytechnic Alumni Association quarterly lecture in Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday. With him are the association’s President Rotimi Edu and guest PHOTO:DAYO ADEWUNMI lecturer Adeola Ipaye

Police chief, Tokyo bicker over victims of NURTW crisis T HE Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Adisa Bolanta, has challenged a factional leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lateef Akinsola (aka Tokyo), to prove his claim that 200 people were killed in the union’s crisis.

Bolanta gave the challenge while addressing reporters at the Police Headquarters in Ibadan yesterday over the memorandum submitted by Tokyo through the factional secretary, Lekan Alesinloye, to the Commission of Inquiry.

Alesinloye had told reporters after submitting the report that the alleged meddlesomeness of police under

From Bisi Oladele, badan

the control of Bolanta led to the killing of about 200 people.

He also alleged the involvement of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala in the union affairs, non-implementation of the court’s judgment that returned Tokyo as Chairman of the union as factors responsible for the escalation of the crisis.

But Bolanta said Tokyo should name the victims, where they were killed and the police station involved.

Describing the claim as diversionary and an unwise attempt to get public sympathy to evade arrest with his rival, Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary), the police chief said: “The duo have already murdered sleep and shall sleep no more. They would soon be arrested.”

“May be they were the ones who killed those people. So, they should give us the statistics of the people killed so far; the police station where those incidences were reported and then the medical or autopsy reports.

“It is not just making noise on the pages of news-

papers or on television and radio stations blackmailing themselves, they should tell us what I have just said now.”

The police chief said the command was compiling its reports to be submitted to the panel.

Bolanta also dismissed the allegation of a frosty relationship with Governor Abiola Ajimobi, saying he would remain loyal to him.

“The degree of loyalty I gave to the former governor is what I am going to give to him (Ajimobi). ...I have no option than to be loyal to him. That is all.”

The commission will begin public hearing on July 7.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

6

NEWS

•From left: Chairman, Acedamy for Entrepreneurial Studies (AES) Excellence Club, Mrs Nike Akande; Mazi Sam Ohabunwa; Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; President, AES, Dr Ausbeth Ajagu; Bishop David Oyedepo and Mr Gamaliel Onosode,s at the third national conference of AES at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos

Kogi governorship poll holds in March

Kwankwaso orders remittance of N3b pension fund deductions K

ANO State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso yesterday diHE Independent rected that the over N3 bilNational Electoral lon deducted from workers’ Commission (INEC) salaries as pension fund yesterday said the governorfrom September, last year, ship election would be held in till April be traced and reKogi State in March, next mitted to the Pension Fund year.

Trustees.

Resident Electoral CommisThe governor spoke when sioner Mallam Muhammed executives of the state penAbubakar spoke in Lokoja, sion forum visited him. He the state capital, at a stakesaid his transition commitholders’ meeting at the INEC tee discovered that the monoffice. ey was not remitted.

He urged the residents to Kwankwaso said some prepare for the poll to ensure agencies and local governit is free, fair and credible. ments had not remitted for Abubakar noted that despite some months workers’ conthe 21 cases filed before the tribution to the pension electoral petitions tribunal in fund. the state, INEC would conduct He said such money a credible governorship election next year because Kogi was no longer a flash point.

He said the commission was not impressed with the turnHE Standards Organout of voters in the April isation of Nigeria elections, adding that in the (SON) has said the Central Senatorial District, the government would from number of women that turned August 15 not allow into out for the exercise was more the country any product than men. that does not meet internaAbubakar said: “A lot has to tional standards. been done as we approach Importers are expected to 2012 governorship election. follow certain standard We just have to raise the procedures for bringing tempo higher if we must goods into Nigeria as SON record a credible governorintensifies the enforcement ship election in 2012.” of its rules on importation.

Praising the stakeholders, SON’s Director-General especially security agents, for Joseph Odumodu said there the success of the April polls, were plans to ensure that any the REC said the stakeholders’ country that produces and meeting was to tackle any sells substandard products challenge that might confont to Nigerians would be made the election next year. to take the products back.

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

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•Warns civil servants against partisanship From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

should be paid into appropriate coffers, adding that using them for other purposes was illegal.

The governor urged the pensioners to be united to assist the government flush out ghost pensioners.

Kano Pensioners Forum Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Tarauni urged the government to implement 142 per cent increment for pension-

ers and improve their welfare package.

He said the forum started a thriving cooperative society, which collected discretionary contribution from members and urged the government to support the society.

Kano State Government has warned its civil servants to desist from partisan politics and uphold the ethics of the service.

Speaking at a dinner for

permanent secretaries, directors and other top government officials, Kwankwaso said workers should be neutral and diligent in discharging their duties.

He said the ongoing verification of workers in its employ was not to witchhunt anyone but to sanitise the civil service.

The governor urged the workers to work with the government in achieving its

‘Nigeria will return non-standard goods’

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By Yusuf Sanusi

Such manufacturers will also pay for the repatriation of their products.

Odumodu said it would not be business as usual at the nation’s ports since SON began full implementation of the standards rules on imports.

Odumodu said: “About 70 per cent of products imported into the country are sub standard. As for electrical materials, the sub standard imported products are up to 90 per cent; yet, these are products in the life-danger category.”

He said investigation by

the organisation showed that sub-standard products were traced to some Asian countries to Nigeria. But he declined to name the countries to avoid jeopardising investigation into their activities and the plans to counter their counterfeiting activities.

Diplomatic moves were being made to prevent substandard products from further entering Nigeria from those countries.

Part of the measures, he said, was the engagement of major importers in dialogue with SON and strengthen the organisation’s enforcement unit at the ports.

Yakowa, Giade decry drug abuse among youths

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ADUNA State Governor Patrick Yakowa and Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday expressed worry over drug abuse among youths.

They spoke in Zaria, Kaduna State, at the public destruction of 11,421kilogrammes of narcotics, mainly cannabis sativa (Indian hemp), worth about

•NDLEA destroys N110m drugs in Kaduna

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

N110million.

The governor said the state was working with anti-narcotic agencies to tackle drug addiction among youths.

Yakowa, who was represented by the Coordinator of Operation Yaki and Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, said drug barons should be punished

for their illicit business.

He said: “No responsible government will fold its arms and watch its youths, who represent the future generation wallow in servitude and addiction to illicit drugs.”

The governor noted that Kaduna had long included the NDLEA in its Security Council in recognition of the importance of drug control.

Giade said the abuse of unrestricted substances posed a serious challenge to the state.

He said: “It is disheartening that children of age 13 are among drug users in the state. We are also deeply concerned about the abuse of uncontrolled substances, such as rubber solution, nail polish cleaner, lizard waste and petrol, that are available and freely accessible.

Odumodu said a surveillance team was in place to monitor SON officials at the ports, adding that some of its officials found to have colluded with importers of sub-standard materials had been sanctioned.

He said in future, officials found to have compromised would not only be dismissed from service but will also be prosecuted.

Odumodu said the ultimate objective of the SON is for the country “to produce quality products locally, create jobs for our teeming youths instead of paying salaries of citizens of other countries by importing their products”.

He said SON would implement the standard rules because they are in the interest of the nation.

The organisation will soon start a campaign to appeal to consumers to resist bad products. “The power to resist bad products should be with the people the consumers - as it is done in other countries. Let the consumer take the responsibility.”

He urged consumers to always ask SON before buying goods and products.

goals.

Kwankwaso said the new administration would give the state capital a new look, especially in the areas of sanitation, health, water supply and reactivation of street lights.

He solicited the support of the residents to ensure the success of government programmes.

The governor assured of government’s preparedness to improve the welfare of its workers to reposition the service for better results.

The permanent secretaries and directors promised their loyalty to the new administration.

Stakeholders to fight drug abuse From Duku Joel, Damaturu

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HE fight against drug abuse among Yobe State youths would become more effective when traditional rulers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the Shariah Committee complements government efforts, the state government has said.

Speaking at the Bukar Abba Ibrahim University in Damaturu, the state capital, at this year’s United Nations Day Against Drug Abuse, Director of Sharia in Yobe State Ministry of Religious Affairs, Lawal Abba-Shettima noted that the stakeholders needed to be drafted into the fight to enable the government win the war against illicit drug use among youths.

Abba-Shettima said: “Sharia is a vanguard of sanitising the society, especially in the eradication of drug abuse and trafficking in the state. I, therefore, urge traditional institutions and non-governmental organisations to join hands with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Sharia Committee against this social problem.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

7

NEWS Firm denies hand in Lekki flood

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• From left: Mr Chidi Odinkalu; frontline journalist, Mr Ray Ekpu; former Chairman, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mallam Garba Shehu; Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN); and rights activist, Mr Richard Akinnola, at a one-day roundtable on Press Freedom and National Security at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Stusies (NIALS), University of Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

Lightning kills 19 in Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe

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INETEEN people have been struck to death by lightning in Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe states, it was learnt yesterday.

Lightning reportedly killed 15 in Gombe and Yobe after strong thunderstorms swept through the North’s rural pasturelands.

A spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the casualties included eight men, four women and three children who died on Tuesday.

There have been storms in parts of the country, with floods sweeping many people and destroying property worth millions of naira.

village in Bauchi •Nine cows struck dead in Bauchi Dungulbi Local Government were From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday recorded four deaths and destruction of property near a stream that runs across the city.

In Soro village, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, four persons were struck dead by thunder.

It was learnt that the incident occurred about 74 kilometres from Bauchi, the state capital.

The victims were the two wives of Mallam Saidu Bello and their two children.

Bello told The Nation that

his wives were grinding corn for the evening meal with their children strapped on their backs when lightning killed them.

The Development Area Officer of Ganjuwa East, Alhaji Mohammed Dabo, confirmed the incident, saying: “When we heard the sad news, we visited Mallam Bello’s house to commiserate with the family. We have also written a letter to the Ganjuwa Local Government and the state government for immediate assistance.”

It was gathered that nine cows belonging to Mallam Hardo Mohammed Musa of

killed by thunder.

Hardo said: “I sent my boys to take the animals out to graze but they ran back home to inform me about the lightning that struck the animals. When I got there, nine of the 10 cows were dead.”

Efforts to contact Geodynamics and Geodesic Centre in Toro Local Government of Bauchi State to comment on the incidents were unsuccessful.

The Head of the centre was said to have travelled out of the state and none of his subordinates was ready to comment on the development.

Aregebsola urges alcohol detection among drivers

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to introduce alcohol detection mechanism on drivers to reduce deaths on the highways.

The governor advised the Federal Government to pass the maintenance of federal roads to state governments because of the bureaucracy in handling them.

Speaking yesterday at the passing out parade of 800 cadets of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ede, Osun State, Aregbesola said his administration would retrain and re-certify commercial vehicle drivers in the state to ensure safety on the highways.

The governor sought the cooperation of the FRSC

with his administration, saying Osun was particular about the mental health, physical condition and eyesight of drivers.

Describing drivers as “the people on whom we entrust our lives on the road”, Aregbesola urged Nigerians to make road safety a collective task to save lives and reduce carnage on the highways.

He said: “I desire that the FRSC introduce alcohol content detection in the drivers on our road, just like their counterparts in the developed world. I want us collectively to save lives and reduce the carnage on our roads.”

He noted that the biggest challenge to road safety was the condition of the roads, especially federal roads.

‘I desire that the FRSC introduce alcohol content detection in the drivers on our road, just like their counterparts in the developed world. I want us collectively to save lives and reduce the carnage on our roads’ Across the country, Aregbesola said, bad roads remained the major source of constant accidents in which many people die every year.

He said: “It is necessary, therefore, that the maintenance of these roads be ceded to state governments,

who are to be reimbursed for the cost later.”

Aregbesola said state governments were in a better position to repair bad roads within their domains, adding that the bureaucracy of the Federal Government made it too cumbersome for them to effectively maintain federal roads.

He said a former Minister of Works once claimed that the bad and collapsing Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos could not be repaired because it was not in the ministry’s budget for that year.

The roads would still belong to the Federal Government whose agency, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), would only function as a regulator.

Group to Idris: stop framing your critics

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GROUP supporting former Kogi State governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, yesterday urged Governor Ibrahim Idris to stop framing critics of his administration and face the task of building the state.

Operating under the aegis of Kogi Legion of Democrats, it accused Idris of being apprehensive of Audu and asked why the government was linking the former governor with a purported plot

By Olamilekan Andu

to destabilise the state.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary Abdullahi Jimoh, the group said: “It is a pity that the Kogi State Government is embarking on this voyage of destruction and campaign of calumny when it is common knowledge among Kogi indigenes and Nigerians that the same government, under Idris, has been harassing, intimidating, vilifying and maligning the opposi-

tion, including Prince Audu, since he left in 2003.

“In fact, Kogi people are at a loss why a government that should be busy with governance has made character assassination its pastime.”

The group noted that the government had taken its hatred for Audu to a ridiculous and pedestrian level by refusing to pay him his severance allowance.

Audu left government eight years ago after the Peo-

ples Democratic Party (PDP), which fielded Idris, defeated the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), under which he (Audu) sought reelection.

The group said: “Do we say that President Goodluck Jonathan should not pay the severance allowance of General Muhammadu Buhari or Alhaji Atiku Abubakar simply because they were his political opponents? For how long will this kind of primitive and archaic politicking continues in Kogi State?”

HE Lekki Concession Company (LCC), the firm handling the concession of the Lagos-Epe Expressway, has denied culpability in the flood in the area early this week.

Residents of Jakande Estate, Lekki, Et-Osa Local Government of Lagos State, on Monday protested over the flood, alleging that it was caused by the construction LCC was carrying out on the expressway.

Some workers of Hitech Construction Company, the firm handling the road construction, were reportedly assaulted by the protesters, who accused the firm of causing the flood.

In a statement by its Communications Officer, Ms Veronica Jacobs, LCC said the protest was misdirected

By Okwy Iroegbu, Assistant Editor

because the flood was not the result of the company’s activity.

It condemned the alleged ill-treatment meted out to the construction workers, saying it was an improper way to show grievances.

The statement reads in part: “We learnt that the protest was about flooding experienced by residents of Jakande Estate since the heavy rains began, which they claim is caused by the construction works involved in the ongoing rehabilitation and upgrade of the Eti-Osa LekkiEpe Expressway.”

LCC said though it was responsible for the rehabilitation of the expressway, it did not cause the flood.

‘Governor’s critics ignorant’

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CHIEFTAIN of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State, Chief Ayo Akande, has described critics of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as ignorant and destructive.

Akande, who was reacting to the criticisms against Aregbesola’s style of administration, said the governor’s critics were unfair to him over his delay in the appointment of commissioners.

He noted that the critics were ignorant of the dynamics of developmental economies of a developing state like Osun.

Akande said: “If they were not mischievous and ignorant, they would know that it is not easy to revamp the economy of Osun State, which had been damaged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last eight years. After taking over from the reckless government of the PDP, he would need to understand the terrain and clear the rubbish in the foundation to stabilise the economy of the state for the equitable distribution of dividends of democracy.”

Speaker promises improved welfare From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

E

KITI State House of Assembly Speaker Dr. Adewale Omirin has promised to support medical practitioners in recognition of their role in sustaining a healthy citizenry.

He said the Assembly would soon deliberate on bills on medical practice and practitioners’ welfare.

Omirin expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for suspending its two-week strike over their welfare.

Speaking at a reception to honour him and Dr. Ayeni Clement, the Caretaker Chairman of Moba Logal Government, Omirin urged the medical practitioners to represent the best interest of their profession, adding that the Kayode Fayemi administration placed high premium on the health of the residents.

Dr. Wole Olugboji said Ekiti State was the first in the Southwest to implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

He noted that the government action showed the prime of place the workers’ welfare occupied in the present administration’s agenda.

Omirin and Olugboji said Governor Fayemi was passionate about workers’ welfare, urging the residents to support the government to implement its Eight-Point Agenda.

Omirin praised the teachers for suspending their strike following the Assembly’s pleas to them, adding that there would be an amicable resolution of their demands.

T

Bank to partner Kwara to HE Bank of Industry generate power

(BOI) has said it will partner the Kwara State Government to generate electricity.

Speaking at the ongoing three-day Kwara State Strategy Review Retreat in Lagos, the bank’s Managing Director, Ms Evelyn Oputu, promised to get development partners to build power turbines for power generation for the state.

The government will determine the location of the power turbines after feasibility studies.

Oputu said about N750million was in place as Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) loans for the state.

She urged the government to organise the state entre-

preneurs into clusters of businesses.

Ms Oputu advised the government to consider other ways to generate revenue instead of relying on the Federal Allocation.

She noted that opportunities abound in Kwara, saying the government should give priority to the mineral resources available in the state.

Addressing participants at the retreat, with the theme: Kwara 2011-2015: Consolidating Development, Delivering the Benefits, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said his administration would identify and focus on critical areas of the people’s needs in the next four years.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

8

NEWS Uduaghan urged to intervene in dispute

Ripples over Amaechi’s N20b investment in Ogoniland

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

DELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has been urged to intervene in the dispute between Italian oil giant, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, and the host communities of Okpai Gas Plant in Ndokwa East Local Government.

The communities, under the auspices of Association of Family of Oil and Gas Producing Community (ASFOGAPCOM), wrote to Agip requesting a meeting over an award of surveillance contract but was turned down.

In a statement by the group’s National Coordinator, Peace Ohrerhe, the communities urged Uduaghan to intervene and call Agip to order to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

The statement said the era where land owners were neglected are over. It urged oil companies to see the land owners as partners and stakeholders in their operations.

‘Provide rail line in Southsouth’ EDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to connect the Southsouth states with a rail line to promote economic growth in the region.

The governor made the call when the DirectorGeneral of the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED) Commission, Joe Keshi, visited him.

He said: “There is no reason why the Southsouth should not be connected with a rail line, while other regions are connected.

“We believe that the commission offers enormous potentials in integrating our states.

“It is legitimate to get together so that we can get what is due to us because of the contributions of the region to the nation’s economy.”

Osun to spend N187.5m on flooding OSUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has approved N187.5 million to dredge and combat floods in three major streams in Osogbo, the capital.

A contract has been awarded to Accord Engineering Limited after a submission by the Osun State Environmental Protection Agency (OSEPA) to cater for the Phase One of the Osogbo Township Drainage.

The contractor is to complete the project in 16 weeks from the date of receipt of materials.

The three streams, which have been causing heavy flooding, were identified as Okorokoro, Ogbaagbaa and Alekunwodo streams.

The Osogbo Township Drainage works include removal of debris, channellisation, desilting and improving of existing hydraulic structures on the three streams.

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HE multi-billion naira project to be initiated by the Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Ogoniland is creating tension among the people as there are accusations and counter accusations over the investment.

While the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) disagrees with the investment, politicians in Ogoniland are accusing MOSOP of misleading the people.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is also accusing government of bringing oil exploration back to the land through the back-door.

MOSOP, in a statement by its Information Officer, Bariara Kpalap, said the Ogoni are worried about the presence of soldiers on their land.

It called on the Federal Government to withdraw

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

the soldiers deployed due to alleged “unabated violation of human rights” of the people.

Kpalap said Ogoni people “unanimously rejected any acquisition of land for a proposed agricultural purpose” and that they would want all survey activities and “immediate withdrawal of the surveyors from our farmlands.”

MOSOP said the forceful surveying of farmlands in the area for a military barracks must stop, adding that “the Ogoni people have not been consulted neither has it reached any agreement relating to oil production in Ogoni with any oil mining corporation or the government.”

Rivers REC begs kidnappers to free daughter daughter

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EN days after the daughter of the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Utibeabasi Ikotiwak was abducted by gunmen at the Abundant Life Ministry, Eket, Akwa Ibom State, her father yesterday urged Nigerians to plead with the kidnappers to release her.

Ikotiwak said he does not have the N100 million being demanded by the kidnappers.

He said: “If I have the money, what will keep me from giving them? I appeal to Nigerians to join me in begging these people to release my 11-year-old daughter.

She is just a minor. Certain people just think that everybody in Nigeria is bad.”

Speaking with The Nation, Ikoiwak said: “The kidnappers are still insisting that if the N100million ransom is not paid, they will continue to hold Utibeabasi.

“For some days now, they have not been contacting the family.

We don’t even know what is going on. I just hope that my daughter is safe.

“I am begging the kidnappers in Jesus name to release my daughter because her mother has not been eating since last Sunday.

“Her abduction is telling on the family.”

•Utibeabasi Ikotiwak

The people warned that any attempt to extract oil without their approval would be resisted peacefully and non-violently.

Amaechi’s Acting Chief Press Secretary Blessing Wikina accused MOSOP of misleading the people and driving away investment from Ogoniland.

Wikina, who is also an Ogoni, said it amounts to utter disregard for Ogoni indigenes to say the governor had imposed sanctions on the people.

The aide said the proposed N5 billion Banana Plantation is to be located between Sogho in Khana Local Government and Ueken in Tai Local Government, and in line with Ogoni tradition on land ownership, the land owners were consulted.

Also planned for the

area is a N10 billion Oil Palm Plantation, which would make that axis of Ogoniland a robust agricultural economic corridor, hosting over N20 billion investment profiles cumulatively.

Wikina said it is only the leadership of MOSOP that would drive away such investment for the people.

He urged the people to be wary of the antics of elements, who have milked the fortunes of Ogoni people dry in the last couple of years without attracting any single development project to Ogoniland.

ACN Director of Publicity Jerry Needam accused government of wanting to use a surreptitious means to start oil exploration business in the land again by using soldiers to intimidate and harass the people.

Oshiomhole: why PDP lost in Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday gave an insight into why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) during the April elections.

Oshiomhole said the PDP fielded candidates, who have lost touch with the people and are bereft of ideas.

The governor spoke through his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Charles Idahosa.

He was reacting to allegations by the PDP that the Benin monarch and other traditional rulers influenced the outcome of the election in favour of the ACN. A PDP chieftain, Owere Dickson Imasogie, alleged that the Oba of Benin instructed voters to vote for ACN. But Oshiomhole said the people voted for his achievements, adding that PDP candidates could not offer anything better.

Idahosa said: “What is happening is a rebirth of development by the governor as the state was in a mess before Oshiomhole came on board.

“Since PDP cannot question the projects by the governor, it now resorted to rope in the Oba of Benin.

“What is happening to Edo PDP is that its leaders have a method of projecting candidates, who cannot effect changes in the lives of the people, because they don’t have a mind of their own.

“Edo State Government is focused and has a governor, who has the vision of transforming the state and providing the dividends of democracy.”

Truck crushes mother of two in Ibadan

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MOTHER of two was crushed to death by a truck in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday when the driver lost control due to brake failure.

An elderly man was said to have been injured in the accident, which occurred at about 2.30pm.

The accident involved two trucks belonging to 7UP Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Bottling Company. The trucks were loaded with goods.

According to eyewitness-

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

es, the Coca-Cola truck was parked on the left side of the road, when the 7UP truck crashed into it.

“We all thank God that the Coca–Cola truck was parked when the 7UP truck brake failed.

“Imagine what would have happened if the truck (Coca-Cola truck) was not here, it would have been a disaster,” a trader said.

The driver of the 7UP truck was said to have been trapped due to the heavy impact of the crash.

It took the effort of traders of the Dugbe Alawo market to cut the door before he was rescued.

Reliving his ordeal, the driver, who identified himself as Kanayo, said: “I was shocked when I found out that the brake of the truck was not working.

“Within me, I felt that there will be a lot of casu-

alties so that is why I made up my mind to hit the parked Coca-Cola truck.”

He was later rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH).

All the major roads leading to the Dugbe Alawo market were rendered impassable as the two trucks blocked the road.

Police officers from the Iyaganku Police station were still waiting for a towing vehicle to clear the way for road users.

‘Include us in amnesty’ From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

A

GROUP of ex-militants said they are tired of waiting for their entitlements as promised by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua when he declared amnesty.

They threatened to attack oil installations in the Niger Delta.

This followed the alleged refusal by the amnesty committee to recognise them.

The aggrieved militants under the aegis of the ‘Third Batch Amnesty Militants’, led

by Bayelsa State Chairman, Julius Joseph; Secretary Angamawei Richman and spokesperson Festus Joshua threatened that the attack will start simultaneously in the states .

They said: “We have tried our best but the Amnesty Committee is daring us and we will meet with other state leaders and fix a date for the action.

“The Federal Government collected our weapons and refused to include us in the programme.

“We have lobbied enough and are ready for action. Forget what Boko Haram is doing. We will not kill innocent people but will declare a tactical war that will cripple the resources they depend on.”

The group also cautioned the Federal Government against the use of any ex-militant leaders to intervene against the planned actions.

“We are ready to destroy all the oil explorations in the region. This is not for Bayelsa alone and we are speaking in one voice.

“We are still waiting for words from the Ijaw leaders we have pleaded with to intervene in our matter.

“But if we did not hear good words from them, the Federal Government, the Niger Delta and the nation will lose sleep.”

Kidnapped monarch’s car recovered From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

T

HE vehicle of the kidnapped Bayelsa monarch, King Oweipa Jones-Ere, has been recovered. His whereabouts still remain unknown.

The monarch is the Ebenanaowei (Clan Head) of Ogboin Kingdom.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police Suleiman Abba yesterday in Port Harcourt confirmed the recovery of the vehicle.

He, however, did not say the model, where it was recovered and how the recovery was carried out.

Abba said: “The victim’s vehicle has been recovered by a police investigation team.

Pressure on the abductors sustained. It is believed that the victim will be rescued soon.”

It was gathered that the family has not been contacted by the gunmen.

Jones-Ere was kidnapped around 7pm on Sunday at a dredging site at Odoha-Emohua in Emohua Local Government of Rivers State.

The gunmen stormed the site and tied up all the workers before forcing the monarch into a waiting vehicle

9

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

NEWS

Ex-NIMASA chief alleges presidential support in money laundering

A

FORMER DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Raymond Temisan Omatseye, has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)that the Presidency supported his alleged unlawful transfer of about £300, 000 (about N73 million) to the United King-

By Eric Ikhilae

dom (UK).

Omatseye is being tried at the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged illegal transfer and contract splitting.

He allegedly told the commission that it was used in funding Mrs. Mbanefo’s contest for the position of

the Secretary-General of International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

An EFCC operative, Ibrahim Mohammed, told the court that Omatseye failed to produce evidence in support of his alleged presidential approval.

Mohammed, who led a team of EFCC’s operatives that investigated Omatseye, told the court that Mbanefo

was not an official of NIMASA. He said EFCC’s investigation of Omatseye’s tenure was informed by a petition from the Minister of Transport against NIMASA’s management. He said during the investigation, letters were written to the Attorney- General of the Federation, Eco and Wema Banks.

NAFDAC intercepts N20m cloned drugs From Adimike George,Onitsha

N

ATIONAL Agency for Food,Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday intercepted cloned drugs valued at over N20 million in Onitsha, Anambra State.

One of the suspects, Mr Clement Ekwozo, has been arrested.

NAFDAC’s Deputy Zonal Director Benson Kine confirmed the incident.

The cloned drugs, which were intercepted at the Household and Utensil Markets in Ogbaru Local Government, were concealed in cartons and packed in a warehouse.

The drugs are Fulcin, Clofenac, Astymin, Amoksiklav and Alaxin.

Kine said his men acted on a tip off and urged the public to volunteer information to the Agency.

He said the informant gave them the suspect’s phone number, adding that the suspect took them to the warehouse.

Ekwuozo, who said the drugs would pass NAFDAC laboratory test, did not disclose the source of the drugs.

Imo rulers to assist in crime

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HAIRMAN of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri has said the council would assist government in curbing armed robbery, kidnapping and other social vices in the society.

The monarch said the measure would, among others, guarantee security of lives and property and attract investors to the state.

He urged traditional rulers to be alive to their statutory role of ensuring peace in their domains and

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

warned them against partisan politics.

He said if traditional rulers had played their role in the past, crime would have reduced.

Ohiri said the traditional rulers would ensure the review of the peoples’culture.

The royal father assured on the modification of harmful cultural practices and solicited the support of religious leaders for the actualisation of the exercise.

Street parking banned in secretariat

F •Members of the Oyo State Contracts Review Committee during their inauguartion at the Executive Council Chamber office of Governor Isiaka Ajimobi in Ibadan...yesterday.

Armed robbers kill five in Ewekoro bank robbery

A

RMED robbers yesterday raided a bank in Ewekoro, Ogun state. They also robbed a filling station and shot dead five people.

They used dynamite to break the security doors of the bank to enter the banking hall.

Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Two of the deceased are believed to be youth corps members. Many bank employees and customers sustained injuries during the hour- long reign of terror.

The robbers, numbering about 18, arrived the bank

at noon in an unmarked Toyota bus. They carted away a large amount of cash.

A source said an ambulance belonging to a cement firm in the area was used to convey victims to Itori General Hospital.

It was gathered that the

three of the deceased were killed at a petrol station while the robbers were escaping through Papalanto road.

Spokesman of Ogun State Police Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi said last night that he was not aware of the robbery attacks and the killings.

Gunmen kidnap College of Education Provost

P

ROVOST of EhaAmufu Federal College of Education in Enugu State Prof Ben Mba has been abducted by gunmen.

Mbah, an Anglican clergy, was a senior research fellow

From Chris Oji, Enugu

in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

His police orderly and the driver were shot dead.

The police have arrested

one of the suspected kidnappers.

Enugu State Police Spokesman ASP Ebere Amarizu confirmed the incident.

He assured that the police would rescue the

Provost.”We have extended our tentacles and any moment from now, we shall shout Eureka,” he said.

Enugu State Commissioner of Police Danazumi Job Doma also confirmed the incident.

10 INEC workers arrested over missing materials

T

•INEC boss Attahiru Jega

EN workers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)have been arrested in Ogbaru Local Government of Anambra State over missing electoral materials.

Those arrested included the Electoral Officer (EO),Security Officers(SO) and other workers of the

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

commission.

INEC spokesman Frank Egbo confirmed the incident in Awka yesterday.

He said: “We noticed that some people broke into our Ogbaru office and carted away electoral materials.

The matter was reported to the police. The matter is be-

ing investigated by the police.”

The missing materials were those used for the National Assembly election in Osomala and Iyiowa Odekpe, where the elections were inconclusive.

A senior police officer, who did not want his name in print, confirmed the arrest of the INEC officers.

Youths advise Jonathan on ministers

S

OME youth groups have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke as a minister because of his track record, having touched lives of thousands of citizenry.

Leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest

Youth Leaders Association (SWYLA) and Council of Osun State Youth Leaders COSYL) spoke at a news conference in Osogbo.

NANS President, Bassey Etuk Williams, SecretaryGeneral of SWYLA, Awoyinfa Segun and President of COSYL, Mr Babarinde Funmiso spoke to

reporters.

Babarinde said: “Our call on President Jonathan to appoint Senator Adeleke became imperative considering his contributions to the lives of thousands of people regardless of their political or religious affiliation.

“We need to state that

Senator Adeleke, who represented Osun West Senatorial District at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, can be very useful in the administration of President Jonathan because he is one of the politicians who loves and identifies with the downtrodden masses.”

EDERAL Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has banned street parking around the Federal Secretariat on Ahmadu Bello and Shehu Shagari Ways in Abuja Central Business District.

Motorists and other road users are advised to make use of the designated parking lots.

Any violator of this ban,

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

according to the FCTA, would be arrested and prosecuted.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public that original Land Lease Receipt issued in the respect of a parcel of land situated, lying and being at No. 26, Appolo Street, Makoko, Yaba, Lagos belonging to Chief Ipnle Aladelan got loss. All effort to trace it proved abortive. If found call: Ewajane 08053331588. General public should take note.

10

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

NEWS

Imo lawmakers advised to be good ambassadors

Lagos arraigns dismissed soldier

A

32-YEAR old dismissed soldier, Mr. Sunday Ayodeji, who instigated the clash between soldiers and policemen at Obanikoro, Lagos Mainland last week, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court.

Ayodeji was, until his arraignment, in the custody of the Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Other Special Offences.

The dismissed soldier, clad in a white T-shirt and light brown trousers, was sober as he was conveyed to the court in a task force.

He appeared before Magistrate, A. O Isaac on a five count charge.

The first count reads: “That on June 23, at about 8:30 am on Ikorodu Road, Obanikoro, while driving a Mercedes Benz V-Boot with reg. No. IK 507 EKY, you unlawfully assaulted Utos Jirhevwe, a driver with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit and injured him in the head with an iron chain and spanner.’’

According to the prosecutor, who is the state’s Solicitor-General, Mr. Lawal Pedro, the offence is contrary to, and punishable under, Section 355 Criminal Code Law Cap. C17 VOL. II, Laws of Lagos State 2003, as amended.

In the second count, Ayodeji was said to have, on

M

EMBERS of Imo State House of Assembly have been advised to use their offices to muster goodwill that will push them to greater heights.

The state coordinator of Teachers without Borders, Mr. Kenneth Nwachukwu, gave the advice in Owerri yesterday during a reception organised for the Millennium Development Goal Ambassadors of the association.

Nwachukwu condemned a situation where legislators show interest only in amassing wealth rather than engage in meaningful ventures for the interest of the society.

He reminded them that having been elected by the people, they ought to reciprocate the gesture by being accountable to them.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

June 23, at about 8:30 am ‘’procured other soldiers to unlawfully assault Corporal Yohanna Ishaku, a policeman deployed to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Offences Unit.’’

The prosecution said this offence is contrary to, and punishable under, Section 351 Criminal Code Law Cap. C 17 Vol.II, Laws of Lagos State 2003, as amended.

In the third count, Ayodeji was said to have driven a Mercedes Benz V-Boot with Reg. No. IK 507 EKY on the BRT lane and committed an offence contrary to Section 2(4) BRT Regulation 2007 and punishable under Section 19 (1 of same regulation.

Reading the fourth count, Pedro said the defendant, on June 23, drove in a dangerous manner and committed an offence contrary to, and punishable under, Section 28 Road Traffic Law Cap. R 10 Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

The last count reads: ‘’That you, the defendant on the same day, conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace and punishable under Section 249 (d) Criminal Code Law Cap. C 17 Vol. II Laws of Lagos State 2003, as amended.

Ayodeji pleaded guilty to the third count and not guilty to counts one, two, four and five.

The court fined Ayodeji

He said the reception was organised in honour of two of its members, Lucky Chukwu (Ohaji/Egbema) and Dr. Victor Mere (Owerri Municipal council) and the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade R.A Anyadike.

Nwachukwu said the association was honouring them for their contributions to the society.

Describing them as philanthropists and grassroots mobilisers, he said the honour would motivate them to do more.

Responding, Chukwu expressed delight at the honour and promised to continue to assist the people.

Kwara CAN urges police to arrest bombers

•Ayodeji...yesterday

N25,000, which is the penalty for violating the BRT lane.

The court also granted him bail in the sum of N200, 000, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties should be resident in Lagos State and must show evidence of tax payment.

Speaking with reporters, Pedro said the government would pursue the case, adding: “Though the court has granted bail to the defendant because it is a bailable offence, but one thing we must know is that they are social disorder offences,

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Oweri

which people must take serious. ‘’Rules and regulations must be obeyed; no driving on one way or BRT lane and indiscriminate parking. ‘’These are social offences that we must curb because they could lead to heinous crimes.’’

The defence counsel Mrs. Omoyemi Orisunmade, said there was no big deal in the case.

She said people violate traffic rules daily and she could not understand why the government is making a big issue out of this case.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

T

HE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara State has urged the police to arrest and penalise those behind the bomb blasts in Nigeria.

CAN also urged the Federal Government to review the National Youh Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

In a statement, the state chair of CAN, Rev James Folaranmi, decried the activities of Boko Haram and kidnapping of innocent Nigerians in the Niger Delta.

He traced kidnapping, assassination and bomb blasts to activities of “enemies of progress, who do not believe in the corporate existence of this country but hide under politics and religion to make life difficult for the citizenry”.

Folarin regretted the kidnapping and killing of corps members, describing the development as sad and unfortunate.

Folaranmi lamented that after Nigeria’s 50 years of independence, “Nigerians still live in fear because of a few people, who are bent on imposing their ideology on the majority of Nigerian citizens”.

11

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘Shell oil sales await minister’s approval’

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IGERIAN oil blocks being sold by Royal Dutch Shell only need the signature of the incoming energy minister to be concluded but negotiations with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) could still cause delays, Reuters reported yesterday quoting sources.

Shell along with foreign oil major partners Total and Eni have agreed to sell their share in four onshore oil blocks, which Shell operates in the onshore wetlands in the Niger Delta but the next minister needs to approve the deals.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who was sworn in for his first full term a month ago, submitted a list of nominees for his new cabinet yesterday. It includes outgoing oil minister Deziani AlisonMadueke.

“The deals are on the desk waiting for the signature of the oil minister when he or she arrives. Obviously, the buyers would like the previous minister back because she understands the deals well,” one source involved in the deals told Reuters.

State-oil firm NNPC, which owns the majority stake in the blocks, has said its subsidiary would take over from Shell as operator of the fields once the deals are completed.

But Poland’s Kulczk Oil Ventures, which is part of a consortium that has a deal for one block, understood that one of its partners would take over as operator.

There could be a compromise where NNPC’s subsidiary NPDC operates some, but not all four, of the blocks.

If two parties cannot agree on who operates the block they could enter arbitration which would cause lengthy delays.

We are ready to reposition the market to provide the best return for both local and foreign investors. We also want to diversify the market by bringing in more products apart from the equities and bonds that will increase returns to investors –Oscar Onyeama

Financial sector stability requires N1.7tr, says CBN A BOUT N1.7 trillion would be required to revive the country’s financial system, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

The fund will be drawn from the Banking Sector Resolution Cost Fund, otherwise called the Sinking Fund, rather than the national treasury, CBN Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability, Kingsley Moghalu said in Lagos yesterday.

Speaking at the Capital Market Committee of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) meeting, he said the 24 banks in the country and the CBN have been designated to contribute 0.3 per cent of their total assets and N50 billion per annum to the fund.

Moghalu said as the global economy takes steps to put the financial crises behind them, the apex bank put up the scheme to stabilise the country’s financial system. The fund, which will be remitted to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) will be ongoing for the next 10 years.

In his presentation tagged

By Tonia Osundolire

‘Systemic Risk and Financial Stability: An Emerging Economy Reform Agenda,’ the Deputy Governor said the essence of the systemic risk is very critical to the growth of any economy.

He said the recent financial crisis has led to the global financial instability leaving the capital market with a decline of 70 per cent in 2008 and 2009.

However, he said the lessons learnt prompted the reforms focused on the banking system and the capital market since both sectors are pivotal to the economic sustainability of the nation given their function of financial intermediation and resource allocation.

Moghalu added that for the banks to function effectively as financial intermediaries, it is imperative that they are viable, healthy and that the entire industry is stable and sound. He said the same applies to the capital market.

He said the CBN remains

committed to sustaining and consolidating on the gains of the reforms but it is imperative to complement the reforms in other sectors of the economy.

Moghalu said it is obvious the capital market is largely affected by the state of the banking sector and thus, the reforms undertaken in the banking sector by the CBN will complement the on-going reforms in the capital market being undertaken by SEC. He said the CBN will continue to collaborate with the SEC to adopt appropriate measures to ensure that the financial system is stable and well equipped to stimulate economic growth.

“As Nigeria seeks to become one of the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020, there is need for longer-term funding to support the achievement of the country’s economic aspirations. With the growing emphasis on longerterm capital market funding as against the short to

medium term bank-dominated financing, it is obvious that the capital market will play a key role in achieving the country’s economic aspirations as encapsulated in the FSS 2020 agenda,” he said.

The Sinking Fund is a binding agreement between the banks to contribute three basis points of audited total assets at the end of each year to help the AMCON to pay some of its recovery expenses. It became exigent after the CBN and the banks realised that funds from the management and realisation of the eligible banks’assets to be acquired by AMCON may turn out to be insufficient to meet the resolution cost of restoring financial stability.

The CBN and the 24 banks had in January signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the banking sector sinking fund.

The burden on the national treasury will be significantly reduced by the fund as the resolution costs of the recent banking crisis will be borne by commercial banks themselves in addition to the CBN and AMCON.

MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N8.1 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -11.3% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -7.50% Foreign Reserve -$32.5bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 220.9 £ 253.5 $ 153.59 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 245.85 RIYAL 39.3

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HAREHOLDERS of Acorn Petroleum Plc have passed a resolution to remove Omo-oba Oladele Odimayo as a director of the company.

Odimayo and three other directors, according to a statement from the company, were removed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company at the Obudu, Cross River State.

The audited financial statements for the year ended June 2009 was also received at the meeting. Although turnover grew by over 200 per cent from N5.6 billion in 2008 to N19.2 billion in 2009, the company recorded a loss of N1.25 billion after tax.

The loss was, according to the statement, attributed to the prevailing economic environment during that period and high finance costs.

“The shareholders charged the Board to put in place an efficient internal control system and find ways of reducing high finance costs so as to return the company to profitability.

“The Board assured shareholders that the various issues that have plagued the company will be resolved as the Board is determined to remain united and focused while assuring them of better performances in the future,” the statement added.

New policies strengthen naira

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DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$112.3/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound

Acorn shareholders remove Odimayo, others

• New Chairman, Unity Bank Plc, Alhaji Nu'uman Barau Danbatta, acknowledging cheers from shareholders, at the bank's 5th AGM, at the New Chelsea Hotel in Abuja with him are outgoing Group Managing Director Falalu Bello (second right), Managing Director-Designate, Ado Wanka and Company Secretary Aisha Abraham (left)...yesterday.

PenCom tightens noose on big Pension Administrators T

HE managing direc tors of Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) with Retirement Savings Account (RSA) funds of up to N100 billion must now possess 20 years post-qualification experience.

Besides, 15 years out of it, must have been spent in the financial sector at the top management positions.

Also, executive directors are to possess 15 years with similar experience, while heads of department must have 10 years.

Before now, 15 years experience is required for MDs, while 10 years is for EDs. A circular signed by Head, Surveillance Department, National Pension Commission, Mohammad Datti, directed PFAs to have two

By Chuks Udo Okonta

separate investment departments for effective management of pension contributions.

PenCom also said the PFAs will also create 11 departments to ensure effective management of the overall contribution process.

He said: “Where a PFA has RSA funds size of N100 billion and above, it must have two separate investment departments, one each for the RSA fund and other funds and the appointment of a chartered financial analyst to head each of the Investment Departments.

“Contributionscollections - the core function of the Department would be the management of overall contribution process. This include, among others, contributions records, contribution software and contribution document management; Also the circular stated: “The department would be responsible for the investment management of pension contributions, portfolio management, research and analysis and reconciliation,” among others.

Datti said the growth in the size of pension assets and the changing dynamics of pension business have necessitated the need for the the cir-

cular, adding that the control of a significant portion of Nigerian Pension business by a few PFAs has made it necessary to strengthen their operations.

He noted that all core operational departments should report to the managing director through executive directors, adding that the new requirements would, however, not affect the existing approved board and top management staff of affected PFAs. He said PFAs with 10,000 or more RSAs in a state, must open a branch in that state which must meet the requirements specified in the commission’s circular for branch opening as well as have a benefit administration function, he added.

HE Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) lift ing of curbs on inflows and restricted sales to foreign-exchange bureaux operators, has elevated the naira to a four-month high against the United States dollar.

This came just as BNP Paribas SA said yesterday the naira may appreciate as much as 1.5 per cent “in the coming weeks” due to the new rules on forex inflows and sales of foreign exchange.

At the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) trading yesterday, the apex bank sold all the $183 million demanded at N151.79 to the dollar. Compared with the $314 million sold at the Monday’s auction, this indicated that the demand for forex had fallen in anticipation of the lifting of the rules on government debt that had curbed forex inflow into the country.

This has also strengthened the naira at N153.70 to the dollar on the interbank market, its strongest since early March, from N153.95 at yesterday’s close.

The CBN had imposed a maximum weekly limit of $250,000 in dollar sales by banks on foreign exchange bureaux, a move which traders said was aimed at combating money laundering and controlling capital flight.

12

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

CCNN to raise N45b

MONDAY - FRIDAY

EMENT Company of North ern Nigeria Plc (CCNN) has concluded plans to seek authorisation of its shareholders to raise N45 billion through a combination of convertible debenture (by way of rights), a rights issue and a public offer to finance a new one million clinker production line.

According to the Managing Director of the company Mr, Alf Karlsen, if approved, the production line would be inaugurated in 2014. The company’s Annual General Meeting comes up in Abuja on July 12, 2011.

The spokesman, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr Chukwuma Nwokoh,who disclosed these in a statement yesterday, added that plans are also underway to increase the company’s production from 329,000 tonnes in 2010 to 600,000 tonnes per annum within the next few years.

He said Karlsen told a team of journalists, led by an official of the BPE on an independent assessment of the company’s facilities in Sokoto.

Karlsen noted that the expansion is being undertaken order to ensure that CCNN, which was fully privatised in 2000, remains a competitive cement manufacturer in the country.

Noting that production was 57, 000 tonnes in 2001,he said the workforce has increased from 292 in 2002 to 359 in 2010.

LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 14.00 Arik Arik 16.30

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik 1. Dana 1. IRS 2. Arik

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00

LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

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• Group Managing Director, FinBank Plc, Mrs. Suzanne Iroche and immediate past Commissioner for Training, Establishment & Pension, Lagos State, Mr Jide Sanwoolu, at the National draw of FinBank's Finsplash promo, held in Lagos ... yesterday.

Crisis in NIMASA over withdrawal of $30m

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HERE is disquiet at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over the withdrawal of $30million from the agency’s account for running cost.

Besides, there is disagreement within the management over the award of a contract to a firm belonging to an ex-militant for the supply of five boats for patrol of Nigerian waters.

But the Director-General of NIMASA, Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, defended plans to protect Nigerian waters.

He said it was imperative for the agency to engage in strategic concession partnership to provide platforms for tracking ships and cargoes.

The crisis of confidence has broken out among the DG, executive directors and top management staff is over the withdrawal of $30million without approval from the Ministry of Transport.

It was learnt that the “cold war” was triggered by curious memos within the agency on May 6 and 10.

A May 6 memo on the withdrawal and conversion of the dollar revenue into Naira, obtained exclusively by The Nation, reads in part: “Further to the DG’s directives on the above subject matter, please find below the monthly collection up to 6th May 2011. These collections cover the past three months (February to April 2011): (1) CBN/UBN(UK)US$13, 238, 349.46 ; (2) US$31,152,132.03.

“Management may wish to consider selling the sum of US$30,000,000 from Zenith Bank, UK at the current prevailing exchange rate while the sum of US$10million may

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

also be sold from Central Bank of Nigeria / UBN Account.

“25% of the value is to be fixed as Maritime Fund and 5% as Maritime Academy Fund while the balance is to be used for running the Agency and payment of accumulated contractors/FIRS Tax Liability In another May 10 memo, the agency also gave further details on the US$30million.

The memo states: “The sum of $30million is available for conversion and if converted at N152 to a US dollar will translate to N4,950,000,000.

“From this proceeds, the DG may also wish to approve the placement of 25% of the converted sum which is N1,147,500,000 as Maritime Fund and 5% as Maritime Fund of Nigeria Funds which is N229,500,000.

Submitted for further directives.”

A top source in the Ministry of Transport, who spoke in confidence, said: “The signals we are getting from NIMASA again are not pleasing at all after a recent restructuring of the agency.”

According to investigation, the management crisis also borders on the award of a contract for the policing of Nigerian waters to Messrs Global West Vessel Specialist Limited for N49,716,000.00 monthly.

The company is allegedly owned by an ex-militant, whose name was not disclosed last night.

Although the ex-militant demanded N60million monthly, the Technical Committee raised by the agency reduced it to N49.7million.

The ex-militant has been paid about N250million till date.

The minutes of the committee reads:

“The in-house appraisal noted that the quote for running cost and maintenance was on the high side.

“In view of the foregoing, it was recommended that Messrs Global West Vessel Specialist Limited be approved to provide the five respective vessels for the PPP Pilot Scheme for 30 days at the running/maintenance cost of N49,716,000.00 only.

“The Parastatal Tenders Board is kindly requested to note the foregoing and consider and approve1. The provision of five vessels for the Agency for 30 days by Messrs Global West Vessel Specialist Limited as a Pilot Scheme in anticipation of the full implementation of the Public Private Partnership model in the provision of platforms to the agency.

“The payment of running and maintenance cost for the five vessels to Messrs Global West Vessel Specialist Limited amounting to N49,716,000.00 by the In-House appraisal Committee.”

In a memo to the President, the DG of NIMASA explained why the agency decided to engage Messrs Global West Vessel Specialist Limited as an ad- hoc measure.

He said: “We are pleased to inform Your Excellency Sir, that we have taken concrete steps working closely with Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in pursuit of PPP option and have made significant progress in this direction.

“However the essence of time which circumstance highly demands is being hampered by the bureaucratic structure within the due process procedure in ICRC.” A source said: “Pending whatever arrangement NIMASA is making, it ought to be the duty of the Nigerian Navy to protect Nigerian waters.”

Welding institute seeks resuscitation of HE Nigeria Institute of Weld He said by 2012, Nigeria would ing (NIW) has called on the Ajaokuta Steel need about 12,000 trained and cer-

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Federal Government to take the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel rolling as one of its priorities in achieving Vision 20-2020.

Vision 20:2020 is aimed at making the country become one of the 20 most developed economies in the world by 2020.

The group also charged the Federal Government to set up a task force to look into the challenges of the steel rolling.

Speaking during a courtesy vsisit to The Nation yesterday in Lagos, the President of the group, Mr Solomon Edebiri, said if the government can put the steel rolling into operation, it will go a long way in achieving the Vision 20-2020.

By Toba Agboola

He added that this will contribute to the growth of the economy.

He said: “ In achieving Vision 202020, the government should start with Ajaokuta Steel rolling. A transparent taskforce, which will look into the challenges facing the steel rolling should be set up by the government.

He noted that bad management was responsible for the setback in the steel.

“There is no reason for the company to go moribund because there is everything on ground. I think what is responsible for this is bad management,” he said.

tified welders.

He said the institute has taken it as its responsibility to train welders. In this regard, he said about 500 welders are undergoing training in the institute, while 700 will be trained by August.

Earlier, the Deputy Daily, Editor, The Nation, Mr Lawal Ogienagbon, urged the institute to intensify efforts in training more Nigerians.

He said this would go a along way in helping the government, which cannot do it alone.

He thanked the group for the visit and pledged that the newspaper would continue to support the institute.

Dearth of skills hits power sector, says BPP From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE power sector lacks skilled manpower for its operation, it was learnt yesterday at the meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Power.

The shortage, according to a member of the taskforce, who is also the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engr.

Emeka Ezeh, is because “the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Training School in Lagos is dead.”

He made this known yesterday in Abuja during a meeting of the Presidential Taskforce on Power.

Ezeh said Nigeria’s engineers used to undergo tutelage immediately after they were employed but “they have not passed through any skill training schemes in the last 20 years because they enter through the backdoor.”

The BPP boss, who also questioned the character of the people monitoring the electricity meters, said: “I am worried about people sabotaging the metering system.”

In response, the Chairman of the taskforce, Prof. Barth Nnaji, noted that the Federal Government would empower the National Power Training Institute (NAPTI) for a reliable capacity building for Power Engineers in the country.

He disclosed that although alternative sources of power energy are available to the country, every nation builds its power plants in accordance with the fuel it chooses.

In the case of Nigeria, Nnaji noted that the installation of solar energy was still too expensive for the country to bear. He added that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was already working out a tariff for solar power in Nigeria.

On coal, he said it would be wrong to rush into coal power plant investment without studying the source and quantum of coal in Enugu, Kogi and Benue.

Speaking the Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa, noted that her concern was that privatised assets are resuscitated.

She added that the bureau does not discriminate against indigeneous investors. Rather, it needs the Nigerian experience and capacity in the power sector.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

13

INDUSTRY

Nigeria, US partner to boost agro-commodity exports

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HE United States is collaborating with the Federal Government to boost export of agro commodities to the US under the Nigerian Expanded Export Programme.

The Director, Economic Growth and Environment Office, US Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms. Sharon Pauling, said this during the Nigeria Expanded Export Programme Workshop on Quality Control, Food Safety and Supply Chain Management in Abuja.

She said the new partnership would enhance the capacity of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises to export agro commodities to the US market.

“The United States Government is concerned with the challenge of food insecurity facing Nigeria. We are also concerned with helping entrepreneurs from Nigeria to explore and benefit from the opportunities inherent in exporting to the US market. To be able to achieve this, we will be working with Nigerians to improve the quality of their agro products to the US market.

“The Nigeria Expanded Export Programme is a two-year pilot project funded by USAID. It is demand driven; meaning it is re-

Stories by Toba Agboola

sponsive and seeks to deliver enterprise level, technical and capacity building assistance to all small and medium enterprises to enable them increase their market share.

“I believe NEEP is vital in helping Nigeria to address significant challenges. Over the last 18 months, there have been encouraging signs of progress in the export trade sector. Improved trade at both regional and global levels will help Nigeria to reduce hunger and poverty, improve food security and stimulate investments in the agriculture and agro-business sub-sector.

“We will be working with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in the area of ensuring the provision of improved seeds and access to finance for small and medium scale entrepreneurs to be able to meet the export requirements of the US market.”

However, experts have blamed the decline of the country’s nonoil revenue on the inability of the Federal Government to fully exploit the opportunities in high foreign exchange generating areas such as services export and the African Growth and Opportunities Act. According to the Director- Gen-

eral, Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr John Isemede, the poor response of Nigeria to AGOA is as the result of the non-competitive business environment in which exporters operate.

He stressed that the country’s dependence on the exportation of traditional goods had been a contributory factor to the dwindling revenue from non-oil exports.

“The poor response of Nigeria’s entrepreneurs to AGOA is attributed to the non-competitive business environment they operate in.

These include lack of functional infrastructure, high cost of funds and a myriad of taxes, which have resulted in increasing cost of production.

“Another major challenge confronting the non-oil export trade in Nigeria today is the difficulty in accessing funds by exporters for their international transactions.

Even so, the current crises in the banking industry have compounded the woes of exporters as most of the banks prefer to finance imports rather than support export initiatives.

“Over the years, Nigeria has relied heavily on export of traditional goods. Services export, which is cur-

•From left: Deputy Director (Multilateral), Alhaji Bawa Lere Lawal; Director of Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr David Adejuwon; Vice-Chairman, Enlarged National Focal Point on Trade Matter, Prof. Oyejide Ademola, Consultant to Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Prof. Ken Ife, and the representative of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Tajudeen Olarewaju, during the meeting on Nigeria’s Trade Policy Review, at the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry , Abuja.

rently believed to account for about $2.5 trillion or 20 per cent of world exports, has not been exploited.

Services export appears to be invisible to our policy makers. Its huge potential in increasing export turnover from Nigeria and ushering a favourable regime of foreign exchange earnings cannot be overemphasised.

In other countries, this sector plays a vital role in facilitating all aspects of economic activities in a country. A vibrant services sector remains the resultant effect of a rich human capital.”

AGOA is a trade instrument with tariff preferential initiated by the US government. The objective is to enhance economic development of sub-Sahara African countries by pro-

Trade policy for review at WTO meeting

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HE Vice Chairman, Enlarged National Focal Point on Trade Matters, Prof. Oyejide Ademola, has said Nigeria’s trade policy would be reviewed at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting in Geneva.

He made this known during the meeting of the Enlarged National Focal Point comprising stakeholders that would represent Nigeria at the fourth WTO Trade Policy Review in Abuja.

Oyejide, said it is important to review and update the trade policy to ensure that the legal and institutional framework strategy, as well as the role of Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry as the coordinator of the whole process, are in tandem with organisation’s trade policy.

He said, whatever challenges being experienced on the current policy would be reviewed to reflect modern reality as trade has been given recognition as central to our development.

The Vice-Chairman noted that Nigeria has not built an institutional framework to tackle the problems of dumping, faking and substandards goods in line with the laid down rules and regulations of WTO, saying the platform to do the investigation does not exist.

Earlier, the Director of Trade, Federal Ministry of Commerce and In-

dustry, David Adejuwon, said the trade policy review would be led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Abubakar Mohammad.

He stated that the meeting would be held under the auspices of the Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB) of the World Trade Organisation noting that the Trade Policy Review (TPR) is one of the key functions of the World Trade Organisation under the WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM).

The TPRM is a transparency tool that aims at ensuring adherence to all WTO members to rules and disciplines of the Multilateral Trading System (MTS).

The review was established in 1989 to provide a platform for collection, evaluation and appreciation of WTO members’ trade policies and practices and their impact on the functioning of the multilateral trading system.

The delegation comprised of stakeholders from the public and private sector such as CBN, NEXIMBank, EFCC, BPE, FIRS, NIPC, PHCN, NEPC, NEPZA, National Planning Commission, NAFDAC, NNPC, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Ministry of Transport, Finance, Environment and Commerce and Industry as well as Federal Dept. Of Fisheries, OSGF, FRSC and Nigeria Agric. Quarantine Service.

SON urges compliance with SONCAP guidelines

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•From left: Brand and Public Relations Manager, Procter and Gamble Nigeria Limited (P&G), Ngozi Coker; Head, External Relations, Patricia Obozuwa, Business Director, Insight Communications, Sarah Agha and Procter & Gamble’s Pampers Brand Manager, Cletus Onyebuoha; at the Launch of Pampers Premium Care, in Lagos.

moting trade and investment between the US and the sub-Sahara Africa,” he said.

The AGOA Act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on May 18, 2004 and provides trade preference for quota and duty-free entry of 6,500 different goods into the US. Since the establishment of AGOA by the US government, Nigeria is yet to fully maximise the benefits therein.

In 2009, for instance, 37 companies under the scheme exported $37.7 million and £282,224 worth of various products to the United States.

This amount represents a shortfall of about $48 million when compared with $86.5 million realised in 2008.

HE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has urged importers to adhere to importation guidelines to boost local manufacturers’ competiveness.

Speaking in Lagos , the DirectorGeneral of SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, said the adherence would enhance the country’s industrial growth.

He said the resultant healthy competition would encourage industries to thrive and enable new ones to come on board.

Odumodu, said the influx of substandard goods was partly responsible for the closure of most companies, adding that SON has adopted several measures that would ensure zero tolerance to inferior goods in the country.

On SON’s efforts to ensure quick clearance of goods at the ports, he said SON would relocate part of its testing equipment to Apapa.

“We are going to relocate our testing equipment to Apapa to handle items that are not life threatening.

This is in contrast to the initial agreement where importers have to come to SON office at Lekki for such test,” he said.

He said SON was willing to part-

ner with major markets and importers’ groups that would guarantee pre-release of their members’ goods before test.

“Such leaders will be held responsible for goods that eventually failed the test,” he said.

He emphasised that the organisation had given enough concession to traders to remove their goods from the ports before August 15.

“The goods we are asking importers to remove are products that cannot cause either death, harm to life, among others,” he said.

Odumodu said the laws that check standards had been on for 11 years and urged importers to follow the guidelines that would lead to the transformation of the sector, adding that the changes could cause little delays now but the country would be better for it in the long run.

“What we are advising our importers to do is to pay the penalty or deposits and move their containers out of the ports. We do not want to take the goods to our warehouses. We want the importers to take the goods to their warehouses because we do not want anybody to keep goods at the ports.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

14

INDUSTRY

ECOWAS seals •12.34m pact for water projects

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•From left: Microsoft’s Repesentative, Mr Temofe Ugbona; representative of Park’n’Shop, Sanjay Nankani and Channel Account Manager for Dell Nigeria, Chidi Duru, at the launch of the Dell and Microsoft promo in Lagos.

HE two-day meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with development partners ended in Abuja with the approval of grants totalling •12.34 million for the execution of various projects to boost food security and ensure effective water resources management in the region.

Under the agreement, the French Development Agency (AFD) would provide •10.4 million, while the ECOWAS Commission will provide a counterpart funding of •1.94 million.

The AFD will also provide another •400,000 grant to strengthen the ECOWAS Water Resources Coordination Centre (WRCC) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to support its capacity building programmes, help provide technical assistance to policy definition and

implementation activities in the water sector in ECOWAS member states.

Projects being considered are those that would provide direct support to the ECOWAS Regional Agriculture Policy (ECOWAP) as well as help ECOWAS member states respond effectively to the food security crisis and ensure better food delivery to the poorest populations affected by such crisis.

The technical assistance, which would directly benefit the permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILLS) and the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (RAAP), would also help address food insecurity by promoting market structures along borders of three neighbouring countries of Benin, Niger and Nigeria as well as boost revenue schemes for farmers.

Firm gets NIS certificate

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NASSI, CBN plan loans E for industrialists

HE National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is set to provide loans at affordable rates to small scale industrialists.

It was gathered that the decision to partner the CBN, Bank of Industry (BoI) and other financial institutions, was one of the highpoints of NASSI’s National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja, recently.

The National President, NASSI, Chief Chuku Nwachuku, who confirmed the development in an interview with journalists, said, given the growing challenge of high cost of funds, which has made it difficult for small scale industrialists to expand their operations, there is an urgent need for the agency to find a lasting solution to the problem.

He said: “One of the major chal-

Stories by Toba Agboola

lenges facing small scale industrialists in Nigeria is lack of access to cheap funds to enable them expand the frontiers and opportunities that abound in their businesses.

As part of deliberate efforts towards addressing this challenge, we will collaborate with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, NEXIM Bank and development finance institutions to enable NASSI members have access to cheap funds.

“Also, we believe that there is need for synergy with the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to create employment and reduce poverty.

There is no gainsaying the fact that insecurity has a direct link with unemployment.

“When we create jobs, we have

provided the basic platform for addressing the twin problems of poverty and insecurity.

The Federal Government and state governments cannot create enough jobs for the ever-increasing army of unemployed graduates across the country.

“However, the government, both at the federal and state levels, must create the conducive atmosphere to enable small scale industries to grow. All over the world, small scale industries are the major drivers of economic growth and development,” he stated.

Nwachuku, said given the abundant human and natural resources in Nigeria, “we believe that the country has all it takes to tackle poverty and unemployment,” he added.

Nigeria-British Chamber to support anti-corruption campaign

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HE new President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Awagu, has expressed the chamber’s readiness to support the Federal Government in the fight against corruption and allied vices.

Awagu, who spoke at the monthly breakfast forum of the NBCC held in Lagos, stressed that corruption is one area in which there is increasing extra territorial application of foreign laws, adding that this is one area of concentration of the chamber’s national advocacy efforts.

He said: “Corruption has had a pervasive negative influence on the fabric of the society, and has significantly impacted the business community and the economies it serves.

The United Kingdom bribery Act is the latest effort in the global fight against corruption.”

From July 1, 2011, companies doing business in the UK or UK-based companies are expected to comply

with the provisions of the new UK bribery Act. The Act, which is an improvement from existing laws, is expected to curb corruption and strengthen corporate governance in such organisations.

A UK-based lawyer and senior partner to a law firm, Addleshaw Goddard LLP, Mr Ian Hargreaves, who spoke at the forum, said: “Any multi-national company that has presence in the UK and anywhere in the world must ensure that it is compliant with this Act.” According to him, the UK bribery Act 2010 would make it easy for UK courts to have companies tried in the UK and elsewhere in the world.

Some offences which the Act frowns at include active bribery, which is the offence of promising, giving or offering bribe while passive bribery involves requesting, agreeing to receive or accepting a bribe.

Failing to prevent bribery by a

corporate organisation, Hargreaves added, is an offence because of potential guilt by association.

Guilt by association, he explained, involved performance of services on behalf of a company that has an affiliate in UK. Enumerating the cost of violating this Act, Hargreaves said conviction might prevent the concerned company from participating in public contract under the public contracts regulation of 2006; of which the company risks reputational consequences, and compliance could be seen as commercial advantage.

He said companies, which have proof of adequate steps taken to prevent bribery might get away with offences.

Such companies, according to him can cash in on compliance to get more businesses based on the confidence such would have earned them.

DYSMART Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Dallas Cosmetics, has been awarded the NIS certificate by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

While making the presentation, SON's Head of Lagos Office II, Yeride Akinlade, who represented the Director-General of the organisation, Dr. Joe Odumodu, described Edysmart as a small indigenous company which has grown into a large one since it started business in 1991.

She said the company has met the three conditions for quality showing that it has been epitomising standards. ”Government is giving the certificate for the attainment of quality and product satisfaction. The company is expected to reflect the new numbers on its products,” she said.

The Chairman of the company, Eze Smart Nze, whose birhday coincided with the event, said: ''Our brand is known for quality.

Ours have been noted for standards. He thanked the manage-

ment and staff of the company for their contributions.

His wife, Lolo Edna, who is the Executive Director, thanked SON for “finding us worthy to give us the NIS mark of quality. We will continue to maintain the standards of our products.”

National President, Nigeria Association of Cosmetologists, Hairdressers and Barbers, Dr. Elizabeth Osinsanya, described Dallas Cosmetics as among the best in the world, urging the firm not to rest on its oars.

The Guest speaker at the event, Rev. Isaac Agoye, attributed the success to God. Quoting from the scriptures, he said: ”To be successful, love God. For God has riches and substance. To love God, keep his commandments. He rewards those who love him. One way to love God is to worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

The New Life Miracle Church General overseer later led the forum in prayers for the growth of the company and those in attendance.

Park’n’Shop, bank offer incentive for laptop purchase

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N a bid to encourage more people to own laptops and become computer literate, Diamond Bank has provided a financing package that would enable people buy top-of-the-range laptops from any Park’n’Shop outlets for as little as N8,500 on monthly installmental payments.

This is one of the ways the bank is going about its empowerment of Nigerians and helping the average income earner also live a quality life.

Under this scheme being offered in collaboration with Dell and Microsoft, people can now buy Dell Inspiron laptop which comes with genuine Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System that allows free download of Microsoft antivirus.

This special offer, which will last from the June 1 to July 31, has been specially designed to enable those who cannot afford to pay the lump sum for a laptop have the opportunity of buying the well loaded Dell Inspiron that comes with original

Microsoft Windows 7 OS. The laptops would be sold in Park’n’Shop outlets in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt and those interested in taking advantage of the offer have been advised to go to any of these outlets where they would be guided by specific sales promoters who have been assigned to the promotion.

Speaking at the promo launch, Mr Adil Ali, the Dell Product Manager for Redington IT Distribution, emphasised that Redington is an authorised Dell Sales and Service partner for Nigeria which lends Park’n’Shop an edge in promoting the Dell brand through its Retail outlets.

He also said that products sold during the promo would be covered by one year Dell warranty.

The General Manager, Microsoft Anglophone West Africa said his company is “focused on bringing the benefits of relevant, accessible and affordable software to the next billion users.

NESTLE rewards teachers at MAGGI Cook competition

N

ESTLE Nigeria Plc has given prizes worth millions of naira to teachers and students who participated at this year ‘MAGGI Cook for Mama’ competition.

The competition, which took place in Lagos recently, saw teachers and students going home with domestic and Information and

By Charity Williams

Communication Technology (ICT) equipment of various ranges.

Also, winners received cash prizes, depending on the categories.

The first prize winner went home with a brand new laptop a deep freezer, an Ipod, and

N500,000. The second prize winner got a gas cooker Ipod and N250,000. This was followed by the third winner who received a gas cooker, an ipod and N50,000.

Other contestants received consolation prizes of a microwave oven, an Ipod and N50,000.

In addition, home economics teachers from the participating

schools got a bedside refrigerator each, while their home economics departments received a deep freezer each.

Speaking at the event, the Business Manager(Culinary), Guy Kellaway, said a draw was held simultaneously in the six zones (Kaduna, Yola, Calabar, Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos) on May 10, to

select the 60 zonal contestants.

He said six finalists emerged to vie for the prizes.

Kellaway said the competition is designed to enhance the bond between mothers, their children and the family, adding that the development has promoted the transfer of culinary skills from mother to children.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

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INDUSTRY

NEPC to distribute processing machines to entrepreneurs

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HE Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has concluded arrangements to distribute locally fabricated machines to entrepreneurs in three cities to boost processing of agricultural commodities.

The Managing Director, NEPC, Mr David Adulugba, who stated this, stressed that the aim was to enhance made-in-Nigeria agricultural products for local production and to improve trade.

According to him, a local fabrication workshop being planned by the council will have its pilot schemes located in Ilorin, Ibadan and Nnewi.

He said the selected cities were chosen in view of the fact that they had shown potential for medium

Stories by Toba Agboola

industrial manufacturing, commerce and industry.

He said Nnewi in particular, dubbed as ‘the Taiwan of Nigeria’ because of its prowess in modest manufactured products, was a suitable area for the pilot scheme.

His words: “It is believed that with the right encouragement and the required guidance from the authorities, the NEPC can improve the quality of its outputs and better organise the channel of its trade.

“Before now, it has been argued that one of the potent ways of opening up Nigeria’s industrial potential is by exploring the option provided by industrial clusters. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been clamouring for the

promotion of industrial clusters in the country.

“The recent move by the NEPC has many advantages. First, it will trigger real industrialisation in the country, beginning from the pilot cities.

Also, it will help entrepreneurs in the fabrication business to find markets for their outputs; secure business partners and even attract funding on friendly terms for their operations.”

He said the initiative was in line with the Federal Government’s vision to boost employment generation, stressing that it is a known fact that all over the world, SMEs are the engine of growth for any economy and we are ready to assist the sector.

He said the initiative had become

imperative in view of the United Nations’ forecast of food scarcity in 2011.

According to him, the council wants to be very proactive to ensure that Nigerian products are processed properly for local consumption and export.

Adulugba added that the machines would be distributed freely to prospective entrepreneurs.

He noted that the NEPC had been showcasing Nigeria’s products to the rest of the world, thereby attracting business patronage and boosting the quality of locally manufactured goods.

He also said that the initiative would also encourage a return to productive agriculture, as it would facilitate value addition to food production, which remained a vi-

ECOWAS , Chinese officials meet on project integration

May & Baker’s N4b investment to raise production capacity

T

A

HIGH-LEVEL joint delegation of officials of the ECOWAS Commission and some member states have begun talks in Abuja with Chinese leaders and public-private sector actors on ways to strengthen economic and trade relations between the People’s Republic of China, the ECOWAS Commission and its member states.

The team includes the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador James Gbeho and other senior officials of the commission as well as representatives of Ghana and Sierra Leone.

The joint delegation is holding discussions with officials of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the China-Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce, the Export-Import Bank of China and the China Development Bank and China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund), among others.

The meeting between the joint delegation and the Export-Import Bank of China is the “fast tracking” of the funding requests/loan applications submitted by the governments of Ghana and Sierra Leone, and supported by the ECOWAS Commission to secure funds for the financing of projects that have advanced to the financing stages.

They include the $320 million funding request submitted by the Government of Ghana for the Trans-West African Highway Network, especially the Eastern Corridor, as well as the $100 million and $105 million funding projects submitted by the Government of Sierra Leone, respectively, for the implementation of Phase I of the Makeni-Kamakwei-FintoniaGuinea Border Road and the construction of a new Terminal Complex, a Presidential Lounge and related infrastructure at Sierra Leone’s Lungi Airport.

Similarly, the meeting with the China Development Bank and China-Africa Development Fund and other Chinese actors will examine projects to be considered by the Chinese Corporations for adoption and implementation in some ECOWAS member states.

These include private sector or PPP-based investments, rehabilitation and retrofitting of hydropower facilities, port rehabilitation, expansion and re-equipping project, coal-to-electricity, fertiliser and integrated oil palm projects.

Others are integrated cocoa and rubber industry projects, development of gold mining potential, as well as tourism and agro-allied projects.

tal area of the Nigeria economy.

He argued that in spite of the nation’s huge potential in agriculture, the derivable harvest was often wasted because of poor processing and storage.

“The implication is that, even in those areas where the country has potential to turn natural products to packaged ones, these products are wasted because of poor information on the availability of requisite medium technology to process products,” he said.

The NEPC chief also said that the programme would enable the agency to obtain a directory of local fabricators nationwide, adding that “it will enable the agency to know their needs, find a market for their products and link them with funding for their business.”

•Students of Lagos Business School (LBS), Faculty of Entreprenurship, during a courtesy visit to Dangote Cement, Ibeshe Plant, Ogun State.

•From left: Chairman, Edysmart Nigeria Limited, HRM Eze Smart Nze; his wife Edna and the Head, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Lagos State, Mrs Yeside Akinlabi, during the presentation of SON Certificate of Excellence to the company in Lagos.

Fed Govt to review privatisation policy

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ICE-President Namadi Sambo has said the Federal Government is reviewing the privatisation policy to meet its objective of job creation.

The Vice-President spoke at a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Alexander Polyakov, representatives of the United Company Rusal of Russia, and the management of the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON)in the State House.

He said many of the privatised companies have not been able to meet the aspirations of the government.

Sambo added that the revitalisa-

tion of ALSCON was an important part of the Federal Government’s industrialisation efforts, adding that the government would ensure that the smelter company was repositioned to meet the administration’s transformation agenda.

He pointed out that the privatisation policy was informed by the belief that public companies would fare better under private ownership and management.

Sambo also observed that the power problem in the country was derailing the growth of the economy, adding that the government is looking at all avenues available to ensure the provision

of adequate power supply.

He emphasised the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to productive partnerships with the international community in its bid to urgently transform Nigeria.

Noting the longstanding relations between Nigeria and Russia, Sambo said: “In this drive, it is extremely important that we continue to partner countries that treasure being our good friends for a very long time.”

He assured the ambassador that the government would treat all the bilateral agreements entered into with urgency.

HE Managing Director, May and Baker, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor, has said the company’s new N4 billion factory will increase its productive capacity.

Solid products, he said, would rise in production from 1.4 billion to 5.4 billion tablets yearly, representing about 286 per cent increase.

In the area of liquid products, he said capacity would increase from 16 million per annum production to 52 million, representing a 225 per cent increase per annum.

He added that the company had put in place documentations and other requirements that would ensure its upgrading to the prequalification standard of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Okafor, who spoke with journalists at the inauguration of the new factory in Ota, Ogun State on Monday, added that with increased capacity in the new factory and the WHO pre-qualification, the company would produce more volume and its products would move from the local level to the international level, adding that the products would be accessible everywhere at affordable prices.

He said the pre-qualification would also increase patronage from international donors and agencies.

Okafor urged the government to help in the area of patronage, adding that the government should make sure that sponsors from government agencies and other international donors do not take their money to other countries in search of volume and quality.

He said: “With the new facility, we will be a supplier to other countries, including Africa, Europe and Asia, among others. We have come a long way since 1944. We have been part of the industry and we have set a standard. We are now competing globally; not only in the local market but in the international market.”

He said the company was already known for quality and would continue with the standard, adding that the government needed to create an enabling environment for the project to succeed.

“Projects, such as this, will require the support of governments at various levels to succeed.

“We also need more counterfeiting measures, such as the newly introduced Anti-Counterfeit codes by the National Agency for Food (NAFDAC), Drug Administration and Control stop the act of product faking in the country,”Okafor said.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

17

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

As the Senate screens ministerial nominees presented

by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice-Chairman, Northern Senators Forum, Senator Smart Adeyemi, in this interview with the Managing Editor Northern Operation, YUSUF ALLI, and SANNI OLOGUN, warns lobbyists even as he gives a hint about those who will scale the screening hurdle. Excerpts:

‘There is no gainsaying the fact that there is need for total reforms in the Transportation, Oil and Gas, Housing and Power Sectors and these sectors require highly intelligent and courageous ministers and of course, some will be retained for continuity. Those whose business interests are being threatened should get to understand that the majority of my colleagues are aware of their scheme. Therefore, lobbyists are advised to steer clear of lawmakers or they will be exposed’

Those who won’t be ministers C

AN you speak about the level of preparedness of the Senate for the screening of the ministerial nominees going by the petitions that have flooded the Upper Chamber?

We have been under intense pressure by lobbyists and political hired mercenaries to stop some nominees from being cleared or to disqualify some nominees by asking questions to embarrass them.

They have given many of us sleepless nights with offer of millions of Naira for us to discredit some nominees. But to some of us, this will not in anyway affect the screening. The screening will follow the normal pattern. We have also noticed that there are political opponents and those whose business interest is being threatened by the reforms are involved in this crusade so as to settle business score. I believe that majority of the Senators that I have interacted with believe in President Jonathan’s transformation programmes and will not allow any of us to be used.

Those who are prepared to spend millions to disqualify some nominees or the transformation agenda of the President should invest their money in charity work and leave the Senate alone.

How do you react to allegations that some persons are planning to ensure that some senators compromise in order to have a smooth sail during the screening while others are trying to ensure that

some of the nominees are disqualified by the Senate?

Many of us will be very much on the alert to ensure that money is not allowed to play any role in this screening. We have been told that some people should not be allowed to pass through the screening because they carried out reforms that will empower Nigeria, rather than foreign interest. In this crusade are some multi-national companies and their agents who feel that some re-nominated ministers, who were part of the reform programmes aimed at empowering Nigerians as regards local content in the process of industrialisation, should be stopped in order to kill such reforms. Even those of us that are perceived to be radical will not in any way make ourselves available for embarrassing any nominee except of course where such nominees display incompetence.

What are you going to do when a case of clear non-performance is established against any of the former ministers?

None of the re-nominated Ministers had any problem with their committees at least to the best of the knowledge of the Senate. I say this as a Senator, who did not miss one day of not being in the National Assembly but missed only four sittings due to flight delay. In essence, I was part of every discussion, every issue in the last four years in the Senate.

• Adeyemi

Are you saying that you are acquainted with the ministers’ performance?

Yes; I had an idea of all the performance of these ministers. There is no gainsaying the fact that there is need for total reforms in the Transportation, Oil and Gas, Housing and Power Sectors and these sectors require highly intelligent and courageous ministers and of course, some will be retained for continuity. Those whose business interests are being threatened should get to understand that the majority of my colleagues are aware of their scheme.

Therefore, lobbyists are advised to steer clear of lawmakers or they will be exposed!

How do you hope to checkmate these lobbyists?

We, at the National Assembly will oppose further attempts to lure us to stake the future happiness of Nigerians by at-

tempting to scuttle the confirmation of otherwise qualified nominees. We shall resist the temptation for the sake of the nation and the Nigerian spirit.

How do you hope to achieve your objective of ensuring that only the right nominees are cleared by the Senate?

This objective can only be achieved by ensuring that appointments are based on qualification and merit.

However, it is disheartening to note that intense pressure is being mounted on some of us, who are perceived to be outspoken, in order to becloud our sense of judgement. The antics of lobbyists and horse traders have become unbearable lately as they have offered huge sums of money to some lawmakers in a bid to derail them from toeing the path of justice in the confirmation of nominated and renominated ministers.

Fashola’s exco: Lagos Assembly screens 13 nominees

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EMBERS of the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday commenced the screening of 37 nominees for commissioners and special advisers. The list was sent to the House last weekend by Governor Babatunde Fashola.

Thirteen of the nominees were screened yesterday, 12 will be screened today while the remaining 12 will face the lawmakers on Friday.

Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji said it is a constitutional requirement for those who would work as executive members to be screened by the House.

“It is a constitutional provision, we will do our best to ensure that only those who have values to add to governance in the state are allowed to work with the governor”, Ikuforiji said.

Those screened were Mr.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

Adetokunbo Abiru, Mr Tunji Bello, and former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ben Akabueze.

Others are: Mrs Oluranti Adebule, Mrs. Yewande Adesina, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Mr. Jimoh Ajao, Mrs. Aderinsola Disu, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, Mr Oyinlomo Danmole, Mr Ademorin Kuye, Mr Dolapo Badru and Mr Seye Oladejo.

The lawmakers who normally don’t sit on Wednesdays and Fridays, changed the rule to enable them conclude the screening on time.

Ahmed, Ajao, Bello, Badru and Danmole, were told to take a bow because they were either former lawmakers or commissioners. The lawmakers asked other nominees series of questions before allowing them to go.

• The nominees: Mrs Adebule and Aderemi Ibirogba (right) with former Vice-Chairman, Isolo LCDA, Hon. Taiwo Rahman shortly after the screening of Mrs Adebule... yesterday.

PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

POLITICS

• Third from right: Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Aliyu Ogah, in a group photograph with members of the Presidential Committee on post election violence during their visit to Doma, Nasarawa State PHOTO: NAN recently.

Plateau senator pleads for defected PDP members

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

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HE Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly, Senator Victor Lar has asked the Plateau State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to re-absorb its members who defected to other parties, especially the Labour Party (LP) to actualize their political ambitions.

The appeal came on the heels of the party’s stance disclosed by its Chairman, Dr. Haruna Dabin that those who defected to other parties to contest the recently concluded April general elections should not return to the party but remain where they are to help build such parties as PDP has no accommodation again for them in the party.

Speaking with The Nation in Jos, Lar said that in his personal opinion, those who defected should be pardoned, but condemned their actions, asking: “If you destroy your home, what moral rights do you have to go back to that house?”

The Senator advised those who have interest in returning to the party to be remorseful and apologetic and take practical steps towards coming back.

According to him: “The party and the governor have declared the party’s doors shut against those members; but, I still believe that the leadership of the party can re-admit them, especially if they repent.”

Speaking on the security situation in Plateau, the senator said: “The Plateau State House of Assembly should enact a law on Plateau Peace Resolution that will pave the way to for a resolution of a peace conference, where all will sit and deliberate among all ethnic and religious beliefs.”

Ajimobi restates stand on revenue formula O YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi said yesterday that there was no going back on the clamour for the review of the revenue allocation formula in order to give the states more funds for development-oriented projects.

Ajimobi who spoke to reporters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on arrival from Accra, Ghana where he attended an award ceremony for former Lagos Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, explained that the clamour

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

for the review of revenue allocation formula was long overdue.

The Oyo State governor said: “I think definitely, we need a review of the revenue allocation formula and I honestly believe that the Federal Government will agree to our demands because our new president is very reasonable and is very supportive of all the state.”

On the need for the state to shore up its internally generated revenue rather than depending on the revenue accruing from the

Federation Account, Ajimobi said: “I think most state governments now are doing everything possible to restructure and ensure that we improve on our Internally Generated Revenue and in terms of reaching out to businesses, we are trying to improve our industrial base which will in turn improve on our Internally Generated Revenue.

Hopefully, we trying to block all the leakages which will improve on our Internally Generated Revenue within the next couple of months you will see improvements.”

• Ajimobi

Mimiko denies nominating aide for Jonathan

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NDO State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko yester day denied reports in some sections of the media that he nominated a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to President Goodluck Jonathan for consideration as Minister even as he pleaded that he be left out of issues pertaining to the PDP. Mimiko was quoted as having nominated one Mrs. Omobola Olubusola Johnson for the President to be considered as Minister.

He, however, denied it as totally strange.

But in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, in Akure, the governor stated: “I want to place it on record for the umpteenth time that I am a member of the Labour Party (LP) and that I have not and would not go to the PDP; so, it would be tantamount to disservice, and pure mischief for anybody to say that I would be nominating a supposedly PDP member for consideration as an aide to a PDP-led government.

“In the first place, the woman in question is unknown to me; she is not a member of the LP and I do not belong to PDP. So, it would be wrong to insinuate with glee as the media report

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

had it that I nominated her for Mr. President to be considered as a Minister or for

whatever position. And Mr. President has never spoken to me about the issue as was stated in the media report.” He, there-

fore, enjoined that he be spared insinuations that he was behind schemes for the woes of the PDP in the state.

• From left: Lagos Deputy Governor, Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, presenting a gift to Ms. Mumbi Njau, Project Coordinator of the United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) when she paid the Deputy Governor a courtesy visit at her Alausa office recently.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Lots of talk, too little action

Wrong move •Splitting government ministries not the right way to shrink bureaucracy UST when the clamour for shrinking the national bureaucracy has begun to assume a more strident note, President Goodluck Jonathan is reported as toying with the idea of splitting the current ministries from 18 to 36.

The proposal, said to be favoured by bureaucrats, is believed to have been informed by the need to eliminate the existing acrimonious relationships between so-called substantive ministers – regarded as seniors - and their minister-ofstate counterparts. Constant friction between the foremost political functionaries has often been fingered as constituting a needless cog in the wheel of government business.

On the face of it, the idea seems pragmatic. But then we know the real problem is not the structure but the individual

J

‘Moreover, nothing of the motives behind the plan can be said to be altruistic. In any case, the government didn’t even suggest that the idea was to improve service performance. All that the citizens can glean from the plan is the claim that the measures would eliminate the turf wars among ministerial appointees’

egos of the functionaries. There is clearly nothing in the proposed structure that a simple delineation of functions between the officials would not be able to achieve.

Much as it is difficult to fault a proposal which aims at streamlining the relationships between functionaries in the public service for better service delivery, we do not consider the wholesale changes as being necessary at all.

Of course, those behind the proposal may claim that they do not anticipate an increase in the number of ministerial appointees, or even an expansion of the existing bureaucracy. That may well be so. As we know, the reality is oftentimes different from what is often presented.

No one is fooled – there are no guarantees that this would not happen, just as there can be no question about whether or not the splintering of the ministries from 18 to 36 would have direct implications for the cost of running the government. It will.

And all of this just for the sake of being numero uno over a department of government!

Moreover, nothing of the motives behind the plan can be said to be altruistic.

In any case, the government didn’t even suggest that the idea was to improve service performance. All that the citizens can glean from the plan is the claim that the measures would eliminate the turf wars among ministerial appointees.

That is why it is particularly disturbing that the government was egged on by

bureaucrats in what clearly amounts to a pandering to the egoistical whims of appointees. It is even more astonishing that the government did not recognise the malignancy for what it is – a lethal virus gnawing away at the soul of the public service. It is best described as the ‘big man’ syndrome – the notion of one powerful man in charge, beyond whom no other powers or authority lie! The development must be seen as a clear negation of the essence of public service, particularly the requirement to place service before self or even egos!

To put it mildly, we are hard pressed to see the value that the proposed changes will bring to bear on the productivity of the service as a whole. First, the proposed changes – which are for all intents and purposes cosmetic – do not even pretend to address the fundamentals of the service in any significant way in the sense of efficiency of its organs.

But even more poignantly, it says nothing about the current imperatives of how to bring down the cost of government – to drastically cut back on the disproportionate share of the revenue deployed in the service of the bureaucracy and to generally streamline the service for optimal productivity.

We see the latest measure as revealing how much the bureaucracy and the government is out of touch with the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens.

Arrest warrant •With this notice, the noose tightens on the tyrant

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EBELS battling to unseat the Libyan leader, Muamar Ghadaffi got a moral boost on June 27, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant forhe dictator. The court also issued warrants for Ghadaffi’s son, Seif al-Islam Ghadaffi, and for Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah alSanoussi. The three men were accused of orchestrating the killing, injuring, arrest and imprisonment of hundreds of civilians during the first 12 days of an uprising by the Libyan people to make Ghadaffi leave office, and for trying to cover up the alleged crimes.

ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo had in May asked the court to issue arrest warrants for the “pre-determined” killing of protesters in Libya, after the UN Security Council referred the issue to the court. The presiding judge, Sanji Mmasenono Monageng, said in reading out the ruling that Ghadaffi has “absolute, ultimate and unquestioned control” over Libya’s state apparatus and its security forces, and so should be held responsible for the alleged crimes.

Ghadaffi has been under intense pressure to quit power since February when the wind of change sweeping across the Arab world reached Libya. The calls for political reforms and more freedom began in Tunisia in December, last year, leading to the exit of of Zine el Abidine Ben Ali’s regime. It then moved to Egypt where the regime of Hosni Mubarak was also brought to an abrupt end early in the year.

So far in the Arab uprisings, Ghadaffi appears the most defiant ruler to have remained in power four months after the agitation for his ouster began. But that has been at great cost to lives and limbs

of fellow Libyans, and the destruction of infrastructure which would take colossal amounts to fix.

The needless shedding of civilian blood naturally attracted the attention of the international community, particularly the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) which at a point declared a nofly zone over Libya to protect civilians in rebel-held areas, and has since followed this up with aerial bombardments of military facilities and other institutions seen to be Ghadaffi’s back bone. In the process, civilians had been hit, leading to allegations and counter-allegations between NATO and Ghadaffi’s soldiers as to who is responsible for the deaths of the civilians, including women and children.

The ICC’s warrants would be the court’s second such to be issued on serving African heads of state. The first to get it was Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. By issuing an arrest warrant for Ghadaffi, the ICC has sent the message, once again, that the law can reach even those long thought to be immune to accountability.

The warrant against Ghadaffi was a moral booster to the rebels and those who would be too pleased to see him sacked from office. It sent thousands of them to the streets of their stronghold in Benghazi dancing and cheering. One of them said enthusiastically: “We want Ghadaffi to be tried in Libya in front of everyone”. Another said the day the arrest warrant was issued was the “happiest day” of his life.

But, quite expectedly, the Ghadaffi regime has dismissed the charges as politically motivated. The implication of this is that the Libyan leader is not in a hurry to bow to the wish of his people to leave.

And this is natural; the threat of arrest will give him less incentive to want to quit power voluntarily because he knows the consequences if he is eventually arrested and tried for the charges.

This is why NATO and the rest of the international community have to raise the pressure to force Ghadaffi out. This is much more so that the ICC lacks the powers to enforce its ruling. And it is obvious the rebels on their own cannot get him out. He should be retired after 41 years in power, regardless of whether he is tired or not.

The past few months have been marked with macabre feasts repine and murder on Libyan streets. His years of tyranny should expire soon. Like co-travellers of power greed and reckless egos, the world islooking forward to quieter, democratic Libya.

‘This is why NATO and the rest of the international community have to raise the pressure to force Ghadaffi out. This is much more so that the ICC lacks the powers to enforce its ruling. And it is obvious the rebels on their own cannot get him out. He should be retired after 41 years in power, regardless of whether he is tired or not’

T

HE price of agricultural commodities has surged by more than a third over the past year — cereal prices by 70 percent — surpassing even the levels that sparked widespread food riots in 2008. According to the World Bank, the rise in prices pushed 44 million more people into hunger in the second half of 2010.

It is disappointing that the agriculture ministers from the 20 large industrial economies who gathered last week in Paris failed to end two policies that are a big part of the problem: bans on agricultural exports by certain producers and government supports for food-based biofuel production.

A report for the Group of 20 meeting by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Bank and others noted that eliminating or curtailing these policies would help mitigate the spikes in prices that have deepened hunger in the poorest countries in the world.

The United States, Brazil and several other biofuel makers opposed an agreement to cut support for biofuels. This country is the world’s biggest ethanol producer. The 13.5 billion gallons made here last year used about 40 percent of the nation’s corn crop. Government supports include a nearly $6 billion annual subsidy for ethanol makers.

The ministers agreed only to further study the relation between biofuel production and food prices. That is just an excuse for continuing to protect these industries. The cost should be clear to all by this point. The report to the Group of 20 noted that biofuels consumed 20 percent of the global sugar cane crop between 2007 and 2009, when food prices soared, as well as 4 percent of the beet crop and 9 percent of the world’s production of coarse grains like corn.

The ministers also failed to forbid the use of export barriers to hold down food prices at home. Argentina, Russia and more than two dozen others have adopted bans since prices began to surge, sending global prices even higher and discouraging investment in food producing regions. The ministers did agree that countries could not restrict sales to the World Food Program so it can continue to address crises. It is not enough.

The agricultural summit meeting, the first of its kind, did make some progress. The participants agreed to set up a system to monitor world food stocks and production to prevent misinformation that can contribute to price fluctuations. They also agreed on a pilot program for an emergency food reserve system to respond to shortages in vulnerable countries.

More aggressive action is needed. High energy prices and irregular weather patterns are likely to keep food prices volatile, even as demand increases from fast-growing developing countries. The first step to ensuring a steady food supply is to eliminate the most egregious distortions in agriculture policy.

– New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

• Controller (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho

•Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•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

•Pre-Press Manager Chuks Bardi •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: Brilliant! Just brilliant!! I found myself saying this after reading Sanya Oni’s ‘POLICY’ column - GEJ.trouble.com in The Nation June 28.

First the threat from the National Union of Electricity Employees [NUEE] to Mr. President over the rumoured appointment of Prof.

Barth Nnaji as Power Minister in the new cabinet. The simple truth for what it is worth is this - if there is to be any crucifixion at all, it should not be the acclaimed technocrat but the Power Sector Act of 2005! If NUEE insists on chasing shadows [Prof. Nnaji], that’s their headache!

No one or group has the power to dictate to, talk less of threatening the President who to appoint or not to appoint into his cabinet if the President believes in his heart such person can deliver to his satisfaction, because in the final analysis, the buck stops on his table.

Secondly, the unjustified call by the governors on the President to remove the so-called subsidy on petroleum products to enable them pay the new approved minimum wage of N18,000 beggars belief!

Pray, are these privileged few living on Mars? Are they not aware of the Arab spring? Have they no human feelings? Don’t get me wrong. The estimated statistic of N600 billion spent on fuel subsidies annually is a lot of money that can be used for infrastructural development. But has anyone come out with the estimate of the security vote of these governors that is unaccounted for, that can be used

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

Re: GEJ.trouble.com! for infrastructural development as well?

Why is it the welfare of common man is the least of our leaders’ concern? The so-called fuel subsidy is the ONLY benefit the common man enjoys in this country. Instead of crude oil being a blessing, our socalled leaders are leading us astray and turning the blessing into a big curse.

Ask the Niger Delta people with

all the environmental degradation/pollution and with practically nothing to show for it. Certainly no coded fat Swiss accounts. No properties in Dubai or US or UK! Let them stop bandying statistics around us to justify their evil intentions.

It was the late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo who once said that statistics are like bikinis - they are revealing BUT what they conceal is

even more revealing! The cost of governance in Nigeria is simply untenable – I dare say it is haram!

US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, told us that much when she came visiting the last time.

The heart of the matter is lack of political will to do the right thing as far as petroleum products are concerned. If the President wants to build 10 brand new refineries within his four-year tenure, he can!

Owelle Rochas’ burden in Imo IR: Despite the gloomy picture of the state treasury he inherited, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State, met on ground, his victory and the subsequent mass approval it has received will make any other governor green with envy.

As his victory and the mass approval that has attended it have shown, there is fulfilment in marching with the people. His victory was a demonstration of the potency of the people against the tyranny of the rich and the powerful and his has shown that stripped of the

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people factor, power becomes an empty and vacuous burden.

It is heartening to hear that Rochas wants to run a compact and lean government. It is even very gratifying that he had slashed the ubiquitous security vote to fund his pet idea of free compulsory primary and secondary education. It is great to know that he plans to plug wastes and the numerous drain pipes through which government funds are siphoned. I am sure that he will do wonders for the parched Imo people who have been denied the fruits of real governance since the

glorious Mbakwe days.

For him to succeed, he must learn to simplify governance, the needs of the people and the best possible ways to realize them. He should understudy the Peter Obi governance in Anambra and see the great impetus in simplifying governance and the methods to deliver. He should ensure that contracts are not burgeoned out of proportion and must ensure that contract sums match the works done.

In short, he must not pander to the Nigerian contract culture whereby contracts are seen as means of set-

Let there be kerosene

IR: The ocean of dollars that keeps surging into the treasury every day seems to be for the exclusive comfort and recreation of Nigeria’s ‘special ones’ whose palm kernel have been cracked by benevolent spirits!

If not, what manner of leaders would be so unfeeling to ignore the commonest and cheapest byproduct of crude oil – kerosene?

See where the poor people are today as Kerosene or DPK, as the product is generally known, has disappeared from filing stations with the price now hitting the roofs!

This is the extent to which our so-called leaders love us.

Not too long ago, ex-Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke ran adverts in almost all the national dailies,

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But he won’t! Think of the huge socio-economic benefits those new refineries would bring - employment of restive youths for one, nonimportation of refined petroleum products etc.

When things like these are in place, then government can talk of removal of fuel subsidies! Permit me end with your words: ‘It seems unlikely that Nigerians would throw up their hands in surrender to a government that prefers folly over wisdom, and one which seeks escape in abdication when what is needed is problem-solving.

In the situation, my advice to President Jonathan therefore is - don’t touch the fuel subsidy now, it is not worth the trouble’.

I hope – I sincerely hope – the President is listening.

• Engr. Jon Ishaku, Abaji, Abuja

enumerating the key achievements of her ministry. Was kerosene supply to the homes of the Nigerian poor part of her testimonial that she had asked us to celebrate or eulogise?

Walk the streets of Nigeria or visit so many homes of the poor, it is lamentation galore: Kerosene scarcity, exorbitant price of DPK, adulterated product killing the wretched of the Nigerian earth, cold weather tormenting children and adults, because there is no fuel to boil water to make hot tea or even to cook the-hard-to-come-by food that poor families toil day and night to raise money for. And it appears nobody in position of authority is listening, or if somebody is hearing the agonising pains of the grunting masses, they

do not understand the urgency or meaning of the situation.

Those who have assumed leadership after the last general elections should stand up to be counted; they should look deeper into the eyes of the masses that they claim voted massively for them, and see if they can spot the hollowness, misery and frustrations. The alarming rate at which some poor persons are committing suicide and the number of young persons that are suddenly going insane today should be of great concern to our so-called leaders. Those who claim to be ‘spiritual’ in Nigeria, may readily explain it away as foundational problems, ancestral curses, spiritual entanglements and/or other religious mumbo-jumbo!

However, reflecting on the depressing socio-economic, psychologically and emotionally challenging environment, can one say with all honesty that the prognoses of all these problems is what ‘our spiritual masters’ are telling us?

It is time we left the realm of mediocrity and charlatan disposition, and move into the cosmos of ethical and nuanced practices that have elevated other countries to the much-cherished developed nations status. We should begin with the provision of the simplest things of life to the common people of Nigeria, like kerosene.

• Chinedu Ohaegbulam Port-Haecourt.

tling party space fillers and yes men.

That means he will always be on the field to track and monitor project execution. He should not migrate to utopia and think his commissioners and advisers will do this very important task for him. He has to be firmly on ground, visiting and revisiting project sites, evaluating and re-evaluating contracts to ensure they are timely delivered and of the best quality. He should leverage on the community spirit of the Imo man and see where to partner with the people and the communities in executing critical projects in the various Imo communities.

He must relate directly with the people for it is there the real strength lies. He should look into tapping on the abundant raw materials in the state to create economic and employment opportunities.

Tapping into the palm belt can create a huge industrial base that can power the economy of the state.

In some few months time, eager and anxious Imolites that savoured his victory will return home for Christmas and other festivities. That is when his examination will begin for they will start judging him from what they see in the state of their roads, public facilities as well as the enhanced state of the urban areas.

So he must start opening up the rural areas, fix urban facilities and uplift the infrastructural base of the state, now.

• Peter Claver Oparah.

Ikeja, Lagos.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Politics in Post 2011 Nigeria: Is Yorubaland endangered? - 5 CONCLUDING THOUGHTS HE Yoruba is the most studied group in Africa, perhaps followed by the Zulus, Hausa and the Fulani. Because of this there is a corpus of knowledge of the Yoruba which politicians and arm chair historians can use depending on their perspective and points of view. Themes of courage, constitutionalism, dictatorship, betrayal, treason and military strategy and prowess and above all the fine art of diplomacy and alliance formation lend themselves for interpretation.

In Yoruba history we can identify dictatorship with the 17th century Bashorun Gaha who monopolized power and used his position to get rid of one Alaafin after another. There is the example of Are-ona Kakanfo Kurunmi of Ijaye who in defending constitutionalism brought defeat, destruction and dispersal on his Ijaye people. Ruthlessness can be associated with Bashorun Ogunmola who extended the influence of Ibadan over Yorubaland in the 19th century. Courage in the face of overwhelming odds can be associated with Ishola Fabunmi who raised the banner of revolt against Ibadan imperialism in the 19th century. Treason and betrayal can be levied against Are-Ona-Kakanfo Afonja who betrayed Alaafin Awole and set in motion a chain of events which led to the destruction of the old Oyo Empire. Military strategy and warfare is readily associated with Ajayi Ogboriefon and Are Latoisa and others who turned the Yoruba civil wars from wars of movement to war of attrition in the Kiriji battle ground in Igbajo.

These are broad themes in pan Yoruba history and there also exists abundant knowledge of same themes even in local and family history.

Every Yoruba man carries with him the history of his family, his town and his sub group of the Yoruba nation. Even without written history, ported history of each family and sub group is memorized and passed on from generation to generation. This pride in the past comes with a cost. It can be exploited to cause disaffection even in modern day life. The 19th century Yoruba civil wars with changing alignment and alliances have also created problems of unity and disunity. The Ekiti, Ijesha, Akoko, Igbomina and Ilorin people fought against the Oyo Yoruba most of the time. The Egba and Ijebu, who were not directly involved blocked access to the coast against the

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‘This disparagement of one another by the sub-ethnic groups of the Yoruba has persisted even to modern times to the extent that when modern politics came to Yorubaland, political fault lines sometimes followed these primordial pre-colonial divisions’

Ibadan for purely economic reason.

When eventually peace came, thanks to the pacification imposed

by British imperialism, the enmity of the war years was carried on to peace times. Ekiti, Ijesha and Akoko and Igbomina people looked at Oyo-Yoruba as sly and cunny people “Oyo a yo mo le” while they in turn see their erstwhile enemies as foolish and stubborn people. Ibadan people were wont to look down on Ijebu as lower breeds as captured in the saying “Ijebu a beni yan” the Ilorin Yoruba were seen as unreliable and dangerous people – “mesu jamba”. This disparagement of one another by the sub-ethnic groups of the Yoruba has persisted even to modern times to the extent that when modern politics came to Yorubaland, political fault lines sometimes followed these primordial pre-colonial divisions. The paradox of the situation is that the century of civil wars provided the process by which the Yoruba people emerged as a nation. In other words the Yoruba nation emerged through the crucible of war.

Modern Politics in Yorubaland The Yoruba were the first to organize themselves against British imperialism. In fact as far back as the time of the Governor-Generalship of Sir Fredrick Lugard, Lagosians under their leaders were involved in protesting against water rate imposed on them without consultation.

In 1923 Dr. J.C. Vaughan and Ayo Williams with Ernest Ikoli organized the “Union of Young Nigerians” to demand a say in the affairs of the country. Later J.C. Vaughan, H.O Davies, Ernest Ikoli and Samuel Akinsanya formed the Lagos Youth Movement which metamorphosed into the Nigerian Youth Movement in the 1930s. Throughout the period of the dominance of the Nigerian Youth Movement and later the N.C.N.C, Yoruba people have always played politics of principle such as the abandonment of Samuel Akinsanya’s candidacy of the legislative council in preference for Ernest Ikoli, an Ijaw which created a crisis when ironically the Yoruba were accused of tribalism for supporting an Ijaw man! When the N.C.N.C was formed after the Second World War, Yorubas played an important role in its formation with Herbert Macaulay being its founder and president.

When in 1951 Obafemi Awolowo formed the Action Group, Yoruba opinion continued to be divided and the Yoruba did not see any reason for everyone to belong to the same party. Politics of principle continued to dominate Yorubaland through the period of the hegemony of the Action Group to the extent that the Action Group, a sitting government party lost the federal elections of 1954 to the N.C.N.C in the West. In other words a pattern of political division and different approach to politics was firmly established in Yorubaland.

So nothing really is new in the apparent lack of political unity in Yorubaland today.

During the first Republic, the Action Group was led by Awolowo a Remo-Ijebu man and almost in knee-jerk reaction the Ibadan preferred the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons – later citizen the NCNC because of their antipathy to the Ijebu. Surprisingly the so-called Ijebu proper and Egba also felt superior to the Remo and

this was reflected in their opposition to the Action Group. This ridiculous sentiment was extended to local levels where political association sometimes followed historical pattern of alliance. This was to become a major problem during the Action Group crisis of 1961 – 1962 when a schism developed between OyoJide Yoruba followers of Chief Osuntokun S. L. Akintola the premier and others who painted Akintola as another Afonja ready to sell the Yoruba to the highest bidders from the North. This was an effective propaganda steeped in history of Afonja’s betrayal of Alaafin Awole which is said to have led the latter to curse the Yoruba with the curse of disunity.

This simplistic analysis of the crisis which was far from the truth proved decisive as a weapon of political mobilization.

The Action Group crisis was the second tragedy in Yoruba history after the collapse of old Oyo Empire. Its aftermath remained for years as a fault line in Yoruba politics. Those who followed Awolowo and suffered for their loyalty never forgave their compatriots in the Akintola camp who also suffered from the politics of revenge during the first military coup d’état of 1966 and in the hands of the ascendant Awolowo supporters when the military withdrew from power. The enmity between the UPN dominated West under Awolowo and the NPN opposition in the West, who were mostly previous Akintola supporters was so palpable and bitter that politics in Yorubaland unlike in other parts of the country was characterized by unnecessary bitterness and acrimony. This division which seemed to be cast in iron is fortunately breaking down and is now blurred because the division between the Akintola and Awolowo tendencies in Yoruba politics are becoming indistinguishable.

This was furthered accentuated during the struggle for the actualization of Chief M.K.O Abiola’s mandate when the rightness of his cause broke ethnic and political barriers and tendencies. What are these tendencies? The Awolowo school in its purest form believes in fiscal federalism, strong states and weak centre and what in today’s popular parlance will be called ‘resource control’ while the Akintola group believes in strong representation in the centre. Since 1999 this tendency of being in the main stream of national politics has been in ascendance but instead of evidence of physical improvement of infrastructure, Yorubaland has suffered neglect and it is at the verge of total collapse. At least this is the general perception by independent observers.

As Senate screens ministerial nominees

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OR the Senate, this is another season of screening.

Mind you, this is no ordinary screening. It is the most significant of all the screenings the Senate undertakes every now and then. The screening of ministerial nominees is a constitutional function bestowed on senators. Collectively, the Senate has the power to determine who becomes minister. Conversely, it can also determine who does not become minister. It is because of this power that many nominees usually go to any length to get the Senate to confirm them.

According to the Constitution, nobody can become minister except confirmed by the Senate. This confirmation is crucial to the appointment of a minister. Many of the nominees having probably lobbied to be nominated will be embarking on another round of lobbying now that their names have been sent to the Senate. Before, during and after the screening, it is fun to watch how our would-be ministers behave. At this stage they put up their best behaviour as they go out of their way to court senators some of whom they may never greet again once they have been cleared.

But before they are cleared, they describe the Senate in superlative terms in order to pave the way for their confirmation. The senators, apparently aware of the game the nominees are playing, also play

along while waiting for them to appear in the Red Chamber. The Red Chamber is where the fate of many nominees is sealed. By the way the Red Chamber is where the Senate sits. It is on the floor of this chamber that the senators fashion out laws for the common good of the people. They are also expected to screen the ministerial nominees for the good of the country and not for any parochial interest.

Will the Senate live up to expectation in the screening and confirmation of the nominees? Will the exercise be reduced to another circus show as it was the case in the recent past? All eyes will be on the Senate as it embarks on this major assignment and the people will like to see the august body carry it out with all sense of responsibility. The people are tired of watching their representatives on television toying with nominees instead of grilling them to ascertain how suitable they are for the job. There will be instances of ’’take a bow and go’’ no doubt but they should only be for those who really deserve to be so treated.

If you ask me I don’t think the 34 nominees who were unveiled on Tuesday deserve that treament. Of the 10 returnee-ministers and the 24 incoming ones none should be allowed to ‘’bow and go’’, they should be made to sweat it out for their confirmation. Thank heavens we have seen 10 of them in action before. These 10 should be asked to

‘We have seen them in action before and I don’t think that many Nigerians are happy with the services they rendered. All of them were mere passengers on the field. There is nothing they can point to as their achievement’

tell Nigerians what they achieved while in office and what the constraints were, if any. What did Yusuf Suleiman achieve in the Ministry of Transport to warrant his return?

He should be able to say. So also for Prof.

Ruqayyat Rufai(Education); Shamsudeen Usman(National Planning); Mohammed Saada(Mines and Power).

Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke (Petroleum); Godsday Orubebe (Niger Delta); Onyebuchi Chukwu (Health); Obadiah Ando (Water); Emeka Wogu(Labour); Mohammed Adoke(Justice); Labaran Maku (Information); Olusegun Aganga (Finance); Caleb Olubolade (FCT,State); Bala Mohammed (FCT) and former Special Adviser on Power Barth Nnaji. If President Goodluck Jonathan found them worthy to return to his cabinet but cannot tell us what he saw in them, the Senate should be able to ask them questions on our behalf so that we can know what informed the president’s decision. What are the qualities that these people have which we cannot see but which made the president to call on them to serve the nation again.

We have seen them in action before and I don’t think that many Nigerians are happy with the services they rendered. All of them were mere passengers on the field.

There is nothing they can point to as their achievement, yet the president is tapping them again to be ministers. Is the president saying that we don’t have men and women who can do better than these people as ministers? What informed his choice? Politics? Merit? Or what.

We all had high hopes when Aganga was poached from Goldman Sachs to head the finance ministry. Because of his background, the Senate was intimidated when he appeared for screening.

The senators could not ask him

probing questions. Many of them were just looking at him in awe, wondering, so this is the man from Goldman Sachs who is going to turn around our battered economy.He should be asked if the economy is better than he met it.

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HAT about Mrs AlisonMadueke? First, she was in charge of works. One bright sunny day she had a brain wave and off she went to the Ore-Benin Expressway, that deathtrap of a road for which the government has yet to find a solution.

She went there with a retinue of aides and for effect took along reporters and cameramen. She knew what she was doing and she succeeded in fooling us. Before the klieg light of television cameramen, she broke down in tears as she lamented the state of the road. She used her gender to fool us all because as a woman she knew the effect that her public drama would have on our psche.

At the end of the day, her tears did not translate to a better Ore-Benin road. The road was still as bad as she met it after she left the works ministry. Because in our country, failures are glorified, she was moved to the petroleum ministry to continue the good job she did at works. Don’t be surprised if she is asked to take a ’’bow and go’’ at the screening.

Adoke was another minister in the mould of the Agangas and Alison-Maduekes. Adoke was a minister in whom the people placed so much trust after the disastrous outing of his predecessor, Mike Andoakaa. We expected him to change the bad image Andoakaa gave the Ministry of Justice but he ended up doing worse things. With Andoakaa we knew where we stand but it was difficult placing Adoke because of his pretences. He pretended that he was fighting the war

Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

against corruption when he was doing the contrary. For instance, the clearcut Halliburton case for which some people were convicted abroad was bungled back home by the former minister. After the filing of charges against all those implicated in the matter in the country he stopped their trial because of an agreement under which Nigeria would be paid an amount lesser than the sum involved in the fraud. Now if that is not justice, I wonder what it is?

Let me quickly add that they are not however, the worst among their colleagues. I just cited them for the Senate to know that it must be thorough in its screening of all the nominees whether anointed or not. The hard questions must be asked even if it is going to make them uncomfortable.

The Senate’s role in the appointment of ministers is the most crucial in the selection process; so if the nominees are just allowed to walk in and out of the Red Chambers then our ‘’distinguished men and women’’ will not be absolved of blame when the ministers get into office and start misbehaving by not doing what is expected of them. It will be too late then to make amends.

SMS ONLY: 08056504763

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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R.Kayode Fayemi and Engineer Segun Oni, undoubtedly are two illustrious, well cultured sons of Ekiti State. Both have claimed they love Ekiti, the land of honour.

Segun Oni occupied the Ekiti State Government House until last year. Fortune has always smiled on him since his forays into partisan politics. Here was a man, who lost a governorship primary election, but godfathers, Obasanjo and Bode George said ‘in him they were very pleased’. At the gubernatorial contest, he was awarded electoral victory without winning an election.

At the state electoral tribunal, he secured victory upon victory. Following each undeserved victory, Oni, a very humble man simply went to church to thank God for “manna’ from judges of the state tribunal.

Therefore, for the love of his people, whose only industry is education, he became obsessed with setting up of new universities he could not fund. He surveyed the state road network and discovered they were in worse state of disrepair than the colonial masters left them (apologies to Chief Afe Babalola).

He realized that successive federal government were only interested in using mobile police and soldiers to secure electoral victories in order to fraudulently actualize their vision of ‘mainstreaming’. There and then, Oni took an irrevocable decision to embark on a bazaar of road contracts. And as at the last count, he had awarded over 2,731.

They were to be executed simultaneously .Oni must have mused to himself – “what a better way to buy legitimacy”.

But then Governor Fayemi came in and

‘Why is Oni averse to retrieving monies taken for contracts not executed?

Why is Oni, who professes so much love for Ekiti refuse to share Fayemi’s commitment to get the contractor back to site or be handed over to EFCC in case of default?’

Fayemi, Oni and the unending battle decided to take stock. He started by working with his brains. He set up the “Contract Review Committee on contracts awarded from May 29, 2007 to October 15 2010”. His approach was unprecedented. Since the beginning of the 4th Republic, no one has been called upon to give an account of his stewardship both at the state and federal level.

We were never told those involved in the derailed railway contract fiasco beyond rumours that children of PDP leaders were involved. We have no information on the companies involved in the “Identity Card” scam. Beyond the crocodile tears by a PDP Minister of Works or the self serving pronouncement of the last one to the effect that what was needed was a new contract for a new Shagamu- Benin express road, the only enduring PDP legacy on the road after periodic allocation of billions of naira from the era of Tony Anenih as minister in 1999, is that the road remains a death trap to thousands of users that toil daily through it to eastern parts of the country.

Nearer home, after years of lamentation by Nigerians about the sorry state of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport road, its rehabilitation was carried out late last year probably by a contractor using cutlass and hoe. The gateway to the nation’s economic nerve centre remains a disgrace. We have no information about the PDP contractor that did such a disgraceful work since all contract

scams are treated as PDP “family affairs’ Governor Fayemi has therefore blazed the trail. And the sordid revelations from the White Paper that came out of the report is a pointer to what must have been happening in more endowed PDP governed states and at the federal level which controls more money than it has need for. This perhaps also explains the reason for zero-sum struggle for power and why the PDP has remained the” nest of killers” (apology to Wole Soyinka) The result of the stock taking was startling.

The report covered specific cases where contractors collected money and abandoned site; where some collected money far in excess of agreed cost and the specific details of “over 90% of the contract either badly done or abandoned’. Oni in my view was simply incompetent. And now, he is equally not helping his case by resorting to PDP strategy of intimidation in addressing the issues documented in a 70-page report and summarized in an accompanying government White Paper. “What else do they want from contractors when they already have what they term a White Paper?” Oni fumed.

That the contracts were badly executed did not prove Oni was a cheat or that he should go and hide his head in shame. We have no evidence yet that like his PDP colleagues, he had used the state fund to buy properties in Dubai or in Maryland, USA. But it is only fair to assume Oni’s PDP contractors merely

repeated the practice in other states and at the federal level forgetting they were dealing with Ekiti.

But Oni, a man used to securing victories even without fighting a battle has moved from the absurd to the bizarre in the defence of his PDP contractors. He has described the decision of Fayemi’s administration to invite the contractors who were overpaid and those that failed to execute the projects as ‘an exercise in futility’.

He wants Governor Fayemi to stop chasing shadows and face the challenges of fulfilling his electoral promises. Then the question arises, why is Oni averse to retrieving monies taken for contracts not executed? Why is Oni, who professes so much love for Ekiti refuse to share Fayemi’s commitment to get the contractor back to site or be handed over to EFCC in case of default?

That some of Oni’s friends may be PDP contractors is not a criminal act since democracy, itself is a government for the protection of group’s interest. But by his stand, Oni appears to be mixing up his love for his PDP contractors with his self proclaimed love for the state.

Otherwise, how can the statement by the Commissioner for Information, Communication, Civic Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Fola Richie –Adewusi that ‘many of the roads awarded by Segun Oni’s administration were abandoned after billions of naira had been paid to the contractors’ become ‘a campaign of calumny’ against Oni.?

If the names of defaulting contractors have been listed along with the amount they collected, if the government now has ‘facts, figures, witnesses and contractors who attest to the claim’ according to Mr. Olumide Olumilua, the special assistant on project monitoring, what else does Oni need Transparency International (TI) for if one may ask?

Why should Oni be unhappy that a contractor handling ‘the 11 kilometers AdoIworoko-Ifaki Ekiti road who have collected N5.5 billion out of N7.5 billion was forced to sign an undertaking that the work would be completed by December?

But Oni, it is now obvious, is even incapable of celebrating even a modest achievement in the midst of his PDP nation’s wreckers. Oni will rather destroy the edifice just as he once tried to do with the judiciary that sustained him in government for three and half years.

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

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OST commentators on Nigeria’s semi-centennial anniversary in 2010 blamed the wasted opportunities and poor performance of the country on dismal leadership of successive governing groups.

Beginning with the epochal class of 2011, orientation to leadership and governance must change if the next semi-centennial is to avoid the lapses, wastage and the unbridled deviance of past leadership. The new orientation, therefore, must be premised on the idea of a developmental state for Nigeria. A developmental state is not an abstract entity. It is people in leadership positions- nationalistic and patriotic elected officials, bureaucrats and technocrats in collaboration with the private sectorwho proactively pursue policies and actions that transform the national socioeconomic environment while at the same time are accountable to those they lead.

A developmental state believes that the most important tool of development is human resource, citizens, who, with good leadership, can multiply natural resources to uplift themselves and society on a sustainable basis. A developmental state is similar to a transformational leadership. It is imaginative, courageous in asserting autonomy from domestic and external vested interests, constructs a utopia of the type of society it aspires to build, has bold visions, and takes bold steps to implement its visions. It makes leaders out of followers so that the latter can effectively mobilize the larger society to pursue the collective end. Subordinates of the apex leader, say the President, in a developmental state exercise capacity to mobilize those below them. In which case, ministers, bureaucrats and technocrats in the executive branch have high leadership propensities as well as freedom and motivation to use those propensities in the national interest. The national legislature of a developmental state is focused, courageous, imaginative, and makes transformational rather than mundane and self-serving laws. Such are the expectations at state and local government levels also.

Governors are leaders of mini developmental states. They must see the economic development of their states as their immediate and primary responsibility, not that of the federal government. If the federal government has primary responsibility for the development of each of the 36 states, what are states

Imperative of developmental state in post-50 Nigeria

By Chikwendu Christian Ukaegbu and local governments for? Since the end of the civil war, state governors, commissioners, state legislators and local government councillors have behaved like barons, lords, and vassals of the federal government in which the President acts as emperor in a feudalistic system. Everybody looks at the federal government as the only source of development and blames it for all developmental failures but overlook the perennial and intractable inertia at state and local levels. We read of billions and billions of naira of federal allocations to state and local governments yet the physical and economic ambience of states and local government areas, and the quality of life of their people, remain almost same year after year.

Whatever improvements and optimism observed in the lives of people derive from their personal struggles rather than from the efforts of their state and local governments to provide business environments that broaden and deepen the economic sector. In many instances, the infrastructures under the responsibility of state and local governments are hardly maintained, nor modernized, nor are they expanded to take care of growing populations. Many communities provide their own electricity and water, fix their roads, and refurbish their schools, even though the monies that are allocated to states and local governments belong to the people. State and local government officials should regularly hold accountability sessions in public town meetings to enable the people to know how officials spend public money and to provide opportunities for them to be participants in the development process.

Therefore the rule of thumb definition of development as’ improvement in quality of life of citizens’ is not a helpful model for steering development. Resources with which to improve quality of life do not fall from the sky

nor can handouts, domestic or foreign, improve quality of life on a sustainable basis.

Development is the result of the efforts and activities of the citizens themselves. Therefore my definition of development for Nigeria is as follows, development is the capacity of citizens, under the leadership of a developmental state, to deploy their creative and physical energies to transform their natural, social, and economic resources for a better quality of life on a continuing basis. In another venue, I used this conception of development to show how Nigeria can enhance its oil refining capability through the instrumentality of academic refineries; how it can expand the paint and plastics industries and create thousands of jobs by a simple policy anchored in a philosophy of environmental face-lifting, or how to strengthen, broaden and deepen national entrepreneurship and the industrial sector through state procurement of its needs from local firms except those products that are not available locally.

Recall, last year, when the Executive Council of the Federation approved the importation of one thousand plastic bins for garbage collection in Abuja. A development-conscious elite, i.e. a political elite that takes development seriously/a developmental state, can never do that. A government in one African country accepted a paltry $13 million from a foreign outfit to fish on its waters for four years. The superior fishing technology of the foreign firm quickly depleted the fish population, displaced indigenous fishermen and women, and increased unemployment and economic insecurity in the area. History shows that developmental states do not enter into agreements that put their citizens in precarious positions. A development scholar recently lamented that Nigeria’s 200 textile firms are now down to less than 40. A developmental

state would not have allowed that to happen on its watch given the historical role of the textile industry in the industrial development of nations.

A developmental state knows that globalization creates winners and losers, and that guided free trade rather than unbridled free trade has been the norm in global capitalism from time. There is no known case of a pure neoliberal political economy at least in the last 500 years of the modern world system. Even European mercantilism which preceded the modern world system was steered by activist and interventionist states, developmental states they were indeed. I therefore submit that the history of the nation-state is the history of state intervention in the economy.

Hence the political economy of national selfinterest, including avoiding the debt burden, has been essential, and remains essential, for the success of national development endeavors.

Countries that make it on the development path seek ways to avoid the burdens of foreign debt. The cancellation of a sizeable chunk of Nigeria’s foreign debt by core countries several years ago took the country off the debt burden. The country was expected to restart its journey to development on a clean slate without the burden of debt servicing. But that optimism immediately died because Nigerian political officials resorted to borrowing from the same international actors and supranational agencies that forgave the country’s debt. Nigeria paid the final installment of its foreign debt in April 2006. By May 2011, only five years after freedom from debt, data from the Debt Management Office put the country’s foreign debt at $5.32 billion, steadily marching to the $18 billion debt forgiveness it benefitted from.

Sadly, the debt relief dividend anticipated by the people and international agencies turned out to be a mirage after all. There hardly is an alternative explanation to this addiction to foreign indebtedness than the dependent mentality of the political leadership predicated on an absence of a development-conscious elite or a developmental state. Recourse to the developmental state therefore holds the key to an optimistic post semi-centennial Nigeria.

• Ukaegbu is Professor of Sociology & Development Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA (c-ukaegbu@northwestern.edu)

FIFA/COLA WORLD RANKING

Peter Utaka England bound

Pg. 24

Nigeria drops two places down

Pg. 24

Nation Thursday, June 30, 2011

FREE COPY

PAGE 23

•Osinachi Ohale of Nigeria collides with Elodie Thomis of France during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Group A match between Nigeria and France at Rhein-Neckar-Arena on June 26, 2011 in Sinsheim

FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

Falcons talk tough ahead Germany clash N

IGERIA’s coach Eucharia Uche said her team intends taking the fight for a quarter-final place at the women's World Cup, to Germany when the Super Falcons tackle the defending champions today.

The hosts are bidding for a hat-trick of titles having won the 2003 and 2007 editions and lead Group A after their 2-1 win over Canada in Berlin on Sunday, the same day Nigeria lost 1-0 to France in Sinsheim.

A further defeat here would all but rule

Nigeria out of the last eight, but Uche insists her side will not surrender to the Germans without a fight. "We can't give in into the Germans, we intend to give it a good fight," said Uche. "I always say, football is a game. It is never won or lost until it is played. We respect Germany, but I still believe in the game of football anything can happen.

"They are a good side but that doesn't mean they can't be beaten." But Uche said she has to boost her players’ confidence before the Germany clash. "We will try to

instill confidence in them and encourage the players to finish well," said Uche.

Though the host nation are hot favourites to take the three points in the encounter on current form and pedigree, Falcons goalkeeper Precious Dede said it will be a different ball game compared to what happened in Leverkusen in November 2010 in a friendly, where the Germans defeated their Nigerian counterparts by a scandalous 8-0 “We won’t take anything away from the Germans and their competence but the

truth is, there were factors that greatly assisted them in that match. "Those factors will not be present on Thursday, and we are all determined to get a result out of this game following the loss to France.”

Venue for today’s match is an impressive FIFA World Cup Stadium in Frankfurt, which can seat 48,817 spectators. The stadium hosted five matches during the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals and also hosted matches during the 1988 European Championship.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

24

41

NATION SPORT

Villas-Boas wants Chelsea to play with flair ANDRE Villas-Boas has revealed his intention to make Chelsea a successful side which plays in an attacking style, saying "it would make no sense to get into a club like this and play dreadful football".

The newly appointed Portuguese coach earlier on Wednesday downplayed comparisons with his former mentor and Stamford Bridge favourite Jose Mourinho, and said it would take a collective effort to win trophies.

Villas-Boas has already reshuffled his backroom staff by bringing in former Chelsea player Roberto Di Matteo as his assistant, adding Jose Mario Rocha, Daniel Sousa and promoting Steve Holland to first team assistant, and

•Villas-Boas

admitted that he made the appointments because they shared a similar playing philosopy to his.

“It is not just a question of winning, it is a question of winning with a certain amount of flair,” Villas-Boas told the club's official website.

“Everybody likes attacking football; the Premiership is the most exciting league in the world.

“It is a league where a certain amount of goals happen in every game and we want it to be like that. We have people who most of all defend to the death a philosophy that the game should be an entertaining game for the fans and that will be one of our main focuses as well.

“In my small past experience I was able to manage Academica and Porto in a very successful way, thanks mainly to the quality of the players I had and we were able to play good quality football.

“From the technical staff you see in front of me, you see like in an appointment like Roberto with the way his team played last year, and all of my technical staff that has followed me from before, and Steve Holland, these are people that like quality in the game and have a philosophy in their game and like to play well.

“We are proud defenders of the beauty of the game, it makes no sense for us to get into a club like this and play dreadful football.

“People like quality of football, that's why this technical staff was picked, based on a philosophy of playing well and playing as a team.

“But you have to adapt to the English culture, the way this game runs, the speed of the game, the objectiveness of this game. Putting the two together is our challenge and hopefully we will be up for it.”

A

CCORDING to the latest FIFA ranking relased yesterday, Nigeria has droped two places down the log to 41st spot as against the initial 39th spot in the last ranking.

Football pundits in the country had expected a rise in status on the FIFA log, considering Nigeria's five-star performance against Argentina in an international friendly weeks back.

But whether this is connected with the match fixing allegation that trailed the epic encounter can not be determined as no official statement have been made by the world's football governing body.

West African neightbours, Ghana has tumbled an incredible 18 places down in the latest FIFA ranking released by the world football governing body.

The Black Stars had been the top ranked African side in the last few months but has taken a nosedive on the back of their recent set back against South Korea.

Ghana is now ranked 33 in the world, down 18 places from their previous position of 15th in the world.

European and world champions Spain remain the top ranked side in the world with England now into the top 5 ahead of Brazil.

T

United signs De Gea DAVID de Gea is to join Manchester United on a five-year contract after the English champions confirmed they had reached agreement with Spanish side Atletico Madrid for the transfer of the goalkeeper on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old passed a medical this week, having become a European Championship winner with Spain Under-21s last weekend.

He now has the responsibility of succeeding Edwin van der Sar as English champions United's new number one following the veteran Dutchman's retirement last month.

Although no fee was disclosed, reports have suggested United may have paid as much as £18 million for

de Gea, pushing manager Sir Alex Ferguson's pre-season spending to about £50 million after Phil Jones and Ashley Young both arrived at Old Trafford earlier this month.

"I feel very proud and I can't wait to start playing here," said de Gea in an interview with MUTV, United's inhouse television station.

"When a club the size of Manchester United comes in for you it obviously makes you very, very happy.

"I saw their interest as an extra motivation to work even harder to show off my ability.

"It's a great privilege to be part of a club like United and I'm keen to do my best and show what I can do."

Rijkaard set for Saudi job SAUDI Arabia are set to name Dutchman Frank Rijkaard as national team coach with the aim of qualifying the Gulf side for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, a Saudi football federation source told AFP. The post had been due to go to Brazilian coach Ricardo Gomes, but the deal fell through at the last moment over a disagreement on the starting date.

"The contract with Rijkaard is 99 percent done," the federation source told AFP. "But after what happened with Ricardo, the Saudi federation will not make an official announcement until everything has been agreed."

Press reports said that Rijkaard had

been offered a three-year contract and would take charge in time to prepare the team for the Asian World Cup qualifiers.

The reports also said that the deal with Ricardo fell through because he had wanted to start at a later date to respect the terms of his current contract with Brazilian side Vasco de Gama.

Former Barcelona and Netherlands coach Rijkaard has been out of work since being sacked by Turklish side Galatasaray last October.

Saudi Arabia have been without a manager since the sacking of Portuguese boss Jose Peseiro after his side crashed out of January's Asian Cup in Qatar, losing all three games.

Chukwumerije, Jegede get opponents IGERIA’s representatives at in Azerbaijan the World Taekwondo

Nigeria drops to 41st N Among the top ten teams, only leaders Spain and closest challengers the Netherlands have retained their positions. Brazil, third last month, have lost points and places (5th, down 2), and the pecking order has also changed further down.

Mexico has gained 19 places thanks to their victory at the CONCACAF Gold Cup and has rocketed back into the top ten for the first time since July 2007.

Moving in the other direction are Uruguay (18th, down 11), who have dropped out of the top ten after being particularly badly affected by the devaluation of their successful groupstage matches at South Africa 2010.

However, the forthcoming Copa América will give all of the South

In all, 131 international 'A' matches have been played since the previous edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, consisting of 61 friendlies, 22 Gold Cup matches and 48 qualifiers for confederation championships. This takes the total number of games played this year to 386.

Anticipation will be particularly high ahead of the next edition of the global ladder, which will serve as a basis for the Preliminary Draw for Brazil 2014.

•Utaka

Sia-One Academy screens players Aug. 7-13

T

HE annual screening exercise of Sia-One Soccer Academy owned by the Super Eagles gaffer, Samson Siasia would commence on August 7th through August 13th, 2011.

According to a release signed by the Academy Managing Director and wife of the Eagles Chief Coach, Cassandra Siasia, “the camp opens on August 7th and would be rounded off on August 13th, 2011 at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja at 7am every day.

“Football players within the ages of 13 and 17 would be screened and selected by the Sia-One Soccer Academy Technical Crew which constitutes of mostly former national team players.

“The intention and ambition of the Eagles handler to produce more players for the national teams and club sides in the country has been the brain behind this lofty idea of catching them young which have started yielding dividends.

“We are proud to reveal that many of the players we screened last year made their ways into the U- 17 national team while others are playing in top clubs in the country now” , Mrs. Siasia disclosed.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

the Super Eagles team, he may have to bid farewell to the Danish league where he had made a maximum impact with his goal scoring abilities.

Speaking with NationSport from his base, the Enugu state born player said “I think I am done with the Danish League, I should be on the move now.

I have nothing again to prove in that country, I think I should move ahead”.

On his destination, the player whose elder brother John Utaka was also prominently in the senior national said “I will inform you very soon, but I know it would either be England or France. But I will prefer England because my type of football will flourish in the Queens country. I am sure that thigs would be tidied up in the next few days” he concluded.

Peter Utaka has remains consistent in the Danish League in the last four seasons where he has been emerging as the top scorer.

GARDEN CITY GAMES, 2011

Seven states qualify for 200m sprint From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt,

S

EVEN states of the federation has qualified for the two hundred meters sprint of cycling in the preliminary eliminations held yesterday at Aggrey Road in Port Harcourt for the male categories.

The states of Imo, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kaduna, Oyo, Edo and Abia qualified from the eliminations in which about fourteen states participated.

While all the states that qualified had one athlete each, Kaduna was lucky to produce two to make the numbers of those that qualified for two hundred meter sprint event.

The female categories was about to kick off at the time of this report.

Liverpool sacks Sammy Lee

•Rijkaard

American teams ample opportunity to bag more points.

Montenegro (16th, up 8) and Côte d’Ivoire (14th, up 7) have both scaled new heights, reaching their best position since the introduction of the world ranking, while a number of African teams have also made heady progress, including Zimbabwe (87th, up 39), Liberia (125th, up 32), Comoros (164th, up 24), Sierra Leone (95th, up 23) and Central African Republic (91st, up 22).

Utaka England bound

HERE are strong indications that Super Eagles striker Peter Utaka may be on his way to England, if NationSport’s findings is anything to go by.

According to the player who has featured prominently for the senior team since Samson Siasia took over

THE Liverpool Echo claim that the 52-year-old has left the backroom staff at Anfield, although the club are declining to comment and there is no known reason for the popular personality’s departure.

The former Merseyside player joined as assistant manager in May 2008 when Rafael Benitez was boss, and retained by both Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish last season.

Lee joined Liverpool in 1975 as an apprentice and made 295 appearances as a midfielder for the club, winning two European trophies in the process.

Graeme Souness hired him as

LONDON 2012 QUALIFIERS

FIFA/COCA-COLA WORLD RANKING

reserve team coach in 1993 when he was in charge at Anfield and he made his way to coaching the first team by the time Gerard Houllier was appointed.

After helping the club secure the treble of FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup in 2001, he left the coaching staff to pursue a full-time coaching role with England.

In 2005, he joined Sam Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers as assistant manager and took charge of the club in 2007, but won only one in 11 games for the club and was sacked by October of the same year.

•Uche

Choosing Nigeria ahead Turkey, a hard decision for me —Emenike

S

UPER Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike has revealed to NationSport that his decision to play for Nigeria and not crossing over Fernabache in the Turkish League was his hardest ever in his career.

He said “it was very hard to take that decision. I was very much at the cross road, because the type of pressure that was coming from the Turkish National Team was unprecedented. They wanted me to play for their country at all cost. But I thank God, wisdom really prevailed.

I also thank the people I have around me that advised me to take that step. I think, so far, I have no cause to regret it. Nigeria is my fatherland, and I am very proud to wear the green white green colour of the country. It is a unique colour” he said.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja On his multi-million dollar movement to Turkish giant Fernabache, the player who emerged as the highest goal scorer in the league last football season said he hope to continue goal scoring in his new team, saying that the presence of the Super Eagles captain in the team would surely be driving force for him “Joseph Yobo is a born leader. He knows how to motivate his team mates to give their best, and I believe that with him in Fernabache, the world would see more from me”. He ruled out any plans to sweeping out the age controversy that rocked his career last season under the carpet, saying that his attorney would soon be in court over it.

Federation (WTF)organised 2012 London Olympic Games qualifiers holding in Baku, Azerbaijan, Chika Chukwumerije and Temidayo Jegede have been drawn against athletes from India and Gabon in their first round fights at the championship.

In a draw released yesterday by the organisers, Chukwumerije, who will be competing in the men’s +80kg, will confront India’s Sandeep Kundu, while Jegede will square up against Gabon’s Emmanuel Ndong Mba. Chukwumerije, who is not seeded for the competition will on Sunday take to the ring against the Indian Police Constable, who is an eight-time Indian national gold medalist and a Commonwealth Championship winner as well as a quarterfinalist at the last Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

The winner between Chukwumerije and Kundu will confront the winner between Austria’s Christoph Decker and Czech’s Dominik Urich in the second round.

However, there are possibilities that Chukwumerije may face his semifinal conqueror at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Greek Alexandros Nikolaidis in the quarterfinal clash and this will be a revenge time for the Nigerian.

In the men’s +87kg category, the seeded athletes are Canada’s Francois Coulombe Fortier (1), Italy’s Carlo Molfetta (2), Kazakhstan’s Arman Chilmanov (3), Uzbekistan’s Akmal Irgashev (4), Korea’s Dong-Min Cha (5), France’s Mickael Borot (6) and Morocco’s Abdelkader Zrouzi (7).

For Jegede to progress to the next round, he has to overcome his counterpart from Gabon on Saturday July 2, while the top 12 seeded players in -87kg category

REAL Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo posted a message for Indian Fans on his official Facebook page inviting more fans from India to join the Real Madrid page and stay updated with the latest happenings in and around the club.

CR7, known for his dribbling, shooting and heading skills, also showed off his proficiency in Hindi language.

Haye: I’ll be surprised if the fight goes six rounds

•Haye

EMMANUEL Adebayor says he is not interested in joining Zenit St. Petersburg despite a bumper offer to sign him from English club Manchester City.

The Russian side slapped in an offer to sign the ex-Togo international from the English side last week.

Friends close to the striker have told MTNFootball.com that Zenit are ready to offer him a better deal than the bumper salary he receives at Man City.

But the lanky striker, who currently resides in Ghana, says he is not interested in playing in the Russian topflight.

“I have nothing against Russia, but I don’t see myself playing in the Russian league," Adebayor said at his charity event in the northern part of Ghana.

“I once even dated a Russian lady so the question of me having some hatred for the country is out.”

Real Madrid were interested in signing Adebayor to a permanent deal after he spent six months on loan at the club last season.

But the terms offered by the Spanish giants have not been accepted by Manchester City which has prompted other teams to express interest.

His huge annual salary believed to be £7m has proved to be a stumbling block to many teams who are interested in signing him.

There have been reports of a frosty relationship with City coach Mancini after he was left on the bench of the English side for most part of last season.

Adebayor insists he will happily return to Manchester City if no suitable offer to prise him away for the Premier League comes.

“If I have to go back to City, I will do it with pleasure,” Adebayor said when he commissioned two projects he

•Adebayor

personally financed to provide clean water for two deprived communities in Ghana.

“A lot of people thought my form had dipped that was why I had limited playing time in London, but I proved them wrong when I joined Madrid.”

Adebayor commissioned the projects in the towns of Hamile and Koro in the northern part of Ghana.

The women and children in the two towns had to walk for six miles every day to a river to get water to their daily chores which has affected child education in the area.

The water project will ease the water problems for the two towns while preventing disease they contracted while drinking the water from the river.

Adebayor was officially named as a son of the two towns and was given a sheep to thank him for his kind gesture.

Ronaldo sends personal message to Indian Fans

Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports

THE days are being counted until the biggest heavyweight fight since Lennox Lewis met Mike Tyson at The Pyrimid in Memphis, Tennessee in June 2002 and there are only four to count as bigpunching David Haye gears up to challenge the formidable Wladimir Klitschko at the Imtech Arena in Hamburg.

The brash Londoner has vowed to take four versions of the heavyweight title on his private jet back to Bermondsey on Sunday morning to a heroes welcome and believes that the fans are in for fireworks when to the two square up for the eagerly anticipated grudge match on Saturday night.

“I have never been more confident before a fight than this,” Haye told The Daily Star.

“I am not sure if you are born with confidence and over time it increases.

Getting results helps and knowing your opponent inside-out.

“I have reached the stage of my life when I know how to get the best out of myself.

“I admit to wanting to knock him out. I

By Innocent Amomoh

are Canada’s Sebastien Michaud, Italy’s Mauro Sarmiento, Morocco’s Issam Chernoubi, Jordan’s Nabil Hassan, Spain’s Nicolas Garcia Hemme, Azerbaijan’s Ramin Azizov, Egypt’s Ahmed Abdelrhaman, America’s Steven Lopez, Afghanistan’s Nesar Ahmad Bahawi, Turkey’s Yunus Sari, Australia’s Burak Hasan (AUS) and France’s Mamedy Doucara.

Nigeria’s sole flagbearer in the women’s -67kg, Ijeoma Obi, failed to make it to the championship and she was not listed among the 19 athletes that will jostle for places in the weight category.

The top three athletes in each weight category will automatically qualify for the 2012 London Olympics and 24 athletes are expected to make it to London through the Baku tournament.

Out of the 128 that will make it to London 2012, 24 spots will be decided each through the Baku tourney. The Asian qualification tourney holds from November 4 to 6 in Bangkok, Thailand, the PanAmerican qualification event takes place from November 18 to 20 in Queretaro, Mexico, while the European qualification games holds from January 27 to 29, 2012 in Kazan, Russia.

Sixteen slots will be decided through the African tournament to be held from January 11 to 12, 2012, in Port Said, Egypt, while the Oceania leg will decide eight spots for the taekwondo competition.

Four spots will be decided through the tripartite consultation among the IOC, the ANOC and the WTF, which are known as “wild cards,” while the host country, Great Britain, will secure four spots automatically.

NATION SPORT Adebayor rejects Russia move

don’t care if I look terrible, winning is all that counts. When I get in that ring, what I have said before the fight and in years gone by becomes null and void and irrelevant.

“All people care about is the sound of the first bell and the referee counting to 10.”

The 30 year-old’s confidence stems from his awesome record of 23 knockouts in 25 wins and the fact that only two men have survived His power. One of them was an off-night against Ismail Abdoul in 2006 and the other one was over seven feet tall and weighed over 300 pounds in Nikolai Valuev. The only man to beat him Carl Thompson was even almost out on his feet in the fight, in trouble on more than one occasion and put on the canvas.

“Wladimir panics when he finds himself out of that [comfort] zone," stated Haye.

“That’s when he gets knocked out.

“I will be surprised if it goes more than six rounds. He will be on his back by then.

“I’m doing everything I can to make it an exciting fight,” he added.

The wall post from Ronaldo read, “To my Indian fans: Like Real Madrid CF to stay informed on my team’s summer tours and the new hirings for the coming season.”

Cristiano signed off by saying thanks in a manner which shall certainly touch upon every football fan in the country: “Dhanyavad!

Shukriya!”

It was certainly a nice gesture by the star himself to connect with the Indian fans. India has always been crazy about the former Manchester United star as already close to 3000 people have liked the post within minutes.

•Ronaldo

•Sneijder

Gasperini’s appointment could hasten Sneijder’s exit WESLEY Sneijder could be pushed out of Inter as new coach Gian Piero Gasperini prepares to introduce his favoured 3-4-3 system at San Siro, leaving the way clear for Premier League champions Manchester United to make a bid for the Dutch superstar.

Goal.com understands that Gasperini, in partnership with his trusted assistant Luca Tucchi, is ready to shake up the first team picture, sticking by a formation that has served him well in the past but which would result in the futures of Sneijder and Brazilian full-back Maicon being thrown into question.

Sneijder was the main on-field catalyst behind Inter’s progression from continental wannabes to Italian and European champions in 2009-10, but over the past 12 months he has suffered from lethargy and injury – and even contracted anaemia – as the side’s reliance upon him has taken its toll. The Nerazzurri have also shown signs of having reached the end of a cycle, leaving the first team in great need of a rejig.

I'm leaving, and I'm taking my ball with me Sneijder may decide to move on Now the entrance of Gasperini is

likely to have a knock-on effect for the attacker, as a 3-4-3 system would leave no space for Sneijder to work from his preferred trequartista position. He would instead be asked to start as either a wide forward or a winger, a spot which would demand a great deal of defensive discipline in the former Genoa coach’s formation.

Though a slight deviation to a 3-4-12 would allow Sneijder to stay in his favoured role, Gasperini is said to be against the idea of changing his plan to play with a system including two wide forwards either side of his main target man, leaving the Dutchman at a loose end.

The bleak outlook for the No. 10 at Appiano Gentile, and the player’s seemingly itchy feet – he recently said: “I love Inter, but God only knows if I’ll stay” – means that any official approach by Manchester United, who lead the queue of suitors for Sneijder, will be met with relish by club president Massimo Moratti. In their desire to work within the new restrictions placed on clubs by Financial Fair Play, Inter are keen to cash in on big-name players who are less suited to Gasperini’s preferred style of play.

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

•Candidates waiting to write the UTME at the University of Lagos last year (File Copy)

PHOTO: KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE

The rise of exam racketeers •How they acquire centres for cheating in UTME During the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), unscrupulous individuals ‘bought’ centres from JAMB to perpetrate cheating, reports ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA.

W

HAT does it take to get the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to designate a school as a centre? How much is involved? The Nation unearthed answers to these questions during the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Findings revealed that some people ‘buy’ centres from JAMB for the examination whether or not they have schools.

Exam racketeers, who can bribe unscrupulous elements in JAMB, can have centres allocated to them in a twinkling of an eye.

During the last UTME on June 18.

The Nation discovered such a centre in Ojo, Lagos. The centre was a private school which a notorious racketeer was alleged to have acquired from the proprietor.

The racketeer paid the proprietor N100,000 as rent on the facility. He also rented additional chairs and desks said to have cost about N50,000 or more to ensure that the 540 candidates posted there were seated comfortably. Having spent so much, he had to recoup his investment on the day of the examination.

That day, he was busy coordinating all the acts necessary to ensure

he made profit. Mistaking this reporter for a parent, he said: “Oga we cannot allow you to loiter in the school compound. I hope you have been told the charge? Once you have paid, just let us know your child and his number, and then go home and rest. We won’t disappoint you.”

A source, who knew the strategies employed, told The Nation how such centres are run. Like a shrewd businessman, he said the unofficial ‘centre co-ordinator’ must be calculative so he can break even. The first step, according to the source, is for him to get at least 150 of the 540 candidates in his centre willing to part with N3,000 each, to be helped.

“The 150 candidates will give you N450,000. Once you can realise this, you will have recovered the money

•NECO INTRODUCES

you spent to get the centre, pay for the school and pay the chief supervisor posted into that centre and even have about N50,000 extra for yourself,” he said.

“The second move,” the source continued, “is to ensure both the invigilators and the security (civil defence) are vigilant to fish out desperate candidates who smuggled cell phones into the hall.

“Once you catch any, all you need is to let the centre supervisor know that you have caught a cheat. The supervisor will then threaten to indict the candidate. This creates fear in the candidate who will now be ready to give a bribe so as not to forfeit that exam. Such bribe is between N1,500 and N2,000.”

Another avenue for easy cash, the

source explained, is the ‘settlement’ by the so-called agents who had collected much money ahead of the examination to register gullible candidates with a promise to help them on examination day.

He said: “Some of them (agents) collect between N15,000 and N20,000 from candidates with a promise to register and help them pass. What happens is that on the examination day, they go early in the morning around centres where their candidates are posted, try to see people like themselves who bought the centre, and tell him or her ‘I have so and so number of candidates in that centre’ and reach a deal with the centre owner on how much to settle for each candidate. From my experience, most of them usually

‘The 150 candidates will give you N450,000. Once you can realise this, you will have recovered the money you spent to get the centre, pay for the school and pay the chief supervisor posted into that centre and even have about N50,000 extra for yourself’

DDC MACHINES

- Page 27

don’t pay beyond N1,000 per candidate depending on the number of candidates they have in that centre. That business is profitable because, let’s assume you collected N20,000 to register a candidate, you may not spend up to N8,000 on registration and bribing. This means if you have about 20 candidates, you will be making about N250,000 or slightly more as profit on that alone.”

Because most of the racketeers know themselves, the source added that negotiation at this level is usually fast and easy ‘since the agent will have to visit other centres where he also has candidates.’

So, in the spirit of camaraderie, the owner of the centre collects a paltry sum “since he too serves as agents to candidates in other centres and will want to pay less for them too. It is the candidates who suffer in the end because little attention is always paid to them since the centre owner feels their agents collected so much money but paid just a fraction of it.”

Candidates who come to write examination not knowing anybody but hold extra cash believing invigilators would be of help also provide •Continued on page 26

•PEARSON WITHDRAWS FROM LONGMAN - Page 38

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

26

EDUCATION UNILORIN FILE

UK Varsity donates books THE University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has received a donation of 600 books on various academic disciplines courtesy of the Book for Nigeria Project of Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The books were presented Tuesday last week by the Michael Andrew Olorunfemi Foundation at the UNILORIN Auditorium.

The UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Kolade Ayorinde, said the university was pleased to partner with the Foundation and Aston University.

He noted that the challenges of university education cannot be managed by the institutions alone without the support of wellmeaning organisations and governments. He assured that the university would make a good use of the books.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of the Foundation, Chief Michael Olorunfemi, said UNILORIN is the second beneficiary after the University of Lagos and praised the university for its top rating for the third consecutive year.

E-library resources soon THE UNILORIN is set to subscribe to the eGranary Digital Library, an online library facility that the university will host on its network without any recourse to the internet.

The digital library will allow the University community to access over 250 academic and medical journals, over 30,000 books, 57 educational software programmes and 60 computer software applications.

The range of the digital library resource covers such disciplines from Basic and Advanced Mathematics to Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Environmental Engineering, Medical, Nursing and Public Health Services, Language dictionaries and tutorials, Computer Science, Atlases, Almanacs and other reference materials of all kinds, Education and Teaching, History, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Religion and other Social Sciences, Agriculture, Horticulture and Zoology, Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Physics, Literature, Art and Music, among others.

Varsity mfb seeks bank customers THE management of Unilorin Microfinance Bank, University of Ilorin has urged members of the University community to patronise the bank to benefit from its services.

According to a statement jointly signed by the Managing Director and Head of Finance/Administration of the Bank, Mr N. F. Issan and Mrs A. T. Lawal, the bank operates current, savings and fixed deposit accounts.

“Unilorin MFB was granted licence to function in April 2008 after necessary conditions were met as specified by the CBN. Our aim is to serve the larger community.”

•From Left: Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Prof Aize Obayan, Chairman Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) and Vice-Chancellor University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Ishaq Oloyede, SecGeneral Association of African Universities Prof Olu Jegede and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo at the opening ceremony of the 26th AVCNU annual national conference hosted

by Covenant University…yesterday.

•Chancellor, Covenant University Dr David Oyedepo delivering a key note address at the event PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

‘Read and Learn’ at FCT T

HE Read and Learn campaign has moved to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where its initiator, Abdulsalami Ladigbolu, read to pupils of Government Secondary School (GSS), Kabusa.

The Principal, Mrs Slyver Inyang, told the pupils that only well read students are usually well exposed in the world She urged the pupils to listen attentively during the session to benefit from it.

From Bukola Amusan, Abakaliki

Ladigbolu said the initiative was borne out of the need to sensitise youths on the need to inculcate good reading habit.

He said the campaign is to corroborate efforts of the government and all advocates of Literacy. As such, he said he and his team would spread this vision across the 36 states of the nation.

Ladigbolu donated books to the school’s library to encourage the

pupils to read and enhance accessibility to reading materials. The books included 100 literature storybooks (Novels, Poems, Plays and Storybooks), and 106 reading materials including two Oxford Dictionaries A Deputy Director in the FCT Education Resource Centre, Mrs Neemat Abdulraheem, who spoke on the “Use of Library and learning Aids”, urged the pupils to take advantage of the City library, located at Wuse, Zone IV,

Abuja.

The Director of Information Resource Centre, United States Embassy, Abuja, Mrs Elizabeth Akinbulumu, who spoke on the values of reading, urged the students on the need to embrace a reading culture and see how quickly their dreams would become be realised.

The Etsu of Kwali, Alhaji Shaban Audu, spoke on the need for the students to take advantage of education and reading.

The rise of exam racketeers •Continued from page 25

avenues to make money.

“These categories of candidates are not often many; and most of them eventually agreed to pay maybe when the exam is less than an hour to end. By this time, we have helped many of the major candidates who paid at the start, and since we are going to lose more if we don’t help others, we just provide them with the answers for let’s say between N500 and N700.”

Aside the initial 150 candidates, money generated from other avenues mentioned usually end up in the pockets of the centre owner; and with extra N250,000 or N300,000 realised from such illegal deals.

However, the JAMB centre racketeers may not find it easy as they risk losing their investments if their plans backfire.

Though the major step is to be allocated a centre, yet a racketeer still has to overcome a lot of hurdles and grease palms along the way.

A principal of a private school in Lagos whose school was used as a JAMB centre was by a notorious racketeer argued that it is extremely difficult for anyone who gets a centre from JAMB to break even if he refuses to perpetrate fraud on a high scale. However, he would not disclose how much to get a centre.

Proprietors of private schools who also ‘know the game’ are impatiently on the wait to strike a deal with anybody who intends to use the premises as a centre.

“Many private school owners know that JAMB will not pay you a dime to use your school as a centre, their officials will only come to as-

sess your school if it meets their standard. But they know that most of those who secure these centres engage in malpractices on a high scale. That is reason we also charge them. The man who used this place on Saturday (JAMB day) as a centre paid the owner of this school N100,000.

The buyer also has to provide for chairs and desks from his own purse if the centre does not have enough. Having done this, the only challenge he has to pray against is to have a supervisor who will as usual ‘co-operate’ “If the supervisor of his centre is the one that will not allow for ‘runs’, then there is trouble because the possibility of helping the candidates is nil. So all the money he had paid to get a centre and also settle the school is wasted.”

When The Nation visited the JAMB headquarters in Abuja to confirm the the modalities used to select schools that serve as centres for the UTME, Timothy Oyedeji JAMB’s Public Relations Officer, said he was not competent to speak on the issue except the JAMB Registrar, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, who was said to have traveled out of the country.

However, Oyedeji said 15, 000 cases of malpractices were recorded during the examination and are not all from private school centres.

He said: “We can also not conclude that there were a lot of examination malpractices in the just concluded 2011 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as the figure is very low, compared to the 1,500,000 candidates that sat for the examination in 2823 centres, including six foreign centres.

“Available records for the 2011 UTME 15,000 cases of malpractice were observed. Seven thousand cases are still being investigated.

However, these malpractice cases were not limited to private schools in Lagos alone.

“The Board will continue to put measures in place to further check malpractice, just as it is poised to maintain its zero-tolerance for any form of Examination malpractice. For the Biometric-Thumb Printing capture system introduced in the 2011 exercise which has generated discord in some quarters, the stand of jamb is clear. We

are not going to jettison it, but to strengthen it, by deploying superior technology to address the few gaps noticed in the course of the exercise.

“More machines would be deployed, just as the Board is considering reducing the number of candidates per examination centre, to ensure easy management and avoid late commencement of future examinations occasioned by the newly introduced Biometric Thumb Printing Exercise.”

•Additional reports by Gbenga Omokhume

“He has a multiple-choice personality ... school proprietor, lesson teacher or JAMB centre racketeer!”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

27

EDUCATION IDAHPOLY FILE Pioneer Rector dies THE pioneer Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Prof Samuel Ebubechukwu Chukwujekwu is dead.

Chukwujekwu assumed duty as Principal of the polytechnic then Idah College of Technology in 1976.

He is credited for his contributions to strengthening academic programmes and infrastructural development during his 10-year tenure before leaving in August, 1985.

Until his death, he was the Dean of Engineering, Anambra State University, Ulli.

The 71-year old who died after a brief illness, is survived by a wife and two children has been buried according in his country home, Mbanagu Otolo Nnewi, in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Rise in students population worries FUTO VC

V

ICE-CHANCELLOR (VC) of Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Prof Chigozie Asiabaka has described the geometric growth in students’ population as a threat to the institution.

Asiabaka made this submission while presenting his inaugural address as the Sixth VC at the 17th General As-

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

sembly of the university.

He said the rise in students’ population occurs without a corresponding increase in the number of non- academic staff.

Asiabaka identified inadequate funding, examination malpractice, over decentralisation of university gover-

nance, among others, as problems that must be tackled by his administration.

The VC articulated part of his vision to include building research enterprise to develop graduates and professional programme aimed at producing quality graduates.

He promised to enthrone discipline, transparency, due process, equity, fairness,

New dean for General Studies A NEW Dean has been appointed for the School of General and Administrative Studies (SOGAS) in the Federal Polytechnic, Idah,.

He is Mr Adaji Emmanuel Ameh, a Principal Lecturer who also doubles as Head, Department of Languages where he teaches English language.

The appointment which was approved by Management of the Polytechnic followed the election conducted by the academic members of staff of SOGAS. Ameh has already assumed duty as Dean for a period of two years – renewable for another term of two years based on satisfactory performance.

Born in 1964, Ameh who hails from Kogi State joined the Polytechnic in 1992.

ment.

He stressed the need for more student hostels, while promising to intensify effort to complete the NDDC student hostel.

While assuring that private developers would be invited to build student hostels and highlighted that the measure would make students acquire university education in a conducive environment.

Admission: Kwankwaso favours Kano indigenes

K

NUJ lauds progress EFFORTS of the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, to transform the Institution to meet the growing technological needs of the nation have been commended by the Kogi State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The Chairman of the Union, Mr Ali Atabor, gave the commendation when he led other leaders on a visit to the Rector, Mr Matthew Akpata.

Atabor urged the Rector not to be distracted and pledged the support. He added that he would use his good offices as well as the media to project the developmental ideals of the Rector so as to attract further developments to the Polytechnic.

Responding, the Rector appreciated the cordial relationship between the polytechnic and the media and promised to strengthen it.

He also spoke of the new programmes he introduced including National Diploma (ND) Library and Information Science, Higher National Diploma (HND) Public Administration, and others.

firmness and innovation in order to move the institution forward.

He made it known that the student’s welfare would be made a priority and pointed out that hostel accommodation is one of the major problems confronting the institution which he reiterated, is made up of over 20,000 student’s population, with only four hostels at the mo-

•From Left: Student, Union President, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Salami Ismail; lucky winner of star prize of Kia Picanto car and 200 Level student, Adekunle Adesoji; Dean of Student Affairs FUTA, Prof Emmanuel Fasakin; and Etisalat Head, Youth Segment, Elvis Ogiemwanye, at the presentation of star prize to winner of Cliq Fest raffle draw powered

by Etisalat

NECO introduces DDC machines

T

HE National Examination Council (NCE) has deployed direct data capturing (DDC) machines in its May/June examination to check malpractices, its Information Technology (IT) Head, Tayo Odukoya, has said.

Odukoya, who spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said the project still in its pilot stage is currently being done in 300 secondary schools and 60,000 candidates.

Odukoya said all Federal Government Colleges, universities’ demonstration secondary schools, army, air force and navy secondary schools, as well as paramilitary, police secondary schools and stateowned model secondary schools are involved in the

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

pilot scheme.

NECO’s Head of Media and Information, Ben Uzor, said the council is trying its best to see that its examinations are not undermined by examination malpractice, pointing out that the direct data capturing machines are part of effort to ensure that credible examinations are held in the country.

He said: “NECO is trying assiduously to see that we

‘We are doing this to protect our examinations’

do not give anybody the chance to undermine our examinations. All these are efforts aimed at ensuring that we have credible examinations in the country and when results are released, they reflect exactly what the candidates wrote during the examinations.

“Whatever we do, we take approvals from government. For us to have the mandate to do something like this, we got approval from the Federal Ministry of Education, they give us the leverage to do something like this, and we are not doing it to earn money.

“We are doing this to protect our examinations.

It is not like we are doing this thing for our own benefit, we are doing it to protect the government and protect our examinations.”

•Pupils of Green Olives Private School, Aguda, Lagos during their cultural day programme held on the school premises

ANO State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has urged the management of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, to give special consideration to indigenes in admission matters.

The governor, who made the appeal while receiving the Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Abom Tony Esu and its management staff in his office, said the call became imperative because the state lacked adequate teachers particularly in technical education.

“We have problem of teaching staff so by admitting more students, we will have enough teachers in our schools”, Kwankwaso said.

While assuring the institution of the continued support of his administration, he said the government was looking forward to stronger partnership to revamp the education sector in the state.

Kwankwaso congratulated Esu, on his appointment, hoping that he

•Kwankwaso From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

would use his wealth of experience to move the institution to greater height.

Earlier, Esu, who hailed the education-friendly disposition of the Kwankwaso administration between 1999 and 2003 appealed for the assistance of the government to forge ahead.

He mentioned some of the problems faced by the institution which include insufficient staff and students’ accommodation, insufficient shuttle buses as well as poor electricity supply.

National high school quiz contest makes debut

A

N EVENTS marketing company, Inquest, is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, to organise the National High School Quiz Championships which will make debut in September.

Representatives from 18 secondary schools spread across the six geo-political zones that have consistently produced good results in the Senior School Certificate Examinations conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will participate in the contest.

They will test their knowledge in natural sci-

ences, arts, management and social sciences subjects and also answer questions related to products and services provided by sponsors.

The organisers have promised winners who will be called National CHAMPS mouthwatering prizes like scholarships, cash awards, study tours and other gift items while their schools will get a brand new school bus.

A statement signed by Dr Chidi Enwerem, National Project Co-ordinator stated that part of the objective of the competition is to rekindle the spirit of academic excellence and healthy competition among secondary school pupils.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

EDUCATION UNAAB FILE INHURD gets new director PROFESSOR Olusola Babatunde Kehinde has been appointed the Director for the Institute of Human Resources Development (INHURD) of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB).

Kehinde will hand over as Dean, College of Plant Science and Crop Production when his new appointment takes effect on August 1.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Registrar, Mr Adeleke Adeboye, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, for the Appointments and Promotions Committee for Academic Staff (APCAS) approved the appointment in recognition of Kehinde’s capability to provide academic and administrative leadership, as well as make contributions to the overall development of the university.

Students praise monarch THE Second Batch of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) Farm Practical Year (FPY) students, currently on the Community-Based Farming Scheme exercise at IsagaOrile community of Ogun State, have expressed gratitude to the Onisaga of Ishaga, Oba Joseph Oladele Olusoji Tella and the indigenes for their warm hospitality.

The students, led by their Farm Manager, Mr Babatunde Adedapo Samuel, gave the commendation when they visited the Onisaga, in his palace.

Samuel, who expressed gratitude to the community members for accommodating and supporting the students, also spoke about the challenges they experienced.

‘Be good ambassadors’ THE UNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, has charged corps members who served in the university to consider themselves as stakeholders and be good ambassadors of the institution.

Balogun gave this charge at a send-off party held in honour of the outgoing Batch ‘B’ 2010/2011 corps members under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof Segun Lagoke, the Vice-Chancellor advised the corps members to put to good use all they learnt during their service year, urging them to always give a good account of themselves as they progress in life.

How Ogun public school won Maths trophy

B

Y lifting the Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) senior category trophy at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Thursday last week, Nurein Oyetobi Akindele, ended a 10-year drought for Iganmode Grammar School, Ogun State.

The school is one of the few state-owned public schools that have remained strong contenders in the competition, fighting for a slot in the final stage each year with equally formidable rival schools in Ogun State.

The Cowbell NASSMAC, now in its 11th edition, has gained such popularity over the years that secondary schools worth their salt work hard to groom their pupils to win the competition.

Since only one school per state can make it past the first stage, 16-year-old Akindele, an SS2 pupil, had to ensure that he made the highest score in Ogun State. He not only achieved this but his 86 per cent also tied him with two others from more privileged schools, Charles Nwokotubo of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt and Anioke Vincent of Nigerian Turkish International School, Abuja for the highest score in the country.

To show that Iganmode meant business this year, its three candidates at the first stage of the competition written on March 19 in 200 centres across Nigeria swept the top three prizes in Ogun State. Steven Oriyomi came second with 84 per cent, while Oluwaseun Agunlaoji was third with 82 percent. They rubbished rival schools such as Ota Total Academy whose pupils came fourth, fifth and seventh with 76, 70 and 58 per cent. The best of the other two rival schools, the Ambassadors International College, Ota, and May Flower School, Ikenne, could manage was 57 and 56 per cent – 30 per cent short of what Akindele achieved – though better grades than the best paraded by some other states.

Writing the second stage examination on June 4 at the Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja, Akindele said he knew he had to up his game. The 16-yearold said he was aware that those he tied with were equally good so he put his nose to the grind, working even harder.

“I was afraid of Abuja and Rivers because I knew they both made 86 per cent. But I worked hard and I was sure I would be among the 15 to make it to Abuja,” he said.

However, he had to wait until last Thursday to learn the result of his effort. During a colourful prize giving ceremony at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, the audience erupted in a loud ovation for Akindele when it

•From Lef: Atinsola, Mrs Mabel Ozumba, Director, Basic and Science Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, Akindele PHOTOS: KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE and Chief Richards during the prize giving programme

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

was announced that he was the overall best with 96 per cent.

In second place with 91 per cent was Victor Tope Amuda, a pupil of Greater Tomorrow International College, Ikare in Ondo State, while 13-yearold Charles Nwokotubo, who was looking to make a record of being the first pupil to win both the junior and senior categories of the competition (he won the NASSMAC Junior category trophy in 2009 aged nine), had to be content with third place with 83 per cent. In 2009, Akindele came second in the junior category in Ogun State so could not make it to the second and final stage.

For winning, Akindele received a cash prize of N300,000, a trophy, laptop, and lots of branded gift items from sponsors, Promasidor.

He also gets an all-expense paid trip to Whispering Palms, Badagry, Lagos in company of his Mathematics teacher, Mr Hakeem Atinsola, who was rewarded with N50,000 cash prize. The school gets mathematics textbooks and five desktop computers.

Akindele was overwhelmed with excitement about his win during an interview after the event. However, he was coherent enough to say that the win would make writing future examinations child’s play.

“I feel very great. I wanted to jump up but I couldn’t. The competition has a great impact on my studies. We have been preparing since SS1 so WAEC is a walk over. Every school in Ogun State wants to win Cowbell competition.

Our rivals are Ota Total Academy, Ambassadors and May

•Akindele and Abdulrazaq (middle) with their trophies

Flower,” he said.

The feat also means a lot to Atinsola, his mathematics teacher, who described it as an encouragement. He has been looking for a win since Iganmode last lifted the trophy in 2001. He said it took sheer determination on his part, the pupils and the school to remain in contention as a public school given that they teach and learn in environment that is not so conducive.

“We won in 2001. In 2005, we came third and Sixth in 2009. It is not easy for teachers in public schools like private schools. If you look at this competition, the public schools are few. It is a challenge. We don’t want it to happen in Ogun State. We are not encouraged by the government.

But I took it upon myself that this glory should come to our school again. In 2009 I was discouraged when we

came sixth. When I discovered this boy, I was encouraged that Iganmode will come back to the limelight,” he said.

To prepare for the competition, Hakeem said the school assigned identified math gurus a separate class and began grooming them from SS1 – a year before they qualify to participate in the competition.

He said: “This competition is not a two, three-month affair.

We start in their SS1. I have already started grooming SS1 students for next year. We look at their broadsheet to check their performance, especially in Mathematics and Further Mathematics. We choose 10 initially and weed them until four remain. We have a separate class for them. Those selected as Cowbell students are usually good in other subjects as well.

“What we do in our school is that we copied from the way May Flower does their scheme of work. We include Further

Maths topics in mathematics.”

In the junior category, it was 13-year-old Abdulrasaq Momoh of Charles Dale Memorial International School, Rivers State who smiled home with a prize of N250,000. First runner-up, Emmanuel Ehinomen Agbonifo of DSC Technical High School, Aladja, Delta State, won N200,000 while second runner-up, Ugochukwu Aghaji of the Nigerian Turkish International College, Wuse, Abuja got N200,000. Their schools got computers and printers.

The other 12 of the 15 finalists in each category got N15,000 as consolation prizes, while those in the top 10 of the senior category all got laptops.

Speaking about the significance of the competition, Managing Director of Promasidor, Chief Keith Richards, said the examination questions have never leaked since inception – a testament of its integrity. He also expressed joy about the popularity of the competition which saw 34,000 junior and senior secondary school pupils participating this year.

“It is hard to believe that 11 years have elapsed since the first edition of the competition was held. Over the years, we have continuously expanded the horizon of the competition – from 50 examination centres to 200 centres; from 4,455 participating schools to over 11,000 schools; from 15,000 students to more than 34,000 students.

NASSMAC has grown into a credible and successful examination that all Nigerian secondary schools, teachers and students want to associate and identify with it,” he said.

IT summer school for teenagers

A

COMPUTER institution Java School has opened in Yaba, Lagos.

It is also holding a summer camp for teenagers.

It is owned by MEGALIOS CONSULTING, Capstone (Church Without Walls) and Whitefield Foundation, an NGO committed to eradicating poverty through educational sponsorships.

According to Femi Alla of MEGALIOS CONSULTING, the

school is named after ‘a programming language owned

by SUN Microsystems, USA. “It is a language that allows a computer programme to run on any operating system or platform without modification to suit that platform.

This summer, MEGALIOS-IT (MIT) has volunteered to make available useful training in this important area of Information Technology.

Through this initiative, we

aim to empower and provide career guidance to about 100 Teenagers,” he said.

Given the large number of adolescents in Nigeria, Alla added that the training would provide Nigeria with a pool of IT experts to provide cogent ICT services. ‘’This teeming population of youths need to acquire capacity to develop software system that will, among other things, capture, evaluate and monitor ba-

sic infrastructure lapses in Nigeria. Success, according to a consortium of IT professionals, in these efforts, is critical to combating the high level of poverty in Nigeria,” he said.

He said the summer project, which has already started will end in July. At the end of the camp, an exhibition would be held for the teenagers to showcase various projects aimed at supporting national goals and development.

29

Memories of UNIJOS social week

Controversy as student dies in health centre

Page 34

Page 31

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

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE

0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is under threat. Since the killing of some corps members in post-election violence in some parts of the North in April, opinions have been divided on what should become of the scheme. Some parents and students are calling for a review of the scheme, others are demanding its abolition. VINCENT NZEMEKE (400-Level Mass Communication, Delta State University) writes.

•Corps members

Our trying times, by Corps members I

N February, when Judith Awuzie was posted to Bauchi State for the mandatory one-year assignment under the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), she was excited.

Her excitement arose from the fact that NYSC would offer her an opportunity to visit other parts of the country outside Delta State where she has lived from childhood.

“I looked forward to serving with so much excitement. I prayed that I would be posted to a far place like the North because I have never been there before. Some of my friends worked their posting to nearby states but I didn’t because I really wanted to explore. So, when I was posted to Bauchi State I was very happy.”

But five months down the line, she is regretting her decision not to influence her posting as she almost lost her life in the post-elec-

tion violence that erupted in Bauchi and some northern states in April.

Shattered by her experience, the Delta State University (DELSU) graduate of Bio-chemistry hinted that she may never return to Bauchi, if the government and NYSC cannot guarantee her safety.

She said: “After all I went through, I am not sure I want to go back to that state. I slept in a single room with about nine other Corps members for two nights. We were terrified as we did not know what was going to happen to us. We heard rumours of our colleagues who had either been killed or severely injured. At some point, I had to call my parents, asking them to pray for our safety. It was a very tense situation.”

Peretimi Apeli is another Corps member

who luckily escaped being lynched by irate youths who were protesting the outcome of the presidential election in Katsina State.

Like most of his colleagues, he lost everything except a faded shirt, a pair of trousers and the bathroom slippers he was wearing before the mob came.

“It was around 10:30 am. I was in front of the house picking the beans I wanted to cook when a guy ran into our lodge and told everyone to run for their lives”, said the graduate of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State.

“It was as we were running into the car outside that I saw the mob. I saw death. That we are alive is by God’s grace because if they had met us in the house, they would have killed us all. We had to drive through bush paths before we managed to escape to Daura

Police Station.”

Unlike Judith and Peretimi, who lived to tell stories of their escape, some NYSC members were not so lucky. Official report confirmed that no fewer than 10 died while many others were injured and displaced.

Since the killing of some Corps members during the ethno-religious crises in Jos in 2009, there have been calls from several quarters for a review of the NYSC. The post-election violence, once again, brought the issue to the fore, provoking questions about its relevance.

The attack and eventual killing of some Corps members who were recruited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ad-hoc staff by irate youths protest•Continued on page 30

• Student drowns at beach - Pg32 •Students appeal to management over closure - Pg33

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

30

CAMPUS LIFE Using experiences right

E

Pushing Out

VERY day, we go through experiences.

There are the good ones, there are the bad ones as well as those we don’t even remember soon as we are through with them - that is if we were conscious we were going through them in the first place. However, we feel or react, fact is that we are experiential beings.

Fact again is that each one of us is a totality of all the experiences each of us has gone through, all our lives. This then correlates to another fact; our decisions, dispositions (you can call this attitude or world view) and actions are all offshoots of these experiences.

The psychologists tell us that every child is born tabula rasa (blank); that is, we are not born with the attitudes and biases, etc that we eventually assume. Apart from our genetic make-up, we learn those things that make us who we are, in terms of personalities.

Take a former president of this country, for instance. The man Olusegun Obasanjo has been severally described as aggressive, unforgiving and tightfisted. He was not born with those attributes; he learnt them. His successor, the late President Umar Yar’Adua, was known to be respectful and unassuming even to the point of being slow to act; attributes that were learnt as well. Today, we have a President Goodluck Jonathan who many have called “indecisive”, “compassionate” and “caring”. None of these three men was born with the descriptions we now ascribe to them.

Joyce Meyer is today a popular American preacher who as a young girl was for years sexually abused by her father while her mum looked the other way. Joyce had a choice to remain a victim all her life but she refused that description. Today, she is not only popular

There is one lady I look forward to the cheating and all that our base lust for material day I would meet, Folake. This lady quests has led us into, our society is earnestly was diagnosed with the dreaded HIV looking for those who will sweeten things and today she is not only living up a bit.

I don’t know what the Quran says, but the positively, she is a source of comfort to many others in her shoes. I want to Bible declares in Romans that all of “Creation see that person who would not want earnestly looks forward to the manifestation to associate with Folake because she is of the sons of God – the righteous”. Earlier, in with Matthew, our Lord Jesus Christ called us the HIV-positive.

What this teaches me is that when salt of the earth. Salt is an antiseptic (protects you decide to take charge of your life, and heals), a tastemaker (to sweeten things 08054503104 in spite of the experience, people are up), a modifier, a cleanser and an odour (SMS only) forced to reckon with you. Of course neutraliser.

Refuse to allow negative experiences, even the average human being is looking •campuslife@thenationonlineng.net to run the next person down but by the behaviour of cantankerous and negative •ladycampus@yahoo.com the time you refuse to be put down people, to make you become like them and lose your flavour. Refuse to allow you earn people’s respect. but successful as well, with children and disappointments reduce you to what you are Life is not a bed of roses; it is also not a bed not. Define your values and let then guide you grandchildren. of thorns.

The thorns and the roses mingle to I spit on your grave is one of the box office all the time. blockbusters from Hollywood that told about give the bitter-sweet effect we all go through.

As you do this, remember, it is not a function a lady who suffered serial rape and humiliation What differentiates us is whether we allow of pride. It demands humility and confidence. ourselves to become the roses that others can by four otherwise respectable men in her So rise and shine. community. She decided to stop living and look up to and get encouraged, or whether we Ciao ensured she humiliated before killing each of become thorns which no one wants to be close The original first appeared on this column to. the men. on March 13, 2008. This is an edited version.

In these days of kidnappings, bombings, Some years ago, here in Nigeria, a newscaster on national television was reported to have been raped by a gang of dirty robbers. She Essay competition for undergrads travelled to the UK where she allegedly committed suicide.

Send to adedayo.thomas@gmail.com and HE Nation CAMPUSLIFE, in collaboration I could go on but suffice it to say that the with AfricanLiberty.org and Network for copy ladycampus@yahoo.com.

Entries will be received between June and experiences we go through are not the end of a Free Society, is calling for entries for an essay July 2, 2011. the road. What determines the end is how we competition. Details are as follows: Prizes: 1st - N50, 000; 2nd - N30, 000; 3rd - N20, decide to react to them. I have learnt never to Topic: Free Enterprise: The Precursor to Eco000; 4th - N15, 000; 5th - N10, 000 nomic Prosperity say never.

There will also be five N5, 000 honorary For Who: Students in Nigeria’s tertiary instiSome of us use our experiences negatively, mentions. some use theirs positively while some allow tutions All entries will get a free CD “Ideas for a Free Format: MS Word, not more than 1,500 theirs to remain untapped, unused. The choice Society” containing 100 textbooks on various words. is yours.

Interested students should please request for fields of studies.

Certain things happen to us which we do not Announcement of Winners: July 28. have any power to prevent; but unknown to the background material from Adedayo at Presentation of prizes: August 4, 2011. adedayo.thomas@gmail.com and copy Ngozi most of us, we have the power to keep from First to Third winners will be presented their reacting negatively. This is because by the time at ladycampus@yahoo.com.

On the first page of the completed essay, prizes at the Corporate Headquarters of The we react wrongly we are not only losers, we please write your full names, department, year Nation Newspapers in Lagos. Others will be become double losers. of study and name of institution. Also include routed through the Deans of Student Affairs or For those of us who are Christians, all that your email address and GSM line.

HOD of winners’ departments. happens to us are to make us better persons.

Ngozi Nwozor

T T

Adurabunmi Fetuga, a 200-Level student of Agricultural Science at the Tai Solarin College of Education, is an artiste in a group called KIIT guys. He told ADENIKE ASHOGBON (HND II Mass Communication, Lagos State Polytechnic) what motivates him.

‘Never allow obstacles to weigh you’

• Adurabunmi

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HAT kind of music do you play?

I play love songs. That is what sells if one is to get connected with target audience which is the youth. I am an upcoming artiste who does not preach how to love rather how to be alert when one loves.

Why music?

Music makes it all complete for me. I intend to add spice to music and to tell people who invest in artistes that there is always value for their money. The academic en-

vironment has helped expand my horizon as to how to present myself in front of my audience.

Singing in front of a crowd is not a problem and this is where the advantage of being a student comes in for me and other members in the group.

Tell me about KIIT guys?

We used to sing separately before we met. The members of the group are also students but from other institutions and this has helped us greatly. “KIIT guys” is coined from our names, Kazeem,

Idrees, Ibukunle and Tayo. So, you can see that it is not just me but the coming together of skills.

With your involvement in music, would you have time to practise what you are studying in school?

Many people and even my parents have asked me this question.

But the truth remains that I have been into this for some time. I believe there is time for everything but my studies are not to be played with. Though I’m not of the view that one would excel in the entertainment industry if you are not learned. So, I need to equip myself intellectually before going to the outside world to showcase my talents.

What inspires you?

God first, because He has been so good to us all but another significant motivator for me is Dagrin. This is because he never allowed obstacles to suppress his will and God-given talents in the entertainment world. That is my belief. I like Wizkid also.

How do you intend to impact on lives?

I will do it through my songs.

Showcasing meaningful songs to the outside world, though presently the government is not helping matters in terms of empowering the youths but hopefully we are looking forward to greener pastures with the advent of the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. So, the KIIT guys look forward to giving Nigerians the best in the entertainment world and promise never the disappoint the world and our immediate environment.

•Corps members used as adhoc staff during election

Our trying times, by Corps members •Continued from page 29

ing the result of the presidential election, led to fresh calls for the abolition of the scheme which seeks to promote national unity.

While some fancy the idea of reviewing the scheme, a few are calling for its abolition. Mrs Roseline Ikewenji, whose three children are undergraduates, described scrapping the scheme as a viable option if the government cannot guarantee the security of those serving outside their states.

“There is no parent who will want his child to be posted to a place where they will be killed. If the government cannot guarantee the security of our children, let them scrap the programme. How do you expect a parent to feel after spending so much money to train a child in school only to lose that child because he is serving his fatherland?”

But, another parent, Mr James Usen, noted that scrapping the NYSC scheme may not be the best option as it is the only scheme that can foster national unity.

He said: “Scrapping the scheme because of what happened in recent times would amount to throwing away the baby with the bath water.

As far as I’m concerned, the NYSC is

one of the best things to have happened in this country. May be what we need to do is to restructure the system by posting people to their geo-political zones, but scrapping the scheme is definitely not a good idea.”

After the post-election crisis, there were suggestions that Bauchi and other states where Corps members were killed should be de-listed from the scheme. But with the recent abduction of five Corps members in Rivers State and the purported rape of a Corps member in Osun State, there are indications that NYSC members are not only at risk in the North but in every part of the country.

For students who are yet to be involved in the NYSC scheme, it is a mixed grill. While some look forward to being mobilised and posted to any part of the country, a few others are not willing to take the risk.

“If serving my fatherland puts me at the risk of death, I will rather be exempted from the NYSC scheme.

Who wants to die as a corper?” asked Oluchi Adigwe, a 200 level student of Botany in DELSU. As the next batch of Corps members eagerly await their postings, it remains to be seen what the future of the scheme will be.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

31

CAMPUS LIFE

Controversy as student dies in health centre The death of a 100-Level student is generating fear between students of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD) and the institution’s health centre. TUNJI AWE (100-Level Political Science) reports.

I

T was all tears as 100-Level students in the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD) trooped out to mourn their colleague, Adeyinka Adekanmi, who died recently. During a candle light procession for him, they trekked from the campus to his hostel at Iworoko axis of the school.

Adeyinka was admitted last August, but the school did not resume until March, this year.

Few weeks before his first examination in the school, the 22year-old Lagos-based Adeyinka lost his life. The way his colleagues wept during the candle light rite showed that, within the short period Adeyinka was in school, he had endeared himself to his mates. Adeyinka’s class governor, Olanrewaju Awe, 100Level Political Science, described him as a “peace maker.”

The students, numbering over 500, carried placards with the inscriptions: “RIP, gentle soul”, “if we could pay off death, we would have contributed to save you,” as they marched round the campus.

The deceased was said to be down with malaria and was admitted into the health centre on June 7. Adeyinka did not come out alive as he died two days after. Enraged by his death, Adeyinka’s colleagues pointed fingers at the management of the clinic. They alleged that he was killed by the negligence of the doctors. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the development infuriated

•100-Level students gathered outside a lecture hall to mourn their colleague

the newly-constituted Student Union executive that threatened a showdown with the health centre managers.

When CAMPUSLIFE went to the health centre, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. P.O Omoniyi, confirmed the death of the student, saying the doctors did their best to “save the boy but, unfortunately, they lost the battle.”

The CMD, however, parried

questions on allegations that the medical personnel always use candles to administer drips on patients; do not attend to students on time and usually ask students to buy drugs and injections from pharmacy stores.

A source in the hospital, who craved anonymity, confirmed to CAMPUSLIFE that the university health centre is facing some problems.

He said: “Though the boy is a sickle cell patient but if all necessary measures were put in place, it would have been a different story. The boy has been our patient since Tuesday and his condition was improving but, on Thursday afternoon, two sisters from his church were with him and suddenly we heard them screaming. On getting there, the boy in question had

Agenda for new FUTO VC

Poly probes protest

Following the recent change of baton at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), members of the university community are seeking continuation of reforms initiated by the former Vice-Chancellor. GERALD NWOKOCHA (a graduating student of Information Management Technology) sought the views of students.

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HE five-year tenure of former ViceChancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Prof Celestine Onwuliri, ended on June 18 .

Though many members of the university community would wish Prof Onwuliri should remain in office, it is good he is leaving when the ovation is loudest.

After his exit, Prof Chigozie Asiabaka was appointed Vice-Chancellor. The institution’s Governing Council, at its 133rd meeting two weeks ago, ratified the election of Prof Asiabaka, who contested with three other professors for the job. Though not new in the system, Asiabaka held several administrative positions before his appointment.

However, experience is not to be compared with the possession of the will of transformation, especially when it comes to administration. This possibly prompted many members of staff of the university who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE to set agenda for the new helmsman. They want staff welfare and salary upgrade to top his agenda.

The Personal Assistant to the former VC, Mr Innocent Ikpamezie, said: “Prof Onwuliri has created a template for the new VC to work on.”

But to the average student at FUTO, it does not matter who is at the helm of affairs. What matters is who can respond to their numerous needs.

According to Chiazokam Orji, 200-Level Biochemistry, the new VC should borrow a leaf from the outstanding performances of his predecessor.

He said: “What the students want is aca-

demic excellence and I expect Prof Asiabaka to look in this direction.”

Jennifer Ereama, a 300-Level Soil Science Technology student, attributed the success of the former VC to the maintenance of academic calendar. She, however, wants the new VC to equally maintain links with foreign schools and focus on infrastructure.

The students made reference to the hostel conditions and want the new VC to build more hostels and rehabilitate existing ones.

Chisimdi Okere, 300-Level Food Science and Technology, said: “Building more halls would reduce the migration of students to off-campus hostels, which have become unsafe for students in recent times.”

A graduate of FUTO, Solomon Omuruka, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, wants the new VC to establish a scholarship scheme for best students at all levels of study. He said this would ensure high academic performance and competition among students.

“There is a need for installation of street lights on the campus as this would light up dark places in FUTO at night. The hostels need a generator to tackle the epileptic power supply from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. Water is another necessity that students need and should be provided by the new administration in place. Also, curtailing the lecturers’ excesses would be a good step in the right direction if the new VC can do it”, said a student who did not want his name in print.

A 500-Level Mathematics student, Dafe Kingsley, said: “I expect the new VC to keep up the good works of his predecessor, espe-

been gasping for air, his blood level was immediately checked and it was discovered it had dropped to 11 from normal. He needed an urgent blood transfusion, which our health centre is not capable of doing.

“We needed to sustain him with oxygen mask and prepare him for the transfusion at the University Teaching Hospital which is about 30 minutes drive from the school. Unfortunately, there was no electricity to power the oxygen and the generators the health centre uses are all in bad shape. The only oxygen mask that was available only worked for a minute and that was the end. Before we got to the University Teaching Hospital, the boy was dead and his remains deposited at the mortuary immediately. I can say the primary cause of the death of the student is the problem of power supply.”

Olalekan Shittu, the SUG president-elect, said: “The issue would be a thing of the past because our administration would do everything possible to prevent the reoccurrence of such death.”

While compiling this report, news broke that another female student had died. The identity of the student has not been known as at press time though, but unconfirmed report had it that the student’s death may not be unconnected with illhealth.

From Jane Williams OFFA POLY

T • Solomon

•Dafe

cially in the area of development, war against cultism and steady academic calendar. He should also devise his own means of fighting exam malpractice. Very importantly, I expect him to run an open administration.”

HE management of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, has set up an investigative panel to look into the remote and immediate causes of students’ demonstration earlier this month.

The Student Union Government (SUG) led students to protest the hike in the price of entrance form from N5,500 to N10,500.

The students led by their President, Ismael Jimoh, barricaded major entrances, chanting Aluta songs and preventing motorists from leaving the campus.

The panel, which has the Deputy Rector (Academics) as member, invited the SUG leaders for questioning.

Some of the students, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, however, condemned the action of the SUG, saying the demonstration was illtimed and politicallymotivated.

One of the affected student leaders, Musa Aminu, said, after appearing before the panel, that the demonstration was a desperate attempt on the part of the present SUG officials to gain cheap political popularity before the forthcoming student union elections.

32

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE Students get training on fire fighting safety

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HE Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals (NISP), Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) chapter, has partnered the America Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) to promote safety and create awareness among students.

During the training, students of PTI learnt fire fighting, protection and prevention.

The session was attended by Mr F.K. Nakpodia, the ASSE president in Nigeria, and Mr Edward Aduodeh, a fellow of the NISP and member, Fire Fighting Society of Nigeria.

Mr Aduodeh, who took the students on “Fire fighting, protection,

From Michael Ariwei and Janet Akalusi PTI

and prevention”, defined fire as a chemical reaction between combustible materials and oxygen in which energy is evolved in the form of heat and light. He showcased various fire extinguishers of but added that water and foam fire extinguishers support combustion and conduct electricity; a factor that made those extinguishers unsuitable for electrical-related fire.

The students were equally taken on a practical session where demonstrations were conducted to show the participants how to use the fire extinguisher. Immediately

after this, Mr Nakpodia displayed some videos and statistics on road accidents in the world. According to him, the call to drive safely cannot be overemphasised, since the number of deaths caused by road accidents is on the increase. “The most common means of transportation is road and even if we decide to travel by air or water, we will come back to the road.

“While driving, assume that other road users are mad and take caution by applying safety rules and regulations. Don’t overtake from the left, use your seat belt, read the road ahead and also remember the ABCDEF of safety (Always Be Careful Don’t Ever Forget),” he added.

Corps member holds workshop for women

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OMEN of Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State will forever be grateful to the government for establishing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. Why? Penultimate week, the women were empowered by a corp member serving in their community.

The corps member, Eunice Abu, a graduate of Microbiology from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, had, as part of her community development service, organised a workshop for the women who were predominantly house wives. They were taught the art of production of soap, shampoo, petroleum jelly, pop corn among others.

The event, which was held at the Kano Modern Secondary School , Hotoro, attracted community leaders, imams, NYSC officials and other corps members.

“After my survey of the area, I noticed that many female residents are fully dependent on their husbands, so I felt that the best way to reduce this is for them to be trained in one skill or the

From Nosakhare Uwadiae NYSC KANO

other,” Eunice told CAMPUSLIFE. She added that with the training, the women “can now produce any product of their choice which would enable them start small scale business and cut down their level of dependency.”

The spokesperson for the women, Mrs. Rashidat Ahmad, expressed gratitude for the training saying that in her marriage of more than 10years, she had always depended fully on her husband.

But she said her effort to get something doing had been unsuccessful because her husband was not ready to accept any business that would distract her from maternal responsibilities.

“But the knowledge from this training will avail us the opportunity to assist our husbands on petty household materials through proceeds from sales of our products. I’m deeply indebted to the corps member who had thought it wise to train us on the skills, especially for the fact that most of us couldn’t have had the opportunity to learn the skill on our own,” she added.

Sports Day at TV College

M •Paticipants during the fire safety training

Arts challenges can be overcome, says ex-envoy

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IGERIA’s former Ambassador to Germany Prof Akinjide Osuntokun has stressed the need for the improvement of liberal arts education.

Prof Osuntokun, the Dean of Humanities, Redeemers University, was speaking at a symposium organised by Faculty of Arts Students Association (FASA).

In his lecture tagged: Repositioning the Humanities, Prof Osuntokun said the challenges facing the Arts were not insurmountable and not as overwhelming as those of the Sciences. He said the major re-

From Jubril Adisa Redeemers University

quirements of Arts education were good libraries and creativity. He added that in the history of Nigerian National Merit Award, scholars from the Arts discipline have earned more laurels than their Sciences counterpart.

Earlier, Mrs. Olufunke Akinsode, a media adviser to the University of Lagos, delivered a lecture entitled Reading and writing as the heart of humanity.” She noted that reading was like searching for gold

which may lead to discovering diamond. She told the students that reading fostered creativity, helped sharpen ideas and exposed people to information.

Ambassador Segun Olusola, the proprietor of the African Refugees Foundation (AREF), espoused the essence of humanities to society, especially Theatre Arts. The Village Headmaster creator revisited the days of the very successful television series and how they had affected the society. The seminar was well attended by staff and students of the faculty.

Student drowns at beach

A

LL roads led to Elegushi private beach last Friday for the University of Lagos (UNILAG) interfaculty party sponsored by Etisalat Communications Limited. But the aftermath of what was supposed to be a joyous event turned to tragedy as a student got drowned.

The deceased was identified as Samson Adeniran, a 100-Level Mathematics student.

According to Samson’s classmate, Seyi Oriole, the deceased had gone to rescue a lady but he did not make it back to the shore.

Narrating the event to CAMPUSLIFE, Seyi said Samson, in company of friends, arrived at the beach at about 4:30pm. They played volleyball for 40 minutes which was part of the games to be played at the beach.

“Unknown to his friends, Samson had brought a swimming pant to swim that day. He later put off his three-quarter shorts and started swimming. Other students at the beach were impressed with his swimming style and admired him as a good swimmer”, Seyi said.

However, death came calling for Samson when he jumped into the ocean to save a drowning 100-

• Late Samson

Seyi said: “The uncle drove to UNILAG in company of his friends and they all left for the beach. Getting there, a supervisor at the beach informed us that a corpse was covered with palm fronds. We went to the site and discovered Samson’s lifeless body. We were told he would be buried at the shore in accordance with Yoruba tradition.”

Meanwhile, Ayodiya was asked if she would be at the candlelight procession organised for Samson, since the deceased rescue her in the ocean, the girl responded that “it was Samson that first pushed me inside.”

From Stanley Kavwam TV COLLEGE, JOS

staff members plaques of excellence.

These were presented by Dr Fasan.

The awardees were selected on the students assessment of their excellence in the various subjects they taught. They include the HOD Television Engineering, Mr. Titus Mazhinyi. The College Secretary, Mr. Zakari Yakubu was awarded the “Best friend of students.”

The brief but colourful occasion came to a close with a vote of thanks by the TEPSA President, Stephen Damar. He praised the management for the cash donation given to the students saying it would spur them to strive harder in their academic endeavours.

Dr Fasan also commended the students for what he called the “the wonderful initiative of awarding their lecturer” and wished them the best as they faced the wider world.

Workers’ protest rocks OAU T HE Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has embarked on a warning protest over the nonpayment of their seven months hazard allowance.

The union, through its branch chairman, Mr Wole Odewunmi Paralysed academic and official activities. In a chat with our correspondent, Odewunmi said: “The protest started four weeks ago, since we assumed office as executive of NASU. We have been agitating for our allowances to be paid but they paid little out of the two years arrears owed us by the university management. We have

From Olalekan Adewale UNILAG

Level student of Education Administration, identified as Ayodiya. According to Seyi, who was at the Suya spot at the time of the incident, “Samson swam to save Ayodiya and got hold of her cloth. The wave pushed Ayodiya forward and took Samson away. In the process, somebody else went in and brought Ayodiya out but Samson was nowhere to be found.”

After about 15 minutes, there was no sign of anybody coming out of the ocean, the partying students went back to dance. Meanwhile, a lady that saw the whole event as it happened called the attention of live guards and notified them that Samson was still in the ocean but they objected to the notion. However, Samson’s Blackberry phone and the shorts he wore to the occasion were still with his friends as at 9:30pm when they were going back to campus. But, the following day, news reached the campus that Samson was in a coma at the beach.

Before this time, one Uncle Funsho had called Samson’s phone to ask where he was but the respondent told the uncle that Samson went to a beach party and had not returned.

EMBERS of the NTA Television College community, Jos, have marked the 2011 sports day. The event started with a walk led by the Rector, Dr. Ayo Fasan.

It started from the Bauchi Administrative Block, went through the Fwavwei Road up to the Rayfeild Block, the Government House Road leading to the college and ended at the sports field.

Sporting activities that were held include volleyball, football, table tennis, badminton and chess.

The climax of the sports day was the presentation of cash by the Rector to students who competed earlier during the costume day. The winner of the first prize received N20,000, the second was given N15,000 while the third got N10,000.

Similarly, the outgoing members of the TV Production Students Association (TEPSA) awarded deserving

From Sikiru Akinola OAU

written several letters to the ViceChancellor (VC) but all proved abortive as it seems the letter did not reach the expected destination or maybe it was not treated. In a meeting last week they told us there was no money. Where did they get the money for the send forth programme for the outgoing VC? They would not have money for salary but there is money for lavish occasion.”

Odewunmi said: “We have written to our headquarters in Ibadan to inform them of our action. We would have informed the students’ union but there is none at present.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

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CAMPUS LIFE Fulfil your promise, students urge Mimiko

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HE students of Ondo State extraction in Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), have appealed to the government of the state to fulfill its promises. They said bursary was paid in May last year.

However, most of the students who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE expressed their displeasure over the late payment of the funds.

Lamenting, a final year student of Philosophy, said: “I have reduced in weight compared to when we resumed. I no longer have food stuff and the bursary is my only hope.”

300-Level Computer Science

From Babatunde Alao AAUA student, Temidayo Akindejoye said: “The nonpayment of the bursary has been a great disappointment as I already have plan for the money. My bank account is in red and exam is approaching, no money for materials.”

But the president of National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), Timothy Fesobi, said: “The delay in the payment of this year’s bursary is due to the measure the government has taken to stop past racketeering in the exercise.”

Faculty hosts NUC team

T •Students displaying their certificates of participation after the seminar

Group holds seminar on HIV, drug abuse

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HE University of Calabar Association for Aids Prevention (UCAAP), in partnership with The National Youth Aids Programme (NYAP) has held a seminar on HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse.

The workshop centred on equipping University of Calabar (UNICAL) students with the knowledge about reproductive health.

The immediate past Vice President of UCAAP Susan Etakudo, said: “Working as a social worker for the society and trying to educate others on the need to protect themselves and be responsible citizens of the country is a sacrifice.”

She said the programme was a priceless for the students as it provided them the opportunity to get firsthand knowledge

From Charles Udenze and Emmanuel Shebbs UNICAL

on the implications of some social vices such drug abuse, indiscriminate sex among others.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE at the end of the training, Emmanuel Ahanonu, 300-Level Political Science, said: “The programme is fantastic as many have longed for an opportunity to receive this training. This is a life changing training that will sustain one all throughout life.

This is one week of information.”

On his part, Joseph Icham described the seminar as “ground where future educators on health issues such as sexually transmitted diseases are trained.”

Amarachi Joseph, 200-Level Social Works told CAMPUSLIFE

that the seminar has afforded her the opportunity to see the female condom for the first time and equally taught her how to use it. She praised the organisers for the time they spent in educating the participants on the various topics. She equally promised to impact the knowledge she got in other people who were not opportune to attend.

Certificates were given to the participants. Mr. Bernard Enyia, one of the organisers, thanked the students for turning out for the seminar despite the holiday. He urged them to pass the message around in school and at home and advised them to put all they learned into practice in order not to fall victims of the deadly virus.

HE students and staff of Adebola Adegunwa School of Communication, Lagos State University (LASU), have received the accreditation team from the National Universities Commission (NUC).

They conducted the teams round the school, inspecting the studios of Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Radio and Television, the library, the classrooms and the

From Zainab Quadri LASU compound.

The team declined comment on its findings. However, the sub-Dean of the school, Dr. Yinka Alawode, expressed optimism, that the school would be accredited because of its infrastructure. Students also expressed gratitude to the management for improving facilities.

Varsity suspends union leaders

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HE Students’ Union President of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Fredrick Joel; the speaker, Seyi Adegoke and two others have been suspended. They were suspended over the union’s protest in February.

A letter from the office of the Registrar said the panel investigated the protest.

It reads: “The Vice-Chancellor has received given careful consideration to the report of the panel which investigated the violent crisis of February, 21 and 22, 2011 on the university campus at Ile-Ife, before which you appeared. The ViceChancellor has noted that your actions aforesaid were clear violations of the Code of Conduct for the University Community, and also have criminal elements.”

It reads further: “Accordingly, you are hereby suspended from the university in the interim and until police investigation and other processes are concluded, when this

•Fredrick From Samson Ademola OAU

suspension order shall be reviewed in the light of police report and your response to the official query.”

However, one of the students concerned had debunked the accusation that the protest was violent. He said students destroyed nothing during the protest.

College expels 26

T

• The Polytechnic Ibadan

S

Students appeal to management over closure

TUDENTS of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, have appealed to the management and government to reopen the institution shut in the wake of demonstration.

They flayed those behind the demonstration, saying they were not bonafide students of the institution and never thought of what could be the consequences of their action before embarking on the protest.

The students, appealed to the

Jeremiah Oke IBADAN POLY

government to direct the authority to reopen the school.

A Computer Science student at Eruwa campus, Adesola Sanjorawa, said she never believed a student could lead a protest to the state secretariat.

Another student, Omoseyi Lawal, described the demonstration as unfortunate.

“But instead of the students to talk to the governor, they embarked on a protest. Could anybody have tried that during the regime of the immediate past governor?” he asked.

A higher diploma student, Omolola Akande, said the protest has affected the students in many ways. “When the lecturers are still taking time to teach the students, there is mass failure. Now that the school is on strike, will students get their bearing?”

HE Federal College of Education (FCE), Pankshin, Plateau State, has expelled 26 students, barely two months after 19 were sent packing in a similar exercise.

The students were accused of cheating during semester exams.

This has provoked debate on why some students are still involved in cheating despite the stiff penalty. “Is it that they don’t want to read or they are just being lazy,” a student asked.

From Ogechi Ajah FCE PANKSHIN

With the latest exercise, 45 students have so far been expelled, a figure described as “alarming”by these worried by the rising examination malpractices.

However, students are calling for a review of the examination policy of the institution. They said if the management could reduce the number of exams students do per day, cheating will reduce.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

34

CAMPUS LIFE With exams barely two weeks away, the various faculties at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) organised their annual students’ week to round up the social life of students. HOPE OFOBIKE (400-level Mass Communication) and ESTHER MARK (300-level Mass Communication) capture the excitement.

•Mass Communication students in old school attires

T

HE University of Jos (UNIJOS) came alive before the end of the 2010/2011 academic session.

The institution held its annual students' week with programmes, such as cultural day, rag day and sports. It was rounded off with the dinner in hotels outside the school.

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science kicked off its week with an awareness rally, which was followed by the induction of 35 new graduates. Next came free medical checkup. The week was rounded off with a football match.

The Faculty of Social Sciences organised field trips for its students. For students in the Department of Psychology, a trip to Obudu Cattle Ranch would forever linger in their memory as students painted the school with different colours of clothes after

•Female students in their various ethnic dresses

Memories of UNIJOS social week their return. The departments of Management and Economics Sciences were not left out as they held their dinner and award night at Eliel Hotel.

The Department of History and International Relations took a trip to Ghana where students visited the capital city and other places. The students, who were all excited, described the trip as a bomb. Though the departments of English Languages, Religious Studies and Linguistics did not throw bombs, however, the actionpacked events organised for their teeming students showed that the week was another avenue to unite people of various

backgrounds.

For Mass Communication, its long-awaited week started amid fanfare as students were dressed in black suit, sky blue shirts and red ties. The event took a different shape the following day when past memories were brought alive: students of the department were clad in old school dresses, depicting the vogue in past ages which all of them were not privileged to see but had an idea of through movies and pictures of their old folks.

Miss Fumilayo Ajayi won Miss Old School beauty pageant with her white and orange pajamas trouser, brown outdated pair of shoes and an old cotton top with her hair plaited in wool, all stuck out, as

though in readiness to sing the national anthem. She had a funny make up on each cheek and complemented it with a Ghana Must Go hand bag to receive the "prestigious title I have won".

Lecturers were not left out in the frenzy. They took turns to dance to the old music reigning during their childhood.

On the cultural day, a touching mood was created when the South-south students were speaking in their local dialect and dancing to the tune of Ijaw music.

Valentino, a student of English, who was very happy to have heard his local language, climbed the podium and hugged the presenter, Ossai Nduka, a 400-L stu-

UNICAL dean holds thanksgiving

T

HE University of Calabar (UNICAL) Dean of Students Affairs (DSA), Joseph Aso, has bagged a professor-

ship.

In appreciation to God, he held a thanksgiving at the Charismatic Renewal Ministries, Calabar.

In attendance were former Vice-Chancellors of the university, Prof. Kelvin Eta, Prof.

Ivara Esu and Prof. Bassey Asuquo, who was represented by his wife.

Others were Prof. James Epoke, the current VC; Prof. Obi Okezie, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics); Prof. Simon Utsalo (DVC) Administration and Prof.

Olu Lawal, the librarian, among others.

In his sermon, Pastor Greg Ikechukwu said success was not all about hard work.

He said hard work would be meaningless without privilege and opportunity, adding that many people work hard in life but do not have the opportunity to achieve success.

"God gives you the opportunity to succeed. When you see opportunity as a gift from God, He takes you higher. God looks into the heart and honours hard work but any hard work that does not have the fear of God will not succeed", he concluded.

Pastor Ikechukwu later led the congregation in a prayer session for the DSA and his family.

In his acknowledgement, Prof. Aso identified the people who "have contributed to my success in life". He pointed at his primary school teacher, Mr. Edeh, who was at the event.

He said: "My success is pedestalled on the tutelage of people like Mr. Edeh who never condemned my errors but encouraged and guided me to perfection."

On professorship, he said: "I feel happy and elated. Though I am not the first to be a professor but I am happy to see the fruit of my labour materialise . I thank people

From Emmanuel Shebbs UNICAL

like Prof. Kelvin Eta, Prof. Ivara Esu, Prof.

Bassey Asuquo and my immediate boss, Prof. James Epoke. They all contributed to this achievement. Also, I will not forget to thank all the students of UNICAL for turning out en mass to grace this occasion."

Aso said he would devote his professorship to the service of God, who "has given me the best".

In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE after the service, Prof Epoke described the event as "a celebration of love". He said Aso had paid his academic dues, thus he deserved the elevation. He advised other upcoming professors to continue laying hands on the plough. "With hard work and commitment to their academic responsibilities, they will make it", the VC added.

The reception took place at the main auditorium of the UNICAL hotel. The 500capacity hall was filled to capacity by well wishers who included the Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Chief Alex Egbonna, and other personalities from the State House.

The event featured performances by musical bands and choirs. The UNICAL welfare board and officials of the Student Union presented gifts to the dean and his family.

The students, led by their president, Anthony Amawu, thanked Aso for "his partnership with the present SUG administration and his fatherly role towards the students' cause."

A former UNICAL VC, Prof Eta, congratulated Aso for his elevation to a higher level of academics. He said: "Professorship is not a one night business. All of us passed through the same process. The young lecturers should work hard. It does not take •Continued on page 36

•Prof Aso and his wife on the occasion

•Prof Epoke and his wife at the thanksgiving

dent from Ukwani, Delta State.

Valentino said he was too happy to hear his mother tongue in a place that was far away from his base. He said: "For sure, new friendship and brotherhood have been created."

Speaking on culture and communication, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, John Galadima, said culture and communication are two basic aspects of life which are dynamic, borrowed and can be shared.

Sophie Keyen, a 400-L student of Mass Communication, won the Miss Culture award as she dressed in the Goemai traditional attire thereby, displaying the way of life of people from Shendam District.

The week ended just as the exams approached and students have returned to the classrooms to read in order not to be caught unawares.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

35

CAMPUS LIFE

Aftermath of fee increment

By Chinenye Okonkwo okonkwo_chinenye@yahoo.com

I M

N this age, when science and information and communication technology have synchronised the world into a glo-

IND not my use of the third person pronoun; I am, of course, also a student of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). The mind simply boggles about the funny relationship that exists between the students of and their, sorry, our Vice Chancellor, Prof Ishaq Oloyede.

I know that leadership is tough and difficult, but I have always thought that the most difficult part of leadership is inspiring others to greatness. The VC is, no doubt, effective given the various

T

HE issue of security on our campuses (especially the female hostels) has become a thorn in the flesh of students. This is because the administrative authorities are doing little or nothing to curb the incidence of Mr Vagina in the female hostel of Bayero University Kano (BUK). I wonder what our society is turning into.

We hear of strange stories of things happening around and even within us, but what I never realised was that it was even closer than I ever imagined. It has got to the extent that a man could find his way into the female hostel in the midnight.

It baffles me how a federal university would lack adequate security for its students, especially those who reside on campus. I was in the female common room when I overheard some of my female colleagues

I

T is with a cheery heart that I welcome you back home from an adventure you were assigned neither by your wish nor parents’ but by someone, I would refer to, for the sake of this piece, as Big Bully. You were told, when you graduated from the university or was it polytechnic that you attended, that you must go on an errand for the big bully that doesn’t care a hoot about how you laboured to finish your studies amidst attendant discomfort.

Of course, you must have missed your mother’s delicacies and the lullaby she always sing to calm you down whenever you complained about the neglect and uncaring posture of the big bully, who ought to nurture you into a productive being. We all understand that the bully is our de facto community authority, whose responsibility is to cater for our wellbeing but turns a blind eye to our tribulations as we toil in pain to get proper education.

Ha! I must not forget to say you also must have missed your peers from the community with whom you left the precinct of your households to participate in a scheme established by the big bully after a fratricide that engulfed your community some 38 years ago, but whose lives

bal village, there is the need to upgrade all sectors of the economy including education and fuse them into a single entity. Alas, it seems education, which has been viewed as a catalyst for this synchronisation, still totters in uncertainties. Undoubtedly, fee increment policy, a seemly developmental strategy which swept across institutions of higher learning (both federal and state) in Nigeria has left much to be desired.

First, the initialisation process negated the principle of gradualism which always resulted to internal crisis.

The research conducted by this

writer in universities in Southsouth and Southeast zones, where the increment was over 50 per cent, has shown that the rate of fee increment is directly proportional to the rate at which students drop out of school. Depression and hopelessness have led the lessprivileged students to abandon their educational pursuit for survival. Another group has taken to prostitution and crime in the quest to meet the huge financial demand on them which has resulted to an alarming rate of crime and spread of veneral diseases. The deduction from the research shows that the fee increment won’t be re-

verted and the next couple of years, the percentage would go up and many more would be forced to leave school. The question: is the gap between the rich and poor, illiteracy and literacy closing with this measure?

In the course of my research study, I was exposed to a course work titled Comparative Education.

The course was on educational systems of various countries with a view of examining the differences and similarities as well as the factors that necessitated their development. Ghanaian education system, for instance, is rated high than Nigeria’s because of its develop-

UNILORIN students and their VC

By Abdulrahman Akintoye dbestsmiles@yahoo.com

changes in the way students and staff conduct the academic works since he became VC. This is a testament to the fact that Prof Oloyede is a no-nonsense administrator. But the students still believe that the only thing he does is to instill fear in their minds.

This is not so.

However, I am not naive not to take into consideration the Nigerian factor that is, we are always afraid of people who want things to be done properly. Even as I cannot think there is something about the VC that negates the idea of inspiring confidence in students. When Prof Oloyede goes anywhere within the school, stu-

dents disappear and the ones that stay do so either in anticipation of drama, like the berating of the hostel manager, or just in plain defiance that, I dressed well and I am putting on my I.D card, so what the heck is he going to do? Few are glad to be in his presence.

Though the VC is not a bully but I think he could do more to

An intruder in female hostel

By Zeenat Ibrahim blackqueen0110n@yahoo.com

conversing among themselves about the recent happenings in the hostel, especially at night. I had to interfere in the discussion and you know the normal female gist now? Behold! I heard the most-awkward story throughout my stay in (BUK).

It’s about a man always visiting the female hostel at midnight (in BUK men are not allowed into the female hostel and vice versa).

The intruder is always asking for one thing. Guess what? Vagina! This has made the female student to dub him Mr Vagina or Vagina Man. In fact, it was rumoured that he usually enters the toilet to pick used pads

(always ultra). This is perplexing and I had to retire to my room, bewildered by the unfortunate news. I was deep in thought, reminiscing about how a man could escape the prying eyes of security and find his way into the female hostel.

The question that kept ringing in my head was where the security operatives were when this despicable act was happening. At this juncture, I tend to doubt if I actually comprehend what the word “security” means in this context.

After about two weeks, I met with the ex-president of the student union, in a bid to clear my doubt. The issue was confirmed and, in fact, I was told another story (by the ex-president) regarding the intruder

aka Mr Vagina. I was told that the intruder tried entering a female room just a fortnight ago.

The ladies in the room raised an alarm but behold he was so fast that he made away with one of the girls’ phone. It was later realised that the aim of the intruder was to have canal knowledge of the girl, and not to abscond with her phone.

This information was unveiled during a phone conversation with the intruder via the phone he has stolen.

Is the school authority not going to do something about this? If it is so, then we are in serious trouble, if the hostel we paid for, is no longer safe to reside in. Similar cases have been previously reported in another institution - Ahmadu Bello

mental policies which has impacted positively on its education and reflected on their national development. Ghana operates free education and very low tuition fee at university level unlike Nigeria. This sharp contrast should serve as a course for reflection for Nigeria - a land endowed with inexhaustible natural resources. The increment policy purported by the management of universities with support from the state governments should be revisited.

Importantly, in this new phase of development, Nigeria needs to prioritise its needs to make a global impact. I hereby say that education should be given preference for optimal national development.

Chinenye, 400-L Educational Administration & Planning, UNICAL

demystify the myth of his being a vindictive man who does not care about the views and opinion of students. I use this medium to implore our amiable Vice-Chancellor to allow free interaction from students if only to debunk the myth which represents the opinions of many students on the campus. I love to make people smile and I am hoping that our ViceChancellor would do the same!

Abdulrahman, UNILORIN

300-L

Law,

University, Zaria in particular.

The situation here is more serious as it got to the extent of rape and burglary. Personally, it sounds so discouraging and heartbreaking that despicable acts such as these could happen around us and no one to speak on our behalf.

I suggest that issues like this should be treated with the urgency it deserves as it concerns the lives of many people. More so, the students were entrusted into the hands of the authority for a particular period of time.

The school security should be fortified, because as far as I am concerned, the security in the school is not tight enough. The student’s safety should be the utmost concern of the authorities.

Zeenat, 400-Level Mass Comm., BUK

Welcome back home, Corper! were mindlessly plucked from the firmament of community shining stars. They did not return alive with you, which explains why I heartily welcome you back home, at least, in peace and not pieces.

In fact, it was reported that some returnees, who held a thanksgiving service last Sunday in churches and NASFAT, told the congregation that those that manage to escape death in active service of the big bully suffer dismemberment, shattered hopes and psychological glitches due to the harsh condition under which they were forced to serve.

Friend, all this must have cast a pall over your readiness to be faithful to the big bully and his oppressive instruments of coercion. Abi I lie?

When the senseless death of your colleagues, through shrapnel of bombs and contrived electoral uprising, was taking its toll on the community and big bully was heard saying few motivational words to goad you into continuing this arduous assignment, our mothers evinced sentiments and literally hijacked the media space calling for your withdrawal and scrapping of the scheme which you had been

forced to undergo. But some informed fathers effused stone face and convinced the big bully that the programme should not be scrapped but rather be reviewed and strengthened if it must find relevance in modernity.

While the argument raged, before anyone could say Jack Robinson, five of your colleagues were herded into kidnappers’ den with huge ransom tagged on them. Suddenly, the community elders lost their voice over the termination of the scheme because your colleagues were only kidnapped by unwaged youths in southern flank of our community and not being bombarded to the grave by ruthless vagabonds up north. The silence was not deliberate, though. Rather, it was as a result of the societal injustice against the section all denizens in our community claimed to possess some streaks of extremism.

To be sure, extremism is not human but we wear it just like a fitted clothe. It is like an alcoholic drink; we sip little if we just want to remain tipsy or take large volume if our intention is be drunk.

In other words my friend, terrorism is prevalent in the society and it does not matter whether it

is north, south, east or west, so far it is humanity that occupies the spaces. The difference between terrors from the four cardinal points is the magnitude of its effect on human vis-à-vis the community, but violence, irrespective of form, remains a crime against humanity. This explains why I refused to be swayed by sentiments of our community opinion leaders who always excite suspicion whenever almajiris precipitate their periodic explosions but close their eyes when militants sack the whole community. But I digress, friend!

One again, I am happy to see you back home with your limbs intact but I doubt if I can vouch for your psychology? Because, I know so many of your fellow citizens who went to school and served the big bully faithfully, loyally and honestly as you have done but when it was their turn to be served with decent jobs and life, big bully turned out to be undependable and dishonest partner. The same opinion must have developed in your head my friend but let us wait and see whether big bully would provide you and your colleagues with deserving employment.

By Olawale Ajetunmobi ridwane_4@yahoo.com

Congratulations again on your passing out parade! Sorry, I could not attend the ceremony, but I am sure those big men in public offices would come to blow highfalutin grammar as usual after which they would retreat into the shadowy recess of their offices to perform Siphon Experiment on the community funds and resources. Meanwhile, before you dust your certificates to search for non-existent jobs, can you tarry a bit and refresh your spirit with this bowl of sandy garri and ‘ice’ water?

Olawale, is a serving corps member, NYSC Lagos

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

36

CAMPUS LIFE

UNILAG students rewarded in Coca-Cola Mystery Shopper

The silent success language

By Uche Ogbonna uche.ogbonna@fidelitybankplc.com 08055061278

W

HAT is language? To many it is a verbal means of communication and understandable amongst a people. While this is very true, at Fidelity Bank Plc, we see language beyond this definition. To us, verbal language is only a part of the language of the bank but there is a silent language of success that we speak. It is this silent language of success that we wish to convey to our dear readers.

Research has shown that 55 per cent of human communication is visual (body language, eye contact etc) and 38 per cent is vocal (pitch, speed, volume, tone of voice) while only 7 per cent of communication is of actual words.

This means that those we come in contact with will form an opinion of who we are and subconsciously place a mental value on our persona after a few moments of contact with us.

As students, this is a crucial thing to note. The reason is that it takes many years of practice to master this language and develop the hidden skills required to effuse the attitude of success that makes organisations, clients and competitors alike sit in awe of your appearance. Many candidates have been dropped from recruitment lists not for lack of aptitude but for lack of the required carriage. They could not speak the silent language of success!

It is easy to write a good CV. There are templates and guides for this purpose everywhere, but understanding the secret silent language takes years of dedicated practice and this is the message we intend to pass across to readers. It is the secret of great men; a key to outstanding success and you can use your campus as a practice ground as you prepare yourself to take over the world!

Body Language: Technically known as kinesics, it is a significant aspect of modern communications and relationships. Body language is a form of nonverbal communication, which consists of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements sent and interpreted almost subconsciously.

It is important to understand that your body is always speaking and bearing this in mind will help you train your body to say exactly what you want your body to say per time. For example fidgety hands betray confidence while hands in pockets before traditional royalty or certain leaders speak of

On and Off Campus

arrogance. Understanding the audience and being in control of the movements your body makes can be the winning card in breaking through any deal.

The way you listen, look, move and react tell others whether or not you listen and also tell them whether you care or not. The non-verbal signals you send either produce a sense of interest, trust, and desire for connection-or they generate disinterest, distrust and confusion.

The movements you make either consciously or unconsciously do one of the following: Affirm: Nodding your head, eye contact, smiling etc are different ways that your body language can support what the other party is saying or suggesting.

Contradict: Shaking ones head even subconsciously may send a message of disagreement even when you did not mean to send that message.

Distraction: Looking several directions and not and responding to other external stimuli and even looking at a television set may give the impression that you want to leave or you are no longer interested in what the other party is saying.

Learning to control these impulsive movements will really give you the confidence and power needed to take charge of a discussion or gathering. Try practising it among your peers in class.

VOCAL COMMUNICATION Vocal communication is another important part of the process. When speaking, it is very important to realise that the language of choice must be one clearly understood by your audience. Another very important tip especially at a project defense or any presentation is the rule of the 'elevator pitch'. The elevator pitch is a short summary used to quickly and simply define an idea, product, service, or organisation/group and its value proposition. The name "elevator pitch" reflects the idea that it should be possible to deliver the summary of the idea you intend to convey to the listener in the time span of an elevator ride, or approximately thirty seconds to two minutes!

As a student, you need to develop the skill of clear and articulate speech. Remember also at this point that slangs do not cut it when making serious presentations. Punctuating your statements with slangs takes away the edge of seriousness and professionalism you wish to convey. So take time to learn how to communicate effectively and definitely and strong!

Knowing what to say however is not the only thing we need. We also need to know how to say it.

The tone, the pitch, the speed all adds up to convey a message of strength, confidence, fear, indecision, weakness and even defiance. Take the time to search out more information on this and learn as much as you can.

We love hearing from you at Fidelity Bank Plc so feel free to write us at marketing.communications@fidelitybankplc.com Share your thoughts with us, better yet visit any of our Branches and open a FLEX account. You need one!

By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Two of the lucky students dispaying their cheques

A

S part of its reward initiative and drive for higher standard of education, Coca-Cola Nigeria has extended its hand of fellowship to several consumers at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) through its ongoing Mystery Shopper promo to commemorate its 125 years of existence.

The Mystery Shopper was at the institution rewarding lucky consumers of the company products with cash prizes. The promo, which has been generating excitement among undergraduates and young school leavers within the state, since its commencement a few weeks ago, has rewarded over 60 consumers in locations including Alausa, Ikeja, Ojuelegba, Mushin and Yaba.

As some of the students unwind with a bottle of Coke and others took out time to have lunch, they were surprised when, at various intervals, strangers, who were later identified as the Mystery Shopper crew, walked up to them and questioned them on why they preferred the brand. Giving their educative and informed response, the lucky students earned themselves N10,000 for their loyalty to the CocaCola brand.

The students – Titilope Adeshina, Samuel Setonji, Ifedayo Olowoporoku, Clarinda Eke and Oremeyi Onoguyi, among others - joined the growing number of consumers who have been rewarded for their loyalty to Coke in the campaign.

The students described the promotion as surprising and delightful. One of them added: “The instant financial rewards were like a sop to help us settle some financial problems like school fees, accommodation fees, handouts and book bills as w e l l a s m e e t o t h er pressing needs peculiar to student life.”

Samuel, a Mathematics student, who was accosted at the UNILAG 2001 cafeteria with a PET bottle of Fanta, said: “I came to the cafeteria to take some snacks and a bottle of Fanta. I was so surprised when a gentleman walked up to me and asked me why I preferred the product. I responded that I like the unique orange taste of Fanta, after which I was presented with a cheque for taking my favourite drink. Now, I can get some new textbooks with the money and

•Another lucky winner From Olawale Ajetunmobi UNILAG

prepare ahead of my lecture classes. I really appreciate this gesture by CocaCola and will continue to be loyal to the brand.”

One of the lucky students, who craved anonymity, disclosed that his financial rewards will be used to complete his school fees instantly. He stressed that the cash prize met his academic needs at the right time and expressed gratitude to Coca-Cola for the kind gesture.

According to Mr. Austin Ufomba, Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Nigeria, “the Mystery Shopper concept is CocaCola’s unique way of rewarding its consumers. We marked our 125 years anniversary a few weeks ago and this is one of the ways we chose to say “Thank You” to our consumers. We owe the unmatched success and equity of the Coca-Cola brand to them”.

Ufomba further stated that the Mystery Shopper crew is still visiting various areas within the Lagos metropolis looking for people to reward for their loyalty to the Coca-Cola brand.

In 2010, Coca-Cola initiated the Mystery Shopper campaign in commemoration of Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary. This campaign was lauded by brand analysts as a good consumer engagement platform bound to increase equity for the brand.

Elevated UNICAL dean holds thanksgiving • Continued from page 34

time, with diligence and submission, it is possible."

CAMPUSLIFE cornered Egbonna, who identified Aso as a disciplined and hard working member of staff. "He is equally an employer of labour. Today, we have come to celebrate his achievements. He

should keep the flag flying. The other young lecturers should study hard and aim higher in order to achieve greatness".

On his part, Prof Okezie said the DSA is an icon worth celebrating. Prof Lawal welcomed Aso into the world of professors.

The reception ended with a closing prayer by Lawal.

37

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

EDUCATION VC gets handover notes

ACE FILE Students Union gets bus

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

THE management of Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, has donated a bus to the Students Union.

Handing over the keys to the President, Sa’adu Taofiq, the Provost, Prof Adeyemi Idowu, said the bus must be driven by a driver approved by the college.

“The bus has been insured and I am handling it to the president and not any other person. The bus must not leave the college without the approval of the president,” he said.

Responding, Taofiq thanked the provost not only for the bus but for his fatherly role on campus.

He also promised to handle the bus with utmost care.

T

HE Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Prof Hayward Mufuyai, has promised to build on the foundations of the founding fathers institutions to make it great.

Mafuyai said he would follow the footsteps of the immediate-past Vice-Chancellor, Prof Sonni Tyoden, to take the university to the next level.

He spoke while receiving handover notes from his predecessor.

A statement by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Publicity, Steve Otowo, said: “The new VC appreciated Prof Tyoden for his excellent track record which saw to the elevation of the University to its present standing as one of the top two in the Nigerian University system”.

Mafuyai praised the teamwork among management, workers and students under Tyoden and expressed confidence that such would continue during his tenure.

He assured that his administration would have a listening ear and promote robust debate and exchange of diverse ideas as well as opinions for the common good of the university.

Presenting the handover notes to the Mufuyai, Tyoden advised him to embrace all segments of the university community and always consider all shades of opinion before taking decisions to create a sense of belonging among stakeholders.

•Prof Mufuyai

•A •From Left: Aminu Emmanuel, Head Boy, Wellspring College, Omole, Ikeja; Mr Kobby Okrah, Registrar, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana; Mrs Oluwayemisi Oloriade, Principal, Wellspring; Prof Kwasi Obiri-Danso of KNUST and Adetutu Temidayo, Head Girl, Wellspring when KNUST PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES delegates visited the school.

T

Rector makes case for more funds

HE Rector, Ayodeji Otegbola (ICT) Polytechnic (formerly Gateway Polytechnic, Igbesa, Ogun State, Sir Godwin Ejodame, has appealed to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to help the institution out of its dire financial strait.

Ejodame spoke during the resource approval visit by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy, Business Administration and Statistics programmes.

He said since the institution’s inauguration on June 29, 2006, it has surpassed three other ICT polytechnics established along with it in other senatorial districts of the state.

The polytechnic is in Ogun West Senatorial District.

With the three new programmes in addition to Electrical/Electronics and Computer Science which it has been running, the institution now has five HND programmes, and nine programmes at the National Diploma level.

He said the institution’s major headache is its inability to pay salaries.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

With proper funding, Ejodame said the polytechnic has the potential of consolidating on its achievements faster since it can leverage on Otta and Agbara, the two industrial zones where the polytechnic is located.

“Five years have been rough,” Ejodame lamented. “We are basically established to be self-sufficient right from the beginning and to be occasionally funded by the state government. That’s why we went into the IT programme. However, time came when there was no more funds from the Federal Government and the state government could no longer meet the obligations. But because we are allowed to use our IGR, tuition fees and funds we raised on our own, we have been managing and you find that most of the buildings you find here are through the IGR and of course assistance from community members who also came in and put up some structures.

“Salaries have not been regular.

The subvention from the government has not been forthcoming since

Varsity enforces dress code THE ACE management has cautioned students against indecent dressing and other antisocial activities.

It said besides compelling poorly-dressed students to go and change when apprehended, they would not be admitted into classrooms and other places.

Prof Idowu at a meeting with Student Union leaders appealed to the President, Mr Sa’adu Taofiq, to implore students to always dress properly because they are in an institution where they are being trained to become future teachers.

On the use of identity card, the Provost said it serves as a means of identifying bonafide students.

Diploma in Computer Studies forms out •Ejodame

there was no working capital. Unfortunately, about 10 months ago, the subvention didn’t come and workers have been having difficulties. We have tried to link staff with some banks to give them small loans and we, on our own, have been paying 30 per cent from internally-generated revenue to encourage them. Just recently, I paid 30 percent to junior staff and 10 per cent to the senior.

We look at what we have on ground and ensure everyone goes home with something pending the time the situation abates,” he added.

THE College has begun the sale of forms for admission into its six months Diploma in Computer Studies.

The programme, which will begin next month, is for candidates with five ‘O’ Level credits including Mathematics and a pass in English Language.

Candidates with certificate in Computer Operations of ACE other recognised institutions, intermediate certificate such as NABTEB or other secretarial certificates with a minimum of 50 words per minute or OND, HND, first degree of higher degree are also qualified to apply.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

38

EDUCATION ACHIEVERS FILE A vote for NYSC DEPUTY Vice Chancellor, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Prof Samuel Oyewole, has condemned the hostility towards some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in some parts of the country.

Speaking at a send-off party for a corps members, Mr Stephen Odo, who served with the university, Oyewole said they should be loved, and accommodated by all and not harmed in anyway.

“The world is a small place; we need to spread love to one another instead of fighting because we never know where our own children will be in future,” he said.

Registrar, Dr Tinuade Ojo; Librarian Mr Emmanuel Dina and Director of Student Affairs Rev. Bayode Oladimeji, among others, described Odo, who is from Enugu State, as easy-going. They attested to his rapport with staff and students and urged him to leave a landmark wherever he found himself.

Lecturers urged to use ‘Magic Board’ THE Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Odebiyi, has urged lecturers to make effective use of interactive boards installed in the lecture rooms.

Speaking at a seminar on “The use of interactive boards in lecture rooms”, Odebiyi said the installation of the boards was in line with the university’s commitment to e-teaching and learning. He added that the board would enhance teachers’ skills and make them more efficient.

Co-ordinator, Department of Physics and Energy Studies, Mr Oluyinka Layade, explained the versatility of the “magic boards” to the participants.

Recognising the challenges they might face in the use of the interactive boards, DVC, Prof Samuel Oyewole assured them that the management plans to make laptops available at agreeable terms to interested workers.

12 students rusticated THE Governing Council has rusticated 12 students for two semesters, following the report of the Students Disciplinary Committee.

The panel, which investigated allegation of misconduct against them, recommended that they be sent away from the end of the first semester of the 2010/2011 academic session for breaching the Code of Conduct contained in the Students Handbook.

The Registrar, Dr Tinuade Ojo, said while four of the students were rusticated for pilfering, six, culpable of examination misconduct, two, unruly behaviour. “Until the expiration of the rustication, the students are not to be found or harboured within the precincts of the campuses,” she said.

• Prof Odebiyi

Pearson withdraws from Longman

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IFTY years after it established, Longman, Pearson Education of the United Kingdom (UK) has withdrawn from the book publishing company.

Pearson diverted its 51 per cent equity in Longman, preparatory to establishing another company to promote its publishing business interests in the country.

Separate statements from both organisations said the divestment decision was mutually taken.

Pearson, whose Nigerian company will be born later this year, hinged its decision on dissatisfaction with the running of Longman with regard to its business interests.

The statement reads: “However, following a detailed review of the Longman Nigeria business and its environment, it is with great sadness that we have concluded that to truly deliver this vision Pearson needs a new, more diverse approach to the way we

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

work enabling us to focus on the new opportunities we see in Nigeria.

“Our review of Longman Nigeria covered the full range of considerations including market positions, structure and characteristics; growth prospects; investment requirements; business practices, financial metrics and synergies with other parts of Pearson. We also reflected on the constraints that being a majority shareholder rather than outright owner of the company had and concluded that we were more comfortable having complete visibility and control over these considerations.”

On its part, Longman has assured shareholders that the divestment will not dilute the organisation’s shares. The publishing firm plans to capitalise on its position as the publisher with the widest range of books and other educational resources in Nigeria. In the dispen-

sation of its existence, the statement signed by Allwell Nwankwo stated that Longman would enter pacts with international organisations to expand its businesses beyond Nigeria.

The statement reads: “Longman Nigeria is poised to become a wholly owned Nigerian business, with international outlook, unassailable business pedigree and the right to enter into partnerships across the globe without let or hindrance, while preserving its identity.

“The company would develop more products that are relevant to the needs of the Nigerian and West African educational markets.

“Strategic decision-making would be in the hands of Nigerians who would use their deep knowledge of the education sector acquired over a 50-year period to chart a new course that would benefit customers, employees, shareholders and the community.”

Why School of Banking is offering skills programme Mrs Olukemi Olayinka Adekoya, pioneer Dean, School of Banking Honours, is a graduate of Banking and Finance from the universities of Lagos and Ibadan.

In this interview with JOKE KUJENYA, she speaks on the relevance of the school to the education and economic sectors.

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HY School of Banking Honours? Is it just for potential bankers?

Yes, it is mostly for potential bankers and also some other people who are into human resources. We have what we call ‘skilling programmes’ which is for Senior Secondary School leavers, who want to go into banking as a profession, they can come here and acquire the necessary skills to be able to operate in banking environments.

We also have what we call the ‘re-skilling programme’, for university graduates – those, who for some reasons, don’t have the technical or practical experience of banking operations that they require to function in the industry.

We suggest this programme for them because it will help to prepare them for the realities ahead.

Take my case for an example.

When I studied Banking and Finance for my first degree, I never saw the inside of the banking hall.

I never had the opportunity to even smell money, not to talk of touching it. They did not take us as serious staff; they never really showed us core operations in the banks.

They gave us some bit of administration and some petty kind of things that which was not really more than the work of an office assistant at the time. So, we never really had practical training.

So, all we had as BSc or even M Sc Banking and Finance in those days was just the theoretical aspects of things. But today, we are putting up a system where it is possible to come into an environment like this and students will be offered both the theory and the practical contents. So, here we are celebrating the practical contents over and above the curriculum of the tertiary institutions and that is why we are called an ‘Innovations Enterprise Institution’ (IEI).

Is the school accredited by the relevant educational authorities?

Yes, it is approved by the Federal Ministry of Education and fully accredited by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE). It is actually an initiative that was promoted by the Federal Ministry of Education at some point to specifically address certain industries and skills. And we were lucky that we are one, and, indeed, the only one that’s licensed for banking. So we are not just an Innovations Enterprise Institution, but the first of

Varsity screens candidates

By Adegunle Olugbamila

A

FE Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State, will hold its admission/screening for the 2011/ 2012 academic session for fresh students on July 9.

According to a statement by the Registrar, Mrs Christie Oluborode, the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) for intending students will hold simultaneously at the permanent site in AdoEkiti, and the Afe Babalola International Study Centre, AB Plaza, Osuntokun junction, Bodija, Ibadan.

Other centres are Garki Secondary School, Abuja; Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka; Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, PortHarcourt; and Montessori International School, Warri, Delta State.

The designated selling points for admission forms, the statement added, include: Union Bank Plc, Oceanic Bank Plc, First Bank Plc and Skye Bank Plc, ABUAD campus, Emmanuel Chambers, Ekotedo, Ibadan, Emmanuel House, Maitama, Abuja, Emmanuel House, Jubillee road, Magodo GRA, Lagos and CAPI study center, Awolowo, Ibadan.

Candidates, who chose ABUAD as first or second choices in the UTME, are to be screened. Those candidates who did not choose ABUAD may obtain change of institution forms at the screening venues before or on the day of the screening exercise, it said.

ABUAD, the first private university in Ekiti State, was established on January 4, 2010.

Group lauds UBE scheme From Clarice Azuatalam, Port-Harcourt

T •Mrs Adekoya

its kind and the only one in the country and in African south of the Sahara.

The school was specifically established in 2000 when we got our approval. But we commenced full operations in 2006. However, we got our accreditation this year from the National Board for Technical Education.

How long will it take to obtain a diploma?

As for the National Innovation Diploma (NID), secondary school leavers will spend about two years which will be split as 18 months in the classroom and six months for the Supervised Industrial Work Experience (SIWEX), in a bank or banking-related institution. So, it is a three-semester educational experience.

Now, for the re-skilling programme, which is for the graduates, we call that the National Innovation Certificate (NIC) and this runs from three to nine months. The split is, three months for those who have banking and finance education like I had; but that didn’t have the practical contents. So, they would have done the theory, they just come here to do the practical.

The NIC is for six months and it

is for people who have management sciences experience, social sciences background and related courses like that and they will come in for six months. So, they will come here and do some specific aspects of banking and then, they will also do the practical contents for about three months. Then, the next stage, which is for nine months will be for people who have pure sciences like Maths and all that. Those people who studied major sciences; chemistry, biology, those kind of courses, but who now for some reasons want to go into banking will have to undergo the nine months tutorials.

Where do students who are not interested in banking come in?

If, for instance, a student is not interested in banking, ideally, they wouldn’t be coming here. However, our programme is a two-way thing. You have what you call Skills Education and we also have the Enterprise Development. The truth is that it is not everybody that graduates that is going to end up in the banks. But we encourage people as we go along, we give entrepreneurial training and education such that people can stand out on their own and survive as employers.

HE Niger Delta Renaissance Organisation (NDRO) has lauded the Universal Basic Education scheme, especially in the Niger Delta.

The NDRO, after an assessment tour of the UBE in the region, noted that with the way basic education is moving, the country would be better in the nearest future.

In a statement, Comrade Nwokoma Messiah, NDRO National Co-ordinator and Mr Onyema Ihejiako, Director of Mobilisation, said: “The UBE has carried out series of infrastructural development projects aimed at supporting the Federal Government to achieve the much-needed growth in education. If this continues, Nigeria will achieve its vision to be among the leading nations in the world.”

Commending Dr. Ahmed Modibbo and the management team of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for service delivery in the Basic Education sector, the group urged them not to relent even as it advised states lagging in providing their counterpart fund to do so to enable them access the UBE grant.

The group also congratulated the Rivers State Government for winning UBEC’s best performance in Basic Education award and praised the Akwa Ibom State Government for taking schoolage children off the streets through its free education scheme.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

39

EDUCATION

School heads discuss effective leadership

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•Deputy MD, Total, Mr Denis Berthelot presenting books donated by his company to the Rivers State Ministry of Education to the Education Commissioner, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi.

Lagos takes pupils on transport tour

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HE Lagos State School Traffic Safety Advocacy Programme has organised a transport education tour for the 18 finalists in the 2011 Be Road Friendly (BRF) Competition.

The competition is an integral part of the school traffic safety advocacy programme aimed at inculcating in children the right traffic safety values to shape their behaviour as road users and make them change agents.

The week-long tour saw the children visiting the Ministry of Transportation and other transport-related agencies including Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), LAGBUS Asset Management, Lagos State Drivers’ Institute, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Lagos State University School of Transport and Lagos State Waterways Authority.

At each stop, they were enlight-

ened on the operations and activities of the agencies and given a guided tour of facilities – they even rode on the LAGBUS and BRT buses and also the ferry services. At LAMATA they visited the rail construction site and had the opportunity to ask questions and witness ongoing work.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education, Dr Mariam Masha, the aim of the tour was to expose the BRF finalists to the various agencies in the transport sector in Lagos and their different roles in unlocking traffic gridlock.

The 2011 BRF competition began with an essay competition in March. Over 6000 entries from primary and secondary schools across the state were received. Of these, the best 18 emerged – six candidates each from, primary, junior

secondary and senior secondary schools.

The finalists are: Adedunmoye Ayomide (Oluwalogbon Primary School), Alfred Godwin (Military Primary School, Ikeja), Oyinlola Alabi (Community Primary School), Mustapha Kareem (Canal Primary School, Orile-Iganmu), Fabian Nomso Nobert (Sabo-Oniba Primary School) and Rachael Monday Esther (Estate Primary School, Ogba).

In the junior school category is: Ogunmusi Titilope (Epe Junior Grammar School, Epe), Ogungbayo Oluwabukola (Eva-Adelaja Junior Girls’ Secondary School), Paul Jonah (State Junior Secondary School, Alimosho), Ajewole Anuoluwapo (Odomola Junior Secondary School, Epe), Ayo Bukola (Sharon Junior Model College, Meiran) and Oseni Hafeez Gbolahan (Fagba Junior Grammar Ifako, Ijaiye).

HAT should be the leadership style of teachers and other management staff of secondary schools?

This was the riddle teachers and others gathered to resolve at the Heads of Schools Summit in Lagos.

During the programme organised

by Standard Mandate International (SMI), the participants learnt vital lessons about school management through effective leadership from speakers with experience in running schools or researching how to manage educational institutions.

Mr Richard Woods, Head of Greensprings Schools, Lagos, spelt out the qualities of a good leader using the word, leadership as an acronym – with each letter representing a virtue they must adopt to run their schools well.

By listening, adopting excellence as a benchmark, being approachable, learning to direct, develop and demonstrate, having a healthy ego, managing relationships, being sensitive to the feelings of those around, being hardy and proactive, Woods said school heads would go a long way to put their schools on the path of excellence.

He counselled the administrators to strive for perfection in all they do.

“Teachers have to be idealists.

They believe that perfection may be impossible to achieve but that doesn’t mean you don’t work towards them,” he said.

Mr Henry Odunayo and Dr Durojaiye Braimah of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos, jointly anchored a very interesting session during which the school heads were grouped to discuss concepts

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

that have to do with the teaching profession and school administration. Their paper was titled: “Leadership Capacity and Community of Practice: How School Leaders can benefit from each other”.

Each group discussed concepts such as professionalism, professional development, school organisation, training and teacher preparation. Their presentations were critiqued and corrections made. This cross-fertilisation of ideas gave the teachers room to learn from each other.

Other speakers including Mr S.A. Valentine, Principal of Olashore International School, Iloko-Ijesha took them through “Instructional Leadership in High Performing Schools”; Dr Emmaunuel Abraham of Topfaith International Secondary School, Akwa Ibom, spoke on “Systems Development Approach in Educational Leadership”, while Mrs Kehinde Nwani, Chairperson, Meadow Hall School, Lekki, dwelt on “Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE): Foundation for Lifetime Learning”.

Pastor Ayodele Nelson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMI, said the summit was organised to help school heads evolve their management styles to improve the quality of education service delivery in their schools.

“Education is dynamic. Things keep changing. We have to keep up. There is still more for us to do. The learning leader and visionary leader and emphatic leader will make school leadership grow,” he said.

Pupils celebrate Soyinka, Jay Jay, others

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UPILS of Pate Nursery and Primary, Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos, have been advised to combine education with community service to correct abnormalities.

The school’s Director, Mr Remi Popoola, gave the advice at the maiden edition of an event entitled: Celebrating Living Heroes, organised to honour people who have made their marks in various fields.

The heroes celebrated were Prof Wole Soyinka; Nelson Mandela and the footballer, Austin Jay Jay Okocha.

Popoola said pupils’ commitment to their communities would help them correct errors in the political system “Barack Obama was involved in community service and a lover of the youth. That helped him to be people’s choice when he contested to be America’s President. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison not because of himself but for the interest of his people. You need to know what these people had done that made them living heroes in the world. Soyinka led a decree concerning Federal Road Safety Commission in 1988, which has reduced the

By Seun Olalude

rate of road accidents. His contribution to this country cannot be over emphasised. As you grow, learn to make this one’s your heroes this will motivate you to be one to your generation,” he said.

In attendance was Mr Jonas Agwu, Lagos State Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who urged pupils to obey traffic rules.

“You are the leaders of tomorrow and what you know today nobody can take it from you. Always live by the rules. Obey traffic rules. Stop when you are stopped and move at the right time. Make sure you correct your parents when they act against the rules, this will make you good citizen of your country,” he said.

Head Teacher Mrs Susan Adeoti said the school is committed to building perfect students.

“We see to the development of our pupils. The school organises leadership programmes for children above eight in conjunction with United Nations Information Centre (UNIC),” she said.

•Agwu receiving an award from a pupil at the event

Procter & Gamble donates proceeds to orphans’ education

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ROCTER & Gamble (P&G) Nigeria, a household products manufacturer, has donated proceeds of one-month sale of three of its products, Always sanitary pad, Pampers diapers and Ariel detergent towards the education of children in 15 orphanages in Lagos.

The donation took place at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

At the event, attended by representatives of beneficiary orphanages, government representatives and past beneficiaries of P&G’s

corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, the Head of External Relations, Patricia Obozuwa, said the initiative was because of customers’ desire to be involved in P&G’s Building Futures CSR. “P&G has been donating learn and play centres to orphanages and our consumers that we interacted with indicated their intention to be part of it. We therefore came up with the “Buy one pack; help educate an orphan” initiative which ran from May to June 9.

The response of our consumers to this cause was overwhelming. It shows how much they want to personally be part of improving lives, which P&G is known for,” she said.

She commended Sponsor-a-child (SAC), the non-profit organisation, that partnered with the company to identify the needs of the orphanages.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Lagos State, Mr Aderemi Desalu, represented by Mrs. Adefehinti Ogbemudia, said: “Procter & Gamble and SAC have

taken a very important first step to ensure that children living in orphanages acquire functional literacy and go on to enjoy the benefits of living in an increasingly globalised, knowledge-based and democratic world. I highly commend SAC for conceiving the literacy challenge and P&G for the material support.”

One of the past beneficiaries of the initiative, Pastor Mike Ighile of Citadel of Grace Mission Orphanage Home, said the library and play facilities improved the education of

the orphans.

“The library facilities are not beneficial only to children. It has also provided the caregivers and other social workers of the orphanage home the opportunity to acquire computer education at no cost. I see a future where some of the beneficiaries of Building Futures will grow to be leaders in different spheres and benefit the society greatly because of the sense of belonging that the programme has given them,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

Amosun should reward Iganmode

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•Prof Tenebe (second left) with Alih (third left) and other leaders of the association

Northern graduates urged to return home

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EMBERS of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from the North have been urged to return home after their assignment to assist in fighting illiteracy.

President of the National Association of Nigeria Northern Student (NANNS), Comrade Ibrahim Alih, gave the advice when he visited the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to present an award to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vincent Ado Tenebe.

Tenebe received the Most Valuable Vice-Chancellor award; NOUN got the best university award.

Alih said the former corps members’ presence back home would boost the thirst for education.

He said: “If corps members from our side can go back home after their service, it will encourage those young pupils to aspire to be educated but when there are no people to look to, it is sad. I know if this is taken into consideration, the number of illiterates will drastically reduce.”

By Seun Olalude

In the same vein, Tenebe said the way to quench youths’ thirst for education is through open and distance learning education.

“Open and distance learning will help to salvage this country.

The problem we have in this country is insecurity, because of lack of education. We can’t develop if we do not tackle problems concerning education. This is the

‘If corps members from our side can go back home after their service, it will encourage those young pupils to aspire to be educated’

only institution that quenches the thirst of many for education.

We have read about communities like China where there are several learning centers that is why a nation such as Nigeria doesn’t have option than to do this,” he said.

Tenebe said the award was a surprise to him.

“This is one of my greatest surprises in this year. I don’t know what I have done but I am delighted that I am found qualified for this and NOUN as best institution. I am grateful to God and I appreciate NOUN staff. We would work towards maintaining this reward,” he said.

Alih said NANNS conferred the award because of how Tenebe, who assumed duties in December, has transformed learning through Open University.

“We found out that at NOUN there is no room for examination malpractice and harassment of female students by lecturers as it is common in other universities,” he said.

Don laments state of alma mater

A

N Associate Professor of the University of Ibadan, Amos Aremu, has lamented the sorry state of Baptist High School, Iwo, Osun State, describing it as appalling.

Aremu has urged the old students, especially those who passed out in 1983, to take up the task of rehabilitating the school’s facilities.

He was delivering a keynote address at the re-union of the Class of 83.

Aremu, who was a member of

the Class, said the structures were poor when he last visited the school and urged the old students to give back to their alma mater.

“I observed the sorry state some buildings were in the school.

Friends, your school which used to be stocked with many books and encyclopedia is now in comatose. Yes, I donated copies of a book I wrote to the library, but I am challenged that it was of no significance… I, therefore, make the clarion call to from this reunion chat a common goal of giv-

ing back to the school,” he said.

He also suggested that the Class of 83 should metamorphose into a registered social club with a three-man steering committee and two-pronged objectives: the school and wellbeing of members.

Others suggestions include that the Class 83 should meet quarterly in Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta; visit the school before the end of the year on a Friday and spend a weekend in the school.

Parents greet Speaker, others

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HE Parents-Teachers Organisation (PTO) of Surefoot American International School, Calabar, Cross River State, has congratulated one of its members, Larry Odey, on his emergence as Speaker of the House of Assembly.

The organisation also sent a similar message to two others, Daniel Asuquo (Dansuki), member of the Federal House of Representatives, and Stephen

From Kunle Johnson, Calabar

Ukpupken, as member of the House of Assembly.

In separate congratulatory messages signed by its President, Mrs Tammie Kammonke, the group said it was delighted with the election of its members into critical public offices.

“The PTO is proud to have one of its own attain such a lofty position”, she said in a letter to the

Speaker.

She said the three members have faithfully participated and contributed to the development of the organisation and the school.

Mrs Kammonke prayed God to grant them the wisdom to serve their various constituencies creditably to justify the confidence reposed in them and to be worthy ambassadors of the PTO and the school.

HE Ogun State government needs to do something for Kofoworola Iganmode Grammar School, Ota. The school deserves an award for keeping the flag of excellence flying in an era where Kofosagie@yahoo.com it is more common to hear about 08054503077 (SMS only) rot than successes in the good old public schools of yesteryears.

Not many public schools have striven to remain in contention for years as Iganmode has done in the Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC). Save for Federal Government Colleges (particularly Federal Government Academy, Suleja), very few state-owned public school pupils have won the competition or are among the top 10 yearly.

The Cowbell NASSMAC awards ceremony held yearly at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja has become a Mecca of sorts for secondary schools. Schools that have repeatedly produced champions over the years have come up with varying methods of preparing pupils to win the competition.

Schools such as Dority International School, Aba, Loyola Jesuit College, Gidan Mangoro, Abuja, Jephthah Secondary School, Port Harcourt, Ota Total Academy, Ota, DSC Technical High School, Delta State, Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and other locations) are among the schools that almost always have representatives in the finals every year. They have evolved unique methods for training champions for the competition.

Iganmode is not left out. Every year, the school pays attention to preparing pupils for the competition. The teachers have created a special class to identify and groom their best math brains and assigned an experienced teacher to handle them. According to Mr Hakeem Atinsola who groomed Oyetobi Akindele, this year’s NASSMAC champion (senior category), they have also learnt from rival schools and adjusted their own teaching methods to improve reception of the subject.

Preparation starts as early as one year before time because as Atinsola said, they have realised that the race to the top is a marathon, not a sprint. They have learnt that the competition is stiffer at the first stage because only one pupil/school can represent the state in the second stage. This means second is not good enough, no matter how good the grade. Perhaps the school must have drummed this into the ears of its three representatives in the senior category because they topped the medals table at state level. Akindele made 86 per cent; Steven Oriyomi came second with 84 per cent, while Oluwaseun Agunlaoji came third with 82 per cent, meaning the school multiplied its chance to feature by three. They meant business.

The school has trained its pupils not to relax too once they get to the second stage because they will not be invited for the awards ceremony if they are not among the best 15 (it used to be 10) in each category.

Getting invited is not enough. They have to be among the top three schools to win the mouthwatering prizes the organisers, Promasidor gives out yearly.

Atinsola said the school has only made it to Abuja in 2005 and 2009 since winning the overall trophy in 2001. The determination of the school to press on has been despite all odds. Over the years, it is not as if the state government has singled out the school for special facilities or paid its teachers more than those of other public schools. However, this has not made them to give up and heap all the blame of nonperformance on the government’s lack of commitment to education – like public school teachers are wont to do. They did not say that until everything is in place then they cannot deliver. There is a lot for other public schools to learn from Iganmode’s attitude. The mere fact that they won the competition in 2001 has kept them trying again and again.

And this year, their efforts met with success.

Of course I am certain that if the environment was more conducive, it would not have taken Iganmode so long to earn a trophy again. Even if they are not likely to have earned a trophy every year in the competition, they would likely have featured more regularly in the final if they have what the private schools dominating the competition have.

Given the school’s efforts, it would raise no eye brows if the Ogun State government were to provide special intervention funds to upgrade facilities at Iganmode – build more classrooms if needed, equip laboratories, and train teachers. The school definitely deserves it for keeping faith when nobody was looking.

Belo-Osagie

From my Inbox Re: What manner of JAMB people? (Thursday, June 23, 2011) Is JAMB winning the war? In spite of the strategies and penalties given by JAMB, the fight against examination malpractice is far from been won. It is because we are going far from the drawing board by placing paper qualifications above competency. So, candidates rush for certificates and not requisite skills that will qualify them for white collar jobs. Security, biometric screening or other strategies cannot curb exam ‘expo’ until we change our perception. Let us place competency above paper qualifications which without, Kofo, your efforts and any others to curb exam ‘runs’ is futile. Miri from Port Harcourt.

Dear K.B.O, thanks. Your Edutalk today was incisive. But you failed to highlight the defrauding of candidates on Saturday by the non-supply of stationery and calculators. What manner of JAMB People? Godwin Wole Cole, Ijesha.

Re: A word for teenage girls (Thursday, June 16, 2011) I have just read your column. It is practical and facts of life. Keep it up.

Executive Secretary, Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

SLIDING TACKLE

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

42

Elderson Echiejile can leave for 10m euros S

PORTING Braga are demanding a staggering 10m euros before Nigeria international Elderson Echiejile could quit the Portuguese club.

The 23-year-old Nigeria defender joined them last

season as a free player on a four-year contract after a hellish time at French club Rennes, where he was frozen out for a whole season.

“Braga are asking for 10m euros for a player they got

for nothing a season ago,” an angry top France-based agent informed MTNFootball.com.

“That is always the problem with clubs from Portugal. Because they are often short on cash, they

always want to cash in on any of their players leaving them.”

However, it is believed that Braga would eventually lower their asking price to about six million euros.

Former youth international Echiejile got off to a bright start as Braga made it all the way to the final of the Europa League, where they eventually fell to fellow Portuguese side FC Porto.

He made a total of 18 appearances as Braga finished fourth on the table this past season.

However, a thigh strain that recurred at least four times cut short Echiejile’s decent run and by the business end of the season, he was no longer in the first team.

MTNFootball.com gathered a wrong diagnosis was behind the left back’s injury woes.

Echiejile’s limited playing time has invariably affected his international career as he has severally been snubbed

by Eagles coach Samson Siasia.

Amiesimaka’s e-mail hacked

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• Echiejile

Ujah relishes Mainz move

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IGERIAN striker Anthony Ujah has said German club Mainz is right for him even though FC Copenhagen made him a bigger offer at the death.

Ujah told MTNFootball.com: "Yes, there was another bid for me but I had already made my choice and it is the right move to go to Germany.

"I have been most impressed by the weather, the city of Mainz, the stadium and above

all the ideas and philosophy of the coach."

Attack-minded Mainz finished fifth in the German top flight and will feature in the Europa League in the coming season.

He told MTNFootball.com in an earlier interview: "I want to go to a big stage where I would continue my development for the next two, three years. Really a step higher than where I am now. I want to keep

learning and also improve my profile."

The former Warri Wolves striker also told MTNFootball.com that he will travel with his new German Bundesliga side to Austria next week as part of preseason training before he goes off on a short holiday.

Out-and-out striker Ujah netted 27 goals in 33 matches since he signed for Lillestrom in February 2010 on a four-year contract.

HE personal e-mail of former Nigeria international, Adokiye Amiesimaka has been hacked.

Amiesimaka brought this to the knowledge of SuperSport.com on Tuesday night.

The hackers have gone on the rampage with their unscrupulous act, demanding for money from the contacts of the respected Nigeria legend.

“It has come to my notice that my amieslaw@yahoo.com account has been infiltrated and compromised by hackers who have been fraudulently soliciting for funds from my contacts.

“Please ignore any such request,” Amiesimaka said.

Amiesimaka, one of the finest wingers of his generation, helped Nigeria win the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations in Lagos.

“The team is playing well, but not scoring goals. As a result, we have decided to embark on intensive prayers to change the situation. In fact, supporters of Kwara United have agreed to join us to ensure that we improve on the log.”

Bukola Babes’ acting head Coach, Kabio Salaimon Dogo giving reasons why the Ilorin-based club has decided to go spiritual.

Bukola Babes seek spiritual solution

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TRUGGLING Bukola Babes have decided to go spiritual in a desperate attempt to rescue the team from its dwindling fortunes in the Nigeria Premier League, team manager, Alloy Chukwuemeka, has revealed to SuperSport.com.

Chukwuemeka told SuperSport.com that the decision to embark on prayers was reached after a management meeting on Tuesday to evaluate the team’s string of poor results.

The team which was among the top three after match day 13 proceedings were concluded has failed to win in the last seven matches and have continued to slide on the 20-team log.

Acting head coach, Kabir Salaiman Dogo has been unable to change the situation since replacing his former boss, Festus Allen. The team recorded another painful home loss to Niger Tornadoes

last Sunday.

“The team is playing well, but not scoring goals. As a result, we have decided to embark on intensive prayers to change the situation. In fact, supporters of Kwara United have agreed to join us to ensure that we improve on the log,” he said to SuperSport.com.

Chukwuemeka stated that the club intends to employ a new coach at the end of the season to prepare the team for the 2011/2012 campaign.

“Dogo’s task is to improve the situation of the team and he will remain till the end of the season,” the team manager said.

He expressed confidence that the team will retain its Premier League status despite the present challenges.

“We can’t go down,” Chukwuemeka told SuperSports.com.

Olisadebe set for Poland return

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IGERIAN-BORN former Poland international Emmanuel Olisadebe is poised to return to action in his adopted homeland after a decade playing abroad, Polish media reported on Wednesday.

The tabloid Super Express and broadsheet Gazeta Wyborcza said the 32-year-old striker was set to sign for first division Lechia Gdansk and could be in their squad in time for a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

Olisadebe arrived in Poland in 1997 and gained fast-track citizenship in 2000 after three seasons with Polonia Warsaw.

He made Polish footballing history the same year by becoming the first-ever black international in this nation of 38 million, which has a minuscule minority community.

He went on to play a crucial role in Poland's 2002 World Cup qualification.

Olisadebe was capped 25 times and scored 11 goals, but has not donned the white and red shirt since 2004.

It is not clear whether his return to the national spotlight could mean a call back for Poland, as manager Franciszek Smuda seeks to craft a squad

capable of shining on home turf in next year's European Championships.

Olisadebe left the Polish league in 2001, transferring from Polonia to Greek club Panathinaikos, where he spent six seasons, scoring 25 times in 74 matches.

He had a brief, unhappy spell at England's Portsmouth in 2006, and went back to Greece that year, joining Xanthi, before shifting to Cypriot club APOP Kinyras Peyias.

In 2008, he signed for Chinese side Henan Jianye, where he has scored 24 goals in 63 appearances.

• Olisadebe

WIMBLEDON 2011

Sania, Elena enter Nadal will be fine—Doctor Wimbledon semi-final SANIA Mirza and her doubles partner Elena Vesnina reached the Wimbledon semi-finals after beating N Llagostera Vives and A Parra Santonja of Spain 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the doubles event on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Sania and Elena in the quarterfinal match registered a straight-set win over Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Polish Agnieszka Radwanska.

The fourth seeded IndoRussian pair beat the 13th

seeds 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinal clash of the women's doubles.

• Sania

THE man who treated Rafael Nadal's foot injury insists there is no chance of the problem resurfacing when the world number one resumes his Wimbledon title defence against Mardy Fish today.

Nadal had feared that his championship was over after suffering the injury to his left foot at the start of his fourthround victory over Juan Martin Del Potro. Those fears were allayed on Tuesday as the Spaniard came through an hour-long practice session with no sign of any discomfort.

A scan revealed only minor

swelling of a tendon in the foot, rather than the broken bone that Nadal had feared, and Dr Ignacio Munoz of the Spanish Tennis Federation said: "There is no risk in him playing. You can see that he is training quite normally. I don't think he will have any problems."

• Nadal

Sharapova the veteran among women at Wimbledon AT 24, the Russian is the oldest of the women's semifinalists at the All England Club, and by far the most experienced.

Being the veteran is new for Sharapova, who was just 17 when she won her only Wimbledon title in 2004.

The other three semifinalists — Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova and Sabine Lisicki — are all 21 and have no Grand Slam finals among them.

Sharapova says the threeyear age difference doesn't make that much difference.

She thinks if she'd won her first Grand Slam when she was older, she wouldn't be considered such a veteran among the group.

• Sharapova

43

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

e-Business Cloud computing: Dawn of a new IT era The dramatic growth in connected devices, real-time data streams, social networking and mobile commerce has fuelled the need for responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency in IT service delivery. The answer, experts say, lies in cloud computing, writes ADLINE ATILI

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MAGINE where a computer user does not need to install relevant software and other applications like Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Adobe, with the acquisition of a new Personal Computer (PC).

All that is required would be Internet connection and all these software can be accessed and processed ‘on the cloud,’ not only with the aid of a PC, but any device with Internet connectivity.

Sounds remarkable, especially to a business owner who does not need to install Information Technology (IT) applications and software on every computer or laptop bought.

This, basically, is what IT experts have termed: “cloud computing.” Continuing advances in the performance of digital components have resulted in a massive increase in the scale of IT environments, driving the need to manage them as a unified cloud.

According to experts, cloud computing represents the next phase in the logical evolution in the delivery of IT services, building on previous innovations that include grid, utility and on-demand computing.

Widespread interest and excitement about cloud computing emanate from businesses, government agencies and other organisations seeking more dynamic, resilient and cost-effective IT systems than previous generations of technology allowed.

Cloud computing is a style of computing whose foundation is the delivery of services, software and processing capacity using private or public networks.

Its focus is the user experience, and the essence is to decouple the delivery of computing services from the underlying technology.

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is an emerging approach to shared infrastructure in which large pools of systems are linked together in private or public networks to provide IT services.

It can allow users to schedule and complete far more projects than they otherwise would have been able to undertake.

Experts said instead of the usual time to request, schedule and provide software for a particular project, cloud computing can make possible reservation of resources in numerous remote locations in a fraction of the time.

This drives better resource utilisation, consolidation of capital budgets, and greater productivity.

Today, forward-thinking business owners are using the cloud within their enterprise data centres to take advantage of the best practices that cloud computing has established, namely: scalability, agility, automation, and resource sharing.

An IT analyst, Jonathan Strickland in a statement, explains the concept of cloud computing in layman’s terms: “Let’s say you’re an executive at a large corporation.

Your particular responsibilities include making sure that all of your employees have the right hardware and software they need to do their jobs.

“Buying computers for everyone isn’t enough; you also have to purchase software or software licenses to give employees the tools they require.

“Whenever you have a new hire, you have to buy more software or make sure your current software licence allows another user.

“It’s so stressful that you find it difficult to go to sleep on your huge pile of money

of social technologies, like Facebook and Twitter, particularly when powered by the increasingly convenient and affordable mobile computing available on smartphones.

“These factors in technology’s evolution over the past 30 years have combined to bring about another powerful shift in computing: the cloud.

“By using the scale of the Internet to connect a variety of technical devices - anything from a huge server to the smallest of mobile phones – the cloud is an approach to computing that allows each of these technical endpoints to pool resources and work together.

“In the cloud, a user may access an application hosted in Turkey from his office in South Africa. The user’s data may be saved on servers located in Poland, routed through the U.S,” he said.

Benefits

every night. The alternative for executives like you is: Instead of installing a suite of software for each computer, you’d only have to load one application.

“That application would allow workers to log into a Web-based service, which hosts all the programmes the user would need for his or her job.

“Remote machines owned by another company would run everything from e-mail to word processing to complex data analysis programmes. It’s called cloud computing, and it could change the entire computer industry.

“In a cloud computing system, there’s a significant workload shift. Local computers no longer have to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to running applications.

The network of computers that make up the cloud handles them instead. Hardware and software demands on the user’s side decrease.

“The only thing the user’s computer needs to be able to run is the cloud computing system’s interface software, which can be as simple as a Web browser, and the cloud’s network takes care of the rest.

“There’s a good chance you’ve already used some form of cloud computing. If you have an e-mail account with a Web-based e-mail service like Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail or Gmail, then you’ve had some experience with cloud computing.

“Instead of running an e-mail programme on your computer, you log in to a Web email account remotely.

“The software and storage for your account doesn’t exist on your computer, it’s on the service’s computer cloud.”

To herald the future of cloud computing, Google recently unveiled ‘a laptop with its brain in the cloud.’

The laptop, a Samsung Series 5 Chromebook comes with only one major

programme —a Web browser —and does not allow users to install widely used software such as Microsoft Office, Apple’s iTunes, Adobe Reader, or, in fact, any other locally installed programme.

It has almost no storage space to hold personal files, photos and videos, and is designed around the idea that all that stuff will be kept on remote servers.

Another feature of the laptop is that it can do almost nothing unless it has an active Internet connection.

These laptops are ‘cloud’ computers—essentially full-screen Web browsers designed to do everything via the Internet.

Instead of using traditional programmes, users will rely on ‘Web apps’ accessed through the browser—email programmes, word processors or photo editors.

Speaking at a cloud computing workshop in Lagos, General Manager, Microsoft Anglophone West Africa, Emmanuel Onyeje, said: “The adoption of the PC by businesses in the 80s dramatically altered the world of technology, characterised by ‘big iron’ mainframe computers.

“The emergence of the Internet in the 90s and the more recent improvements in affordable and reliable Internet bandwidth here in Africa has given birth to a generation of applications for the Web, like search engines or online banking systems, that present completely new ways for people to find and share information.

“The use of the Internet in Africa will multiply as undersea telecommunications cable projects across the continent increase connectivity and further reduce costs for people to access the Web. “With the rapid adoption of mobile phones, people have become more and more accustomed to staying constantly within reach of their friends and families.

“Constant connectivity has fed the growth

With the advent of cloud computing, it is becoming increasingly important for policy makers to ensure their domestic policies are technology-neutral not only to meet the needs of global trade, international law and the interest of economic development, but also to enable domestic companies to take the greatest advantage of the opportunities cloud computing has to offer

According to Onyeje, as cloud computing takes hold across Africa, companies will be able to automatically deploy the computing capabilities their employees need to drive innovation and reach customers, whether they are around the corner or across the globe. The common theme for these companies, he noted, is simplicity and cost-savings.

Speaking in the same vein, Technology Lead, Microsoft Nigeria, Dele Akinsade said cloud computing helps reduce costs.

“By paying only for what you use, the computing costs are directly proportional to your requirements.

“Because cloud services are highly automated, you need far fewer staff to manage IT systems. This automation helps release internal resources for other high-priority work,” he said.

He added that because the cloud allows software to be managed remotely, new versions of software become available to users as soon as requested, making it easier for users to rapidly take advantage of new innovation.

Onyeje further said with the service, users can effectively increase IT capability, provision new IT services and applications and easily scale services to meet their needs.

A word for policy makers Onyeje, however, cautioned policy makers against stifling the budding trend in IT through obnoxious policies that would prevent organisations from harnessing the opportunities of cloud computing.

He said: “With the advent of cloud computing, it is becoming increasingly important for policy makers to ensure their domestic policies are technology-neutral not only to meet the needs of global trade, international law and the interest of economic development, but also to enable domestic companies to take the greatest advantage of the opportunities cloud computing has to offer.

“Economic opportunities for a country with compatible, technology-neutral laws and public policies are limitless.

“For example, in Egypt, we have been working on the Microsoft Cloud programme in collaboration with the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (TIEC).

“The programme trains local businesses on cloud computing as well as supports TIEC in building a strategy to move the ICT industry ecosystem to the cloud in order to transform their businesses.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

44

e-Business

NCC’s mandate not to bail out operators, says Juwah

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HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was not established to assist ailing telecommunications firms, its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Eugene Juwah, has said .

According to Juwah, NCC’s mandate is to regulate the industry and not to bail out sick firms.

He said: “The issue of bail out of operators normally puts the regulator in a difficult position because it is not really in our mandate or Act to fund operators. Our role here is to provide level playing-field for all operators.

“Having said that, none of the operators or groups has actually made a case in writing to the commission so that we can discuss it with the government through the ministry and see whether government can help. I believe if there is a serious case that is logical and acceptable, government would consider it. It is now left for the agitators to make a convincing case that government should intervene and bail them out.

“We are not the operators; we are only regulators. Mind you, it could be their fault they are not doing well; it could be as a result of mismanagement. In that case, it would not be wise to throw good money into such venture. But if there are convincing issues why operators should be helped or bailed out, the government would step in.”

Stories by Adline Atili

He noted that the telecoms sector is still beset with some challenges, especially in their areas of growth and doing business in the country, but that the government was working out modalities to make the country more business–friendly for investments.

It will be recalled that at a recent ICT forum in Lagos recently, local ICT operators had lamented serious disconnect from government.

In fact, both the presidents of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Titi Omo-Ettu and Gbenga Adebayo respectively, had both called for concerted efforts towards helping the telecoms sector, stressing that some operators, mostly local ones, were undergoing serious threat to their survival and needed bailout to remain in business.

According to Omo-Ettu, about 45 per cent of indigenous ICT businesses have folded up over the past few years due to the harsh operating environment in the country. He disclosed that 65 ICT companies were currently ‘under lock and key.’

Omo-Ettu added that about 145 indigenous operators were licensed by the NCC and registered by ATCON, but that 65 of the businesses had gone under due to what he called the ‘vicissitudes of the

business environment.’

He said the remaining 80 licensed local operators were increasingly finding it difficult to compete with bigger players in the industry, adding, “In the 17 years of our association, our membership has risen from 145 and dwindled to 80. 65 of these, an awesome 45 per cent, actually went under due to the vicissitudes of the business environment.”

According to him, indigenous operators in the sector fall under such generic groups as legal and telecoms consultants, equipment manufacturers and dealers, Internet Service Providers and enhanced services providers, among others.

He noted that ISPs were the most affected sub-sector in the industry as they formed the bulk of the dead 65 ICT companies in the country.

The NCC in a memo posted on its Website had said about 21 ISPs, whose licences had expired, were operating illegally in the country.

The licences given to these ISPs by the commission became invalid in December 2010 and the number is expected to increase as more licences will become invalid, almost on a monthly basis, between now and December.

From the findings, a higher percentage of the over 200 licensed ISPs will be required to renew their licences before the end of next year.

However, many of the affected ISPs are no longer in business; the challenges of the market having forced them out of operation.

MTN plants 3,700 trees in 21 Days of Y’ello Care

A

BOUT 3,700 trees have been planted by MTN in fulfilment of its aim of preserving the planet’s resources through its annual staff volunteerism programme, the 21 Days of Y’ello Care, The trees exceeded MTN’s target of 1, 000 trees per MTN country.

The initiative which kicked off across the mobile operator’s footprints in Africa and the Middle East three weeks ago has been brought to a close, with thousands of MTN staff volunteers taking part in various environmental projects.

At the closing ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Lagos, MTN’s Chief Executive Officer, Brett Goschen said: “I was delighted by the theme of this year’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care which is: Making a Positive Difference to the Environment because of the new global thinking of increased environmental protection and ‘going green’ in order to save our planet and sustain its resources.

“I am even more delighted with reports of the activities that took place in this year’s edition across the country.

“We have again demonstrated a strong will to continue to impact positively on the communities where we operate. Over and above

21 Days of Y’ello Care, we will shortly be launching some longterm environmentally sustainable initiatives as a business and in alignment with the Group.”

According to him, part of the key activities carried out by MTN staff members during the 21 days included: donations to schools for the blind; donations of support materials to homes across the country; environmental awareness campaign; Waste-to-Art project, aimed at converting waste paper to collages and artwork; competition among its staff members to reward the division with the least paper usage; clearing of blocked drains in communities across the country and the tree planting campaign where 3, 700 trees were planted in eight states in Nigeria.

21 Days of Y’ello Care was instituted by the MTN Group in 2007 to give all MTN employees an opportunity to contribute towards improving the welfare of their communities.

It has now become a prominent feature in MTN’s calendar, and is also one of MTN’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility programme driven by MTN Foundation in the operator’s markets.

Projector phone launched

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PICE Mobiles Limited has launched the Spice Popkorn Projector M9000, the mobile phone that allows the projection of the phone’s contents on a large screen.

Exclusively distributed in Nigeria

by Stovex Technologies, Lagos, the Popkorn Projector M9000 allows users to project Microsoft Office Powerpoint presentations, movies, and pictures or even live TV, by means of the analogue TV chip inside the phone, which can receive free terrestrially broadcast television channels.

Managing Director of Stovex, Vincent Okonkwo said the Popkorn Projector, also comes with a 3.2MP camera, up to 8GB expandable memory slot with 90MB phone memory, unlimited phone book contact, Microsoft Outlook phonebook synchronisation, Bluetooth and a tripod stand to project images and presentations.

The other range of phones launched by the company include the MI 270 Android 2.2 mobile phone, complete with an array of features including access to unlimited Android market applications; the M5700 FLO with touchscreen;

Spice QT 68 with optical trackpad, 28 days standby battery; Spice QT 58 Mini; M6200; M 6460; M5100 and M4250.

Speaking during the launch, Okonkwo noted that: “The partnership with Spice Mobile is to enable Nigerians have a feel of affordability, uniqueness and durability. It is a well-known fact that not up to five per cent of Nigerians can afford phones above the range of N40,000.

“The popular brands we have today sell for very high prices for the same features that we have at affordable prices, considering the high standard of living in this country. .

Spice Mobile has very strong presence in Tanzania, Uganda, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia and India, where consumers have come to identify with the features-packed Spice mobile phones with long battery life and we hope to replicate this in Nigeria.

“All the phones, apart from the one-year warranty they come with, are dual SIM models, have Bluetooth and have theft tracking capability with which you can track your phone wherever it is being used.”

Intel launches second generation processors •From left: Chairman, Fight Against Desert Encroachment, Dr Newton Jibunoh; Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr Wale Goodluck and General Manager, Organisation and Talent Management, Mrs Funke Amobi, at an event in Lagos.

African leaders urged to empower youths with ICT

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ANAGING Director of Technology Distributions (TD) Limited, an ICT Distributor, Mrs Chioma Ekeh has urged African leaders to empower youths with Information and Communications Technology(ICT) tools to arrest their restiveness and prepare them for global competitiveness.

While congratulating the Heads of State of the African Union (AU) for adopting Youth empowerment for sustainable development as theme of its 17th Summit scheduled to end tomorrow at Equatorial Guinea, Mrs Ekeh said the choice of youth empowerment was timely and commendable.

She noted that there was an urgent need to arrest youth agitation but that such empowerment

should be anchored on ICT for sustainability.

She said the summit should look beyond fiscal credit as means of empowerment and set in place policies designed to achieve the ownership of ICT products like Personal Computers (PC), printers, and affordable Internet access for African youths.

“Ownership of PCs would accelerate the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. The AU can achieve this by making it mandatory for its member states to give the provision of ICT products priority and use the Peer Review policy to nudge members to compliance,” she said.

She argued that Africans should be persuaded to buy products made in their countries or within the region to ensure national de-

velopment; adding that the AU should honour African investors who make substantial investments in the region.

She said: “The expansion of indigenous businesses across national boundaries should be encouraged and promoted by all relevant authorities in furtherance of the African Union’s objectives of regional cooperation, integration and development.

“This is why TD partnered the African Union when it declared ICT sector as a ‘sector of top priority.’ Subsequently, we adopted the African Digital Agenda, propagated by the African Union Commission as a coherent and integrated approach for the implementation and follow-up on the ICT declaration, as the platform for our operations in West Africa.”

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NTEL Corporation, the world’s largest semiconductor chip maker has launched its Second Generation Core processors in Nigeria, based on Sandy Bridge energy-efficient microarchitecture.

A processor, often called the ‘brains’ of a computer, is responsible for interpreting and executing most of the commands from the computer’s hardware and software.

The new processors will enable consumers create content and games with more speed and efficiency; delivering an entirely new PC experience to users, according to the company.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Marketing Development Manager of the company, Olufemi Babajide, said the right choice of a processor was becoming critical when buying Personal Computers today.

“We use computers to create, consume, share, read, buy and play and we do this constantly.

“It drives one up the wall when trying to edit and move photos and videos on one’s computer, and

it takes forever. Or when watching YouTube clips, or a video, and the battery dies halfway through. It is even more annoying when one is doing several things at once and the computer slows down to a crawl.

“But with Intel’s new 2 nd Generation Core processors which was launched internationally earlier this year, PC users don’t have to go through that anymore.

You can now buy a laptop that’s packed with technologies that can boost the speed and efficiency with which you perform tasks,” Babajide said.

According to him, the 2 nd Generation of Intel processor brings new levels of graphics and application performance directly to the PC, giving better responsiveness when multi-tasking on the computer or laptop, and improves battery life significantly.

The Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors include the enhanced Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, which delivers intelligent and energy efficient performance on demand, giving users an immediate performance boost.

ors

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

45

e-Business

Production Team: Femi Jolaolu, Lekan Hammed, Yomi Oseni, Ugo Ananaba, Michael Ojo, Lanre Malik Marketing: Adeline Atili, Nkechi Nwabaogu, Kemi Makinde, Lillian Nsi-Enodien, Mariam Adeyanju Edited by: O’seun Ogunseitan

Pls. send Questions to oseun2@gmail.com or text to

080 5511 9009

M.K.O.Abiola memorial videos on Facebook

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HE Nation newspaper databank and archives, at the weekend, began a month-long release of its Abiola memorial videos on the internet.

Until July 7, which will mark the 13th anniversary of the death of Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, internet users worldwide will be able to download and store their copies of epochal videos of the beginnings of the pan-Nigerian democratic struggle, triggered by the annulment of the peaceful presidential election of June 12 1993.

The Nation had published the archival Abiola memorial videos in June and July 2009 and distributed them as free video and data disc inserts in the newspaper in honour of the large-hearted hero of the 1999 military handover.

Although more than 200,000 copies of the free discs were published and given out free by the newspaper, requests for copies have still not ceased two years after.

Now, OpenMarket, The Nation Databank’s burgeoning new multimedia marketing forum for Nigeria’s 80 million phone and web users, has teamed up with the newspaper to release the videos in four downloadable parts for phone and web users within and outside Nigeria. This week’s first of the four-part download is already available on the internet at www.facebook.com/pcuser2user Although a full download of the over two hour-long footage of rare videos of the June 12 crisis is possible on the internet, the extremely slow speed offered by internet service providers in Nigeria, has made it advisable to chop up the whole video into smaller bits.

Downloads of a large single video file, will need to be restarted each time the download stops due to drop in internet

OpenMarket releases free archival video connection. Besides, YouTube, the internet’s largest host of web-viewable videos, limits its free user videos to a maximum of 15 minutes each.

Tosin Akanmu, spokesperson for USbased Media Tools and Technologies, owners of the OpenMarket franchise, confirmed that the organisation will indeed open a web access that will enable owners of high-speed internet connectivity to download the video as a single file on July 7, the anniversary of Bashorun Abiola’s death.

A single file disc (iso) image containing the videos and hundreds of photographs,

other documents and ebooks, including Dr. Olatunji Dare’s authoritative eyewitness recount of the June 12 crisis, Diary of Debacle, will also be made available for free download on the special weblink to be announced later.

A disc iso image is a digital clone of a disc. It is a copy of the entire contents of a disc, as a single computer file. With a disc recorder software, mostly called disc burning software, such image will automatically turn a blank disc into an exact copy of the original disc cloned.

The special disc iso image that will be released for free download from the

internet on July 7, will enable any PC User to create their own discs containing the Abiola videos for television viewing as well as for computer playback while also having access to rare e-documents and ebooks on the June 12 crisis including a comprehensive biography of Chief M.K.O. Abiola and other heores and heroines of Nigerian struggles from independence to the 1999 third democratic berth.

A feature-rich archival disc of the same videos and more, as well as many new materials including updates to the very popular video on the Life and Times of M.K.O Abiola, will be published later by OpenMarket, for Nigerians who may find the internet access for the video download too technical or the disc-creation from the iso image too demanding.

PCUser2User forum releases second JAMB examination practice software on Facebook

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HE PCUser2user forum page on Facebook, now has a second JAMB tutorial software.

The publishers of Nigeria’s first-ever e-learning software Fashola.exe at the weekend, published the second lastminute revision software on www.Facebook.com/pcuser2user.

This second practice and tutorial software, also flash-based like Fashola.exe, contains hundreds of answer options to 10 selected short comprehension passages.

The forum two weeks ago, also put the country’s first digital-age examination practice video tutorial for television and computers on the internet.

That 14-minute video preview is available on the same Facebook page, courtesy of The Nation newspaper. It is an extract from a multimedia disc package that promises to reverse the trend of mass failure in English language examinations across the country.

The Nation Databank’s O’seun Ogunseitan created a flash-based examination test and practice tutorial software which he named Fashola.exe, as a model e-learning software tool and aid for Nigerian secondary school students. The software was adopted as a campaign medium by ex-students of Lagos-based Birch Freeman High

46,962 phone users have used OpenMarket ™ Have you?

School, in honour of Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola, himself an exstudent of the school.

The newly released second tutorial software is exactly like the Fashola.exe. It runs on virtually every type of computer available today with its web languagebased version. It uses answer options and answers to past examination questions, to teach the principles of the particular subject.

Tosin Akanmu, spokesperson of North Carolina, US-based Media Tools and Technologies Llc, (MT&T) who midwifed the development phase of the novel multimedia e-learning package, said the new software is the second of a triad of English language tutorial software that will be released along with 10-hour long special television viewable tutorials, whose pilot she announced two weeks ago.

Ms. Akanmu, a budding e-learning tools development expert herself, had said the successful creation of the new video is a breathe of fresh air for learning in Nigeria. MT&T she said, believes digital-age audio-visual teaching is one sure way to arrest the decline in quality and standard of education in the country “by teaching digital-age children with digital age tools”.

The new interactive video version of the tutorial software, teaches young students, with animated texts and graphics-based television-viewable videos, playable on any regular home DVD player or computers. The discs also contain tens of e-books and software when used on a computer.

The video-based test and practice tutorials, now being promoted by The Nation Databank and its American Associates, were developed from a database of more than 65,000 past examination questions and answers spanning the last 30 years and available with The Nation Databank.

The databank believes the mass deployment of phone and multimedia computer technologies which make learning fun, hold the key to a reversal of mass failure in Nigerian schools.

Visit www.facebook.com/PCUser2User for the weblink to download Fashola.exe and others, as well as to watch previews of the JAMB-NECO-SSCE-SAT Video tutorial .

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

46

e-Business Matters e-Rising

Cyber hacktivism, threats and failure of legislation

Segun Oruame segun@segunoruame.com

O

N March 1, the House of Representatives led by outgoing (now former) Speaker, Dimeji Bankole killed An Act to Provide for the establishment of the Cyber Security and Information Protection Agency Charged With the Responsibility to Secure Computer Systems and Networks and Liaise With the Relevant Law Enforcement Agency for the Enforcement of Cyber Crime Laws, and for Related Matters (HB 154), the reason being that the provisions of the bill overlapped with the provisions of some existing legislations such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Amendment) Act 2007.

HB 154 was supposed to provide the legal framework for the establishment of an independent cyber crime agency and would have legislated on various cyber crime and cyber security offences.

These offences are either committed against the integrity, availability and confidentiality of computer systems and telecommunications networks or using such networks to commit offences.

In particular, HB 154 sought to ap-

By Izuogu, Chukwuyere Ebere, LL.M (Hannover)

ply to: offences against the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer data and systems (hacking, unlawful interception, denial-of-service attacks, system interference, etc); computer related offences (fraudulent electronic mail, spamming, impersonation, copyright infringement); content related offences (child pornography); data retention; lawful and unlawful interception; designation of critical information systems; and admissibility of electronic evidence.

Fast-forward to May 25th, 2011 where the cyber activist group going by the name Naija Cyber Hacktivist group brought down the Website of Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) Website in protest of the Federal Government’s planned expenditure of almost one billion naira on the presidential inauguration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

This protest which took the form of a denial-of-service attack has once again brought to the fore, the inability of our extant legal framework to combat cyber threats or security

threats against computer or telecommunications networks.

This denial-of-service attack is a type of system interference which seeks to make computer resources unavailable by saturating it with external communications request to prevent it from responding to legitimate traffic, translated to simple English, it generally means that this cyber attack will prevent an internet site or service from functioning efficiently or at all, temporarily or indefinitely.

It becomes important to mention that Section 13 of the already dead HB 154 criminalises this type of conduct with a term of imprisonment not less than seven (7) years or by imposing a fine of two million naira.

In particular, it provided that: Any person who without authority or in excess of authority intentionally denies or interferes with access to any computer or network so as prevent any— a) Part of the computer from functioning; or b) Denying or partially denying any legitimate user of any service of such computer or network; commits an offence and shall be liable

on conviction to a fine of not less than N2,000,000 or imprisonment for a term of not less than 7 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

The particular aim of this section was to bring within its ambit the intentional prevention of the lawful use of a computer system including telecommunications facilities by using or influencing computer data.

We must also note that the protected interest here is the right of the network operator or us, the system users being able to have them function optimally (me continues to think how this provision or similar provisions embedded in HB 154 overlapped with any provision of the EFCC Act 2007).

This prevention definitely refers to actions that will interfere with the proper functioning of the computer or network system and will usually take the form of imputing, transmitting, damaging, deleting, altering or suppressing computer data. No doubt, the 24 hour unavailability of NDDC’s Website and the current threat is serious enough to warrant the intervention of HB 154’s section 13.

However, while not attempting

Starcomms chief advocates consolidation T of CDMA networks

HE consolidation of the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) segment of telecommunications and a level playing-field for all networks are vital for proper development of the market, Managing Director of Starcomms PLC, Maher Qubain has said.

Qubain said with all the CDMA networks controlling less than 10 per cent of the telecoms market,

Stories by Adline Atili

there is need for constructive measures by the CDMA networks and the regulators.

He said: “It is important for the CDMA networks to come together

in the face of the operating conditions. With that, they can achieve scale; they can muster greater buying power. Instead of struggling for survival, they can compete as a dynamic force in the industry. CDMA mortality rate is alarming.

“There were twelve active CDMA networks in the country two years ago. They came down to six by last year and now there are about three or four. Meanwhile, GSM

networks are growing in number because they have scale and are favoured by the interconnect rates allowed in the industry.”

Speaking on the company’s recent attempt at acquiring another CDMA network in the country, Qubain said the deal fell through because the network turned down Starcomms for a higher bidder.

“Our intentions then were original and well-informed. We believed that all issues, including legal issues must be clearly resolved. So we offered the price we considered fair, but it was sold to the highest bidder,” he said.

He noted that consolidation can happen in diverse ways. He suggested that unused spectrums of moribund networks now lying fallow could be made available for others to use for better coverage.

to call any bluff here, we must note that we have been promised another dose of cyber attacks against the networks of all financial institutions, e-payment platforms, Telcos and government if the Federal Government goes ahead with its planned expenditure for the presidential inauguration, we can only do but wait and see how the long arm of the Nigerian law intends to catch up with this category of cyber robin hood and his band of merry men when this promise is fulfilled.

On a last note, I end with a quote from Johnson and Post in Law and Borders-The Rise of Law in Cyberspace,’ Stanford Law Review 48, (1996): 1367, 1375 that: The rise of an electronic medium that disregards geographical boundaries throws the law into disarray by creating entirely new phenomena that need to become the subject of clear legal rules that cannot be governed, satisfactorily, by any current territorially based sovereign.

Izuogu, a lawyer, writes from Germany. chux2day@yahoo.com, chukwuyere@sskohn.com

According to him, it is important for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce its own ‘use the spectrum or lose it’ rule on networks that are no longer operating and reallocate to others.

He noted that a lot of the CDMA networks that have closed shop were weighed down by high interconnect rates, adding that the exclusive opportunity the older GSM network had for five years to enjoy high interconnect rates despite the size of their subscriber base did not allow some of the CDMA networks to take off properly.

According to him, Nigeria charges the highest percentage of interconnect rates in the world. He enjoined the regulator to look into the issue of interconnect rates and unused spectrums to allow for proper development of the industry and effective deployment of different technologies to serve Nigeria better.

Glo 1 crashes Internet rates

G

LOBACOM has launched new Internet plans for users of mobile devices across the country.

According to the company, the new Head Corporate Services, WECO Systems, Onome Okwah; Manager, Energy Sector, Cisco Nigeria, rates which are affordable and ensure Chuks Mba and Manager, Network Solutions, Kayode Olabanji, at a briefing in Lagos. bigger data downloads were made possible by the newly-launched Glo1, Globacom’s high-speed submarine cable which is changing the face of telecoms in Nigeria and several other countries across the continent.

Globacom’s Head of 3G/BlackBerry HAMSMOBILE has entered into partBank, as well as Skye Bank’s retail banking Sales, Wumi Jewesimi said: “With a nership with Skye Bank and Bancore pedigree will enable ChamsMobile make on mobile payment services. This is bank equivalent services available to Ni- capacity of over 2.5 terabits, Glo 1 is already providing unprecedented highgerians, especially the un-banked. in line with the approval-in-principle granted “We are leveraging the Chams Group speed Internet services to Nigerians by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a identity management and e-payment infra- and making telecoms services much pilot roll out of mobile money services. structure, Bancore’s global e-money and faster, more reliable and cheaper for Designed to be a flexible, secure and affordcard based mobile payment platform, as consumers. The submarine cable has able way of conducting banking transactions well as Skye Bank’s robust retail banking made it possible for us to offer our using a mobile phone, the ChamsMobile sofranchise and settlement infrastructure, to subscribers lower rates and generous lution is a virtual account that interfaces with provide financial interactions through data volumes. all traditional payment switches or bank acmobile phones for payment from cards into counts. It enables customers to transfer money “Subscribers can now use their data virtual accounts at point of sale locations, from their regular bank accounts into virtual ATMs, kiosks, merchant locations or the enabled devices to browse the Internet, accounts and effect payment of goods and stream audio and video clips, Internet. services using mobile devices across all “Our partnership with Bancore also en- download apps and chat with family telecoms networks in the country. ables us to extend the frontiers of mobile and friends at affordable rates. The new Chief Operating Officer, ChamsMobile, payment, to allow Nigerians send and re- plans are: Glo Instant Surf, One Week, Mathew Ogunbukola, said Bancore’s robust ceive money from friends and relatives in Always Micro and Always Macro, suitable pan-European mobile payment services on Europe and other parts of the world, using for handsets and tablets. Glo Instant payment platforms such as Visa Electron, VISA and MasterCard.”

MasterCard, Getitcard, VISA and Danske Surf, for instance, offers subscribers data

ChamsMobile, others strike mobile payment deal

C

usage of 10MB for only N100 and a validity period of 24 hours.

“The One Week plan will give the subscriber 50MB of data usage for a validity period of seven days at the cost of N400. Always Micro, on the other hand, offers 200MB of data download which is valid for one month at N1, 000; while Always Macro will give the subscriber 1GB of data for 30 days at N3, 000 only.

“Other existing plans have also been reviewed to give more value to subscribers. These include the Pay As You Use rate which has been reviewed down from 15 kobo per kilobyte to 5 kobo per kilobyte; Always Min now gives subscribers a massive 3GB of data downloads instead of the previous 1.5GB at the same cost of N5,000 per month.

“To enjoy the great value offered by the new plans, subscribers only need to enter the USSD code: *127*51# for Instant Surf; *127*52# for the One week plan; *127*53# for Always Micro; *127*54# for Always Macro and *127*2# for Always Min. “With Globacom’s increasing coverage of the country with its High Speed Internet service and expansion of its access network capacity, even more benefits lie ahead for Glo subscribers.”

47

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

THE NATION

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

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease rampant in the wet season, yet preventable. A naturopath and Provost, Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine of Nigeria, Lagos, Dr Idowu Ogunkoya tells WALE ADEPOJU how to detect and cure it.

Fed Govt dissolves FEDCAM management

‘Nature can cure tuberculosis’

T

UBERCULOSIS (TB) patients can now heave a sigh of relief. Natural healers have discovered some means of curing the infectious disease TB is a chronic or acute bacterial infection that primarily attacks the lungs, but which may also affect the kidneys, bones, lymph’s nodes, and brain.

According to the Provost, Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Nigeria, Lagos, Dr Idowu Ogunkoya, the disease is caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, a rod – shape bacterium.

Ogunkoya said traditionalists also engage in diagnosis such as their orthodox counterparts, to identify the bacteria sputum (matter coughed up from the lungs) or other body fluids and tissues in conjunction with an abnormal chest as revealed by X-ray and the presence of TB symptoms.

The Naturopath said TB can be treated using traditional ingredients to make preparation made from lizard known scientifically as agama-agama, and ako-alangba or alangba adaripon in Yoruba, or a concoction made of chameleon known as Oga in Yoruba which the patient would be taking as cure.

Ogunkoya said the symptoms of the disease include coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, chills

and fatigue.

He said children and people with weakened immune systems are the most susceptible to TB. Half of all untreated TB cases are fatal.

Ogunkoya said TB is transmitted from person to person, usually by inhaling bacteria – carrying air droplet. He said: “When a person sick with TB coughs, sneezes, or speaks, small particles that carry two to three bacteria surrounded by a layer of moisture are released into the air. When another person inhales these particles, the bacteria may lodge in that person’s lungs and multiply.”

Ogunkoya said a less common way of transmission is through the skin, adding that experts such as pathologists and laboratory technicians who handle TB specimens

may contract the disease through skin wounds. TB has also been reported in people who have received tattoos and those who have been circumcised with unsterilised instruments, Ogunkoya added.

He said a person may become infected with TB bacteria and not develop the disease. That is, if he or she has on immune system that could harbour the bacteria.

Ogunkoya said: “In fact, only five to 10 per cent of those infected with TB actually become sick. If a person contracts the infection, the disease can develop in two stages: primary and secondary.

“In primary TB, a person has become infected with the TB bacteria but often is not aware of it, since this stage of the disease does not produce noticeable symptoms. Pri-

‘TB can be treated using traditional ingredients to make preparation made from lizard known scientifically as agama-agama, and ako-alangba or alangba adaripon in Yoruba, or a concoction made of chameleon known as Oga in Yoruba which the patient would be taking as cure’

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

T • Ogunkoya

mary TB is not contagious in this early stage. Macrophages which are the immune cells that detect and destroy foreign matter, ingest the TB bacteria and transport them to the lymph nodes where they may be inhibited and destroyed, or they may multiply,” he said.

He said active primary tuberculosis would develop if the bacteria multiply.

In secondary TB, Ogunkoya said, the former dormant bacteria usually multiply and destroy tissue in the lungs.

He said they might also spread to the rest of the body through the bloodstream. “Fluid or air may collect between the lungs and the lining of the lungs, while tubercles continue to develop in the lung, progressively destroying lung tissue. Coughing of blood or phlegm may occur. At this secondary stage, carriers of TB can infect others,” he said.

Sleeping positions that reduce back pain

S

LEEPING on your side: Your usual sleep position — along with other factors, including your weight and your sex — can strain your back and contribute to development of back pain. Sleeping positions also affect existing back pain, either by letting you sleep comfortably or by making you wake up sore. Similarly, back pain is more likely to keep you awake when your sleeping posi-

tion provides no relief.

The most common sleeping position is on your side, with your legs and hips aligned and flexed. Because this position leaves your upper leg unsupported, the top knee and thigh tend to slide forward and rest on the mattress, rotating the lower spine. This slight rotation may contribute to back or hip pain.

To prevent that problem, place a pillow between your knees and

thighs.

Sleeping on your back: If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees to help maintain the normal curve of your lower back.

You might try a small, rolled towel under the small of your back for additional support. Support your neck with a pillow. This position may be helpful if you have low back pain.

Sleeping on your abdomen: Sleep-

ing on your abdomen can be hard on your back. If you can’t sleep any other way, reduce the strain on your back by placing a pillow under your pelvis and lower abdomen. Use a pillow under your head if it doesn’t place too much strain on your back. If it does cause strain, try sleeping without a pillow under your head.

•Source: www.mayoclinic.com

HE Federal Ministry of Health has dissolved the management of the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine of Nigeria (FEDCAM).

This was announced by the Ministry while constituting a Ministerial Committee to chart a new structure for the College for effective performance and ensure that the appropriate measures are put in place to reopen the establishment as soon as possible.

The Committee set up is to be chaired by the Permanent Secretary, FMOH, Mr Linus Awute.

The decision of the Ministry was as a result of the recommendations of a Committee earlier set up by the Federal Ministry of Health following the report of the closure by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in September 2010.

The Ministry noted that the operations of the College have been found to be unsatisfactory.

It will be recalled that in September 2010, the officials of the NUC visited the College located in Utako, Abuja and stopped the operations of the College on the grounds that it was not approved by NUC and as such, declared it an illegal institution to award degrees.

How long can you safely keep leftovers

Y

OU should eat refrigerated leftovers within four days to reduce the risk of food poisoning. If you don’t anticipate being able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them immediately.

Food poisoning — also called foodborne illness — causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Food poisoning is caused by harmful organisms such as bacteria in contaminated food. Because bacteria typically don’t change the taste, smell or appearance of food, you can’t tell whether a food is dangerous to eat. So if you’re in doubt about a food’s safety, it’s best to throw it out.

Fortunately, most cases of food poisoning can be prevented with proper food handling. To practice food safety, quickly refrigerate perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy and eggs — don’t let them sit more than two hours at typical room temperature or more than one hour at temperatures above 90 F (32 C). Uncooked foods, such as cold salads or sandwiches, also should be eaten or refrigerated promptly. Your goal is to minimise the time a food is in the “danger zone” — between 40 F (4 C) and 140 F (60 C) — when bacteria can quickly multiply.

48

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

NATURAL HEALTH

Always, something’s new on the shelf (2) P

AUL and Patricia Bragg couldn’t make this shelves review last week. So did sea salt. I am glad Common Club moss, Ladies Mantle, both herbal teas, and Redmond’s Clay, which did, got many readers thinking. The message was: if you have a health challenge, such as internal bleeding, bleeding piles or gout, or, say, uterine problems such as fibroids or conception difficulties, would you prefer to take a well–advertised, well known processed tea which contributes nothing to the reversal of these conditions, OR, would you rather switch to herbal teas which offer hope? I have found many people love tea, especially when it is embalmed with milk and sugar. They have not much difficulty kicking sugar, especially when they learn it can make them diabetic and that just one cube may inhibit their immune system for six hours. Dr. Robert Young’s live blood dark field microscopy experiments show that the blood of people who consume white sugar is acidic and filled with negative microforms (bacteria, yeast, fungi, mild) evidenced in large white patches between red blood cells, whereas, in those who avoid white sugar, the blood “forms a standard pattern – a dense mat of red areas interconnected by dark, irregular lines”. Dr. Young Ph.D., explains in his pH Miracle, co-authored with Shelley Redford Young, that, in acidic blood, overgrowth of these negative microforms is what disturbs blood sugar balance, causing diabetes or hypoglycemia, forerunner to diabetes, and a lost of other problems, including sudden infant death in cots and, none the least of them all, cancer. Thus, there is an easy justification for ditching sugar. But honey can be just as terrible, despite its many health accolades. In the first place, many honey brands are adulterated. Even the genuine brands are products of heating and refining to obtain the clear gel, a process which removes what makes honey, honey. So, in the end larger consumption of honey, a simple sugar in any case, may do more harm than good. As for people who also have learned to give up adding milk to tea, coconut milk may be a healthier substitute. It contains none of the hormones or antibiotic residues which come with cow’s milk and disrupts hormonal and other factors. In the weeks ahead, we’d learn about more herbal teas we need for radiant health on day-to-day basis. Now, let’s see what the Braggs are offering the market.

Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar I was introduced to Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in the 1980s by some of my Austria - visiting friends. Austria, home of legendary herbalist Maria Treben, was then a prominent European herbs market. If you couldn’t get ACV from Europe, you got it from 118 Ogunlana Drive in Lagos or from Pa Johnson, Mobolaji Johnson’s father, on Olonode Street, Ebutte Meta, also on Lagos Mainland. Later, I was to encounter Cyril Scott whose little book shows a thousand and one ways ACV benefits health. Some of these are teeth whitening and sturdiness, clear vision, restful streep (taken with honey at bedtime), strong bones and joints, healthy hair and nail, healthy digestion, weight management and lots more.

BRAGG Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is about the first of the Bragg’s 365 health products and books that is about to make official entry into Nigeria. There’s a whole army of it.

By this, I mean it doesn’t come just as ACV. I’ve sighted about four sub brands: (1) ACV and honey (2) ACV Apple Cinnamon (3) ACV Ginger – Spice and ACV Concord Grape Acai. The honey blend is an “energy booster”. The Apple – Cinnamon sub brand is made from Apple juice and Cinnamon and sweetened with stevia. Cinnamon relieves diarrhea, improves circulation and warms the body, breaks congestion, promotes digestion, supports blood sugar balance, weight loss and stops bleeding. I shouldn’t hurry away from this so soon. Elsewhere, I have spoken about how ACV helped an agile female reporter I worked with in The Guardian of the 1980s. She was a damn good goal-getter, but was rather slow in putting her copy together, to the disgust of supervising editors who often spiked her copies and run substitutes by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). I found myself, as Editor, always intervening on her behalf. Then, one day, I thought she overdid things, and got angry. After the dust had settled, she came to my office and asked if I realised she fainted in a taxi on the way from her assignment, and had to be taken to hospital. A dutiful reporter, she still managed to come to the office. What happened? I asked. She’d been bleeding for weeks and became so anaemic that afternoon that she fainted. I asked her to see Pa Johnson for ACV and that stopped the bleeding. I had another ACV experience in a gentleman who was booked for hernia surgery. He took ACV for one month before the appointment. He so pulled through without bleeding that the surgeon requested to know what his diet was like. That was the situation of another woman who had to have her uterus removed for fibroids overgrowth. She looked pale and lifeless from anaemia but did not require blood transfusion after, perhaps because she’d been on ACV one whole month before the surgery. I am sure my wife will forgive my spilling the beans on her. In her childbearing years, our secret was Red Raspberry Leaves tea (featured last week) three months before childbirth, and ACV in the last six weeks. Red Raspberry made the uterine muscles strong and healthy for the labour, and certified no serious bleeding at childbirth. Besides, it promotes healing. The power of ACV makes blood dry up on contact with atmospheric air. So, when ACV is combined with Cinnamon, another natural agent known to stop uterine hemorrhaging or bleeding elsewhere, that sounds like a double-barreled health product. The Bragg

ACV Ginger-Spice is no less a health – promoting star. We know ginger is an anti-inflammatory and bowel cleanser, checks cramps and spasms, like common club moss tea (mentioned last week), is antioxidant, antimicrobial and one of the best known remedies for vomiting, early morning nausea and sickness in early pregnancy and motion sickness, among other credentials. Stevia is for the sweet tooth, being a natural sweetener safe even for diabetes. I’ve seen one reference that, although sweet, it crashes blood sugar. Lastly, the Bragg Concord Grape – Acai is a pantry of ACV goodness and the antioxidant force of grape and acai.

You’re welcome to Nigeria, Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar.

Real Salt

D

R F. Batmanghelidj got medicine to make a paradigm shift in respect of the health values of water and salt (sodium). Hitherto, water was regarded as inert, and what doctors were interested in checking when we fall ill were profiles such as PCV (Packed Cell Volume), Total Cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), and the levels of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium etc. Water was thought inconsequential. Dr. Batmanghelidj showed that, with water accounting for about 70 per cent of the body, the blood hitting up to 95 per cent water, water quantum and quality are invariably linked to good or ill health. Thus, dehydration at micro, cellular level would be like draught, devastating, long before thirst or dry mouth suggest impending problems. Draught, we know, has with consequences such as blighted, crusted and cracked patches of soil. While many doctors advised against consumption of sodium, Dr. Batmanghelidj thought this was “criminal”. He showed that there are two matching “oceans” in the body. One was inside the 100 or so trillion cells in the mature adult body. The other was held outside these cells. Potassium, calcium and magnesium, but more notably potassium, hold water in the cells. Water in the cells accounts for about 66 per cent of the total body water content. Sodium holds water outside the cells. These two “oceans” move in and out of each other.

Sodium takes nutrients in, Potassium pushes wastes out. Too much sodium, no doubt, would create a disturbance of this balance, just as too little potassium would create havoc.

Nature gives us potassium – rich foods, but we rejected them in the form of fruits and vegetables. Instead, we prefer the juiceless and, therefore, lifeless foods… bread, tinned milk, sugar, fried foods , cooked foods, factory-made foods etc.

Even the sodium we consume, that is table salt, is not the natural sodium given to us by Nature. The natural sodium has been homeopathically made from soil ingredients by plants and kept by them for human use. The trouble is we don’t eat enough of sodium-rich foods such as celery. Natural sodium comes with about 80 micro nutrients. It easily absorbs water and cakes. To prevent this, the micronutrients, which do not let sodium chloride (table salt) become a poison, are removed from it, and dangerous substances, such as aluminium, are added to prevent caking. This sodium is the white table salt sold everywhere!

This discovery has led people in search of natural salt often called sea salt. Some brands from Ghana are selling in Nigeria. In many cases, sea water is evaporated and the residue, sodium crystals, is sold as sea salt. For some time, this was the natural salt rave. But, now, like table salt, refined sea salt, passed as natural salt, is coming under the hammer.

Unrefined sea salt may not be dermineralised or processed, it often comes from a mercury polluted sea or oceans polluted by oil spillage, garbage and other toxins. And that’s why the rush and craze now is for sea salt from ancient salt deposits, such as the ones in Utah, United States. They are protected from acid rain. lead and mercury pollution, oil spills, garbage, radiation, sewage… name it… and are called Unrefined natural salt.

Sea salt labels can be confusing. Two distinctions have been made here. Sea salt can be refined or obtained from evaporated sea water, or obtained, and untampered with, from deposits in caves (like coal) or mounds… relics of the

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

bed of extint seas. Some brands pride themselves as Kosher sea salt for premium. The Kosher falls into two broad groups. The first relates to salt brand used for meat preparation according to Jewish tradition. Its granules are smaller and have less salt than table salt and dissolve easily in water. This brand may be refined or unrefined. The second group belongs to a kind of association of sea salt certified as Kosher, which means the brands are produced in accordance with directives of the Jewish Faith. Other non-Kosher brands may be described as salt substitutes or low sodium. This may be a marketing strategy. Low sodium and salt substitutes have less than the acceptable minimum 97 per cent sodium content in sodium chloride. They come under such names as sodium bicarbonate, Polisilicate, Magnessium oxide, Calcium silicate, Magnessium carbonate. Potassium chloride, sodium iodide etc. Watch the label for any listing of sodium ferro cyanide in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Sodium ferro cyanide is another name for E535 or YPS (Yellow Prussiate of Soda). In many salt brands, it is added to prevent the grains from sticking. It is poisonous. If you avoid sugar, atch the label for any listing of Potassium iodide. The chances are that it will come with dextrose, to stabilise the potassium iodide and mask its unpleasant taste.

Whichever the sea salt brand one chooses, one would have come a long way in recognising, as Dr. Batmanghelidj would say, that a “salt free diet is utterly stupid”. The stupidity is science – proven. IN SALT YOUR WAY TO HEALTH, Dr. David Brownstein, M.D., says researchers studied about 3,000 hypertensive people and found “a 430 per cent increase in myocardial infraction (heart attack) in the group with the lowest salt intake versus the group with the highest salt intake”. From that study, he drew the following conclusions.

“It seems clear that a low sodium diet is not only ineffective at controlling blood pressure, it is deleterious to the body. What conventional doctors and most mainstream organisations have failed to grasp is the difference between refined salt and unrefined salt. As mentioned previously, refined salt lacks minerals and causes acidosis (i.e. lowered pH). Our bodies were meant to function optimally with adequate mineral levels and adequate salt intake. Only the use of unrefined salt can optimally provide both of these factors.

So, welcome to Nigeria, Real Salt.

Friendly Bacteria (Probiotics) Whenever I have to use probiotics, another name for friendly bacteria, such as dabbing on athlete’s foot in place of a chemical spray or cream before I go to bed, I remember a Yoruba saying ... omo ina l’a nran si ina (it is the child of fire we set against fire). Well, probiotics, the friendly bacteria, are no children of some unfriendly bacteria. They are counterparts working in opposite directions… one to damage health, the other to prevent and reverse health damage.

The use of probiotics in medicine has been no big deal news for some years. It has been evident for some time that, just as the earth hosts all manner of the human tribes, the human body hosts all manner of dangerous microorganisms when it is allowed to become acidic through negative lifestyle.

Just as we close a city or town to live in which most effectively supports our well-being, so do these micro-organisms decide which organs of the body suits them best… the brain, eyes, ears, scalp, skin, blood, pancreas, liver, spleen, intestines, ovaries, uterus, bladder, breasts, appendix, muscles, bone, nerves… name it. Any infested part of the body struggles daily to rid itself of them. Sometimes, we are given signs so we can offer help. But, often, we no longer understand body language, such as bitterness in the mouth, cloudy vision, changes in the colour of stool and urine, skin itch or rash. It is in the intestines that these unfriendly bacteria are most active, causing pain, bloating, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea. The candida albicans causes candidiasis, which may be located on the vagina or may become systemic, affecting critical organs, including the heart. A microform overload and weakened immune system is a picture you should get if you are troubled by staphylococcus aureus, which can be quite stubborn against pharmaceutical drugs. Why not send the “child of fire” to this “inferno”.

As I said earlier the use of Probiotics isn’t new. What I found new on the shelves recently is the attempt by Dr. Udo Erasmus, that Canadian international authority on fats on oil, to segment them for specificity and pump billions more of them into every capsule. Many brands accommodate many specie of friendly bacteria in one capsule or housing. Dr. Erasmus used to do that. Now, he has downsized dosages for children so that those children who suffer from microforms overload, as in adenoid enlargement, can benefit also from probiotics therapy. He now has a specific brand for teeth and gum and mouth troubles. Sometimes, when I am too tired to brush before bed, I just keep one capsule in my cheek, allow it to break and swirl the bacteria around with the tongue. This morning, I emptied one capsule on my toothbrush, after brushing with Aloe Vera toothpaste, which I am trying out, and brushed on the gums and tongue, keeping them there for about five minutes. In the intestines, they promote digestion, absorption, regular bowel motion, prevent overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria and manufacture some nutrients, including Vitamin K. Dr. Udo has seven brands in the market, which are age and condition–specific, with population ranges from 1.7 billion viable cells for toddlers and children over one year old to 61 billion viable cells for the large intestine of adults.

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

49

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

50

DISCOURSE

Lifting the spirit of Mother Africa Text of the speech delivered by former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the conferment on him of Political Leadership Award at the African Servant Leadership Awards (ASLA), Accra, Ghana, on June 28. The award was given by the Graduate School of Leadership and Governance (GSLG), Accra, Ghana.

I

T is good to be here this day. I can’t express the extent to which I am honoured by this award and indebted to those of you who have bestowed it on me. Words fail me. Suffice it to say I am profoundly moved by this profound gesture.

This occasion and award are special. I cannot just accept it and sit down. There are some things that I must say as I stand before you. If I do not say them, I would not be worthy of what you have given me. I beg that you allow me a moment to say what is in my heart; and to get a few things off my chest.

To those who thought me fit to receive this honor, I say “thank you.” I must emphasise that — in establishing this award — you do a much better thing than I do in accepting it.

By what you have done, you seek not to honour an individual.

But you encourage all of us to labour for Africa and the people of this continent. By making this noble gesture, which you did not have to do, all of you deserve special recognition as well.

Years ago, the late reggae artist and stalwart pan-Africanist Peter Tosh wrote a song devoted to our beloved continent. The song was entitled “Mama Africa.” If the name was sufficient to convey the love Mr Tosh felt for this continent, I think it should also be good enough for the rest of us.

Consequently, more than anything or anyone tonight, we celebrate you, “Mama Africa!”

I may not be perfect. I don’t know of any human who is; but I can tell that I am a dutiful and hardworking son. And when your mother is put to stress and constant pressure, there is no limit to the effort a loving son will undertake to end her troubled, sweaty toil; so that she may become happy and prosperous. Thus, anything I have done to deserve this award is nothing but the exertion a son makes for his mother; and the rest of her children who are my brothers and sisters. I have done nothing but my familial duty.

Mama Africa is a strong and resilient woman. She has had to be. Every part of this planet has seen hardship. But none has seen it more than Mama Africa.

She has lost her children to slavery. Yet, she did not go under.

She has been robbed and vivisected by colonialism. But she did not faint.

She had been weakened by war, disease and famine. Yet, she has not fallen.

She has been called the worst and despised by the rich and powerful. Yet, she stands proud and unashamed.

She is irrepressible. She will not be kept down; nor will her children of today, for we follow the example of those who stood by her in earlier times.

Kwame Nkrumah pioneered the way when times were more unjust than these. He devoted his entire being to Mama Africa.

He was an excellent son. We follow him.

Sekou Toure refused to be anyone’s servant. Patrice Lumumba gave his life as did Samora Machel. Obafemi Awolowo gave his wisdom. Nelson Mandela has given his years. They were and are excellent sons.

If these sons of Africa can make such sacrifices, we must make our own. We must build a strong edifice based on the foundation which they made out of their bravery, hope and love for the people, and of the land.

We have no choice. Those who went before us fought valiantly, but the battle is still on.

Old problems persist; and new ones have come along to make our situation today, in many ways, more precarious than it was yesterday. If we fail to act wisely and see things as they are, and not as others would have us to believe, tomorrow will be even more uncertain than today. Clouds of the problems of the past have massed with those of the present to cast a darkness overhead, transforming our day into night.

Time is overdue that we emerge from the dire shadows. How much longer shall Mama Africa suffer before her sons and daughters grow impatient, hearing the cries of the land which gave them birth?

Too much of Africa is afflicted by hunger, by poverty, and by ignorance. Our people remain unfairly treated not only due to external political and economic forces, but also because of inequity and faults from within.

Our economies are too dependent on distant nations for their life blood.Even to feed ourselves, we must look to outsiders. We trade more with far-away lands than with our close neighbours.

Our governmental systems are imbalanced in ways that suppress economic creativity and political freedom. Because our nations live at the edge of poverty and our people must scratch the dirt and look under rocks just to eke out the barest of survivals, we fight each other much too often for what amounts to little of nothing. This constant feuding and pressure just to survive is not the life Mama Africa wants her children to live for.

This is not life. It is merely existence.

These days it has become unfashionable to talk about racism; but since I have never been a slave to fashion, I feel no restriction on this matter. Let’s face fact. There are some people in parts of the world who view us as inferior. Some Africans even accept this malignant lie as truth.

We battle not only against issues but against subterranean figures and forces that would rather we fail to address the issues.

In our failure, all their mean racial myths would be affirmed.

IVEN this added weight placed upon us, we must recognise this aspect of our reality, as we hew our road to development and prosperity. The self-confidence of hundreds of millions of our children; and how they perceive themselves are at stake in this contest between enlightenment and prejudice.

I say this not to spark reciprocal bias. I am a humanitarian. My affection extends to all of mankind. Yet, we must realise we live in a world that is not perfectly round; and one in which everything is not done on the level. Let us treat every human being with equality. But with equal force, we demand our natural rights to dignity and respect. As Africans, we look down on no race but look up to no race as well.

While we look up to no other race or nation, we do look forward to a future that lifts us to our finest destiny.

To achieve this future, we must become the architects of our own economies and not let others plan our structures for us.

The economic model now fashionable across most of the globe has proven to be self-destructive. It is precipitating recurrent crises in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. We have to be smart and stop mimicking those who lead themselves into the ditch.

No people have ever become great in modern times without establishing a robust industrial base. You don’t attain long-term prosperity solely by taking resources out of the ground and selling them for another person’s finished goods. Mama Africa will forever be stooped by poverty as long as we export natural resources, yet import nearly all else of value. Simply put, Africa has to build, invent and create things. Ghana and Nigeria must lead the way.

Thus, I see workers earning a decent living wage in new factories churning out goods for sale at home and abroad.

I see children in clean, well pressed uniforms marching off to school in the early morning, eager to learn and create a better future and I ask Mama Africa to hold on, don’t give up, because the better day that you have sought for so long is being prepared for you.

I see farmers equipped with better seeds, fertiliser, irrigation

G

‘I may not be perfect. I don’t know of any human who is; but I can tell that I am a dutiful and hardworking son. And when your mother is put to stress and constant pressure, there is no limit to the effort a loving son will undertake to end her troubled, sweaty toil; so that she may become happy and prosperous. Thus, anything I have done to deserve this award is nothing but the exertion a son makes for his mother; and the rest of her children who are my brothers and sisters.

I have done nothing but my familial duty’

•Asiwaju Tinubu

and implements raising food production so much so that hunger becomes a thing of the past.

I see our nations finally dedicating themselves to a collective effort to tackle our worst health care menace – malaria. This disease kills nearly one million of us yearly and drains billions of dollars from our economies. Moreover, it has become a matter of social justice, as the affluent are now more protected from malaria than the poor. Why can’t we pool our resources together to fund research for better treatment and prevention measures? We should no longer rely on the outside world to fund efforts to eradicate our major medical problem. This problem is not theirs. It is ours which means it is not only a medical problem, it is a test of our political will and love for the poor and weak among us. If we wait for others to solve it, we will be waiting for the longest time.

I see our children no longer suffering the deprivations wrought by war and armed conflict. I see peace establishing itself in this continent.

Ultimately, I see a new breed of young men and women taking over public leadership and implementing laws and policies based on equity, transparency and liberty. I see them shunning the divisions of the past and working together to promote the welfare of every African regardless of race, ethnicity or creed. I see a blossoming of democracy and good government; such that we shall no longer take lessons from the rest of the world but the world shall receive her better lessons from Africa. I see a day when Africa will be looked to for advances in the arts and sciences, as well as in politics and economics.

This is the Africa I see and the one I have dedicated my life to achieve.

Cynics will call me a dreamer. My response is: that is true and what is wrong with it? It is from dreams and visions, coupled with the grit and determination of hard work, that a new reality is made. Thus, I am not ashamed to be a dreamer because I am a doer as well.

HAT you, my brothers and sisters, have given me this award, does not mean I have finished with my contribution. It means the opposite. I have much more to do on behalf of this continent and people whom I love and this award will encourage me forever onward.

I will not rest until Mama Africa has risen from her knees and the troubles that have long burdened her are lifted so that she can tend to the rest of her children with all the care, affection and resources she possesses.

Until then, I shall keep fighting for Mama Africa. I pray that you will do the same.

I am glad that our two countries, Nigeria and Ghana, are among those African countries marching steadily towards the consolidation of democratic governance and the supremacy of the rule of law. This is the only way to create stable and prosperous societies that can guarantee the greatest happiness of the greatest number of our people.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your patience, for your individual contributions to our continent and for honouring me in this manner.

May God bless Mama Africa and you, her sons and daughters (Amen).

T

N EWS

T

HE UNICEF has said an estimated 33 million Nigerians still practise open defecation in various parts of the country.

UNICEF’s Country Representative and Chief Ambassador Dr. Suomi Sakai said this at the commemoration of the World Sanitation Day on Tuesday in Abuja.

“The most worrisome of all the unsanitary practices is the high rate of open defecation practice in the country.

“It is estimated that about 33 million Nigerians defecate in

33m Nigerians defecate in open places, says UNICEF the open, depositing about 1.7m tonnes of faeces into the environment annually,” she said.

Dr. Sakai said the development had resulted in a high level of contamination of the environment in which garbage and faeces often find their way into water resources.

She stressed the need for awareness among the populace and the imperative of imbibing sanitary practices for

improved health and socioeconomic well-being of the citizenry.

She, however, commended the Federal Ministry of Environment for providing a viable platform for discussing and analysing environmental sanitation issues for sustainable development.

According to her, the occasion provides an opportunity for the review of commitment and support to improve the

status of environmental sanitation.

Dr. Sakai said the theme of the celebration, Cleanliness: Gateway to Healthy Living, was timely and appropriate, considering the present poor environmental sanitation practices and their consequences on the people.

She maintained that high morbidity and mortality rates in the country, prompted by cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery

and typhoid, all sanitation-related diseases, were consequences of poor sanitation and hygiene practice.

“Children under five are the most vulnerable to the effects of poor sanitation and hygiene in the country.

“It is estimated that nearly 200,000 children under five years die annually due to diarrhoea while respiratory infections kill another 240,000 young children every year,”

she added.

Dr. Sakai explained that improving the disposal of human excreta and stopping open defecation could reduce illnesses by 34 per cent, stressing that when combined with hand washing, the impact could be doubled.

She said the UN General Assembly had passed a resolution urging member countries to redouble efforts to close the sanitation gap.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

51

CHANGE OF NAME JINADU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jinadu Olajumoke Arinola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amodu Olajumoke Arinola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLORUNSOGBON

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Juliet Foluso Olorunsogbon, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Juliet Foluso Abejide. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OYELEKE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyeleke Oluwaseyi Julianah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Itaniyi Olatoye Oluwaseyi Julianah. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OTUNAIKE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Otunaike Opeyemi Ayodeji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. OluOpaleye Opeyemi Ayodeji. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OSUNBOR I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mercy Chibuzor Osunbor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mercy Chibuzor Agbro. All former documents remain valid. UNIPORT, NYSC and general public take note.

OKUTUBO I, formerly known and addressed as Okutubo Bamidele Richard, now wish to be known and addressed as Olutubo Bamidele Richard. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

SUNMONU

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PATRICK I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ansa Margaret Patrick, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alade Margaret Olusola. All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public take note.

WOODROW

I, formerly known and addressed as Joy Akume Woodrow now wish to be known and addressed as Joy Akume Omomadia.

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EFEOHA

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OJO

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OMOLE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omole Tolulope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amodi Tolulope.

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ADEWOLE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adewole Besede Taiwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Komolafe Bosede Olusola. All former documents remain valid. Ilesa, West Local government, Ilesa and general public take note.

ADEDINA

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MUSA Miss Musa Victoria Fatima and Miss Ifeagwu Victoria N. are one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukwu Victoria Nkemakonam. All former documents remain General public take note.

ODERINLO

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OBIDIKE

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AJOLOPO

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ALABI

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Agboola Esther Bosede is the same as Agboola Augustinah Bosede. All former documents remain valid. University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Universal Basic Education Board and general public take note.

FAWALE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olufunke Fawale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olufunke EjiroEboh. All former documents remain valid.

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OGUNDE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunde Adejumoke Janet, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adesanya Adejumoke Janet. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

ENAGU AKPANISI

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FANIRAN

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SALAMI

OSHODI

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FALEYE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Faleye Olayide Ololade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adegbola Olayide Ololade. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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JIMOH I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jimoh Afolasade Gbemisola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oseni Afolasade Gbemisola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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OKOSA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Martha Adaobi Okosa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Martha Adaobi Kalu. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

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AHMED I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ahmed Temitope Yetunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bello Temitope Yetunde. All former documents remain valid. Blue Intercontinental Micro Finance Bank, School of Post Graduate University of Ibadan and general public take note.

EDWARDS I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edwards Olubunmi Olufunmilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Alabi Olubunmi Olufunmilayo. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Civil Service Commission, Office of Establishment and Trainning, Ekiti State and general public take note.

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IJOMAH I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ijomah Florence, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwosu Florence Obioma. All former document remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public take note.

UDONTE I, formerly known and addressed as Ime Emmanuel Udonte, now wishes to be known and addressed as Dennis Ime Emmenuel Udonte. All former document remain valid. NDDC and general public take note.

IGHOMENYETAN I, formerly known and addressed as Ighomenyetan Kelly, now wishes to be known and addressed as Eyituoyo Kelly.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Nwinuamene Gignity Nwieke is one and the same person as Nwinuamene Nwieke.

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OSADEBE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osadebe Gloria Nkiruka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Gloria Nkiruka Tawo Godwin. All former documents remain valid. University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, GTBank and General public should please take note.

NJOKU IWUEKE

OLOWO OLATOYE

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SOSANYA

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MUTIU

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ADEBIYI

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ODUNLAMI

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OGUNBANJO

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UGWU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lovina Oluchi Ugwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lovina Oluchi Ossai. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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ASAOLU

OLONADE

EKEH

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I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adekunle Mercy Temilola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ilesanmi Mercy Temilola. All former documents remain valid. Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, University of Ibadan, NYSC and general public take note.

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ADEBANJO I, formerly known and addressed as Adebanjo Oluwadaisi Isaac, now wish to be known and addressed as Adebanjo Oluwadisi Alaba. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEKUNLE

CHANGE OF NAME

OMOTOSHO I,formerlly known and addressed as Miss Omotosho Ganiyat Bukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Azeez Ganiyat Bukola. All former documents remain valid,general public and NYSC should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Ebare Kingsley is the same person as Ebare Emmanuel Kingsley. All documents bearing the two names remain valid. US Embassy Abuja, Nigeria and the general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs Grace Nwabuogo Anifowose, now wish to be known and addressed as Ms Grace Nwabuogo Edike. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank Plc. and general public take note.

ADVERT: Simply produce your marriage certificate or sworn affidavit for a change of name publication, with just (N3,500.)

The payment can be made through FIRST BANK of Nigeria Plc. Account number 1892030011219 Account Name - VINTAGE PRESS LIMITED Scan the details of your advert and teller to gbengaodejide@yahoo.com or thenation_advert@yahoo.com For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, Emailgbengaodejide @yahoo.com or our offices nationwide.

Note this! Change of name is now published every Thursdays and Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

52

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

New CBN Reforms: How far can they go?

‘Self-apprehension; who are the ‘local reformers? Who are the corporate managers? And who are the CG-experts? Besides what’s the prospect of having a one-stop-shop as the “assessment criteria for approved persons regime”, or rather a shoprite which consists of a pot-pourri of guidelines, and a step by step approach that gradually converts that nuisance copy of non-compliance to a promotional tool of integrity as a tool of national development?’

L

AST week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) eventually rolled out its panacea for healing the ailing banking sector.

The new instrument reads like an improved template after the last one done 10 years past (2001); now the integrated guidelines is called Assessment Criteria for Approved Persons Regime for Financial Institutions in Nigeria: novel, creative and to some extent even locally ‘adaptable’ (because it is Nigeria!). But, ultimately, it may end up failing the Convergence-Divergence tests for Corporate Governance. Like the issue of Islamic banking that became a controversy recently, Nigeria is only a part of the world-wide-web, and, banking as an experience does not just peak in its operational base, even in structured environments.

There are tons and tons of argument arranged on top of each other in the capital market. Even in this age of knowledge-creating companies, the bank is not knowledge driven.

A great percentage of workers learn on the job and refer in respect to oneself as banker.

The few who qualify are invariably compromised when they meet certain imperatives of the unstructured market, and coupled with a native greed, some succumb to the temptation of self-dealing, yet the Regulator lives with them and knows these secrets; does he convert them creatively to achieve institutional purpose (and personal glory)?: definitely not when both are operating outside of the guidelines of Corporate Governance, the market would be as unstable as it is right now.

Among the integral instruments of the new CBN regime are found: Fitness test to assess the competence of candidates for board, top management and critical operational positions; Propriety test for assessing integrity and suitability; CAMA and BOFIA clearance; also, the report added, “the candidates will be expected to complete an ‘Approved Persons Regime’ questionnaire to be administered by the CBN and provide a satisfactory status report from the last place of work, court (records), security agencies, CBN and other regulatory agencies in the financial sector”.

Of all, the mentioned ‘propriety test for integrity’, indeed, is novel; ambitious and ahead of not only Nigeria, but the known classics and model of Business schools as it were (including the ones that certificated SLS); so, what is the background curriculum and methodology of achieving this high intellection? These are some of the stated dangers in unrestrained Divergence impulse.

Perhaps we should address the CBN first; the Regulatory body wants a systemic review of certain operations of the banks in the way they were run before the global meltdown.

Its new regime will screen stakeholders who own five per cent share/above equity in any bank, before giving approval. CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Mr Chris Chukwu, said their new strictures are introduced by the apex bank to ensure that only “fit and proper persons are appointed to board, top management/executive and critical operational positions.” Invariably, this reminds one of some of the intents of the Sarbanes-Oxley

(in America) that flunked, an Act that was regarded as most astounding fast-track Legislation in the history of American Congress. But the latest brand from CBN has not even gone past that Democratic requirement; perhaps an oversight, or impressionable escape of hubris?

Deconstruction: From the top first, self-apprehension is always helpful in taking proper stock of one’s role and value, especially in relation to the others. CBN, as a Regulatory Agency presupposes that there is a system, of integers, which includes CBN itself. CBN serves to regulate that arrangement to keep systemic integrity.

The market at large is a big(ger) system, which contains the financial sub-system, whose job is to facilitate the forces of demand and supply, via finance.

The CBN is thus like a pancreas system in the human body which keeps the sugar level.

Note that corporate governance is a template for the comparison of systems. Without the markets there would be nothing for CBN to regulate. So whatever once made the markets and now keeps it going is beyond the object of CBN, in the sense that even “De-regulation”, where occasioned, is still a form of regulation. Definitely the measure of insulin treatment applied to a patient under crisis cannot compare to what is regular dose to keep the body functioning at normal rate.

“Banks are odd creatures”, according to Schumpeter (London Economist, 30/10/10), “there is no sign that external monitoring produced the same kind of perverse results in other companies…And behavior during a crisis may be no guide to behavior in more normal times”.

Which means any one over-loaded approach to regulating the banks would be systemically unintelligent.

For instance, apart from the universal market the CBN, in fact, recognises Regional and International platforms. Based on their respective goals these have their common instruments to measure performance, and for monitor, hence a corresponding review mechanism (PRM) through which Convergence is sought; and they all link up somewhere to mark what’s called “world’s best practices”. But also, because there are variable factors that distinguish performance from macro to micro, or structured to unstructured (environments), based on whatever is the relative genius of operators found in that place, inevitably Divergence is born. So one after the other convergence and divergence follow themselves, and are allowed to fester in that order based on the growing environmental intelligence.

Corporate governance, mark, is an engaging interest in value appreciation.

Therefore, divergence is not often recommended in unstructured environments, due to the very nature of the environment’s indisposition to measure. In Nigeria this may paradoxically translate to mean that that is the very reason to apply for tougher measures, because of the environment’s proclivity to fraud and for fraud to increase beyond measure. But that argument will fall flat of the tested, measured and universally agreed

baseline for best practices (Convergence). So, the dialectics for Convergence-Divergence makes a complete circle. Nonetheless, some of its theorists cannot on the basis of their own precociousness advise the markets to turn wisdom on its head and subvert the structure left by Convergence: as Economist concludes, “what do these striking results tell us about corporate governance? Certainly not that companies should turn conventional wisdom upside down and re-embrace the old order”.

But Regulator cannot audit a structure that does not exist, no, the wisdom is she has to combine with others (stakeholders) to create that structure first.

In a very much related vein, this column had noted in November 2010 edition: “The plethora of rules and regulations of Corporate Governance notwithstanding, particularly in the first decade of the 21st century, the world still experienced an economic meltdown which was as much a mystery to Regulators as it was to the Investors; nor was there any Institution that claims in hindsight to have seen the gale coming. And so “CG” was quickly coined to describe the symptoms, notably not as a template that contains all the ramifications of the pogrom; such as can only be instituted when the ramified components such as Regulation and Enforcement (through statutes), Institutional back-up to entrench knowledge by a well structured curriculum, Persuasive tools to encourage the corporate bodies to compliance, Promotional strategies to create awareness and sell it as product, and effective chain-link with the stabilised outside economies, etc, all posit and synchronise in one direction.”

Goliath of Gath: Taking the above as a hypothesis for instance, how many of those steps can Nigeria or CBN claim to have attended to? However, as it were, there is a high intelligence demonstrated by the apex bank in providing NOT what is the solution to the sprawling problems of the monster called Corporate Governance for Nigeria, but in probing at least what is needful, and also trying whether in the absence of an accepted matrix, anyway, this putative element might just jell with the Nigerian situation. It is a guided gamble that CBN has taken, but then flukes don’t just become phenomenon like that anymore. But, nevertheless, Sanusi was brilliant about it all. For one year and eight months, he had challenged the Nigerian academia such as the Goliath of Gath (did to Israeli soldiers) that they are corporate governance-wimps, and called the business roundtable of media houses the charlatans, because hitherto they don’t manifest the language or evidence of CG training. The Renaissance Professionals who tried to combat him only did in petulant anger at their loss of influence and property, but not interrogating the windows of corporate governance. As for Sanusi, he knew their “level” (Nigerian linguo) and simply kept on with his regulatory businesses. He dealt with the sector as someone who once shared the secrets, but got somehow the hilt of a vaulting pole, and dealt with that power perfectively, reaping confidence from the knowledge of the others’ ignorance. This is the highest level of CG, according to Geoff Truman:”(CG) is about exercising power over corporate entities;’ ‘has become one of the central issues in the running and regulating of modern enterprises, but the underlying ideas and concepts have been surprisingly slow to evolve.”All that Sanusi’s critics ever replied and which the media re-echoed, is that “Sanusi is playing God.” But how?

Recall, “Nigeria is an emerging economy without acceptable structure, however, its market operators are not innocent, having being exposed to certain possibilities of the

GBENGA OGUNSAKIN structured market outside, but without a compelling rod of its discipline: no strict tax regime, no reliable dispensation of the rule of law, the cost of breaking rules seeming more attractive than compliance, and the under-running market mentality (in both environments) actually encouraged sleaze and fleecing, as summarised by Monks and Minow, “Just as people….Scam artists used to use faxes to entice suckers into Ponzi schemes and Nigerian fortunes. Now they use e-mail. Or sometimes they use audited financial reports.” In other words, Monks and Minow, a respected voice of the new paradigm of Corporate Governance are particularly aware of the Nigerian market and its operators. And the intelligent operators mentioned here have got some idea of the macro environment and what obtains in the market, and know they can use that in the local environment to maximise their profit endlessly under the lax regime; which was what they did.

Recall again the creed: “There are two roads open before the managers of corporate governance in Nigeria and one is a sub-sect of the other: the micro (MDG- approach) and the UNMacro factors approach. One leads to the other but both have to be happening at the same time. Therefore while the local reformers are navigating through the maze of developmental issues (in accordance to MDGs) to create a clement environment for business to thrive, the corporate managers are looking up to ‘world’s best practices’. But Corporate Governance experts: Institutions, Regulators, Academics, Enforcers, et al, have to deal with the Methodology of mixing the CG options available, in order to enact a virile liaison between the micro and macro-environments. These experts have an understanding of the ruling macro world, but they also have the knowledge of how to interrogate what is available in a locale (like Nigeria) and employ the most expedient strategies to get a maximum compliance to corporate governance.”

Briefly, to the issue of self-apprehension, who are the ‘local reformers? Who are the corporate managers? And who are the CG-experts? Besides what’s the prospect of having a one-stop-shop as the “assessment criteria for approved persons regime,” or rather a shoprite which consists of a pot-pourri of guidelines, and a step by step approach that gradually converts that nuisance copy of noncompliance to a promotional tool (of integrity) as a tool of national development, how better can it be done?

• To be continued next week

• Ogunsakin Email:greenhavenfoundation@gmail.com tel: 08037250343

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

T

HE Competition Bureau felt compelled to move against Air Canada’s partnership with United Continental because the two airlines would monopolise air traffic to major American destinations, according to its notice of application, driving up costs for consumers and preventing other airlines from competing.

The bureau moved to quash the partnership Monday, calling it a merger because the two airlines would operate as one when it comes to a handful of routes as they share information on pricing and schedules. The airlines insist the partnership would actually lower costs, as schedules are co-ordinated and fliers have an opportunity to amass frequent flier points

Why competition bureau took on Air Canada on a greater number of flights.

Documents obtained Tuesday outline the bureau’s case. The bureau lists three reasons that the deal is anti-competitive in its eyes, as it seeks to kill the arrangement. The two sides tried to negotiate a settlement, but when it seemed a resolution was unlikely Competition Commissioner pushed the case to the Competition Tribunal, which can impose a settlement.

The Competition Bureau listed 10 “monopoly” routes: Calgary-Houston, Montreal-

Houston, Montreal-Washington, OttawaWashington, Ottawa-New York, TorontoCleveland, Toronto-Denver, Toronto-Houston, Toronto-San Francisco and TorontoWashington.

The obstacles standing in the way of other airlines offering service on those routes were listed in the application: “The inability [for competitors] to gain access to sufficient volumes of passenger traffic on Transborder Routes involving a “hub” airport operated by one of the Respondents. To operate

on a viable scale, a potential entrant requires an ability to attract feeder traffic at both ends of a route. The Respondents have highly developed flight networks that centralise large volumes of passenger traffic into hubs that impede or foreclose a potential competitor’s access to the volume of feeder traffic necessary to effectively compete on a Transborder Route.”

“Frequent flyer programs and incentives towards exclusivity in corporate customer contracts, which create significant switching costs.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

53

54

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

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THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

56

MONEY LINK

AMCON to terminate contracts with debt collectors

T

HE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), has said it would terminate its agreement with debt collectors whose performance falls below expectation. The agency said it would reappoint those that have shown commitment to its debt recovery drive.

This was part of debt recovery strategies being contemplated by the agency to enable it recover the over N1.7 trillion non-performing loans it acquired from banks.

AMCON Chief Executive Officer, Mustafa Chike-Obi, said the plan is part of a new

By Collins Nweze Senior Correspondent

debt recovery strategy that would guide the activities and operations of the corporation to be released soon. The AMCON boss spoke at the 12th Annual General Meeting of the International Chamber of Commerce of Nigeria, held yesterday in Lagos.

He said: “We will have a new debt recovery strategy which will be based on our debt recovery philosophy and in tune with the laws of the federation. We believe that people who borrowed money

to buy jets and because they did not want to pay back, offered bank directors 10 per cent of the loan, should not be treated the same way as those who borrowed money for good reasons should be treated.”

He said the agency will offer those who borrowed money with sincerity of purpose another interest rate compared to those who borrowed money for frivolities and with no intention of paying back.

He disclosed that AMCON has acquired 90 per cent of all non-performing loans in

the banking sector.

Chike-Obi, advised debt collectors to follow processes that would make it easier for the borrower to keep their businesses running while trying to repay their loans.

"Debt recovery agents should deal with debtors with consideration in order not to kill their businesses. We are here to build the economy and not kill businesses," he said.

He assured that, in the next eight to 10 years, AMCON would be dedicated to recovering toxic assets as much as possible. He said the agency is positioned to acquire toxic

assets from banks once such loans rise above the mandatory five per cent of a bank’s bad loans portfolio.

“AMCON will be around to soak such excess toxic assets from the banks anytime they occur,” he stated.

AMCON is legally empowered to recover loans, far and above what is obtainable in any part of the world. "Our constitutional power to recover loans is very strong. The agency believe that complaints by some banks that the five per cent paid by AMCON on unsecured loans is little is not

• Chike-Obi

proper while ruling out any further payment on such loans.

Shareholders urge Unity Bank to sustain profit

S

HAREHOLDERS of Unity Bank have asked the new chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors, Alhaji Nu’uman Barau Danbatta and the Managing Director-designate, Alhaji Ado Wanka, to sustain and improve on the profit made by their predecessors.

The shareholders, who made the commendation at the Fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank, which took place yesterday at the Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, commended the former chairman and managing director, Professor Akin Mabogunje and Malam Falalu Bello respectively.

At the AGM, they also approved a cash dividend of five kobo per share and a bonus of one new share for every 20 held.

Unity Bank posted a profit of N12.41 billion for the year

From Nduka Chiejena

ended December 2010, as against a loss of N15.86 billion in the previous year.

Speaking on behalf of the shareholders, Alhaji Muktar Muktar said:“We are impressed with the turnaround and we say well done to the Board and Management team for a truly wonderful performance.”

In his addres, the former chairman, Professor Mabogunje, said: “ In the face of the challenging environment and intense competition in the year under review, our bank posted an impressive performance.”

He also said: “For the financial year ended December 31, 2010, gross earnings was N61.36 billion, representing a 36.46 per cent increase over last year's figure of N44.96 billion.”

Mabogunje said total deposits taken by the bank increased to N222.15 billion, depicting the confidence of the banking public in the healthy status of the bank.

Meanwhile, in his review at the AGM, the outgoing Group Managing Director, Malam Falalu Bello said:“The Bank has successfully reversed the negative perfor-

F

INBANK Plc has re warded winners in the final draw of its FinSplash Savings Promo held in Lagos yesterday. The exercise saw the emergence of the Star Prize winner, Tamiu Mohammed, whose account is domiciled in Kano State, winning a brand new Rio Saloon Car. Other prizes given out by the bank included N20,000 cash to 20 customers; 20 blackberry phones; 15 laptop computers and five 5.5 KVA generators.

The winners expressed ap-

preciation for the gesture, saying the bank has delivered on its promises.

The Group Managing Director/CEO, Suzanne Iroche, said yesterday’s draw was the climax of the promo in which many of the bank’s customers had been beneficiaries.

She said it has been a positive experience for the bank to empower Nigerians from all parts of the country.

Iroche reiterated the commitment of the bank to continue to deliver superior financial services to its cus-

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 29-6-11

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

JBERGER CAPHOTEL UBN STERLNBANK NIGERINS UTC UAC-PROP AIICO LONGMAN FIRSTINLND PLATINUM

56.50 3.05 2.66 1.70 0.65 0.65 18.50 0.75 5.39 0.59 0.90

59.30 3.20 2.79 1.78 0.68 0.68 19.30 0.78 5.60 0.61 0.93

2.80 0.15 0.13 0.08 0.03 0.03 0.80 0.03 0.21 0.02 0.03

LOSER AS AT 29-6-11

SYMBOL

O/PRICE C/PRICE

CHANGE

CONOIL NAHCO COSTAIN ZENITHBANK TRANSCORP PRESTIGE INTERCONT JAPAULOIL RTBRISCOE SKYEBANK DANGFLOUR

38.00 8.26 2.71 14.80 1.13 1.83 1.15 1.18 2.27 8.00 16.56

1.90 0.41 0.13 0.69 0.05 0.08 0.05 0.05 0.09 0.30 0.56

36.10 7.85 2.58 14.11 1.08 1.75 1.10 1.13 2.18 7.70 16.00

Amount Sold ($) 400m 400m 499.8m

Exchange Rate (N) 153.59 153.4 153.45

Date 25-5-11 23-5-11 16-5-11

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

INTERBANK RATES

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

products such as FinSave, Leaders Education Account Plan (LEAP), NairaWise and the generic savings account.

All these are aimed at improving the bank’s savings portfolio, encourage a savings culture and build stable funds for investment. Customers who were able to save and maintain a minimum deposit of N50, 000 for three months since the commencement of the promo are qualified to participate in the national draw, which will offer the prizes listed above.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 467.7m 400m 452.3m 500m 499,8m

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

tomers.

The promo, which commenced in December 2010, was designed to reward customers of the bank for their confidence and patronage over the years.

Previously, over 570 prizes were won, including the N250, 000 won by 16 customers in each of 16 zonal draws held between February and June this year.

Motivated by the need to encourage its customers and prospects to save, the bank anchored the promo around its most outstanding savings

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

ings of the bank “grew from 44.96 billion to N61.36 billion, representing an increase of N14.4 billion or 36.48 percent over the corresponding period of 2009.

Finbank rewards winners of savings’ promo

FGN BONDS

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

mance trend that characterised its results during the two preceding periods and launched itself into profitability.”

Bello also said gross earn-

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N)

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

Parallel Market

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

Name

January ’11

February ’11

May ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.00%

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% 11.3%

% Change 0.4% 0.4%

Rate (Previous) 04 MAR, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 24, MAY, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.62 122.45 0.84 1,575.41 10.12 1.00 1.39 1.87 8,827.74 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.16 121.55 0.81 1,567.25 9.62 1.00 1.33 1.80 8,557.73 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

29-06-11 N7.969tr 24.923.64

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

DISCOUNT WINDOW

Tenor

28-06-11 N8.001tr 25,023.84

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 MAR, 2011

07, MAR, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

57

EQUITIES

Operator lists steps to market recovery

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 29-06-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC 1,500.00 PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded 3,000

11 13

8.00

550,913 553,913

Value of Shares (N) 4,406,104.00 4,407,604.00

AIR SERVICES Company Name No of Deals NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COM PLC 4 7 Sector Totals 47

Quotation(N) 7.85

Quantity Traded 633,387 633,387

Value of Shares (N) 5,037,012.62 5,037,012.62

Quantity Traded 347,170 347,170

Value of Shares (N) 780,124.52 780,124.52

Quantity Traded 14,765,529 2,063,544 21,667,703 269,387 1,126,393 16,756,918 23,092,308 5,964,035 17,433,221 1,413,094 4,690,960 15,616,872 7,100,092 1,001,160 280,635 4,131,593 17,516,483 9,539,329 733,311 3,049,685 2,999,784 171,212,036

Value of Shares (N) 105,255,206.65 2,823,198.79 116,641,274.53 798,287.04 8,133,291.29 43,706,969.28 288,453,335.80 3,638,061.35 267,587,055.44 13,463,372.34 5,219,821.94 22,917,000.97 6,479,069.84 7,687,065.86 228,314.35 7,337,283.05 99,370,004.42 26,614,727.91 641,078.11 3,046,139.86 43,329,922.62 1,073,370,481.44

Quantity Traded 29,877 432,410 355,150 851,693 1,669,130

Value of Shares (N) 122,974.65 105,101,630.40 2,184,630.67 75,581,105.88 182,990,341.60

Quantity Traded 3,853,776 595,540 809,288 5,000 1,584,997 6,848,601

Value of Shares (N) 87,566,029.20 5,886,349.84 103,476,253.92 41,300.00 75,591,889.73 272,561,822.69

Quantity Traded 500 2,000 17,797 20,297

Value of Shares (N) 1,505.00 19,820.00 607,233.64 628,558.64

Quantity Traded 350,000 849,950 1,199,950

Value of Shares (N) 175,000.00 2,288,412.50 2,463,412.50

Quantity Traded 79,190 3,003 82,193

Value of Shares (N) 482,159.90 9,279.27 491,439.17

Quantity Traded 500 690 839,611 6,000 15,840,819 150,085 582,033 17,419,738

Value of Shares (N) 995.00 4,726.50 32,640,583.67 38,580.00 18,649,386.42 5,857,339.99 15,704,748.10 72,896,359.68

Quantity Traded 368,300 1,137,189 2,800 1,508,289

Value of Shares (N) 950,214.00 66,988,626.88 1,400.00 67,940,240.88

Quantity Traded 13,400 28,580 41,980

Value of Shares (N) 29,212.00 14,921.60 44,133.60

Quantity Traded 16,035 240,428 806,741 534,371 1,221,059 69,997 1,000 1,134,988 91,595 165,202 500 301,000 455,870 5,038,786

Value of Shares (N) 725,884.80 4,313,158.81 12,944,293.40 6,825,434.70 112,644,933.74 304,226.98 1,700.00 5,992,185.63 3,804,405.33 65,832,398.20 12,525.00 150,500.00 295,650.80 213,847,297.39

Quantity Traded 1,378,200 66,680 410,872 1,855,752

Value of Shares (N) 2,519,671.00 1,726,131.20 1,609,024.68 5,854,826.88

Quantity Traded 770,693 9,385,007 10,155,700

Value of Shares (N) 2,466,217.60 13,400,961.65 15,867,179.25

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 28 28

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC BANK PHB PLC SKYE BANK PLC. SPRING BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 208 35 74 28 51 128 543 49 501 46 66 168 74 66 15 31 303 76 19 29 288 2,798

Company Name CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 71 22 134 230

Quotation(N) 2.18

BANKING Quotation(N) 7.20 1.37 5.38 2.95 7.21 2.69 12.21 0.61 15.16 9.51 1.10 1.50 0.93 7.70 0.85 1.78 5.60 2.79 0.89 1.00 14.11

BREWERIES Quotation(N) 4.05 245.00 6.44 87.50

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC NIGERIAN ROPES PLC. LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 86 28 103 1 78 296

Quotation(N) 23.00 9.75 129.99 8.69 47.53

S

TAKEHOLDERS in the Nigerian capital market need to build efficient trading platform, create conducive legislative environment and deepen the instruments as part of efforts to engender a sustainable recovery at the Nigerian capital market.

Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, disclosed this at the Monthly Forum of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) yesterday.

He said the capital market reforms should be geared towards creating the right mix of regulatory framework, enabling operating environment and a best practice approach to all facets of the capital market business in Nigeria.

He said the demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) would result in greater transparency and efficiency, as well as guarantee improved returns for all stakeholders.

Chukwu said for the market to achieve the desired recovery, there is need to diversify its product range by developing both the primary and secondary markets for bonds, derivatives and other securities.

“The product range of the Nigerian capital market is still too narrow and in need of ur-

No of Deals 1 1 13 15

Quotation(N) 3.16 10.43 32.50

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 15 17

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.79

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 2 6

Quotation(N) 5.96 3.25

gent broadening. A critical reform agenda would be the development of a thriving primary and secondary market for bonds, derivatives and securitisation in Nigeria,” Chukwu said.

He noted that apart from bond issuance by the federal and state governments and a few corporate bonds, the primary market aspect of the market has been dormant in the past two years, with virtually no public offering.

To further diversify and deepen the market, Chukwu called for review of existing listing and post-listing rules, to provide necessary incentives and encourage companies in key sectors to list their shares, thus offering a better product mix for investors and improved earnings for the Exchange.

He said the recent global meltdown has clearly demonstrated that Nigeria is not immune from development in the international financial system, given the increasing globalised nature of funds flow, as international investors seek for best returns for their funds.

Chukwu argued that with a population in excess of 150 million people, a vastly skilled and resourceful populace and boundless resource endow-

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 29-06-11 INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSUR PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. STACO INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSUR PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 73 16 16 5 2 3 1 2 26 13 9 3 434 5 608

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 94 94

Company Name DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5

CONGLOMERATES Company Name No of Deals A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC 1 JOHN HOLT PLC 1 PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC 70 SCOA NIGERIA PLC 4 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIG P 1 1 4 UAC OF NIGERIA PLC 32 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC 69 Sector Totals 291

Quotation(N) 2.09 7.21 38.34 6.76 1.08 39.01 27.00

No of Deals 23 21 1 45

Quotation(N) 2.58 59.30 0.50

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 4 7

Quotation(N) 2.18 0.54

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 14 51 92 59 98 7 1 24 23 53 1 4 15 442

Quotation(N) 46.00 17.95 16.00 12.85 93.00 4.34 1.78 5.39 41.00 400.00 26.36 0.50 0.68

HEALTHCARE Company Name No of Deals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 29 GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC 1 0 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 32 Sector Totals 71

Quotation(N) 1.83 26.94 3.89

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 36 39

Quotation(N) 3.20 1.45

No of Deals 1 5 12 18

Quotation(N) 7.45 0.50 6.05

Quantity Traded 6,164 584,760 31,813 622,737

No of Deals 22 22

Quotation(N) 0.50

Value of Shares (N) 3,162,121.40 5,928,035.00 37,895,262.18 3,687,839.00 27,500.00 13,620.00 15,000.00 82,086.48 462,385.00 203,837.30 568,830.08 706,500.00 3,689,000.00 698,825.14 57,140,841.58

Quantity Traded 5,798,938 5,798,938

Quotation(N) 1.13

Quantity Traded 3,270,156 3,270,156

Value of Shares (N) 3,771,156.32 3,771,156.32

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded 134,770,600 134,770,600

Value of Shares (N) 67,385,300.00 67,385,300.00

Quantity Traded 100 1,000 105,500 106,600

Value of Shares (N) 137.00 500.00 60,255.00 60,892.00

Quantity Traded 324 74,771 75,095

Value of Shares (N) 169,967.16 37,385.50 207,352.66

Quantity Traded 1,645,480 1,645,480

Value of Shares (N) 3,951,334.00 3,951,334.00

Quantity Traded 59,000 29,077 221,678 21,100 25,417 36,882 899,186 7,022 1,299,362

Value of Shares (N) 29,500.00 2,069,094.40 8,002,602.30 95,372.00 515,710.93 5,679,917.95 40,703,968.72 1,373,152.10 58,469,318.40

Quantity Traded 148,760 54,700 203,460

Value of Shares (N) 816,886.00 311,188.00 1,128,074.00

Quantity Traded 483,135 483,135

Value of Shares (N) 9,248,158.84 9,248,158.84

Quantity Traded 49,000 49,000

Value of Shares (N) 27,930.00 27,930.00

Quantity Traded 266,920 266,920

Value of Shares (N) 3,830,864.37 3,830,864.37

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name No of Deals ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC 1 RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 1 UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 1 0 Sector Totals 12

Quotation(N) 1.44 0.50 0.60

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name NIGERIAN ENERGY SECTOR FUND ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 6 7

Quotation(N) 552.20 0.50

PACKAGING Company Name No of Deals NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COM PL 5 4 Sector Totals 54

Quotation(N) 2.45

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 17 22 2 14 27 159 10 253

Quotation(N) 0.50 7 2.00 3 6.10 4.75 2 0.29 154.00 4 5.05 195.50

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 13 6 19

Quotation(N) 5.60 5.50

REAL ESTATE Company Name No of Deals UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC 2 0 Sector Totals 20

Quotation(N) 1 9.30

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Value of Shares (N) 44,997.20 292,580.00 192,368.65 529,945.85

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

Quantity Traded 4,290,576 5,300,000 12,640,457 7,375,678 55,000 9,200 30,000 152,012 840,700 311,520 319,800 1,413,000 7,378,000 1,318,538 41,434,481

MEDIA

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.78 1.15 3.01 0.50 0.50 1.52 0.50 0.54 0.57 0.68 1.75 0.50 0.50 0.53

MARITIME

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC Sector Totals

ments, the Nigeria market is unmatched by any emerging global market in terms of potential.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) remained on the downtrend with the All Share Index dropping by 0.40 per cent to close lower at 24,923.64. Also, market capitalisation of quoted equities dropped N32 billion to close at N7.97 trillion.

Guinness Nigeria Plc led the gainers with a gain of 500 kobo to close at N245 per share. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc followed with addition of 280 kobo to close at N59.30 while Flour Mills of Nigeria, UACN Property Development Company and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated added 150 kobo, 80 kobo and 34 kobo to close at N93, N19.30 and 14.44 respectively.

On the downside, Conoil topped the list with a loss of 190 kobo to close at N36.10. Nestle Nigeria slid by 100 kobo to close at N400 while Oando slipped by 94 kobo to close at N45.05 per share.

Turnover at the NSE increased to 408.61 million at a value of N2.13 billion in 5,488 deals compared with 349.89 million units worth N2.18 billion exchanged in 6,089 deals in the previous trading session.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name AFRICAN PAINTS (NIG.) PLC BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Value of Shares (N) 2,899,509.00 2,899,509.00

Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) 0.57

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name No of Deals ECOBK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED 2 8 Sector Totals 28

Quotation(N) 1 4.44

Overall Totals

5,488

408,612,886

2,127,831,511.88

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

58

NEWS N38b House loan scam: EFCC not selective, says Waziri

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HE Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, yesterday said the investigation and arrest of some suspects over alleged N38billion loan scam in the House of Representatives was not selective.

She also said the commission had not swept ongoing investigation of some former governors under the carpet.

Although she was not specific on the affected ex-governors, the EFCC had been probing petitions against the past administrations of Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Ikedi Ohakim (Imo), James Ibori (Delta), Ahmed Shekarau ( Kano), Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi), among others.

Waziri broke her silence on the alleged selective trial

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

of some leaders of the sixth House of Representatives.

She spoke while receiving the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Garba Mohammed, said: “The investigation of some allegations in the House is not personal.

We have a job to do and we are doing it. What I look at is the case before me and how it can be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction. I am not looking at your religion or tribe or your face when I am handling a case.

“We look at the facts and consider whether we can sustain these in court; whether we have prima facie case. That is why a case goes to a conglomerate of lawyers and the legal advice got from these lawyers is what we use.”

Ministerial appointment: Clark, Delta Central make case for Gbagi

By Emmanuel Oladesu

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JAW Leader Edwin Clark and top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains are mounting pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan to reconsider former Minister of State for Education, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, for ministerial appointment.

The PDP leaders, who are from Delta Central senatorial District, where Gbagi hails from, have sent a powerful lobbying group to the Presidency.

Their push for a slot for Gbagi got a boost, following his alleged endorsement by Clark, who is perceived to be close to the President. Sources said new nominees may still be named because the President is trying to ensure balance, equity and justice in the geopolitical distribution of the nominees.

The Delta Central PDP leaders said in a statement that Gbagi is qualified for the position as a loyal and trustworthy party leader, who has never let the party down, since he joined the fold.

The leaders explained that Gbagi’s tenure as Minister of State was also not controversial; stressing that he would have added more value to governance, but for the short tenure.

“Gbagi is one of the most credible PDP chieftains in the Central District; loyal, dedicated and trustworthy. He has not let the party down as a leader and minister. He has the energy, ideas and drive. He is not a failed minister and he will not let the President, PDP and the nation down, if given the opportunity”, added the statement.

26 convicted for drug offences in Katsina •NDLEA arrests 307

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IGERIA Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Katsina State command has arrested 307 illicit drug offenders and convicted 26 of them.

State NDLEA Commander Ahmadu Garba spoke during the celebration of this year’s United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Katsina.

Garba said 100 drug addicts have been counseled and rehabilitated with 26 accused persons awaiting trial.

While addressing officers of the command and the public during a lecture, titled, ‘Global Action for Health Communities without Drug’, the commander said, the 2011 campaign is unique as it

Isah Idris, Katsina

exposes how drug abused destroy the health and lives of the people.

He said, the decreasing trend of drug offenders in 2011 compared to 411 arrests and 26 accused in possession of 516.038 in 2010 is attributed to the commitment of the command to rid the state of the illicit drugs.

The common drugs popularly abused in the state includes, Cannabis Sativa, Valium, Exiol, Diazepam, Solvents and cough syrups most of which are brought in by professional couriers, some patient medicine stores lawless pharmacists in the state.

•Front row: National Amira, Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Hajiya Maryam Othman (second left); Senate President’s wife, Mrs. Helen Mark (third left); First Lady, Dame Goodluck Jonathan (middle); Deputy Senate President’s wife, Mrs. Ike Ekweremadu (third right) and founder, FOMWAN, Hajiya Aisha Lemu (second right) when PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN the FOMWAN National Leadership visited the First Lady at the State House, Abuja.

Police, DPP disagree over trial of Lagos NURTW chair T

HE Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Lagos State Ministry of Justice and the Police yesterday disagreed yesterday over who should prosecute the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos Chapter, Mr Olorunwa Rafiu.

Rafiu (45), NURTW State Treasurer, Musiliu Akinsanya (36), its Lagos Island Branch Secretary, Sunday Ojomo (34) and nine others were arraigned at the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Ikeja, for allegedly possessing firearms in public and causing a breach of the peace.

The others are Korede Owolabi (24); Babatunde Akeem (22); Ayo Akintayo (22); Lanire Salawu (18); Akeem Babatunde (20); Akinola Falore (27); Bolaji Ibrahim (28); Kazeem Gomma (31) and Afis Sule (20).

They were arraigned on eight counts of alleged unlawful assembly, possessing of firearms and offensive weapons, obstruction, malicious damage, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the

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peace.

The disagreement stalled yesterday trial. The police had expressed its readiness to prosecute the case, but the DPP, represented by Mrs Bukola Akanni, told the court that the state has taken over the matter.

She said Section 211 (b) of the 1999 Constitution empowers the Attorney-General to take over any criminal matter at any time. She said she had written to the police to handover the case file.

Mrs. Akanni informed the court that the name of the sixth defendant (Akintayo) was struck out from the charges because he is sick.

She sought an adjournment to enable DPP retrieve the duplicate file from the police which, would be reviewed to ascertain whether a prima facie case had been established against the defendants.

But Police lawyer Mr Chuk-

wu Agwu while recognising the authority of the AG, questioned the DPP’s motive in dropping the charges against Akintayo.

“I don’t know the proper mission of the AG because illhealth cannot be a ground to withdraw a criminal charge.

We are going to investigate it because this matter emanated from the police,” Agwu said.

The police said Rafiu and the others on May 6, between 11am and 9.30pm at NURTW Secretariat, Abule Egba, Bourdillion Street, Ikoyi, and Oshodi, in the Lagos Magisterial District conspired to commit the offences.

They were said to have caused fear and panic among the public and committed a felony – obstruction, rioting and malicious damage. The alleged offences are contrary to Sections 70, 80, 249 (d) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

Daily Times: Court orders Anosike brothers’ arrest

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LAGOS State High Court, Ikeja, yesterday ordered the police to produce Managing Director of Folio Communications Limited, Fidelis Anosike and his brother, Noel, before it on July 24.

They are to face a 40-count charge of stealing N1.7 bil-

By Joseph Jibueze

lion worth of property belonging to Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN).

Justice Habeeb Abiru gave the order because the two failed to appear in court for arraignment.

The Anosike brothers and

their company, Folio Communications Limited, were alleged to have made false representation to the Bureau of Public Enterprises that they had means to acquire majority shares of Daily Times.

They were said to have mortgaged the newspaper’s

assets and sold some of the property to acquire the shares.

The alleged offences contravene Section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 1995 (as amended) and punishable under Section 1 (3).

Professionalism key to development, says Anyim From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Foursquare holds convention HE Foursquare Gospel Church, one of the leading Christian Pentecostal movement in Nigeria will hold its annual Men’s Convention from July 7-9.

According to the National President, Council of Foursquare Movement (CFM), Elder Churchill Peters Ayerume, three-day programme will hold at Foursquare headquarters Ajebo on the Lagos-Ibadan Express way. The General Overseer, Rev. Felix Medoye and other Ministers of God will be part of the programme.

By Joseph Jibueze

Owolabi and Akeem, at the same place and time, were said to have prevented the lawful arrest of a suspected notorious armed robber named Kazeem, alias No Case, by a police officer ASP Taofik Olokode and his team attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS).

The two also allegedly shot sporadically, damaging property belonging to the public and disturbed the peace. The offences contravene sections 71 and 356 (2) of the Criminal Code.

Agwu had prepared a 12count charge that included alleged murder. As the charges were read out to enable the police remand the accused persons, the DPP asked for the withdrawal of the counts dealing with armed robbery and murder.

Among the dropped charges was the count that Rafiu and the others “on the same date, time and place did unlawfully kill one Kunle Omoroga by shooting him with a gun.”

The trial has been adjourned till September 28

•Anyim

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HE Secretary to the Governent of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has described professionalism as the key to the country’s develop-

ment.

He said not until professional practice is encouraged in all sectors of the economy, the quest for economic development would be a mirage.

Anyim spoke when he had audience with the representatives of the Information Technology Professions led by the President and Chairman of council of Computer Professionals Registration Council if Nigeria Ibrahim Tizhe.

The SGF also noted that no economy can advance without Information Technology; saying all over the world IT drives the economy.

He said if Nigeria is to achieve Vision 202020 goal, IT must drive the process.

The SGF said the concerns expressed by the professionals aligned with that of government because “without IT we can’t cope with other advance economies of the the world. By the time Ministry of Information and technology takes off, we will be able to have somebody in the sector to head the ministry”.

In his remark, Tizhe who congratulated Anyim’s on his appointment said with his political antecedents he has the experience the office requires.

He said the purpose of the visit was for the body to assure government of its members readiness to assist in the realisation of the goals of government.

We have yearned for the establishment of a body to coordinate the activities of ICT in the country. We applaud government’s pronouncement of the establishment of the Ministry of IT. “While we express gratitude for this bold step that is capable of changing the fortunes of this nation, we urge you to use your good offices to ensure that no stumbling blocks are allowed to delay the process of it’s immediate establishment and take off”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

59

FOREIGN NEWS

France supplies arms to Libyan rebels

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RANCE has airdropped weapons to rebels fighting Col Muammar Gaddafi’s troops in Western Libya, the French military has confirmed.

Light arms and ammunition were sent to Berber tribal fighters in the Nafusa mountains in early June, it said.

Earlier, a report in Le Figaro newspaper said the arms included rocket launchers and anti-tank missiles.

France, a leading force in the Nato operation in Libya, did not inform its allies about the move, Le Figaro said.

“We began by dropping humanitarian aid: food, water and medical supplies,” said Col Thierry Burkhard, spokesman for the French general staff.

“During the operation, the situation for the civilians on the ground worsened. We

dropped arms and means of self-defence, mainly ammunition,” he told AFP news agency.

He said the arms were “light infantry weapons of the rifle type”, dropped over a period of several days “so that civilians would not be massacred”.

The BBC’s Christian Fraser in Paris says the statement is likely to bring further criticism from the likes of Russia and China, who believe Nato and its allies have already gone beyond the remit of UN resolution 1973, which authorised international military action in Libya.

The United States has argued that resolution 1973 allows countries to provide arms to rebels despite an earlier resolution - 1970 that imposed an arms embargo on the whole of Libya.

Resolution 1973 authorises “all necessary measures” to protect civilians, “notwithstanding” the arms embargo in resolution 1970.

France played a prominent role in pushing for military intervention in Libya, and French and British planes have led the air strikes over the country that began in late March.

Qatar, which has supported the Nato-led operation in Libya, has been supplying arms to rebels mainly through their eastern stronghold in the city of Benghazi.

France, the UK and Italy announced in April that they were sending military advisers to Benghazi.

The decision to drop arms to the Libyan rebels was reportedly taken following a meeting in mid-April between French President

Lightning kills 18 children in Uganda IGHTEEN children and their teacher have been killed by a lightning strike at their school in Uganda.

School children who survived after lightning struck their classroom receive treatment at Kiryandongo hospital Police say a single bolt struck the classroom where they were sheltering during a heavy storm at Kiryandongo, about 130 miles from the capital Kampala.

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Ethiopia arrests nine terror suspects

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N Ethiopian official says nine people were arrested last week on suspicions of organizing a terrorist network and planning attacks.

Government spokesman Shimeles Kemal said yesterday that two journalists were among those arrested. He says they were involved in planning attacks on infrastructure, telecommunications and power lines. Shimeles says two other suspects are members of an opposition party.

Shimeles says the suspects were supported by Ethiopia’s archenemy Eritrea and by an international terrorist group, which he did not name.

International media rights groups have been calling for the release of Reeyot Alemu, a columnist for the independent weekly Feteh, and Woubshet Taye, deputy editor-in-chief of the weekly Awramba Times newspaper.

Another 38 children were injured in the incident and 15 of them are still in hospital where they are being treated for serious burns.

“They were ready to leave the school, but all of a sudden there was a heavy downpour so they sheltered in a classroom, and then it struck,” a police spokesman said.

It is the latest in a series of fatal lightning strikes in Uganda in recent weeks during unseasonal heavy rains.

School children who survived after lightning struck their classroom receive treatment at Kiryandongo hospital Thirty-eight children were injured, some with serious burns The local New Vision newspaper said at least 40 people had been killed, many of them

children.

In another incident last week, three siblings aged four, six and eight were killed by lightning as they sheltered under a tree on their way home from school.

Politicians in the East African country have demanded government action to address what they have called “a crisis”.

Local meteorologists say more lightning conductors are needed on buildings in storm-prone areas to reduce the threat.

Even before this latest deadly strike, Uganda had one of the highest death tolls from lightning in the world.

Kampala has more days of lightning per year than any other city according to the World Meteorological Organisation.

Gunfight in DR Congo mining capital leaves five dead DEADLY gun battle has erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo mining capital of Lubumbashi.

President Joseph Kabila is in the town to preside over today’s Independence Day ceremonies.

Reports indicate that a military depot was the focus of the assault, but officials deny this.

Police opened fire on the attackers. Two gunmen and three civilians were killed in the gun battle, which lasted just under an hour.

The gunfire began on Wednesday between 0300-0400 local time in an industrial area of Lubumbashi where an army weapons depot, mining companies and railway tracks are located side-by-side.

Eyewitnesses told the BBC French service correspondent in the city that attackers had targeted the military depot and made radio calls for reinforcements.

There are no political links with those bandits, we know they are really robbers.”

The three civilians killed included two security guards, one of whom worked for the local railway company, and the other for the fuel storage depot.

The BBC correspondent at the scene saw 14 jeeps carrying presidential guards leave the army base in the afternoon.

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Sudanese leader Al-Bashir celebrates the two nations signed HE president of Suagreements to expand coopdan, formally accused China’s visit

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of abetting war crimes and genocide in an international arrest warrant issued a year ago, met President Hu Jintao of China and reviewed an honor guard in Beijing on yesterday, a ceremonial start to a visit overshadowed by the impending

division of Sudan into two nations next month.

Meeting in the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square, the Sudanese president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, called Mr. Hu “a friend and brother” before the two entered private talks. Earlier,

eration in oil exploration and to finance a range of agricultural programs.

China’s state-run Xinhua news agency said the leaders would discuss Sudan’s partition and the conflict in Darfur, on Sudan’s border with Chad.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

60

FOREIGN NEWS Greece passes key austerity measures

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•Greeks protesting new austerity measures in Athens...yesterday

UK ‘s strike warning threatens air travel TRAVELLERS have been warned to expect delays on arrival at United Kingdom ports and airports today as hundreds of immigration and customs officers are due to join the public sector strike.

About 600,000 teachers and civil servants are due to strike over planned pension changes they say will mean them working longer and paying more.

Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons there was no case for strikes.

He said government plans were “fair to taxpayers” and the public sector.

Addressing Parliament during prime minister’s questions, Mr Cameron said: “I don’t believe there is any case for industrial action tomorrow, not least because talks are still on-going.”

“It’s only a minority of unions who have taken the decision to go ahead and strike.”

Somali criminals must stay in UK THE United Kingdom must not deport two Somalis convicted of serious crimes because to do so would endanger their lives, the European Court of Human Rights says.

The Strasbourg judges said the UK’s duty to protect the two from torture or inhumane treatment was “absolute”.

The pair, aged 24 and 42, were served with deportation orders after being convicted of burglary, threats to kill, robbery and dealing in class A drugs.

The ruling sets a legal precedent for 214 similar UK cases involving Somalis.

Abdisamad Adow Sufi (24) and Abdiaziz Ibrahim Elmi (42) are being held at immigration detention centres in the UK.

NATO’S helicopters kill Taliban N in hotel attack ATO helicopters were called in to kill three militants to end a five-hour clash by suicide bombers and gunmen on a hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The attack on the Intercontinental Hotel, frequented by Westerners, left six more attackers, two police and 11 civilians, including a Spaniard dead.

A security official said the militants may have exploited renovation work to gain access to the high-security hotel.

A Taliban spokesman said the insurgent group had carried out the attack.

However, interior and defence ministry officials told the BBC it bore the hallmarks of the Haqqani network, a group closely allied

to the Taliban but which operates independently.

President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack, saying that the insurgents enjoyed spilling innocent blood but that such incidents would not hinder the process of transition of responsibility for security from Natoled to Afghan security forces.

For the men, women and children in the hotel for a wedding, it was a night of sheer hell” Smoke and flames could be seen coming from the hotel as the sun rose over Kabul.

Afghan security officials said at least nine militants

had stormed the building, and all had been killed.

A senior provincial judge, some waiters and musicians performing at the hotel were among the dead.

At least eight people were wounded including two New Zealand members of Isaf special forces who were “moderately” injured.

The attack began while many guests were in the dining room late on Tuesday.

Afghan officials told the BBC that one suicide bomber had blown himself up at the front of the hotel and another on the second floor.

Witnesses said panic broke out as guests, including a wedding party, fled for

safety.

An official from the northern Takhar province told the BBC he saw men armed with grenade-launchers and machine guns running towards the hotel.

Beyond the immediate psychological impact of the attack, a curious game of signals is being played here.

Afghan troops and police sealed off the building and cut the power, as security forces were using night-vision equipment.

Intense gunfire was heard coming from the hotel and some explosions could be heard up to 5km (3 miles) away, said the BBC’s Bilal Sarwary in Kabul.

Afghan police said one militant was shot dead as security forces fought their way through.

Saudi women arrested for defying driving ban

F

IVE Saudi women who dared to break the driving ban by getting behind the wheel were arrested for a few hours and then released by the Kingdom’s muttawas, or religious police, in the Red Sea coast city of Jeddah.

To gain their release, the women, along with their legal male guardians, had to sign a pledge declaring they would not drive again.

In what is being described as “dramatic” night time raids, police detained one of the women as she was driving in the city. She was reportedly surrounded by four police cars and taken into custody.

According to a conservative Saudi news website, her car was also confiscated.

The other four were first accused of defying the ban and then arrested.

Galvanized by the recent revolutions in the Arab world, the organization

Saudi Women for Driving, a coalition of leading Saudi women’s rights activists, released a statement that read, “The Saudi police decided to wait a few weeks before cracking down in the hope that international attention on the ban on women driving would subside.”

The law in the Kingdom does not actually prohibit women from driving but there are fatwas, or religious edicts, which follow Wahabism, a strict form of Islam that follows the Koran literally and has been in place for centuries. It is the muttawas who police the streets and enforce those

edicts in the country.

It is the first time the muttawas cracked down on women drivers since women’s rights campaigner and single mother Manal Al Sharif was arrested for driving in May this year and remained behind bars for nice days. Al Sharif is one of five organizers who set up the facebook group “Women 2 Drive” page, launched a nationwide campaign calling on all women across the country to drive on June 17.

Dozens of women across the country hit the streets, some documenting their audacious act and posting their videos on YouTube.

The Saudi women have been tirelessly trying to reverse these laws to enable women to drive so that they can have more freedom and no longer have to rely on their male guardians to commute.

Eman Al Nafjan, a Saudi women’s rights blogger and college teacher, is one of them. She spoke of her frustration, telling ABC News, “Do you know how difficult it is for me? I am 32 years old, a mother of three, teaching college students, and I am trusted to teach but not trusted behind the wheel just because I don’t have the right genitals?’’

France get new Finance Minister

F

RENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy named François Baroin yesterday as new finance minister to replace Christine Lagarde, who was named the top job at the International Monetary Fund.

Mr. Baroin, who is currently the budget minister, inherits the task of working with other European finance ministers to help find a solution to the debt crisis afflicting the euro zone.

Mr. Baroin, 46, has long

been considered a loyalist of former President Jacques Chirac. In the budget ministry for little over a year, he helped pilot a reform of France’s wealth tax in a bid to appease his conservative UMP party’s wealthier electorate.

HE Greek parliament has voted in favour of a drastic package of austerity measures intended to save the country from defaulting on its debts.

The proposed tax hikes and spending cuts have been deeply unpopular with the Greek public.

A nationwide 48-hour strike is under way and violent clashes are continuing in the streets of the capital, Athens.

Greece is heavily in debt and the package is needed to win the latest tranche of a 110bn-euro (£98bn) loan.

Members of Parliament passed the measures by 155 votes to 138.

They will hold a second vote on Thursday aimed at law reforms that would allow the package to be implemented.

Ahead of the vote, PM George Papandreou urged MPs to approve the package by consensus.

Greece is about to get a second bail-out from the EU, aimed at helping pay its debts until 2014. It also has to agree more cuts as part of the deal.

The Greek economy is in dire straits. Retail sales have fallen 18% since 2008 and manufacturing output has dropped 30% in the same period.

Greeks retire on average at 61. Tax evasion is widespread. Until 2010, public sector workers received two months extra pay a year in bonuses.

To meet EU demands, Greece must sell 50bn eurosworth of public assets by 2014, equal to 20% of GDP. Public sector pay is being cut 15%.

African Union summit opens without Gaddafi

T

HE African Union summit opens to day in Melabo, Equitorial Guinea without the Libyan leader Moamar Gaddafi. It’s fitting, however, that in order to reach the conference hall, delegates will need to pass under his defiant gaze.

Even though Gaddafi is not in attendance, the problem he poses looms large for the 53-nation body.

“There is a very strong number of countries in the African Union who believe that Gaddafi’s time is up and that he should go, and there are some who — to a greater or lesser extent — do not share that view,” Britain’s International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell told reporters in London before heading to the talks.

Diplomats from all over the world are descending on Malabo, the capital of this minuscule nation located on an island off the western edge of Africa, in an effort to persuade Gaddafi’s peers to force him from power.

Gaddafi inspires deeply conflicted emotions on a continent where numerous strongmen still cling to power, including several who came to office in coups backed by Gaddafi as well as others whose regimes could be destabilized if the wave of popular unrest spreads south.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

61

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

62

SPORT EXTRA

NFF cautions German assistant

T

HE wings of Super Falcons German assistant, Thomas Obliers have been clipped.

His employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), have warned him not to meddle in the technical matters of the national team if he loves his job.

NFF were forced to remind the coach after Nigeria’s opening game against France alleging the German overstepped his bounds.

“He is in the team as a physical trainer and not a technical adviser. That is the responsibility of the coach. We were not just comfortable with the role he played on that day which prompted us to inform him again in Germany,” said the source.

On Monday when the team arrived in Frankfurt from Heilderberg, Obliers looked cold and was not in tracksuit which is the norm whenever the team is on national assignment.

“I can’t speak on technical matters but if you want me to get the coach l will gladly do that,” Obliers told NationSport.

Obliers has been with the team since March and was on the bench when Nigeria lost to Ghana in the second leg of the All Africa Games qualifier. The German was contracted based on his perceived knowledge of the women’s game in his native country.

Another claim to the job was that seven players of the German national team had played under him in the past. He hails from Cologne.

Falcons to earn double against Germany

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed on Wednesday that players and officials of the National Women’s football team, Super Falcons will be paid double their regular match bonus in case they win against hosts Germany in Frankfurt this evening.

NFF President Aminu Maigari told the ladies at lunch-time on Wednesday that the NFF is determined to motivate them to get a result of the defending world champions, who start as favourites when the two teams take the pitch at the FIFA World Cup Stadium in Frankfurt.

About 45,000 fans are expected to attend tonight’s clash between the world champions and African champions. Nigeria need a win or draw to stay in contention for a place in the quarter finals, after losing 0-1 to France in Sinsheim on Sunday. The Germans defeated Canada in a tough game in Berlin on Sunday evening.

In the other match of Group A, Canada takes on France in Bochum ahead of the clash between Germany and Nigeria.

Maigari, who has been with the team in Germany since the start of the

tournament, said on Wednesday: “We have as much interest in you ladies and indeed, all National Women teams, and your performance in international football, as we have in the men’s teams.

“We care very much about your output in major competitions and that is why the NFF sent the team on a four-week final training camp in Austria

ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The NFF has also done much to motivate this team to optimum performance. I believe you ladies will go out there tomorrow and do Nigeria proud.”

The Super Falcons will round up their Group A campaign at the finals with a match against Canada in Dresden on Tuesday evening.

We ’ll reach final, Dede boasts

S

UPER Falcons captain Precious Dede has expressed optimism about the team’s chances to reach the final of the ongoing Women’s World Cup. The Nigerian goalkeeper added that the team is looking beyond today’s game against Germany with full hope to surpass their last World Cup achievements and possibly lift the trophy for the first time.

“We certainly have a chance of making the World Cup final, and maybe even winning it,” Dede said.

The two teams approach toady’s clash in

contrasting moods.

Heartened by their 2–1 opening-day victory over Canada, and guaranteed the support of another huge and partisan home crowd, the Germans will be brimming with confidence as they pursue a second victory and top spot in the group. On the other hand, the Nigerians’ 1–0 defeat to France in their first match means they must go in search of points against the favourites for the trophy. That should make for an exciting game, as Uche Eucharia’s team cannot afford simply to defend and hope to come away with a draw.

Eucharia to bench Oparanozie • Picks Sarah Michael to pair Nkwocha

T

HERE are strong indications that Super Falcons forward, Desire Oparanozie may start from the bench against Germany following her disappointing performance against France in the ongoing FIFA Women's World Cup. An impeccable source revealed to NationSport that Finland based Sarah Michael may get the role of a supporting striker with Perpetua Nkwocha acting as the pointwoman.

The change of formation has to do with the fact that Oparanozie has not been able to convince chief coach, Eucharia Uche despite her exploits at the junior level.

"This has got nothing to do with what happened on Sunday when she missed that opportunity. It has been happening and Sunday's

performance was the last straw. We have seen that when she has about 10 scoring chances, she would only convert one,” said the source.

"And with a team against Germany we need a mobile a t t a c k e r . Y e s Oparanozie is big but it is not enough," added the source.

Michael replaced Oparanozie in the second half in their opening game against France on Sunday. Interestingly, the Delta Queens player who scored three goals for Nigeria at last year's FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup is admired

by Germany head coach, Silva Neid. Nigeria needs a win or a draw to keep their hopes alive while hoping that Canada defeats France in the other group match of the women championship.

SPACE FOR SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE OGBONI IBILE FRATERNITY ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA CHANGE OF TRUSTEES. This is to inform the General Public that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs commission, Abuja for change of Trustees under Part C Of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. 1990.

THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1. High Chief David Aboderin Atolagbe, National Olori Oluwo.

2. High Chief Akanbi, National Olori Apena.

3. Prince Alfred Adeoye Oshin, National General Secretary.

4. High Chief Adisa Olundegun,Otun National Olori apena.

5. High Chief Oluwo Mufutau Olayinka Adenawo Kawonishe, National Treasurer.

6. High Chief Oluwo Tajudeen Kassim, Osi Olori Oluwo.

7. High Chief Emmanuel Afolabi, Assistant National Secretary while the former trustees who now deceased were: Moses Majekodunmi, Gilbert Ajibola Adenuga, Arthur Kehinde Ishola, James Abiola Ajose, Matthew Ojo and Aluko Ogunlana.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Prince Alfred Adeoye Oshin.

(National General Secretary)

63

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

SPORT EXTRA

Falcons to spot green jersey against Germany N

IGERIA women national team, the Super Falcons will be in all green jersey for today's crucial group A match against Germany at the Frankfurt Main Stadium.

The team's choice of jersey was arrived at the pre-match meeting for both teams at the Maritim Hotel in Frankfurt.

Host and World champions,

•As Ikidi, Jerome clear dope test •FIFA appoints Korean referee From Ejiro Femi-Babafemi, in Germany Germany will wear their traditional white t-shirts on black shorts with yellow stripes.

•Louisa Necib of France challenges Rita Chikwelu of Nigeria during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Group A match between

Assistant secretary general in charge of competitions, Dr.Sanusi Mohammed attended the meeting with chief coach, Eucharia Uche.

The match which has generated so much interest will be played at 7.45pm Nigeria time.

Sanusi confirmed that the medical team had certified all the players fit for the match including Faith Ikidi.

Ikidi complained of abdominal pains during Nigeria's game against France and had to be replaced with Josephine Chukwunonye in the first half.

But the pains did not however, stop FIFA from testing Ikidi and fellow team mate Jerome Ulumna of using banned substances.

They had their urine samples tested in an out-ofcompetition exercise in conformity with the antidoping rules. They have been cleared.

Only Colombian player Yineth Baron has been provisionally suspended by the FIFA disciplinary committee. The suspension covers all domestic and international matches including friendlies for Colombia.

Meanwhile FIFA has appointed Cha Sung Mi of Korea as the centre referee.

AHEAD FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP

Flying Eagles travelling arrangement rescheduled

N

IGERIA Football Federation (NFF)’s Acting General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu has said that the country’s representative for the forth coming U- 20 World Cup slated for Colombia, the Flying Eagles will now be travelling on Saturday as against the proposed departure today.

NationSport also gathered that the new travelling arrangement for the team was necessitated by the desire of the NFF to have the team travel together and not in batches.

The NFF said yesterday that the National U-20 team, Flying Eagles will now travel to Faro, Portugal on Saturday for a 16-day training camp ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Colombia.

“We have to re-schedule the team’s travel arrangement for logistics reasons. We didn’t want the team travelling in two batches and on different airlines.

“The new arrangement is for the team to travel on Saturday from Lagos aboard Lufthansa airline, and stop over in Frankfurt before connecting Faro in Portugal”, said Amadu.

In a release made available

•Now to fly Lufthansa on Saturday •To play more friendlies in Portugal

By Innocent Amomoh

by the Head Media, of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, Amadu also confirmed that the arrangement for an international friendly between the Flying Eagles and the Portugal U-20 team in Lisbon on July 13 is firmly in place and that the team will be playing more friendlies while in camp in far away Portugal.

“We are also working at getting two or three more friendly games for the team while in Portugal”, he said.

They players scheduled to be on board are: goalkeeper Danjuma Paul, Uche Nwofor, Chidi Osuchukwu, Olanrewaju Kayode, Edafe Egbedi, Ganiu Ogungbe, Ramon Azeez, Stanley Okoro, Philemon Daniel, Abdul Jeleel Ajagun, Terry Envoh, Mohammed Aliyu, Gideon Gambo, Terna Suswan, Ahmed Musa, Gbenga Arokoyo, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Kelly Godwin.

Others are, Jamiu Alimi, Omoh Ojabu, Kazim Yekini, Felix Udoh, Sani Tahir, Bright Ejike, Kenneth

Omeruo, Sani Emmanuel, Eddy Onazi, Seyi Adeleke, Chimezie Mbah.

The officials includes, Sam John Obuh (Head Coach), Samuel Abimbola, Asstant Coach, Maidajin Yakubu, Asstant Coach, and Suleiman Shuaibu, Goalkeepers’ Trainer. Also on the train will be, Abdulrahaman Ozi, Team Doctor, Nnaemeka Anozie ,Physiotherapist, Sirajo Hassan, Team Secretary, Labaran Akawu Equipment Manager, Samm Audu Media Officer, Ahmed Abdul, team Coordinator.

The team will resume camping on Wednesday.

•RamonAzeez

Ayew to miss crucial AAG qualifier REAM Team V may They will be replaced by Adams, Abeiku D be heaving a sigh of against NigeriaSadick relief upon the news making the rounds that Olympique Marseille ace Jordan Ayew will miss Ghana’s Under-23 return leg of the All Africa Games qualifier against Nigeria.

According to reports on GHANAsoccernet.com, the promising striker left Accra on Monday night to join his

club side who are set to begin pre-season.

Also David Addy, William Owusu-Acheampong and Richmond Boakye Yiadom have been recalled by their respective European sides.

The players have been recalled by their clubs ahead of the start of the new season.

Quansah, Malik Akowuah and petit attacker Latif Salifu.

“We know some player are likely to miss the match so we have called up these players as a back-up and prepare for this major assignment,” head coach Akwasi Appiah told GHANAsoccernet.com

Complaints trail Garden City Games

A

THLETES from the various states of the

federation participating in the national sports festival are full of bitter complaints which they have heaped on the organisers for poor logistic arrangements.

Moving from one venue to the other, athletes complain of inadequate accommodation facilities like where to lay their heads, lighting, feeding and so on.

Up till forty-eight hours after moving to the camp, even athletes from Rivers state are still complaining of beddings to lay their heads at night and not just Rivers but other states too. One of the Rivers athletes yelled at NationSport: "You journalists are one sided in your reporting!

They want gold from us and no body is asking if they have equipped us. They say they have state-of -art

From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt

equipments, we are still struggling to get them. Till now, we don't have even foams to sleep and you people are just reporting that Rivers state is ready, its not fair!"

So many other athletes have also complained of the accommodation, feeding, mosquitoes and the tiring

distance from the games village in Uniport to their various centre especially the ones at Aggrey road, Civic centre and Agbani Darego amidst heavy traffic which wears them out before their games.

Meanwhile, NationSport also gathered that the Uniport premises was fumigated on Tuesday to take care of the mosquitoe menace.

NPL banish Ocean Boys to Abuja •Sharks defender suspended

P

REMIER League side, Ocean Boys has been banished to Abuja for the rest of the season.

Nigeria Premier League in a statement, Wednesday, revealed that the Yenagoa based side assaulted a match official after the game against Kwara United last Sunday.

The match ended 1-1 and the team decided to take the

laws into their hands by molesting the match official.

In a related development, Sharks of Port-Harcourt defender, Fortune Chukwudi is suspended indefinitely and fined N100, 000 for molesting the Assistant referee, CN Ude in the game against Enyimba of Aba. The punishment takes effect immediately.

WHO

‘The upside is that public officers we elect to serve as the means to the attainment of our various ends, consequently end up exploiting us as the means to their ends. The greedier we evolve, the more neurotic we become – as elected representatives and electorate – in our practice of leadership and citizenship “for the general good of society,” “for the good of future generations” and everything and anything except actual humankind’

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO. 1,806

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

M

Y heart sank when I learnt that a bomb had gone off at Louis Edet House, the police headquarters in Abuja. It was on a day on which I wrote “A vote for security” in which I laid out the massive canvass of insecurity in the land even as our leaders revelled after the April elections, celebrating their victories in the battles that now seem little and sparing no thought for the war ahead.

The police said two people died in that incident. I doubt it. The capital city was terrified by the heart-rending event, although it was not the first of such occurrences. It lost its innocence on October 1, last year when bombs shattered the revelry of the Independence anniversary. After that, another bomb went off on the outskirts of the city. Despite these, it was never imagined that the Louis Edet House – the heart of police might and intelligence – could be the scene of such brutality. How damn wrong we all were.

The incident occurred three days after the police chief, Hafiz Ringim, vowed in Maiduguri that his men, who had suffered so much casualty in that city, would crush the Jama’atu Abliss Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, whose battle-cry is “Western education is sinful”. Dazed and amazed at the weight of the blow that hit them right in the heart, the police could not immediately free themselves from the hangover to begin a thorough search for answers. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack. And many said it was a reply to Ringim’s Maiduguri harangue, which, to Boko Haram, was too much of an haram. In other words, Ringim was told in clear terms that this kind of battle transcends Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) ; it is novel in its infernal conception and pernicious execution. So, it calls for ingenuity; not shooting one’s mouth off.

Foreign help has been summoned, yet the matter remains as puzzling as it was when the fire was raging that Thursday morning.

Ringim, one week after, denied hosting the bomber in his home, as claimed by some accounts, which also suggested that the lone bomber actually joined his convoy. Besides, he said it was too early to call it suicide bombing. Now, what is it?

Why was the unmarked car in which the bomber drove not stopped right at the gates?

Were there no checks? Is the your-boys-arehere-sir and roja me attitude exhibited on city roads the culture at the headquarters?

Was the traffic warden who died doing the normal thing – jumping into a car to ensure the driver parks at the right place? Who are the survivors of this despicable incident?

Why are they being shielded from the media? Who are the owners of the scores of cars burnt at the Police Headquarters? What

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

Abuja bomb: A post-mortem

•Ringim

happened to all the bomb detectors? How agile are our policemen? Questions.

Since that shocking (?) incident, the strange sect has gone more lethal in its adventures.

Last Sunday in Dalla, Maiduguiri, 25 people died as bombs went off at some beer gardens. Many of the victims, I am sure, were not just drinking for pleasure; they may have been forced to hit the bottle in a desperate bid to suppress their anger and disenchantment at a system that promises no gain but so much pains amid plenty.

Why were they targeted? The jihad? Could killing them hold the answer to all the questions Boko Haram is raising? Can this bestiality guarantee conversion and enthrone Sharia? At what point will the sect embrace dialogue? Isn’t it said that every war is finally settled at a roundtable? But, the question of who the Boko Haram members are remains as knotty as untying their mode of operation. Who then do we talk to?

The killings continued on Monday, with

RIPPLES UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN STUDENTS PROTEST BLACKOUT-News

You better go and use your CANDLES...

PHCN is STAND-BY

three victims at the Customs office in Maiduguri. People in uniform appear to be the major target. Should we then move all our uniform personnel out and surrender the city to Boko Haram? Capitulation? The Federal Government won’t buy this, for obvious reasons, as it will amount to surrendering Nigeria’s sovereignty to a group. So, enter the military.

A task force has been sent in to rescue Maiduguri from this danger in which it has been plunged by the conspiracy of a few who never knew that the seed they were planting would some day germinate into this cauldron that is threatening to consume everyone and all the freedoms that we hold so dear. The other time the military joined the fray, soldiers levelled the Boko Haram enclave and captured its leader whom they handed over to the police. Mohammed Yusuf was assassinated, obviously. That was wrong. Where is the report of his death’s probe? Did the police think killing him would automatically signal the end of this strange sect? Curses, like chicken, come home to roost. Why do we always forget this?

Poor Governor Kashim Shettima. He has suggested amnesty for members of the sect, an offer they have thrown back at his face, even as they are demanding his resignation, strict enforcement of the Sharia and punishment for the killers of their leader.

Shettima is yet to quit. He stands firm. Not so former Gombe Governor Danjuma Goje from whom the group is demanding an apology for what it calls his role in the crisis.

Goje has begged. He tendered a public apology to “ the organisation for any wrong done to it in the course of performing my duty as the then governor of Gombe State”.

I wonder why some former governors are waiting for a fatwa before apologising for the atrocities they committeed while at the helm.

When the President visited the Police Headquarters, he dismissed the insinuation that

HARDBALL

I

F you are looking for evidence whether relentless criticism of their elephantine emoluments is finally getting to Nigeria’s notoriously thick-skinned federal lawmakers, look no further than recent comments by the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

Addressing a plenary session of the House Tuesday he promised to practise “fiscal conservatism” regarding public funds spent for paying salaries and other allowances.

He said: “The seventh session of the House of Representatives recognises the concerns raised by Nigerians about the cost of running the National Assembly. The House will be more transparent regarding all public funds spent for the purpose of paying salaries and allowances of legislators and ensure that distinction is sufficiently made between what is spent to run and implement legislative business and committee activities”.

While Tambuwal’s pledge is welcome, he can kick off this new era of openness by answering the question: how much does a member of the House earn as salary? It is such a simple question, and yet no one knows the answer.

Lawmakers who collect the millions every

SAID WHAT

OLATUNJI OLOLADE

the Inspector-General was the target of the attack. He said anybody could have been the target. I disagree sir. The coincidence was no mere coincidence. The lone bomber drove in just after Ringim’s convoy. His car was unmarked, yet he cruised onto the grounds of the headquarters. He parked close to the police chief’s cars and was asked to leave. Didn’t his behaviour show that he knew his mission?

The Army chief, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has said the days of Boko Haram are numbered, even as he noted that its mode of operation is new here. Yesterday, he called them terrorists and traitors who must be exposed.

Shouldn’t we act fast and talk less about this emergency? Are our soldiers trained to fight this kind of war to which nowhere, including military barracks, is sacred?

When the Boko Haram matter came up at the Senate, many were alarmed. Senate President David Mark said: “What we are witnessing now is very small. If you go to countries like Israel or Lebanon or some of the countries in the Middle East, they are subjected to a lot of inconveniences because of the security nature of their own environment.”

Thanks sir, we don’t want Lebanon here.

Enough is already more than enough.

Consider the Boko Haram presumption, add the looming N18,000 minimum wage crises, throw in kidnappings – the daughter of the Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner, who was snatched in Akwa Ibom, is still with her abductors – robberies and the deep disillusionment of the ordinary man who finds life so tough, then you have a conflagration. God forbid. A recipe? Let’s try state police. Community policing works all over the world; Why not here? It seems better, despite all its drawbacks.

A colleague of mine keeps saying inviting the FBI was unnecessary. He believes the police will soon seize a chief suspect in the Boko Haram conundrum. His proof: a few lines that appeared on this page a long while ago. Here again: “In an effort to determine the top crime fighting agency in Nigeria, the President narrowed the field to three finalists: SSS, Army and Police. The three contenders were given the task of catching a rabbit that was released into the forest. The SSS went in, placing informants all over the place. They questioned all plants and mineral witnesses.

After three months of extensive investigation, the SSS concluded that rabbits do not exist. The army went into the forest. After two weeks without a capture, they burnt the forest, killing everything in it, including the rabbit. They made no apologies. The rabbit deserved it. The police went into the forest.

They came out two hours later with a badly beaten hyena. The hyena was yelling: `Okay, okay; I agree. I’m a rabbit! I’m a rabbit!`” •For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Tambuwal and the money question month appear to have been sworn to a Mafialike Omerta over their earnings. It is almost as if they are ashamed of divulging how much they are pocketing.

In the information void that has emerged, all sorts of figures have been bandied about.

Some have alleged that the lawmakers draw the equivalent of $100,000 monthly. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in July 2009 put a senator’s official package at N8, 206, 920, while a member of the House of Representatives takes home N6, 352, 680 per annum.

Apparently, that was not satisfactory so the lawmakers last year approved a new set of “running costs” and “quarterly allowances” for themselves.

A breakdown of these periodic payments shows that N42 million goes to each representaive, while senators receive N45 million per person - meaning that the legislators then bag something in the region of N168 million every year.

Can Tambuwal confirm that these seemingly unreal figures are real? Nigerians would

also want to know, in the spirit of transparency, what these “running costs” are addressing.

It is no secret that our public service is rife with false accounting practices and other dodgy devices. Some lawmakers have been known to claim to have in their employ nonexistent aides.

Others have perfected the trick of bullying parastatals under their oversight into picking up the bulk of the so-called running costs for which the taxpayer is being billed millions of naira.

Everyone knows what an American president or congressman earns. You can Google the salary of a British Member of Parliament.

Why then should the salary of the Nigerian president or representative be a state secret?

Let Tambuwal begin his “fiscal conservatism” with a liberal dose of openness. He also needs to understand that Nigerians are not just asking for lawmakers to pass the test of accounting: they are saying there is no justification for the immoral payments being collected by federal legislators.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

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E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO