The Nation June 9 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Ajimobi: Akala took N3b five days to exit

NEWS

Page 6

•It was for contractors, says ex-governor

PDP chiefs move against Obasanjo NEWS – Page 12

•Folarin, others meet in Abuja http://www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 6, NO. 1785 THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

N9b contracts: Court sends Bankole to EFCC custody Salami did no wrong, says panel

Detectives grill ex-Deputy Speaker Nafada, Akogun, others

From Kamorudeen Ogundele, Abuja

From Yusuf Alli and Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

C

OURT of Appeal President Isa Ayo Salami got a clean bill of health yesterday.

A five-man Reconciliation Committee set up by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to broker peace between the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, and Justice Salami cleared the Court of Appeal chief of any wrongdoing.

On the committee are retired Supreme Court Justices B.O. Babalakin, A.B. Wali, Anthony Iguh and Emmanuel Ayoola as well as a former Appeal Court President, Justice Mustapha Akanbi.

The Chairman of the panel, Justice Babalakin, tendered its findings while testifying before a five-man probe panel set up by the council to investigate the allegations and counter allegations between the duo yesterday.

The probe panel headed by a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umar Abdullahi, has the former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Of-

F

ORMER Speaker Dimeji Bankole returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody yesterday.

Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja sent Bankole to the EFCC, after he was arraigned on a 16-count charge of contract inflation and award of contracts amounting to N894 million without recourse to the Procurement Act. Also yesterday, the EFCC, which is prosecuting Bankole, drilled his former Deputy, Alhaji Bayero Nafada, former Majority Leader Tunde Akogun and four other exprincipal officers.

Bankole’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), attempted to move an oral bail application, but EFCC counsel Mr. Festus Keyamo objected.

Keyamo argued that the allegations against the former Speaker were weighty and required that materials be placed before the court.

Justice Okorowo, who upheld the objection, ordered that Bankole be remanded in the EFCC custody. He adjourned the hearing of the bail application till tomorrow.

The defence is to file a formal application.

The court fixed July 26 and 27 for trial.

Bankole’s lawyer faulted the manner of his client’s arrest by the antiContinued on page 2

•Bankole in court ... yesterday

Continued on page 2

I’m not against Tambuwal, says Jonathan

P •Tambuwal

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said his administration is not against the choice of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Emeka Ihedioha as speaker and deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.

To the President, that members of the House voted against the choice of the Peoples Democratic Party

From Vincent Ikuomola and Adeola Fayehun, New York

(PDP) is no big deal.

President Jonathan spoke to reporters yesterday in New York after the opening of the UN meeting on HIV/ AIDS. Dr Jonathan, who was responding to a questions on the fate of the Southwest, said with the develop-

ment at the National Assembly, the decision to choose whosoever they wished was for the House to take.

He, however, defended his party’s insistence on a Southwest candidate, saying it was simply to obey the law which advocates the principle of Federal Character.

The essence, he noted, is to allow every geopolitical zone a fair share.

He said the party would be looking at the situation, with the objective of addressing any discontent that might arise from the decision.

“I have congratulated the new leadership of the National Assembly. There is always confusion when it comes to zoning and spread of political offices.

Continued on page 2

•INDUSTRY P17 •SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •NATURAL HEALTH P47

2

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

NEWS

I’m not against Tambuwal, says Jonathan Continued from page 1

ja

•President Goodluck Jonathan addressing the UN Security Council’s meeting on HIV/AIDS ... yesterday. Behind him are Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof Joy Ogwu (left), and Dr Martin Uhomoibhi (right), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New York.

PHOTO: NAN

“You know we have the Federal Character Law that sets up the Federal Character Commission, long ago before I came into the office during the military regime to ensure that offices are evenly spread.

You know our country is a poly-ethnic and multi-religious one. “You know the country is divided into six geo–political zones for the purpose of spreading key offices. Of course, once you elect the president and vice president from other political zones, you must spread the rest among the remaining zones.

It has nothing to do with the so-called zoning that people are talking about.

“And for the circumstances of my election, I don’t like talking about it because most times it is mixed up but when the PDP decided that after the emergence of the president from Southsouth and the vice president from Northwest, that the offices should be given to the remaining four zones in order to obey the federal character law, but the House of Representatives, in their own wisdom, voted against the position of the

Salami did no wrong, says Panel Continued from page 1

fences Commission (ICPC), Justice Ayoola, Hon. Justice D. O. Edozie, Justice M. E. Akpiroroh and Hajiya Rakiya S. Ibrahim, as members.

Justice Babalakin said the Reconciliation Committee concluded that the CJN has no power to interfere with proceedings in any court as was done in the Sokoto State governorship election petition appeal.

The CJN had through a letter stopped the Sokoto State governorship election petition appeal from delivering its judgment in an appeal filed by Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) against the 2007 election victory of Governor Aliyu Magatarkarda Wamakko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Salami alleged that Justice Katsina-Alu asked him to compromise the Court of Appeal’s verdict on the protracted Sokoto governorship legal tussle by either disbanding the original panel, which he (Justice KatsinaAlu) believed was about to give a verdict against the

governor or to direct the panel to give judgment in the governor’s favour.

The request, he said, he declined.

Although this was kept under wraps, it became public when Justice Katsina-Alu planned to elevate Salami to the Supreme Court – an offer Justice Salami rejected.

A copy of the conclusions of the Babalakin-chaired Committee obtained by our correspondents reads: “There is no case of misconduct made against the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal in the petitions.

“The Committee finds that the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council has no power to interfere with any proceedings in any Court as was done in this case.

“That the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal put many matters in his reply to the petitions and since such matters are not complaints falling under the petitions, we do not see the need to deal with them.

“In regard to the petition dated 22/2/2009 which should read 22/2/2010 against the Hon. Chief Justice

of Nigeria by Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), the Committee finds that on the face of it there is no misconduct established against his Lordship.”

A source at the sitting yesterday revealed that Justice Akanbi described Justice Abdullahi’s committee as a waste of time and resources with no benefit to the nation.

Justice Akanbi also objected to the presence of Justice Ayoola on the Abdullahi panel while testifying before the panel yesterday in Abuja.

Since Justice Ayoola sat on the Reconciliatory Committee and was part of the decision taken, Justice Akanbi felt he should not be part of the probe panel.

The same position was taken by Justice Babalakin who chaired the first committee that was set up to look into the Sokoto State matter before the Justice Abdullahi panel was set up.

According to the two jurists, the Sokoto matter has already been deliberated upon by the panel chaired by Justice Babalakin, in which Justice Ayoola and Justice Wali were also members.

By setting up the probe

•Justice Salami

panel, they believed the CJN, who is due for retirement in August, was enjoying undue advantage over the PCA, who is to retire in 2013.

The Presiding Judge in the Court of Appeal, Justice Musa Dattijo also denied that the judgment leaked as the CJN was made to believe by Senator Umaru Dahiru.

In his testimony, Justice Dattijo described the Senator’s claim as a “terrible lie”, adding that he never informed him of the panel’s decision on the Sokoto matter.

The sitting continues today.

PDP. “Well, I’m not the chairman of the PDP; I am just a member, though a senior member of the party, but based on our party structure, the national chairman is the number one citizen of the party and I am second in-command as the President of the country.

“I don’t think it’s a major issue, if the House of Representatives has voted against it.

The Speaker will be their leader and we will look at it as a party to make sure that a section of the country does not feel marginalised.

“We also know that even the Southwest that seems not to have any position as among the top six voted for the Speaker from the result.

In parliament, voting is no secret. If that is the wish of the Southwest, maybe there are other positions in the House that would be given to them”.

Also yesterday, the President said neither his election nor religion has anything to do with the bomb attacks in Borno State.

He said the group claiming responsibility for the attacks were part of global terrorism, which requires the involvement of all in tackling.

He said the issue remains domestic and endorsed the initiative of Borno governor to grant amnesty to the group, an initiative he described as the first option. If that effort to engage them fails, then the use of force would be required.

“We have these challenges, but it has nothing to do with elections. Somebody tried to relate that to the elections; whether a Christian or a Muslim is elected is not the issue.

“This issue of explosions has been with us and we are doing our best to contain it. I promise you that as a government we are committed and we will bring it down.

“All over the world, issues of terrorism cannot be easily wiped out. You might be the most powerful country, you can only manage terror attack and gradually suppress it.

That is what we are doing.

“It definitely has nothing to do with the elections; whether I am a Christian President or a Muslim President. I always tell people that it is part of the ugly history of the world and the issue of terrorism will definitely be over, maybe in the next few years.

“And that is one thing Nigeria is committed to doing

with other friendly countries.

“Initially we as a nation didn’t believe we have terrorists among us, until it became obvious that we have some elements of terrorism with the explosions in Nigeria.

“It started some years back from the Niger Delta up to the northeastern part of the country. Incidentally, I am from the Niger Delta.

“The issue of insecurity has nothing to do with the issue of Christians or Muslims. If you look at the population of Nigeria, the two religion share 50, 50.

“If you look at the result of the elections, you will see that I won almost in the entire country. It was only in about four states that I had less than 25 per cent. I got 25 per cent in 32 states.

“Even in the states I didn’t get 25 per cent, the margin was quite minimal; 16 was the minimum I scored.

“One error most people who are not Nigerians make is that the northern part of the country is dominated by the Muslims while the southern part is dominated by Christians.

“That is completely wrong; you have Christians in both North and South. In the southwestern side of the country, you have almost equal number of Christians and Muslims; even in the extreme north, like in Borno State where you are experiencing most of the explosions in the country, there are significant percentage of Christians even though there are more Muslims there.

For instance, the Boko Haram is a sect that is against everything Western, either civilisation or education, they see those who embrace them as enemies and they are more antagonistic to fellow Muslims that they perceive have embraced the western way of life. So, the explosions are not targeted at Christians because a Christian is the President.

“There is nothing wrong if you want to negotiate with militia groups that carry weapons against the state, we did that with my predecessor and we succeeded in the Niger Delta. So, as the governor of the state, the state has some level of autonomy, if he has identified the people behind this and he wants to use the carrot and the stick approach, there is nothing wrong with it, if they don’t want to embrace it.”

N9b contracts: Court sends Bankole to EFCC custody Continued from page 1

graft agency. He complained that the incident was blown out of proportion by the media even when the trial was yet to begin.

But the Judge said the court lacked the power to restrain the media from doing their job.

The former speaker arrived the court at about 8:45am in a coaster bus marked Abuja BR 39 BWR. He was accompanied by stern-looking security operatives attached to the EFCC. He was clad in his usual white attire and cap. He was smiling.

Before the charge was read, Bankole’s counsel Awomolo (SAN) who led three other SANs and about 15 lawyers told the court that his client would take the plea on protest.

He said: “On Sunday 5th June, 2011, the accused person was arrested by the EFCC and this was done in such a manner with cameras flashing and showing him to the world. This was done around 8pm.

“We consider it appropriate to bring to your notice this manner of arrest.

“We consider the charge unconstitutional but we will

take that at the appropriate time”.

Prosecution counsel Keyamo said the arrest was conducted that way because the accused had resisted arrest for several weeks. He said intelligence report revealed that Bankole was about escaping from the country.

The other ex-principal officers quizzed by the EFCC are former Deputy Majority Leader Shehu Agaie, exDeputy Minority Whip Sulaiman Kawu, ex-Minority Leader Ali Ndume, who is now a Senator, and Bello Mohammed whose status is

unknown.

All the former principal officers were admitted to administrative bail.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the affected ex-House leaders arrived at the EFCC headquarters at about noon and were ushered into the Operations Department of the anti-graft commission where they made statements.

A source at the commission said: “They were invited to make statements on some of the allegations levelled against them by the exSpeaker.

“Bankole repeatedly main-

tained that all the controversial purchases by the House and accruing expenditure were collectively approved by the body of principal officers and at Executive Sessions.

“Apart from benefiting from those controversial purchases, some of the ex-principal officers were central to the processes leading to award of some contracts.

“So, it became apparent that they should be with the EFCC to state the extent of their involvement in the alleged N9billion scam.

“So far, we have no cause to detain them. But we have

told them to be ready to make themselves available for further interrogation as issues arise.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said: “All these former principal officers were invited and questioned following some issues in which their names were mentioned in the course of our interaction with ex-Speaker Dimeji Bankole.”

The anti-graft commission had arrested the ex-Speaker on Sunday at his residence at 8, Clapperton Street, Asokoro Quarters, Abuja.

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

3

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

NEWS

Adamawa North Senatorial poll inconclusive, says REC •Seeks rerun in Mijilu ward

T

WO months after the National Assembly elections, Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kassim Gaidam has declared the Adamawa North Senatorial District poll ’’inconclusive’’.

He said some thugs hijacked the electoral process and forced poll officers to announce a winner under duress.

The declaration of winners in the district and Maiha/Mubi North and Mubi-South Federal Constituency was not in line with the relevant provision of the election guidelines, he said.

These are contained in a report Gaidam sent to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega on the 2011 National Assembly elections.

The April 23 report was signed

by Gaidam and INEC Administrative Secretary, Usman Baba Bukar.

A former Adamawa State Governor, Mr. Boni Haruna of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was said to have been purportedly defeated by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bindowo Umaru Jibrilla.

But the REC, in his report declared the election inconclusive.

The report reads in part: “After the final collation of result for both the House of Representatives and that of the Senate, it was clearly evident that the margin of win by votes of the leading candidates is not in excess of the total number of the registered voters of the 12 Polling Stations where the election were cancelled, thus making the elections inconclusive as per p.37 of the manual for election officials 2011” The guideline provides as follows, “where the margin of win by votes of the leading candidate is not in excess of the total number of registered voters of the Polling Stations where the election was cancelled or not held, there shall be no return for the election until another poll has taken place in the affected Polling Stations”.

“Going by the scores received by candidates for the parties that contested the elections for the House of Representatives and Senate, winners should not be declared based on majority of votes received by the candidates since the lections were

SENATORIAL ELECTION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ACN ANPP CPC LP KP MPPP PDP -

ACN ANPP CPC LP PDP -

70,890 1,962 22,866 14047 468 882 75,112

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

inconclusive below is the breakdown of scores received by the candidate;.

“The canceled Mijilu Registration Area has 18 units with total of 8428 voters. However, it is worth noting that while PDP is in support of the re-run, CPC is strongly opposed to such move. The CPC won the Federal Constituency while PDP got the Senatorial seat” “In Sina/Kamale/Kwande Registration Area of Michika Local Government Area elections were cancelled in unit 003 having 1566 registered voters and unit 068 with 56 registered voters. The cancellation was due to sharing of unused ballot papers by the parties after the election” ”From the above results, winners for both elections could not be declared but the hoodlums insisted that winners must be declared by the collation/returning officers or else no Poll Officials could live the collation centre alive.

“Despite all explanations by the Poll Officials that the elections were inconclusive, the Collation/Returning Officers were forced to declare winners. All efforts by security personnel at the collation centre to rescue the situation and avert the declaration proved abortive.

“The Poll Officials had to give in to the request of the thugs if they were to leave the centre alive. The returns were therefore made under duress. The Reports of the two Returning Officers are attached as Annex 2 and 3 for Senate and House of Representatives respectively.”

The report gave details of what transpired during the elections in Adamawa North Senatorial District.

It added: “There was a challenge at the above zone. The district also houses two Federal Constituencies of Madagali/Michika and Mubi North/ Mubi South/Maiha” “The incident that happened at the collation Centre at the Government Secondary School Mubi where the

Southeast members sue PDP over chairman

By Joseph Jibueze

20,945 6,144 31,262 10,195 30,326 •Prof. Jega

poll officials and Security personnel were held hostage for some hours on the 10th of April 2011 by political thugs demanding for the cancellation of election results in Mijilu Registration Area of MubiNorth and subsequent declaration of winners for the two elections by the Returning Officers, namely Professor C.I Owuama for the Senate and Dr. J.B Abakura (both of FUTY) for the Federal House of Representatives. It was the quick intervention of the Security Officers that saved the situation from getting out of control” “At about 8.00pm, local government collation officers started bringing in their collated election results at the Local Government Levels.

After verification of results with that of the party agents, the results were entered into Form EC8D series by the Federal Constituency/ Senatorial District Collation/Returning Officers.

“The local government Collation Officer for Mubi North waited for the Ward Collation Officer for Mijilu ward to submit his results. After spending about 4 hours at the centre trying to collate the election results from EC 8A and EC 8A(i) into EC 8B and EC 8B(i), the party agents started asking questions why he could not complete his job at the Registration Area Collation Centre together with the party agents.”

“In his response, he informed the party that he could not complete the job because there was trouble in the ward to the extent that six units out of the 18 units could not conduct the elections.

“The party agents at the collation centre protested that their agents for the 12 units where elections were conducted should have been around before entering the results. Since they don’t have copies of the election results from their agents for the 12 units the results should be suspended pending the arrival of their agents.

“The result for the 12 units were later entered into form EC8D and

EC8D (i) by the collation officer. At the end of the collation, the party agents for the affected 12 units could not show up and it was protested by the agents at the collation centre that the results for the ward be cancelled.”

The Resident Electoral Commissioner recommended re-run in Mijilu ward of Mubi-North LGA. The report added: ”In view of the fact that the result for the Senatorial election and that of the House of Representatives for Adamawa North Senatorial District and Maiha/Mubi North and MubiNorth Federal Constituency, winners for both the lections were declared not in line with the relevant provision of the election guidelines, the following recommendations can be noted for further action:“The commission is to organize are re-run election in Mijilu ward of Mubi-North LGA where the poll officials during the National Assembly elections were forced to cancel the results and declare winners even though the elections were inconclusive. This is to forestall a situation where an election Tribunal will cancel the election and this may amount to an indictment on the Commission. It may be vital for the Headquarters to invite the Returning Officers for interview/chat to ascertain the facts” “If the Commission is to conduct a re-run elections for both the Senate and House of Representatives in Mijilu Ward of Mubi-North Local Government Area, all the major stakeholders in the ward have to sign an undertaking so that peace will prevail in the area during the lections” “The Emir of Mubi should invite the traditional rulers for the Ward and warn them against breach of peace and order” “Enough armed security personnel must be deployed to each of the 18 Polling Units in the Ward and the Collation Centre should be moved from G.S.S Mubi to a fenced area and should be manned by armed security personnel.”

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; (left), Coordinating Director, Osun State Ministry of Environment, Mr. J. B. Kolawole and Coordinator, National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mr. Olanrewaju Anjorin, during the World Environmental Day, at the Local Government Service Commission, Osogbo ….yesterday

TWO members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Southeast have gone to court to push for a national chairman from the region. Dr Emma Onyeachonam and Mr Felix Obiora Okeke are praying an Abia High Court, to order the party to elect a Southeast member as its chairman.

In a suit filed on May 12, they sought an order directing the party to elect or appoint a National Chairman from the Southeast geopolitical zone in line with its zoning policy.

They prayed for a declaration that the continued retention of the party’s National Vice-Chairman as the Acting Chairman when he is not from the Southeast is a negation of PDP’s spirit and zoning policy and is contrary to its constitution.

The claimants urged the court to hold that the office of PDP National Chairman, being one of its principal offices, is currently zoned to the Southeast.

They also asked the court to declare that they, as members of the PDP, are entitled to take full and constructive part in the formulation and implementation of the party’s policies and constitutional provisions.

According to the claimants, PDP’s immediate past Chairman, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo was forced out due to intra-partycrisis, which led to the appointment of a person from the Northwest.

“Apart from the Southeast, other geopolitical zones have retained the positions allocated to them.

“It will be in the interest of justice, fairness and in line with the constitutional policy of the PDP for the new person to be elected or appointed as the National Chairman from the Southeast to enable them complete their tenure of office.

“Appeals have been made to the leadership of the party by wellmeaning members, yet no meaningful response has been received,” the claimants told the court.

They said they sued because it is their duty to ensure that their party’s constitution is respected by its leadership and all members.

Pre-trial conference on Haruna’s petition tomorrow From Barmabas Manyam Yola

THE National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Adamawa State has set aside tomorrow for a pre-trial conference preparatory to the full trial of the petition filed by former governor Boni Haruna of the Acton Congress of Nigeria (ACN) against the election of Alhaji Bindowo Umaru Jibrilla of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Senator representing Adamawa North.

The tribunal had granted an application by Haruna to inspect the materials used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the April 9, National Assembly election.

Haruna is challenging the election of Bindowo on the grounds that it was not only inconclusive, but was marred by multiple electoral malpractices, irregularities and non-compliance with the INEC guidelines/manual and the Electoral Act. Meanwhile, a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yola has sentenced Idris jibrilla, a younger brother to Bindowo to three years imprisonment for committing multiple electoral offences during the Senatorial poll, contrary to Section 129 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

4

NEWS Corps members seal off council secretariat over unpaid allowance

By Jude Isiguzo

M

EMBERS of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Badagry, Lagos yesterday sealed off the council secretariat over unpaid allowances.

The Corps members said they had not been paid thier monthly allowance of N5,000 by the council for over five months.

The protesting corps members, who are serving in Badagry Local Government Area, Badagry West Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) and Olorunda LCDA, stormed the council secretariat at Ajara in the morning and blocked the entrance for several hours.

Some of the aggrieved corps members carried placards on which they listed all the challenges they are facing.

It was gathered that the peaceful protest paralysed activities at the secretariat.

The Liaison Officer for the corps members, Mr Jubril Isah, said only the Badagry council was owing them five months arrears.

Isah said: “Badagry Local Government Area is owing us five months in arrears of N5, 000 monthly allowance that is due us and that is the reason for the protest.”

Women groups want 35 per cent of govt appointments

W

OMEN organisations yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the 36 governors to implement the 35 per cent affirmative action by appointing more women into public offices.

They said the implementation of the National Gender Policy by the President would influence the governors to reserve 35 per cent of appointive and elective positions for women.

The women groups under the umbrella of “The More Women Movement” lamented that women are not part of the leadership hierarchy in the National Assembly, recalling that, during the last general elections, only one female deputy governor was elected.

Decrying the awful picture of women representation, the convener of the movement, Dr. Keziah Awosika, said of 109 senators, seven are wom-

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

en, adding that out of 360 House of Representatives members, only 19 are women.

She said the only way the gap could be bridged is to appoint more women into the federal and state executive councils in the interest of gender balance.

Awosika also appealed to the President and governors to appoint women who lost at the primary and general elections into their cabinet.

She said: “Priority and due consideration should be given to women who lost during the primaries and general elections and who are still loyal to their parties. Appointments into positions should transcend party affiliations to include credible women who have the pedigree and professional competence to occupy positions.”

Fayemi’s wife launches trust fund for twins, triplets

T

HE wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, will today inaugurate the Multiple Birth Trust Fund.

The fund, which will be launched at the Nursing School in Ado-Ekiti, is to support citizens who give birth to twins, triplets and quadruplets. this is ahead of the launch of her pet project, Ekiti Development Foundation, which will be launched Friday.

Other events ahead of EDF’s launch include a Policy dialogue on reproducive health and rights in Ekiti state and the launch of maternal and child records book. The child records book which will be distributed to pregnant women was produced for the ministry of health by EDF with support from d African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF).

National Gallery of Art fêtes pupils in Osogbo

T

HE National Gallery of Art (NGA) Osogbo outstation has hosted pupils of primary and secondary schools in Osun State.

The programme, according to the Director-General of the Gallery, Abdullahi Muku, was to develop their interest in arts.

Muku urged them to shun behaviour that may jeopardise their study and disrupt their future.

Muku said: “Since 1987, the National Gallery of Art has constantly hosted the programme in her headquarters as well as her 36 outstations throughout the federation. This is marked with an Art Exhibition where participants compete for prize and earn valuable gifts so as to motivate

them.”

He said the theme for the event: “Say No to Kidnapping” was carefully chosen to underscore the evil trends of kidnapping in the country.

Muku noted that the theme will enable the children evaluate kidnapping as an aberration and view it with utmost disgust.

The Curator and Head of Osogbo Outstation, Mrs. Victoria Ukpera conducted guests around the art works exhibited by the pupils.

She said: “One of the mandates of the National Gallery of Art is to come up with programmes and activities which will afford the Nigerian child the opportunity to learn and create. This mandate has always been a focal point for the NGA”.

•Ekiti State Senators, Babafemi Ojudu (left), Bunmi Adetunmbi and Anthony Adeniyi taking the oath of office during the inauguration of the seventh National Assembly...on Monday

EFCC re-arraigns ex-BankPHB MD Atuche, wife T HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned former Managing Director of BankPHB Plc Mr Francis Atuche and his wife, Elizabeth for allegedly stealing the bank’s N25.7 billion.

They were arraigned alongside a former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Mr Ugo Anyanwu, at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on an amended 27-count charge bothering on alleged conspiracy to commit felony and stealing.

Justice Lateefat Okunnu ordered Atuche to be remanded in prison, pending the hearing and determination of a Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by his lawyer, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN).

Idigbe pleaded that Atuche be granted bail based on the existing conditions given him

by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on a separate three-count charge, but Justice Okunnu insisted that she is compelled to follow due process.

The judge insisted on concluding the preliminary objection before taking Atuche’s bail application.

Atuche was first arraigned

•Remanded in prison till June 14

By Joseph Jibueze

on May 17 with two former directors of the bank, Messrs Funmi Ademosun and Lekan Kasali on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

His wife had earlier been arraigned before Justice Okunnu on a three-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony.

The anti-graft commission alleged in the amended charge that the trio conspired to steal N25.7 billion from the bank while Atuche was the managing director. The alleged offences were committed between November 2007 and April 2008.

According to the agency, Atuche, his wife and Anyanwu conspired with one another to steal various sums of money from the bank which were fraudulently described as loans to various companies, including Future View Securities, Extra Oil Limited, Resolution Trust and Investment Limited, Petosan Oil and Gas

and Tradjek Nigeria Limited.

It said they allegedly converted the cash to their personal use to acquire hundreds of millions of units of shares, including 140,625,000 units of Bank PHB shares on behalf of Guesstrade Services.

They also allegedly used over N1 billion, fraudulently described as a loan from the bank and converted it to their own personal use by using it to buy 112,500,000 units of BankPHB shares on behalf of Sebtron Trading.

Other companies involved in the alleged multi-billion naira fraud are: Montrax Investico, Claremount Asset Management Limited, Arabian Probity Management, Clearville Business Support, Commercial Trading and Services Limited, Trenton Trade Limited, Stamford Global Concept Limited, Felimon Enterprises, Ghzali Yakubu Investment Limited and AFCO Associates Limited.

Nwosu, Elizabeth and An-

yanwu pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Justice Okunnu granted Mrs Atuche bail on the existing conditions she gave her on May 25.

She dismissed the EFCC’s objections against Anyanwu’s bail application and granted him bail for N25 million with two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties, she said, must own a property worth N25 million in Lagos.

The other must be a senior ranking Lagos official, not below Grade Level 14.

The sureties must produce evidence of three years tax clearance while their residential, business addresses as well as the physical location of the property must be verified by an officer of the EFCC. The court also barred him from travelling abroad, except on its express permission, and ordered him to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the chief registrar. Justice Okunnu also ordered him to report to the EFCC on every first working day of the month.

She adjourned the matter till June 14 for hearing of Atuche’s pending applications.

Jonathan, Mandela, Elumelu make Top 100 Africans’ list

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Robert Mugabe, Desmond Tutu and musician Akon are among the ninetyfive Africans rated as top 100 Most Influential Africans in this month’s edition of New African magazine.

The listing, which was in no particular order, featured “top influencers, opinionshapers, doers, agitators, groundbreakers and myth busters, who are shaping the face of Africa”.

It was broken down into categories, such as; Business and Finance, Music, Science and Technology, Media, and Authors and Poets.

Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, the Africa Develop-

ment Bank (AfDB) President Donald Kaberuka, chairman of Globacom Dr. Mike Adenuga, Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawris and Phuthuma Nhleko formerly of the MTN Group also made the exclusive list from the business and finance world.

The magazine said President Mugabe “continued to mesmerise the world as well as vex his opponents with his ability to hold on to power”.

Other entrants in the category of politics and activism include the revered Nelson Mandela, who, several years after taking a bow from public office continued to wield influence as Africa’s elder statesman.

Jonathan, Salva Kiir and President of the new Southern Sudan and Wael Ghonim, the face of the Egyptian

revolution, were named as individuals behind the recent political upheavals and movements that have occurred in the past.

Mandela was joined by his spouse Graça Machel, who was listed under Women of Influence alongside economist Dambiso Moyo, cofounder of the African Women’s Development Fund, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi and Nobel Peace Prize winner Prof Wangari Maathai. Nollywood actress Geneveive Nnaji was the only female listed under Film actors and actresses along with Idris Elba, Djimon Hounsou and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Bishop Desmond Tutu and singer Akon made the traditional and religious and music categories respectively.

Tutu, an anti-apartheid campaigner and former bishop of

•Jonathan

Cape Town, according to the magzine, “stands tall among heavyweight liberation fighters” and Akon was recognised as “the one African export who has cracked the coveted American music market with a bang”.

Baffour Ankomah, the editor of the magazine said: “Our continent has produced and continues to produce some impressive individuals from all walks of life who are having a profound impact not only on Africa but on the international community.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

5

NEWS

21 persons die in Ondo road crash

T

WENTY one persons died yesterday in an accident on the Akure-Ilara Mokin- Ilesha road.

The victims included men, women and children.

Men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who evacuated the bodies, said the accident occurred around 6.30am.

It involved a DAF Truck with Registration Number

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

XU 606 JJJ going towards Lagos and a Mazda commercial bus with Registration Number XV 315 FST, belonging to Obadigbo Local Government, heading towards Benue State.

It was gathered that the truck driver was trying to avoid a pothole when he lost control and ran into the

bus.

Ondo State FRSC Sector Commander Mr. John Meheux said the bus was overloaded with 28 passengers instead of 15.

He said the accident would have been avoided if the drivers had been patient.

Mehuex said the bodies had been deposited at the mortuary of the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure.

Those injured were also taken to the same hospital.

Mehuex urged motorists to be more careful when driving at bad spots.

The Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital was besieged by people who wanted to know the identity of the victims.

A similar accident occurred on the same spot about two months ago and claimed 12 lives.

•From left: General-Manager, Training and Development, The Nation , Mr. Soji Omotunde, receiving a gift from the DirectorGeneral of Industrial Traning Fund (ITF), Prof. Longmas Wampuk during a visit by ITF representatives to the Headquarters of The Nation in Lagos....yesterday. With them is the Head, ITF Public Relations and Publicity Unit, Mr. John Eayi.

PHOTO:ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Fayemi seeks review of revenue sharing formula to aid development

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has fingered the current revenue allocation formula as the cause of the country’s underdevelopment.

At the inauguration of the Fourth State Assembly at the Assembly Chambers of the Secretariat Complex in AdoEkiti, the state capital, on Monday, Fayemi said there was need to review the formula.

He said: “In spite of efforts by the state governments to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), there is an urgent need to correct the lopsidedness in the revenue sharing formula to meet the current reality of our socio-economic milieu.

“This, to say the least, is necessary to fasten development in states as ours, which can hardly do any meaningful capital project with our allocation after deducting the

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

overhead cost of running the government.”

Fayemi urged the legislators to reciprocate the confidence reposed in them by serving the people, adding that their election has placed on them an inalienable burden they had to discharge in the next four years.

He said: “The period may appear short in the life of a political entity like Ekiti State, but it is quite significant in the life of an individual and should not be wasted.

“This is why we cannot afford to be clay-footed and tardy in our approach to better the lots of our people, many of whom are living below poverty level, stricken with avoidable diseases and wretched, not through any fault of theirs, but as a result

‘Therefore, let us be united in our common offensive against our common enemy, that is; want, abject poverty, diseases, injustice and degradation of humanity, among others.’ of policy failures of the past.

“The government is determined to put Ekiti on a fast track of growth. We are confident that you are ready as we are to restore people’s confidence in government through quick delivery of quality services to our people.

“We have consistently traversed the length and breadth of our land, particularly during the electioneering campaigns, and have come to

the conclusion, arising from the realities all over the state, that unemployment, infrastructural decay, comatose education and health sectors, uninviting agricultural practices, poor road network, among other debilitating developmental indices, are grossly unacceptable.

“This informed the basis for the adoption of our eightpoint agenda at the inception of this administration, as a tool to transform our dear state.

“Therefore, let us be united in our common offensive against our common enemy, that is; want, abject poverty, diseases, injustice and degradation of humanity, among others.

“This is why I call for a rich executive-legislative understanding at all times, to carry our people to the promise land.”

Lagos to intensify campaign against child abuse HE law against child abuse is still in force in Lagos State, Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said yesterday.

She said the government would intensity its enforcement in the coming months.

Mrs. Adefulire spoke while receiving the executive of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos branch, in her office in Alausa, Ikeja.

She said the government

T

frowns at minors serving as domestic workers, regretting that women, who should be the care-givers, were the major culprits.

Mrs. Adefulire said the “yellow and red-card” enforcement policy of the government would be implemented.

She advised women to encourage their domestic workers to get some formal education, since education is free in the state, or acquire a skill at any of the 17 free

Skills Acquisition Centres.

The deputy governor urged women to pay more attention to their health, especially during pregnancy, so as to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

She said the government has inaugurated four mother and child centres with 110 bed spaces each and modern health facilities for the care of women and children.

Mrs. Adefulire said another four centres are at vari-

ous stages of completion.

Acknowledging past collaborations with the association, she urged the women doctors to continue to support the government in its campaign towards healthy living.

MWAN President Dr. Dabiri pledged the association’s support to the government and invited the deputy governor to its 34th anniversary celebration, which is coming up later in the month.

Aregbesola blames poor insurance practice on distrust

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has identified ignorance, distrust and under capitalisation as the major challenges of successful insurance practices in

Nigeria.

Addressing chief executive officers of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers yesterday at a retreat held at the Leisure Spring Hotel in Osogbo, the state capital, Aregbesola said: “A lot of people are of the opinion that insurance companies do not pay claims. This cannot be true, but the impression lingers dangerously. There are reports that when a disaster occurs, insurance companies are always looking for loopholes to avoid claims settlement.”

He identified the habit of not preparing for possible disaster as another problem.

Aregbesola said: “Our people believe it is a bad to prepare for disaster. This is manifested more often in the failure to equip their vehicles with fire extinguishers.

“If they had done this, many fire outbreaks would have been prevented or curtailed, but they just watch helplessly as a little fire turns to an inferno and consume their vehicles.”

The governor regretted that insurance, which he described as “the guarantor of enterprise,” had a total capitalisation of N151.46 billion as at April 21, representing only 1.89 per cent of the volume of trade on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The consequence, he observed, is that insurance companies may not be able to get premiums from high value clients that are operating across the marine, aviation, oil and gas sectors.

Aregbesola said these high net-worth companies resort to shopping abroad for insurance.

He said the local insurance industry would experience phenomenal growth if it is well capitalised, corrects its negative public image, educate people on the benefits of insurance practices and adopts the best practices.

Listing the worldwide benefits of insurance to economic growth, Aregbesola said during the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina, the former kept destroying warships owned by the latter, until it discovered that they were insured

by Lloyd, an insurance conglomerate owned by Britain.

He said when businesses are insured, it gives entrepreneurs the liberty to take informed risks, knowing that their backs are covered.

Aregbesola said: “Insurance companies also help the economy with the provision of long term funds, which are mostly invested in real estate and industrialisation. In normal situations, insurance funds are secure and help bolster the economy in no small measure.”

OOU NASU appeals to Amosun over salary arrears

T

HE Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the Olabisi Onabanjo

University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, has appealed to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to prevail on the management to pay members their three months salary arrears.

Blaming their ordeal on the insensitivity of the past administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel to their plights, NASU urged Amosun to order the institution’s management to review the alleged illegal sack of its members.

In a letter by its Chairman,

By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Abdulrahman Adewole, to the Registrar, Mr. Femi Oyewole, on May 25, the union urged the management to settle the arrears of its members to ensure industrial harmony.

It called for the release of outstanding promotion since 2007 and an end to the coercive method the university has allegedly adopted in dealing with its members.

Oyewole said the demands of the union would be presented to the governing council.

OPC introduces new ID card

By Sunday Ogundugba

F

OUNDER of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr. Frederick Fasehun yesterday inaugurated the new Identity cards for members of the group.

He said the new ID card was part of activities aimed at rebranding the organisation and checking impersonation of members.

Fasehun told reporters in Lagos that many OPC members have lost focus and the leadership is trying to redefine the group.

He said the new ID cards were produced by a foreign company and it would be impossible for any impersonator to do a counterfeit.

Fasehun said: “The OPC has become a borderless institution, whose membership is claimed by many people who do not know what the organisation stands for. Some are not of Yoruba parenthood but had lived in Yoruba land for a considerable length of time. People’s fear for the OPC has attracted various characters and shades of undesirables into the organisation.

“But OPC is not about violence, thuggery and vices. It is about social justice. I founded OPC to rouse the Yorubas to self-realisation.

“This is why after considering the state of the group, we undertook a self assessment to reorder OPC for vast improvement and redefinition that will make true members readily identifiable by the public. The redesigned unique ID card, which every true member has, is expected to be presented on demand when necessary.”

He said the group has also set up a monitoring committee to check the excesses of members, urging the public to report any unruly behaviour by members to OPC offices.

6

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

NEWS Aregbesola assures workers of welfare From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday assured the workers of his determination to guarantee their welfare just as workers in turn promised to cooperate with his government.

The leadership of state council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed appreciation for what they called the proworkers focus of the Aregbesola administration.

Aregbesola at an interactive session with the labour leaders held in his office, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers.

The governor said results of the last April elections in the state had shown the unalloyed support of the working people of the state.

Akala withdrew N3b five days to his exit, Ajimobi alleges O YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday said former Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala withdrew N3billion five days before the expiration of his administration’s tenure.

He expressed concern over what he described as the hasty withdrawal of the money from the lean government coffers.

The governor spoke at the Governor’s Office at a meeting with the state Council of Obas and Chiefs, led by its Chairman, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi.

He said the hurried withdrawal of the money was part of the “desperate moves” by the Alao-Akala administration “to empty the treasury” before leaving office on May 29.

The Governor added that Alao-Akala also hurriedly “approved the N18,000 minimum wage for civil servants” to create more problems for the new administration.

Ajimobi noted that with the prevailing circumstance, there was urgent need for mon-

•Ex-governor: money was paid to contractors

From Oseheye Okwuofu and Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

archs and leaders of thought to intervene in the looming dispute with labour unions over the implementation of the new minimum wage.

The governor said though his administration wanted to pay the new minimum wage, there was no way it could afford it because the wage bill alone exceeded the state’s monthly revenue.

Ajimobi had told labour leaders at a meeting in Ibadan yesterday that the statutory allocation accruable to the state was, on the average, N2.4 billion monthly, while its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) nets was about N1 billion.

He said if these were added to VAT and other revenues accruable to the government,

the state’s monthly income was about N4.2 billion on the average.

Ajimobi said it was glaring that with the implementation of N18,000 minimum wage, “even after borrowing N200 million monthly to pay the workers’ salaries, the state government would not only find it impossible to provide the needed implements for the civil servants to do their work, like common office pen and typing sheets”, it would be impossibility to actualise the lofty dreams he swore to provide for the people of the state.

The governor said if the state was to implement the new N18,000 minimum wage, it would pay N4.4 billion as monthly salaries, adding that this would mean the government would have to borrow N200 million monthly to pay its workers.

Ajimobi said his administration was ready to “bring their salaries at par with comparable states, beginning with Ekiti State”.

He said: “If the Ekiti State salary model is adopted, the new salary will increase workers’ wages by between 45 and 100 per cent; push up the wage bill by N800million per month; and push the wage bill to N3.7billion.”

He said the meeting was to inform the traditional rulers, religious leaders and leaders of thought that his administration would continue to dialogue with labour leaders to ensure that the government is able to provide what he promised the residents.

But Alao-Akala’s spokesman, Prince Dotun Oyelade, denied the allegation, saying the past administration did not withdraw N3billion as alleged.

In a statement, Oyelade said: “What happened was that money was paid to contractors upon the presentation of certificates for the job done and certified by the Monitoring Unit, Ministry of Works, and the Due Process Unit. This

Osun declares 90-day emergency for environment 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 OSUN State Governor Rauf 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Aregbesola has declared a 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 90-day environmental 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 emergency to tackle the rot 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 in towns and villages in the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 30 local governments.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 He spoke in Osogbo, the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 state capital, at a gathering 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 marking this year’s World 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Environmental Day. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 The governor noted that 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 in line with the theme of 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 this year’s World Health Day, there was need for the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 government to update the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 consciousness and concern 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 of the people to care for the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 environment.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Aregbesola said human beings were the only God’s 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 creatures that consciously 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 utilised the environment, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 adding that they contribut12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 ed to the current deplorable 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 state.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Fayemi •Cross section of the members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) at their National Executive Council meeting in Enugu…yesterday inaugurates caretakers From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday swore in the caretaker committee chairmen for the 16 local governments and sent their Directors of Administration and Treasurers on compulsory leave.

Administering the oaths of allegiance and office on the caretaker chairmen at Adetiloye Hall, Ado-Ekiti, Fayemi said his action was in line with the Local Government Administration Law which stipulates three months’ tenure for council caretaker committees, which could only be renewed once.

He warned the caretaker chairmen against corruption, adding that his government would not provide any cover for those who convert the people’s commonwealth into personal wealth.

The governor said he had set up a monitoring mechanism to put the chairmen on their toes for effective performance and optimal utilisation of the scarce resources at the state’s disposal.

Fed Govt orders police to produce CAC pastor in court

T

HE Federal Government has directed Oyo State Police Commissioner Adisa Bolanta to arrest and produce the factional National President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Pastor Elijah Oluseye, in court, for the continuation of the proceedings in the criminal case filed against it by the government.

Oluseye and three others

•Judge’s absence stalls proceeding From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

are facing a four-count charge of forging documents to obtain a new certificate of incorporation of the church in 1995.

The others are Elder Johnson Olabisi; Pastor Gideon Okegwemeh; and Mr Abdul-Hakeem Muhammed.

In a letter by the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF), the Federal Government said the matter had become worrisome because after seven months of relisting the case, the accused had not been arraigned.

The AGF urged the Police chief to arrest and produce the

cleric in court yesterday.

The letter was signed by a Deputy Director in the AGF Office.

Though the accused persons were in court yesterday, the court did not sit because the judge was said to be indisposed.

The next hearing could not be fixed due to inability of lawyers to the two parties to agree on a date.

Oyo Police chief declares Tokyo, Auxiliary wanted

O

YO State Police Commissioner Adis Baba Bolanta yesterday declared wanted the two factional leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, aka Tokyo, and Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila, aka Auxiliary.

They were given up till 8pm on Tuesday to report at the state Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan. But the duo reportedly shunned the invitation.

Bolanta also promised a handsome reward to anyone that has useful information that could lead to their arrest.

•Group calls for his redeployment Addressing reporters in Ibadan, the state capital, Bolanta said about 70 NURTW members were arrested in connection with last Sunday’s bloody clash in Ibadan.

Reacting to Bolanta’s statement, Tokyo said he would prefer to surrender to Inspector-General of Police Afiz Ringim or Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

He said it was wrong for the Police Commissioner to assume the responsibility of investigation the last Sunday’s mayhem.

Disturbed by the loss of lives and property during the factional clash on Sunday, a human rights group, under the aegis of the Concerned Citizens of Oyo State, had petitioned Ringim and the Police Service Commission, calling for Bolanta’s transfer.

It accused the Police chief of partisanship in handling the lingering NURTW crisis in Oyo. The group urged Bolanta to defend himself of the allegations levied against him by Tokyo.

In an advertorial and re-

ports, Tokyo had accused Bolanta of being an interested party in the Oyo NURTW affairs.

In a statement by its chairman, Comrade Rotimi Allen, the rights group urged Bolanta to either confirm or deny Tokyo’s allegation, just as it tasked Ringim and the Police Service Commission to set up a high-powered investigation panel to look into the allegation.

“As long as Bolanta remains the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, so long would the crisis ravaging the NURTW in the state persist,” the group said.

1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 •Ajimobi

is the conventional way of paying for projects executed.”

He said the onus was on the Ajimobi administration to prove that the money was wrongly applied or prematurely released.

He urged traditional rulers and leaders of thought to intervene in the dispute with labour over the new minimum wage.

Ajimobi offered to adopt the Ekiti State salary model pending the resolution of the grey areas on the implementation of the new minimum wage.

Ekiti police chief asks for APCs •Fayemi donates security equipment From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

E

KITI State Commissioner of Police Olayinka Balogun has urged Governor Kayode Fayemi to include at least two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to his gifts to the Command.

Balogun said the recent killing of five persons when some armed bandits invaded a first generation bank, was a sad experience.

He said the Police would have effectively handled the situation if they had been well equipped with APCs. Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim had visited the state on Tuesday for the donation and inauguration of the state Crime Prevention Scheme, established by the state government.

The equipment included 25 new Ford 4x4 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) equipped with high frequency radio transmitter and other communication gadgets, donated to the Swift Response Squad (SRS) for surveillance of the 16 local governments.

Balogun said officers of the command had been trained to use the patrol vehicles and the communication equipment, adding that Ekiti State would be easier to police with the equipment.

Ringim praised the government for donating the equipment, saying it was a show of generosity and compassion.

He said: “I am here to represent the Federal Government and the entire Nigerians because by the Constitution, it is not incumbent for the state government to do this. It is an honour to witness the commencement of use of the gadgets graciously, compassionately and generously purchased by the government to secure the lives and property of the people.

7

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

NEWS 30 dead in Adamawa cholera outbreak •Two killed in fresh Jos attack

N

O fewer than 32 people have died following an outbreak of cholera in Adamawa State and fresh attacks in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Those who died in Adamawa were mostly women and children.

The outbreak of the disease occurred in eight communities in Mubi South and Maiha Local Governments.

Two hundred others are still hospitalised in critical condition in various medical establishments in the area.

The main symptoms of cholera are coughing, vomiting and fever.

Ninteen death cases were reported in Mubi South and 17 persons have been confirmed dead in Maiha, leading to tension and fear in the affected communities.

Mr. Mathias Grumpi, a medical officer in one of the health centres in Mubi South Local Government, cautioned that until a proper test is conducted, it could not be fully ascertained that it was cholera that killed the people. He urged the government to assist the residents since the council had exhausted its stock of drugs.

A community leader in Mubi North Local Government, Mr. Danladi Njidda, confirmed the outbreak of cholera and the deaths.

But Commissioner for Health, Dr. Lawan Hamidu, declined to comment.

In Jos yesterday, the special Task Force (STF) confirmed the killing of two people during an evening raid on a village in Riyom Local Government on Tuesday.

STF spokesman, Captain Charles Ekeocha ,who confirmed the incident, said: “The attack was carried out by 9pm on Tuesday. Some suspected Fulani came to attack a particular village but were repelled by men of the STF.” It was learnt that the Fulani herdsmen killed two Beroms while fleeing from the STF men.

NMA to petition Jonathan, others over medical student’s killing

T

HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) will petition President Goodluck Jonathan; Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Hafiz Ringim and Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, over the alleged killing of a medical student, Mr. Auwal Shanono in a drivers’ union clash in Ibadan.

The doctors said the Police had failed in their constitutional responsibility to protect the citizens and their property.

Shanono, a 500-level medical student of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, was reportedly killed during the clash between factions of

From Dele Anofi and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Iwo Road Motor Park, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Addressing reporters in Abuja, NMA President Dr. Omede Idris said: “Our leaders must take decisive action to improve security all over the country as a matter of urgency. Security matters must not be handled with kid gloves. On this count, the NMA shall formally petition the President, IGP and Governor Ajimobi.

“It is sad and disheartening that factions of NURTW

in Ibadan, Oyo State, have continued to terrorise and unleash mayhem on travellers and constitute themselves into lawless groups in the state. They have become reckless and they lack regard and respect for the sanctity of life.”

He said Shanono and four other medical students were at the park to travel to Zaria at the end of a programme organised by the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NiMSA) at Ile-Ife, Osun State, when violence erupted.

Idris said members of the association from the 36 states had concluded the 2011 annual general conference

before the incident happened.

He said Shanono’s body was found and identified by his colleagues after a tip-off on June 6, before it was taken to the morgue of University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Idris urged the government and security agencies to curb security problems through surveillance and superior strategies rather than use casual reactions after lives and property would have been destroyed.

Until his death, Shanono was the President of NiMSA. His body was yesterday buried in Kaduna State.

Kwara health workers to govt: no CHSS, no work

S

TRIKING Kwara State health workers, under the aegis of Coalition of Health Sector Union (CHSU), yesterday said they would not end their strike until the government accedes to their demands.

The workers have been on strike since May 6, demanding the implementation of Consolidated Health Workers Salary Structure (CHSS).

But the Abdulfatah Ahmed administration has urged them to return to work if they wanted the government to negotiate with them.

A source, who preferred not to be named, said: “The new government is telling us to call off the strike before any negotiation could begin. We find it very difficult to do so, as we have now found out that in the last administration, the former Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ladi Hassan, deceived us.

“In all our negotiations with government then, the Permanent Secretary and a director in the Office of Establishment were always in

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

attendance, meaning that the Head of Service (HOS) was being represented. But now, information reaching us show that the Permanent Secretary in Establishment was attending those meetings on a friendly basis as he and the commissioner were classmates.

“What the last administration offered us was not acceptable to the leaders and our members. Instead of 100 per cent implementation, the administration offered us between 30 and 40 per cent. Later, we were told that former Governor Bukola Saraki had approved 50 per cent without any agreement signed, and that infuriated our people, hence the strike.

“Government has implemented 80 per cent for the doctors, up till April, this year. It means government is paying one side and leaving the other side. Ironically, the side being paid is about five per cent of health sector workers.”

Aliyu to trim Exco From Jide Orintunsin and Justina Asishana, Minna

•Babangida

N

IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu will reduce the size of his executive council when he submits his list of nominees to the House of Assembly, it was learnt yesterday.

The governor, who spoke when he received the report of his campaign committee in Minna, the state capital, promised to eliminate redundancy and ensure a more efficient council.

Aliyu said: “I will reduce the number of commissioners to at most 20 and also trim the number of advisers and assistants to make governance more efficient and effective and to also eliminate redundancy.”

Emphasising that the era of redundancy was over, Aliyu said only qualified candidates with good track records would be appointed as commissioners, advisers and assistants.

•Abia State Governor Theodore Orji addressing the people of Ezeukwu, Bende Local Government, over the death of some indigenes in a cholera outbreak. With him are his deputy, Sir Emeka Ananaba; Mrs Anosike, Head of Service (HOS), Bende Local Government; and Eze Hyacinth Ogwo, the community’s traditional ruler.

Doma left N27b debt, says Almakura

F

ormer Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma left N27 billion debt for the new administration, the Nasarawa State Government alleged yesterday.

Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura reportedly gave the figure yesterdayfolowing the examination of the debt profile inherited from the immediate past administration.

But a source, who pleaded anonymity, said the debt might rise to about N40 billion as the government had just begun to check the books.

The debt, it was learnt, caused the delay in the payment of May salaries.

Almakura was said to have pleaded with the workers to

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

be patient for the government to ascertain its financial standing before taking any major action on its programmes.

With the ongoing examination of the books, it was learnt that the arrears and pension benefits of local government workers was about N700million; the state’s is N800million.

Almakura told organised labour that the high debt profile, coupled with the meagre federal allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), would hamper the state’s development.

He said about N8 million was being deducted monthly from the state’s allocation to service some other debts.

The governor said: “We are not ruling out more discoveries with regards to more debts, which may arise as we continue to investigate.”

Almakura accused the Doma administration of embarking on unnecessary borrowing from financial institutions in the last six months of its tenure, saying there was nothing on the ground to show for the loans.

He said the high debt profile was responsible for the non-payment of May salaries, adding that this administration would need an ad-

ditional N800 million to augment the monthly subvention from the federation allocation before the workers could get their pay.

Although the governor has reportedly directed the immediate payment of the May salaries, it was learnt that the past administration employed some workers whose employment was allegedly backdated to February.

This was said to have aggravated the huge wage bill the new administration inherited.

Almakura pleaded with with labour for understanding, promising that workers’ salaries would be given priority.

National Asembly admits errror in Electoral Act

T

HE National Assembly yesterday admitted error in its last amendment of the Electoral Act. It said that it lacked the powers to restrain either the court or election tribunal from declaring an individual winner of a disputed election.

It said the provision contained in Section 140(8) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) was at variance with the provisions of the Constitution in relation to the powers of the court or tribunal as contained in Sections 4 (8), 6 (1) and (2), 6 (6) (a) and (b), 239 (1), 246 and 285.

Section 140(2) of the Electoral Act 2010 provides:

• Can’t restrain court from declaring election winner

By Eric Ikhilae

“Where an electoral tribunal or court nullifies an election on the ground that the person who obtained the highest votes at the election was not qualified to contest the election or that the election was marred by substantial irregularities or noncompliance with the provisions of this Act, the election tribunal or court shall not declare the person with the second highest votes or any person as elected, but shall order a fresh election.”

The National Assembly ad-

mitted the error yesterday before a Federal High Court in Lagos during the hearing of a suit by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), challenging the provisions of Sections 87 (8) 140 (2) and 141 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

Its lawyer, Mr. Sebastine Hon (SAN), in agreeing with the plaintiff, conceded that the National Assembly was in error when, in enacting Section 140 (2) which purported to divest the power of the court or tribunal to make certain necessary orders in deserving

circumstances. He declared the provision unconstitutional.

Hon, in his written submission, argued that the constitutional power granted the National Assembly to enact Electoral Law or Act is distinguishable from its competence to purport to oust the judicial powers vested in the court and election tribunals by the Constitution.

“It is in that light that I must concede, as a senior counsel, that I find it extremely difficult to defend the provisions of Section 140 (2) of the Electoral Act...”

ELECTIONS 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

8

NEWS Imo elects Speaker THE Imo State House of Assembly has elected Ben Uwajumogu( Ihite/Uboma constituency) as its Speaker.

Also elected are: Donald Ozoemena (Deputy Speaker), Ozuruigbo Osbe (Chief Whip), Mrs. Adaku Ihuoma Eke (Majority Leader), Acho Ihim (Deputy Majority Leader) and Mrs Ngozi Path Ekeh(Minority Leader).

Uwajumogu, Osbe , Eke and Ihim have decamped to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Their defection was announced during the inauguration of the House.

Inaugurating the seventh House of Assembly, Deputy Governor Jude Agbaso congratulated the lawmakers on their election.

He urged them to work together as a team for the development of the state.

Abia NSCDC parades six suspected drug traffickers From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

T

•Group Chief Operating Officer, Globacom, Mr Mohammed Jameel (second left) exchanging papers with Infrastructures Manager, Shell (Sub-Sahara), Mr Frank Akkammans after the signing of a 10 -year bandwidth contract between Globacom and Shell in Lagos...Tuesday, With them are Head, Information, Globacom, Mr John Utuk (left) and Mr Mobolaji Olaide, Legal PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA Desk Executive of Shell

Anambra communities decry abduction of monarchs

Eze Ndigbo Kano: court cautions Ebekwe From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

FEDERAL High Court in Kano yesterday restrained Chief Boniface Ibekwe from parading himself as the Eze Ndigbo Kano.

Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu gave the order while ruling on a motion filed by the Onye Ndu Ndogbo, Chief John Cletus Nnaji and 10 others.

Nnaji had sought an order restraining Ibekwe from parading himself as the Eze or performing the functions of the office, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Nnaji, in the writ of summons filed by his counsel, Tajudeen Funsho, also prayed the court to declare him the rightful and authentic traditional head of the Igbo community in Kano, having been installed on October 30 last year by the southeast Council of Traditional Rulers.

He said he received the blessing of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

Acho Emuchay dies at 47 MR. Iheanacho Nwabueze Emuchay is dead. He was 47. He was the son of former Chairman, Old East Central State Public Service Commission, the late Dick Emuchay. He is survived by his aged mother, sisters and brothers (including Okey Emuchay, Nigerian Consular- General to South Africa.) He will be buried in Azumini- Ndoki in Ukwa East local government of Abia State on Saturday.

•The late Emuchay

I

HEMBOSI and Adazi Nnukwu communities of Anambra State have raised the alarm over the abduction of their monarchs, Chiefs Igwe J.C.Okoli and Lawrence Oragwu, by unknown gunmen.

The communities have called on the government and the police to fish out the abductors.

Okoli(76) is the monarch of Ihembosi in Ekwusigo lo-

From Adimike George, Onitsha

cal government . Lawrence Oragwu (82) is the monarch of Adazi Nnukwu in Anaocha local government.

Okoli was kidnapped on May 26; Oragwu, June 2.

Leader of the communities’ Royal Traditional Council, Prof. Anthony Kamen and the Secretary,Ichie Nwosu ( Ihembosi) decried the high level of insecurity

in the state.

Some members of the communities, who did not want their names in print, urged Governor Peter Obi to strengthen security.

Ihembosi leader said: “The kidnappers have refused to speak to any member of the community as regards the whereabouts of our Igwe.

They were demanding to speak to one particular phi-

lanthropist from the community but that philanthropist is not in the country. But the abductors later demanded N3 million ransom.”

The Traditional Prime Minister of Nnokwa in Idemili South local government Chief Patrick Okelu, was last month abducted by gunmen. He was released after paying an undisclosed amount of money.

No cut in Senators’ salaries, allowances, says Ndoma-Egba

T

HE Deputy Senate Leader in the 6th Senate, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, yesterday said there is no reduction in the salaries and allowances of incoming senators.

Speaking on the telephone yesterday, NdomaEgba, who may emerge as the Senate Leader in the 7th Senate, maintained that the only reduction in the senate budget is in the overheads.

According to him, only the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Com-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

mission (RMAFC) can reduce the salaries and allowances of senators.

Pointing out that ministers earn the same salaries with the senators and that the ministers’ salaries have not been slashed, he wondered why some people wanted the salaries of senators to be reduced.

He said: “It is not Senators salaries and allowances that were reduced.

It is the running cost of the Senate. Salaries and allowances of senators are fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).”

“It is only the commission that can either increase or reduce the salary.

Ministers and senators received the same salaries.

Have the ministers reduced their own. Why do you want the salaries of senators to be reduced?” he queried

A national newspaper yesterday reported that the salaries and allowances of senators in the 7th Senate has been reduced by 40 per cent of what senators earned in the 6th Senate that ended last week.

Speaking during the inauguration of the 7th Senate on Monday, the Senate President, Senator David Mark had promised to support legislations that will reduce the cost of governance at all levels in order to free more resources for basic needs of the people.

Senators challenge judiciary, journalists ENATORS Smart bill will enhance the over FoI bill the Adeyemi and Joshua dual responsibility of a jour-

S

Dariye have challenged the judiciary and journalists on the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill recently signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan.

They urged the judiciary to ensure that it gives the necessary legal backing for the law’s enforcement.

They spoke at the National Assembly at the end of plenary yesterday.

Adeyemi, who was President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Chairman of Committee on Federal Character in the last Senate, said: “There is need for bill to be passed for good governance, the protection of human right’s for the peace and stability of

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

our nation.

“The fear now is that will the media be able to manage the bill without infringing on the rights of other people or without blackmail. We felt that there is need to strengthen the NUJ so that the NUJ can discipline its members and more importantly we felt that for the NUJ to discipline its members, the members must equally be strong enough to defend themselves.

“For this nation to be able to meet the needs and the aspirations of the populace, the media must play its role very critically; in doing that

nalist in the country, professional responsibility and social responsibility,”he said.

On the role of the judiciary, he said: “The judiciary must give the bite that is required. I don’t know whether you have examined the bill critically because if you make a request to get information in any government agency or organisation, if you are refused the information that you require even if the information is not in any way a threat to the security of the nation you have the right to go to court, but the question is if the Judiciary will be very much committed to the implementation of this law.”

•Dariye

Dariye said: “I think beyond the bill, embracing the institutional framework is very important; we are giving journalists an impossible task, these people are not well paid. How do you want them to do an impossible task.”

HE Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday paraded six suspected drug traffickers in Umuahia, the capital.

They are: John Ede (32), Kingsley Aaron (18), Uchenna Godwin (22), Okechukwu Ndukwe (32), Eleanya Kalu (32) and Uche Bassey (28).

Commandant Nathaniel Ubong said Indian hemp, cocaine and eight telephone handsets were recovered from Bassey, who deals in drugs.

The NSCDC boss said Godwin buys the drugs from Basseyin Aba, from where he distributes to his customers.

Ubong said they were arrested when the Rapid Response Team of NCSDC raided their base in Aba, adding that the suspects have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He warned youths to desist from the illicit trade.

Suspended 10,000 jobs beneficiaries protest in Imo

T

HE 10,000 beneficiaries of the Imo State Job Scheme yesterday protested the suspension of the project

by Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Okrocha suspended the scheme during a broadcast in Owerri, the state capital.

The protesters stormed the House of Assembly complex, saying “Ohakim is better than Rochas “ ‘’Ohakim should come back” and “ Rochas should go”.

The protesters were refused entry by security operatives because of the inauguration of the House.

But a minor drama occurred when the protesters barricaded the main gate to the complex, preventing Deputy GovernorJude Agbaso from entering.

Security personnel, however, facilitated his entry.

Agbaso told the protesters that Okorocha has not retrenched them.

He said the action was taken to enable the government review the process to ascertain the way exercise was conducted.

A beneficiary said: “If the step the government has taken will bring transformation in the system it will be acceptable.”

He urged the government not to retrench the workers after the exercise.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

9

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

10

NEWS ‘I didn’t stop appointment’

Edo appeals to Fed Govt

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

EDO State Deputy Governor Pius Odubu has denied reports that he opposed the appointment of former member of House of Representatives, Patrick Obahiagbon as Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

A statement by Odubu’s Chief Press Secretary Kelly Odaro said it was ridiculous for anyone to claim that Obahiagbon was not appointed because of the cold war between factions in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) led by him and the party’s Southsouth Vice Chairman, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu.

Odubu said political appointments were the exclusive preserve of the governor, adding that the governor does not owe anyone any obligation in deciding who to make the SSG. He said there was no faction in the ACN, adding that the party is one.

National secretariat for NUJ From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is to build its permanent secretariat for its educational arm and the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) with about N1 billion, Director-General (DG) Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe said yesterday.

Runsewe, who is the Chairman of the fund raising committee, said President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to be the Chairman of the occasion that will hold on June 30.

He described the renting of apartments by NUJ as unfortunate.

His words: “We are expecting three royal fathers. On that day, the guest speaker will be Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The Chairman of the Governor’s Forum, Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State will also be there.

“I think it is a shame that since 2005 NUJ has been occupying a rented apartment.”

E

• Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi talking to the Project Coordinator of the rehabilitation of the Olu Obasanjo Road, Port Harcourt, Rabih Ramedi…yesterday

Whereabouts of kidnapped corps members unknown T

WO policemen have been killed by robbers and five National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members kidnapped in Rivers State.

The whereabouts of the corps members, who were kidnapped in Ikwerre Local Government on Tuesday, remained unknown yesterday.

The deceased policemen were an inspector and a corporal. A constable was injured in the attack under Eliozu Flyover on the EastWest Road.

They belonged to Distress 003 Patrol stationed under the flyover.

Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam, who confirmed the corps members’ kidnap yesterday, said officers and men of the command were on the trail of the kidnappers.

The corps members were

•Robbers kill two policemen From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

on their way from Omademe, where they went to inspect a library they built for the Community Secondary School, as part of their community development projects, preparatory to their passing out on June 16.

It was learnt that the gunmen suddenly accosted the corps members, shooting sporadically to scare away people, before snatching and moving them to an unknown destination.

One of the youths, Olumide Yusuf, according to a source, tried to contact his relatives, but his phone was seized by the hoodlums.

As at press time, the kidnappers were yet to contact the NYSC, the government or their victims’ relatives.

At the NYSC State Secretariat on Ikwerre Road, the atmosphere was charged.

The Public Relations Officer, B. O. Esan, confirmed the kidnap.

He said the police and the State Security Service (SSS) had been informed.

The Commissioner of Police, Suleiman Abba, said: “Vigorous search by several police teams in the surrounding areas began on Tuesday night and is still on.

“All hands are on deck on the investigations that will

lead to the rescue and arrest.”

Yesterday, policemen killed a suspected robber.

Two of the robbers fled, but the police recovered some weapons .

It was gathered that while on anti- crime patrol in Okporo area of Port Harcourt, policemen from Okporo Divisional Headquarters flagged down a black Toyota Camry car, with three occupants.

On searching the car, three double-barrell guns and locally-made pistols were recovered by the policemen.

Two of the hoodlums fled; the last one, who was shooting, was killed.

Ugwuegbulam confirmed the incident.

Man impregnates 12-year-old deaf and dumb

A

62-year-old-landlord, Victor Idahosa,

has allegedly impregnated his tenant’s daughter.

Abiodun Sanyaolu, a 12-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

year-old deaf and dumb student, who spoke through a sign language interpreter, said the landlord had sex with her 11 times in his apartment.

She said Idahosa gave her N500 each time he had sex with her and that she became pregnant six months ago.

Her mother, Mrs. Sanyaolu, told reporters that Idahosa initially admitted being responsible for the pregnancy and promised to take care of the girl.

She said she was surprised when he later gave her a quit notice because of the pregnancy.

Her words: “I am a widow and the only person taking care of my seven children and I take him as my own father.

“I expect him to see my children as his children.

When he later denied responsibility for the pregnancy, I asked him if he could swear with Ayelala that he worships, and he could no longer talk.”

Idahosa, who is a security official with the Bendel Newspaper Corporation, publishers of Nigeria Observer, denied the allegation, claiming that his earlier acceptance was done under duress.

He, however, said he would accept the pregnancy if it could be medically proved that it is his.

Police spokesman Peter Ogboi could not be reached for comments, but sources said the matter was being investigated by the Evbotubu police division.

DO State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to fix the failed Adolor College Junction of the Ugbowo-Lagos Road.

Commissioner for Works Francis Evbuomwan made the plea during inspection of roads being constructed by the state.

Evbuomwan lamented the loss of man-hours because of the failed portion.

He said: “The state is appealing to federal authorities, particularly the Federal Ministry of Works, to come and fix this failed portion as it is causing untold hardship to motorists.

“We recall that the former Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, had done a remedial work on the road but it was washed away after two rainfalls.

“Patching efforts had failed in the past and we appeal to the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the problem.”

Akwa Ibom monarch expelled From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

T

HE Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers (Ifim Ibom Ibibio) in Akwa Ibom State yesterday announced the expulsion of the paramount ruler of Onna Local Government Area, Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, for alleged gross misconduct and insubordination.

In a communiqué by seven rulers led by the paramount ruler of Etinan, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette, the monarchs said Ukpa flouted the standing injunction invoked on February 3, banning any discussion on any matter relating to the Oku Ibom Ibibio stool shortly after the murder of the late Oku Ibom Ibibio 111, Edidem Robert Obot.

The late Obot was murdered on January 30 by gunmen, who invaded his palace.

The monarchs said Ukpa had paraded himself as the as the Oku Ibom Ibibio when the late Oku Ibom Ibibio was yet to be buried, according to the Ibibio customary rites.

“Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa has ignored the Executive Committee and has not shown any remorse for his misconduct and insubordination to Ifim Ibom Ibibio.

“That, by his expulsion, Ukpa is hereby forbidden from attending any meeting(s) or activities of the Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers (Ifim Ibom Ibibio) forthwith.

Brace up for attacks, MEND tells JTF

T

HE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday asked the Joint Task Force (JTF) to brace up, because it would soon resume attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta.

MEND, had on Monday, said it would resume hostilities suspended on April 2 because of the elections.

The group, in an online statement yesterday by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, declared that the fresh state-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

ment was in view of the doubt expressed by the JTF on the authenticity of its earlier statement.

JTF spokesman Timothy Antigha, on Monday, said the security outfit was studying MEND’s statement and would soon respond, but was yet to do so.

MEND said: “Due to doubts as to the authenticity of our previous statement by the JTF, the MEND is

again stating it clearly that we will be commencing our promised attacks on the oil industry, starting with the ENI group.

“Rather than addressing the root issues responsible for militancy, President Goodluck Jonathan is misleading gullible foreign investors and oil companies into believing his Presidency marks the end of militancy.

“MEND and other armed groups in the Niger Delta are

not sacrificing the lives of their fighters for the provision of social amenities. We are fighting to reclaim our stolen land and restore our environment destroyed by the activities of irresponsible western oil companies.”

The group said the Amnesty Committee headed by Kingsley Kuku was another ploy to plunder the resources of the Niger Delta.

It urged the Federal Government to probe the activities of the committee .

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

11

12

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

NEWS Jonathan to increase HIV/ AIDS funding From Vincent Ikuomola, New York, USA

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in New York said Nigeria is determined to provide new impetus to the HIV/AIDS response by integrating the health sector into her human development agenda.

This, he said, informed the decision to increase funding from the present seven per cent to 50 per cent from now till 2015.

The President made the commitment in his address at the High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

He also stated that the Nigerian government “also aim to increase investment in procurement and supply chain management systems to ensure availability of quality HIV/AIDS commodities at all levels of care”.

He added: “We are targeting the elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV by 2015.

“We will also work with the National Assembly for the allocation of at least 15 per cent of the federal budget for the health sector, as agreed in the Abuja Declaration. We believe that these and other initiatives would greatly contribute to achieving the joint objectives of the MDGs and the elimination of new HIV infections.”

Folarin, Oyedokun, Fani-Kayode, others move to dislodge Obasanjo

B

ARELY three days after the emergence of the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, some politicians of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday protested against what they called the hijack of speakership by the Northwest.

They demanded redress from President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP. They also initiated plans to re-organise the PDP in the Southwest outside the present platform being managed by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The leaders met at a private residence in Udi Quarters, Asokoro in Abuja .

Some of those at the meeting were the immediate past Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin; a former

•Seek redress for Southwest from Joanthan, PDP From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun; ex-Minister of Education Prof. Tunde Adeniran; ex-Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; Otunba Reuben Fasawe; ex-Deputy Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service Akin Fadahunsi; Wahab Toye and others.

At the session, it was learnt that the leaders took exception to how the Southwest was “shortchanged”.

They agreed that the leaders should seek audience with President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP leadership.

They specifically sought

redress for Southwest and asked the President and the party to act now.

A communiqué at the end of the meeting, which was signed by Oyedokun, Ambassador Tunde Adeniran, and Otunba Fasawe, reads: “It was, however, to the utter shock and embarrassment of members of PDP and the people of the Southwest that the House of Representatives on Monday, June 6, 2011 resolved to dump the zoning formula and willfully subverted the party’s position on zoning for no appealing and compelling reason.

“The House, in essence, supplanted the chance by the Southwest to produce the

Speaker, thereby depriving it of its share in power distribution. In essence, the Lower House reportedly plotted, in collusion with the opposition parties, to offer the Northwest a political office that was specifically set aside and due to the South-west. This was an utter disgrace and a rude shock. It was also an affront to the Yoruba in the PDP and an act of great injustice.

“We commend the national leadership of the PDP for speaking out against this development which, to us, is not only ludicrous but is also a tragedy of monumental proportions and a slap in the face of the people of the South-West.”

Gunmen kill pastor in Maduguri From Joseph Abiodun

T

HE Reverend in charge of a church in Railway Quarters in Maiduguri Rev. David Usman and the assistant secretary of the church have been killed by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect.

Their corpses have been deposited at the University of Maiduguri Teaching hospital (UMTH) mortuary.

The Borno State Police Command, Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Lawal Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident, said Police have intensified efforts to arrest the culprits, adding that they have also embarked on patrol of the area.

Five churches have been burnt down by arsonists suspected to be Boko Haram members.

Abdullahi said the police have arrested twenty two suspects.

EFCC : We ‘ve evidence against lawmakers

C

HAIRMAN of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mrs. Farida Waziri yesterday said the commission has conducted preliminary investigations into petitions it received concerning the National Assembly and that “we have evidence for arraignment.”

With this revelation,

From: Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

there are indications that more arrests and arraignment of lawmakers, (principal officers particularly) in the National Assembly on charges of corruption may not be ruled out.

Waziri, spoke while making a presentation during an

interactive session for members of the National Assembly with key Federal Government Agencies, at the International Conference centre, Abuja, yesterday.

She however allayed the fears of the federal lawmakers by stating that only legislators that are corrupt need to be afraid of the anti-

graft agency.

“Only the guilty need to be afraid,” Waziri said.

She therefore cautioned Parliamentarians to be conscious of their positions as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and allow this be the guiding principles in their roles as representatives of the people.

The anti-graft agency boss’ warning came against the backdrop of the arraignment of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole on charges of corruption by the agency.

Waziri said the agency will not relent in her efforts at carrying out its mandate of fighting corruption.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

13

14

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

15

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

We must reject the idea.. well-intentioned, but dead wrong.. that the primary path to greatness in the social sectors is to become “more like a business.”

Most businesses.. like most of anything else in life.. fall somewhere between mediocre and good.

- Jim Collins

Saudis face opposition to OPEC quota boost

German regulator hits at bank stress tests

G

A

NY Saudi Arabian effort to push for an in crease in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) oil-output target is likely to face resistance from some members, according to Angola, Africa’s second-largest producer.

Ecuador, Venezuela and Angola said oil markets are well supplied and that they see no reason to raise production. The group’s 12 members began meeting yesterday in Vienna at 10:30 a.m. local time to decide on output limits.

“People are talking about an increase,” Angolan Oil Minister Jose Maria Botelho de Vasconcelos told reporters yesterday in the Austrian capital. “We have to wait and see.

My feeling is there is no need.

The market is supplied at this time. There are some geopolitical problems.”

The OPEC, which pumps 40 percent of the world’s crude, will raise its official ceiling on output for the first time since September 2007, a Gulf delegate with knowledge of the matter said last Tuesday. Head of oil-market research at Societe Generale SA in New York, Michael Wittner, said OPEC is likely to increase its target by as much as 1.5 million barrels a day. Morgan Stanley forecast an increase of 1.5 million barrels starting this summer.

US crude for July delivery dropped as much as 99 cents to $98.10 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $98.26 at 11:27 a.m. in London. Prices have gained 36 percent over the past 12 months.

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 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

• From left: Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mrs. Sola David-Borha; Chairman, Mr. Atedo Peterside and Company Secretary, Angela Omo-Dare at the bank’s 22nd annual general meeting in Abuja Wednesday June 8, 2011.

Fed Govt may privatise Abuja Securities, Commodities Exchange

A

HIGH-POWERED committee set up by the Federal Government to look at how to deepen and optimise the potential of the capital market has recommended privatisation of the Abuja Securities and Commodities Exchange (ASCE).

The committee on capital market was constituted on the direction of President Goodluck Jonathan by the Nigerian Economic Management Team (NEMT) chaired by former Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga.

The committee, headed by Ms Arunmah Oteh, DirectorGeneral of the Securities and

T

Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Exchange Commission (SEC), was mandated to deepen the capital market through increased participation by Nigerians in the capital market and diversification of products available in the market.

According to the report of the committee, privatisation of the ASCE would greatly enhance the possibility of realising the objectives for setting up the platform.

Ms Oteh confirmed the recommendation for privatisation of the ASCE, noting that the committee had submitted what it considered

required actions by the government and other stakeholders.

ASCE was initially incorporated as a stock exchange in 1998. It commenced electronic trading in securities in May 2001 but with the heated debate on a mono-stock exchange in favour of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), ASCE was converted to a commodity exchange in August 2001 and brought under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Commerce.

The conversion of the ASCE was premised on the need for an alternative institutional arrangement that would manage the effect of price fluctuations

in the marketing of agricultural produce, which has adversely affected the earnings of farmers since the abolishment of commodity boards in 1986.

The ASCE, however, has not been able to jumpstart effective commodity securitisation.

Effective operations of the ASCE are expected to provide veritable platform farmers, agro-commodity processors and merchants to mitigate the inherent risks in agricultural production and marketing.

The enlarged market for agricultural produce, envisioned through the ASCE, will promote commercial farming and the growth of the agricultural sector.

Infrastructure threatens CBN’s e-payment policy

HE Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to encourage electronic payment card system may be stalled by poor attitude of depositors and lack of infrastructure. This was the submission of information technology and banking experts that attended a media parley in Lagos.

The parley was aimed at rallying support for the Card Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and Mobile Expo Africa 2011 slated for next week.

The experts cited insufficient Point of Sales (OPS) terminals and lack of commitment among e-payment vendors, as

By Akinola Ajibade

problems affecting e-payment in the country.

Managing Director, Secure ID, Mrs Kofo Akinkugbe, said infrastructure is central to the problems affecting Point of Sales transaction.

Akinkugbe said many customers lacked confidence in the e-payment platform, until last year when banks changed from the use of magnetic stripes to chip cards.

She said many customers lost confidence, due to fraudu-

lent practices associated with ATMs usage.

She agreed that the CBN’s decision to peg the minimum withdrawal per individual to N150,000 would make people to use electronic payment card system.

“CBN has given the industry a focus through the new regulation. We are going to witness a situation where by the unbanked segment of the population will be changing to the banked population soon.

People still believe in a cashbased economy.

“But with more regulations coming from CBN, many would embrace cashless economy. When this happens, the infrastructural problems will be minimised,” she said.

Akinkugbe said the N150,000 minimum cash withdrawal directive is timely, adding the directive coincides with the Card and ATM Expo.

The Managing Director, Intermac Consulting Limited, Mr Yinka Adeyemi, said Nigeria is gradually moving to the period of a cashless economy, going by the directive on minimum withdrawal of N150,000.

Court vacates injunction against Bank PHB

T

HE Federal High Court yesterday in Lagos dis missed a petition brought by five shareholders of Bank PHB, who sought to stop the recapitalisation efforts of the bank.

The court, presided over by Hon. Justice Charles Archibong, upheld Bank PHB and Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) preliminary objection to the action

By Collins Nweze

of the shareholders. The court accepted the bank’s argument that the shareholders’ action was incompetent, premature, and accordingly dismissed same.

Bank PHB Plc and its directors were represented by the joint firm of Aluko & Oyebode and Udo Udoma & Belo-

Osagie, while the CBN was represented by Kola Awodein & Co. With this judgement, the bank, in a statement, said it would move speedily towards consummating its recapitalisation deal with the preferred strategic investor and AMCON. The bank said it was close to executing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),

with its preferred investor when the High Court granted the injunction barring the bank, it’s directors and the CBN from proceeding with the recapitalisation process.

This comes as good news to the bank and its stakeholders as the bank is now positioned to meet the deadline to complete the recapitalisation process of September, 2011.

ERMANY’s senior bank regulator has sharply criticised the European Banking Authority for its conduct of this year’s bank stress tests, accusing it of acting without legitimacy in setting controversial rules that define bank capital.

The comments from Jochen Sanio, head of BaFin, highlight the unhappiness in Germany at the EBA’s approach to the stress tests and cast doubt on the backing for the recently created authority from the financial sector in Europe’s lagest economy.

The stress tests are intended to underline the robustness of Europe’s banks by improving on last year’s much criticised exercise, failed by only seven of 91 banks months before Ireland’s banking system imploded.

But Germany has criticised the EBA for excluding from this year’s tests certain forms of hybrid capital that are often used by the country’s banks.

The decison, intended to improve the consistency of results across Europe, forced two German Landesbanken to scramble to secure promises from their owners to convert some hybrid capital into better quality equity capital.

Pearson to divest from Longman Nigeria

P

EARSON has an nounced plans to di vest from Longman Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Lagos,the company said after reflecting on the constraints that being a majority shareholder rather than outright owner of the company,it has decided to float a new company.

"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."

Following a detailed review of the Longman Nigeria business and its environment, the company said it needs a new platform to focus on the new opportunities in the company.

Pearson said it will establish a new company in Nigeria later this year.

According to the statement , its global strategy embraces not only excellent curriculum content for schools and universities but also assessment, teaching and training and academic and professional qualifications and certification and technology.

16

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY 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

By Collins Nweze with agency report

veloped world.

But consumption and infrastructure are still dominant investment themes for Nigeria and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, that would lure investors back to what are largely undervalued markets, Pearson said.

“Nigeria has significantly underperformed frontier market peers as well as emerging markets, but from a valuation point of view it is now very cheap,” he said, adding that Nigerian shares trade around eight times forward price-to-earnings.

Stocks that will benefit from the growth in African consumer demand and infrastructure rollout are Nige-

rian cement producers-Dangote and Lafarge WAPCO as well as brewers such as Zimbabwe’s Delta Corp and UAC Nigeria and Nigerian conglomerate UAC. Pearson said he was neutral on Kenyan stocks as he was increasingly concerned about inflationary pressures and the weakness of the Kenyan shilling.

Ghana offers the most impressive economic growth prospects in sub-Sahara Africa, but the best way for investors to tap into that story is through its Eurobond, Pearson observed.

Even the upcoming secondary listing of London’s Tullow Oil on the Ghana stock exchange is targeted mainly at local investors, he said.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.15 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

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 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

By Chuks Udo Okonta

C

USTODIAN and Al lied Insurance Plc re corded a gross premium income of N13.7 billion last year, its Chairman Michael Ade Ojo has said.

Ade Ojo disclosed this at the 16 th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said the premium income represents 160 per cent over N5.3billion recorded in 2009, adding that the profit before tax rose from N2.02billion to N2.37billion.

He said total assets grew by 11 per cent from N14.1 billion to N15.8billion while shareholders’ funds rose from N11.1billion to N11.8billion.

The company declared a dividend of 17kobo for every ordinary share.

President Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) Sunny Nwosu, lauded the performance of the company and urged the board and management to sustain the performance through enhancement of their services.

President Professional Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Augustine Anono, urged the company to explore opportunities in the rural areas and engage in aggressive marketing.

S

09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

Custodian and Allied Insurance grosses N13.7b

Verod Capital partners SPINLET Mobile

12.15 12.45

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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

• Cuts forecast on ROI

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

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

1. Dana

TALLED progress in the consolidation of its banking sec tor has dampened prospects for Nigerian stocks, but Ghana and Zimbabwe offer solid long-term bets for investors looking elsewhere in Africa, Standard Bank strategist Matthew Pearson said yesterday.

Pearson, Standard Bank’s head of equity product in Africa, told the Reuters Investment Outlook Summit that the bank had cut its forecast 2011 return for Nigeria’s key NSE 30 Index to just over 25 percent from 40 per cent at the start of the year.

“Nigeria has had its own banking crisis, where almost 50 per cent of local banks were put into effective liquidation,” he said.

The flare-up of political instability across North Africa and Ivory Coast sub-Sahara also means Africa has been unable to capitalise on the flood of liquidity unleashed by ultra-loose monetary policies in much of the de-

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

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. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

Nigerian stocks are cheap, says Standard Bank S

• President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), presenting Practice Licence Certificate to former Registrar/CE, of the institute, Mr. Esan Ogunleye, while Chairman of Practice Licence Board/ first st VP, CIBN, Mr. Segun Aina, looks on, during the institute’s public presentation of its maiden Practice Licence and Seal to its members in Lagos.

T

World Bank praises Lagos over CADP implementation

HE World Bank has praised the Lagos State Government over the implementation of assisted Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP).

World Bank Programme coordinator, Matein Van Niewkoop, gave the commendation yesterday at the state secretariat in Alausa, Lagos.

Niewkoop noted that it was difficult for any project to succeed in Nigeria if it does not succeed in Lagos.

He however, commended the State Government for the level of implementation of the projects , saying it placed it ahead of other beneficiary states in the country.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

The Word Bank official said the visit was informed by the need to look at the strong point of the government’s implementation of the project and also to have a direct interaction with the farmers so as to make the necessary recommendations.

He said the essence of the project was to strengthen agricultural by improving food production and also address the issues of food security.

In his contribution, CADP Task Leader, Dr. Lucas Akapa, explained the project was developed to strengthen agricultural production

system and to link farmers to market.

He said the project is currently at the level of providing resources to finance farming and providing infrastructuree that would aid their production.

Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Olajide Basorun, who received the team, reiterated the government commitment towards the implementation of the project.

He said the government has released part of its counterpart fund, stressing that plans are on to develop agricultural estate to improve food product in state.

Ekiti to establish holding company

E

KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has ap proved the establishment of Fountain Holdings Limited (FHL) as the investment vehicle to drive economic activities of the state.

Under the new arrangement, Fountain Holdings Limited would be responsible for managing and supervising all companies owned by the Ekiti State government such as Ire Burnt Bricks Limited, Fountain Aggregate Company Limited and ROMACO. Others are Fountain Hotels Limited in Ado Ekiti, Fountain Newspapers and Publishing Company Limited, Fountain Solid Mineral Development Company Limited, Ikogosi Warm Spring Development Company

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti.

Limited and their subsidiaries.

The company will also represent the commercial interests of Ekiti State under Private Public Partnership (PPP) and manage the various investment portfolios of the state government.

Fountain Holdings Limited is also saddled with: Facilitating and generating employment opportunities through the small scale sector industries to the state; stimulating efficient management of the state investment Portfolio and assisting in facilitating the diversification of the economy of the state from dependence on production and enterprise.

The governor has also approved

the appointment of Mr Olusegun Osinkolu, a seasoned investment banker as the Managing Director of Fountain Holdings Ltd. Osinkolu is a graduate of Accounting and a post graduate MBA degree holder in Financial Management from the University of Wales.

He has worked in reputable organisations such as HSBC Bank, United Kingdom, United Bank for Africa Plc, First City Merchant Bank Plc, Oando Petroleum Plc. Until his appointment Osinkolu, who was the Managing Director/CEO Habitat Oil and Gas Ltd was a Senatorial candidate in Ekiti North under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

PINLET, a social mobile music application maker has received a key investment offer from a Nigerian firm, Verod Capital Management Limited. This is ahead of the launch of the new product.

A statement said SPINLET, makers of innovative, cloudbased music streaming and storage applications, announced on May 31 that it had received significant investment from Verod Capital, an emerging markets investment firm based in Nigeria, with interests across several sectors.

Verod Capital’s investment in the emerging digital music app maker comes at a critical time to support the launch of the Finland-based company’s new enhanced service, which will predominantly service the fast growing mobile markets of Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

“There is a strong demand for music download services in emerging markets but consumers have limited access to portals from where they can legally download original music tracks from local and international artists,” said Executive Director, Verod Capital. “SPINLET is ideally placed to source the content and deliver it to millions of underserved consumers worldwide across the mobile and web channels.”

SPINLET’s current application enables consumers to remotely store, manage and listen to music from anywhere using any mobile device. Using the SPINLET Music Cloud portal, users can also create playlists, stream and seamlessly synch music tracks across devices as well as share their favorite titles using social networking sites, like Facebook.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

17

INDUSTRY

T

HE Director of Trade, Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry, David Adejuwon, has urged American investors to target the agriculture and agro-allied sector of the economy.

He made the call during a meeting between the Department of Trade and officials of the US Embassy, led by the Regional Agricultural Counsellor, Russ Nicely at the Ministry ‘s Headquarters in Abuja.

Adejuwon said Nigeria has comparative advantage in the agricultural sector and reiterated the need for processing of the agric products for value addition before being exported to the international market.

He said the ministry has been facilitating trade between the US as well as other countries, adding that the Ministry is addressing the issues that are of interest to Nigerian partners to ensure interna-

Ministry woos US investors on agric Stories by Toba Agboola

tional standards in the trade and commerce sector.

He said the US remained a major trading partner of Nigeria and called for continued investment for both countries in cocoa and rubber plantations, as well as improvement on production techniques and value addition in the agricultural sector to meet world standards.

Earlier, the Regional Agricultural Counsellor, Russ Nicely, acknowledged the tremendous opportunities in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, especially in the area of processing and urged the government to look into the packaging so as to meet international standards.

He identified the challenges in the

agricultural sector and urged the government to promote international standards to qualify the products for export, adding that the US Embassy will continue to promote win-win situations in the investment relationship with Nigeria.

In a related event, Mr. Adejuwon has urged key economic Ministries/Departments to be part of the forthcoming Annual Best of Nigeria Expo 2011 to be held in London.

He made the call during a meeting between the Ministry and the organisers of the Annual Best of Nigeria Expo, led by Afolabi Andu, the CEO VISAGE PR at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Adejuwon pointed said Nigeria

needs to tell her stories to the international communities and expose her investment opportunities to investors in the developed countries.

He said: “This is the right time for us to start telling our stories, not doing things the way we were doing before and follow others the way they are doing things. We must not continue to lament the failure of the past.”

He added that Nigeria has to establish bench marks to accomplish the vision of being among the 20 top economies of the world.

This is the right time for us to be proactive and move the economy of the country to a sustainable level.

Adejuwon stressed.

He praised the private sector for taking the initiatives to advertise

Nigeria and her potentials to the world to attract investment into the country and assured them of the ministry’s co-operation and support for the Expo.

Andu explained that the main objective of the exhibition is to create a platform where Nigerian products and services can be showcased to promote interest among the international community.

He added that the missing link in the organisation of the exhibition over the years, was the presence of key government bodies and agencies expected to respond effectively to prospective investor’s quests on the state of the country’s investment climate, stating that effective participation of key government Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) would bring much impetus and drive to attract prospective investors to the key priority sectors of the economy.

LCCI canvasses cooperation in ECOWAS

T

•From right: President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA), Dele Oye, Greece Ambassador to Nigeria, Dionisios Sourvanos and Director-General, ABUCCIMA, Joe Wenegieme, during a courtesy call on the Ambassador in Abuja.

•Sweet Sensation’s Ifako Gbagada, Lagos outlet manager, Benson Afolabi, a Marketing staff of sweet sensation, Alaka Sadiq(left) with children at the outlet’s Children’s Day celebration

U

ACN Property Development Company (UPDC) has re warded its shareholders with N756.250 million as dividend for the business year that ended on December 31, 2010.

The company’s chairman, Mr Larry Ettah presented the figure to the shareholders during the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Addressing the shareholders, Ettah stated that UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC), a leading property developer, is poised to take advantage of

HE President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Femi Duru, has called for stronger trade integration between the private and public sectors of member-countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Presenting a paper entitled: Breaking trade barriers in the West African Sub-region, delivered at a stakeholders forum in Lagos, Deru for too long, private sector organisations and institutions, have confined themselves to their countries, while their counterparts in other parts of the world were advancing on the frontiers of their economies and markets through integration.

“We need to broaden our perspectives and think beyond individual countries and even our subregions.”

The LCCI boss said the economy needed to develop not only subregionally, but globally. He said with a robust market of about 300 million people, significant bebefits of economies of scale would be enjoyed by West African firms in the event of full market integration.

“This will reduce unit cost and enhance their global competitiveness,” he said.

Deru explained that there is a strong relationship between the development of inter-regional trade and the promotion of economic integration in the subregion, adding that the integration was the main vehicle for boosting trade within the subregion.

The LCCI boss stressed that with the integration, African economies would be stronger and their capacity to cope with the challenges of globalistion will be enhanced.

“Africa will also be better positioned to respond to the challenges of peace and security in the continent,” he said.

He said the challenges and constraints in the region were linked to factors such as lack of the desired political will to implement treaties and drive the integration process, colonial allegiance and loyalty, which sometimes took precedence over regional protocols, and reluctance to surrender even partially,

UPDC pays N756 million as dividend

By Eshiet Uyoatta

the emerging opportunities in the sector to create sustainable value for the company.

In his address at the meeting, which took place at the Golden Tulip, Festac, Lagos, Ettah said: “For the real sector, a cautious optimism exists as major international housing markets continue to show strong signs of rebound.

“Significant gaps exist in housing volume and type in Nigeria and your Management and Board are poised to take advantage of the emerging opportunities to create sustainable value for you, our esteemed shareholders.”

Ettah stated that operationally, the company maintained its leadership position in the premium market segment of the Nigerian real estate market.

“We achieved full completion of the prestigious Victoria Mall & Plaza (VMP) Residential apartments at Aboyade Cole street, Victoria Island; the eight-story Aduja Phase 3 office complex and the Pinnock Beach Site & Service Scheme. Work commenced on the 15-story VMP office block and has reached an advantage stage.”

The chairman stressed that UPDC’s issue of N15 billion Corpo-

sovereignty and economic nationalism.

He argued that the quality of political governance and corruption were some of the compelling factors limiting trade integration in the sub-region.

Also, the chamber has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to use his first one year in office to address critical developmental barriers that will ensure growth and create jobs and improve private sector productivity and competitiveness in the economy.

It called on Jonathan to initiate programmes that would lead to progressive reduction in fiscal deficit in the next two years through progressive improvement on its record of fiscal discipline to save the economy from collapse.

Deru stated that there is the urgent need for the President to address the critical barriers to real development in the economy that would stabilise the standard of living and private sector performance.

“We desire a growth that would create jobs and improve private sector productivity and competitiveness in the next four years of our democratic government because the impact of the soaring fiscal deficit of the past two years on macro-economic stability and general economic performance is worrisome,” he said.

He noted that this is related to the government’s need to curb the escalating domestic debt profile which is currently estimated at about N4.8 trillion, saying, “we urge for an urgent moderation of the debt in the next four years because the burden of servicing this debt is becoming an increasing concern.”

Deru said President Jonathan should populate the cabinet with people with track record of integrity, performance and robust intellectual content, “arguing that the practice of using ministerial appointments as rewards for political loyalty and electoral support should be discontinued so that at the end, the administration would be judged by its impact on the lives of the people.”

rate Bond at 10 per cent per annum issued last year was over subscribed and at a price unprecedented in the history of corporate bond issues in Nigeria.

He explained that the proceeds of the bond were utilised to partly refinance the company’s short-term borrowings and also fund new land acquisitions for new projects.

Some of the new projects include the on-going Emerald Court, Gudu Abuja, Metro Gardens, Lekki and a host of others in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

18

INDUSTRY

ADVAN gets ex-offico

T

HE ex-officio position in Advertisers Association of the Nigeria (ADVAN) council, which was declared void, following Ify Dozie’s dispatch from Nigerian Breweries Plc to Heineken head office in Amsterdam, has been filled

by Lampe Omoyele, Marketing Director of Nutricima Limited.

Having been elected into the ADVAN executive committee, the body also bestowed him with another responsibilies such as the

chairman of the Education Committee of ADVAN, the position which was previously held by the President of the association, Idorenyen Enang.

Apart from functioning as an exofficio in the council, Omoyele’s responsibility as Education Committee in the advertisers’ body, would include spearheading an ADVAN peer-to-peer learning workshop, debate night and on-line interaction platforms.

Italy seeks improved bilateral trade with Nigeria TALY has sought to deepen eco-

I •From left: Director-General NACCIMA John Isemede, National President Ademola Ajayi and Vice-President Salisu Maijama at the media briefing on the inauguration of NACCIMA D-8 Business Council by NACCIMA in PHOTO: ABIDOUN WILLIAMS Lagos.

SMEDAN, Swiss agency collaborate

T

HE Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Swiss Government-backed International Organisation for Migration (IOM), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the rehabilitation of Assisted Voluntary Returnees (AVRs), trafficked persons and other migrant beneficiaries of IOM programmes in Nigeria.

At the ceremony held at SMEDAN Headquarters in Abuja, the Chief of Mission, IOM, Martin Ocaga, signed on behalf of the Organisation, while the Director-General of SMEDAN, Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar, signed on behalf of SMEDAN. IOM is an organisation committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society, and so, assists in meeting the operational challenges of migration, encourages social and economic development through migration, and works towards effective respect of human rights and well-being of migrants.

Both organisations (SMEDAN and IOM), conscious of the need for closer co-operation in matters of common interests, and desirous of further enhancing and strengthening such co-operation, agreed that the activities related to MSME development and reintegration and rehabilitation of Assisted Voluntary Returnees (AVRs), trafficked persons and other migrant beneficiaries of IOM Nigeria programmes, shall be coordinated to the extent possible to achieve maximum co-operation.

“Both organisations shall endeavour, in so far as possible and

‘This is a project charged with great expectations, and it is in the spirit of achieving these expectations, together, that we envisioned our co-operation for the achievement of this major endeavour’ in compliance with its constituent instruments and decisions of its competent bodies, respond favourably to such requests for co-operation in accordance with procedures to be mutually agreed upon.

More importantly, the execution of this Memorandum shall be without prejudice to the privileges and immunities enjoyed by IOM as an International Organisation.

SMEDAN and IOM, under the Article of Exchange of Information and Documentation, agreed to exchange MSME Business Training information and documentation in the public domain to the fullest extent possible on matters of common interest; where appropriate and subject to the necessary requirements, information and documentation relating to specific MSME Business Training projects or programmes, may also be exchanged between the parties with a view to attaining better complementary action and effective coordination between the two organisation.

On Technical Co-operation,

SMEDAN is obliged to take into consideration formal request that IOM may make to it for contribution towards MSME business training activities that fall within the requirements and priorities of the Organisation’s AVR programmes or counter trafficking interventions; SMEDAN shall take into consideration formal request IOM may make to it for specific activities that fall within the mandate and priorities of the Agency’s support to MSME business development training for the organisation’s beneficiaries; SMEDAN agrees to provide IOM with a comprehensive report for business training carried out for the AVRs pursuant to this collaboration.

The Director-General of SMEDAN, Alhaji Mohammad Nadada Umar, welcoming the IOM team said: “This is one of the most important Memoranda of Understanding we have ever signed!, as this will help us accomplish one of our Mandates (Programmes) – Enterprise Development, which is designed to provide entrepreneurial education and training for business plan development, marketing, Account/Book-keeping, to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs. SMEDAN will be charged with the responsibility of training the AVRs, trafficked persons and other migrant beneficiaries of IOM programmes in Nigeria.

“This is a project charged with great expectations, and it is in the spirit of achieving these expectations, together, that we envisioned our co-operation for the achievement of this major endeavour,” said Director-General.

nomic cooperation and bilateral relations with Nigeria, to consolidate on the stability and prosperity of the nation.

Italy ’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Giorgio Napolitano, gave this indication in a congratulatory message to President Goodluck Jonathan, on his recent inauguration, promising better friendship and economic ties with the nation.

He said: “ Italy looks with great friendship to Nigeria and to its potentialities in terms of consolidating stability and prosperity, which the social and economic development of your country could foster also in the regional framework.”

In his congratulatory message to the President, Napolitano expressed his heartfelt wishes for the discharge of his duty, which he maintained represents a continuation of the important work that started in the past years.

In another development, the Ambassador of Germany to the country, Joachim Schmillien has disclosed that his country’s bilateral trade relation with Nigeria from 1999 to 2010 has hit 360 million euros.

The co-operation, which kickedoff in 2002, has always emphasised

on capacity building of small-scale business owners with a view of providing employment opportunities to teaming youths in the country.

The ambassador, who gave the hint while speaking to some journalists in Abuja, said the cooperation projects between Germany and Nigeria vary from issues such as private sector development, polio eradication, women and girl’s rights, among others.

In its bid to eradicate the spread of polio in the country, Schmillien hinted that the German government, since 2004, has provided 20 million euros to United Nation Children fund for the purchase of vaccines, adding that for the period from 2010 to 2012, the country has also pledged an additional sum of 15 million euros.

Hinting that the German Embassy receives a yearly trade volume on 50,000 Euro to fund some selected small-scale businesses in the country, he maintained the funds are dedicated to community project which has direct impact on poverty alleviation.

He noted that the Germany provides both capital and training measures to Microfinance sectors in some selected state.

Indomie to reward 2011 heroes with N2.2m

D

ufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles has announced the commencement of the search for the 2011 Indomie Independence Day award for Heroes of Nigeria which is the fourth edition of the award.

The award is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the company, which was set up to recognise and reward children between the age of five and 15 who have at one time or the other performed acts of bravery to save life or property of others at great personal risk to themselves or achieve remarkable feat worthy of recognition.

Speaking at the press conference, held at Protea Hotel, Maryland, Lagos, Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr Tope Ashiwaju, noted that the Independence Day award was borne out of the desire to recognise and reward brave and heroic children to serve as example

to others to emulate.

Stating the objectives of the award, Ashiwaju disclosed that the initiative was to identify, acknowledge, and encourage children who have exhibited acts of bravery and made notable sacrifices without any recognition as well as to inspire acts of heroism in youngsters.

He revealed that since the inception of the award in 2008, nine heroic children have been discovered from the nooks and crannies of 30 states across the country and have been rewarded with scholarship worth N1million ,N750,000 and N500,000 for the first, second and third prize winners espectively.

Ashiwaju announced that the 2011 award will hold at the Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos while stressing that the award scheme is national and will be a yearly event but the criteria is made such that, the act does not necessarily have to be done in the year of the award.

Nigeria, others eye N62tr trade surplus

T

HE economic growth of Nigeria and some other African countries may outpace Asia’s in the coming decades, with trade turnover reaching nearly $400 billion (N62 trillion), by 2015.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Renaissance Capital, Stephen Jennings, who said this in a speech he delivered at the second yearly Pan-Africa Investor Conference in Lagos, said the African continent could have a surplus trade of about $40 billion in four years. “ Just compare the performance of two oil-dependent and supposedly hopelessly managed emerging markets, which suffered a 7.5 per cent economic collapse and Nigeria, which achieved a stunning seven per cent growth rate.

“Today, Africa’s economic success, and the success right here in Nigeria, is widely understood among global investors.

In fact, within the next couple of years, I expect that it will become conventional wisdom that Africa is one of the most attractive investment destinations globally,” he noted.

Jennings said Africa’s macroeconomic performance has improved very significantly. “Between the 90s and the 2000s, inflation has fallen 64 per cent, government debt by 28 per cent and fiscal deficits by 60 per cent.”

He expressed optimism about infrastructure development in Africa, “with the tremendous scope for

greater private ownership and private public partnerships (PPP) in both funding and operating largescale core infrastructure projects.

In many cases, the required reforms are not complex”.

For instance, he pointed out that “Nigeria’s notorious power shortages actually represent a massive commercial opportunity which the forthcoming privatisation of generating capacity will hopefully address.”

Jennings specifically identified Nigeria as a good business destination in Africa.

He said: “Nigeria, arguably has incredible attributes for emerging market investment in banking and consumer finance. It is very big, fast

growing and uncompetitive. It will have deep pools of domestic liquidity and the barriers to international players are high.

“Nigeria is home to one out of every five African. Its population of 155 million is largely youthful and increasingly urbanising, which presents significant opportunities in the consumer goods, real estate, construction and services industries.

“Nigeria’s strong import demand, with China as its biggest supplier, attests to the appetite for consumer goods in this import-dependent economy.More significantly, it demonstrates the opportunity for the manufacturing of fast-moving consumer goods to supply the large

local market, which will be taken up as power infrastructure improves.

“Rural-urban migration is swelling populations of Nigeria’s urban areas. Moreover, strong economic growth is creating jobs and supporting the emergence of a middle class with higher disposable income, which is demanding better housing.

Nigeria’s small mortgage is growing, which is positive for the financial services sector. The construction industry will benefit from this growing demand for real estate, and is expected to get further support from infrastructure development.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Five killed, 12 injured •Government should be alarmed at the ease with which bandits overrun security agencies

E

KITI State was literally overwhelmed by armed robbers last week, and the best the state police command could offer was no match for the bandits. It was a sorry sight as citizens were hacked down in broad day light, while the state felt helpless. The robbers came to raid a bank, and this lasted as long as they wanted, after which they escaped with their loot. The governor of the state, in the face of the failure of the state police command, sent his official police security team, but they were also worsted by the superior fire power of the robbers.

At the end of the mayhem, five persons were killed, while 12 others were injured.

The raided bank and other unfortunate

‘When the state fails in its prerogatives as we are witnessing in the country, the result usually is for individuals to begin to take the laws in their hands, in an attempt to make up.

There is also the economic effect as investments and high tech manpower begins to move to safer countries’

Nigerians lost money and other valuables. Regrettably, the Nigerian state, already overwhelmed by greater tragedies in recent times, apparently shrugged the incident off, while, as they say, the beat goes on. So, while it was superior fire power of armed robbers that rocked Ekiti, it is bombs that rocked many other states in Nigeria. Dramatic as the description may sound; Nigerians should be alarmed at the state of insecurity in the country.

The federal authorities must be even more alarmed as they have the exclusive power over security in Nigeria, and so the state of insecurity depicts them as incompetent. When a state police command is utterly helpless in the face of armed robbery attack, what would happen if there is a willful attempt to bring down the institutions of state?

Considering our past experiences, it would be wishful thinking to ever hope that the perpetrators would be apprehended, and so the consequence is that those terror ammunitions are still out there to be put to future use.

As we have severally argued on this page, there is an urgent need to address the security challenges of the country.

The police system as presently operated has proved inadequate, and to keep hoping that things will change, without a concerted effort to effect necessary structural changes is delusion. The arguments in favour and against state police must be examined in the face of

debilitating security threats facing the nation, and this should form one of the priorities of the present government, otherwise all other efforts to kick start our country’s so-called transformation may just be dead, even before take-off.

While waiting for the Nigerian state to provide general security, the banks must begin to show greater interest in their own security.

It is incomprehensible, that despite all the billions of naira in profit by banks, they fail to install mere close circuit television as part of their security instruments.

Where such close circuit recorder is in place to cover the banking halls and the environs; the photos of the robbers would have been captured to aid the police to apprehend them. Banks could also wire their offices directly to police head offices so that once their security is about to be compromised, an alarm would set off immediately to alert the security agencies.

When the state fails in its prerogatives as we are witnessing in the country, the result usually is for individuals to begin to take the laws in their hands, in an attempt to make up. There is also the economic effect as investments and high tech manpower begins to move to safer countries. If as a nation we are serious about pushing to become among the world’s best 20 economies in 2020, then security of lives and property must get on the front burner of the new administration.

Ominous security • Inauguration explosions signal a troubled beginning for the Jonathan administration

T

HE triumph of President Goodluck Jonathan’s inauguration was soured by reports that explosions in Bauchi and Abuja’s outskirts killed about 10 people and injured dozens of others. Following a pattern that has become discernible over the past few months, it appears that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were placed in areas known for high concentration of people, and timed to go off in order to cause maximum damage. The militant anti-western education group, Boko Haram, has allegedly claimed responsibility for the Bauchi bombing.

Coming as they do months after Jonathan promised to bring the perpetrators of past explosions to justice, and in spite of heightened security measures aimed at ensuring peaceful inauguration ceremonies in the country, these bomb blasts have clearly demonstrated the incompetence of the Nigerian state and the consequent vulnerability of its citizens.

Ever since the Independence Day explosions of October 2010, the security forces have had ample opportunity to map out strategies aimed at neutralising the threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups. They are cognisant with their modus operandi, their weapons and tactics, their aims and their methods of recruitment.

Yet they have allowed these groups to seize the initiative to the extent that Boko Haram, for instance, has virtually become a law unto itself in Borno and Bauchi states, and other parts of north-eastern Nigeria. The group has carried out several assassinations of major political figures in the area, rejected purported

offers of amnesty, and promised further attacks. Such impunity could only have come from a confidence that the security forces are no match for them. This situation bodes ill for the country and should be taken with the seriousness that it deserves.

In order to achieve this, the Federal Government should reformulate its strategies. It should first look at the suitability of the personnel charged with the responsibility of maintaining national security. Are they competent enough? The recent re-appointment of General (rtd.) Andrew Azazi as National Security Adviser (NSA) is a sign of the government’s confidence in his abilities, but the same cannot really be said for many other senior members of the country’s security establishment.

The ease with which weapons come into Nigeria, their proliferation across the length and breadth of the country, and the apparently effortless manner in which militant groups entrench themselves within Nigerian society are clear indications that the security forces have failed to do their jobs properly.

Their investigative and intelligencegathering capabilities appear to be especially poor. Despite the controversial death of its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, Boko Haram has continued to pose a major threat to national security.

Whatever knowledge that has been gained concerning the group’s structure, its high command and its numerical strength do not appear to have been put to effective use in combating the menace.

The Jonathan administration should no longer accept excuses for failure in dealing with security threats. Targets

must be set, field personnel properly motivated and equipped, and incompetence should be promptly sanctioned. Government should be especially careful in ensuring that there are no adherents of these groups in its own ranks; this could be a major reason why they act with such impunity.

At a more fundamental level, more should be done to substantially reduce the poverty, joblessness and despair that make it so easy for militant groups to recruit followers. The vacuum created by poor governance and widespread corruption is inevitably filled by the rise of anti-social behaviour and attitudes.

In essence, the war against those who threaten the peace and stability of the nation must be waged on several fronts.

Egypt’s revolutionary justice

L

ET’S STIPULATE: There are very likely good grounds to prosecute deposed Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarak. In nearly 30 years in power, the strongman appears to have amassed a considerable fortune, including the luxurious beach estate to which he retreated after his overthrow. More than 800 people were killed during the 18-day revolution, and prosectors allege that Mr. Mubarak approved plans to use force against peaceful demonstrators.

The decision by Egypt’s ruling military council and state prosecutors to begin a trial of the former strongman on Aug. 3 — before the country holds its first democratic elections — is nevertheless a mistake, one that could push Egypt off the path to establishing a stable democracy and reviving its economy. Mr. Mubarak, who is 83 and in failing health, is not entitled to impunity; nor are his family and former ministers.

But the approach of the interim regime, which has jailed dozens of former officials and two of Mr. Mubarak’s sons, is deeply flawed.

The trouble starts with the speed and timing of the prosecutions. Anxious to prevent further mass protests, the interim military council has appeared to time steps against the former regime just ahead of threatened demonstrations.

The announcement that Mr. Mubarak would be put on trial came May 24, three days ahead of a planned opposition gathering in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Three of Mr. Mubarak’s former ministers have already been convicted of crimes, and other trials are moving forward quickly. There are serious questions about the evidence in at least one — a case brought against the energy minister and five associates over alleged fraud in gas sales to Israel.

The legal system handling these cases, oddly, is that of Mr. Mubarak — and was justly renowned under his tenure for its lack of independence and its politicized rulings. There’s good reason for concern that former members of the regime are now victims of that politicization.

The judge hearing a murder case against former interior minister Habib el-Adly, for example, was involved in one-sided rulings against political dissidents during Mr. Mubarak’s reign.

That’s particularly worrisome because Mr. Adly has become the focus of populist calls for retribution, with some opposition sloganeers demanding that he be hanged.

Egypt cannot bury a half century of authoritarianism; there must be a reckoning. But the right authority to oversee it is not a temporary military authority attempting to keep crowds out of the streets, but a democratically elected government. Investigations and trials must be conducted by prosecutors and judges who are neutral, professional and untainted by the previous regime. One leading Egyptian human rights activist, Hossam Bahgat, has suggested that Egypt follow the example of other countries emerging from dictatorship and establish a formal process of investigation and exposure of past crimes — a process that could include reparations for victims and prosecution of the most significant cases. Such an initiative could help to bolster a new democratic order in Egypt, but the rush to judgment now underway could seriously undermine it.

– Washington Post

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

‘At a more fundamental level, more should be done to substantially reduce the poverty, joblessness and despair that make it so easy for militant groups to recruit followers. The vacuum created by poor governance and widespread corruption is inevitably filled by the rise of anti-social behaviour and attitudes’

•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 9, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Yes, they were the real RepresentaTHIEVES!

S

IR: The Dominique Strauss Kahn affair should serve as a lesson to many who believe they are bigger than their position and therefore can use it to their taste. Mr. Strauss-Khan had established himself as a financial expert, international diplomat, lawyer, politician, economist and professor and had helped to turn around the fortunes of the IMF and most especially the EU. The 62 year old was accused of sexually assaulting a housekeeper in one of those weekends while staying at the Sofitel Hotel in Midtown. The moment the case was reported, prosecutors indicted him with Supreme Court Justice, Michael Obus imposing a one million dollar bail and house detention on him.

As if that was not enough, Mr Strauss-Khan would stay at home in New York under 24 hour detention with electronic monitoring coupled with one armed guard deployed at all times at his own expense. In addition to the one million dollar bail, a five million insurance bond would apply. All these humiliation coupled with the fact that he wore handcuffs to court ought to serve as useful lessons to those in power.

Here in Nigeria, a traditional ruler in one of the states in the South West was accused of raping a 24 year old youth corps member serving in his domain.

It has been said time again that the NYSC has outlived its usefulness or how else can we describe the wanton dangers our youth are made to face in unfamiliar terrains? If this corps member were to serve in her own domain or a more familiar terrain, she would not have been faced with such an unfortunate incident coming from a highly respected traditional ruler.

This writer continues to follow the unfortunate event. The way

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

If dominique Strauss Kahn were a Nigerian the law, we can only hope and pray that he injured party gets justice in the end particularly as a powerful citizen is involved. If it were to be an ordinary Nigerian, he would have been dealt with more decisively and seriously. Is the law truly not an ass? The law must take its course in the case of the Oba and justice must be dispensed accordingly if we do not want other privileged people to feel they can get away with impunity.

There was a similar case of a

senator who married an Egyptian minor. Nigerians have not forgotten. The law must be seen to take its course. In the developed world, both the Oba and senator would have answered fully to the charges against them in the courts of law by now. If Mr. Strauss-Khan were to be a Nigerian, it is certain that he would not have faced the humiliation brought upon him.

Besides, the June 6 date set aside for his arraignment would have been a non-event as Mr. Strauss-

Khan would have either told the court he had series of health challenges which demands medical attention abroad or would have been shielded by the powers that be to mock the law.

The assertion holds true after all, that when a man thinks he needs a woman more than anything on earth, at that moment, she is the last thing he needs. Discretion is a food every man must divulge at all times.

• Raheem Oluwafunminiyi, Lagos

The other side of minimum wage IR: I contribute this in a bid to help solve the lingering crisis of the new minimum wage implementation.

It is sad to note that various state governments are complaining about their inability to implement the new minimum wage due to their revenue profiles and competing demands in other areas especially infrastructural facelift, etc.

I dare posit that all the states of the federation are capable of implementing a minimum wage of N30,000 without discomfort.

All that is required is determination and political will to restructure the wage bills of public servants.

The point being ignored is that the demand for wage increase by Nigerian workers was to humanise the lowest cadre of employees in various sectors

S

given the reality that there are no two markets for different categories of workers.

The problem over the years has been the use of the percentage of increase in minimum from the previous wages i.e. N7,500 to N18,000(130%) to adjust salaries across board for various levels of workers. This is the financial suicide governments have committed in the past and are avoiding now.

For the records, workers did not agitate for Deputy Directors, Directors, Permanent Secretaries, etc salaries to be adjusted upwardly but for lower level workers to improve their lots. It is a known secret that certain categories of public servants are over-pampered by way of huge salaries. Permanent Secretaries and Directors are said to earn between N600,000 -N1,200 000

and N300,000 -N800,000 respectively depending on the tier of government.

What justification do we have to apply 130% to the category of officials who are already adequately remunerated? The truth is salaries of some cadres are criminally high while others are oppressively low.

This is why the restructuring of wages has become imperative; the state government should therefore implement the new minimum wage without further delay.

What the governors need is the political will and with the level of credibility in the last election, they have the people’s mandate to pay.

• Sam Albert Warri

Wrong move by President Jonathan

S

IR: The beginning of new things to come is now with the election of former Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as new Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The new Speaker then polled 252 votes to defeat his other contestant who was Jonathan/PDP candidate, in the person of Mrs. Mukilat Akande-Adeola who polled only 90 votes. It was true democracy at work. The victory was against all odds. But the bottom line is that Jonathan was the defeated person in the entire saga. The result also indicates that what you do not believe in, if you support it, it would turn against you. Jonathan never believed in any zoning in PDP and that was how he wangled his nomination as the PDP presidential flag bearer against due northern candidate; the north had insisted on the PDP zoning formula. How come Jonathan turned around to sing the zoning song?

From any angle you look at the election of the new Speaker Tambuwal, it is the South-east that was short-changed by President Jonathan. The North-west that has taken over the Speakership against the designs of who-is-who in PDP had earlier supported the South-east for the position but when it was clear that Jonathan was ditching that zone, the North-west sat up and decided that it must not go the undemocratic way.

It is a shame that the President Jonathan started with bad political calculations even before the general elections and got worse after then.

What people are waiting for is the naming of the new cabinet and it is believed that he would also make more mistakes. All points to bad omen for the feeble President.

• Dr. Ikechukwu Anunobi, Nkisi Road, Onistsha, Anambra State.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Politics in Post 2011 Nigeria: Is Yorubaland endangered? – 2

T

HE Yoruba are largely ‘formal’ in their social life. Old age is respected and seniority counts for much in Yoruba society. The Yoruba have greetings for every imaginable situation, not just for the time of the day but in whatever situation a Yoruba finds himself or herself. There are many greetings as situations demand. They are unique in the way of greetings. Courtesies in form of prostrating and kneeling down for elders are expected of all Yoruba. Pedigree counts for much and personal integrity is celebrated. So is courage and boldness regarded as a sign of good breeding. The concept of Omoluabi (child of good breeding) the idea that one must always do the right thing is embraced by all.

There is the belief that a man of integrity and good upbringing should not do certain things that people of disrepute will indulge in. This concept separates the wheat from the chaff all over Yoruba land. Yoruba people are rich in proverbs and every child in Yorubaland has praise names or cognomens. The Yoruba sense of history is very deep and because of migration as a dominant theme in the Yoruba past, every child of Yoruba land can trace his ancestry as a result of the Oriki or praise songs every family has.

The Yoruba are a very musical people. They love to celebrate every major landmarks in life, like birth, marriage and death and their talking drums (dundun) and other kinds of drums and style of singing provide bonds of unity among the Yoruba spread across several thousand square miles of territory. This culture has been carried to all parts of the world, particularly to the Caribbean and Latin America as a whole where people of Yoruba origin are today found. The Yoruba engage in polygamy and their culture is patrilineal and descent is through the male line. In spite of these unifying factors of a common Yoruba culture, they have many times in the past settled their disputes on the field of battle. Such was the case between 1793

‘It was in these circumstances that Afonja invited Alimi an itinerant muslim cleric to Ilorin. Afonja’s co-traveller Solagberu who himself was a Muslim colluded with Alimi to get rid of Afonja in 1823. Solagberu having sowed the wind reaped the whirl wind himself when Abdul Salami, Alimi’s son, turned on him the following year before proclaiming himself emir of Ilorin’

and 1893, a century of fighting, migration, demographic displacement which has left a permanent scar on Yoruba people.

Yorubaland from about 1600 up to 1792 witnessed a period of peace, growth and development in the various kingdoms which constituted what began essentially as a commonwealth of states, whose rulers claimed descent from Oduduwa the legendary ancestor of the Yoruba but which later developed into an Empire under the rulership of the Alaafin of Oyo. Although the Alaafin’s political authority did not extend to every part of what is now Yorubaland, it covered substantial part of Yorubaland. Old Oyo shared boundaries in the East with related and powerful kingdom of Benin and in the North with Nupe and Borgu. Its influence on the whole of Yorubaland and beyond was profound.

The areas in the forest such as Ijebuland, Owo and Ondo for example which were outside the suzerainty of Oyo, nevertheless took into account Oyo’s preponderant power in this part of Nigeria. Oyo’s power and influence radiated beyond modern Nigeria and encompassed the ancient kingdom of Dahomey as well as Atakpame in modern day Togo. Porto Novo in present day Benin became the port and window of the Oyo Empire to the outside world. Oyo’s supremacy in Yorubaland was primarily due to the fact that the state was located in an open savannah country bounded in the north by the River Niger which provided a defensible perimeter, without necessarily cutting it off from the vital trade with Hausaland and Borno from where came horses which were critical to the huge cavalry force that aided Oyo’s wars of movement and expansion.

Oyo prospered between 1600 and 1792 before decline set in.

Historians are not agreed on what led to this decline but both Professors Akinjogbin and Ajayi have given several reasons for this. Chief among these was the constitutional crisis in which several Alaafin were made to commit suicide following conflicts with the Oyomesi under the leadership of the Bashorun who was primus inter pares among the Oyomesi. The Bashorun at every interval got rid of any Alaafin with whom he disagreed. This situation created political instability and discontinuity in policies. We are told that dispute between the throne and the nobility centered on the direction of policy particularly whether to pursue a southern policy in which the coast was seen as frontier of opportunity or face the north from where the horses and trade which hitherto constituted the basis of the empire came. No one knows why the two policies could not have been harmonized. Other reasons given were the tyranny of the ruling class over the common man and the slaves.

Clapperton, one of the early 19th century European travelers in this region claimed obviously with a touch of exaggeration, that the slave population of metropolitan Oyo was more than

30% of the entire population. If that was so, the polity was class ridden and was therefore standing on shaky foundation. Even the treatment of the freeman left so much to be desired. Stories of abuse by the princes of the common man and women abound in both oral and written Jide sources of the period.

Osuntokun Professor Ajayi postulates that over population was one of the possible reasons in spite of the slave trade, since the slave trade actually came late in Old Oyo. Before the rebellion of Are-ona Kakanfo Afonja in 1817, there had been a period of interregnum for almost two decades because the various contending factions could not agree on a common candidate for the Alaafin’s throne. Peace in Yorubaland had for more than a century been guaranteed by the belief that all Yorubas originated from Ile-Ife and that their principal kings were descendants of Oduduwa. It was therefore taboo for any army to violate the religious sanctity of any part of the Ife kingdom. The reality of power politics made Oyo a superior force than Ife and all had accepted Oyo’s paramountcy. For more than a century the might of Oyo had always guaranteed respect for Ife by all Yoruba. But suddenly in 1795, Alaafin Awole ordered the destruction of Apomu by Oyo forces apparently forgetting that this market town was acknowledged to be part of Ife land. This singular act against ancient tradition of sanctity of Ifeland made all Yoruba to give up on the Alaafin and Oyo. Contributing to the final collapse of centralized authority was the emergence of provincial war lords such as Adegun, the Onikoyi and Toyeje of Ogbomosho, the Otun Are-Ona Kakanfo, Afonja, the Are Ona-Kakanfo himself and Solagberu, the leader of a growing Muslim community in the Oyo Empire. These important nobles were not amenable to the control of the Alaafin. It was in these circumstances that Afonja invited Alimi an itinerant muslim cleric to Ilorin. Afonja’s co-traveller Solagberu who himself was a Muslim colluded with Alimi to get rid of Afonja in 1823. Solagberu having sowed the wind reaped the whirl wind himself when Abdul Salami, Alimi’s son, turned on him the following year before proclaiming himself emir of Ilorin.

Tambuwal and the burden of leadership

I

T went according to their plan.

It was a well hatched plan to beat their party in its own game. Last Monday inside the hallowed chambers of the House of Representatives, the plan was clinically executed. By executing the plan, the Granite Movement pitched itself against the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). The Granite Movement championed the candidacy of Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker against the party’s choice of Mulikat Akande-Adeola. This was the scenario before the House convened on Monday for the maiden session of its 2011 to 2015 legislative year.

From the beginning, it was obvious that the lawmakers majority of whom belong to the PDP and their party were not operating on the same wavelength on the issue of Speaker. The party zoned the office to the Southwest never mind that it jettisoned the formula in picking Dr Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate in January. There was deepseated anger in the North over the party’s decision not to zone the office, but to make it an all-comers’ race. Some northern leaders argued that the region should produce the presidential candidate since the late President Umaru Yar’Adua could have gone for a second term if he did not die on May 5, last year.

Many saw that as an hypothetical argument. Only the living, they seemed to say through signs and body language, can contest elective office. With Jonathan, a Southsoutherner; Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who is from the Northwest, already taken care of, other regions also expected to get tangible positions from the party.

If a region was not going to get any meaningful office no one expected it to be the Southwest. The PDP leadership knows the implication of rendering a region like the Southwest inconsequential in the party and quickly moved to ensure that it gets the speakership of the House.

But the members had their own agenda. The PDP members of the House, who naturally should toe party line, felt that this was one occasion they would take their fate in their own hands. They stood firm on their decision that Aminu Tambuwal would be their Speaker. Their party did everything to dissuade them but could not break their ranks.I believe in party supremacy, but there also comes a time that members should be able to stand up to the party when it becomes overbearing.

Political parties are human institutions, which are subject to the foibles and frailties of man.Party decisions are usually the deci-

sions of men put in charge of running such institutions. That being so, a party can take some decisions which to all intents and purposes, may not go down well with the generality of its members. Such members are however, expected to make their grievances known within the system making use of the party mechanism. I believe a party can guide its members in the legislature in picking their leaders but I don’t feel it is right for it to force them to abide by its decision on such matters, if there is any disagreement.

Reason: the members having been together for sometime should be able to know who among them is capable of being entrusted with leadership. If they choose right, it is for their own good, but if they make the wrong choice then they will have to live with it. But there is still an escape valve. They can always replace such a weak leader. The PDP leadership may not be entirely happy with the House for defying it on the

‘What they have done may be anti-party activity to PDP, but do the people these lawmakers represent see it so? The public wants the lawmakers to be given a free hand to do their job so that at the end of the day they can be held accountable for their actions and inactions’ •Tambuwal

Speakership issue, but it should let the lawmakers be and live with their choice.It should not consider taking any punitive measures against them because that will be of no use. It will rather exacerbate tension and distract lawmakers from discharging their lawful duties.

What they have done may be anti-party activity to PDP, but do the people these lawmakers represent see it so? The public wants the lawmakers to be given a free hand to do their job so that at the end of the day they can be held accountable for their actions and inactions. The PDP should take consolation in the fact that it had its way in the Senate where David Mark and Ike Ekweremadu retained their positions as president and deputy president. But the party’s will prevailed because the Senators wanted Mark and not because it had any hold over them.

After all, PDP members alone do not constitute the Senate. The fact is that Mark played his card well and was able to get his colleagues, both old and new Senators, to endorse him.

I don’t know how much efforts Akande-Adeola put into her quest for the speakership, but it seemed her campaign was not helped by the challenge from another Southwesterner, Muraina Ajibola. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was said to be backing Ajibola, while the President, his wife, and the party were for Akande-Adeola. With such a divided home-front there was no way Akande-Adeola could have made it to the Speaker’s seat last Monday despite Ajibola’s last-minute withdrawal from the race. We have gone beyond all that now.

The issue now is: will

Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

Tambuwal deliver? There is no doubt that he enjoys the support of his colleagues whose votes got him into office. As he well knows that is where the honeymoon ends.

From now on, he is on his own.

Whatever the House does henceforth, will bear his imprimatur whether or not he is in support of such decision. That is the price of leadership. He is a veteran lawmaker, who has been in the House since 2003, so he should know how to navigate his way round any slippery terrain. He knows such terrains abound in the House. He was there as deputy chief whip during the Ettehgate and will still probably recall the many trips they made to Lagos on behalf of the then speaker. He is seeing what is happening to his predecessor, Dimeji Bankole, right now.

And he also saw what Speaker Aminu Masari went through in his time. He has rich experience to draw from. He must have learnt one or two things from all these, but if he has not then I am afraid for him. What he makes of what happened in the House in the past will on the long run determine his success or failure.

SMS ONLY: 08056504763

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

I

T was not too long ago, that Governor Rauf Aregbesola was labeled the enemy of the people by ex-Governor Oyinlola of Osun State. He was told with brusque finality that he was not welcome in Osun State. And when, he tried to test Oyinlola’s resolve, by defying his ‘fatwa’, he only managed to escape with his life by the whiskers as bullets were rained on his car.

He was chased from pillar to post by Oyinlola who used all state apparati of power from the regular police, Mopol and the State Security Service (SS) to torment him. Okiro, the ex-Inspector General of Police even locked him up over a hilarious claim that Aregbesola forged a police report tendered as exhibit by Okiro’s police officer in an open court.

His only offence was that he had the courage to demand for his stolen mandate freely given by the good people of Osun state.

As it has turned out, his tormentors, in borrowed robes of democrats are the real criminals.

But two weeks ago, Aregbesola, now governor, had settled for a low key birthday celebration. His plan was to invite statesmen, business men, intellectuals as well as traditional leaders to the Center for Arts and Culture in Oshogbo for the purpose of launching a book to mark his birthday. But the story was told of how a large army of supporters, admirers and well wishers took over the birthday ceremony. Aregbesola’s problem is that he has suddenly forgotten that unlike last year when as a haunted man, only a handful of close friends visited his Egbeda residence in the outskirt of Lagos, he is now the governor. He also seems to forget, as a result of battle fatigue, that Nigerians love to celebrate success.

There also seems to be a disconnect between the governor and the majority of those who hijacked his birth day ceremony. For those who know the governor have said, he unlike his PDP predecessors in Oyo and Osun states is a man of modest means who shuns ostentatious life style. After serving as commissioner for works in Lagos State for eight years, all he got from the federal commissioner of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Dr Ademola Adebo was commendation. He last week described him

Aregbesola’s 45th birthday and his well wishers as ‘as a man of modesty, highly transparent and disciplined’. Lai Mohammed, the National publicity Secretary of his party, a man who can hardly be said to be generous with praises also described him as ‘very honest, cerebral and God- fearing’. In addition, a few young intellectuals working closely with him and his other South West governors believe he is a well focused and resourceful personality.

And perhaps because of his life style, that we are fun loving happiest people on earth seemed to have been lost on the governor.

We rejoice with achievers and grief with the bereaved in equal measures. We celebrate life just as we memorialize death. Sometimes even the misfortunes of the highly placed call for merry making. The other day, the story was told by no less a personality than exPresident Obasanjo of how Bode George had planned a small family church thanks giving after serving his jail terms, but his PDP friends hijacked it, turning the planned solemn event into a carnival of sorts, with dancing, drinks and food in abundance.

That is the way we are. We roll-out drums to celebrate a 40th birthday of a rich man whose source of wealth is unknown. We celebrate 10 th wedding anniversary as if marriage was not expected to last for life.

Becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), or an award of an honorary degree calls for big celebration. Even our great

thinkers that should set agenda for society are not left out; some borrow money to fete well wishers after their inaugurals. We are all involved in a culture of waste. It is therefore a battle Aregbesola cannot win as long as he remains governor.

He should get some solace from the fact that he is not the first to face this challenge.

He has the experiences of Generals Babangida and Abacha to learn from. By 1992, after seven years in office, Babangida had acquired more chieftaincy titles than any living or dead Nigerian leader. He and his wife became targets of aggressive university vice chancellors hawking honorary doctorate degrees. August 27, his birthday anniversary became a day newspapers often lose the battle between news and advertisements. In November 1992, I wrote a piece for the Guardian newspapers titled ‘Honours without end’ after discovering Babangida had no further honours to aspire for.

For Abacha, Babangida’s alter ego, the celebrants openly proclaimed ‘Abacha today, Abacha tomorrow and Abacha for ever’. Last august 27, there were only about three congratulatory adverts, two of them from Babangida’s in laws. Abacha’s posthumous birthday anniversary managed to attract two.

One of the two was from his wife.

Aregbesola, the champion of the masses, was said to be pleasantly surprised by the number of those who in addition to eating

and drinking also spent fortunes to congratulate him on the pages of newspapers. Besides those that opted for the electronic media, I counted about 50 full pages of advertisement in various Nigerian newspapers .That will translate roughly to about 20 million naira. I understand Rauf Aregbesola was scandalized. He had wished some of these well wishers came to his rescue during his epic battle with Oyinlola.

But Aregbesola, a very creative man needs not cry over spilled milk. There is so much to do. This is the time he needs the well wishers most. When he took office on Saturday, 27 November 2010, he had told his teeming supporters that he was coming with the reawakening of Obafemi Awolowo’s philosophy of service. Parts of his agenda include a promise to banish poverty, hunger, and unemployment. He promises to restore healthy living, promote functional education and enhance communal peace and progress.

Now a new window of opportunity has come his way. As a very brave man who never allows others’ laws to be his law, he should start planning the party early against next year. The objective is to make it bigger.

Direct mail shots should be sent out on time with a target of at least 100 pages of advertisement. All the well wishers who have faith in him should send the cash/cheque for their advertisement to Aregbesola Bore-Hole Trust Fund. 40 million naira will sink 80 boreholes in the rural areas of Osun State. This is one way to fulfill his promise of ‘healthy living for the majority of his people’

‘Even our great thinkers that should set agenda for society are not left out; some borrow money to fete well wishers after their inaugurals. We are all involved in a culture of waste. It is therefore a battle Aregbesola cannot win as long as he remains governor’

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

I

READ your column published on the back page of‘The Nation’ of Monday, June 6, 2011 headlined “Awo Family without An Awo”, with amusement and a great pity because you are seriously uninformed, and, as an elderly person to you, I wish to pull you back on track.

To start with, I, on behalf of the Awolowo Dynasty, wants to thank you for not defiling the achievements of our patriarch, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in your said article that was transparently written to set an agenda meant to put butter on the bread of some people.

Much as the family does not frown at your freedom to put forward whatever idea you may have, because it is personal to you, it however, takes a very strong exception to the uncouth language you deployed to convey your misinformed comment, engineered by an acute myopia.

First, I believe that you are an African man, and it is my opinion that the western education that you acquired has not killed the African way of life, chief of which is the respect for the elderly ones, in you. If I am right, then, for you to have disparaged the person of the 96-year-old Yeye Oodua HID Awolowo unjustly shows that you have lost every vital touch with everything African in you, as no true African child would do what you have done without being scolded.

Your claim that the Awolowo Dynasty has blended with the “wrong crowd” is very clumsy, as we find it difficult to identify those you are making reference to. I, however, wish to educate you that Yeye Oodua HID Awolowo has risen above the kind of deadly and parochial politics that you are advancing. She is Yeye Oodua, and the Mother of all.

Chief HID Awolowo does not recognise any political frontiers as she sees all Yoruba men and women in politics and outside it as her children. This is why she has dedicated the rest of her life to the unity and advancement of the Yoruba nation. It

Awo family replies Sam Omatseye

By Oluwole Awolowo is this fact that does not make her see any political partition, as you have done in your article and wanted her to do, and which she will never do till she goes into glory.

It is very unfortunate that a young man like you would be so flippant in your choice of words to unjustifiably attack a 96-year-old woman to the extent of urinating on the memory of our patriach, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, by sacrilegiously saying, “If he came back to life, he would have committed the extraodinary act of divorce after death’; a statement that the family takes to be the apex of your rudeness. Yoruba people say, “Eni to maa dagba kii gba opa lowo arugbo”, meaning – anyone who wishes to live to his full age will avoid disparaging the elderly ones.’ I hope you understand this as an African man?

Concerning your opinion about members of the Awolowo Dynasty’s failure to mount the soapbox during the just concluded elections, I may wish to let you know that it is not a sin whether against the country or humanity, that as at now, we are not card-carrying members of any political party. This however, should not be taken that the family is politically dead.

The book of 1, Corinthians, chapter 12 ; verse one, warns you against ignorance, concerning gifts, for as there are spiritual gifts, so also do we have political gifts.

Those who have not displayed political arrogance by alienating themselves from the Awolowo Dynasty know that the political sagacity of the family is very intact and is being tapped even by those Nigeri-

ans who are not of Yoruba nation.

Mr. Omatseye, for you to craftly describe Awolowo’s children as bastards because they did not mount the soapbox in the last electioneering campaigns is very rude and un-African. I wish to educate you that no one of us is under any form of “dynastic curse” as choice to be a card carrying political party member is personal, and no amount of rude talks can intimidate the family. If anyone is aspiring to become the Asiwaju of Yoruba nation, let the person or his cronies play their game neat and be judged by their antecedent and the Yoruba people; they should please desist from desecrating the name of Awolowo which has been used to achieve many things, including winning elections, as to do otherwise is to invite the wrath of the Yoruba nation and that of God. Our belief, as a family, is that every Yoruba man and woman is Awolowo’s and anyone in politics or in power who does what is right believes in Awolowo’s philosophy which is hinged on good life for all. This is miles apart from your own acutely skewed belief about who Awoists should be, after all, the Holy Bible described Joseph of Arimathaea as one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, although he was not among the regular 12.

So, as an African man, the Awolowo Dynasty will be happy to receive an apology from you, as we are not willing to join issues with you but to educate you as we have done.

Thank you Awolowo

• Awolowo

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

24

41

NATION SPORT NFF/SIASIA PARLEY

FIFA's reputation has hit the rock –David BRITISH PRIME MINISTER David Cameron said FIFA's reputation had hit rock-bottom on Wednesday following the "farce" surrounding the re-election of world football supremo Sepp Blatter.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in parliament, Cameron called on football's global governing body to become "more transparent and more accountable" in future.

"Personally, I have seen football governance at an international level and I wasn't that impressed by what I saw," Cameron said.

"What I would say is this: FIFA's reputation is now at an all-time low and obviously the election with just one candidate was something of a farce but it has to become more

transparent and more accountable.

"They have got to prove that they are actually capable of doing the job that they are meant to.

"But ultimately change has got to come from within football and I am sure the FA will want to play a very major role in helping to bring that about."

Cameron was left humiliated last December when England's 2018 World Cup bid was eliminated with just two votes during a FIFA ballot in Zurich.

The British leader had featured prominently in the final days of campaigning, shuttling between London and Zurich to lobby voters in a doomed attempt to secure support for the English bid.

Xavi: Current Barca team greatest in football history XAVI has declared Barcelona the greatest team in the history of football!

Barca won the Liga and Champions League Double this season.

•Xavi

Xavi told Bild: "There have been some great teams in history, Pele's Brazil, (Johan) Cruyff's Ajax, (Arrigo) Sacchi's Milan but in the past 20 years this Barcelona team is the best."

On Messi, he added: "He is the best player of all time - better than Pele, Maradona or Cruyff.

"We have to protect him as he is crucial.

"Without him we would not be what we are."

Speculation prior to the Wembley showpiece suggested coach Pep Guardiola was on the verge of standing down but Xavi hopes the former Barcelona midfielder "stays forever".

He added: "He (Guardiola) is very intelligent, very enthusiastic and very 'Barcelona-ish'.

"He is a great coach and I hope he stays forever, if not as coach then as sporting director or president."

Enrique: I’m Roma's new coach LUIS ENRIQUE has confirmed he has reached an agreement with Roma to leave Barcelona B and become the Giallorossi's new manager.

The former Spain international stepped down as Barca B coach last week and will succeed Vincenzo Montella, who has been in caretaker charge at the Stadio Olimpico since Claudi Ranieri February.

"The agreement with Roma is total,'' Luis Enrique told Sky Italia. "The only thing that is missing is the signature.

In the next few days I will arrive in the Italian capital.

"I am delighted and enthusiastic to have joined a winning project. I am a winner and I have chosen a winning project, otherwise I would not have left my family and my role here (in Barcelona).''

The 41-year-old turned down an offer to guide Primera Division side Atletico Madrid, opting instead to experience Serie A. "My style of football is an attacking one and a spectacular one,'' he said. "I want to bring so many people to the stadium. I want the fans to enjoy the team's play.

No one knows me in Italy but in one year's time, I will be able to clear any doubts,'' he said. "Facts will speak for themselves. With regards to the transfer market, I will try to work with the best.''

The former Barcelona midfielder is expected to sign a two-year contract with Roma. A consortium led by American businessman Thomas Di Benedetto bought Roma from the Sensi family earlier this year.

Chelsea set to swap Essien, Malouda Guus Hiddink has told Roman for Sneijder Abramovich to try and do all he can

to sign Wesley Sneijder and Italian Newspaper Corriere dello Sport is reporting that Chelsea are doing just that!.

However it seems that Chelsea are offering Michael Essien and Florent Malouda as part of the deal for Sneijder!

The paper reports that the Inter President Massimo Moratti likes both players but will leave the final decision to coach Leonardo.

I have to say Malouda I can understand, but Michael Essien?. I know he hasn't been as good last season as he has before, but how many of our players can we say had a good season apart from Cole, Cech and Ramires?.

I am very surprised Chelsea have offered Essien. What do you people think?

•Essien

What we shall be telling Siasia –Technical Committee From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dispelled the notion in some quarters that the parley between the Head Coach of the Super Eagles Samson Siasia and its Technical Committee department was to do a re-appraisal of the suitability of the coach to tinker the country national team based on the drawn game in Ethiopia but averred that the meeting was always a regular fixture after every game and should not be treated as different .

The NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barrister Christopher Green made this clarification in a chat with NationSport and opined that there was no reasons making a mountain out of a mole hill regarding the meeting with Siasia owing to the unimpressive draw in Addis Ababa and added that the parley with the Bayelsan born Ex international is meant to do a scrutiny of what transpired in Ethiopia and then make recommendations on what should be done to ensure that the country’s flag is hoisted in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea respectively just like it had always been in the previous matches executed by the national teams. “ We are going to have a look at what has been happening and normally as a national team after every match we meet and we sit to

discuss all that transpired in the match and then do our appraisal and fashion a way forward for the progress of the team. (The parley over the Ethiopia’s match) It is routine and it is not any special from the ones that have been held before now. Samson Siasia is our coach and we have not had any reasons to query him and we believe in him and that he will deliver at the end of the day.

What we are doing (The meeting) is normally, it is routine and even when we win we don’t win and go to sleep we still come back to have an appraisal of what we have done and this one is not any difference at all.

The meeting between the Technical Committee of the NFF and Coach Siasia holds later in the week.

W

A

He added: "However, it did not take place and the meeting has been rescheduled for the next couple of days (with his representative)."

Odemwingie is currently on holiday in the United States and there is nothing untoward about the contract talks being delayed.

There has been intense speculation about the future of the Nigeria international since the end of the season.

But the Baggies have not received an official approach.

Albion want to secure Odemwingie's services after losing the battle with Swansea for Watford striker Danny Graham who is moving to the Premier League newcomers in a ?£3.5million deal.

West Brom had previously made a ?£2.5 million bid to the Hornets.

COUNTDOWN TO 17TH NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

'New stadium never agreed on for opening ceremony'–Iyaye

W

ITH just about ninteen days to go for the 17th national sports festival tagged Garden City Games 2011, preparations are beginning to intensify especially in the areas of renovation of facilities for the games.

One facility renovation that has attracted much criticism to the organization of the games is the Liberation stadium ever since it was made public that it would host the opening and closing ceremonies of the events.

People have asked the rationale behind the two-times postponement of the fiesta with the excuses of building a new complex that would host the opening and closing ceremonies, only for a dying minute revert to the already existing stadium.

NationSport had a chat with the Vice Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Boma Iyaye at the LOC office on the issue and the immediate past sports commissioner for the state told Sporting Life that there was never a time that the LOC had announced using the new facility for the opening and closing ceremonies of the national sports festival.

F

IFA says Nigerien referee Ibrahim Chaibou is free to officiate in matches while it investigates his handling of an international friendly between

From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt "There was no sudden change, the liberation stadium has always been part and parcel of the venues and facilities that we said we are going to use from day one and so we have not changed anything. It is one of the venues, and we have just decided that we want to use the Liberation stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies.

"The Adoke Amiesimaka stadium is still part of the stadium that we will use, the civic centre is still part of it, so we have not changed anything from what we have agreed from the beginning".

He bluntly refused to agree to the fact that the new stadium was at a point in time said to be built to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 17th national sports festival.

"No, we have never said that. We said we are building a new facility to be used for the games. We also made it clear that apart from that venue, we have other venues because the games cannot be held in one venue, so we have differnt venues.

Nigeria and Argentina last week that is suspected of being manipulated.

FIFA says "no provisional suspension can be pronounced'' on Chaibou because formal disciplinary

Argentina, Nigeria set for Bangladesh B ANGLADESH’s football chief said Wednesday a September friendly between Argentina and Nigeria would boost the sport in the country — despite both being at the centre of a match-fixing investigation.

Iworima sets sight on championship LGERIA 2007 All African Games' Triple Jump Bronze Medalist, Otonye Iworima has informed NationSport that she is looking forward to the Mobil Track and Field Championship as another

Ajax chases Ahmed Musa

Niger referee free to officiate S during probe –FIFA

2011 MOBIL TRACK & FIELD

New talks over Osaze contract EST BROM striker Peter O d e m w i n g i e ' s representatives will hold fresh talks with the club over a new contract for the Nigerian international during the next few days.

Odemwingie had a memorable first season for the Baggies, scoring 15 goals and playing a major role in keeping them in the Barclays Premier League.

The 29-year-old has a year left of his current contract plus a 12-month option.

But Albion are keen for the player to sign an improved long-term deal to stave off interest from other clubs.

Odemwingie said: "A few days ago, I was supposed to have a meeting with the West Brom leadership on the current contract."

FALLOUT OF NIGERIA/ARGENTINA CLASH

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri platform to show her readiness for the forthcoming All African Games in Maputo, Mozambique in September this year.

Iworima in an interview with NationSport on telephone asserted that the start of the Mobil Track and Field Championships will show how prepared she is for the upcoming competitions especially the All African Games where she hopes to better her Bronze medal feat of 2007.

The Nigerian Female Athlete of the Year for 2007 stressed, “ In terms of how prepared I am for the Mobil Championships I will advise you wait till Monday but definitely I am battle ready and raring to go. I have been preparing all this while and the start of the Mobil Championships that will put my preparation under test and I am ready.”

Iworima , 35,came into public glare in 2006 when she won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has signed a deal to bring Argentina and Nigeria with their full strength squads to Dhaka on September 6.

“Our $4 million contract with both sides says the Argentina team must include Messi,” he said, referring to the Barcelona attacker and world player of the year.

“The sight of Messi playing on our soil will be the best thing to have happened to Bangladesh football in many years. It will inspire a lot of boys to play football,” he predicted.

English newspaper The Guardian said Wednesday that the world soccer body FIFA was probing heavy betting on a late goal being scored in last week’s game in Abuja where Nigeria took on an under-strength Argentina.

Nigeria won the match in the Nigerian capital 4-1, but Argentina scored from a dubious penalty in the eighth minute of injury time.

The match in Dhaka “is a FIFAapproved international friendly.

It’s not like the Abuja match in which Nigeria took on an Argentina B side,” Salauddin said, referring to a match last week.

“It will be a competitive game with no chance of any betting or fixing,” he said, adding that suggestions the match might be fixed were “rubbish”.

The Bangladesh game has been organised by India-based firm Celebrity Management Group, who have also set up a match between Argentina and Venezuela in Kolkata on 2 September.

proceedings have not been opened.

Chaibou awarded Argentina a penalty for handball in the eighth minute of injury time in the team's 41 loss in Nigeria.

FIFA is studying betting patterns during the match which "forms part of a wider ongoing FIFA investigation.''

Chaibou was the referee when Bahrain beat a fake Togo team last September. In May 2010, he gave three penalties for handball in South Africa's 5-0 win over Guatemala.

UPER EAGLES winger Ahmed Musa has attracted the interest of four time European champions AFC Ajax Amsterdam.

Musa scored seven times for his Eredivisie (Dutch first division) side, VVV Venlo, helping them avoid relegation last season.

His inspirational performances have not gone unnoticed and the Dutch champions are now ready to pull out the cheque book and splash the cash on the talented Nigerian international.

“Yes, Ajax have indicated interest in signing me,” Musa told SuperSport.com.

Musa who holds the record of scoring the highest number of goals in a single season in the Nigerian top flight however insists he would not be moving over to the Amsterdam Arena.

“Ajax is a big club, a historic club but I don’t think the time to move has come for me. I will not want to move to a

•Ibrahim Chaibou, (r), with the Argentine players during international friendly

Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports

Mayweather returns to the ring UNBEATEN UNITED States boxing star Floyd Mayweather said on Tuesday he will end a 16-month layoff on September 17 when he fights countryman Victor Ortiz for the World Boxing Council welterweight title.

Mayweather, 41-0 with 25 knockouts, has not climbed into the ring since May of last year when he won a unanimous 12-round decision over Shane Mosley, but he announced on his Twitter microblogging page that he was ready to return.

•Mayweather

"My fans have been waiting long enough. Floyd Mayweather vs Victor Ortiz. Sept-17 2011 for the WBC World Championship," Mayweather tweeted.

Southpaw Ortiz, 29-2-2 with 22 knockouts, claimed the WBC crown last April with a unanimous 12-round decision over previously undefeated Andre Berto of the US. "I am ready to return to the ring and give my fans a fantastic night of boxing by fighting the best out there," Mayweather said. "For me, that is Victor Ortiz.

"He is the current champion and an extremely talented fighter who showed amazing skills, and heart, in his last performance. At this stage of my career, these are the challenges I look for, a young, strong, rising star looking to make his mark in boxing by beating me.

"Ortiz is just going to be another casualty, the 42nd one who tried and failed. Trust me. I will be ready."

Countered Ortiz: "I know he will be ready, but so will I. I'm a world champion for a reason and I am not going to let go of my title any time soon."

Fight fans have waited for years to see Mayweather face Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao, but talks have failed and the fighters have battled other foes instead.

Bolt focusing on 200m USAIN BOLT, the double world and Olympic sprint champion, makes his Norwegian bow at Thursday's Bislett Games, appearing in a 200m for the first time this season.

The 24-year-old Jamaican, who set a world record time of 19.19 seconds when winning the 200m at the 2009 worlds in Berlin, has enjoyed a successful run over 100m so far this year.

He won the Rome leg of the Diamond League (9.93sec) and the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava (9.91), notably beating in-form compatriot Steve Mullings in the process.

“I'm here for the first time. I don't know a lot about this country,” Bolt said on touching down in Oslo ahead of Thursday's meet.

“I've heard that the track is very fast in Oslo, but I do not know it. Until now, I've never run here.”

“I will give 100 percent. The 200m is my race,” added the Jamaican, who on paper has little competition to worry about.

Bolt acknowledged that his aim this year was defending his world titles in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at the August 27-September 4 World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, admitting that results up until then also did not count for much.

“I'm focused on the worlds, it doesn't matter if I lose all other events before that competition,” he said, adding: “I'm still showman and not serious.”

Bolt said he was not concerned by forecasts of overcast weather conditions and possibly rainy on Thursday.

“I'm not worried about the rain,” he said. “I did some good races in adverse weather conditions.”

club where I will not be guaranteed of playing every week.

“That is the most important thing. I play for Venlo every week and I am happy there,” he explained.

Musa also revealed the growing number of admiring glances coming his way from the English Premier League (EPL).

“About two EPL clubs have shown interest in me but like I said, I am not looking to move right now,” he stressed.

NOC inaugurates Amiesimaka-led Nigerian COA

A

N end to the constant recourse to the ordinary court of law to seek solutions to the perennial crises rocking Nigerian sports is in sight following plans by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to inaugurate the Nigerian Court of Arbitration of Sports today in Lagos.

President of the NOC, Sani Ndanusa said that the Nigerian version of the International Court of Arbitration for Sports based in Switzerland, would help in resolving sports related issues and also adjudicate in legal matters, arising from conflicts between interested members of various sports federations.

Ndanusa also said that the inauguration was going to bring to an end the constant recourse to the ordinary court of law for resolution of conflicts, like the ongoing case of the National Association of Nigerian Footballers, challenging the legitimacy of the present board of the Nigeria Football Federation led by Aminu Maigari, with the formation of a parallel NFA body chaired by Jareth Tenebe.

And in its quest to ensure that only the best legal minds are drafted into the NCAS, the NOC helmsman said the body, is going to be chaired by the former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Rivers State, Adokiye Amiesimaka, ably supported by nine eminently qualified jurists of immense reputation.

The other members include Barrister Ahmed Saardauna, Barrister Enitan Oshodi, Mrs Osasu Obayiuwana, Mrs Kevin Nwosu, Mrs Chinwe Uwandu, Dr Olatunde Olatawura, Mrs Zainab Kuchi, Mrs Ngozi Ajayi and Barrister Mohammed Sani Katu.

The NOC boss urged warring parties of any sports federation to seek redress in the NCAS, stating that with their coming upstream, Nigerian sports matters can now be effectively tackled in-house instead of the constant washing of dirty linens in public.

“We see this move as a step in the right direction to finally put an end to the unnecessary recourse to the ordinary court of law to settle sports matters. In all fairness, we do not need to be taking sports issues to the Nigerian courts if we have our strong institutions like the NCAS which will be inaugurated today.

We should seek redress in the NCAS from now on, so that we do not heat up the system unnecessarily, which in turn, stunts the development of our sports”, said Ndanusa.

•Ndanusa

NATION SPORT Neuer passes medical at Bayern Munich GERMANY goalkeeper Manuel Neuer passed his medical at Bayern Munich on Wednesday and has signed a five-year contract, the Bavarian club said.

"We're very happy to have acquired one of the world's best goalkeepers and we're happy about the long-term partnership," Bayern's sporting director Christian Nerlinger told the Bayern web site (www.fcbayern.tmobile.de).

Neuer agreed terms last week to join Bayern from arch-rivals Schalke 04, having helped the Gelsenkirchen club win the German Cup this season and reach the Champions League semifinals.

The move has angered Bayern fans who carried "No, Neuer" banners at recent matches.

•Neuer

Redknapp targets big three HARRY REDKNAPP has urged Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy to bring in the three top-quality players he feels he needs to mount a successful bid to bring UEFA Champions League football back to White Hart Lane.

Spurs enjoyed the glamour of hosting the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan in the Champions League last season, but their poor league form towards the end of the domestic campaign meant they could only qualify for the UEFA Europa League.

Redknapp has been scouring the globe for potential recruits and has highlighted an experienced leader and a free-scoring striker as his two priorities.

Veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel has been the only arrival at White Hart Lane so far this summer, but the club has been linked with moves for Brazil striker Leandro Damiao, West Ham United's Scott Parker and Fulham frontman Moussa Dembele.

The Spurs boss has lofty ambitions for Tottenham and hopes Levy will sanction three "fantastic" signings to help him take the club back among Europe's elite.

"I want Daniel to go out and get three fantastic players now to come in," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.

"You can't say that just because we didn't make the Champions League, we're not going to improve next year.

"If you do that then we're not going to get in it again. That's a fact, because you won't pass the teams that finished above you last year.

"If we don't improve then they will improve. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal - they will improve, and Man City ... they're unbelievable. They are never going to stop improving as will Kenny (Dalglish) with Liverpool now.

"You have to keep improving if you want to keep anywhere near those teams.

I certainly feel we need three players of real quality if we are going to compete with those teams otherwise it will be very difficult."

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

In the past, cowry shells, stones, broomsticks, among others, were used in teaching pupils.

Some schools have returned to this method of learning, which has long been forgotten, and pupils are the happier for it. TONY AKOWE reports that stakeholders want the method replicated in all schools.

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

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

•Pupils learning in groups in a Social Studies class

Back to the basics in child-centred learning S

ARAH Gwom is seven, and a Primary Two pupil of Chori Primary School in Kauru local government , Kaduna State. Before now, Sarah dreaded going to school because she hardly understood what was taught because of the attitude of her teacher.

But things have changed for her with the introduction of the child-centred learning system in the school which personalises rather than centralises teaching.

The system also encourages the sourcing of materials, such as broom sticks, stones and bottle tops for teaching and learning.

Now, Sarah is fascinated with the use of materials around her, which has renewed her interest in school.

“I now attend school regularly and I am punctual because I always look forward to seeing my teacher use broomsticks, stones and empty cartons and cans to teach me. I know how to do my mathematics at home and help my mother calculate change in her trade. I am really excited.

Now, I can help myself and my

mother do some small calculations. Before now, not only did I not like school because of calculation, but because of my teacher also. I use to think that she does not like me as she flogs me at any mistake. But now, she takes her time to listen, teach and correct me. She is friendlier now and so, I like to come to school.”

Sarah is not the only one that has fallen in love with school.

The pedagogy now in use is also encouraging her friends and other children in her neigbourhood to go to school.

Chori Primary School is one of the pilot schools in the seven local governments in Kaduna State where the child-centred learning scheme has been introduced and is being tested.

The story of these children is not different from that of pupils in other pilot schools. The childcentred learning, according to Mrs Veronica Suku, Head Teacher of Kagoro Model Primary School, has impacted positively on the pupils.

She said teachers now relate very well with their pupils, car-

rying them along in their teaching. One of the teachers, Halima Timothy, told The Nation that the child-centred learning method has enhanced the capacity of teachers to teach and better understand the learning needs of the children.

She noted that the method has made teaching easier for her as the children carry out most of their learning activities individually with her supervision.

“All I do is to introduce the subject, divide the children into groups and ask them to interact among themselves, while I go from group to group supervising them and ensuring that they are doing the right thing. Before now, I used to stand in front of the class to teach. But all that has changed”, she said.

The fact that schools can source learning materials from within their environment to implement the method is a big plus, said Mrs Suku.

“When it comes to subjects like mathematics, we have been able to look inward. The children now use crown corks, stones and

sticks to count and this has made understanding on the part of the children easy and we do not have to wait for government to supply teaching aids before we can teach,” she said.

The Head Teacher added that the level of hygiene in the school has also improved. This, in addition to child-centred learning means that the pupils now participate in the teaching and learning process better thereby enhancing their understanding and retention of what they are taught.

The Nation observed the Primary Four pupils of the school during a Social Studies class and asked Mrs. Ladi Felix Chinyio, the class teacher how beneficial the method has been.

She said: “The new method has improved my teaching a lot.

Right now, the children are encouraged to use stones and bottle covers to count, and they do this on their own. In the past, we use the board to count and the teacher does this most time”.

She, however, complained that the textbooks provided for the

children are too advanced for their understanding, adding: “Most times, we rely on the curriculum to teach. But the text books sent to us are too advanced.

They find it difficult to understand the text and I think that the textbooks should be improved upon”.

The improvement in the teaching and learning process in the pilot schools has resulted in a demand that the project be expanded to other schools.

Analysts believe that with the improved learning environment in the pilot schools, there will be a great demand for the method across the state. But there are fears that teachers already trained for the programme may be transferred to schools where they may not be relevant since such schools may not be using the new method.

However, to ensure the workability of the programme, a state sector improvement team (SSIT) has been put in place to coordi•Continued on page 26

• WAMMAKO CREATES 300 TEACHING JOBS - Page 28 •FIIRO GETS FIRST WOMAN DG - Page 37

RUN FILE THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

26

EDUCATION

Behold, Paul Brume… the record breaker Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State has produced a pupil who is outstanding in academics and sport, reports ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

“...A

ND the best student in Physics is Paul Ogheneovo Brume…”, “…And the best student in Mathematics is Paul Ogheneovo Brume …”; “...And the best student in Further Maths is Paul Ogheneovo Brume…” “…And the best student in…”So, it went on and on.

As his name reverberated so did a thunderous applause follow each time he stepped out to receive yet another award. He got six in all.

And when Paul Ogheneovo Brume was announced the Valedictorian of the Corona Secondary School (CSS), Agbara, last Saturday, the audience comprising pupils, parents and guests could hold their peace no longer. They rose in deference to the lad, who had broken both academic and sport records in the 19 years existence of the school.

Paul was one of the 55 graduands that took a bow at the school’s Valedictory/Prize-Giving Day. He scored 100 per cent in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Christian Religious Studies in the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

With his outstanding performance, it is easy to understand why he is loved by all. The school director, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, said while presenting him with the Valedictorian Award: “Paul is not just academically brilliant; he had 100 percent in IGCSE. He is clever, but beyond that he‘s a boy of great personal integrity. He is well behaved, cultured, quiet, and disciplined. He was the deputy head boy and in that capacity was excellent.

He was in the school’s relay team; he was the 100 and 200 metres

record holder. He currently holds the school’s 100-metres and 200metres records. He won the Best Sportsman at the inter-house sport in 2010-2011. Paul maintained an impressive academic excellence all through his years in CSS. Paul is the only student entitled to wear the three CSS ties: the school tie, the academic tie and the sport tie”.

But Paul attributed his his success to “God”, “hard work” and chess, which he said helped boost his IQ. “I have worked hard, put my trust in God, so that I can achieve success in life”, he said.

For a genius like Paul, one might expect he spends hours studying.

Ironically, his hard work is done within the two hours he spends with his books every day.

His hobbies which include swimming, reading, playing chess and watching movie take a lion’s share of his time.

Paul’s brilliance is not a surprise to his parents. To them, he is simply a chip off the old block. His father, Fred, studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US,

• Paul (middle) flanked by his father (left), mother (right) and Mrs Adefisayo (extreme right) with other well wishers on Saturday

while his mother Elizabeth, who studied Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Osun State, later proceeded to the London School of Economics for her Post-Graduate degree.

Fred Brume, a senator in the

‘My greatest challenge was that I have many intelligent children that I had to cope with at the same time. I had to stop work for sometime and concentrate on the children as they were growing up to help them with their homework’

Fourth Republic, said his son took after his siblings who equally excelled in secondary school.

“I can tell you this from my own experience, I attended Government College, Ughelli. There, I was the Head Boy, School Captain, and House Captain yet I also had outstanding academic performance. I had A in those days in the 1960s and so I went on a scholarship to study at Massachusetts Institute of Technology,” he said.

Paul’s mother said she sacrificed her law career to be a full-time housewife to cope with her six brilliant children.

“My greatest challenge was that I have many intelligent children that I had to cope with at the same time.

I had to stop work for sometime and concentrate on the children as they were growing up to help them with their homework. I’m a law-

yer with a Masters degree from London School of Economics, I practised for between 10 and 15 years before I stopped and I was merely doing some solicitor’s work from home,” she said.

Two of Paul’s classmates, Ifeanyi Okeke and Selimat Alhassan, said he has laid a record which to them remains difficult to break for a long time to come.

“He has been here for 14 years. He is an all-rounder in academics and sports. He is more of the quiet type, but when he does something, he does it well. He has broken a record and this will take a long time for anybody to break,” they said.

Despite the attention he got, Paul remains focussed: “All I’m interested now is to do my A’Level and hopefully further my education in Chemical Engineering in one of the top universities in the United States.”

Back to the basics in child-centred learning •Continued from page 25

nate the training of teachers under the project. Dr Simon Yohana, leader of the SSIT, told The Nation in Kafanchan that the training they have received has broadened their horizon and exposed them to new ideas in teaching and learning. He added that many teachers in the various districts under them have been trained, while the team has also visited schools to see how the new method is being applied by the teachers, and how the pupils are responding to it.

Similarly, Faraka Luka Handan in charge of Kudan local government said the new method has im-

T

proved the system, pointing out that there is awareness, especially among benefiting communities.

He said: “School Based Management Committee (SBMC) is beginning to take active part in the running and management of the schools and those communities that are not part of the new scheme are beginning to hear of the improvement in the schools and are beginning to develop interest and want to be part of it”.

With the improvement in the participating schools and the new awareness, Yohana said more SSIT members will have to be trained since other local governments are interested in the scheme.

The child-centred learning being

implemented in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Kachia, Kaura, Kauru, Kudan and Makarfi local governments is part of the whole school development initiative being supported by the British Department for International Development (DFID). Unfortunately, there is not enough funds for the entire state to benefit from the programme.

However, a source close to the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) told The Nation that teachers in pilot schools can serve as master trainers.

“The entire state can benefit from these people already trained since they can be used to train other teachers,” the source said.

He added that a three-year rolling

plan from the 10-year education sector plan of the government has been drawn up, while a Teacher Education Quality Task Team, made up of high-ranking government officials knowledgeable in education matters, has been set up to serve as a link and an administrative body between the SSIT and the government.

Even though officials of the Kaduna SUBEB were heard prais-

ing the intervention, they have refused to speak to The Nation on their impression and how it has impacted on learning in government-owned primary schools in the state. Some of them told The Nation that: “You know that we are civil servants and we can’t speak to you on anything. We have a policy that only the public relation officer of the board can speak on anything”.

The Nation reporter presents book

HE book: Trampled Rose, written by a Senior Reporter with The Nation, Mr Chuks Udo Okonta, will be launched on Saturday at the Spoon Feeder Hall, in Gbagada, Lagos.

The book will be unveiled by the Managing Director, DBS Media, Mr Cletus Chukwuma; the General Manager (Training and Development) The Nation, Mr Soji Omotunde, will chair the event.

Mr Ogochukwu Ukeje of The Nation will review the book.

Speaking at a pre-presentation event, Okonta, said the book highlights some societal ills, especially

as they relate to children.

“I used the story of Efe (the protagonist), who goes through unimaginable hurdles to eke out a living,” said Okonta, who is also a director of Media Campaign on Insure Nigeria (MCOIN), and coordinator of Nigerian Intercessors for Good Governance (NIFGG), a non-governmental organisation.

On the essence of his novel, Okonta said though children are like roses, the treatment meted out to majority of them is not one deserving of a precious flower such as the rose.

“Many people have been

trampled upon in that they live below expectation. I tried to look at the issue of child abuse. Thank God, the government is putting structures to make people go to school, but there are many children of school age on the streets, hawking water, begging and selling sweets when they ought to be in school. These children are out there because the government, their parents and guardians are trampling on their rights.

“There are also some children who are engaged in modern day slavery. All these are what the book hopes to address,” he said.

“Great! ... instead of cakes and pudding, we can count in moin-moin and kuli-kuli!”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

27

EDUCATION

As President Goodluck Jonathan settles in office for a four-year term, KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE and ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA x-ray the problems in the education sector.

Setting education agenda for Jonathan

E

DUCATION is one of the priorities President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will address in the next four years.

His declarations at different public functions before and after his election on April 16 provide an insight into his plans for the sector.

University education Last year, the President announced the establishment of nine federal universities in Ekiti, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Katsina, Gombe, Kogi, Bayelsa, and Taraba states.

Vice-Chancellors and Registrars have been appointed and the institutions are expected to begin academic activities in September.

Many academics and other critics have questioned the establishment of the universities. They argue that the Federal Government should have invested funds in expanding facilities in older federal universities which have been neglected and underfunded over the years..

One of the critics, Dr Akinyemi Kabir, former Academic Staff Union of Univertsirties (ASUU) Chairman Lagos State University (LASU) said older universities need funds to meet world -class standards.

“As a union, we have told government that rather than create nine more universities, they should use this money to fund the existing ones so that our universities can compete favourably with others across the world. But if government still insists to go ahead with the plan it means it has more crucial tasks ahead of it in terms of funding and research,” he said.

However the President has defended his decision to create the universities, which is to expand access to the teeming candidates who fail to gain admission yearly.

In the next four years, he has also pledged to ensure that tertiary education gets the attention it deserves.

He spoke at the inauguration of Kwara State University (KWASU) administrative block on May 17.

However, the focus on universities may come at a cost to primary and secondary education, which Mr President said would become the responsibilities of states and local governments.

“The Federal Government may no longer participate in the handling of education from primary up to secondary level.

“I believe the state and local governments and private sector can handle that effectively. We will rather concentrate on raising standard of the university because if you pass through the university and the university passes through you, you will come out a good product,” he said.

The President did not speak categorically on monotechnics, polytechnics and colleges of education.

However, if the Roadmap for education drafted by former Education Minister Dr Sam Egwu and expanded and implemented by his successor, Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, is to be followed, then the institutions will benefit from the reforms.

Basic and secondary education

With the President giving the nod

•Jonathan promises to transform universities into world-class ivory towers such that graduands like these ones trained at the Osun State University, would be well trained PHOTO KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE

to states, local governments and the private sector to oversee primary and secondary education, it will be no surprise if the Federal Government does not extend the Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme beyond its 2015 timeline.

The scheme was initiated to help Nigeria meet the Education For All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) deadlines of 2015 by making available funds to assist states in providing quality primary and junior secondary education.

The Federal Government funds the scheme from two per cent of its Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) as stipulated by the UBE Act of 2004.

Between 2005 and 2007, it has invested N89.780 billion (N24.300 billion in 2005; N30.480 billion in 2006; and N35 billion in 2007) in the scheme. With matching grants provided by state governments, the fund has been used to provide physical infrastructure, instructional materials, and furniture for schools, as well as cater for teacher training, early child care development education, and education of physically and mentally challenged children, and other school needs.

Until 2015, states will continue to enjoy this support for basic education from the Federal Government.

What will happen afterwards cannot be determined now.

On secondary education, the government runs 104 Federal Government colleges a.k.a Unity Schools.

The colleges were designed by the General Yakubu Gowon military administration in the 70s to serve as models for secondary education and enhance the country.

There have been attempts in the

past, notably during Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili’s tenure as Education Minister (2006-2007), to hand over the schools to private operators under a public-private partnership arrangement. This was rejected by teachers, parents and old students.

The status quo was retained during the late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua’s administration, save for adjustments that allowed the schools more independence from the Federal Ministry of Education through the School Board Management Committee.

With the President’s declaration in Kwara State, it is not known whether he will hands off ownership of the unity schools.

Some educationists have lauded the President’s decision. They argue that the Federal Government has no business with primary and secondary education.

Immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Crawford University, Prof Toye Ige, sees nothing wrong if government relinquishes responsibility to primary and secondary schools provided it commits enough funds to states.

“It all depends on the sharing formula. If the state allocation is improved to take care of primary and secondary education with a well robust partnership from the private sector, I think we might be heading somewhere,” Ige said.

Comrade Kayode Idowu Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State chapter, agrees with him.

“We’ve always said that government does not have any business in the running of primary and secondary education; and we are happy that government is now yielding to

‘The Federal Government may no longer participate in the handling of education from primary up to secondary level. I believe the state and local governments and private sector can handle that effectively. We will rather concentrate on raising university standard because if you pass through the university and the university passes through you, you will come out a good product’

that. Government’s business is only to formulate policies, he said.

He also lauded the PPP drive of the President, saying: “Private participation is possible. In Lagos State, we do it. Corporate organisations adopt public schools and provide infrastructure and other materials to enhance the quality of education.”

However, some others are not so optimistic about the President’s plans.

Dr Simeon Abiodun Aina who chairs the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education Oyo, Academic Staff Union (COEASU), described the proposal as “education suicide.”

“Look at their (local government) environment, extremely dirty. They can’t even handle it. Go around every local government today, you will hardly find anything working except dead earth movers. Look at their hospitals, they are mere dispensaries. Why will Federal Government hands off funding primary and secondary education? I am afraid the local governments will abandon their responsibilities. The state governments will also divert the money meant to improve the schools. And if we are not careful, by the time the private sector is fully involved, only children of the rich will end up in schools,” he said.

ASUU and other unions As Mr President seeks to transform tertiary education, he will do well not to forget the workers’ unions.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is threatening a strike following the failure of the government to implement the 2009 agreement with lecturers.

The university lecturers and other unions fought for improved funding of schools, increased remuneration, better working conditions, university autonomy and academic freedom, and the extension of retirement age of professors to 70 years.

On May 16 in Kaduna after its National Executive Council meeting, ASUU warned that its members will down tools if the National Assembly does not pass the necessary laws to give the agreement the legal backing.

National ASUU President, Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie flayed the nonimplementation of the agreement especially that of the retirement age, after almost two years.

“The expectation was that this item in the agreement would be passed into law within a few months of the agreement. After close to two years of waiting in vain and seeing the consequences in the continuing brain drain in the university system, ASUU members have become restive across the country,” he said.

The restiveness of ASUU, and other unions, if allowed, may affect President Jonathan’s plans.

NYSC The post-election crisis in the north that claimed the lives of 10 corps members undergoing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme resulted in the government announcing plans to restructure the programme.

While many have suggested that corps members should be made to serve only in their states of origin or residence, others are calling for the scrapping of the programme, which they say has outlived its usefulness.

But the President disagrees. In his Facebook page, under a piece: “The NYSC is Here to Stay” posted on Wednesday, Jonathan said the scheme will remain because it is still helping to unite the country.

He said: “As it has become my habit, I took time to read your comments on this page and noticed that a number of you called for the proscription of the NYSC. The death of members of the NYSC during the post-election violence is condemnable and we need to prevent a reoccurrence. But in doing that, there should be an awareness that the NYSC is a force for good and we must never sacrifice what is good for what is convenient for the moment. Leadership is about taking the big picture.”

Restructuring the Ministry In the months to come, we should expect to see changes in the structure of the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Abuja. The President has taken delivery of two volumes of a report by the Presidential Task Team on Education headed by Prof Pai Obanya, which recommends that the Ministry be divided into two as part of reforms to make it function better.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

EDUCATION AAUA FILE

VC counsels teachers THE Vice-Chancellor (VC), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof Femi Mimiko, has advised secondary school teachers and education managers to improve on their knowledge.

Delivering an address at the opening of the 2010 UBEC/SUBEB Teachers’ Professional Development Programme at the A & T Presidential Hotel, Akure, Mimiko said the programme, anchored by the university, was to bring the teachers up to date.

He said the training was organised for primary and Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, as well as education managers – with emphasis on skill improvement in English Language, Mathematics, basic sciences, social studies, phonics/ phonetics, information and communication technology (ICT), guidance and counselling.

Registrar ACE FILE thanks God REGISTRAR of the university, Mr Reuben Bamidele Olotu, has held a thanksgiving on his appointment. Family members, friends and colleagues gathered at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Good News Assembly, Akungba-Akoko, to thank God for his appointment.

Delivering the exhortation entitled: “Divine uplifting”, the Pastor in-charge of Ogun Province 2, Deji Afuye, charged the congregation from the Book of Psalms 30:1.

He noted that although it was the desire of everyone to get promotion, it could not come from any other place but God. Afuye admonished believers to always give thanks to God. In his opening remarks at a reception afterwards, the Chairman of the occasion, Col. Roland Omowa (rtd), described the registrar as a humble gentleman and an achiever.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof I. R. Ajayi, said Olotu’s appointment was well deserved.

Ajayi described the Registrar as someone with high sense of responsibility and commitment to the development of the university.

Landmark Varsity holds matriculation NINE hundred and seventy pioneer students of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, will take the matriculation oath at a ceremony featuring a lecture, science exhibition and presentation by students.

The students spread across the Colleges of Agricultural Science (255), Science and Engineering (321), Business and Social Sciences (394) will listen to Prof Deboye Kolawole, Provost, College of Science, Kwara State University, Malete deliver the matriculation lecture entitled: “Educating the intelligent: Landmark University’s leading edge”.

Chancellor of the University Bishop David Oyedepo, is expected at the event as well as other academic bigwigs, such as Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof Julius Okojie; Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar Prof Dibu Ojerinde and Director, Songhai Centre, Port Novo, Republic of Benin Prof Godfrey Nzamujo.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof OlaRotimi Ajayi, said individuals who have supported the university since its establishment opened on March 21, will be honoured at the event.

Wammako creates 300 teaching jobs •Visits college where only 10 teachers teach 660 pupils

S

OKOTO State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko has announced 300 teaching jobs for qualified candidates just as he promised to strengthen and improve standard of girl-child education and enrolment in the state.

The jobs were created when Wamakko learnt from Hajiya Zainab Muhammad, Principal, Gamji Girls College, Rabah that the school had only 10 teaching staff for its 660 pupils.

To address the shortfall in the academic staff cadre, Hajiya Muhammad said the college has had to rely on corps members posted to the college for their primary assignment.

“I am appealing to your Excellency to please consider the situation and do something about that.

Our saving grace is the coming of the corps members who are playing a strategic supportive role to keep the system on track’’, she said.

The College runs a boarding sys-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

tem with facilities in a state of disrepair.

Speaking at Rabah, headquarters of Rabah Local Government Area, Wamakko who was inspecting and inaugurating projects across the state said his administration was concerned about girl-child educa-

tion.

“Women are the custodians of societal orientation in all spheres of social challenges. They deserve to be given the best in terms of education for the society to be virile, focused and disciplined in all spheres of endeavour,’’ he said.

According to the governor who also paid visit to the Gamji Girls

‘I am appealing to your Excellency to please consider the situation and do something about that. Our saving grace is the coming of the corps members who are playing a strategic supportive role to keep the system on track’

College, Rabah to inspect the over N49 million worth of renovation work executed by his administration urged the College authority to ensure standards and demonstrate high sense of commitment towards promoting excellence among students.

He said no amount was too much to invest in girl-child education while pledging to step up action towards improving facilities at the College.

“Our government is concerned about girl-child education and we are determined to ensure the implementation of impacting policies and programmes that would woo high enrolment and promote excellence’’, he assured.

She acknowledged that the renovation work in the college has taken care of part of the hostel, additional blocks of classrooms and staff quarters respectively’’ we need more to be done so we could accommodate more students’’

Babcock begins medical school September

T

HE Ben Carson School of Medicine, Babcock University (BU), Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State will open to students at the beginning of the 2011/2012 academic session in September.

Speaking at the ninth convocation of the university run by the Seventhday Adventist Church, the President/Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kayode Makinde, said the initiation of the medical programme is the third phase of the institution’s development.

“Without healthcare, our mission is incomplete. I am happy to inform you that Babcock University is set to fulfil the third aspect of her mission which is health care and medical education. By September 2011, we will receive our first set of medical students into the Ben Carson Sr. School of Medicine. The medical programme is one of Babcock’s signatures of excellence and will boost academic programmes tailored toward a full life of dedication to the physical and emotional health needs of man,” he said.

In preparation for the take-off of the medical school, he said facilities including a 140-bed main ward, 60-bed accident and emergency centre, medical office buildings, diagnostic unit, and anatomy laboratories have been provided.

Makinde also announced two other success stories that attracted cheers from the large congregation gathered at the BU Sports Stadium.

He said in a few years, the university would begin producing chartered accountants on graduation –

•From left: Dr Gilbert Baker, Mrs Mimiko, overall best graduating student, Chidinma Chibuotu and Dr Ajayi at the event PHOTO:BADE DARAMOLA

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

thanks to a collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to develop a curriculum to that effect.

“Babcock has collaborated with Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)to create the fiveyear integrated BSc/ACA programme module for the Nigerian university system,” he said.

He also added that the university did not graduate any student with less than a second class lower grade – with 47 making the first class grade, which he said is unprecedented in Nigeria.

“A total of 1,022 degrees, comprising…47 First Class, 866 Second

Class Upper, 109 Second Class Lower, no Third Class and no ordinary Pass.

Remember at Babcock, failure is not an option.

Failure is so expensive no Babcockite can afford it. That’s why the academic regulation is categorical that no student with any grade less than a ‘C’ in a core, cognate or required course qualified to be conferred with a degree of Babcock,” he said.

This piece of news gladdened many parents. One of them, Mrs Sherifatu Ogunmuyiwa, could not help reminding people seated around her that her 20-year old daughter, Busola, was one of those graduating with a Second Class

Upper in International Law and Diplomacy.

“I feek great – on top of the world.

At least when you have spent money and you know where the money is going, you are very happy,” she said.

Present at the event were Mrs Oluwakemi Mimiko, who represented her husband and Ondo State governor, Dr Segun Mimiko; Dr Eniola Ajayi, Commissioner for Education, Ekiti State, Pastor Gilbert Wari, Chancellor, Babcock University, Pastor Oyeleke Owolabi, ProChancellor, Pastor Bassey Udoh, Vice-Chairman, University Governing Council, and vice-chancellors from many public and private universities among others.

Ondo approves overseas scholarship scheme

T

HE Ondo State Government has approved the establishment of a scholarship scheme for Ph.D and other specialised postgraduate programmes in selected world-class universities.

This is to address the dearth of high quality professionals in key areas of the economy.

The Education Commissioner, Dr Pius Osunyikanmi, said the scheme, expected to begin next academic session, will be an annual award with provision for 30 beneficiaries. It

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

will cover tuition fees, books and accommodation.

Osunyikanmi told reporters that the scheme, among other advantages, would provide opportunities for brilliant and talented indigenes of the state to study overseas and acquire the much-needed expertise and skills.

Besides, the commissioner said the government has also approved the upward review of existing

scholarship and bursary rates for the first time in six years. Bursaries have been increased from N5,000 to N10,000; while those who win scholarships will now get N100,000 as against N25,000 to cover tuition, books and accommodation.

“When this government came on board, it resolved that the situation must change for better to assist and promote academic excellence of student in the tertiary institutions across the country,” he

said.

Osunyikanmi said despite dwindling resources, the scholarship and bursary being paid by the state government is the highest.

He said only qualified students with Cumulative Grade Point Averages of 4.00 will be qualified to participate in the qualifying examination for scholarships. He added that physically-challenged students will continue to enjoy N50.000 annual support from the state government.

29

‘Exposure is key to success’

Handouts: For whose benefit?

Page 30

Page 33

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

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE

0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

•The participants and some of the organisers. On the front row are Faith Olaniran (FUT Minna), Mr. Mba, Mr. Ugorji, Mrs. Ali-Balogun, Mrs. Yanju Olomola, Mr. Amaechi and Miss Nwozor.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Between June 3 and 5, correspondents from across the country gathered for the seventh CAMPUSLIFE workshop. OLAWALE AJETUNMOBI, AYODEJI ADESINA, GERALD NWOKOCHA, ADENIKE ASHOGBON and USMAN YAKUBU capture the highlights of the event.

I

T was the perfect setting for learning how to write award-winning stories. A well-airconditioned hall, guest lecturers of no mean repute, and chilled drinks. To give the tips on quality writing was no other than a panelist on the CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year. Participants at the seventh Coca-Cola/Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) CAMPUSLIFE Correspondents’ workshop listened to him with rapt attention as he spoke. For close to two hours, the 50 students were held spellbound as Mr. Ikechukwu Amaechi listed factor for award winning reports.

The theme of the workshop was “Communication skills: Getting the best out of people and events”; Amaechi spoke on “Reporting skills: Getting the award-winning stories”.

A second speaker, Mrs. Nkechi AliBalogun, a branding professional, spoke on “Personal Branding: Values that give you the edge”.

“Award-winning stories may not necessarily be popular,” said Amaechi, who is the Editor of Daily Independent.

He described research precision and insight as ingredients that could make a story a blockbuster; and advised the students against the use of “too many

‘Coke has empowered us’ words which could make a writer inconsistent and confuse readers.”

“A good report should ask the question of what, when, how, where and why. Don’t let your write-ups be verbose and don’t bother with highsounding words. You must also write actively, not passively, if you want to communicate to your reader. In addition, take time to edit yourself; in other words, proof-read your articles before you send them in,” he charged the students.

He also spoke on the need to pay attention to the introduction and first paragraph. In driving home this point, Mr. Amaechi used the example of a boy seeking to befriend a girl. “If the introduction of the intending lover boy is well-packaged and clear in the first meeting, there is a tendency the girl could fall for the trick. You must not lose the interest of your audience with the first paragraph. The shorter the sentence, the better sense it makes,” Amaechi quipped.

Having described personal branding as each person’s “personal responsi-

bility”, Mrs. Ali-Balogun enjoined the students to inculcate values that would distinguish them among their peers.

She said personal branding gives a feeling of involvement and a sense of purpose.

The immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Lagos State chapter, added that individuals must build the brand they desire by being consistent and committed in what they do.

“People will judge you by what you do and how you appear. You must create a favourable image in the minds of the people. This means you must live an exemplary lifestyle,” she quipped.

Mrs. Ali-Balogun noted that the choice of words and dress sense can cause misconceptions about someone, or portray something different from who the person is or what he or she stands for.

Furthermore, she stated: “Branding today is used to create emotional attachment to products and companies; it has become more effective today

than marketing and sales. Branding isn’t just for companies anymore. There is a new trend called personal branding. It is the positioning strategy behind the world’s most influential people. Successful personal branding entails managing perception effectively and controlling and influencing how others perceive you and think of you”.

She listed President Goodluck Jonathan, Barrack Obama and Oprah Winfrey as amongst such people.

Mrs. Ali-Balogun dwelt extensively on the communication aspect of personal branding, talking also on verbal and “sometimes more powerful” nonverbal messages we send out about us.

She urged the students to learn and imbibe those values that can distinguish them as being communicators, as “brands can barely survive without the appropriate communication”.

The former NTA producer concluded by saying: “Having a strong personal brand is an important asset

in today’s online, virtual and individual age. It is becoming increasingly essential and the key to personal success. A brand without a destination is a brand without a vision and to attain this distinctiveness one must undergo pain because as the saying goes, “no pain, no gain.”

She left the students with this challenge: “By the next time I see you, you will be the one asking Nigeria what you can do for the country and not what Nigeria can do for you”.

For the first time in the history of the workshop, participants were taken through a session termed “Beverage benefits: Roles of beverage in sensible and balanced nutrition”. It was anchored by Mr. Ehis Omoike, manager, Packaging and Sales Equipment, CocaCola. Using charts and slides, he addressed comprehensively several misconceptions about Coca-Cola products.

Many participants expressed relief as they learnt that there were no direct health hazards in taking any of the company’s products. Omoike concluded by urging them to remember that moderation was the key to everything anyone eats or does.

•Continued on page 32

• Freshers maul finalists 3-1 in football match- Pg31•FG urged to reposition education- Pg34

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

30

CAMPUS LIFE

SOS on LAUTECH medics

Pushing Out with

BOUT 82 final year medical students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) are not happy.

None can be who is in their shoes. They have spent between eight and 12 years for a six year course. Then, last December, 247 of them sat for the main MBBS exams. A total of 165 passed.

Eighty-two did not make it. But according to the rules of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), organisers of the exams, they are entitled to a re-sit – within a stipulated period of three months.

The students went ahead to write the theoretical part of the re-sit. This took place in the peak of the ownership tussle between the two states that co-own the institution, Osun and Oyo. Adebayo Alao-Akala, former governor of Oyo State, suddenly ordered the staff and all students of the medical college to report at the Hospital Centre, Ogbomoso, in Oyo. Meanwhile, the accredited centre for the MBBS is the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. This led the MDCN to suspend the exam.

The students were thus prevented from doing the clinical.

In a desperate letter to the new Oyo governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and his Osun counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, the students want the visitors to prevail on the institution’s authorities to allow them to write the exam within the mandatory period.

Part of the letter signed by Jeremiah Adegoke, one of the students, reads: “We are the final year re-sit medial students of College of Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) Osogbo.

The class comprises 82 students out of 247, who initially took the main exams in December, 2010. The re-sit examination which ordinarily should not exceed three months after the main examination started on March 14, 2011 in

A

Ngozi Nwozor 08054503104 (SMS only)

•campuslife@thenationonlineng.net •ladycampus@yahoo.com Ogbomosho in which the written part of the examinations have been done and we are left with only the clinical part. But that has been suspended up to three months now, summing up to six months from the main examinations.

“It was interrupted because MDCN stipulates that the examinations can only be conducted in an accredited centre - LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.”

The medics’ dilemma now is that the MDCN gave them another grace to take the exam on or before June 10 (that’s tomorrow). “Presently, we have less than a week to meet up with the deadline of June 10 imposed by the MDCN, a ‘saving grace’ condition attached to the accreditation for which we the final year re-sit students can be inducted into the medical profession”.

The students argued that less than a week to the deadline given by MDCN, the clinical part of the re-sit examination had not been taken, adding that failure to take the re-sit examination before the stipulated date would mean they might be forced to spend additional years.

“The implication of not meeting up with the deadline of June 10 as final year re-sit medical students is that it may take us additional years to graduate from the institution whereas we completed our medical training long before the main examination in December 2010,” the statement added.

This is sad. In a sane society, it is enough for people like Alao-Akala and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (ousted Osun governor) to be behind bars – in addition to the payment of heavy monetary compensation to these students. There is

no excuse for the men, as “brother governors” and also from the same party (the PDP), not to have looked for better ways to settle whatever differences they had. But today, while the innocent students – the children - suffer, the negligent former governors - the fathers – are cavorting around Abuja and elsewhere seeking ministerial and other federal appointments.

What injustice!

Everyone who is aware of the LAUTECH crises knows that medical students are not the only scapegoat. All students of the institution lost years already.

June 10 is tomorrow. As I wrote this

on Wednesday (yesterday) there was yet no news on whether the exams could start today. I plead with governors Ajimobi and Aregbesola to treat this matter with the urgency it requires. Anyone who was ever in a higher institution knows how even the shortest delay around the final exams seems like the end of the world.

One of the medics, who I spoke to, a man, was on the verge of tears. This is his 9th year for a sixyear course; and then this uncertainty. One can understand his anguish. He had asked me: “What do I do? Should I go back to write JAMB? Was it a curse that I applied to LAUTECH?” I didn’t have answers for him; I still don’t.

T T

Please, let everyone who can do something to help do so. I appeal to the MDCN to please give another grace. I understand this is purely a professional body and rules must be obeyed.

But these students have suffered a lot – psychologically and in other ways. They deserve all the consideration that can be given them.

Ciao

Appreciation This is to express profound appreciation to our sponsors, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company (Plc), and our speakers – Mr. Ikechukwu Amaechi and Mrs. Nkechi Ali-Balogun – for making our 7 th CAMPUSLIFE Correspondents’ Workshop the super success it was.

I also thank my students - especially the many new faces - for comporting themselves admirably and proving for the umpteenth time that there is good hope in Nigeria’s future.

And to my MD, the CFA, my Editor and many others I cannot mention, for space, who played important roles, I cannot thank you enough.

I thank God Almighty for the journey mercies. It is no mean feat for people to come from as far as Yola, Jalingo, Zaria, Calabar, Owerri, Nsukka, Bida, Ede, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Kano, etc, as well as the Southwest states and get back safely. I am indeed grateful.

Essay Competition for Undergrads

HE Nation CAMPUSLIFE, in collaboration with AfricanLiberty.org and Network for a Free Society, is calling for entries into an essay completion. Details are as follows: Topic: Free Enterprise: The Precursor to Economic Prosperity For Who: Students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions Format: MS Word, not more than 1,500 words.

Interested students should please request for the background material from Adedayo at adedayo.thomas@gmail.com and copy Ngozi at ladycampus@yahoo.com.

On the first page of the completed essay, please write your full names, department, year of study and name of institution. Also include your email address and GSM line.

Send to adedayo.thomas@gmail.com and copy ladycampus@yahoo.com.

Entries will be received between June and July 2, 2011.

Prizes: 1st - N50, 000; 2nd - N30, 000; 3rd - N20, 000; 4th - N15, 000; 5th - N10, 000 There will also be five N5, 000 honorary mentions.

All entries will get a free CD “Ideas for a Free Society” containing 100 textbooks on various fields of studies.

Announcement of Winners: July 28.

Presentation of prizes: August 4, 2011.

First to Third winners will be presented their prizes at the Corporate Headquarters of The Nation Newspapers in Lagos. Others will be routed through the Deans of Student Affairs or HOD of winners’ departments.

‘I live for Christ’

Oladipupo Ajayi, in 300-Level Law at the Lagos State University, is the Public Relations Officer of the Law Students’ Society (LASULaws). He is also a compere, with his own entertainment outfit. NURUDEEN YUSUF (100-Level Com- Chukwuemeka AdioneEgom is an HND II mon and Islamic Law) met him.

‘Exposure is key to success’

•Oladipupo

OW did you start?

After my secondary school at 16, I was privileged to work with an NGO. The organisation trains youths. Their programmes were always anchored by young people.

Professionals like Dayo Adeneye (D1) were brought in to train us. From July 2007 to June 2008, I did an internship in Action Health Incorporation where I was the youngest delegate to represent Nigeria in the 3rd African Conference on Sexual Health and Rights. Even after my admission into LASU, I still went for another event.

After the programme the idea came to me that I needed to have my own registered outfit. That was how The Pix came into existence.

What is The Pix about?

It is an outfit that speaks who you are through an entertaining manner.

We are into entertainment to mould peoples’ talent, vision, mindset and future because an entrepreneur is

H

someone who provides solution to people’s needs. We don’t just entertain, we entertain with vision and we speak who you are by depicting people’s visions with paper work.

We also help package events, as well as compere.

What have you gained from being a compere?

I have gained a lot. For one, I have gone to many places. I must say that we have an encouraging society in that many people have invited me just because I’m a young compere – still an undergraduate. When they see me perform, they marvel. It just goes to show that when you go the extra mile people will really admire you.

On stage, I am a different person entirely. I make sure I do it like a professional. I make sure my diction is in line with the programme. So I do a lot of research. If I have to compere at a programme on tax evasion, I would have made research on tax and organisations in the area. These are the things that make people appreciate your jokes better.

Where do see yourself in the next five years?

I see myself in a place I know I can’t imagine because if somebody had told me that I would find myself here three years after my secondary school, I wouldn’t think I would have achieved this much. In the next five years, I know definitely I would be having an organisation which is basically going to be an NGO because of my flare for human capital develop-

ment. I’m currently doing a course at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management. I believe it will help me, together with my Law degree, to take this vision higher.

After graduation, should we expect to see an active lawyer or a professional compere?

I’m a “corporate compere”. I won’t be the type found in road shows. I would be found in programmes where there will be like minds and I think it is going to be a boost to the legal profession just as Richard MofeDamijo has done in the entertainment industry. On the other hand, Law is an aspect of me that I can’t give up.

One good thing about the legal profession is that if you have a chamber, you are your own boss Where have you performed as a compere?

I would say my high point so far was anchoring a programme sitting 3500 people at the UNILAG main auditorium. I was also the compere at another event with a smaller number but it had the likes of former Ogun governor, Gbenga Daniel, Dino Melaye, Nuhu Ribadu, to mention a few. It was a wonderful programme and I really enjoyed it.

Challenges so far?

The main challenge is combining my studies, stage and work.

Any regrets?

Jut that my father is not a Dangote.

If I were rich, I have a lot if ideas that are awaiting finance. Most people who want to finance you are looking for ways to exploit you.

student of Petroleum Marketing and Business Studies at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun. Known as “pastor”, he is president of the Joint Christian Campus Fellowship (JCCF), CASOR PTI, sub-zonal president, CASOR, Delta State, chairman, JCCF Delta State and national VicePresident, Gospel Light Campus Outreach.

MICHAEL ARIWEI (Industrial Safety & Environmental Tech) spoke with him

W

ITH all these responsibilities, many believe that your studies will suffer. What is your experience?

I don’t share that view. The Bible says: “Wisdom when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward”. Thus, it is wisdom that helps one draw the line.

First, you must know that getting involved in fellowship work ought to make you perform better academically because you are an epistle to those around you. What this means is that you must work hard to ensure that you are a good example. I urge all students to get actively involved in fellowships and also create quality time to read their books.

•Chukwuemeka

How can Christians create a balance in their lives on campus?

One must learn to apportion time to everything and be disciplined about it. There were times Jesus had to go away from the crowd… perhaps to plan other areas of His life. You must learn to set time apart for your books and cut off things that are not relevant.

Is it a crime for Christians to get involved in social activities?

The scripture says: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful for me but all things edify not”… now “social activities” in quote is not sin. It depends on how you choose to do it.

However, I am of the school of thought that says “if believers must get involved then they must change the setting”. They must cause positive change where theyget involved. Do not get involved in social activities that negate the Christian values.

I urge students to be serious with their relationship with Christ. Anyone who does not know Christ is food for the devil; but if you turn to Christ you become a threat to the devil because Jesus Christ is now the sacrifice.

What’s your advice to PTI students, especially those you are leading?

Let us never tire of prayers; it is not over until we win. We must not give up. God is in charge - always.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

31

CAMPUS LIFE Don advocates scientific study of religion

A

•Idris (right) receiving his award as the best student from Accountancy.

J

UNIOR Chambers International (JCI), The Polytechnic Ibadan chapter, has honoured five students and five lecturers in the institution’s five faculties. The annual programme was organised to encourage brilliant students and their lecturers.

In the student category, Idris Isiaka, a student of Accountancy, had the highest grade point; while Kafilat Salami of Office Technology Management was given the best student in her faculty.

Others are Nike Faniyi (Science), Folashade Tijani (Environmental Studies) and Emmanuel Fayele (Engineering). Each of them received N10,000.

In the lecturers’ category, Mr. Gbade Iyilade, a lecturer in the de-

Students bag JCI award From Jeremiah Oke POLY IBADAN

partment of Insurance was honoured for a job well done while another lecturer from Department of Civil Engineering was given the best lecturer in his faculty for his unrelenting effort to help students.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Akeem Alade, an HND II student of Mechanical Engineering, said a letter was forwarded to the management to provide them the list of the best student in each faculty with the highest grade point and the best among them were con-

sidered for the award while nomination forms were distributed among students to nominate the best lecturer in their respective faculties to ensure fair play.

Some of the student honourees spoke. Kafilat said she felt “truly honoured”. Folashade gave glory to Almighty God for making her to be worthy of the award among the multitude of students in her faculty.

Nike said she never expected the award but was very happy when she received the invitation for the award. She also commended the organisers, JCI, for “a wonderful programme”.

Scholarship for Delta students

F

A

DEKUNLE Fajuyi Hall was filled to capacity when the National Association of Oyo Students (NAOS), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) chapter, organised an orientation for new students who are members.

The programme, was attended

by Oyo State lecturers including

States (US).

He urged students to adopt the scientific approach to the study of religion and be rationale in their thinking rather than whip up sentiment against another religion thereby leading to conflicts which is “our major challenge today as a nation”.

Gaiya implored the mass media and religious bodies to correct some of the negative sentiments about religion so that adherents can relate freely without suspicion.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Sonni Tyoden, commended Prof Gaiya for the lecture, saying it will go a long way in curbing some of the violent conflicts the nation faces, especially after the recent elections.

From Sikiru Akinola OAU

Dr. Bayo Ogundele, who retired some months ago from the Faculty of Education. Also, national president of the association, Saka Azeez, was in attendance.

The OAU chapter president, Rahman Oyeniran, urged the students to live up to the billings. He said: “Just as we congratulate you on your admission, we advise you to be hardworking, prayerful and steadfast in all you do. Academic is your primary assignment and you must take it with topmost priority”.

From Hannah Ojo OAU

T

•Some of the winners, after collecting the Fidelity Bank ATM cards.

HE graduating class of Medical and Dental students, Obafemi Awolowo University have embarked on a programme termed ‘street medicine.’ The initiative which was borne out of the need to take medical care to the door steps of rural dwellers, was held within the Ife North Central local government.

About 200 people, who thronged the stand point of the free health care at Saint John Primary school,

Varsity holds valedictory lecture •Success (left) and another beneficiary, at the end of the event.

From Philip Okorodudu DELSU

tronics Engineering, said he was short of words to express his feel-

ings. He vowed to “work harder next year to ensure” he gets the scholarship.

Freshers maul final year in football match RESH Law students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife trounced their ‘learned’ final year counterparts 3-1 in a football match to welcome them into the institution.

When the old students opened scoring, it was thought they would win the match.

The final year team is the oldest and most experienced in the annual Faculty of Law Sport Com-

Association welcomes freshers

From Hope Ofobike UNIJOS

Students take medicine to the streets

T

HE Government has awarded scholarships to 522 students.

The award followed applications received from qualified candidates in their second year, with a CGPA of 3.50 and above.

No fewer than 3,338 applied. An examination was conducted, and 408 candidates passed at the undergraduate level. The successful candidates proceeded to the next stage which was the screening conducted at the Asaba township Stadium last September. Those who scaled through were 375.

Most of the students screened said they thought it was a prank until they were invited for the award.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Hope Eghagha, commended the students, noting that the government wanted to get the “very best.”

Students were issued with ATM cards bearing their names after they had all opened accounts with Fidelity Bank Plc. Many of them thanked the government for putting smiles on their faces.

One of the beneficiaries, Success Oyie, in 300-L Electrical and Elec-

PROFESSOR of Church History, Musa Gaiya, has said the curriculum for the study of religion has turned the institutions into theological seminaries.

Delivering the 50th inaugural lecture of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Prof Gaiya, said scientific approach was the most effective and appropriate method to the study of religion.

This, according to him, would enable students to participate in resolving religious conflicts.

Gaiya, who spoke on “Religion after 9/11: Implication for the study of religion in Nigerian universities”, said religion today is the cause of violence and terrorism in the world, adding that the issue did not attract attention until after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United

From Opeoluwa Sonuga OAU

petition.

Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Seun Oluwabunmi, President of the Law Students Society (LSS) said: “I feel bad about it, very bad indeed.”

But LSS Director of Sports said: “That is football for you. Anything can happen in football.”

The captain of the 100-L team,

Oladimeji Adegoke, said: “We were being underrated and they paid for it. Our victory was by God’s grace and the performance of the team on the pitch. We saw ourselves as one and equal with our seniors.”

Lucky Chima, the fresh students’ coach, said: “I’m very excited because we proved everyone wrong in the faculty and OAU at large”.

T

HE University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), has marked its third valedictory lecture. The lecture with the theme in defence of traditional/herbal medicine and was delivered by, Prof Chukwunonye Ojinnaka, former Dean, Faculty of Science and the first scholar to isolate and characterise Myrianthic acid.

Venue was at the Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Joseph Ajienka, in his opening remark reiterated the significance of valedictory lectures and encouraged academics across the country to copy the idea.

Prof Ojinnaka using the Igbo adage “Nku no na mba n’eghere mba nri” (the firewood of a people cooks their food) said the use of herbal medicine by indigenous people and also the reason western medicine has not taken control of ailments such as hyperten-

Moro, benefited from the programme. Highlights of the events were talks on malaria prevention delivered by Tolu Okedere, a 600-L medical student and another one on breast cancer anchored by Moji Fakiyesi. A dentistry student, Akinola Akindele, educated the locals on oral hygiene.

Apart from the medical checkups, patients were referred to specialist hospitals for further treatment.

From Chris Okafor UNIPORT

sion, broken bones, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia and AIDS. He said in herbal medicine, herbs should not be regarded as only ingredients, rather a fusion of ingredients such as clay, potassium, skin of animals, liver, feathers, water, incantations or prayers, limestone and other materials that are complementary in the preparation of traditional medicine. He cited operational mode as the source of feud between traditional and orthodox medicine.

Prof. Ojinnaka said in Nigeria, nature has already synthesised drugs that possess the ability to control the spread of HIV and the cure of AIDS. He, however, advised that orthodox and herbal medicine practitioners should identify the medicinal plants and isolate the active principles that possess retro-viral properties. He cited Fagara (Zanthoxyllum Zanthoxyloides) as one of the medicinal plants in Nigeria that may be used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The event attracted lecturers and scholars from across the country among whom were the Rivers State Electoral Commission (RSEC) Chairman, Prof Nimi Briggs.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

32

33

CAMPUS LIFE

CAMPUS LIFE •Continued from page 29

•Mr. Emeka Mba of Coca-Cola (left) listens as Mr. Amaechi delivers his presentation.

Earlier, in a goodwill message, Mr. Clem Ugorji, Coca-Cola Public Affairs and Communication Manager, said the essence of the sponsorship of the CAMPUSLIFE pages and the workshops was to add “real and measurable value” to the life of Nigerian students.

He said: “The platform is beyond a hobby. It is an avenue for students to distinguish themselves.” He described Jumoke Awe, a graduate of Law from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, who now coordinates two non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as one of the success stories of the CAMPUSLIFE platform.

However, the workshop came alive when Ugorji revealed that, at a meeting of Coca-Cola managers from 90 countries recently in Nairobi, Kenya, many were so impressed by the CAMPUSLIFE concept that they expressed interest in doing something similar in their countries. The students stood up in rousing applause for the feat; one of them described it as unprecedented in the history of campus journalism.

Ugorji charged the students to seek change through the platform, and warned that opinions expressed must be civil and not vulgar.

“If you distinguish yourself you can stand out!

Be careful about the quality of what you write.

You writing is your portrait. It can show how shallow or logical you are. Life is about creative thinking and far from junk music and mere fun.

We all have to play our roles in the development of Nigeria and, by extension, our world”.

On Friday, the correspondents who arrived in the morning and checked into their rooms at the Mainland Hotel, had what some of them described as a “swell time”. It started with a ride in two air-conditioned Toyota Coaster buses. They had a sumptuous lunch of rice and chicken in the bus, enroute the corporate headquarters of The

‘Coke has empowered us’ Nation.

There, they were taken round and exposed to the newspaper’s production process. At the PrePress section, the Manager, Mr. Chuks Bardi, explain the nitty-gritty of the highly-technical aspects. He later took them to the Press Hall where they witnessed first-hand the massive machine printing and rolling out endless ream of newsprint and the printed paper from another end. It was very exciting for many of the correspondents.

From The Nation, they were driven to the Bar Beach. The visit proved to be just what a lot of them needed, as they confessed it was their first time of visiting a beach. They took pictures and had discussions that helped their networking.

The CAMPUSLIFE Editor, Miss Ngozi Nwozor, their hostess and guide, played the perfect mother-hen, clucking over them all the time.

The next port of call was the Silverbird Galleria, also on Victoria Island. The students went round the place before going in to see the blockbuster movie, Fast Five, a fast-paced film released in the US on April 29.

After the film, they returned to their hotel for the last treat of the day – welcome dinner. This was a buffet; just like all the meals they were to

take eventually. The correspondents lapped it all up.

By Sunday morning, they were ushered into another full breakfast before they checked out at noon.

Many of them expressed appreciation to The Nation, Coca-Cola Company and NBC for creating such a forum that is promoting intellectual development.

Gilbert Alasa is in 200-Level Foreign Languages at the University of Benin. Describing the event as “outstanding”, he said: “Being a student without background in journalism, I have learnt a lot from speakers, such as Amaechi. Many thanks to The Nation, Coca-Cola and NBC. I also urge the sponsors not to relent in their efforts”.

Dayo Ibitoye, a 500-Level Chemical Engineering student from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said: “This is a worthwhile experience.

The lectures have helped me to brand myself and to improve my journalistic skills. I believe without doubt that Coca-Cola/NBC is committed to the future of Nigerian youth. The support they have given so far is great”.

For Emmanuel Shebbs, a Political Science student of the University of Calabar: “It is not enough to count how much has been invested in

‘These are key factors in transforming a nation. With what I learnt, I now know that I don’t need to be in a big position to influence policies and to be an agent of change. The passion and consistency of NBC and CocaCola is commendable’

education; it is about the value that has been added to the lives of the beneficiaries. One can see that the efforts of Coca Cola/NBC over the years are not in vain. One cannot imagine how campus journalists will be gathered from all poles of Nigeria to listen to personalities that have made names in life. The workshop this time is very apt to the times. It becomes better every year. My special thanks go to the sponsors for finding a good cause like CAMPUSLIFE and sticking with it. I believe that, if our current government functionaries had benn taken through same courses, Nigeria would have been better.”

Emmanuel had a word for his Vice-Chancellor, “Prof James Epoke, for the support he gave to representatives from UNICAL. If other VCs, provosts and rectors will follow the path of Prof Epoke, students will have no excuse but be responsible members of the campus and the larger society”.

Another participant, Oluwatosin Oluwalowo, of Industrial Physics, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue, State, said: “This workshop is the best ever. The topics tackled professional and personal development. These are key factors in transforming a nation. With what I learnt, I now know that I don’t need to be in a big position to influence policies and to be an agent of change.

The passion and consistency of NBC and CocaCola are commendable”.

Kenneth Udeh is one of the serving NYSC members at the workshop. He said: “I am very glad to identify with this great event and the entire CAMPUSLIFE family. My participation something I will always remember. Thank you, Editor; thank you Coca-Cola and NBC. I am richly impacted”.

•Usman Yakubu (ABU), Dele Oge (UNN), Idris Abubakar (BUK), Madu Ikpe (EBSU) and Geofrey Eneyo (RSUST).

•Some of the cheaply produced books students are forced to buy as handouts.

Handouts: Who benefits?

Forcing students to buy materials or books referred to as handouts is common on campuses, especially state- owned institutions. HANNAH OJO (300-Level English, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) investigates the reasons for the practice.

I •Chidiebere Umeorizu (FCE Pankshin), Ogechi Ajah, Imoleayo Oyedeji (AAUA), Frank Ikpefan (Auchi Poly) and Gilbert Alasa (UNIBEN).

•Mrs. Ali-Balogun and the students in a “warm up interlude” before her session.

•Mr. Omoike giving his presentation.

•Kenneth Udeh (NYSC Jalingo), Alex Nwawolo (Babcock University) and Jumoke Coker (UNILAG).

•Ngozi, giving the welcome speech.

•Lunch time: Hope Ofobike, Omah Agbo (UNIJOS), Nurudeen Yusuf (LASU) and others take their food.

•Mr. Ugorji and Mrs. Ali-Balogun

•Emmanuel Shebbs (UNICAL), Tosin Oluwalowo (UAMakurdi) and Dayo Ibitoye (ABU Zaria) listen with rapt attention.

•Ayodeji Adesina (UNILAG)

•Chinenye Okonkwo (UNICAL)

•Olatomi Ayinde (UI), Nicholas Osagiede (NYSC Ado Ekiti) and Olawale Ajetunmobi (NYSC Abeokuta).

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

T’S the beginning of a new semester. Mr Lecturer comes to class and shares the normal pleasantries. The cheerfulness continues as he goes ahead to dictate the course content for the semester and then the interregnum: at the mention of the word “handout”, eyes turn, heads spin and jaws drop, especially when the cost is not pocket friendly.

Students usually cringe when they have to pinch their pockets for academic expenses. The rising cost of tuition and accommodation fees plus the burdensome unaccountable expenses of studying makes Ronke Adekunle, a student of Business Administration at the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), believe the later. The daughter of retired civil servant describes the sale of handouts in her school as “criminal and agonising”.

“The least amount I cough out to settle handouts palaver in a semester is N6,500. If they (lecturers) are not in this for the money, why do they force us to buy? Some of these books are poorly made. The content is as dry as a bone. Some of the materials are downloaded from the internet and contain hypothesis that have been in existence since the days of my grandparents and they want us to call them textbooks,” she lamented.

Although the UNAD Student Union President, Kehinde Okunuga, told CAMPUSLIFE that the menace has been curbed, investigation reveals that the reverse seems to be the case as the act still persists.

It’s the same story at the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree (OSPOLY). Although the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has reduced the tuition fees, students still have to battle with exorbitant internal charges, prominent among them handout sales. The failure experienced by students who refuse to buy is a punitive measure that is common.

Further investigation carried out by this reporter reveals that the costs of handouts vary; but part-time students pay more as it is assumed that they are workers. On some campuses, even photocopied materials that are not properly bound could go for as much as N5,000.

It was also gathered that purchase of the handout is the first step towards passing a particular course. What normally happens is that the course representative, a student who helps the lecturer in distributing the handouts, gives each student a number at the point of purchase. The number is a means of identification because it is to be written on all tests, assignments and in some cases exam scripts. It is not unusual to hear lecturers bellow: “Write your handout’s number on your script” when

‘If students can squeeze out money to buy expensive phones and other technological gadgets, then they should cry less when it comes to books. No book is dry, all books contain information that can enrich knowledge’ they are giving out instructions for assignments.

While many students have campaigned for the outright ban of handouts, a few call for the implementation of measures that will see to the production of handouts that would serve as additions to knowledge. Oluwadare Daniels who recently graduated from Accountancy, OSPOLY, said: “Students usually complain because of their lackadaisical attitude to academic affairs. I’m getting to the final stage of my ICAN exams and some of the handouts I bought while in school are still serving me even at this stage. If students can squeeze out money to buy expensive phones and other technological gadgets, then they should cry less when it comes to books. No book is dry, all books contain information that can enrich knowledge”.

Dayo Ojerinde, a Mass Communication student at Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko, an institution where the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Femi Mimiko, seems to be succeeding in banning the act, regrets not buying a certain textbook (handout) on journalism that was written by one of his lecturers.

“The price of the book has gone up now and I blame myself for defaulting at the first instance. I believe books will sell themselves when they are good and not when they are forced down the throat of students”.

Meanwhile, a lecturer who did not want to be named said no one can stop them from selling handouts “because while I agree that some lecturers do so just to make money, many of us just want to help the students who do not see the books to buy”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

34

CAMPUS LIFE Fellowship holds freshers’ weekend

T

HE Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF) of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) has held an orientation for new students of the fellowship. The programme was to familiarise them with the things they should know as new students.

The programme kicked off with worship and Bible study.

On the second day, new students slugged it out with final year students of the fellowship in soccer. Though it was meant to be a friendly match, both sides took the match serious. The third day was for Thanksgiving Day. Pastor Bode Onesimus, zonal coordinator and minster spoke on the topic “God is not like us”.

•A cross section of lecturers at the event.

Varsity holds 50th inaugural lecture

T

HE University of Calabar (UNICAL) has held its 50th inaugural lecture. It held at the Faculty of Art new Art Theatre.

The event began with an opening prayer by the Registrar, Dr. Julian Omang, at 3.30pm.

The information officer, Mr Eyo Bassey, introduced the guests including the Pro Chancellor/Chairman of Council, Dr. Roland Ehigiamusoe; the Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke; the Dean Faculty of Arts, Prof Andrew Udiugwomen, deans of faculties, heads of department as well as other principal.

The Heads of Department (HOD), Philosophy, Prof Geofrey Ozumba, Head of Department of Philosophy, presented the inaugural lecturer - Prof Innocent Asouzu, also of Philosophy.

Asouzu titled his lecture, “Ibuanyidanda and the philosophy of essence”. According to him, the imperative of Ibuanyidanda is to allow the limitations of being to be the cause of one’s joy.

He said: “The concept of Ibuanyidanda draws its inspiration

•VC tours facilities From Charles Udenze, Emmanuel Shebbs and Chinenye Okonkwo UNICAL

from the teaching of traditional Igbo philosophers”.

While the lecture lasted, the hall was charged and on more than five occasions Prof Asouzu was given a standing ovation. The lecture came to an end at 5.30 pm with a vote of thanks by Prof Udiugwome.

The VC, Epoke, gave the closing remark.

Meanwhile, the VC has concluded his familiarisation tour to faculties, colleges, institutes and directorates.

Prof Epoke said the tour was an opportunity to thank members of the university community for their supportive role during his election, adding that the visit would yield good results for the university.

On poor attitude of staff to work, the VC charged university workers to adopt good work culture and be more committed to their re-

sponsibilities. He also decried the unnecessary delay in the release of students’ results by some lecturers creating opportunities for “sorting” and called for a change of attitude.

Prof Epoke said one of the major problems faced by his administration was insufficient accommodation for staff, adding that the university would partner with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and other organisations to bring lasting solution to the problem.

Highlight of the VC’s visit was the presentation of scholarship to Bassey Affiong Agbor, a student of Education, for emerging champion in a table tennis competition.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor DVC (Academic), Prof Austin Obiekezie, and DVC (Administration), Prof Simon Utsalo. The Registrar was represented by Mr. Moses Abang.

Faculty gets new dean

T

HERE has been a change of guard at one of the faculties of the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, (IBBU) Lapai Niger State.

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education was changed during the semester break. The new Dean is Dr. Mustapha Tajudeen, who until his appointment was Deputy Chairman, Board of Management, School of Basic and Preliminary Studies of the university.

Dr. Tajudeen bagged a degree in Science Education with specialisation in Curriculum Evaluation. During the handingover ceremony, the former dean,

From Dayo Ojerinde and Olola Motilola AAUA

He cited Numbers 23:19 and charged the new students to put their trust in God, saying He is the only one that could see them through their endeavours in life.

Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Yewande Ogunbodede, 100-L Computer Science student said: “The programme was wonderful; we really showed that we are the legends of our time.”

Other students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE gave kudos to the executives of the fellowship for organising a befitting ‘freshers’ orientation for them.

From Samuel Olatunbosun IBBU

Prof Victoria Ezenwa, praised the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibrahim Kolo, who she described as a goal oriented leader.

Prof Ezenwa acknowledged the support and co-operation she received from the management as well as the cordial working relationship with the staff of the faculty.

While appealing to the management for more assistance to the faculty in order to overcome some of its challenges, she further pledged to make her services available anytime she is called upon. She equally urged the heads of department and staff of the faculty to extend the co-operation accorded her to the new dean.

Dept welcomes freshers

A

MID fun and excitement that the department of Foreign Languages at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) welcomed its freshers. Tagged “La ceremonie d’accueil”, the programme was attended by the head of Foreign Language department, Dr. A. S. Moye.

Moye charged the new students to always remember their primary aim in the university.

He said: “Always have it at the back of your mind that discipline and hardwork are the major hallmarks that distinguish students of this department from other students.”

Parts of the activities lined up

From Gilbert Alasa and Valor Iduh UNIBEN

to fete the students included a drama presentation by 100Level, 200-Level, and 400-Level students, dancing and singing.

The President of the Foreign Languages Students Association (FOLSA), Emmanuel Nwosa, has enjoined the new students to take their studies serious. A 100Level student, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, said he now felt “formally initiated” into the academic world of students of the department and promised never to derail from the big picture.

Don’t mortgage students’ future, govt told

I

•Members of the editorial board. Middle is Victor, the editor.

Campus magazine for launch

A

N inter-campus tabloid, Genex magazine, will soon be launched at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). This was made known at a meeting between members of the editorial crew and a group of campus journalists at the University.

In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, editor of the magazine, Victor Ikeria, congratulated the editorial crew for their hard work and resilience in ensuring the magazine saw the light of day.

“Members of this magazine, espe-

From Gilbert Alasa UNIBEN

cially those on the editorial and online sections, have done so much in spite of rigorous academic engagements. It has not been easy but I must confess that their level of commitment is worthy of commendation.”

Speaking further, Victor said the objective of the publication was to highlight achievements across fields of human endeavours. In his view, a deeper understanding of a trade

makes one a master of the game.

A member of the editorial team, Steve Branton, expressed optimism that the magazine would be a success. “At first, we ensured we whet the appetite of our audience and this gave us a successful publicity. Thus, many people have been waiting for us to pull it out and deliver on our promise.”

Many students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE said their expectation from members of Genex was high as so many of them had been kept on their toes for long.

F Nigerian tertiary institutions want to meet up with world class standards, the government must reposition the educational sector. Those were the words of ex-union leader of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), Abiola Obanoyan, who charged the government not to play politics with the future of Nigerian students.

He said the education sector would have gone far beyond where it is today if Nigerian leaders did not play politics with it. Abiola said people who enjoyed free education during their time were the ones coming to endanger the education in the country.

From Tosin Ajuwon RUGIPO

Abiola. He spoke when he visited RUGIPO commended the new administration of the school for the renovation of hostels and classes. He said if the new management could continue with the spirit, the school may be upgraded to the status of university.

He also criticised the fictionalisation of National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), blaming the Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Youth and Students Affairs, Mr. Olamide Goerge. Abiola said it was time the students reconciled and forged a common front.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

35

CAMPUS LIFE

CAMPUSLIFE: Good for networking

By Gbenga Ojo nikkobaba@yahoo.com

O

NE of the best decisions I ever made in my life is to join the CAMPUSLIFE student-correspondents. This is because whenever I look back to everything I had learnt, achieved or people that I met through the two workshops I have been privileged to attend, I am always happy for a dream fulfilled.

The workshop (I was not at the 7th edition that ended last Sunday) is the gathering of selected campus correspondents drawn from differ-

“P

ROBLEM Has Changed Name” is a misnomer used in reference to our Power Holding Company of Nigeria, a company charged with the responsibility of power supply. At inception, it was known as Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) until 1972 when it was renamed National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), following the merger of ECN and Niger Dam Authority (NDA).

Back then, due to the epileptic power supply, the now rested NEPA was also nicknamed “Never Expect Power Always”. But in 2005, NEPA metamorphosed into what is now known as PHCN. The nicknames given to the electricity provider over the years underscore the reality of Nigeria’s power sector. As I write this piece, most households, industries and public institutions do not have stable power supply but run their day-to-day activities on imported Asian-made generating set.

Electricity plays a very important role in the socio-economic and technological development of any nation. The electricity demand in Nigeria outstrips the supply and in many cases, the power supply to any household or office is epileptic in nature. Out of the 14 generation stations we have in Nigeria, seven are over 20 years old and the average daily power generation is

By Adeniyi Adedayo dayo_nigeria@yahoo.com

T

HE buildup to the presidential election witnessed an unprecedented interest shown by many Nigerians. It is a sign that we are moving forward as a nation. One of the reasons we have not always got it right at the level

ent higher institutions in Nigeria.

They are usually lodged in Mainland Hotel, Lagos, for three days.

Sponsored by Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Plc and Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, the seminar usually features tours to the NBC plant, The Nation Newspaper headquarters, the Bar Beach and Silverbird Cinema.

Though, the CAMPUSLIFE editor, Miss Ngozi Nwozor, describes the twice a year gathering as a potent tool for integration and development, I see it also as an avenue for networking. And readers would agree with me that CAMPUSLIFE correspondents are young intellectuals showing the teeming Nigerian youths direction in this era of decadence.

What makes you get ahead in life is who you know and who knows you. At the two occasions I attended, I was paired in rooms with different correspondents from different institution on each occasion. It might interest you to know that we always gisted throughout the night. The two guys told me virtually everything about themselves and their schools while I did the same. Through this,

we became very good friends, even after the workshop. This is also true for the rest of the invitees. After the workshop all the correspondents exchanged phone numbers, before departure to their various destinations.

Initially, I underestimated the value of this relationship until when I led 36 students from my department to an excursion in Lagos.

We encountered a serious accommodation problem. Then, I remembered a CAMPUSLIFE writer at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Nicholas Osagiede, who I called upon to come to our aid. Swiftly, he got us a very good accommodation in Bariga, a suburb of Lagos.

A similar thing happened when we went to Calabar for a conference, Emmanuel Shebbs, at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) provided accommodation without any hesitation. This is the least of what relationships can do.

Ask me who had benefitted from networking and I will show you Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Governor of Delta State as one. He was appointed Commissioner, then

Secretary to the State Government and he later became the governor – these all because of his cordial relationship with the former governor James Ibori. It might also interest readers to know that James Ibori became governor of Delta State through the contact he had with Mohammed Abacha when they were both students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), years back before the senior Abacha became the Head of State. The story of President Goodluck Jonathan is not new to many of us again.

Imagine one of the CAMPUSLIFE correspondents becoming governor of a state or president of Nigeria tomorrow. Of course, I would have equally become a celebrity for identifying with such person when we met at the workshop. This is one of the many reasons why CAMPUSLIFE correspondents across various institutions must explore the benefit of the gathering to the fullest whenever they have the opportunity of attending.

Making friends is not enough but you must maintain your friendship by getting in touch with one another, especially after the work-

shop.

I use this opportunity to congratulate all the invitees to the just-concluded workshop, especially the first timers. I beg you not to toy with the lesson learnt because opportunities are the underlying message of the seminar. To the old timers, I say quite an age! What did you do with the last contact you made? I bet you have made something out of it.

Let me conclude with something that happened at the last workshop I attended; it was in November, 2010. I tasted all the Coca-Cola products ranging from Coke, Sprite, Five Alive, Fanta to Schwepps. But on my way back to Warri, immediately after the Redemption Camp, my stomach started speaking in tongues. It was a battle between my spirit and soul because I was not comfortable. I begged the driver to stop for more than five times before we got to Ore. I learnt a lesson in “moderation”.

However, I make bold to say that being on the CAMPUSLIFE family is the best place to be.

Gbenga, HND II Industrial Safety and Environmental Technology, PTI Effurun

PHCN: Challenges and PR roles below 2,700MW which is far below the peak load forecast for powering the existing infrastructures.

This results to a massive load shedding on the nation.

The power generation in Nigeria faces serious challenges which include weak and inadequate coverage in distribution and marketing. The need to ensure adequate network coverage and provision of quality power supply, in addition to efficient marketing and consumer service delivery, cannot be over-emphasised. It is a feat that must be attained through effective public relations. PHCN faces the problem of overloaded transformers, bad feeder pillars and sub-standard distribution lines which result to perennial power outage. The existing billing system used by PHCN is also disorganised. Despite the idea of the prepaid meter, effective uniformity has not been achieved.

Members of staff of PHCN have equally been the cog in the wheel of the company’s advancement.

They engage in all sorts of unwholesome practices ranging from bribery to collecting illegal reconnection fees. Many of them have been accused of poor cusof governance is because of the indifferent attitude of a particular class of people and the “too holy” attitude of others.

The Presidential election was well fought and a winner emerged.

After President Goodluck Jonathan was declared winner, as if some people were just waiting for the results to be announced and foment chaos, some northern youths took to the streets and threw caution to the wind by burning houses, killing innocent people, including 10 serving corps members. This act posed a lot of fundamental questions to right thinking Nigerians.

The questions made my heart bleed!

My first question borders on why 10 defenseless corps members would be sacrificed in a place that ought to be another home to them.

Much as I try to distance this piece from politics, the comments of one of the major candidates in the election would still characterise this piece as being partisan. I still remember the January 2009 crisis in Jos, where one of the best students to graduate from OAU the previous year, Ibukun, was chased and

tomer relations thereby creating a bad image for the corporation. The inefficiency of PHCN has also been attributed to the lack of surveillance to monitor the activities of vandals that steal electric cables.

The problems enumerated above could be said to be a drop in the sea of challenges facing Nigeria’s power sector. However, if necessary information is released to the consumers of power, which is the Nigerian public, they would not castigate the power company they we are wont to do today. One of the basic principles of public relation (PR) is reality, that is, it deals with facts not fiction. It also explains problems before they become crises. Programmes and policies of PR are selected based on public interest which is not deceptive. According to Room (2009), “the job of public relations is to help organisations adjust and adapt to the environments”.

For PHCN to be able to weather the pressure from members of the public, it needs to keep the public well informed, without deception.

The current state of power stations, availability of good transformers, feeder pillars and distribution lines, state of communication equipment,

level of surveillance and security on all electrical infrastructures and even criteria for staff employment should be made known to the public. A detailed national load demand study should be carried out with a view to providing reliable information on the current practical and detailed power requirements.

This study should be made easy for public access because when the public has information they need, nobody would complain.

Since PR is a two-way thing, the public therefore deserves to know when there will be power outages.

Knowing that the total amount of electricity generated is below the national load demand, there should be a sort of timetable that should be adhered to all over the nation. When the public is able to correctly predict when there will be free flow of power or power outages with consistency, it will go a long way to lessen the pressure mounted on the power company. Strategic roles of the state and local government in the implementation of the national master plan must be explicitly stated. This centres basically on funding. The state and local governments should see provision of electricity as a social responsibility to effect improve-

My heart bleeds murdered by the locals, as if his presence in their community was a crime. Till date, nothing has been done about the matter. Yet, we are forced to serve our fatherland.

More of the victims of the violence in the north are Christians but it will be unfair if we say all Muslims are wicked. However, the government owes us a duty to fish out the culprits who have turned the beautiful northern states to a “no-go areas”. The killings are too many; we cannot open our eyes and watch a group of confused bloodthirsty people continue to mow down the lives of innocent Nigerians.

What also seems nauseating is the usual statement of “the victims’ family would be adequately compensated.” Is it that Nigeria places little or no value on human lives anymore? Why do we always talk about adequate compensation when the culprits are walking freely? For instance, what compensation, perhaps in kind or cash, will

restore the shattered hopes of Ibukun’s mother, who saw her son graduate as the best student in his department, only to be slaughtered by some hopeless barbarians?

What amount of money would bring back the life of Segun, another victim of the senseless killing in the north, which would alleviate the suffering of his family?

Yet, the officials of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) still find reason to post youths from other part of the country to serve in that land of no return. I felt so sad to hear the Director-General of NYSC claiming that no corps member died in pre-election bombing at Suleja. How misleading!

On a personal level, it is easy to blame the murderous crowd up north but don’t we believe we might be guilty of the same crime tomorrow? What is at stake here is a question of love. How much love do you have for the next person?

The Bible and Qur’an dedicate many verses to the subject of love.

We must see ourselves from those

By Abigail Ogbonna oladeleoge@yahoo.com

ment in the power sector.

I think the basic principles of PR aforementioned are needed to resolve and manage our power sector.

With the application of these basic principles, information will flow freely, a lot of pressure on PHCN will be reduced and most importantly, the organisation and order would make room for improvement.

Abigail, 200-L, Mass Comms., UNN things that bind us together rather than things that differentiate us. I have had cause to relate with many Muslims and I know how wonderful it is to identify with them. Ditto the Christians. So why should we think that all northerners are bad because a few of them have chosen to be instruments in the devil’s workshop? Why do we think all easterners are wicked because few of them kidnap innocent citizens in broad daylight? Let us stop unnecessary name calling and come to terms with the fact that we are all Nigerians.

My heart goes out to all the families who lost loved ones in the series of violence that happened in the past one year. Violence should be discouraged, no matter the level of provocation. Personally, I could have equally been involved in the Jos crisis of November 2008, when I participated in a conference but thank God that the crisis started two days after I left Jos. I implore all of us to see ourselves as Nigerians and not killers. May God bless Nigeria!

Adeniyi, recently graduated from English OAU.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

36

CAMPUS LIFE

“Z

Turning failure around

F

AILURE happens to every one of us at one time or the other. Failure is also one of the worst experiences for many people and if not managed well may leave a permanent damage and scar on the victim. It has the capacity to damage your motivation and revoke enthusiasm when it is recurrent. It is a powerful force that can stop a potential winner from taking the next step.

However, it can be turned around and when effectively exploited it can become a major stepping stone that many have climbed on to achieve great things.

“Failure is not a single, cataclysmic event. You don’t fail overnight. Instead, failure is a few errors in judgment, repeated every day.” – Jim Rohn The statement above is worth pondering over. Failure does not just happen. People do not just fail exams. Failure happens when several poor decisions or actions and habits are compounded. Here are tips to turn failure around.

Have a strong conviction on your goals: Be sure of what you want to accomplish; be passionate about it. This persuaded conviction becomes your driving force even when you are discouraged. If you are certain about what you want to accomplish, failing a couple of times at it will not keep you down. The warning here is that you must not embark on anything you are not fully convinced about. If you fail in such an endeavour, chances are that you may never attempt it. So be convinced that your goal is the right one for you!

Study your failure: Take the time to research on your failure. Analyse it objectively and if you are emotionally compromised, you may have to ask some close and honest associates to assist you in assessing the failure. Find out intelligent reasons why your attempt failed. Write down these reasons and then find out if there are other regular things you could have done to mitigate these

By Uche Ogbonna (uche.ogbonna@fidelitybankplc.com)

08055061278

failures.

Get help: If you have tried over and over again and you have been failing at something that others have recorded success in, the truth may be that you may be trying it out with the wrong strategy and tools. You may need to get some help.

Ask someone who has succeeded at what you are attempting and study their strategy. You may learn a thing or two.

Asking for help is the right and mature thing to do but requires a lot of humility.

Remember that if you are convinced about your goal, and you are persuaded that it is possible to achieve it then you must be willing to do all it takes to acquire the knowledge required to succeed at it.

Revamp your motivation Motive is the driving force to any cause.

Take away the motive and you lose the steam that drives the activity. This is critical. People have failed exams because they lost the motive to read. You must keep yourself continuously excited over your project. You ought to find some way of keeping the tempo up, such that even when you fail you beat the drums and the melody causes you to rise up and dance again. One of the ways that this has worked for many people is to incorporate others into your assignment and vision so that in the event that you experience a failure, they will cheer you on. These people should be very objective and loyal.

See yourself succeed: Whenever failure occurs, it can be like being in a room and having the lights turned off all at once. It becomes very difficult to see where you are. It is a bad experience. However realise that failure is an emotional element and affects you on the subconscious and conscious levels. If you can brace up and visualise yourself as succeeding at that venture no matter what the venture is then you have a good chance at succeeding indeed. Visualisation is a very powerful tool.

These keys are not arranged in any particular order. Failure is the product of many little errors in judgment and action.

Do not forget this. Watch the “little” things you are doing wrongly now. Eliminate them, then add the suggestions above and let us begin to see our fortunes change!

Corps members chart course in journalism

D

ESPITE the hazards in the journalism profession, young people, especially students, still find the trade an interesting one. many describe it as a social responsibility.

Members of the Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS), a Community Development Service group in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), are among such youths. Their passion was displayed at the inauguration of the Kano State NYSC editorial crew.

The corps members said they decided to join OBS editorial crew because there were d e t e r m i n ed a n d p a s s i o n ate t o practice journalism. Some of them who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE expressed

From Nosakhere Uwadiae NYSC Kano

confidence that the editorial crew would perform beyond expectation.

Ojoma Ugbaje, a Batch ‘C’ member and a graduate of Journalism from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) College, Jos said: “I have learnt how the print media works especially how to write stories. With my idea in school, I will continue to report what is happening here to the outside world. Indeed, it has also improved my vocabulary”.

Many echoed the same sentiments.

I

WISH Islamiat Oladunni Daranijo, who recently graduated from Finance, University of Lagos, hearty birthday cheers. We met six years ago and since then, just like Siamese twins, our lives have leapt together in unlimited progress. As you added another year on June 1, I say many happy returns.

A

LSO, worthy of my cheers is another Amazon who beautifies my world, Tunmise Oladipo, who recently graduated from English, University of Ilorin. As you add another year on June 10, I say happy birthday and many happy returns.

- From Olawale Ajetunmobi, a serving corps member, NYSC Lagos

“ERO to 100km/hour in 10 seconds” is a common statement amongst those in racing games like Formula 1. This refers to the speed of a highly sophisticated racing car built solely for the purpose of By Atinuke Badejo competing against other e-mail:atinuke@badejo.com cars in a Grand Prix. Going from zero to 100 km/hour in an extremely short space of time should, however, be limited to racing cars. The reality of life is that most things are not instant; they are planned and brought to maturity over time.

Pregnancy is a classic example of a conDiligence is about constant and earnest efcept that needs time to mature. A person who wants a child would need to take the fort to accomplish a task. It should become time to first conceive the child, and then a way of life for the person who wants to wait for nine months as the baby matures succeed. Being an entrepreneur looks attracin the womb. The baby is brought to the tive but not always easy; you need to carry world successfully only after the right on working and believing in yourself even length of time when all the organs are de- when everyone else wants a break. The good news is that constantly doing the right thing veloped and are functioning well.

There is no such thing as “making it big” eventually brings success.

Patience is needed to see seed to maturity. overnight. Becoming wealthy usually comes from having developed and perfected a skill The nature of instant success has hampered and then becoming renowned in that skill. this virtue, yet it is one that everyone must A renowned person can call the shots when adopt for their diligence and expertise to be it comes to money. A footballer who earns appreciated by the world. If you are good, $50,000 a week would not mind paying any the whole world will notice you. It might sum to get the best interior designer and take some time to get round to everyone, architect to decorate their home. A celeb- but it will.

Prudence is needed to sustain a business. rity newscaster or actress would not mind parting with a few thousands each week to It is common to see people marry new wives be well turned out at the next society party. and purchase cars when they have made The interior designer, makeup artist or some money from their business although headgear professional is in business as there the flow may not yet be steady. Perhaps a will certainly be an unending supply of lucrative contract had come in and there is work from such an actress. There will also more money than was expected. Rather than be referrals to their friends and colleagues reinvest and expand, many deceive themas everyone who can afford to pay would selves and act as if they have arrived.

Expertise should be gained from expericall them up.

There are steps that need to be taken to ence and training to become the best in the become an expert in a skill. Talent may help industry. If you are not the best, you cannot you to identify an area of passion or inter- expect people to come and spend their est which can be turned into a money mak- money. Everyone desires that the service ing venture or business. You will, however, they pay for be rendered efficiently. If I enneed much more than talent to keep a busi- list the services of a caterer, I would expect ness going. This is where commitment, dedi- that it would be food that is delicious and cation, expertise, diligence, patience, very well presented. It is therefore neceshardwork, financial prudence and wisdom sary for any business to have the skills and all come into play. These are the virtues be able to offer a perfect job.

Hardwork is what crowns all the effort that make a person go from “zero to 100” and is the icing on the cake of the above within in a few years.

Luck, prayer with no action and blam- mentioned principles. A person who runs a ing others need to go out of the window business or has a career in another person’s and make way for virtues that bring suc- business must be prepared to go the extra cess. There is no one way or definite direc- mile. This includes being hands-on and gettion to success; people can go through dif- ting your hands dirty in order to deliver an ferent paths and arrive at the same desti- expert job. There is no room for doing the nation. There are however certain prin- minimum and expecting to get referrals.

There truth is there is dignity in labour. Reciples common to those who have succeeded in their chosen fields. They are gardless of what you do, give it your best.

We all benefit when we do things right! listed below.

Taking pride in your vocation II

On and Off Campus

By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

37

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

EDUCATION FIIRO gets first woman DG

ACHIEVERS FILE Plans for accreditation

D

R Gloria Elemo has been appointed the DirectorGeneral/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) in Lagos.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media Mr Emmanuel Eboro said Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment which takes effect immediately.

Dr Elemo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, an M.Sc and Ph.D in Human Nutrition with bias in Nutritional Biochemistry.

She is a member of various professional bodies within and outside Nigeria, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) as well as the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria. She is also a member of the Nutritional Society of Nigeria.

Prior to her appointment as the helmsman of FIIRO, Dr Elemo was a former Senior lecturer and Head of the Department of Biochemistry at the Lagos State University. She was also a Deputy Director at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in Abuja, where she worked for 14 years. She joined the services of FIIRO as the Director and Head of the Food and Analytical Department, a position she held until her appointment as the Director General and Chief Executive of FIIRO. Top on her agenda is to ensure the rapid commercialisation of the research findings of FIIRO; replacing obsolete equipment; establishing world-class laboratories; ensuring best practices and enhancing the on-the-job performance of members of the staff through regular training and retraining.

Dr Elemo is married with children.

A cross section of students from the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University taking matriculation oath for the 2010/ 2011 academic session on Monday PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

Yabatech prepares for varsity status

P

REPARATORY to its transformation into a university, the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), is training 300 workers on professional research skills.

Its Rector, Dr Margaret Ladipo at the opening of a workshop on Project Development and Management/Professional Research Skills for the academic staff, said in this era of globalisation, requisite knowledge in research is key to individual survival.

She added that the train the trainers’ workshop organised by the Centre for Applied Research and Technology Innovation (ARTI), would enhance the transformation of the college into a university – as

lecturers would be exposed to the techniques and faultless procedures of writing acceptable proposals that would attract grants to the college and place it on the world map.

“Suffice to say that workshops of this nature are practical ways to achieving the college vision of being a leading polytechnic in Africa”, she said.

In his welcome address, the Director of ARTI, Dr Adeleke Abiodun regretted the poor research culture in the Nigerian tertiary institutions which has affected their ability to write winning research proposals.

“It is against this backdrop that the college deemed it fit to expose the academic staff to research work-

shop series for brainstorming to be able to advance the teaching skills of staff,” he said.

While presenting his paper titled “Elements of a Good Research Proposal/Project”, Abiodun focused on 11 characteristics of a good research proposal including that it should clearly define the roles of the participants and their expertise.

Dr. (Mrs.) O.T. Oyelola, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, (CED) in her paper Experimental Designs and Sampling Techniques disclosed that the presentation will enable the participants to appreciate the basis of experimental designs and increase the precision of experiments by using appropriate design.

ABUAD pioneers teaching of Mechatronics Engineering FE Babalola University, AdoEkiti (ABUAD) has introduced the teaching of Mechatronics engineering in its quest to champion the country’s industrial and technological advancement.

At a seminar tagged: Innovations in science and engineering in the 21st Century, at the Owolabi Hall of the institution, experts said Mechatronics enginering would leapfrog Nigeria’s technological advancement.

Mechatronics Engineering is a multidisciplinary field of engineering that combines mechanical, electronics, computer, control and systems designing engineering in order to design and manufacture useful products.

The seminar was organised in conjunction with FESTO Automation, Germany and the National Universities Commission (NUC). The ViceChancellor, Prof Sidi Osho, said the university is the first to offer Mechatronics Engineering in the country.

The founder/Chancellor of the university, Aare Afe Babalola, described the seminar as ‘another landmark and a stunning achievement’ of ABUAD in pioneering Mechatronics Engineering.

Babalola stressed that the one-yearold institution was conceived to be a ‘pace-setter’, “showing the way to qualitative and transformative education required by the country for its growth and transformation.”

Babalola said: “ABUAD is on the road to intellectualism and excellence, conceived to lead education reform and arrest the dwindling standard of education. We are providing the most modern teaching materials in a most conducive environment for education.”

He assured that students of

A

ACHIEVERS University, Owo, Ondo State, is preparing for the impending visit of the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation team soon.

The Council, management, academic boards, staff and departments are working round-the-clock to ensure that the university meets NUC’s expectations.

Aside the colleges and the Academic Planning Unit, the library and laboratories are getting a new look. Large volumes of books and journals have been procured, including a recent donation by Owomade International Club, Dallas/Fort Worth, United States.

Additional state-of-the-art equipment have also been acquired for the Medical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biology and Accounting laboratories. Eight programmes – Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Microbiology, Computer and Information Systems, Medical Laboratory Science, Accounting, Economics and Business Administration – will be presented for accreditation.

Students get e-training AS part of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with Achievers University, Owo, UGRL, a country partner of KarROX Technologies Limited, India, IT provider and trainer, has kick-started the training of students.

Adewunmi Adegbemile of KarROX/UGRL said the training is part of a Microsoft Certification programme meant to equip students with the prerequisite IT skills to enhance their development.

He said students would be exposed to Microsoft Office packages such as Word, Power Point, Excel and Outlook. These packages are the fundamental knowledge the students need to possess before they can become Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS).

‘Stop celebrating the corrupt’

•From left: Mrs Modupe Babalola, Nayak, Aare Babalola, Prof Osho, and the Dean of Engineering at the event.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Mechatronics Engineering would acquire more knowledge and be prepared to face the challenges of everexpanding horizon in engineering science for the development of the country.

A Deputy Director at the NUC, Mr

Kayode Odedina, spoke on the history of Mechatronics which started in Japan in 1969, and came to Nigeria more than 40 years after. He hinted of plans by the NUC to introduce Aeronautic Engineering into the Nigerian university system, on which a workshop would soon be held at ABUAD.

‘ABUAD is on the road to intellectualism and excellence, conceived to lead education reform and arrest the dwindling standard of education’

In their presentations, the guest speakers from FESTO Automation, Ambrose Ayodele, an engineering graduate of the Lagos State University(LASU), and Mr Nayak Umesh, described knowledge, learning and education as the three basic mega topics of the 21st Century.

Ayodele likened Mechatronics as a new way of thinking, and challenged the university to patent and mass customise its innovation. Umesh added that FESTO’s major focus is to look at the future of engineering technology with a view to training people in various aspects of technology for the industry.

THE Chairman, Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor, Achievers University, Mr Bode Ayorinde, has implored Nigerians to appreciate men of integrity like the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin and stop celebrating the corrupt if the country wants to win the war against corruption.

He spoke at an anti-corruption workshop organised by the Adekunle Ajasin Foundation, Owo. Ayorinde, who chaired the occasion, was represented by Mr Bolu Ogundowole, Director, Centre for Extramural and Foundation Programmes.

Lauding the timing of the workshop, as it coincided with the ushering-in of the third session of the Fourth Republic, he described Ajasin as “an apostle of peace” and an anti-corruption crusader that should be celebrated.

He called on all Nigerians to doff their caps for the late leader of the Alliance for Democracy because of all he did to improve the living conditions of the people.

“His antecedents in the ‘empire’ called Owo Local Government area; in the old Regional Parliament; in the old Ondo State, comprising the new Ondo and Ekiti states; in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought against imperialism within a supposedly sovereign Nigerian State; in religious, educational and socio-economic milieux … continue to stand him in good stead,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

38

EDUCATION IBBUL FILE VC seeks experts on NUC Team THE Vice-Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), Prof Ibrahim Adamu Kolo, has advocated the involvement of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)

by National Universities Commission (NUC), in accrediting the accountancy programmes of universities.

He spoke while receiving leaders of the association who visited him.

Kolo said efforts would be made to co-operate with ANAN towards ensuring that the accountancy programme of the university is revived.

Earlier, the National President, ANAN, Hajiya Mariam Lade Ibrahim reaffirmed her interest to partner with IBBUL towards developing its accountancy programme in the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences to make it the envy of others.

She said ANAN was prepared to give the Institution the necessary support in terms of personnel and other areas that would be required to make the accountancy programme meet best practices.

ANAN was on a three day Mandatory Professional Continuing Education Programme for her members in Niger State, which took place in Minna.

Twin lecture theatre soon A MULTI-MILLION naira twin lecture theatre with a 400 seating capacity and a specialised science laboratory complex, are being constructed at the permanent site of the university.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Baba Alfa, said the projects being financed by the Education Trust Fund (ETF) when completed would enhance learning and research, in the school.

He said the management was working towards completing other capital projects within the time frame of the five-year strategic development plan for the university.

Alfa said efforts were being made to harmonise some courses and introduce new academic programmes. He added that no effort would be spared to expand the current infrastructure in the university.

Poly makes ICT mandatory THE Polytechnic, Ile-Ife, has made computer education mandatory for students to enrich the curriculum and make them ICT compliant on graduation.

To this end, a statement said the Governing Council has decided to establish the Institute of Computer Studies (ICS) to enhance the students’ computer literacy.

Director of the Institute, Mr Muyideen Lawal, an engineer, said the institute offers certificate programmes in computer literacy, Hardware Engineering, Advance Diploma in Computer Studies, SPSS and other professional courses.

‘History should be reinvigorated’ Provost, College of Humanities and Culture, Osun State University, Ikire, Prof Siyanbola Oyeweso, speaks with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA on why history has been relegated after the launch of “Ijesa Icons and the Making of Modern Nigeria”, a book he edited to commemorate the 54th birthday of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

I

N the school curricula, history seems to have been relegated.

Why is this so?

Today, science is heavily funded, yet they say its funding is still inadequate. We are yet to have any government that will be dedicated to the study and recovery of Nigerian past. The best effort so far was by the Historical Society of Nigeria in 1980 when Prof of History Obaro Ekime edited a collection of articles which was eventually titled: ‘Groundwork of Nigeria History.’ After that, the presidency commissioned Prof Tekena Tamuno and others to have the History of Nigeria Since Independence’ project which are drawn into volumes.

Today, how many are interested in the study of History? If you want to send your children to university and you ask him to study history they frown because they believe History is one subject to be studied when other options have failed.

Certainly that is not the correct approach to history.

If the United States model is to be practised in Nigeria every governor must have a historian, the presidency has its own historian. Historians must be part of history in any state; and that is why the field of public history is an attractive field in the US. But for you to catch up, you must invest in history, train people and fund research, and make teaching and research into history very attractive.

Today, there is no serious attention by the governments. Even in our 6-3-3-4 curriculum, history has not been accorded a priority. But any nation that forgets history is a doomed nation. We don’t want Nigeria to be doomed. So we want to encourage our government across the states in the southwest and the entire federation to take the study of History more seriously. Aside efforts by our foremost nationalists, It is only recently that Chief Oladosu Oladebo a prominent chief in Osun State attempted seven volumes of the History of the People of Osun State. Though not an academic exercise, it is a good effort at packaging documentary sources about Osun State.

Even in universities today History now has combined honours to make it attractive to prospective students...

I recall Prof Kunle Lawal (a Prof of History at LASU and former Commissioner for Education Lagos State), myself and few other people in the Department of History, Lagos State University (LASU) pioneered the nomenclatural change in the discipline of History for it to embrace International Studies and today, 90 per cent of universities have followed suit except the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo Universitty Ile-Ife and maybe University of Ilorin.

We believe History is the father of all disciplines. But in an age where people run away from that

discipline, then you must make it necessarily attractive. The discipline of History embraces world studies, strategic studies, international relations, international studies, and international politics. With combined honours, History gets more prominence and is more acceptable to students.

Was the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN) not invited by the Nigeria Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) to make input when the curriculum was being drafted?

Certainly we were not exempted.

But one thing is to make recommendations another is to have the recommendations accepted. The HSN, over the years, have recommended that please let us restore History by removing it as an elective subject, or a subject replaced by Social Studies. How do you pick up History at the senior level when you don’t have the necessary background at the primary level? It’s been said several times, but unfortunately we’re in a materialistic age, that is interested in demonstrable result for money and what knowledge can give in terms of money and good things of life.

Do you support the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the wake of the election violence that claimed some corps members in the North?

Let me say, there is no society that is homogenous, every society is an arena of social conflict but how we

•Prof Oyeweso manage our conflict and differences and how we move from that to greater strength is the business of History.

The NYSC is a symbol and instrument of national unity and integration. For me NYSC should be retained. The scheme is the greatest achievements of the Gowon administration. After the civil war in 1970, Gowon came out with a policy of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation. For many of us today, we would have stayed in the backyard of our country. I served in Kebbi State and later Zamfara. My knowledge of the country is much better because of my NYSC experience then. We met all ethnic nationalities. We interacted beyond our local environments, knew our differences, and made new friends. I can say today that I have friend across the length and breadth of this country. If I am from Ede and I served in Ede, then something must be wrong with me.

74 pupils battle for Maths star prize

S

EVENTY-FOUR junior and senior secondary pupils wrote the second stage examination for the Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) in four centres across the country last Saturday.

The pupils with the top scores in each category (junior and senior secondary) from 36 states and Abuja in the first stage examination on March 19, gathered in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Port Harcourt for the second stage last Saturday.

In the Southwest, participants from Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Ondo, Osun and Lagos wrote the examination at the Ondo Hall of the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja where they and their teachers were lodged by the organisers, Promasidor.

While some described the examination as tough, others thought it was a walk over and were confident they would be among the 30 (15 from each category) to be invited for the awards ceremony at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on the 23rd of this month.

One of those so confident is Mardhiyah Sanni, who scored 96 per cent in the first stage – the highest for the junior category. The 12-year old JSS2 pupil of Ota Total Academy, Ogun State, whose older siblings are past winners of the competition, said she worked hard when she found she had the top score from March 19.

“I was surprised I won the first stage in my state because there was another girl there who was better and faster than me. When I found that I was the highest, I worked even harder to prepare. The examination

•Pupils queuing to register for the first stage examination at Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

was easy,” she said.

Abidemi Adejayan, an SS2 pupil of Reality High School, Osun State, is also confident she will make it.

Unlike some others who said the questions were a bit unfamiliar, she said they were easy because her teacher exposed her to many past questions.

“The first stage examination was tougher than this. This time around, I read many textbooks and my teacher also gave me examinations.

I am confident that I will make Abuja,” she said.

For Rotimi Aledare, an SS2 pupil of Federal Government College, Ilorin, time cheated him to complet-

ing the examination. He also complained about not being able to interpret the objective section of the paper.

“With what I did in my theory, I hope to do well. The objective was difficult because of the interpretation,” he said.

At the Abuja ceremony, overall best winner in the junior category will get N250,000 plus a trophy and medal, while the first and second runners up will get N200,000 and N150,000.

Overall best at the senior level will get N300,000. The second placed winner will N250,000 and the third, N200,000.

Speaking on the competition, Mr

Abiodun Ajiborode, Brand Manager, Promasidor, said the organization decided to zone the second stage examination, which previously used to hold in Lagos alone, because participants and teachers from far-flung states complained of the distance which made it difficult to be refreshed for the examination.

“Zoning is as a result of feedback from participants. People complained that Lagos is too far. We also considered the risk involved in travelling long distances. Somebody coming from Kaduna, compared to somebody from Ibadan will not get enough time to rest the day before the examination,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

39

EDUCATION

‘Daily practice will reverse failure in maths ’

T

•Hundah presenting an award to Mrs Audu while Mrs Bello does the introductions

Multichoice rewards creative teachers ULTICHOICE/DSTV Nigeria has honoured some teachers who made creative use of the over 200 MultiChoice Audio-Visual Resource Centre endowed in some secondary schools in the country.

Speaking during the ceremony in Abuja, the company’s Managing Director, Mr Joseph Hundah, said the resource centre scheme has reached over 201 schools in 21 states.

According to him, the benefiting

M

From Tayo Owolabi and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

schools have access to the multichoice education bouquet at no cost to the schools.

He said: “The resource centre project is part of a broad-based community development strategy designed to raise the standard of education in public schools on the African continent by leveraging on the assets and expertise of our digital satellite television platform for development and growth of Afri-

‘The resource centre project is part of a broad-based community development strategy designed to raise the standard of education in public schools on the African continent’

Girl, 16, presents two books

A

16-YEAR OLD pupil of Louisville Girls High School, Itele-Ijebu, Ogun State, Miss Iyeyinka Omigbogun, has launched two books.

Omigbodun launched the books at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, at a ceremony witnessed by top health professionals, academics, colleagues and well wishers.

Entitled: The country I love and Waiting for justice and peace, the books talk about the common challenges facing Nigerians, particularly students who are forced to contend with shortage of learning materials and facilities even in the midst of plenty.

The second book is about the April election which was a watershed in the history of elections in Nigeria in recent times and the time of waiting for justice by those who felt aggrieved by the conduct of the election.

Iyeyinka started writing the books in 2009 at 14. She said she was inspired to write the two books by the problems and crisis experienced daily in Nigeria.

“There are several problems and challenges being encountered in day-to-day activities in Nigeria, especially the education system which is not in the best way it should be as you can see the deteriorated classrooms and lack of books in the school libraries. All

From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

these and many more have called for an urgent need to refurbish our education sector so as to build more future leaders,” she said.

Iyeyinka thanked her parents for the love and support given to her while writing the books and further appealed to all parents and the government to inculcate good reading habits in young people.

Mother of the author, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun appealed to the government to create an encouraging environment for children to display their creativity in an environment that will promote their mental health for them to perform excellent in their academic pursuit.

“It is what you teach children at adolescent stage that they will live to meet in future and will be forever in their memory,” she said.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Evans Publishers, Mr Gbenro Adegbola, said there is an urgent need to encourage young people to start reading early in life.

“We are all happy with Iyeyinka ‘s achievements because she started early in life and more also she is here today to encourage young ones to start early bearing in mind that the world renowned golfer, Tiger Woods, also started early.

can communities.”

Winners of the award include: Adeeko Olalekan of the Baptist Boys High School Abeokuta; Hadiza Audu of Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School, Minna and Mrs Ijeoma Onwumere of Olokoro Girls Secondary School, Umuahia.

Giving insight on the criteria for selecting the winner of the awards, Deputy National Coordinator of SchoolNet Nigeria, Mrs Ronke Bello, said Adeeko came out tops in a keenly contested competition because his presentation on natural disaster with emphasis on flood, proved very compelling – with local and global relevance.

Second placed Mrs Audu, focused her presentation on volcanic eruption while Mrs Onwumere, a Social Studies teacher used the audiovisual learning aid to focus on marriage and the types of marriages in Nigeria.

Even the School Principals were not left out in the awards as Lady Florence Udok of West African Peoples Institute (WAPI) Calabar Cross River State emerged winner in the Principals challenge segment of the ward.

HE approach which many pupils adopt in studying mathematics is wrong, a teacher, Mrs Bamidele Ayansiji, her said said. The approach, she said, accounts for the poor performance in internal and external examinations.

Mrs Bamidele, the proprietress of Abbot Dayspring Schools, Ipaja, Lagos, said mathematics is a subject pupils should practise everyday to enhance their understanding of the subject and enable them cover the syllabus.

“Mathematics cannot be learnt like other subjects. A secondary school student may not read his or her Geography, Commerce, Economics, Literature-in-English, History or CRK notebooks until a few days to the examination and will still pass. But such a student will fail Mathematics with this approach. Maths is an everyday affair. A student has to practice it everyday before he or she can pass it,” she said.

Without diligence, Mrs Ayansiji said pupils cannot make good grades in Mathematics. She counseled that they do as many exercises as possible.

She said: “Problem solving is the best solution to mathematics.

Teachers cannot solve all the mathematical problems in the class-

rooms. That is why assignments are given to students. It thus becomes the responsibility of students to solve the problems at home.”

To improve performance of their wards, the teachers said parents should as a matter of necessity, purchase all recommended textbooks and guide them in their studies at home.

At her school, Mrs Ayansiji said pupils are made to study hard for mathematics and other subjects.

“At Abbot, the emphasis is on reading culture. Our students, especially those in senior secondary classes, are told all the time to fully utilise their mental potentials by reading. We tell them that they can pass the SSCE unaided if they work hard on daily basis since the questions are set within the syllabus. We also let them realise that if they can pass internal examinations from Jss1 to SS3, then they can pass the final SSCE without any assistance,” she said The school must be getting it right because Mrs Ayansiji said many pupils passed mathematics and other subjects with good grades in the 2010 WASSCE and have also gained admissions to various tertiary institutions across the country.

NICO starts cultural clubs

T

O foster a sense of cultural identity and awareness in the youth, the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) will launch cultural clubs in primary and secondary schools on July 1 at Cinema Hall 1, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

A statement by NICO’s corporate communications officer, Mr Ohi Ojo said the aim of the launch is to reach school-aged children in order to stimulate them towards a better appreciation of local culture and traditions.

“NICO’S cultural clubs in schools otherwise tagged (N-CCS) is conceived as a guidance service of the Institute, aimed at instilling in our children a desire to appreciate the beauty in our diverse cultural heritage. It is intended to encourage them to imbibe some positive Nigerian values and also build in them

a sense of pride in being Nigerians, to encourage the children to take pride in Nigerian culture such as Nigerian dress culture, cuisine, our dance steps, music etc. It is the Institute’s attempt at catching them young,” the statement read.

The activities of the club would be centred on Nigerian dance steps and choreography, didactic story telling sessions, dance drama, Nigerian traditional games, quiz in indigenous languages, debate in indigenous languages, viewing of educational films and documentaries, folk music, excursion, choral music and lots more.

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation established by decree 93 of 1993 with a primary responsibility of “Harnessing Culture for National Development”

•Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) -SISI OGE 2010, Miss Samantha Ozigbu (left), LIRS Director for Special Duties, Mr Kunle Useni (middle) and Miss Tax 2011, Miss Ottah Hellen (right), cut the Children’s Day cake with winners of the LIRS essay competition after a tour.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

Industry, education partnership vital

L

AST month, Esso Exploration Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), an affiliate of ExxonMobil, donated Kofoworola workstations to the geosciences department of three universities, FUTA, FUTMINNA and UNIMAID to equip them in training students Kofosagie@yahoo.com who would hit the ground run08054503077 (SMS only) ning on graduation. Not stopping there, the organisation also trained lecturers for one week in Lagos to use this equipment to teach.

This kind of collaboration between industry and our institutions of higher learning has become essential to closing the yawning gaps employers claim exist between the training students get in their undergraduate years and the skills they require to fit into the work environment.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) is currently going round the country seeking a buy-in for the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) which seeks to measure knowledge and skills gained outside the formal school setting. When fully operational, skilled professionals who did not pass through the four walls of conventional universities, polytechnics and other types of schools, will be appreciated for what they can do.

At the consultation meeting in Lagos on Monday, the discussions invariably moved to how much the organised private sector, which drives the industry, need to be involved in shaping what goes on in our schools. Speaker after speaker raised the importance of employers of labour making inputs into curriculum used in schools as well as assisting in training their lecturers.

Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede suggested that not only should the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) concern itself with industrial work experience for students, but be expanded to train academic staff as well.

Another speaker said our lecturers also need to leave the campus during holidays and spend time working in the industry – like it obtains abroad.

I am wholly in support of these suggestions. In Nigeria, the private sector is at the forefront of importing, adopting/adapting cutting edge technology to make their businesses compete favourably with others both locally and internationally. They invest a lot in gaining new knowledge and constantly require highly skilled professionals to operate successful.

Unfortunately, we have a large pool of graduates who have requisite paper qualifications but cannot deliver – not because they were too dull to learn back in school, but because they were not taught. Their teachers were handicapped in equipping them because they either lacked the relevant tools or the knowledge, or both.

As times change, teachers in our schools need to update their knowledge so they do not become redundant. When teacher-training does not get the attention it deserves, policies to upgrade suffer. That is why some organisations are disappointed when they donate equipment to schools only to find out during later visits that they are still under wraps or the laboratories kept under lock and key because nobody knows how to use the equipment.

It should become compulsory for lecturers in our tertiary institutions to spend sometime working in industries during the holidays so they can brush up their knowledge.

Also, when students return from internships, in addition to completing and submitting log books, they should be required to share new knowledge with their peers. The university/polytechnic can achieve this by mounting some form of train-the-trainers programme so that the students can exchange information. That way, each student becomes more rounded in his knowledge and skills.

As for the industry, we know the government has its role to play in funding education and providing facilities. However, since the private sector needs competent graduates, it should invest more in their training – right from their undergraduate years by endowing equipment, sponsoring competitions, training teachers, and carrying tertiary institutions along when they break new grounds.

Belo-Osagie

•Bale of Keke (fourth left) Community Development Committee Chairman, Agege LGA, Comrade Toyin Balogun, former Chairman, Agege LGA, Owolabi Dada, Majiyagbe and LGEA workers with Israel (in school uniform).

Pupil woos teachers with reading skills

F

OR winning the maiden edition of an oral reading competition, Israel Jere, a Primary Six pupil of Ifeoluwa Primary School, Agege, Lagos will relieve Olalekan Majiyagbe of his responsibilities as the Education Secretary of Agege Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), for one day.

Indeed, there was no match for Israel among the six contestants that participated in the final of the reading competition tagged: “My Parent, Teachers, Friends, Where is My Book”. It was organised by the Agege LGEA as part of the Children’s Day celebration. The event held at the Dairy Farm Primary School Complex, headquarters of the LGEA. The six finalists were: Israel, Isiaka Danjuma and Honour Onikhuare in the primary school category, and Paulina Faith, Sulaiman Sheriff and Cynthia Edet in the secondary category.

They were the ones that scaled

S

through preliminaries done in public primary and junior secondary schools in the three zones of the local government.

During the competition the pupils were required to read from a comprehension passage in the first round and present a newspaper review in the second round.

They were assessed by a panel of five judges who graded them for appearance (5 marks), pronunciation (10), phonetics (15), mechanical accuracy (10), punctuality (5), and confidence (5) for the first round while the paper review attracted five marks for identification of lead story, five for accuracy; 10 presentation; five sitting posture; five advertisements; and five for sport update.

The best pupil in each category was determined first before they were pitched against each other.

From the start, it was clear that Israel was special. His reading was fluent, and he was a natural at pre-

senting the newspaper review. After winning the primary category, he found a weak opponent in Paulina, the junior school category winner, and was unanimously declared overall winner to the delight of teachers and pupils who watched the competition.

Israel was presented with a standing fan, while Paulina went home with a cute travelling box.

In an interview with The Nation, Education Secretary, Majiyagbe said the competition was organised to stimulate the pupils’ interest in books and reading. He said parents, teachers and friends influence the ability of pupils to develop health reading habits.

“Children do not like to read except when pushed. Parents have to remind them to take their books. Teachers also need to encourage the pupils at all times to study. Peer pressure affects whether a child will read or not.

If he has friends who like to read, he will study,” he said.

Teachers seek peace at LAUTECH

OME teachers at the Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, are longing for the good old days when peace, hard work, discipline and unity reigned in the institution.

These attributes, they noted won for the university the reputation as one of the best-run universities.

In an interview in Ibadan, two lteachers, who did not wish to be named, said since the crisis over ownership between Oyo and Osun State engulfed the university last year, there has been no peace which has affected the stability it once enjoyed.

However, they claimed that a group, known as G7 or G4, hijacked the crisis to cover up their own dirty dealings. They added that the group which was indicted by an investigation panel for financial mis-

T

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

appropriation fanned the flame of discord between former Governor of Oyo State Alao-Akala and his counterpart who was ousted from Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola as a decoy so the focus would shift from their activities.

They also alleged that the trouble makers made an issue of the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Adeleke being sent on disengagement leave for the same reason.

“The university had been known for a reputation of stable environment but when the issue of ownership crisis came, this reputation was challenged. Crisis started with the change of leadership within the university. When the last leadership was to be changed, there were issues which were cleverly covered up by the actors. The VC at that time was asked to go on disengagement leave.

“The concern here is that the interest of a clique within the system should not be superior to the general well being of the university.

The G7 or G4 as they are called are the real clique behind the crisis,” said one of the lecturers who teaches Economics.

When asked, the two lecturers declined to name the members of this group. Rather, they insisted that their concern was for stability to be restored in the university. With the change of government in Oyo and Osun State, they hope that the crisis would be resolved.

They also urged members of the university community to back the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof Lanre Nassar, who they said has plugged the holes used to siphon money from the university.

LASPOTECH gets ninth rector

HE Lagos State government has approved the appointment of Dr Abdul-Azeez Abioye

Lawal as the ninth Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu.

The new Rector, who prior to his appointment was the Director of the institution’s School of Part-Time Studies, holds a first class degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and an M.Sc and PhD in Business Administration

from the University of Lagos.

Lawal, 50, from Lagos Island, joined the services of the Polytechnic in 1985 as a lecturer in the Department of Business Administration in 1985 and rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Lecturer in December 2007. Asides being a lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar in 2009, the Rector is also member of Academy of Management Nigeria, and the Nigerian Institute of Management and has authored or co-

authored books and papers in reputable professional journals.

Abioye, whose appointment took effect on June 1, replaces Mr Babatunde Iginla who completed his two five-year term last month.

Established in 1977 with the promulgation of the Lagos State Edict No.1 of 1978, LASPOTECH, previously known as the Lagos State College of Science and Technology (LACOSTECH), is the first tertiary institution by Lagos State.

From my Inbox Re: Investments in Brain Drain (Thursday, June 2) It was this morning that I laid my hands on the June 2, 2011 edition of The Nation. On reading through, I saw the wonderful story of brilliant Chisom Okpala. I also saw the same thing when I read through your Thursday Edutalk article. Of a truth, I wish I had read something like this before commencing the 2011 WASSCE because I was highly inspired and motivated. But thank God I still have the chance in my NECO exams. So help me God. Ibukun Akinlade, 16-year old, Ibadan.

Thanks for your piece on brain drain ‘Investments in brain gain’. Congratulations to Chisom Mildred Okpala. Mouktar Umar Kofa, Kano State.

Education at a high level is not brain drain but brain development. They will be useful tomorrow like the names you mentioned in your article.

Keep it up. 08057554—.

Kofo, thanks for your piece. Same thoughts enveloped me on April 4 when I opened my email to find that I have an MA scholarship from the University of Calgary. 07085802—.

Hi Kofo, I just finished reading the story on Chisom and the piece on brain drain (gain). They are simply fantastic. Keep up the good work.

Austin.

SLIDING TACKLE

“Babangida has handed over to the club secretary in compliance with the Kano State Government directive over the weekend. We really do not know the next step to be taken by the government as regards the chairmanship of the club.”

Thursday, June 9, 2011

42

NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE...NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE...

KanoPillars’boss may be sacked T

HE position of Tukur Babangida as chairman of Kano Pillars could well have been affected by the new government in Kano State.

Babangida, like all the other heads of government parastatals and agencies, has handed over to the secretary of Pillars, Adamu Yakubu, as ordered by the

new government of Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

“Babangida has handed over to the club secretary in compliance with the Kano State Government directive over the weekend.

“We really do not know the next step to be taken by the government as regards the chairmanship of the club”

disclosed Idris Malikawa.

Speculation is rife that former co-ordinator of the Super Eagles ‘B’ team, Kabiru Baita, is one of the front runners to take over the popular club.

Under the experienced Babangida, Pillars have enjoyed their most successful stint. They reached the last four of the CAF Champions

League two years ago in only their debut.

This year they crashed out to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in the second round of the competition.

They also finished runners-up in the Nigeria Premier League for the last two seasons and are currently third on the log this term.

An official of Kano Pillars FC Idris Malikawa disclosing that Tukur Babangida chairman of the club has handed-over after the new government of Kano gave the directive.

•Bello Kofarmata (l) could not save Heartland from defeat at Enyimba on Wednesday

NPL WK 26 CLASH

Heartland players confident of Victory

A

HEAD of today’s NPL Week 26 encounter at the Ilaro International Stadium between Crown FC and Heartland of Owerri, the duo of Bassey Akpan and Julius Ubido have assured NationSport that Naze Millionaires’ poor away record would become a thing of the past after the clash with the Ajilete Boys.

The delayed NPL match that was moved by one day at the behest of the home team who were involved in an accident on their way back from their weekend NPL tie with Kano Pillars is the return leg of the one held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri which the Naze Millionaires triumphed 1-0 in a Week 6 fixture.

While speaking with NationSport from Ilaro, Heartland’s first choice goal keeper, Bassey Akpan disclosed that the match against Crown Fc would be the first of the three away games the club would be playing in the spate of one week asserting that the club would aim at getting at least 5 points from the them to improve their lots on the league table.

My brother, we are doing every possible to ensure that we have a change in the spate of the unimpressive away results we have been getting since the league started this season. It will be too bad to lose all the three matches hence our determination to ensure that

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri we come back to Owerri with something substantial at the end of these three matches. We are equal to the task and we shall get what we want.” Bassey Akpan, who has been one of the few leading lights of the team this season said.

Super Eagles’ team B player and a defensive midfielder, Julius Ubido has also added to what his colleague in the Heartland fold has said stating that the club would like to reinvoke the period when they were under the tutelage of former coach Kelechi Emeteole when the team also played three away matches at a trot and won two with the other ending in a draw some years back.

Ubido stated that he remains confident that the true Heartland spirit will soon be awaken in the remainder of the NPL matches this season.

This is not the first time we shall be involved in three away matches straight away. We have done it before under Coach Emeteole when we played three away matches we won two and drew the other. We can do it again.” Ubido boasts.

Besides the match against Crown FC today Heartland will also play Kano Pillars and Kaduna United in their respective abodes before returning to Owerri next week.

Heartland has 35 points from 24 matches and placed 12th on the log.

'Chicago' grabs Team of Week spot

H

•Kano Pillars players in action

EARTLAND defender, Chinedu Efugh also known as ‘Chicago’ by his mates and fans, has been named in the Team of the Week for matchday 25.

Efugh was picked by the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) to pair Festus Austine of Dolphins in the heart of the defence.

The big defender shook off his recent penalty misses to put in a massive performance to keep Kwara United forwards at bay.

The former Enugu Rangers' man combined well with Emmanuel Olowo in defence to ensure that Heartland won 2 - 1 against Kwara United on Sunday.

Three players were named in the NPL Team of the Week for the first time this season.

They are Juth goalkeeper Nura Mohammed, Loveth Akubo of Lobi Stars and Onoriode Imeke of Ocean Boys.

Others named in the Week 25

team by the Premier League are Abdulrahman Bashir of Bukola Babes, George Akpabio of Plateau United, Ibrahim Ajani of Sunshine Stars, Stanley Ohawuchi of Heartland, Gbolahan Salami of 3SC and Gambo Mohammed of Kano Pillars.

Plateau United general manager, Bitrus Bewarang, acting as interim coach is picked to take hold of managing the side.

Team of the Week: GK: Nura Mohammed (Juth) RB: Loveth Akubo (Lobi Stars) CB: Chinedu Efugh (Heartland) CB: Festus Austine (Dolphins) LB: Onoriode Imeke (Ocean Boys) CM: Abdulrahman Bashir (Bukola Babes) RW: George Akpabio (Plateau United) LW: Ibrahim Ajani (Sunshine Stars) RF: Stanley Ohawuchi (Heartland) LF: Gbolahan Salami (3SC) FW: Gambo Mohammed (Kano Pillars) Coach: Bitrus Bewarang (Plateau United)

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

43

INDUSTRY

Nigeria, others record 22% increase in trade

T

•From left: Mr. Suraj Rupani, Promoter, Panaserve Nigeria Ltd; Mr Takahashi Satoshi, Air Conditioner Business, Panasonic Corporation, Japan and Mr Iwai Akira, Councellor, Panasonic Corporation, Japan, during the launch of Panasonic ECONAVI Air-Conditioners held in Lagos.

Centre promises 100,000 jobs

T

HE National Coordinator of Regional Centre for Bio-Enterprise Development (RCBD), Ebiowei Bassey Monibidor, has said all is now set for the centre to partner with investors to create over 100,000 jobs for unemployed youths in the country.

Monibidor made the declaration in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the financial bid documents for the construction of the cluster of industrial projects for the Niger Delta science, technology and bio-industrial park at Sagbama in Bayelsa State.

He said: “We welcome all local and foreign investors that took time to submit their financial bid documents for the various projects that make up the cluster of projects in the nation’s Niger Delta science, technology and Bio-Industrial park at Sagbama, Bayelsa State.

“We use this opportunity to reaffirm the determination of the Federal Government to provide the enabling environment for investors that join the train of government developmental dream through Vision 20:2020 and the seven-point Agenda to use the Niger Delta science, technology and bio industrial park at Sagbama, Bayelsa State to industrialise the rural communities, reduce poverty, create jobs and enhance sustainable livelihoods for the people of the Niger Delta region and the entire citizenry of Nigeria”, he said.

According to the RCBD boss, the Niger Delta industrial clusters would provide emergent technologies in the areas of biotechnology processes and products, ICT software and hardware as well as the

Stories by Toba Agboola

manufacturing of electrical and electronic components from biomaterials.

“The science technology and industrial parks in the Niger Delta region will be developed in three clusters that would be classified into the large-sized factory building complex, medium-sized factory building complex and small-sized factory building complex to boost employment generation and development of the region”, he said “The industrial cluster will include industries involved in the production of plastics and scientific equipments from biomaterials and the low technologies as well as industries in the areas of manufacturing of simple implements for bioresources related projects, upgrading related projects and indigenous technologies, production of bioremediation materials and handcrafts that would boost employment for youths in the country.”

At the opening of the financial bid document, over 250 investors, local and foreign observers were present to witness their bids for the six lots, namely; dredging and reclamation of coastal areas; construction of fences, design and construction of gate and gate houses, roads construction, boreholes construction and construction of sub-stations that makes up the Niger Delta industrial clusters.

It would be recalled that the Chairman of BFIGROUP Corporation, US and concessioner of the industrial park, Dr. Reuben Jaja in Port Harcourt recently, declared to map

out the feasibility for the take-off of the bio industrial park as well as the state of the efforts made so far the projects.

He said :”Based on our long standing work on developing commercial relations between the United States and the 53 African states, as well as the European Union, the BFIG Group will mobilise the international business community including multilateral organisations such as the World Bank Group, UNESCO, EU Development Agencies as well as the Asian and African Development Banks.”

According to Jaja, the group will partner with a local airline that will dedicate to the greater Niger Delta region which includes the Gulf of Guinea countries with a long history of commercial relations with the coastal cities of Nigeria including shipping lines to support trade, commerce and industry of the region.

“To ensure the success of the project, skilled labour in the shipping lines , airlines will embark on the recruitment and training of indigenous Niger Delta youths and professionals in the areas of - marine and aircraft engineering, mechanics, sailors and pilots , crew training, general marine and aircraft operation, marine and aircraft security, general marine and aviation management,” he said He, however, re-affirmed that “The Niger Delta science, technology and bio industrial park is designed to provide over 100,000 jobs to boost economic recovery while preparing for a greener, more balanced, fairer and sustainable Africa economy.”

HE value of merchandise trade in the Nigeria and other World Trade Organisation (WTO) members has increased by 22 per cent in the first quarter of this year, compared the 17 per cent rise achieved in the same period of 2010.

The value of world merchandise trade was 17 per cent higher in the fourth quarter of 2010 against the corresponding period of 2009.

WTO, in its first quarter 2011 report released to newsmen , stated that available monthly statistics for about 70 economies, representing more than 90 per cent of world trade, showed merchandise trade rose sharply in March 2011, reflecting in good part seasonal variations.

“The value of trade reached for the first time a level superior to the pre-crisis maximum of July 2008”, it added.

Nigeria’s export volume was about $45.43 billion.

Major export items included crude oil, cocoa and timber.

The United Kingdom and the United States of American were the largest trade partners for Nigerian exports.

Due to high international oil prices, Nigeria’s import trade was able to balance export revenue. The country’s imports grossed is $42.1 billion.

Machinery, heavy equipments, consumer goods and food products were the major

imports.

WTO said that short-term merchandise trade values were not seasonally adjusted. “Seasonal patterns therefore considerably affect the quarter on quarter and month on month developments in world trade, and this in turn affects comparisons between the trade developments in individual regions and economies”, it added.

WTO said in its yearly report released recently that following the record-breaking 14.5 per cent surge in the volume of exports in 2010, world trade growth should settle to a more modest 6.5 per cent expansion in 2011.

It said the sharp rise in trade volumes last year enabled world trade to recover to its pre-crisis level but not its long-term trend and WTO economists believe the recent series of important events aross the world lends a greater degree of uncertainty to any forecast.

The report hinted that following the record-breaking 14.5 per cent surge in the volume of exports in 2010, world trade growth should settle to a more modest 6.5 per cent expansion in 2011.

WTO Director-General, Pascal Lamy said: “However, the hangover from the financial crisis is still with us. High unemployment in developed economies and sharp belt-tightening in Europe will fuel protectionist pressures.

NBCC to support govt’s anti-corruption campaign

T

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

This, he said, was part of the chamber’s national advocacy efforts.

Awagu, who spoke at the monthly breakfast forum of the NBCC held in Lagos, stressed that one of the areas in which there is increasing extra territorial application of foreign laws is corruption.

He said: “Corruption has 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.”

He said from July 1, 2011, companies doing business in the UK or UKbased 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 affiliate in UK.

Firm expands activities

V

•From Left: Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Tope Ashiwaju; Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods, Deepak Singhal and Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON),Dr. Joseph Odumodu, at the monthly members meeting of the Institute of Directors (IOD)held at Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos.

ITAL Products Limited has expanded its operation from producing beverages to paste products such as tomato, ginger and garlic.

Its Factory Manager, Femi Oyebanji, said the company has also doubled its sales force from 102 to 200 and increased distributors to over 200 from 153 to cope with the expansion programme.

He said the company is operating in more than 90 per cent of the country’s districts with four regional sales offices in Kano, Asaba, Abuja and Kaduna.

Oyebanji, who addressed journalists at a tour of the company’s factory in Lagos, said the company’s brands were able to increase their equity over time by adapting to changing market conditions and consumption patterns of the people.

He said: “Our company has always aimed to introduce new products to address the changing consumer taste in the food and bever-

By Wale Adepoju

age industry.

“These products are equally tested and tried to meet the stability criteria in the prevailing climatic conditions of West Africa.”

Oyebanji said the company was granted pioneer status from a competent authority which made it eligible to receive three-year tax holiday extendable for additional two years.

He said the company’s business was developed largely through collaborative efforts and decentralised system of sales operations due to infrastructural bottleneck and peculiar challenges in the country.

Oyebanji said the company has matched its production increase with revenues, thus achieving a growth of more than 41 per cent of CAGR from fiscal year 2008, adding that the strategy to surpass this would be growing beverages from $4 million in 2010 to $30 million in 2016.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

44

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

N4.9b loss@ UNAD, beyond the law & economics By 2005, the UN declared its own favoured perspective about CG, as: “The set of mechanisms through which outsider investors are protected from expropriation by insiders (including management, family interest and/or governments).”

• Continued from last week

C

ORPORATE governance is defined on one level as: “a set of procedures and processes according to which an organisation is directed and controlled; with a specified corporate structure; with distribution of rights and responsibilities among different participants…(complete with) laid down rules and procedures for decisionmaking”(OECD); which evidently UNAD has complied with, regardless. Oh? Yet on another level a higher aphorism says, “Beyond the hard facade of Law and Economics, good governance is ultimately about ‘soft’ but ‘real’ issues”. Those soft issues, it is found, are the often understated, grey areas which always magnify in the end to become the great concern. They are the extent or margin of creativity (flexibility) that is allowed in-between the structure of management and the board (in this case, the university council) first, in relation to the objective and mission of the varsity, and obviously as laid down by the NUC before it was contrapted by the owners (Ondo/Ekiti) state government. VCs are professional managers.

Finally, is the strictures of Regulation that NUC allows, of course in conformance to the overall mission/vision of Nigeria (Vision 20:2020?) for developing her human capital; an issue that will involve the private sector and the associated public institutions involved in running government; and this is expected to trigger a kind of response from the varsity too, upon which the institution conceives to actualise herself. Note, that if strictly followed all the above would have taken off a lot of burden under which any charismatic VC would be labouring to become a hero.

Stakeholder arrangement is a standard that maps out the extent which an individual can assume responsibility, along the broad policy guidelines of the organisation which his leadership (style) can exploit, as the need arises, to re-invent the organisation. Is the Nigerian university a stakehoders’ product?

Nevertheless, all these are just the beaten path which have failed severally around the world, so much that by 2005, the UN declared its own favoured perspective about CG, as: “The set of mechanisms through which OUTSIDER INVESTORS ARE PROTECTED FROM EXPROPRIATION BY INSIDERS (including management, family interest and/or governments” (the extrapolated, Regulator’s perspective, no doubt) - evidently expressing a patent distrust for those who operationalise the STRUCTURE, because of its own peculiar problems which are subsumed under the topic, Managerialism. It has also brought up as an antidote to this, the Agency approach.

When managers begin to wax passionate about their company, to the extent of becoming personally involved in returning bigger margin of gain than was initially projected, then the time has come to re-jig the stakeholder mapping, lest they become subscribed to the temptation of self-dealing,

which is where the dialectics of integrity begins to play. Bill Gates and Microsoft were able to look ahead at this and innovated on a model that integrates the staff down the line into the foreseeable fortune of the company.

Feelings of self preservation is a legitimate instinct, which is why the incorporation of a worker begins at his entry-point, where he has a chance to entertain the crunch matterwhat’s in it for me?

These are all part of the STRUCTURE, which are trifled or avoided, yet the organisation is looking for maximal returns, loyalty and brand growth, in fidelity of course to the broad guidelines drawn for board and management, yet who are given a licence to create and recreate! How ambivalent. If the corporate is a separate, liable individual, then she thinks, can feel (scanning the market), can award, reward or project. However these immense powers are ceded graciously to the individual, the CEO, who invariably inherits responsibility to swim or sink with the company. Note the neo-classic Responsibilty: ‘standing in nexus between cause and effect’, whatever that effect is, good or bad.

When decision-making is floored based on infidelity to this structure it is regarded as bad faith, or loss of integrity. Whatever hence makes a CEO to subscribe to self-dealing is a personal failing. Greed, avarice, over-ambition, etc are personal issues. Most of which the 20th century academic is busy calculating on the Greek classics, but which Wole Soyinka, Fela Anikulapo, the Asian Tigers, broke to excel, to mention a few from the emerging economies. The world, its market and the educationists are in a millennial debacle. They know they have to re-invent their act, but first of all they have to get over that circuit of systemic RESISTANCE. UNAD vs LEEDSMET Why are Vice-Chancellors becoming endangered species? Due to the wave of change that arrived at the end of 20th century with the markets, and a sudden expansion in the frontiers of knowledge (including ICT) to exponential heights; so fast that the so-called ‘information age’ (just now) has become obsolete (Stephen R. Covey, The Leader in me). For Nigeria, and similar countries in the microeconomic belt however they are just entering. Yet globally there is a supply quantum of information that the extant templates cannot format, causing for the academic to be making overture to Post Modernism, for appropriate methodology. A dizzying wave!

And University is the crucible to switch on the change. In the structured (macro) environment like UK/USA, there are the pertinent reforms since two decades, which are beginning to show some light to the futurereforms of curriculum, striking through the long chain from elementary to tertiary, and for tutors- through to the composition and kind or process of their doctoral thesis- e.g. what is fit between Ph.d or DBA?. In turn their CEOs (VC), as human beings face the dialectical forces (of the change) which sometimes require unusual courage to get across.

Their merchandise, Knowledge, is in utopian progression of value, and so they being acknowledged practitioners cannot look often over their shoulders to confront failure.

They are goaded on to knocking on desperate instincts to survive. But luck is not always on their side, they need something else to calculate precision. What?

In 2009 (Feb), the Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University (UK) Prof Simon Lee was sacked, more or less. He, at least admitted that he was forced to resign (more dignifying, perhaps) because, as the reason he gave, he had clashed with the ‘governors’ (council) over student tuition fees. According to the context, he could be suspended if he did not quit. In a morally-conscious (subtly hypocritical) society such as the UK that must be a big deal, perhaps not quite the situation with DK and UNAD in Nigeria.

On the one hand the UNAD visitor, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi lately slashed the tuition fees of UNAD by a considerable margin, (politically-correct move, arguably).

Fayemi is on the crest of a popular political wave, on a fast-drive educational policy that promises a bigger impact and quality. The students are caught briefly in a reaction to their yesterdays that probably offered smarter chances of manoeuvre to one’s objectives and purpose: apparently, market forces sorting itself inexorably, but then at whose or what expense? – As for government, the current decision-makers there is a foreseeable future, with their eyes fixed on longer term, along with its bigger risks though, but then the Governor has the advantage of time and ascendant political wind on his side. His party has done something similar politically in cosmopolitan Lagos, so the people wait.

Politics and power UNAD administrators may find the new order strange to erstwhile DK-mentality which brought entrepreneurial skill and changed both the face and tempo of the campus- but, of the three deputy-VCs none was found worthy to step into Kolawole’s shoes, perhaps evidence of a paradigm shift and/or culpability? Must also be a reason for the students’ nostalgia for DK, but which they attempted to take to extremes by marching on the state Governor, and disturbing commuters (tax-payers) on a public road! – another evidence of a prevailing laissez faire mentality? Or was it to prove a superior moral argument about a man unjustly sacked? After all, a Commission of Enquiry was set up to look into sundry issues (of improprieties) in the school, and news of which discreetly wafted into town. A tongue-in-cheek, high powered management of risks is at work, backed by a political will. Even while it may be noted that DK was an appointee of the former governor, Segun Oni, from an estranged political party.

Whatever had happened in the previous four years is a chip of the Oni persona. Was he thrifty and also/therefore slack with oversight? Does the in-coming administration find this ironic state of the university delicate to deal with? How are they coping with the dialectics? These are all corporate governance, with almost the power to denominate inexorably.

Back to the Leeds case briefly, facts later revealed about Simon Lee, a self-styled visionary whose campaign ran in the face of many colleagues, and ended up leaking the coalition of forces he needed to govern. He was told to resign by his Chairman of governors, Ninian Watt, in order not to put the univer-

GBENGA OGUNSAKIN sity in a precarious state. But in the Ekiti State version there are some salacious details that may not happen in the UK, at least by their own level of taste in intrigues. Or how else to describe the liberal airs of a VC and team that packaged a gift of screen tv sets for its select stakeholders at Christmas, including the state governor (!); note, a governor that had just won his protracted anti-electoral-corruption cause, against the odds in court. Yet ‘top academics’ responded with a gesture in the opposite direction, using what is not strictly contained in the guidelines to board (council) and management; so what could be expected from the governor in scruple and integrity? If anything, his commission of enquiry was a well appointed buffer to save the face of the institution and certain human relations. How much else to who more else was given what much else in how long else? Definitely in that spate of time there were damage control effortshowever belated-, but essentially to obscure the public interest more about scrutiny and accountability, etc. This too is corporate governance.

Simon Lee had at least a grandstanding that was considered gratifying to the system.

However, where there were no structures, no respect was up for asking. The basic connect (note, not a difference) in the two scenarios is the context and the handling of potentially damaging situations, notably with a lot of thought to spare for the institution. Politics and innuendos are pervasive culture, but the deftness at managing their crises is a distinguishing mark often between the structured and emerging world environments. UNAD and DK on the one hand, LeedsMet and Simon Lee on the other are co-textual. Structure (plus Infrastructure) and people make the difference between the contexts of the sack of both vice-chancellors from the two universities. Those are the three pillars for interrogating the two environments: micro and macro, in any situation of corporate governance. The three unlock the earlier stated aphorism, that “Beyond the hard facade of Law and Economics, good governance is ultimately about ‘soft’ but ‘real’ issues”. Dancing around them would only make an “egg or chicken cycle”, in a perfect delight of boxed academics afraid of “going outside the box”.

• To be continued next week

• Gbenga Ogunsakin Email:greenhavenfoundation@gmail.com tel: 08037250343

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

Airbus to boost performance of A350 jet with enhancements

U

PGRADING the A350-1000, as the largest version of Airbus’s new twinengined widebody jetliner is known, could require revisions to the model’s RollsRoyce Holdings Plc turbines, Emirates President Tim Clark said in an interview in Singapore.

“They’ve said that changes are on the way and hinted at increased thrust,” Clark said.

“The idea is to get increased takeoff weight, but they haven’t given me details yet.”

Customers have been urging Airbus to increase the A350’s range and capacity after it developed the model in response to Boeing’s smaller 787. Qatar Airways Ltd., the A350’s No. 1 customer, and International Lease Fi-

nance Corp., the biggest aircraft lessor, both said they favour a performance boost.

Boeing is meanwhile studying modifications to defend the 16-year-old 777 against the new Airbus, which is slated to enter service in the next two years. The US company will watch Airbus’s production schedule and the A350’s ramp-up before deciding whether to improve the 777 or offer an all-new variant, Jim Albaugh, its commercial airplanes chief, said today.

“We’ll respond in kind,” Albaugh said at a briefing in Singapore, where airlines are gathered for the annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association. “We’re spending a lot of time looking at the 777 and

what upgrades we could do to an existing plane, and what derivatives we could do.”

Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB is the only engine on offer for the A350 series. Josh Rosenstock, a spokesman for the London-based company, declined to comment on its plans for the model today.

Sean Lee, a spokesman for Toulouse, France-based Airbus in Singapore, declined to comment, saying the planemaker will brief the press on the A350 at the Paris Air Show later this month.

Increasing the takeoff weight of the A3501000 would allow the plane to carry more fuel, which could then be used to fly longer routes or carry more passengers in competi-

tion with Boeing’s long-haul 777-300ER. “It would be a change of strategy with Rolls-Royce and Airbus having said that the XWB engine would be sufficient,” Matthew Hickman, an analyst at MF Global UK Ltd. in London, said today in a note to investors.

“This is positive for both because the engine is now better focused on the end markets.”

Hickman, who rates Rolls-Royce “buy,” said the indicated cost of a new engine for the A350 is “close to $2 billion” and could create a delay from 2014 to 2016, though with the -800 and -900 versions of the plane on schedule a redesign could have “less of an effect in the long run than might first be thought.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

BUSINESS

ADEPITAN

‘US could pursue weak dollar policy’

C

HINA should guard against risks from "excessive" holdings of United States assets as Washington could pursue a policy to weaken the dollar, a senior currency regulator said in comments published on a website that briefly pushed the dollar lower.

However, the comments by Guan Tao of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange were quickly removed from the website at his request.

He told Reuters the comments had been made in private academic discussions and represented his personal view only.

"We must be alert of economic and political risks in excessive holdings of US dollar assets," Guan, head of the international payment department at SAFE said in the article on the website of China Finance 40 Forum, a Beijing-based think-tank of Chinese economists, bankers and officials.

"The United States has taken an expansionary fiscal and monetary policy to stimulate economic growth, and the United States may find it hard to resist the policy tempta-

tion of weakening the dollar abroad and pushing up inflation at home," he said.

The dollar, broadly lower on the day over market worries about the health of the US recovery, edged down slightly further after Guan's remarks. It hit a one-month low against a basket of currencies and the euro and a record low versus the Swiss franc.

Chinese officials have blamed ultra-loose US monetary policy for fuelling global inflation and asset bubbles but they tend to be less vocal about China's huge holdings of US assets for fear of roiling the currency market.

At times though, top Chinese officials, including Premier Wen Jiabao, have publicly called on the United States to ensure the safety of Chinese holdings of US assets.

The US federal budget deficit is expected to reach $1.4 trillion this year and stay high for several years. Congress is locked in tense negotiations over a deal to reduce the deficit and raise the $14.3 trillion debt limit under pressure from ratings agencies.

Lagarde's IMF pitch fails to win Indian backing

F

RANCE's Christine Lagarde failed on Tuesday to win public backing from India for her bid to lead the IMF as she continued her global roadshow aimed at overcoming opposition in emerging countries.

The French finance minister, who has already travelled to Brazil to press her case, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee during a day of talks with the Indian leadership.

Despite a lunch with Mukherjee which she described as "excellent" and an indication of the "deep relationship between France and India," she finished her meetings in the capital without receiving any declaration of support.

"The selection of the managing director of the IMF or that of the World Bank should be on the basis of merit, competence, and (be made) in a transparent manner," Mukherjee said after Tuesday's meetings.

Commentators had predicted before Lagarde's arrival that India would be unlikely to back her, preferring instead to focus on trying to work with allies in the emerging world to form a consensus on their own candidate.

"I was not here seeking assurance or reassurance. I was here to present my candidacy," she told reporters afterwards, adding that she was eager to "listen to the concerns" of an important emerging market economy.

"It would be premature and arrogant on my part to expect assurance or reassurance," she said.

New Delhi and other large emerging powers have been highly critical of Europe's

45 CHANGE OF NAME

stranglehold on the managing director position at the Washington-based IMF, which has been filled by a European since its inception in 1944.

Mukherjee said talks with Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa -- the so-called BRICS bloc -- aimed at agreeing on a joint candidate were continuing.

"It's not possible to say whether there will be a common candidate," he said.

India has so far declined to publicly support any candidate in the race to fill the top job at the lender, which fell vacant with the resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn over allegations of sexual assault in New York last month.

In a New York court on Monday, the 62-year-old pleaded not guilty to the attempted rape of a hotel maid.

The only other serious contender, Mexico's central bank chief Agustin Carstens, is to visit Canada on Tuesday and India on Friday on a tour that has already seen him stop off in Brazil and Argentina.

"He is also a competent person and we are going to have a discussion," Mukherjee said.

The deadline for nominations is on Friday, leaving only a few days for anyone else to emerge.

Lagarde, a 55-year-old former lawyer, has pledged to reform the IMF to give emerging and developing countries more power and she said she would be at ease running an institution whose male-dominated culture is under scrutiny.

"If I was elected as managing director, I would stand on my feet as a woman ... with a level of testosterone that would be lower than many in the room today," she joked.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adepitan, Adebusola Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Famakinwa, Adebusola Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OYEBOLA

CHANGE OF NAME OKE

I formerly known and addresses as Miss Oke, Cecilia Modupe, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Bankole, Cecilia Modupe. All former documents remain valid.

Lagos State Local government Commission and general public take note.

SOWUNMI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyebola Adetutu Olubukunola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Philip-Oyedele Adetutu Oluwabukunola. All former documents remain valid. Kosofe Local Government, Local government Service Commission and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addresses as Miss Sowunmi, Esther Adebisi, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Jimoh, Esther Adebisi. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Local government Commission and general public take note.

AKINOSHO

I formerly known and addresses as Miss Onigbinde, Esther Oludayo, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Oluwole Esther Oludayo. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Local government Commission and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kikelomo Aminat Akinosho, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kikelomo Aanuluwapo Adeyeye.All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Nigeria Immigration Service and general public should take note.

LAWAL

I formerly known and addressed as Lawal Oluwadamilola Ruth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajiboye Oluwadamilola Ruth.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

KALU I formerly known and addresses as Miss Uguru Ngozi Kalu, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs. Ngozi Onwuchekwa. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Nigeria Plc, Imt, Enugu, Insourcing Nigeria Ltd, and general public take note.

OGUNYEMI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Aderonke Josephine Ogunyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aderonke Josephine Awonusi. All former documents remain valid.General public should take note.

ADEGBILE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Temitope Abosede Adegbile, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Temitope Abosede Akiode. All former documents remain valid.Civil Servant (Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies) and general public should take note.

SHEBA

I formerly known and addressed as Sheba Adebanke Oluwabunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ojo Adebanke Oluwabunmi.

All former documents remain valid.Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public should take note.

ONIGBINDE

NWADOGHO I formerly known and addresses as Miss Chizoba Christiana Nwadigho, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Chizoba Francis Egwu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEOLA

I formerly known and addresses as Adeola Ogbeye Oluwaseyi, now wish to be known and addresses as Adeola Mohammed Nasiru Abubakar. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGUTUGA

I formerly known and addresses as Miss Abisoye Olabanji Ogutuga, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Abisoye Idris Fadile. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UDOH I formerly known and addresses as Udoh Peter Brownson, now wish to be known and addresses as Jonah John Brownson. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AMADI

I formerly known and addresses as Miss Blessing Onuruka Amadi, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Blessing Ebere Woko. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JIMOH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Jimoh Rukayat Modupe, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Abdul Hakeem Rukayat Modupe.All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

OSUNNRO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abimbola Eniola Osunnro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Abimbola Eniola Adetoye.. All former documents remain valid.General public should take note.

ADESOBA

I formerly known and addresses as Adefunke Julianah Adesoba, now wish to be known and addresses as Adefunke Julianah Ogunyomi All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OGADA

I formerly known and addresses as Chioma Debritto Ogada, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Chioma Chimadu All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

IHEJIRIKA I formerly known and addresses as Miss IHEJIRIKA BLESSING EBERECHI, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs BLESSING JIDE-EMEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OYADOYIN

I formerly known and addresses as Mrs Oyadoyin Olukemi Ajoke, now wish to be known and addresses as Miss Lawal Folashade Bola Ajoke All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OSINOWO

I formerly known and addressed as Osinowo Adebowale Omololu, now wish to be known and address as Osinowo Adebowale Oladimeji.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MICHEAL

I formerly known and addressed as Pastor Jide Gbeminiyi Micheal, now wish to be known and address as Pastor Ijadopin Gbeminiyi Micheal.All former documents remain valid. CAC, Worldwide and general public please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME I, Umendu Chimaobi Ulunnaya that I sat for the May/June, 2000 WASSCE with Exams No. 4251810/ 231 that my correctname is Umendu Chimaobi Ulunnaya that there was a Typographical error in my name instead of Umendu Chimaobi Ulunnaya they type Umendu IIIunnaya Chimaobi in my WACE Cert. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME INEGBENOSUN

I formerly known and addresses as Miss Inegbenosun Etuaje Margret, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Shobayo Margret. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addresses as Miss Sanusi Maryam Folashade, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Adediji Maryam Folashade All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLADOJA I formerly known and addresses as Miss Oladoja Kofoworola Fadeke, now wish to be known and addresses as Miss Oladoja Clara Kofoworola Fadeke. All former documents remain valid. Nursing Council of Nigeria and general public take note.

WAHAB I formerly known and addresses as Miss Wahab Mulikat Folasade, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Adedeji Folasade Grace. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IYINBO

I formerly known and addresses as Miss Grace Amarachi Iyinbo, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Grace Amarachi Uduji. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

MUSTAPHA I formerly known and addresses as Miss Mustapha Folake Yusirat, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Oyetola Folake Yusirat. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Asalam Cooperative Investiment LTD, Akwa-Ibom State Polytechnic and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I formerly known and addresses as Brikins A. Emmanuella Omagbemi, now wish to be known and addresses as Brinkins Emmanuella Omagbemi. All former documents remain valid.

Delta State Polytechnic and general public take note. /11

EJEDEDAWE

I formerly known and addresses as Miss Ejededawe Gloria Ehinon, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Amadi Gloria Ehinomen. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINTOLA

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Lateef Olasunkanmi Akintola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Akintola Olasunkanmi Lateef. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Ministry of Education, Education District IV, Teachers Establishment (TEPO) and general public should take note.

BOLAJI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bolaji Monsurat Blessing, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Olaniyan Monsurat Blessing.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ALESHINLOYE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Aleshinloye Aisha Shola, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Aisha Idris Ogunmola.All former documents remain valid.

Bi-Courtney Aviation Service Limited and general public please take note.

IKEH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikeh Chibuzo Jessinta Taiye, now wish to be known and address as Mrs Ugwumba Chibuzo Jessinta Taiye.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addresses as Christiana Owolemi Olulana, now wish to be known and addresses as Christiana Owolemi Omotuyole.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGUNDANA

BAKARE I formerly known and addresses as Miss Jadesola Aminat Bakare, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Jadesola Aminat IdrisAdeniji. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

LAWAL

I formerly known and addresses as Miss Lawal Adenike Yemisi, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Kazeem Adenike Makiyah All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Mr. Ogundana Olakunle Dare and Mrs. Ogundana Ademiju Adebola now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Olatunji Olakunle Dare and Mrs. Olatunji Ademiju Adebola. The general public to take note.

ADENIYI ADIGWE I formerly known and addresses as Miss Adigwe Francisca Obiajulu, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Ikediashi Francisca Obiajulu. All former documents remain valid. WASCO and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I,Ezirim Cajetan Junior O., Ezirim Cajethan O. and the Ezirim Junior Cafetan is the same and one person All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic, Nekede Owerri and general public take note.

OGUNLEYE I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunleye Bosede Julianah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adewa bosede Julianah. All former documents remain valid. University of Ado Ekiti and general public take note.

BALOGUN I formerly known and addresses as Miss Balogun Tawakalit Opeyemi, now wish to be known and addresses as Mrs Bassey Deborah Opeyemi Nkereuwem.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OLULANA SANUSI

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwaseun Adeola Adeniyi, wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwaseun Adeola Abiodun-Asanre. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ADEWUMI

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Adewumi Abiola Abisola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Owolabi Abiola Abisola. All former documents remain valid. The entire Staff of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) Ikeja and general public take note.

AJAYI I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi Oluwatosin Adetoun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bello Oluwatosin Adetoun. All former documents remain valid. local Govt Service Commission, Ekiti South West local govt and UNAD and general public take note.

AKINOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as Akinola Sesan now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Akinola Adebayo Olusesan. All former documents remain valid.university of Nigeria,Nsukka and general public take note.

OGUNTUASE I,formerly known and addressed as Mr Oguntuase Olaniyi Nathaniel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Oluwatumise Olaniyi Nathaniel.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ARISOYIN

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Arisoyin Adeola-Aina Helen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluwatumise Adeola-Aina Helen. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ETTAH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ettah Esther Ikwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onwukwe Esther Ikwo. All former documents remain valid.

Lagos City Polytechnic and general public should tale note.

MESHACH I,formerly known and addressed as Ekpaiyo Meshach now wish to be known and addressed as Ekpaiyo Mishael Oghenekaro. All former documents remain valid.

General public 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@y ahoo.com or thenation_advert@ yahoo.com For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 0 8 0 5 2 7 2 0 4 2 1 , 08161675390, Emailgbengaodejide @yahoo.com or our offices nationwide.

Note this! Change of name is now publish every Thursdays and Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

46

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

EU warns states on budget plans P

LANS by European Union governments to cut budget deficits and boost their economies are often too vague and not ambitious enough, the bloc's executive warned Tuesday as part of a broader effort to prevent another economic crisis.

For the first time this year, EU states had to submit their plans for government budgets and economic reforms to the European Commission as part of an annual exercise introduced last fall when the bloc was reeling from a steep economic downturn.

The Commission's country-bycountry policy recommendations seek to catch unsustainable developments before they lead to another systemic crisis, like the one

that has already pushed five EU states — the euro countries Greece, Ireland and Portugal as well as Romania and Latvia — to seek billions of euros in international help.

"However, some of the programmes (submitted by member states) show an insufficient level of ambition and others are lacking specificity," Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told journalists in Strasbourg, France.

Some states are not doing enough to cut government spending in line with EU rules and don't have clear plans for getting people back to work, according to the Commission's assessment.

Long-term unemployment and

joblessness among young people and women also are serious problems in countries that have not been so hard-hit by the crisis, the Commission warned.

The EU has had limits on government deficits and debts for years, but those rules were repeatedly flouted before the crisis. The budget and reform recommendations form part of a larger push to make those rules more effective — and broaden them to include dangerous trends such as housing and banking bubbles, but their implementation is still up to individual states and depends largely on naming and shaming by the Commission and other EU countries.

Separate legislation that would

allow fines to be levied on country's whose finances and economies are out of line is currently being battled out by member states and the European Parliament.

"Our economies are now interdependent to a degree never before seen, and this demands that we cooperate more closely and effectively than we have in the past," Barroso said.

The recommendations give the EU an opportunity to point out flaws in more healthy economies, such as Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, at a time when much of its attention is focused on the already bailed-out countries. That is important because both Ireland and Spain,

which are now facing severe fiscal challenges, were long seen as model states as problems in the housing markets and banking sectors were ignored.

Besides the budget plans, EU states also were asked to set out how they plan to reach broader goals such as boosting renewable energy, cutting carbon dioxide emissions and stopping children from dropping out of school.

While states are on track to meet those promises, "additional efforts will be needed to reach the targets in the areas of employment, research and development, energy efficiency, tertiary education and poverty reduction," Barroso said.

Japan online retailer Rakuten buys Brazil's Ikeda

R

AKUTEN Inc. has said it bought a majority stake in Brazilian e-commerce company Ikeda, adding to a growing list of overseas deals inked by the Japanese online retailer.

The latest acquisition marks the Tokyo-based company's entry into South America and a rapidly growing emerging market that is home to 40 per cent of Latin America's Internet users.

Rakuten said in a statement it acquired a 75 per cent stake in Ikeda, which provides major Brazilian retailers with e-commerce platforms.

It did not disclose the investment amount.

"Together, we will share our expertise, and create a unique and powerful approach for merchants to not only take advantage of the exciting ecommerce market in Brazil, but also to expand their reach worldwide," Rakuten founder and chief executive Hiroshi Mikitani said.

Rakuten is Japan's biggest player in Internet retailing, but Mikitani has made it a priority to expand

Rakuten's business worldwide.

Like other Japanese companies, Rakuten faces an aging, shrinking population at home that is pushing corporate executives to seek growth abroad.

It accelerated its global drive last year, buying US online retailer Buy.com in May 2010 and French Internet PriceMinister S.A. in June.

Rakuten also formed joint ventures with Chinese search engine operator Baidu Inc. and PT Global Mediacom in Indonesia.

E-commerce in Brazil is projected to grow 18 per cent annually, with total sales hitting $22 billion by 2016, Rakuten said.

Ikeda is based in the Brazilian capital of Sao Paulo and manages e-commerce services for brands including Ri Happy, Le Postiche and Whirlpool Brazil.

In trading Tuesday, Rakuten shares jumped more than 4 percent to 84,500 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, outpacing the benchmark Nikkei 225 index's 0.7 per cent gain.

Rakuten announced the deal after financial markets closed.

Hackers claim another Sony attack ACKERS claimed to have staged another attack on Japanese electronics giant Sony, publishing online a file containing source code for the Sony Computer Entertainment Developer Network.

The claim was made by a group of hackers known as Lulz Security, who said last week they had compromised more than one million passwords, email addresses and other information from SonyPictures.com.

"Presenting Sony Computer Entertainment Developer Network source code," Lulz Security said in a message on its Twitter feed @LulzSec which provided a link to a 54-megabyte file.

The group also posted a link to what it said were internal network maps of music arm Sony BMG. "That's hackers 16, Sony 0. Your move!" the group said in a reference to what it said was the number of cyberattacks on Sony's online networks in recent weeks.

Sony Pictures Entertainment apologised over the weekend for the personal data breach at SonyPictures.com, which features movie trailers and email updates on upcoming releases.

Sony's PlayStation Network, its Qriocity music streaming service and Sony Online Entertainment are among other services targeted by hackers recently.

The company has also suffered

H

attacks on websites in Greece, Thailand and Indonesia and on the Canadian site of mobile phone company Sony Ericsson.

According to Sony, more than 100 million accounts have been affected, making it one of the largest data breaches ever.

In addition to the Sony attacks, Lulz Security has claimed to have stolen email addresses and passwords from associates of an FBIaffiliated security program called InfraGard.

Lulz Security said it attacked the website of the Atlanta chapter of InfraGard in retaliation for US efforts to classify hacking as an act of war.

Lulz Security published a list online of around 180 email addresses and passwords which the group said were obtained from the InfraGard website.

On its website, InfraGard describes itself as a partnership between the FBI and the private sector "dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States."

Its members include businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and others.

In late May, Lulz Security targeted the website of the US nonprofit Public Broadcasting Service in retaliation for a film it made about WikiLeaks called "Frontline: Wiki Secrets."

• French Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Christine Lagarde (left) talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (right) during a meeting in New Delhi.

S

INGAPORE Airlines (SIA) and Virgin Australia on Tuesday announced a longterm partnership that will boost their global reach despite the exclusion of the lucrative AustraliaUS sector.

"The alliance will connect Singapore Airlines' extensive international network with Virgin Australia's wide range of Australian and Pacific destinations," the two carriers said in a joint statement.

They will share flights, coordinate schedules and undertake joint sales and marketing programmes.

The tie-up, announced on the sidelines of a global aviation industry conference in Singapore, will take effect on August 1 if approved by regulators.

The deal has one notable exclusion -- the highly competitive trans-Pacific routes from Australia to the US West Coast that SIA has so far been denied by the Australian government.

But the two airlines said they were confident the alliance would boost their revenues significantly.

"We don't have a specific figure right now, but as you can see, the value proposition speaks for itself," SIA chief executive Goh Choon Phong told a news conference.

"You can see the potential is really quite immense, both currently as we cooperate and going forward."

Goh hopes the tie-up will boost SIA's chances of eventually con-

Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia unveil tie-up vincing Canberra to allow the Singapore carrier access to the trans-Pacific routes.

"I think with greater cooperation, certainly it will strengthen our case," he said.

Julius Yeo, an aviation analyst with financial consultancy Frost and Sullivan, told AFP the alliance takes SIA one step closer to its dream of competing on the trans-Pacific route.

"It's a step forward in penetrating the Australian network. SIA has always been very keen on Australia. It's a staggered strategy to target the trans-Pacific route," Yeo said.

The move is the second major business announcement by SIA, one of the world's most profitable carriers, in two weeks.

On May 25, it said it will create a long-haul budget airline to tap growing Asian demand for nofrills travel to places like Europe, but details have not yet been unveiled.

SIA announced in May a profit of Sg$1.09 billion ($885 million) in the year to March on revenues of Sg$14.5 billion, but analysts say the airline is under pressure in its traditional core of first and business class travel.

Through the new tie-up, Virgin Australia will have access to about 70 more destinations, while

SIA customers will have access to about 30 extra routes, the statement said.

Virgin Australia group chief executive John Borghetti said Asia was "a critical market" and SIA's extensive network "will be particularly attractive to our international business and leisure travellers."

The airline, formerly known as Virgin Blue, already has a partnership with US carrier Delta on trans-Pacific flights as well as an alliance with Etihad Airways of the United Arab Emirates.

In 2010, New Zealand and Australia approved an alliance between Virgin Blue and Air New Zealand on trans-Tasman routes.

At Tuesday's news conference, Goh said SIA was still open to offers for its 49 per cent stake in British carrier Virgin Atlantic.

The Singapore carrier paid 600 million pounds ($981 million at current rates) in 1999 for the 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic, which was started by flamboyant British tycoon Richard Branson in 1984.

SIA has said its investment in the British carrier was not producing the sort of returns it was expecting.

Branson has a 26 per cent stake in Virgin Australia, a company spokeswoman said.

47

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

THE NATION

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

QUESTIONS

CLINIC DAY

How to achieve brain alertness The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Foods Force West Africa Limited, Rev. Lawrence Awolade, answers the question on improving brain functions, while Mr Olajuwon Okubena of Health Forever Limited (HFL), Ikeja, writes on how to achieve good libido.

E

XPERTS are alarmed by the sharp rise in the rates of cognitive decline. For example, Alzheimer’s deaths have increased to a shocking 46 per cent, and new statistics show that someone develops Alzheimer’s every 72 seconds. The fact is, if you plan on living into your 80’s (which most of us do), then your chances of suffering from significant cognitive decline are as high as 50 per cent.

So, with all of our advances in medical science, why are we losing the fight against brain decay?

Our health care system is focused on treatment for most diseases, rather than prevention.

However, this approach is incredibly ineffective when it comes to brain decay because by the time it has been officially diagnosed, it is often too late. According to National Institute on Aging (NIA), drugs can only treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, not cure it. So, with the lack of success with pharma-

ceutical drugs, why is it that doctors are not focusing their attention on alternative options, especially since many have been clinically proven to be extremely effective?

The biggest mistake you can make is thinking that cognitive decline is something that happens in your 70s or 80s. This is far from the truth. The process of brain decay actually takes decades, and what people typically think of as the “first symptoms,” are actually the final phases. The fact is brain decay often starts in your 40s and 50s, and research out of the University of Virginia shows that the initial stages can actually be detected as early as age 37.

Some people think that being “forgetful” is just a part of getting older. However, it could in fact be an early warning sign of cognitive decline – maybe even your only warning sign. Do not let these signs go unheeded. Since early detection

•Awolade

tests have not yet been perfected, you could be experiencing the earliest signs of brain decay and not even know it.

Some of the key symptoms to look for are: Slow recall, with-

drawal from activities, fuzzy memory, difficulty completing tasks, losing things, problem of recalling words, poor judgment, confusion with time or place, low mental energy, changes in mood and personality.

Once you have started to experience any of these symptoms, the time to take action is critical if you want to keep your mind sharp and your memories intact as you age.

Exciting new research is proving that dietary supplements can provide extremely effective and undeniable results if taken in the correct form.

How can Foods Force help?

Foods Force recommends a very important and powerful product to feed and protect your brain - Viva.

Resveratrol, which is found in Viva, is well known as the brain’s Fountain of Youth nutrient. More and more research are pointing to the fact that daily consumption of resveratrol is absolutely critical for

(1) I am a 32 year old maritime worker. I observed I often experience lapses when recalling events, please what condition is this and what can I do about it?

– Daniel Ebike, Liverpool Road, Apapa Lagos (2) I realised that I easily ejaculate.

I am a normal 45 year old man with no history of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), what is responsible for this and how can I overcome same?

–Ewaoluwa Amusan, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. optimal brain function. According to studies done by one of the United State’s leading neuroscientists, resveratrol can help protect brain cells from inflammation, as well as help protect the brain from oxidative stress and the effects of age-related neurodegenerative conditions.

We are committed to providing highly concentrated, whole food nutrients to protect and support every system of the body.

The author could be reached for enquiries by e-mail at: •Lawrenceawolade@yahoo.com

. . . And virile libido with natural preparations

E

RECTILE dysfunction may include a total and permanent lack of erection, or be a temporary state only. The reasons for erectile dysfunction are many, and therefore there is no universal treatment that helps in all cases.

For instance, for older men erectile dysfunction can have physical origins (diseases, injury, etc.) in addition to psychological ones.

The good news is that at any age, erectile dysfunction is treatable, and very often it is possible to achieve complete recovery of one’s sexual powers. It is also encouraging that more men, who have had erectile dysfunction at some time in their lives, admit the presence of the problem and take a proactive approach to discovering the causes and treating them.

To understand what causes erectile dysfunction (ED), it is important to first review how an erection occurs. For a man to have an erection, a complex process takes place within the body.

•An erection involves the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, psychological and stress-related factors, local factors with the erection bodies or the penis itself, as well as hormonal and vascular (blood flow or circulation) components.

The penile portion of the process leading to an erection represents only a single component of a very complicated and complex process.

• Erections occur in response to touch, smell, and auditory and visual stimuli that trigger pathways in the brain.

Information travels from the brain to the nerve centers at the base of the spine, where primary nerve fibers connect to the penis and regulate blood flow during erections and afterward.

• Sexual stimulation causes the release of chemicals from the nerve endings in the penis that trigger a

series of events that ultimately cause muscle relaxation in the erection bodies of the penis. The smooth muscle in the erection bodies controls the flow of blood into the penis. When the smooth muscle relaxes, the blood flow dramatically increases, and the erection bodies become full and rigid, resulting in an erection. Venous drainage channels are compressed and close off as the erection bodies enlarge.

In general, the cause of erectile dysfunction is divided into two types: • Psychological (mental) causes • Physical or organic (having to do with a bodily organ or an organ system) causes Psychological causes Erection problems usually produce a significant psychological and emotional reaction in most men.

This is often described as a pattern of anxiety and stress that can further interfere with normal sexual function. This “performance anxiety” needs to be recognised and addressed by your doctor.

For some men, erectile dysfunction develops with age or may be related to depression or another psychological cause, such as widower syndrome.

Certain feelings can interfere with normal sexual function, including feeling nervous about or self-conscious about sex; feeling stressed either at home or at work; or feeling troubled in your current relationship. In these cases, psychological counseling with you and your sexual partner may be successful.

One episode of failure, regardless of cause, may propagate further psychological distress leading to further erectile failure.

Physical (Organic) causes In determining a physical (or organic) cause, your doctor will first rule out certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart and vascular

•Erect Aid

disease, low male hormone level, prostate cancer, and diabetes, which are associated with erectile dysfunction. In addition to these conditions, certain systemic and respiratory diseases are known to result in erectile dysfunction: Use of synthetic drugs vs natural products Erectile dysfunction is at a disturbing rate in Nigeria and is causing a great deal of instability in marriages. As mentioned above, erectile dysfunction is treatable. The cause must first be properly investigated. A good number of those consulting us are on hypertensive or diabetic drugs. If you are on any of such medication, chances are that your problem is a result of the drugs being used to treat your ailment.

Without stopping usage of the drugs, your problem may persist.

In developed countries, the awareness is growing that synthetic orthodox drugs sometimes cause more damage through their sideeffects than the benefit derived from them and they are now seeking solution through natural remedies.

Potent antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties such as Jobelyn are now being used for many diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, stroke, HIV and

•Okubena

AIDS as well as cancer.

Peculiarities in the Nigerian environment The incidence of drug resistant diseases such as Staphylococcus aureus is a major contributor to the occurrence of erectile dysfunction.

As a matter of fact, people having erectile dysfunction should be screened for this disease. No orthodox drug or even combination has been found to eradicate this disease.

When it is present, a man would start by having weak erection, premature ejaculation, poor quality spermatozoa leading to oligospermia and ultimately azospermia. This disease is not in the category of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, but it is transferred by contact. Once a man is diagnosed with this disease, the wife is very likely to be implicated.

It is responsible for many cases of infertility, with reported cases of infertility for up to 20 years or even more. Our routine combination of Benabiotic (one of our herbal antibiotics and Jobelyn, has brought succor to many couples. The duration of the treatment is usually about three months uninterrupted and the

couple should undergo the treatment together. Another problem that could lead to erectile dysfunction is long standing sexually transmitted disease such as Gonorrhea, Syphilis and Herpes. A prolonged usage of our antibiotic such as Siphiherp and Gornorcure combined with the powerful Jobelyn (most powerful natural antioxidant) would be helpful in ensuring a long lasting cure.

The use of sex enhancing product which could be orthodox or natural is only a temporary stop-gap measure and should not be embarked upon as a long term solution to the problem of erectile dysfunction. It is also helpful to warn that some orthodox sex enhancing products could be dangerous for people who have some other health problems and as such many of the drugs are supposed to be prescribed after some medical examination by a qualified doctor. The natural medication, like ErectAid is devoid of dangerous side-effects. This product is made from a plant called Stachytarpheta jamaicensis.

It grows like a common weed in the tropics. Some 10 years ago I approached an old man on behalf of a friend who was going through this problem that was threatening his marriage. I was skeptical when this herb was showed to me but it worked. I have since packaged it under the trade name of ERECTAID. It has not been possible to test this product under clinical conditions but the frequency of repeat buyers is sufficient to confirm its efficacy.

However, we advise that there is a necessity to investigate the causes of erectile dysfunction and to seek for appropriate treatment (preferably natural) and to use sex enhancement products just a stop-gap pending the long-term solution.

The author could be reached for enquiries by e-mail at: •okubena@health-forever.com.

48

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

NATURAL HEALTH

An epidemic of pregnant men, obese women A

N epidemic of stress is all over town. Many people are stressed up all over, without realising that they are, or recognising that stress can cause not only hypertension, heart disease and sexual problems but immune deficiency, HIV – AIDS and cancer as well. Yet their bodies parade many of the warning signals which they take for granted. Truncal obesity is one of these danger signals. So are hypertension, high blood sugar (diabetes), osteoporosis, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation, hirsutis, (excessive growth of body hair in women), and stretch marks. To these may be added • accumulation of fat at the back of the neck, • spiderweb – like blood vessels under the skin (telanglectasias), • sleep problems, and many more.

Many men and women have learned to live with truncal obesity, without realising the message it is giving them. The abdomen is large, sometimes with folds of fat here and there.

In some men, the abdomen and the chest are flushed, and they may appear pregnant. In some women, even the pubis, that hairy region below the navel and before the pelvis, is so engorged that the protrusion is easily visible through a body hog dress. Girdles don’t help out, much as these women may wish; they actually cause more trouble by obstructing blood circulation in that region and, thus, endangering the organs there. Truncal obesity is one of the symptoms of syndrome x, a group of signs which herald metabolic disaster and, in extreme cases, death. Thus, it is not just a case of poorly digested food rotting in the stomach and intestines, filling them up with gas-producing germs and parasitic organisms.

While good care of the digestive system may sort this out with such food supplements as Betaine Hcl for the stomach, Pancreatin enzymes in the pancreas, fiber-rich foods such as flax meal or psyllium or slippery elm for the intestines and probiotic (friendly bacteria) for the colon, the care of truncal obesity, syndrome x, spider-web veins and related health challenges go beyond this.

I ENJOY reading the books of Dr. Don Colbert when it comes to this. He is a Christian American doctor who has written many books on asthma, cholesterol, autoimmune disease, candida, including WHAT WOULD JESUS EAT under his logo, THE BIBLE CURE series. He can sometimes sound extremist proselytizing, though, in the passion to link disease with derailment from the natural order. In STRESS LESS (ISBN 1-59185-611-6), he explains how stress positively or negatively affects the hormones and how, in turn, they affect the body chemistry favourably or otherwise. He teaches, as well, many methods of overcoming stressful situations, such as the reframing of events, mindfulness, and always making happiness a habit. Of course, there are references to nutrition, herbs and SLEEP… as the great healer.

Dr Colbert is qualified, by experience, to write this book.

Running a three-mile race in 95-degree weather in thirdyear medical school, he suffered a sum stroke, and, suffered rhabdomyolisis, a condition of withering muscles, and urinated “coffee-coloured urine from the muscle breakdown”. A muscle biopsy done by a surgeon revealed muscle necrosis – muscle cell death. It was only a miracle that he was able to walk again. Residency was stressful with many sleepless nights. And when he eventually began his own practice, his stress situation worsened. Patients would call for advice on “flimsy” matters such as “constipation”, he says, or a couple would call in the deed of the night for marriage counseling.

Then, one day: “The stress of this past eventually took its toll in my body, as well as on my mind emotions. One morning, I awakened with intense itching and a rash on my legs. I applied hydrocortisore cream, but the rash and itching worsened and spread to my arms, elbows and hands. I thought I might have contracted scabies from a patient I had seen recently. I applied kwell lotion from my chin down, but the rash and itching grew worse. Finally, I consulted a dermatologist – a friend of mine – and he diagnosed me as having proriasis with plagues and silvery scales. He prescribed cold tar creams that caused me to smell like kerosene and stained my clothes and sheets yellow orange.

The rash and itching persisted.

“Many of my patients took one look at my skin and asked me about my ‘problem’. They no doubt feared I was contagious. Eventually, through detoxification procedures and nutritional supplementation, the proriasis cleared up, but I began to notice that it would flare up every time I was severely stressed.

“The stress of excessive work – not only the long hours and pressures associated with medicine, but also the many nights on call without any breaks – caused me to feel extremely fatigued, and my immune system became compromised. I developed recurrent sinus infection and took antibiotics frequently to treat the sinusitis. Then I developed severe irritable bowel syndrome with abdominal pain, bloating, and episodes of diarrhea. The tremendous fatigue led to short time memory loss. To top it all off, I began to feel overwhelmed emotionally by the debt I had incurred in opening up a sole private practice while paying off medical school loans. I also feared potential lawsuits and found the rising cost of malpractice insurance to be staggering financial burden. In other words, I was also suffering from anxiety”.

Dr. Colbert tells how his health continue to deteriorate.

Then, one day, he remembered what a psychiatry professor told him. The professor was a former dermatologist. “In his previous practice, he treated many patients who had suffered with proriasis. I was curious as to why he no longer praticed as a dermatologist but instead chose psychiatry, and his

answer surprise me. He told me that treating so many people suffering from skin disorders led him to the conclusion that people were actually ‘weeping through their skin’. That is what prompted him to go back to residency training in psychiatry. He knew the skin disorder was just a superficial sign of much deeper problem”.

I hope that this clears a foggy picture for Bunmi Idowu who seemed not to understand what I meant when I told her friend suffering from itchy skin that she would need to detoxify her blood and extrectory organs – kidneys, liver, intestines and the colon.

Dr. Colbert takes us back to high school biology on the origins of stress hormones which may make health deteriorate Nature knew we would be under stress, and designed our biochemistry with two mechanisms which are to enable us cope with it. But, perhaps, not for the kinds of stress we try to live within today’s upside-down precarious existence. In Dr. Colbert’s words, these mechanisms are: • flee as quickly as possible from the source of danger, and • stand and fight what is dangerous.

This is what medicine terms “fight or fight”. Prince Tony Momoh, in his days as editor of the Daily Times of old, and after his tenure as Information Minister, fought with armed robbers who sought to attack him, and disarmed them.

Brigadier David Ejoor would flee from Benin to Lagos, as he said, on a bicycle during the Biafran invasion of Mid-Western Nigeria where he was military governor. This mechanism has historical antecedents in the days of old when animal predators attacked man. He either fled or faced the bull, to kill it or be devoured. I salute the courage of people who find a snake in the bedroom at night and do not flee, I will as well not antagonise the man armed with a gun.

Dr. Colbert gives an example of how flight or flight response to stress what happens in the brain and body. His family and nephew were holidaying out of town. A bull attacked his son, who fled into a lake. The bull dived after him. And when the bull almost got him, the boy fought back, chasing the dog off. The dog headed for Dr. Colbert’s nephew.

Mrs. Colbert was screaming. She remembered the advice given in a Discovery Channel programme. It is that people attacked by bulls avoid eye contact with them. If they could, the ferocious dog would not attack. She screened the advice to the boy, but he could not make it. Hearing Mrs. Colbert’s screams, the bull stopped mauling the boy’s leg and headed for her. As Dr. Colbert reports the event .

“Many put into practice what she learned. She turned her back to the dog. The dog tried to run around Mary to gain eye contact, and she began to spin like a top with her arms folded in. This frustrated the dog and he eventually turned and ran back towards my nephew. In the nick of time the police arrived and apprehended the dog.”

HEN this sort of event occurs, biochemical changes occur in the body to enable us “fight” or “flee” for survival. Animals do not cause us stress on a daily basis anymore. But many things do, and our efforts to cope with them keep the stress response mechanism permanently switched on. Many things cause us stress. Dr. Colbert lists some as “divorce, bereavement, prolonged illness, poverty, unhappiness in the work place, traffic jams, paying bills, family tension, noise, sleep disturbance, isolation, hunger, danger extreme temperatures, overwork, excessive exercise, chronic pain e.t.c Stress may be categorised as physical, emotional and mental, chemical and thermal.

What happens in stress situations It is interesting to know that what happens inside us when we undergo stressful conditions may cause cancer or HIV/ AIDS, spiderweb-like veins, trancal obesity, diabetes and other terrible diseases. Dr. Hans Selye,, an endocrinologist, arguably the “father of stress” research, subjected some rats to stress which killed them and carried out autopsies which revealed interesting findings. While trying to discover a new female hormone, he injected some rats with ovarian extract and chased them about his laboratory. Autopsies he carried out on them later showed that “most had developed ulcers,

W

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

shrunken thymus glands and enlarged adrenal glands”.

Surprised that the ovarian extract could cause this, he now injected half of another group of rats with salt (saline) water and another half with ovarian extracts. The rats were again stressed up. All autopsies revealed results as posted in the first experiments. Dr. Selye documented the stress as having taken place in three stages: …Alarm stage, Resistance stage and Exhaustion stage. This has been found to apply to humans as well.

Alarm Stage Adrenaline, a hormone, is released for only short-term effects. Doctors call response to stress at this stage Sympathetic Adreno-Mediatory response System (SAM). It produces two primary hormones, epinephrine and nor-epinaphrine. Both switch on the sympathetic nervous system, which governs involuntary actions such as “heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate”. They constrict blood vessels and divert blood from the stomach and intestines to the muscles and brain for “flight or fight”. They also mobilizes sugar (glycogen and fatty acids) from the liver to feed the muscles and brain. The eyes are dilated to improve vision, and the brain becomes more focused. On a short-term infusion, these hormones aid survival. On a long-term elevated level, however, constriction of blood vessels cause hypertension while prolonged diversion of blood from the intestines would cause indigestion and constipation. Excess blood sugar may invariably lead to excess insulin, insulin resistance and diabetes.

Resistance Stage

T

HIS is not “flight or fight”, not an emergency, but adjustment to or coping with a stressful situation such as a drug-using child, a nagging wife, an irresponsible husband, an unfriendly boss or bad traffic. The endocrine system revs up when one as little as remembers a stressful event such as a spouse’s unfaithfulness. The hypothalamus, an endocrine gland situated in the brain, responds by producing the hormone CRH. CRH makes the pituitary gland, also in the brain, produce another hormone, ACTH (Adreno-cortico-tropic hormone) which makes the adrenal gland produce cortisol. In normal situations, the adrenals produce cortisol round the clock, with peaks between 6a.m. and 8a.m., to keep us awake and at the alert, and lowest levels about midnight. It helps maintain blood pressure. In prolonged stress situation, high cortisol levels at night may cause insomnia and other sleep disturbances. An cortisol stimulates the release of glucose, fatty acids and a mino acids, the body breaks down and the production of the tissue – building youth hormone DHEA (Dehydro-epi-androsterone) slow down. As insulin and cortisol levels remain high, the body is unable to burn stored fats which are then accumulated in the truncal pegion and at the back of the neck. When people beset with truncal obesity go on a fat-shedding diet, they burn not the fat but their muscles and end up with muscle atrophy, eat compulsory to make up and end up with more truncal obesity. Dr. Colberty says: “Truncal obesity greatly increases a person’s risk for developing heart disease, hypertension, Syndrome X, Type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, gallstones and certain cancers (individuals with pear-shaped obesity-fat accumulations in the hips and thighs – are not at increased risk for these diseases).

High cortesol blood levels also decrease glucose transportation into cells, causing insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. With high cortisol level blocking DHEA production, levels of testosterone, the male hormone, drops bringing erectile dysfunction which may be corrected with DHEA food supplement. As for women, the female hormone progesterone is affected as testerone. Conversion of progesterone to cortisol is possible. Decreased progesterone level, which may be helped by Zinc food supplement, causes estrogen, the other female hormone, to gallop off, causing menstrual disorders and pain, breast irritation and/or cancer and menopausal symptoms even in non-menopausal women.

If women take lots of calcium but still suffer from osteoporosis, they should check their cortisol levels. The same goes for people who experience short-term memory loss or who are beset with stubborn diabetes.

Exhaustion Stage In this phase, the adrenal glands burn out or are exhausted and, in tow, many body functions collapse. The symptoms include tiredness, severe low blood sugar, memory loss, cloudy vision, recurrent infections, allergies, autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, proriasis, multiple sclerosis, low amounts of hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes, hormones imbalances, menstrual disorders, low sex drive and psychiatric disorders, among many others.

Characteristically, Dr. Colbert would add: “God designed the hormonal emergency alarm system to save our lives. But what happens if a person activates this system too many times for too many reasons? The alarm system is turned upside down, something that destroys life. In some people, stress chemicals are released into the body hundreds of times a day.

An argument with a child or spouse, gridlocked traffic, financial pressure, a stressful encounter but work or any of hundreds of other situations can trigger the alarm stage”.

Any wonder that, even in Nigeria, an epidemic has broken pregnant men and truncal obese women or diabetes of not only but also of inflammation of the veins which often appear in the arms, hands and legs like varicose veins.

Dr. Colbert asks: “Can we stop the processing and turn things right side up again?” He says “yes”, we can. NEXT WEEK: Some of the ways out.

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

49

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

50

OYO STATE GOVERNMENT

POSITION OF THE OYO STATE GOVERNMENT ON THE N18, 000 MINIMUM WAGE hen this administration was inaugurated on 29 May, 2011, one of the challenges it inherited was the modalities for the payment of the new N18, 000 National Minimum wage. The outgone administration, after losing the April 26, 2011 election, hurriedly entered into an agreement with labour on May 13, 2011 to pay the new minimum wage. That agreement shot the state’s wage bill from N2.9 billion to N4.4billion.

W

This administration went to work immediately on the matter. On the first working day after inauguration, it held a meeting with the financial officers of the state to ascertain the status of the state’s finances.

The briefing revealed the following highlights of the state’s monthly financial profile: i) Statutory Allocation from the Federation Account 2,445,118,813 ii) Allocation from VAT 651,407,793 iii) Internally-Generated Revenue 1,100,000,000 iv) Monthly average revenue 4,196,526,606 Thereafter, government held a meeting with representatives of labour to discuss the issue of the new minimum wage. At the meeting, the governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, expressed the readiness of government to pay the new minimum wage because it conforms to his campaign promises to improve the welfare of workers in the state.

He invited labour to work with government to design modalities for paying the new wage bill because the amount required exceeds the entire revenue of the state. The total amount required to pay the new wage bill is N4.4bn, whereas the entire monthly revenue of the state is N4.2 billion. This leaves a deficit of about N200 million on salary payment alone. If the government will not do anything beside the payment of salaries, it will have to borrow at least N200 million every month to do just that. This is, however, exclusive of the outstanding commitments of the state government which stands at N4.86billion.

The second constraint on government is that there is no appropriation of funds in the 2011 Appropriation Act for the payment of the new minimum wage. The 2011 Appropriation was based on the old minimum wage. The payment of the new minimum wage requires legislative appropriation. It is important to note that the expenditure of public funds without appropriation is an impeachable offence.

Thirdly, the new minimum wage has been paid only in Lagos State, out of the 36 states of the federation. It is important to note that Lagos State, which has commenced payment of the new minimum wage, generates N20 billion internally every month. Therefore, its new wage bill of N5.5 billion is only 25% of its monthly IGR. Conversely, the new minimum wage bill in Oyo State of N4.4billion is 440% of the IGR of Oyo State which stands at N1.1billion.

Fourthly, the agreement between the outgone administration and labour also recognised this connection between the new minimum wage and IGR by making the improvement of the state’s IGR a pre-condition for the payment of the new minimum wage. Clause (iv) of the agreement states inter alia: “labour will encourage workers to redouble their efforts on improved revenue generation, to provide enough funds which is necessary condition to sustain payment of the newly approved salary structure as other social infrastructural development must not lack attention”.

However, in furtherance of its commitment to improve the welfare of workers in the state, the government offered to improve the present wage bill by commencing efforts at bringing Oyo State at par with other comparable states in the South West, in terms of salary. As a first step, the government has offered to step up the salaries of workers in the state and bring it at par with what is paid in Ekiti State. This will cost the state government about N800million, on top of the present wage bill of N2.9billion. This is an increment of between 45% and 100% in the salaries of workers. The government also offered to pay the May salary of workers on the old salary structure immediately while the differentials with the new offer would be paid after legislative approval.

This Administration is barely one week old in office. It requires time to settle down and work with labour to fashion out modalities for the payment of the new minimum wage. In addition to the above, talks are on-going about the review of the present statutory allocation formula, in order to accommodate the payment of the national minimum wage of N18, 000.

The government craves the understanding of workers and indeed, the generality of the people of Oyo State, on its commitment to pay the new minimum wage and the need to work with labour to agree on a modality that will guarantee the welfare of the workers, as well as ensure the provision of essential services and much needed public infrastructure, so as to make life meaningful for our people.

AKIN OLAJIDE, Secretary to the Oyo State Government

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

51

52

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

53

54

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

55

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

56

MONEY LINK

Practice Licence: CIBN sets 5-year limit T

HE Chartered Institute Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has set a fiveyear minimum limit for members applying for its Practice License.

Such members, the Institute said, would have worked for five years post Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB) qualification, passed the qualifying professional examinations and fulfiled other procedures set by the agency.

Chairman, CIBN Practice License Board, Segun Aina, said the banking industry offers variety and unique career patterns that provide opportunities, advancements and challenging assignments for practitioners.

He explained that the new rule aligns with the CIBN Act No.5 of 2007 which gives the Institute mandate to, among others; determine the standards of knowledge and skill to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the profession.

Section 16 of the Act, also stipulates that a person other than a corporate member shall be deemed to practice as a member of the banking profession if, he engages himself in the practice of banking or holds himself out to the public as a member of the banking profession.

But to be admitted into the profession, he/she must render professional services or assistance relating to banking procedures or any other services designated as constituting practice as a member of the banking profession.

Stories by Collins Nweze Senior Correspondent

Aina, explained that part of the general practice regulation is that no individual/non corporate member shall practice unless he/she has applied for, and has been granted a License to practice by the Governing Council.

Such license, from time to time, shall be conspicuously displayed at the principal place of business of the member. “In the exercise of the powers conferred on it by Sec-

tions six and 17 of the Act and pursuant to Section 16 of the Act, the Governing Council also resolved that “no individual either practicing alone or in partnership with other members shall practice as a member of banking profession in Nigeria, except if he holds a valid Practice License issued by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria,” he said.

The CIBN Act also requires members to maintain high standards of profes-

sional practice and conduct.

This was meant to regulate the level of discipline of members practicing banking.

He explained that being licensed is an indication of appropriate knowledge, dedication, integrity, credibility and an assurance of the licensees high competence. It will also make the licensee more attractive to the clients which will ultimately lead to increased income.

Besides, the License imposes on the holder the need to be thorough, honest and

T

HE President, Institute of Directors (IoD), Chike Nwanze, has linked the crises that engulfed the banking sector to poor corporate governance. He said the banking crises would have been avoided if management of banks had adhered to the principles of corporate governance.

Speaking at a one-day training programme tagged: ‘Engaging the Media in Building Better Business and Societies,’

Nwanze, said where there is absence of corporate governance principles in companies, business sustainability becomes an illusion.

He said with the passage of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill, journalists can easily find out or question the true positions of companies when things go wrong.

He explained that societies are governed by corporate governance principles, and there is always the need for

firms to set ethical standards and business integrity as well as becoming sensitive to their social environment.

In 2009, the CBN commenced a special joint examination in conjunction with the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to ascertain the true state of the banking industry.

The outcome of the exercise showed that eight banks exhibited imminent signs of collapse, culminating in systemic risk to

S

TANDARD Chartered Bank Nigeria in partner ship has launched the ‘Seeing is Believing’ (SIB) projects in the country at a cost of $2 million (about N300 million).

The bank carried out the gesture in partnership with Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Sightsavers International and

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

International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE).

The bank’s $2 million commitment out of the entire $ 2.5 million estimated for the projects, would be spread over a four year period.

Staff and customers of the bank raised $1 million for the projects, with Standard Chartered raising the balance of

$1 million.

The projects are planned to deliver optimal eye care services through five hospitals, three vision centres and two hundred primary health centres across the country.

The overall goal is to reach out to thousands of people affected by avoidable blindness in Kano, Lagos, Ibadan and the

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 08-6-11 O/PRICE 89.12 35.50 27.30 39.35 15.20 15.00 55.50 23.50 5.00 3.64

C/PRICE 91.50 37.27 28.46 40.50 15.78 15.50 56.00 23.85 5.25 3.82

CHANGE +2.38 +1.77 +1.16 +1.15 +0.58 +0.50 +0.50 +0.35 +0.25 +0.18

LOSER AS AT 08-6-11 SYMBOL OANDO NAHCO INTBREW DANGFLOUR CADBURY ACCESS BAGCO SKYEBANK UBA UBN

O/PRICE 52.40 8.63 6.77 17.95 19.99 7.60 2.65 8.38 6.35 2.17

C/PRICE 51.76 8.20 6.44 17.64 19.74 7.37 2.52 8.25 6.23

“For Standard Chartered, community investment is not a separate, nice to have’ activity, but integral to our strategy and part of our brand promise to be here for good.

“We’re very clear that it makes good business sense to help increase long-term economic activity in the communities where we live and work,” she stated.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES

SYMBOL NB NBC UNILEVER UACN ETI OKOMUOIL JBERGER ASHAKACEM UPL NAMPAK

Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and Zamfara State.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola, said the project is a very good example of how a large international company can make use of its relationships to leverage its own donations.

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 300m 244m 400m 452.3m 500m 499,8m

MANAGED FUNDS

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

form of tier two capital to be repaid from the proceeds of recapitalisation.

This has helped to stabilise the banks and restored confidence in the banking system.

The CBN reaffirmed the guarantee of the local inter- bank market to ensure continued liquidity for all the banks and guaranteed foreign creditors and correspondent banks credit lines to ensure confidence in correspondent banking relationships.

DATA BANK

Amount N

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

the financial services industry and economy.

To stem further deterioration in the condition of the affected banks and protect the interest of depositors and creditors, CBN in August 14, 2009, replaced the executive management and in some cases boards of the banks and referred the cases of some of the principal officers to the law enforcement and prosecution authorities.

The apex bank also injected N620 billion into the banks in

Standard Chartered Bank lifts healthcare with N.3b

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

ers the recipients to practice and use their knowledge and experience of banking outside the four walls of the banks.

The 51 Licensees have gone through the rigorous screening process and capacity building exercises meant to update their skills and expertise as well as give advice to clients on a wide range of issues on banking and finance.

It also gives them the opportunity to provide novel approaches to addressing the complexities of today’s bank-

‘Banking crises linked to poor corporate governance’

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

ethical. Clients also expect the holder of the practice license to be professional and ethical. It equally open doors to better opportunities for the licensee and deepen resource availability on banking and financial advisory services especially to small and medium enterprises.

The CIBN in April presented its Practice License, Seal and Stamp to 51 practitioners drawn from different financial sectors of the economy. This, seen as authority to operate, empow-

CHANGE -0.64 -0.43 -0.33 -0.31 -0.25 -0.23 -0.13 -0.13 -0.12

Amount Sold ($) 244m 400m 499.8m

Exchange Rate (N) 153.59 153.4 153.45

Date 06-6-11 23-5-11 16-5-11

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

07-06-11 N8.231tr 25.741.94

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%

NIBOR

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

06-06-11 N8.251tr 25,830.33

% Change -0.34% -0.34%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

DISCOUNT WINDOW

Tenor

NSE CAP Index

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 1.00 117.35 119.45 0.84 1.00 1,582.15 9.94 1.39 1.87 9,199.45 193.00

9.08 1.00 116.81 118.70 0.81 1.00 1,576.19 9.46 1.33 1.80 8,887.66 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY 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

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 MAR, 2011

Current 07, MAR, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

57

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

EQUITIES

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 8-06-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 1 0.50 160 1 160

Value of Shares (N) 80.00 80.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 4 0.50 202,650 2 0.50 5,000 12 8.00 114,202 18 321,852

Value of Shares (N) 101,325.00 2,500.00 908,399.16 1,012,224.16

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 4 2.31 62,465 88 8.20 724,794 92 787,259

Value of Shares (N) 144,294.15 5,960,785.22 6,105,079.37

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 13 0.50 2,280 32 2.41 531,760 45 534,040

Value of Shares (N) 1,140.00 1,248,826.00 1,249,966.00

BANKING 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 DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 210 7.37 5,008,909 12 1.20 140,933 65 5.88 1,638,870 18 3.70 390,000 51 7.25 5,011,688 83 2.61 6,216,237 644 13.61 11,557,114 101 0.51 14,604,448 537 16.21 15,449,286 26 10.23 232,405 15 1.02 979,318 41 1.32 2,355,936 20 0.92 2,320,380 115 8.25 4,624,978 5 0.99 188,145 39 1.80 3,456,833 232 6.23 11,212,665 57 2.07 1,225,620 46 0.91 3,902,789 35 0.97 1,277,448 289 15.00 6,834,580 2,641 98,628,582

Value of Shares (N) 37,174,250.60 169,119.60 9,714,814.48 1,423,300.00 36,327,867.47 16,135,595.31 156,867,072.69 7,472,513.08 250,935,768.89 2,372,841.80 998,904.36 3,109,835.52 2,134,749.60 38,050,816.22 186,263.55 5,986,690.80 70,134,008.76 2,537,033.40 3,585,373.37 1,218,003.84 102,626,583.90 749,161,407.24

BREWERIES Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 97 251.00 147,117 8 6.44 155,000 250 91.50 2,044,122 355 2,346,239

Value of Shares (N) 36,626,089.60 998,200.00 186,318,979.50 223,943,269.10

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 101 23.85 8,946,377 30 10.00 376,930 51 132.00 319,764 707,550 45 47.55 227 10,350,621

Value of Shares (N) 209,391,930.35 3,820,781.48 42,215,796.41 33,587,617.09 289,016,125.33

NBC pushes for delisting , offers N47 per share

T

HE board of Nigerian Bottling Company yesterday increased its scheme price for delisting of its shares from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) by 9.3 per cent from the initial proposed price of N43 to N47 per share.

The new proposed scheme price, represents a premium of 26 per cent on the NBC’s opening market price of N37.27 yesterday.

NBC remains the largest bottler of non-alcoholic beverages in Nigeria in terms of sales volume with about 1.8 billion bottles sold per year, making it the second largest market in Africa.

But shareholders yesterday promptly rejected the offer, describing the planned delisting and the offer as unattractive.

Shareholders asked for a 100 per cent increase offer price since it would amount to a forced sale.

The board is proposing buying out dissenting shareholders and subsequently delisting the company from the NSE as part of what it described as global consolidation of the holding multinationalCoca-Cola Hellenic.

Taofik Salako

NBC announced on December 14, 2010 the offer price of N43, but Nigerian shareholders, capital market regulators, operators and other stakeholders have roundly protested the move to delist.

Dr. Faruk Umar, President, Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), said the offer price was unacceptable to shareholders, adding that NBC is using its majority holding to muscle through the scheme of arrangement.

He conceded that Nigerian shareholders may not be able to stop the delisting of the company due to the majority shareholding held by Coca-Cola Hellenic. He called on capital market regulators to help shareholders to maximize their returns.

He said: “Securities and Exchange Commission and NSE are not doing enough to protect minority shareholders. Once they succeed, then it means any other company will just come and delist, leaving long-term investors with

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC I. P. W. A. PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 14 10.97 1,139,307 4 30.96 6,698 2 1.52 1,200 1 0.95 7,400 1 2.00 2,000 22 1,156,605

Value of Shares (N) 12,498,197.79 217,685.00 1,740.00 6,734.00 3,800.00 12,728,156.79

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 1 0.50 1,000 6 2.90 82,762 7 83,762

Value of Shares (N) 500.00 240,642.42 241,142.42

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name OMATEK VENTURES PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 1 0.50 1,000 1 1,000

Value of Shares (N) 500.00 500.00

CONGLOMERATES Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 1 2.20 1 47 35.70 278,395 66 0.92 14,028,208 56 40.50 416,350 72 28.46 530,646 242 15,253,600

Value of Shares (N) 2.09 10,157,631.64 13,160,641.03 16,811,759.23 14,814,524.79 54,944,558.78

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 19 4.27 27,818 10 56.00 124,054 2 0.50 93,000 31 244,872

Value of Shares (N) 112,941.08 6,942,122.50 46,500.00 7,101,563.58

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 5 2.00 89,721 6 0.73 410,700 11 500,421

Value of Shares (N) 179,442.00 300,239.00 479,681.00

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 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 DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 13 46.00 11,209 89 19.74 755,843 117 17.64 706,857 65 14.00 683,802 74 90.00 1,043,921 33 4.50 403,776 71 6.70 1,614,436 44 37.27 379,572 51 400.49 80,539 2 29.20 5,000 7 0.50 157,000 6 0.66 68,000 572 5,909,955

Value of Shares (N) 507,042.14 14,931,428.53 12,434,815.77 9,545,201.50 93,952,898.28 1,816,613.41 10,674,582.78 13,876,015.73 32,384,478.11 145,000.00 78,750.00 42,840.00 190,389,666.25

HEALTHCARE Company Name FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 28 2.08 656,780 4 28.35 5,052 12 4.00 94,426 1 1.87 8,360 1 4.07 1 2 0.50 54,753 48 819,372

Value of Shares (N) 1,345,581.60 138,437.96 375,577.78 14,880.80 4.07 27,376.50 1,901,858.71

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 1 3.05 1 6 1.47 114,085 7 114,086

Value of Shares (N) 3.18 167,095.45 167,098.63

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 5 8.20 9,892 20 5.85 217,905 25 227,797

Value of Shares (N) 79,656.85 1,263,852.26 1,343,509.11

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC IHS NIGERIA PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 1 0.50 1,000 1 2.95 1,500 10 0.58 292,826 12 295,326

Value of Shares (N) 500.00 4,425.00 171,139.74 176,064.74

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 64 0.90 3,439,028 8 1.06 549,100 2 0.50 36,520 10 3.00 1,016,800 1 0.50 2,100 1 0.50 2,000

Value of Shares (N) 3,133,593.77 571,926.00 18,260.00 3,049,090.00 1,050.00 1,020.00

loss of their investments.”

He however blamed SEC and NSE for what he described as over-regulation which he said was making the market unattractive to companies.

Interestingly, NBC started and has operated for six decades in Nigeria growing from a small family-owned operation to become the predominant bottler of alcohol-free beverages in Nigeria, responsible for the manufacture and sale of over 33 different Coca-Cola brands.

One of the few multinational organizations that had its beginnings in Nigeria, NBC was incorporated in November 1951, as a subsidiary of the AG Leventis Group, which is also quoted on the NSE, with the franchise to bottle and sell Coca-Cola products in Nigeria.

It commenced production in 1953 at a bottling facility in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Over the years, production capacity has grown and NBC presently has 13 bottling facilities and over 80 distribution warehouses located across the country.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 8-06-11 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

20 2 1 6 26 1 3 3 2 150

1.66 0.50 0.50 0.53 0.52 0.76 0.50 0.50 0.53

682,380 102,000 25,900 1,800,000 2,995,829 2,000 11,900 71,382 10,000 10,746,939

1,123,704.00 51,000.00 12,950.00 953,000.00 1,507,696.55 1,460.00 5,950.00 35,691.00 5,100.00 10,471,491.32

LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 10 1.24 628,769 10 628,769

Value of Shares (N) 754,735.11 754,735.11

MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 92 1.21 1,906,753 92 1,906,753

Value of Shares (N) 2,325,479.36 2,325,479.36

MEDIA Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 4 0.51 70,500 22 0.50 54,500 26 125,000

Value of Shares (N) 35,955.00 27,250.00 63,205.00

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 1 0.50 5,000 3 0.50 6,050 44 0.51 3,342,934 48 3,353,984

Value of Shares (N) 2,500.00 3,025.00 1,714,496.34 1,720,021.34

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 10 0.50 850,000 4 0.50 61,254 14 911,254

Value of Shares (N) 425,000.00 30,627.00 455,627.00

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC NAMPAK NIGERIA PLC POLY PRODUCTS (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 190 2.52 1,364,172 2 3.82 80,000 1 1.27 9,760 193 1,453,932

Value of Shares (N) 3,480,322.20 300,500.00 11,809.60 3,792,631.80

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name AFRICAN PETROLEUM PLC. BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 40 21.35 92,279 3 0.50 32,050 12 72.00 17,559 28 39.89 89,898 23 4.71 249,941 29 163.49 31,458 169 51.76 2,092,904 12 195.50 4,294 316 2,610,383

Value of Shares (N) 1,899,899.80 16,025.00 1,207,355.89 3,619,236.40 1,156,972.64 5,111,677.99 109,288,664.05 839,641.49 123,139,473.26

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 1 3.50 500 7 5.25 307,415 8 307,915

Value of Shares (N) 1,665.00 1,613,728.75 1,615,393.75

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 9 18.16 68,812 9 68,812

Value of Shares (N) 1,188,155.12 1,188,155.12

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 8 0.63 195,000 8 195,000

Value of Shares (N) 120,650.00 120,650.00

TEXTILES Company Name UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 2 0.62 7,982 2 7,982

Value of Shares (N) 5,188.30 5,188.30

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of DealsQuotation(N)Quantity Traded 34 15.78 1,033,350 34 1,033,350 5,267

160,925,622

Value of Shares (N) 15,573,405.00 15,573,405.00 1,701,187,407.57

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

58

SPACE FOR SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE LOSS OF CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY This is to notify the general public that the C of O of Nucleus properties Limited known as plot 23, 2nd Avenue Extension, Ikoyi, Lagos State with Deed of Assignment of the afore stated property registered as No. 3 at page in volume 2155 at Lagos State Land registry Ikeja got missing in transit all effort made to trace it proved abortive.

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to notify the general public that the house property at No. 12A Nwafor Street off 104 Omuma Rd, Aba is not for sale.

“BUYER SHOULD STAY CLEAR” for any enquiry please call

If found please contact the nearest police station or Ayoola Oluwasemowo at the above address.

John Ukaegbu 08181491876

Clifford Ukaegbu 08039479114

LOSS OF CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY This is to notify the general public that the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) with registration number 99/99/219 Port Harcourt, River State belonging to Mr.Olusanya Adebo Oladunjoye of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, 21-22 Marina Street, Lagos Island got lost in transit. All efforts to trace it proved abortive.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ILE ARO IRORIN QUARTERS, ILAWE The General Public is hereby notified that the above named family has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja for registration in accordance with the provision of the Companies and Allied Matters Act N0 1 of 1990 under part ‘C’.

The trustees are: Phillip Olagunju Joseph Egunjobi Chief Agbaakin Araoye

-President -Secretary -Treasurer.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi-Ironsi Street, Maitama, P.M.B 198 Garki, Abuja within 28days of this publication Signed: Joseph Egunjobi Secretary

PUBLIC NOTICE FAMILY EMPOWERMENT, ADVOCAVY AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE BOARD OF TRUSTEES COMPTROLER NAHUM ANGYU MR. SAMSON SARIEM MRS. LILIAN RWANG DR. SHAIBU SAMAILA PHARM. MRS. COMFORT SARIEM MR. LUKA GYANG OBJECTIVES 1. TO EMPOWER BY TRANINGTO ACQUIRE UESFUL SKILLS 2. TO ORGANIIZE SEMINARS FOR ENTREPRENEURS 3. TO NETWORK WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR SYNERGY 4. TO HELP DURING CRISIS PERIOD Signed: MR. SAMSON SARIEM

PUBLIC NOTICE AUTION! AUCTION!! AUCTION!!!

Kosofe Local Government of Lagos State hereby notify the general public of its intention to sell by PUBLIC AUTION the following unserviceable vehicles:- Nissan Vannette Buses, Peogeot 505 Salon car, Toyota Camry cars, Graders, Tipper and Towing vehicles.

The public auction will take place within the Local Government Secretariat after seven (7) days from the date of this publication between the hours of 8.00am – 4.00pm For details contact: THE COUNCIL ENGINEER 08033257620

NEWS Zayyanu is Sokoto Assembly Speaker

A

LHAJI Lawali Zayyanu, a former Special Adviser to Governor Aliyu Wamakko, was yesterday elected the Speaker of Sokoto State House of Assembly.

Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Tureta was elected the Deputy Speaker.

Tureta, a holder of BA Islamic Studies, was elected for the second time, having occupied the same position during the immediate past Assembly.

He was unanimously elected at the inauguration of the seventh Assembly with 30 members and wholly controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Zayyanu, a former Commissioner for Environment, holds BSc in Agriculture and a Master in Business Administration.

He is from the same Gwadabawa State Constituency as the former Speaker Abdullah Balarabe Salame, who is now a member of the House of Representatives.

Zayyannu promised to

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

provide purposeful and transparent leadership that will be mutually beneficial to the Assembly and the residents.

Saying there were many challenges ahead, the new Speaker called for a harmonious working relationship among the Assembly’s leadership and other members.

He promised to work harmoniously with the executive and the Judiciary in line with democratic principle of separation of powers among the three arms of government.

Zayyannu said: “We will ensure constructive engagements with other leaders, civil societies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to move Sokoto State forward through enactment of laws for good governance.”

He urged workers of the Assembly to rededicate themselves to work and service of the state.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

59

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

60

FOREIGN NEWS

NEWS

Rumpus over election: Speaker, Deputy in secret meeting with Clark

S

PEAKER Aminu Tambuwal has launched a peace mission to reassure opponents of his election that he remains loyal to his party’s interests.

He plans to let the President know that his House leadership is not opposed to him.

On Tuesday night, Tambuwal met with elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark in Abuja.

The PDP has not accepted the election of Tambuwal and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha. They contested the position against the party’s official candidate AkandeAdeola and Yakubu Dogara.

Their emergence has upset the party’s zoning policy.

The Speaker’s post is zoned to the Southwest. The Deputy Speaker is expected to be produced by the Northwest.

The PDP National Working Committee (NWC), after reviewing the election of officers of the House of Reps on Tuesday, declined to congratulate the new leaders.

National Secretary Abubakar Baraje said zoning is still an integral part of the PDP Constitution, adding that the party would soon “come up with an appropriate policy in the due course”.

President Jonathan on his Facebook page yesterday said he believes in separation of power and lauded the Senate and the House for peacefully electing their leaders.

But vice presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun described Tambuwal’s emergence as “a time-bomb wanting to explode at any time”.

During the visit to clerk, Tambuwal and Ihedioha said they are not anti-Jonathan administration, but only sought change that will sustain the principle of separation of powers.

Al-Qaeda’s second in command al-Zawahiri vows to avenge Osama’s death

•Set to reach out to Jonathan, PDP leaders From Yusuf Alli, Tayo Owolabi, Genevieve Ajewole Abuja and Osagie Otabor Benin

Clark yesterday asked the leadership of the PDP to settle any rift arising from the election of the House leaders and move forward.

The new House leaders reached out to Clark, following propaganda that they were sponsored by Northern leaders opposed to the President to destabilise the administration.

It was learnt that the Speaker and his deputy have initiated steps to “heal the wounds in the party which was caused by their election”.

There were indications that they might still reach out to other leaders of the party such as the President, the acting National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Mohammed Haliru Bello; the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; the PDP Governors Forum, and a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “During their audience with Clark, the Speaker and his deputy explained why there is need for separation of powers.

“They said they are not rebels or anti-party leaders.

They claimed that they came to Clark to clarify that they did not go out to defy the PDP’s zoning formula as their election was the wish of all the parties in the House.

“They pledged to work with the President to achieve the targets of his administration. They repeatedly assured Clark that ‘we are not out to sabotage this government.’ Instead, they said it is in the best interest of democracy to uphold the principle of separation of

‘We want a united country.

Mr. President was voted for by all the parties except the Congress for Progressive Change. We should look at it from that angle.

It is not the PDP alone that had a say in the choice of the House leaders’ powers.”

It was gathered that the new House leaders might meet the President on Saturday when he returns from the United States.

“I think Clark might broker peace between the House leaders and the President and other leaders of the party who are aggrieved over the defiance of the zoning formula of the party,” the source said.

Another source added that the House leaders chose the humble part instead of being combative.

He said: “While the party is blowing hot, the new House leaders have offered olive branch to PDP leaders.

I think this is a good development.”

The octogenarian Clark confirmed the visit to his Asokoro, Abuja home.

He urged the PDP leadership to embrace peace and move forward from the challenge posed by the election of Tambuwal.

He said: “The rumours

that some powerful forces who are opposed to the President were behind the election of the House leaders should be discarded.

“These House leaders are still loyal members of the party; they have done nothing otherwise. The two members who contested are all members of the PDP. If one party has won, the other should accept.

“There is always a way to settle the rift for us to move forward. No one should build a mountain out of a mole hill.

“When Mr. President returns, my appeal is that these are issues that should be looked into. The issue of zoning or no zoning is not an issue. Like I told the Speaker, the idea of zoning is dead or not dead is not the point.

“We want a united country. Mr. President was voted for by all the parties except the Congress for Progressive Change. We should look at it from that angle. It is not the PDP alone that had a say in the choice of the House leaders.”

On the alienation of the Southwest from the power sharing game, Clark said: “I will appeal to the Southwest that they should not regard the choice of the Speaker from the Northwest as a slight on them. The PDP can always find a way around the challenge at hand.

“Already, the Northeast will produce the new National Chairman of the party and I am sure it will get more offices in the new cabinet.”

Odigie-Oyegun told reporters in Benin yesterday: “There is going to start now a war of attrition; there is no question about that. A lot of difficulties are going to be put in the way of the President. He is not going to

•Tambuwal have an easy task”.

He said Jonathan needs courageous advisers, who can look him in the eyes and give hard advice, adding: “People see it as a triumph for democracry, but I don’t see it so. I just see it as a time bomb which is waiting to explode in our feet,” he said.

The former governor of Edo State urged President Jonathan to establish a court that will adjudicate on corruption, if the country must develop. He said corruption could be tackled head on if the EFCC is allowed to operate freely, adding that the war against corruption depends on the level of control the President exerts over his ministers and others.

On his Facebook page, Jonathan said: “I believe in the doctrine of Separation of Powers and I salute the Senate and the House for electing their leaders in a transparent process.

“I congratulate the Senate President, Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark and the Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

“Again, it is only by ensuring transparency in all governmental processes that we will first put in and then get the best out of Nigeria.”

AYMAN al-Zawahiri, alQaeda’s long-time second in command, has vowed in a video eulogy to Osama bin Laden that he will pursue his late leader’s jihad against the West.

“The man who terrified America in his life will continue to terrify it after his death,” he said in the video message titled “The Noble Knight Dismounted,” which was posted on jihadist online forums yesterday.

“You will continue to be troubled by his famous vow: You shall not dream of security until we enjoy it and until you depart the Muslims’ lands,” added the Egyptian militant, who was in white robes and a turban with a machinegun behind him.

The senior al-Qaeda leader vowed to make sacrifices needed to “deprive America of security.”

“We will pursue the jihad until we expel the invaders from Muslim lands,” he said.

East Africa faces ‘world’s worst food security crisis’ THE world’s worst food security crisis is continuing in the eastern Horn of Africa, a United States agency has warned.

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fewsnet) said areas of particular concern were in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

It said large-scale emergency assistance was urgently needed “to save lives and treat acute malnutrition” in the region.

It also stressed that the current humanitarian response was “inadequate”.

In a statement, Fewsnet said the eastern Horn of Africa “has experienced two consecutive seasons of significantly below-average rainfall, resulting in one of the driest years since 1995”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

61

FOREIGN NEWS Tunisia’s interim government delays election

MDC minister compares Zimbabwe to Rwanda before the genocide

T

UNISIA’S interim government has said elections, due to be held in July, will be postponed for three months.

The Tunisian electoral commission had asked for the delay, saying it needed more time to prepare a credible vote.

The country’s interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi said the vote will now take place on 23 October 2011.

Critics say that elections should go ahead soon to bring an end to the instability following the overthrow of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. But many recently formed political parties say they need more time to prepare.

Last month, the electoral commission sought a delay, saying that it needed more time to organise the vote, including putting three million Tunisians into the electoral database and ensuring hundreds of thousands of others get valid identity cards.

“There are parties who did not agree, even the government did not agree, but our mission is to hold free and transparent elections,” said Mr Essebsi, adding that Tunisia and its revolution “have a reputation that we must protect”.

The date was the result of several weeks of negotiations between political groups to establish a date for the first election since the popular uprising which brought about the fall of Mr Ben Ali, forced to cede power on 14 January after 23 years in power.Mr Essebsi said that Tunisia’s fledgling experiment with democracy - which triggered a series of pro-democracy revolts across the Middle East - was being closely observed.

“The world is watching us. Tunisia today has an extraordinary image because its revolution happened peacefully, without weapons,” he said, adding: “The wind of freedom has blown through other countries... but we will be the only ones to succeed in putting into place a democratic government.”

October’s vote is for a constituent assembly to write a new constitution that would pave the way for legislative and presidential elections.

The new assembly will decide whether the country gets a presidential or parliamentary system, and whether a separation of religion and state becomes law.

Under Mr Ben Ali’s 23-year rule, a single party - now officially dissolved - controlled the country and opposition parties in parliament were largely symbolic.

Since his overthrow a total of some 81 new parties have been officially registered.

•Mugabe

A

SENIOR government minister in Zimbabwe has warned of “an atmosphere of poison” reminiscent of Rwanda on the eve of the genocide that left 800,000 people dead in the 1990s.

Tendai Biti, finance minister in the fragile unity gov-

ernment, was reacting to a bomb attack on his home that he said could have killed his young children.

Biti blamed the incident on the military, the Zanu-PF party and president Robert Mugabe. He said the power-sharing agreement between Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change, of which he is secretary-general, is now effectively dead.

“My fear is that Zanu-PF will create an atmosphere of hate and an atmosphere of poison,” said Biti. “There are shades of Rwanda in January 1994. I just hope we avoid a Rwanda where the military is

in control, law and order breaks down and there is total violence.”

The petrol bomb exploded at Biti’s official residence in the capital, Harare, at around 1am on Monday, destroying part of a wall and frightening neighbours. The minister and his wife, Charity, and their children Zoe, 10, and fiveyear-old Thabo, were some 250km (155 miles) away at the time.

“When I drove back and saw the damage, I realised someone could have been killed,” Biti said. “To the extent that I have children who run around the garden, I felt

quite cross. I understand what they are trying to do; they are trying to intimidate me. It’s not Santa Claus any more.”

He said the trail of suspicion ultimately led to Mugabe’s door. “My place is supposed to be guarded, but they have not been providing guards since March. They [the attackers] would have known there were not guards.

“It was clearly someone with skill, clearly not an amateur. The only people with that skill in Zimbabwe is the military. They will have been acting on the instructions of Zanu-PF. The president is head of Zanu-PF.”

Hundreds of Syria ns flee to Turkey, fearing army assault

H

UNDREDS of Syrians are crossing the northern border into Turkey in an attempt to escape growing violence in their own country.

Many say they are fleeing the town of Jisr al-Shughour ahead of an expected military assault after dozens of soldiers were reportedly killed there.

Residents who stayed in the town have set up roadblocks in an attempt to stop security forces from entering.

Turkey said it would not close its doors to those seeking refuge.

Speaking at a news confer-

ence in Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was monitoring the situation, and called on Damascus to act with tolerance.

Britain and France are stepping up pressure for a UN Security Council vote condemning the Syrian government’s suppression of months of unrest.

Britain plans to present a draft resolution later on Wednesday, but unlike the case of Libya, the draft does not suggest military action against Damascus or sanctions.

The BBC’s Owen BennettJones says Turkish ambulances are ferrying wounded evacuees from Syria into Turkey, with some being kept in a camp on the border and others being taken to a hospital in a nearby city.

Officially Turkey says 450 people have crossed the border, but accounts from local residents say the figure could be far higher, our correspondent says.

The Syrian government has declared it will act “with force” after it claimed on Monday that some 120 security force personnel were

killed in Jisr al-Shughour by “armed gangs”.

The reported attack came amid mounting tensions as dozens of protesters were killed across the country over the weekend.

The BBC correspondent in neighbouring Lebanon says there are no reports of action in Jisr al-Shughour itself yet, but that troop movements and preparations have been reported.

Some activists are said to have erected barriers of rocks, tree trunks and burning tyres on the main approach road to try to block the advance of security forces.

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

62

NATION SPORT

TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER

Toon offers new contract to Simpson

Marseille confirms Amalfitano deal MARSEILLE have confirmed a deal to sign Morgan Amalfitano from Lorient.

The 26-year-old midfielder is out of contract at the Stade

•Amalfitano

du Moustoir and will formally sign on Thursday when the transfer window opens.

"It gives me great satisfaction to join this great club," Amalfitano told Marseille's official website.

"This is a big step for me and today I have great pride."

Amalfitano has worked his way up after beginning his career at Cannes before joining Sedan and then Lorient. He was linked with Premier League clubs but the Nice-born player jumped at the chance to return to the Mediterranean coast.

"Being a native of the south, Marseille is something big for me," he added. "I'll given everything for Marseille and L'OM." Last season Amalfitano collected 13 assists and scored five goals as he played in every league game to help Lorient to 11th place.

DANNY SIMPSON ahs ben offered a fresh deal by Newcastle United.

The 24-year old defender has two years left on his current St James’ Park deal but Magpies management want to deal him in after he produced a solid season last term.

Simpson joined Newcastle permanently from Manchester United in January 2010 after starting a loan in August 2009 and now the club want to keep him long-

someone in, then Guus knows the guys, the way they work, their mentality and I don't think he would have a problem."

Wilkins, though, is not sold on the idea of another coach working underneath a sporting director.

He added: "If we are talking about someone like Mark Hughes or Marco van Basten going in with Guus, I am not quite sure whether that works, purely and simply because they are manager themselves.

"I don't think that works too well, but that is entirely up to club what they wish to do, but I would certainly say if they are going to get Guus as the main man, then there is really no problem with that whatsoever."

Chelsea are set to return to pre-season training on July 4 ahead of games against Vitesse Arnhem and Portsmouth before heading off to the Asia Trophy.

Whoever is in charge next season will have to make sure Chelsea do not suffer another mid-term dip in form which proved so costly.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech told Chelsea TV Online: "In the last two months we had been winning and you could see the team had the quality to defend the title, but unfortunately that dip in December and January cost us.

•Wilkins

•Simpson

Arsenal fights with Man City over Baines ANOTHER interesting headline, as many reports are stating that Arsenal will battle

•Gervinho

Wilkins backs Hiddink for Chelsea manager Gervinho to join the Gunners FORMER Chelsea assistant first-team coach Ray Wilkins believes Guus Hiddink would have "no problems" slotting back in as manager at Stamford Bridge although whether the likes of Mark Hughes or Marco van Basten would accept playing second fiddle as a number two remains to be seen.

The Dutchman, who enjoyed a successful spell as caretaker in 2009, is said to be the preferred choice of owner Roman Abramovich to replace Carlo Ancelotti - axed at the end of the season a year after leading the Blues to an historic Double.

Hiddink, 64, is currently on holiday and is understood to be considering his expected exit from the Turkish national team - which is reported to hold a £4million compensation package - to take up a role with the Blues.

However, just what that is set to be has yet to be established, and could develop into a sporting director position - which used to be held by Frank Arnesen with Hiddink working above a younger coach, such as van Basten or Hughes, the former Chelsea striker who last week quit his job at west London neighbours Fulham.

Wilkins was on the backroom staff with Luiz Felipe Scolari, Hiddink and then Ancelotti before his unpopular departure in November 2010 when it was announced the former midfielder's contract would not be renewed.

The 54-year-old feels Hiddink would certainly need little transition back into the hotseat.

"Guus obviously knows the guys from being there a couple of years ago and won the FA Cup as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League," Wilkins told Sky Sports News.

"He knows the ins and outs of Stamford Bridge, so from that aspect I would say Guus would be a first-class appointment.

"I am saddened by the fact that Carlo is no longer there, but if they are going to get

term by offering him a threeyear extension on his current deal.

THIS is the main headline today, which is being talked about by Gooners everywhere.

This was initiated through a claim by Twitter's Marco Silva, who states that Gervinho has rejected a move to Newcastle and will sign for the Gunners on Wednesday. I'm honestly not sure about this one, as there are conflicting reports, with some suggesting that

Newcastle are closing in on him, while others are suggesting the Gunners are closing in on him.

All I can is that, we just have to wait for official confirmation by either club or from Gervinho's current club, Lille. I expect more news on this matter, in the next few days.... so stay tuned fellow Gooners!

Sanchez seeks to beat Blues, Barca for Neymar REAL MADRID are inviting Santos star Neymar to Spain for talks.

RAC1 says Real vicepresident Jose Angel Sanchez is inviting Neymar, agent Wagner Ribeiro and his father to Madrid to discuss a move to the Spanish giants.

While Barcelona are also keen, it's been revealed Neymar rejected an offer from their president Sandro Rosell to attend the Champions League final at Wembley as a guest.

"The boy's heart is white," said one source.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is also pushing to sign Neymar, though Sanchez believes Real can

quickly wrap up a deal for the winger.

•Neymar

I’m happy at Anfield –Suarez LIVERPOOL striker Luis Suarez says he has settled into life at Liverpool a lot faster than he had thought he would. The Uruguay International has quickly shot to the top of many people's lists of important players and has made a very big impression at Anfield.

After his £22.8m move from Ajax, a lot of expectation lay on the 24year-old's shoulder and from the look of things, he has not disappointed so far.

Having scored 4 goals thus far and set up a handful, Suarez has quickly become an integral part of Liverpool's resurgence.

He said: "I think I have settled in well, which is very, very important.

"Settling into a new team was always the most important thing about coming here.

"I think I have done that and it's happened a lot quicker than I thought it would.

"It's hard when you come to a new team for the first time as there are lots of changes that you've got to adapt to but it's gone well - and from the very first game really. I am very, very happy here."

Suarez joined Liverpool at the same time with Any Carroll who joined from Newcastle for a record of £35m. The two are likely to be joined by more recruits as manager Kenny Dalglish looks to boost the team even further. Among others, Ipswich Town's Connor Wickham and Sunderland's Jordan Hernderson have both been linked with possible moves to Anfield.

•Baines

it out with Manchester City over the signing of Everton's Leighton Baines.

I believe that Baines will be an excellent signing if he signs for the Gunners, especially if Clichy leaves, Baines will be an excellent replacement. The problem is that Everton would want good money for the talented left back, probably the same fee they got for Lescott, especially with money-rich Manchester City again interested, and are known for being tough negotiators.

I believe that this will be a difficult transfer, but Baines would be a quality signing and addition, if Arsenal can acquire him.

Liverpool targets Henderson LIVERPOOL are still keen on Sunderland youngster Jordan Henderson as talks regarding a possible transfer continue.

The Reds have already made a big-money offer for the 20-year old midfielder but Sunderland now want around £20million according to Skysports.com.

It is believed that Liverpool are keen to tie up Henderson before he heads off with the England U-21 team for the European Championships in Denmark but the Black Cats will make sure they get what they think the young gun is worth.

Recent reports suggest that Liverpool will not meet the asking price which has forced them to throw in a player or two and David

Ngog’s name has already been bandied around as a possible sweetener in the deal.

•Henderson

Steve Kean open to re-signing BLACKBURN ROVERS Santa Cruz manager Steve Kean has refused to rule out the possibility of signing Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz on a permanent basis.

The Paraguayan struggled for form and fitness after rejoining the club on-loan in January, a fact Kean is only too aware of.

"It was tough for Roque,” Kean told BBC Radio Lancashire.

“He picked up a couple of knocks that niggled away at him. It was just difficult for him to get to full speed quickly enough.”

Despite failing to find the back of the net in 10 appearances since returning to the club, Kean believes the forward showed his quality in training sessions.

"Being around the place and showing his quality every day in training, he showed us

how good he is," he said.

“It was just difficult because he's been out so long that he wasn't at full speed quick enough to give us the impact on the pitch in the games that he played.”

The Scot is also hoping to sign Mame Biram Diouf and Jermaine Jones, who have also returned to their respective parent clubs following loan spells.

"We have to respect the parent clubs," Kean added.

"When the lads came on loan we tried to fix prices straight away and we couldn't do that.

"Now the loan periods are up, we'll be in contact with those clubs and see if they are available first and foremost.

“And, if they are and we have got the funds to pursue, that is something we can take a view on."

THE NATION THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the national senior team, Super Eagles, will trade tackles with the senior team of Argentina in another international friendly in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh on September 6.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu said on Wednesday: “Yes, we can confirm that there will be an international friendly match between the Nigeria senior

N

FF President Aminu Maigari has declared that there is no cause for worry over Super Eagles qualification for the Gabon/ Equatorial Guinea 2012 African Nations Cup. Maigari said that his Federation is poised to ensuring that all necessary assistance is given to team to make them fly the Country’s flag in the Championship that Nigeria missed last in 1986.

He said that the Super Eagles have all it takes to make it, though they are trailing behind Guinea with as much as three points. “It is now obvious that we are now playing for maximum points of six, and anything less than that would not be disastrous, so we must ensure that we win all our matches. The players and the technical officials know this, even those at the Federation are not sleeping over these. So, all hands must be on deck to achieve this”.

On the match in Ethiopia where many expected the AHEAD OF FIFA WOMEN'S W/CUP

Falcons World Cup squad ready

T

HE final 21-person squad of Nigeria’s Super Falcons for this year’s World Cup will be ready on Friday, officials have disclosed.

Falcons coach, Eucharia Uche, fresh from a short course in Ethiopia, is expected to have her final squad ready before the FIFA deadline of Friday, according to a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The African champions have been training in Saalfelden, Austria, since May 26 in readiness for the World Cup later this month in Germany.

As part of their build-up for the tournament, they defeated Austrian first division team, Wacker Innsbruck 7-0 in their first friendly match on Sunday and then pipped the Czech Republic 1-0 on Wednesday.

They are drawn with hosts and defending champions Germany, France and Canada.

The Super Falcons have played in every FIFA World Cup since the inaugural tournament in China 20 years ago.

•Eucharia

AHEAD OF NIGERIA / MADAGASCAR TIE

NFFconfirmsArgentina Peters cautions NFF over early departure F friendly in Bangladesh team and the senior team of Argentina in Bangladesh in September.

“Every document that will make the match a reality has been signed and we are looking forward to a big game. The two

teams will go to Bangladesh with their first teams and all the top stars”, stated Amadu.

Nigeria thrashed Argentina 4-1 in an international friendly match at the National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday, June 1.

This second clash in three months between the two countries comes up three days after the Super Eagles’ very important African Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar in Antananarivo.

ORMER NFF Assistant General Secretary James Peter has cautioned that the idea of allowing the Super Eagles leave for Madagascar four days before the decisive African Cup of Nations match would be counterproductive.

Speaking in Abuja, the former National Team Coach said “we thank God for the result in Ethiopia. It would have been bad if we lost. It is bad to travel

NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

Maigari promises support for Eagles From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

Super Eagles to pick the maximum points, the Federation boss said “ In football, you win some, you lose some. But I want to say

that the result in Ethiopia was not as bad as we thought, because the home team was not a push over, they also wanted to win, most especially when you consider the kind of support they have at that stadium. Let me also

use this opportunity to say that I refuse to agree that our boys were carried away by the defeat they handed over to Argentina in Abuja few days ago. The result of this match has nothing to do with that, it is just football for you. Our

boys had a bad day, and that is it”. He assured that the coaches would have to go back to work on all the loopholes noticed in the match towards achieving the maximum success in the remaining matches.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja to match venue on the day of the match, no matter the weather condition. We should have travelled a day before the match so that the players would have enough rest before the match day, with that, the weather would not have any negative effect on the players.

On the match against Madagascar, the team should travel to that country a day to the match, or 14 days before the match day. If not, it would counter -productive. No genuine acclimatisation can take place before this number of days”. He said that the Super Eagles has all it takes to qualify for the African Nations Cup, saying that the team should remain focused towards achieving that.

Tomorrow in THE NATION

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO.1,785

‘Whoever gets appointed at the end of the day should not be envied because the president or governors that appointed them expect good performances that can boost the profile of their administrations’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

N 1999, the military were forced by relentless public opposition to step down after nearly 30 years in power, with only a short civilian interregnum. Public discontent with military rule had reached its apogee.

Since then, we have had in this country four succeeding civilian governments, ‘freely’ elected, in a supposedly democratic multiparty political system. But even under the new democratic civilian rule the long simmering public discontent has in no way diminished.

Except in a few cases, expectations that civilian rule would assuage the disturbing public discontent have proved to be an illusion. The nature of the discontent may have changed.

Under military rule, there was no freedom. It was an arbitrary and despotic form of government in which the people had no voice or role in the government. In addition, under military rule, the economic conditions of the country worsened considerably. Mass poverty deepened. Today, it can be said that there is greater freedom in the country. At least, critics of the civilian government are not being hauled off to jail. But there is still a more than normal discontent with the country’s political system, its politics, and its politicians.

This discontent has to do with the failure of our politicians to deliver the economic dividends of democracy. Specifically, the electorate looks up to the government and the politicians to create more jobs, offer better security to the public, improve the appalling living conditions of the people, and tackle the canker worm of public corruption more vigorously. That is the essence of government, the only justification for its very existence. In all of these areas, it is possible to argue that much more has been achieved in the country under civilian rule than under military rule, which neither has any regard for accountability nor suffers any consequences as a result of this lapse. In 12 years of civilian rule, one can begin to see some glimmer of hope that the politicians, under increasing public watch, are beginning to be more responsive to public criticisms and demand than the military could ever be. The reason is that, as shown in the recent general elections in the country, politicians and governments that do not perform, or perform below the expectations of the people, will be voted out.

This was why the PDP governments in the Southwest were kicked out and the ACN voted into power, in the hope that it will do better.

The ACN governors are in no doubt that they have to perform or else lose the support of the electorate.

Whatever their failures might be, politicians are an integral and necessary part of a free and democratic society. It is from the political class that representatives are elected to the legislature, and the ministers of the government appointed. Without the politicians there will be no free society.

However, the electorate should not be under any political illusions that the politicians, or the newly elected governments in the various states, will do much better than their predecessors in office, or that they can be

RIPPLES FRUSTRATED MAN CUTS OFF MANHOOD WITH RAZOR–News

Why use RAZOR?... CUTLASS would have been better

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Political illusions and the tasks of politicians

•Dr. Jonathan

counted upon generally to be honorable, responsible, and diligent in the discharge of their onerous responsibilities. To think otherwise would lead to self-delusion. The fact of the matter is that the long period of neglect by previous governments in the country has created for the various governments and the entire political class almost an impossible task, one of righting the wrongs and neglect of the past in a few years. There is so much to be done, and the resources needed to create a new society are so vast that progress, if any, on all fronts is bound to be slow and painful.

This is not intended to absolve the politicians from blame for their seeming lack of commitment to a faster economic growth and political stability in the country. Rather, it is to warn the electorate that progress is a never-ending adventure, littered by spurts of astounding achievements as well as fits of abject failure. No country has been able to escape this paradox of governance. Even in the rich countries, public discontent is mounting on account of the failure of the various governments to effectively tackle the uncertainties engendered by the global economic and financial crises. In Britain, there is growing public opposition to the efforts of

the coalition government to reduce the large budget deficits by savage but inevitable cuts in public expenditure. Everywhere, politicians are confronted by painful choices.

It is no less the case here where the politicians are often faced with difficult decisions that call for courage and statesmanship on their part. It is not all politicians that can rise to the occasion or display the statesmanship that the situation often calls for.

When a politician is admired, we feel obliged to deny that he is a politician at all and call him a statesman. But the distinction is largely a false one. It was once said by Professor Brogan, the distinguished British historian that “A statesman is a dead politician… there is no alternative to his being a politician while he is alive”. What Brogan meant by this is that, in hindsight, a politician may be credited with having been a statesman by displaying qualities that were indispensable at the time. But whatever he did to earn this fame was done primarily as a politician through manoevres, management, and persuasion. In retrospect, the four great pre-independence Nigerian leaders, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and the Sadauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello, have been acknowledged as statesmen. But when they were alive they were regarded as mere politicians, each pursuing his political objectives, and each being vilified by his political opponents. Compared to our current politicians they seem to be extraordinary human beings. But before earning fame as statesmen they were first politicians with all the virtues and vices of human beings.

It is important to recognise this distinction so as to save ourselves not only from selfdelusion about politicians, but also from too great a fascination with them. It should be possible neither to condemn the politician too much-even the Nigerian genre of it, with all his faults-nor to adulate him for what he is not and should not be. The great former

HARDBALL

W

HAT is shocking about the unending clashes between factions of the Oyo State arm of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) is not just that 20 people were killed in the latest bout of barbaric violence; it is the fact that the outrage has been allowed to persist for so long.

During the tenure of Adebayo Alao-Akala, Ibadan, a hitherto sleepy city, became the scene for vicious, and often fatal clashes, as factions loyal to the late Alhaji Lateef Salako aka Eleweomo engaged the gang led by erstwhile NURTW chairman, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola Oloruntoki aka Tokyo in a protracted struggle for ascendancy.

Eleweomo has since been removed from the scene, having met his end in a run-in with policemen attached to the former Senate Majority Leader, Teslim Folarin, during the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) earlier in the year.

Although his bitter rival had been conveniently despatched, Tokyo and his faction did not find it easy to reassert themselves and take over the motor parks. Instead, the void left by Eleweomo was swiftly filled by one Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila aka Auxiliary.

MOBOLAJI SANUSI

Conservative British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, once said, ‘If people want a sense of purpose, they should get it from their archbishops. They should not hope to receive it from their politicians’. It is important to recognise these political boundaries so as to prevent both exaggerated disdain for, and exaggerated expectations from the mundane lives of politicians. The politician cannot always do what he would like to do, and the methods he must use are not always ideal.

The politician in a free state cannot command.

He cannot destroy interests that he finds inconvenient as his support is based neither on an army nor on a secret police. None of the methods of a dictator is available to him. He must always be conscious of the tasks and limitations with which he is often confronted.

What then are the tasks that the Nigerian politician must face?

The first task of a politician, therefore, is to try to reconcile the multiplicity of conflicting interests and wills that exist in the society and to produce from such conflicts a policy based on a consensus in the society. In the case of Nigeria, such conflicts are varied and include ethnic, religious, and class interests, all of which have to be reconciled and balanced by the politician. He has to decide when to stand firm, when to give way; when frankness will bring rewards, when a little bit of hypocrisy will save a lot of trouble; when to sit back and wait, and when to act decisively. This is by no means an easy task.

The second task of a politician is to encourage and promote public interest in political issues of which there are many in any free society.

Without such interest free government is meaningless. It is also impossible. Opinion is formed through many channels and, to play a decisive role in forming such public opinion, the politician must work through all the available channels. In Nigeria, even under civilian democratic rule, the governments and politicians tend to seem remote from the people. When they are out of touch with their constituents politicians become less effective in the performance of their duties.

The third task of a politician is to act as a catalyst on public opinion. He must take a strong public stand on the social ills of the nation, such as the extensive graft and public corruption in our country. He should be no part of the financial scams that are dragging the nation down. This is why in our country politicians are held in such contempt and disdain.

The fourth task of a politician is to be the link between informed and public opinion. As Bagehot argued, it is part of the function of the politician to ‘teach the nation what it does not know’, and ‘make the society hear what otherwise it should not’. Quite a tall order, but it is in performing these tasks that a politician can earn public respect and aspire to be regarded as a statesman.

• For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Ending Oyo NURTW reign of terror Aside the fact that control of the motor parks is unbelievably lucrative for the warlords, the NURTW clashes have also been sustained because of the patronage of the factions by leading political figures. Whereas the late Salako was known to be close to Alao-Akala, Akinsola was closely identified with former Governor Rasheed Ladoja.

This patronage is at the root of the see-saw battles to seize control of motor parks each time power changed hands in Government House, Agodi. Incidentally, the last couple of years have witnessed a game of musical chairs at the apex of power in Oyo State as Ladoja and Alao-Akala swapped positions severally.

The brief lull in violence in the last few months was simply down to the proscription of the union’s activities, and a brutal crackdown that saw the state government demolishing the NURTW secretariat. Clearly, these actions never really addressed the problem, but only set an unstable lid on the boiling cauldron.

On the eve of his departure, Akala deproscribed the union. What some must have mistaken for an act of goodwill has now turned out to be a booby trap – landing Governor Abiola Ajimobi with his first major crisis.

Unless prompt action is taken, the excesses of the thugs who control the NURTW would remain a destabilising factor in the state. Even worse, they have become a danger to innocent members of the public. Back in the days of the Tokyo versus Eleweomo battles, gunmen often took over major streets in Ibadan unleashing indiscriminate acts of violence on motorists and pedestrians.

In banning the union once again, Ajimobi has taken the right step. He should also ensure that the foot soldiers and factional leaders involved in the clashes of the last few days are apprehended and prosecuted. The state assembly should also look at the laws and pass new legislation that ensures that the NURTW goons never get their clutches on parks in the state again.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO