May 14, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

How UI student died, by VC NEWS – Page 8

•Last-minute contract bazaar at Federal Executive Council •Constitution: Senate drops bid to override Jonathan’s veto •Lagos ‘ll reclaim Tafawa Balewa Square, says Fashola •AND MORE ON •Crisis hits Ekiti PDP as chairman is sacked PAGES 5,6&8

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3214 THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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North Korea defence minister executed

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ORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un yesterday supervised the public execution of his defence chief Hyon Yong Chol with an anti-aircraft gun for complaining about him, talking back at him and sleeping during a cabinet meeting.

South Korea’s spy agency yesterday revealed the killing, citing what it called credible information.

South Korean analysts are split on whether the alleged bloody purge signals strength or weakness from Kim Jong Un, who took Continued on page 60

Buhari: I’ve no candidate for Senate President

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RESIDENT-ELECT Muhammadu Buhari is not supporting any candidate for the leadership of the National Assembly.

Gen. Buhari will support “due process” in the election of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, his spokesman said yesterday.

Mallam Garba Shehu, in a statement issued in Abuja, said Gen. Buhari was willing to work with

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

any leader of the Senate, irrespective of what part of the country he or she hails from.

He spoke of false insinuations that he was backing a particular candidate, saying: “I am prepared to work with any leaders that the House or Senate selects; it doesn’t matter who the person is or where he or she is from.

“There is due process for the selection of leaders of the National Assembly. I will not

•GOOD GOOD TO SEE YOU: President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari introducing Vice President-elect, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (right) to former British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair during his visit to Gen. Buhari at the Defence House in Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: ‘PIPELINE VANDALS’ HELD IN IBADAN P7 ‘WHY FED GOVT TAX POLICY FAILED’

P11

Sanusi: $12.5b oil money diverted under Jonathan Emir calls for further probe

By Simeon Ebulu, Group Business Editor

A

FTER a brief lull, the row over the “missing” $20billion oil money resurfaced yesterday.

The man who started it all – the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II – yesterday reacted to the auditors’ report on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC’s) books.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor,

Blair: world ‘ll support Nigeria

‘

Nigerians did not vote for an amnesty for anyone. The lines of investigation suggested by this audit need to be pursued. Any officials found responsible for involvement in this apparent breach of trust must be charged.

in an article titled “Unanswered questions on Nigeria’s missing oil revenue billions”, in the “Financial

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

F

ORMER British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday assured President-elect Muhammadu Buhari of the international community’s support.

Blair told reporters after a meeting with Buhari at the Defence House that with the successful conclusion of the elections, Nigeria has earned respect in the comity of nations.

’

Times”, insisted that the PwC Audit Report confirmed that about $18.5billion of the Continued on page 4

•Emir Sanusi

Continued on page 4

•SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •POLITICS P43 •NATURAL HEALTH P45 •FOREIGN P61

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

2

NEWS

Tanker drivers get

•From left: General Manager, Finance and Administration, Continental Durable Goods Ltd, Dealer in Beko and Grundig Products; Branding and Marketing Manager, Inyang Ekere;CEO, Isaac Fumis; Mrs Bunmi Akpabio and Regional Manager, Diamond Bank PLC, Mrs Njideka Esomoju and Bishop of Evangelism and Discipleship, Methodist Church Nigeria, Bishop Edoka Amuta during the inauguration of the new Beko showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos.

For the Lagos State Government, there is no going back on its decision to get fuel tankers off its roads and restore traffic sanity. At a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday, it read a riot act to owners of trucks to remove them within 48 hours.

ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE was at the parley.

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•From left: Financial Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Wolfgang Kollerman; Company Secretary, Mrs. Cecilia Ekanem Madueke and Managing Director, Detlev Lubasch at the Investors Relations Forum of the company in Lagos.

OW will you feel, if you have to abandon the house you laboured so hard to build and squat with friends and relations, or to relocate to hotels at the precinct of your home, just to avoid the madness that has taken your neighbourhood hostage with no respite in sight?

Will you be angry, frustrated, depressed, or dejected?

But that is the lot of residents of Apapa, a bustling megalopolis that has been suffering the lot of playing host to the nation’s busiest seaport and a forest of tank farms for the storage of petroleum products.

Those who have reasons to go to the Wharf do so with stress.

The Executive Secretary of Apapa Local Government Area, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, gave a graphic detail of the frustration yesterday. She said residents no longer enjoy the ambience of the scenic seaside for which the Ports metropolis was once noted.

“Not only have these tankers blocked the express road, they have moved even to the inner roads, making life a nightmare for residents. Not only this, the entire environment is now filthy, as the drivers of the trucks have turned the roadside to their homes, urinating and defecating with impunity in the open,” the council chief said.

Mrs. Dada will want the tankers moved. She has allies in the state government and other stakeholders, who believe that is the way to go bring sanity to the axis. But, the only snag is how?

The riot act

•From left: Human Resources Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc,Mr Victor Famuyibo; Chairman, Chief Kolawole Jamodu; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde and Non-Executive Director, Mr. Atedo Peterside at the 69th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

•From left: Musician and politician, Tony Muonagor (aka Tony One Week); Brand Manager, Star, Obabiyi Fagade and rap star MI Abaga at Abakaliki Star Music Trek at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, Ebonyi State.

Worried by the pains the gridlock has caused for other road users, the Lagos government wielded the big stick yesterday. The trucks must be taken off the roads within the next 48 hours, it insisted.

It read a riot act to the drivers through its Transportation Commissioner Kayode Opeifa, saying it has taken the decision in the best interest of Lagosians. The ultimatum expires tomorrow.

Opeifa told representatives of the unions: “We strongly believe we will not need to enforce but we won’t hesitate to roll out our tow vehicles to enforce compliance. What we want is that Apapa Road, from Coconut Bus Stop must be cleaned up by Sunday and we will not hesitate to do this if your people refused to move.”

According to him, residents of Apapa cannot afford the agony any more.

The commissioner traced the intractable traffic on Apapa-Wharf Road to two sources - petrol tankers that are making commuting nightmarish for other road users from Coconut to Liverpool, where no fewer than 45 tank farms are clustered and trucks heading to the Roll On Roll Off Port (RORO) at Apapa Wharf, most of

• Trucks on their way to lift fuel at Apapa.

which have spilled to road arteries in the area – blocking the entrances to the premises of residents.

Opeifa ordered the immediate evacuation of all articulated vehicles out of Ijora Causeway, describing as unfortunate that the illegal parking bay was spilling over to the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos mainland, all through the Ijora fly-over to Apapa.

Accusing the truck drivers of leaving a little room for other road users to manouvre, the commissioner warned that any truck found on the bridge after the expiration of the ultimatum will be confiscated and its owner apprehended for prosecution.

The same verdict was handed down to trucks on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway from Coconut.

He said: “We do not want to see any tanker between 200 to 300 metres away all tank farms at Apapa. Tankers should find their way out of Lagos. For now, they are only welcome when fuel is available.”

Though called at a very short notice, representatives of all the unions involved in the distribution of petroleum products attended the meeting hosted by the Ministry of Transportation.

At yesterday’s meeting were: the Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Obafemi Olawore; his counterpart in the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPMAN), Mr. Olufemi Adewole; Chairman of Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chief Ajayi Adebayo and Chairman, Lagos Zone of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mr Tokunbo Korodo, who doubles as the Lagos State chapter Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Also at the meeting were: President, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO); Chairman, National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Chief Stephen Okafor and Chairman, Lagos Chapter of the National Association of Small Scale Investors and Manufacturers Association (NASSIMA), Mr. Olabisi Oluyenumiwo.

Others were representatives of Export Action Group; National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Lagos Commissioner of Police, who was represented by Mr. A. Adetayo; head of the State’s Special Task Force, Mr. Bayo Sulaimon, a Superintendent of Police; Executive Director of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Yemi Edu; Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps Hyginus Omeje

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

3

t 48-hour ultimatum to quit Lagos roads

•Traffic gridlock on Eko Bridge in Lagos...yesterday.

and representatives of the tank farm owners.

Lagos’ involvement Opeifa said though the issues that eventually degenerated into traffic snarl has no connection with his ministry, yet, the government cannot ignore the pains of the lingering fuel scarcity, which is gradually grinding public transportation to a halt.

“We cannot allow the state to be completely choked up before we take any action. We cannot allow the Ikorodu Road to be further clogged than it is already from the Stadium, otherwise, we all will suffer the inactions of the government,” Opeifa said.

According to him, the government is not out to cripple other people’s businesses, yet, it will not fold its hands while the marketers cripple the state’s transportation architecture, noting that MOMAN members have no issue with the government but IPMAN members, who also have a right to be in business, must conduct same with decorum and take their trucks off the roads.

Observing that the state cannot stay without enforcement, Opeifa assured that the government will continue to adopt moral suasion to persuade tanker drivers through their leadership.

He also appealed to the Federal Government and the Finance Minister & Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to resolve the lingering issues relating to outstanding bridging funds to the marketers to pave the way for the resumption of petroleum products’ importation.

He noted that the “false” assurances by the finance minister that the Federal Government has paid the outstanding subsidy to the marketers and assurances by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that it has enough fuel has worsened the situation.

The commissioner noted that the two claims resulted to avoidable panic by independent markerters. He therefore called on the Federal Government not only to pay the backlog of the fuel subsidy but to give bank guarantee to assure further imports to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.

Unresolved N200b subsidy balance Faulting the Federal Government on the claims, Olawoore said importers are still being owned up to the tune of N200 billion and expressed concern over the payment claim by Dr. OkonjoIweala.

Saying that no importer will commit himself to any commodity to which he is not assured of a repayment, he challenged the government to come clean on where they have been storing the products they claimed they have been importing.

Federal Government carpeted “Let them tell us the tank farm in which the commodity was being kept and if it is being transloaded on the high sea, or the vessel is on its way, let them tell us, we have adequate machinery to verify any onshore activity,” Olawoore said.

On the plan to rid the Apapa axis of the thousands of illegally parked trucks, Olawoore said there can never be any respite for as long as tank farms and ports activities go on simultaneously within the same environment.

He therefore called for the relocation of the ports as well as the tank farms from the Apapa vicinity.

His words: “I was a member of the panel chaired by the former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu that looked at the situations of the ports sometime in 2001 and I had a letter by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo directing the relocation of the tank farms from Apapa. Since then, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had licenced the siting of other

tank farms within the location, further compounding the crisis that we are about to ameliorate.”

He observed that globally, ports have always been relocated to avoid a clash with human activities.

“It is not out of place to recommend on the long term that the Federal Government consider the relocation of the Ports from Apapa. The government needs to look for other green locations to absorb the challenges that human activities are bringing to the ports activities,”he suggested.

Towing the MOMAN position, Adewole said the scarcity of products may persist because there is no fuel to distribute.

He said: “Normally, the tankers ought not to be on the road since there’s no product to lift but because of the confusion generated by the tagging and programming, many of them found themselves on the road and have refused to go on the assumption that the commodity will soon be supplied.”

Truck drivers as victims Adewole, who spoke of a plan to hold a far-reaching meeting with all depot owners and operators to streamline programming, said that no tanker should be tagged and programmed to load when products are not available.

Also speaking, Korodo lamented that tanker drivers are victims of circumstances in the unfolding scenario, saying they should not be made to carry the can.

The NUPENG chief said most of his members are independent workers, who get paid on the load they ferry from the tank farms.

He said: “Many of them will love to leave the road and return to their families but they dare not because they were called by marketers who have been tagged that they have been programmed to lift fuel and they will not be paid for a work not done.

He assured that his men will con-

PHOTO: NAN

tinue to bear with the government until the intractable scarcity becomes a thing of the past.

AMATO’s President (Odugbemi) blamed the indiscriminate parking of trucks in the Apapa axis on the reallocation the parcel of land earmarked for parking lot for other purposes by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

He appealed to the Lagos State government to give a human face to its decision to enforce the ultimatum, saying it will be unfair to make the truck owners the unfortunate victims of an institutional failure.

His suggestion that the International Trade Fair Complex be allowed as a temporary parking bay was turned down by the government, which said the accommodation of trailers was never factored into the original design of the complex.

Opeifa said a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be carried out before such steps can be taken, even as he noted that accepting such will amount to transferring the headache from Apapa to Festac Town, a development he said will worsen traffic on the Badagry Expressway.

He urged AMATO, NATO and other stakeholders to use the Kirikiri Truck and Tanker Park, failing which they risk prosecution.

In his own contribution, Oluyenumiwo said government’s actions may fail if the roads leading to the ports are not expanded and dedicated lanes created for trucks from Mile 2 to the Apapa Ports.

He said: “Our roads are becoming increasingly smaller compared to the volume of the activities going on at the ports and the traffic congestion is becoming intractable due to the sheer auto density.

The Apapa Road network needs a new design to accommodate the present realities and until this is done, we will continue to have the same crisis on our hands.”

The communique Responding, Opeifa told his audience that a new road design was identified in 2012, but yet to be captured in successive budgets of the Federal Government.

He said: “The Federal Ministry of Works had completed a design to convert the entire Creek Road and if this had been done, much of the congestion being experienced on the road would have been avoided.

“Till now, that project has not been awarded. I am aware that new sea ports have taken off in Lekki and tank farms have been allocated spaces there. In fact, we gathered that the allotted spaces are now oversubscribed by tank farm owners. When this eventually takes off, it will take traffic off the metropolis as tanker drivers can access Sagamu, in Ogun State, without coming into Lagos.

“Another deep sea port is almost completed in Badagry and these will eventually absorb the challenges being experienced in Apapa. We are looking forward to the resuscitation of all our refineries and the take off of new ones. When this comes on stream, there will be less gridlock.

“Soon, our train networks will takeoff. When this happens, we see a reduction in vehicular traffic, especially by the commercial 14-seater buses, as commuters will opt for trairail-based transportation.”

Reading a draft communiqué after its adoption by stakeholders through a voicevote, Opeifa said: “Stakeholders agreed that the major cause of the present clog of tankers in Apapa is traceable to the non availability of petroleum products to be lifted by the tankers at any of the depots and tank farms in the Apapa metropolis.”

Open letter to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

D

EAR Asiwaju, I trust that this letter will meet you in the best state of health and in highest form of sound mind. I am also hopeful that your family is doing well in all ramifications.

I will like to congratulate you, on the success of the APC in the 2015 general elections. No individual in modern day Nigeria has worked as much as you did to get us to where we are.

This is some considerable level of success. Never in Nigeria’s political history has the progressive taken control of the centre until now. I believe this would not have been possible without your immense sacrifice and doggedness. For this, I

By Dr. Adedayo Yusuff

want to thank you and express my profound gratitude for helping us in seeing a matured democracy. Without mincing words, your role as a democrat and a leader of a virile and strong opposition has helped us sustain our democracy and build a solid nation.

Also of note is your role in the deliverance of Southwest from reactionary politics. Since the year 1999, you have continued to provide vision and leadership to the region. You have been able to guide us from the era of serial embezzlers to an era of serial performers. The quality of

leadership you have provided has resulted into tremendous development within the region.

Across the nation, Lagos has become the template for infrastructural development and Osun has become the acceptable template in social welfarism. You have redefined political leadership, and have put Southwest on the front burner of Nigerian politics. This is evident in the emergence of the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket, which defeated a sitting president and demystified the power of incumbency.

As we set gaze on the horizon for the dawn of the new administration birthed from your struggle for a better Nigeria, I am taking the

liberty of this medium to call your attention to two salient issues. These issues are crucial to our beloved Southwest. The timing of this letter is based on the recent release of the proposed APC’s zoning formula. The choice of the medium is founded in your open-mindedness and your positive attitude to receiving different viewpoints and putting them into consideration for decision making. The first issue bothers on the election of the leadership of the National Assembly while the second issue relates to nominations and appointments into the Federal Executive Council of the incoming administration.

•continued on page 10

4

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

NEWS Buhari’s inauguration won’t be flamboyant, says Sylva From Tony Akowe, Abuja

F

•From left: Mr Wale Edun; Prof. Pat Utomi; National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC); Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Mr Doyin Salami; Mrs Nike Aboderin and Alhaji Lai Mohammed during a memo presentation to the members of the APC Transition Committee, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja

I’ve no candidate for Senate President, Speaker, says Buhari Continued from page 1

interfere in that process.”

Gen. Buhari added that Nigerians should begin to get used to no more “business as usual.

“Nigeria has indeed entered a new dispensation,” he said. “My administration does not intend to repeat the same mistakes made by previous governments.”

There is an ongoing contest for the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly. Gen. Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls the majority in the federal legislature, has heightened the pervading suspense as it is yet to announce the geo-political zone that will take the Senate presidency and House of Representatives Speaker.

Senators Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central), Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) and George Akume Benue (North East) are the frontrunners for Senate president.

Saraki and Akume are from

North Central while Lawan is from Northeast.

In the House of Representatives, the frontrunners are Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos), Abdulmumin Jibrin (Kano), Yakubu Dogara (Bauchi), Mohammed Monguno (Borno) and Pally Iriase (Edo).

Already, there are claims and counter claims on who controls the majority of followers in the Senate presidency race.

The Like Minds’ group said 65 senators have endorsed Senators Bukola Saraki and Ali Ndume from Borno State, who is also reported to be interested.

It claimed that 15 senators from the Northeast, nine from Northwest, 11 of the 18 APC senators from the Northcentral, 11 from the Southwest and 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators are in The Like Minds camp, led by Senator-elect Dino Melaye, which is backing Saraki.

But another group - the

Senator Ahmad Lawan Camp – yesterday faulted the claim.

A senator-elect from the Lawan camp said his group had the endorsement of 20 senators from Northwest, 12 Senators from Southwest and two from Yobe State.

He added that “even PDP Senators have now queued up behind Lawan” Said the source: “In the Eighth Senate, we want to select our own leaders. The party will have an input but it is important to select someone with integrity, experience and a transparent leader.”

There are indications that the Southeast caucus is split into two camps. Some senators-elect from the zone may have decided to jettison an earlier plan to make the Southeast produce the deputy Senate president.

Also yesterday, a delegation of Benue State leaders took their campaign for Akume to Gen. Buhari at the Defence House in Abuja.

Governor-elect Samuel Ortom led the team, which included retired senior military officers and members of the National Assembly.

Ortom echoed “the will and desires of our people for the candidacy of our leader, Senator George Akume, for the office of President of the Senate”.

He said: “In advanced democracies, leaders move up the ladder after exhibiting tremendous capabilities in their responsibilities. Senator Akume has shown more than enough of these qualities. It is under the leadership of this distinguished Nigerian that the APC grew in leaps and bounds within the Northcentral region.

“Today, we stand here to raise the destiny of this nation because of the contributions of this great leader. For us in Benue, we believe that this effort be recognised and the state rewarded with the position of President of the Senate.”

He also drew the attention

of the President-elect to the plight of ex-service men, saying: “His Excellency would recall the role played by exServicemen in keeping the unity of this country.

“Sadly, these patriots are often times ignored and left to die in penury. The situation where the ex-service men go for months without their monthly pension calls for concern. We believe that in tackling corruption, this too should be looked into with a view to nipping it in the bud.”

Ortom said: “Benue State has played important roles in the unity of this country at very critical times. We have also done tremendously well in both the national elections and governorship elections. It is therefore our hope that the state will be rewarded with placements of our people in federal MDAs in your administration.

“We are happy that Benue State shares a long history of Continued on page 60

World ‘ll support Nigeria, Blair assures President-elect Continued from page 1

He said the future of Nigeria lies in the hands of Nigerians, pointing out that there is tremendous support for this country.

Blair said: “In the last few weeks, Nigeria has earned respect throughout the whole world. There is enormous support for Nigeria now in the international community. The support takes into consideration the challenges that lie

ahead and there is great confidence in the country.

“This is an election which took place in a way which the country showed the majority of democracies the spirit and character of its people and in the President-elect and Vice President-elect. It is a leadership that I know is determined to do its best for the country.

“Obviously, the future and destiny of Nigeria lies in the hands of its people. I just want to say to the President-elect

that there is tremendous support for you and the country at this moment and all of us, in whatever way we can stand ready to support you and help you.

“It is a moment of great challenges which bothers on the life of the people as well as their security and so on. If the same spirit and character that define the election can be taken through these coming years to address the challenges, I think we can all have

great confidence in the times ahead.

“Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to see you again here in Nigeria and wish you and your team the best in the times head.”

While expressing appreciation to the British government for their support to Nigeria before, during and after the election, Buhari said: “We had a meeting and discussed how Britain and the United States were helping us in making

sure that we conducted ourselves according to our constitution.

“The fact that it has been so successful is a major relief for us and to all people of conscience throughout the world.

I thank the former British Prime Minister for his concern for Nigeria and Nigerians, in what he is prepared to do by continuing to help us as a country and as a people.”

ORMER Bayelsa State Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) Presidential Inauguration Committee, Chief Timipre Sylva, said yesterday that the committee plans a low key and compact inauguration.

Sylva told reporters in Abuja that they believed that the nation could not afford a flamboyant ceremony because the economy is in a bad shape.

He added that the committee was expecting some foreign leaders to attend the event, but refused to disclose the number of foreign leaders being expected, saying the committee was yet to get confirmation from all those invited.

He said: “There are no challenges. We are planning very well and I think we are going to give Nigerians a compact inauguration. We are not going to be flamboyant. We think that this country cannot afford a flamboyant ceremony this time because the economy is not in good shape.”

The former governor dismissed the insinuation that there was a rift between the incoming administration and the outgoing government.

“There is no problem; it is just politics. What happened is that they were on the wrong side and they lost. We are on the right side and we won. So, the government will have to continue, and just like we were there when they were governing, they also have to be there when we are governing the country.”

On allegations that he was carrying a corruption baggage and should not be part of Buhari’s men, he said: “I will be shocked to hear that.

Maybe those peddling the allegation are the courts and they have already convicted me. We have courts in the land and you know that PDP is the party of impunity.

“Today, if I pick you up and I charge you to court on charges of corruption, does that convict you? It is only the court that can convict you and that is why we have rule Continued on page 60

Sanusi: $12.5b oil money diverted under Jonathan Continued from page 1

NNPC’s earnings was not remitted to the treasury, contrary to what the Petroleum Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, claimed is the case.

Sanusi wrote: “Contrary to the claims of Petroleum Minister Diezani AlisonMadueke, the audit report does not exonerate the NNPC. It establishes that the gap between the company’s oil revenues between January 2012 and July 2013 and cash remitted to the government for the same period was $18.5bilion.”

Sanusi said the breakdown of the NNPC’s account of

how it used that money, raises serious questions about the legality of the conduct of the state’s oil company.

He said the only thing that is left to be done is for the authority to hold anyone found culpable in these transactions accountable and commence legal proceedings against them since, in his words, “Nigerians did not vote for an amnesty for anyone”.

Sanusi said: “The lines of investigation suggested by this audit need to be pursued.

Any officials found responsible for involvement in this apparent breach of trust must be charged.”

Giving details of what he

described as a “scam that violated the constitution” and which he alleged resulted in the siphoning of money from the treasury,” and by extension, his suspension as CBN governor, Sanusi said the perpetrators of the exercise relied on the supposed kerosene subsidy purportedly granted by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

He pointed out that contrary to that view, the kerosene subsidy had been vacated, going by the statement attributed to the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pipeline Marketing Company (PPPMC).

His words: “ The auditors say a significant part of the

unremitted funds is supposed to have gone towards a kerosene subsidy that had been stopped two and a half years earlier by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. His decree never appeared in the official gazette, leading some to question whether it ever had legal force.

“Evidence disclosed in the report suggests this is a sideshow. The executive secretary of the agency charged with administering subsidies confirmed that, acting on Yar’Adua’s orders, it had ceased granting subsidies on kerosene. There was no appropriation for such a subsidy in the 2012 or 2013 budgets,” he stated.

He said throughout all this, “Nigerians paid N120-N140 a litre of kerosene, far more than the supposed subsidised price of N50, yet the state oil company withheld $3.4billion to pay for a subsidy that in effect did not exist”.

Sanusi said besides the subsidy matter, he was interested in knowing whether the NNPC remitted to the government the entire proceeds of its crude oil sales, and that if it did not, whether there is proof of the purpose to which the unremitted amounts were applied, as well as ascertaining whether the Corporation has the legal authority to withhold these funds.

Notwithstanding the out-

come of the PwC audit report, the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has said he would revisit the missing $20billion. After Buhari’s omment, President Jonathan directed that the report be made public.

Besides Buhari’s pronouncement, other stakeholders and chieftains of the incoming government, have called for an overhaul and restructuring of the nation’s oil sector, so as to position it as a revenue earner, as it is applicable in other major oil producing countries in the world.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

5

NEWS Jonathan meets PDP National Working Committee over crisis

•Beneficiaries of the SureP's Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) protesting non-payment of their stipends in Abuja ...yesterday.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

P

PHOTO: NAN

Constitution amendment flops as Senate shelves bid to override Jonathan’s veto •Senators vow to challenge Executive in court A FTER over two hour closed door session, the Senate yesterday halted moves to override President Goodluck Jonathan’s veto of the Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution.

The action of the Upper Chamber may have finally nailed the coffin of the controversial review of the 1999 Constitution.

Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba told reporters after plenary that the Senate would challenge the ex parte order of the Supreme Court on the issue.

As it did on Tuesday, the Senate also listed the first reading of the Bill to alter the constitution as its first business for yesterday.

It listed the Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Ad hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Ike EKweremadu, and 46 others as sponsors.

But, the Senate met at a closed session where it resolved to abort further alteration of the

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

constitution.

Indication that the Senate would not make good its threat to override the President’s veto emerged on Tuesday when it suddenly stood down the Bill, which was already listed on the order paper for the day.

Ekweremadu, who presided over the Tuesday plenary, had hinted that the stood down became necessary due to the scanty number of lawmakers in chamber.

The Nation gathered that the leadership of the upper chamber had been put under intense pressure to rescind its decision.

It was learnt that the closed session was held to allow the leadership of the Senate to seek appropriate legal advice on the likely implications of its proposed action.

Ndoma-Egba said the session was meant to give the Senate

Committee on Constitution Review to brief the Senate of the circumstances surrounding the amendment of the constitution.

Senate President David Mark said after the closed session that the Senate resolved to backpedal on the plot to override the president’s veto.

Mark said: “We have finished all our discussions and I think it is better for me because of the importance of the issue to make a very simple straightforward unambiguous statement.

“We are lawmakers and we will not be law breakers. We are not just lawmakers, but we are very senior responsible citizens and very senior lawmakers. This is the apex of lawmaking in this country.

“Therefore, on the issue of the current constitutional review that is before the Supreme Court, we want to assure Nigerians that we will not break any law in this country.

“We will take appropriate action that will ensure democracy survives. But I would also like to warn that we should also not be taken for granted by the Executive. Once more, let me assure Nigerians that as lawmakers, we will not be law breakers.”

The Senate, however, vowed to challenge the order of the Supreme Court “as soon as possible.”

Explaining the rationale for the Executive session, NdomaEgba said: “Senate commenced today’s proceedings with an Executive Session. We had to defer the constitution amendment yesterday and today for one simple reason. ”At the level of the Committee on Constitutional Amendment, we had reviewed the developments concerning the amendment, but we did not have the opportunity of briefing Senate in plenary.

“That opportunity we had this

morning of briefing the Senate in plenary about the developments and circumstances surrounding the Bill so that the Senate will be in the full picture. That is what we did today in the Executive Session.”

On the circumstances surrounding the constitution amendment process, he said: “We received a letter from Mr. President and the committee met to discuss that letter and agreed to make certain recommendations to Senate in plenary.

“Before we could do that, we had the court order, which again is another development.

We had to thoroughly review those developments at the closed-session today to agree on a way forward.”

When asked what on the way forward, the Senate Leader said the upper chamber would mount a legal challenge to vacate the ex parte order of the Supreme Court.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday night met with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the crisis that rocked the party after the general elections.

Members of the committee started trooping to the Presidential Villa around 6:30 pm for the meeting that was termed “private” and not for media coverage.

Among those who arrived early for the meeting include the PDP National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe and National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh.

Following the poor performance of the party at the polls, there were calls for the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu.

Some members of the NWC had also blamed the Presidency for the woes that befell the party during the election.

Because of the rift, Muazu and members of the committee had stayed away from the Presidential Villa when the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation’s (PCO) report was presented by its directorgeneral, Ahmadu Ali, to President Jonathan on April 30.

•Dr. Jonathan

Buhari: I won’t support anybody undermining citizens’ rights

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HE President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday read a riot act to those who will serve under his government and other Nigerians.

He said anybody who undermines the right of Nigerians will not get his support.

Buhari, who was addressing a delegation from Delta State, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Olorogun Ortega Emerhor, said the greatest disservice anybody aspiring to the position of authority could do to the nation was to equip the youth and turn them against their fellow human beings.

He spoke after Emerhor explained how the governorship election in Delta State was rigged and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) given more votes than the total number of accredited voters.

Buhari lauded the delegation for coming to congratulate him for emerging as the winner of the presidential election.

He said: “I am very much in touch with your governor and he has kept me abreast with the running battle and I express my

•Emerhor reveals how PDP ‘rigged’ polls in Delta, others From Tony Akowe, Abuja

condolence to you for the people murdered and I assure you that my objective of remaining consistently in partisan politics is to make sure that Nigerians are given their inherent right as citizens of Nigeria to choose whoever they want to lead them.

“It is not a favour for them as Nigerians, but a constitutional right as citizens of this country.

I will not support anybody who will undermine that right of Nigerians by whatever means.

“To use the military and other law enforcement agencies and worse still, to give drugs and weapons to unemployed youths and send them to kill their own people is the worst thing anybody aspiring to leadership can do to his country.

“I assure you that in my first term, what I will concentrate on is that Nigerians will be proud to be Nigerians wherever they are. They will be respected by whoever they favour to be chosen as a representative or as a leader. If they like, let them vote for you; if they don’t like, let him try against and again and

again.

“It hasn’t been easy. The field work is not easy and because it is not easy, you get a lawyer to put it in proper term. Going through the court is not easy both materially and physically. I maintained that consistency because my view about my country is that Nigeria should be truly free. I have it so often and I don’t mind reminding myself here.”

He added: “I understand why many of you were denied the opportunity to choose those you want to represent and lead you. If you are taking the line I took in the last 12 years - which is in line with our constitution whether you get it or not, the most important thing is that you believe in the system and you should continue to try until the system is perfect.”

Emerhor said while available evidence revealed that only 709,700 registered voters were accredited for the governorship elections, the votes declared for the PDP candidate stood at 724,680.

His words: “Through the CTC of the card reader report

that we have obtained from INEC, we have unearthed the massive fraud that PDP perpetuated in Delta State. We have filed our petitions to cancel these bogus elections in the tribunal in Delta State.

“Our election petition shows that while announced voter accreditation was over 1,017,796, the actual card reader accreditation report shows only 709,700.

“A cursory look shows that the votes allocated to the PDP governorship candidate (724,680) exceeded the accredited voters as recorded by the card reader report. With these anomalies, we are indeed very optimistic that the governorship and assembly elections in Delta State will be nullified and a rerun ordered.”

Recounting APC members’ experience during the elections, he said: “We would like to bring to your attention how the PDP disenfranchised the people of Delta and the Southsouth at both the presidential and governorship elections.

“As our submission to the tribunal in respect of the gover-

norship and state assembly elections will demonstrate, majority of Deltans were ready for the change you represent and were geared to vote massively for you and APC. “Unfortunately, a grand design executed by the PDP in the Southsouth and Southeast, and particularly in Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom, made sure that no proper election took place.

“Result sheets were confiscated and results fabricated, written and allocated to parties, giving PDP massive votes while giving paltry votes to APC to portray it as not existing in the two zones.

“To provide a cover for this vote manipulation, PDP also resorted to violence and intimidation and ballot box-snatching as a smokescreen.

“They effectively compromised both INEC and the security forces and this secured the declaration of PDP as winner in these states against the will and preferences of the Delta people and the two zones.”

He added: “As you are aware, Delta State along with Akwa Ibom and Rivers are the rich oil

resources and the PDP is determined to hold on to these states at all cost in order to utilise the huge revenue base of these states to re-launch itself to national reckoning.

“It is, therefore, strategic for the APC and your administration to pay particular attention and to assist us out in placing modalities to break the stronghold of the PDP in Delta and the other states. Irrespective of the intent of PDP to dubiously hold on to Delta State, our resolve to reclaim our mandate from the PDP is unshakeable as we are assured that under your presidency, the re-run elections will be undertaken in an environment that will allow for a free, fair and transparent election.

“We also know that you are fully conversant with the challenges of the Niger Delta region, which includes militancy, pipeline vandalisation, oil theft, environmental degradation and others. We assure you that the region will welcome all efforts by your administration to address these challenges and we hereby offer our support and cooperation to resolve the challenges in the general interest of Nigerians.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

6

NEWS Ex-court registrar linked with plot to defraud Bamaiyi

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LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja heard yesterday that a court registrar, Oluronke Rosulu, lied to the court about the role she played in the plot to defraud former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi.

A polygraph expert, Mr. Chinedum Enanya, said this in his testimony at the resumed trial of Rosulu before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.

Rosulu is standing trial for allegedly aiding a one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, to defraud Bamaiyi of $330,000.

The defendant, who is a former registrar at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences and obtaining money by false pretences.

The fraud, according to the commission, took place while Bamaiyi and Ajudua were on remand at Kirikiri Maximum Prison for separate criminal charges between November 2004 and June 2005.

The anti-graft agency said Ajudua obtained the money from Bamaiyi under false pretences and by claiming that it represented the professional fees to be paid to Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to handle his case.

The law firm of Afe Babalola has since clarified that they did not receive the money and they were not counsel to Bamaiyi.

By Adebisi Onanuga

Enanya, who was led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Mr. Seidu Atteh, said a lie detector test was conducted on Rosulu on January 17, 2014 to determine the validity of her claims.

He said the examination was conducted with the consent of the defendant and a consent form was duly signed by her at the polygraph interrogation room of the EFCC. The witnessed said: “Three relevant questions were put to the defendant. She was asked if she had ever visited Kirikiri Prison and whether she collected any money from Bamaiyi. She was also asked whether she lied in her statement that she never took money from Bamaiyi.”

The witness said when her responses were compared with the controlled questions, more tensions were recorded on the side of the relevant questions.

According to him, this showed that the defendant was deceptive in her responses and her involvement in the crime.

Enanya said he later produced his report for the investigating team regarding what happened.

The court admitted the EFCC polygraph consent form, certificate of identification, copy of the polygraph chart and the polygraph report as exhibits.

The matter was adjourned till June 8, 9 and 10, 2015 for continuation of trial.

FEC approves N30.9b Niger Delta road contracts, others T HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday approved contracts for four roads in the Niger Delta region totalling N30.9 billion.

The council also ratified the anticipatory approval of the President for the renewal of the contract for the production of passport booklets between the Ministry of Interior and Irish Smart Technologies Nigeria Ltd, a service provider.

Another decision taken was the ratification of the approval of a provisional licence for the establishment of Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Steve Oru, said this to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

He was accompanied to the briefing by Minister of Information Patricia Akwashiki, Minister of Interior Abba Moro and Minister of State for Trade and Investment Kenneth Kobani.

The council, he said, ratified the four roads’ contracts which were earlier given anticipatory approvals by Jonathan around last year ending.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

According to him, the contract sum for Zaraa-Okodia-Iseni road in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State is N5.923 billion and Agadagba-Akotokpo-IsayaOvia River and bridge in Irele Local Government of Ondo State is N15.628 billion to be completed within 18 months.

Others are Ofagbe UdezeOzoro road with a spur from Ovwie to Aba road in Isoko North, Isoko South local government areas of Delta State (N6.675 billion to be completed within 18 months) and Amasoma-Egbedi road in Okolouma Okpokuma Local Area of Bayelsa State for N2.767 billion.

He added that a substantial parts of the East-West roads have been completed and there may be tour of the roads by the President in the next 10 days.

Moro said that the council ratified the anticipatory approval of President Jonathan for the renewal of the contract

for the production of passport booklets between the Ministry of Interior and Irish Smart Technologies Nigeria Ltd since a subsisting contract with the service provider, which has spanned over 10 years, has since expired.

He said: “The acquisition of the Nigerian passport has increased in rates and so it became imperative that at the expiration of the contract for the production of these passport booklets, that it be renewed for the service provider to continue to provide these passports so that we don’t go to the extent that it will become a crisis situation when passports are exhausted and Nigerians clamour for acquisition of passports and they are not available. So, the council looked at the approval of Mr. President and ratified the approval for the continuous provision of Nigerian passport booklets by Irish Smart Technologies Nigeria Ltd.” Moro said: “The contract for Irish Technology was renewed for a period of four years and

the production of 10 million epassport booklets in their various categories of 32-page, 62page, and their counterpart of diplomatic and official passports.”

The contract, he said, is completely contractor financed while each production cost is N693.80 Akwashiki said that the council ratified the approval of a provisional licence for the establishment of Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State.

She also said that there was approval of a report of the ministerial implementation committee on harmonisation of taxes and levies across the federation.

“This is because we have the issue especially of service providers, who when they move from one state into another, they are also levied by the new state and also by the local government. There was a ministerial committee and the report has been harmonised and approved by FEC,” she added.

Kobani revealed that the council also approved the revised national policy on micro, small and medium enterprises.

Group to Buhari: don’t allow use of EFCC for persecution

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CIVIL rights group, Transparency Coalition of Nigeria (TCN), has called on the President-elect, Muhammed Buhari, to insulate the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) from being manipulated by politicians to witch hunt perceived enemies when he assumes office.

In a statement by its Secretary General, Mr. Peter Gimba in Abuja on Tuesday, the TCN said it was concerned about the use of the EFCC for political purposes by the Executive arm in the past.

Gimba said the act had undermined the credibility of the anticrime commission and attempts to enshrine transparency in all government business.

“The reasons for the establishment of the EFCC remain genuine and the case for the commission remains strong. However, the perceived use of the EFCC by the executive to muzzle or intimidate its real or perceived opponents into submission is a worrisome development that has diminished public confidence in the EFCC and raised questions about the government’s commitment to due process, accountability and transparency.

“TCN, therefore, calls on the President-elect to strengthen the EFCC and insulate it from political control, especially by those who seek to use the commission as a weapon of intimidation and blackmail targeted at political opponents”.

The group argued that the use of pending EFCC cases in hate campaigns against perceived political opponents contributed to the erosion of public confidence in the commission apart from the injury inflicted on the reputation of the affected individuals.

On the leadership of the forthcoming National Assembly, TCN canvassed the election of principal officers with a known commitment to rule of law, due process, and transparency so that the legislative and the executive arms can work in tandem to stamp out corruption and impunity while instilling transparency in the country.

Minister: I ’ll ask president’s CSO why he expelled reporter

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HE Minister of Information, Senator Patricia Akwashiki, yesterday promised to liaise with the office of the Chief Security Officer to President Goodluck Jonathan to know why Villa Correspondent for the Deutsche Welle (German Radio), Musa Ubale, was accredited.

Ubale’s tag was withdrawn on Monday after asking the Chadian President, Idris Derby, questions on Abubakar Shekau’s whereabouts and the link between the troops of the Multinational Task Force and mercenaries from South Africa at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Presidency was said to

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

be embarrassed by the questions and ordered the immediate withdrawal of Ubale’s State House accreditation tag.

Fielding questions from reporters at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Akwashiki said: “I am not aware of it. I was in Jos on official assignment. I read about it like you did.

“You know everything about security is controlled by the Chief Security Officer to the President.”

“He has his reasons but I don’t know the reason why he should do that. I will ask him when I see him,” she added.

•From left: Senator-elect for Enugu North Senatorial District, Chukwuka Utazi; Chairman, Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, C. I. Ilomuanya; Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu; his wife, Dr. Nwanneka; Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka and the senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District Gil Nnaji, when the Deputy Senate President cut his 53rd birthday anniversary cake in Abuja...on Monday.

‘Children affected by insurgency ’ll not be nuisance to society’

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HE President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, said yesterday that one of the biggest burden of the incoming government is the challenge of ensuring that children affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast does not constitute security risk to the nation.

Buhari said he was aware of the contribution of women to national development, and therefore, will not marginalise them in the scheme of things under his government.

Addressing a delegation of Women Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 36 states and the FCT, he lamented that Nigerians rescued from the Sambissa Forest were either women or children, adding that the men have either been killed or have escaped.

He said the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents have left women with the responsibility of taking care of the children.

He noted that government’s attention in looking after

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

women and children would need to be practical because the women have been left with the responsibility of bringing up the children at the critical stage of their lives.

He said: “I have listened to the marathon speech by the National women leader. I believe that the success of the APC will be associated with her. I am happy that you recalled that the first opportunity I had to lead this country under a different system, there was a policy by the Federal Government that at every level of government, there must be at least one woman in government.

“I have certainly taken into account the importance of women in the society. Besides, I have to thank you very much for your votes. The fingerprint on the card reader did not show whether majority of the votes were from ladies or from gentlemen. But I know that there are many supporters among the women group all over the

country.

“Looking at the human aspect, if you watch the people coming from Sambissa forest under the Boko Haram and others that escaped, you will discover that they are women and children and the women are left to take care of the children. The men have either been killed or have escaped.

“So, really, government attention in looking after women and children will have to be practical because they have been left with the responsibility of bringing up the children at the critical stage of their live.

“If they lack the parental care, they lack the education, then, they are going to be a liability to the nation because they will grow up without strong religious affiliation, which is very important for the society. If they are educated, their ambition to have a decent life will be realised. This will again affect the security of the nation and this is our number one problem”.

Addressing the complaint of

the women leaders of non-representation in the transition committee, Buhari said the appointment of women into the committee was not based on party affiliation, adding that he has never met any of the women appointed into the committee personally.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and National Women Leader of the APC, Hajia Ramatu Ali, told the President-elect that though they were happy about his election and has express confidence in him, they were not comfortable with the fact that they were not consulted in the appointment of women into the transition committee both at the states and federal level.

Pleading for inclusion of women in the incoming administration, she said: “Our prayer sir is that we will not be put to shame and we believe that it is only when included in the helm of affairs that we will be able to carry out some of these promises because he who wears the shoe knows where it pinches most.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

7

NEWS

Three ‘pipeline vandals’ arrested in Ibadan

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HREE men have been arrested by the police in Oyo State for allegedly vandalising pipelines.

Aiki Ademola, Olalekan Omolayo and Abass Yekini were arrested with 24 drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) loaded in two buses at Oluyide village, a boundary community between Ogun and Oyo states.

Ademola (35), the perceived gang leader, allegedly recruited two others as drivers. The buses were marked OSUN WWD16XA and LAGOS EKY 01XM. Omolayo and Yekini confessed that Ademola contracted them to convey the goods for him.

Ademola, who introduced himself as an engine oil retailer in Ojoo, Ibadan, the state capital, confessed that one engineer, who he identified as Koste, introduced him to the business.

He said he had been selling engine oil in Ojoo for seven years, adding that he started selling PMS unofficially three weeks ago.

The suspect added that he bought each keg for N1,800 from Koste and sold it at N2,500. He said he used to meet the engineer at Odeda Junction on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

His words: “The engineer asked me to arrange for drums to convey the petroleum product to Ibadan.

“I arranged for 24 drums in two buses and brought them to Odeda Junction, where I met with Koste’s agents.

“The agents collected the buses from the drivers at the junction and drove on the Odeda-Ogunmakin Road.

“I was arrested by the police at Odeda Junction, where I was waiting for the agents to come back.

The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Katsina, who led a team of policemen to the scene, told reporters that the police had to move to the scene, due to the sensitivity of the matter.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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MEMBER of the Editorial Board of The Nation and Director-General of the Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance, Prof.

Moses Akin Makinde, was involved in an accident yesterday on the Ife-Ibadan express way.

Prof Makinde was travelling from Ife to Ibadan to attend a commemorative service for the late Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Tekena Tamuno.

A Toyota Hilux van reportedly rammed into his car at Wasinmi village. The two vehicles were damaged.

•Katsina (right) and reporters inspecting one of the vehicle. INSET Katsina inspecting the fuel dump where the engine oil was stored.

PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

‘Fuel tanker hijackers’ meet waterloo FIVE people have been arrested for allegedly hijacking a tanker in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The suspects, dressed in fake military uniform, reportedly hijacked a tanker filled with 31,000 litres of engine oil at Agbowo Express in Ibadan.

But the tanker and its contents were recovered by the police, when the consignment was being offloaded at a fuel station at Ogungbade, on the Ibadan-Ife Expressway.

The driver, Yusuf Lukman, with registration number KWARA FUF-162XA, told The Nation that he loaded the tanker at Flour Mills Depot in Lagos and was taking the consignment to Ilorin in Kwara State.

Lukman said: “I was attacked at Agbowo Express on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. I work with Mannabis Ventures Ilorin.

“At Agbowo Express, a car was parked in the middle of the road. They were six and four of them wore military uniform.

They stopped me and asked me to park. They were angry, asking if I wanted to crush them with the truck. I apologised.

“Before I knew what was happening, they bundled me into their car and drove me to Oyo town. Some of them also From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

He said: “We had to go beyond our boundary to take care of the situation. This was the coordinated effort of my Ambush Squad, the AntiKidnapping Squad, Skynet

Squad as well as officers and men of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS).

“You may describe these suspects as unrepentant economic saboteurs, but I will add one adjective to describe them-glutinous vulturesscavenging on our national

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

drove the tanker away from the scene. I escaped when we go to Oyo and came to Ibadan immediately, where I reported the matter to the police.

“I loaded at the Flour Mills Depot in Lagos and was going to Ilorin. The way bill was in the truck and they hijacked it with the bill.”

The station manager, Tunde Oyebamiji, said his assistant handled the transaction, adding that the transaction started last Thursday.

The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Katsina, said: “This is a case of highway robbers. It has been a very big problem for us and we thank God that the change in strategy has now led to this very important achievement.

“We have got the dossiers of the hijackers. The military uniforms they wore were fake. They were never military officers. They did that to deceive the public.

“The owner of the station has been arrested, their informant has been arrested and those at large, wherever they are, I will get at them anytime, anywhere.” pride.

“You are all aware of the situation we are facing today due to fuel scarcity; this is one of the many areas being punctured by these miscreants to deny the public and sabotage the Federal Government’s efforts to pro-

Govt: APC lawmakers insensitive

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HE 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly have raised the alarm on an alleged fresh plot to kidnap them.

The lawmakers claimed that the new security measure ordered by Governor Ayo Fayose to stem the tide of kidnapping in the state was targeted at them to stall his impeachment from office.

The lawmakers, in a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Speaker, Wole Olujobi, described the “stop and search” operation as “an orchestrated plot” to crack down on them for their avowed resolve to stop the desecration of the constitution and the rule of law.

According to them, their

Tribunal grants order of sub-service From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

vide enough fuel for the citizens.”

He promised that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would be contacted.

The suspects would be charged to court after investigation, Katsina said.

Fayose plotting to kidnap us, say APC lawmakers

•Fayose

Makinde in car crash

THE Ekiti State government has described the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers as “insensitive”.

The government said the allegation by the lawmakers exposed the “culpability of the party in the kidnapping of residents”.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration accused the APC lawmakers of “betraying their guilt by telling Nigerians that they want the kidnapping of Ekiti residents to continue”.

The Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said: “The Fayose-led government will do everything possible to protect lives and properties of Ekiti people.

“What is expected from genuine lovers of the state is to cooperate with security agen-

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

cies, and not politicisation of every effort of the government.

“For the avoidance of doubt, introduction of strict security measures and check points in strategic places, prohibition of the usage of tinted glasses, frequent hotel checks were resolutions of the State Security Council meeting on Monday.

“Only wicked and evil people, whose agenda is to make Ekiti State ungovernable, will kick against these measures that are aimed at securing the lives and properties of the people.

“Most importantly, we wish to assure residents that the government will spare no effort to get rid of criminals.”

•’Stop and search, a ruse’ From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

official cars have tinted glasses and the order to fish out owners of cars with tinted glasses has the ulterior motive to decimate their ranks.

They claimed that the plot was leaked to them by those they described as “the good

people in government”.

The APC lawmakers claimed that cars being targeted for stop and search operation “would be mainly dark grey Toyota Camrys”, which is the brand and colour of their official cars.

They said: “We have a report that the governor is exploiting kidnap cases in the

state to break the nationwide ban on roadblock ordered by the Inspector General of Police to raise some “security men” working in the Government House to take us out of circulation.

“They have been told to specifically be on the lookout for dark grey Toyota Camrys, which are our offi-

cial cars, to identify us for kidnap to stall his impeachment.

“Part of the instruction is that all vehicles with tinted glasses must be stopped for identification.

“All our cars are tinted and so that will create the excuse to stop our cars.

“This is the latest ploy after other plots had failed. We are also aware that the governor will address a briefing where he will allege that some of the lawmakers, who he believes constitute a threat to him, are responsible for kidnappings in the state.

“He is already selling a dummy that the Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin and Senator Babafemi Ojudu are sponsors of kidnapping in the state.

“The plan is to declare them wanted.”

The lawmakers urged the state leaders to call the governor to order.

They urged the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to put his men on the alert to stop the activities of criminal gangs bent of frustrating his ‘no roadblock’ order.

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HE Election Petitions Tribunal in Oyo State yesterday granted the order of sub-service to respondent to be served with their petitions through pasting on their properties or court premises.

The Chairman, Justice J.G Abundaga, granted the approval after an application was filled by the prosecuting counsel of some aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidates.

The counsel, Kazeem Gbadamosi, said:”We are in court on behalf of some APC petitioners. We filed an application for the court to know that some respondents have been unreachable and the court bailiff has not been able to serve them the petition.

“Most of the petitions for Accord have been served but some of their candidates have not been served. Those for Labour Party could not be reached.

The tribunal has granted our application and ordered sub-service, which means that we can paste the petition on any of their properties or even within the court.”

Praise for Osun govt From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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HE Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Dikko Suleiman, has praised the Osun State government for training teachers.

Speaking at a five-day training and capacity building programme for Quality Assurance Officers of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Local Government Education Authorities and Zonal Inspectors of Education, Suleiman said the state had taken bold steps to organise the workshop.

Represented by Yaya Amuda, the executive secretary said the training was designed to achieve qualitative education as stipulated in the Education for All (EFA) goals 2 and 6 as well as the education-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through the concerted practice of quality assurance in schools.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

8

NEWS

How student died, by UI VC

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HE authorities of the University of Ibadan (UI) yesterday gave a detailed account of the last moments of a 200-Level student, Mayowa Alaran, who died last Thursday.

At a briefing yesterday, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Isaac Adewole, said Alaran slumped while watching a football match and died before he was taken to the university health centre.

He said this belied claims that his death was caused by the inefficiency of the health centre staff.

His death triggered a protest by students, who shut all the gates to the campus and paralysed activities throughout the day.

Adewole said Alaran died before he was taken to the university clinic, Jaja.

He said: “He carried out his normal activities earlier on Wednesday, May 6.

“Very early in the day, he attended the gymnastics practical with other students in his department from 7– 9am.

“He later attended the induction programme organised for fresh students in his department.

“He attempted to participate in a football match between his Department of Health Education and Hu-

From BisI Oladele, Ibadan

man Kinetics and the Department of Library and Archival Studies (LARIS) in the afternoon, but could not due to the fact that he did not train with the team.

“He, thereafter, returned to the faculty to attend a GES class that held from 4 – 6pm.

“It was from here that he returned to Independence Hall to watch the football match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the Junior Common Room (JCR). The match started at 7.45 pm.

“A generator was used to supply electricity to JCR. The generator was placed about 50 meters away from the room.

“Alaran sat in the front row and was facing a non-rotating standing fan.

“Thirty minutes into the match, a student sitting next to him observed that he had slumped and was motionless.

“The concerned student promptly carried him for resuscitation with the assistance of some medical students, who performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

“The concerned student made a call to the University Health Centre requesting for an ambulance.

•From left: Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Prof. Gbemisola Oke; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari and Prof Adewole...yesterday.

“After waiting for about 8 -10 minutes, the student arranged for a private vehicle to convey him to the University Health Centre.

“On the way, at Lander Roundabout, the vehicle conveying the student met the ambulance, which was sent to bring him by the nurseon-duty.

“It should be noted that though, there was only one ambulance on duty that night, the case was promptly attended to with appropriate priority.

“Two patients (staff dependants – one with a ruptured appendix and the oth-

er with femoral fracture) who were being taken to a private hospital – Molly Hospital, in the same ambulance, were disembarked to allow the ambulance pick Alaran from Independence Hall.

“At the time of moving him into the University Health Centre, he showed no vital signs.

“The nurse-on-duty promptly attended to him and observed that vital signs were absent and continued resuscitation efforts.

“The doctor-on-call joined in the resuscitation efforts, despite the absence of vital signs and later certified

him dead.

“After the certification of the death and in order to manage the growing tension and anxiety among the students, they were asked to go back to his room and look for any available information they could gather.

“This was a diversionary ploy to reduce the already growing population of students around the clinic.”

The institution has disclosed its intention to begin annual health screening for all its students.

The decision was part of the recommendations of the special committee set up to

Lagos’ll reclaim TBS, says Fashola

L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has vowed to reclaim the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) sold by the Federal Government.

He also promised to resist the sale of the National Theatre, Trade Fair Complex and Volkswagen assembly plant sites.

Fashola said the land on which TBS was built belongs to Lagos State.

“The Federal Government was a manager of TBS, you can’t sell what doesn’t belong to you,” he said.

The governor spoke yesterday at the launch of a book titled “Contemporary State Land Matters in Nigeria: The case of Lagos State” written by legal icon and

By Leke Salaudeen

former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing, Alhaji Femi Okunnu.

He said: “For as long as I live, I will fight the purported sale of TBS. The buyers should go and collect their money back from the Federal Government.”

“The constitution vested the powers of land trustee on the governor. But the Federal Government continues to breach the constitution by setting up land registry in the states and issuing Certificate of Occupancy from Abuja on lands that belong to the state.

“Those saying Lagos is no man’s land are ignorant; the lands in Lagos belong to the indigenes of Lagos. Since Lagos State was created in 1967,

all lands taken over by the Federal Government belong to the state.”

The book reviewer, Ade Ipaye, said land matter had never been on the exclusive legislative list. He said Lagos ceased to be a federal territory on May 27, 1967.

Ipaye, who is the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said the Federal Government is yet to compensate Lagos for the land acquired for the construction of FESTAC Town, adding that it was the state that paid the land owners.

He said the Federal Government has no claim on the Trade Fair Complex.

He described the book as melting port of history, geography and constitution

and praised the author for the presentation of the subject in coherent manner.

Okunnu said there was hardly any controversy about Lagos land, until Gen Ibrahim Babangida confiscated Lagos lands because he wanted to give them out to his friends.

Babangida ended up with an obnoxious decree of Land Title Vesting, which was declared illegal, null and void by a Federal High Court.

At the event were Governor-elect Akinwunmi Ambode; former Chief Judge Justice Ayo Philips; former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Prince Bola Ajibola; Ogun State Attorney General Mrs Abimbola Akeredolu; the

Kidnappers threaten to abduct APC chieftain From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

S •Fashola

author’s wife Latifat, her daughter, Justice Latifat Okunnu; the Olowu of Owu, Oba Dosunmu; Mallam Yusuf Ali; Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi; Chief Philip Asiodu; Chief Lai Ajayi-Bembe; Mr Fatayi Williams and Prince Alaba Oniru.

Ekiti PDP chair sacked for ‘breach of party constitution’

T

HINGS are falling apart in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, less than a year after it won the governorship election.

The party is embroiled in a crisis as a section of the State Working (SWC) Committee removed the Chairman, Idowu Faleye, accusing him of breach of party constitution.

They elected Olatunde Olatunde as the new chairman.

The SWC said Olatunde would remain acting chairman, pending the time an emergency congress would be called to elect a substantive chairman.

The action was said to have been taken without the knowledge of Faleye’s benefactor, Governor Ayo Fayose.

Addressing reporters at a briefing yesterday, Olatunde

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

said the change of guards was not targeted at Fayose, describing the governor as a “respected party leader”.

Olatunde also claimed that the action was not a fallout of the raging feud between Fayose and the National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, who are bickering over the party’s woeful performance at the last general elections.

Faleye, who is a former state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was appointed, following the elevation of his predecessor, Makanjuola Ogundipe, to the position of National Vice Chairman (Southwest) shortly after the June 21 governorship poll.

Addressing reporters in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Ola-

•’I remain in charge’ The governor holds the governance but he is a PDP member under me tunde claimed that Faleye voluntarily resigned to rectify the anomaly noticed in his appointment .

He explained that having come from the same Ido Ekiti Ward 1 with the state youth leader, Faleye cannot continue to lay claim to the party’s chairmanship.

Olatunde revealed that the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Mu’azu, has been notified of the change.

According to him, the Mu’azu-led NWC was notified through the Southwest Zonal Executive led by Ogundipe, saying Faleye had ceased to be the party boss in Ekiti.

“Though, we have not breached any constitution by not confiding in the governor before taking the action because going by the constitution of our party, there is a difference between governance and the party.

“The governor holds the governance but he is a PDP member under me,” he said.

But Faleye won’t give up as he maintained that he remains the party chairman.

Faleye, who also addressed a briefing in Ado Ekiti, denied the allegations of breach of party constitution

look into the causes of Alaran’s death.

The VC promised to improve effectiveness of the student welfare board and health centre, adding that the university would ensure the establishment of a separate health centre for students.

He also promised to work on how students’ confidence in the health centre would be restored.

Adewole said the university was working with the German government to set up a power generating plant to boost power supply on campus.

and inefficiency levelled against him.

He claimed that the grouse of his opponents was the payment of six-month arrears of their honorarium totaling N11 million.

Faleye said he told them pointedly that he could not get the money without the approval of the state party leader.

He argued that it was wrong for Olatunde and his backers to have described his appointment as illegal, insisting that the party met all constitutional provisions before he was appointed.

Faleye said: “I am the only recognised chairman and whoever that said I have been removed is only deceiving himself.

“Nobody has the right to suspend me because I am a member of the National Executive Council”.

USPECTED kidnappers have threatened to abduct an Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr. Bayo Orire.

Orire, who is the Publicity Secretary of the Ekiti APC Elders’ Forum, said the threat was sent to his mobile phone on Tuesday by unknown persons.

According to the medical doctor-turned politician, the number through which the threat was sent is 233269355880.

The former Chairman of Ekiti State Hospitals Management Board said he had officially lodged a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, Ebojune Ibine, yesterday.

The threat reads: “You are the next in line! We go know if the police, army and other security forces can protect you and your hospital in this state.

We shall see”.

LASU students call for VC’s return

By Adegunle Olugbamila

T

HE Lagos State University Student Union (LASUSU) has called for the return of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Obafunwa.

The SU’s stance was contained in a communiqué released after a consultative meeting held between the representatives of the Governing Council, management and the union.

The communiqué was signed by Prof Obafunwa, Registrar Akinwumi Lewis, Ag Chairman of Council Mr Jide Adesoye and Director Higher Learning Mr G Sulaimon-Ajayi.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

9

CITYBEATS

•Prof Adebule-Ositelu examining Raymond Mordi of Political Desk...yesterday

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

•Foreign Editor Dayo Fakuade being examined by Dr Oyefeso Akinyele PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•The late Isiguzo

Journalists get tips on sight protection T

O prevent eye problem, Journalists have been urged to use protective lenses because of their frequent use of computers.

"This is the only way they can protect their eyes from the VV rays coming from the computers" says renowned consultant ophthalmologist Prof Adebukola Adebule-Ositelu.

Prof Adebule-Ositelu led experts from the Guinness Eye Centre of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), to conduct free eye test for staff of The Nation yesterday.

The event tagged "NUJ/Jude Isiguzo Health Day was in honour of former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Nation Chapel, the late Jude Isiguzo, who was this paper's Crime Cor-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

respondent.

Isiguzo died six months ago.

Prof Adebule-Ositelu urged other media houses to take a cue from The Nation, saying: "The Nation is a friend with the ophthalmologists at LUTH Guinness Eye Centre. Everybody has a right to good sight. We at Guinness Eye Centre are ever ready to discover eye problems and nip the problems in the bud. So we are happy that The Nation NUJ Chapel did this in honour of their late colleague.

"As experts, we are particularly interested in the media because with good sight, they bless the economy. There is also freedom for everybody to move everywhere and utilise the information pro-

vided by the media, to work and make a living.

"Once the sight is lost, there is reduction in the quality of life. The blind become dependent on others; such people cannot appreciate food, colours and the environment.

And it is more terrible for somebody, who has had sight, then lost it, than for the one born blind. The one born blind has gotten used to such situation, but for somebody who has had vision, and enjoyed useful vision, it is more devastating, so it is better if we keep what we have. And that is why we are interested any day to help prevent blindness."

On her findings during the exercise, she said: "I have not collated my observations of the staff here

Mile 12 traders oppose relocation

T

HE Mile 12 Traders Association yesterday appealed to the Lagos State Government (LASG) not to relocate their market to Agbowa on the old IkoroduIjebu Road.

It's Chairman, Alhaji Haruna Mohammed, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the appeal became necessary because of the market's importance in West African.

Mohammed debunked the allegation that trading is impeding traffic around the axix. ``Traffic is everywhere in Lagos.

It is a known challenge that is facing the city and the location of the market should not be blamed for this. Traffic is everywhere,'' he said.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde, said at a stakeholders' forum that the Mile 12 foodstuff market would soon be relocated as part of efforts to make Lagos a mega city and ensure freeflow of traffic along the IkoroduMile 12 axis.

Mohammed denied that the market is responsible for traffic congestion in the area.

He listed the causes of gridlock to large population, high number of private cars, pedestrians crossing highways instead of using the pedestrian bridge and refusal of commercial drivers to obey traffic rules.

Mohammed said though the association had yet to receive relocation notice, the market employed 100 quasi-traffic men to assist government officials in controlling traffic. ``The major challenge on this route is the commercial bus drivers. ``They stop, pick and drop passengers arbitrarily, when the traffic officials caution them against such act, they disobey and fight,'' he said.

The association's Public Relations Officer, Femi Odusanya said

at the moment. But largely, from the case notes recorded today, glaucoma is very common. Majority is developing or living with glaucoma; cataract is also common; and also refractive error is also common. All these indicate that these staff need to wear protective eye lenses that have UVR. Almost everybody here needs to wear glasses.

This is informed from the fact that they are all using the computer so much. I have told The Editor, Mr Gbenga Omotoso to obtain screen protector for the computers. This is because the unprotected eyes will be damaged by the UV rays coming from the computer. They should be wearing UV protective glasses or they will suffer from computer syndrome. And I recommend that

for all media houses throughout the federation. Journalists and people working in the media should regularly go for eye examination. Glaucoma is number one cause of irreversible blindness. It occurs globally, but it is worse in the black race than in their Caucasian counterparts, and as such we need to prevent or treat it vigorously. Good nutrition should be taken for it nourishes the body. Foods that affect or damage the eyes should be avoided, such as one day old garri (cassava) because it has saline in it; that can easily damage the optic nerve. People should also avoid drugs that can damage the eyes such as chloroquine that damages the retina. Whatever food you are allergic to, avoid it."

Man held for internet ‘fraud’ •Suspect impersonated Tinubu, others

A

MAN, who allegedly impersonated All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others, to dupe people through internet has been arrested by Lagos State Intelligence Bureau (LSIB) operatives.

Emmanuel Eto, 19, a student of Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, was paraded yesterday by Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti.

The suspect, Aderanti said, was caught on May 9, with six SIM cards, 13 empty SIM card packs, six photographs of his foreign victims, one brown bottle containing a liquid substance and one Ipad 3.

His arrest followed a complaint by a victim, Gbenga Idowu Adeyemi.

Adeyemi reported that on April 18, an unknown person claiming to be Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, created a facebook account in the same name, posted Tinubu's pictures and information notifying the public of in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other Federal Government parastatals.

The impostor, it was learnt, requested applicants to pay

‘Relocating the market to Agbowa as being speculated will mean gradual wiping the market out of existence’ curbing commercial bus drivers' excesses and a proactive traffic enforcement agency would eliminate gridlock in the metropolis.

He said: ``The business influence of the market spans beyond the border of Nigeria. Traders from all parts of West Africa come to Mile 12 to buy foodstuff. ``Relocating the market to Agbowa as being speculated will mean gradual wiping the market out of existence''.

A trader, Alhaji Esekhaigbe Bello, said relocating the market would not solve traffic congestion in the axis. ``I have been in this market since 1985. I could remember that there was a time when the commercial bus drivers were forced to enter the market's garage to pick and drop passengers without obstructing traffic flow. I urge the government to revisit that procedure because it worked then,'' he said The Mile 12 Market in Ikosi/ Isheri Local Council Development Area of the state is reputed to be the largest perishable foodstuff market in West Africa.

Majority of traders moved out of Iddo Market in the Mainland Local Government Area because of congestion to create Mile 12 Market in the 1970s.

•Eto

By Ebele Boniface

N26,850 for form and processing.

Following the petition, operatives traced Eto to Warri in Delta State, where they arrested him.

They also discovered that he hails from Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect said he used the fictitious name, Adewale Victor, to open a bank account, adding that three persons had paid.

Eto, who operates another account in the name of Alonso Dennis, "a Spaniard", confessed to having United Kingdom and United States (US) phone numbers, which he uses to talk with clients (victims) abroad.

He said he was introduced to the game by his school mate whose he gave simply as Kelvin.

He added that only the account he opened with Tinubu's name fetched him N26, 850 each from three victims.

Eto said he did it to enable him pay his school fees, help his mother financially and take care of his younger siblings.

Aderanti, who said investigation was ongoing, added that the suspect would be arraigned.

Sales assistant, 35, faces N1.2m theft charge

A

35-YEAR-OLD sales assistant, who allegedly stole goods worth N1.2 million from her employer, yesterday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrate's Court in Lagos.

Kate Okoundo, who lives at 5, Usman Close, Alabarago, Lagos, is said to have stolen counter papers, paper board charts and premier cards

She denied the charge.

But the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Eranus Nnamonu said the accused, an employee of Mr Bello Mohammed, committed the offence on April 22 at 11a.m. at a Nokia Store in Alabarago.

The offence contravenes Section 285 of the Criminal Law

of Lagos State.

Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe granted the accused N500, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

She also ordered that N20,000 be deposited in the Deputy Registrar's office as part of the bail conditions.

The case was adjourned till June 7.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

10

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Why we killed three policemen, others by suspects

F

OUR of the 11-man gang that killed three policemen and two civilians in the March 12 Lekki, Lagos bank robbery have been arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Duke Odogbo, 38; Lawrence Kingsley, 31; Ebi Tosan, 20, and Ekelemo Kuete, 30, were paraded in Ikeja yesterday by Police Commissioner Kayode Aderanti with the exhibits recovered from them. Among the exhibits are a Honda Accord 2008 Model (Evil Spirit), one white blackberry Z10 phone, one white Apple I5, one military cap and 130 expended ammunitions.

The casualties were Inspector Bethel Agbola, Sergeant Odehohwo George, Corporal Imosisiu Ikechukwu, Mr Sowemimo Kabiru and Sarah Ibikunle, 15, fish seller around the area.

Odogbo who hails from Warri North in Delta State, said: "We are 11 in number. We came with two boats but one had problem, so we used only one.

We came with seven rifles. The extra three rifles that brought

ps

Three die in Ondo after consuming herbal drink

By Ebele Boniface

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

our total rifles to 10 belonged to the three policemen killed by my gang. They were not posted to the bank. My members saw them on road patrol. They interfered and they shot them dead and took their three rifles.

"I was the first to fire a warning shot when we entered the bank, a branch of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) located on Admiralty Way. We collected N15million from the bank's vault. We sprayed out the money from ATM machine.

They gave me N500,000 as my own share. I was arrested in my house in Warri."

Aderanti said after the movie-like action, he convened a meeting of all commanders of combat units including Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Operatives, Department of Investigation, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), SARS, Special Investigation Bureau (SIB), Marine and Police Mobile Force (PMF), mandating them that the perpetrators must be fished out.

Aderanti said based on intelligence, six Decoy SARS teams

THREE people are believed to have died in Oka Motor Park in Ondo town, after the consuming a herbal drink made of local gin, also known as ‘ogogoro.’

The incident reportedly happened last weekend, a few hours after the Commissioner for Health Dr Dayo Adeyanju, declared that the ban on consumption of local gin continued in spite of the outbreak of a strange disease in Ode Irele, Irele Local Government area of the state.

Medical experts said what they consumed had an overdose of methanol. According to a source, the deceased in the Ondo case included a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the park , an electrician and one other person who also worked in the motor park.

The source said the trio on Saturday morning, shortly after drinking the concoction, complained of severe stomach pain and later became unconscious, and their colleagues, in trying to revive them, gave them some local antidotes which failed to work. They died in the evening.

•The suspects with bullets...yesterday

were dispatched to Delta, Ogun, Ondo states and Ikorodu, Lagos under his supervision.

These efforts, he said, paid off on March 20 when Odogbo, the

gang's leader was picked up in Warri, Delta State. Kuete, who drove one of the speed boats, was picked up in Majidun, Ikorodu; Kingsley and Tosan

were later arrested.

The suspects, he said, had confessed, adding that efforts were being intensified to arrest their fleeing accomplices.

Open letter to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Continued from page 3

With the inclusion of Prof Yemi Osinbajo on the presidential ticket of the APC, the leadership of the party in the Southwest has set the tone for other regions to follow. This inclusion meant that the South western axis of the party is commit-

ted to putting credible candidates forward to represent the region in the pursuit of national development. The vice-president elect is an erudite lawyer and a man of integrity – whose vast experience in legal practice and as the attorney general of Lagos State speaks volume

on the caliber of service he can render to Nigeria in his new office.

It is on the foundation of his inclusion on the ticket that I now seek to build my discussions on the two (2) issues for which I write. Regardless of the zoning of leadership roles in

the national assembly or whatever positions the party decides to zone to the Southwest, it is important that the region continues to provide the best hands for such roles. This is important because of the marginalization and the not-so-good representation of the Yoruba race in the outgoing administration. Yes, we were marginalized – the Southwest did not get enough quality roles in both the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council.

Where Yorubas were appointed for roles in government, they were people of questionable character and dubious history. How shall we describe the role of Senator Hosea Agboola as a Deputy Majority whip of the senate? Or how do we describe Jelili Adesiyan’s appointment as a minister of the federal republic? These are men who cannot express themselves in a logical manner and whose speech were never articulate.

Or how shall we classify Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s role in the outgoing government?

These men, by their roles in the outgoing government, have placed heavy question marks on the sophistication and educational prowess of the Southwest. Consequently, now that we have a voice in the national government, we must put the best men forward, to bring back the southwest’s reputation for being the intellectual brain box of our dear nation.

Specifically, we must seek to provide representations with good quality in the leadership of the lower and upper chambers by ensuring a merit-based emergence of members as leaders. Based on house rules and practice, members are appointed into leadership position based on their legislative experience and their rank in any of the Houses. An analysis of the newly elected Senators revealed that only the duo Senator Sola Adeyeye, and Senator Jide Omoworare meet the said requirements. A comparison of the legislative credentials of these two (2) lawmakers, using legislative experience and performance in the chambers,

points to Jide Omoworare as the most qualified for a leadership position in the red chambers.

Apart from being young, Omoworare has a combined legislative experience of 12 years covering his stints at both State and Federal legislature, making him the Senator from the South West with the highest legislative experience. In terms of performance, information has it that he sponsored about 9 bills on the floor of the Senate in the last four (4) years – the highest of all the senators from the Southwest. Omoworare played crucial roles in the exposure of the scam and fraud dubbed as “subsidy” in the petroleum industry. He displayed so much unrivalled courage and bravery in a PDP dominated Senate, and remained the only lawmaker to have called for a division in the 7th Assembly. The call for division is a line toed by only astute and recognized lawmakers in developed democracies.

The profile of this young man shows he is a qualified lawyer who holds a masters degree in his profession. Truly, Asiwaju, I think he deserves to occupy the highest leadership position coming to South West in the 8th Assembly of the Senate.

In the same vein, the indefatigable Femi Gbajabiamila qualifies for the highest leadership role zoned to the Southwest in the House of Representatives.

Like Jide, Femi has about 12 years of legislative experience and he is also a seasoned lawyer. No one can argue against his effectiveness in the 7th Assembly, first as a minority leader and later as the majority leader after the formation of the APC. His stellar performance, quality of delivery on the floor of the House and courage in front of a federal government backed opposition has carved a pan-Nigerian outlook for him.

Of course, it is certain that nothing I have stated in this letter will be new to you. You know both of them – as a matter of fact they were under your tutelage during your tenure as the governor of Lagos State.

However, I believe that it is

only important that you receive an outsider’s perspective and opinion of the legislators that the leadership of the Southwest APC will tap for leadership roles in the 8th Assembly. As a matter of fact, both candidates provide for a balance in the internal politics of the Southwest region. While Jide hails from the Oyo-Osun axis of the region, Femi represents the Lagos-Ogun Axis. It is my projection that this selection will allow for more inclusive political interplay within the region.

In the same vein, the Southwest leadership should also nominate and support credible, experienced and cerebral individuals for ministerial, federal board and parastatal appointments. Federal appointments should be merit-based. APC cannot afford to adopt the model of the outgoing party were men of questionable characters were appointed as ministers just to fulfill the wishes of some demi-god. How shall we classify the tenure of Senator Ogunlewe, who was the Minister for Works at one time and could not find a lasting solution to the Lagos – Ibadan expressway? Or what was the impact of the late Haruna Elewi who believed that GSM is not for the poor while serving in the ministry of communications.

Lastly sir, you are revered by the people in my generation as the greatest manager of human resources in Nigeria. We believe in your ability to spot talents in people and put them in positions where the best of their abilities can be used for the greater good. In the light of this, we have a firm believe that you and the APC leadership will select people with proven track and public records to take strategic positions in this new government. Asiwaju, please, bring back our Southwest of intellectual and effective political actors.

Let the best men represent us in the Buhari/Osinbajo government.

•Dr Yusuff is of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Tshwane University of Technology Emalahleni, South Africa

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Commercial banks are not manufacturing-friendly as their interest rates are usually very high; therefore, commercial banks remain a major challenge to the sector. Even the Bank of Industry’s (BoI) framework, which pegs interest rate at nine per cent, only finances machinery acquisition; it does not cater for working capital.

-MAN President, Dr Frank Jacobs

Nigeria, Iran to boost non-oil export trade From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

T

HE Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has pledged to consolidate its trade promotion strategy through the mobilisation of Nigerian exporters and relevant stakeholders for the first Iranian Solo Exhibition coming up in Nigeria next month.

Its Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Olusegun Awolowo, who spoke during the courtesy visit of the General Manager, Pars Rastak, Mehdi Saeedozakerin in Abuja, lamented the low level of trade between Iran and Nigeria.

Represented by a Director in the CEO’s, Mr Olajide Ibrahim, Awolowo observed that staging the exhibition could not have come at a better time and from any other country bearing in mind that both countries only recently ushered new governments.

He commended the Iranian government for the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the 5th Session of Nigeria-Iran Joint Commission which covered agreement on industrial cooperation; agreement on visa waiver for holders of Diplomatic Passports; and agreement on tourism.

Aero fires MD, chief financial officer

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

N

IGERIA’S oldest car rier, Aero Contractors, has fired its Managing Director, Mr Hugh Fraser and its Chief Financial Officer, Mr Tunde Pampam.

Their sack, it was learnt, is a fall out of a battle of interest between owners of the airline, the Ibru family and the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

Sources said Hugh was often taking some decisions against the wishes of AMCON which is overseeing the running of the airline over alleged debt running into between N20 and N30 billion.

Their sack, it was learnt, came on the heels of alleged frustration by the inactions of AMCON and the confusion associated with the running the airline.

Hugh was appointed by AMCON about two years ago.

It was gathered that he went on leave without the Board’s approval, while there were allegations of questionable decisions and allegiance.

Following Hugh’s appointment, two top experts alleged that he was not a suitable candidate to run the airline. They alleged that Aero needed a turnaround specialist and not a commercial expert.

The removal of Pampam, an AMCON appointed staff member, came as a surprise to industry players because he was very strict in maintaining financial discipline in the airline’s finances.

It is not clear what offence he might have committed.

Aero is one of Nigeria’s legacy private carriers with solid foundation until the financial crisis of the late 2000s swept it off leading to AMCONs take over.

• From left: Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Jibril Aku; Chairman, Ecobank Foundation, Chief Philip Asiodu; Chairman, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Mr Emmanuel Ikazoboh; Chairman, Elizade Nigeria Ltd, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo and Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria, Dr. Sonny Kuku during ETI Pre-Annual General Meeting (AGM) cocktail in Lagos ... yesterday.

‘Why Fed Govt’s tax policy failed’

C

HAIRMAN, Edo State Internal Revenue Serv ice (ESIRS), Oseni Elamah, has said the thinking of the Federal Government in moving focus from direct taxation was to reduce the rate of personal income tax, increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) and open up the tax net so that more people could be captured.

Elamah said the government succeeded in reducing the rate of personal income tax but failed to capture more

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

people into the tax net while the VAT remained the same.

Speaking with reporters in his office in Benin, Elamah noted that the government did not felt the pains of dwindling revenue because of funding from the oil sector.

Elamah expressed hope that the incoming All Progressive Congress (APC) led-government would be more popular with whatever tax policies introduced if it is ‘able to dem-

onstrate that based on existing laws, government can collect genuine taxes and use it to develop the country for the general good of the society.

He said: “Under the president-elect and given the kind of quality of leadership he has displayed in the past, an APC government will be able to show that the Federal Government can also work just like Lagos, Kano, Edo and other APC states have worked.

“We need a political lead-

ership that is clear, that is firm and I think that is what Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has brought to bear.

“When he was Head of State, he was firm and needed to bring some level of discipline in all aspect of our life.

“We need some of those decision to be taken as far as they are based on laws passed by the National Assembly.

“Successful implementation of any law starts from ability to be able to enlighten, educate the people.”

NAHCO increases cargo charges

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LEARING agents and freight forwarders at airports nationwide are to pay more for the clearing of inbound and out bound cargoes under the new tariff arrangement put in place by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), it was learnt yesterday .

The 30 per cent increase in cargo charges, is a fall out of the meeting held between the agents and officials of the cargo firm a few months ago.

According to a source, both NAHCO and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA ) at a meeting at the firm’s headquarters on May 11 this year agreed on the increase in cargo tariff on the day it took effect, but were still sorting out issues bordering on the prescribed percentage .

Sources at the meeting said it was agreed that the only way to develop the industry and make the air cargo industry in Nigeria a world

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

class is to allow a tariff review which would encourage investment in equipment and human resource.

Confirming the development, the spokesman of NAHCO, Mr Tayo Ajakaye, said it is line with industry standards.

Asked why some agents seem to be in disagreement with the tariff increase, he said: “You know, we did all we were required to do. We consulted everyone , body, agency and stakeholder that needed to be consulted. But of course you will agree with me that no one wants a price increase. So it is understandable if quite a few are raising dust. We should expect that.”

The source said NAHCO had to implement review in tariff on account of the huge cost of operational equipment , which has gone up on account of the falling value of the naira.

The source also cited other factors not limited to the huge costs of getting spare parts which are imported as well as the over 500 per cent increase in airport charges .

The source said: ”Cost of equipment has gone up as a result of the fall of the naira. Unfortunately 95 per cent of the equipment used by ground handling companies of international repute is imported.

“Spare parts for the equipment that are currently in service are also imported; meaning operators would still need to spend more dollars.

“FAAN charges are hiked every year. Apron passes are increased by as much as 300 per cent or 500 per cent in some cases.

“FAAN bills NAHCO for power; yet we don’t get the power to use. There are times we would be on generators for two weeks nonstop.

“FAAN bills us for just anything: including car parks, where you put your mobile toilets for use of agents.”

The last time tariff was increased was about three years ago; since then a lot of things including the inflation rate has changed in the economy.

During this time, Nigeria’e economy had become the largest in Africa; yet our rates are lower than in South Africa.

Increase in rates is the only way to remain competitive and to be able to render superlative service.

As the only Public Limited Company (Plc) operating in the sub-sector, Nahco Aviance’ shareholders want return on investment.

“Since everybody agrees that NAHCO sets the industry benchmark in service delivery in the sector, it is just normal for stakeholder to agree that it should also reap the benefit of its investment/ labour,“ they said.

SON inaugurates national metrology institute

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HE Standards Organisa tion of Nigeria (SON) has opened the National Metrology Institute (NNMI) to boost export base by providing the required confidence and reliability in export goods.

To ensure accuracy in measurements in the country, SON had set in motion the establishment of NMI which

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

would be the custodian of National Measurement Standard with the highest measurement reference in the country through traceability to the International System of Units.

SON’s Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said the NMI would be responsi-

ble for carrying out measurement standards and providing traceability and accuracy of measurement to industries, laboratories, trade and commerce, aviation, oil and gas, agriculture, health, education, automotive, mining, power and other sectors of the economy.

Odumodu, who spoke in

Enugu during the ground breaking of NNMI, said, SON has delivered on its promise of quality of life from 45 per cent to 85 per cent.

He said in Nigeria there were few cases of housing collapse, since the sensitisation of Nigerians on buying the right cement products.

Olam unveils plans to raise stake in rice industry

By Chikodi Okereocha

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S part of efforts to aid the realisation of Federal Government’s selfsufficiency target and job creation efforts, Olam Nigeria Limited has unveiled plans to increase its stake in the rice industry.

General Manager, Olam Rice, Reji George, said his company has concluded plans to kick-start milling of 200,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice in Doma Council, in Nasarawa State, by June 1.

He said the firm’s backward integration plan in the sector is expected to aid local rice production and job creation.

The firm had earlier this year unveiled its locally produced rice to the local market.

Its Business Head for Rice, Anil Nair explained that the launch was designed to meet growing local demands for the commodity as well as reduce its importation.

He explained that the launch of the commodity in Lagos was strategic since the state holds the largest market. His words: “There is lots of paddy being produced and Lagos being the biggest market in the country is having local rice coming to it.

“It is a sign of good things to come and we hope that two years from now, we will be able to bridge the gap. We have a milling capacity of about 800,000 tonnes in the country and we hope to help this country eliminate import completely.”

On placing a total ban on the commodity, George said: “I believe it should be a gradual process. Before you ban rice or any agricultural commodity, you must have to develop the local strength of rice production.

If you plan the ban of importation of rice, companies like Olam is into commercial production of rice with 6,000 hectares in two cities, making it 12,000 hectares that would definitely help bridge the demand and supply gap, and with support from other companies, in addition to the role government is playing.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

Operators in the food and beverage sector have been spending an estimated N100 billion yearly on the importation of malt extract. Most manufacturers prefer importing the raw material from their home countries to embracing the use of sorghum developed by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).

Assist. Editor OKWY IROEGBU- CHIKEZIE writes that by encouraging sorghum farming and processing locally, Nigeria could save huge foreign exchange and boost industrialisation.

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HEN the Federal Government banned the use of barley and malt extract in the food and beverage sector in the 1980s, the expectation was that the use of sorghum, developed by the Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), would be embraced by manufacturers. This would have saved the nation an estimated N100 billion spent on the importation of malt extract yearly. However, this has not been the case. Rather than embrace the alternative and the immense benefit from local content in manufacturing as initiated

by RMRDC, The Nation learnt that most manufacturers still prefer importing malt extract from their home countries.

Before RMRDC came out with the alternative, the challenge for the sector, which is one of the largest under the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), has been the availability of alternative local raw materials. To bridge the gap, the Federal Government banned the importation of malt extract, having developed sorghum, an acclaimed richer alternative through research and development, in line with its backward integration policy.

But as it turned out, the government has not made any headway in convincing some local manufacturers, especially the multinationals, who, as it were, are compelled by their home countries to import malt extract instead of patronising the locally produced, high maltose syrup. This, according to experts, is at the expense of Nigeria’s industrialisation policy. The Nation’s investigations revealed, for instance, that two of the biggest breweries spend about N50b and N20b, respectively, importing malt extract.

A reliable source close the companies, who preferred anonymity, said such amount would have been saved if government had put a high tariff on malt extract importation to protect, not only the local industries, but also grow the nation’s economy through the cultivation and processing of sorghum. This is so, considering the large size of the food and beverage industry, which parades other sub-sectors such as breweries,beverages, flour-mills, cereals, bakeries and dairy products.

One of the big players in the industry, who would not want his name in prints, said most of what is imported and labelled as malt extracts are far from being true. He said, for instance, that with the devaluation of the naira and the high cost of importation, no manufacturer can import original malt extracts and sell a packet of biscuit for N5 as it is obtainable now. He said: “The regulatory authorities in the food and beverages sector should investigate the claim of having malt extract in some beverages or biscuits. It is impossible for some of these manufacturers to sell at the prices they are selling if indeed, they are importing original malt extract.”

He wondered how such manufacturers would break even selling a packet of biscuit at N5, or any of the drinks that are sold at ridiculous prices. According to him, government owes her citizens to protect them from sharp practices from some manufacturers, who sell unwholesome products or make claims that are false on their products. He criticised the regulatory bodies such as National Agency for Food, Drugs Administra-

•Akinwunmi Adesina

•Aganga

•Sinha

How local content can boost industrialisation tion and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and Consumer Protection Council (CPC), saying that, rather than fighting among themselves on areas of control and visibility, they should discharge their mandate to the people.

The Managing Director of Food Agro & Allied Industries Limited, Mr. Sudhansu Sinha, admitted that importation of malt syrup from countries such as China, India and Turkey is costing the country huge losses in foreign exchange, especially with the devaluation of the naira. He told the The Nation at his SangoOtta office, Ogun State, that government must discourage massive importation of malt extract from these countries where farmers are subsidised by their governments.

He said this is in addition to other waivers that make their products cheaper for Nigerian importers and consumers, who have unhealthy appetite for anything foreign even when the quality does not match that of local alternatives. “Our company is the sole indigenous manufacturer of high quality maltose syrup and extract from sorghum in the country with an installed capacity of 100,000 tons of high malt syrup and sugar per day,” he said.

Mr. Sinha pointed out that his company is poised to meet at least, 50 per cent local demand, but unfortunately food, beverage and drinks manufacturers in the country will rather buy from their home countries to feed their production lines to the detriment of the growth of the nation’s economy and the government is not doing enough to check the abuse.

“Government should, as a matter of urgency, implement the policy it started in the 1980’s where it banned the importation of barley and its by product, malt extract, which led to ingenious research by RMRDC, which discovered sorghum, a tropical plant found in abundance in the Northeast, especially in Gombe State,” Sinha said, arguing that the implementation of the policy will not only

empower farmers, but create employment, as there will be capacity utilisation of local industries.

According to Sinha, this segment of manufacturing has a large market share running into billions of naira, but the government needs to protect the local industries from the overwhelming influence of foreign interest, who insists on buying raw materials from their factories abroad rather than patronising firms like theirs with the requisite technology and competitive production process.

He said “The production of sorghum is going down, as farmers are not empowered and there is no subsidy on agriculture unlike the European countries that protect their farmers. Insecurity is a major issue as most of our supplies come from the varieties found in the Northeast.”

Lagos State RMRDC Coordinator, Mr. Tokunbo Habeeb, said his agency was set up to ensure that industries are fed with raw materials that have local substitutes so that importation of locally available products will be discouraged. He decried the huge sums spent on foreign exchange to import malt extract, encouraging food and beverage manufacturing companies to patronise local companies some of which, according to him, deploy the highest level of production skill that is globally competitive.

Habeeb said the country will be saving over $25 million annually from banning the importation of malt extract, while encouraging the local production of high quality maltose syrup and extract from sorghum.

He said: “Patronage of local content is crucial to our economy; our local production meets world class standards. Sorghum has a higher shelf life than barley extracts and more nutritious, as it is gluten free, which makes it healthier and more acceptable in the advanced economies.”

He reiterated the fact that high maltose syrup extract is used in alcoholic and non alcoholic beverage production and is evi-

‘The government should, as a matter of urgency, implement the policy it started in the 1980s when it banned the importation of barley and its by product, malt extract, which led to the ingenious research by the RMRDC, which discovered sorghum, a tropical plant found in abundance in the Northeast, especially in Gombe State’

dently a healthy replacement for sugar and syrup in the production of quality beer, malt drinks, soft drinks, milk and malt preparations. He revealed that it is used in leavening and conditioning of dough, moisture retention and softening of bakery crumbs. He, therefore, urged food and beverages manufacturers to patronise locally made products certified by the RMDC for best quality and competitive production process.

On its part, the CPC decried poor nutritional information on products. Its DirectorGeneral, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, said CPC has begun an advocacy for the adoption of a consumer-friendly labelling for beverages and food products in the country. She canvassed a change in the current nutritional information placed at the back of some products, which she said, was not comprehensible to consumers.

Mrs. Atoki said: “The CPC is advocating that manufacturers adopt the consumer friendly ‘traffic light’ nutritional labelling as it is very simple for consumers to read and understand at first glance. Most consumers lack the skill or time to interpret detailed nutritional information on the back of the package. Our sensitisation is harping on the need for consumers to be conscious of their fat, sugar and salt intake, just as it is also focusing on schools because of children’s penchant for junk food.”

The DG said there is need for consumers to make informed decision on what they purchase and consume including the need to check the labelling of products, as well as for the manufacturers to adopt best practices in line with the Council’s mandate. She reiterated the need to sensitise consumers on the dangers of unhealthy diets, adding that, diet related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are on the increase, resulting in more than eight million premature deaths. The essence of the awareness is to encourage consumers to buy wisely, she added.

However, Nigeria Breweries Plc (NBL) seem to have caught the bug of the backward integration on barley by their inroad into sorghum processing with a factory in Aba, Abia State. It is the largest sorghum factory in Africa.

Its Managing Director, Mr Nicolaas Vervelde, told The Nation that the company’s use of sorghum has supported an N8.8 billion value added and N110 billion tax payments. This, he said, is in addition to local purchase support of 85,000 jobs through 100 per cent local content.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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INDUSTRY

‘Why Aba is not yet a commercial capital’ P OOR electricity supply and infrastructure are some of the factors affecting businesses in Aba, the Abia State commercial capital, the Group Chairman of J. Udeagbala Holdings Nig. Ltd, Aba, Ide John Udeagbala, has said.

Speaking to The Nation in Lagos, Udeagbala, who is the Vice President, of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) wondered why the Alaoji and Geometrics Power stations, located very close to Aba, are not yet operational. He called on government agencies to find out why the power projects had not been inaugurated.

He said the city should be seen as a ‘disaster area’ for manufacturers as they spend between 25 and 30 per cent of their earnings on providing electricity for their factories.

According to him, the influx of people to Abuja and Lagos, which has put pressure on the infrastructure in those cities, is as a result of the failure of industrial cities such as Aba. He advised the government to encourage people to set up industries in major cities to ensure the even spread of development and discourage massive movement of people from one point to the other because of the absence of infrastructure.

“The poor infrastructure provision in Aba is as a result of consistent neglect by governments. Aba should be classified as a disaster area because of the lack of key infrastructure such as road, electricity and liveable environment, which is given in other societies.

Aba is a place that a lot of things are manufactured and these people would do a lot more if they receive the needed assistance from government,” he said.

The industrialist said an Aba

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

businessman would excel if the government could provide some basic infrastructure, such as electricity, good roads, and waste disposal.

On the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) clusters in Aba, he praised the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) for its efforts in managing the industrial clusters for leather and shoe works. He, however, said this had not been harnessed to produce the right results.

Noting that customers come from as far as Congo and Togo to buy the shoes, bags and other leather works made in Aba, he hinted that it would have been much better not only for the state government but also for the country to harness foreign exchange from the trade.

Udeagbala further said developing Aba should not be left for the government alone, asking that the Federal Government should be interested in its activities, considering its commercial status.

Earlier, Governor Theodore Ahamefula Orji said his planned to stimulate the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Aba. He said experts were brought in to, not only assist the small scale industrialists, but also hone their skills in good and making quality products.

He said no government could neglect the commercial city knowing the contributions of its informal sector to the economy of the state and well-being of its citizens.

In his words: “Aba is very important to us because it is only in that town that you cannot find somebody who is unemployed; every person in the city has employment. It is either you are an

artisan, trader or you are learning a trade. Even the civil servant finds time to try his hand in one business or the other. Nobody is idle and no responsible government can joke with such people.”

While promising that the state would give them the support to excel, he said over 18 major roads had been constructed and that the state would do more to ease the transportation of their goods from the point of production to the market.

The governor also said the government’s plan was to push the standards of the manufactured products and brand them as ‘made- in-Aba with pride’.

He said the days of not displaying the origin of goods produced in Aba was gone, adding that they would brand the products to give them to enable them compete favourably at the international market.

To underscore the seriousness of his administration, he said the state with its development partners were building more markets to serve as production points in clusters according to the trade of a particular union with the infrastructure.

He said: “We are getting more markets for them. For instance, a company known as ABIC is building more markets for them just behind Osisioma Motor Park. There is another market springing up in Ukwa West Local Government very close to the city centre for wholesale goods, packaging and exporting. We are also organising them into small cooperatives to enable them access funds to help buy the needed machines and accessories to compete favourably with the ones that come from Germany and Hong Kong.”

According to the governor, his administration has taken it upon itself to raise the bar and also lead a campaign for Nigerians to patronise made-in-Aba goods for their standard quality.

Experts to Buhari: end oil subsidy

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XPERTS in the oil and gas sector have urged the in coming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to stop the subsidy on fuel, insisting that subsidy has not helped the masses.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), they asked Buhari to take a critical look at the four refineries to see if they required a Turn-Around-Maintenance (TAM) or privatisation.

Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Thomas Olawore, said privatisation would end the disruption in the supply chain.

He reiterated that the four refineries in the country should be privatised so that petroleum products would be available and affordable.

Olawore said the country would not have been in this situation of paying subsidy if the refineries were functioning.

Managing Director, Frontier

Oil Ltd., Lagos, Mr. Dada Thomas, said privatisation would bring competition in the downstream sub-sector and check fraud associated with petroleum subsidy payment.

He charged the incoming administration to privatise the refineries, adding that the government had no business operating them.

Engineering Manager, Frazimex Engineering Ltd., an oil servicing firm in Port Harcourt, Mr. Edwin Nwachukwu, asked Buhari to choose only capable and visionary investors who would turn around the refineries.

Former spokesman, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mr. Oluwaseyi Gambo, said the government should have minimal shares in the privatised refineries.

He added that the privatised refineries would play significant role and compete with firms, such as Dangote Group refinery.

World Bank launches 70m euro facility for Burkina Faso’s cotton industry

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NTERNATIONAL Finance Cor poration (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Société Générale announced the launch of a •70 million facility to help Burkina Faso’s biggest cotton company, SOFITEX, support local farmers and finance the 2014/15 cotton campaign.

Signed under ‘IFC’s Global Warehouse Finance Program,’ the facility will allow SOFITEX to purchase raw cotton from over 160,000 farmers in Burkina Faso to process and export to international markets.

Cotton is the main cash crop in Burkina Faso, which is currently under a transitional government.

Shifts in global demand and commodity prices make it difficult for cotton companies to secure finance.

Through the facility, IFC, GAFSP and Société Générale will lend to SOFITEX against warehoused commodities, providing the company with liquidity to finance its crop purchases.

Chief Executive Officer of SOFITEX, Mr. Bernard Gnessa Zougouri, said, “Financing to support our cotton purchases during the harvest is important to our ability to maintain operations and to buy from the many farmers that supply our business.”

Saran Kebet-Koulibaly, IFC Director for West and Central Africa, said, “IFC, GAFSP and Société Générale’s partnership with SOFITEX demonstrates our confidence in Burkina Faso’s cotton sector and commitment to supporting business that will revitalize economic activity during a political transition.”

Working with local farmers, suppliers and distributors, SOFITEX is playing a significant role in job-creation, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of Burkina Faso’s cotton production.

Institute holds summit July 23

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•From left: Human Resource Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr Victor Famuyibo; MD/CEO, NB, Mr Nicolaas Vervelde; Sales Director of the company Mr Hubert Eze and Technical Director Mr Hendrik Wymenga, during a media briefing in Lagos.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

LL is set for this year’s Inter national Business Develop ment Week/Summit by the Institute of Business Development (IBD).

The event is billed for July 23 and 24, at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

Speaking to The Nation, IBD Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Paul Ikele, said the summit with the theme: “Business Development in Africa: Regional integration for sustainable comparative advantage” aims at creating a sustainable model for the continent by addressing strategies for business development in areas such as ICT/ telecommunications, finance, agro-allied and aviation-related industries.

Akande: appropriate taxation can boost govt’s revenue

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HERE is a need for an appropriate taxation system to boost the revenue of state governments which are finding it difficult to meet their needs as a result of dwindling cash from the Federation Account, a former Minister of Industry, Chief Nike Akande, has said.

Akande, who spoke to The Nation in Lagos, stressed that without adequate taxation, governments would not be able to provide key infrastructure, urging Nigerians to pay their taxes promptly.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

She said the challenging economic environment provides an opportunity for innovative policies that would encourage people to pay their taxes and for the government to reward those who are faithful to their responsibility.

She reiterated her earlier call that anybody with income must pay tax.

Akande, who is also a tax ambassador for Lagos State, an award she got for her diligence in income tax payment, praised the government for its

innovative tax policies, which has resulted in exemplary governance and infrastructure.

She, however, cautioned that multiple taxation is unhealthy for the manufacturing sector, calling for the harmonisation of taxes among the various levels of government to ensure an enabling environment for businesses.

The former Minister advised the government to support the ‘Buy Nigeria’ campaign, noting that it is the only way products could be more competitive and local industries stimulated.

She said: “A lot of people are buying locally made and designed fabrics now. If our local designers become more creative more people will patronise them. When l was a minister, l made sure that l wore locally made fabrics in all my official engagements. I wish that government continues to promote the use of local fabrics.”

Acting President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Chief Bassey Edem,

canvassed a law to support the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s (FIRS) proposal to harmonise the state and local government tax agencies, adding that introducing spurious taxes are inimical to the growth of businesses.

He called for the discontinuance of the exportation of raw materials to encourage the local industries make use of available local materials, add value to it and provide finished products that can earn foreign exchange.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIALS

Nigeria’s state of limbo

Daredevil pipeline vandals •We have to devise a way out of this moral and unpatriotic mess T appears only death could do the pipeline vandals in the country part with their illicit trade. Otherwise, all would have been quiet on the Arepo front, given the number of casualties that had gone with illegal scooping of fuel which has become a pastime of the daredevil criminals for years. Just last Sunday, the vandals were at it again. A video recording shows the suspected vandals scooping petrol which was gushing out of a ruptured pipe at Akimbo Village in Atlas Cove, and Arepo, Ogun State.

Arepo, a sleepy community in ObafemiOwode Local Government Area of Ogun State, would hardly have been known but for the activities of pipeline vandals who ensure that the klieg lights are almost always beamed on it, with their nefarious and suicidal activities. Perhaps the community would have been as peaceful as most other communities in the area, but for the fact that it plays host to a number of oil pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) which the vandals have made a point of duty to vandalise whenever they need cash.

The pipelines in Arepo are used to transport refined petroleum products from the Atlas Cove Jetty in Lagos to the Western states and Kwara State. But the vandals would hardly allow for smooth transition of the commodity.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, brought the point vividly home when he told participants at the Third Triennial Delegates Conference of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior

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Staff Association (PENGASSAN), in Abuja that: “We had over 774 break points within three months between August and October 2012 from Atlas Cove to Ilorin depot. Between Atlas Cove and Mosimi depot, we recorded 181 break points, from Mosimi to Ibadan, we had 421 ruptured points and from Mosimi to Ore, we recorded 50 vandalised points. Also between Ibadan and Ilorin we had a total of 122 break points.’ This tells us that the vandals are economic saboteurs who do not care a hoot about how their activities affect the country’s economic wellbeing The audacity of the vandals seems to confirm the saying that it is in the mouth of the lion that money is. In other words, whoever wants to have it must be prepared for the worst. This can only be the motivation given the number of casualties that scooping of fuel in Arepo and other places had recorded. The list is endless: there were at least two explosions in Arepo alone in 2013, with the NNPC claiming it lost about N3.6billion to the vandalism of its System 2B Pipeline there.

The worst pipeline explosion in the country occurred on October 18, 1998, in Jesse Community of Ethiope-West Local Council of Delta State. Although its cause was controversial, with the Federal Government blaming it on scavengers who intentionally ruptured the pipeline, other reports blamed the explosion on poorly maintained pipelines. What was incontrovertible was the fact that more than 1,000 people were killed as a result of it.

Apart from these and the attendant fuel

scarcity caused by the vandals, the local community too is never at peace as the people live in the fear of not knowing when next the vandals would strike.

The question now is, with the Sunday incident, what becomes of the billion naira contracts awarded to local militants by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to secure the pipelines? Continual rupturing of the pipelines in spite of the contracts is a reflection of the lack of rigorous thinking in government. The incoming administration has to take a second look at the contracts with a view to returning the responsibility to the security agencies which the government must arm and give the necessary tools to properly secure the pipelines. The current arrangement whereby we not only lose our money but also our fuel has outlived its usefulness.

‘The question now is, with the Sunday incident, what becomes of the billion naira contracts awarded to local militants by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to secure the pipelines? ... The incoming administration has to take a second look at the contracts with a view to returning the responsibility to the security agencies which the government must arm and give the necessary tools to properly secure the pipelines’

Killed in their prime • The horrendous number of kids who die in accidents should force us to rethink the transportation system

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F the maxim that ‘children are leaders of tomorrow’ is correct, then the world must be losing quite a substantial number of potential leaders today, given the grim statistics that about186,000 children are killed globally in road accidents every year. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Zonal Commanding Officer, FRSC 2, Ojodu, Lagos, Assistant Corps Marshal Charles Akpabio, disclosed this at an event with the theme “Children and Road Safety”, organised to mark the 2015 United Nations Global Road Safety Week. In other words, about 500 children are killed through road accidents on a daily basis. “Annually, 186,300 children die from road accidents. This translates to 500 children every day. In order to reduce this trend, the UN brought up safety factors to implement on our roads”, Akpabio said at the event.

We cannot but commend the United

‘The government will do well to ensure that the prescriptions in the programme are faithfully implemented in the country. This is the only way to preserve the bundles of joy that children are supposed to be to that future when they are to take over the mantle of leadership. ‘

Nations for being thoughtful of this vulnerable segment of our population. Although the figures for Nigeria were not given, to give us an insight into how many Nigerian children are lost daily to road accidents, we have every reason to believe that it would be quite significant. In the first place, whatever is provided as the official figure must have been underestimated given our lack of capacity to fully document them. As Akpabio noted, “We have a huge children population and it is this category that is most vulnerable to road crashes. So, there is the need to make them safe at all times”.

The Nigerian government itself seemed to realise this fact; this is the least we could deduce from its joining the programme conceived by the UN General Assembly in 2011 to cut down the deaths of children by avoidable road crashes. Children have to be protected against road accidents, just as they should be against other dangers and harms that they are vulnerable to.

In this regard, the government, parents and society at large have their roles to play. Many roads in the country are death traps, with big potholes in some of them where many crashes had occurred as drivers tried to avoid the potholes. Many roads in the country lack adequate road signs and thus deny road users the opportunity of knowing what lies ahead.

Moreover, there are too many people out there behind the wheels who know nextto-nothing about Highway Code. These are themselves accidents waiting to happen. Add these to the cases of parents who allow their children that are less

than 18 years to drive, “out of love”.

Apart from this being against the law, as the FRSC chief noted, the ‘love’ is misplaced. Those who prescribe 18 years as minimum age for driving had a reason for doing so.

Still on parents endangering their children “out of love”, some women in particular allow their under-aged children to sit in the front of their cars, which is forbidden under the law, and we have had instances where some of these children got thrown out of the cars during emergencies. In pursuit of daily livelihood, many parents also abandon their underage children to the care of others.

Many of these children had got knocked down by careless drivers.

So, as the government is enhancing road infrastructure, parents must also imbibe the habit of restraining their children in vehicles. When we control speed, reduce drinking and driving, use helmets while on motorcycles as well as cultivate other good habits that make motoring safe and pleasurable, we would have significantly reduced the risks of getting children killed on the roads.

It is heartwarming that Nigeria had keyed into the UN programme to cut down the deaths of children by avoidable road accidents, but that is not enough. The government will do well to ensure that the prescriptions in the programme are faithfully implemented in the country. This is the only way to preserve the bundles of joy that children are supposed to be to that future when they are to take over the mantle of leadership.

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IR: The mood in the nation is refreshing like the air in spring. It is budding with hope. The success of the recent general election has ushered a glimmer of a brighter future.

The people have been wasting their life for a long stretch of time from leadership drought.

The vision of embracing the virtues of democracy is yielding the seed of liberation. The nation is breathing happier like a farmer who after going through years of depressive productivity, unexpectedly witnesses rainfall in due season.

The sense of optimism in the country is like a quiet stream cascading the nooks and corners of a parched terrain bringing vegetation to a breed nearing extinction. The land is nourished with the scent of the momentary blossom. The ordinary Nigerian does not ask for much from the government. In many pastoral villages, good folks subsist with the favourable harvest nature provided to them. They pray for the fair weather to bring sunshine and rain so that their life will prosper.

The ability to impress upon the force of government has given the people a fresh outlook. It has become evident that Nigerians are measurably ethnic blind as they are excitingly embracing the outcome of the 2015 presidential election. Some may have been unwilling to be politically swayed in one direction or the other on the tribal swing, but when the wind of change blew, the momentum sounds like a chorus. Even if it is for shifting the intractable wheel of change in government, the people have succeeded in uplifting their chances.

Nigerians know what is good. This is not to say that this trait is peculiar to them. Only that they have been dragged through the mud for so long, they started living like pigs in a pigsty. To the extent that many have adopted that lifestyle and habited the existence as unchangeable, it is a misnomer. When the sweet breeze blows in the wind, flowers shake in jubilation. It is that river of nirvana that is bathing the people with a swelling water of fantasy. The people are capable of change when inspired by a righteous cause.

I loiter in this sunshine of a better future. The expression that nature endowed Nigeria with abundance of good fortune is beginning to sound like a cliché. Take a walk in any direction, you will find in each region enough natural resources to sustain the nation. From groundnut in the North, oil in the South, palm oil in the East, cocoa in the West to numerous other resources amongst, the nation is brimming with amazing wealth.

Nigerians must step into this well of utopia without fear of being drowned. I believe that there is no way to go but up. The sky is bright and the elements are lining up to position the country in a good light. The confidence of young people to assert their civic right in the past general election promises of a new Nigeria where politics of squalor will not be allowed room to fester.

Let the people renew their spirit in the romanticism of a wonderful nation. Nigeria could become paradise on earth if citizens welcome the rain of decency to wash away the filth of the land.

Too long it is bad, it will be good; the people spoke with a loud voice.

• Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

18

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: Of recent, there has been a rash of new appointments (with some sackings) by President Goodluck Jonathan, ranging from a new Inspector General of Police to members of Governing Council of universities, executive secretaries of Federal Government agencies, to the Nigerian Stock Exchange and many others.

We all agree the President would and should be at his desk until May 29. But it should be remembered that not everything possible is expedient. There could be more than meets the eye with all these frenetic late appointments, just a few days to the end of his tenure. A lot of unsavoury inferences and interpretations could be made there from.

First it smacks of tardiness on the part of the President by not making all these changes all these past months and years. It’s a case of not doing the right thing at the right time, like the Boko Haram war which was allowed to fester over the years, only for us to re-discover our muscles just a few months ago.

Secondly, these late appointments of President Jonathan’s loyalists can be seen as a subtle spreading of peddles, thorns, hurdles along the path of the incoming administration. To who would these

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The President’s recent appointments appointees owe allegiance? Their hearts and minds could be for Jonathan while working under Buhari. After all, 2019 is not too far and a comeback can always be attempted and staged.

Thirdly, there could be a tincture of blackmail to these late appointments. If tomorrow Buhari sacks any of these late Jonathan appoin-

tees, will he not be branded all sorts of names from heartless, to wicked and vindictive?

For one thing, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari might find the presence of these Jonathan loyalists disconcerting. They may not share his goals, ideals, philosophy and methods.

That could create distrust, mistrust, suspicion and an eventual case of

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• Sir (Chief) Azaniah Ngozi Nwoke, Wokens2014@gmail.com

Return Nnaji, return power IR: It is time to bring back Professor Bart Nnaji, former Minister of Power back to repair the damages done by the People Democratic Party (PDP) administration to the power sector given the successes achieved during his short stint in the saddle. The incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) should reconsider and reverse the removal of Nnaji whose departure

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from office has reversed the progress made.

Before Professor Nnaji arrived in the power scene first as Special Adviser to the President, darkness was upon Nigeria and hovering in the households making rich people to embark on self generation of power with attendant high diesel and fuel costs while majority of less privileged Nigerians grappled with

Buhari and pensioners’ plight IR: In Nigeria, it is a sin to serve meritoriously, conscientiously and dedicatedly for several years. It is a sin to retire unscathed and without any blemish. It is a sin for pensioners to be paid fully and promptly their gratuities and pensions. It is a sin for pensioners to live well and be healthy. It is a sin for pensioners to live long. Lastly, it is a sin to review pensions in line with present day reality. Why are all these sins?

Employers (board of corporate organizations inclusive) are never prosecuted and dealt with accordingly for not adhering strictly to the

the falcons not hearing the falconer.

President Jonathan has lived all these past years and months without making these appointments. He can as well manage to live the remaining two weeks in office without them. Once the result of the election was known, the President should have started the all-important process of winding down, de-

acceleration and disengagement instead of revving up the engine of governance by encumbering the incoming administration with his loyalists. You cannot press the throttles and brakes at the same time. Can you?

Therefore, let President Jonathan not allow any blemish on the accolades he has garnered (rightly or wrongly) by conceding defeat.

Buhari must be allowed and helped to take off unhindered, unfettered and unencumbered. This would be in the interest of all, including the President and supporters.

various pension laws and acts. They breach all pension laws and acts.

They and their cohorts involve in various pension scams. This is sheer impunity which needs to be addressed by our president – elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd).

One of the culprits is Union Bank Of Nig Plc. For over two years, Union Bank has refused to pay our (pensioners from 2006 to 2012 of which I am one) legacy fund/accrued pension rights to our various Pension Fund Administrators. It is impossible for us to access our pensions. After many entreaties to both PENCOM and Union Bank and de-

spite the directives by PENCOM to Union Bank to pay us, the bank remains adamant and unperturbed. It is on record, that Union Bank post billions of naira annually as profit.

This is appealing to GMB to come to our rescue and do the needful immediately he is sworn in as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come Friday, May 29. We are optimistic that GMB will take us out of torture, penury and bondage.

We believe that change has come!

• Lanre Onawola, Apata, Ibadan.

candles, kerosene lamps, battery torches and other local lamps to provide illumination. The country could not get it right as government after government kept fixing wrong pegs into wrong hole in their attempts at providing solution to the seemingly intractable problems.

Behold, the arrival of Professor Bart Nnaji saw the putting of the square peg in a square hole and the manifest multi-dimensional successes recorded was clearly solving the multi-dimensional problems. The evidence was the steady improvement in the power situation.

Within 13 months as minister, Nnaji the technocrat transformed the sector by applying the skills and competences hitherto absent in the governments’ quest to finding solution to the myriad of problems.

There would be no gain saying the fact that the world acclaimed Professor of Robotics was delivering as Nigerian households witnessed the reality of electricity availability within the period and were actually expecting more improvement.

While Nnaji’s performances dazzled the eye with the general populace acknowledging the high feat of improved electricity supply to Nigerian homes and offices, Professor Nnaji was pressured to resign from the PDP government.

Gradually and steadily too, the gains under Nnaji were vitiated.

Ever since, the slide back to darkness has continued unabated giving rise to the clamour for the return of the Nnaji before the situation cascades back to Dark Age. What the country would gain if Nnaji comes back as Minister of Power would outweigh by far whatever sentiments that are at issue. The comparative advantage should jolt the President-elect and in the incoming administration to take the bull by the horn; the challenge here is to to get electricity delivered to the country as promised Nigerians during his campaign. When a vehicle goes bad, the owner invites the mechanic. Professor Nnaji is unarguably the excellent mechanic of Nigeria’s power sector.

• Akpuoakiri Osisam Ede, Abuja.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

19

COMMENTS

Difficult decisions for incoming administrations

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OST of the people who have been writing on the next administration have expectedly been focusing on what General Buhari will do when he is sworn in. I have myself written on this before I realized that our country is broke. Although the outgoing Minister of Finance has advised us to focus on the positive aspect of our economy lest our negative criticism becomes a fulfillment, I try to see what is positive in a country that is unable to pay its bills. Virtually all state governments owe their workers five to six months salaries and in some ministries and federal parastatals, the federal government too is owing its workers some months salaries. A government that cannot pay workers is bankrupt. The question is how did we get to this sorry pass?

We of course know the price of crude oil tumbled to 50percent of its previous level some months ago. It should not have required more than ordinary common sense for those managing our economy to know the volatility of the oil market and save for a raining day. The huge earnings from 1999 to 2014 were simply frittered away or stolen outright. Thank God for the fact that Obasanjo paid our foreign debt or else we would be asking for what happened to trillions of dollars earned during those years of plenty. Even in Biblical times, Joseph who was not an economist like our so called Harvard trained economist of under development set aside some of the bounties of nature during the seven years of plenty in Egypt against the seven lean years. In our case we simply declared surplus and wasted our plenty on mad importation of luxury items and all kinds of consumables including all brands of alcoholic drinks, wines and champagne. And whatever was left simply put, was either stolen or used to pay unearned salaries to government officials and their potbellied bureaucrats. We are now on our knees and I hope we do not go borrowing so soon after exiting from the London and Paris clubs that were holding us imprisoned in regimes of unending debt repayment. If Buhari had not won the presidential election, we probably would have been sold the dummy that we are underborrowed And then we would have begun the journey to

economic slavery to western capitalists who loaned us the so-called coordinating minister of the economy.

At the state level, with the exception of Lagos, taxes are not paid and in Nigeria as a whole consumer taxes in form of VAT are just too low compared with 18 per cent paid in our neighbouring West African countries. Because of elections, governors unreasonably cut down university fees to the extent that universities in the South-west, for example can no longer pay salaries of staff because states subventions have simply dried up. There is nowhere in the world where students pay N25,000 to N30,000 a year and governors in some states said these should be paid twice and not once! I just shudder imagining the conditions in state universities where like their civil servant counterparts, lecturers and professors are owed six months salaries. We are deceiving ourselves because no money equals no education. Hungry teachers should not be expected to and cannot really impart knowledge. The universities must be allowed to charge economic fees so as to free them from the stranglehold of state governments. Any government that wants free education at all levels can award scholarships to their students or ask their local governments to pick up their educational tabs.

The state governments should also look into the possibility of imposing land use charge to boost internally generated revenue to free them from the indignity of carrying begging bowls to the federal government every month until such a time when states will control the resources in them. I would have suggested down-sizing the bureaucracies but in a period of mass employment, that would be courting disaster of insecurity. States must embark on public works through a revamped public works department (PWD) to engage our youths especially the technically trained ones to dirty their hands in the process of physical development of their country. We should bring back the old practice of schools having demonstration farms to bring practical agriculture to our young ones and thereby boost agricultural production. We did this in my youth before our senses were dulled by cheap petrol money.

The coming president must tell us the truth of our con-

‘The coming president must tell us the truth of our condition by abolishing the so-called oil subsidy that is taking N2 -N3 trillion every year and putting them into the pockets of some oil oligarchs and party big wigs and plutocrats.

We must boldly confront this oil malady and the president must tell Nigerians that he will not be part of this swindle of the masses’

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HEN WE do well, we are ready to shout it to high heavens. We are only being human by doing so. No man excels in what he does and wants to hide it, the same way that we light a candle and put it on a stand and not under a bushel. But when we are wrong, we look for all manner of excuses to keep the blame away from ourselves. In such a situation, we start to look for scape-goats. We are never in the wrong; it is the other person that is always wrong.

Our politicians know how to play the blame game, especially after losing elections. Without batting an eyelid, they can reel out over one million reasons why they lost; who is responsible for that loss and how the loss was planned before the election. We have seen that happening in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since its woeful loss in the last elections. Its national leader, President Goodluck Jonathan, too has not been able to restrain himself from bellyaching over the outcome of the elections.

Despite being hailed for conceding defeat to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and calling to congratulate him, it is becoming clearer by the day that he may not have been that sincere after all. The outgoing president did what he did to fulfil all righteousness and be seen by the world as a true democrat. Dr Jonathan would have passed the test if he had stayed the course and remained loyal to self

395 DAYS AFTER

WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

dition by abolishing the so-called oil subsidy that is taking N2 -N3 trillion every year and putting them into the pockets of some oil oligarchs and party big wigs and plutocrats.

We must boldly confront this oil malady and the president must tell Nigerians that he will not be Jide part of this swindle Osuntokun of the masses.

People will grumble; they may even riot but government must stay the course and educate the people and tell them what we will gain by following this honest and righteous policy. We must also bring back the textile mills of Kano, Kaduna, Lagos and wherever textile mills have been closed down. This will lead to the creation of millions of jobs and reduce unemployment. We should also ensure backward integration by getting our people in the North to plant and supply the cotton yarn. While doing this, we must ban all importation of textiles without minding what western free traders say. We must of course put money into the agricultural sector and try to add value to whatever we produce. While on this we must give ourselves two years within which we must stop importation of petrol, diesel and oil derivatives. We need to earn more from domestic usage of our gas and its exportation.

The electricity sector seems jinxed and it is trite to say without electricity there can be no development. By this I mean development in all areas including education, health, transportation and so on. Let me say there is no alternative to having power to fire the country and whatever it will take to generate and distribute power adequately must be embarked upon through a mixture of power sources like hydroelectricity, gas, coal and uranium; yes why not? My son has worked for some years in the nuclear power industry and I know it is doable if the right people are recruited without deferring to federal character. Many of us do not have the luxury of time to wait indefinitely for Nigeria to develop. Hope deferred makes the heart ache and if we do not seize this moment to develop this country we may then have passed the time of redeemability.

The guilty are afraid and country. You cannot be a true democrat by words only, it must also reflect in your deeds.

The president's actions in the past few weeks leave much to be desired. He has been behaving like someone who is afraid. It all started after the president-elect said he would revisit the alleged $20 billion missing oil money for which the accounting firm of PricewaterCoopers (PwC) probed the books of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

After receiving the probe report, the Jonathan administration told the nation that the firm found that no money was missing. PwC, it said, directed that NNPC should pay $1.4 billion into public coffers.

This was all we were told until Buhari said he would revisit the matter. As soon as he spoke, Jonathan ordered that the report be released. What Nigerians saw in that report showed that the government was not honest when it initially briefed them about the report.

The government then told us what it felt we should know and did not give us the entire gamut of the report in which the firm complained, among others, of not being allowed access to certain documents vital to its assignment. So, from the beginning, PwC was hamstrung in carrying out the task because the government only availed it of documents that will not incriminate the administration or those close to it.

In such a situation, what was there for PwC to probe? Nothing because those who ordered the probe knew what the outcome would be even before the exercise, which as it were, has turned out to be a waste of time and scarce public resources. All hope is not lost, with Buhari's promise to revisit the issue. The president is, however, yet to overcome his fears

of what the future holds for him. At every opportunity, he involuntarily states his fears, letting us into his mind. The president and his men need not be afraid if they have done well. Let them take a critical look at themselves and tell Nigerians in all honesty and sincerity that they served us wholeheartedly.

They cannot do that because they had other motives for coming to power. This is why they are jittery on the eve of their exit. The President and his men cannot dictate the terms on which they should be judged after their exit. That is not possible. It is left for the incoming government to decide how to look at the outgoing administration based on what it claims to have done. If it has served the Nigerian people well, then it has nothing to fear, but if otherwise, it has questions to answer. Let Jonathan for one minute put himself in the position of the incoming President Buhari, will he be happy if his outgoing predecessor were to be talking the way he is now doing?

If Jonathan truly wishes his incoming successor to succeed as he has been telling the world, he would mind his language. There are things best left unsaid during a transition like to avoid drawing attention to one's self.

I do not understand why Dr Jonathan spoke the way he did at last Sunday's farewell service for him at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Gwarimpa, Abuja. He said he would be persecuted. By who and for what? He did not say. He was merely specious in his submissions while trying to win the public sympathy he does not deserve. ''For ministers and aides who served with me, I sympathise with them;

they will be persecuted. And they must be ready for that persecution.

To my ministers, I wish you what I wish myself. They will have hard times; and we will all have hard times. Our ways will be rough'', the president said.

Just as he has been doing in the past few weeks, he is just being preemptive of what may happen to him after he leaves office. What he seems to prefer is for Buhari to take over from him on May 29 and keep quiet as if all is well, but Nigerians know that all is not well. If Buhari does not ask Jonathan questions after coming to power, then he should be prepared to face the wrath of Nigerians, who are eagerly waiting to see many in this outgoing administration pay for the harm they have done to our country. Whether Jonathan likes it or not, the matter is beyond Buhari.

It is between him and the Nigerian people, who are interested in the record of his administration. Since they cannot get it from him, their only hope is Buhari, who cannot afford to fail them. hat this tells us is that no matter the position we hold, there is always a day of reckoning. Today, for those in this administration, that day is at hand, but we should not mock them; we should sympathise with them. Let us learn from what they are going through so that we do not find ourselves in their position in future. They will not be persecuted,

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Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net SMS ONLY: 08099400204, 08112661612

but whether they like it or not, they will be asked questions. It is not too much for us to ask how they governed us in the last four years.

Since the president spoke in the church last Sunday, let us also refer him to the Bible by asking this question :''If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?''.

If the president and his men feel that they have done well, they have nothing to fear; but if otherwise, they should be ready to pay the price and they cannot tie the hand of the incoming government from taking action through their resort to cheap blackmail and base sentiment.

• The title of last week's piece should have been Crying over spilt milk and not Crying over split milk. Special thanks to all who sent text messages. The error is regretted

‘Jonathan and his men cannot dictate the terms on which they will be judged after their exit. Whether they like it or not, they will be asked questions, but they will not be persecuted’

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

20

COMMENTS

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AST Sunday, at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp Gwarimpa Abuja, President Jonathan did what he does best- sharing his thoughts on all issues be it politics, economic or even security, with his congregation. My “fears are for the ministers and aides who served with me”, he told his Christian loyal supporters, adding in an effort to play the victim, “I sympathise with them; they will be persecuted, and they must be ready for that persecution.” But Lai Mohammed, APC spokesperson allayed the president fears by reassuring him Buahri will not be bogged down by endless probes. He however did not forget to add “those who have played poker with the nation’s destiny must be willing and eager to clear their conscience before man and God”.

I think this is type of exchange is one more compelling reason why we must revisit the past. It is in the interest of all. We already know what Jonathan and PDP stand for. It is only the uninformed who will be surprised that PDP, a creation of the military, an institution associated with pillaging conquered territories, produced wheelers and dealers who operated as if they have no stake in Nigeria. Military-baked PDP ‘new breed’ politicians cannot but act with impunity. The late Sunday Afolabi, internal affairs minister who went to jail for his involvement in the identity card contract scam admitted PDP is ‘come and chop’ party. But long before that confession, John Campbell had during proceedings at a hearing on the topic: Nigeria in Turmoil, on 19 March, 2010, at Chattam house, London, dismissed PDP as a “party that came together, with no ideological or programmatic basis, but simply as essentially a club of elites for sharing of oil rents and political spoils”.

And PDP has no apology. Between 1999 and 2003, 17 of its 22 elected governors were either convicted or on the run from justice for financial malfeasance. There was the Halliburton case in which PDP stalwarts took a bribe of $180m to secure the LNG Bonny plant contract. There was the bungled Turn Around Maintenance contract for the refiner-

‘The incoming government’s immediate challenge will be the power sector. Unfortunately, PDP and its leaders could not even agree on how much the nation has expended on the power sector since 1999’

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Why a revisit of past is ‘must’ ies by PDP stalwarts. It was PDP men who during one of their vicious ‘family quarrels’, revealed that what Obasanjo and Atiku did in the name of privatization between 1999 and 2003 was to literarily share Nigeria’s commonwealth among their PDP members who had access to state money. When there was nothing left to share after privatization, a fraudulent undertaking, by their own admission, they came up with self-serving monetization policy which legitimizes the sharing of a national patrimony a transient government was expected to hold in trust for our children. It did not occur to them that there would have been nothing to share if Balewa, Zik and Awo had sold their official houses to themselves.

But our deep understanding of what PDP and its leaders stand for only reinforces the need to probe aspects of their past activities that have implications for tomorrow. Let us start with the Petroleum Products Price Regulatory Agency, (PPPRA). The outfit with a staff strength of 249, supervised by an unwieldy 22-man strong board, gobbling scandalously whopping salaries and allowances of N57.9 billion per annum was touted as an answer to long queues at filling stations which greeted PDP accession to power in 1999. Its mandate was among others to “make the products available at reasonable prices”. The Bill for the establishment of PPPRA was promptly passed into law in February 2003. Sixteen years down the line, at the twilight of PDP’s exit from power, the queues are back with thousands of motorists marooned in filling stations across the country. PPPRA is a house of fraud. A Punch newspaper editorial recently brought the past to pain when it reminded us about “the N2.53 trillion paid out in 2011 as petrol subsidies to cronies and “ghost” busi-

HERE is a perceptible assumption that the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Kogi State would be laced with conjectures and sensationalism. Presently, many political commentators have gone a step further to state that the profound changes occurring in the political arena and twists in the conscience of the Kogi people may combine to affect those aspirants that rely on some primordial approaches for victory in party primaries and gubernatorial elections.

In Kogi State, what now brews in the minds of many political strategists are the rising social and political questions surrounding the potency of the incumbent Governor Idris Wada in determining his fate or that of a successor in the next governorship elections. For these set of people, they posit that Governor Wada does not have a last say on who becomes the next occupant of Lugard House, especially given the recent documented facts and figures in the last 2015 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. The All Progressive Congress (APC) won majority. It is also on record that the governor lost all available seats in his local government area.

Right or wrong, whatever the 2015 elections results in Kogi Sate meant may not be very far from the interpretation that Governor Wada has lost grip and political relevance in the state. Suffice to mention that the case of the deputy governor isn’t any different.

Indeed, right now, the ruling PDP seems to be in a dilemma especially given that Nigerian democracy has clearly established that the power of incumbency especially by an unpopular candidate whether at the national or state level has been weakened on electoral issues and the impunity hitherto exhibited by the so-called political heavy weights has grossly been watered down with the existence of a reformed INEC. However, it is too early for the APC to assume that its recent victories in the Presidential and National Assembly elections will automatically transform to victory at the gubernatorial elections. Convincingly, instances abound where voters in a state may pledge loyalty to the Presidential candidate yet not support the gubernatorial candidate of the same party. For ease of reference, in 2011 general elections, though Major General Muhammadu Buhari of the then CPC party had a sweeping victory in Kano State, the gubernatorial candidate of the same party, had a very poor outing at the governorship election which was lost to the PDP. The reason adduced to that particular incident was that despite the CPC being a core and famous northern party; it lost its governorship bid in Kano State because it dropped a popular candidate. As such, protest votes gave the PDP victory. Indeed, the impunity displayed by the party leadership of the

nessmen when the National Assembly approved only N245 billion that year”. None of the PDP stalwarts and their children indicted by the House probe has been successfully prosecuted, a development the outgoing president put on ‘slow pace of justice in our environment’.

Also needed to be revisited is the frittering away of N7billion on rural electrification project. It will be recalled that EFCC on June 14, 2010, claimed the rural electrification exercise “were used as conduit pipes with which funds of the Rural Electrification Agency were siphoned and were awarded to companies either not pre-qualified to be awarded the contract, or were phony or non existing companies”. But once Justice M.G Umar of Abuja High Court absolved all the PDP men and their collaborators on March 24, 2012, claiming ‘he was unable to find a prima facie case or complaint disclosed in the proof of evidence against the respondent’, the government did not even bother to appeal.

We have the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, now a senator-elect from Anambra, whose alleged overpriced amoured car deal with Coscharis forced the nation to pay attention to a loss of as much as N64b to import tax waivers scam in the first half of 2013 financial year. As it has now turned out, while Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance claimed her ministry “approved only N70.73 billion worth of duty waivers and exceptions in three years, the customs the implementing agency has insisted the value of waivers processed for the same period was N1.4 trillion”. President Jonathan who governs through delegation by abdication believes his minister of finance could do no wrong even after her 2011 television appearance fiasco where she justified payment

of subsidy to those that turned out to be children of PDP stalwarts who never supplied a pint of fuel.

The incoming government’s immediate challenge will be the power sector. Unfortunately, PDP and its leaders could not even agree on how much the nation has expended on the power sector since 1999. Independent foreign experts put the figure at above $50b.

President Jonathan’s own three-year roadmap after an expenditure of about $8b pushed the power capacity to 4,517MW in December 2012 before nose-diving to the current estimated 2800MW. Dagogo Jack, chairman of the presidential task-force on power who presided over Jonathan’s Roadmap for Power Sector Reform which gave birth to six generation companies, 11 distribution companies and a national power transmission company, recently claimed government has no control over private firms.

And finally as a way of solving some of the above riddles, there may be need to probe all those who donated a whopping sum of over N21b to support President Jonathan’s failed re-election bid. Of the N21bn, Jerry Gana, a key actor in Jonathan energy reform who was in the Abuja church last Sunday to bid Jonathan farewell as he had done to his past predecessors since 1985, donated N5 billion on behalf of his unidentified friends and “associates in the power sector.”, Tunde Ayeni, chairman of Skye Bank Plc and also a key actor in the power sector donated N2 billion on behalf of himself and his unnamed “partner” and “friends.”

This type of donation raises question about the outgoing government’s plan to arrange a N213 billion bailout for government favoured private sector operators who have been confirmed to be stalwarts of PDP. The donation of N1billion by the transport and aviation sector at a period they are indebted to the banks to the tune of N300 billion may expedite the plan of the incoming government to convert the Jonathan fleet of over eight aircrafts to form the nucleus of a new national carrier while EFCC is set after the current reckless operators of private airlines; and of course a probe will indicate if the automobile industry donors of N450 million, include beneficiaries of import duty waivers.

The Punch in its editorial of December 23, 2014 states “there is an instinctive conclusion among the Nigerian public that the Jonathan government is the most financially corrupt, fiscally irresponsible, politically insensitive and socially disconnected in Nigerian history”. Both Jonathan and Buhari need the probe for different reasons.

Kogi 2015: A view point

By Phrank Shaibu then CPC in Kano State 2011 governorship is not different from what happened in Kogi State in 2011 where Jibrin Isa Echocho, was dropped in favour of the incumbent Governor Wada . The only dissimilarity with Kogi is that despite the obvious undemocratic act which led to Wada’s emergence, the PDP was noted to have been able to manipulate the elections in its favour.

Nevertheless, the consequences of the action of the Kogi State PDP leadership in 2011 elections by dropping the popular Jibrin Isah Echocho has not been erased because it led to huge division in the party and mass defection of its supporters. This deliberate mistake of the PDP in Kogi State did not only weaken the electoral capacity of the party but has now grossly contributed to strengthening the APC, which emerged victorious in most of the contested positions in the last 2015 general elections in Kogi State.

As it stands, a wrong choice of candidate by any political party may give rise to a protest revolutionary scenario or gross loss in the elections. Simply put, any serious political party in the Kogi State must work hard. Without a doubt, as weeks and months count down to the 2015 Kogi State gubernatorial party primaries and elections, consultations are ongoing by an endless list of aspirants. However, in a state like Kogi where explosive assumptions and bogus claims are being projected by aspirants, the polity is already fuelled by a dangerous trend of debate, false sentiments and massive space for varied analysis which even includes a likely come back of Jibrin Isah Echocho as a popular peoples’ choice. Despite all these postulations, many articulate watchers of the unfolding events believe that the guess on who would be the next Kogi State governor is very confusing.

Emphatically, it would not be wrong to state that as the political situation stands, every gubernatorial aspirant stands alone and may well begin to believe that as much as diverse sentiments and variables may have played its part on the Presidential election against the ruling party, the gubernatorial aspiration is distinct and would rest more on the people’s choice. Indeed, no wise gubernatorial aspirant from Kogi State should just rely on the name or fame of a party because the electorates may not necessarily be swayed by such skewed loyalty given their chequered experience of party imposition of an incumbent governor whom most Kogi people feel has not added value to their quest for development of the

state.

Be that as it may, right now, in Kogi State, every olitical party seems to be making a promise of more rain but the truth remains that in the realm of the actual political landscape, there are politicians that may make promises of irrigation, yet give people more water than those that promised to control the rains. It is of essence at this juncture to state that the way to victory for a governorship aspirant in the complex Kogi situation does not reside only the strength of the political party, but rather on the individual aspirant and proof that the complex debate surrounding the selection of an aspirant is not only transparent but derived from the people’s choice.

Thus, ahead of the Kogi 2015 party primaries and elections, given the recent national political awareness, the right way to go is for all parties to seek a most acceptable candidate in their fold than settle for crass imposition and naked impunity. The lessons from the diminished and fractured Kogi State PDP as a result of the Jibrin Isa Echocho and Idris Wada episode are enough for all. True or false, the point herein, is that whether it is APC, PDP, Labour or Accord party that is in contest, the issue before all the political parties is a complex task that cannot be achieved without due consideration of a peoples’ choice.

• Shaibu, a public affairs analyst writes from Abuja.

‘Ahead of the Kogi 2015 party primaries and elections, given the recent national political awareness, the right way to go is for all parties to seek a most acceptable candidate in their fold than settle for crass imposition and naked impunity. The lessons from the diminished and fractured Kogi State PDP as a result of the Jibrin Isa Echocho and Idris Wada episode are enough for all’

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

21

COMMENTS

A

LL over Nigeria these days, and wherever else one may meet Nigerians, one can feel swelling echoes of change. I was only a teenager in the early 1950s when the big constitutional structures began to be put in place for preparing Nigeria for independent nationhood. But because my parents and other significant kinsmen were heavily involved in the local politics of those formative years, I was very much aware of the wind of change sweeping over Nigeria. Those were sometimes dizzying days, but the echoes of expectation and change now sweeping over Nigeria are hardly less dizzying.

Today’s atmosphere of expectation and change is easy to explain. After a decade of vibrant growth, excitement and hope in 195262, we Nigerians have seen nothing but decline, decay, and hopelessness in our country since 1966. Sure, a petroleum bonanza began to gush floods of money into our economy from the 1970s, but it did so in a growing context of degeneracy among the men and women who guided the affairs of our country. As our father, friend and mentor , Obafemi Awolowo, used to say , it is not money that develops a country; it is the human mind, applied in a purposeful, focused, disciplined and self-sacrificing manner, that produces development, progress and prosperity. Increasingly lacking such high qualities of mind in our leadership cadre, our potentially great country slipped inexorably down a bottomless abyss. In fact, in the past 30 years (that is since 1985), we Nigerians have increasingly seemed like floaters in the world, disoriented floaters without a country we can call home with some modicum of certainty and pride.

In these dark years, as Nigeria scuttled down its dark and darkening void, some rare flashes of light interrupted the darkness at some points, and seemed briefly to be about to arrest the fall – only to be immediately smothered by the powerful darkness. Today, surprisingly, the man who lit the last of those brief flashes of light is waiting to be ushered

Swelling echoes of change over Nigeria back to the presidency of our country. For the people of my generation who saw and experienced the golden age of the 1950s, and who experienced the short exhilaration of its probable return in 1984-5, this Muhammadu Buhari presidency is a rebirth of enormous proportions. The generation of our children and grandchildren, who today constitute the majority of our total citizenry, share this excitement or expectation too; but it is unlikely that they feel it exactly as we do – because, unlike us, they did not see the starting light of the 1950s, but have been raised almost entirely through the darkness and the fall after it. And yet it is they who must now grab the light that will, hopefully, be ushered in soon, and use it to breed real and lasting energy, sanity and prosperity for our country.

As I wrote in an earlier series in these pages, my first reaction to the beginning of the Buhari war on corruption in early 1984 was one of hostility. And that is because he simply jumbled the good with the bad, and indiscriminately rammed into prison the barons of the corruption and those of us who had been fighting the corruption. When I was released from prison (after being asked absolutely no questions throughout my incarceration there for months), I was angry. Moreover, I could not settle down, because Buhari’s lieutenant in my Ondo State had ordered thousands of youths arrested and charged with various serious offences in connection with the massive violence that had greeted the rigging of the Ondo State gubernatorial election of 1983. Around court houses all over our state, angry youths and parents were getting into fisticuffs, and generalized violence seemed

‘Can any abiding change occur in our country if the powers and resources wantonly accumulated gradually in the federal centre since 1966 remain there, and the state governments remain the beggar entities that they now are, and our country’s monumental inefficiency continues?’

“

HE difference between one individual and the next is perhaps that, some know this, while others do not.

With individuals, this distinction does not matter a great deal. We go into retirement with a sigh of mission accompli, convinced that one’s self-imposed, fortuitous, or mysteriously transmitted mission in life has indeed been fulfilled. Or perhaps we simply shrug our shoulders in resignation, saying, ‘’enough is enough, let others take over from here’’ No matter the variant, we are still buried with our own self-assessment, accurate or misconceived’’ – Professor Wole Soyinka’s Speech – ‘’Speaking Truth to Powerful Gang of Corrupt Nigerian Governors’’ in Delta State.

I had hoped and prayed that President Jonathan would not also personally come into the fray of the adulation and commendation daily pouring out in his favour from all over, for conceding defeat in the 2015 Presidential Elections to General Muhammadu Buhari.

I had hoped that President Jonathan would not join the fray, by self-venerating or selfassessing, considering the President’s seemingly indifference to the implication of his statement during one of his Presidential Chats, sometime in February, 2014, when he was responding to the Borno State governor’s concern that, the Boko Haram terrorists seems more equipped and motivated than the Nigerian soldiers. Our President, oblivious of the constitutional, political and security implications, just answered, ‘’he would want to see how the governor would be able to govern the state, if he should decide to withdraw the army from the state.

Apart from his statement that he doesn’t give a damn even if people criticize him on his refusal to make a public declaration of his assets, his recent statement in Bayelsa State, during the State Assembly Election, when enquiries were made about the absence of his wife, he feigned ignorance of the precise location of his wife, by saying that they both left Abuja in different planes; whereas reports have it that, his wife was in Rivers State at all material time. If indeed, the First Lady was in River State as rumoured, and the people of River State were aware of her pres-

T

likely. I wrote to the state military governor, Governor Otiko, advising him to calm the situation by doing what Governor Fajuyi had done in a similar situation in the Western Region in 1966 - that is, proclaim an amnesty and give some help to those whose businesses had been damaged in the violence. He invited me to his office, but the 90 minutes I spent discussing with him there was just a waste of time – he could not understand the purport of what I was advising him. His simple-minded understanding was that Buhari and Idiagbon wanted him to be tough on all and sundry in Ondo State. It was weird.

That, however, was 1984. Today, in retrospect, I seriously wish that the Buhari adventure had succeeded and lasted many years, wobbly though it had been in parts. All that has followed after the ousting of Buhari in 1985, and until now, has been horribly crooked and destructive. These are the years during which it has become the accepted tradition that whoever serves as president of Nigeria must be so rich afterwards as to be counted among the richest people on earth.

And, as the Nigerian president has become the Robber-in-chief and Bandit-in-chief, he has inevitably also become the Corrupter-inchief – because it is in his interest to throw the door wide open to all other public officials to grab and steal grow rich. He needs to do that to protect the process and the preservation of his own loot. He needs also to establish the control of the presidency over all of Nigeria’s money and resources – and the Nigerian president is now sometimes like a character in a comic opera, dancing and trampling over endless fields of cash. Some foreign reports suggested in recent months that a Nigerian president’s election war chest is usually bottomless.

The constitutional, political and moral consequences of all these are boundless and cataclysmic. Our elected officials, and even our professional public officials, expend much of their competence over the scramble for huge personal wealth through the most creative corrupt practices known to man. Many sto-

Gbogun gboro ries about Nigerian public officials are like fairy tales – and are difficult to believe. Public officials who dutifully attend to the business of the public have more or less vanished from our land. Beyond the political elite and their friends and cronies, almost all the rest of Nigerians are paupers. Truly productive enterprise has become an endangered species among us – and the quest for money at all costs, and without any basis in true productivity, has become our common badge. Our country has long ceased to be a federation – and what it is now defies definition. A foreign author wrote in a book recently that Nigeria is a failed state that strangely manages to keep standing.

But now, Buhari is heading back to the presidency, and with a very formidable deputy, Prof. Osinbajo. The echoes of change are rising and swelling. We Nigerians can understand it if some of the changes are merely superficial and cosmetic – but the fundamental changes are imperative. For instance, can any abiding change occur in our country if the powers and resources wantonly accumulated gradually in the federal centre since 1966 remain there, and the state governments remain the beggar entities that they now are, and our country’s monumental inefficiency continues? We agree with Buhari that change cannot happen all at once, but it is crucial that plans for fundamental, structural, change be quickly forthcoming. These done, Buhari and Osinbajo seem set for the kind of enthusiastic support that no other presidential team has ever received in our history.

Could President Jonathan have done otherwise?

By Dimeji Olaleye ence in the state, did our President ever consider how the people of River State and indeed the generality of Nigerians would perceive him to be?.

I have had to go back in time to explain my said trepidation, when the accolades started falling in, for the singular reason that he conceded defeat. He instantly became a statesman.

I consider it bad enough that such encomiums were poured on him for conceding defeat, but it became worse when he too started praise singing himself that, he conceded defeat for the sake of the unity of this country.

The question is, could our President have legally done otherwise?

Pursuant to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, and the Oath of Office sworn to by the President, it is incumbent on him to subject himself to the Rule of Law and ensure the enforcement of all statutory provisions.

Towards this, the President has, at different fora, personally showcased his government as being guided by the Rule of Law. Therefore, it’s baffling why the President or the Presidency has failed to realize the inherent negative tag that has been placed on our President. They were just too eager to enjoy the praises and recognition accorded him.

My take on all of these, is simply that, our President is indirectly being projected as capable of being unlawful, capable of precipitating crisis, capable of anything but not the Rule by Law, if he so chooses.

Please don’t get me wrong. Our President deserves to be praised or lauded for creating the environment for a largely free and fair Presidential Election, where the relevant federal institutions were reasonably, not hindered or pressurized, into compromising the entire electioneering process, as the institutions in times past are wont to do, (though, some would still argue that the institutions were indeed compromised). Under the abnormal circumstances of the old, it was near

unthinkable for the incumbent almighty PDP to be defeated at the Presidential Election, but it happened for the first time under President Jonathan’s watch in 2015!

But the difference is this: Under a democratic dispensation, anybody losing an election has two options – accepting defeat simplicita, or refuse to accept defeat by challenging the results as declared, at the appropriate election tribunal.

If a candidate decides to accept defeat, that ends it there. But if he decides not to accept defeat, the only legal forum to ventilate the grievances is in the court.

The President-elect, General Buhari on three occasions refused to accept defeat, and legally challenged the results as declared, up to the Supreme Court, on the said occasions.

I am not sure that, in all these legal challenges, he was accorded the same recognition by Nigerians or even the foreign leaders by regarding him as a statesman, for the sacrifices of going through the rigours of lawsuits. In essence, what I am saying is that, the decisions of General Buhari to always challenge the results in the law courts couldn’t have seriously warranted the status of a statesman being bestowed on him, because that can only be the logical, civilised and constitutional thing to do. It’s simply what the law requires of all of us.

Therefore, where encomiums are now been showered on our President for conceding defeat, and our President now personally saying that the reason for conceding defeat is because his ambition is not worth the progress and unity of the country, makes me feel bad.

The only enquiry is what our President could have said or done, if he had not conceded defeat? Yes, I concede that we have seen the consequences of refusal to concede defeat by incumbents in other climes, especially Ivory Coast, where a sitting President refused to accept defeat, and the crisis that engulfed the country.

But can’t we draw the line? Can’t we say, like in the Christian parlance, that it is no

longer our portion? Nigerians were able, through the elections that a re-occurrence of the Arab Spring in Nigeria was not our portion. By extension, despite the political expediency of the accolades, why can’t we protect and respect our President and the Presidency against the ascription of illegal and unconstitutional tendencies and capabilities?

Nobody ever suggested or believed for a second that President Clinton was going to use his incumbency factor to create political crisis or influence the case in favour of his party, Democratic Party, when Al Gore refused to concede defeat, and decided to challenge the results as declared in the courts.

Yes, some will say that we can’t compare Nigeria with America. But I cannot accept it and be happy, and I believe, no Nigerian should accept it and be happy, that our President only became a statesman to the admiration of everybody by conceding defeat, in comparison to other African Leaders that have led their countrymen to avoidable political crisis, on the basis of their refusal to accept defeat.

Unfortunately, our President has not demonstrated enough strength or conviction to be believed that, he has that capacity to rule by the law. It needs to be emphasized that a free and fair election is a process that does not terminate with even the announcement of results, it include how the candidates reacts to the results as announced. The responsibilities of either conceding defeat or challenging it are still part of the electoral process.

Finally, our President should truly be Presidential in all respects, as it is quite contradictory for our world-acclaimed statesman, having decided not to challenge the Presidential Election Results as declared in the Courts, to be seen pooh-poohing the integrity of the conduct of the same elections, the basis of his new status as a statesman, by questioning General Buhari’s victory; a variant of the same negative capabilities that has been unwittingly ascribed to him with the recent torrent of accolades.

• Olaleye is an Attorney based in Lagos.

22

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

It sounds like a movie story but it isn’t.

Abubakar Umar, who has just graduated in Petroleum Chemistry from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, was shot thrice by Boko Haram insurgents. He survived despite not receiving medical help for almost 24 hours. He is planning to write a book on his “miraculous survival”. He shares the synopsis of the book with KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE at his graduation last Saturday.

Saved by providence •The story of a Boko Haram survivor

M

any in the graduating Class of the 2015 American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, won thousands of naira in prizes for excellence in academics and leadership at an awards dinner last Friday, but the prize for courage, which went to Abubakar Umar, surpassed them all.

It was only Umar that parents, teachers and dignitaries from far and wide, including the university’s founder, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, gave a standing ovation as he made his way from the back of the expansive hall to the podium to receive his prize. Umar fell a victim of Boko Haram insurgency last year because of his dedication to community service. It remains a miracle that he lived to complete his BSc programme. He had no medical help for almost 24 hours after he was shot last December 4.

The university’s President, Dr Margee Ensign, described Umar's courage as profound and deserving of recognition, especially as he was busy raising funds for the less privileged before he was attacked.

passion to help the less privileged.

He said: "Here at AUN we do a lot of community service. For example, there's this secondary school that has some extension of classrooms and they don't have paint. So we organised some of our students to buy paint to paint those schools. We also tutor some of them. Also women from the community are taught English and Mathematics.

Some are also taught tailoring and others.

"I happen to be someone that loves travelling and anytime I am travelling, I see a lot of people, challenging people, lots of struggles everywhere. I notice some people trekking some kilometres just trying to get drinking water so I know that not all people are from the same place, and some get many things easier than others. Hence, I believe that by reaching out to those people, one day, the gap won't be that wide and everyone will be okay.”

During his community service project, Umar said he helped to paint a secondary school in Yola and also teach Mathematics and English, among other activities.

The genesis It was not for want of adventure that Umar, who hails from Jigawa State, stayed behind after the university closed last December to do extra community service. It was because the university requires all students to undertake community service projects of their choice programmes they must initiate, raise funds for and implement to positively impact on their host community; and also because of his

The journey Done with his extra community service, Umar left Yola at 6am with the hope of stopping over at Jigawa to visit his grandparents before getting to Kano, where he lives with his parents. He was aware of the increasing insecurity in the Northeast, which forced the university to close earlier than normal for the year. He took

•A grateful Umar.

‘

•Continued on page 26

And when I slowed down, the same people came out again and they shot me again a second time. That was when I was shot twice in my right arm. But I had to continue driving, because if I had stopped, it would have been the end. I don't know where the energy came from

INSIDE

APC celebrates ‘star’ pupils at victory party -Page 27

ANCOPSS seeks end to politics in education -Page 40

THE All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) has said government’s politicisation of education has greatly handicapped the maximum implementation of curriculum in schools.

CAMPUS LIFE A rector’s last fight -Page 29

’

•A 10-page section on campus news, people etc

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

26

EDUCATION

Saved by providence Honour for •Continued from page 25 precautions by stopping in the transit town of Gombe to get some items for his grandparents and share information with fellow travellers on how best to proceed on the journey. That interaction made him to change his route.

"The travellers usually converse and exchange ideas about what is happening on the road. That was where the drivers were saying the road from Gombe to Bauchi was not safe. Usually, the road used to have more than 12 checkpoints, but on that day, those people coming from Kano said they saw no single checkpoint. And the military personnel stationed there are not usually brought to that place; they have their containers there so they live at that place.

"For some strange reason on that day, no check point was seen. So the people were very cautious and they shared the information with us, telling us that we should not pass that road because anything could happen. A road that there is no check point, you know, you are on your own. So we decided that there is a much safer road, which is through the Nafana-Bajuga road, which will take you to Potiskum; then from Potiskum, you pass to Jigawa and then from there, you get to Kano.

Although that was a longer route, on that day, it seemed to be the safest of all roads."

Sadly, it was not. It was on that route - about three hours into the journey - that the insurgents struck twice.

"So myself together with some public drivers, we passed that road and unfortunately, that was where it happened. We passed Bajuga, we passed Nafana, I think I was almost 40 km away from Potiskum. That was where the road was really bad, so I slowed down. When I slowed down, these insurgents came out from the bush and they started shooting drastically at us. At first I wanted to stop because I noticed they were putting on the military uniform.

The trousers were military and the timberland boots.

But they were putting on head bands and screaming 'Allahu Akbar' so it made me realise that these were not military, they were the insurgents.

So I downshifted the vehicle and sped off. And that was when they shot me on my left arm.

"I kept on driving. I was very scared; so scared that I did not even notice that I had been shot. I was bleeding and kept on driving. I think I drove for five minutes when I noticed that the road was very rough again. Within that interval of five minutes, there wasn't any check point or any town in between. I wanted to stop anywhere I could reach quickly, like the nearest town, to report the incident, but there was none. After the five minutes, I noticed another check point and the pot holes and the road was very bad so I slowed down. And when I slowed down, the same people came out again and they shot me the second time. That was when I was shot twice at my right arm. But I had to continue driving, because if I had stopped, it would have been the end. I don't know where the energy came from."

Help After some distance, Umar abandoned his car to seek help. He was bleeding profusely and getting weak. But help did not come early.

Despite meeting about four groups of people in the village (called Daudu) where he stopped and speaking Hausa to them, they did not help him; they even ignored him.

The last group of older men only volunteered information, advising him to avoid the major roads within the village because the insurgents were around and preaching.

Their counsel ultimately proved useful as the back routes led him to

his helpers - though he was initially turned away by them too.

He said: "I just took a left turn and I was going. I never knew where I was going but I was just walking and I found myself in the compound of someone. I met a lady there and she wanted to give me shelter to stay but two older women in the house said I cannot stay because if the insurgents came, they would kill me and kill them too. So in order to protect themselves, I have to stay out.

"I pleaded, because I knew if I should leave that place, I was going to die. But they said if I should continue pleading, that they were going to scream and call them and they were going to kill me. I said there was no need for that and I thanked the old woman and was on the verge of going.

"But as I was about to go, the old woman told them that the insurgents told them that they were going to attack Gombe and those people happened to have relatives at Gombe. So the old woman told them that ‘if you cannot help this young man, how would you now expect God to protect your own relatives that the Boko Haram are going to attack next?’

"That was what convinced them that I can stay at their house but should the insurgents come, they don't know anything about me. So I said ok, I would take my chance. They took me to a toilet where I hid."

From about 10am after getting to Dauda Village to the next morning, Umar stayed without medical attention because none was available in the village. It was perhaps the longest wait of his life as his military contacts could not rescue him until the next day.

With his car and all its contents stolen, he had to depend on his hosts for first aid and contact with the world.

"When the man of the house came…I directed him to make the salt and water solution to be very thick and asked him to pour it on the wounds. I could see my bones from the injuries, because they were very deep. He poured it and funny enough, I don't know what happened, maybe because of the trauma, but I did not feel any pain at that point. He used rags to tie my hand that I had a fracture.

Fortunately, the bleeding reduced to drops. That sustained till I think around 6pm.

"He gave me his phone and that was when I made contact. I have friends in the military. I called them. The person I know in the military was not in town. So he called his friend and the friend then called me; he asked for my location, I told him. That was around 7 'o' clock in the evening. He told me that no one can come and take me at that particular moment because Gombe State had imposed a 24-hour curfew then; no one was allowed to move. He said from Potiskum where they were coming to rescue me, they were afraid that the insurgents may still be around. So there might be a chance that I might eventually die unless I stayed there till the next morning. I said no problem. He told me not to take a lot of water; that if I take water I might die, so I didn't take anything. He told me to get some antibiotics if it was possible. Everyone had left that place so there wasn't any pharmaceutical help of any kind. I have to stay there till the next place and that was when they came to get me."

AUN’s brightest

I

T was a momentous weekend for 184 undergraduates and 24 postgraduate students of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola as they bade farewell to their alma mater last Saturday.

Some of those who excelled in academics and other areas of student life were celebrated and rewarded with mouthwatering prizes donated by various corporate organisations during an awards programme that held the day before the seventh commencement of the university.

Many of the prizes endowed by such firms as Globacom, Royal Exchange, Sigma Pension, AIICO Pension, MCEE Business Solutions, and GTBank, were worth N500,000, awarded to one or two recipients.

For making the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.99 on a 4.00 scale, Hephzber Obiorah carted away the most prizes - six - worth over a million naira.

The 22-year old said she sustained the perfect score of 4.00 for six straight semesters before her final year.

This was unprecedented, especially for someone who had to change courses thrice until she settled for English Literature and Language.

"I came in here with an intention to study information system because I liked the name. But along the line, I realised that programming is not really my stuff so I changed to Business. Then in Business It was good but, you know when you feel something on the inside. When I am in my classes, I feel like writing poems instead of some mathematical calculations so I just went to English and so since then I have been happy and productive," she said.

The opportunity to change is one

•Hephzber

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

that Hephzber would ever be grateful that AUN's American style education provided for her. She said she was aware that elsewhere it would have been impossible and she would have graduated in a course she was not passionate about.

She said: "It is something that Nigerian educational system does not have. After your JAMB, if you took Art or Science, they restrict you to what you have taken. I do not think it should be like that. The American system gives you chance to change your mind at any point in your life. In my secondary school, I was forced to do science because only the science department has competition but I knew I loved art. If I had gone to Babcock they would have kept me in science or make me to retake another jamb so I would not have loved to do that and I would have remained in science which is not my strength at all. But AUN gave me the opportunity to change my major, English is my major and I write very well."

Hephzber hopes to make her mark writing books about Nigerian history, the knowledge of which she said is lacking among Nigerian youth.

‘The American system gives you chance to change your mind at any point in your life.

In my secondary school, I was forced to do science because only the science department has competition but I knew I loved art’ The next day, in order to get help, Umar said he disguised like a mad man to beat Boko Haram informants.

"The man of the house told me that there were Boko Haram informants in that particular village. So if I am going out I need to dress like a mad man and disguise myself so nobody would recognise me; and I had to go through the back door so that no one will see me and I won't put him into any sort of trouble.

"And that was exactly what happened. I covered myself in chicken dung and some sand, mud and something like that. I removed my shoes; put them inside my pocket, and walked barefooted like a mad man. I walked to the road side and they came and took me to Potiskum, where I received first aid treatment before my parents came and took me to Kano where I had surgery. And I think I didn't recover until after 14 weeks," he said.

Recovery Eight weeks in hospital stabilised Umar enough to return to school towards the end of January. But it took another six weeks before he could remove his cast and learn to write again.

He missed examinations; could not take notes in class and had trouble with post traumatic stress disorder. But, he got help from the university.

He said: "Even when I was recovering I hardly slept for over two hours in the night or may be one hour. I had nightmares. But later on, I kept on getting help from the AUN Psychologist, Regina Musa. She did well. I also received therapy from AUN clinic.

"I resumed school sometime late January (21st/22nd) - that was about eight weeks. I had to be with my POP cast for like I think extra four or five weeks. And then I just attend classes but I can't write. I used my

‘When the man of the house came…I directed him to make the salt and water solution to be very thick and asked him to pour it on the wounds. I could see my bones from the injuries, because they were very deep. He poured it and funny enough, I don't know what happened, maybe because of the trauma, but I did not feel any pain at that point’

• Oladimeji

"First of all I am going to serve my country, after that I am going to be a writer. My aim is to produce books based on Nigerian history because many Nigerian youth do not know what exactly Nnamdi Azikiwe did or who exactly Aguyi Ironsi is and we all claim to be Nigerians. I will write stories based on Nigerian history and I hope that people would read them and learn more about this country," she said.

The budding writer thanked the president of the university, Dr Margee Ensign, for her support in helping her find her niche.

Another multiple award recipient, mostly for leadership, was Joseph Oladimeji, President of the Student Government Association.

Dr Ensign praised him for his involvement in the university's efforts to feed Internally-Displaced People (IDP) in Yola. She said he helped carry food and stayed through distribution sessions that lasted the whole day.

However, Oladimeji said he was inspired to do so because of Dr Ensign's exemplary leadership.

“Let me say I am privileged to be in American University in Nigeria.

When I see other people less privileged and see the kind of condition which they are, it tells my instinct that I need to help, I need to make sure that the country is better.

So she taking us to all these IDPs, we fed almost 5oo,ooo people in Adamawa. So it was very wonderful.

Sincerely speaking sometimes I get exhausted but the president don't get exhausted, she was always asking us to continue, so with her enthusiasm I was able to scale through,” he said. phone to snap the blackboard, stuff like that. There were exams then but I couldn't write them. The school knew about my situation so they said that they were going to give me make-up exams when I was alright.

"After the cast was removed, it took me like two extra weeks to learn to start holding my pen because I had a fracture in my right hand and I could not write. You can see that it is still not fully alright. They gave me my make up exams and here I am. I passed and I have graduated."

Future plans Despite the challenges, Umar graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale), which is an equivalent of a second class upper degree.

His immediate plan, with his school’s support, is to write a book on his experience; then go for further studies.

Above all, Umar is grateful to be alive and now he is a Petroleum Chemist.

"The day of the incident, I felt like I could have died because I passed out.

I lost so much blood; there wasn't any transfusion; I stayed for 24 hours without any medical help. So I believed I could have died that day but somehow Allah kept me alive for some reasons I guess. Who knows maybe completing this degree is one of the reasons.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

27

EDUCATION

APC celebrates ‘star’ pupils at victory party

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O mark the party’s victory in the last elections, Lagos Mainland chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has celebrate its constituents’ educational achievements.

The event held at Lady-lak Primary School, Yaba, was attended by top party leaders, administrators, artisans, traders and civil servants.

Party leader Olawale Oshun said it was organised to "thank everyone for the success of APC in the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and House of Assembly elections."

Oshun said APC's victory was justified because of the party’s impact on the communities it serves.

"We are happy that our party, APC, won all these elections in the Mainland Local Government Area. More importantly, we also want to show that the raison d'etre for any political party is the positive impact it can make by improving the lives of the people.

"A political party must be able to justify its existence, not just by winning elections, but by forming a government that improves the living standards of the people be it in education, healthcare and infrastructural development. This why we have also chosen this occasion to reward educational achievements on the Mainland," he said.

Awards were presented to five pupils who made the local government proud by winning three awards at state level.The prizes included plaques, books and cash.

The pupils are Rahimot Aminu and Ayomide Ajibola, both of Ansarudeen Primary School, Ebute

By Jane Chijioke

Meta, who jointly won the primary school category of the Brighter Rewarding Future (BRF) Quiz Competition, Season IV in 2013; and Ofotokun Grace and Kidri Akanbi, both of Hussey Military Primary School, who came third in Season VI of the same competition in 2015.

Taiwo Omotosho, a pupil of Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare and Treatment Home, Akoka, a school for children with special learning needs, was the cynosure when her educational achievements were announced. She came first in the Special Student category of Season VI of BRF Quiz Competition. Omotosho is also the overall best pupil in all special schools in Lagos State in 2014.

"These students are from our local government area and they are the reason we are happy, not just because we won elections but because we are making positive impact. We will continue to support such sterling performances and I assure everyone that the APC will continue to produce administrations with the best peopleoriented policies," Oshun said.

A public servant, who asked not to be named, praised the party leaders for their wisdom in showing the connection between politics and governance."

"This kind of recognition is very rare in political circle and this is the first time I will experience such.

Today's gathering is sending out a very important message that political organisation should and must translate to tangible results of a better society. I applaud the Mainland APC," she said.

ICAN okays Caleb varsity’s accounting programme

• From left: Education Secretary, Mainland LGA, Mr Bisi Adetona, Mainland APC leader, Alhaji Badru, one of the awardees, Ayomide Ajibola, and officials of the Local Government Education Authority.

Group urges Buhari to check corruption in education

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C

ALEB University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju has said the re-accreditation of the institution's Accounting programme by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has further validated the university's claim of academic excellence.

He said the programme’s re-accreditation, which is domiciled in the Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of College of Social and Management Sciences, has gone a long way to boost the confidence stakeholders have in the institution.

"We can go extra miles to comply with the rules and regulations guiding accreditation of our academic programmes. We are giving parents the best quality and we will not stop at anything to make our students compete favourably with their peers anywhere and succeed in their academic endeavours," he said.

He attributed the giant stride attained by the university to the support of the founder, Dr. Oladega Adebogun, the lecturers and students.

The ICAN Accreditation Certificate was presented to the Dean, College of Social and Management Sciences (COSOMAS), Prof. Nosa Owens-Ibie by the ICAN President, Mr. Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu at the ICAN Office Annex, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

With the re-accreditation, which is for another five years, Owens-Ibie said accounting students will be exempted from writing some stages of ICAN examinations.

He added that ICAN has agreed to offer automatic scholarship to First Class students of the Department for further education.

•From left: Yomi Lapite, representative of Iyaloja of Mainaland LGA; Alhaji Tahudeen Kadri, Oshun, Otunba Adetayo Oyemade, Alhaji Shakirudeen Farayola, and Alhaja Alao Owolabi cutting the victory cake.

•Prof Olukoju

He said the feat achieved by one of its students in who became a chartered accountant in 300-Level, and the selection of another to join 11 others from various universities to participate in the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria contest, showed that the university is doing well.

"Caleb University is the only private university selected for the contest and Esther Eniayewu is to represent the institution," he said.

Given the facilities put in place by the university to enhance quality training of the students, the Acting Head of Department of Accounting and Finance, Mr. Michael Nwidobe, said the department is concluding arrangements to begin postgraduate programmes in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

He said the department positions the students to acquire their educational and professional certificates at the same time before graduation.

Nwidobe, who noted that the Department has an Accounting Laboratory with the latest accounting software, added that capacity development of workers is a top priority at the college.

He said no fewer than eight members of the academic staff of the college are ICAN members.

GROUP, Exam Ethics Marshal International (EEMI), has urged the incoming government to beam its anti-corruption searchlight on the education sector.

Founding chairman of the group, Mr Ike Onyechere, decried the high level of malpractices in the education sector in a proposal to President-Elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari on how best to tackle education malpractices.

He recommended an eight-point agenda for 'the Buhari Presidency' to "signal zero-tolerance for exam malpractice, academic dishonesty and corruption in education."

"It is important to send an immediate and unmistakable signal of zerotolerance for corruption in the education sector. Exam Ethics recommends an eight-point programme of action for sending such a signal," he said.

In the agenda, Onyechere canvassed for the re-launching of exam malpractice blacklist initiative to name and shame invigilators, supervisors and schools that aid and abet malpractices.

He flashed back to the inception of the blacklist initiative under the administration of Dr Oby Ezekwesili as Minister of Education in 2007, where names of schools operating as magic centres, individuals and organisations involved in malpractice were published in the media, but failed to publish the execution of any form of sanc-

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

tions on the parties involved; and charged the incoming administration to shun secrecy of the names of defaulters as is the norm.

He also recommended re-visiting the Need Assessment Report on federal universities to identify and sanction those involved in criminalising the tertiary education process.

The third point of the agenda suggested that all regulatory agencies of tertiary institutions, including National Universities Commission (NUC) and others, be directed to take action on recent government white papers on state tertiary institutions, as "immediate action is needed to curb the regime of impunity of state functionaries in many state tertiary institutions."

Its fourth agenda for Buhari would be to set up task teams to carry out reaccreditation of courses in all public and private universities in the country, disregarding previous accreditation reports.

It further proposed the re-validation of the educational qualifications of all workers in the Federal Ministry of Education, agencies and institutions of education, “as nobody can give what he does not have.”

‘The consequences of corruption in education are particularly fundamental, pre-eminent and most devastating for society. This is because it is the role of education to produce leaders, professionals, workers and citizens with the character to shun corruption’

The group also asked that certified professional associations be compelled to institute stronger self-regulatory mechanisms, with the notion that "the real danger to society is that licensed assassins cannot be stopped because they are covered by certifications and licenses awarded by educational institutions."

In addition, the group urged the government to compel the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO) and other public examination boards to make public, the names of candidates barred from taking their exams.

"The names, exam numbers and pictures of candidates involved in exam malpractice in Nigeria should be published in newspapers as is the case in other West African Countries," the statement read.

The final point of the agenda recommended that leadership and institutional support be provided for the group, Exam Ethics, for their efforts in sustaining the campaign against corruption in education since its inception in 1996.

Emphasising the importance of the eight-point agenda, Onyechere said: "The consequences of corruption in education are particularly fundamental, pre-eminent and most devastating for society. This is because it is the role of education to produce leaders, professionals, workers and citizens with the character to shun corruption and the competences to transform national potentials into developmental realities.

"Education is not playing this role when institutions are virtual breeding grounds for corruption, where leaders of tomorrow are weaned on diets of fraud and where the processes of admissions, training, examination, certification, registration and regulation are criminalized."

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

28

EDUCATION UNILORIN FILE Fed Govt names new Chancellor THE Federal Government has appointed the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir Usman, as the new Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

He takes over from the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, who had held the position since March 20, 2006.

Alhaji Usman, who was born in 1951, is the fifth Chancellor of the university since its inception about 40 years ago.

The four previous Chancellors were: the Emir of Bedde, HRH Umar Sulaiman, (1978-1981); the AkuUka of Wukari, HRH K.S.A. MasaIbi II, (1981-2000); the Amayanabo of Nembe, Justice Ambrose Allagoa, (2000-2006) and the Dein of Agbor Kingdom.

Alhaji Usman was previously the Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. He was turbaned the 50th Emir of Katsina on July 5, 2008, succeeding his father, the late Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Usman, the 49th Emir of Katsina, who died on March 8, 2008.

Life Sciences wins quiz THE Faculty of Life Sciences, UNILORIN, has won the 2015 Inter-Faculty Quiz Competition.

At the grand finale of the competition, held last week, the University Quiz Master, Dr. R.O. Arise, who is also the Ag. Head of the Department of Biochemistry, announced that the Faculty of Life Sciences team had a total score of 610 points to beat the Faculty of Agriculture team, which could only muster 285 points, to the second position.

The Faculty of Agriculture team was the defending champion and it had won the competition for three consecutive years.

The winning team of the Faculty of Life Sciences comprised Oladele Olaide of the Department of Microbiology, Lawal Idris of the Department of Plant Biology and Adejumo Lukman of the Department of Zoology.

Speaking at the event, the UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

AbdulGaniyu, Ambali, who was represented by the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. S. A. Kuranga, appreciated the efforts of the organising committee and advised students to always show interest in events such as quiz, debates and other intellectual competitions in order to develop their knowledge, widen their horizon and interact with their colleagues.

Man O' War appoints VC THE UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), has been appointed the Grand Commander of all paramilitary groups on the campus.

Disclosing this when he led a group of officers of the university’s Man O' War on a visit to the ViceChancellor penultimate week, the Commander-in-Chief of the UNILORIN Man O' War, Adesanya Misbaudeen, said Ambali would be decorated with the new title at a colourful ceremony later this month.

Misbaudeen, who disclosed that the UNILORIN Man O' War was established in 1985, pointed out that the group is focused on "raising better citizens and leaders through the citizenship and leadership training centre."

The 400-Level student of the university thanked the ViceChancellor for his earlier visit to the Man O' War Bay and the donation made to the organisation.

‘ABUAD’s engineering course can enrich varsity’

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ITH the volume of the state-of-the-art equipment and teaching facilities available at the College of Engineering, Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) President, Isaac Olorunfemi, has said the institution has the potentials to be richer than its host state government.

Speaking when touring the college, Olorunfemi, an engineer, said if the university would take maximum advantage of the equipment and extend partnership to a number of national and international organisations, it would soon generate more income than the state.

“With all these, there is no reason why the income of the university will not be more than that of the state 10 years down the line,” he said.

Olorunfemi described the university’s engineering programme as a template for engineering education in Nigeria. He said what the team met on ground was far more than what was contained in the report submitted to the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the NSE team that visited the university to accredit its engineering programme in January.

“What I saw in the College of Engineering is not only amazing, it is also incredible. I will not only come back, I will spread the gospel for others to come here and see the wonder in Engineering,” he said.

ABUAD College of Engineering, which was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on October 19, 2013, currently sits on 2.5 hectares of land.

During an accreditation visit by COREN in January, ABUAD’s seven

By Adegunle Olugbamila

engineering programmes- Chemical, Petroleum, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer and Civil Engineering got full accreditation.

However, despite its large cache of sophisticated equipment, about 50 per

cent of which are exclusive to the university, Olorunfemi wondered that ABUAD’s Founder, Aare Afe Babalola, (SAN), keeps adding more.

Only last Thursday, Aare Babalola shipped in additional equipment worth more than $250,000.

‘What I saw in the College of Engineering is not only amazing, it is also incredible.

I will not only come back, I will spread the gospel for others to come here and see the wonder in Engineering’

In his response, Aare Babalola said NSE endorsement is a further confirmation of the national and international recognition ABUAD has garnered in its five years of existence.

“ABUAD has been described as not only a template, but a model, benchmark and reference point in quality and functional education,” Babalola said.

He said he has committed his hardearned resources and goodwill to ABUAD, particularly the College of Engineering, because of his determination to produce engineers and other professionals, who will be relevant in the contemporary competitive job market.

•Lagos State House of Assembly member, Hon. Ipoola Omisore speaking during the public presentation of 'Writing Masterpieces' and Smart and Brilliant Writing for Senior Secondary School Students'. Seated from left to right: the author of the books, Mr. Michael Omisore, his wife, Mrs. Denayo, and the Deputy Director, Curriculum Services, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Segun Osibote.

Hungarian varsity partners GEC on enrolment

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S part of efforts at ensuring that Nigerian students, who quest for improved academic pursuit in foreign countries gain admission to study their course of choice, GEC Academy International, one of Nigeria's indigenous 6th form college and placement agents, has partnered with University of Debrecen, Hungary, in placement of Nigerian students in the field of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, Physiotherapy, and all fields of Engineering.

This was made known by the Executive Director, GEC Academy International, Mrs. Josephine Peters during the visit of the university professors to the college last week.

Mrs Peters also noted that students, who have completed their O' level education are qualified to register for the International Degree Foundation Programme (IDFP) at the college so as to progress for a Bachelor Degree course. She added that the

By Jane Chijioke

partnership was prompted by GEC Academy's ability to certify all necessary foreign education requirements for placement of students into University of Debrecen and other foreign universities.

She assured that the university's graduates have the best chances of gaining employment in their home countries, European Union (EU) countries, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), India, Ireland, Canada among others, noting that tuition fees and cost of living are also affordable.

Dr. Lazslo Kozma, an Associate Professor, Centre of Arts, Humanities and Science, University of Debrecen, while speaking on GEC Academy as a sixth form college, emphasised that students, who successfully complete the IDFP in Engineering, Business, Computing, Physiotherapy and Public Health with the appropriate academic results, will be guaranteed im-

mediate Bachelor Degree admission at the university without requiring to sit for external examination.

Dr. Attila Jenei, an Associate Professor, Department of Biophysics and Cell Biology, University of Debrecen, in his address to students, teachers and parents, advised them not to be in a hurry to enrol their children for overseas education at a very tender age, but suggested that they should be enrolled for A' Levels or Foundation programme locally, to enable them come of age and have the requisite background to face the academic challenges abroad.

Jenei commended the Nigerian students currently studying at the university for their academic and moral excellence.

Meanwhile, students requiring to study General Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy at the university are required to sit for the external examination.

Similarly, Dr. Zoltan Balajthy, an

•Head of Anthony Campus of Greensprings School, Helen Brocklesby (left); Director, Lai Koiki (second left) and Director of Education, Harry McFaul (right) with athletes at the school's sports day held at the weekend in Lekki, Lagos.

Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology assured parents of a secured, serene and superb facilities at the university with zero crime rate in Hungary. Besides, other services by GEC Academy International upon successful completion of other programmes at the college include visa processing to any country of choice, he added.

Skye Bank conducts essay contest

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O promote savings culture among children, Skye Bank Plc has instituted the Skye Rainbow Essay Competition for children, who operate the bank's Rainbow Account.

A statement by the bank, noted that the essay titled: "The Importance of an early savings habit", is organised to commemorate this year's Children's Day. The statement quoted the bank's Head of Retail Banking Group, Nkoli Okoli, as saying that the top five winners will each receive the sum of N200,000, while other consolation prizes would be presented.

She said the competition is open to both new and existing holders of the account between ages seven and 12.

In addition, she said the length of each entry must not be more than 200 words. However, any entry which shows parental input would be disqualified.

She said the judges would be looking out for the child's good understanding and good presentation of the topic, personal savings experience, and creative ideas for savings.

Okoli further explained that the competition would also serve as a customer reward programme as well as promote savings among children very early in their lives to enable them imbibe the culture of financial discipline.

The essay competition, which started on April 20, will end on May 18, while shortlisted winners would be announced on June 1.

Giving back to their alma mater

*CAMPUSES

That French may not die

*NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

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Page 31

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Next month, Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Rector Dr Abdulazeez Lawal will end his four-year tenure.

But his exit may be controversial. Some members of the staff and indigenes of Ikorodu, the school’s host community, have petitioned Governor Babatunde Fashola to probe him for alleged highhandedness and misconduct, reports KUNLE AKINRINADE.

•The LASPOTECH gate

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AGOS State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Rector Dr Abdulazeez Lawal’s fouryear tenure ends next month. But, controversy is trailing his remaining time in office. Some members of staff and indigenes of Ikorodu, the institution’s host community, are accusing him of highhandedness and favouritism.

The crisis came to the fore last weekend, following the aggrieved workers’ and community’s petitions, asking Governor Babatunde Fashola to probe the rector for what they called maladministration and gross misconduct.

The petitioners accused him of, among others, lack of leadership quality, fighting members of staff he perceived as enemies and plotting to install a stooge as his successor.

A petition by some teaching staff obtained by CAMPUSLIFE accused the rector of having con-

A rector’s last fight •Workers, community: he’s high-handed •They’re disgruntled elements, says poly tempt for due process. They described Lawal’s leadership style as an aberration.

A worker in the Council Affairs Unit of the Registry Department, Waheed Adelaja, who signed one of the petitions, wrote: “To Dr Lawal, everybody who wronged him when he was the Chief Imam of the polytechnic is his perceived enemy and must be persecuted. The rector sets up panels and unilaterally determines what the findings and recommendations of the panel should be.

“If the panel exonerates his enemy, Dr Lawal would overrule it and enforce his harsh decision on the affected staff. This is a typical case of our colleagues, who were demoted at the Department of Computer Science recently. They are Saheed Ololade Adelanwa, PFAS/600; Jerry Abayomi Sarumi PFAS/669 and Ibitoye Akinfolajinmi Akinrinlola PFAS/606.”

“While these lawfully-employed young lecturers faced harrowing experience to save their

jobs, a female staff in the Department of Hospitality Management Technology, was allowed to work and walk freely after a panel discovered she forged her certificate with which she applied for job. This is just one out of many double standards the rector has been perpetrating in the polytechnic.”

The petitioner also accused the rector of draining the school resources through his company and those of his loyalists. He urged the governor to establish the true

identities of the construction firms and contractors the school is dealing with.

Adelaja added: “Mr. Governor sir, you may wish to investigate these conduit pipes: Haf-Hax Technology, Lastak Limited and Wako Construction Limited. The companies have been used to drain the resources of the school and we urge you to unravel those behind the firms.”

In their petition, the Concerned Ikorodu Indigenes condemned the outgoing rector for trying to influence the selection of his successor, vowing to resist Lawal’s move to install his stooge.

Dismising the allegations, the embattled rector described the petitioners as disgruntled elements.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Lanre Kuye, the rector said: “There is no iota of truth in the petitions •Continued on page 30

•Student dies in exam hall•-P32 Student, villager die in well -P33

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

30

CAMPUS LIFE

History still matters

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HEN De Klerk took the decision to abolish minority rule in South Africa, even his wife divorced him…”

President Goodluck Jonathan made this and other remarks during a thanksgiving and farewell service organised in his honour at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Abuja. The president intended the remark to make an impact that doing the right thing as De Klerk did, and as he himself had done when he conceded defeat in the presidential election, often carries a heavy price. But he got it wrong as the remark was an erroneous statement of history. Isn't it time we revisit the study of the subject in its entirety in our schools?

To set the records straight, Marike de Klerk did not divorce De Klerk because of Apartheid but because he was having an affair. In 1994, De Klerk began an affair with Elita Georgiades, the wife of Tony Georgiades, a Greek shipping tycoon who had allegedly given de Klerk and the National Party (the ruling party before the end of Apartheid) financial support.

As a result of the romantic affair, FW and Marike's marriage ended in 1998 with FW announcing on Valentine’s Day that he intended to divorce his wife of 38 years.

Marike was opposed to the divorce and reportedly told her ex-husband: “If you change your mind, I’ll forgive everything - up to 70 times seven.” However FW was quoted in his reply as saying: “I’m certain about my decision. Stop hoping.” He followed up his decision by marrying Georgiades a week after his divorce to Marike was official. She was however murdered in her Cape Town home in 2001.

Born to an upper-middle class Afrikaans family in Pretoria, Marike was a racist to the core. In 1983 she came under fire over comments she made about the “coloured” community. “You know,” she said, “they are a negative group ... a non-person. They are the people that were left after the nations were sorted out. They are the rest.”

In 1991, she forced her adopted son, Willem to end an 18-month-long relationship with a “coloured” woman, Erica Adams. He married a “pure” white woman

the following year.

The need for historical consciousness was again mooted last week by Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, a former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Writing in Thisday newspaper last week under the title: Buhari's Imperative: Leadership and Economic Transformation he stated: “When citizens understand and agree with the national vision and

with

Agbo Agbo 08116759750 (SMS only)

the economic philosophy, it becomes easier to mobilise and organise their productive energy in a purposeful uniform direction.

But it requires skilled management, effective strategic communication (call it propaganda if you will) and a thoroughly revamped educational curriculum that emphasises history (which has been dropped from the curriculum of most Nigerian secondary schools)…”

The last time I checked, Dr. Moghalu still remains a banker and scholar (he is a professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, USA); but he emphasised the need for the return of the study of history.

I have written more than four articles in the past two years on the relevance of history to our society. The president's "slip" last week necessitates another which I think the incoming government should seriously to look into.

For those old enough to remember, isn't it strange that what we are experiencing today is strikingly similar to what we experienced in the run up to events of 1983? Prior to that year, our system was practically run aground until one Major-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his group toppled the civilian regime of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Thereafter, we started hearing stories fit only for the imagination of fiction writers on the profligacy of power.

So when I look at today, I ask myself if history is repeating itself. We apparently have nothing to show for the years of high oil prices which raked in billions of dollars.

But the challenge won't be in the crisis but on how Nigerians would react. Again, it is one Major Gen. Buhari that has this time been voted in democratically to come help clear

A rector’s last fight •Continued from page 29

written by the disgruntled elements. We want the public to know that members of staff, who were demoted, were queried and interrogated by the school panels and they were found guilty.

“The Senior Staff Appointment and Promotion Committee (SESAPCO) considered the reports of the panel and recommendation made to the Governing Council. The affected staff members were punished according to the regulation of the polytechnic.”

On the allegation of imposition of the rector’s successor, Kuye said: “This should not raise any dust, because the moderator of that is Governor Fashola. The governor has appointed people of honour and integrity to conduct interview for candidates vying to succeed Dr Lawal. There are commissioners, special advisers, rectors of other schools, members of the school’s academic board and Philip Consulting on the panel as observers.

These are people of integrity to make recommendations to the governor on who to appoint as rector. Let us wait for the outcome. The Special Adviser to the governor on Education was not the chairman of the panel; he is a member.”

The PRO said the school does not have a Governing Council, noting that all its activities are approved by top members of the management and two cabinet-

Pushing Out •aagboa@gmail.com the mess. But as some Nigerians are aware, this mess will not just evaporate in one fell swoop. So what is the best way to start tackling it?

Moghalu again put it more succinctly: “Regarding the longer term requirements for economic and socio-political transformation, Nigeria must execute three paradigm shifts.

The first paradigm shift is not purely economic but social, political and psychological, and that is the need to manufacture the consent of Nigerians about their nationhood, a worldview for the Nigerian nation and the value system that will underpin it as well as the country's economic philosophy. Critical to achieving this is the positioning of men and women who will craft and drive Nigeria’s worldview. This requires strong, purposeful leadership, for the manufacture of consent is what creates fertile ground for economic transformation.”

Rewind to 1983-85. Buhari tried his best to instill discipline and probity in government, but revisionists stepped in and truncated the plans before it budded. This was what Moghalu was referring to in the quote above.

We are at the same crossroads again.

Fast-forward to 1999 when our democratic dispensation started. The first two years of former President Obasanjo's first term were marred by increase in militancy and ethnic nationalism by the component parts that made up Nigeria. In their quest to understand this “sudden upsurge”, Emeritus professor of history and former Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, late Prof. J.F Ade Ajayi told the government point blank that it emanated from a flawed or failed sense of history. He proffered solutions which led to a presidential directive on the need to re-

work the school curriculum. As with most things Nigerian, it died a premature death on the policy and implementation slab.

And now that we are at a crossroads as a nation with most Nigerians lacking the understanding of what being a Nigerian is supposed to be, we may have to ask ourselves why study history, and what does history have to do with all that is happening now? The answer is because we virtually must, to gain access to the "laboratory" of human experience. When we study it reasonably well, and so acquire some usable habits of mind, as well as some basic data about the forces that affect our own lives, we emerge with relevant skills and an enhanced capacity for informed citizenship, critical thinking, and simple awareness. We need to study it to make progress, even though this progress may take years in materialising.

In a society that quite correctly expects education to serve “useful” purposes, the functions of history can seem more difficult to ‘define’ than other disciplines. But as advanced societies know, history is very useful, actually indispensable, even though the products of historical study are less tangible, sometimes less immediate, than those that stem from some other disciplines.

History should be studied because it is essential to individuals and to society as it helps us to understand people and societies. In the first place, it offers a storehouse of information about how people and societies behave.

One salient feature of advanced countries is their ability to see the importance of nearly every discipline in the development process. Where we see the study of history in Nigeria as "irrelevant", advanced countries tap into the mind of the historian and use his analytic mindset for progress.

In the United States, Britain and France, there are historians that undertake historical research for businesses or public agencies, or participate in the growing number of historical consultancies. These categories are important to keep the basic enterprise of history going. So understanding the linkages between past and present is absolutely basic for a good understanding of the condition of being human. That, in a nutshell, is why History matters. It is not just 'useful,' it is essential.

ESSAY CONTEST FOR UNDERGRADUATES The Nation, Nigeria, in collaboration with African Liberty Organisation for Development (ALOD) and Network for a Free Society (NFS), is calling for entries into the 2015 essay competition.

Details are as follows: Topic: Government regulations and controls are the biggest threat to jobs in Africa today. Discuss using practical examples Participants must discuss the topic using contemporary examples.

•Dr Lawal

ranking Special Advisers to the governor.

He said the Special Advisers do not have sole authority on any approval made at the meeting.

“We have records of these meetings. All the meetings and resolutions were conducted in the open and are never shrouded in secrecy. The Special Advisers are men of integrity; we should not soil their reputations,” he said.

On the ownership of the firms used by the school for construction and supplies, Kuye said: “Haf-Hax Technology has been doing business with the polytechnic for long. So also is Lastak and Wako, which had been registered with the school for years.

LASPOTECH is well-managed and there is no truth in the allegation of draining its resources.

It is normal for some people to be disgruntled with the system.

It is expected.”

Qualification: Participant must be a student in any tertiary institutions (university, polytechnic, college of education and technical schools) in all African countries. The format of the text should be in Microsoft Word and not more than 1,500 words.

Interested student can visit: www.networkforafreesociety.org for useful background materials on the theme of this contest. Be informed that no participant is allowed to lift materials directly from works of any author and claim to be his/her own. Plagiarism automatically disqualifies any entry, which contains work of another author.

If any text or sentence is copied from another author’s work, it must be shown in quotation marks and writer must credit the original author at the bottom of the paper.

On the first page of the completed essay, participant must write his/her full names, department, and year of study and name of institution. Also include your email address and functional mobile phone number.

All entries should be sent to: adedayo.thomas@gmail.com Entries will be received between March 26 and June 26, 2015. Late entries will not be accepted.

Winners will be announced on July 29, 2015.

PRIZES 1st-George Ayittey (Platinum Prize): $1,000 and scholarship to the 2015 Liberty Camp in Kenya from August 5 to 9, 2015 OR Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) in Ghana from August 19 to 23, 2015 2nd-Anthony Fisher (Gold Prize): $700 and scholarship to the 2015 Liberty Camp in Kenya from August 5 to 9, 2015 OR Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) in Ghana from August 19 to 23, 2015 3rd-Franklin Cudjoe (Silver Prize): $500 and scholarship to the 2015 Liberty Camp in Kenya from August 5 to 9, 2015 OR Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) in Ghana from August 19 to23, 2015 4th- The Nation CAMPUSLIFE (Media Bronze Prize): $300 and scholarship to the 2015 Liberty Camp in Kenya from August 5 to 9, 2015 OR Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) in Ghana from August 19 to 23, 2015 We also have eight consolation prize of $50 each.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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CAMPUS LIFE

Giving back to their alma mater The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) alumni raised N24.5 million to help the school upgrade its teaching facilities and hostels during their National Executive Council meeting on the campus last weekend.

OLADELE OGE reports.

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HE 88th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Alumni Association was held last weekend. Majority of the over 600 participants, who gathered for the meeting, were not happy with the state of the facilities.

They urged the management of the 54-year-old institution to improve the students living standard.

An alumnus, Mr. Emeka Nwuzor, drew members’ attention to what he called the parlous state of the hostels.

Nwuzor, who graduated from Sociology and Anthropology Department in 1987, said the conditions of Eni-Njoku, Alvan and Kwame Nkuruma hostels on the Nsukka campus were poor.

Given the state of the halls, Nwuzor said students prefer to sleep in classrooms rather than hostels. He noted that many have had their academic pursuits aborted because of the deteriorating infrastructure.

To help their alma mater surmount its challenges, the alumni raised funds to complete abandoned projects.

About N24.5 million was realised.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Polycarp Chigbu, who received the alumni on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof

Benjamin Ozumba, hailed the alumni for joining hands with the school to improve infrastructure.

He led the alumni to the palace of Igwe Raphael Ngwueze, the traditional ruler of the town.

Ngwueze described the visit as historic, saying the alumni association of any school is the bedrock of its progress. He urged the association to bring up ideas that will transform the school and bring about development.

The occasion was used to rebuild the frosty relationship between the alumni body and the university, which characterised past administration.

Presenting a leading paper on theme of the meeting, Mr Kevin Nnadi, the guest lecturer, said numerous challenges contributed to the fall in education standard. One of them, he said, is fee hike.

Nnadi suggested that a minimum age limit for university admission should be pegged at 20 years, saying the current age of 18 years had remained impracticable. This, he said, is important to break the age limit policy of employment of various firms.

Nnadi said the alumni are been working towards restoring the dignity of man back to the school halls.

The body recognised the efforts of some of its members, who have done excellently in the profession. Prof Nneka Okeke of the Physics and As-

•Prof Chigbu (standing) making a comment at the meeting

•Members of the alumni body during the meeting

tronomy Department got an award for his activities to make the campus hostels habitable for students..

Okeke said: “In those days, we could decide to leave our hostels for classroom any time. The advantage we had was that, majority of students were mandated to live in the school hostel in order to keep us away from distractions. With increasing number of students, the facility is overstretched and we inter-

vened in our own way to make hostels better.”

Also recognised is Mr Ifeanyichukwu Akunigbo for his excellence. He promised he would continue to contribute to the stability of the university.

He said: “This institution made him what I become today. Therefore, I will call on other alumni, who are in the position of authority today, to look back to their alma mater and

contribute towards its growth in academic and infrastructure.

Chigbu hailed the National President of the alumni association, Mr. Andrew Oruh, on the achievements of the body.

Responding, Oruh said the greatest concern of the association was position of the university in the academic ranking. He urged members to initiate plans that would take the school to greater height.

Atinuke Adigun was one of the First Class graduates at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) convocation. This achievement may have stunned many who do not know her family history. She was only following in the footsteps of the father and brother. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE writes.

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OR members of Adiguns family in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State, academic excellence runs in their genes. About 31 years ago, the family head, Mr Supo Adigun, was the best graduating student in the Economics Department of former University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in IleIfe, Osun State. He made a First Class.

Last year, Adigun’s son, Olanrewaju, finished from the Computer Engineering Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with a First Class. This year, Olanrewaju’s sister, Atinuke, 21, followed in their footsteps. She graduated with a First Class in Economics at UNILAG convocation about two weeks ago.

Atinuke was among the 10 First Class graduates in the Economics Department. Her Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) was 4.68.

At the convocation held at the Multipurpose Hall, Atinuke, along with other First Class graduates, received the school honour for excellence. She was also given a presidential handshake by the representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof Jerry Gana, who chairs of the UNILAG Governing Council.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Rahamon Bello, described the First Class graduates as the institution’s shining stars. Atinuke said she felt on top of the world by the discription.

She recalled her encounter with

•Atinuke flanked by his parents and a family friend Jayeola

A family of First Class •Son, daughter follow dad’s footsteps the VC: “It was nice; it was the first time I would meet the VC. This makes me happy that my achievements could take me far. Hearing those words of encouragement from the head of the school, I was touched and felt on top of the world.”

The feat, Atinuke said, is humbling. Her inspiration, she said, is her

father, adding that her journey to academic excellence started in 2010 when she was admitted into the university. She was 16 and the only thing she could hope for was excellence.

“I prayed to God to give me the grace to finish on top of my class. I worked towards it by studying hard

for it,” she said.

But did she burn the proverbial midnight candle? “No,” she said, adding: “I made a First Class by prioritising my time for reading and other engagements. But I dedicated more time during the day for reading. I also attended professional seminars. They made me to

be more focused and helped me in achieving my goals.”

For Atinuke, the feat was not easy to come by. She faced challenges like her colleagues, especially in final year when she was under pressure to complete her project and participate in class work. Besides, a newly-introduced course, Econometrics, was a tough subject she had to pass.

What is Atinuke’s plan after Bachelor’s degree? She said marriage is not on her cards for now, hoping to build a career in either academics or investment banking to take after her father, who recently retired from First Bank.

Mr Adigun, who is now in private practice, gave glory to God for his children’s feats. He said the achievement made him to remember his days at OAU, saying the blood of academic brilliance runs in the family.

His wife, Toyin, was all smiles during Atinuke’s graduation. She gave thanks to God, saying: “It is a thing of joy for me to turn out two graduates in succession and all of them made a First Class. I am so blessed. All glory be to God. Today is the best day of my life.”

Adigun’s former classmate in the secondary school and Manager of UNILAG branch of Ecobank, Tunji Jayeola, said: “We are proud of Adigun’s family. I am happy that Atinuke has repeated the father’s feat. She knew what she wanted and went for it. This also shows anyone can achieve his dream in life if he is focused and have the right attitude. This is what Atinuke’s achievement indicates.”

2015 polls: Nigerian students meet in London THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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CAMPUS LIFE Student dies in exam hall

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T was all tears at the Department of Economics of the

•Prof Ajienka (left) and Hunt shaking hands to seal the deal

UNIPORT, firm partner on new discipline

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HE University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) is partnering a firm, FMC Technologies Inc. to start a Master’s degree in Subsea Engineering. It is to help develop local manpower for the extraction of petroleum from the sea.

The curriculum, the firm said, would be developed in collaboration with industry experts to prepare students for work in the offshore oil and gas sector. The university said it would start accepting applications for the programme later this year.

Michael Hunt, the firm’s Country

By Wale Ajetunmobi

Manager, said: “FMC Technologies is dedicated to developing the Nigerian workforce for technical leadership and management roles in the oil and gas industry. This collaboration represents a major milestone in furthering the development of the highly-skilled Nigerian workforce. Students will play a key role in the future of the oil sector.”

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Joseph Ajienka, described the partnership as a milestone for the university and the oil and gas industry. “We are very pleased to cooperate with FMC

Technologies in this effort. Given the facilities and experience of the company, we are confident that the Master’s degree in Subsea Engineering will add tremendous value to our services,” he said.

Upon graduation, Hunt said students would be opportune to work in the energy industry, including potential employment with FMC Technologies.

FMC Technologies is the global market leader in subsea systems and a leading provider of technologies and services to the oil and gas industry.

Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto (UDUS) last Thursday, following the death of a 400-Level student in exam hall.

The late Sadam Ahmed Achida was said to have collapsed at 10am, two hours after he moved into the hall to write the examination. He was rushed to the school clinic where he died.

When the news of Ahmed’s death spread, students rushed to the scene. They gathered in groups, discussing the incident in hushed tones.

The deceased, a sickle-cell patient, took ill during the examination. Some of the students described the late Ahmed as brilliant and gentle. He was said to be one of the best students in the department.

Abdulrahman Lukman, his classmate, said: “The late Ahmed had been ill before the exam started. I noticed two of his friends used to guide him into the hall and that is how I knew he was ill.

He was being treated at a hospital, from where he would come to the examination hall to write his paper.”

His close friend, Ma’aji Akilu, also in 400-Level Economics, said: “The late Ahmed was a sickle-cell

Poly starts exam

S •The library

Senator donates Law library to alma mater

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ENATOR Ita Enang, representing Akwa Ibom North East, has donated a library to the Faculty of Law of the University of Calabar (UNICAL).

The lawmaker, who was a student of the school 33 years ago, said the library would promote quality teaching, learning and research.

The one-storey building was opened last week by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke.

The institution’s Information Officer, Mr Eyo Bassey, described the donor as a worthy and exemplary alumnus.

He said: “Senator Enang saw the

S

From Emmanuel Shebbs, Ikechukwu Ofili and Raymond Ochoma

UNICAL need to construct a Library building for the Faculty of Law where he studied years ago. The faculty has made him what he is today. It is a worthy thing he has done to the university and he has shown his commitment to ensure his alma mater breeds good lawyers for the future.”

Bassey said Epoke was fulfilling his promises to bring development to the school by partnering with alumni group and investors.

A Law student, Harrison Obike, described the building as a comfortable place to study. He hailed the donor for project.

Christabel Effiong, another Law student, said: “The library is of high class and quality. We must praise the donor and the Vice-Chancellor for coming up with such a project.”

Former Students’ Union president Ayi Ekpenyong said: “The library is a huge investment in the university and as a law student, good library determines a good knowledge of law. A poor library is a killer of knowledge.”

Leverage on opportunities in digital world, ICT experts urge students

TUDENTS have been advised to showcase their creativity to tap into opportunities in the digital world. The advice came from Information and Communication Technology (ICT) entrepreneurs who spoke at a summit held in Afe Babalola Auditorium of the University of Lagos.

The Country Head of India Institute of Technology (IIHT), Mr Joshy Hajosh, Chief Executive Officer of Commit Communications, Dr Niran Oyelade and Building Technologistturned Software Developer, Mr Rotimi Oladapo, spoke to students on the theme: Digital literacy.

Chairman of UNILAG Radio, Prof Ralph Akinfeleye and Head of Department of Mass Communication,

From Miftaudeen Raji

UNILAG Dr Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika hosted the event.

Prof Akinfeleye said the summit would stoke the students’ passion in ICT, with the aim to make them relevant in the digital world.

Ogwezzy expressed optimism that the summit would make students to go completely digital.

She said: “We don’t want a situation where our graduates would not be able to compete with their peers in the digital world. We are now in a world of media convergence. So we have to set the standard for the world to see.”

Hajosh said IIHT was committed

to empowering students with the skills and knowledge on database management, security storage management, software programming, web development and cloud computing.

Dr Oyelade said opportunities abound for a youth versed in digital literacy, adding that the emerging trend would make digital knowledge competitive among graduates.

Oladapo said students should explore all avenues at discovering the potentials that will drive their academic development and career.

He tasked students to make new discoveries in technology and other fields with the use of application software and use of digital gadgets.

TUDENTS have started writing their examinations at the Federal Polytechnic in Offa (OFFA POLY), Kwara State.

To prepare well for the exam students have reduced their social activities.

Muyideen Adisa, a Higher National Diploma (HND) 1 Library and Information student, said all social activities could wait till the end of the examination. “It is time to study,” he said.

•The late Ahmed From Yasin Olawumi

UDUS victim. On April 26, the late Ahmed called me at 10pm to inform me that he was admitted in the hospital, from where he came to write his papers. He was brought to the school to write exam at 7:30am on the day he died.

He took a soft drink in his car before he moved into the examination hall. By the time he finished the exam at 10am, his condition changed and he breathed heavily.

He was quickly rushed to the school clinic, but the next report we got was that he is dead.”

The late Ahmed hailed from Achida ward in Wurno Local Government Area of the state.

From Jennifer Umeh

OFFA POLY Many students were excited by the release of examination timetable because, according to them, “the semester was prolonged by two months due to internal strike and the elections”. The semester started last December and it was expected to end in March.

A final year student of Building Technology, Chukwuemeka Oyeche, said: “Now that we have started exam, I am happy that I will be a graduate soon. The management must not stop the exam for anything, because I cannot wait to leave the school any longer.”

Don’t compromise, VC tells engineers

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CTING Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) Prof Jelil Oguntola has advised engineers not to compromise the ethics of their profession. He urged them to handle projects given to them with seriousness, saying professionalism must always be their watchword.

He gave the advice at a workshop organised by the Osogbo chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in the school’s main auditorium. The workshop is mandatory for prospective members of the society.

Oguntola advised the engineers to adhere to the ethics of the profession, stressing that there were legal liabilities that could be in-

Varsity’s courses get accreditation

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HIRTEEN academic programmes of the Adeleke University (ADELEKE) in Ede, Osun State, have been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwole Amusan, who made this known during morning devotion,

From Abideen Olasupo

UNIOSUN curred if engineers failed to take precautions.

He urged members to practise the profession with care and seriousness, adding that a mistake made by a professional in his professional duties could be costly to the society.

In his address, the NSE chairman, Mr Felix Adeniran, praised the university management for its support towards the Society’s cause.

He said disclosed that a senior lecturer of the Civil Engineering Department, Dr F.A. Oginni, has been appointed pioneer chief examiner for the group.

From Wale Babarinde

ADELEKE said the university received a letter for the accreditation signed by the NUC’s Deputy Executive Secretary, Mr. Akinbode Agbaoye.

Amusan said the NUC team visited the university last February to inspect the facilities of the disciplines for approval. He praised the institution’s founder and chairman of Governing Council, Dr Adedeji Adeleke for his support, saying: “We all need to thank God and also the Pro-chancellor for this well-deserved success.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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CAMPUS LIFE Student, villager die in well

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•Prof Ahaneku (right) congratulating the Ezeonu after the lecture

Why environment must be protected from poison, by don

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O build healthy communities, poisons and other harmful substances must be controlled from polluting the environment, a don, Prof Francis Ezeonu, has said.

He was delivering the 25th inaugural lecture of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State.

The event, held at the university auditorium, was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke; a former vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ilochi Okafor, principal officers and academics.

Ezeonu, who is of the Department of Biochemistry, delivered a lecture titled: Poisons in the Nigerian environment: Within our reach, beyond our control. He described poison as a substance that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when absorbed in sufficient quantity by the organism.

According to the lecturer, people who lived in traditional African societies enjoyed a healthy life and a safe environment. He said they con-

From Franklin Onwubiko

UNIZIK tended only with natural hazards, which he said could arise from animal poisons and plant toxins.

Ezeonu said: “European contact with Africa has increased the black man’s burden on poisons through man-made hazards. Industrialisation and consumerism have imposed enormous strain on traditional habits and practices, leading to a large dependence on foreign drugs, foods and chemicals.”

Processes associated with modernisation and industrialisation, he said, had compromised Africa’s safe environment. The don said African environment had been poisoned with chemical wastes, herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertiliser and oil pollutants imported. The condition, he said, was worsened by poor sanitation, poor solid waste management, pollution, soil degradation and declining aquatic life, among others.

On why the nation could not control harmful substances, Prof Ezeonu

said there has not been quality research to make it happen. He said: “Nigerian universities are poorly rated, largely because they lack the necessary tools and equipment for quality research. Our laboratories are poorly equipped and lack the requisite instruments to identify poisons. Nigerian research institutions are not sufficiently equipped to meet the challenges of regulating poisons and this should call for concern.”

He urged scholars to rise up to the challenge to save the country from imminent danger being posed by presence of uncontrolled harmful substances in the environment.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Joseph Ahaneku, described the lecturer as a world-acclaimed scholar, noting that the lecture had opened the eyes of members of the audience to the danger posed by poison in the country.

He urged collaboration to rid the environment of harmful pollutants.

Highpoint of the event was the decoration of Ezeonu and past inaugural lecturers by the VC.

•The Nation’s Management Accountant, Mr Abdulhameed Odunaye (middle) with Afolabi Olatunde (left) and Norbert Amu during their Convocation for Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG)

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HE Nigerian Students’ Society (NSS) at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom has celebrated some selected women during the Intern a t i o n a l Women’s Week held in the university.

The honorees included Chimamanda Adichie, the

ESIDENTS of Igbawere community woke up last Thursday morning to the shocking news of the death of a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY)in Kwara State. The late Sodeeq Akojede, a ND 1 Business and Management student, fell into a well while fetching water for his bath.

The victim, who hailed from the community, was brought out of the well dead. A sympathiser, who attempted to rescue Sodeeq, also fell into the well and died. The name of the second victim could not be ascertained at press time.

A witness said he saw the late Sodeeq before he fell into the well.

He said: “I passed by the late Sodeeq as he fetched water from the well.

Before I could move 300 meters away, he screamed as he fell and this drew people’s attention. But the first person who got to the well slipped inside the pit. Both of them were brought out dead.”

•The late Sodeeq From Jennifer Umeh

OFFA POLY A student, who pleaded not to be named, said: “We have never recorded such incident in the community. We could not say if the incident was natural or mysterious.

How can two persons die at the same spot?”

The bodies have been deposited at the Offa General Hospital.

‘Multidisciplinary research needed on climate change’

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OW can researchers in subSahara Africa benefit from climate change finance? It is by undertaking multidisciplinary research in fields related to climate change adaption and mitigation strategies, says Director, Africa Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ACCAI) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Prof Antonia Achike. In an interview with CAMPUSLIFE on climate change, she said climate finance referred to funds set aside by national, regional and international bodies for climate change projects and programmes.

She lamented the inability of Nigerian researchers to access climate finance.

Prof Achike said: “Over 25 per cent of the finance for the sub-Saharan Africa has been directed to South Africa since 2003. Nigeria is not in the list of top 10 countries benefitting from the funds. Majority of the projects undertaken in Nigeria has been seen as inconsequential and some which are deemed relevant were initiated by the government in conjunction with international development agencies.”

According to her, researchers and students can easily attract climate finance when their research works are designed to recommend strategies that would lead to low-carbon mitigation options or interventions designed to reduce carbon emissions.

She listed some of the potential research areas to include conservation in agriculture, agro-forestry and sustainable rice intensification, reduction of natural gas flaring and the use of efficient pumps for oil extraction, promotion of energy-efficient lighting and power generation from renewable process.

•Prof Achike From Inya-Agha Egwu

UNN She said researchers interested in climate change could have access to finance by participating in international research grants competitions, submission of well-packaged proposals to national governments and multinational organisations.

On the activities of her centre, Prof Achike said ACCAI is running a postgraduate course on Climate Change Economics, Policy and Innovation Programme (CCEPI).

She said: “We also offer various short-term training to government workers and individuals on climate change and other topical issues on environment.”

Commending the Open Society Foundation for funding the Centre’s activities, Achike urged the Federal Government to articulate its vision on low carbon development and give more support to climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes.

Nigerian women honoured in UK From From Sheyi Babaeko

UNITED KINGDOM late Dr Stella Adedavoh, Prof Viola Onwuliri, Kate Henshaw, Pastor Esther Ibanga, Tiwa Savage, Ms Amina Mohammed, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Dr Joe OkeiOdumakin, Blessing Okagabre, Funmi Iyanda and Bilikis AdebiyiAbiola.

Speaking at the event, the president of the Society, Kelechi Anyikude, who was represented by the Publicity Secretary, Adeola Adeyemi, said that the women were chosen based on their

achievements and for being role model to the youth.

Adeola said many women deserved to be honoured for their exceptional activities in Nigeria. He pointed out that the honorees were selected from numerous women who do extraordinary activities. He paid a special tribute to the late Adedavoh whose heroic act save Nigeria from the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). He urged everyone to remember her in their prayers.

A billboard which displayed the honorees’ photograph stood at the Society’s office for seven day dur-

ing which students from various countries read their profile. The Society’s members, including Dami Adebayo, Anietie Usen, Efemena Onedo and Chisom Ohioma were on ground to tell visitors the stories which made the honorees outstanding.

It would be recalled that similar event was held by the Society last year, where 12 female entrepreneurs were honoured, including Folurunsho Alakija, Adenike Ogunlesi, Mo Abudu, Betty Irabor, Linda Ikeji, Tara Fela-Durotoye and Olayinka Adebayo, among others.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE For four days, French teachers and students gathered at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to discuss how the language can thrive in Nigeria, where English is the official language. EDDY UWOGHIREN (300-Level Medicine and Surgery) reports.

That French may not die

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HE decreasing learning and communication in French is raising concern among teachers, who believe the language may die in Nigeria. They gathered at the Department of Foreign Languages of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) last Wednesday to discuss the challenges facing the teaching and learning of the language.

The Biennial International French Conference with the theme: The challenges of French studies in Nigeria, was held ib tge Akin Deko Auditorium. It brought together French teachers and students in primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions and French language centres across the nation.

In his keynote address, the Director-General (DG), Nigerian French Village in Badagry, Lagos, Prof Raufu Adebisi, urged the government to introduce policies that would make teaching of French attractive to the young. He added that improved funding for French schools would help achieve the aim.

The DG, who frowned at what he called the government’s apathetic attitude toward the learning of French, said the language is facing enormous challenges, which have made it to be relegated in linguistics. He listed poor remuneration for teachers, lack of employment for French graduates, inadequate materials for learning and poor representation of French in place of authority,

•From right: Dean, UNIBEN Post-graduate School, Prof Omozuwa, Ambassador Akabogu-Chinwuba, Dr Iloh, Prof Raymond Elaho, Prof Adebisi, Prof K.O. Echenim after the opening ceremony. among others Adebisi said the need for easy communication had made language acquisition a necessity for man, stressing that acquisition of a first language usually posed no challenge. He gave examples of drugs prescriptions for a francophone patient, which was wrongly translated to French.

The DG said it was high time the language got its pride of place in the nation. He called for effective legislations to promote learning of the language, investment in French-teaching institutions and and recruitment of more teachers.

Earlier, Dr Ngozi Iloh, Head of the UNIBEN’s Department of Foreign Language, said the conference provided an avenue for scholars and students to rub minds and form a synergy to push for-

•Interior of the ICT office

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TUDENTS of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State, are counting their gains. They are singing the praise of their Provost Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, for his progressive leadership that has improved the rating of the college in the last five years.

Ogbuagu, a professor of Industrial Chemistry, is the third provost of the college. To students, he is a messiah of sorts. To staff, he is a game changer.

Ogbuagu, it was learnt, was appointed at a time the school was facing challenges in infrastructure and in getting accreditation for its academic programmes. Its workers were also not motivated, given their meagre salaries.

But a few months after Ogbuagu resumed, the institution rose from its ashes like a phoenix. His first task was to get the school’s programmes accredited.

An accreditation team of the Na-

ward advocacy for the language On the second day, the participants assembled at the Seminar Room for Faculty of Arts for another session, where policy papers were presented. Some of the papers presented included Challenges of teaching translation to Nigerian undergraduates of French, by Mufuta Tijani of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, Tips for effective teaching of feminist francophone African narrative, by Dr Iloh and Temidayo Onojobi of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State and The status of French at Covenant University, by Euginia Abiodun-Eniayekan, amongst others Highlight of the event included poem recitation, dance by pupils of UNIBEN Staff School and the UNIBEN Demonstration Secondary School (UDSS).

The participants also went on excursion to the National Museum at the Oba Ovoranmen Square in Benin City. They were conducted round by instructor, who enlightened them on the history of the artifacts on display in museum. The event ended with a cocktail party at the school’s Banquet Hall.

In a communiqué by the organisers, the French teachers urged the government to give scholarship to First Class graduates of French to further their studies in francophone countries. They also urged the government to make French as the second official language in Nigeria.

First Class graduates of French, they said, should also benefit from the Federal Government policy of automatic scholarship for postgraduate studies in selected disciplines. They called on the govern-

ment to immediately set up a special programme for massive training of French teachers to be deployed to the secondary schools, with a view to making the language well established at elementary levels.

The organisers asked the government to implement United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommendation of allocating at 26 per cent of yearly budget to education.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Cote de Ivore, Mrs Ifeoma AkaboguChinwuba, said French should be made compulsory for all students in higher institutions to create opportunities for graduates of various discipline. She also urged managements of polytechnics to include the language in the curricula for students to see the pride in the language.

•The college gate

Five years ago, there was nothing to write home about the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State, given its state of facilities. The college has been transformed, with the coming of Prof Josephat Ogbuagu as provost, writes EMEKA CHUKWUEMEKA. tional Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) led by Prof U.T. Muhammed of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) assessed the college’s facilities and recommended its programmes for approval. The team praised the provost, urging him not to relent in his efforts to take the college to greater heights.

Also, the head of NCCE Quality Assurance Unit, Dr A.Y. Abdulkareem, who led another team of the commission on a capacity-building workshop to the college, praised to the management for its developmental efforts. He described the college as the fastest growing technical school in the country.

A ‘digital provost’ at work Abdulkareem said: “Prof Ogbuagu has proved his mettle as a visionary leader whose passion for the transformation of the institution has never been hidden.”

The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Ike Sunday, told CAMPUSLIFE that before the administration, infrastructure were moribund both on the mini and permanent site of the institution.

He added that Ogbuagu’s administration brought great changes to the college.

His words: “The college is blessed to have a good manager that makes things happen in real time. Prof

Ogbuagu has initiated policies that have changed the destiny of the college from its moribund status to what is becoming the envy of others school.

“This administration has changed the history of the college; the provost has worked assiduously for the elevation of the college to a degree awarding status. The perception of this synonymy is not an accident if we understand that as a professor.

The provost believes in harnessing manpower for development; he has built a standard institution through this effort. He also understands that, there is the need to upgrade the only

Federal College of Education in the Southeast, where the demand for education is increasing daily.”

Some students, who spoke to our correspondent, said Prof Ogbuagu brought the school out of the darkness and elevated quality learning and research to higher pedestal.

According to them, the relative peace enjoyed on campus has made uninterrupted academic programme possible. They said the management had rid the school of the yoke of cultism, adding that there is robust relationship among •Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

35

CAMPUS LIFE

Challenges before UNILAG’s SUG

By Kawthar Babatunde

O

N March 25, 2015, students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) voted in a new executive of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), which was proscribed ten years ago following violent protests by students of the institution. Students, in 2005, vandalised school properties, including the residence of the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oye IbidapoObe. The reinstatement of the union by the Prof Rahamon Bello-led administration seems to have come at a crucial point, especially amid challenges facing the institution at the moment. The university is blighted by erratic power supply, which the school authority has explained away to be technical problems in the power distribution system of Eko Electricity Distribution Company.

Consequently, agitations are pouring in from various quarters, calling for decisive actions from respec-

E

LECTIONS in Nigeria have been characterised by unfaithfulness, betrayal, rigging, plotting, propaganda, slander, fear, uncertainty, crisis, bloodshed and many more. These ugly features of our supposedly democratic experiment have made election our election to be synonymous with violence. While people, who describe politics as a dirty game may not be wrong in their assessment of our politics, it would only be unfair and myopic to exclusively describe it with those negative features and lock out opportunity for positive views.

With a telescopic eye and good binoculars, one may begin to see election as a business, considering the several opportunities offered by the massive campaigns of political parties, especially now when politics is thought to be door-die affair.

The economic boost seen in electioneering cuts across almost all areas of expertise and profession we can think. The opportunities come in form of mouth-watering patronage and contracts. A comprehensive analysis of all beneficiaries is almost impossible, only a few this writer could see are listed here.

How does printing fare during the recent elections? Graphic designers, textile and printing merchants got their fair share, because winning in an election in Nigeria is largely depended on how much publicity a candidate can push out before the polls. This must be done by churning out millions of banners and flyers. The graphic de-

E

XAMINATION period is a time when students, who do not take their studies seriously at the beginning of semester, suddenly become bookworms.

They will stop doing the activities that keep them away from lectures, such as clubbing and partying.

Those who have a load of carryovers, who have turned their friends to enemies, will suddenly

tive authorities to tackle the problems.

The school management, on April 29, this year sent informed students of its awareness of the hitches caused by the power crisis and efforts being made to find lasting solutions. In a statement signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Dr Taiwo Ipaye, the management said the institution was powered by generators.

Despite the efforts of the school authority to supply electricity, UNILAG has been characterised by inadequate water supply, leading to incessant protests by students and calls for postponement of examinations by a fraction of the students.

In the face of these challenges, the student’s union has found itself unable to organise the students under the same umbrella and speak with one voice. Some students believe the executive of the body led by the President, Martins Abiodun, is not ready to take a pro-student stand.

Until recently, the entire students’ union government had been disturbingly quiet regarding issues of electricity and water supply. The only information from the body was a message through its Public Relations Officer (PRO) to students informing them of an agreement with the school authority to supply electricity between 7pm and 10am daily.

The said agreement was not honoured by the university, which created doubts in the minds of some students that the message was a hoax and the students’ union did not meet with the school authority.

However, on May 3, the union president, through its PRO, sent out

messages to students, saying the body will stage a massive protest if the agitations of students were not addressed within 24 hours. The agitations include but not limited to, constant power and water supply to all hostels, adequate internet services in all the halls of residence and extension of examination date. The union later shelved its decision to many of the students were not with this.

The student body lacks a means of effectively communicating with the students, making one of its duties as a link between the school authority and the students more difficult.

The students rely on social media and hearsay to get information from the body. Hence, most students feel disconnected and believe that the era of fighting for their rights without a student body is not over yet.

For us, this is unacceptable. Also, the seeming silence and anonymity of the body when it matters seem to be causing a feeling of distrust between students and the union.

UNILAG students have been known to have, over the years, staged peaceful protests effectively without the presence of a student body. For this reason, students have taken it upon themselves to stage protests against the school authority. No fewer than two protests have been staged in about a month. In all these, the union has found itself dwindling in popularity. A majority of the students now believe the union is anti-student and that it cannot agitate for their interests.

There have been several calls on the students to stage a protest on May 4, to agitate for the postpone-

ment of examination by a week the grounds for the request include the electricity situation, several holidays that characterised the semester, which have incapacitated many lecturers to complete the syllabus for the semester.

Eventually, two days later, some aggrieved students staged a peaceful protest within the university campus, demanding the postponement of their first semester examination which has been scheduled to commence on May 11.

The students lamented that the erratic power supply and scarcity of water on campus had hindered their preparation for the forthcoming examination. Students complained they find it increasingly hard to study in such difficult situations It is, however, interesting to note that some students of the institution including members of union were not in support of the postponement of their forthcoming examination, noting that the epileptic power supply and water crisis on campus, were not enough reasons for the examination to be postponed.

One of such students is the PRO of university’s Geoscience Students Association, Oladeni Ajibola Ibrahim, who stressed that neither the epileptic power supply nor the holidays are enough reasons to not hold examinations as scheduled. He called on the union to organise a debate on the issues.

A student who simply identified himself as Femi said: “the agitations are baseless, nobody wants examinations to be postponed.”

Another challenge faced by the students’ union body has to do with sus-

The benefit of election

By Yussuf Ayodele signers had the best time, designing flyers, while printers work every day and night to ensure good quality. The textile workers also share in the ‘booty’ as millions of customised fabrics, vests, shirts and caps were printed and distributed to party adherents and as gifts to voters during campaign.

Enter the media. The press is said to be fourth estate of the realm; the majority of its practitioners did not participate in the actual voting. They cover campaigns, press briefing, election proceedings, interviews, and many more. They gather reports, organise talk shows, analyse issues before and after election. But they share in the election largesse through multimillion advert they get from different political parties and their flag bearers. The online media came out in dramatic manner; they created hashtags and groups to discuss candidates’ popularity.

Bloggers never run out of ideas and thus never get “broke”.

How about sports and entertainment industries? Of course, the booty extended to the pitch. As a means of “wetting the ground” for favourable results, politicians sought the service of popular sportsmen. They host various sport competitions, such as Honourable XYZ tournament, and Senator ABC’s cup.

The entertainment industry is an-

By Eghosa Igbinigie wake up in the night to read and talk less during the day. Those who have video games in their room develop hatred for the device; they will abandon it to face the rigour of examination.

A colleague has once told me that, during examination period, there are three groups of students

other area where the weight of election is greatly felt. Musicians were hired to sing for candidates during campaign, while thespians were engaged in propaganda adverts on television.

The education sector was also shaken to its foundation. The intellectuals in the academic shared in the spoil. Vice-chancellors were employed as returning officers in all the states. Corps members and some undergraduates were used as polling officers.

The sacred temples of our religious organisations erupted in sacrilegious praise-singing. In the last election, we saw political evangelism at its best. Our imams, pastors and even herbalists cannot deny the political patronage they got during elections. Pastors and imams openly told their congregation to support a particular candidate after they got wads of dollars. Herbalists and traditionalists appeased their gods to support candidates who brought dollars.

Networking and telecommunication companies got more patronage during the last general election. Apart from making more calls to ensure smooth running of their campaign, politicians also subscribed to bulk SMS and adverts through different platforms. More data subscription, more calls, more texts led to more money to the service providers.

Manufacturing and production

businesses boomed as customised souvenirs, such as bags, plates, dishes, home appliances, electronic gadgets and edible bags of products like rice, garri, sugar etc were specially ordered with candidates’ names and pictures boldly embossed on them.

For lawyers, election litigation is a brisk business. After elections are won and lost, our learned fellows begin to get their own share of the booty. Petitions are filed by losers against winners; court cases are decided on frequently and money keeps coming in for lawyers.

Security agencies are part of the most important stakeholders when it comes to election. Election period is their festive period.

People are genuinely and wrongly arrested for inciting violence, wandering or for committing electoral offences, and are charged huge amount of money for bail. Security agents are stationed at polling units and other strategic locations to maintain peace and order and ensure the safety of election materials only after being assured of reward. At other instances, they are employed to hijack and rig in collaboration with hooligans in return for cool cash from their paymasters.

In the transportation sector, the unionists are also on the roll when it comes to election. They unnecessarily hike transport fare

During exam that are seen. The first group is the people who cram their notes. These people make noise about what they have crammed before examination to show people they know what they want to write. During exam, they start learning how to

talk less, because it is a period they have to store everything in their Random Access Memory (RAM).

Because of the volume of materials they cram in a short period, everything they have in their brain is volatile, that is, they could for-

picion and division among its members and those of the union parliament. Some parliament members are accusing the union president of incompetence and lack of capacity to protect interests of the university students.

One of them, Timi Akegbejo from the Political Science department, accused the union president of ineptitude and described him as a “colossal failure”.

The challenges faced by this union are not peculiar but can be surmounted. The body must redeem its battered image before the eyes of students and make decisive steps to embrace pro-students’ unionism. They must communicate effectively with students so as to let them feel their presence and keep them abreast of information regarding their welfare. The body should unite its house and make unanimous decisions. In the same vein, internal conflicts must not be allowed to degenerate as this could lead to division amongst students.

It is quite apparent that the fear of facing yet another ban is affecting the union, making it more or less debilitated to protect the interests of students. The union executive must realise that they cannot continue to remain silent on matters that affect the welfare of the students. Otherwise, their appointment pales into insignificance. UNILAG students want a vibrant union that will be able to fight for their interests and protect their welfare all the time.

This is not negotiable.

And for a union that just bounced back from the throes of a ban, much cannot be achieved by the current administration with the way and manner they have set out. Notwithstanding, the executive must work har d to lay the foundation of unionism on campus. It must however thread carefully. The world is watching.

•Kawthar, 300-Level Petroleum and Gas Engineering, UNILAG due to the rush in election period as people have to travel to their various home or places of registration to vote. They are also employed to mobilise electoral officers from polling unit to collation centers and vice versa.

The list of beneficiaries is inexhaustible and could continue to infinity. What about the market women? They were happy during elections. How much litres of petrol are sold during election and for how much? Considering the epileptic state of electricity and the need to get updates of elections, petrol station made more sales than before.

How about voters who got cash reward for voting for a particular candidate? How about the ones who scrambled for T-shirts and packaged garri? The beneficiaries are uncountable.

Calculating the net expenses on election may be a herculean task for economists or mathematicians. Opportunities open at different ends for those who could see beyond violence; a trial for one is a blessing for another. The pictures are not too far as the justconcluded election shown; whether the businesses are legal or not is a topic for another day.

One thing that the last general elections has come to teach us is that, there are more to election than violence. Beyond the violence, there are great business opportunities for all and sundry.

•Yussuf is a student of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, UNILAG get the what they have crammed just as a computer could lose items stored in it when it goes off abruptly. For some of them that remember what they cram during the exam, they tend to lose everything they have in their head after the exam.

The second group is those who play and make noise before exam, •Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

36

CAMPUS LIFE Varsity launches mobile learning platform

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DUSOCIAL, a mobile learning software, has been unveiled at the Covenant University (CU) in Ota, Ogun State. Softcom, an Information Technology (IT) firm, developed the software in partnership with the university.

The platform is meant to help staff and students to access educational materials on the Internet. The platform was unveiled during the university’s weekly chapel services.

The Managing Partner of Softcom, Mr Yomi Adedeji, an alumnus of the university, after giving a short overview on the features of the application, said

From Demilade Olafisoye CU he was delighted to partner with his alma mater on the mobile learning project.

The project, which followed the distribution of Samsung tablets to students last month, is aimed at expanding students’ mobile learning opportunities.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charles Korede, said the initiative would help university to improve students’ learning on social media.

Present at the launch were top management staff and students.

•Prof Korede (second right) speaking before unveiling the application

Students praise varsity for Work-Study Scheme

S

TUDENTS of Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State have hailed the management for its commitment to Students’ Work-Study Scheme (SWSS). They spoke at a session held for no fewer than 300 students, who applied to the scheme.

Olumide Ogundare, a 200-Level History and International Studies student, hailed the scheme, praising the management for the initiative. He said: “This scheme comes at the right time. The management is giving us uncommon opportunity to work while we study. Apart from work experience that we will have through the scheme, I will also be able to pay some of my bills.”

An orphan, Stanley Alausa, a 300-Level

From Yomi Ayeleso AAUA Microbiology student, said: “I see the initiative as an opportunity to assist myself because I sponsor myself to school after I lost my parents. I am very prepared to work and I have since made up my mind that whenever this kind of opportunity comes, I will apply.”

Akinyemi Ibirogba, a 200-Level History and International Studies student, who took part in the last exercise, said she had thought the scheme would be stopped. She hailed the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, for sustaining the scheme.

Oluwatoyin Oke, a 200-Level Educational

Management student, said the initiative would make students to be self-reliant while in school.

A 200-Level Law student, Olanrewaju Alaran, said: “This is a fantastic scheme to empower students while in school. It will help us financially. I want to thank the school authorities, because they are giving us opportunity to work.

The SWSS Acting Director, Dr Iyabo Omoniyi, said the university had sustained

the scheme for five years.

Dr Omoniyi said the school got positive feedback from students, parents and guardians, promising that the management would not stop the scheme.

The scheme was initiated by the immediate past VC, Prof Femi Mimiko, to allow willing students to work for two hours daily and receive stipend at the end of every month to support themselves financially.

•Imo State Deputy Governor Eze Madumere (second right) inspecting guard of honour during the swearing-in ceremony for 2015 Batch “A” Corps members at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Umudi, Nkwerre Local Government Area.

A ‘digital provost’ at work •Continued from page 34

staff and students.

Nancy Okafor, a student, said the provost would be remembered for his studentfriendly policies. She said: “I like the leadership quality of the provost. His achievement has shown that he is a seasoned administrator, who brought his wealth of experience to bear. His administration is rated the best student-friendly tenure.”

Another student, Nduka Igbkowe, praised the provost for restoring sanity to the institution’s administration. He said: “I think the provost has performed better than his

During exam •Continued from page 35

but during the period, they will start thinking smart like someone who is going on a mission to rob a bank. These are the people who are called giraffe; they only go into examination hall to copy or bring in microchips or expo, which they hide in their shoes or mouth, to dub. Some write answers on their bodies; some will even take the stress of writing it in a desk in the exam hall before the day of the exam on which they will try to sit that day.

predecessors. He has sustained and improved academic excellence of the school. Based on the infrastructural development on the campus, students call him a ‘digital provost’ for bringing about Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution in the school.”

Students said the transformation of the college has led to the building of facilities, including new Administrative Complex, ultramodern auditorium, Multimedia Micro Teaching Laboratory, Digital Library Complex, academic staff office, model home residence and renovation of Emma Uguru Lecture Hall, among others.

But the question is: how do these people know exactly what the lecturer will bring out in exam?

The answer to the question should be seen in the phrase: “they think like they are on a mission to rob a bank.”

The last group of students is those who read before the exam. They are students who take their studies seriously. During exam, they make noise about what they read because they have read their books back-toback. Every student will say ‘this is the group I belong’ but how many students can face exam with total courage?

•Eghosa, 200-Level Business Administration, AAU EKPOMA

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

37

EDUCATION

Reverse engineering can help Nigeria grow, says don

A

CHIEF lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Technology, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Mrs Idiat Amusu, has made a case for reverse engineering (RE) in enhancing technological development in Nigeria.

Mrs Amusu, who said this while delivering the 8th inaugural lecture of the polytechnic titled: “Reverse Engineering: Panacea to Waste Not Want Not”, noted that RE helped the Asian countries to master and improve on western technology.

Defining RE as a “process of measuring, analysing, and testing to reconstruct the mirror image of an object”, Mrs Amusu explained that it supports reinvention, reconstruction and reproduction.

She disagreed with many in the business world, who view RE as illegal, noting that it can help countries adapt foreign products to local needs, like has been done successfully in Nigeria by some artisans such as carpenters, welders of hospital equipments, the military, and Aba shoemakers.

“Copying and imitation through

JABU FILE

Kelani premieres "Dazzling Mirage" AWARD-WINNING film maker, Mr Tunde Kelani, has kicked off a campus tour of his new movie, 'Dazzling Mirage', from the Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.

His Mainframe Productions firm visited JABU to premiere the movie, which is centred around the travails of sickle cell patients.

Kelani said the tour was organised in order to create awareness for the acceptance of sickle cell anaemia patients.

He counseled students to be "dazzlers" and "sickle cell smart", by imbibing critical lessons from the movie. An interactive session about the movie was moderated by Mr. Ayodeji Aiyesimoju, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication of the university.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

reverse engineering, which the Chinese adopted has a long history of being an accepted innovation practice and is generally viewed as the best way to acquire know-how.

Through this method the Chinese made competing products, adapted foreign-made products to meet their local needs and preferences. It has started with Nnewi and Aba. We need many more of such developed around our resources–leather, cocoa, palm oil, etc.,” she said.

Mrs Amusu urged the government to invest in the engineering/technical clusters located in markets around Lagos where spare parts, iron rods, scrap metal, used to be manufactured and sold. She lamented that some of these clusters have resorted to only buying and selling of foreign imports thereby stifling their growth.

To entrench RE in Nigeria, the lecturer recommended that it should be offered as a course in the Mechanical Engineering department of the institution.

“I hereby advocate for a re-struc-

• Mrs Amusu

General donates lecture theatre

turing of the mechanical engineering programme to include computer aided manufacturing RE as a course as well as technological change and innovation to lay the foundation for the development of a silicon valley in YABATECH. For effectiveness, this should be backed up with appropriate equipment and relevant training of staff so that RE will be ingrained in students upon graduation,” he said.

She also recommended another course, Food losses and waste: extent, causes and prevention, to be part of the curriculum in the department of Food Technology to “put the issue of food security and hunger in the right perspective”.

A MEMBER of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Yaba, Lagos, General Samuel Adebayo, has donated a 250-seater lecture theatre to the university.

Adebayo, who is the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Education Corps, Ilorin, donated the facility in fulfillment of a pledge he made to the management when he visited the university last May. At the foundation laying ceremony of the edifice, the President, CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun appreciated God for the new things He repeatedly caused to spring forth in the university.

He praised the donor and prayed for health and divine provision for him as he advances on the project.

On his part, the JABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Sola Fajana, thanked the CAC authorities for their unwavering support to JABU especially in the areas of finances, morals and spirituality. He also thanked Adebayo for committing himself to Godly philanthropy.

Entrepreneurship confab next week AHEAD of this year’s edition of the Think Entrepreneurship Conference coming up on May 21 and 22 in Lagos, the JABU Vice Chancellor, Prof Sola Fajana, has underscored the university's role in producing self-sufficient entrepreneurs, who would set the pace for the rejuvenation of the nation's socio-economic and political concerns.

Fajana said the conference, which has as its theme: "The Entrepreneur in an Uncertain Environment", would feature notable speakers, such as Jimi Tewe (MD/CEO Inspiro Consulting, Lagos), and Opy Onas (The Ideas MidWife, UK). Enjoining members of the public to participate in the conference, the President of the JABU Alumni Association, Mr. Ayodeji Aiyesimoju, said participants are welcomed from neighbouring institutions. He said this is done to encourage other institutions cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit that JABU is noted for.

AUN breaks crocheting world record

T • From left: Analyst, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Michael Nwoseh; winner of a brand new car, Adebayo Emmanuel, 100-Level Engineering student of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and the UNILORIN Vice Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, at the Etisalat Cliqfest, held at the university.

Scholar lists reasons for rural underdevelopment

S

UCCESSIVE governments' ineptitude, massive corruption, neglect of community participation and poor funding are responsible for the failure of past rural development programmes in Nigeria.

Others are ineffective policy framework and lack of continuity in policy making due to changes in administration.

Professor of Geography at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Raphael Olawepo, gave these reasons while delivering the institution's 157th inaugural lecture in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

In the lecture entitled: "Learning from the people: A geographer's mandate for sustainable rural development," Olawepo said appropriate rural development could be achieved through collaborative planning, appropriate policies and structures, empowerment, continuity and sustainability.

"In the 21st Century, a rural development programme that would be sustainable would put the people first and would not be the sole responsibility of government planning from top to down, but would be guided bottom up approaches which we find only in the use of participatory methodologies," he said.

The geographer canvassed for a national development plan that would be people-oriented.

He said: "I am waiting for a blueprint of our national development plan that will have the bedrock of rural development and other development programmes entrenched in

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

our constitution; a national development plan that will be devoid of politics, no matter which political party wins in an election.

"When the blueprint remains a national development plan that would be strictly implemented continuously, then there will be no need for each party's agenda, but the people's national plan, and it is then that we can have continuity in regional development plans."

He recommended community development programmes that would be initiated by the people, and partly

funded by them with the backing of the government and other agencies.

"It has been acknowledged that one of the main sources of the crises in the rural sector is the absence of effective partnership and funding. I, therefore, suggest the backing of the World Bank assisted rural development programmes in all states. While the rural communities would choose programmes for themselves, contribute their 10 per cent funding, the remaining 90 per cent would be borne by the state and federal governments as counterpart funding," he said.

HE American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, is celebrating its feat of getting 485 people to crochet simultaneously for 20 minutes.

With the most people crocheting simultaneously" record achieved by 426 people crocheting for 15 minutes in New York City five years ago, the university expects to receive recognition from the Guinness Book of Records for the feat.

The group needlework was an event sponsored by the AUN student union, the student government association, to sensitise residents of Yola, the Adamawa State capital, about the hazards of non-biodegradable litter.

It was also aimed at surpassing the World Record held by the Americans.

The crocheting was done inside AUN's Commencement Hall. The crocheters used plastic yarn made from used shopping bags, since every nylon bag is reusable and renewable.

Jelena Zivkovic, Director of AUN Learning Resource Centre, who coordinated the programme, read out the rules of the competition, urging the participants to adhere strictly to them to avoid the AUN attempt be-

ing disqualified.

There were external observers as witnesses.

However, she said the university is still awaiting confirmation from GWR. "We have yet to receive official notice from the Guinness World Record administrators, who are based in the USA," she said.

Community women making up Yola EcoSentials, a group of social entrepreneurs promoted by AUN, walked the participants through the process before the kickoff of the simultaneous crocheting. The event served to enlighten the community about the university's 'waste to wealth' initiative.

"You can make money from it," says Jennifer Che, Coordinator of Sustainability Outreach Programmes& Laboratories.

Chief Information Officer, Mr. Julius Ayuk Tabe, representing the AUN President Margee Ensign at the kickoff, told participants, "In the light of negative news coming from the northeast, whenever the story of tenacity and togetherness is told, your achievement today will be a reference. This is what your sense of togetherness, teamwork, and can-doit spirit has made possible today."

13 years after inception, Poly holds first convocation From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

•Uduaghan

D

ELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged graduates of tertiary institution to make themselves agents of change, growth and development.

He spoke at the first convocation of the Delta State Polytechnic, OtefeOghara, Ethiope West Local Govern-

ment Area of the state.

Though established in November 2002, it was the first convocation to be organised by the institution.

The graduates, he said, stand a chance to become instruments of sustainable growth for the nation.

"You are now fully empowered to become instruments of sustainable development and to impact on a larger canvas. Remember that only those, who dare to dream and care to achieve have seen their destiny fulfilled," he said.

Uduaghan said the polytechnics was set up by the state to capture youths early and provide them with quality education.

He said the targets were being achieved and the polytechnics have become a success story and a model

to reckon with nationally.

"This Polytechnic is a success story among higher education institutions of the country with a social objective to bring home quality engineering and management education for the benefit of our youths, thereby addressing equity and digital divide," he said.

Dr Uduaghan urged institutions of higher learning to organise annual convocation for their graduating students because it encourages students to strive towards competitiveness and completing the academic works with their mates.

"I urge management of higher institutions, especially management of this institution, to make the convocation ceremony an annual event so that graduating students can look forward to it," he said.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr Charles

Emetulu, said by organising the convocation, the institution had restored the ego of its graduates.

"This development, no doubt, has a telling effect on the moral of our teeming graduates in their educational endeavours, which has been remedied today," he said.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Clara Sogbaike, disclosed that over 10,000 National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) students that graduated between 2002/2003 and 2013/2014 academic sessions were awarded their certificates.

Awards of special recognition were given to former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Steve Oru, Senator-elect for Delta Central, Chief Ighoyota Amori, Dr (Mrs.) Elizabeth Uvo-Gardner, Prof.

Solomon Okobiah, among others.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

38

CAMPUS LIFE FUNAAB FILE

Varsity empowers local farmers THE Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has empowered farmers in the various extension outreach villages with useful agricultural information that would guide them to mindful of their activities to get maximum yield. This followed FUNAAB’s provision of a high-yielding cassava varieties for enhanced production.

The empowerment was during the Annual Integrated Pre-season Training Workshop, organised by the Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC). It was themed: 'Climate change: A threat to sustainable agriculture and food security in Nigeria'.

Alumnus becomes scholar AN ALUMNUS of FUNAAB Mr. Ayodele Mesele, has emerged winner in the Science of Forest Island in Africa (SOFIIA) scholarship, funded through the United Kingdom's Royal SocietyDfID Africa Capacity Building Initiative. Mr. Mesele holds a first class honours from the Department of Soil Science and Land Management in 2011 and a distinction in his master in (Soil Science option) in 2014 from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.

Mesele currently works with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), as a research support Officer/Soil Scientist.

The scholarship covers research, travel, equipment, training, PhD studentship and management costs.

Induction for Vet. Doctors TWENTY-ONE fresh veterinary doctors were inducted at FUNAAB’s seventh induction and admission of graduates in the College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET), into the veterinary profession.

Speaking at the occasion, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, said in order to ensure that COLVET continued to be a foremost centre of veterinary education and animal disease control, the university recently constructed and opened an ultramodern veterinary teaching hospital with an initial contract for equipment, worth N30 million.

"Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree programme in the university has been fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) since 2009, and we are confident that the feat has been repeated with the recently-released accreditation result by the NUC.

•Participants at the event.

SCHOLARSHIPS APPROACHING DEADLINE ISH-London Met Scholarship Scheme Masters Degree Study in: London, UK Next course starts September 2015 Brief description: The ISH/London Met Scholarships is jointly run by International Students House (ISH) and London Metropolitan University.

The scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from selected countries who wish to pursue a Master's Degree at the University.

Host Institution(s): London

Metropolitan University, United Kingdom Field(s) of study: Any Master's Degree Programme offered at the University Number of Scholarships: Not specified.

Target group: Only students from the ISH Scholarship countries are eligible to apply: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Russia, Tibet, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Scholarship value/inclusions: The scholarship offers a full tuition fee scholarship to study one of London Met's Master's programmes plus one

year's free accommodation at International Students House.

Eligibility: You must have an unconditional offer to study at London Met on one of London Met's Masters courses.

•have a First Class Honours degree or the highest accolade for your degree.

•have an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component or SELT equivalent.

•be a national of one of the countries listed above.

Application instructions: You must have an unconditional offer to study at London Met on one of London Met's Masters courses to be considered for

this scholarship. You can apply online through an e-application form or by downloading and emailing the application form.The next deadline is 30 April 2015 for courses starting in September 2015.

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) to access the application form and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Website: Official Scholarship Website: http:// www.londonmet.ac.uk/ international/scholarships-at-londonmet/postgraduate-scholarships/ishlondon-met-scholarship/

Akpabio challenges NUC on workable mechanisms •AKSU graduates 42 at maiden convocation

A

KWA Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio has challenged the National Universities Commission (NUC), to adopt workable mechanisms targeted at handling issues in the society instead of dwelling on mundane theories, which are not helping.

Akpabio addressed the maiden convocation of the state-owned university over the weekend. The university graduated 42 out of the 300 admitted into the institution in 2010/ 2011 academic session.

His words: “The world is changing and our university system must change in line with current realities.

Our universities must change from curricula dwelling on mundane theories, issues that lack ample connectivity with issues at hand and adopt workable mechanisms targeted at handling issues in the society. This is what we expect from the Akwa Ibom State University and other higher institutions in our country.

Akpabio also spoke on the maiden convocation. “We are gathered here to celebrate the actualisation of a dream, realisation of a vision and the fulfillment of hope. Today, in coming to mark the maiden convocation of our prestigious institution of higher learning – the Akwa Ibom State University, we celebrate that love and passion for education. Furthermore, we mark another milestone in our uncommon transformation of our dear state and in our efforts in building a vibrant education sector to power the development of our polity.

“In today’s world, institutions of higher learning proffer solutions to issues in the society and move the society forward through research and development of relevant academic curricula. Our state is transforming into an industrial stage, and it is therefore, expected that our university will play a prime role, through research and expertise in this transformation.”

Akpabio also congratulated graduating students.

A breakdown by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Eno James Ibanga indicated that two of the 42 graduates had first class, 18 second class upper, 19 second

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

class lower, and three third class.

Ibekwe Eteobong emerging as best graduating students with a GPA of 4.69.

Ibanga said the university, which started with three faculties in 2010, now has six approved faculties with 34 departments and 39 degree programmes respectively.

He said admission intake has been raised from 300 in 2010 to 5000 in the 2014/2015 academic year. To this end, he said 24 out of the 50 indigenes sent abroad for further studies have returned with PhD to boost the staff strength.

His words: “At inception, 50 indigenes of Akwa Ibom State were sent

abroad on sponsorship by the state government through the university for their higher degree programmes in Europe, America, Canada, Asian countries, among others in the field of Engineering and Science specialisations. At present, 24 have successfully completed their studies and have joined us, 22 are still in various parts of the world, while three are undergoing sponsorship training programmes locally.”

• Commencement Speaker Ms. Vicky Colbert; President, American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Dr Margee Ensign, and chairman, Board of Trustees of the university, Mr Akin Kekere-Ekun, at the 7th Commencement of the university

‘Curb internet fraud now’

T

HE increasing wave of internet frauds is posing big threats to Nigeria. It also hinders the performance of internal auditors in tertiary institutions, the Provost of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Oto/ Ijanikin, Lagos, Mr. Olalekan Wasiu Bashorun, has said.

Bashorun said this while addressing participants at the opening of the 16th Annual General Meeting of Committee of Heads of Internal Audit Directorates in Colleges of Education (CHIADINCOE).

Represented by his deputy, Mr. Wole Ajose, the provost noted that there was

By Adegunle Olugbamila

the need for a handshake among internal audit of colleges of education, administrators, management, Governing Council and other stakeholders to bring about stronger corporate governance in order to attain effective management of internal controls.

"There is a growing interest among institutions of higher learning to enhance risk management through better controls of internal checks, processes and procedure. It has, therefore, become necessary to promote the importance of accountability among all professionals," he said.

The process of measuring and evaluating effectiveness of internal controls system, according to Bashorun, may be one of the surest ways to improving global competitiveness in our colleges of education nationwide.

Bashorun, therefore, challenged auditors to always take measures that would strengthen the quality of education services, provide the superficial changes and revamp the quality of education, which to him, "is nose-diving'.

In his opening remarks, host and AOCOED chief internal auditor, Mr. Nathaniel Eluwande, said: "One of the purposes of the committee is to allow for the gathering of various heads of internal audit in all colleges of education in Nigeria, to discuss issues bordering on internal controls for the day to day administration of our institutions."

Earlier, CHIADINCOE chairman and Director, Internal Audit, College of Education, Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Mr. Barnabas Abudu, said auditors are saddled with the task of making regulatory chains to enhance supervisory oversight of risk management, while ensuring internal control measures in colleges of education.

"The recent global financial crisis exposed a number of governance issues that resulted in failures of educational institutions in Nigeria," Abudu said, noting that one only needs to revisit numerous bleak reports of risk governance frameworks to fully appreciate the amount of risks in the wake of those crises.

Nonetheless, Abudu appealed to managements of tertiary institutions for maximum cooperation that would allow experts express their opinions in financial activities.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

39

EDUCATION

NGO distributes e-books to pupils to encourage reading

A

N American non-governmental organisation (NGO), Worldreader-USA, has partnered with Nigeria’s Bisi Ogunjobi Foundation (BOF) to donate 50 e-readers to pupils of Emmanuel Anglican Primary School, Ikare, Ondo State.

The devices were presented to pupils between Basic 4 and Basic 6 at the Worldreader e-Reader launch held in the school compound last weekend.

Founder of BOF, Elder Bisi Ogunjobi, said the programme was launched in a move to promote reading culture among Nigerian youths and bridge poverty, a barrier to sound education.

He promised scholarships from JSS 1 to SS 3, to the first set of pupils to finish reading all the 100 books predownloaded into the e-readers, in any secondary school of their choice. This, Ogunjobi said, is aside the foundation’s annual tertiary scholarship scheme.

Elder Ogunjobi said: “A nation that reads is a powerful nation. Donation of these devices and every other gesture of the Bisi Ogunjobi Foundation are meant to contribute to social progress and economic development of the Nigerian community. I am

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

only starting with this school in Ikare because it is my alma mater.”

He promised to expand the project to the nation from community to community.

Representative of Worldreader, Mr Joseph Botwey, said the e-reader initiative was carried out with the aim of digitalising educational system across Africa.

He said e-readers could carry up to 1,400 books, although 100 were preloaded in them already, 50 of which were authored by Africans and the other half by international authors.

“Imagine filling a classroom with that many books for each student.

Each e-reader is essentially a library of books,” Joseph said, adding that ereaders have an edge over conventional hard copy books. According to him, e-books are mobile, save pupils the hard task of carrying stacks of books around, do not give in to wear and tear and provide a source of library for pupils.

He said the software contained dictionaries to guide pupils with meaning of words as they read.

Mr Botwey called on other NGOs to partner with his organisation to

assist African children gain quality education.

He said: “We all know that knowledge is power so we want to empower these children, not by giving them arms, but equipping them with knowledge. With knowledge, there is nothing a nation wants to achieve that it won’t.”

Speaking at the event, Interim chairman of Akoko Northeast Local Government, Olalekan Bada, described the NGO’s gesture as being of huge benefits to mankind.

He said: “The world is on a digital level right now so this donation would encourage pupils to read. Children play a lot at home in this part of the world, where the parents unfortunately cannot afford the funds to pay teachers for home lessons. That is why we are encouraging different Nigerians to come together to assist people because government cannot do it all.”

A Basic Five pupil of the school, Aliyu Fathia, who dreams to be a lawyer in future, expressed joy at the training she and her colleagues received ahead of the launch of the ereaders.

Fathia told The Nation that the gesture was fine, and would help her

•A pupil reading from the e-reader.

dedicate more time to her studies.

In her closing remarks, wife of BOF founder, Mrs Bisi Ogunjobi advised parents to put more efforts in helping their children study harder rather than sending them on errands.

“Parents, when they (children) are

Edo pleads for schools’ protection

T

• Mrs Fashola, Adebutu (in front) with Ogboi (left, behind), and Austin Onaro, Chairman, Building Committee, at the inauguration.

HE Edo State government has appealed to community leaders in the state to protect public schools in their domains.

Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr. Washington Osifo made the appeal in an interview with reporters in Benin City, Edo State capital.

He said government-owned schools in the state were constantly being vandalised by hoodlums.

He said it is part of the civic responsibilities of the community leaders as well as other residents of the state to assist government in protecting schools.

"Vandalism is part of the evil in the heart of men. We don't understand why someone will destroy government property, especially government schools. We have spoken to residents, religious and community leaders where these schools are located, to see government schools as their own and protect them.

Fashola’s wife lists gains of swimming for pupils

P

ARENTS and school counselors have been advised to encourage their wards to take swimming as part of their extra-curricular activities as swimming, considered a 'spectator sport', is rare advantage to come by after school.

The First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola gave the advice during the official inauguration of an Olympic-size swimming pool constructed at St. Saviour's School, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

The Board of Trustee of St. Savious, adjudged the first private primary school in Nigeria, embarked on the facility, which was valued at N64m as part of efforts to blend sports with quality education and improve swimming skills of Nigerian children, especially from the primary school level.

Mrs Fashola, who advised schools in the state to replicate same in their schools, believes it would allay fears

by Nigerians to take swimming as a career, thereby producing better swimmers, who will make Nigeria proud at international competitions.

She also lauded the sponsor of the swimming pool.

In Fashola's view, swimming is a "low-body impact activity with many physical and mental health benefits.

It keeps the heart rate up, but takes some of the impact of stress off your body, builds endurance and support

By Paul Oluwakoya

muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness.

"So, it is my belief and trust that incorporation of physical activities in the school's daily programme cannot be over emphasised. This swimming pool is just like the standard swimming pool at Ikoyi Club Lagos.

So, if this can be replicated in schools the better it is for our children not only in their sport careers and but also in their academics," she said.

The project was sponsored by a business mogul and Chief Executive Officer of the popular sports lottery in Nigeria, Chief Kessington Adebutu, who made additional N100m commitment to facilitate any other sport complex in the school's plan.

Kessington said the gesture has become necessary "because the over 60 year-old school has been instrumental in the upbringing of my children and I have no regret," he said adding: "I make my money from sports and I will continue to support and promote healthy sports for Nigerians."

The school head teacher, Mrs. Ailsa Griffiths, said swimming has been included as one of the class subjects for teaching and learning in the school. "The school has been consistent in its efforts towards providing

Nigerians with high-quality education, blended with robust recreational and sports facilities to physically keep fit and be mentally alert," she said.

The highlight of the event was when some selected beginner pupils, between 6-10 years old, surprisingly displayed freestyles, breaststrokes,

reading, do not disturb them,” she advised. “Always dedicate at least some hours every day to helping them study. Suspend the errands you want to send them first; rather, assist them. Do not allow their play to be more than their studying.”

backstroke and other thrilling techniques in the water to the standing ovation of parents and guests.

The swimming pool arena has covered-viewing area of over 200 capacity, toilet, dressing room for swimmers and swimmers safety equipment.

From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

“We have continued to urge community leaders to assist us in taking care of these properties. We hope that they will listen to this clarion call," he said.

Osifo said the employment of security men to protect schools in the state would swell the wage bill of the state government.

He said: "The security men we have in some schools cannot really do much when these hoodlums invade the schools because they find it difficult to overpower the vandals.

"Most times the hoodlums tie and beat them up before vandalising the schools property or stealing them.

"We are appealing to good-spirited people in the localities to protect the schools because their children are the direct beneficiaries. They should not turn their eyes to the other side and allow people to destroy government properties in their area.

"We have complained to the police on several occasions and we are still looking for the perpetrators; nobody has a clue as to who is doing it and why.”

He said principals of government schools have been mandated to stay close to the school premises and do routine checks on schools, especially during weekends.

Lagos restates commitment to equipping schools

L

AGOS State government has said the provision of infrastructure in its schools will continue to be of utmost importance as quality teaching and learning can only be attained in a conducive atmosphere, Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye has said.

Mrs Oladunjoye, who spoke in Lagos at the 2015 ministerial press briefing to commemorate eight years in office of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, said in furtherance of this resolve, 32 public secondary schools across the state have been installed with three standard science laboratories each.

The schools include: Ifelodun Senior High School, Oke-Agbo, Ikorodu; Oriwu Senior Model College, Igbogbo, Ikorodu; Ikotun Senior Grammar School, Ikotun; Matori Senior Grammar School, Okota; Metropolitan Senior College, Isolo; Unity Senior High School, Oshodi; Ewutuntun Senior Grammar School,

•Install labs in 32 schools

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Oshodi; Mafoluku Senior Grammar School, Mafoluku and St Joseph Senior Secondary School, Mushin.

Others are: Euba Senior Secondary School, Mushin; Ijeshatedo Senior Secondary School, Sanya; Ideal Girls Senior High School, Randle, Surulere; AUD Senior High School, Falolu, Surulere; Reri Community Senior Secondary School, Oreta, Ikorodu and Eva Adelaja Senior Secondary School, Bariga.

Mrs Oladunjoye pointed out that 400 teachers have also been trained in ICT (Information Communications Technology) Curriculum, adding that Mathematics trainings/clinics were organised for 14 teachers across the six Education Districts in the state on modern and innovative techniques of teaching mathematics at the National Mathematics Centre

(NMC), Kwali, Abuja.

She said: "This clinic/training has since been cascaded to other teachers in the state as such another 442 Mathematics teachers were trained in the process. Let me stress that this was part of government's on-going effort to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics in schools with a view to achieving improved performances in internal and external examinations."

Meanwhile, Oladunjoye said four new secondary schools namely: Sango Junior Secondary School (inclusive), Agege; Ajara Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Ajara-Topa; Community Senior Secondary School, Orisumbare, Ayobo, Alimosho; and District Senior College, Meiran, Alimosho were also established within the last one year to cater for the demand for secondary education in the areas while 10,000 pairs of all wooden dual desks and benches were procured for secondary schools.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

40

EDUCATION

ANCOPSS seeks end to politics in education T HE All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) has said government’s politicisation of education has greatly handicapped the maximum implementation of curriculum in schools.

In a communiqué by the group's National President, Hajiya Fatima Abdulrahman, at the end of its 58th annual national congress, it blamed the government for making policies that are not backed by funding and commitment.

The congress, which had as theme: "Good School Community Relationship- A Tool for Effective Implementation of New Curriculum", held in Abuja.

Explaining the body's position,

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Hajiya Abdulrahman said: "We said education should not be politicised; education is a capital intensive project. If state governments for instance, declare free education from basic, even some to higher education, there should be commitment on the part of the government. They should not use education as factors of canvassing or winning elections," she added.

"Education should be taking seriously, when you are going to give free education, you must make sure that you own it a duty to the citi-

‘When you are going to give free education, you must make sure that you own it a duty to the citizenry and the students that whatever is needed to make teaching and learning effective should be in place’

zenry and the students that whatever is needed to make teaching and learning effective should be in place."

While state governments declare free education, the ANCOPSS President said instructional materials for the use of the students should be made available.

She noted that though the curriculum implementation by government has yielded some measures of academic improvement, but revealed that there was no corresponding moral improvement among the students.

ANCOPPS recommended that the government should come out more boldly to make all and sundry know that education with curriculum implementation inclusive could no longer be the sole responsibility of government.

She said good community relationship would promote full understanding of the rationale behind each curriculum reform and ensure maximum support by all stakeholders.

• The Rector Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Barr. Israel Afia decorating MD/CEO NDDC Sir Barr. Dan-Abia while The Chairman of Governing Council Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Engr JP. Effiong look on.

58th private varsity, RITMAN, opens in October •Akpabio appointed first chancellor

R

ITMAN University, the 58th private university in Nigeria, will commence lectures in October, its Founder and Chairman Board of Trustees, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, has announced.

The school last Sunday presented its 'License to Operate as a Private University in Nigeria' to the public. The University is located at Ikot Abia Idem, in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Preceding the public presentation, the new university management held a thanksgiving service at the New Apostolic Church, Ikot Abia Idem to appreciate God for making a 52-year-old dream come true.

At the service where Governor Godswill Akpabio was announced as the university chancellor, were representatives of the National Universities Commission (NUC)

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

and the Federal Ministry of Education.

Also in attendance were the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Noble Lady Valerie Ebe; the Governor-elect, who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Martha Udom; Commissioner for Education, Prof Atim Antai, among others.

Senator Essien, a district elder of the church, was full of praises to God for sparing his life and fulfilling his long-term desire despite challenges.

Though the dream came about 52 years ago, he said, the journey for the establishment of the university started in 2005 with the establishment of Project Implementation Committee (PIC), which was headed Prof Okon Edet Uwah, now late.

He said the university is part of the RITMAN Schools comprising

AOCOED Registry plan lecture

T

HE Registry department of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Oto/Ijanikin, Lagos State, will hold a public lecture in honour of its immediate past registrar Mr Bola S. Disu Thursday, next week.

The lecture, which is the second edition, will hold at the Oluremi Tinubu Hall of the college.

The lecturer, a former Registrar, Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, Osun State, Mr. Ayo Ogunruku, will speak on: "Effective Administration of Tertiary Institutions in the 21st Century".

The event would also feature presentations of award to four other members in Registry unit who have distinguished themselves in the service of the college over the years.

nursery, primary and secondary schools. He appreciated the NUC for its diligence and final approval.

Essien appreciated President Goodluck Jonathan and the Federal Executive Council for approving RITMAN University on February 25, and the NUC for issuing the license to operate on March 5.

He appreciated Governor Akpabio for his support and commitment to the realisation of the project and his love for education for Akwa Ibom children and Nigerians generally.

"The university will open its doors to students from October in three faculties with 14 departments as approved by the NUC," Essien announced.

RITMAN University is located about two kilometers from the Central Motor Park, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, a hubtown in the Southsouth/Southeast zones of the country, and is about two hours drive from most state capitals within the zones such as Calabar, Uyo, Umuahia, Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Enugu, making it accessible to students from any part of the country.

He said the vision of the university is "to become a first rate, virile centre of academic excellence whose products are knowledgeable, cultured and skillful, with a can-do and proactive commitment to investing their education in the transformation of human and material conditions of their environment.”

EDUTALK

with

For passion or by compulsion

I

DO not think there must have been a more confused and undecided teenager than myself in my secondary school days. By the time I got to SS1, when I had to Kofoworola choose between Arts and Sciences, I was at least sure I did not want sciences, but what area of the Humanities I wanted to focus on, I did not Kofosagie@yahoo.com have a clue.

08054503077 (SMS only) I remember some SS3 seniors threw the question of what course I would like to study in the university at me and my response amused them so much that they replied that I would grow old in the university.

And what did I say back then? Advertising, Marketing, Insurance, Economics, Human Resource Management, Banking and Finance, and some others that I can no longer remember. It seemed I picked topics that I enjoyed reading in my Commerce textbooks as areas I would love to study.

Sincerely, I did not know why they laughed at me. When I spoke with them, I was serious about having interest in some of those areas - even if the interest was superficial or fleeting. It took some years before I understood them and had to laugh at myself.

By the time I was completing my secondary education, I was not much closer to finding out what I wanted to do with my work life. I settled for Mass Communication, not because I wanted to be a journalist or writer (I did not even consider writing as a skill I had), but because it was about the only programme that I could do with my subject combination. I had problem with my subject combination because it was an incomplete mix of social sciences and arts. I did not do literature, which was required to study many humanities subjects, yet I had credit in subjects like Geography, Economics, and Commerce. Unfortunately, I made a pass in Mathematics (in the days when a Pass could get one into school for some courses).

All that happened because I was not properly guided. But because I had a flair for writing, I did not do badly studying Mass Communication.

My experience came to mind after interviewing the best graduating student of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola after the university's graduation last Saturday. It was interesting finding out that such an outstanding student had to try three courses before finding out what excited her. She started out with Information Systems, then changed to Business, before ending up as an English major. She was able to switch because the American-style education practiced by her university allows her to explore various programmes in the first few sessions before settling for an area of specialization.

She correctly noted that she would not have had that kind of chance in another university where she would have been told that her Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subject combination could not support such move. Being a science student from secondary school (and that because of her brilliance), Hephzber likely did not have 'O' Level credit in Literature in English. However, today, she is a graduate of English Literature and Language because the university allowed her to follow her passion. Is she grounded? Given the caliber of teachers who taught the subject, I think she is. If it were elsewhere, Hephzber would have been stuck with Information Systems, learning about programming when she had no such interest in configuring computer software. The alternative would have been to re-write the SSCE, then re-write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to seek admission into a course of her choice. Many students find themselves are in such dilemma today. But because the system is rigid, they are unable to make the change that Hephzber made with ease. So, they live with the bad choices they made.

I agree with Hephzber's conclusion in her valedictory speech that people would be more productive if they pursued careers more in line with their passion. And I think a fitting way to conclude this piece is with an excerpt from the speech below: "Finally, to the Class of 2015, my friends and classmates, I must tell you the whole truth. It is not about 3.99. It is about the passion behind it. You cannot be a Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook) if you do not love programming. You cannot be Floyd Mayweather Jnr. if you do not love boxing. I have succeeded extremely well in English Language and Literature because I know my stuff and I love my stuff. What about you? Gone are the days when our parents used to tell us, you must be a doctor, lawyer or engineer to succeed. You cannot live your life based on assumptions.

You have to love what you do before you can go beyond the student level and become an inventor in your field. If you studied a Major you don't like, don't worry. You can still change during your Masters.

"I will give you the secret of success -- PASSION. You know why? Because, passion drives you to excellence. Nothing else does. So, go out there, pursue your passion and become successful."

Belo-Osagie

‘You cannot be a Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook) if you do not love programming. You cannot be Floyd Mayweather Jnr. if you do not love boxing. I have succeeded extremely well in English Language and Literature because I know my stuff and I love my stuff. What about you? Gone are the days when our parents used to tell us, you must be a doctor, lawyer or engineer to succeed. You cannot live your life based on assumptions’

43

THURSDAY MAY 14, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Oyo State House of Assembly may dump zoning when the lawmakers elect principal officers next month. Two ranking lawmakers from the same district with Governor Abiola Ajimobi are struggling to succeed the outgoing Speaker, Mrs Monsurat Sunmonu. JEREMIAH OKE examines their chances.

•Ajimobi

•Adeyemo

•Olaleye

Battle for Oyo Speaker gathers momentum A

S the tenure of the first woman Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Monsurat Sumonu, draws to a close, a quiet battle has ensued among ranking legislators, over her successor. Among the seven ranking lawmakers, five were re-elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC); the other two were re-elected on the ticket of Accord.

There are indications that the APC, which is the dominant party, may dump zoning and throw the competition open, to promote vibrant, quality, charismatic and experienced leadership.

The mindset of the people of Oyo is for a credible candidate to emerge, irrespective of the subsisting zoning arrangement in the House. This new thinking is informed by the fact that Oyo Central, which is supposed to produce the next Speaker, does not have a ranking member on the platform of the APC, the ruling party. The only option left to the lawmakers is to pick the new leader from Oyo South. The two major contestants are from Oyo South, where Governor Abiola Ajimobi, hails from. The Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Alake, is from Oyo North.

Against this background, the race is strictly between Hon. Segun Olaleye, representing Ibadan North Constituency II, and Hon. Michael Adeyemo, who hails from Lanlate, Ibarapa East Local Government. Olaleye, an alumnus of the University of Ibadan (UI), is a former President of National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS). He is a native of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He was elected into the House in 2011. He was the youngest lawmaker at the time. He is the Chairman

of the APC caucus in the House. He is also the Chairman House Committee on Public Account, Finance and Appropriation.

Hon. Adeyemo, studied law also at UI. He is a member of many committees in the House.

The general understanding is that the contest has been narrowed down to the two gentlemen. The question is: Who is the right man for the job? While some favour Hon. Olaleye; others are rooting for Hon. Adeyemo.

Olaleye seems to enjoy the confidence of his colleagues. According to one of the lawmakers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the former NANS president is “vibrant” and he has great capacity to lead the House.

But, the flip side, according to the lawmaker, is that, despite his closeness to Ajimobi, there are indications that the governor is not comfortable with him as Speaker. He said: “Olaleye had confronted the governor on several occasions on some salient issues, like the demolition of shops in the capital and workers’ welfare. In fact,

on one of such occasions, he stood in front of a bulldozer to register his displeasure over the demolition of shops at Agodi Gate, Ibadan.”

“Though Olaleye is perceived as one of the lawmakers who project the good work of the governor in the House, but the governor is not comfortable with his bold and independent-minded nature. Olaleye has the experience and the capability to unite the House. He is also a vibrant, young member of the House, who is very popular among his colleagues.

“We want to elect a leader that will take us far. I think the governor is not comfortable with him because he is an independent-minded individual who never allows oppression. Olaleye has proved that he is someone that will always protect the interest of the people and those of his colleagues, if elected as the Speaker.”

However, it seems the governor is more comfortable with Hon. Adeyemo. According to the lawmaker, this is because he is amenable to being controlled by the executive arm of government, if elected. He said

The mindset of the people of Oyo is for a cred‘ible candidate to emerge, irrespective of the subsisting zoning arrangement within the House.

This new thinking is informed by the fact that Oyo Central, which is supposed to produce the next Speaker, does not have a ranking member on the platform of the APC, the ruling party

’

Adeyemo is not popular in the House and the fear of many of his colleagues is that the governor will control the House under his leadership.

The source maintained that the only thing Adeyemo has going for him is the support of the governor, while Olaleye is banking on his competence and his close relationship with the leaders of the party, including the outgoing Speaker.

Olaleye told reporters recently that he was among the members who maintained stability in the House. He noted that his contributions towards stabilizing the House on crucial occasions cannot be overemphasised.

He said: “I am contesting for the post of Speakers of this state because I believe there is a need for us to consolidate on the good work we have started. There is need to better our good and best our better.

Having been in the Seventh Assembly, I am one of the key players with the track record of ensuring stability in the House.

I think I am capable of leading the House as Speaker in the next dispensation.

“To a large extent, I have seen it all and I know areas where we should improve.

These include the improvements on representation, the alignment with members and robust debate and deliberation from members without any prejudice or favouritism.

“I have also promised to give them the opportunity to do more in their respective oversight functions. When they will do more in their oversight functions, this would help to strengthen governance.

That is when they can help the executive arm of government to function well; that is when they can also help the governor to identify some loopholes in implementation of his policy direction and policy drives.”

Adeyemo said it is also important for the House to play its role in checks and balances, which is one of the primary functions and obligations of the legislature. He added: “When I say checks and balances, I am not saying we are going to compete with the executive, but to slow them down when we discover they are in wrong lane.

We are talking about our ability to call their attention when we discover a certain policy is not driving in the way it was initiated. To a large extent, we are going to engage them in consultative partnership.

“One of my visions is to build on the consultative partnership currently existing in the outgoing assembly. This will allow our members to ventilate their intellectual views and also allow them to do their judicial functions. It will help to handle issues, monitor issues, tracking projects implementation and other interventions.

“As the Chairman of the APC caucus in the House and the Chairman House Committee on Public Account, Finance and Appropriation, I have garnered enough experience to lead the house. I learned the job from the outgoing Madam Speaker.

This serves as tutelage for me to become the next Speaker.

“However, some people said I am from the same senatorial district with the governor. But, let me tell you, politics is not static and we have to follow its dynamism.

In Oyo State, today, all the five ranking officers are from the same senatorial district and one of us must emerge as the Speaker.

“We have to give competence, capability and experience premium over zoning.

All of us that are ranking officers are from the Oyo South District with the governor and, according to the standing order of the House, whoever that wants to become the Speaker must have cognitive experience, which means he must be a ranking officer.

So, I think I am more qualified than my competitors.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 14, 2015

In this wise, PDP strongmen and their security attaches ‘working with thugs recruited for this purpose were deployed to seize results sheets, cart away materials or disrupt voting generally and particularly in strongholds of the APC ‘

‘Ortom ’ll reposition Benue’

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ROUPS and individuals coming to pay courtesy calls on the Benue State Governor-elect, Dr. Samuel Ortom, have advised him to rule with the fear of God. The visitors overwhelmed his Makurdi Judges Quarters residence. He had to host other large groups in nearby Senator George Akume’s house.

Also, overwhelming are the gifts the visitors bring. Community development associations, women, men, youth groups professionals, politicians, and individuals throng the residence to felicitate with their new governor.

Attempts by aides led by the campaign adviser, Terwase Orbunde, and erstwhile administrative secretary, Abrahams Kwaghngu, and even Chief Dr Ortom himself to schedule the visits and bring sanity have so far proved abortive.

The former Minister of State for In-

By Our Reporter

dustry, Trade, and Investment, apologised to a delegation of community leaders from Nongov, in Guma local government area, and other groups for the rowdy situation.

He said those who gate crash always disrupt arrangements made with those who had booked appointment. He said it was a moment of joy and therefore, inappropriate to turn anyone away.

Delegations from Gboko, Gwer, Makurdi, Obi, and Oju who had been scheduled to meet with Chief Dr Ortom could not find space in his residence and had to be moved to Senator Akume’s residence.

Last week, when he returned from a trip to China, aides were astonished with the governor-elect’s stamina as he stood in the scorching sun from morning till evening addressing groups.

Although he wanted to meet with about 10 groups he ended up with about 30.

Each group usually insisted on praying, making an address through leader of the delegation who most times read a written catalogue of demands and announced gifts brought after which Chief Ortom responded and assisted with fare for the return trip.

Most times, the groups and individuals insisted on taking a photograph with him and he always obliged.

So far Nongov community in Guma local government area have presented the largest gifts comprising 3,000 yams, 10 cows, a ram, five 20 litres each of palm and ground nut oils, as well as baskets of fish and onions.

A team of women in the house has a hectic time serving food and water and other refreshments.

Former Nigeria-Japan Chamber of Commerce Chairman Ochede Osekwe spoke with JOSEPH ESHANOKPE on the general elections and the role of Nigerians in Diaspora during the exercise.

‘Our expectations from Okowa’

•Osekwe

H

•Members of the Northeast Youth and Women Coalition and the Arewa Youth and Women Coalition for Good Governance at a rally in support of member-elect Dogara Yakubu's bid for the position of the Speaker, House of Representatives in Bauchi.

Emerhor: Why I‘m challenging Okowa’s victory

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ELTA State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Olorogun O’tega Emerhor has explained why the party is at the tribunal to challenge the declaration of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the contest.

Emerhor said the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a massive fraud that has no bearing to the will of the electorate. According to the APC standard bearer, the total number of votes announced by INEC exceeded that of the certified accredited number of voters.

He said Okowa polled 724,680 votes, but according to INEC’s certified records, only 709,700 voters were accredited for the exercise. According to the Returning Officer, Prof. Bio Nyananyo, Ogboru got 130,028 votes, while Olorogun Emerhor finished in the third position with 67,825 votes. Prof.

Nyananyo said 1,017,796 out of the 2, 044,372 registered voters were accredited for the election and that the exercise recorded 931,808 valid votes, while 24,913 ballots were rejected.

The APC candidate, who is one of the three candidates challenging the declaration of Okowa as the Governor-elect, is seeking a cancellation of the election and the ordering of a re-run, based on the malpractices perpetrated in favour of

By Raymond Mordi

the ruling PDP in the state.

Emerhor alleged that card readers were not used in many areas during the election and that the results were fabricated and allocated, in violation of the electoral laws and INEC guidelines.

He said the PDP unleashed a deliberate and well-orchestrated war on voters in the most parts of Delta North and Delta Central to disrupt the voting process. He said: “In this wise, PDP strongmen and their security attaches working with thugs recruited for this purpose were deployed to seize results sheets, cart away materials or disrupt voting generally and particularly in strongholds of the APC. A few local government areas and voting points were spared to serve as points to showcase purported free and fair election, and even at that the PDP resorted to vote buying in such voting points.”

He noted that the violence and commotion were designed as a smokescreen for cooking up figures by the PDP and its accomplices in INEC. He added: “These figures are then allocated whimsically to the three main contending parties!

While it is true that card readers were used only at voting points reserved to showcase a proper election, generally the use of card readers was not only ignored, but results were fabricated 100 per cent. This

•Emerhor

happened because the state government power and machinery were brought to bear to seize INEC’s machinery in order to deliver a pre ordered voting pattern.”

Emerhor said the perpetrators of the fraud deliberately placed the Labour Party (LP) second, to give the impression that the APC is weak or nonexistent in the state. In this regard, he added, the PDP was allocated 79 per cent of the votes, while the Labour Party and the APC were given 14 per cent and 7 per cent respectively. “This is to pull wool over the eyes of political analysts,” he said.

The LP’s candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, has also rejected the declaration of Senator Okowa as the Governor-elect, saying his party would ensure that the results declared by INEC are upturned at the election tribunal. “The rigging is too senseless to ignore,” he added.

OW did you receive the news of the victory of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as governor of Delta State?

It wasn’t a surprise. We were sure he would win. I met him on two occasions. One, when we were invited to Senator Osakwe’s daughter’s wedding in Benin City. It was the first time I would meet him, yet he was very accommodating.

The second time was at a town hall meeting in Kwale. The way he handled the questions was encouraging.

He took all the questions and gave satisfactory answers. My impression of him on that day was that he would win, despite that people were saying that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate would spring a surprise.

What were the factors that aided Okowa’s victory?

His experience.He started politics from the grassroots. He was a local government chairman, worked in the Ibori administration before he went to the federal level as a senator.

Secondly, he helped to execute a health programme on polio or so. It was the first of its kind in the state.

Those of us in the Diaspora loved it.

So, I would say, again, his experience helped him. People, who believe in him, know he can deliver.

What about allegations by the Labour Party governorship candidate Chief Great Ogboru that the election was not transparent?

Every one is entitled to his opinion.

Those of us on the field saw the enthusiasm on the part of the people.

Like a good sport man, Chief Ogboru should accept the results in good faith. Whatever the accusation, the election has come to stay.

Let me use this opportunity to commend President Goodluck Jonathan for the maturity he displayed when he lost. Earlier, there was apprehension in the air; some people travelled abroad, others home; some withdrew their children from schools, fearing an outbreak of war.

But when the results came in, Jonathan congratulated Buhari. That was the spirit of spormanship and the international community commended him for his noble action. For the first time, an incumbent president lost, yet he did not go to court or refused to hand over.

But did he have a choice?

Of course he had a choice. He has the arsenal of power that he could have deployed to his advantage. But he didn’t. I think he should be commended for that. In the past when Buhari lost to the late presi-

dent Umaru Yar’Adua, he went to court. Those things Jonathan said and did while conceding defeat were morale booster.

How did you people in the Diaspora support Okowa’s victory?

I attended some political meetings in Delta State, though I live in Lagos and Japan. We were involved in local government campaigns at wards four and five.

What are your association’s agenda for Okowa?

What I will say from the Diasporan perspective is that we’ll want to see Okowa bringing governance to the grassroots – job creation, infrastructure development, education and health. If he can move in the four points, we should be able to key into his programmes to enable him deliver the dividends of democracy. We want him to cover only these four points because don’t want him to carry too many programmes that he may not be able to execute.

However, he should built on or complete ongoing government’s projects and programmes of the outgoing governments, such as security, the Effurun flyover and the one at Okpanam-Anwai intersection.

What about the riverine areas?

He should not neglect them. For example, areas, such as Bomadi, Forcados, Onya and Okpai. They have bad roads, even though they are oil communities. Okpai hosts the Agip Gas Plant, which supplies electricity to the East, yet the host community is in darkness. He should ensure that the plant is stepped down for the community to get power supply.

Okowa should make policies that would make oil firms to emphasise corporate social responsibilities (CSR); the firms should be made to do certain things for the people that would last. Besides, the government should build social amenities in these areas.

In infrastructural development, Ibori and Uduaghan tried, but want more. As I said earlier, many rural area roads are bad. Others are yet to be linked with major roads. The Ogume-Abbi road; Abbi-Amai via Ezionun are among them.The Onicha-Ukwu-Otagba-Unu-Udemili started by the Ambrose Alli administration in the 80s is yet to be completed.

What are the expectations of Deltans in Diaspora from Okowa’s government?

We want Okowa to create an enabling environment for Deltans. We have a major role to play in the economic development of the state. Last year, Nigerians in Diaspora remitted N20billion, this include the cash from Deltans. Okowa should build new or satellite towns for us. Warri is congested. Asaba is almost congested.

Also, we can work with the government to bring investments to the state. We can pull nvestors and resources home. We did under Ibori and Uduaghan administration. We should hold yearly economic retreats with both the federal and state governments. Unfortunately, the government did not follow up. Our visits and letters were shunned by government officials.

What is your take on the xenophobic attacks in South Africa?

That was a most unfortunate situation. As an African, when I heard a young South African on television, narrating how he killed people, I was sad.That shouldn’t be encouraged. I strongly suggest the troublemakers be fished out and prosecuted. It is unacceptable that President Jacob Zuma‘s people will attack or kill Nigerians who assisted them to fight for liberation from apartheid.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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THE NATION

NATURAL HEALTH E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Institutionalise herbal medicine, Fed Govt advised T

HE Federal Government has been advised to institutionalise herbal medicine in order to deepen its practice.

To Dr Gilbert Ezengige, a natural health medicine manager, lack of a proper policy for the sector has slowed down herbal medicine and herbal practitioners are worse off.

Ezengige, Health Bubbles Limited Chief Executive Officer, said it was shameful for Nigeria not to have a nationaly certified antimalarial drug of herbal origin.

According to him, there are proven medicinal plants, which have been used for centuries for the treatment of malaria.

He said: “These plants whose therapeutic and safety uses have stood the test of time are available across the country and they can be cultivated in selected botanical gardens in different zones to provide the raw materials for the production of herbal anti-malaria remedies.

“Top among these plants are Azadirachta indica popularly called Dogonyaro , Alstonia boonei known as Ahun in Yoruba and Egbu in Igbo, Morinda lucida known as Oruwo in Yoruba and Ezeogwu in Igbo and Phyllantus amarus called Ehinbisowo in Yoruba and Illilokwonwa in Igbo.”

The natural medicine practitioner said the world is turning its attention to the utilisation of herbs for healing, cosmetics and culinary.

He said: “The ground work for the use of herbs in healing goes back to the dark ages, when there was no civilisation. Various scriptures of many religions point to the use and efficacy of various medicinal plants in providing cures.

“Many centuries ago, Hippocrates the father of modern medicine taught his students; ‘let food be thy medicine and thy medicine thy food’. He advocated the use of herbs like

•Ezengige

By Wale Adepoju

garlic, ginger and onions, among others for the treatment of some diseases.”

He said Africans have been using herbs for therapeutic purposes as well as for nutrition for decades.

“They administered single or combination of herbs after the herbal ingredients have been subjected to some processes, such as boiling, burning (carbonisation), extraction in palm wine or local gin etc. Fresh leaves and vegetation were at their disposal and served as the much needed raw materials for their healing feats and trade,” he said.

He said government through its agencies should develop a system for producing and packaging herbal medicine.

This, he said, will enable the herbs have a longer shelf life as well as reduce the effect of product’s degradation stemming from environmental factors such as changes in weather.

Ezengige said most countries of the world including some African countries have aligned with World Health Organisation’s guidelines to develop their indigenous traditional medical systems to enviable heights.

“In some instances such countries have exported their traditional medical knowledge to other countries, thereby earning the much-needed foreign exchange. “Acupuncture which is an important branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine {TCM} is now studied and practised all over the world including the developed countries such as the United States, France, and Germany. Acupuncture has gained global recognition and accolade as a veritable medical system, thanks to the exceptional supportive role of the Chinese Government.”

He said Africans may lose their herbal heritage to foreign interests, adding: “It is becoming more challenging trying to stem the tide of massive importation of foreign herbal medicinal products into our shores. If no pragmatic action is taken, the flooding of our markets with these products can lead to total eradication of an essential segment of our cultural heritage.”

Ezengige said a lot of opportunities abound in the sector.

“Imagine the level of wealth, health, productivity, job opportunities and employment that integration of herbal medicine into the mainstream health care delivery system will

create. When people are healthy, they have sane minds. Sane minds will avoid violence, will avoid corruption and will not suffer poverty.”

He charged the government to tap into the natural endowment.

His words: “The tropical regions have the greatest and most potent bio resources which are the basic raw materials for the production of herbal medicines. Still our government appears to be foot-dragging despite the large market that full production and commercialisation of our medicinal plants products portend.”

He enjoined the government to ensure that the Bill for an Act to Establish Traditional Medicine Council of Nigeria comes to life.

He said health care givers who are sympathetic to the cause of the development of natural medicine in Nigeria are longing for the day the policy will be implemented.

“A country dependent of importation cannot make progress, as such Nigeria should look inward to avoid spending hard earned money on very costly items as well as run the risk of giving their bodies what are not specifically designed for them. It goes without saying that Chinese herbs are best suited for the Chinese and African herbs for the Africans.”

He said malaria, sickle cell aneamia and fibroids are some diseases that are peculiar to the black race and as such their solutions must come from within.

“Taking malaria as an instance, it has been estimated that hat one-third of those visiting rural dispensaries are seeking treatment for malaria and that it accounts for 20 to 50 per cent of all admissions in African health services, with the poorest countries bearing the greatest burden of morbidity and mortality,” Ezengige said.

Amazing health benefits of mangoes

M

ANGOES may very well be the king of all fruits. They fight cancer, alkalise the body, aid in weight loss, regulate diabetes, help digestion, clean your skin, and make the perfect snack. Here are 17 healthy reasons why you should be eating a mango every day.

Nutrition chart One cup of mangoes (225 gms contain) contains the following percentages that apply to daily value.

•105 calories •76 percent vitamin C (antioxidant and immune booster) •25 percent vitamin A (antioxidant and vision) •11 percent vitamin B6 plus other B vitamins (hormone production in brain and heart disease prevention) •9 percent healthy probiotic fibre •9 percent copper (copper is a co-factor for many vital enzymes plus production of red blood cells) •7 percent potassium (to balance out our high sodium intake) •4 percent magnesium • Fights cancer Antioxidants like quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat present in mango protect the body against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers.

•Keeps cholesterol in check Mango has high level of vitamin C, pectin and fibres that help to lower serum cholesterol levels. Fresh mango is a rich source of potassium, which is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps to control heart rate and blood pressure.

• Skin cleanser Mangoes help you unclog your pores and add freshness to the face. Mangoes are applicable to any skin type. They help clear

clogged pores that cause acne. Just slice a mango into thin pieces and keep them on your face for 10 to 15 minutes and then take bath or wash your face and see the results.

• Alkalises the body According to natural health school.com, mango is rich in tartaric acid, malic acid and traces of citric acid that primarily help in maintaining the alkali reserve of the body.

•Weight loss Mango has a lot of vitamins and nutrients that help the body feel fuller. Also, the fibrous fruit boosts the digestive function of the body by burning additional calories, helping in weight loss.

•Regulates diabetes Not only the fruit but the leaves of mangoes are healthy too. For people suffering from diabetes, just boil 5-6 mango leaves in a vessel, soak it through night and drink the filtered decoction in the morning. This is helps in regulating your insulin levels.

Mango has a low glycemic index (41-60); so going a little overboard will not increase your sugar levels.

• Aphrodisiac Mango has aphrodisiac qualities and is also called the ‘love fruit’. Mangoes increase the virility in men. Vitamin E, which is abundantly present in mangoes, helps to regulate sex hormones and boosts sex drive.

•Eye care Did you know that mango is rich in vitamin A. One cup of sliced mangoes equals 25% intake of your daily need of vitamin A Mangoes help in promoting good eye sight, fights dry eyes and also prevent night blindness.

•Helps in digestion Mango contains enzymes that help in

•Mangoes

breaking down protein. The fibrous nature of mango helps in digestion and elimination. It is rich in pre-biotic dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.

• Heat stroke When the sun is bogging you down this summer, just chop of a mango in a juicer; add a little water and a tea spoon of sugar free or honey. This juice will instantly cool you down and prevent heat stroke.

• Strengthens your immune The deadly combination of vitamin C, vitamin A and 25 different kinds of carotenoids keep your immune system healthy.

• Body scrub Make a paste of mashed mango, honey and milk and use as a body scrub, you will feel that your skin is tender and smooth.

• Aids concentration and memory Studying for exams? This fruit is rich in glutamine acid– an important protein for concentration and memory. Feed mangoes to children who find it difficult to concentrate on studies.

• High iron for women Mango is rich in iron, hence it is a great natural solution for people suffering from anemia. Menopausal and pregnant women can indulge in mangoes as this will increase their iron levels and calcium at the same time.

• Reduces kidney stones In Chinese medicine, mangoes are considered sweet and sour with a cooling energy also capable of reducing the risk of kidney stone formation.

• Perfect snack Instead of snacking on unhealthy chips and cookies, why not feast on slices of mangoes instead. They are perhaps one of the tastiest dehydrated fruits of all.

• Stomach tonic Before going to bed put some 10 or 15 mango leaves in warm water and close it with lid. The next day morning filter the water and drink it in empty stomach. Do this regularly.

•Source: www.healthimpactnews.com

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

NATURAL HEALTH

Anti-aging tips for Buhari in Change era (6) M

ANY thoughts must be swirling in the head of President – elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). Lame duck President Ebele Jonathan, who will quit office in about 14 days, has suddenly abandoned the toga of a “Shockingly slow and inept “ President and begun to dig the ground around Gen. Buhari. In the digging around the incoming President, President Jonathan has been planting human “mines” in the forms of appointment of his party–men to public offices. In other words, he is infusing the blood of his party into the blood of the in–coming administration. And since the “blood” of both political parties do not belong to the same “blood group”, we can expect the infusion of PDP men through the back door into an APC government to produce a “Shockingly slow and inept” effect in the Buhari administration, if he does not immediately quash all appointments President Jonathan has been making since his election defeat by Gen Buhari (rtd) on March 28. I expect you to ask me how I came by the expression, “Shockingly slow and inept.” It isn’t my own coinage. It was developed by the American media to describe the responses of the Jonathan administration to burning issues of governance in Nigeria. So if a shockingly slow and inept president suddenly becomes an “active volcano” on the eve of his departure from office, this must create a swirl in the head and mind of the man who is to take office from him, in this case Gen. Buhari (rtd). There are other ongoing political matters that can or are creating more swirls.

This swirl will be generating free radicals in the blood and in the cells of the brain and else where which will require antioxidants to quench. We should remember that this series has focused on: •Knowledge from anti – aging research that the free radicals we ingest or produce in our bodies destroy our cells and organs, make us age prematurely or make us die many years before the expiry date of our bodies.

•Antioxidants destroy these free radicals, thereby protecting our bodies and giving us the opportunity to live for as long as possible pain and disease free.

•An aged person like Gen. Buhari (rtd), 72, will face severe rigours of office which may expose him to free radicals barrage, thereby making him unable to apply his physical body as effectively and as efficiently as the needs to, if he is to ride the storms and keep his election promises predicated on Change of all life forms in Nigeria for the better.

•What applies to Gen. Buhari (rtd) applies to us all, young and old. I am glad many readers of the column are getting the message of this free radicals battle to destroy our bodies and how we can add antioxidants to our diet to destroy them. Last week, I met with one of such readers for more than one hour.

He is Mr. Onisomo, a senior company executive in Lagos. A young man in comparison with my age (65 by, August 23),he did not wish to make the mistake old people of today made in their youth, carrying less about their health than everything else and arriving in old age with One Or more deformities of their health. He obtained the first inspiration for this from a talk given somewhere by Charlie Boy. 62, in that talk, Charlie Boy advised the youth not to delay care for their bodies until those bodies literately began to protest lack of care with manifestations of pain and disease. As the series progresses, it would visit other organs in need of care and return occasionally to the brain and the eyes on in respect of which some ideas have been shared. For now, I would like to share one more on the brain.

It is about melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, an endocrine gland situated deep behind the brain. As we age, the pineal produces smaller amounts of melatonin than it did when we were young. One of our guides on this anti – aging tour, Judy Limberg Mcfarland, whose book, Aging without growing old, which I have been suggesting is a must – book for the health library of every one , reports: ,,… 30 years of laboratory research resulted in Dr. Walter Pier. Paoli’s landmark studies which demonstrated that the pineal gland is our body’s natural time keeper and is regulated by natural ebb and flow by the hormone melatonin. I had the honour of meeting and hearing Dr. Pier Paoli’s lecture on melatonin at the 2nd international Anti – Aging Conference in Monte Carlo, Monaco. He feels that we may be able to slow the process of aging, turn back the hands of time, strengthen our immune system, and thereby heighten our resistance to disease and even prolong our sexual vitality by simply restoring the melatonin levels of youth. There are thousands of animal and human studies that suggest many roles for melatonin”.

Judy Mc farland says Dr. Frank Varese, of Laguna Hills, California, introduced her to natural hormone replacement many years ago. And this would spur her interest in melatonin.

She said that, through him, she learned about Dr Pier paoli’s, a leading researcher on melatonin who co– authored the book MELATONIN MIRACLE.

F

ROM him and other researcher it has come to light that melatonin miracle may be the most powerful antioxidant yet to be discovered. according to Dr. Russel J. Riter, Ph.D., author of Melatonin your body’s natural wonder drug, and professor of neuroendocrinology, of the University of Texas. He had behind him more than 30 years of melatonin research. We now know that melatonin is made from tryptophan An essential amino acids, which the body cannot manufacture from other amino acids but obtain from the diet. Judy Mcfarland says some dietery sources of melatonin include turkey, milk, whey, soy protein, cottage cheese, yoghurt, fish, bee, liver, lamb, peanuts, pumpken, and sesame seeds, brown rice and lentils” I would not forget to add SPIRULINA, the blue green aigae which warehouses all 23 or80 amino acids.

Judy mcfarland goes on: “66 Melatonin was discovered in 1958 when Dr. Lernar at Yale

isms and cancernous cells. In old people, the thymus gland would have shrunk and may even reappear to disappear. In breast cancer research, the pineal gland has been found to pump out more melatonin, which is found in deficient states in cancer disease. Coincidentally, chemotherapy suppresses the pineal gland.

The eye S promised last Thursday, here’s more information on eye care. I did promise to provide more information on EYEMAXPLUS which I suggested was more comprehensive with about 20 nutrients than many of the eye health formulas on the Nigerian market today. These eye health antioxidant formulas are good for the prevention of eye disease and for supporting eye recovery from surgery, for example. The package of EYEMAXPLUS (every two capsules comprises Vitamin A beta carotene) 15,000.Vitamin C ( as a cerola fruit and Aascorbic Acid) 500 mg. Vitamin D ( as ergocalciferol) 200 i.u. i.u.Vitamin E ( as Aloha tocopherol and succinate) 400 i.u. Vitamin B1 (as thiamine mononitrate) 25mg. Vitamin B2 (as Riboflavin ) 10 mg. Vitamin B3 (as Nacinur) 50 mg.Vitamin B6 (as pyriodoxine) 25 mg. folate (as folic acid 800mg. Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobamin) 25mg. Biotin 300 mg. pantothenic acid ( as calcium pantothenate) 150 mg. calcium (as calcium carbonate) 200 mg. iodine from help 400 mg. magnesium (as magnesium oxide) 400 mg. zinc (as zinc aspartate, oxide complex) 25 mg. selenium ( as selenium amino acid ) 200 mcg. copper ( amino acid chelate) 2mg.

Macular degeneration If you find someone standing right before you, who does not look at you straight in the eye but from the corners of the eye, he or she most probably is suffering from macular degeneration.

Judy mcfarland describes it as follows The cause of macular degenerating is unknown, although it is suggested that free radicals damage due to long – term exposure to visible light and uv radiation may be responsible. Several studies have shown that when deprived of antioxidants, many different species, including primates, our closest relatives in the annual kingdom, are likely to develop retinal degeneration. Studies also show that exposure to bright light also accelerates retinal degeneration in animals. Macular degeneration is a progressive but painless disorder that affects the central part of the retina, causing gradual loss of vision. The retina is responsible for central vision, which is required for writing, swimming, driving and distinguishing colour. It usually affects both eyes, either simultaneously or one shortly after the other. She says trouble begins with partial breakdown of an misulating layer between the retina and the choroid.” Fluid leaks and new blood vessels growing from the choroid through the retina damage the latter. This creates “a circular area of blindness” which grows until it may wipe off two or three words at normal reading distance.

Diabetic retinopathy: This is a disease of diabetics and hypertensive’s. Blood vessels of the retina begin to bleed in diabetes, a group of blood cells called platlets clump together, causing diseases of small and large blood vessels. Vitamin E reduces this tendency. All other antioxidants, including Alpha Lipoic Acid, especially good for diabetics are well recommended

by Judy McFarland for this condition. So are Chromium and Selenium. Chromium helps burn blood sugar. Selenium sometimes acts like Vitamin E. The information comes with the warning that, going by the Physician Desk Reference List, there are about 94 Pharmaceutical medications that can cause glaucoma. This includes steroids, anti-hypertensive and anti-depressants.

Other suggestions made for eye health are Bilbery, ginkgo biloba, Lutein and Zeazanthen, Taurine, Carotenoids, Grape Seed extract, Vitamin C, Selenium, Vitamin A, B2, B6, Glutathione etc.

Conclusion As we wade through the storms of earthly existence, we cannot avoid those swirls of the head, mind and body which expose us to free radical predation. Lame duck President Jonathan is already digging the ground around in-coming President Buhari and planting human mines everywhere.

There should be some combustion if a President Buhari erases these human – mine appointments. Besides the outgoing government party has been trying to belittle or flaw the election victory of General Buhari. It says votes were inflated for General Buhari and that President Jonathan is not contesting the votes to prevent bloodbath in Nigeria. That makes Jonathan a hero of Nigerian people and paints Buhari as a villain. The Jonathan side does not mention votes on its side configured under “special circumstances” they do not say what Jonathan would have done if we won the polls outright and the north rose against him. Anyone who knows Jonathan well knows he would have done same.

Poor me: Toga and called in the troops. Happily, while Jonathan was busy throwing money at the voters, the opposition was getting the international community interested in the upcoming polls. They, and the Nigerian courts, dissuaded Jonathan from using soldiers to railroad himself back to power. His balloon was punctured, and he had no choice but to go. If he did not go away and people died through his use of troops, he would have faced the wrath of the world community trying to discredit the victor is uncharitable and ungentlemanly. Trying to set bobby traps with lame duck – time appointments is worse. Equally terrible is the agenda that, within six months, Buhari’s government would have failed every-one. We all should expect the swirls and arm up with antioxidant defenses for our health.

A

University isolated the molecule. The other sex hormones have discussed, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, prognorelone, is all made from cholesterol. Melatonin, however, is made from the amino acid tryptophan.”

Tryptophan is converted to serotonin, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) which helps to control mood and sleep may therefore, be good for people suffering from depression. Sleep at night,” says Judy Mcfarland,” serotonin is converted into melatonin.The initial clinical studies on melatonin focused on problems related to the sleep wake cycle or circadian rhythm of the body. But today, melatonin ranks as one of the important hormones, stimulating the release of a wide variety of other hormones from the pituitary gland. Not to bore you, I would quickly like to mention a study which I believe will excite your interest in melatonin and encourage you to add more tryptophan rich foods or supplement, including spirulina, to your diet.

Dr. Pierpaoli, mentioned earlier, reports on his melatonin experiments with mice: “In the fall of 1985, I began the first of what will be many experiments, testing the effect of administering melatonin supplement to older mice. I selected healthy male mice that were 19 months old (human equivalent of about 65 years).

They live to about 24 months. I divided the mice into two groups, one given melatonin in the evening drinking water, the other group regular tap water. Everything else, diet, living conditions, was exactly the same. At first, I could detect very little difference between the two groups of mice.

Within five months, however, the difference was astonishing. The untreated mice began to display the expected signs and symptoms of old age of senescence. They lost muscle mass, they developed bald patches, their eyes grew cloudy with cataracts, their digestion slowed down, and, so, generally, did they in some they seemed horn out and tired. They were winding down and becoming old. On the other hand, the melatonin – treated mice looked and behaved like their grand children.

The mice on melatonin had actually grown more for and continued to boast thick, shiny coats. Their eyes were clear and cataracts free, their digestion had improved and, instead of growing thin and wasting in the manner of the non- melatonin treated mice; they maintained their strength and muscle tone.

The vigour and energy with which they moved around their cage resembled the behaviour of mice half their age.

Most importantly, they lived much longer than the untreated mice, having reached their expected lifespan of about 24 months (70- 75 years in human terms), began to die. Yet the melatonin mice lived on and on, an astonishing six months longer, which in human terms would amount to gaining an extra 25 years of life, or living part 100.

Judy Mcfarland says when Dr. Pierpoli determined the cause of death in the untreated mice; he found they had died of cancer. This was common for the breed and age “surprisingly, the melatonin- treated mice were disease free, even in their extended lives. Their organs had shrunk, typically of old age but they did not suffer or die from cancer.”

The import of these experiment, says Judy Mcfarland, is that if melatonin extended the lives of the rats, and they did not die of disease even during the extension, disease couldn’t be agerelated as many people think but a cause of the abundance of free radicals and a deficiency of antioxidants.

The experiments were repeated many times over, and the same results were observed. When male and female mice were used, it was discovered that they “displayed the sexual prowess of much younger mice, in fact, right up until their death these mice were sexually active.” As this would be the equivalents of men and women 100 years old, it was thought melatonin supplementation of the diet could improve libido and sexual response to that age in humans.

Beyond these, melatonin has been put up as capable of lowering high blood cholesterol, reducing the formation of atheroma plaque in blood vessels and damaging them, offsetting or normalising high blood pressure; checking damage to heart muscle by corticosteroids and free radicals, apart from boosting immune function. In young people in whom the pineal gland is working optimally, Dr. Pierpoli says melatonin can enlarge the size of the thymus gland to normal. This gland matures the T-Cells which fight off foreign organ-

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Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 08116759749

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

47

THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

Civil servants to Jonathan: pay us salaries, allowances

T

HE Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that all outstanding salaries and allowances owed public servants are settled before his exit on May 29.

Its Secretary-General, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, faulted the claim of the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that the Federal Government does not owe its workers.

He pointed out that there were still outstanding salaries and allowances to be paid to some public servants in some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), adding that some

Stories by Toba Agboola

of the allowances that were owed since 2007 have not been settled.

“We urge Mr. President to do the needful by ordering thorough investigation with a view to paying all outstanding salaries and allowances to affected officers before he leaves office on May 29, 2015. This will not only allow the incoming administration start on a clean slate in terms of payment of staff emoluments, but also further boosts the image of Mr. President as a statesman,” he said.

According to the ASCSN, the Federal Government is owing

salaries of some of its members in the MDAs for July, August, September, and October 2013, adding that the problrm arose because their names were omitted from the pay rolls.

He said the allowances of many public servants, which include promotion arrears since 2007, hotel accommodation, Duty Tour Allowance (DTA), and mandatory training allowances by the office of the Head of Service of the Federation in 2010, burial expenses and repatriation allowance, had not been paid.

“We believe that if Mr. President can pay all these outstanding allowances public servants will never forget him. If he leaves

office without paying, it shows that he does not have human feeling,” he said.

The ASCSN said in the Federal Ministry of Education alone, the arrears of allowancess is about N2 billion, while that of Defence Ministry is about N1 billion.

Meanwhile, the association said it had concluded plans to mobilise thousands of its members on an indefinite strike if the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) did not rescind its plan to sack 1,000 of its workers.

Lawal regretted that the Federal Government had continued to condone and encourage law-

lessness by the NIMC management in spite of reports submitted to it on the happenings in the organisation.

The union claimed that the Onyemenam allegedly flouted court orders on the matter.

It said: “The directive by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity that parties should maintain status quo pending the determination of the trade dispute on the matter and that of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation that he must subject himself to the court process at the Federal Court of Appeal, Abuja, by staying action on the planned sack have been treated with contempt.”

NUP decries non-payment of April pension

T

HE Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has decried the non-payment of April pension by the Federal Government to its members across the country.

It said this had brought hardship to the pensioners, many of whom are old and are dependent on the monthly stipends for survival.

In a statement signed, its National President, Dr. A. O. Afolayan and General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal in Abuja, appealed to the outgoing Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, to release funds for the payment of the pension delay, the government grows.

•From left: President, Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Comrade Yemisi Bamgbose; President, National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather And Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE), Comrade Boniface Isok; Vice President, NLC, Comrade Peters Adeyemi and President Ayuba Wabba, at a briefing in Lagos.

By Nneka Nwaneri

Labour seeks retention of credible ministers, DGs T

HE President–elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has been urged to reappoint ministers and director-generals (DGs) who performed well in the outgoing administration, adding that his attention should be focused on job creation, corruption and security.

In an interviw with The Nation, TUC President, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, said the president-elect should look beyond his party when appointing his cabinet members.

According to him, credibility and qualitative performance should be used as criteria for appointments.

He said though successes had been recorded by the administration, there were more grounds to cover. He listed some of the areas as terrorism, violence, hate speeches, corruption, devaluation of the naira, casualisation of workers, outsourcing, unemployment, poor healthcare facilities, and infrastructure.

He noted that as the government prepares to hand over to a new one later this month, the working class, must crystalise to consolidate the democratic gains and economic progress and march on to new horizons.

A

• NASU seeks action on education

He said the world acknowledges that Nigeria is a great nation, but that many have lost hope due to decades of looting of the national treasury by a privileged few who have subjected the majority of the nation’s populace to untold hardship.

On the contribution of workers to national development, he said that the labour movement had been involved in national conferences and committees set up by governments at various levels to fashion out ways for the growth and development of the nation, adding that at the National Conference held last year, the Congress presented a comprehensive position paper that canvassed the views of workers on national and international issues.

Meanwhile, the Joint Action

Committee (JAC) of Non-Academic Staff Union of University (NASU) has urged the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the challenges in the education sector.

The JAC, which comprises members of the National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), spoke at a briefing in Abuja.

At the event, Comrade Chijioke Ugwuoke of SSANU, Mrs Ladi Iliya of NASU and Alhaji Sani Suleiman of NAAT criticised the Federal Government for the nonimplementation of its agreement with non-teaching staff of universities in 2009, adding that it deferred its strike as a mark of respect for the president-elect.

‘We heartily congratulate the president-elect for the electoral victory, but wish to remind him that he is inheriting debilitating labour issues in the universities’

Firm introduces job kits

•Buhari

“We heartily congratulate the president-elect for the electoral victory, but wish to remind him that he is inheriting debilitating labour issues in the universities,” they said.

The JAC listed some of the problems in the sector as the sack of 58 staff of Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, the crisis in the Abia State University, Uturu, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Other are: the funding of universities’ primary schools and secondary schools, and the nonpayment of earned allowances, which was part of the 2009 agreement.

FIRM Oye Dynamix has introduced job kits to the market.

It’s Project Director, Oye Dynamix, Mrs Ajo AfolabiBalogun, said the kits will prepare graduates for work by imaperting in them soft skills, such as confidence building, communication skills, etiquettes and personal hygiene.

She said the kits were named Oye after the Yoruba word for insight and were designed to improve skills and create opportunities for graduates to get work with its partners in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Mrs Afolabi-Balogun said the outfit was borne out of the need to sustain the socio-economic growth and development of Nigeria but training on soft skills which are not learnt in the classrooms.

She said: “Since we began operations in the last three months, we have trained more than 250 graduates and placed about 10 percent of them in organisations. So, here, we train and place indigenously and make the young ones attractive to their employers.

“We are passionate about assisting both individuals and businesses succeed within the African market.”

Soon, the firm would hold career fairs and workshops to reach out to a larger market, she added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

48

DISCOURSE

‘I came, I saw, I succeeded’ (II) Continued from yesterday

W

E knew that the boom and bust circle was inevitable and that was why we began diversifying our income stream by building fiscal buffers by investing some of our oil revenue in high yielding financial instruments and enterprises, but more importantly we began developing other sectors of the economy for the sustainable growth and development of Delta state.

In truth, Delta beyond oil is a generational vision, expected to last far into the future. It is definitely a vision that will outlast oil. So, my belief is that the PDP government led

by Dr Ifeanyi Okowa from May 29th will continue on this track. And that even beyond his administration, the next one will not deviate from the set path of sustainable growth.

My point in this context is that if we pursue this vision with firmness and creativity before long poverty will reduce to be replaced with sustainable economic development. Dr Okowa talks about prosperity for all Deltans, I know he is not thinking of a prosperity driven solely by oil economy. It is a prosperity that will come from the foundation of Delta Beyond oil. An economy that will attract investment, create industries, increase access to wealth and empower our people to become job creators as well open opportunities to other promising sectors of our economy.

One key step we took on assuming office was to secure and stabilize Delta state. If you recall, in 2007 the great issue of the day was militant uprising in the Niger Delta region.

Kidnappings of expatriates, frequent attacks on oil infrastructure, general insecurity was at such a level that Nigeria crude oil production declined dangerously. Something had to be done. Delta state was a leading state in fashioning different strategies to contain this. We setup the water ways security committee and through that and other initiatives we were able to bring stability to the state. Our method was, I should say, the successful forerunner to the am-

nesty programme announced by President Yar’Adua and implemented by President Jonathan.

And we did not stop there. We moved from there to build ethnic harmony and unity in Delta state. We gave every part of Delta state a sense of inclusiveness in project allocations, developments and appointments. One of the first big projects we began was the Asaba international airport, a project I doubt would have happened in the Delta of years before. By adopting a fair and balanced approach to development, we brought down animosity and division and replaced it with unity and cooperation. We knew that without peaceful and united Delta state, it was impossible to initiate, let alone implement long term projects.

Our infrastructure programme was designed with the eye to diversify and encourage non-oil business to enter the economy of Delta state.

With abundant gas in Delta state, we set out to invest in the power sector by initiating the construction of 148 megawatts Oghareki independent power plant. The turbines have been procured; access road constructed and civil works completed. However, in view of the reforms in the electricity sector, which completely privatized this sector, we are changing our business model. The Oghareki IPP will be privatized. That process is ongoing. We also executed over 415 power supply projects. The state government has investment in some of the recently privatized power companies such as Transcorp Ughelli power plant, Vigeo power plant and Eurafic power plant.

In many ways the landscape of Delta has changed with the level of physical infrastructure development spread across the state. What we have done is quite staggering. For instance, the Asaba airport is operational, while the Osubi airport construction is ongoing. We have constructed over 1,206 kilometre length of road, 663 kilometre length of concrete-lined drains, 17 bridges of various span has been completed. 25 bridges are in various stages of completion. Some of the notable roads that we are constructing are 149 ki-

lometre Asaba-Ughelli dualisation, Trans Warri-Ode Itsekiri bridges and access road is a 24 kilometre length road with 22 bridges, the dualisation of the 33.6 kilometre Ugbenu-Koko road and the Effurun-Osubi-Eku road amongst others. We have completed and commissioned the Nnebisi/Okpanam/Anwai road flyover and Effurun Roundabout flyover. Our administration planned junction improvement work in 12 locations but due to revenue constraint has succeeded in delivering Enerhen junction.

To successfully build a Delta beyond oil economy, we are investing in knowledge capital. Our investment in education is huge. Through various scholarship schemes, we are reducing burden on parents while stimulating competition in our wards. We have scholarship scheme for Delta students in Law, Aviation, overseas postgraduate, first class degree, children of deceased civil servants, physically challenged and local government scholarship schemes. In total over 1,651 Deltans have benefited from government full scholarship.

That’s not all. As you know we are paying bursary allowance of N 20,000 to Delta state students in the tertiary institution across the country. Government investment also extends to infrastructure, notably the faculty of engineering campus Oleh of Delta state university; male accommodation at Anwai campus; the senate/administrative building Delsu Abaraka; the library complex at Anwai campus amongst many others.

Our state university is a multicampus institution spread across the three senatorial zones, Oleh, Abaraka and Asaba. In addition, we have three operational polytechnics at Ozoro, Otefe and Ogwashi-uku.

Due to genuine need, four more new polytechnics have been established by government in Abigborodo, Aboh, Sapele and Bomadi.

We also have three college of education at Agbor, Warri and the Mosogar.

41.At the basic and secondary school level we are making sure that education is virtually free with quality and quan-

•Dr. Uduaghan

I feel like Julius Ceaser who wrote to the Roman Senate after overcoming many obstacles against the king of Pontus at the battle of Zela, Ceaser wrote: “I came; I saw; I conquered!” titative improvement all around.

Right now over 142 primary school and 34 secondary school are being remodeled with the state-of- theart facilities. In addition 13 selected secondary schools have been upgrade to international standard with St Patrick College and Nana College completed and commissioned.

As a state that believes in education, it is not surprising that the demand for education keeps growing which led us to build additional 147 primary schools to add to the existing 1,146 public primary schools in the state bringing the total public primary schools to 1,293 schools.

At the same time 54 new secondary schools were built and added to the existing 412 public secondary schools making it 466. Yet, demand for more schools continues unabated. In addition, since 2008 government has been responsible for the payment of all levies and fees for pupils and students in the state in-

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, his wife Abimbola (third right) and members of Council of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) cutting a cake during the presentation of book: In her right: Abimbola Emmanuel Fashola by Gbemi Shashore at Eko Hotel, Victorial Island, Lagos... yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

cluding external examinations conducted by WAEC and National Business and Technical Examinations Education Board (NABTEB).

We have also encouraged the retraining of 32, 565 primary school teachers to improve their teaching ability and through Education Marshal we have contained the incidence of out-of-school children in the state.

So far 500 boys and 480 girls making a total of 980 out-of-school children have been rescued from the street and returned to schools. You can see education is an industry in Delta state.

Our people have a strong desire to be educated.

Amidst our big projects and programmes, we initiated a couple of quick-win initiatives, to tackle poverty and unemployment; we introduced the poverty alleviation programme with creation of a ministry to drive this process. It made sense to do this, so our people can be productive and have a cushion pending when some of the big initiatives mature and can contribute to the economic development of the state.

For the micro-credit programme, over 100,000 Deltans have been empowered by this progamme. Some of the micro enterprises have migrated to small and medium scale businesses with some of the products now sold overseas and in prominent shopping malls. Our partnership with UNIDO to develop a leather and footwear works facility, the construction of this facility is making good progress. This facility is estimated to create over 2000 jobs and should improve quality of shoe production for both local use and for export.

Delta is an oil producing state, so we believe it is the responsibility of government to ensure that oil producing communities, already suffering from the devastation of their environment, of their wellbeing and productivity should receive some benefits from the proceeds of exploration and export of crude oil.

We setup an intervention agency, Delta state oil Producing Development Commission (DESOPADEC)which collects 50% of the 13% derivation to address some of the concerns like poverty, tackling infrastructure challenges such as roads, schools, hospitals, electricity, water, environmental remediation, employment generation etc. DESOPADEC is changing lives and making things better, however after eight years of operating DESOPADEC, we have observed some serious shortcomings and pitfalls in the work DESOPADEC is doing and have decided that there is need for reform. Presently, there is a bill before the House of Assembly to restructure DESOPADEC; we hope to accomplish this mission before handing over. I call on the House of Assembly to move fast to pass this bill. Our people are anxious to see a reformed DESOPADEC that will deliver more dividends quickly.

My comments concerning development in Delta state is as brief as I can possibly muster. A lot more could have been said but time presses upon us. However, as I conclude, I wish to say that I am leaving Delta state better than I met it. I am handing over to a worthy successor, who has the experience and the competence to lead the state to impressive heights.

The foundation has been laid for greater growth and development of the state. PDP in Delta state is very stable and united. This was not always the case. Today it is the case. Deltans have shown that they can live in unity and that they can be their brother’s keeper.

We have successfully ensured the transfer of power to Delta North without rancor and bitterness. This is an excellent example of political inclusiveness; tongues and tribe may differ but Deltans are one. If this spirit is sustained, the sky is the limit for Delta state.

Finally, I feel like Julius Ceaser who wrote to the Roman Senate after overcoming many obstacles against the king of Pontus at the battle of Zela, Ceaser wrote: “I came; I saw; I conquered!”

In other words, for me: I came; I saw; I succeeded!

•Concluded

49

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

THE NATION

e-Business Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

e-mail: e-business@thenationonlineng.net lukajanaku02@gmail.com

Increasingly, criminals are devising ingenious ways to beat security measures that protect bank customers from becoming victims of online banking frauds. LUCAS AJANAKU looks at some of the tricks these unscrupulous elements use to perpetrate their nefarious trade.

How criminals steal money through online banking

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ECHNOLOGY is supposed to simplify processes for human beings. But as it turned out, it has become a double-edged sword.

Speaking during the sealing of a partnership deal with Technology Distribution (TD) at the Corporate Headquarters of Zinox Technologies in Lagos, General Manager, West Africa, EMC, Travers Nicholas, said the ‘bad guys’ are always on the prowl. According to him, as soon as one opens his computer and logs onto the internet, one immediately becomes vulnerable to security breaches.

Globally, online banking fraud remains a daunting challenge. Nigeria has no immunity to this menace which has turned out to constitute one of the greatest threats to the success of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) cashless economy drive.

In South Africa, for example, online banking and subscriber identity module (SIM) swap fraud remain big problems. The 2015 Columinate Internet Banking SITEisfaction survey showed there is a continued rise in digital banking crimes in the country.

According to MyBroadband, an online platform, the survey showed that the number of people targeted through any type of fraud is 55 per cent. Of this figure, 12 per cent swallowed the crooks’ bait and incurred some sort of financial loss.

Over the years, banks and mobile operators have implemented security measures to protect their clients against SIM swap and online banking fraud.

In Nigeria, the CBN had directed deposit money banks in the country to adhere strictly to the know your customer (KYC) rules, while the ongoing biometric verification number (BVN) exercise are also measures aimed at checkmating frauds and movement of funds that could be from illegitimate means such as money laundering, drug trafficking and others, which could also be used to fund terrorism.

But criminals too are constantly devising new ways to bypass these security measures so that they could continue to steal money from online banking users.

According to MyBroadband, online banking criminals typically use five steps to steal money. One is to get the person’s internet banking details, typically through phishing attack.

Another is to get a banking account to which money can be transferred to and withdrawn.

SIM card cloning of a potential victim is another bait set by criminals. While this may not be popular in Nigeria, it is common in South Africa.

The next step is creating beneficiaries (using the list of banking accounts) and transfer money to these beneficiaries while the final stage of the well orchestrated fraud is withdrawing the money from these accounts.

Stealing online banking details Phishing attacks are used by criminals to steal a victim’s i nternet banking login details – account number, username, and password.

Emails are often used to convince a victim to visit a fake website which resembles their banks.

These emails contain either a threat or a promise. Threats are normally in form of account closure, suspended access, or loyalty point loss if the client does not take action. Promises normally entail a refund or an ad hoc payment, more loyalty points, or a chance to win big.

The victim then clicks on a link in the email, which takes him to a phishing website ask-

•Cyber crook ing them to log in their banking account. On logging, their details are then stored.

There are many other phishing methods, including asking for passwords via email, or targeted calls to a client pretending to be the bank asking for banking details.

Criminals may use information about a person which they received from a source, then call the client pretending to be someone from their bank.

The fraudster asks the victim to confirm certain personal details, including banking details and passwords.

Phishing is not the only way to steal online banking details. Log in details can also be obtained by criminals accessing computers in public areas which record sensitive information, have keystroke logging software, or use malware, which provides criminals access to a victim’s computer.

Social engineering calls A criminal puts call to a victim posing as caller from his bank: Victim is persuaded to believe; criminal asks for victim’s logging details; victim shares logging details with criminal innocently.

Keylogging software The criminal sends keylogger software to victim via email: victim installs keylogging software after opening malicious email: malware creates backdoor and gives access to criminal: criminal gains access to victim’s account.

Cloning SIM card One of the most challenging steps for criminals to steal money using online banking is to gain access to a victim’s mobile number.

Courtesy: The Register Without this, the criminal cannot create new beneficiaries to send money to.

Here, the option of a SIM swap is typically explored. Mobile operators have implemented numerous measures to limit SIM swap fraud, but criminals have devised ways to bypass these methods too.

For example, an SMS is sent to a client after a SIM swap is requested. They can then stop a SIM swap within 2 hours if it is found to be fraudulent.

To bypass this, criminals harass their victims with multiple “wrong number” or other calls, until they switch off their phone. After the phone is switched off, they do the SIM swap without fear of detection.

Mobile operators protect against SIM swap frauds with measures such as alert SMS, no processing of SIM swap between 11pm and 5am and strict security process to govern any SIM swap request. Criminal however find ways to beat the system by using identity theft to convince a SIM swap assistant that they are dealing with the account holder.

Getting an account to haul fraud proceeds In Nigeria, worried by the absence of uniformity in account opening documentation, the CBN, via a circular titled Circular to all Banks and Other Financial Institutions with FPR/DIR/GEN/01/034 as its reference number in 2012, lamented the absence of uniform account opening forms in the country.

The circular, endorsed by Obot U A for Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, read: “The absence of uniformity in account opening procedure and documentation for prospective customers has continued to hinder the effectiveness of KYC requirements in banks and other financial in-

‘Phishing is not the only way to steal online banking details. Log in details can also be obtained by criminals accessing computers in public areas which record sensitive information, have keystroke logging software, or use malware which provides criminals access to a victim’s computer’

stitutions in Nigeria. The adverse implication of this on the fight against money laundering and the combating of financing of terrorism cannot be overemphasised. The CBN in conjunction with the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (CCCOBIN) has therefore, developed draft uniform account opening forms for adoption by banks and other financial institutions in order to increase the effectiveness of customer due diligence (CDD); comply with AML/CFT standard; and facilitate quick investigation of financial crimes by relevant agencies.”

With the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) laws in South Africa, it should be challenging for a criminal to open a bank account which cannot be linked to a person.

However, criminals have devised crooked ways to make this law ineffective.

They use other peoples’ accounts; use fake identities to open new accounts, and even have rogue banking employees who assist them with their criminal activities.

One banking expert said clients who legally are able to open an account often work with a fraudster and allow their accounts to be used for the fraudulent activity.

There is no way any bank can detect the fraud before it happens – as all the account opening criteria is within the framework of the law.

To get their hands on stolen money from online banking, criminals need to move it to an account from which it can be withdrawn.

They obtain fake/stolen ID: open bank account with same: move money into the account: withdraw money without getting them linked up with the account.

Using a partner’s account Criminal partners with account holder; moves money into it: account holder withdraws money and hands over money to criminal

Use of rogue banking employee Rogue bank employee opens bank account with criminals: transfer money into account; withdraw money from account

Creating beneficiaries, transferring the money After the SIM swap has taken place and the fraudster has access to the number used by the Internet banking victim, beneficiaries are created and the money transferred to these beneficiaries.

During this time it is important for the criminals that the account holder is not alerted to their activity.

Withdrawing the proceeds In the case of automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawals, the money is often transferred shortly before midnight on weekends usually Friday. The maximum daily amount is withdrawn while the criminals avoid the camera attached to the ATM. In a case where banking clients work with criminals to commit fraud, they leave their daily limits at the highest levels possible.

To remove the money before the fraud is detected they need many accounts to withdraw from as quickly as possible. Buying with the card or doing online transactions to the maximum limits is also done.

It is understood that large amounts have been withdrawn by people inside banks, but details about these incidents remain sketchy.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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Employment scam rocks NIMC

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MPLOYMENT scam is rocking the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). No fewer than 406 persons have been discovered to be drawing their pay cheques from the Commission with fake letters of appointment, promotion, conversion and upgrading.

Its General Manager, Corporate Communications, Abdulhamid Umar who confirmed the development said the irregularities were uncovered during the staff audit and verification exercise to absorb and integrate about 1000 workers of the defunct Department of National Civil Registration (DNCR) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) that were bequeathed to NIMC. The audit was part of the background checks regularly conducted by the NIMC on its workers to avoid compromising the National Identity Database (NIDB). It is also part of the Commission’s continued efforts, to ensure that the National

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

Identity Management System (NIMS) project is not in any way endangered.

Umar explained that at the initial stage, the audit unearthed some fake and unverifiable appointment/promotion/conversion letter belonging to some workers of the DNCR. Against this background and for the purpose of justice, equity and fair hearing, the deflaulters were issued query and given an opportunity to state their cases.

He said: “A number of persons were cleared after a rigorous process that involved a sustained background check and confirmation of tendered documents as response to the queries, while some others were to be subjected to further investigation through a valid disciplinary committee set up to determine the veracity of their claims.

“Following all of these due processes and a right to fair hearing,

NIMC discovered that 406 Staff obtained fake conversion, upgrading, appointment and promotion letters.”

He said NIMC remains committed to its policy of zero tolerance to corruption and fraud related offences and will not be seen to lack in its effort to maintain the integrity of the NIMS, hence the reason to do the needful with the defaulters who have been sacked and will be handed over to the relevant security agencies to deal with the criminal actions.

“No individual, union or group under any guise will be allowed to compromise or undermine the nine years of the country’s investment and efforts in achieving identity management system.

“The Commission also wishes to add that the distribution and issuance of the National e-ID Card has commenced in batches in the 36 state capitals and the FCT. All registered applicants are advised to proceed to the centre of enrolment once he/she receives an SMS from NIMC,” Umar said.

CBN, NIBSS partner Intermarc on CardExpo

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS), are partnering Intermarc Consulting for this years’s cashless card expo and conference, tagged CardExpo 2015.

Intermarc Consulting Limited, organisers of the annual CBN CardExpo Africa, is playing host to the 15th edition of the card conference and exhibition, with special focus on Card, Mobile, Identification and payment.

Scheduled to hold at the Eko Hotel and suite Lagos from 23rd-25th June, this years’ card conference and exhibition, with the theme: ‘Innovation: The Future of ePayment’, has Diamond Bank as the Platinum sponsor, Heritage Bank as Gold sponsor, while CNB and NIBSS are partners.

Speaking at a pre-event conference to announce CardExpo 2015, General Manager, Intermarc Consulting, Lilian Ekwedike, said the conference aims to promote and deepen the adoption and usage of electronic payment in Africa. “The focus this year is on how new and innovative technologies can meet the payment transaction needs of new markets and the unbanked. The conference and exhi-

bition will also focus on new users as well as the service delivery strategy that will deliver the future of e-payment,” Ekwedike said.

Head, Cards, Diamond Bank, Mr. Joachin Iloemezue, explains that banks are associated with the annual card conference and exhibition, because of their roles in driving the cashless initiative of the CBN, which is already having general acceptance among Nigerians.

Head, Corporate Communications at NIBSS, Lilian Phido, said NIBSS would continue to support the process of cashless economy and ensure that cashless transactions remain safe and secured.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and other special dignitaries, are expected to be in attendance.

Explaining the introduction of new innovations for the 2015 CardExpo, Ekwedike said Intermarc has introduced the CBN Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) awards, where bank customers that frequently use their cards on Point of Sales (PoS) machines from merchants and sales person, will be rewarded. She said other sectors of the industry that promote and encourage the use of card on PoS, will also be rewarded.

Schneider unveils mobile power packs

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• From left: Head, Training, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Tunde Akinwa; General Manager, Intermarc Consulting, Lilian Ekwedike and Head, Cards, Diamond Bank Plc, Joakhin Iloemezue, at a press briefing to announce CardExpo 2015 in Lagos

SystemSpecs’ solution processes $2.5b transactions monthly M ANAGING Director/ Chief Executive Officer, SystemSpecs Company Limited, Mr John Obaro has said payments and collections that the company facilitate has now hit $2.5billlion monthly, adding that electronic payment platform remained the safest means of making payments.

Obaro who spoke on the sideline during the flag-off of Remita Corporate Champions Cup in Lagos explained that in spite of the challenges facing e-payment system in the country, especially the fear of insecurity of transaction, payment hold the future for the country.

He said: “By the nature of our business, we facilitate payment and collections between different organisations and individuals and so we do about $2.5billion on a monthly basis on different transactions that come into the platform.

“Well, some of the challenges facing the embrace of e-payment in the country are the level of awareness and uninformed fear about the security of transaction.

Part of our strategy of trying to sort this out is through sport. We are trying to create a more relax atmosphere for people to understand that serious issues could be blended with relaxation for people to get the best result.”

Speaking on the championship, Obaro said it was to inculcate in

corporate Nigeria, the virtues in staying healthy since health is wealth.

Obaro said the aim of the competition is to tell the corporate world that it is not just about 8am to 5pm daily on ties and three piece suits but also about relaxation.

“We want to create a relaxed atmosphere for people to understand that serious issues can be blended with relaxation issues for you to have the best results. We are looking forward to good turnouts, especially from family members of the players, from the corporate world, to come in and cheer their team, and have some fun together,” he said on the sideline of the event in Lagos.

Speaking on the championship, an Executive Director at SystemSpecs, Deremi Atanda explained that the objective of the competition was to break the monotony of work that has become the trademark of the corporate world.

He said: “Our primary investment in the Remita Champions Cup is actually to break the work work work mentality. Like they say, ‘all work and no play make Jack a dull boy’. We are in a knowledge industry where most of our workers are cerebral and they sit behind their desks all day.

So, we felt if this was happening to us, it may well be happening across other industries. So, we’ve decided to invest in a crossindustry platform where people can, within the atmosphere of work, still create fun. In this instance, it is not just for themselves, but for family and friends.

“We have expanded in terms of awareness and the number of industries that are participating.

The scope of mobilisation has also been expanded, the message of relaxation has been deepened and taking it down to the people that matter. In terms of organisation, we’ve also learnt a few lessons from the inaugural edition. So, this would definitely be better than last year’s,” he said.

The championship Brand Ambassador and former Super Eagles goalie, Peter Rufia expressed optimism that the championship will promote healthy living among corporate Nigeria.

While the telecoms sector will be represented in the championship by Etisalat and MTN, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Ecobank and Leadway from the financial services sector are also partaking.

Others are Swipha and Nestle Foods in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.

LOBAL specialist in energy management, Schneider Electric, has launched an innovative solution it tagged APC by Schneider Electric Mobile Power Packs to address the challenges of living with power deficit in the country and using mobile devices.

The Power Pack is designed to provide mobile charging for all smart phones and tablets – or any device which can be charged using a USB cable. The device comes at a time when Nigerians need genuine, long lasting mobile power solutions to stay connected digitally, while using the different mobile applications available for business and other personal activities.

Speaking at the launch, at the APC Experience Center, Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, venue of the launch of the products, Vice President, IT Business, Schneider Electric, Mr. Ayo Adegboye, said the new product is another set of trusted genuine solutions from Schneider Electric.

He said: “We all need more battery life at some time or other, either at home, on our travels or at work. APC

by Schneider Electric Mobile Power Pack has been designed to ensure that we can utilise the apps we need when we need them – whether that means being able to download email and documents, tweet, access gaming accounts or upload pictures and videos at festivals. The APC by Schneider Electric Mobile Power Pack means

you don’t have to always keep a wary eye on your battery indicator.

“The product is designed keeping in mind the needs of the Nigerian customers at this time. Currently, the accessories market is flooded with counterfeit products which impact the functioning and efficiency of mobile devices. The move towards expanding our product portfolio to include the Mobile Power Pack is aimed at offering the consumer the choice of having technologically superior mobile accessories. Smart phones and smart devices technologies are years ahead of battery technology, hence the need for mobile power pack so as not to miss any moment either in business or pleasure.”

He said the Mobile Power Packs come in M5BK and M10BK. The M5BK is powerful enough to provide two full charges to most smartphones, while the M10BK can support a single full charge to a tablet or four full charges to a smartphone. An LED display shows the unit’s remaining charge while an on/off button ensures the battery does not unintentionally discharge when not in use.”

The APC by Schneider Electric Mobile Power Pack saves battery lifespan and energy by automatically shutting down when the connected devices are fully charged. Apart from smart phones and tablets, the Mobile Power Pack also charges MP3 players and cameras, he added.

EMC upgrades VMAX3

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MC Corporation has announced new updates to the EMC VMAX3 platform, the industry’s leading data service platform, fundamentally changing what has been possible with enterprise storage by delivering new levels of automation, modernisation and consolidation to customers. EMC is extending enterprise data services to multiple platforms with the launch of FAST.X™, automating storage tiering across the data center.

Commenting on the development, its Practice Manager and Senior Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group, Mark Peters, said: “Tiering data across multiple storage platforms is a compelling capability both operationally and financially, and should enhance the way IT looks at tiered storage. Organisations today are constantly looking for new ways to improve business operations and drive efficiency everywhere – information technology (IT) in-

cluded. By automating application data service level objectives across platforms, IT organisations can spend more time focusing on their business and less time on tiering their data.”

EMC is announcing an expanded set of VMAX3 data services and capabilities that further automate, consolidate and protect missioncritical IT operations. Key highlights of the upgrade, according to a statement include the introduction of FAST.X – Next Wave of Storage Tiering; ViPR Controller and VMAX3 Integration; Automated Storage Tiering to XtremIO; Automated Storage Tiering to the Cloud; and VMAX3 Active-Active Replication.

It explained that the VMAX3 offers automated tiering beyond and across the data center with FAST.X, extending enterprise data services to multiple platforms and extending service level objectives from VMAX3 to other storage devices.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

e-Business Expert cautions against levies on ICT tools

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HE Managing Director, FemTech IT Centre, Emmanuel Abidoye has cautioned the Federal Government against its planned imposition of levies on information communication technology (ICT) accessories in the country.

Speaking in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, he said imposition of levies on ICT tools will be counter-productive as the embrace of ICT in the country is still low and should be encouraged rather than be discouraged through the imposition of levies.

He said: “I think we need to look at government’s plan to impose levies on ICT accessories critically because it will increase prices and this may affect products’ accessibility to the masses. When you look at the cost of getting some of these ICT accessories, people have better access when it is not too expensive. But by the time some of these taxes come in, it may affect the prices.

“I will advise against doing that because doing that now will affect the gains we have achieved in recent times in terms of providing more access to schools, corporate bodies and even end users. I will advocate it to be delayed and allow things to improve.”

According to him, cynicism remains the reason people are reluctant to embrace ICT tools as solution to their challenges.

“Some people still believe that ICT is synonymous with fraud; so if you look at the elderly, you realize that

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

some do not want to touch ICT devices at all.

“But thank God, almost everybody is using mobile phones and it is helping us. You see the elderly using WhatsApp, linked-in and other social media to interact.

“We also need to look at the aspect of ICT education. Though there is a lot of improvement but a lot needs to be done in terms of people getting to know how to utilise ICT to improve their business and living.

“If you ask some people what they use their computers to do, you will realize that they are just exploring less than 10 per cent of what they could use their mobile phones and computers for. But if they are properly educated on how to use it, they will explore and it will help us to develop economically and other ways,” he said, during the commissioning of the ICT centre in Ilorin.

Declaring the centre open, the state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed assured of utilising entrepreneurship as the platform for engaging youths in the state.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Abdulhameed Alabi he said unemployment has become social and security problem in the world.

He added that “globally, entrepreneurs, within and outside the informal sector, provide critical jobs, spread prosperity and make valuable contributions to economic growth.”

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NCC spends N1b on ICT projects in education sector

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HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it spent N1billion last year in executing projects in both secondary and tertiary institutions across the country in its efforts to promote knowledge acquisition in information communication technology (ICT) sector.

Its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Eugene Juwah who spoke when he hosted the 51-member countries of African Students Union Parliament (ASUP) in Abuja said this year, the Commission will empower a number of universities and polytechnics with 1000 tablets each as learning tools so that when the students graduate, they will be digitally empowered to excel anywhere in the world.

He said: “I am happy you mentioned scholarships to students because last year alone the Commission expended the sum of N1billion for various projects in Nigerian universities and secondary schools through the provision of laptops, desktops, digital content as well as internet access.

“We at the Commission also went out of our way to intervene in spreading digital penetration in

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

Nigeria which is our core mandate.

This year, we shall empower a number of universities and polytechnics with 1000 tablets each as learning tools so that when the students graduate, they will be digitally empowered to excel anywhere in the world.

“The Commission is among other things mandated to ensure tariffs are fair as well as ensure the consumers benefit from the quality of services put out by operators.

“The Commission has also been a major contributor to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) through extended intervention and aiding the Federal Government to increase funding to universities.

USPF has also intervened by linking up university campuses with fibre so that modern teaching methods will be brought into our universities.

“Within our mandate, we have assisted the youth to achieve digital education lifestyle and they now have educational experience”.

The EVC in his closing remarks said he was impressed by the level of spread of the Parliament and said

he was humbled and excited to do more by this award.

The ASUP members were in Abuja to present the Pan-African Servant Leadership Award to Juwah for his hard work and dedication to national service.

The event which took place in Abuja was described by the students who were led by the Speaker of the Parliament Mr Larota Chekibe (University Du Kokodi, Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire), Mr. Abotik Kwame Paul (University of Ghana, Legon), Mr Nse Udoh Donald (Nasarawa State University, Keffi), Miss Oyewoga Bilikis (Federal University of Technology, Minna), Mr. Nwankwo Henry Nkem (Nassarawa State University, Keffi) and Miss Titana Angel Ngume (University of Duala, Cameroun) as one of its finest moments.

The speaker, who made presentation on behalf of his colleagues, spoke in French, saying the Parliament took time to scrutinise Juwah who has committed himself to service the common good in accordance with the Pan-African Ideology by using his good office as CEO of NCC to implement policies that have positively impacted on the people.

Lamudi unveils upgraded Android app

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NLINE real estate marketplace Lamudi has released an updated version of its popular Android app to make it easier for house-hunters in emerging markets to buy or rent property on the go.

Version 2.0 of the app, Lamudi: Property for Sale & Rent, offers overall better speed and performance, making it easier to browse through Lamudi’s global catalogue of more than 900,000 property listings using an Android device.

The app has been optimized for devices with lower storage space and the overall application size has been reduced, ensuring downloading the app is also much faster. Push notifications that lead users directly to newly published listings have also been introduced.

Contacting agents via email has been simplified, with users’ existing contact details saved for future use.

The app has a new product detail page and a fresh design for saved searches. It also now supports the Android Lollipop operating system.

The app is also available on iOS. Lamudi, the leading property portal for the emerging markets, launched its Android app in June last year. The app is available in more

than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

Kian Moini, Lamudi’s Co-founder and Managing Director, said: “Anyone who works in the real estate business knows just how important mobile has become. This is particularly true of the emerging markets in which we operate, where the smartphone penetration rate is soaring and demand for mobile Internet services is ever increasing. This is why we are focusing our efforts on mobile - to ensure Lamudi is delivering a high-quality app that meets the changing demands of househunters in emerging countries.”

The app has customised search functions, allowing users to easily filter results by country. A key feature is the match alerts, which notify users as soon as a property that suits their needs hits the market. Users can also create a list of favourite properties, which can be accessed at any time and on any device.

All listings feature high--quality photo galleries, detailed property information, maps, and multiple contact details for property owners or agents. House--hunters can also share their favorite properties with family and friends via Facebook, Twitter or email.

Google launches Chrome extension

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OOGLE yesterday launched a new Chrome extension that’s a first of its kind for the search engine giant. The new Chrome User Experience Surveys extension will occasionally pop up brief surveys about the user’s experience when something unusual happens in the browser. That could be a notification or a malware warning, for example, and Google says it will take the user feedback to improve Chrome.

Google says it won’t pop up more than two surveys per day and a total of four per week, so the noise should remain relatively low. Answering each survey will take about two minutes.

Google clearly knows that some users won’t want to install this extension because they are worried

that the company tracks their browsing habits. The company notes that it is not monitoring your browsing history through the extension (though if you’ve opted in to any number of Google programs, the company obviously already knows more than enough about your search and browsing habits). “The only data this extension sends to Google is when these infrequent events occur and your survey responses,” the company says. All of the feedback remains anonymous.

Google isn’t exactly dangling any carrots in from of users to incentivize them to sign up for this program, but if you want to give this a try — and maybe help make Chrome better and easier to use in the process — the extension is now available in the Chrome Web Store.

•From left: Managing Partner Kinetic Hub, Mr Komolafe Femi; GM Technology Distributions, Mrs Adesuwa IghoOrere; VP IT Business English West Africa Schneider Electric, Mr Ayo Adegboye; Managing Partner Kinetic Hub, Ms Bukola Fateye; and Channel Manager IT Business English West Africa Schneider Electric, Mr Oluwaseun Otoyede during the launch of APC by Schneider Electric Mobile Power Bank Packs in Ikeja, Lagos.

You can’t get perfect network, says MTN

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TN Nigeria has said there can never be a 100 per cent perfect network anywhere in the world, arguing that telcos are daily subjected to all manners of incidents that lead to network degradation across the country.

The telco said considering the size of the country and its peculiar terrain, achieving a perfect network will remain wishful thinking, adding however that over the years, it has invested huge sums of money in the provision of infrastructure and will continue do so.

Its Sales and Distribution Executive, Mr. Tsola Barrow who spoke on the sideline in Lagos during the launch of TruTalk Win a Home Retail promo, said management has adopted the top bottom approach to the issue of network bearing in mind that it has the largest number of customers in the country.

He said: “I can assure you that the quality of service on the network is one issue we don’t pay lip service to.

Every day, we are involved in improving the service quality; we have invested huge sums of money upgrading our network, constantly paying attention to it right from the top of the business down to the bottom. I can assure you that working with our regulator, we will continue

to improve customer experience on the network “You can never get to a position where you have a perfect network because by the nature of our country, it’s a big country. A lot of activities are going on; people are cutting fibre, people are vandalising our base transmission stations (BTS). But for us, it’s a way of life and the reality on ground but for us, we are committed to our customers. As a business, we will continue to upgrade our network so that we give our customers the best experience.”

Speaking on the promo, he said the telco is blazing the trail as an operator that is showing gratitude to retailers as one of the strong pillars of the business.

He said: “We are here to celebrate our retailers. We strongly believe in building partnership with our channel partners and our retailers are those people that engage with our customers; they are the one who sell our products and services; they are the one who tell our customers about our products and services. So, from time to time, we come together to celebrate them; we educate them; teach them about how to grow their business.

“We believe that this is the way we can show our retailers that we

appreciate them, we will want to support them in their aspirations. We have over half a million retailers on our data base and we expect all of them to participate in the promo.

The MTN retailers are those that engage customers of MTN with its products and services in partnership with the company and in the promo stand the chance to win a house worth N15 million, N11, 000, and airtime of N2, 000 in addition to other prizes.

“This is about TruTalk and we have designed it to recognise how important they are to us, every time we come together to teach them about the new products and services we offer, and this time our new promo is about offering them a reward of a home which is equivalent to the sum of N15 million. The choice lies within them to accept a house or the cash equivalent, and this is because they have worked so hard for us. It is a way to show that we like them, appreciate them and have to celebrate them,” he said.

According to Barrow, the criteria for participating and in winning the prizes is for the retailers to migrate to TruTalk, with their numbers and that of 11 of their customers and to make calls at least three minutes daily.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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e-Business

Consumption is Nigeria’s power problem, says Omatek’s CEO

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NDIGENOUS computer manufacturing firm, Omatek Ventures has said the problem with Nigeria’s power sector is not essentially in the area of generation and distribution but consumption, adding that so much energy that should have been freed into the manufacturing sector is wasted.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Omatek Ventures, Mrs Florence Seriki said the new hybrid of power solutions of the firm will reduce power consumption by between 70-90 per cent and save substantial money.

She said the hybrid solution of battery, inverter and solar matched with light emitting diode (LED) bulbs will reduce power consumption and waste.

The Omatek chief said the solutions are the most cost efficient solar power solutions that could be deployed to schools, small businesses and big organisations in the country.

“Our problem is not generation or distribution of power. It is our wasteful habit of power consumption. The use of our solar/LED solution can result in provision of power and in significant operational

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

and maintenance cost savings for factories, schools, public offices, hospitals, hotels and SMEs in the country,” she said, adding that power is usually wasted when people switch on security lights and go to work.

Already, the company has commissioned its 50KVA 3-phase offgrid solar solution factory that will represent the solar solution for factories, banks, telecommunications firms, government and other organisations that require big power installations.

Off-grid solutions, on-grid solutions as well as LED bulbs are available for customers at affordable prices. Omatek Solar Solution is a hybrid solution that provides 24 hours lighting/power solution, while providing 70 – 90 per cent cut/deduction in power consumption and drastically reducing power consumption by an average of 90 per cent on the overall, grid, thus enhancing growth in the real sector and general economic development.

Mrs Seriki, who spoke in Lagos, listed some of the benefits of Omatek Solar Powered Solution to include noise free, zero heat emis-

sion, brighter lighting, zero contribution to global warming, ecofriendly solution, no maintenance costs, local content, health and safety benefits, long-life LED Bulbs (three to five years) and cost saving.

“We have installed these solutions in schools, homes, offices and factories and we are proud to inform you that the education sector welcomed the initiative since it supports the provision of power and green energy that powers school hostels and all reading areas with 24 hours lighting,” she said, adding that the initiative bridges the digital gap in the schooling system, as students cannot read in darkness.

The benefits of commercial-scale solar energy extend far beyond the revenue you’ll generate each month.

Solar benefits the world economically, environmentally and socially.

Seriki said Omatek’s solution can be installed faster than other traditional or renewable power plants. It produces local, on-site energy, which reduces the need for extensive high-voltage transmission lines or a complex infrastructure. “It is particularly reliable over the long term. With no moving parts, fixed photovoltaic systems last longer than other energy sources.

GADGET REVIEW

Lenovo B50-30 Laptop

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HEREAS most sub-200 pound budget laptops provide 11.6in screens, Lenovo has decided to go big with the B50-30, delivering a slightly oldschool laptop with a 15.6in screen and a built-in DVD writer.

At 2.32kg, it’s substantially heavier than the other models here; while the manufacturer has done its best to slim down the laptop’s bulk, the B50-30 is still a beast to lug around.

Build quality is disappointing by Lenovo’s standards. The plastics feel thin, the lid flexes alarmingly when twisted, and there’s too much give near the DVDwriter tray. The B50-30 is noisy, too, thanks to a 500GB, 5,400rpm hard disk that clatters away at the slightest provocation.

On the plus side, this means more local storage than you get from most slimline rivals. The B50-30 doesn’t do badly for connectivity, either: it has VGA and HDMI video outputs, three USB ports, including one USB 3, and a single Gigabit Ethernet port. There’s also 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4 for wireless networking. It’s a laptop that’s ready for anything.

The screen’s one advantage is its size; otherwise, it’s poor. We measured brightness and contrast levels at a lowly 209cd/m2 and 285:1 respectively, and in use the display has a dull, grainy look to it.

We don’t expect superb colour accuracy from a budget laptop, but the B50-30 covers a mere 59.7% of the sRGB gamut, and it struggles to differentiate dark colours or resolve blues with any kind of vibrancy.

Keyboards are usually a Lenovo strength, but while the B50-30’s looks the part, with large keys and a standard business layout, the typing action is strangely floppy. Typing on it feels like drumming your fingers on a wet jiffy bag. The touchpad is better – it’s large, smooth to the touch and accurate.

Performance isn’t bad by budget laptop standards; the B50-30 has the same Celeron N2840 as the Labs-winning HP Stream 11, and while the hard disk slows it down a little, it isn’t too far behind in our benchmarks.

Battery life is another matter, though. The Lenovo could only survive fourand-a-half hours of light use, and a little over four hours with heavy workloads.

It’s a versatile machine for the money, but the B50-30 isn’t the most well-balanced laptop around.

Lenovo B50-30 specifications Processor Dual-core 2.16GHz Intel Celeron N2840 RAM 4GB DDR3L Memory slots (free) Max memory Size Weight Pointing device Screen size Screen resolution Touchscreen Graphics adaptor Graphics outputs Total storage Optical drive type USB ports Bluetooth Networking Memory card reader Other ports Operating system

380 x 262 x 25mm 2.32kg (2.7kg with charger) Touchpad 15.6in 1,366 x 768 No Intel HD Graphics HDMI; VGA 500GB hard disk DVD writer USB 3; 2 x USB 2 Bluetooth 4 Gigabit Ethernet; single-band 802.11n SD card slot 3.5mm headphone jack Windows 8.1 with Bing 64-bit

How to delete your Facebook account • From left: Senior Product Portfolio Manager, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Funke Atanda; Chinonso Ukoha, First prize winner, Quiz competition, Stella Oguejifor First Prize winner, Blogging competition both of Baptist Girls Academy Obanikoro and Chimdimma Adugen, Business Development Manager, Vodacom Business Nigeria at the Girls in ICT Day celebration held in Lagos.

How to achieve connectivity, by Huawei

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HINESE multinational, Huawei Technologies Company Limited has identified factors that will promote better connectivity in Nigeria and other developing countries, arguing that effective connectivity will improve the living standards of the people across board.

In its Global Connectivity Index (GCI) on West Africa 2015 unveiled at Huawei Cloud Congress (HCC) West Africa in Lagos, the tech firm lamented that Nigeria ranked 47th in GCI, adding that the country is nonetheless among top three emerging broadband markets.

Huawei therefore said an increase in datacenter investment and developing economies need to move from investing in supply to building demand. It said these are the factors that will enhance better connectivity, arguing that learning from developing countries’ success will also help the country to become Global GCI leaders.

Speaking on the GCI, President, Huawei Western Africa Region, Mr. Peng Song said: “The Global Connectivity Index is not merely a ranking of countries. We see it as a platform to partner with policymakers and enterprise leaders to identify, harness, and create new digital economy opportunities with the aim

of building a Better Connected West Africa.”

According to the firm, Nigeria has a small fixed base but huge potential in the uptake of mobile products as it is one of the world’s largest mobile subscriber markets and offers impressive opportunities primarily in the mobile broadband space, where rapid m-Commerce uptake is driving market growth.

Nigerian’s are the highest number of internet users in Africa all of which accumulates to an improved potential within the country.

Covering 50 countries including Nigeria among others and 90per cent of the world’s population, the GCI shed light on the growing opportunities around the world.

While majority of developed countries are “Leaders” in the index, the United States ranked the highest among surveyed countries with Sweden, Singapore and Switzerland leading the GCI. Chile, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) led the developing markets, with all three ranking in the high teens to low 20s overall.

Developing market leaders are characterised by strong mobile adoption and overall access that is often comparable to developed markets, while typically lagging behind in terms of data center in-

vestment and other core elements of ICT infrastructure. Datacenter investment by developed countries is three times that of developing countries, which is the major catalyst of cloud proliferation as “the edge does not exist without the core.”

Overall, the 2015 GCI showed that 20 per cent growth in ICT investment will increase a country’s GDP by one per cent. It also identified five enablers of digital transformation – data centers, cloud services, Big Data, broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies represent the targets that stakeholders should focus their investments on in order to most efficiently transform their economies for the digital age.

According to the GCI, all economies are digitising, and the GCI provides a guide of who’s ahead, who’s behind, why, and who is poised to move up or back.

Huawei forecasts that by 2025, as many as 100 billion connections will be generated globally, 90 per cent of which will come from intelligent sensors. This increase will be attributed to enterprises becoming enabled by the internet.

By leveraging connectivity to streamline business processes, reduce costs and improve efficiency, enterprises will drive innovation and move the focus from a consumer

Signing on to social media platforms such as Faceboook, Superchat, Vine, Tumblr, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Linkedln, Instagram, Pinterest, Badoo and others could be very easy. Most times, people sign on to some of these platforms only to discover they are no longer catching the fun that initially goaded them to sign on.

While some married men and women have complained about being harassed on the platform, some people have consummated their marriages through the platform. Others yet say they have met people that have changed their life stories for good.

Cybercrooks and bullies are also not too far from these platforms, intimidating both the old and young while some people are contended with posting goofy pictures on these platforms.

According to PC PRO, an online ICT platform, if you’re yearning for a Facebook-free lifestyle, these simple guide to deleting your Facebook account will help you.

Before it begins, please be sure you want to delete your account, not just temporarily remove it. Following these steps will lead to permanent removal of your account and all its data, which cannot be undone.

If you just want to take a break without deleting your account, you can follow Facebook’s instructions for deactivating your account here.

Log into Facebook First, for security reasons, you will need to log into Facebook. If you’re deleting an account you haven’t used in a while and have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it. You can find instructions for how to do that here.

Download your Facebook data As this deletion process is permanent, you may wish to save your data first. You can do this by clicking on the down arrow in the top right hand corner of the screen and select Settings.

You will be presented with a list of general account settings, at the bottom of which is a link to “download a copy of your Facebook data”, where you can do exactly that.

Contact Facebook Facebook doesn’t make it easy to delete your account, and has buried the request form deep in its help pages. To make it easier for you, we’ve linked to it here - you will need to be logged in to continue.

The final step You will now get a pop-up window warning you, once again, that this is a permanent decision and asking you to re-enter your password. You will also need to enter a CAPTCHA, then click “OK”.

•Culled from PC PRO

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

53

54

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-05-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-05-15

Senate confirms Gwarzo as SEC’s DG

T

HE Senate yesterday unanimously confirmed the nomination of Mallam Mounir Gwarzo as the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The confirmation yesterday at the plenary of the upper legislative chamber followed consideration of the screening report of the Senate Committee on Capital Market headed by Senator Ayo Adeseun which affirmed Gwarzo as the best candidate for the position.

The committee had earlier screened Gwarzo and expressed its satisfaction with his nomination and therefore called on the whole house to confirm his nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Thereafter, some members of senate including the three senators from Kano State-Gwarzo’s state of origin, Senators Bello Dalhatu Gwarzo, Kabiru Gaya and Bashir Garba Lado also spoke in favour of confirmation of the new DG of SEC. Senate Leader Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Ganiyu Solomon from Lagos also openly supported

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

his nomination before the Senate President, Senator David Mark put the motion to vote.

The motion was then unanimously supported without a single opposition.

In his comment, Mark described Gwarzo as ‘’a round peg in a round hole’’ and expressed the hope that he would bring his experience to bear on the job.

In a statement made available

by SEC, the Commission said Gwarzo, 52, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), has had the unique opportunity of working as an operator and regulator in both the primary and secondary markets of the Nigerian capital market, and out of his 25 years working experience, 20 were spent in the Nigerian capital market.

Prior to joining the board of SEC, Gwarzo’s working career spanned various organizations including Ministry of Trade, Kano State, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Century Merchant Bank Limited, Empire Securities Limited, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Mortgage Bank of Ni-

geria and MTL Global Investment Limited.

Section 5, subsection 1 of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA), the main body of laws regulating the capital market, stipulates that the DirectorGeneral and the three full time Commissioners shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Minister and confirmation by the Senate.

The law provides for fiveyear tenure for director general of SEC in the first instance, renewable for similar term of five years only.

Gwarzo has attended several domestic and international courses including Securities Market Regulation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC), Development of Bonds Markets in Johannesburg, South Africa, Assets Backed Securities and Mortgage Securitization in Singapore, Operational and Credit Risk Management in Dubai and Advanced Management Programs (AMPS) at INSEAD, Paris as well as at SAID Business School Templeton College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-05-15

54

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-05-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-05-15

Senate confirms Gwarzo as SEC’s DG

T

HE Senate yesterday unanimously confirmed the nomination of Mallam Mounir Gwarzo as the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The confirmation yesterday at the plenary of the upper legislative chamber followed consideration of the screening report of the Senate Committee on Capital Market headed by Senator Ayo Adeseun which affirmed Gwarzo as the best candidate for the position.

The committee had earlier screened Gwarzo and expressed its satisfaction with his nomination and therefore called on the whole house to confirm his nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Thereafter, some members of senate including the three senators from Kano State-Gwarzo’s state of origin, Senators Bello Dalhatu Gwarzo, Kabiru Gaya and Bashir Garba Lado also spoke in favour of confirmation of the new DG of SEC. Senate Leader Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Ganiyu Solomon from Lagos also openly supported

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

his nomination before the Senate President, Senator David Mark put the motion to vote.

The motion was then unanimously supported without a single opposition.

In his comment, Mark described Gwarzo as ‘’a round peg in a round hole’’ and expressed the hope that he would bring his experience to bear on the job.

In a statement made available

by SEC, the Commission said Gwarzo, 52, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), has had the unique opportunity of working as an operator and regulator in both the primary and secondary markets of the Nigerian capital market, and out of his 25 years working experience, 20 were spent in the Nigerian capital market.

Prior to joining the board of SEC, Gwarzo’s working career spanned various organizations including Ministry of Trade, Kano State, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Century Merchant Bank Limited, Empire Securities Limited, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Mortgage Bank of Ni-

geria and MTL Global Investment Limited.

Section 5, subsection 1 of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA), the main body of laws regulating the capital market, stipulates that the DirectorGeneral and the three full time Commissioners shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Minister and confirmation by the Senate.

The law provides for fiveyear tenure for director general of SEC in the first instance, renewable for similar term of five years only.

Gwarzo has attended several domestic and international courses including Securities Market Regulation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC), Development of Bonds Markets in Johannesburg, South Africa, Assets Backed Securities and Mortgage Securitization in Singapore, Operational and Credit Risk Management in Dubai and Advanced Management Programs (AMPS) at INSEAD, Paris as well as at SAID Business School Templeton College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-05-15

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

55

MONEYLINK Fidelity Bank to give out N700m cash prizes to customers

Fed Govt revenues fall by 38% to N560.84b

F

EDERAL Government revenue dropped by 38.1 per cent to N560.84 billion in February, a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) economic report for the month released yesterday said.

The figure, the apex bank said, also showed a decline of 21.1 per cent below the receipts in the corresponding period of last year.

It said at N359.73 billion, oil receipts (gross), which constituted 64.1 per cent of the total revenue, were lower than the receipts in the preceding month and the corresponding period of 2014, by 39.8 and 26 per cent.

The fall in oil receipts relative to the level in the preceding month, it said, was attributed to the decline in revenue from crude oil and gas exports, occasioned by the drop in the price of crude oil in the international market.

F

Stories by Collins Nweze

“Non-oil receipts (gross), at N201.12 billion or 35.9 per cent of the total, was 35.0 and 10.4 per cent lower than the receipts in the preceding month and the corresponding month of 2014, respectively. The development reflected, largely, the fall in receipts from National Information Technology Development Fund (NITDEF) and independent revenue of the Federal Government. Federal Government estimated retained revenue in February 2015 was N224.89 billion, while total estimated expenditure was N363.68 billion. Thus, the fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an estimated deficit of N138.79 billion,” it said.

It said the dominant agricultural activities in February, this year included: harvesting of tree crops, ir-

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele rigation-fed vegetable and cereal production as well as clearing of land for the 2015 cropping season.

Crude oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids last February, was estimated at 1.90 million barrels per day (mbd) or 53.2 million barrels for the month.

CBN, forex dealers discuss ways to ease trading rules

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started talks with banks and currency dealers on how to loosen foreign exchange trading restrictions while still maintaining stability in the naira, people familiar with the discussions said.

The Financial Markets Dealers Association, a Lagos-based industry body, met in this week to put a proposal together that may be presented to the regulator as early as next week, two of the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private, said.

The FMDA would recommend ways to increase trading and liquidity in the foreign-exchange market, while at the same time avoiding speculative demand that might significantly weaken the naira, they said.

The Central Bank of Africa’s biggest oil producer has implemented several measures since December to bolster the naira, which has weakened 19 per cent against the dollar since the end of June, by limiting the buying of dollars in the interbank market. In February, it introduced a so-called order-based trading system in which banks can only buy foreign currency when they have matching orders from clients that need to import goods.

The Central Bank hasn’t made any decision to change the trading rules in place, Ibrahim Mu’azu, a spokesman in Abuja, said by e-mail.

David Adepoju, the Lagos-based

president of the FMDA, said by phone that he was on holiday and referred requests for comment to Adebayo Adeyemo, the vice president, who didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail.

The naira weakened 0.8 percent to 200.55 per dollar Lagos. The unit has closed at between 198 and 200 almost every day since the start of March. One-month naira-dollar volatility dropped to the lowest level in six years last month as the central bank’s rules took effect.

The restrictions have left the naira overvalued and stopped many foreign investors, including Morgan Stanley and Aberdeen Asset Management Plc, from buying local-currency bonds until the currency weakens.

IDELITY Bank Plc yesterday said it would in the next one year, give out N700 million cash prizes to its customers across the country, its Executive Director, Lagos & Southwest, IK Mbagwu, has said.

He disclosed this during the presentation of N17.8 million cash prize to winners in the lender’s ongoing loyalty reward scheme.

“We are presenting the first reward for our Savings Royalty Scheme with Sweeta and Fidelity Personal Savings Scheme (FPSS) of which N700 million will be won annually.

We have regulatory approval for the exercise,” he said.

He said the bank is trying to encourage savings culture which is one of the financial inclusion policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“We are ensuring the savings culture is promoted amongst Nigerians.

It is not that the bank has so much money to throw around, but we want to encourage people to continue to save. Besides, we equally make money from the money they save with us. As we make money, we also give out to the society that is banking with us. So, that’s why we are doing this. It is open to both new and old customers but you must save with Fidelity Bank for you to qualify,” he said.

Mbagwu also said of the total value

is N700 million to be won yearly, yesterday’s reward scheme was opportunity to present N17.8 million to Lagos customers alone, while N40 million was given out in the rest of the country.

“So, what it means is that every month, we will be doing about N58 million,” he said.

Some of the N500,000 winners are Nnenna Okeke; Chukwuemeka Prince, Asiegbu Joseph; Kelvin Ofuma, Chidi Izuegbu, Mukaila Anike among others. Those that won N150,000 are Samuel Obiyan, Chimaobi Onyensoro, Chukwuebula Agu, and Somtochukwu Egbosi.

Delighted Okeke said she did not believe that a bank could give out so much money until yesterday’s presentation of the cheque to her.

“I did not believe it till today. I am now excited after collecting my own cheque. I want everyone to come and bank with Fidelity Bank because the reward scheme is real,” she said.

For Anike, the bank has really helped her to grow her business.

She said the good gesture from the bank was an indication that it values its customers and would protect their interest.

She promised to continue to bank with the lender and encourage her friends to do the same.

CIBN holds AGM Saturday

T

HE Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) will hold its An nual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday at Ijewere Hall, Bankers House, in Lagos.

The body said during the meeting, issues affecting the institute and the industry, such as the yearly reports, accounts and the welfare of the members would be discussed.

The meeting, which will be chaired by the President/Chairman of Council, Mrs ‘Debola Osibogun, is expected to be attended by chieftains of the industry, Fellows, Honourary Senior Members, Associates and past presidents of the institute.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.1978 1.3117 0.7319 1.1349

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.1912 0.7203 0.7203 1.1349

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

BETAGLAS 7UP NEIMETH GNI COSTAIN GUINNESS ZENITHBANK ETI UNILEVER GUARANTY

30.00 162.00 1.00 0.50 0.78 155.00 20.98 21.01 44.00 29.12

33.00 170.10 1.05 0.52 0.81 160.00 21.50 21.50 45.00 29.70

3.00 8.10 0.05 0.02 0.03 5.00 0.52 0.49 1.00 0.58

LOSERS AS AT 13-05-15

HONYFLOUR PREMBREW JOSBREW CHAMPION FIDSON UBN MAYBAKER MANSARD INTENESINS PZ CUSTODYINS

O/PRICE 4.00 3.61 2.02 7.14 3.26 11.00 1.78 3.13 0.55 28.98 4.20

C/PRICE 3.80 3.43 1.92 6.79 3.11 10.50 1.70 3.00 0.53 28.01 4.06

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) April 1, 2015

Inflation: Febraury

8.4%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$28.2b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$67.91

CHANGE -0.20 -0.18 -0.10 -0.35 -0.15 -0.50 -0.08 -0.13 -0.02 -0.97 -0.14

Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR)

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 13-05-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

April 31

May 6

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Transaction Dates

Statistics All Share Index Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) Deals Volume (mn) Value (NGN’mn)

4 May 34,649.3 11.8 3,385 564,28 6,087.80

5 May 29,383.93 9,804.36 3,714 377,75 6,568.66

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

Amount

Amount

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Offered in ($)

Sold in ($)

03/02/2015

500m

499.93m

3/12/2014

400m

399.97m

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

1/12/2014

350m

349.96m

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

56

SHOWBIZ

Mercy Johnson, Ramsey Nouah tango in Thy Will be Done

T

HIS weekend, the movie skills of Obi Emelonye will again be up for appraisal, as he releases his latest flick, Thy Will Be Done.

Known for award-winning movies like Last Flight To Abuja and Mirror Boy among others, Emelonye’s new Rok Studios work is being distributed by FilmOne Distribution and released in cinemas across Nigeria from this Friday, May 15.

Interestingly, Ramsey and Mercy, who were ex-lovers in 30 Days in Atlanta, team up to render a heartendearing film as a married couple in Thy Will Be Done.

The film revolves around Pius, a happily married pastor in charge of a large church. His first wife, whom he buried seven years ago suddenly shows up, and his world is thrown into turmoil. His present wife leave no stone unturned to ensure the intruder remains permanently out of his life. He has to make a tough decision as to which wife will remain in his home, after all, he is legally married to both.

Weakened by guilt, and overwhelmed by sensational revelations, nothing have prepared Pius for how rapidly things would descend into chaos.

Jason Njoku of Rok Studios believes that moviegoers will be totally enthralled by the incredible story, the quality of production and the incredible performances from Nollywood’s finest.

For Moses Babatope, COO of FilmOne Distribution, Obi Emelonye is a man who knows his onions, and there are precedents to attest to this fact. “We are proud to work with ROK Studios, forerunners in Nollywood film and tv production. It is our utmost belief that ‘Thy Will Be Done’ has the potentials of surpassing expectations at the Nigerian Box office.”

• Mercy Johnson with Obi Emelonye at the premiere of Thy Will Be Done

CJ Obasi targets new series

A

• M.I engaging the crowd at the Smirnoff Double Side Party

MI, others thrill at Smirnoff’s party

T

HE unfamiliar party scene set the pace for an exciting night for the ecstatic crowd who were eager to experience every moment of the party.

The show was the launch of Smirnoff new variant, Smirnoff Ice Double Black with Guarana, which held in Lagos over the weekend.

Guests at the party witnessed an interesting double side of entertainment, as the people behind the renowned brand transformed an auto workshop into an amazing party scene.

Their appetite was whet further when a real boxing ring transformed into rap battle, as participants engaged themselves in an interesting rap contest, landing great punch lines of smooth rap lyrics and showcased their street credibility to the delight of the rapturous crowd.

The combination of City FM presenter, Sensei Uche and MTV Base

OAP, Ehis, set the tone for a spectacular night of fun, as they got the party off to a thrilling start with loud cheers from the expectant crowd.

At the end of the contest, GDK proved a worthy rap gladiator in the ring, against a number of other contestants who paled in comparison to his rap prowess. The pair of DJ Spinall and DJ Nana showed up in their double side, appearing in complete native wear, an outfit unusual for such an event. The duo later squared up in an impressive DJ battle, as they both dropped their particular brand of mix that left the crowd breathless and excited.

R&B crooner Kola Soul took live performances at the party to another level, with his delectable rendition. The fun continued with the Ginja Master Terry G, who later took the centre stage. Terry G, spurred on by the crowd, delivered

an outstanding performance of both his old and new tunes. He also showed his double side by playing the Saxophone for the guests to sing along. The highpoint of the night was when the number one African rapper, the incredible M.I, hit the stage and delivered a stunning performance that got the crowd screaming for more.

Speaking at the launch, Liz Ashdown, the Head of Marketing, Spirits and RTD, Diageo Brands Nigeria, said “Smirnoff Ice Guarana isn’t your ordinary drink, as it contains Smirnoff spirit with extracts of Guarana and Soda. So, it was important that the double side party was anything but ordinary.

It was an opportunity for the bold to experience the unexpected, double side of the Lagos party scene and enjoy the hottest new drink in the market. The drink has been produced to be the bolder choice when the night steps up.”

WARD-winning producer of horror flick, Ojuju, C.J. Obasi, has said that he will be trying his hand on a TV series, as his next project.

In an interview on Jara, an Mnet programme recently, he said: “I’ve always wanted to try my hands on a bit of series. Ojuju was my first movie, and it has done well in festivals both home and abroad.”

C.J., also called “Fiery” has worked on short films, documentaries, TV series and music videos as director, writer, cinematographer and editor. His debut feature, Jim & Joan was shot in Owerri, his hometown, as well as some choice beach spots on Lagos Island.

C.J. set up his company, Fiery Film in 2012. Soon after, his friend, Benjamin Stockton, a screenwriter and movie aficionado from California, came on board to help run the company. The horror thriller feature film Ojuju, written, directed and edited by C.J. premiered at last year’s edition of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) where it won the award for Best Nigerian Movie.

Not stopping there, C.J. won the Trailblazer Award at the 2015 Af-

W

• Juliet Ibrahim

Ibrahim, who recently diversified by delving into movie production, is said to be working on her second movie, Shattered Romance.

She is also reported to be in the process of shooting a new Reality series, Every Woman Has a Story with which she will be making debut of her directorial skill.

Ibrahim started music in 2014 with the single, Traffic Jam. With the move, she follows the footsteps of colleagues like Genevieve Nnaji, Stella Damasus, Omotola JaladeEkeinde and Tonto Dikeh among others.

Apart from her musical career, which she says she is presently giving priority, she also runs a non-profit, non-partisan organisation, focused on creating awareness on kidney cancer, malaria, HIV/ AIDS and others.

rica Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) which held in March.

C.J. is currently working on OTown, a crime thriller epic, which he calls his “Western in an Eastern land” movie. He describes it as his “exploration into genre-filmmaking”.

O-Town also won the Restless Pitch at the AFRIFF.

• CJ Obasi

How Omoni Oboli escaped HAT could have been a auto crash disaster was averted on

W

Sunday when Nollywood diva and mother of three, Omoni Oboli escaped what could have resulted in a serious car crash. The actress, on Monday, narrated her ordeal via Instagram,

Juliet Ibrahim plans giveaway HILE still trying to find her feet with her singing career, Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim is on a giveaway mission. The entertainer recently called on her fans to download her new single, Sholala, make a creative video of it and win USD 1000.

Making the announcement via her Twitter handle, the mother of one urged contestants to send in their entries by Whatsapp or email to stand a chance to win the prize money.

“Make a creative video of yourself, then use the hastags #sholala #julietibrahim #giveaways, post it and tag on Facebook, Twitter or instagram. The winner of the Most Creative Video, takes home 1000 USD. Three others stand a chance to feature in #sholala music video with free gift items to give away,” she added.

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

• Omoni Oboli

By Medeme Ovwe

stating how she narrowly escaped a ghastly motor accident.

Asking fans to join her in praising God, she disclosed that she was riding at top speed with a friend, Adeoye, when a careless driver suddenly crossed their lane.

“We swerved and for a minute, we lost control of our car. How we managed to come back on track is pure God. I just kept screaming ‘The blood of Jesus.’ We were badly shaken but thankful that it was only our nerves that were hurt. I am thankful for the blood of the Lamb!

Stay safe fam! #Iamblessed #Iamthankful #Istaywinning #Jesustookthewheel,” she wrote.

It will be recalled that on April 22, Omoni’s husband, Nnamdi threw a surprise birthday party for her, a ceremony which was attended by her close friends and associates.

An evening of business, music

T

OPSTICKS band, an all female band, will host delegates to an evening of business talk and musical performance tomorrow at Southern Sun, 47 Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to the host/Chief Executive Officer of Topsticks Band, Temitope Odebiyi, the evening will present guests with an opportunity to relax and enjoy musical performances from her all female band featuring a pianist, Goodness Amuoha.

Odebiyi, aka, African number 1 female drummer said the high point of the event would be a presentation on business opportunity by a millionaire producer, coach and mentor from the United States of America (USA), Mr Richard DelRosari.

The event is scheduled to start by 7pm.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

57

NEWS

Panic over shootings near barracks in Maiduguri

A

FTER relative peace in the city of Maiduguri, the beleaguered Borno State capital, there was panic last night over Boko Haram attack on a village close to Giwa Barracks.

But the Defence Headquarters said troops foiled a diversionary suicide mission and that normalcy had been restored.

A top Defence source said the suicide mission was swiftly curtailed.

The source said: “A band of terrorists who detonated two female suicide bombers ahead of their attack on Ladi Kayamla near Maiduguri were swiftly

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Duku Joel Maiduguri

routed by the Nigerian troops in the area.

“The attack which was apparently diversionary with the intention of slowing down the ongoing assault on Sambisa Forest is believed to have been carried out by those escaping from the terrorists locations that have been routed or destroyed.”

Another source added: “It is nothing serious. The insurgents were sighted by soldiers coming through Kayamal, not far from Giwa Barracks.”

Director Defence Information,

. We repelled suicide attack, says DHQ Major Gen. Chris Olukolade, said normalcy had been restored.

Gen.Olukolade said the troops conducted mopping up of the area while the offensive on all terrorists forest locations continue.

The suspected attack on Kayamla Village threw the GRA area of Maiduguri into confusion as residents scampered for safety following sporadic shootings that lasted for about twenty minutes.

“I just returned from work around 6.00pm and barely en-

tered my house when I saw my neighbour’s wife from the boys quarters running towards my house. I noticed that her movement was unusual and before she could tell me that people were running, I started hearing sporadic gunshots.

“When I came out of the gate, I saw many people on the streets running from different directions. I saw some people fall down and fainted. I entered one of my friends’ houses for safety,” Abubakar Haruna a resident of GRA Maiduguri said.

A security source said “the insurgents are just testing their confidence but they cannot penetrate Maiduguri town at this moment”.

Another security source added that “these insurgents were the ones dislodged from the Sambisa Forest. They followed through Kondoga down to Alao to Kayamla to enter Giwa Barracks and they were in large numbers but they have been repelled”.

Another version of the attack said soldiers began to shoot after a red alert that Boko Haram were

sighted along Alao Dam in an attempt to enter Maiduguri.

“We heard that soldiers were moving their families away from Giwa Barracks and the residents began to do same when the information spread that Boko Haram planned to attack Maiduguri from Alao village.

Suddenly, we started hearing gunshots and everybody started running especially from the GRA area of Maiduguri. Some people are saying the soldiers started the shooting based on the information they got but we are not sure exactly what happened,” Aliyu, a resident informed

•Otunba of Iruland, Prince Alaba Oniru (middle) speaking at the presentation of a book titled: ‘Contemporary State Land Matters in Nigeria: The Case of Lagos State held in Victoria Island Lagos,...yesterday. With him are Governor Babatunde Fashola (fourth right); Governor-elect Akinwunmi Ambode (third right); former Chief Judge of Lagos State Justice Ayotunde Philips (left); Chief Olu Akinkugbe; author- Alhaji Femi Okunnu, his wife and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Lateefat; Solicitor-General Lawal Pedro (right) and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Ade Ipaye.

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Enugu APC stops Nnaji, others from joining party

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HE Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it will not admit any member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into its fold for now.

Publicity Secretary Mrs. Kate Offor spoke with reporters on the outcome of its State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting.

Offor said the SEC frowned at some elements within Enugu APC who without authorisation, met with some

From Chris Oji, Enugu

PDP members with intent to defect to APC. She warned that the party would not hesitate to sanction any member found involving in plots to admit any PDP member until a time authorised by the party.

“At an enlarged meeting of the State Executive Committee of Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), we resolved that the membership drive aimed

at enlisting Prof Barth Nnaji, Chief Jim Nwobodo and co, into our great party be stopped forthwith.

“For us, it is medicine after death, given the shameful result we recorded in the elections.

“Accordingly, we are outraged that some elements, without authorisation, have held meetings with Prof Nnaji and if not stopped, will head to God knows where.

“Whereas, we hold Prof Nnaji, robotic engineer and

our elder statesman, Chief Jim Nwobodo, and other eminent sons in very high esteem, we frown seriously at clandestine moves of some people reaping where they did not sow.

“We stand by the words of our President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari and our National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to the effect that we do not want a one party state, therefore PDP members should stay and rebuild their party,” Offor said.

Nwobodo evicted from Abuja home for unpaid rent HIGH Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered former Anambra State Governor, Jim Nwobodo to vacate his house in Maitama District, Abuja.

Justice S. B. Belgore gave the order following evidences that Nwobodo defaulted in paying rent and refused to deliver vacant possession of the property at the expiration of his tenancy.

The judge also ordered the exgovernor to relinquish the property to the owner, Adin-Miles International Ltd. The property, a six-bedroom mansion with a guest chalet and boys quarters, is located at 24 Ona Crescent, Plot 768 Cadastral Zone A5, Maitama Abuja.

When Nwobodo refused to pay his rent, the landlord hired a lawyer, Obinna Ajoku to evict him. When all overtures, Ajoku filed a case against him at the Abuja High Court.

Adin Miles claimed four reliefs against Nwobodo, including that he should deliver vacant possession; be ordered to pay N11 million as rent arrears; and renovate the premises or

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From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

pay an equivalent of N3 million.

At trial, Nwobodo filed a counter claim and argued that while the property was on offer for sale, he expressed intention to buy it, but did not make any payment because the plaintiff allegedly induced his landlord to sell the property and consequently, the landlord sold the house to the plaintiff.

Justice Belgore, in his judgment on March 3, granted the plaintiff’s reliefs.

Belgore ordered Nwobodo to pay N11 million as arrears of the rent on the premises from June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2011.

The judge held: “I have searched the exhibits placed before this court and evidence adduced to support the counter-claim of the defen-

dant.

“However, I have found none. Exhibit B has explained the circumstance under which the defendant/counter-claimant failed to abide by the terms of the understanding that existed between him and the former landlord. The exhibit is not challenged with another evidence.”

Mark, Ngige mourn Zik’s son

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ENATE President David Mark has commiserated with the family of Nigeria’s first President, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikwe over the demise of his son, Chief Chukwuma Azikwe, saying the deceased was a distinguished diplomat.

In a condolence message, Mark said the late Azikwe lived an exemplary life by sustaining the legacies of his father through selfless services.

He said his death left a vacuum because he died when the nation needed his services.

The Senate President recalled the philanthropic gestures of the deceased, which he said en-

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

deared him to his community and beyond. He said his services earned him the title “Owelle of Onitsha”.

“He (Chukwuma) was known for his hard work, selflessness and dedication to duty.

This he brought to bear during his sojourn as an Ambassador before he retired to private life,” Mark said.

He urged the family to take heart, saying, “this is a trying time in the history of the family but I am quick to pray for God’s divine protection and also to grant the deceased eternal rest”.

Former Governor of Anambra

State, Chris Nwabueze Ngige has also commiserated with the family. Ngige described the late Onitsha High Chief as an intelligent man who made his mark as a Harvard trained political economist.

He said the deceased was a tactician who played major roles in Nigeria’s political firmament from behind the scene.

Ngige described the scion of the Azikiwe dynasty as a courageous man who stood for equity and justice at all times, even in the trying period of NigeriaBiafra civil war.

Alleged contempt: Judge summons debt management’s boss, others

By Precious Igbonwelundu

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USTICE Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Director General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Abraham Nwankwo to appear before him on May 18 for alleged contempt.

The judge made the order yesterday after Nwankwo and his co-defendant, Umaru Abubakar, were represented by a private lawyer, S.E. Omoraghon.

Ecobank Nigeria Limited had filed a contempt charge against Nwankwo and Abubakar, who is the DMO’s officer in charge of processing fuel subsidy claims by oil marketers.

The bank had claimed that the alleged contemnors frustrated its effort to recover debt of about N12 billion from an oil firm, First Deepwater Discovery Limited.

It alleged that DMO refused to comply with the court’s order to transfer N845m, which according to the bank, was the subsidy claim ripe for payment to Deepwater by DMO, out of N1.8 billion.

But DMO in counter-affidavit signed by its Principal Operations Officer, Sandra Ipigansi, had denied being in contempt, insisting that the agency was never in possession of subsidy claims by Deepwater.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, the claimant’s lawyer, Kunle Ogunba (SAN), notified the court that the alleged contemnors, being officials of a public parastatal and facing such charges in their official capacity, were represented by a private practitioner without a fiat of the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice (AGF).

Ogunba noted that DMO was also not represented in court, adding that it would be needful for the AGF to be represented in contempt proceedings against officers of the state.

He said: “My Lord, I submit that it is important that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation be notified of the pending contempt proceedings against his officers, so that we do not take steps that will unwittingly embarrass the government, especially in this unstable political season.”

However, counsel for Deepwater, D.A. Awosika, urged the court to suspend the contempt proceedings against Nwankwo and Abubakar, as well as give his client three weeks to settle with Ecobank.

Awosika, who said there was a pending application before the court challenging its jurisdiction to entertain the suit, argued that nothing, including the contempt proceedings, ought to be done until his application was decided.

In a bench ruling, while granting Deep Water’s prayer for time, the judge noted that the court could not overlook the fact that there was an order it made, which DMO had refused to obey.

He consequently adjourned to May 18, for Nwankwo, Abubakar and a representative of the AGF to appear in court for the contempt proceedings.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

58

NEWS Ndoma-Egba’s visit to Buhari ‘ok’ From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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HE visit of a delegation of Cross River State politicians, led by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, to Presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari, was in order, it was learnt yesterday.

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Cross River State, a group of politicians in major political parties, Mr Goddie Akpama, noted that such visits should not be misconstrued.

Akpama said: “For us in IPAC in the state, we insist that there is nothing wrong with the composition of that delegation nor the mission statement presented to President-elect Buhari on behalf of Cross River by that delegation of eminent Cross River indigenes. It was in Cross Rivers State’s larger interest.

“If anything, those still planning their visits should enlarge the volume of neglect and deprivation that Cross River State has endured.”

The IPAC chairman said the reaction by a nascent forum of elders of the Cross River All Progressives Congress (APC), published in some dailies, was in bad taste.

He said it also portrayed them as helpless party men who could not find their way to the power base of the party.

Gunmen snatch Channels bus in Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Rivers panel: Amaechi’s aide indicts PDP chair T HE Rivers State Commissioner for Power, Augustine Nwokocha, has listed the solutions to incessant political killings and attacks in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area.

Nwokocha noted that should the State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Felix Obuah call on his killer gang to sheathe their swords and the police rise up to their responsibilities, there would be sustained peace in the area.

The commissioner also said efforts should be made to arrest and prosecute the PDP ‘warlord’ in the area, simply identified as Ejima (aka Don 1), gang members and sponsors as deterrent to others.

He said a legitimate engagement of youths would reduce violence and insecurity

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

in the area.

Nwokocha spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, when he appeared before the Prof. Chidi Odinkalu-led Judicial Commission of Enquiry into political violence in the state.

Many Rivers indigenes, especially those of the local government, have been murdered in the last few months without anyone accounting for their deaths.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi, in April, inaugurated a nine-man panel of enquiry to investigate the killings with a view to prosecuting the culprits.

Nwokocha narrated how his house and that of his Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs were destroyed.

The commissioner said five persons had been killed in his Okporsi community of Omoku in the last few months.

He said over 100 bullets were fired on his house.

Nwokocha traced the escalation of insecurity in his area and the state from the time an Abuja High Court upturned the leadership of the state PDP in 2014 and installed Obuah, who he said never contested the party’s chairmanship.

According to him, on assumption of office, Oguah vowed to ensure that no other party exists in the local government.

The commissioner noted that this led to his employment of hoodlums to make life unbearable for non-PDP members and the local government ungovernable for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Asked if the killings were politically motivated, Nwokocha said: “It cannot be totally true that all the killings were political. The police reports said some of them are inter- and intracult related. In my community, Okporsi, I hear that there are De-gbam, DeWell, Sailors and Vikings cult groups.

“Some of the firearms/ weapons paraded during those attacks include AK-47, machine guns, Bazooka, dynamites, among others. Firearms are easily accessible in the Niger Delta region.”

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14-SEATER Toyota Hiace bus belonging for conveying Channels Television workers in Edo State has been snatched by gunmen in Benin, the state capital.

The white bus, with registration number (Lagos) APP 98 DC, was snatched at gunpoint at 9pm on Tuesday at Omoruyi Street, off Lucky Way, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area.

It was learnt that the bus was snatched by a four-man gang who apparently trailed the vehicle after it conveyed the Station Manager to his home at the close of work.

A worker of the television station, who spoke in confidence, said the driver of the bus was tied and beaten up by the attackers before he was dumped at Ogbemudia Farm, on the Benin-Lagos Road at 10.30pm.

He said the driver contacted the station’s management, with the assistance of some vigilantes in the area.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (right) presenting the state plaque to the District Governor, District 9110, Rotary International, Dr. Dele Balogun, when members of the club visited the governor at his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office...yesterday.

‘Buhari should ignore report on NDDC’ From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

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GROUP, under the aegis of The Niger Delta Youth Movement for the Actualisation of the Niger Delta Master Plan, has urged President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to ignore some damning reports on the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

In a statement by its President Chukwuka Malachy; Publicity Secretary Tene Onesi and Youth Leader Edward Ayebatare, the group alleged that such reports lacked proofs.

It also warned the commission’s workers to desist from using faceless groups to malign members of the board and its management.

Instead, the group urged those on campaign of calumny to concentrate on their jobs.

The statement said: “The Niger Delta should disregard the voices of those groups; such groups that claim to be activists but are used to scandalise the NDDC. These groups are faceless and have no proofs to substantiate their scandalisation of the board members, led by Dan Bassy Abia.”

Edo begins cleaning of Benin moat From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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HE Edo State Committee on Environment has begun the cleaning of the Benin moat.

The moat, which is a legacy of the Edo ethnic group, is being cleaned to boost its international status.

Recalling its history, the committee’s Chairman Mukhtar Yusuf-Osagie said the moat was dug by Oba Oguola around Benin, the state capital, to prevent enemies from entering the city.

He said: “If the cleaning project is successfully completed, it will turn the site into a tourist centre that tourists can always visit.”

Delta tribunal grants APC’s, LP’s applications From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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HE Chairman of Delta State Governorship Election Tribunal, Justice Nasiru Gumi, has granted separate applications by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate O’tega Emerhor, and Labour Party (LP) candidate Great Ogboru, in the suit challenging the victory of Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate and Governor-elect Ifeanyi Okowa at the governorship election.

The three-man tribunal held its inaugural sitting yesterday in Asaba, the State capital.

APC’s lawyer, Joseph Omonose, in an ex parte application, prayed the tribunal to order substituted service of the petitions and other processes on the first and second respondents (Okowa and PDP) at the home of the Governor-elect at Owa-Oyibu, Ika Northeast Local Government Area or at 1 Core Area, Asaba.

Omonose is prayed the tribunal to “deem the service as properly served”.

The lawyer said efforts to serve the petitions on the first and second respondents were unsuccessful.

Justice Gumi said: “The application is meritorious and it is granted… Same the originating process and other processes by substituted means at Owa-Oyibu and at 1 Core Area.

It is deemed that the service is deemed as properly served.

The prayers are hereby granted.”

Unease in Bayelsa PDP over chairman’s suspension

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HERE is a cold war among the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Seriake Dickson and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

It was learnt that the State Working Committee (SWC) was angry with the Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu-led NWC for refusing to approve the suspension of the state Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (retd).

Inokoba was suspended by the SWC on February 10, before the March 28 presidential election, for alleged financial impropriety.

The suspension order was reportedly sent to the NWC for ratification, as recommended by the party’s constitution.

But it was learnt that the NWC refused to approve the

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

suspension, which Inokoba’s supporters and the camp of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, alleged was masterminded by Dickson and his loyalists.

Irked by the development, the SWC was said to have taken the NWC to a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja.

PDP’s Vice Chairman for Bayelsa Central, the Secretary, the Women Leader, Vice Chairman of Bayelsa East and Financial Secretary were listed as plaintiffs in the suit.

They were said to be challenging the refusal of the NWC to approve Inokoba’s purported suspension.

But the SWC denied suing Mu’azu and members of the NWC.

It said the party only sought a court order to stop Inokoba from parading himself as the party’s chairman.

A major stakeholder of the party, who spoke in confidence, told our reporter on Monday that Inokoba’s suspension was in order.

The stakeholder urged Inokoba to stop parading himself as the chairman.

But a faction of the party loyal to the suspended chairman said the action of the SWC amounted to double standard.

A member of the faction, who identified himself as Famous Mbiakpa, said the Dickson-led faction could not claim to be fighting anti-party activities when it was suing the highest echelon of the party.

Mbiakpa said: “This is an affront to the war against anti-

party activities declared by Governor Dickson and the party. No anti-party can be more grievous than a people dragging the party and its leaders to court.

“We are, therefore, calling for the immediate expulsion of the plaintiffs’ and their sponsors from the party. Those who want to fight a crime must first purge themselves or be prepared to face sanction.

“The governor and the party must not be selective in their fight against anti-party activities because nobody is superior to the party’s constitution.”

It was learnt that Justice Valentine Ashi of a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Inokoba to stop parading himself as the party’s chairman, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Election tribunal: APC, Peterside accuse Wike of evading service

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HE Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has ordered substituted service on court documents (processes) on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Nyesom Wike, who was declared winner of the disputed election.

The tribunal, headed by Justice Muazu Abdulkadir Pindig, gave the order yesterday, following complaints by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidat, , Dakuku Peterside, that Wike was evading service of the petition and other documents.

APC is challenging the out-

•Tribunal orders substituted service on PDP candidates From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

come of the election.

The APC and its candidate told the tribunal that attempts by the tribunal’s bailiff to serve Wike were futile because of his non-cooperative attitude and the aides in his houses in Port Harcourt and Abuja.

The tribunal’s order for substituted service was contained in a ruling on an ex parte motion by the APC and Peterside.

Their lawyer, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), while moving the motion, claimed that the tribunal’s bailiff, on several occasions, visited Wike’s homes to

serve the documents but was turned back at the gate by Wike’s upon discovery that he was a bailiff.

In an affidavit deposed to by the bailiff and tendered by the petitioner, the tribunal was told that neither the Wike nor his agent was ready to receive any court process from anybody.

Akeredolu said he could not establish if it was Wike that instructed his agents not to accept service.

The lawyer urged the tribunal to allow him paste the process on the wall of Wike’s home in the interest of justice

and to avoid unnecessary delay of proceedings.

In his ruling, Justice Pindiga granted the petitioners’ prayer. He ordered that substituted service be effected on Wike, either by pasting the court processes on the gate to his house or at PDP’s secretariat in Rivers State.

The judge said parties would be informed about the next hearing date.

Other defendants in the case are: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

59

NEWS

Lead poisoning: '65 cases, 28 deaths reported in Niger'

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HE Federal Government has said lead poisoning killed 28 persons in Niger State.

The situation is said to have become more acute than what happened in Zamfara State.

The outbreak is associated with new illegal mining sites, which were found to contain more leaded ores.

These, it was also learnt, are often brought home for crushing and processing.

Sixty-five cases have been recorded in some villages in Rafi Local Government Area.

There are signs that the poi-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

soning could spread to neighbouring states.

Minister of State for Health Fiddles Nwankwo said most of the people affected were children below five years.

Nwankwo, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja, added that the poisoning was not contagious, if the people followed safer and healthier practices.

The minister said the essence of the media briefing

was not to cause panic but to raise awareness and solicit for the cooperation of the people.

He said the technical team raised confirmed the outbreak of lead poisoning.

Nwankwo said: "The rapid assessment by the National Centre for Disease Control and the federal and state ministries of Health revealed that as at May 12, 65 cases and 28 deaths had occurred, giving a case fatality rate of 43 per cent.

"All the 28 cases were chil-

dren below the age of five, comprising 17 females and 11 males.

"Additionally, the finding revealed a serious impact on our livestock with cows, goats and chicken most affected.

"The purpose of this statement is to inform the press and fellow Nigerians of an outbreak of lead poisoning in some villages in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, which is spreading to neighbouring localities in

the state and Kaduna State."

Assuring Nigerians that the government was working to contain the outbreak, Nwankwo said palliative treatment of the sick children was already on.

He also added that lots of advocacy and education programme have been put in place to educate the people.

He also urged miners to abide by the extant mining regulations and emerging guidelines.

Benue seeks Fed Govt’s help in agric, others

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ENUE State Governorelect Samuel Ortom yesterday sought the intervention of the Federal Government to boost investment in agriculture, curb insecurity and create jobs and wealth.

The governor-elect spoke in Abuja, the nation’s capital, when a delegation of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited President-elect Muhammadu Buhari at the Defence House.

Ortom said the state required federal might to sort out the challenges in those areas.

The governor-elect called for the dredging of River Benue, drawing attention to the plight of ex-service men who he said had been neglected.

The former Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment solicited Buhari’s support for the emergence of Senator Dr George Akume as the Senate President stressing that in developed democracies leaders who demonstrate capacity like Senator Akume are allowed to grow.

Senate Minority Leader George Akume described Buhari as a man of integrity who had been tried and tested by Nigerians.

The senator stressed that the President-elect had demonstrated the capacity to deliver.

Niger lawmakers sit as police vacate Assembly From Jide Orintunsin and Nike Adeyemo, Minna

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NE week after legislative activities were grounded at the Niger State House of Assembly, following police invasion, the lawmakers reconvened yesterday, with new Speaker Isah Kawu presiding.

The lawmakers had planned to hold their sitting at the Legislative Quarters, following the continued police siege to the complex.

As early as 10am, members drove into the Legislative Quarters with the legislative workers, the Sargent-at-Arm and Deputy Clerk waiting at a makeshift tent arranged in a typical Assembly setting.

By 12:05pm, the Speaker directed the legislative workers to relocate to the Assembly complex, following a truce between him and police commissioner.

This led to the withdrawal of the armed policemen from the complex.

•Abuja bomb blast victims protesting alleged negligence by government organs at the National Assembly in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Kwankwaso, PDP shift senatorial battle to court

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LL Progressives Party (APC) senator-elect for Kano Central and Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso yesterday appeared before the National and House of Assembly tribunal with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Bashir Garba, for a pretrial session.

The tribunal’s sitting held at the Miller Road High Court complex.

The duo are at the tribunal to determine who won the senatorial seat.

Garba, the petitioner, and Kwankwaso, the respondent, refused to consent to docu-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

ments filed by either parties on the suit.

Counsel to the PDP, Yunus Abdullahi, refused to consent to the documents filed by the respondents.

But Kwankwaso and APC, through their lawyer, Festus Adesiyan, also refused to consent to the documents filed by the PDP. According to Adesiyan, the documents filed by PDP’s lawyer were either photocopies or those not duly certified, as stipulated by law.

The lawyer argued that the

petitioner failed to lay a proper foundation before tendering the documents before the tribunal.

The tribunal’s Chairman Justice C. I. Akintayo, called for a cease fire.

The chairman explained that the pre-trial session was to clear grey areas and possibly agree on “no-go areas”, when the proper hearing begins.

He pleaded with the parties to concentrate on issues that need not proceed to the hearing proper to ease the burden on the tribunal dur-

ing the proper hearing.

Justice Akintayo said the pre-trial session was not slated for legal fireworks.

The chairman urged the parties to sheathe their swords, pending the time the hearing proper would begin.

APC and PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) informed the tribunal of their resolve not to consent to documents filed from opposing camps.

The matter was adjourned till May 25 and 26 for proper hearing to begin.

Kaduna doctors urge El-Rufai to address personnel shortage

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OCTORS in Kaduna State have urged Governor-elect Nasir El-Rufai to address shortage of medical doctors in the state.

Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Dr. Muhammed S. Ibrahim, regretted that despite the poor health indices in Nigeria, there were many unemployed doctors roaming the street for jobs.

The NMA chairman urged the governor-elect to organise the Health services in the state to serve the public better.

He said: “Despite the poor health indices in Nigeria, we still have many unemployed doctors who are going about looking for jobs. These doctors can be attracted by putting in place competitive working conditions and welfare. Once these medical practitioners are attracted, the health care services will have to be strengthened within the state, thereby improving the indices.

“This, in the long run, will be more profitable than

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

importing doctors who are not familiar with the health problems in Nigeria and who will need to be paid a higher cost. It will also help to accelerate the accreditation of Kaduna State University’s Medical School. If this is done, it means Kaduna State will be among the first Northern states to produce its own doctors.”

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The NMA chairman called for the upgrade of Barau Dikko Hospital into a teaching hospital.

He noted that it would be cheaper to train medical students at the teaching hospital than sending them abroad to study Medicine.

Ibrahim said: “Sending them abroad is capitalintensive, and when they graduate, they will still have to write an examination with the Medical and Dental

Council in Nigeria before they can be licensed to practise in Nigeria. We will also need to put in place systems that will attract medical doctors and specialists after putting in place the building.

“Our expectation is to have a new dawn in the Health sector of Kaduna State. We agree with the vision of the governor-elect because it will help provide better policies and better healthcare services for the people of the state.”

Benue NLC gets caretaker committee

HE national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has constituted a four-man caretaker committee, headed by the state’s chairperson of the Women Commission, Comrade Ngodoo Toryem, to conduct its re-scheduled election on May 21.

This followed the aborted election of members of the State Administrative Committee scheduled for April 23 at the Aminu Isah

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Kontagora Theatre Complex in Makurdi, the state capital.

A letter on the directive reads: "Consequently, it has become necessary to set up a caretaker committee, principally to handle preparations for the rescheduled election, which is now fixed for May 21. In this regard, it is my pleasure to request

you to serve as the chairperson of the Caretaker Committee.

“Other members of the committee are: a representative each from NURTW, NUP and NUJ." The letter, signed by the General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, directed the committee to liaise with the unions and make necessary arrangements for the rescheduled election.

Six days after, cyclist arrives in Abuja •‘My two wives, kids urged me on’ From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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ARELY one month after 32-year-old construction worker Suleiman Hashimu trekked from Lagos to Abuja for President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, a cyclist, Mohammed Sagir Auwal, yesterday rode to Abuja from Kaduna.

Auwal, 47, who arrived in Abuja’s Central Business District at 10am into the waiting arms of President/CEO of Reagan Cement Limited, Chief Reagan Ufomba, said he rode for six days.

According to him, the journey started on May 5.

Dressed in a green-whitegreen track suit and a crash helmet, Auwal said he embarked on the six-day ride to thank Gen. Buhari, President Goodluck Jonathan and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, for ensuring peaceful conduct of the last general elections.

Auwal arrived with three letters of congratulations to the three major players in the March 28 presidential election.

He said: “I rode from Kaduna. I left Kaduna last Tuesday and I thank God I’m here in six days. It has not been easy but it was worth it.

“I got inspiration from the unity that Nigeria achieved with the just-concluded elections. Speculations were rife that Nigeria was going to break and there was no trust among ourselves. People were moving back to their states of origin. “...Before the results were announced, President Jonathan, out of his foresight and magnanimity, conceded defeat. That also is an inspiration because it is not about Jonathan; it is about unity, stability, continuity and togetherness of Nigeria.

“Also, I look at the contribution of the main ombudsman, in the person of Prof Jega. I doff my cap for Jega. In 2011, he tried his best but he didn’t get it correctly. As God will have it, today, Nigeria is a stable place. We give glory to God and we must recognise Jega for getting it right...”

‘Benue still running’ From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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HE BENUE State Government has urged the residents not to worry over the freezing of its accounts.

The commissioner said the government was still running its affairs.

Finance CommissionerOmandachi Oklobia told our correspondent in a telephone interview that the Judiciary Workers’ Union (JUSUN) took the state government to court, adding that its accounts were frozen.

He said the Head of Service (HOS) was negotiating with the workers.

According to him, because of the paucity of funds, the state had not fulfilled part of its bargain. Oklobia said the issue would be resolved.

He urged the people not to panic because of the court order.

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NEWS Buhari: I’ve no candidates for Senate President, House Speaker Continued from page 4

affinity with you, right from your service in the Nigerian Army as a Brigade Commander in the state. You are, therefore, not new to us and we are not new to you.

“Mr President-elect, there is no doubt that your victory in the last presidential election was fuelled by your strong conviction to serve Nigeria and the tenacity which you have exemplified throughout your aspiration to the office of the President of this country. We, therefore, admire this courage.

“Your staying power in the political struggle since 2003 is akin to the fighting spirit in every Benue person. This is indeed the same spirit that has led to the emergence of

the All Progressives Congress (APC), to form the collective will and move Nigeria away from the decadence that pervaded in the last couple of years.

“Benue State is an agrarian state with vast potentials in agriculture. It is a huge base for economic growth when properly harnessed. It is in this light that we are truly encouraged and excited when you declared that your administration will shift focus from oil to agriculture.

“To us in Benue, this singular move and perhaps many more by your administration, would put the state on the fast lane of economic growth where jobs and wealth will be created for our people. It is a great show of commitment in reviving

the hidden treasures of the North. We support this initiative completely.

“Another critical issue is that of electricity generation and distribution: Your Excellency would recall that this sector is one that has suffered from inconsistent policy decisions to outright neglect.

Like every other state, Benue needs a leap from the present decay in the sector to boost economic empowerment.

He told him to address the security challenges in the country saying “let me draw our attention to a very familiar threat to lives and property in this country. And that is insecurity. As we all know, no country or state can develop without security. When we live in peace, we can then put in place strategic plans to

boost our economic development.

“We are all too familiar with the incessant clashes between pastoralists and farmers in many parts of the country. From Benue to Plateau, Taraba to Zamfara, Katsina and name it, several communities have been sacked by these people whose business it has been to spill innocent blood.

“For us in Benue State, our people who are mostly farmers cannot even afford to go to their farms any longer for the fear of these people. Our new government in Benue will be happy to partner with the federal government to bring this menace to an end as soon as possible”.

Gen. Buhari said Nigerians should thank God for the use

North Korea defence minister executed publicly Continued from page 1

power after his father’s 2011 death.

One expert described the development as part of a series of high-profile recent purges and executions by Kim, as an attempt to orchestrate a “reign of terror” that would solidify his leadership.

National Intelligence Service officials told a closeddoor parliamentary committee meeting that North Korean People’s Armed Forces Minister Chol was killed in front of hundreds of spectators at a shooting range at Pyongyang’s Kang Kon Military Academy in late April, according to lawmaker Shin Kyoung-min, who attended the briefing.

Kim Gwang-lim, chairman of the South Korean parliament’s intelligence committee, quoted the spy service as saying Hyon had also failed several times to comply

with unspecified instructions by the North Korean leader.

The office of another lawmaker, Lee Cheol Woo, released similar information about the NIS briefing.

Also said to be purged was Ma Won Chun, a lieutenant general and prominent architect who reportedly led a megaproject to build North Korea’s Masik Pass ski resort.

Ma had frequently accompanied Kim Jong Un on inspection tours, but was last mentioned in state media in November. He was earlier appointed to lead a new “Designing Department” within the National Defense Commission, North Korea’s top governing body.

The South Korean intelligence agency didn’t tell lawmakers how it got its information, only that it was from a variety of channels and that it believed it to be true, the South Korean lawmakers said. The spy agency refused

to confirm the report when contacted by The Associated Press.

After the briefing, Yonhap news agency cited an unidentified senior South Korean intelligence official as saying that Hyon’s execution couldn’t be completely confirmed yet because North Korea hadn’t made an official announcement.

In Pyongyang, there were no announcements about any execution and no indications in tightly controlled state media about whether it was true or had taken place at all.

South Korea’s spy agency has a spotty record of tracking developments in North Korea. Information about the secretive, authoritarian state is often impossible to confirm.

The spy service faced widespread criticism when it failed to predict the North’s artillery strikes on a South Korean island in 2010 because it ignored intercepted North Ko-

rean communications that indicated a possible attack. The agency saved face in 2013 when it said Kim Jong Un had purged his powerful uncle, Jang Song Thaek, days before Pyongyang announced the former No. 2’s execution because of alleged treason.

Unconfirmed sensational media reports have tended to follow past purges in the North.

Jang’s execution saw a frenzy of media speculation, including wild reports that he was killed by a flame thrower or stripped naked and fed to hungry dogs. In 2012, media outlets followed the North’s announcement that army chief Ri Yong Ho had stepped down because of an illness with reports that Ri may have been wounded or killed in a gun fight when soldiers loyal to him resisted an attempt to detain him. The NIS wasn’t seen as being behind those reports.

of the card reader and the PVC which he said made the victory of the APC possible in the elections.

He said: “I think Nigerians have decided, it has been a rough journey for the last years, they have realised it, we thank God and we thank technology which made it possible because if not for PVC and card readers, the normal thing would have happened. The normal thing which sent me to Supreme Court three times and I think that contributed to me aging so fast; “I was in the Supreme Court 2003, 2007 and 2011 but again it says a lot about tenacity of purpose and eventually I’m here.

“I beg senator Akume and the governor elect not to make my 2019 attempt too difficult. Your shopping list, you are already reporting me to your constituency, what is outstanding in respect of Benue State, if it is done it is you if it is not done it is Buhari.

I assure you that we will do our best to ensure that you understand our subsequent actions from now onwards

and we’ll do our best especially as it affects the employment of the youth and the security of the country generally.

He commended the United States and Britain for the role they played in the success of the election saying “they were really very concerned about Nigeria’s security and that’s why we must appreciate people of conscience all over the world “They don’t need anything from us. They have arrived at a level where they look after their people, they have all the industry in place, have security in place, are people of conscience, they don’t want to see human beings even animals suffering anywhere in the world.

“For them to bring and sustain pressure on our government to respect our constitution, conduct free fair credible elections and hand over I think we are grateful “A lot of people believe that hell will be let lose this year in Nigeria, a lot of people that could afford it left the country but thanks to technology we are maintaining contact.”

Buhari’s inauguration won’t be flamboyant, says Sylva Continued from page 4

of law.

“A situation where people just pick you up and say you’re corrupt just to persecute you does not augur well for our democracy. I have been vindicated politically and I will be vindicated by the court because I ran the best government in Bayelsa State; a better government than what the outgoing President ran in Bayelsa State. I can assure you that I am going to come clean at the end

of the day from the charges against me.

“You can ask them why they are charging for an offence, when they have discharged my accountant-general and my Commissioner for Finance. What does that tell you? It means that this is just mere persecution because no governor can access fund unless through his accountant-general or commissioner for finance. Both of them have been exonerated, and that means there is actually no crime at all.”

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FOREIGN NEWS

Burundi: Confusion over attempted coup A BURUNDIAN general said yesterday he had deposed President Pierre Nkurunziza for seeking an unconstitutional third term in office and was forming a transitional government, after more than two weeks of protests against the election bid.

But as cheering crowds streamed onto the streets of Bujumbura, sporadic gunfire was heard in the centre of the capital, and it was not immediately clear how much support Major General Godefroid Niyombare had.

It is alleged that the president did not actually attend the Tanzania parley but tried to get back to Burundi. But General Niyombare said in a radio broadcast he had ordered the closure of the airport and border, and ask every citizen and law enforcement to the airport and protect it.

East African leaders in Tanzania condemned the bid to oust the president and called

for a return to “constitutional order”.

The U.S. State Department urged “all parties to immediately end the violence and exercise restraint”. But spokesman Jeff Rathke said he could not confirm that a coup had taken place.

A Tanzanian official said Nkurunziza had not attended the summit meetings in Dar es Salaam, and had left to return to Burundi. But Niyombare said the capital’s airport and all border crossings were closed.

Activists say more than 20 people have been killed in weeks of protest against Nkurunziza’s re-election bid, plunging Burundi into its worst crisis since an ethnically fuelled civil war ended in 2005.

More than 50,000 Burundians have fled to neighbouring states in a region with a history of ethnic

fighting.

“The region will not accept, nor will the region stand by, if violence does not stop or escalates in Burundi,” Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said after the summit in Dar es Salaam.

It was not immediately clear who was in control in Burundi. The state broadcaster, often a primary target in state takeovers in Africa, was surrounded by troops.

An employee inside told Reuters some soldiers had tried to enter while others resisted.

That did not deter crowds dancing and singing in the streets. Some sat on top of cars.

A Reuters correspondent saw little sign of the police, hated by protesters for breaking up demonstrations by force and widely considered loyal to Nkurunziza’s party.

Niyombare had made his declaration that Nkurunziza

Israel ‘disappointed’ at Vatican recognition of Palestine

I •Nkurunziza

was overthrown to reporters at a barracks in Bujumbura.

“Regarding President Nkurunziza’s arrogance and defiance of the international community, which advised him to respect the constitution and Arusha peace agreement, the committee for the establishment of the national concord decide: President Nkurunziza is dismissed, his government is dismissed too,” he said, surrounded by several other senior army and police officers, including a former defence minister.

Pakistan gunmen kill 45 on Karachi bus

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T least 45 people have been killed and 20 injured in a gun attack on a bus carrying Ismaili Shia Muslims in the Pakistani city of Karachi, police say.

A police official said six gunmen on motorcycles had stopped the bus and fired indiscriminately at passengers.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has condemned the attack and ordered an investigation.

A splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban called Jundullah has said it carried out the attack.

A leaflet was also left at the

scene claiming the so-called Islamic State group was responsible.

It is the second deadliest militant attack in Pakistan this year after 62 Shia Muslims were killed in a suicide bombing in January.

Relatives of the victims have visited them in hospital This is the first such attack on the Ismaili community in Pakistan, and it is shocking even by the standards of Karachi. The sheer numbers of casualties and the manner in which they were killed provide an uneasy contrast with the peaceful image of this

Shia sect, which makes up a tiny proportion of Pakistan’s mostly Muslim population.

One of the country’s many militant groups has said it carried out the attack. But we are not likely to find out for sure who did it because Karachi is in the throes of an armed struggle between the military and a confusing array of political, religious and sectarian militants.

Ismailis consider the Aga Khan their hereditary spiritual guide. They mostly inhabit the Himalayan region of northern Pakistan, but also have a significant presence in Karachi where they

run businesses and charities and tend to use communitybuilt accommodation and transport.

The attack is likely to cause some diplomatic tensions for Islamabad as the Aga Khan has been a major source of development funds. This may be one reason why both the prime minister and the army chief have set aside other engagements to head for Karachi.

About 60 people were on board the bus when it was stopped in the Safoora Goth area on its way to an Ismaili Shia place of worship, police said.

French President Hollande pledges Haiti aids

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HE French president has pledged investment to Haiti, but steered clear of the reparations some in the former colony are demanding from Paris.

In the capital Port-auPrince, Francois Hollande said France would spend $145m (£93m) on development projects.

It is the first official visit by a French head of state since Haiti won independ-

ence in 1804.

The Caribbean country was forced to pay millions of gold francs to compensate slave owners.

“We can’t change history, but we can change the future,” President Hollande said on Tuesday.

He added that French investments in development projects - including education - should be seen as an appropriate effort for “a moral debt that exists”.

Mr Hollande’s visit provoked small-scale protests with demonstrators demanding France pay damages for its legacy in Haiti.

Meanwhile, Haitian President Michel Martelly said: “No negotiation, no compensation can repair the wounds of history that still mark us today.

“Haiti has not forgotten, but Haiti is not stubborn,” he added, referring to the debate in Haiti about whether

Yemen: Aid effort begins as truce holds

H

UMANITARIAN organisations are trying to get aid into Yemen as a five-day truce takes hold after weeks of Saudi-led air strikes against Houthi rebels.

UN agencies and their partners hope to replenish desperately needed supplies of food, water, medicine and

fuel.

Ships bearing aid have docked at a Red Sea port and planes are standing by.

The Saudi-led coalition has said the pause in its sevenweek-old air campaign is conditional on the rebels reciprocating and not exploiting it for military advantage.

Residents said there were

clashes in the southern city of Aden, the nearby provinces of Daleh, Shabwa, Lahj and Abyan, as well as the third city of Taiz, after the ceasefire started at 23:00 (20:00 GMT) on Tuesday, but that they ended soon after midnight. A number of air strikes were also reported across the country.

Philadelphia train crash kills seven

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FFICIALS are working to determine the cause of a train derailment which killed at least seven people and injured more than 200 others.

Seven carriages including the engine of the Amtrak train bound for New York went off the track on Tuesday evening.

Over 200 people have been

treated in area hospitals, says Mayor of Philadelphia Michael Nutter.

Investigators are searching the wreckage in order to confirm that all on board have been accounted for.

Part of the US’s most travelled stretch of passenger rail between Philadelphia and New York is closed as officials continue to try to deter-

mine the cause.

President Obama called the section of rail, “a way of life for many” and that he was “shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the derailment”.

The New York National Guard will travel to Philadelphia to assist in the response efforts, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced.

the country can rebuild relations with its former colonial power without demanding reparations.

Prince Charles’s private letters published

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RIVATE letters sent by the Prince of Wales to Labour ministers a decade ago have been published after a lengthy legal battle.

Clarence House said the move would “only inhibit” the prince’s ability to express concerns.

In one letter to the prime minister, the prince said the armed forces were being asked to do a challenging job “without the necessary resources”.

Release of the letters follows a decade-long campaign by the Guardian.

The 27 letters to seven government departments on wide-ranging subjects, including the dominance of supermarkets, badger culling and the herbal medicine sector, were written between September 2004 and April 2005.

SRAEL says it is “disappointed” that the Vatican has recognized the state of Palestine in a new treaty.

In a statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry says the move doesn’t help the peace process and “distances the Palestinian leadership from returning to direct and bilateral negotiations.”

It says it will study the treaty agreement and will “consider its steps accordingly.”

The Vatican officially recognized the state of Palestine in a new treaty finalized Wednesday concerning the Catholic Church’s activities in the region.

Islamic State deputy leader ‘killed in Iraq air strike’

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HE second-in-command of Islamic State (IS) has been killed in a US-led coalition air strike in northern Iraq, the Iraqi ministry of defence says.

Abdul Rahman Mustafa Mohammed, also known as Abu Alaa al-Afri, was inside a mosque in Tal Afar that was targeted, spokesman Brig-Gen Tahsin Ibrahim said.

There was no immediate confirmation from the US military or on IS media.

In recent weeks, there were unconfirmed reports that Afri had taken temporary charge of IS operations.

Iraqi security sources claimed that IS leader Abu Bakr alBaghdadi had been incapacitated as a result of a coalition air strike in northern Iraq in March.

Last week, the US state department offered a reward of up to $7m (£4.5m) for information on Afri, whom it identified as Abdul Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli.

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SPORT EXTRA

Morata haunts Madrid to send Juve into CL final

• Arturo Vidal (top) and his Juventus team-mates mob Morata after his crucial strike in the Champions League semi-final second leg ... last night

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LVARO Morata scored the decisive goal against his former club to send Juventus into their first Champions League final since 2003 at the expense of Real Madrid this evening.

The Italian champions went into the match with a 2-1 aggregate lead and held out for a 1-1 draw on the night to send the holders crashing out and set up a showdown with Barcelona in Berlin on June 6.

The hosts made a quick start to the match and could have been two goals to the good inside six minutes after Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema had both put decent openings over the top of the crossbar.

Cristiano Ronaldo came closer moments later, but his dipping free kick from 30 yards was also narrowly too high as it rippled the top of the net on its way behind for a corner.

Dollar rain for Falcons From Andrew Abah, Abuja FF President Amaju Pinnick has assured the players and officials of Super Falcons that the Federation would provide them with all their needs to them perform excellently well in the FIFA Women World Cup beginning in Canada next month.

The NFF President who spoke on Wednesday when he visited the team at their evening training said the NFF has made adequate arrangements for them.

He said that the team would be paid $300,000 if they qualify for the finals of the tournament. Speaking further, the former Delta state FA Chairman said "you will get $50,000 if you qualify for the quarter finals, $100,000 for semi finals, and $150,000 for playing in the finals".

He said that the NFF has arranged quality friendly matches for the team in Canada when they resume their training tour.

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RESULTS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Madrid 1 - 1 Juventus (2-3)Agg. TURKEY - SUPER LIG Trabzonspor 1 - 0 Bursaspor Fenerbahce 1 - 1 Erciyesspor Gaziantepspor 1 - 2 Rizespor

Juventus had their moments in the opening exchanges, but their first real opening didn't come until the 14th minute, when Iker Casillas got down well to push Arturo Vidal's low shot away from danger.

Madrid were soon back on the front foot, however, and a flurry of chances followed in quick succession for Carlo Ancelotti's side. Isco sent an inventive chip off target from the edge of the box before Benzema was released down the left channel by Marcelo, only to pull the ball back behind Ronaldo with the goal gaping.

Bale was the next to threaten for the Spanish giants, forcing a flying stop from Gianluigi Buffon with a dipping and swerving strike from distance.

The breakthrough finally came midway through the first half when Giorgio Chiellini bundled into James Rodriguez inside the box, leaving referee Jonas Eriksson little choice but to point to the penalty spot. Up stepped Ronaldo to fire straight down the middle, becoming the first player to score 10 or more goals in four separate Champions League seasons in the process.

It was also a record 10th semifinal goal in the competition for the Portuguese striker and moved him level with both Alfredo di Stefano in the alltime Real Madrid goalscoring charts on 307 and Lionel Messi as the Champions League's highest goalscorer on 77.

The hosts were not done there, and Ronaldo had a chance to

move clear of his perennial rival with a quick counter-attack that ended with his cross being cut out. Two corners followed, but both Sergio Ramos and Benzema were denied from the subsequent deliveries.

Madrid continued to apply the pressure in the closing stages of the half, with Ronaldo lashing one strike into the sidenetting before Benzema drew a smart low stop from Buffon at his near post.

Ancelotti's side began the second half brightly too, but it was Juve who came closest in the opening stages after the break when Claudio Marchisio drilled a powerful low strike a couple of yards wide from outside the box.

That proved to be a warning shot that Madrid did not heed, and Juventus clinched a crucial away goal when Alvaro Morata once again scored against his former club. Paul Pogba nodded the ball down to the Spaniard, and Casillas could only palm the resulting effort into the net as the visitors regained their aggregate lead.

The holders went in search of a quick reply and almost got it when Bale latched on to a Marcelo cross, but the Welsh winger could only fire wide under pressure from the Juventus defence.

Ancelotti turned to Javier Hernandez in an attempt to turn things around, but it was James who came close next when his powerful drive swerved narrowly over the top with Buffon rooted to the spot.

Eagles to play in Kaduna

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HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) wants the Super Eagles to have a large crowd of supporters when they face Le Sao of Chad in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations next month, and that is the reason they have chosen the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, SL10.ng can confirm.

Executive committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Emeka Inyama, says they could have used the Abuja National Stadium but the often poor turnout of fans has been the deciding factor for them.

“The deciding factor has been the fan base. The Abuja Stadium hardly records huge turnouts but the opposite is

the case in Kaduna.

“We want the team to play in front of a huge crowd and that is why we have chosen Kaduna,” he tells SL10.ng.

The new Uyo Stadium has also recorded huge turnouts for the Eagles, even though results there hasn’t been very favourable but Inyama says that didn’t factor in their decision. He adds that the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi also had an input in choosing the match venue.

“We have played some games in Uyo but this is a national team so we want to take our matches round the country. If it goes to the South, it comes to the North. And also we wanted the coach to have an input on where his team will play,” he posits.

TODAY IN THE NATION

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

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HEY may seem drab and dull, lacking depth and ingenuity, but you just cannot fail to notice the prescient warning. President Goodluck Jonathan’s perspectives are surely remarkable.

Just last Sunday at a church service he predicted that his ministers and aides would face persecution, warning them all to get set for what he may have seen as a troubled future.

“For ministers and aides who served with me, I sympathise with them; they will be persecuted. And they must be ready for that persecution,” Dr Jonathan said, adding philosophically: “To my ministers, I wish you what I wish myself. They will have hard times; we will all have hard times.”

His Excellency’s allocution in which he mentioned no names, was an allusion to the rumour that the incoming Gen. Muhammadu Buhari administration will seek answers to many thorny issues in the polity. But a note of caution: the “hard times” Jonathan predicted does not indicate that those who will soon be ex-ministers will be flat broke and taste poverty. Never. They are made for life.

The next day, the All Progressives Congress (APC) addressed Jonathan’s fears, saying nobody will be persecuted.

“That the President-elect is a man of integrity is not an issue for debate, and he has made it clear that he will not be bogged down by endless probes,” party spokesman Lai Mohammed said. He went on: “However, the hands of the incoming government will not be tied by those who have chosen to play the victim and exhibit a persecution mentality.

Whoever has any reason to be afraid must lay bare such reason before Nigerians.”

That was really charitable; magnanimous.

But there were those who did not allow the President to leave the sanctuary of the church before lending credence to his prognosis. In fact, many have been asking: Is Jonathan now a prophet? They launched into acerbic comments on his innocuous speech. I am sure that you know those who could have been so uncharitable, those busybodies who never see anything good in Jonathan’s transformative administration and its leading lights. They, without any thought for the laws of defamation, started mentioning names of those they said should be ready to defend their integrity.

Incidentally, those mentioned are the very people whose skills and actions and connections have contributed much to the success of the Transformation Agenda (T.A.), the fulcrum of the administration’s achievements, the gains which its critics – sometimes unfair and other times thoughtless – have pilloried to no end.

Leading the pack is the President himself.

His legacies are being dismissed as if they do not matter. We are being told that when he stormed onto the scene in 2011, there was a biting fuel shortage. Now, he is, according to these self-appointed chroniclers, leaving long, unending and snaky queues of angry motorists passing their nights at filling stations. Besides, say the critics, there is a mountain of subsidy debts. Fuel merchants are threatening to kill the already grounded economy unless they are paid. Billions.

‘Jonathan and his men cannot dictate the terms on which they will be judged after their exit.

Whether they like it or not, they will be asked questions, but they will not be persecuted’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

•Editor of the Year (DAME)

The coming persecution

•Mrs Alison-Madueke •Mrs Okonjo-Iweala

Arrogantly, the critics ask: “Should he not be called to account? Don’t we have the right to ask him how it all collapsed? Is he not in charge? If he is let off in peace, where then is the accountability that he preaches with such relish?”

The commentators have been so unsparing in their inquisition. It is as if they are eager to justify what Lai Mohammed referred to as “persecution mentality”. In just about six years, Boko Haram has taken more lives than the 30 months Civil War. Now, the sect is beating a retreat, our gallant troops in hot pursuit. Why did we have to wait for this long to stop Boko Haram? Isn’t this leadership deficiency? Will the war ever end if we don’t ask questions? Why were weapons not supplied on time? Who got the contracts?

Too many questions, among them those that have been fully addressed by the President.

Why has the power sector become such a horrible case of thousands of megawatts without electricity, despite the huge funds –some $5b, we are told - that have been sunk into the system? Universities are still struggling to free themselves from the hangover of a one year strike – one of the longest ever - because the teachers claimed that the government betrayed them. What actually happened?

Doctors have been on strike many times.

These are some of the issues being raised by those immersed in the persecution syndrome.

The inquisitors, you may wish to know, are those people who will never understand the thick line between “corruption” and

“stealing”, muddling up everything.

The same unrepentant pessimists are the ones who were saying Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke was on the run. They have accused her of everything and credited her with nothing. Not even the much vaunted Petroleum Industry Bill – a piece of legislation that would have made the big difference in the oil sector if it had not got stuck in intrigues and politics.

When the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, now Emir of Kano, alleged that $20b oil money was missing, a huge row broke out. The money was not “missing”, said some officials who should know; it was merely “unaccounted for” or “misappropriated”.

Committee after committee gave various figures but never told the world where the cash had gone.

Eventually, forensic experts were called in.

Auditing giant PriceWaterhouseCooper’s report was a closely kept secret until one day when the President dared them all and threw it open. The minister had said $1.48b was to be returned to the treasury; the report said $4.29b.

Holding aloft the auditors’ report, which the experts said was done in a most hostile environment for such mental exertions, the minister’s enemies, those who claim – usually without iron-cast proof or any proof at all - that the industry is stinking of corruption have been asking for her head. They became more vociferous after President-elect Muhammadu Buhari said he was going to reopen the matter of the missing money. Haba!

Didn’t Jonathan himself explain that there was no way such cash would go missing without America knowing?

Before then, these self-appointed anti-corruption crusaders and idle activists had accused Mrs Alison-Madueke of racking up a N10b bill on chartered flights. Ah! How unconscionable can people be? Have they ever thought of the hassles of taking a commercial flight? What if one of those files marked “Confidential”, those containing new oil blocks allocations, for example, gets missing on a turbulent commercial flight and gets into the hands of disgruntled elements? What if the minister’s headgear and colourful makeup get ruffled and rumpled as passengers rush to get off board? What happens if any of those

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Metuh Agonistes But, as it happens, the results of these states, particularly Rivers and Akwa Ibom, “get K-leg”, to borrow the famous phrase of another ex-PDP great, former President Olusegun Obasanjo — and, double irony! — when, at the apex of his imperial-presidential glory, the man who was the state decreed Rotimi Amaechi’s PDP Rivers governorship nomination “don get k-leg”; and democratic-imperial version, conjured up Rotimi’s cousin, Celestine Omehia, as the new beneficiary!

Well, Amaechi went to court, and the Supreme Court ruled that though Omehia ran for governor, the candidate in the eyes of the law was Amaechi.

Of course, those were the halcyon days of untrammelled power — glorious days, before Obasanjo gathered the faithful, to publicly shred his own PDP membership card!

But back to the present: Metuh’s pair of electoral pearls — Rivers and Akwa Ibom — must be something special, to draw Metuh’s grave jer-

exquisite pieces of jewellery falls off during the push-and-shove that attends such allcomer flights? Will flying commercial allow for all those last-minute talks with key aides before landing for those all-important meetings? Some consideration, please. Not persecution.

Mrs Alison-Madueke need not bother.

Wasn’t Stella Oduah, a princess, persecuted for spending a mere N255m on two bullet proof cars? Where are her traducers now that she has been elected by her ever appreciative Anambra North people as their senator? A church in Fegge, Onitsha, has just named her “Veronica of our time”. Didn’t the bard say “sweet are the uses of adversity?” In other words, even persecution has its remuneration.

Also likely to be persecuted is Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, whose exceptional assiduity fetched her the exotic title of Coordinating Minister for the Economy. She has been excoriated for, according to many unlicensed analysts, presiding over the profligacy of the administration. They have been citing the depleted foreign reserves and the lean Excess Crude Account as if Mrs Okonjo-Iweala spent all the money on shoes and bags.

These same emergency economists are the ones saying thousands are out of jobs, refusing to listen to Mrs Okonjo-Iweala who insists that millions of jobs are being created for those who wish to work. Besides, she reminds us all that our economy has been rebased and it is now the biggest in Africa.

Which does the lady deserve –claps or slaps?

Her persecutors insist that she must tell Nigerians how much went into waivers, SURE-P, “You win I win” and all those fanciful programmes that political opponents have described as “huge scams”, just like kerosene and petrol subsidy.

For Femi “Amebo” Fani-Kayode and his colleague in deceit, Dr Doyin Okupe, a prince, the duplicity seems to have ended.

Fani-Kayode has returned to court to continue the battle to save his neck from money laundering charges. The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has sued Okupe for borrowing money from a bank and not paying back.

Are they being persecuted for doing their job – those who do not understand call it a dirty job – with such an unusual passion?

Nigerians have been pushing for a probe of the Immigration Service jobs scam that took 16 lives. The government has paid compensation and the families of the dead have been given jobs but the inquisition won’t just stop. Who owns the company that collected money from the job seekers? Who has been punished for the tragedy? Is it lawful for a government department to run such a scheme? Is Interior Minister Abba Moro one of those who will be persecuted?

Honestly, I sympathise with Dr Jonathan and his team, who have been struck by this “persecution mentality”. They should take it easy. Isn’t it all part of Change?

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

HARDBALL LISA Metuh, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national publicity secretary and Janjaweed philosopher, is out with a new release, Metuh Agonistes.

In it, sure a box office monster hit, the incomparable Mr. Metuh plays Jeremiah, the lead role, and spews endless jeremiads, conjuring plots of “Armageddonian” proportions, on how his party’s rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has all but made up its evil mind to seize its little electoral gains, in Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.

But why would anyone, even the meanest and vilest partisan souls, want to further kick the stumbling and sprawling former “largest party in Africa”, now feverishly cooling its heels as, in Hardball-speak, the “largest party in Southeast and Southsouth”?

In Metuh’s janjaweed jeremiad, served hot, fresh and smoking: in “Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, the APC machinery is working round the clock to ensure that it upturned the victory of the PDP and the mandate freely given [italics Hardball’s] in these states.”

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

VOL. 10, NO. 3214

emiad.

Rivers certainly must enter the Guinness Book of Records for its grisly harvest in snuffed life and severed limb, not to talk of battered psyche, on its way to delivering a jumbo mandate, freely given, the PDP-peculiar way!

So is Akwa Ibom, the land of the colourful Godswill Obot Akpabio, the father of modern Akwa Ibom. There, PDP harvested so much votes that though the local Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released result for the April 11 governorship polls, it is still at sea with releasing the Akwa Ibom legislature vote, held same time, same day!

Only God knows why Metuh included Delta in his partisan agony. Perhaps some electoral abracadabra happened there too! But the pair of Rivers and Akwa Ibom is obvious. For both states, INEC has released evidence that suggests actual voters were hundreds in excess of accredited voters, which

the card readers captured, in the control electronic voter roll. That tends to suggest — horror of horrors! — a majority of the voters, that gave Metuh’s “free mandate”, could well be ghosts!

Still, only the tribunals can say; and those cases are already before them.

Even then, before APC starts celebrating to high heavens, some sources have pointed out alleged similar disparities in Kano, during the February 28 presidential election. The snag, however, is: whereas INEC permitted temporary suspension of card readers during the presidential poll, no such waiver was allowed during the governorship/state legislature elections.

So, perhaps as outgoing President Jonathan wails about the inevitability of “persecution” of his ministers, even if a good number of those could meritoriously deserve prosecution, Metuh is screaming about “freely given” mandates, even if there are manifest causes to believe the so-called votes are manifest puffery.

Well, Hardball waits, with jarring nerves, how the whole drama pans out.

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