THE NATION THURSDAY 16, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Ex-Rivers PDP chair’s aide killed NEWS

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•More protest in Port Harcourt

Senate seeks full honours for Achebe

NEWS

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•Lawmakers eulogise celebrated novelist www.thenationonlineng.net

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VOL. 8, NO. 2487 THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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•THE CHAMPS: English club Chelsea’s players celebrating with their UEFA Europa League trophy at the end of the final match in Amsterdam Arena, Holland…yesterday. Chelsea beats Portuges side, Benfica 2-1.

PHOTO:AFP

ACN, Tinubu, Sani kick as NLC, NBA, CAN back action If the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 local government areas in four states in 2011 has not curbed the activities of the insurgents, why extend such measure to other areas?

—ACN

P •Asiwaju Tinubu

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states was greeted with mixed reactions yesterday.

The State of Emergency declared ...yesterday portends danger for the polity. The full militarisation of security operations in these states will compound the already tense situation —Tinubu Bisi Oladele, Ibadan and Yinka Aderibigbe

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)

As the military leaders have said in discourses, the armoury of the Nigerian soldiers is not meant to fight fellow Nigerians; the armory is meant to protect fellow Nigerians —Borno governor

endorsed the presidential action.

But the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected the

The declaration of a state of emergency in three Northeast states is a justified action and a vindication of CAN’s position that negotiation with terrorists will always end up a futile exercise —CAN

decision.

CAN President Ayo Oritsejafor said the decision vindicated its position that only force could end the insurgency.

The Christian body and the

ACN called for the immediate scrapping of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue.

Pastor Oritsejafor, in a Continued on page 2

Massive troops deployment in Adamawa, Yobe, Borno Defence promises safety of civilians Soldiers on patrol at borders

T

ROOPS moved into cities in the Northeast yesterday to enforce President Goodluck Jonathan’s emergency rule declaration.

Residents were frightened by the sight of many army trucks carrying sol-

From Yusuf Alli, Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja and Duku Joel, Damaturu

diers into Yola and Maiduguri.

Borno, Adamawa and Yobe

•Editorial — Page 19 are now under emergency rule, following attacks by militants of the Boko Haram

group.

A Reuters reporter saw six trucks carrying soldiers enter Yola, the capital of Adamawa State. In the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, the biggest city in the area and birthplace of the insurgency, residents also reported an influx of troops.

The mood was tense in the city. Shops were mostly shut and there were few people on the streets. Schools were closed.

Residents were worried that the 9pm to 6am curfew in place may be extended.

“What I saw this morning

scared me,” said Maiduguri resident Ahmed Mari. “I have never seen soldiers on the move quite like this before.”

Another, Kabir Laoye, said he was scared that civilians could be caught up in the conflict: “There is a lot of apprehension about the state of

emergency,” he said.

Some state government officials doubted the state of emergency would work unless security forces can win popular support.

“This state of emergency will not change anything if Continued on page 2

•SPORTS P24 •POLITICS P43 •E-BUSINESS P44 •N/HEALTH P45 •CITYBEATS P58

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

NEWS Ex-Rivers PDP chair’s aide killed

T

•Relatives of the two Nigerian Air Force pilots Squadron Leader Benjamin Ado and Flying Officer Ayuba Layelmeson, who died in a crash in Niger Republic, at the burial ground in Abuja…yesterday. Story on page 59

Rivers PDP crisis: Police to remain at council

R

IVERS State Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu said yesterday policemen won’t be withdrawn from the Obio/ Akpor council secretariat.

The officers were deployed on May 3, following alleged plan by some elements to attack the secretariat.

A Federal High Court last Friday ordered the police chief to withdraw his men from the secretariat. But Mbu vowed to keep them there in spite of the court’s ruling.

Mbu’s stance followed the invasion of the secretariat by some youths, who burnt down generator house.

A section of the secretariat was also damaged.

The suspected hoodlums were also said to have broken into an office where documents containing the council’s financial transactions were stolen.

The documents, according to sources, contained valuable evidence that would have been used for the investigation of the suspended chairman of the council, Mr. Timothy Nsirim.

Nsirim, his deputy Solomon Eke and all 17 councillors were suspended on

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

April 22 by the House of Assembly for alleged financial impropriety and breach of security.

Only five of the 32-member Assembly voted against the suspension of the council officials.

Mbu told reporters yesterday that the hoodlums entered the secretariat after his men, in obedience to the court order, withdrew from the premises.

He said the court order was passed onto him by the police area commander.

Mbu said: “Police complied to enable the new council executive to carry out its executive functions, including the payment of salaries, allowances and normal administrative duties without hindrance, but ironically the hoodlums took advantage of police absence to cause havoc at the council.

“The vehicle had enough personnel. We allowed for free movement of people in and out of the council, so we didn’t search anybody. We were simply obeying the court order.

“About 45 minutes later,

after I withdrew my men, the officer in charge called to inform me that an explosion was heard at the generator house within the Obio/Akpor secretariat.

“We have no choice but to repossess the place and we are there right now. We are not going to allow any person to go in or come out. We will not allow any person to destroy government property.

“As things happened, I asked the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Investigation to investigate what happened. I have also asked the Bomb Disposal unit to wade into the matter.”

On wide-spread insinuations that he was transferred to Rivers State to act a script drafted by political strategists at the Presidency, Mbu said he was unperturbed.

On the women, who protested and demanded his immediate transfer from the state, he said: “I am not distracted. I am focused. I know what I am doing. I have no regrets on any action that I have taken since I took over as commissioner of police in Rivers State. I am a professional policeman.”

On the allegation by the

•Mbu

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Otelemaba DanAmachree, that there were plans to withdraw the security detail of key political office holders to make them easy targets for assassins, Mbu said he had not seen any letter and would not want to dwell on rumours in the discharge of his duties.

The police reportedly filed an appeal on Monday against the ruling of Justice H. Nagajiwa of the Federal High Court.

In the appeal through its counsel, Chike Dim Igwe, the police urged the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt to vacate the lower court’s order that requested the police to vacate the Obio/Akpor secretariat.

HE alleged killing of Eric Ezenekwe, an aide to the sacked Rivers State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Godspower Ake, has introduced a dangerous twist into the crisis rocking the ruling party.

Ezenekwe was allegedly killed by suspected assassins when he returned home at about 11pm on Tuesday.

He was reportedly tortured by the yet-to-be-identified persons and later shot at his home in Erema, Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area.

The spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Angela Agabe, confirmed the incident saying the matter was still being investigated.

Ezenekwe’s killing is attributed to the alleged withdrawal of police orderlies from top government officials and politicians.

An in-law to the assassinated aide, Felix Akpa, said on the telephone: “Ezenekwe arrived home at 11pm last night (Tuesday) only to run into an ambush. The assassins pounced on him and pushed him into his bedroom, where they tied his hands; inflicted electric cable wounds on him and with machete cuts on his back and ended his life with three shots.

“Ezenekwe was alone that night, because of the hospitalisation of his wife. His three children and a pastor living in his house were all out.

“It was a man who had an appointment with Ezenekwe, for a trip to Port Harcourt on May 15 that found him in a pool of blood and raised the alarm.”

Also yesterday, the Chief of Staff (CoS), Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, alleged a plot by those fighting Governor Rotimi Amaechi to set their own houses ablaze and turn around to blame it on the state government.

He said the ploy was to pave the way for the declaration of state of emergency in the state.

Okocha’s allegation came a day after the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan Amachree alerted of a looming anarchy in the state.

In a telephone chat yesterday, Okocha also alleged that the anti-Amaechi politicians in the state have been moving

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

their belongings out of their houses, preparatory to setting the houses of their perceived enemies ablaze.

According to him, the plot was to create tension and to illegally remove the governor.

Corroborating Okocha, a PDP chieftain and former member of the House of Representatives from the state, Igo Aguma, said Amaechi was being fought over his plan to return as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and his position on the 2015 governorship race in the state.

In a chat with reporters yesterday, Aguma, who is also an ex-Rivers Sports Commissioner, declared that the crisis involving Amaechi was “pure gang up” from Abuja.

The forum of chairmen of the PDP in the 23 local government areas of the state, led by Daere Samuel-Horsfal, at a news conference in Port Harcourt, urged the Chief Felix Obuah-led executive of the party to desist from further tarnishing the good image of the party.

The CoS said: “The information reaching us right now is to the effect that some enemies of Rivers State are planning so many things to cause tension in the state. We have it on good authority that so many of them are carting away properties from their respective homes and to set the buildings on fire and blame it on the Rivers State government.

“These are antics geared towards creating some kind of problem in Rivers State. They have already boasted that they will ensure that there is a state of emergency in Rivers State.

We need to let the people know that these are trumped up by the enemies of the state to destabilise the state government.

“We have informed the police. On Tuesday, a group of hoodlums, being sponsored by them, threw dynamite into the generator house of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area secretariat. We spoke with the police and we named them (those who threw the dynamite).

“Rivers people should remain calm. We should not behave as if Rivers State does not belong to us. Somebody must be in the office as the governor of Rivers state.”

Massive troops deployment in Adamawa, Yobe, Borno Continued from page 1

the people do not cooperate and start exposing members of Boko Haram,” said David John, a director in the state government.

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the Nigerian Armed Forces to take over the patrol of the nation’s borders.

The main thrust of the patrol is to track down criminal elements within the vicinity of border communities prone to terrorist activities.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, yesterday said the troops were made up of the Armed Forces, the police and other security agencies.

Gen. Olukolade added that the troops would also focus on every suspected terrorist enclave and cell in the various border communities.

The statement reads: “In furtherance of the Commander-inChief’s directive, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies have commenced operations to rid the nation’s border territories of terrorist bases and activities.

“The operations, which will involve massive deployment of men and resources, is aimed at

ACN, Tinubu, Sani kick as NLC, NBA, CAN back action Continued from page 1

statement in Abuja said: “With the declaration of a state of emergency in the

three states, the amnesty committee is no longer relevant and should be dissolved.

“The declaration of a state of emergency in three northeast states is a justified action and a vindication of CAN’s position that negotiation with terrorists will always end up a futile exercise.

“We are being vindicated that no reasonable agreement can be reached with terrorists,’’ the statement quoted the CAN president as saying.

It described Jonathan as a “true democrat and an advocate of human rights protection’’.

“While saying that the state of emergency declared in the three states is not unexpected, CAN calls on the three concerned governors to reciprocate the kind gesture by co-operating with those charged with asserting the nation’s territorial integrity and enhancing the security of constituted governmental structures in all territories within Nigeria’s borders.

“The operational plans have also briefed participating troops appropriately on arrests, cordon and search, especially directed at

the responsibility of bringing down the insurgency,’’ it stated.

Mr Okey Wali, President of the NBA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview: “We have no doubt that the President has received fresh intelligence that necessitates a harder measure to be taken to forestall further mindless attacks on Nigerians by insurgents.

“We are indeed satisfied by the decision as it has not eroded the political structure of the three states; suffice it to say that democracy is still in place in those areas.

“Our candid appeal is for the members of the Boko Haram to still leverage on the existing opportunities provided by the Presidential Committee on Amnesty.’’

The NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar said it was a good development that showed that a government exists.

He spoke to reporters at the inauguration of an Airtel Telecommunication Call

apprehending those who have been violating sovereignty of Nigeria through terrorist training for insurgency and related activities.

“The operation is expected to put an end to insurgent activities in these parts of the country.

The Defence Headquarters

Centre in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday.

He said: “I think first of all, we must understand that it is within the responsibilities of Mr. President to take whatever step he deems fit to ensure that there is peace and stability in this country. For Mr. President to have taken that decision would mean that definitely, he must have exploited all avenues and discovered that this is the best option. I want to commend that effort especially because of the way it is carried out. It would ensure that it is directly meant to ensure peace and security rather than being like a political victimisation.

“The pronouncement of the President shows that the executive, the legislature and the judiciary have continued to function.

To rights activist Shehu Sani, emergency rule declaration by the President is “a

said measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of civilians and non-combatants while the operation lasts.

The authorities of the Armed Forces enjoined communities in the border areas to cooperate with troops and give information on criminal and terrorist ac-

Continued on page 57

tivities.

They are also enjoined to report suspicious activities or movements in their various localities, they said, stressing that the operation is intended to safeguard the nation’s interests and citizens in all parts of the federation.

•Sani

Borno Governor Kashim Shettima backed the imposition of a state of emergency on his state.

Continued on page 57

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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NEWS STATE OF EMERGENCY

Knocks, kudos P •From left: Head, Business Segment, Etisalat Nigeria Mr. Bidemi Ladipo, Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor Mr. Eyo Ekpo, Head, High Value Events and Sponsorship Miss Ebi Atawodi and Head, Regional Sales, Southsouth/ Southeast, Etisalat Nigeria Mr. Enekwachi Aja at the 2013 Etisalat sponsored Market Access in Calabar.

• Managing Director/CEO, Wemaboard Estates Limited Mr. Olumide Ologun (left), Board Chairman Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, representative of Lagos State Governor and the Commissioner for Housing Mr. Bosun Jeje (second right)and Chairman, Odu'a Investment Companies Mr. Sharafadeen Alli (right), during the 50th Anniversary Lecture of Wemabod Estates Limited, at Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos...Tuesday

•Chairman,Nigerian Breweries Plc Chief Kolawole Jamodu (right), Managing Director/CEO Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde and Non Executive Director Mr. Olusegun Adebanji (left), during the company’s 67th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos...yesterday.

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (second left) receiving a document from the President, Association of Doctoral Candidates in Russia Godwin Ezinkwo after a meeting with the representatives of Nigerian students stranded in Russia and Cuba in Abuja... yesterday. With them are members of the Committee, Innocent Tirsel (left) and Aminu Shagari (right).

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

ROMINENT Nigerians yesterday expressed divergent views over President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

Some praised President Goodluck Jonathan for the decision. Others said he acted wrongly.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, said the emergency was unnecessary.

Ozekhome told NAN in a telephone interview that “the move is unnecessary as the country is not at war or in imminent danger of invasion”.

He said the order given to the military to take charge of security in the three states was only an adoption of stiffer measures and not a state of emergency.

According to him, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution does not permit the declaration of state of emergency just because a part of the country is facing security challenges.

The senior advocate said: “I condemn the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. It is unnecessary and uncalled for. Under Section 305, before a state of emergency can be declared, it must be evident that the country is in a state of war or is in imminent danger of invasion. Section 305 does not permit the declaration of state of emergency simply because a part of some states, not even the whole state, is facing security challenges.’’

He said Section 305 provided that the intention to declare a state of emergency should first be published in a Federal Government Gazette.

After the publication, he said, the National Assembly should sit at a plenary to decide if there was need for declaration of the state of emergency.

“Therefore, Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution was not obeyed before the proclamation of the state of emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan. I would, therefore, say that since he did not follow due procedure, it is not a declaration of state of emergency, but an adoption of stiffer measures for the protection of lives and property in those states.’’

He expressed fear that the deployment of more military troops in the affected states would lead to the death of innocent people, adding that it would amount to a violation of the rights of citizens.

The Executive Director, Conscience Nigeria (CN), Mr Tosin Adeyanju, cautioned the military against human rights abuses, following its personnel’s deployment in those states.

Adeyanju advised the armed forces to respect the rules of civil engagement in their operation to avoid violation of human rights.

Adeyanju said: “The military must respect rules of engagement in its operations and respect the rights of citizens to avoid human rights violation. Their rules of engagement must be clearly spelt out in conformity with the very high standards of International Human Rights Law.” The Coalition to Save Nigeria (CSN) described the decision as “token” and “belated”.

A statement yesterday by its National President, Philip Ugbodaga, said: “The response of President Jonathan is belated, too little, too late, especially coming after the massive orgy of violence of more than two years and with more than 2,000 innocent Nigerians prematurely sent to their graves.”

A group of Southern Kaduna youths under the auspices of the Centre for Development and Rights

•Ozekhome From Tony Akowe, Kaduna, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin and Polycarp Orosevwetu, Warri

Advocacy said the president should have included their area in the emergency rule.

In a statement by its convener, John Danfulani, the group said the area had witnessed several killings.

It said: "Yet President Goodluck Jonathan and the nation's security chiefs did not find it worthy to declare state of emergency in troubled Southern Kaduna region under terrorist siege.”

Lagos lawyer Festus Keyamo said the president took the right decision.

He said: "What Obasanjo did in the past in suspending governors through declaration of a state of emergency was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

Unfortunately, none of the governors had the mettle to challenge him in court.”

A former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Prof. Daniel Saroh, said the declaration of state of emergency was in order.

He told the NAN in Abuja yesterday that the development would solve the security challenges in some parts of the country.

Saroh said the declaration “is a right step in the right direction” that would solve the security challenges facing the country.

He said: “Nigerian populace has to have some measure of confidence that the government is able and willing to act to ensure security of lives and property.

He said under the 1999 Constitution as amended, the primary responsibility of the government “is to ensure the security and safety of its citizens”.

“For the past one year, there has been a systematic violation of the freedom of the people by unknown persons killing people without just cause.

“The people who are behind the killings are not ghost, they live among us; the government has no option but to do what it has done.”

Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nsukka branch, Mr Gerald Eze, told NAN in Nsukka that Jonathan’s action was a welcome development and constitutional.

“The state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe is an indication that he is in full control of security challenges and has the interest of Nigerians at heart.

“What the president has done has constitutional backing and he has the power to do it,” he said.

A former Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Adejare Bello, called on the political class in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to support the new security arrangements.

Bello told NAN in Osogbo that the fact that the governors and the political structures remain was commendable.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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NEWS STATE OF EMERGENCY

for Jonathan over emergency rule What Obasanjo did in the past in ‘ suspending governors through a declaration of a State of Emergency was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void. Unfortunately, none of the governors had the mettle to challenge him in court •Bello

‘

•Keyamo

The changing face of terrorism P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in three north-eastern states as militant Islamists intensify their offensive against the government.

The insurgency, led by Boko Haram, has killed some 2,000 people since 2009.

It has spread across the mainly Muslim north and central Nigeria.

With the attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, there is growing concern that Boko Haram is receiving backing from al-Qaeda-linked militants in other countries.

Here, we focus on the changing nature of the conflict.

May 2013 Boko Haram has increased its focus on smaller towns in north-eastern Nigeria in recent months after the military drove many of its fighters out of Maiduguri the capital of Borno State, which was the group’s main base.

Boko Haram militants have since infiltrated nearby towns, with little resistance from the army.

In a well-planned attack on 7 May 2013 in Bama, some 70km (44 miles) from Maiduguri, about 200 heavily armed men stormed a military barracks, police station and government buildings.

Five-five people were killed and 105 prisoners were freed in the raids. Significantly, the militants launched the attack in armoured vehicles mounted with machine guns.

It suggests that they are becoming better-resourced and they can adapt to the changing terrain. Easy to use motorcycles are the trademark for Boko Haram attacks in cities.

The Bama violence came a few weeks after Boko Haram attacked a military patrol in Baga, a nearby town in which it is said to have also built a presence, forcibly recruiting youth into its ranks.

The military retaliated by launching a raid on the town, accusing residents of harbouring the militants.

Nearly 200 people died in the raid, and thousands of buildings were destroyed, leading to claims by rights groups that the military had used excessive force an allegation it has repeatedly faced as it tries to quell the insurgency launched in 2009.

The army denied the allegation, and blamed Boko Haram for the deaths of 37 people.

First ‘slaves captured’: May 2013 Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video on 13 May 2013, saying Boko Haram had taken women and children - including teenage girls - hostage in response to the arrest of its members’ wives and children.

It is unclear whether the hostages are the relatives of government officials or

PDP Governors’ Forum, PFN hail president

T

HE Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for “the bold step he has taken to stop the needless bloodshed in some parts of the North”.

Akpabio denied knowledge of a purported Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) meeting opposing emergency rule in any part of the country.

Akpabio thanked Jonathan for allowing the elected governors to remain in office and work with the rel-

civilians.

Mr Shekau said the hostages would be treated as “slaves”, fuelling concern that Boko Haram is adhering to the ancient Islamic belief that women captured during war are slaves with whom their “masters” can have sex.

First cross-border raid and kidnapping: February 2013 Now established in remote areas close to Nigeria’s north-eastern border, Boko Haram launched its first operation in neighbouring Cameroon in February 2013. ts fighters abducted French nationals as they were returning from a visit to Waza National Park.

The French family of seven, including four children aged between five and 12, were freed some two months later.

A Nigerian government report, seen by Reuters news agency, said Boko Haram was paid a ransom of more than $3m (£2m) to release the hostages.

The French and Cameroonian governments denied any ransom was paid.

This was the first time Boko Haram had said that it had taken hostages.

Another northern Nigerian Islamist group, Ansaru - which was formed in 2012 and is believed to have links to al-Qaeda - has been involved in abducting foreigners.

It is unclear where Boko Haram held the French family captive; some analysts believe it was in one of the towns which fell under the militants’ control this year.

First mosque bombing: 2012 A suicide bomber detonated himself at a mosque in Maiduguri in July 2012, after Friday prayers. His target was believed to have been the most senior Muslim cleric in Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi.

He narrowly escaped death, but five

evant security agencies to restore sanity.

The National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Dr. Felix Omobude, hailed the President’s decision.

The PFN boss expressed optimism that the emergency rule would check the activities of the terrorists.

He condemned the murder of Rev. Faye Umar, the Secretary– General of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter.

other worshippers were killed.

Boko Haram did not comment on the attack, but many residents believed that the suicide bomber came from its ranks and the attack was aimed at eliminating or intimidating moderate clerics opposed to the group.

In a second attack a few weeks later, a suicide bomber tried to kill the traditional leader of the Fika emirate in Yobe state, Alhaji Muhammed Abali Ibn Mohammed Idrisa. The bomber blew himself up after he was confronted by bodyguards.

The attack on Mr Idrissa did not come as a surprise, as he is a former state security officer.

In January 2012, Boko Haram carried out its bloodiest assault in a single day - the killing of about 185 people in co-ordinated bombing and gun attacks across Kano, the biggest city in the north with a majority Muslim population.

First suicide bombing: 2011 In June 2011, a suicide bomber rammed a car into the police headquarters in the capital, Abuja, killing eight people.

The bomber is alleged to have joined the convoy of then-police chief Gen Hafiz Ringim, before detonating himself.

Gen Ringim was later sacked, as critics rounded on him for his failure to protect the heart of Nigeria’s security establishment, let alone the rest of the country.

Some two months after the bombing, Boko Haram attacked the UN headquarters in Abuja, killing 23 people.

It was the first time the group had hit a foreign target. It released a video, describing the UN as a “forum of all the global evil” and offering praise for Osama Bin Laden, the alQaeda leader killed by US special forces in Pakistan.

This was the clearest indication that Boko Haram saw itself as part of a global jihadist movement, though some analysts believe its roots can be traced to 2001 when a group calling itself the Taleban emerged in northern Nigeria in response to the US military campaign in Afghanistan following the al-Qaeda-linked attacks in New York and Washington in the same year.

First Christmas bombings: 2010 At least 32 people were killed in bomb blasts targeting churches on Christmas Eve 2010 in central Plateau state, which straddles Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north and the Christian south.

Christmas Day services were also targeted in 2011, killing dozens of people just outside Abuja and other cities.

There have been many other attacks on churches, including an Easter bomb attack in the northern city of Kaduna in 2012. At least 41 people were killed.

The attacks have forced many churches to tighten security, and some have even banned women from carrying hand bags.

In June 2011, a suicide bomber rammed a car into the police headquarters in the capital, Abuja, killing eight people.

The bomber is alleged to have joined the convoy of then-police chief Gen Hafiz Ringim, before detonating himself.

Gen Ringim was later sacked, as critics rounded on him for his failure to protect the heart of Nigeria’s security establishment, let alone the rest of the country.

Some two months after the bombing, Boko Haram attacked the UN headquarters in Abuja, killing 23 people.

It was the first time the group had hit a foreign target. It released a

video, describing the UN as a “forum of all the global evil” and offering praise for Osama Bin Laden, the alQaeda leader killed by US special forces in Pakistan.

This was the clearest indication that Boko Haram saw itself as part of a global jihadist movement, though some analysts believe its roots can be traced to 2001 when a group calling itself the Taleban emerged in northern Nigeria in response to the US military campaign in Afghanistan following the al-Qaeda-linked attacks in New York and Washington in the same year.

First Christmas bombings: 2010 At least 32 people were killed in bomb blasts targeting churches on Christmas Eve 2010 in central Plateau state, which straddles Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north and the Christian south.

Christmas Day services were also targeted in 2011, killing dozens of people just outside Abuja and other cities.

There have been many other attacks on churches, including an Easter bomb attack in the northern city of Kaduna in 2012. At least 41 people were killed.

The attacks have forced many churches to tighten security, and some have even banned women from carrying hand bags.

Launched in 2002, Boko Haram which in the local Hausa language means “Western education is forbidden”, a reference to the initial focus of its Islamist agenda - became a force to be reckoned with in 2009 when it raided police stations and government buildings in Maiduguri, and other northern cities.

Hundreds of people were killed in the ensuing clashes between the security forces and its members.

Soldiers raided Boko Haram’s headquarters, an Islamic centre in Maiduguri where children from poor families, including those from neighbouring Chad and Niger, enrolled for religious studies, only to be recruited as fighters.

When the security forces seized control of the centre, they captured its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, who then died in police custody.

The military declared victory over Boko Haram, only to find the group reorganising itself under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau, who took it on a more militant path in the campaign to establish a puritanical Islamic state across Nigeria.

•Source:BBC

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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Senators seek protection of citizens

S

E N A T O R S Mohammed Ali Ndume and Victor Lar yesterday urged the Federal Government to ensure the safety of the ordinary citizens while enforcing the emergency rule in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

But Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for sticking to the constitutional provisions in declaring emergency rule in the three Northeastern states.

He said the country needs a permanent solution to its security challenges.

Ndume told reporters in Abuja that although the de-

•Ekweremadu demands permanent solution From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

tails of the emergency rule were not available yet, it was clear that democratic structures in the affected states would remain, while extraordinary measures would be taken to remedy the security challenges.

He urged the troops to ensure that cases of human rights abuses do not occur during the period of the emergency rule.

Ndume said: “We hope that this is not going to be like adding salt to injury.

“We hope it is part of the extraordinary measures government has to take to end this problem.

“It is not an issue of saying support or not support.

Actually, what I know by the emergency rule is that the government has taken extraordinary measures and that is by taking charge of security in the states and local governments involved.

“Now, the Commanderin-Chief has taken over direct charge through either his representatives or whatever, to ensure security in those places.”

Tukur urges sacrifice

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HE National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has appealed to Nigerians to see the emergency rule imposed on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states as a collective sacrifice.

He urged them to join the war against terrorism to make the emergency rule work in the three states.

In a statement yesterday, Tukur said Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states would feel the heat of the emergency rule.

He enjoined Nigerians to be vigilant, particularly those in communities around the borders.

Said he: “All states of the federation must guard their borders as a proactive measure to curb terrorism.

“No sacrifice should be too much in the effort to contain terrorism.

“While the military and other security agencies will be concentrating efforts on

T

HE state of emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states on Tuesday is new and experimental, the pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, has said.

He told reporters yesterday in Ilorin that it might not provide the solution to insecurity.

Said he: “On previous occasions when state of emergency was declared in the West and

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Plateau State, governors were removed. With this new experiment of military interacting with civilians, I see it as an experiment being carried out and I don’t know how the joint command will work. Honestly, I can’t zero in and say it will provide the ultimate answer.

“I think the President should have gone the whole hog, but he is the man at the helm and is apparently acting on some reports. So, let’s wait

SANs disagree on non-suspension of governors

By Joseph Jibueze

S

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

the hottest beds of terrorism in Nigeria, the neighbouring states and indeed, all states of the federation should equally pick up the gauntlet to join in the fight while watching their borders.”

The PDP Chair stressed that by remaining vigilant, other parts of the country would be guarding against fleeing terrorists relocating to their communities.

He went on: “Before now, I campaigned against terrorism, which I described as evil.

I said the fight against the evil must involve everyone and not security personnel alone.

“If our security men are fighting terrorists in Yobe, the neighbouring states should not fold their arms.

We all need to be more vigilant so that if terrorists escape from one state, they would have no breathing space in any area they may decide to invade.

‘Jonathan’s brand of emergency rule is new’

•Tukur

“President Goodluck Jonathan took the last option of declaring a state of emergency because the terrorists were becoming more daring.

They were even planning to declare a state of their own.

This happened because many of us believed that terrorism had been a problem for the North alone.”

Tukur expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to make the emergency rule work in the affected states.

HOULD the governors of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states have been suspended following a declaration of a state of emergency?

Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) yesterday disagreed on whether President Goodluck Jonathan should have appointed interim administrators.

Malam Yusuf Ali and Chief Emeka Ngige said the President was right not to remove the governors.

But the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof.

Imran Smith, also a SAN, said it would have made more sense to suspend the governors since an emergency rule implies the central control of a state.

Ali said: “The President was properly advised not to appoint administrators for the states. The failure of security in any part of Nigeria is the failure of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“The governors don’t control the security apparatus of the country.

So, it would have been invidious to punish them for failure of security.”

Ngige said removal of the governors was “absolutely unnecessary” as the 1999 Constitution did not permit that.

“It was during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration that the then Federal Government in the guise of political violence sponsored by the same government, purported to remove some democratically- elected governors along their state houses of assembly. That era is better forgotten.

“The current governors in the Northeast did not cause the insurrection or the insurgency, so why remove them?

“It would have been politically disastrous for democratic structures to be demolished because of the insurgency. The President needs the cooperation and assistance of the governors in the fight against terrorism.

“The President did the right in not removing the governors or pulling down the democratic structures in the affected states,” he said.

•Akanbi

and see how it works. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.”

The former Appeal Court president linked the rising wave of insecurity in the country to the absence of patriotism and nationalism among the current crop of leaders.

Expert hails Jonathan A SECURITY expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for declaring emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. He said the step was due to the killings by the Boko Haram terrorists.

Ekhomu said the state of emergency would combat insecurity.

He said it was, however, unfortunate that the President opted to maintain the political structures rather than use military rule, which could have enabled more effective command and control of the security forces.

Ekhomu, who is the first West African to be board certified in Security Management, said there was an urgent need to clarify that the powers of the military commanders were superior to those of the local politicians in the counter-terrorism operation.

Terrorists want to destabilise Nigeria, says Jonathan Text of President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech declaring a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states

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EAR compatriots, It has become necessary for me to address you on the recent spate of terrorist activities and protracted security challenges in some parts of the country, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states. These unfortunate events have led to needless loss of lives and property of many innocent Nigerians including members of our security forces.

The recent killing of security operatives by a cult group in Nasarawa state is particularly condemnable. I have directed that no effort or expense be spared in identifying and bringing to justice all those who had a hand in the killing of the operatives.

The activities of insurgents and terrorists have been reprehensible, causing fear among our citizens and a near-breakdown of law and order in parts of the country, especially the North. We have taken robust steps to unravel and address the root causes of these crises, but it would appear that there is a systematic effort by insurgents and terrorists to destabilise the Nigerian state and test our collective resolve.

Since I returned to the country after cutting short my visit to South Africa and aborting a planned state visit to Namibia, I have received detailed briefings from our security agencies. These briefings indicate that what we are facing is not just militancy or criminality, but a rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups which pose a very serious threat to national unity and territorial integrity. Already, some northern parts of Borno State have been taken over by groups whose allegiance is to different flags and ideologies.

These terrorists and insurgents seem determined to establish control and authority over parts of our beloved nation and to progressively overwhelm the rest of the country. In many places, they have destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state authority and in their place, hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternative sovereignty.

They have attacked government buildings and facilities. They have murdered innocent citizens and state officials. They have

set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as hostages.

These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial integrity. As a responsible government, we will not tolerate this.

Previously, we adopted a multi-track approach to the resolution of this problem through actions which included persuasion, dialogue and widespread consultation with the political, religious and community leaders in the affected states.

We exercised restraint to allow for all efforts by both State Governors and well-meaning Nigerians to stop the repeated cases of mindless violence.

Yet, the insurgents and terrorists seek to prevent government from fulfilling its constitutional obligations to the people as they pursue their fanatical agenda of mayhem, mass murder, division and separatism.

While the efforts at persuasion and dialogue will continue, let me reiterate that we have a sacred duty to ensure the security and well-being of all our people and protect the sovereign integrity of our country. Therefore, we shall, on no account, shy away from doing whatever becomes necessary to provide the fullest possible security for the citizens of this country in any part of the country they choose to reside.

We have a duty to stand firm against those who threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will is strong, because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria.

Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for Government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy. After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby declare a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

Accordingly, the Chief of Defence Staff has been directed to immediately deploy more troops to these states for more effective internal security operations. The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all

necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.

This will include the authority to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of terrorist operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons in illegal possession of weapons.

The details of this Proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. But in the meantime, let me make it clear that within the purview of this Proclamation, the Governors and other political office holders in the affected states will continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.

I urge the political leadership in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to co-operate maximally with the Armed Forces and the Police to ensure that the exercise succeeds. We call on the citizenry to co-operate with our security agencies to ensure a return to normalcy within the shortest possible time.

I am again approaching our neighbouring countries, through diplomatic channels, as done in the recent past, for their cooperation in apprehending any terrorist elements that may escape across the border.

Nigerians are peace-loving people; these sad events perpetrated by those who do not wish our nation well have not changed the essential character of our people.

I want to reassure you all that those who are directly or indirectly encouraging any form of rebellion against the Nigerian state, and their collaborators; those insurgents and terrorists who take delight in killing our security operatives, whoever they may be, wherever they may go, we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them to justice. No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror.

I am convinced that with your support and prayers, we shall overcome these challenges and together, we will restore every part of our country to the path of peace, growth and development.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

7

NEWS STATE OF EMERGENCY

‘A dangerous trend in art of governance’ Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s statement on the declaration of emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

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T is now abundantly clear that President Jonathan has finally bared his fangs confirming what was widely speculated. By declaring a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, he has intimidated and emasculated the governors of these states. We are witnessing a dangerous trend in the art of governance and a deliberate ploy to subvert constitutional democracy.

The body language of the Jonathan administration leads any keen watcher of events with unmistakable conclusion of the existence of a surreptitious but barely disguised intention to muzzle the elected governments of these states for what is clearly a display of unpardonable mediocrity and diabolic partisanship geared towards 2015. Borno and Yobe states have been literally under armies of occupation with the attendant excruciating hardship experienced daily by the indigenes and residents of these areas. This government now wants to use the excuse of the security challenges faced by the Governors to remove them from the states considered hostile to the 2015 PDP/ Jonathan project.

Let me be quick to say that this administration will be setting in motion a chain of events the end of which nobody can predict. Experience has shown clearly that actions, such as this one under consideration, often give root to radical ideologies and extremist tendencies, a direct opposite of the intended outcome of unwarranted and unintelligent meddlesomeness. The present scenario playing out in the country reminds one of the classical case of a mediocre crafts-

man who continually blames the tools of his trade for his serial failure but refuses to look at his pitiable state with a view to adjusting.

It has become crystal clear, even to the most incurable optimist, that the country is adrift.

That the ship of the Nigerian state is rudderless is clearly evident in the consistent and continual attacks ferociously executed by elements often referred to as the insurgents in some northern states of the federation, particularly Borno and Yobe states respectively. Indeed, no part of the country is immune from the virulent but easy attacks, veritable indices of a failing state.

Unfortunately, the tenuous and uncoordinated approach adopted by this government betrays a grossly incompetent disposition which stands at variance with current realities in the country, nay the international community where acts of terrorism are engaged and contained. No Governor of a state in Nigeria is indeed the Chief Security Officer. Putting the blame on the Governors, who have been effectively emasculated, for the abysmal performance of the government at the centre which controls all these security agencies, smacks of ignorance and mischief.

Terrorist acts are perpetrated routinely and the government at the centre appears incapable of stemming the tide of the horrendous crimes unleashed on the hapless populace. The considerable ease, with which lives and property are destroyed on a daily basis, should excite deep introspection on the part of a government truly desirous of finding

a lasting solution. The Constitution provides that the safety and welfare of citizens shall be the primary purpose of having that structure of any political leadership in the first instance.

This Government, through acts of omission and commission, has fallen far short of expectation. It actively encourages schisms and all manner of divisive tendencies for parochial expediency. Ethnicity and religion become handy weapons of domination. Things have never been this bad.

The response to the pervasive chaos in the Northern region of the country has been militarisation, mass arrests and extra judicial killings by the Joint Task Force, JTF, a convenient euphemism for an army of occupation seemingly set loose on the people of the localities concerned. The tenor of the State of Emergency declared by the Federal Government yesterday portends danger for the polity.

The full militarisation of security operations in these states will compound the already tense situation. Both local and international media are awash with news of reckless attitudes of the invading forces. The fact that security operatives are killed cheaply and reprisals from the state find expressions in organised pogroms in the immediate communities is sure evidence of a government which lacks basic understanding to appreciate the enormity of the current security challenges. If development is about the people, all measures put in place for the sustenance and maintenance of the super-structure of the society must take into cognisance local contents.

•Asiwaju Tinubu

It is evident from the grim experiences in recent times that this government has failed, or does not know that it is necessary for it to avail itself of the benefits accruable from exchange of ideas and notes on the latest in terms of technology and human resources among nations of the modern world, especially those which have been fighting terrorist organisations over the years, on the most effective mode of combating this menace. Technologically advanced countries of the world will never discard the idea on the need for the establishment of an effective local intelligence outfit. Our suggestions along this path have always been met with suspicion and acerbic criticisms from both the informed and the ignorant alike. A government which stoutly defends its opposition to the decentralisation of the police force from its present overcentralised command structure is already experimenting with all manner of means patently extra-legal.

The massacres of local communities attendant upon the attacks on security agents by unknown elements will further alienate the people who should, ordinarily, partner with the government in securing their immediate environments. An army which invades a community maiming, raping and killing defenceless civilians will end up radicalising the youths whose parents and young ones have

been wiped out most cowardly and recklessly. This government should concentrate more on encouraging the development of local intelligence which will, inexorably, lead to the practice of true federalism. Adopting the use of excessive force against those perceived as harbouring terrorists does not portray this government as possessing the wherewithal to find abiding solutions to the lingering security challenges.

The President’s pronouncement, which seeks to abridge or has the potential of totally scuttling the constitutional functions of Governors and other elected representatives of the people, will be counterproductive in the long run. A State of Emergency already exists in the states where JTF operates. Residents of these communities live in constant fear. Their rights are violated with impunity under the guise of searching for terrorists in their respective domains. Hiding under some nebulous claims which border on the intractability of the security challenges posed

by Boko Haram or some acclaimed traditionalists who have killed some policemen to render ineffective the constitutional powers vested in elected Governors and other representatives of the people, perceived as not amenable to manipulation for the 2015 project amounts to reducing serious issues bordering on the survival of the country to partisan politics.

Let all those who love this country genuinely advise the federal government not to tinker with the mandates of these Governors under any guise. It is a potentially destructive path to take. If security of a society is about the protection of lives and property of the citizenry, the involvement of the people is a sine qua non to effective intelligence gathering. Any measures put in place which alienate the people, in particular their elected representatives, should be considered as fundamentally defective by every right thinking person in the country.

Govt okays debt management strategy

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O restructure the nation’s borrowing pattern and make it cost-effective, the Federal Government yesterday approved a Medium Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDMS) for 2013-2015.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, addressed State House correspondents with the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerimah Ngama and Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Maku explained that the council, apart from deliberating on and adopting the MTDMS presented by the Ministry of Finance, also received the performance report of the Ministry of Water Resources for 2012.

He said: “The Ministry of Finance has been working on the management of our domestic debts to create space for the private sector to access credits.

As we all know, in recent years, government’s borrowing has virtually crowed out the private sector and this is not good for the expansion of the economy.

“The government has been trying to evolve different strat-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

egies for dealing with the situation. So, today, the Federal Ministry of Finance presented to the FEC a strategy paper, which they have designed to alter the situation in such a way that the state and federal governments will allow more room for the private sector to access credits by moving away from depending on domestic borrowing to also low interest rate loans...”

Dr Ngama explained that the MTDMS will restructure the nation’s borrowing pattern and make it possible for the private sector to access short-term domestic loans while the governments will concentrate on long-term low-interest external loans.

On the protracted disagreements between the Executive and the National Assembly over this year’s budget, the minister of state noted that even though the budget is being implemented, the Executive’s request for the Legislature to make certain amendments are critical to the realisation of the budget’s targets.

He also expressed concerns over the non-optimal nature of

• Nigeria’s debt now $6b the nation’s debt profile.

Dr Ngama said this is heavy on the domestic level with high cost of servicing.

According to him, about 80 per cent of the nation’s debt of $6 billion is domestic while 20 per cent is external.

He said: “Today at the council, we presented the mediumterm debt management strate-

gy, which will outline the strategy we intend to pursue from this year till 2015. We presented the position as it is and also several options and we made our recommendations.

“We are happy that the Federal Executive Council has approved the option we recommended. This medium-term strategy was developed jointly

by the Debt Manegement Ofiice (DMO) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). It also benefitted from input from the National Bureau of Statistics and the National Planning Commission. We also consulted the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as the West African Institute for Finance and Economic Managaement. So, there is wide consultation and buy-in.

•From left: Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri welcoming Director-General, Flag Foundation of Nigeria, Mr. Chris Agiri when the Foundation’s management visited NOA’s office in Abuja...yesterday. With them is NOA’s Director, Political and Civic Education, Prince Afam Anene

Four Nigerian writers among five shortlisted for 14th Caine Prize

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IGERIA yesterday made history as four of its writers were among the five shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African writing.

It is the first time any country on the continent would have such a number on the prestigious literary shortlist. The prize started in 2000.

The shortlist for the Caine Prize for African Writing - the 14th in the series - was announced yesterday.

The Chair of judges, Gus Casely-Hayford said: “The shortlist was selected from 96 entries from 16 African countries. They are all outstanding African stories that were drawn from an extraordinary body of high quality submissions.

“The five contrasting titles interrogate aspects of things that we might feel we know of Africa – violence, religion, corruption, family, community – but these are subjects that are deconstructed and beautifully remade.

These are challenging, arresting, provocative stories of a continent and its descendants captured at a time of burgeoning change.”

The winner of the £10,000 prize will be announced at a celebratory dinner at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, England, on July 8.

This year’s shortlist comprises entries by Elnathan John (Nigeria) with Bayan Layi, from Per Contra, Issue 25 (USA, 2012); Tope Folarin (Nigeria), with Miracle, from Transition, Issue 109 (Bloomington, 2012) ; Pede Hollist (Sierra Leone), with Foreign Aid, from Journal of Progressive Human Services, Vol. 23.3 (Philadelphia, 2012) ; Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (Nigeria), with The Whispering Trees, from The Whispering Trees, published by Parrésia Publishers Chinelo Okparanta (Nigeria), with America, from Granta, Issue 118 (London, 2012).

A statement yesterday by the organisers said the stories will be available online “on our website, www.caineprize.com, and will be published with the 2013 workshop stories in our forthcoming anthology: A Memory This Size, in July by New Internationalist and seven co-publishers in Africa”.

Nigerian wins Book Prize

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HE Commonwealth Foundation has announced the regional winners for this year’s Commonwealth Book Prize and Commonwealth Short Story Prize. A Nigerian, E. E. Sule, is the regional winner for Africa with his short story, entitled: Sterile Sky. Representing Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, Caribbean, and the Pacific regions, the writers will now compete to become the overall winner, to be announced at Hay Festival in the United Kingdom (UK) on May 31.

The Commonwealth Book Prize is awarded for the best first novel, and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize for the best piece of unpublished short fiction.

Part of Commonwealth Writers, the prizes unearth, develop and promote the best of new writing from across the Commonwealth, developing literary connections worldwide and consistently bringing less-heard voices to the fore.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

8

NEWS Anglican Diocese holds Synod THE first session of the Third Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland begins today at the Cathedral of St. Jude, Ebute Metta.

The Deputy-Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) and Bishop Theologian of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Prof. Dapo Asaju, will speak on “God’s faithfulness in an unfair world” at the opening service.

The business sessions of the four-day synod will hold tomorrow and Saturday at the All Saints’ Church, Yaba, while the closing service on Sunday is billed for the Cathedral of St. Jude, Ebute Metta.

Diocesan Bishop and Archbishop of Lagos Rev. Adebayo Akinde will preside at this annual festival of thanksgiving and celebration, where a state-of-thediocese-and-country-report would be given and representatives of the various churches that make up a diocese would air their views.

Ekiti keep fit Saturday

Aregbesola inaugurates Hassan Olajoku Park

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has described the late chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Alhaji Hassan Olajoku, as a martyr of democracy.

Olajoku was killed on May, 2005, by gunmen at Gbongan Junction. He was a major financier of Aregbesola’s campaign organisation, the Oranmiyan Group.

The late Olajoku hailed from Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government.

Yesterday, Aregbesola unveiled a park named after the deceased at the spot where he was killed.

The Hassan Olajoku Park has a multi-purpose hall, a guest house, a police post and a relaxation centre, among others.

The governor’s wife, Sherifat; Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori; Olajoku’s widow, Fausat; ACN stalwarts, top politicians and traditional rulers were at the event.

Others present were the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Osun ACN Chairman Adebiyi Adelowo; Osun ACN Secretary Prince Gboyega Famodun and

•’He was a martyr of democracy’ From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

top members of the Aregbesola administration.

The rest were a retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Bola Babalakin; the Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi; the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun.

Aregbesola said the late Olajoku and the Oranmiyan Group stood for the progressive idea of using the instrument of governance to serve the people, better their lot and raise their standard of living in a peaceful atmosphere.

He said: “This is an idea that unsettled the ousted administration, which was a government of corruption, mismanagement, misrule, terror and brigandage. Part of their murderous plan was to attack my friends and political associates and inflict on them the unbearable cost of their friendship and association with me.

“Olajoku was the first victim of this

diabolical plan. He was a major financier and supporter of the Oranmiyan Group. He saw and believed in the need for progressive change and firmly aligned and committed himself to the cause.

“For this, he was brutally cut down at this very spot by the agents of evil on his way back to Lagos. In the oblique and malevolence-coloured view of our enemy, they thought they could stop us by eliminating our sources of support. They were sorely mistaken and deeply disappointed.

“Olajoku had long been killed, but what he stood for, fought for and died for lives on. The same idea of progress was our source of succour and courage to press on and brave the odds.”

Aregbesola said the park was not only to honour the late Olajoku, but also a monument to express contempt for the reprehensible minds that conceived the scheme to murder him and the despicable hands that carried it out.

He said the park was also a symbol of peace, a monument of his administration’s commitment to

Two million children get polio vaccine in Ogun

THE May edition of the Ekiti State’s monthly keep fit programme will hold on Saturday at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The two-hour exercise will begin at 7am.

Government functionaries and civil servants are expected there.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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N81.7m for Lagos explosion victims

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

THE Lagos State Government has finalised plans to pay N81.7 million to 233 victims of the 2008 pipeline explosion in Ijegun.

At a meeting yesterday in Alausa, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) told the victims the modalities for accessing the relief package.

LASEMA General Manager Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said of the N81.7 million, N5 million was earmarked for publicity, logistics and other expenses, while N76.75 million would be given to the victims and their lawyers.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the money would be dispensed in four categories.

He said the “very severelyaffected” category covers the 19 people that died in the explosion, adding that the relief package would be given to their families.

The severely affected category are those with permanent disability.

The remaining categories are “moderately affected” and “mildly affected”.

Oke-Osanyintolu said those in the first category would receive more than others.

Ondo to get commissioners From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ONDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday sent the names of commissioner nominees to the House of Assembly for screening.

The list contained mostly those who served as commissioners in his first term.

They include Kayode Akinmade; Gboye Adegbenro; Eyitayo Jegede (SAN); Clement Faboyede; Dayo Adeyanju and Deji Falae.

Others are Lasisi Oluboyo; Akin Adaramola; Yele Ogundipe; Remi Olatubora; Nicholas Tofowomo and Sola Ebisola.

It was learnt that the number of commissioners may not exceed 18.

The nominees may be screened next week.

peace and good neighbourliness and a token of its resolve to defend and protect the people.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Mr. Bola Ilori, said the park was a testimony that the state had returned to the era of peace, development and progress.

He said the spot where Olajoku was killed, which was a place of tension, has been turned into a place of relaxation.

Ilori said apart from honouring the late Olajoku, the park beautifies the state.

Before the inauguration, the governor and his entourage went on a two-kilometre peace march from the Oke-Church Junction in Gbongan to the park.

Mrs. Olajoku thanked the governor for immortalising her husband.

She said Aregbesola has continued to be a pillar of support to the family since her husband’s death.

The widow said Osun people were lucky to have a governor that is committed to the state’s reformation.

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (second left); Chairman, Board of Directors, WEMABOARD Estate Limited, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi (third left); Aare Oloja of Ipinle Oyo, Alhaji Dauda Oladapo (fourth left) and others laying the foundation of Samonda Business Complex at Sango in Ibadan...yesterday.

PHOTO:FEMI ILESANMI, IBADAN

WO million children in Ogun State were immunised with the Oral Polio Vaccine in the last one year.

Over 700,000, between six and 59 months old, were given Vitamin A supplements to boost their immunity.

About 3,781 benefited from the Lifesaving diarrhoea treatment in nine local governments.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, spoke with reporters yesterday in his office in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Soyinka said the government’s health programmes have reduced child and maternal mortality and improved public health.

He said in the last 22 months, 153 health workers were recruited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu; 99 at the Health Ministry and 782 at the State Health Management Board.

His counterpart in the Ministry of Environment, Prince Lanre Tejuoso, said the government has put measures in place to check flooding.

Tejuoso said: “The ministry has cleared drain and channels to ease the flow of water when it rains. It regularly maintains the landscape. We urge our people and corporate bodies to maintain the vegetation in and around their homes and offices.”

Ekiti spends N2b on Social Security Scheme for Elderly

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HE Ekiti State Government has spent about N2 billion on the Social Security Scheme for the Elderly.

The Commissioner for Labour, Productivity and Human Capital Development, Mr. Oluwole Ariyo, made this known yesterday at a forum in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Ariyo said the government spends an average of N100 million monthly on the scheme, under which about 19,270 senior citizens receive a monthly stipend of N5,000 each.

He said the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration is committed to the welfare of the elderly, adding that the scheme would be reviewed monthly to accommodate more people.

Ariyo said: “The scheme is a major achievement of the Fayemi administration and is the first of its kind in Nigeria. It is believed that more of our elders would register and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the scheme.

“Many have come to realise that the scheme has no political or ethnic

‘Industrialisation’ll create jobs’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

T

HE Ekiti State Government yesterday said it will tackle unemployment through industrialisation.

The Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, spoke in her office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while hosting members of the United Nations (UN) Habitat and representatives of the Anli Plywood Industry Limited.

Mrs. Adelabu said the state is willing to partner investors and development partners to create jobs and make life better for the masses.

She said infrastructural development is part of the administration’s eight-point agenda, adding that the state is peaceful and conducive for investors.

Prof. Oyebanji Oyeyinka of the UN Habitat group said the team would partner Ekiti on urban renewal.

Mr. Hu Chin Yu of Anli Plywood Industry Limited said his company was investing about N500 million in a plywood industry in Ilu OmobaEkiti.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

colouration. It has contributed significantly to improving the lifespan of the citizenry.

“Contrary to fears among the elders, the scheme will outlive the administration as it already has an enabling law backing its institution.”

Also yesterday, Local Government Joint Administrative Account Fund Committee approved the payment of the salary of council workers attached to traditional rulers, who missed the biometric exercise conducted by the government.

Commissioner for Local Government Affairs Paul Omotoso said the

affected workers would collect their salaries manually from their respective local government offices.

The State Teaching Service Commission has directed the bursars of public secondary schools to submit the salary vouchers of their schools to the commission on or before the fifth day of every month.

Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission Prince Bayo Adeniran also directed them to regularly submit the vouchers for the payment of the allowances of corps members serving in their schools to ensure prompt payment.

He warned that any bursar found wanting would be sanctioned.

The Commissioner for Education, Kehinde Ojo, assured teachers in special schools, who were employed temporarily, that they would soon be considered for permanent employment.

Ojo said the renovation of special schools in Ikoro-Ekiti is almost completed.

He said the government would organise more trainings for teachers.

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NEWS Oyo begins job fair

My critics are ignorant, says Amosun O

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said critics of his administration are either “ignorant” of its achievements or “confused”.

He spoke yesterday at Ilara, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, while inspecting ongoing work on the 107kilometre Ilara-Ijoun-Oja Odan-Ilase road.

Amosun said: “Those criticising us for doing these roads are either ignorant of what we are doing or confused by our level of service delivery. But we will not be deterred. We will remain focused on doing what the good people of Ogun State elected us to do.”

He expressed satisfaction with the level of work done on the first phase of the threephased project.

Amosun said: “I laugh

when I hear some people say our road projects are concentrated in Ogun Central. They are ignorant of what is going on. This road is 107 kilometres and it is the longest of all the roads we are building. It cuts across the four local governments in Ogun West. It links Yewa North, Yewa South, Ipokia and Imeko.

“It is only Ado-Odo/Ota that it does not touch and we are treating that local government specially. We have Ilo-Awela already there. We are doing this road to open up this area, which is the food basket of the state.

“When it is completed, farmers will not have problems bringing out their farm produce again. They will not

ACN: leave Osun out of terror states

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HE Osun State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condemned a report published yesterday in a national newspaper, which urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Osun and other states “considered by faceless and patently irresponsible online commentators to be violence-ridden”.

In a statement by its Publicity Director, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, ACN said: “The story was against the expectation of those who hold the newspaper in high esteem. We expected the newspaper to be knowledgeable enough not to include Osun on the list of states that qualify for a state of emergency, even if it was unanimously written by any online hack-writer.

“Osun State is one of the most peaceful places in Nigeria today. This is a fact that the newspaper’s reporter in Osogbo can attest to, so it is strange that the newspaper allowed such sinister inference to be made on its pages.

“The only rational interpretation to that publication is that some mischievous people are plotting to get the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to declare an emergency where it is not justified.

“The ACN will like to draw public and media attention to the fact that Osun was considered peaceful enough for more than 50,000 people to attend, without incident, the Nigeria Baptist Centenary Convention in Osogbo, as well as the Lions’ Club International’s convention, which was attended by Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and Senator Iyiola Omisore, a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“If this state was in a crisis warranting a state of emergency, these two events would never have been held in Osogbo by these reputable organisations less than a fortnight ago.

“If the story was a clandestine plot against the peaceful people of Osun, the criminally-minded people behind it should think again, because the plot will not only fail, it will severely burn the fingers of its originators.”

Lawyer urges CJN to probe Ondo tribunal’s judgment

A

N Ekiti lawyer, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, has described the judgment of the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as an attempt to “destroy the efforts of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to sanitise the nation’s judiciary.

The tribunal upheld the election of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP).

In a statement, Ogele accused the tribunal judges of bias, saying the judgment was based on a non-existing law.

He said: “The insincerity of the tribunal’s ruling manifested when the public began to doubt its Chairman, Justice Andovar Kaka’n, who was accused of not recording opposition witnesses’ accounts properly. The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) also accused the tribunal of bias and vowed not to appear before it.

“There are a lot of errors in the judgment, which were intentional. The judges based their judgment on a nonexisting law, which was manufactured by my lords. Since officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the LP witnesses admitted that there were irregularities in the election, why did the tribunal view the confession as a pre-election matter?

“If the judges could base their judgment on a non-existing law, then our judicial system is in trouble. I urge the CJN to investigate this judgment. Principally, all the allegations of bias and not writing down what witnesses were saying during the proceedings raised against the judges by the petitioners must be investigated.”

need to go to Abeokuta or Ayetoro again before getting to Ilaro. They will easily link Ilaro through Oja– Odan.

“For me, this is the most important of all the roads we are doing, as it will impact positively on the lives of the people of this area. We are ready for the job we were voted to do and by the grace of God we will do a good job.”

The Project Manager of PW Nigeria Limited, Mr. Hakan Dal, said the people had been cooperating with the company.

The project, which began last November, is to be completed in May, 2015.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

T

•Amosun

The governor also inspected the 7.4km OkeOyinbo/Idagba road. He said the Lafenwa/Ayetoro road would be built into six lanes.

HE Second Oyo State Job and Entrepreneurship Youth Fair began yesterday at Kakanfo Inn in Ibadan, the state capital.

The four-day fair was organised by the Ministry of Youths and Sports in conjunction with EZ37 Solutions.

At the opening, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Dapo Adesina, said: “The objective of this job fair is for employers to meet pre-screened candidates and initiate a recruitment process, after which successful candidates will be employed.

“The fair will also provide information and resources to potential entrepreneurs. The youths will be trained in skill acquisition. Some of them will be given equipment and cash to help them set up their businesses.”

The Managing Director of EZ37 Solutions, Mrs. Adaora Ayoade, said over 32 world-class employers with over 100 vacancies are expected at the fair.

She said 800 of the 1,200 job seekers screened were shortlisted for the fair.

Mrs. Ayoade said: “Unemployment cannot be adequately addressed without the provision of opportunities for youths who do not possess graduate level qualification. That is why the government has included a skill acquisition training and settlement scheme in this year’s fair, where youths would be trained in fashion designing, hair dressing, graphics and web design, photography and video coverage, interior decoration and events management and barbing.”

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

At the moment there is an average of about 18 hours per day of constant power supply to different parts of the country. This feat was brought about by the implementation of the integrated power sector reform programme anchored on the power roadmap.

- Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

TUC flays planned scrapping of polymer notes

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HE Trade Union Con gress of Nigeria (TUC) yesterday kicked against the planned reversal of using polymer notes for some naira denominations by Central Bank of Nigeria.

The TUC said such reversal amounted to policy summersault and would cost the nation “enormous scarce re-

Naira eases on importers’ dollar demand

T

HE naira eased against the dollar on the interbank market yesterday as strong demand from importers of fuel and other goods drained liquidity in the market, traders said. The naira closed at 157.55 to the dollar, weaker than Tuesday’s close of 157.30.

Traders said there was a surge in dollar demand on Wednesday from local importers against thinning supply, knocking the value of the naira lower. At the official window, the central bank auctioned $207.66 million at N155.74 to the dollar, compared with $290 million it sold at the same rate at Monday’s auction.

Dealers expect the local currency to trade within a N157.80 to N158 range to the dollar this week unless fresh inflows from offshore funds participating at a local bond auction on Wednesday materialises to boost the naira.

Nigeria plans to sell N110 billion in bonds ranging between five- and 20-year maturities at its fifth monthly debt auction of the year on Wednesday.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa-$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N10.6 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -9% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $48b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

sources.”

In a release yesterday, signed by its President-General, Comrade Peter Esele and Secretary-General, Musa Lawal, the union urged the CBN to set its priority aright, saying Nigeria has enough issues demanding urgent attention.

“The printing of new naira notes on paper is definitely not our present priority, neither are we interested in seeing lower or higher denominations of naira now. Rather, each of us is interested in being able to sleep with both eyes closed.

“We are interested in

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

travelling and doing business in any part of the country without fear of molestation or attack. We want to live in a country where motor parks are neither bombed nor people roasted.”

The statement reads in part: “How do we explain the fact that just a few years after the policy of printing lower naira denominations – N5, N10, N20 and N50 – in polymer was introduced during Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s tenure as CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi

Lamido and his incumbent team propose to reverse the idea?

“Our thinking is that this is ridiculous! We all know that such a policy summersault will cost us enormous scarce resources,” saying the masses will inevitably bear the cost.

“As things stand now, Nigeria has enough issues on our hands; issues that should receive greater priority attention. As a labour centre, we think that everyone in the nation should be more concerned about the thousands of innocent Nigerians who have died.

The nation should be more

interested in tackling the incessant cases of kidnapping and bombing in parts of the country, a phenomenon that has even been taken to a more alarming level with the recent kidnapping of women and children and the wanton destruction of property, the union said, adding that the claim that the planned action would not constitute a drain on the nation’s economy was untenable.

It urged the CBN and the Federal Government to forget about making any change to our currency notes and focus on the more germane issues of the moment, the congress added.

• From left: Senior Member Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos State chapter, Comfort Nwankwo, Chairman, NIPR Lagos State, Jide Ologun and former Treasurer, Hajia Rabi Mohammed during the pre-24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the institute in Lagos...on Tuesday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

World Bank shops for power project agency

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HE World Bank is on the lookout for any government agency to handle the Project Implementation Unit of its pilot Public Private Partnership (PPPs) department.

The World Bank team, led by the Sector Manager, Finance and Private Sector Development (Western & Central African countries), Paul Noumba was in Abuja yesterday in pursuit of the agenda.

Noumba said that Nigeria was the first country which the World Bank picked for a pilot project for PPPs, but regretted that for three years, funds released for the purpose have been lying fallow.

The Bureau of Public Enter-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

prises (BPE) which made this disclosure in a statement, quoted him as saying that because of the nonutilisation of the fund, the World Bank has decided to restructure and scale it down to $25million at the first instance to take care of technical assistance and capacity building, while in phase two, it would release $85 million.

The initial ratio, according to him, was $150 million and $300million.

He pledged the bank’s assistance to the Bureau in the areas of advisory services, manpower development and funding in some of its

transactions like the commercialisation of the Federal Housing Authority, privatisation of the Abuja Stock and Commodities Exchange and the eight reform bills being fine-tuned for presentation to the National Assembly.

Speaking, the Director General, BPE, Benjamin Dikki, declared that for reforms to succeed in any country there must be a strong political will at the top.

He listed some of the reforms the present administration had given full backing, to include; the power p r i v a t i z a t i o n , commercialisation of the Federal Housing Authority

(FHA), privatisation of the Abuja Securities & Commodities Exchange (ASCE) and the approval of eight reform bills by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) which are expected to be presented to Federal Executive Council (FEC) for onward transmission to the National assembly.

The DG called for the domiciling of PIU in the Bureau as the law establishing BPE gives it the mandate to execute PPPs through c o n c e s s i o n i n g / commercialisation.

He added that the successful concessioning of the country’s 24 ports by the Bureau was a clear testimony of its capability to handle PPPs.

Govt expects influx of foreign investments

T

HE Federal Government is confident that the country will be drawing more foreign direct investments given increasing competitiveness and desirability to become an investment destination.

The Minister of State for In-

By Daniel Essiet

dustry ,Trade and Investment,Dr Samuel Ortom said the government wa s determined to turn the country’s enormous investment potential into a real flow of foreign capital.

Ortom was addressing the Ist National Trade Compliance Summit in lagos Yesterday.

The minister,who spoke through his Special Assistant,Mr David Bigila said the government s determined to create conditions for invest-

ment sell it to investors and o persuade them to channel their capital towards the country.

To this end ,he said the government wants to work with the private sector to improve the perception abroad of the nation's investment climate.

Nigeria set for explosive growth, says Utomi

By Daniel Essiet

T

HE prospects for the Nigerian economy is positive, Prof Pat Utomi has said.

Utomi, who is Founder, Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), and Director, Pan African University, warned that the country needs to do more to ensure government spending for the people in the area of job creation, skills, supply chains, investment and the quality of life.

Speaking at a workshop in Lagos, Utomi said to achieve faster sustainable economic growth, with opportunities for all Nigerians to flourish, the government’s economic strategy should give clear priority to the approaches and policy levers which drive growth most effectively.

According to him, Nigeria could become one of the biggest economies with wealthiest population if the government takes steps to empower the people, adding that Nigeria has all the necessary resources to become an economic force.

However, in spite of its intrinsic natural resources, he said the economy still has to overcome significant barriers to realise its potential.

Utomi said Nigeria faced several pressing issues such as high unemployment and weak economic growth.

But looking forward ,he said the nation is capable of holding its own and in fact moving ahead of some of the other developed economies with the revitalisation of the capital market.

Utomi urged the government prioritise agriculture for commercial purposes as it has led to the growth of the Brazilian economy. He said agriculture has great commercial potential.

Faculty member,Lagos Business School, Dr Doyin Salami said the economy need to be competitive and for tasks to be solved successfully.He said the economy need to develop faster.

In spite of the progress made in terms of Gross Domestic Product(GDP),he said concerns remain about competitiveness.

Salami said the economy is hampered by low skills levels and poor transportation and other infrastructure.

He said for the economy to remain competitive in domestic and international markets.

Salami noted the existence of a skills gap,adding that this is affecting the ability of Nigerians to capitalise on high value opportunities in the economy.

Efforts,he noted , have to be made to develop and match the skills needed within the economy.

According to him, the weaker outlook for output growth means that the margin of economic slack is likely to be greater and more persistent.

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Jonathan’s last card •Emergency must be made to work because it is the ultimate action in the terror war

I

F the declaration of emergency in three inadequate. There is a simple question for Mr. states is President Jonathan’s end-game, President, beyond his understandably will it be the end of the mayhem in the sentimentalised premises. How and why did things degenerate so dangerously? It is north?

In a poignant irony that bespoke defiance, inexcusable that the government was a passive signalling that the latest presidential move spectator as the adversarial contempt against terror may not automatically worsened. The two-year-old Jonathan guarantee victory, Rev. Faye Pama Musa, presidency seems to have just experienced an Secretary of the Christian Association of awakening; and it would likely have a tough Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, was murdered time tackling such a whammy, which it in his Maiduguri home by gunmen suspected allowed to get out of hand before introducing to belong to Boko Haram, the Islamist terror the emergency.

Even for an administration that seems to militia on the rampage in the northern part of the country. Faye, the head pastor of a have come to terms with the gravity of the Pentecostal church in Maiduguri, the state challenge, there is a strong element of capital, was reportedly shot at close range by pussyfooting in its reaction, which is perhaps understandable in the context of political two assailants at about 7.30pm.

Remarkably, only 15 minutes earlier, balancing. Did Jonathan take into President Goodluck Jonathan, in a nation- consideration the fact that two of the affected wide broadcast, had declared a state of states, Borno and Yobe, are governed by an emergency in three Northeast states, opposition party, All Nigeria People’s Party including Borno, which had been under a (ANPP), and, therefore, mellowed in order to mindless reign of terror and senseless killings by Boko Haram insurgents. The two other states under focus are Yobe and Adamawa.

Emergency rule, in an official sense, had always been a rational possibility in the beleaguered states which continued to experience escalated violence against the people by a rebellious group bent on enthroning sharia, an impossible mission in a country founded on secularism. In effect, therefore, there was already an environment of virtual emergency in these states before the presidential intervention of May 14. Consequently, Jonathan’s imposition of emergency rule has merely acknowledged the mindboggling scale of the crisis and further stamped governmental visibility on the process of a resolution, wisdom that perhaps should have been demonstrated much earlier.

In his business-like 15-minute address to the nation, Jonathan captured the sheer grotesqueness of the challenge facing his administration in the context of the terror war. He said: “Already, Jonathan some northern parts of Borno State have been taken over by groups whose escape the charge of victimisation? In other allegiance is to different flags and ideologies. words, was there an opportunistic angle to the These terrorists and insurgents seem development?

This is a real possibility because the declared determined to establish control and authority over parts of our beloved nation and to state of emergency is respectful of democratic progressively overwhelm the rest of the institutions, allowing the continuance of country. In many places, they have destroyed elected executive and legislative structures. It the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state is pertinent to note that this apparent restraint authority and in their place, hoisted strange is in contrast to previous examples in the flags suggesting the exercise of alternative country. In the past, although triggered by different circumstances, the imposition of sovereignty.”

He built up his argument for the necessity emergency rule in parts of the country had for a different approach to resolving the been accompanied by the suspension of urgent situation, saying, “They have attacked democratic structures, namely, in the defunct government buildings and facilities. They Western Region in the 60’s; in Plateau State in have murdered innocent citizens and state 2004; and in Ekiti State in 2006.

His explanation of how the emergency will officials. They have set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as hostages. These operate is reassuring for its emphasis on selfactions amount to a declaration of war and a discipline in connection with the conduct of deliberate attempt to undermine the authority the enforcers. It is hoped that his cautionary of the Nigerian state and threaten her words will be taken seriously and adhered to territorial integrity. As a responsible by the troops that will be responsible for quelling the terrorists and normalising the government, we will not tolerate this.”

Potent words, but, sadly, they betray abnormality. According to Jonathan, “The impotence. Correct logic, but that is troops and other security agencies have orders

‘It is important to highlight the fact that intelligence gathering will be critical to the success of the campaign. Ironically, the sore apparently festered for lack of effective intelligence. Undeniably, the failure of intelligence that has so far characterised the terror war cannot be divorced from citizen cynicism and a regrettable disconnect between the government and the people. The enforcers of the emergency will need to win the confidence and trust of the populace in the affected areas; this is a sine qua non for success’

to take all necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.

He added: “This will include the authority to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of any building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of terrorist operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons in illegal possession of weapons.”

It is important to highlight the fact that intelligence gathering will be critical to the success of the campaign. Ironically, the sore apparently festered for lack of effective intelligence. Undeniably, the failure of intelligence that has so far characterised the terror war cannot be divorced from citizen cynicism and a regrettable disconnect between the government and the people.

The enforcers of the emergency will need to win the confidence and trust of the populace in the affected areas; this is a sine qua non for success. First, confidence works. Intelligence follows; and, ultimately, force.

We have flipped the cards. We still need the three in that order.

The government’s resort to this show of muscle, obviously, has implications for its earlier consideration of amnesty for the terror champions. With the resurgence of violence in the Niger Delta, the pardon approach has been exposed for its policy and moral inadequacies. It suggests that the government has realised the futility of the forgiveness-approach. However, it is unlikely that the employment of force, though seemingly necessary, will be sufficient in attaining the desired peace. Even while the emergency lasts, the authorities will need to engage in lateral thinking that will accommodate complementary solutions to the problem.

We cannot escape the point that Boko Haram rampage derives from the failure of government at all levels. Ironically, the rage and devastations of the group have immiserated the people further and crippled the capacity for meaningful governance. That explains the need for this effort to work, or else we shall be at a vulnerable place as a people.

This shows that we must address the structure of this country in a sovereign sense in order to frame the terms of engagements among the various peoples. Otherwise, this sort of ferment of discontent will serially inflame the land.

Although the crisis in the affected states demands urgent action, this should not distract the government from the picture of general insecurity across the country. It is a disturbing fact that the country is at an all-time low in terms of security, and the people are nonplussed. The government cannot afford to alienate the people, and must not only address the terror war but also the various manifestations of insecurity across the land.

It remains to be seen how the terrorists will react to the introduction of greater force.

The possibility that they might relocate to surrounding states in the area is a major reason the government must not concentrate on the affected states to the detriment of the larger society. The authorities must not only ensure the shrinking of their operational space but must also decisively cripple their activities.

Evidently, this is Jonathan’s last card, and he cannot afford to fail. For, emergency rule is the ultimate; and it is difficult to imagine what next. In his address, he spoke of “a return to normalcy within the shortest possible time.” Nigerians are waiting and watching.

Damage to press freedom likely outweighs national security gain

W

HEN THE Justice Department launched its investigation of alleged leaks of national security information by the Obama administration a year ago, we were skeptical. The history of such probes is mainly a tale of dead ends and unintended negative consequences. That this effort to criminalize a leak was launched amid an election-year uproar seemed especially inauspicious.

Our forebodings have been borne out with the revelation that federal prosecutors have undertaken a broad sweep of the Associated Press’s phone records.

Whatever national-security enhancement this was intended to achieve seems likely to be outweighed by the damage to press freedom and governmental transparency.

The Justice Department’s apparent purpose is to track down the person or persons who told AP about the Central Intelligence Agency’s disruption of a Yemenbased terrorism plot. Federal prosecutors subpoenaed records for 20 separate office, home and cellular phone lines belonging to the AP and its reporters or editors.

The subpoenas covered a two-month period in the first half of 2012. Crucially, they did not follow the usual Justice Department policy, which is to give news organizations a chance to negotiate or contest such a subpoena ahead of time.

That policy is rooted in sound respect for the First Amendment. It’s not legally binding — in part because the Justice Department and the press have recognized a mutual interest in resolving such matters without potentially counterproductive Congressional or judicial intervention.

In a letter to AP President and CEO Gary B. Pruitt, Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole explained that the department had no alternative means of gathering essential information. He also intimated that Justice had kept AP in the dark until a few days ago so as to avoid “a substantial threat to the integrity of the investigation.”

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who recused himself from the investigation after he was interviewed by the FBI, fleshed that assertion out at a press conference Tuesday, saying at issue is one of “the top two or three most serious leaks that I have ever seen” which “put the American people at risk, and that is not hyperbole.”

Perhaps that’s so — we have no independent means of verifying Mr. Holder’s claim, though we hope reporters are working on it. As Mr. Pruitt responded Tuesday, “We held that story until the government assured us that the national security concerns had passed.

Indeed, the White House was preparing to publicly announce that the bomb plot had been foiled.”The usual reason for keeping a subpoena secret is that the target would otherwise try to destroy documents. In this case, AP could not have done so even if it wanted to, since the relevant records were in the possession of its phone service providers. Without even giving AP a chance to weigh in, we don’t see how the department could intelligently weigh its prosecutorial needs against this broad subpoena’s chilling effect on reporters and their sources Of course, if Justice Department officials are overreacting, they aren’t alone. The investigation of AP began in response to Republican outrage about the purported fact that White House officials were leaking secret information and spinning it to make President Obama look good for reelection purposes. In response, the Obama administration launched the present investigation, on top of the six (mostly unsuccessful) ones it had attempted previously — which, judging on costs and benefits visible to date, was probably six too many.

– Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge •Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: All of the world, the only thing that is permanent is change. Framers of constitutional democracies worldwide made provisions for change in leadership by providing for two-party system or multi-party system.

They put this very important clause in place to make way for change when there is need to do so. When there is one party system, the possibility of change is no longer there.

Nigeria is supposed to be a multiparty democracy where change is inevitable if things are not going well as they are now. But the ruling party (PDP) has held the nation hostage since 1999. The party leadership has effectively used the wealth of the nation not for productivity and economic growth but to muzzle and stifle opposition.

They have effectively used the nation’s resources for themselves,

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 1000 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.com

Understanding the coming of APC their wives, children, and even generations yet unborn. Every attempt made by the opposition to come together to challenge the octopus has met with ruthless obstacles put in place by the ruling party. They use our money to corrupt our hard earned democracy and to democratize corruption. As if that is not enough they tell us that their party will rule Nigeria for 60 years, whether we like it or not.

In 2015 Nigerians deserve change

of leadership, change of attitude, change in ideas, change in character, change in strategy, change in approach, change in plans, change in focus, change in conducting the affairs of state and in conducting the business of governance. Nigerians deserve new ways of doing things, new thinking in the art of governance, new men and women in the seat of government, and a real turnaround in transforming a country endowed with both human

and material resources.

Everything that needs to be done to bring about this change is being put in place right now by committed men and women in ACN, CPC, ANPP, APGA and others. All things considered, I know that APC leaders are determined to take this project of giving Nigerians an alternative to a logical conclusion, but the biggest headache is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Is INEC fully

Will the emergency rule work?

IR: President Goodluck Jonathan shocked Nigerians when he declared emergency rule in three northern states of Borno, Nasarawa and Yobe in a national broadcast.

Perhaps, they were caught napping not because it is an entirely new phenomenon to them or because the troubled states did not deserve such a drastic measure to curb the growing insecurity in the land.

People were surprised that President Jonathan could muster the courage to take such a courageous decision at this crucial time that his administration has been labeled as nonperforming, slow and directionless.

Until now, the nation’s perilous security situation has been a source of concern which the President had acknowledged as “reprehensible, causing fear among our citizens and a nearbreakdown of law and order in parts of the country, especially the North”.

Any civilized society should do all legitimate things to denounce and condemn such lawlessness and wickedness as attacks by Boko Haram and other splinter groups had led to clashes with government security

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forces, resulting into extrajudicial killings said to have claimed almost 4,000 people since 2009.

Declaring states of emergency may not be a bad idea provided the action will bring about sanity and peace in the polity. It is a decision borne out of necessity.

The security agencies should be prevented from abusing the enormous power bestowed upon them. Secondly, the activities of politicians in the three states should be checked such that this anomaly of the declared state of emergency will not be used to

hunt and persecute their perceived enemies.

It is curious that state governors are not removed from office in the new dispensation as against the usual practice in the past. Efforts should be made by the government to control the influx of suspected criminals into the country through our porous borders.

This will largely help to stop the proliferation of arms and availability of vulnerable volunteers for insurgents.

That is where the promise by the President that diplomatic channels will be deployed at apprehending

terrorist elements that may escape across the border, is apt.

What now becomes the fate of the Boko Haram Committee? Is it a way to ‘shut-them-up from doing a good job? Will this emergency rule work with all the political appointees in those states intact? Are we playing politics with this controversial declaration? These and many other questions will certainly be running in the minds of the people.

• Adewale Kupoluyi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

prepared to provide a level playing ground for political parties this time around?

The controversy surrounding the registration of the newly-formed All Progressives Congress (APC) is not a surprise for those who watch with keen interest, the unfolding events since the announcement of the birth of new the party by its proponents. There is no doubt that the opposition parties to merge caught the ruling party napping and sent down spines into nerves of the reactionary forces holding down the destiny of this nation that the hour of liberation is nigh.

The scenario is an eye opener for the proponents for the APC of the enormity of the task before them.

Also, it would afford them opportunity to know that they are on the right path and no amount of intimidation that would let them not to register the party and produce a credible candidate to contest on the platform of the party.

The struggle to reclaim Nigeria is going to be a serious battle because we are dealing with people without conscience, hearts, minds, souls, heads, eyes and brains. The major objective of the APC is to fix Nigeria. The merger has become very necessary in order to save our democracy and the likelihood of turning Nigeria into a one-party state, which does not augur well for our nascent democracy.

• Ademola Orunbon Epe, Lagos State.

Almajiris and the scourge of Boko haram IR: The Boko Haram menace did not start in a day. The adage that says “An idle hand is the devils workshop” rings true with the case of the Almajiri’s. How can parents who give birth to children throw them to the streets to fend for their selves? Instead of sending them to proper schools, they are enrolled in Arabic teaching centres where they are taught about Islam.

Islamic clerics who are supposed to

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act as teachers and mentors use the opportunity to introduce radical beliefs thereby brainwashing these pupils as tools of violence that then go about killing innocent people and being suicidal in nature.

The meaning of the name ‘Almajiri’-implies Islamic student.

For those of us fortunate to have lived in the north, we see these Almajiri’s in large numbers loitering around the streets wearing tat-

tered clothes with bowl in their hands looking for the next available meal. The question is, if these young kids grow up, what will be their fate?

They see the rich getting richer (who send their children to the best schools at home and abroad). The state government and religious leaders of the north are to be held responsible for this dereliction of duty where lack of proper enlight-

enment of the masses on health and welfare, benefits of family planning, provision of educational institutions have been neglected by those entrusted to govern these regions. Yet, they use government funds meant for the citizens of the state to enrich themselves and are now wondering how Boko Haram has become a menace.

• Babajide Awobiyi Sabo-Yaba, Lagos.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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COMMENTS

State of electricity supply in Nigeria

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OURTEEN years ago, when the PDP government came to power, we were told then that the installed capacity of electricity in Nigeria was 6,000 megawatts and that within a year, this would go to 10,000megawatts. The late Chief Bola Ige who was then one of the leaders of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and who was also popularly known as Arole Awolowo, some kind of khalifa or successor, was persuaded by many including my humble self to accept the invitation to join Obasanjo’s cabinet. The only reason for our suggesting to him to accept to serve in Obasanjo’s cabinet was that he was the only person who could give the government credence and credibility at least in Yoruba land. He accepted this offer reluctantly and he was then given the charge to revolutionize the power sector. On getting to the ministry, he found the whole place riddled with corruption, inequality of charges for power consumption between some institutions in the north and south and regular payment of riba to certain political groups and traditional rulers, but he decided to do his best to clear the augean stable. Six months later, he apparently stepped on people’s toes; he was fired and made the attorney-general of Nigeria from where he was brutally murdered a few years later in his own bedroom. Up till now, nobody has been arrested or charged for his murder.

There had been many other ministers in charge of power and electricity since then, but it has been a story of motion without movement. A bright person like Prof. Barth Nnaji was brought in by President Goodluck Jonathan, only for him to be disgraced out and replaced by Prof. Nebo, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, as if he was born to be vice-chancellor in a country where there are other capable young people who could have been given a chance to serve.

Fourteen years later, we are daily told that power generation has increased from 3,000megawatts to 4,000megawatts.

This is after close to 50 billion dollars have been spent. Rather than progressing, we seem to be retrogressing. I am sure many Nigerians are confused. Our President says that by the end of 2014 which is next year, Nigerians who have generators would be giving them out free to others because there would be no need for them anymore. I say Amen to this. If this happens, all Nigerians would be ready to march to Abuja to ask our National Assembly to change the constitution and to declare Nigeria an empire with Emperor Gooodluck Ebele Jonathan ruling over us forever. In the meantime, all kinds of directors including recently a lady said that by December

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ARDLY do Nigerians see eye to eye with the police.

Even though police personnel are also Nigerians, they have cat -and-mouse relationship with their compatriots. Why? The public perceives the police as too highhanded and overbearing in their dealings with others. It is because of this perception that the police do not enjoy the people’s confidence. The lack of faith in the police has, however, not stopped the people from cohabiting with them. The relationship even goes beyond living together. In some cases, we are joined together in wedlock.

No matter how we feel about the police, we cannot wish them away.

We have since learnt to accommodate the police, warts and all. The police themselves, as if they know how the public perceives them, try to woo us with the slogan : ‘’The police is your friend’’, to which many respond cynically, ‘’with friends like the police who needs an enemy’’. But hate them or love them, we cannot do without the police. They are part of our lives.

They are the ones that we run to in times of trouble.

They are the ones who take on the dreaded armed robbers, kidnappers, terrorists and cultists on our behalf. In short, they are the ones, who keep watch over us when we sleep, though they are not God. We owe our lives to them.

Where will society be if there are no policemen to do some of the dirty jobs many of us run away from. At times, we tend to forget that the police comprise men and

this year, we would have reached 10,000megawatts in power generation. The same week, the new minister, Prof. Nebo said that Nigeria actually needs 200,000megawatts in order for power to be stable. Then a delegation of Senators led by their President David Mark, went to the Mambilla Plateau to inspect the hydro-electric dam on which one billion naira had been spent and from which Nigeria was promised 2,000megawatts of electricity, but only to find that nothing has happened and that the one billion naira spent had gone into the pockets of some people without any road constructed to the site of the hydro-electricity dam, nor any clearance of the dam site.

We also know that several Independent Power Projects (IPP) were started by Obasanjo in conjunction with some oil producing companies in Nigeria. Several of them were located appropriately in the Niger-Delta to facilitate access to gas instead of piping the gas across the country, and being subjected to sabotage by militants and other kinds of saboteurs. When these IPPs were started, we were told that this would boost generation within one or two years to over 10,000megawatts. We are all aware of the facts that when Umaru Yar’Adua took over as President, he suspended all these projects while setting up a so-called fact-finding committee to investigate spending on the power sector, the National Assembly under one Ndudi Elumelu also set up a probe committee on the same issue. This charade went on for about two years without any progress on the power sector. The National Assembly Committee’s itself then ended up in a cloud of suspicion and corruption and its members stole 100million naira for which they were arrested and taken to court for which we never heard anything again.

I think one of our writers should make our power sector a subject of a novel and I am sure readers all over the world would think they are reading fiction, whereas it is faction.

What exactly is going on is beyond me. Our president in recent times has been to South Africa the country we are supposedly competing with for leadership on the continent.

He would have found out that South Africa which is about a quarter or a fifth of Nigeria’s in population is generating about 15times of electricity as we are and is planning to increase its generation from about 45,000megawatts to 100,000megawatts within three years and would probably spend a tenth of the amount we have used in the last 14years only to retrogress from 6,000megawatts to 4,000megawatts.

Apologists would say that the electricity infrastructure in South Africa was done by the Whites. By saying this, we

confirm our inferiority complex. Shall we therefore invite white people to come back and take over rulership of Nigeria? It would be useful and desirable if either the President of Nigeria or his Minister of Power would come out and tell Nigerians the truth about our power sector.

Jide Osuntokun

We don’t need the kind of recent information provided by the Vice President that the Jonathan administration has given a sum of 3.7billion dollars to the power sector this year alone, while almost immediately the new Minister of Power said Nigeria would need 100billion dollars over the next 10years to arrive at power Nirvana.

We are all sick of this confusion and we are sick of our people dying of blown out generators and of generator fumes. If we cannot provide ordinary power in the 21st Century, then the reason for the existence of government becomes unclear, especially in a situation where individuals are generating more power than the state itself. We hope that recent privatization would alleviate the problems, and if it does, all Nigerians would celebrate this government.

‘We are sick of our people dying of blown out generators and of generator fumes. If we cannot provide ordinary power in the 21 st Century, then the reason for the existence of government becomes unclear, especially in a situation where individuals are generating more power than the state itself.

Let them not die in vain women like us, that is, they are human beings and are also subject to the frailties and foibles of life.

Yes, the police may overreach themselves, as they do on some occasions, in the discharge of their duties, but that does not make them the wild animals some of us take them to be.

Like me, many Nigerians are likely to have something to say about how the police wronged them in the past, but have we ever paused to ask themselves this question : What if we were in their shoes; would we have done better? The police may have their shortcomings, no doubt, but they remain a product of the society. The society, they say, gets the police it deserves. I don’t agree with this statement though, because no matter how rotten a society may be, if it has Godfearing and conscientious people in the police, they can change things.

What the police deserve is our pity and not vilification. This is why I am saddened by the murder of scores of policemen and State Security Service (SSS) operatives by members of the Ombatse Cult in Alakyo, Nasarawa State, last week.

The police and SSS operatives went on their way to the cultists’ shrine when they were killed in an ambush. We don’t know the number of security operatives who were on the mission But 56 of them were said to have been killed. Scores are missing. All lovers of humanity should condemn this despicable act.

‘The perpetrators of this mindless act must not be allowed to go scot-free. Anywhere they are on the surface of the earth, they must be fished out to face justice.

Nothing should be spared in getting these killers’

If the police and SSS men could be this callously wasted, who is safe then?

In these days of Boko Haram and kidnappings, the Ombatse group is adding to the nation’s woes by opening another theatre of crisis in the beleaguered North. Today, there is no peace in Bauchi, Borno, Yobe and other northeastern states because of the activities of Boko Haram. To add Nasarawa to the mix will be too much a burden for the nation to bear. But what all this shows is that we don’t have a government that takes the issue of security serious. If the government is serious about securing life and property, the Ombatse tragedy would have been nipped in the bud through intelligence gathering.

What are our intelligence officers doing that they could not smoke out this group before now?

The Ombatse cult, according to reports, had been forcing people to join the group and killing those who refused to do so in the past one or two years. Are the security agencies saying that they were not aware of the group’s sinister activities until now? They waited for too long to cut the group to size. See the price we are now paying for our tardiness - the murder of scores of policemen and SSS officials in the line of duty. The perpetrators of this mindless act must not be allowed to go scot-free. Anywhere they are on the surface of the earth, they must be fished out to face justice. Nothing should be spared in getting these killers who murdered people in the service of their country in cold blood.

My heart goes out to the widows, children and other members of the families of these national heroes who died in the service of their fatherland. They deserve medals of honour because not many of us can

sacrifice our lives the way they did.

May their souls find rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Will it work?

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hung on every word of Presi dent Goodluck Jonathan dur ing his Tuesday night’s broadcast. I wasn’t expecting him to wield the big stick as he read on and on until he got to the point where he said “by virtue” of the powers conferred upon me.... I held my breath because I knew what will follow next. He declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. Sincerely speaking, things have degenerated a lot in those states, especially Borno and Yobe, where Boko Haram seems to be everywhere, yet it cannot be stopped. Both states have become shadows of themselves because of the sect’s atrocious activities.

Opinions will be divided on the propriety or otherwise of the president’s action. Is he right to have declared emergency rule in these states? In the next few days, analysts will be examining the rightness or not of his action. To say the truth, we got to this pass because of the Boko Haram people who have turned virtually all the states in the northeast to hell on earth. In the past four years, the sect has been killing, maiming and looting at will.

To some, the emergency rule should have come earlier.

But many are sympathetic to Boko Haram’s cause, so the government chose to tread with caution on the matter. Despite their sympathy for the group, the sect’s supporters refused to call it to order. All they were interested in was for the sect not to be touched. They seemed not to see anything wrong in its mindless killing and lately, kidnapping

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

of people. When the sect kidnapped elder statesman Alhaji Shetima Ali Monguno a few weeka ago, it dawned on them that the group should no longer be pampered.

If Boko Haram truly loves its supporters the way they seem to love the sect, it would have listened to them and embraced the olive branch waved by the government. The government resolved to grant the sect amnesty, yet it refused to eschew violence. It continued on its killing spree. Last week. it killed over 30 policemen and soldiers in Bama, Borno State. It has also owned up that its action led to the military invasion of Baga also in Borno State on April 16 and 17. All this point to the fact that the stage was ripe for the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno.

But a state of emergency coming after the decision to grant Boko Haram amnesty? How do we reconcile that? Can you be hunting those you have decided to grant amnesty?

Isn’t that a contradiction in terms?

Shouldn’t the government call off the amnesty deal and go all-out for these Boko Haram elements once and for all? Amnesty and emergency rule, the two don’t go together.

Which do you vote for? As for me, my choice is clear as daylight.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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ET me crave the indulgence of my readers to adapt the above title from a piece I did on Babangida at the height of his power and glory 21 years ago (The Guardian, November 2, 1992). Babangida, after his palace coup bought over, some said ‘bribed’ the members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm by expunging Buhari’s obnoxious Decree 4, giving relief to journalists who had fallen foul of the decree and appointing their leading light along with intellectuals known for their independent views into his administration. His regime was immediately ‘legitimized’ by the press. He even got away with a comical title of president. And overnight, the lowly-born General was transformed into ‘The Prince of Lower Niger’ by hagiographers.

What then followed was a deluge of honours.

He became the ‘Opu Omatu Alabo’ (Chief warlord) of Rivers State, the Oka Ome (Man of his words) of Enugu, the Ukphoro Uwana of Cross River, the Comforter of the Igbos and so on. He and his wife were chased around with honorary doctorate degrees. There were fellowships from the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria, the Nigerian Medical Association and that of West African College of Physicians, among many others. The most whimsical and specious but for its tragic consequences came from Nigerian Economic Society (NES), the most authoritative body of Nigerian scholars on Nigerian economy and social problems. Theirs was “fellowship” for “bold economic programme” and for distinguishing himself “as a visionary in the management of our economy.”

I ended the satirical piece declaring: “Shame on to you all critics of “IBBnomics”, including the apostle of ‘SAP with human face’, the mischievous Keeling of Financial Times with his imaginary $5 billion Gulf War oil windfall that never was. The troika of IMF, World Bank and the Paris Club who view our government’s penchant for generous donations in aid of all kinds of causes, as fiscal indiscipline and recklessness can now be seen for what they are – saboteurs’.

There has been no other Nigerian leader since Babangida years of glory that ended tragically that has received as many honours as Akpabio, the hard working governor of Akwa Ibom State.

As usual, the newspapers started the deluge of awards. He was named an “Emerging Tiger”

by Thisday, a few years back. To the Daily Times, whose new owners was accused of ‘asset stripping’, Akpabio is “the Uncommon Transformer,’ who ‘has transformed his state from an unknown rural area to one of the most beautiful cities in Africa.”

Similar verdicts also came from Daily Inde-

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Akpabio: Honours without end pendent, Tribune and National Daily. He was The Sun Newspapers’ “Man of the Year, 2011”. Last year in spite of the schism between the parasitic elite of the north and the vultures of Niger Delta (apology to Saro Wiwa) he still managed to clinch the Abuja based Leadership newspapers’ award as the ‘Leadership Governor of the Year 2012’ for “uncommon transformation of his state with quality infrastructure”.

With no other media award left to be won, the leadership of NUJ went to felicitate with him in Uyo. It was on their way back they were attacked by armed robbers/militants who kidnapped their car containing an undisclosed amount of money the governor gave them as fare.

After the newspapers deluge of awards, the next most important honour came from no less a person than Akpabio’s wife , Ekaette, an award winning first lady in her own right. She gave her husband an award for making Akwa Ibom “a state with limitless opportunities, and for delivering over 3000 projects’.

For ease of reference, Akpabio’s media aide, Chief Usoro I. Usoro, has listed some of the awards starting with that of African Church that named Akpabio “Nehemiah of our time”, for “rebuilding Nigeria”. Then the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also named Akpabio “the Best Governor in Nigeria”, ‘in terms of micro credits and empowerment of the masses as well as the institutionalization of free and compulsory education”.

This was soon followed by the award of a Doctorate degree in Public Administration and Strategy because of “mammoth, wonderful and historic contributions to the development and growth of our society in particular and humanity in general” by Nnamdi Azikiwe University,

UMPTY-Dumpty, me that is, had a great fall. It happened on a wet Sunday evening when we arrived home after a visit to Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort in Ikogosi, Ekiti. Just as I was walking into the house on this wet Sunday evening, I slipped and fell in the mud and landed my whole weight on my butt rather loudly. Humpty Dumpty just had a great fall. I got up picked my pieces together and walked into the house without the aid of the king’s horsemen. A warm shower and some analgesic later, I forgot about the fall until Monday morning when I was riding to work. It became obvious to me that I needed to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Everyone I asked advised me to go to Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Adebayo in Ado Ekiti. It only made sense to then go and try seeing an orthopaedic doctor at the teaching hospital. I tried to get a number of a doctor or any senior member of staff at the hospital so I could get a fast track service when I get there. However everyone I approached told me there was no need for that. The refrain I kept hearing is, once you get there you will be attended to regardless. After a long listless night I got up early in the morning determined to go see a doctor while preparing myself for the long horrendous queues and delays associated with government owned hospitals. Again, I reached out to a couple of other friends on my way to the hospital, in a last minute attempt to get a name or a number of a doctor or influential hospital staff but drew nothing.

On arrival at the hospital I went straight to the Accident and Emergency ward. What first struck me was the cleanliness; the whole place smelt and looked clean. I saw patients who were on admission and the doctors doing ward rounds. I approached one of the nurses on duty, explained to her my mission and asked to see a doctor. She directed me to one of the doctors in the Accident and Emergency ward who politely directed me to the outpatient department where he said I will be attended to. My natural impulse was to just leave the hospital and go to the court premises where I needed to attend to some issues but then the pain got the better of me. I found my way to the outpatient department. On the way there I met a young doctor who gave me directions and assured me the process was fast when I asked sceptically how long the process was going to take. I got a hospital card and a case note opened for me in about twenty minutes. It took four simple steps: get a bill, pay at the cash point, get your teller converted to a receipt and get your records taken at the medical health

Awka, and Anambra State.

The Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, slammed Akpabio with another honour for making his state the ‘best state in terms of infrastructural development.” NIPS even canvassed for more funds for him.

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) which is probably yet to produce a Ph.D candidate was not left out. It awarded the governor an honorary Doctor of Management Sciences for ‘unparalleled feats in management of resources’.

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has also awarded him a Special Presidential Merit Award for his “immense commitment to infrastructural development of (Akwa Ibom) state in particular and Nigeria in general”.

He has also received recognition from far away Houston, Texas, where the United States Congress described him as ’exceptional’. Even the notorious Wikileaks, the nemesis of western governments, identified him as ‘one to watch in good governance’.

Akpabio is loved by his party. His party, PDP, through intrigue recently appointed him chairman of PDP Governors Forum while the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Akwa Ibom recently applauded him “for the development initiative in the areas of infrastructural provision across the state as well as the institutionalization of free and compulsory education”. ACN Oshiomhole of Edo has equally praised him.

Akpabio’s political opponents, perhaps out of envy are, in spite of this string of hours, accusing him of profligacy. First they claim he gave two Prado SUVs valued at N30m to Tuface, Idibia, and wife, Annie as wedding gift, donated N230 million on behalf of the newly-formed

PDP Governors Forum to President Goodluck Jonathan’s hometown church and alleged to have made “multimillion donations to journalists and unscrupulous party and government officials”.

They have also accused him of acquisition of an exotic multimillion dollar bullet-proof sprinter luxury vans from US-based Texas Armoring Corporation (TAC).They even criticized his donation of a measly N50 million to Nollywood, and of becoming “a near constant guest at child naming ceremonies, marriages, funerals and sundry events” where he made generous donations. They seem to have forgotten the man is a politician who must not lose touch with the grassroot.

Akpabio has rightly ignored the diatribe of malcontents insisting all his donations were captured within the state budget duly approved by the state House of Assembly. His media aide has appropriately quoted Kaiser’s caution: “When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt.”

While pursuing with vigour his mega projects like the 15-floor 250-room 5-Star Hotel with Galleria with 10,000 sitter dome and multiple cinema halls, shopping malls; Akwa Ibom International airport with maintenance, ‘first of its kind in West and Central Africa’, Akpabio must realize there is no cure for envy. The envious and critics are the least of his problems. He should worry more about those praising him for doing his job including Oshiomhole of Edo who earns in 12 months what Akpabio earns in a month and yet has quietly changed the face of Edo state for the better, even without a single award yet.

Akpabio should learn from Babangida tragedy. The same press he bribed to secure legitimacy after an illegal act at the end delegitimised his regime and forced him to step aside. His hurrah boys emerged as Abacha politicians while some of them are today calling the shots in the National Assembly.

His economic wizards deserted him. Idika Kalu was on the streets the other day protesting on the side of the people. Olu Falae denied being the initiator of SAP which failure he attributed Babangida’s profligacy. Today Babangida is the only man held in contempt for setting in motion the gradual destruction our once buoyant and resilient economy through institutionalization of corruption. In 1983, the BTA for any one going to Britain for holiday was N500 which fetched about $480. Today N500 cannot buy two loaves of President Jonathan’s cassava homemade bread. Babangida must be very lonely.

My visit to Ekiti State Teaching Hospital

By Oludayo Olorunfemi records desk.

I asked the young man at the records registry if it was advisable to wait or try and come back some other day.

He again confidently told me that I will be attended to in a matter of minutes. I stood by the side patiently as I could not bear the pain of trying to sit while I mentally took note of the people who I met waiting and those who arrived after me. I was also trying to see if there were some patients getting fast track access to the three consulting rooms. Three nurses sat at the nursing station. Two were taking vital signs while the third nurse was in charge of sending in case notes to the consulting rooms. In about 15 minutes I was called to get my vital signs taken. I again asked the nursing sister if it was better to come back later in the day but she urged me to be patient, saying that once the doctors start seeing patients it would be my turn in no time. I finally sat back and continued to watch. The patient’s line to see the doctor soon started moving fast. It was soon my turn to see the doctor who examined me and answered all my questions while explaining to me why the effect of the trauma was worse when I sat or climbed the stairs and why he was prescribing the pills for me. I left his consulting room feeling better.

Next was the outpatient pharmacy department where I was I spent about half an hour, the longest time I spent at a service point. The fact that no money exchange happens between patients and members of staff is also commendable. The cash point is manned by representatives of the hospital’s bankers while a staff also recorded the transaction. At the time I began the process of registration and getting a case note, no doctor was on duty at the outpatient department even though patients were already waiting. By time the nurses had taken my vital signs some of the people I met were already getting impatient and loudly asked the nurses when the doctors would arrive.

However, the time between getting my vitals taken and walking into the doctor’s consulting room was about 20 minutes. In all I spent a little over one hour at the hospital. This is not to say that the State Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti is perfect.

I write only about my experience at the outpatient department and not the entire hospital. There is always room for improvement even in a near perfect system. The process of getting a prescription filled was a bit cumbersome; you get your prescription billed, pay your bill in the next room, get the teller converted to a receipt and you then pick up your prescription from the first point where you got the bill. The medical health records department is a disaster waiting to happen. The whole unit is swarmed and overflowing with files and more files. The people working there must have a magic spell for getting out patients files from that maze. There is no privacy at the medical records unit. You stand across a counter while you are asked your age and that of your next of kin. The members of staff there seemed over worked even though there was clear cut division of labour.

Overall, the members of staff were all very businesslike and professional. I didn’t see any fast track patient or queue jumping by patients. Everyone sat patiently while we all waited to take our turn. There were enough chairs and benches for the patients. The television at the corner by the nurses’ station was tuned to Africa Magic Yoruba.

Some of the patients were following the movies such that they didn’t hear their names called out when it was time to go in and see the doctor. No one asked me to grease their palm or wash their face before I was attended to. I was very impressed and happy. In all it was a good visit.

I must commend the government and people of Ekiti.

Healthcare service delivery is a key part of the eight-point agenda of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration. I saw the attention to ensuring this goal during my time at the state teaching hospital. Ekiti is working. The people are happy. Health is indeed wealth.

• Olorunfemi, a Barrister at law, wrote from Ado-Ekiti

‘Overall, the members of staff were all very businesslike and professional. I didn’t see any fast track patient or queue jumping by patients’

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

INSIDE

JAMB gets ultimatum AN education consultant, Mr. Oludotun Shodunke, has given the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) a seven-day ultimatum to release some scripts for re-marking or face court action.

Shodunke wants to prove that the examination body failed many candidates because the examination questions allegedly leaked.

In an interview with The Nation, Shodunke, who led some candidates to protest the mass failure in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Maryland, Lagos, last Thursday...

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Since April 29, lectures at polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of technology have been paralysed following a teachers’ strike. The government has stepped into the matter, but nobody knows how soon the issue will be resolved, especially as colleges of education are also threatening to go on strike, report KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE, ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, SAMPSON UNAMKA and YUSUF IDEGU.

-Page 27

UBEC ranks Southeast low THE five Southeast states are not doing well in the implementation of the nine-year Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme, says Director of Quality Assurance, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja, Dr Chukwuma Agomoh.

Charging the governors of Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi to revamp their education systems, at the Southeast Education Summit held at ...

-Page 39

CAMPUS LIFE •An eight-page section on campus news, people etc

Ekiti varsity’s days of rage

IT was an unusual morning at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti. Members of the university community woke up last Thursday to the fury of a students’ demonstration.

Many were shocked by the protest. As early as 6:30am, students from various off-campus hostels started moving to the main gate.

-Page 29

•The Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Dr Sijibomi Olusanya (left) discussing with COEASU President, Asagha Emmanuel Nkoro, during the ENEC meeting

•Prof Rukayyat Ahmed Rufa’i

Strike grounds polys, tech colleges ‘ P OLYTECHNICS and Colleges of Technology nationwide have been on forced recess in the past three weeks.

Although students are on campus, they are not being taught. They are however, registering for their courses and carrying out related chores since the non-academic members of staff are working. The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) embarked on the strike on April 29 over what it called the Federal Government’s failure to address its grievances. Teachers in the colleges of education with similar grievance may soon join the strike too, if the government does not act fast.

The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has given the government up till May 31 to meet its demands or face a strike.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on April 18, ASUP’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Clement Chirman, listed the union’s demands as: non re-constitution of the governing councils of Polytechnics, Monotechnics, and Col-

The strike is effective nationwide and it is biting harder on the government. There are 12 demands and only one out of the 12 has been partially met.

When you look at the personalities on the governing council, they are 24/7 politicians. Some of them cannot even read or write; they require interpreters. But we demanded that academics should be among the governing council members before we went on the warning strike on April 22

leges of Technology; non release of government white paper of the visitation panels to the federal polytechnics; and non commencement of the NEED Assessments of the Nigerian Polytechnics.

Others are the worrisome state of state-owned polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of technology; the continued appointment of unqualified persons as rectors and provosts of some state polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of technology; and the failure of most state governments to implement the approved salary package (CONPCASS) and 65-year

’

retirement age.

The union also complained about the continued appointment of principal officers in acting capacity in some institutions beyond the approved periods; the insistence of the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation on the implementation of the IPPIS (Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System) module in the polytechnic; the continued delay in the amendment of the Polytechnics' Act; the review of the Polytechnics' scheme of service; and the noncommencement of the re-negotiation of the Federal Government/

•Asomagha

ASUP Agreement.

The country may be in for an impending strike as this time around, ASUP is resolute about not backing down until its demands are met. The Nation’s checks revealed that the strike is in effect in state and federal-owned polytechnics.

When contacted, Mr Adimike George of the Public Relations Department, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, said there had been no academic activities at the institution since the strike began. He said that the Senior Staff Association Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) of the polytechnic is also on strike. There have also been no classes at the Bauchi State Polytechnic, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Federal Polytech•Continued on page 26

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

26

EDUCATION Mushin boy wins Spelling Bee

FUTA FILE

Minister for Lecture THE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina will deliver the Foundation Day Lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) tomorrow at the institution's new auditorium.

Adesina will speak on "Unlocking Nigeria's Agricultural Potential to Create Wealth" at the lecture to be chaired by the ViceChancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola.

By Medinat Kanabe

A

Training on space research THE Centre for Space Research and Application (CESRA) at the FUTA has collaborated with the African Regional Centre for Space Sciences and Technology Education in English (ARCSSTE-E) of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on a two-day workshop.

The objectives of the training was to familiarise first-time users with the basic knowledge of tracking the motion of vehicles, planning and executing satellite launch mission, evaluating feasibility and reliability of communication links, among others.

Also, it exposed participants to hands-on-training on how to assemble, build and launch microsatellites encased in empty can drinks, recover the satellite and analyse the data returned by the microsatellite and as well learn programming in C-language.

Declaring the training open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola commended the effort of CESRA in meeting its mandate which is to anchor the university's contribution to the field of space research and applications.

In his address, Director, CESRA, Prof Moses Ajewole appreciated the ViceChancellor, ProfessorAdebiyi Daramola for endorsing the training and for consistent support and contributions to the growth of the Centre.

28 athletes for NUGA TWENTY eight athletes are to represent FUTA at the Nigerian Universities Games (NUGA) to be hosted by the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. At the 24th Zone B Pre-NUGA eliminations held at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, FUTA paraded 82 athletes for nine games with 28 of them scaling through in athletics, table tennis, tennis, judo and taekwondo.

The university's Sports Coordinator, Coach Michael Ajibua, praised the efforts of the athletes and their officials in qualifying for the finals and urged them to step up preparation to bring laurels to the institution.

Ajibua also praised the university management for releasing funds which enabled the athletes to participate in the preliminaries, soliciting for more. He also promised that the athletes would perform even better at the finals.

• Mrs Amosun (second left) cutting the tape with the assistance of Mr Ogunsanya (left), Otunba Olaide Osifeso, Chairman, Ijebu-North Local Government (second right), and Oba Mufutau Yusuf, the Sopen lukele of Sopen (right) at the inauguration of a block of classrooms and offices at St. John's Primary School, Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State

P

ROFESSOR of Journalism Idowu Akanbi Sobowale will deliver the 35th Public Lecture of Covenant University (CU), Ota tomorrow. Sobowale, Head of the university's Mass Communication Department, will speak on the topic: Communication, Politicians and True Democracy.

The erudite academic, whose journalism career spans over a decade at the Daily Times between 1964 and •Continued from page 25

nic, Offa, Lagos State Polytechnic, Yaba College of Technology, Abeokuta and many others.

Speaking on the union's stance last week in Abuja, National ASUP President, Chibuzor Asomugha, accused the government of “promoting dissection” in the education sub-sector by earmarking the lion's share of the yearly education budget to universities at the expense of polytechnics and colleges of education. This imbalanced disbursement of funds, Asomugha argued, will continue to frustrate attempts at upgrading facilities in polytechnics, while creating a frightening gulf between universities and polytechnics/ college of education graduates, resulting in inferiority complex of the latter.

He said all tiers of government have refused to upgrade facilities at the polytechnics, while also ignoring the need to set up new ones in the face of technological gaps.

"Regrettably, no sustained plan has been put in place to upgrade facilities in the existing polytechnics even when the need for setting up of new ones has not been considered as necessary for the technology development of Nigeria.

In state-owned polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of technologies, the picture is much more dismal, with minimal prospects for improvement as most authorities at that level have continued to gamble with the future of the youths of this country who have chosen to pursue careers in the technical sector," he added.

Of all the union’s demands Comrade Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin, ASUP Chairman, FEDPOFFA and the Southwest Publicity Secretary, told The Nation that only one, the re-constitution of the governing council, has been met, and that, partially.

"The strike is effective nationwide and it is biting harder on the government.

There are 12 demands and only one out of the

CU holds 35th Public Lecture 1975, was three times special adviser and later Commissioner for Education in the first and third civilian governments of Lagos State.

Sobowale introduced opinion polling into Nigeria in 1978, after his return from Syracuse University, United States, where he obtained his master's and doctorate degrees in newspaper and political

communication . He now chairs the CU Polling Unit.

Prof Sobowale teaches communication research, communication theory, scientific journalism and communication for development, among other subjects.

He is the author of Scientific Journalism and Journalism as a Career.

DEWUNMI Usman, an 11year-old pupil of St Paul African Church Primary School, Mushin has emerged winner of the 2013 Spelling Bee competition (primary category).

He was declared winner at the competition organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Education before a packed audience at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday.

Adewunmi was followed by Solomon Udugboku, of LA Primary School, Ilogbo-Elegba, and Benjamin Onyeagbo of AUD Primary School, Imota who came second and third.

The competition, which started with 50 participants, went through five rounds. Words that evicted participants in the third round include pugilist, vulnerable, and assault; in the fourth round, glutton, synergy, trailblazer, and dessert.

In the last round, which had the final three participants, they were asked to spell bibble babble which they all failed. Another opportunity to spell produced the winners.

Beaming with joy, Adewunmi thanked his parents, teachers, especially his coach, Mrs Bola Oredipe for encouraging him to read his books.

In an interview, Mrs Oredipe said Adewunmi is a good pupil.

"He is never tired, always want to try again and he encourages me," she said.

Strike grounds polys, tech colleges 12 has been partially met. When you look at the personalities on the governing council, they are 24/7 politicians. Some of them cannot even read or write; they require interpreters. But we demanded that academics should be among the governing council members before we went on the warning strike on April 22. The government has only reconstituted the council but done nothing about the members," he said.

Kamoru also wondered why the government is insisting on enforcing the IPPIS with polytechnic workers when it has been rejected by their university counterparts. If enforced, it would mean that the workers would be paid directly by the AccountantGeneral of the Federation rather than by their institutions.

"University workers have rejected the IPPIS. We do not want it. We want the status quo to remain. If they implement it, it will not capture all our allowances. For instance, some entitled to hazard allowance, excess load allowance, will not get it. Also, those that go on Sabatical will not benefit from payment by the two institutions.

We are happy with the way our salaries are being paid," he said.

ASUP National Vice President, Usman Yusuf Dutse told The Nation on Tuesday that the Federal Gov-

ernment has met with the union, promising to meet its demands that do not require legislation in three weeks.

"Sometime last week, the Council of National Officers of ASUP had a meeting at the instance of the Minster of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, as an intervention. They have arrived at some level of commitment on the part of government. Government requested for three weeks to implement most of the issues. He said all the issues we raised that do not require legislation will be taken care of.

The promise notwithstanding, Dutse said the strike would continue if its leaders are not convinced about the government's sincerity.

"The National Executive Committee (NEC) will deliberate on whether the commitment is strong enough before we take a decision to suspend the strike," he said.

Like ASUP, COEASU is accusing the federal and state governments of neglecting colleges of education which are saddled with the training of teachers for the primary and junior secondary education levels.

At the Extended National Executive Council (ENEC) of the union at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka,

‘We want to also use this opportunity to warn government. Their neglect of the sector particularly the so called less-privileged sector of the tertiary, secondary and primary education in the country is part of the strange situation and security challenges we are contending with which government has not been able to address, even after spending billions of naira’

Yaba, Lagos last week, its National President Asagha Emmanuel Nkoro, berated government appointees many whom he said travel abroad but fail to replicate at home, what they see overseas.

He warned that unless government changes its ways, kidnappings, robbery, insecurity and ritual killings, among others, will continue to dog the nation.

"We want to also use this opportunity to warn the government.

Their neglect of the sector particularly the so called less-privileged sector of the tertiary, secondary and primary education in the country is part of the strange situation and security challenges we are contending with which government has not been able to address, even after spending billions of naira,” he said.

He lamented that the government naturally appears indifferent until the union is pressed to mount pressures on it.

He said state-owned colleges in Osun, Kwara and Bauchi have not complied with the 65-year retirement age agreement. The schools, he added, also suffer infrastructural development particularly in Kwara.

Asagha said the union would stop at nothing to compel states that are defaulting in developing their colleges of education.

Their demands, some of which are similar to ASUP's include: Forceful implementation of IPPIS; refusal of federal and state governments at all levels to implement terms of agreements regarding institutional structure and management and the conditions of service, appropriate salary structure and 65-year retirement age, especially by the governments of Kwara, Osun, and Plateau states; non-systemic approach in constituting the governing council; commencing a needs assessment exercise, amendments of the colleges system Act etc.

27

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

EDUCATION FUNAAB FILE

Council leadership hands over THE immediate past ProChancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Chief Lawrence Osayemi, has handed over to Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe. He expressed confidence that the new Council will take the university to greater heights.

Osayemi, who visited the University with a former member of the Council, Dr. Solomon Oladiti, said his tenure was successful because of the quality of people that made up the council who cooperated to ensure things worked.

"We employed diligence and discretion that were wellgrounded in equity, fairness and justice in dealing with the complexity of unions' intrigues and myriads of conflicting interests by staff, students and the community.

This, without doubt, culminated in a large measure in the unprecedented growth, development and peace, in the annals of the University," he said.

Monarchs back varsity FOUR of the five monarchs in Egbaland in Abeokuta, Ogun State have spoken in support of turning the FUNAAB into a conventional university, where Medicine, Law, Education and other courses.

They spoke when members of the new Governing Council led

by Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe visited them.

They are: The Osile of Oke-Ona, Egba, Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso; The Agura of Gbagura, Oba Halidu Adedayo Laloko; The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu; and the Olubara of Ibara, Oba Jacob Olufemi Omolade.

While Oba Tejuoso said said the new Federal Medical Centre (FMC), at Idi-Aba, would make a Medical School a reality, Oba Laloko said with Gbagura owning 95 per cent of the university's land, he would be happy to support an expansion.

Oba Dosunmu noted that conventional status would enable the university to admit more students, while Oba Omolade, affirmed the Yoruba people's appreciation of good education.

All the monarchs expressed their confidence that the new Council would achieve even greater heights than the past Councils because its experienced and highly intelligent members.

The Pro-Chancellor said the visit was to solicit the support of the monarchs and their people to contribute to FUNAAB's growth.

G

• The management of Federal College of Education (Technical) Akoka and the National Executives of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) at the end of the opening ceremony of the just concluded Extended National Executive Council (ENEC) held in Akoka

JAMB gets ultimatum to release scripts for remarking •’No papers leaked’

A

N education consultant, Mr. Oludotun Shodunke, has given the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) a seven-day ultimatum to release some scripts for re-marking or face court action.

Shodunke wants to prove that the examination body failed many candidates because the examination questions allegedly leaked.

In an interview with The Nation, Shodunke, who led some candidates to protest the mass failure in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Maryland, Lagos, last Thursday, queried the JAMB leadership led by Prof Dibu Ojerinde in conducting the examination.

He stressed that most of the students "were failed" by the body because of the rumour that the examination papers leaked.

"If the examination papers leaked, the right thing is for the body to have cancelled the exercise and fixed another day for it. You cannot punish students with what I called 'monumental failure' because the

By Abiodun Alade

examination papers leaked. Leakage of examinations cannot be blamed on the students," he said.

He also alleged that the mass failure might be a way to favour the candidates that will be writing the Computer Based Test (CBT) from Saturday.

The founder of Pathfinder Academy, which offers tutorials for candidates preparing for external examinations, noted that as a concerned parent, he has directed his lawyer to request for some of the scripts, "because I am certain that these students did not fail. Since I started this campaign many students have volunteered to have their scripts remarked by an external person and that is what we are asking for. We have asked Prof Ojerinde to release five of such scripts. We don't want to ask for 50,000 scripts but just five so that Nigerians will understand what we are saying that the students did not fail but were failed.”

He said his lawyer will not hesitate

to approach the court if the body refuses to release the demanded scripts within seven days.

He warned that the mass failure recorded can escalate the insecurity the country is experiencing, "because these are youths and are easy prey when they are idle". He pleaded with the leadership of the country to persuade Ojerinde to have a rethink and remark the scripts.

It will be recalled that the Board withheld the results of 80,419 candidates for culpability in examination malpractices. Ten candidates scored 300 and above; 628 scored between 270 and 299; 33,115 scored between 250 and 269; while 704,622 scored between 200 and 249.

About 571,298 scored between 170 and 199; 103,489 scored between 160 and 169; while 127,017 scored less than 159.

A total of 1,629,102 candidates applied to sit for the Paper Pencil Test (PPT), while 15,008 candidates applied for the Dual Based Test, bringing the number of candidates to 1,644,110.

But JAMB Public Relations Officer, Mr Fabian Benjamin, debunked the claims of leakages or mass failure.

He said: "Before we write our

exams, our keys (answers) are already on ground. Don't forget we started marking that very day.

Examination towns that are close to Abuja, Kaduna are marked that very day. Our marking is computer based marking. And our questions did not leak. Anybody telling you that the question leaked is just speaking from his imaginations.

"Our exam is not a fail/pass examination. It is an entrance examination. Our minimum pass mark for last year was 180 for universities and 160 and above for polytechnics and colleges of education. The pass mark is determined at a policy meeting chaired by the Minister of Education.

The meeting is yet to hold for this year."

Amosun’s wife lauds Airtel's school project

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IFE of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, has urged corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to support worthy causes. She was reacting to Airtel's gesture to adopt a primary school in Oke-Agbo, in Ogun State.

Inaugurating the block of four classrooms and three offices renovated by the telecoms firm under its 'Adopt-a-School' scheme at

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

St John's Primary School last Thursday, Mrs Amosun said such efforts would make the society a better place. Mrs Amosun said the initiative agrees with the policy of the Ogun State government to provide quality education to underprivileged children.

"Airtel's Adopt-a-School programme is in tandem with the

policy of the Ogun State government, aimed to provide quality education to underprivileged children. As you know, Ogun State government is committed to creating a conducive learning environment where both privileged and underprivileged children would have access to quality education," she said.

As beneficiaries of the gesture, Mrs Amosun counselled the pupils to be serious with their studies as it was

Don advocates promotion on merit for headteachers

OVERNMENT has been urged to promote head teachers based on merit and hard work rather than long service or age.

Dean, College of Animal Science and lifestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNNAB), Prof Christian Ikeobi, said this while delivering a lecture at a training for teachers organised by Guarantee Image Communication and the Lagos State Ministry of Education.

Speaking on the theme: Great Teachers, Great School, Great Nation, Ikeobi said: "A mediocre teachers can be appointed a head teacher because of the length of service or

•Shodunke

By Medinat Kanabe

seniority. We need to change the system of selection of head teachers let it be through merit, resultoriented, hard work, performance and computer based."

The dean also explained why examination malpractice thrives in Nigeria. He said the menace crept into the education system after independence when the government took over schools with the promise to positively change it.

"Universal Primary Education (UPE) was developed, then there was a large enrolment of pupils into schools, which began to affect the infrastructure and the problem of

insufficient teachers began.

“Market women, fishermen, palm wine tappers, became auxiliary teachers, which led to a mass production of teachers. It was like an emergency. Learning for pupils became difficult. Mass promotion of students started.

“The students became aware that they didn't have to do anything to pass. They lost all inclination to work. Teachers on the other hand became aware that they were not scrutinised so they began to do whatever they liked. This brought standards down,” he said.

He said because the students were used to promotion en-masse, when it was time for external

examination, they felt they needed to cut corners to pass.

Defining a great school, he said it one with a unique culture of scholarship, character training, and discipline.

"Something about the school has to challenge people. It may be the environment, anthem, core value, teachers, culture or name, great schools are not special centres, they endure from generations to generation," he added.

Commissioner for Education Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, who was represented by Mr Gabriel Shodimu, said training is a technical aspect of life and should be accorded great concern.

the only way they could repay the company's gesture.

"It is not for you to dance and say thank you that Airtel wants. They want you to become governors, presidents, tomorrow. Focus on your books. It is left for you to use what you are given well," she said.

The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, said Airtel Nigeria is committed to alleviating poverty and illiteracy from the country through education.

Ogunsanya said:"Quality education offers children the best opportunity in life to realise their dreams and become the leaders of tomorrow. A great environment is also critical to the development of a sound mind.

"It is therefore in recognition of the importance of education and as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility vision that we have committed to the adoption of public primary schools across Nigeria.

"We are adopting government owned primary schools located in an undeserved, rural and semi-urban areas and providing them with requisite infrastructure and learning tools including classrooms, textbooks, furniture, school uniforms, school bags and relevant training to improve the teaching skills of our teachers."

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

EDUCATION

Ex-pupil donates N5m house to alma mater

ACE FILE

A

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has unveiled a six-classroom brick house worth over N5 million built by Mr John Nwosu for his alma mater, Odida Central School Nnewichi, Nnewi.

Obi, represented by the Education Commissioner, Dr Uju Okeke, praised Nwosu, Chairman of Jet link and Governorship Aspirant under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), for his gesture urging others to emulate him.

Nwosu, who announced a scholarship for Chioma Okolocha, a primary six pupil for her brilliant performance in debates and other brain tasking activities, said his gesture was devoid of politics, but inspired by the desire to contribute to the development of his former school.

"My intention is to give the pupils

•Chief Babalola

Afe Babalola praises Provost

• The building From Odogun Emeka Odogun Nnewi

the best to learn under conducive environment. But I want to use this opportunity to advise contractors and builders to be sincere in dealing with the public and by being selfless

in doing projects they are paid for in the society as shoddy jobs don't pay anybody any good," he said.

He praised Obi for returning schools to the mission.

HeadTeacher of the school, Lady Pauline Obi, also praised the donor.

But the listed areas of need of the

school, including new buildings to replace an existing structure which, she said, has become a death trap, classroom and teachers' furniture, computers as well as repairs of the damaged boreholes and an overhead tank.

Parents seek infrastructural development in Unity schools

D

ESPITE the plan by the Federal Government to employ 1,000 teachers for the 104 unity colleges nationwide, parents are seeking infrastructural development.

The challenges pupils face learning were the while focus of discussions at the Southwest zonal meeting of the National Association of Parents of Federal Unity Secondary Schools (NAPAFUSS) held at the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, Lagos penultimate Friday.

During the meeting, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) chairmen of the 17 colleges underscored the importance of

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

partnership with the government and management of the institutions to improve quality of education service delivery in the single and mixed sex colleges in the southwest.

In an interview, the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the association, Pastor Rufus Famuwagun, said many of the colleges need infrastructure and urged the federal government to enhance their facilities.

"The standard of education in the unity schools is not the way we want it. There are still some problems with the underfunding of education by the Federal Government that is why we say we

are not where we want to be. We don't have enough teachers, lack of infrastructural facilities, buildings; so we always assist the schools in the employment of parttime teachers; building of infrastructural/hostel accommodations, etc. But we want the government to do more," he said.

Also speaking, the Acting PTA Chairman of the host school, Mrs Obi Igwillo, said the group would appreciate the absorption of parttime teachers the PTAs have employed into the Federal Civil Servive by the Federal Ministry of Education.

She said at the FSTC, Yaba, the PTA pays the salaries of 35 of the

97 teachers part-time teachers employed by the school.

"The FSTC, Yaba has 97 part-time workers. PTA pays for 10 and the school is asking us to pay for more.

The PTA has other support workers so our bill runs into a million every month," she said.

However, principal of the college, Mr William Iweama, commended the Federal government's invest in the unity schools.

"Every month we get N5.5million to run the school; we get N3 million for feeding. It is just that education is expensive. A private school that wants to employ our kind of teachers will not charge less than N200,000 a month," he said.

Etisalat workers train Lagos pupils on counselling

• From Left: Mr Idowu, Mrs Awoyomi and Mr Dolapo Biodun at the event.

P

UPILS from select public secondary schools in Lagos have benefited from a career counselling programme organised by Etisalat Nigeria.

The event, the eighth to be organised by the company, was held in partnership with the Lagos Empowerment and Resource Network (LEARN).

Over 500 pupils from Ogba Junior Grammar School, Oke-Ira Junior and Senior Grammar Schools,

By Sampson Unamka

Ojodu Junior High School, Babs Fafunwa Millennium Senior Secondary School, Omole Junior and Senior Grammar Schools and State High School, Ikeja learnt various career choices, creatively delivered by workers of Etisalat.

A financial analyst Akinjide Obanewa, explained the rudiments of the accounting profession; Bankole Alao, Etisalat's

Manager, Data Marketing spoke on marketing technology while the sessions were rounded-off by a presentation on the attributes and duties of a Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) professional.

Representing the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, Director of Legal Services, Adeolu Idowu, said the event enabled Etisalat employees to fulfil a desire to give back to society by volunteering time

and their skills in providing career counselling and mentorship to the pupils.

"Career counselling scheme brings a great feeling for us at Etisalat because it enables us to demonstrate our passion for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), through both internal and external platforms. We are aware that students need appropriate direction to make compatible and fulfilling career choices, because a wrong career move may have some serious negative longterm effects," she said.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Dolapo Biodun, praised Etisalat for its impact on the students' knowledge bank, future contributions to society and self-development.

Addressing the pupils, LEARN Executive Director, Mrs Bisi Awoyomi, encouraged the pupils to make career choices based on God-given talents, not because of family values or societal influence.

There was excitement when Etisalat rewarded all winners of competitions with prizes, including laptops and HP printers.

The competitions included mental exercises like spelling bee and inter-school debates.

The students also watched a performance by Nigerian singer and producer, DJ Zeez and Sean Tizzle.

The sponsors have lined up two more career counseling sessions for Lagos to hold in Surulere and Lagos Island later in the year.

THE founder, Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has praised the ACE Provost, Prof Adeyemi Idowu, for the warm reception accorded him, his wife and ABUAD workers who accompanied him to the 32nd convocation of the college.

In a letter, he praised the hospitability of the provost who ensured that he was comfortable throughout his stay at the college.

"In particular, I want to appreciate you for going out of your way to accompany my entourage and lead us out of the bustling and crowded town to the outskirt. May God bless you, your wife and your children and continue to guide and protect you in the seemingly impossible task of achieving quality education without proper and adequate funding. I can assure you that I will take positive steps and revert to you on the university project soonest," Chief Babalola stated.

Two dons on Council TWO members of the Academic Board of the Adeyemi College of Education of Education (ACE), Ondo, have been elected as representatives in the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the College.

They are Dr Olufemi Olajuyigbe, the Deputy Provost and Dr Yemi Ogunsiji, Dean School of Languages and Chairman, Committee of Deans.

The Federal government had on April 22 appointed Ambassador Musa John as the Chairman of the Governing Council - with Dr Buki Olamigoke, John Pribi, and Kalu Ama Nkama as members.

Provost, others mourn don THE ACE Provost, Prof Adeyemi Ibukunoluwa Idowu, principal officers, workers and students were among the personalities who attended the funeral service of the Head for Fine and Applied Arts Department, Mrs Veronica Mopelola Aladenika.

In his sermon at the service held at Don Bosco Catholic Church, Oke-Odunwo in Ondo, Rev. Fr. Tai Oludare, urged the congregation to maintain a close relationship with God, given the inevitability of death.

At a commendation service organised the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), ACE, Ondo chapter at Olusegun Obasanjo Auditorium in her honour, her colleagues eulogised her good virtues as a lecturer and mother.

In a message by Pastor Johnson Falade, he said the Bible described life at its best stage as a vapour, which is very short.

He, therefore, encouraged all to move closer to God to earn everlasting life.

29

The making of campus journalists

A cry in the dark Page 31

*CAMPUSES *NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

Page 34

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Students of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) have protested the “no school fees, no lecture” policy. The incident led to the closure of the campus for two weeks. OLATUNJI AWE (300-Level Political Science) reports

•Security officers preventing demonstrators from entering the campus

Ekiti varsity’s days of rage

I

T was an unusual morning at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti. Members of the university community woke up last Thursday to the fury of a students’ demonstration.

Many were shocked by the protest. As early as 6:30am, students from various off-campus hostels started moving to the main gate. The protesters arrived in batches, shut the gate and prevented staff, visitors and workers from entering.

Students living at Iworoko were the first to gather at the gate for the protest. They were about 70.

An hour later, their colleagues from Osekita, Satellite Phase 1 and Phase 2 joined, carrying various placards with inscriptions such as

“EKSU for sale to FG”; “Enough is enough in EKSU”, “EKSU students are not secondary school pupils”; “Our parents are poor and cannot afford to pay N100,000 at once”.

The protesters said they were registering their displeasure over the management’s policy of “no school fee, no lecture”, “the proscription of Students’ Union for two years” and the introduction of “school uniform to some faculties”.

The management asked the students to pay their full school fees, which range from N100,000 to N165,000, at once. But students pleaded with the authorities, saying their parents could not afford to pay such an amount at once.

A demonstrator, who simply

identified herself as Bisola, said: “When we heard that management had introduced a ‘no school fee, no lecture policy’, we thought it was a rumour. Not many of us took it seriously until the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof Olugbenga Aribisala, asked students who have not paid their school fees to leave the class. It was then we knew the management was seriousl about the policy.”

On the first day of the protest, the students planned to barricade the federal highway linking AdoEkiti, Ilorin and Kogi. Some of them objected to the plan, saying management and the government could send soldiers to disperse them. They abandoned the idea.

But the students caused a

gridlock on the highway, urging motorists to help them beg the government and management to “pity our parents”. They wrote the plea on the windshields of vehicles.

There was a drama when some students tried to take photographs with their phones when they were being addressed by the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof I.G. Adanlawo. Security officials tried to seize their phones but students rebuffed the move, shouting “Ole (thief).”

Later, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were drafted to forestall the break down of law and order.

As the NSCDC officers arrived, stu•Continued on page 30

•’Human trafficking is sinful’ -P32•English students mourn colleague -P33

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

30

CAMPUS LIFE

Reflections Pushing Out from Cape with

Town

W

Agbo Agbo

HY is Nigeria the way it is? Why is it so difficult for the government to have a comprehensive and detailed road map for job creation? Why are we as a people scared of facing and overcoming our fears and challenges? Why would our so called leaders travel to developed societies, enjoy their stay, come back home and never lift a finger to try to replicate what they see abroad? Why would they be comfortable having mansions in major cities across the world while millions of their citizens cannot afford decent accommodation? How could officials who sit in authority feel comfortable seeing hundreds of thousands of Nigerian students leave the country to seek admission abroad because we simply do not have the capacity to cater for them? Why, why, why.

These and many other thoughts flashed through my mind at 37,000 feet above sea level on my way back from a trip to Cape Town, South Africa last week. My trip also coincided with the World Economic Forum for Africa which was also held there with our own Aliko Dangote, Wale Tinubu and others making presentations. Before leaving for Cape Town I had top on my priority list a visit to the famous and highly rated University of Cape Town (UCT) to see what makes it tick as the best university in Africa.

Established in 1829 as a school for boys, the UCT is a research-led public university with an enrolment of 23,000 students from over 100 countries and I was made to understand that the first heart transplant in Africa took place there, little wonder therefore that it is ranked number one in Africa and 146 in the world according to the Times Higher Education QS rankings.

Serene and captivating, the university has a tradition and reputation for excellence in research across all its six faculties with the highest concentration of A-Rated scientists and researchers at any one institution in South Africa. By making use of collaborative

08052959489 (SMS only)

•aagboa@gmail.com instruments, it has been able to successfully leverage an increased number of external grants as well as bursaries for postgraduate students and for postdoctoral fellows. These instruments, I was made to understand are: the South African Research Chairs Initiative, the UCT Signature themes for Research, the national Centres of Excellence and Competence Centres, the University Research Committee accredited research groupings and strategic partnerships with external research organisations.

The main teaching campus, known as Upper Campus, is located on the Rhodes Estate on the slopes of what is known as Devil’s Peak. This campus contains, in a relatively compact site, the faculties of Science, Engineering, Commerce, and Humanities (except for the arts departments), as well as Smuts Hall and Fuller Hall residences.

Upper Campus is centered on Jameson Hall, the location for graduation and other ceremonial events, as well as many examinations. The original buildings and layout of Upper Campus were designed by JM Solomon and built between 1928 and 1930. Since that time, many more buildings have been added as the university has grown. Upper Campus is also home to the main library, The Chancellor Oppenheimer library which holds the majority of the University’s 1.3 million volume collection.

Another feature of this varsity is the Upper, Lower and Middle Campuses. These campuses, which are spread through the suburbs of Rondebosch, Rosebank and Mowbray, contain the Law faculty, the South African College of Music, the School of Economics, most of the student residences, most of the university administrative offices, and various sporting facilities. The state of the art artificial grass soccer field was approved by FIFA for training for the 2010 World Cup teams. The Upper, Middle and

Lower Campuses together are often referred to as the “main campus”.

The Faculty of Health Sciences is located on the Medical School campus next to the Groote Schuur Hospital in Observatory. The Fine Arts and Drama departments are located on the Hiddingh Campus in central Cape Town. The University’s original building, now known as the Egyptian Building, on the Hiddingh campus, was built in the Egyptian Revival style. The only other campus built in this style, I was told is the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia in the United States. The UCT Graduate School of Business is located on the Breakwater Lodge Campus at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a captivating site that I also visited twice.

As of 2011, 24,773 students were enrolled at UCT. The ratio between male and female students is almost exactly 50:50. White students make up 36.9%, while non-white students constitute 63.1% of the student body.

International students account for 18.6% of total student enrollment at 4608, representing over 100 countries. UCT employs approximately 4500 staff members of whom 44% are academic staff; the rest are administrative and support staff. In 2007 UCT had 866 permanent academic staff members. Between 85% and 90% of academic staff hold doctoral or masters qualifications.

So in the midst of these how do Students unwind? Well, the varsity has 36 sports clubs, including team sports, individual sports, extreme sports and martial arts. The university’s sports teams, and in particular the rugby union team, are known as the “Ikey Tigers” or the “Ikeys”. The “Ikey” nickname, I was told originated in the 1910s as an anti-semitic epithet applied to UCT students by the students of Stellenbosch University, because of the supposed large number of Jewish students at UCT. Stellenbosch, I was also made to understand is UCT’s traditional rugby opponent; an annual “Intervarsity” match is played between the two universities regularly and most have gone to play for the national rugby team.

I had an encounter that made me wonder if it can happen in Nigeria. I was sharing ideas with a professor when one of his students walked in and asked if the professor will be available for coffee later. His reply was equally shocking to me; “Why not, as soon as I’m done with this gentleman we can meet, will one

Elijah Oyedepo, a 300-Level English Education student of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), plays the drum at campus revivals and concerts. He is a students’ favourite when it comes to drumming. He told WHYTE HABEEB (500-Level Law) how he discovered his talent.

Y

OU have attended several events to play the drum, is it a passion for you?

Drumming has been part of me since my days as a child. I discovered drumming as a God given talent. I developed a major interest in percussions and I consider it to be fantastic. I feel good and comfortable anytime I am playing the instrument. For me, drumming is an inspiration. I am the custodian of the stick as the pastor is the custodian of the Bible and the Imam the Quran.

Your nickname is Stick; how did you come about this name?

‘Stick’ was given to me by my friends. They discovered that I am always with my drum sticks. I keep them in my bags as I go to the class.

Each time I attend lecture, some of them would open my bag to know if I came with the sticks. So, they would all call me Ej-stick, which means “Elijah stick”. Later, it was shortened to ‘Stick’.

How do you combine academic work with drumming?

We must know that no matter how talented we might be, we need education to sell such talent. I take my studies very seriously. I don’t get distracted by encomiums that I receive from people through my ability. I play for a lot of people but whenever the schedules are going to affect my lectures, I choose my priority. I discover that nothing can be achieved without education nowadays. One needs to back his talent up with a certificate. Nobody will be interested in your talent when

•Elijah playing the drum

‘I’m the custodian of drum sticks’ you don’t have a good education.

What is your assessment of campus fellowship in the University of Ilorin?

Campus fellowship is doing well in UNILORIN. I don’t attend all fellowships but I know they are improving. Since fellowship is like calling people to be closer to God, I do not see any reason some fellowships should discriminate on the basis of parish. This is an important area that needs to be

looked into and corrected. I have heard several stories of people not wanting to attend a particular fellowship on the basis that some members are considered more important than others. It should not be so. The essence of campus fellowship should be to worship God without discrimination.

What are your words for fellow students?

I urge everyone to discover the ability that will stand them out.

They should not try to be someone else. Like I always tell my friends, it is good to stay away from people who try to belittle one’s dreams.

hour be okay with you”? The student answered in the affirmative. Will this be possible in Nigeria? I leave that to you to answer.

Reflecting on the situation back home, nobody needs a prophet to tell him that sports development - like most other things – is practically dead in our varsities. Gone are the days when NUGA sports festival used to be a thing of pride and budding talents are oftentimes “harvested” from these tourneys.

From my hotel room I could see the venue of the World Economic Forum for Africa, but since I was not an accredited delegate I wasn’t allowed entry into the venue but I monitored the proceedings through local television and radio stations.

Under the theme “Delivering on Africa’s Promise”, the Forum provided an important platform for regional and global leaders from business, government and civil society to deepen the continent’s integration agenda and renew commitment to a sustainable path of growth and development.

With an expected annual growth of 5% in 2012-2013, sub-Saharan Africa continues its transformative journey from a developing continent to a hub of global growth. Following the recession in Europe Africa was predicted as the next hub where investors will pitch their tent. According to the World Bank, almost half of Africa’s countries have attained middle-income status. But at the same time, the continent’s positive outlook is threatened by fluctuating commodity prices, rising inequality and youth unemployment. To build on its achievements, Africa’s leaders need to strengthen the continent’s competitiveness, foster inclusive growth and build resilience in a volatile global environment. Accelerating economic diversification, boosting strategic infrastructure and unlocking talent are critical success factors in this new leadership context.

But the big question on my mind is this: Are we ready for this economic boom that is predicted will take place? President Jonathan and some of our top business and policy leaders were at the summit. I spoke with a couple of European and South African investors and the only snag with their investing in Nigeria is the security and governance challenge they read about always, they want guarantee that their investments will be safe. Will we be able to put our house in order so that investments can come in and provide employment for our teeming youths and allow our citizens to at least truly smile for once?

‘How we escaped death’

J

OHNSON Ikudayisi and Temitope Orebe, who are Ekiti State students’ leaders studying at in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IleIfe, escaped death in a road accident. They were returning from Ekiti after sorting out bursary and scholarship payments when they had an accident.

Johnson, 500-Level Dentistry, was the chairman of the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) electoral commission, Temitope, 400Level Law, is the president of the union at OAU. The duo had gone to Ado-Ekiti to meet officials of the State Scholarship Board and the Governor. After the meeting, the students’ leaders left for Ife. However, 20 minutes into the journey, the bus they were riding in somersaulted at IgedeEkiti and rammed into an electric pole. The pole fell on the bus.

Reliving the incident, Johnson said he was typing a message on his phone when “we heard a loud sound and that was the end”.

He said: “A power line fell on

From Dhikru Akinola OAU

the bus and we were not electrocuted. I shouted blood of Jesus.

We were 15 in the bus. How we escaped is still a mystery to us.

Nobody could say if the accident happened as a result of over speeding.”

Johnson noted that he was in shock before Temitope got a cab to take them to Ekiti State General Hospital, Iyin, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government.

He said at the time they left the scene of the incident and the hospital, some passengers were in coma and they left for Ife that same night.

On the lesson learnt, Ekiti said that he would move closer to God now that he has been saved.

He advised the officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to rid the roads of bad buses that were not road worthy.

The drivers, he advised, should be made to undergo training before they should be given driving licence and periodic training for their staff.

I shouted blood of Jesus. We were 15 in the bus. How we escaped is still a mystery to us. Nobody could say if the accident happened as a result of over speeding’

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

31

CAMPUS LIFE Students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) are yet to know the identity of a ‘girl’, who cried for help in a bush.

Students, who were studying for their exams, abandoned their books to rescue her. But they did not find the ‘girl’.

OBIANUJU ASOUZU (500-Level Environmental Resource Management) writes.

A cry in the dark A

LL was calm at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) last Thursday after a downpour on the night. The rain caused the ever-busy walkways of the hostels to be deserted by students, some of whom had left to read for their examinations. Those, who did not have exam the next day, stayed in their hostels.

It was 9:30pm. Suddenly, there was a loud cry from a bushy uncompleted building behind Hall 8 hostel.

“Somebody help me! Somebody help me! Jesus Christ, somebody help me!” the distressed person, ostensibly, a girl, screamed.

The scream drew students to the building to ‘rescue’ the girl. As the students ran towards the hostel’s back gate, some were looking for an inhaler, thinking it was an asthmatic seizure. As they moved closer to the building, the story changed.

The rescuers started shouting: “It is a rape”; others claimed “It is a murder”.

In anger, many students rushed to the scene. Some ‘rescuers’ immediately alerted the Vice President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Mercy Mbakwu, who called the Chief Security Officer (CSO).

With the students threatened to move into the bush to search for the ‘girl’, Mercy pleaded with them not to do so before the arrival of the security officers.

The security officers arrived with some male students, who went in search of the ‘girl’ and the ‘rapists’.

Some students claimed they saw a man running out of the building after the ‘girl’ screamed, adding that they could not “apprehend” the culprits because the access gate to the scene was locked.

•An inside view of the Hall 8

“By the time we went to turn around to rescue the girl, the rapist had run away. We saw a pair of Dunlop slippers belonging to the girl,” one of the eyewitnesses said.

The rescue team trailed the ‘criminals’ without success. Also, the distressed ‘girl’ could not be found in the building.

In frustration, students blamed the management for its failure to erect streetlights round the hostel’s back side and the car park area.

Mercy addressed the students, urging them to return to their rooms for a headcount to ascertain those not present so as to reach them on their mobile phones. She promised

that she would channel students’ complaint to the management.

As she was addressing the irate students, the SUG president, Bassey Eka, arrived with some students.

The union president led students into the bush with rechargeable lamps to search for the ‘girl’.

Female students waited impatiently to know the outcome of the search. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that four men were caught close to Big Kwa River, flowing through the back of Hall 8 to the staff quarters.

Our correspondent gathered that the suspects were later allowed to go after convincing the rescue team that “they were travellers passing

through the community”.

Barry Inyang, 200-Level Law, who was among the search team, told CAMPUSLIFE: “We discovered that there is an uncompleted building in the bush. In the building, we saw a man who identified himself as Maduka. He took us round the building, showing us different rooms where some workers sleep.

We saw mosquito nets, which show that there are people staying in the building. Maduka told us that some of the workers ran away from the building when they heard some footsteps and strange voices, thinking that we are armed robbers.”

A student, who refused to disclose her name, said: “There is a possibility that the girl mixed up with other female students for her not to be embarrassed by the incident.”

The next day, students gathered in groups to discuss the incident. A 300-Level student of Economics, who did not give her name, queried: “How could the school leave the hostel premises unlit?”

Mercy Ajuka said: “If this situation is not arrested now, who knows what would happen next time”.

Others who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, asked that the hostels be well lit for security reasons.

passed by in a black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), but the students did not immediately recognise his vehicle. One of the students said: “If we had known it was Segun Oni that was passing, we would have torched that yeye (useless) jeep because he is part of the root cause of our predicament”.

At 3pm, the management announced the closure of the school for two weeks. A statement directed students to go on compulsory break. The management said there would be university-parents forum on May 18 in the main auditorium.

Jide Koalwole, a 400-Level student, said: “The protest is not sponsored by anyone. It was led and sponsored by the whole students in EKSU. The protest train came from five different areas.

We have been suffering in silence since the management and the state government adopted a policy of no lecture if we did not pay the school fees. We are not in primary school. We agree to a no school fee, no examination policy.

The university should adopt other strategies of generating revenue but not by strangulating our parents.”

Ekiti varsity’s days of rage •Continued from page 29

dents shouted: “My oga at the top”. This introduced a drama to the demonstration.

The students chanted anti-government songs, urging Governor Kayode Fayemi and Prof Dipo Aina, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), to rescind the “no school fees, no lecture” policy.

At 11am, the protesters were addressed by their colleagues, who led the protest. One of them said: “My fellow students, we are fighting a good fight; we have shown them we are not the animals they think we are. They thought we are going to come here and destroy university property, which is our property but we have conducted ourselves in a peaceful manner.

Let us all go back to our respective hostels and we would be back here by tomorrow (Friday) if they do not reverse the policy.”

By 7am on Friday, the university main gate was again besieged by the protesters, causing a long queue of vehicles to the NNPC filling station, which is a few kilometres away from the gate. Teaching and non-

teaching staff were left stranded.

Many of them parked their vehicles at safe distance to avoid the students’ wrath.

The students brought a disc jockey (DJ), who played some solidarity songs including the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s songs.

Some played basketball and football during the demonstration.

Some lecturers, who spoke to our correspondent, condemned the policy, saying it was not in the students’ interest. A lecturer who identified himself as Mr Taiwo, said: “I am fully behind students in this matter because a no school fee, no lecture policy, is absurd for a tertiary institution in the 21st century.” A professor, who craved for anonymity, said: “When I heard about the policy, I told my colleagues that it would lead to another closure of this school. If they had said ‘no school fee, no examination’, I would have supported that. But to say there should be no lecture is not good. The management must look into this and allow students to pay in installment like it is done in some other universities.”

Some past union leaders

•Students protesting at school gate

pleaded with the students to go back to their hostels. They claimed they met with the VC and representatives of the governor, who allegedly promised two weeks extension to the payment of school fee on installmental basis.

The protesters rejected the plea, saying if management was sincere, the VC would have addressed them. Students said the former union leaders had taken bribe. The protesters attacked one of the past leaders.

In the heat of the demonstration, former Governor Segun Oni

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

32

CAMPUS LIFE

•The students at work

T

HE Rotaract Club of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has repainted the Government Primary School in Obufa Etuk, Cross River State, as part of its service to humanity.

Members of the club painted walls of classrooms in the school and chalk boards. The students divided themselves into groups and painted three blocks of the school.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, the club president, Solomon Obio, said

•Members of the club after the awareness programme

Rotaract Club gives school a facelift From Isaac Mensah UNICAL

the club decided to paint the buildings because of their deplorable condition. He said giving a facelift to the school would give the pupils hope.

In a related development, the club held a health awareness programme

with the pupils in the school.

Edem Effiom, one of the Rotaract Club’s members, who was a facilitator in the awareness programme, told the pupils why they must wash their teeth in the morning and evening. He also taught them on how they could wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating.

John Julius advised the pupils not to join bad companies, urging them always behave well. After the programme, sachets of close-up tooth paste were given to the pupils.

The deputy Headmistress, Mrs Egwudo Udoh, praised the Rotaract members for choosing the school to carry out their humanitarian

activities. She noted that the painting had beautified the school and the pupils were happy to receive the training.

She prayed for God to reward the efforts of the club members, saying it was a demonstration of the love the club had for the children and the school.

Opportunity for Graphic Arts students Visualise SOS and win $500

G

RAPHIC Arts students in higher institutions have been invited to a contest to visualise and design a logo for the SOS (Sonala Olumhense Syndicated) column.

The winning entry will get $300 and the runner-up, $200.

Entries, along with contact details, should be sent to visualisesosandwin@gmail.com.

The closing date is May 22.

Winners will be announced on May 30.

For further information and en-

quiries, interested students can contact Taiwo Obe, Group Executive Director, Harpostrophe Limited on +234 802 313 0829, Skype ID: Araisokun or Twitter: @araisokun For 30 years, Sonala Olumhense, known as SO or vice versa, wrote exclusively for The Guardian.

On 28 April 2013, that era came to an end. Believing these times call for a new way and thinking, Sonala will shortly debut a new syndicated column to be known as SOS (Sonala Olumhense Syndicated).

•Alhaja Malik (middle) with other members of the vanguard cutting cake to mark the ocassion

‘Human trafficking is sinful’

T

HE Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), Oyo State chapter, has held a seminar with the theme: Human trafficking, child labour and the masses. The seminar took place at the School of Hygiene, Eleyele, Ibadan.

WOTCLEF Co-ordinator, Alhaja Adijat Malik said the seminar was to draw attention to the fight against child abuse, child labour and prostitution. She said: “WOTCLEF is dedicated to eradicate trafficking of persons, especially women and child labour including street hawking and violent abuses of the rights of women.”

The guest speaker and representative of the International Federation of

From Tunmise Oladipo IBADAN

Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs Olabisi Oluyedum, in her lecture entitled Human trafficking and child labour: A legal perspective, said human trafficking was an old trade. She urged the National Assembly to enact a law to stop the trade.

She said the law must stipulate punishment for violators adding there must be adequate sensitisation of the masses about the law and consequences.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, the vanguard’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Sheriff Olaniyan, said: “It is sad that Nigeria has been named by the

United Nations on Drugs and Crime among the eight countries considered the highest in human trafficking in the world despite the efforts being made by the government to stem the rising tide of human trafficking.” He urged the government not to relent in its effort to combat the menace, saying it must strengthen the immigration law to check trafficking.

Mr Austin Okoroafor, Schedule Officer, thanked the guests for attending the workshop, which he said is aimed at educating and promoting awareness on human trafficking, child labour and HIV. He advised parents to stop child abuse and child hawking, which he described as modern day slavery.

‘Validation of academic programmes imperative’

T

HE Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, has described regular professional validation for academic programmes in universities as critical to maintaining standards and keeping in touch with developments in relevant fields.

Prof Daramola spoke while receiving a team of Town Planning Regis-

From Adegbenro Adebanjo FUTA

tration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC), that came for the statutory professional re-accreditation of the school’s department of Urban and Regional Planning.

He said for universities to create the needed synergy between content and the needs of the society, professional validation of programmes was necessary, noting that FUTA took such vali-

dation as critical to produce the trained manpower to tackle societal problems and challenges.

The leader of the delegation, Mr Raphael Ikumapayi, praised the management for supporting the department with adequate equipment to teach Urban and Regional Planning. He also praised the school for maintaining its aesthetic values, which he noted had carved a niche for the university.

•Students listening at the event

Dept holds discussion

T

HE Nigerian Economics Students Association (NESA), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) chapter, has held its maiden roundtable discussion tagged “Reform efforts and unresolved socioeconomic problems in Nigeria”.

The discussion had in attendance the Head of the Economics department, Dr Hakeem Mobolaji, his counterpart in Al-Hikmah University (AL-HIKMAH), Dr Waheed Ibrahim, Senior Special Adviser to Kwara State Government on Small and Medium Enterprises, Alhaji Lukman Adam and lecturers of the department.

Dr Mobolaji, in his welcome address, noted: “Socio-economic prob-

From Dayo Akinola UNILORIN

lems have persisted in Nigeria because Nigeria is competitively corrupt and we are consistently inconsistent.”

The panel of discussants was composed of three groups from academics, government, and students. Alhaji Adam represented the government, Dr Ibrahim and Dr Saka represented the academics, while Dayo Akinola and Hammed Adebowale represented the students.

Dr Abdulhakeem Kilishi of the department moderated the discussion while each group did justice to the topic from their own perspective in three sequential rounds.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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COURSE Effective Administrative Course for Nurses and Midwives Effective Report Writing Workshop Excellent Customer Service Workshop Information & Record Keeping Workshop Information & Record Keeping Workshop Middle Level Management Workshop Performance Management Workshop Production Management Workshop Supervisory Management Workshop Total Quality Management Workshop Work Ethics and Organisational Productivity Workshop Workshop on Hospital Administration Workshop on Organisation of General Duties for Clerks and Registry Staff Workshop on performance Appraisal Techniques Accounting Course for Accounts and Audit Personnel Accounting Course for Accounts and Audit Personnel Cost Accounting and Control Workshop Cost Accounting and Control Workshop Electrical/Electronic Equipment Maintenance Workshop Maintenance Supervisors Workshop Operator Performance Improvement Workshop Plant &Equipment Maintenance Workshop Plant &Equipment Maintenance Workshop Plant &Equipment Maintenance Workshop Plant &Equipment Maintenance Workshop Quality Assurance in Food Industry Workshop Coaching & Mentoring Workshop for Performance Enhancement Grants & Reimbursement Workshop Trainers Development Workshop Trainers Development Workshop Trainers Development Workshop Basic Computer Application Workshop for Middle Level Managers Web Design and Development Workshop for Computer Operators, Graphic Artists and IT Professional JUNE, 2013 COURSE Advanced Human Resource Management Workshop Defensive Driving Course Executive Stress and Time Management Workshop Interpersonal Skills Workshop for Administrative Officers Office Technology & Management Course for Secretaries and Personal Assistants Office Technology & Management Course for Secretaries and Personal Assistants Office Technology & Management Course for Secretaries and Personal Assistants Office Technology & Management Course for Secretaries and Personal Assistants Performance Management Workshop Planning for Life After Retirement Workshop Stores & Materials Management Workshop Strategic Planning Technology Workshop Supervisory Management Workshop Supervisory Management Workshop Supervisory Management Workshop Work Ethics and Organisational Productivity Workshop Workshop on Organisation of General Duties for Clerks and Registry Staff Accounting and Finance Course for non Financial Managers Basic Course for Cahiers and Revenue Officers Fraud Prevention and Forensic Auditing Workshop Electrical/Electronic Equipment Maintenance Workshop Maintenance Supervisors Workshop Maintenance Supervisors Workshop Maintenance Supervisors Workshop Maintenance Supervisors Workshop Maintenance Supervisors Workshop Quality Assurance in Food Industry Workshop Systematic Approach to Electrical/Electronic Trouble Shooting Course Systematic Approach to Electrical/Electronic Trouble Shooting Course Industrial Security Training Workshop Occupational Health and safety Workshop Occupational Health & Safety Workshop Office Safety Workshop Workshop on Emergency and Disaster Management Grants & Reimbursement Workshop

VENUE Abuja Sokoto Abuja Sokoto/Zuru Akure V.I/Ota Apapa Ibadan Ikeja Katsina/Malumfashi V/Island/Epe Kano/Kumbotso Uyo/Eket Gusau Yenagoa/Tombia P/H Omoku Bauchi/Gombe Ibadan Lokoja/Kabba Yola Isolo Aba/Owerri Warri Apapa Awka Kaduna Kano Abeokuta/Ota Isolo Benin/Ekpoma Lagos Island/Agbara Jos Bauchi

DATE 27th – 31st 13th – 15th 6th – 8th 14th -16th 27th -29th 28th – 30th 8th – 10th 14th -16th 21st -23rd 20th – 24th 14th -16th 20th -24th 20th -22nd 27th -29th 8th – 10th 21st -23rd 21st -23rd 15th –17th 20th -24th 13th -17th 21st -23rd 13th -17th 20th -24th 27th -31st 27th -31st 13th -17th 21st – 23rd 15th -16th 7th -9th 20th -22nd 20th -22nd 13th -17th 20th -24th

COURSE FEE N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N30,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00

VENUE Calabar/Ikom Lagos/Island Kano/Hadejia Apapa Apapa Aba Abuja Ondo Warri Lokoja/Anyigba Abeokuta/Ota Akwa Ibadan Ilorin Minna Uyo/Abak Yola/Jalingo Benin/Auchi Jos/Akwanga Damaturu Uyo Benin/Ekpoma ISTC, Kano/Gumel ISTC, Ikeja P/H Bauchi/Toro Isolo Kano/Birnin Kudu Ikeja Kaduna Enugu/Nsuka Aba Lekki Makurdi Ikeja

DATE 3rd -7th 19th -21st 25th -27th 11th -13th 10th -14th 17th -21st 17th -21st 24th -28th 26th -28th 16th -20th 26th – 28th 25th -27th 4th -6th 17th -19th 18th -20th 22nd -26th 11th -13th 25th -27th 24th -26th 25th -27th 18th -22nd 3rd – 7th 10th -14th 10th -14th 17th -21st 24th -28th 3rd -7th 11th – 13th 18th -20th 10th -14th 24th -28th 24th – 28th 18th -20th 3rd – 7th 12th -13th

COURSE FEE N40,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N40,000 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N30,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

G

ITF 2013 TRAINING PROGRAMMES 36.

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6.

7.

8.

9.

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14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

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22.

23.

24.

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27.

28.

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5.

6.

7.

8.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

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17.

18.

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24.

23.

24.

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35.

Strategic Human Resource Management Workshop Information Technology Management Workshop for Managers JULY, 2013 COURSE Interpersonal Skills Workshop for Administrative Officers Interpersonal Skills Workshop for Administrative Officers Office Technology and Management Course for Secretaries and Personal Assistant Office Technology and Management Course for Secretaries and Personal Assistant Office Technology and Management Course for Secretaries and Personal Assistant Office Technology and Management Course for Secretaries and Personal Assistant Stores & Materials Management Workshop Technical Report Writing Work Ethics & Organisational Productivity Workshop Workshop on Hospital Administration Workshop on Organisation of General Duties for Clerks and Registry Staff Accounting Course for Accounts & Audit Personnel Basic Course for Cashiers & Revenue Officers Fraud Prevention and Forensic Auditing Workshop Machinery & Equipment Maintenance Workshop Maintenance Supervisor’s Workshop Operation & Maintenance of Forklift Workshop Operation and Maintenance of Hydraulic & Pneumatic Power Systems Workshop Excellent Customer Service Worksop Plant & Equipment Maintenance Workshop Plant & Equipment Maintenance Workshop Productivity Improvement Workshop for Industrial Operative Plant & Equipment Maintenance Workshop Systematic Approach to Electrical/Electronic Troubleshooting Course Occupational Health & Safety Workshop Occupational Health & Safety Workshop Water Quality Waste & Health Hazard Management Workshop Web Design & Development Workshop for Computer Operators, Graphic Artists & IT Professionals AUGUST, 2013 COURSE Defensive Driving Course Effective Report Writing Workshop Excellent Customer Service Workshop Excellent Customer Service Workshop Executives Stress & Time Management Workshop Human Resource Management Workshop Information & Record Keeping Workshop Interpersonal Skills Workshop for Administrative Officers Marketing Techniques Workshop Middle Level Management Workshop Middle Level Management Workshop Middle Level Management Workshop Planning for Life After Retirement Workshop Skills Development Course for Administrative & Personnel Officers Supervisory Management Workshop Supervisory Management Workshop Work Ethics & Organisational Productivity Workshop Workshop on Organisation of General Duties for Clerks & Registry Staff Accounting Course for Accounts & Audit Personnel Fraud Prevention and Forensic Auditing Workshop Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Maintenance Workshop Driver-Mechanic Technical Skills Workshop Electrical/Electronic Equipment Maintenance Workshop Plant & Equipment Maintenance Workshop Plant & Equipment Maintenance Workshop Occupational Health & Safety Workshop Occupational Health & Safety Workshop for Hospitality Industry Coaching & Mentoring Workshop for Performance Enhancement Grants & Reimbursement Workshop Grants & Reimbursement Workshop Grants & Reimbursement Workshop Trainees Development Workshop Advanced Database Design &Development Workshop Using Microsoft Access 2010 Basic Computer Application Workshop for Middle Level Managers Web Design & Development Workshop for Computer Operators, Graphic Artists & IT Professionals Work Ethics & Organisational Productivity Workshop

VI/Abuja Minna

24th -28th 11th -15th

N70,000.00 N35,000.00

VENUE Aba Victoria Island/Ota Yenagoa/Ogbia Lokoja/Ajakuta Ikeja Markurdi Ibadan Jos/Lafia P/H/Bori Kaduna/Zaria Benin/Okada Sokoto/Benin Kebbi Minna/Mokwa Abuja/Makurdi Ibadan Warri/Agbor Apapa ISTC, Ikeja Uyo/Oron ISTC, Ikeja Isolo Ikere-Ekiti Ota Abakaliki Lagos Island/Epe Calabar Kano/Kazaure Kaduna

DATE 17th -19th 23rd -25th 1st – 5th 8th – 12th 15th -19th 29th -2nd 23rd -25th 22nd -26th 16th -18th 8th -10th 22nd -24th 2nd -4th 17th -19th 1st -3rd 8th -12th 22nd -26th 2nd -4th 2nd -4th 24th -26th 15th -19th 15th -19th 22nd -24th 24th -26th 10th -12th 15th -19th 15th -19th 8th -12th 15th -19th

COURSE FEE N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N30,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N40,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00

VENUE Abuja Damaturu Ibeju-Lekki Epe Apapa Otta Calabar Obajana Abakaliki T/Mafara Isiokpo Ikot Abasi Yola Otta Otuoke Awka Azare Aba Kaduna Bida ISTC, Ikeja Ibadan Auchi Ikeja Lafia Ilorin Onne Akure Apapa Lekki Sapele Ikeja Ilorin Makurdi Makurdi

DATE 5th -7th 27th -29th 14th -16th 20th -22nd 27th – 29th 27th -29th 19th -21st 20th -22nd 7th -9th 19th -21st 21st -23rd 28th -30th 13th -15th 6th –8th 6th -8th 27th -29th 20th -22nd 21st -23rd 26th -28th 20th -22nd 12th -16th 12th -16th 12th -16th 5th -9th 26th -30th 26th -30th 5th -9th 26th -28th 6th -7th 27th -28th 28th -29th 20th -22nd 19th -23rd 26th -30th 26th -30th

COURSE FEE N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N40,000.00 N40,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N30,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N40,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00 N35,000.00

Abuja

26th – 28th

N35,000.00

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

H

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N

S/N

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

1. Akintola Abigail Oyebola (Mrs) (Otherwise known as Akintola Abigael Oyebola) late of 1, Ajibola Street, Agbogundoko, Ikotun, Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of September, 2012 at Lagos University Teaching Hospital Idi Araba.

2. Ajayi-Majebi Victoria Adejoke (Otherwise known as Chief Victoria Adejoke Ajayi-Majebi) late of 14, Fatolu Street, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of March, 2005 3. Olawuwo Olagunju (Otherwise known as Olagunju Olawuwo) late of 16, Ahmed Afolabi Crescent, Obawole Estate, Iju, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of September 2011 at Ifako Ijaiye Lagos.

4. Tunde Anisere Foluke Esther (Otherwise known as Anisere Foluke) late of 7, Ogunnaike Street, Shangisha Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

5. CPL Akogwu Michael (Otherwise known as CPL 360902 Akogwu Michael and Coporal Akogwu Michael) late of 27, Ogundola Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

6. Okoroafor Dominic Akabueze late of 15, F-Close, 512 Road, 5th Avenue, Festac Town deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of September, 1987 at Umuahia 7. Mr Ettah Joseph (Otherwise known as Inspector Ettah Joseph and Enang ) late of Area F Police Barracks Line 8 Flat 5, Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of October, 2010.

8. Emmanuel Bamidele Adebisi late of 4, Shalom Street, Lambo Lasunwon Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of March, 2012.

9. Afolabi Salaudeen Ayisa (Otherwise known as Afolabi Salau Ayisa and Salaudeen Ayisa) late of Quarter 32 Aggrey Road, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of May, 2002 at University Teaching Hospital Ilorin.

10.Mr Michael Obot (Otherwise known as Obot Michael) late of 9, Femi Fagbemi Street, Shasha Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of September, 2000 at Lagos.

11.Mufutau Gbenga late of 13, Larunsi Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of April, 2008 12.Iroegbu Racheal (Miss) (Otherwise known as Iruegbu Rachael ) late of 14, Akinwade Street, Alagbado, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

13.Monday Ogunde late of 67, Omolaja Road, Ikorodu Road, Igbogbo , Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

14.Ebenezer Aremu Akinosho (Otherwise known as Ebenezer Okunola Aremu Akinosho) late of 44, Fashoro Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of 8th day of July, 1958 at Ajayi Hospital Ebute Metta (West) Lagos.

15.Adeola Olakojo (Otherwise known as Olakojo Adeola) late of 27, Aromire Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of July, 2012 at Lagos State.

16.Ashaolu Bamidele (Otherwise known as Sule Bamidele Ashaolu) late of 351 Agege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of July, 2010 at Lagos.

17.Alhaji Muritala Oyekunle Odunukan (Otherwise known as Muritala Oyekunle Justus Odunukan ) late of 11, Armstrong Street, Behinde Odogunyan Total Filing Station Ikorodu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of May, 2006.

18.Odinanwa Amaechi Timothy (Otherwise known as Esoka Amaechi and Amaechi Odunanwa) late of 6, Shorinmade Street, Ogba, Aguda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of July, 2012 at Lagos.

19.Mr Bolawa Olawoye late of 9, Aiyetoro Street, Cement Bus Stop deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of May, 2011 at Ifo, Ogun State.

20.Alabi Oladapo John (Mr) late of 21, Itayemi Street, Surulere , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd dayof January, 1994 at Lagos.

21.Ola Ezekiel Ayeyemi late of Block 34 Flat 6, Ojokoro Estate Meiran Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of January, 2009 at Lagos.

22.Comfort Danjuwa (Otherwise known as Danjuma Comfort) late of Area F Nyanya Police Barrack Abuja deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of October, 2011 at 23.Mr Adenmosun Bunmi late of 13, Olotu Omoba Odekunle Ojokoro Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of May, 2010 at Lagos.

24.Owolabi Sulaimon Akinkunmi late of 2, Remi Oladejo Close Igbogbo Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

25.Mrs Unigwe Evangeline P. late of 6, Lasisi Akinwale Street, Coker Orile Iganmu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of July, 2008 at Lagos.

26.Mr Etukudo Obot Ikpe (Otherwise known as Etukudo Ikpe Obot) late of 33, Prince Fadina Street, Olodi Apapa Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of September, 2012 at Akwa Ibom.

27.Muiz Isiaka late of 14, Ijaola Street, Onigbongbo Maryland Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of September, 2008 at Lagos.

28.Mrs Ajayi Cecilia (Otherwise known as Ajayi Cecilia) late of 27, Adeoye Adeyemi Street, Maryland, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

29.Alphonsus Anyanwu, late of Makinde Police Barracks Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

30.Mrs Alao Helen Ofoeyeno (Otherwise known as Mrs Helen Alao) late of Block 12, Flat 1, Maryland , Housing Estate Maryland, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of May, 2010 at Lagos.

31.Timothy Ladejo Fasakin late of 14, Alabiyamo Avenue Bodija Estate, Ibadan, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of July, 2008 at University College Hospital, Ibadan.

32.Mr Ajayi Daniel late of 16, Unity Street, Egan, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of January, 2010 at Eko Hospital Lagos.

33.Mr Malik Sheidu, late of 16, Tolabangbelu Close, Command Road, Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of October, 2009 at Lantoro Hospital.

34.Olatunji Olayinka Anifowose (Otherwise known as Olatunji O. Anifowose) late of 4, Kokumo Estate, Alagbado, Lagos, deceased who died intetate on the 25th day of June 2012 at Dallas Texas U.S.A. 35.Mr Komran Senu Godonu, late of 7, Sunday Olonode Street, Aradagun Badagry, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of December, 2012 t Badagry.

36.Lanaola Akanni Olaitan (Otherwise known as Lanaola Olaitan Akanni) late of 7, Ademoshun Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

37.Emmanuel Joseph (Otherwise known as Joseph Emmanuel ) late of 14, Yusuf Street, Agbelekale Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of May, 2012 at Lagos.

38.Ogunleye Saidat (Otherwise known as SaidatAbiodun Ogunleye) late of 18, Abiodun Azeez Street, Morogbo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of June, 2009 at U.C.H.Ibadan.

39.Mojekwu Sony Festus (Otherwise known as Sony Festus Mojekwu) late of 112 Road, I Close , House 10, Festac Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

40.Okeke Abigail Chinwe (Otherwise known as Chinwe Abigail Okeke) late of 14 , Awe Street, Off Haruna Ifako Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of October, 2011 at Lagos.

41.Okoli Godwin Ozoemenam late of 26, College Road, Ifako Ijaiye Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of July, 2011 at Umudala Nsuka.

42.Solomon Adisa Oladele (Otherwise known as Solomon Oladele) late of 4, Femi Shonekan Street, Iju Ishaga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of September, 2011 at Iju Ishaga.

43.Solomon Adebowale (Otherwise known as Adebowale Solomon) late of 55, Oroyinyin Street, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of March, 2007 at Lagos.

44.Oluwatosin Mercy Ezirim (Otherwise known as Oluwatosin Ezirim) late of 8, Olatunji Akinsanya Street, Gbagada, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

45.Avuru Joseph (Otherwise known as Joseph Avuru) late of 6, Araromi Oke Ode Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th dayof July, 2012 at Lagos.

46.Mrs Stella Boardman (Otherwise known as Stella Nwayinbuife Winful and Stella Nwayinbuife Boardman) late of Close 65, House 9, Satellite Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of June, 2010 47.Fagbohun Abayomi late of 8, Bankole Fagbohun Street, Iju Ishaga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st dayof July, 2012 at Lagos.

48.Felix Egbonyi late of 82, Ishaga Road, Idi Araba Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

49.Adekunle Hakeem late of 187, Macaulay Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of September, 2011 at Lagos.

50.Mr Ajoku Alban Anukwu (Otherwise known as Mr Alban Ajoku ) late of 3, Akinbayo Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of October 2010 51.Kazeem Shonibare (Otherwise known as Shonibare Kareem ) late of 40, Mojoda Street, Epe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of March 2012 at Lagos.

52.Emmanuel Olu Oladipupo (Otherwise known as Mr Oladipupo Emmanuel ) late of 3, Adebari Street, Oko Oba Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of November, 2010 53.Alhaji Taiwo Aina (Otherwise known as Alhaji Taiwo Ibrahim Aina) late of 5A, way street, Mushin Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

54.Adeyemi Adebanjo (Otherwise known as Adebanjo Adeyemi) late of No. 1, Agbongbon street, Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

55.Bakare Adebayo Bashir (Otherwise known as Chief Bakare Adebayo B. and Adebayo Ogunlaru Bakare ) late of 1, Oyemade Street, Imota Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

56.Aikalumele A. Benjamin (Otherwise known as Aikalumele Akhabue Benjamin and Aikalumele Benjamin ) late of Block 2, Flat 16, Federal High Way Patrol Barrack Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

57.Amos Onyedikachi late of Opposite Ten Shop, Itoga Badagry Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of June, 2012 at Abia.

58.Egbuna Francis (Otherwise known as TW Sergent Egbuna Francis) late of 7, Abusatu Street, Ojo Alaba Ajangbadi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th dayof November, 2010 59.Mr Lawal Abu Akanni late of 1, Oke Ayo Lane Oko Oba Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

60.Dawodu Isaac G. Adebayo (Otherwise known as Dawodu Isaac Garstin Adebayo) late of Block 342, Flat 4, Low Cost Housing Estate, Amuwo Odofin Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of October, 2009 at Lagos 61.Mr Ugwu Basil late of 13, Adeaga Street, Abule Egba Alimosho Local Government Area Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

62.Olowoyeye Michael Bodunde (Otherwise known as Olowoyeye Michael B. and Olowoyeye Michael) late of 8, Folorunsho Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of June, 1991 at Lasuth.

63.Mrs Odunze Ugochi Immaculata late of No 6 Buraimoh Ali Street, Lad-Lak Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of May, 2011 at Umuapopara Umunjam Amakohia Ubi Owerri.

64.Pa Moses Kolade late of 58, Oduntan Street, Iyana School Ketu, Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of November, 2007 at Kwara State 65.Madam Mary Ladele late of 3, Gray Street, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of October, 2007 at Lagos.

66.Ogwu Mathew late of Old Block 3 Room 16, Queens Barrack Apapa, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of January, 2010 at Lagos Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

67.Tajudeen Oladipupo Busari late of 43, Victoria Street, Ojota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of January, 2011 at Kwara State.

68.Mrs Francisca Oyem Aina late of House 515 Abesan Housing Estate, Ipaja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of May, 2005 at Ogun State.

69.Dayo Adelana (Otherwise known as Adelana Dayo) late of Adaloko Road, Iyana Era, Ijanikin Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of July, 2010 at General Hospital Badagry.

70.Miss Glady Nwadi Okwuashi (Otherwise known as Nwadi Okwuashi Gladys Ifeoma) late of 48, Odunsi Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of November, 2008 at Lagos.

71.Akinwale Olutunde Adeyosoye (Otherwise known as Olutunde Akinwale) late of 2, Olambiwoninu Olatunde Street, Idimu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of January, 2012 at Goodluck Specialist Hospital Ota, Ogun State.

72.Ajala Muraina Olalekan late of 4, Adewumi Street, Meiran Agbado Ijaiye, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of September, 2012 at Lagos.

73.Mr Olawusi Lawrence late of 9, Akinola Street, Bariga, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of August, 2011 at Lagos.

74.Francis Idaba (Otherwise known as Idaba Francis) late of Line A Room 12, Nigeria Police Barrack B. deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of May, 2012 at Badagry, Lagos.

75.Djima Akamou (Otherwise known as Jimoh Akanmu) late of No. 119, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of February, 1999 at Abidjan.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

1. Mrs Abimbola Olaitan Ajayi and Mr Ganiyu Olasunkanmi Ajao both of 20, Idowu Anisere Street, Ikotun, Lagos, widower and the only surviving child respectively of the said deceased.

2. Dr Abiodun Sunday Ajayi-Majebi and Mr Olusegun Aderemi Ajayi Majebi both of 245, Ipaja Road, Opeki, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

3. Mary Idowu Olagunju and Olaboye Taye Olagunju both of 16, Ahmed Afolabi crescent, Obawole Estate, Iju, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

4. Tunde Anisere and Oluwasegun Ajagbe both of 7, Ogunnaike Street, Shangisha, Lagos widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

5. Mrs Janet Michael and Mr Peter O. Akogwu both of 27, Ogundola Street, Bariga, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

6. Christopher Okoroafor and Victor Okoroafor both of House No. 15, F Close, 512 Road, 5th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

7. Mrs Ettah Joseph Roseline and Master Ettah Joseph Tebe both of Area F Police Barracks Line 8, Flat 5, Ikeja , Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

8. Mrs B.Temitayo Adebisi , Mr Babatunde Adebisi and Mr Bamidele Adebisi all of Plot 1 and 2 Agoro Layout Araromi Gbeluba Apata Ibadan widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

9. Alh (Chief) Afolabi Adebayo Salimonu and Mr Najeem Bolaji both of Quarter 32, Aggrey Road, Yaba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

10.Mrs Caroline Michael Obot and Mr Michael Michael Obot both of 9, Femi Fagbemi Street, Shasha, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

11.Mufutau Ogagbayi and Muyiwa Ogagbayi both of 13, Larunsi Street, Iyana Ipaja Lagos, father and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

12.Ngozi Dorothy Iwegbu, Chizobam Uzoma Alex Iwegbu and Oluchi Mabel Iwegbu all of 14, Akinwade Street, Alagbado, Lagos, mother, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased.

13.Mrs Bose Ogunde and Oluwaseun Ogunde both of 67, Omolaja Road, Ikorodu Road, Igbogbo Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

14.Mrs Kehinde Sonowo of 53, Anjorin Street, Shasha Oguntade Lagos, Mr Olaseni Akinosho of 5, Arobadade Street, Bariga, Lagos, and Mr Gbolahan Sofunde of 9, Olaegbon Close, Alagbado Lagos, two of the children and grandchild respectively of the said deceased.

15.Pa John Oladejo Olakojo of 5, Alhaja Muniratu Amusa Street, Abule Lemode and Olaniyi Adebisi Olakojo of 27, Aromire Street, Mushin, Lagos, father and brother respectively of the said deceased.

16.Abiodun Akinloye and Babatunde Ashaolu both of 351 Agege Motor Road, Mushin Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

17.Alhaji Odunukan Sola S. and Kabiru Odunukan both of 23, Abiodun Ogunyanwo Street, Makun Sagamu , Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

18.Mrs Florence Odunanwa and Odunanwa Ikenna both of 5, Freedom Street, Cele Ijesha Lagos, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

19.Mrs Grace Fehintola Olawoye and Master Oluwaseun Adelana Olawoye both of 33 K.S.O Street, Saka Aiyedun Sango widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

20.Mrs Serah Alabi of 5, Olusegun Street, Tope Bus Stop, Ajangbadi, Lagos, and Mr Olusegun Alabi of 1, Oriadetu Street, Off Maxwell Ajagbandi , Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

21.Mrs Ola Felix Aderinsola and Ola Bamidele Olawale both of Block 34, Flat 6, Ojokoro Estate, Meiran Ijaiye Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

22.Johnson Yohanna of 149, BN Ojo Military Cantonment Lagos and Stephen Jalo of Nigeria Mopol Police 23 Obalende , two brothers of the said deceased.

23.Mr Adedeji Adenmosun and Mrs Adebimpe Adereti both of 13, Olotu Omoba Odekunle Ojokoro Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

24.Owolabi Ganiya and Owolabi Sodiq Olaide both of 2, Remi Oladejo Close, Igbogbo Ikorodu,Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

25.Unigwe Fidelis Onyebuchi and Miss Unigwe Petlomina Chikaodili both of 6, Lasisi Akinwale Street, Coker Orile Iganmu Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

26.Etukudo Solomon Obot of 47, Muyibi Street, Olodi Apapa Lagos and Mrs Izokpu Roseann Nkoyo of 16, Oghere Ahmed Street, Lasu Road, Idimu Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

27.Mr Rasheed Isiaka of 14, Ijaola street, Onigbongbo Maryland Lagos, the only surviving brother respectively of the said deceased.

28.Ajayi Oluwafunmilayo Olayinka and Ajayi Oluwafemi Emmanuel both of 11A, Ogunkelu Street, Arowojobe Estate, Maryland Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

29.Maria Anyanwu and Dirichi Anyanwu both of Makinde Police Barracks Mafoluku Oshodi Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

30.Capt. Tajudeen Owolabi Alao, Ganiyu Adebayo Alao and Ahmed Olanrewaju Alao all of Block 12, Flat 1, Maryland Housing Estate, Maryland Lagos, widower and two children respectively of the said deceased.

31.Olugbemiga Oyewale Fasakin, Olayinka James Fasakin, Adeoye Fasakin and Omolade Faluro (Nee Fasakin) all of c/o Their Solocitor A.A.Ademidun & Co 2nd Floor Coop Building Lebanon Street, Ibadan, two children of the said deceased.

32.Mrs Titilayo Ajayi and Master Michael Oluwaseun both of 16, Unity street, Egan widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

33.Mr Malik Eromosle of Block P1, Flat 27, N.A.F. Base Ikeja and Malik Nurudeen of 9, Divine Estate, Sona Sango Ota, two of the children of the said deceased.

34.Anifowose Chioma, Anifowose Olatunbosun both of 4, Kokumo Estate, Alagbado, Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

35.Kehinde Senu and Sesi Senu both of Plot 100, Ilu Nla Avenue Aradagun Badagry two of the children of the said deceased.

36.Munirat Lanaola of 7, Ademoshun Street, Mushin Lagos, and Lanaola Olusegun of 31, Alafia Street, Mushin, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

37.Mrs Hannah Emmanuel and Pastor Ben Odeh both of 14, Yusuf Street, Agbelekale Abule Egba Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

38.Adekunle Ogunleye and Adebukola Ogunleye both of 18, Abiodun Azeez Street, Morogbo Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

39.Mrs Njideka Mojekwu and Nonso Mojekwu both of 112 Road, I Close, House 10 Festac Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

40.Juliet Egbe and Grace Okeke both of Plot 415 George Crescent, Agbalajobi estate, Ogba, Lagos, two sisters of the said deceased.

41.Okoli Blessing Chinwendu of 26, College Road, Ifako Ijaiye Lagos and Okoli Paul of 18, Adepegba Street, Keke Agege Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

42.Oladele Janet and Temitope Oladele Omosaiye both of 4, Femi Shonekan street, Iju Ishaga, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

43.Opeyemi Emmanuel Adebowale and Martins Adebowale both of 8, Mathew Street, Surulere, Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

44.Mr Christopher Ezirim and Mrs Ronke Fafolahan both of 8, Olatunji Akinsanya Street, Gbagada, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

45.Ifeanyi Avuru , Gift Avuru and Ijeoma Avuru all of 6, Araromi Oke Ode Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

46.Victor Boardman and Sam A. Boardman both of Close 65, House 9, Satellite Town, Lagos two children of the said deceased.

47.Mrs Oluwaseyi Fagbohun and Fagbohun Oluwafemi both of 8, Bankole Fagbohun Street, Iju Ishaga, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

48.John Johnson Egbonyi and John Egbonyi both of 82, Ishaga Road, Idi Araba Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

49.Mrs Toyin Adekunle and Mrs Ayobami Hakeem both of 6, Oluwalonile Street, Mowe, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

50.Ajoku Vivian Chiawuotu of 10, Rasheed Akotun Street, Bariga, Lagos and Ajoku Prosper Chinedum of 14, Bailey Street, Bariga, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

51.Bolanle Shonibare of 21, Association Way Ojodu Lagos, and Afusatu Adejobi of 21, Adegboluja Street, Ojodu, Lagos the only surviving child and sister respectively of the said deceased 52.Mrs Taiwo Oladipupo and Samuel Oladipupo both of 3, Adebari street, Oko Oba Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

53.Hammed Aina and Kuburat Aina both of 5A, Way Street, Mushin Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

54.Fatimo Adebanjo and Miss Adeola Abisoye T. Adebanjo both of 17, Alhaji Lamidi Street, Papa Ajao Mushin Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

55.Mrs Ogunlaru Sherifat, Najeem Ogunlaru Bashir and Bashir Owolabi A. all of No. 1, Oyemade Street Imota Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

56.Maria Aikalumele and Patience Aikalumele both of Block 2, Flat 16, Federal High Way Patrol Barrack, Lagos, widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

57.Mrs Onyinyechi Joy Amos and Sunday Amos both of Opposite Ten Shops, Itoga Badagry Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

58.Rose Egbuna, Udoka Egbuna and Obinna Egbuna all of 7, Abusatu Salami street, Ojo Alaba Ajangbadi, Lagos, widow and two children respectively of the said deceased.

59.Mrs Pirisola Olayiwola of 2, Richard Olupitan Street, Alakuko and Mr Wasiu Lawal of 12, David Kolawole Street, Abule Egba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

60.Mrs Mary Dupe Dawodu and Miss Bose Dawodu both of Block 342, Flat 4, Mile 2 , Estate widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

61.Mrs Ugwu Scholastica and Mr Ugwu Kissinger both of 13, Adeaga Street, Abule Egba, Alimoso Local Government Area Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

62.Olowoyeye Ebenezer and Oluwatoyin Adeniji both of 20, Emmanuel Street, Bariga, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

63.Mrs Odunze C. Frank of No. 6, Buraimoh Ali Street, Bariga, Lagos and Mrs Nwaka Chidiebere Esther of 21 A "C" Close United estate, Mechanic Bus Stop , widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

64.Mr Sunday Kolade of No. 15, Victory Estate Ibafo Ogun State, Mr Samuel Kolade of 8, Samuel Kolade Odogunyan Ikorodu, Lagos and Mr Olayemi Kolade of No. 58, Oduntan Street, Ketu, Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

65.Dr (Mrs) Rita Omolaja and Mr Frank T. Oguntade both of 3, Gray Street, Yaba, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

66.Martha Ogwu and David Ogwu both of Old Block 3, Room 16, Queens Barrack Apapa, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

67.Nike Busari and Iyabo Busari both of 43, Victoria Street, Ojota, Lagos, widow and mother respectively of the said deceased.

68.Miss Aina Cecilia Oluruntosin and Miss Aina Fransica Oyindamola both of House 515, Abesan Housing Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

69.Miss Rukayat Adeshulu of 8, Ifeanyi Okwuma Street, Igbo Elerin, Lagos, Mr Adewale Adelana of Morountola street, Oto Ijanikin Lagos, and Miss Adelana Oluwatobi Silifat of No. 26B, Nepa Road, Ojo Lagos , widow , father and sister respectively of the said deceased.

70.Eleazar Nwadi of 12, Ogunmade Street, Alapere Ketu, and Susan Mokobia of 33, Okerubi Street, Owode Ajegunle, Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

71.Mrs Elizabeth Oluwakemi Akinwale of 2, Olabiwoninu Olutunde Street, Idimu, Lagos and Mr James Adekunle Akinwale of Plot 1, Block C, Irewole Estate, Ota Ogun State widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

72. Ajala Oladapo Hammed, Ajala Lateefat Bisola and Adeyeye Ronke all of 4, Adewunmi Street, Meiran, Agbado Ijaiye, Lagos, two of the children and niece respectively of the said deceased.

73.Miss Olawusi Oluwatosin and Mr Olawusi Abiodun both of 9, Akinola Street, Bariga, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

74.Idaba Emmanuel, Idaba Peter and Idaba Elizabeth all of Police Barracks Badagry, three children of the said deceased.

75.Semiu Olawale Akanmu, Ridwan Abolayo Akanmu and Djima Samshi Alamu all of 5, Owo Street, Off Layi Oyekanmi Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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CAMPUS LIFE Pastor preaches holiness pastor, Samson Oluwamodede, has warned students against committing sin, urging them to embrace holiness.

Oluwamodede gave the warning during a prayer session organised by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA) last Sunday.

The prayer was held at the university’s Relaxation Centre.

The man of God is the founder of the Prayer Centre Church of God Worldwide. He said he was in the institution to pray for the students to be successful and to warn them against certain sinful acts, which were in contrast with the standard of God. The prophet told the students that everything they needed to be successful in life was in Christ Jesus, adding: “all that is expected of you is holiness.”

He said: “God will come at anytime to harvest the world; there is grace and mercy for you this

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•Some of the freshers after the programme

Akwa Ibom medical students hold orientation HE national body of the Federated Association of Akwa Ibom Medical Students (FAAKIMS) has held orientation for its members admitted into the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in the 2012/2013 academic session.

The programme was held at the Medical Laboratory Science lecture room II. The national president, Daniel Johnson, in his address, congratulated the freshers for being among the selected candidates offered admission into the institution.

Johnson, 400-Level Medical Laboratory Science, told the students the essence of the association, which he noted was to forge a common front

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From Joy Riman UNICAL

for indigenous students across the country studying medical and medical-related courses.

He said the association was finetuning modalities towards ensuring that members were paid medical study grant to assist them in their various courses of study.

Johnson advised the freshers to obey all rules and regulations of the school, urging them to behave like typical indigene of Akwa Ibom State.

The national secretary, Raymond Ekemini, advised the freshers to attach importance to their studies, as

well as disregard all acts capable of undermining their studies. “Do not allow the true essence of your being in the university to be overshadowed by frivolities such as cultism, examination malpractices among others which have been source of worry in present day society,” he warned.

Iniobong Augustine, one of the new students in Medical Laboratory Science, said the orientation was an eye opener to the realities of campus life.

Present at the event were the association’s Financial Secretary, Umoh Ebiti, Treasurer and Patricia Umoren, among others.

English students mourn colleague

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FINAL year student of the Department of English and Education English is dead.

Her colleagues said they received news of Veronica Oyemade’s death with shock. It was learnt that she died on April 19 in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

At the time of this report, the cause of her death was yet to be ascertained. Veronica was said to have died after a protracts illness.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the deceased recovered from the illness

only to relapse again.

Veronica was first taken to the health centre of OAU and later referred to the teaching hospital where she breathed her last. Speculations were rife that she may have died from shock of her father’s death, which occurred about five months ago.

Veronica was described as easygoing and humble by friends and classmates.

•The late Veronica

Adeleke Varsity VC wins award

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HE University of Texas at Austin has named Adeleke University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ayandiji Daniel Aina as the winner of its 2013 Distinguished Public Service Award. The award was one of the four annual awards for the 13year old African forum of the Texas varsity. The event took place on March 30, 2013.

The opening paragraph of the citation for the award read: “A President of a university invariably lives a life of public service. However, for Dr Ayandiji Daniel Aina, this life of public service began long before his appointment as President and ViceChancellor of Adeleke University in 2011. Dr Aina’s commitment to the promotion of higher education in Nigeria is most admirable and worthy of emulation.”

In the three-day event, Prof Aina, who was invited to chair two major panels at this years edition of the annual conference, presided over the panel focusing on education development where scholars from Africa, Europe and the United States explored the challenges of education as the bedrock of development. This was the theme of the conference, which explored political developments, religion and social movements in Africa.

From Adewale Babarinde ADELEKE

The award was witnessed by university administrators, scholars and researchers from Brazil, Canada, US, Jamaica, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Cameroon and Nigeria.

Prof Femi Mimiko, Vice-Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), who witnessed the occasion, praised the organisers for identifying Prof Aina, whom he referred to as a first class scholar and a thoroughbred academic.

The recipient, Prof Aina, said: “This distinguished public service award given to me shall remain the doyen of recognition of my professional career and public service exploits and shall ginger me on to render quality service not minding the difficult challenges we daily face as African scholars.”

He added: “I am most honoured by the fact that I became part of this 13year old gathering of Africanists just seven years ago and have only attended four times, yet my contributions within and without were highlighted through this important recognition. It is evident that this award is an energizer, an added tool designed

to assist someone with immense potential not to relent in the pursuit of greater exploits and in adding unquantifiable value to knowledge production and development of the African continent.”

time, be holy as our God is holy.”

Oluwamodede, who warned the students against indulging in fornication, advised students to desist from prostitution and cultism.

He said: “Always remember the son of whom you are.” He noted that those who partook in unholy acts would not be part of the the Kingdom of God. “Malice, greed, fornication, putting on trousers and artificial hair-do by ladies can lead one to the hell fire,” he said.

Quoting 1st Corinthians 11 vs 6, the pastor warned students against worshiping in churches where female do not cover their heads and wear trousers, saying that God is not present in such churches.

He said prayer for students and management. He prayed for peace to continue to reign and rebuke the spirits of untimely death that might be hovering on every student and member of staff.

The cleric promised to always visit the school every last Sunday of the month to pray for the students. Some of the students who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE described the prayer as timely as the first semster examination approaches.

‘God will come at anytime to harvest the world; there is grace and mercy for you this time, be holy as our God is holy’

Students hail council chief

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From Oluwadamilola Adesanya OAU

From Richard Adura-Ilesanmi AAUA

TUDENTS of Oke-Ogun origin have urged public officials in Oyo State to emulate the performance of the newly-inaugurated Caretaker Committee chairman of Atiba Local Government, Dr Jacob Ogunmola.

The students, under the banner of National Association of Oke-Ogun Students (NAOS), spoke through their president, Wasiu Owolabi.

Wasiu said the association was commended the achievement of the council chairman, who he said had only spent three months in office.

The council facilitated payment of bursary allowances to 894 OkeOgun students in different higher institutions.

“We are not suprised that Dr Ogunmola, with what he is doing, has surpassed the achievements of his predecessors,” Wasiu said.

He added: “Distribution of Ajumose First Aid box to all public primary and secondary schools

From Dhikru Akinola OYO

with relevant drugs monthly; distribution of exercise books to pupils in public schools and inauguration of health equipment like 400 pieces of digital blood pressure measurement for hypertensive patients and the distribution of 400 glucometer for diabetic patients are some of these unprecedented feats. He does not forget the aged and staff of the council.’”

Wasiu thanked Governor Ajimobi for appointing Dr. Ogunmola, adding that students would continue to support his administration.

While praising the State Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Yekinni Popoola, who presides over the affairs of Irepo Local Government, he urged the chairman to continue to float populist programmes which have continued to endear the hearts of people to their administration.

Responding, Ogunmola said he was motivated with the praises heaped on him, saying that it will motivate him to do more. He assured that they should expect more educational support packages soon.

ESSAY CONTEST FOR UNDERGRADS The Nation CAMPUSLIFE in collaboration with Blantyre newspaper, Malawi, AfricanLiberty.org and Network for a Free Society, is calling for entries into an essay competition. Details are as follows: Question: Nations which are economically free out-perform non-free nations in all indicators of well-being.

Discuss.

Eligibility: All students in any tertiary institutions (university, polytechnic, college of education and vocational school) in Africa.

The format of the text should be in MS word and not more than 1,500 words.

Interested student should please request for the background material from Adedayo

Thomas at adedayo.thomas@gmail.com, Wale at campusbeat@yahoo.com and Brian Ligomeka at bligomeka@bnltimes.com.

On the first page of the completed essay, please write your full name, department, year of study and name of institution.

Also include your email address and GSM line.

Send your entries to adedayo.thomas@gmail.com.

Entries will be received between March 28 and June 11, 2013. Entry sent after the deadline will not be accepted.

Announcement of winners: July 18, 2013. All participants will get a free CD of “Ideas for a free society”, which contains 100 textbooks on various field of studies.

Prizes: 1st - $1,000 and scholarship to 2013 Student and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) in Kenya from August 8- 11, 2013 2nd - $700 and scholarship to 2013 Student and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) in Kenya from August 8- 11, 2013 3rd - $500 and scholarship to 2013 Student and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) in Kenya from August 8- 11, 2013 4th - $300 and scholarship to 2013 Student and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) in Kenya from August 8- 11, 2013 5th - $100 We have eight consolidation prizes of $50 each.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

CAMPUS LIFE Campus writers from different higher institutions, last weekend, gathered at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State, for a National Writing Conference and Workshop organised by the local chapter of the Union of the Campus Journalists (UCJ). OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI (400-Level Language Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) reports.

The making of campus journalists

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TUDENTS from different higher institutions gathered at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) for a national conference and workshop organised by the UNILORIN’s chapter of the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ). The theme of the conference was: Nigerian campus journalism: Renaissance and reformation.

The event was held in the university’s expansive auditorium.

Speakers included Dr Mahfouz Adedimeji, a lecturer in the Department of English Language and former Director of Information and Protocol, UNILORIN, Mr Adedayo Thomas, Director of Outreach, African Liberty Organisation, and the chairman, National Union of Journalists, Kwara State chapter, Mr Abiodun Abdulkareem.

Also present Olaiya Templer, Guardian, Wale Ajetunmobi, The Nation; Faith Olaniran, Campus Trace magazine and Stephen Oladipupo, Campus Vibes magazine among others.

In his lecture entitled: Positioning campus journalism for change, Dr Adedimeji opened with a quote from late Pini Jason, a columnist with the Vanguard: “Our society has lost its manners and now it is about to lose its mind. Your responsibility as a fine writer is to help this society retrieve those values that made us great in the past which this generation about to take over does not care about anymore! If you must be part of that recovery, then, you must not lose your head.”

The presence of ‘Ife Virus’ in the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, is a source of worry to students, who have urged the management to kill the infectious computer programme.

OLUFUNMINIYI SALAWU (400Level History Education) writes.

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OR about three weeks now, an unknown computer ‘virus’ has been infecting phones and computers in the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. The automatically connects itself to phones and laptops, which connect to Bluetooth, a wireless technology that enables mobile phone devices and computers to connect one

•Participants with the guests after the conference...last Friday

According to the don, journalism thrives on words, which he said are the building blocks of language. He said journalism had been defined in many ways but added: “A journalist, either campus-based or society-based, deals with words and makes words work.”

He said: “There is no doubt we are living in a world of words today.

Everywhere you go, words keep on dazzling your eyes on the pages of newspapers, magazines, books and the computer. Words keep on blasting your eardrums from speakers, radio and television sets.

On many occasions, what we read, what we hear, what we watch, determine to a surprising extent who we are and the world we live.

Words are powerful. Words are wonderful. Words are awesome.

Words are breathtaking as confirmed in the Holy Books that ‘in the beginning was the word; and the word was God.” While noting that a writer’s pen

was more powerful than the gun, Dr Adedimeji described writing as a weapon of mass destruction, stating that many government officials had been kept on their toes because of the activities of journalists, who he described as the watchdog of the society.

He regretted that campus journalists and their counterparts in the larger society reported lies and block the truth despite taking the truth as the basis of journalism.

Adedimeji said journalists were an integral part of our modern society, describing them as oxygen of democracy.

He urged the campus writers to wake up to their duties and responsibilities, stating that they must stick to the principles of journalism which are truth, objectivity, balance and fairness.

Thomas spoke on Role of the pen in creating a prosperous future. He said: “As campus journalists, you should be advocates of fairness,

•OAU students browsing in a cafe on campus

Virus scare at Ife another other and to the Internet.

If installed in devices, the programme replicates itself quickly and disrupts the operation of the affected gadgets. Unable to decipher the coded language of the virus, students, whose phones have been damaged, named it “Ife Virus”. But none of them could tell the source of the virus.

Victims said the programme has its characteristic action, which corrupts music files, documents, videos and other vital files on devices.

It also reduces large-size files to 1 kilobyte, leaving the affected documents with the word “ink” as the suffix.

The effect of the virus is felt more on mobile phones. Once the virus

justice, integrity and entrepreneurship. These tools will give you an edge over your peers in the political, economic, and social set up.”

On building a prosperous nation, Thomas charged the participants to always engage the government in ideological warfare by writing to criticise anti-developmental policies of government, which he said had stifle entrepreneurship.

After lectures, the participants were taken on another session by the campus editors present at the event. Ajetunmobi, CAMPUSLIFE Editor, described campus journalism as a complex trade, with “objectively.” While narrating his ordeals as a campus journalist in UNILORIN, he urged the studentwriters to write to break grounds and traditions with the objective to leave the campus a better place.

Templer noted that campus journalists remained the voice of the

students and conscience of the public, who must understand issues and engineer social change.

He said campus writers must demonstrate to students they were the bearers of their trust.

Olaniran, a former CAMPUSLIFE reporter from the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA), charged the participants to be an allround writer, adding that campus journalist must know their strength and improve on their weaknesses to harness their potential in writing.

Delegates attended the conference from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibrahim Babaginda University (IBB), Lapai, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), University of Calabar (UNICAL), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Delta State University (DELSU), Federal School of Statistics (FSS), Oyo, among others.

enters mobile phones, all files cannot be accessed, some of the victims told CAMPUSLIFE. “When you try to access such files on the computer system, the files on the mobile device turn to shortcuts documents and are automatically corrupted. If you copy the infected files to another device, maybe a USB drive, the files will still be corrupted but they will be converted to two kilobytes documents, which will still be inaccessible. What a funny virus!” one of the victim said.

The news of the computer virus has spread across the campus. Students have bemoaned the presence of the virus in the school premises.

Lecturers are also affected.

Last week, a lecturer asked the final year students of History department to activate their Bluetooth connection for him to send a lecture material to their phones through his laptop. No sooner had the lecturer turned on the Bluetooth connection than “Ife Virus” installed on his laptop. A few minutes after, the computer crashed.

Students traced the origin of the virus to an alleged hacking of the university’s Eportal website by some students to tamper with their results. CAMPUSLIFE learnt that some students, who had low Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), tampered with the re-

sults and records, by upgrading their scores to preferred grades.

But Division of Students’ Affairs (DSA) was quick to dismiss the claim, stating categorically that the Eportal was not hacked and student’s records and results were not tampered with.

There were other reports claming that the virus was generated by a set of students, who were using it to hack into lecturers’ email accounts to use such emails to perpetrate internet fraud.

Osita Odafi, 400-Level History, told our correspondent he received a fraudulent email two weeks ago from one Dr Gbenga Fashikun of the department of Philosophy, about an international conference that was going to hold from May 9 to 11. “This same guy, who sent the mail, sent a spam email later to state that he had a niece in South Africa that had an accident and urgently needed medical attention. He said the victim required about $1,000 for surgery and treatment and asked me to help,” he said.

Other students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, said they had received such spam mails from people who claimed to be lecturers.

They urged the management to “kill” the virus before it wrecked havoc that may be monumental for the university to bear.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

35

CAMPUS LIFE

Who is a role model?

By Taiwo Adebulu

T

HE most important single influence in the life of a person is another person…who is worthy of emulation - Paul Shafer The pupils were well-composed as I walked into the class. It was my first time in the school after I was posted to the school as a Corps member. I was introduced to these future leaders as their new English teacher. After my brief introduction, I also asked to know them one after the other. I was excited by the drama that attended the session.

And then the prologue continued. I took that opportunity to ask them two questions I usually ask kids of their age. The first ques-

D

RESS the way you want to be addressed is a popular saying, which is being used to remind people to dress responsibly. As human civilisation evolves through ages, things change in the way we conduct our affairs and express our liberty. The present western civilisation guarantees freedom for all humans, who espouse it. But some have taken the freedom too far.

In most tertiary institutions today, students are going wild in the way they dress to lecture rooms. Skimpy dresses and sagging are common sights in higher institutions. Students see unAfrican dresses as glamour and style. For female students, the notion is that skimpy dresses make them to look attractive to the opposite sex. For boys, sagging is to show their colleagues that they are current with western fashion code.

It is quite unfortunate that these young ladies and boys who indulge in this act of indecent dressing fail to realise that it does not

tion was on who they wanted to be in future; the second was on who their role models were. The responses I got from the first question thrilled me but answers to the second question were uninspiring.

I reviewed the list and they were names of celebrities that had nothing to do with their chosen career.

Being a new teacher, I stomached my dissatisfaction and resolved to create a session to discuss their misconception with them.

In this clime, we often take celebrities as role models. Once a person is in public glare, whether he is an exceptional teacher, artiste, footballer or politician, he or she is deemed a role model.

Then, people start looking up to him or her. But then, this notion is absolutely wrong.

Wikipedia defines a role model as “any person who serves as an example, whose behavior is emulated by others.” Historically, the term ‘role model’ first appeared in Robert Merton’s socialisation research. He stated that “individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires.”

Undoubtedly, role models are good. They help us turn out to be the person we want to be and stimulate our passion to make difference. It means that one is on the right track and can be the best he wants to be. It is all about the right choice. To be like someone we of-

ten see on the television screen can be detrimental to one’s career. If the admired personality is a wellknown celebrity, does it make him or her a role model?

Anyone apart from celebrity can be one’s role model. It is not necessarily the person must be rich or influential. A teacher, an uncle, or an ordinary man on the street with exemplary lifestyle and career can be our role model. Notwithstanding, it is never a crime to take a celebrity or a famous person as a role model. As Ben Johnson put it, it is not a shame to follow the better precedent.

We cannot choose a role model just because the person has a style we admire. The choice of celebrities of the pupils was influenced by their addiction to the TV. Most of the celebrities we confer the function of a role model do not worth it. The fact that a particular actor is excellent in interpreting roles in movies does not make him a role model, albeit he is superb in his field.

By the way, who is a true role model? A true role model possesses the qualities that we aspire to have. He or she is someone who has affected us in a way that makes us want to be better person even though we have not met them physically. His or her life gives us the replica of ourselves in the future and reminds us that we can make it beyond the limit our admired persons attain. Above all, a

true role model is that individual that influences one to make the right choice in life.

Denzel Washington sees a role model as a mentor - someone one sees on a daily basis and learns from them.

On the other hand, role models are humans and as such, they are not expected to be infallible. They have emotions, feelings and weak points. Sometimes, they fail to live up to expectation as a role model. A role model has not stopped being one just because he or she has done something unexpected of him. That good side of him could still be emulated.

The fact that those people have made it and seem to have made an indelible footprint in their career does not make them different from any other person when it comes to the acts of the flesh.

One really needs to define what he wants, so that he can differentiate those qualities and virtues he venerates from the ones that happen to be the extreme side of his role model which should be discarded.

As famous and charismatic Bill Clinton is, a lot of people make him their role model. But, that does not erase the Monica Lewinsky scandal from our memories.

As promiscuous as he was, legend has it that Picasso, a famous artist, got married to Fernande Olivier and separated from her

Indecent clothes and the youth

By Seth Okoeror add to their beauty neither does it make them look attractive to the opposite sex.

By dressing shabbily, they have lost their Africaness.

Fashion, being one of the most fascinating areas of human endeavour, can it be said that its designers and customers are bringing the rest of the world to embrace the western code of dressing? Or are they consciously seeking to return the world to the age when nudity was the order of the day?

In Africa, people have the belief human society must be governed by decency; every African parent, especially mothers want their kids to be well-behaved and grow up in a morally sound and responsible society. But to what can we attribute the growing trend of skimpy dress in our society? A drift towards immorality and promis-

cuity?

It is sad to note that our streets and campuses have been turned into porn-viewing cinemas by misfits whose mode of dressing has brought disgrace to our society.

Many parents even help their children to dress indecently and allow them to go to the public half-naked. The most poignant thing to note here is that some parents buy bad clothes for their children.

This is purely cultural imperialism because our brains have been overwhelmed by western culture.

In this regards, the mass media is culpable in spreading the offensive approach to dressing.

Fashion can help improve appearance and boost self-confidence. The right outfit can help to minimise some physical flaws and enhance beauty. It can also help change how one is addressed by others.

However, many ladies want to

follow the crowd to be in vogue without critically establishing their reasons for dressing shabbily. This is why most ladies that are supposed to be the pride of womanhood walk half-naked on the streets.

To stem the growing tide of indecent dressing on campus, managements of tertiary institution have established committees to check the act and penalise offenders. Many students have been caught and expelled in various schools.

Exposure of the body is likened to an advert placement, a notice telling people of the availability of products. Cases of sexual harassment and rape are often traced to the exposure of sensitive body parts. The consequences of indecent dressing are obvious: it debases human beings; it increases crime in the society and attracts insults to the dresser.

later in 1912 to marry Eva Gouel.

After the death of Gouel in 1915, Picasso got married again to Olga Koklova in 1918 and she had a son for him. He later found rest in the bosom of a new love, Marie Theresa Walter and had a daughter, Maia, through her in 1935. In other to enlarge his artistic horizon, Picasso fell in love with Dora Marr, an artist who photographed Guernica as he painted it even though he was still with Walter.

Picasso’s emotional life was said to have become enigmatic after he met French painter, Francoise Gilot in the 1940’s while he was still with Maar. Before Picasso and Gilot parted ways in 1953, they had a son, Claude and a daughter, Paloma.

Picasso moved on with his amorous lifestyle and later got married to Jacqueline Roque in 1961 and she became his next companion.

All those women in Picasso’s life were said to have influenced his works during the time they were together. Despite his troubles with having an unsettled home, Picasso nevertheless produced great artworks that are still felt and revered till date. That weak point of his was his inspiration.

Going by the definition of Wikipedia, would anyone have emulated Picasso given his personal way of life? I know readers would say: “That was just his weak point but he was still a great artist.” Nobody will say Picasso is a bad example to be emulated in marriage, so he should not be taken as role model in art.

Taiwo, a Corps member, NYSC IBADAN My advice to the youth is that we must return to our African root. We must wear clothes that suit our body and not clothes that look good to our friends. If we dress to expose our sensitive body parts, we would have exposed ourselves to ridicule and embarrassment.

We have failed to realise that what we see as unfashionable in African dressing style has distinguished our forebears and made our culture to endure through centuries. Generations before us had this inclination to dress nude but we should not forget the curse placed on them in the scripture.

The government should not wait till rape and sexual assault become the order of the day. The Federal Ministry of Culture and National Orientation should embark on campaign against immodest dressing and show the citizens how such undertaking can be dangerous to our vision and intention as a nation.

Seth, HND II Mass Comm., BIDA POLY

Iginor as metaphor for child abuse

O

VER the years, the case of child abuse in Nigeria has been alarming. With no end to the cases of child abuse in every part of the country, it appears no one cares.

In the Federal Polytechnic, Bida (BIDA POLY), Iginor is a form of child abuse, which is common in the city.

Just as Almajiri has remained worrisome in the northern states, Iginor is deemed an open embarrassment to the locals of Bida, especially the educated among them.

In Nupe dialect, Iginor means “a child” irrespective of gender. But on the campus, the term is used to describe an adolescent, who roams about the street and off-campus hostels to sell petty wares and help students to fetch water in return for money.

These children, which are between the ages 5 to 18 years, are released by their parents to learn Arabic education but they are sent out to hawk on the streets due to financial problems of their Mullahs, who cannot feed nor

provide the basic need of life for them.

Therefore, these kids are sent out to source for what to live on and most times, they are given targets to be brought back each day.

To attain the targets and to cater for themselves, Iginors embark on begging or labour work. Such children are usually aggressive and violent as they are exposed to pressure and hunger. The kind of work they do to make living demand energy. They visit hostels to wash clothes for students, and go to restaurants to do all sorts of menial jobs. Through such activities, the kids are exposed to molestation, hunger and other forms of social violence.

The female among them risk being rape. There have been cases when some of them are sexually abused by local youths, who forcefully slept with them.

A case of child abuse was recorded recently when a young female hawker entered one of the off-campus hostels. In broad daylight, the minor was raped by a male student.

Friends of the rapists tried to bury the matter, but it still became public knowledge with the incidents being broadcast among students. But the matter ended there.

Similarly, not too long ago, a young boy, whose age would be below seven, was seen struggling to carry a 25 Litre gallon of water on his head in order to be given N20. When asked on what he wanted to do with the money and why he had to fetch water, the chap said in Nupe dialect that he was asked by his parents to go and work in order to bring money. When asked if he was in school, he said he had not started going to school.

These are some of the cases where underage children are subjected to hard labour and molestation because of pecuniary benefit. Of course, it is simply a child labour, which offends all known codes of human civilisation. Asking adolescents to do strenuous exercise, which many adults cannot do is child abuse.

These children wander about without going to school. Without educa-

tion, they will end up to be losers in whatever perspective we may look into it. Some of them are not even attending the Arabic schools for which they are sent much less western education.

This practice must stop because these young ones are leaders of tomorrow. They are the future hope and pillars, without which the future may look bleak in terms of development. If Iginor is allowed to flourish unabatedly, all the violence visited on the kids will stick in their brain and they may grow up to become criminals in the society within which they live. This will surely be a setback for the society because increase in rate of crime is being attributed to increase in number criminals being bred in the society.

It is important that children’s right be protected, preserved and maintained. The basic children’s needs are quality education, effective health care, shelter and nutrition.

Once these basic necessities are provided, there is no doubt that they can

By Precious Ochunu perform wonderfully well in their undertakings and can deliver as leaders of tomorrow. No one knows who among today’s children will lead the nation to a greater height tomorrow.

When a child’s rights are denied, the hope for a better tomorrow is prohibited.

Precious, HND II Mass Comm., BIDA POLY

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

36

CAMPUS LIFE

F

ACULTY of Basic Medical Sciences (FBMS), College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar (UNICAL), has held its third lecture series with a call on Nigerians to be conscious of their diets.

The lecture series, an initiative of the former Dean, Prof Atim Antai, was held at the conference hall of the college.

In his address, the Dean, Prof Mbeh Ubana Eteng, said the faculty lecture series was in line with the university’s five years strategic plan to become a centre of excellence, using research and teaching to drive development internationally.

“In the five years strategic plan of this university, it is our aim to emerge as centre of excellence using research and teaching to drive development internationally, nationally and individually,” he said.

Speaking on the theme of the lecture Lipid consumption: Food aroma and our health ,Prof Essien Udoh, noted that lipid consumption varied between the rich and poor, saying rich man’s food comprised animal products that contained saturated fats while poor man’s diet composed of vegetables.

Prof Essien explained that fat

Muslim students hold Jihad Week

Mind your diet, Nigerians told From Isaac Mensah UNICAL

is a necessary nutrient for optimal health and wellbeing but excessive consumption of it is unhealthy.

“The lesser the fats coming from animal sources the better since the new trend places emphasis on people consuming as much as possible vegetable sources of food while moderating the animal sources which excess predisposes one to heart diseases”.

The don stressed that because of the appetising nature of lipid people are always enticed to consume more than required amount of lipid which he noted predisposes one to heart diseases.

“Lipid is the source of flavour in food, if you prepare a food without any source of fats the food will have no flavour and will not be appetising. Food aroma entices people to eat. We should be aware that the more appetising, we maybe getting too much fats” In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, Dr. Mfon Agbaso, secretary Faculty Lecture series committee noted

that it cannot be overemphasized the need for Nigerians to be aware of their diet since the functionality of their body depends on what they eat. “it’s important one knows what he/she puts in his body because at the end of the day, the functionality our our body system depends on what we eat.

The clothes we wear do not determine how our body works but what we eat because the body system depends on what we eat so what we eat determiner how our body functions.

So if you take something that will have adverse effects on our system then you know that you are dipping your grave rather early. So it’s ok to be conscious about what we eat” Th e lecture held every semester with a view to encourage cross fertilization of knowledge between staff and students of faculty had the attendance of Prof. Osim, Prof. Anne Asuquo (Dean, faculty of allied medical science), heads of the constituting departments, staff and students.

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

T

HE University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Muslim Community in collaboration with the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), UNILORIN chapter, has held a public lecture to mark the formal opening of the 1434 Jihad Week.

The lecture was held at the university auditorium.

In his lecture entitled: Why are we here, Dr Abdulqadri Sambaki, urged Muslims to worship and remember Allah. He said that human beings’ actions should be in conformity with the instructions of Allah and the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed.

Sambaki noted that serving Allah was not only through ritualistic manners, “but we can also serve Allah through our ways of life, and it shall be rewarded accordingly”.

He added: “Every action of human backed with good intention of serving Allah shall be rewarded by Him.” He dismissed the belief that man was not created by God, but only exist through evolution. He said: “We are made to understand in the Holy Quran that there is creation of human beings through the developmental stages of foetus in the mother’s womb”. He stressed that human beings were created by God to Him. The chairman of the occasion, who is also the immediate Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, advised Muslims to look for positive and appropriate means of propagating Islam and retaining the interest of people.

He also urged them to always be

From Hameed Muritala UNILORIN

in the company of virtuous and righteous people who were better than them in piety, stressing that this would make them better Muslims.

Oloyede, who is the Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), also enjoined Muslims to maintain a cordial and peaceful relationship with their counterparts from other religions.

The second speaker, Ustadth Abdullah Bukarti, a law graduate of Bayero University Kano (BUK), spoke on Man sojourn in this world and in the hereafter. He reminded about the life in the grave and the Day of Judgment. While advising students to make good use of their youthful period, he noted that the youthful stage was the most productive and challenging stage of man existence.

The highlight of the occasion was the launching of Al-Bayan magazine, a publication of MSSN, and the presentation of prizes to the winners of the inter-faculty quiz competition, annual secondary school quiz competition and the secondary school impromptu speech presentation, all organised by MSSN. Present at the occasion were Prof Hussein Oloyede, former VC, Fountain University, Osogbo, Prof Y.A. Quadri, Prof Babatunde Adeleke, chairman, UNILORIN Muslim Community and the Dean Faculty of Science, Dr Mahfouz Adedimeji, former director, Directorate of Information and Protocol, UNILORIN.

•DELSU gate

Students groan over okada ban

S

TUDENTS of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, have bemoaned the ban on commercial motorcycles (okada) in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State. They said the last two weeks had been challenging as many of them walked under the sun to school.

CAMPUSLIFE investigation revealed that the ban may not be unconnected with the activities of kidnappers in the local government, who use motorcycles to commit crime.

Abraka, the main campus of the university, has been under siege since last year when the activities of kidnappers grew uncontrollably. The development has led to the drafting of policemen to the area.

In 2011 the university witnessed series of kidnapping of both lecturers and non-academic staff.

Mrs Stella Mouboghare, wife of the Commissioner of Basic Education and staff of the university, was seized last year March. Members of the university community responded with protest, which culminated in a solidarity strike by the university staff.

In January, the treasurer of the DELSU chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Mr Martins Denedo, was kidnapped and rescued by security operatives stationed around the university.

From Philip Okorodudu DELSU

The state government, in its effort to check the kidnappers’ activities, decided to ban the activities of Okada in the area last month. The ban was announced a week to the commencement of the first semester examinations.

This, however, did not go down well with students, many of whom lamented lack of alternative to access the campus. According to many students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, tricycle and the campus shuttle provided were not adequate. They complained that the vehicles did not extend their services to corners of the area unlike motorcycles.

“These days, I leave my house at least 30 minutes before my lecture time because I have to walk to the road and then wait for a shuttle that is going to my direction. The situation is pathetic,” a student told CAMPUSLIFE. Another said: “The problem is not the ban on Okada, it is the lack of access roads in the community. It is a right decision at the wrong time.”

A respondent, who spoke to our correspondent, urged management and state government to address problem of transportation being faced by students in the area.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

37

EDUCATION

Female journalism students urged to seek ‘tough’ beats O

GUN State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu has urged female journalism students to aim for the best.

Mr Olaniyonu spoke at the opening session of a workshop for 50 female students studying journalism in tertiary institutions in the Southwest sponsored by United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), hosted by the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State.

Olaniyonu, who is former Editor of Thisday on Sunday, said the students should not settle for the stereotyped soft beats often assigned to women journalists in the newsroom, but go outside their comfort zones to cover challenging beats.

He said opportunities abound for female journalists in the newsrooms of the Nigerian media industry. He said though there are few women editing mainstream newspapers in the country, it should not be assumed that the men do not want to give the women chance. On the contrary, he said many women settle for soft beats, such as fashion and style, women issues, intimacy and broadcast.

From Mariam Sanni, Abeokuta

He urged female journalists not to limit themselves to writing on fashion, style and others, but to dare gravitate into the realm of investigative journalism, business reporting, citing the Editor of Thisday, Ijeoma Nwaogwugwu, as a woman who he said, was a skilful business reporter.

Olaniyonu recalled that there was a time in Nigeria when Daily Times sold 500,000 copies daily when there were few literate Nigerians with equally less purchasing power. He said one of the reasons of newspapers are not selling today is

that the news they carry are not compelling enough to attract readers.

The Commissioner said media houses are looking for journalists who would file unique stories capable of standing one medium apart from the park, adding the upcoming female journalists should strive to make the difference readers are looking for in the nation’s newspapers’ industry.

Underscoring the importance of the workshop, Olaniyonu said it would help the students hone their skills and help them secure good employment on graduation.

“This is a great opportunity that

‘This is a great opportunity that you have been offered. It is a thing of pride; it would help you to secure good employment. I am imploring you to leave this pace with determination of making use of it. By doing this you are restoring the glory of journalism’

you have been offered. It is a thing of pride; it would help you to secure good employment. I am imploring you to leave this pace with determination of making use of it.

By doing this you are restoring the glory of journalism,” he said.

The budding female journalists receive tutelage on the skills of investigative journalism from other resource persons - including multiple award winner, Stella Sawyer of Tell Magazine, and the National Programme Officer and Command Information of UNESCO Abuja, Mr Oluseyi Shoremeku, who said investigative journalism is a service to the public.

He implored participants to take the challenges in the future toward investigative journalism.

Participants were drawn from the Universities of Ibadan, Lagos, Covenant University, Ota, Redeemer’s University, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta among others.

No fewer than 50 female traineejournalists drawn from the tertiary institutions in the Southwest benefited from a training on Investigative Journalism in a workshop facilitated by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Institute, others partner on teachers' skills

T

HE National Teachers' Institute (NTI) is partnering with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Nokia and the British Council, to improve English Language literacy skills among primary school teachers in the country through mobile technology.

The partners have organised a workshop for primary school teachers on using mobile phone, specifically Nokia, to deliver educational services to the teachers on English language.

By the initiative, teachers can sign up for free services via Nokia Life + and receive educational content and pedagogical tips directly on their mobile phones. The learning contents are organised into thematic modules and delivered once per day.

The programme runs for 72 weeks and begins immediately a user signs up for it.

The workshop, held at the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, introduced participants to the new technology and how it applies in the classroom.

•From left: Sharehu, Uwaezuoke and Alidou ... at the workshop

By Seun Akioye

Fifty-seven teachers from Abuja were the first set of the pilot project.

The Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyat Ahmed Rufa'i, represented by the Director, Basic and Secondary Education in the ministry, D.C Uwaezuoke, a lawyer, encouraged the partners to spread the project across the country. He urged participants to utilise the opportunity and urged all states to embrace the project.

Director-General and Chief Executive of NTI, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu said: "Nigeria is

acknowledged to have a large population of its citizens using mobile phones and so teachers could use the opportunity to improve their skills and knowledge of pedagogy and content by the use of mobile phone.

The Director-General of UNESCO, represented by the Director UNESCO, Abuja, Prof Hassana Alidou, said the project has the potential to leverage mobile technology in Nigeria.

UNESCO project coordinator, Steven Vosloo, said their aim was to develop a service that teachers working in difficult conditions could

access quickly. He said the whole world is undergoing a mobile revolution, adding that UNESCO was committed to working with communities of mobile learning.

Nokia's Managing Director for West and Central Africa, Mr Nick Imudia, said the company was delighted to partake in the project, adding that it is committed to joining global efforts at promoting literacy and equitable access to education.

The NTI provided the teachers, the British Council developed the content, UNESCO provided coordination while Nokia provided access to the mobile technology.

'Quality post-gradauate studies improve falling standard' From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

• Prof Aina

V

ICE-Chancellor, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Prof Patrick Aina, has said the country can overcome the fallen standards of tertiary education if the university system could improve the quality of postgraduate studies.

Aina, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti at the opening of the 45th meeting of the Committee of Deans of Postgraduate Schools (CDPGS) in Nigerian Universities; said "substandard post-graduate studies would only produce half-baked students."

He canvassed improved funding of postgraduate studies to enable the production of required manpower to man the increasing number of universities.

According to him, this move will support the attainment of the international target of 1:20 teacherstudent ratio in the nation's tertiary institutions.

Aina said: "With 146 universities (as at the last count) and using the

present figures of enrolment, in order to meet the required teacher student ratio of 1:20, we will need to increase the number of academic staff in Nigerian universities from the current level of 26,000 to 50,000 with the minimum qualification of doctorate degree.

"Postgraduate education is, therefore, to respond positively to the training of postgraduate students for the much-needed high level manpower development of the country," he said.

The VC identified factors, including gross underfunding, inadequate and ailing infrastructural facilities, industrial strife and political instability as few of the factors working against attaining improved education standards.

In his address, the Chairman,

CDPGS, Prof. Atiku Yahaya, appealed to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to institute measures to arrest the problems identified in what he called "the postgraduate benchmarks exercise."

He advised the NUC to accommodate technocrats in postgraduate education and advocated increased funding for research and teaching in the nation's universities, saying: "Only this could assure the production of needed quality manpower. T he Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies of EKSU, Prof. Eddy Olanipekun, commended the university management for supporting the meeting which attracted participants from 51 universities accredited by NUC to run postgraduate courses.

AAUA FILE

Varsity praises TETFund THE Vice-Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA), Prof Femi Mimiko, has praised the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for supporting infrastructural development in tertiary institutions.

Mimiko spoke when a two-man delegation from the agency visited the university for project assessment.

The VC, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, praised the agency for its doggedness and commitment in ensuring that funds are disbursed and used for the development of Tertiary institutions.

He noted that the university has been judicious in utilising TETFund grants, assuring the visitors it will continue doing so.

The assessed projects included a 300-capacity twin-lecture theatre, 30-classroom Quadrangle and a science laboratory building.

Don bags award AN AAUA lecturer, Dr Nireti Duyilemi, has been honoured with the "Woman of the Year Award" by the Embassy of Republic of Cuba in collaboration with Free the Cuban-5 Solidarity Organisation, Nigeria (FC-5SON).

The ceremony, which was attended by eminent Nigerians, took place at the Conference Hall of the Cuba Embassy in Abuja.

The Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ramos Milanes and the Director General of FC-5SON, Chief James Balogun-Arogunjo, said Dr Duyilemi was worthy of the honour because of her good works with women.

"Certificate of Award of Women of the Year is given this day, Tuesday, May 7, 2013 to Dr. Duyilemi Nireti, considering her commitment to women development on the occasion of the celebration of International Year of Women," Milanes said.

LBS ranks 2nd in Africa

T

HE Lagos Business School (LBS) has been ranked second in Africa by the Financial Times of London.

The details of the ranking are contained in the FT's Executive Education 2013 ranking published on Monday in London, which also ranked LBS 55th in the world.

In a statement, Dean of LBS, Dr Enase Okonedo, reiterated the commitment of the school to providing management education of world-class standard.

She said: "We are pleased with the FT ranking which further attests to our strength and relevance in the business and management education landscape in Nigeria and Africa, and we will continue to strive for excellence".

Okonedo also added that as part of plans to increase its sphere of influence, LBS will in July begin the International Management Programme (IMP) for leaders in Africa, to accelerate leadership development in the continent.

The Financial Times publishes yearly a list of the best management programmes from business schools around the world, based on the quality of learning, staff and student diversity, growth in business and international reach.

The top schools this year are IMD in Switzerland, followed by IESE Business School, Spain and Thunderbird School of Global Management in the US.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

38

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS

EKSU FILE

'Provide soil map for Nigeria' THE Federal Government has been told to provide a detailed soil map for Nigeria.

A professor of Soil Science Abayomi Fasina, who delivered the 37th inaugural lecture of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, suggested that the Federal Government should assemble qualified experts to produce the map.

He noted that the mandate to have such a map should have a strong financial backing while information gathered from the soil survey should be useful for sustainable land management for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes.

Fasina, in his 76-page lecture entitled: "Can these soils sustain: The dilemma of a Pedologist," urged the government to enforce proper land use regulations to keep prime lands for agriculture.

He also suggested a general education and public enlightenment on land use planning in Nigeria, urging that the land use decree be modified to remove bottlenecks in conservation practices.

Stakeholders' Forum Saturday A stakeholders’ forum has been scheduled for Saturday at the EKSU Main Auditorium.

The event will provide opportunity for parents and guardians, management of the university as well as and other stakeholders to proffer solutions that can move the university forward.

The event will also provide a platform to discuss issues on school fees and welfare of students, among others.

APPROACHING DEADLINES IFP Scholarships for International Students at Cardiff University Cardiff University Bachelor's Prep Program Deadline: July 31, 2013 Study in: UK Course starts September 2013 Host Institution(s): Cardiff University in UK Field(s) of study: The International Foundation Programme is available from September 2013 in the following subjects: Business, Engineering and Health & Life Sciences.

Number of Scholarships: only one Target group:International students Scholarship value/inclusions: Cardiff is offering two full scholarships for self-funding students, which will cover the cost of course fees for the International Foundation Programme.

Eligibility: •You must be confirmed as an Overseas Student for fee paying purposes (this information is contained in your offer letter).

•You must fully complete the application form with the supporting statements as directed.

•Applicants for IFP scholarships must have

a conditional or unconditional offer and must have accepted their offer by Midnight (GMT) Friday 31st July 2013.

•After this date, applicants have until Midnight (GMT) Thursday 16th August 2013 for their offers to be changed to unconditional -applications where the status is not unconditional after this time will not be considered.

• Scholarships are to be used for academic year 2013/14 only and cannot be used for 2014/15 entries. If you are awarded a scholarship and wish to defer your entry to the University, you will lose your scholarship and will need to re-apply again in the following year.

•These scholarships are only available to selffunding students. Students who are in receipt of full funding from a sponsorship body (such as their home country's Government, charity or a private organisation) are not eligible to apply.

•Students must satisfy certain financial requirements as part of their visa application for study in the UK and students should not be solely relying on receiving a scholarship to meet these.

•If a student withdraws/is requested to withdraw from study before completing the IFP Course or does not complete the IFP course at Cardiff University they are responsible for repaying all monies received from the International Scholarship award unless there are

extenuating circumstances.

•IFP scholarships do not include interruption of study as part of the fund. If students are required to resit a year of study, then they will not receive further funding for additional years.

•Winners must ensure that they maintain a satisfactory academic record.

Application instructions: Applicants for the International Foundation Programmes scholarships must have either a conditional or unconditional offer and must have accepted Cardiff University as their choice for study during the 2013/14 academic year, by Midnight (GMT) Wednesday 31 July 2013. After this date, applicants have until Midnight (GMT) Thursday 16th August 2013 for their offers to be changed to Unconditional-applications where the status is not unconditional after this time will not be considered.

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/Links: Source link: http://www.scholars4dev.com/ 8292/international-foundation-scholarshipscardiff-university/#ixzz2TBZlkvPW

Counsellors seek role in tackling insecurity

C

HAIRMAN, Ogun State chapter of the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) Prof Olufunmilayo Sotonade has advocated that counselling psychology be adopted in tackling insecurity.

Prof Sotonade spoke at the Fourth conference of the body with the theme: Counselling for security, at Babcock University High School, Ilisan Remo in Ogun State.

She said: "The role of a counsellor goes beyond the walls of educational institutions. A counsellor's role is that of a guide to the society. The insecurity sweeping through our nation at this moment

By Medinat Kanabe

calls for counselling. It is very obvious that the state of insecurity in Nigeria has assumed a frightening dimension."

Also speaking, wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun, said counselling can help the society to reach various heights.

She said: "All security lies in the hands of God, but there are ways we can counsel to achieve security.

To encourage the students not to be careless and know who they speak to. Don't take certain things for granted," she added.

Ogun Staste Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology,

Segun Odubela, lauded the body, saying it is taking counselling services in schools to a greater height.

He said the services of these professionals are highly commended and desirable.

"Now, we are all more concerned about vices that are hindering education standard across board and preventing the sanity of the society like examination malpractice, armed robbery, cultism, drug abuse, bullying, truancy, rape, provocative dressing among others.

They can be traced to upbringing, media, peer group pressure, improved technology and much more.

"We all need to be security con-

scious in our environment, school, or community and avoid complacency in whatever we do. We should remember that Boko Haram in the Northern part of Nigeria has claimed many lives and that there is increasing incidents of violence in schools."

He said the purpose of the conference is to provide adequate information to adolescents to prevent them from engaging in terrorism, suicide bombings, among others.

He said he hoped the forum also provided antidotes to employment and job security, as well as security consciousness especially on the use of computer, and Internet.

A Professor of Philosophy, University of West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, John Tunde Bewaji, has spent over 20 years in that country. In this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGFBAMILA, Bewaji talks about his host country's funding of public universities and why there has been no protests by workers or students since he got to Jamaica.

C

AN you explain how the Jamaican government funds university education?

The funding is through grants and annual budget the government provides. There is tuition which is about 20 per cent of what it takes to run the institution. The truth, however, is that there is accountability.

You cannot have a situation where you have a budget and somebody just captures it. One, salaries are paid regularly. The buildings are properly maintained. When there is the need to paint, the buildings are re-painted. If it is not done, you

‘No varsity strike in Jamaica for 20 years’ know that somebody must be responsible, and that person will be questioned for negligence of duty.

Aside, there are contributions and donations that past students give their alma mater, which create a critical mass of resources which are used to endow chairs for research and projects. There is another component of it which we may be overlooking-and that is the tax break.

Here (Nigeria) most people don't

pay tax or rather the rate of compliance is low. In the US for example, when you donate $5000 to your alma mater or engage in any philanthropic work, you get a tax freedom on that. Tax freedom means that you are not paying tax twice. We need to get to that level here. Instead of using money on owambe (frivolities), if we donate it to the university, it will be dedicated to research works on cancer,

• Pupils of King's College, Lagos queue to conduct medical tests during the Health Week programme organised by the school's Parents/Teachers Association (PTA).

diabetics and all that.

Strikes either by workers or students are a major factor in Nigerian education. Is it the same thing in Jamaica?

We don't have strikes. I've been in Jamaica for more than 20 years and I've never witnessed a single day that there are no classes or the universities locked down. If there is any break, it's because of the act of nature like hurricane, earthquake, or the school may be out for a day or two and later pick up.

Teachers don't go on strike even though they have collective bargaining and all that. It is done in a structured manner because everybody recognises that each function of the system appreciates the fact that there is need for continuity.

You don't have a situation where students pour to the street demonstrating. If they have their grouses there are channels for ventilating them, ditto for the lecturers.

What of cultism?

We don't know what that means because everything is transparent.

As a student in Jamaica, you can question your lecturers if you feel the degree that you got is not worth it. You have every right to see your exam papers, to have it checked and have a second marker. In my department, we have a system where we double mark. When the first examiner has graded the script both essays and exams, another member of staff will again read and grade it to see if there is agreement. If the student in question is still dissatisfied with those processes, he or she

• Prof Bewaji

can then proceed to the faculty or the university management and demand that his papers be remarked. When that is done, we then have a situation where the person properly fails or passed. There is no room for victimisation.

As regards funding in Nigeria it appears there is a missing link somewhere?

(In Nigeria), we have this belief that it is only the government that should invest in education; and that is because we believe the government has so much resources.

And if those resources are put into research, there will be no problem.

But what we have found out is that for so many years the government has failed. Go to many primary schools, the structures are so dilapidated and you'll be very shocked to know that human beings actually school in this kind of environment.

But the public needs to realise that education is the business of everyone, and the only way we can do that is moving away from that mentality of flamboyance.

39

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

EDUCATION

UBEC ranks Southeast states low

HE five Southeast states are not doing well in the implementation of the nine-year Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme, says Director of Quality Assurance, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja, Dr Chukwuma Agomoh.

Charging the governors of Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi to revamp their education systems, at the Southeast Education Summit held at the Concorde Hotel, Owerri, Agomoh counselled them to learn from Rivers State which topped the UBEC good performance ranking for 2010/2011.

Rivers beat Katsina and Adamawa states as the Best Performing State in the implementation of UBEC

T

•Rivers tops rankings

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

programmes in the country.

In contrast, Agomoh said the Southeast states were nowhere to be found on the UBEC rankings - with two of them, Ebonyi and Imo at the bottom. Imo came 36th, Ebonyi came 37th among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said this was happening because the Southeast governments did not implement the budget properly.

"The Southeastern states are nowhere to be found in the UBEC

rankings, both in the good performance and teacher training. The Southeast governors should rise to the challenge of taking education serious in the geo-political zone by increasing the budget in education.

Most commissioners for education in the Southeast do not implement the amount they budget to education," he said.

Dr Agomoh, however, praised the Rivers State government for its investment in the education sector.

He said UBEC has launched a campaign to boost boy-child enrolment in the east, while the girl child cam-

paign is on-going in the North.

Former Minister for Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili in her address delivered by her husband, Dr Chike Akunyili, lamented the dearth of infrastructure in southeast schools, and decried the high rate of male dropout in the region which she attributed to the get-rich syndrome among the youth.

Dr Akunyili noted that the region cannot make any progress until they start honouring people who have made great contributions to educational development.

In a paper titled: "Funding, a Vital Tool for Educational Development in the Southeast Geo-Political Re-

W

IFE of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi has reaffirmed that the Educate a Rural Child (ERC) intervention train will crisscross the length and breadth of the state with its gospel of educational rejuvenation to deprived children in the rural areas.

She said this during the ERC Intervention programme where 1,337 pupils from 10 public primary schools in Oriire, Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso-South, Surulere and Ogooluwa Local Government Areas were presented with two pairs of uniforms, a pair of sandals, school bag and exercise books worth about N5million free.

Mrs Ajimobi said: "We are celebrating the return of hope to an otherwise hopeless situation.

Most importantly, we are celebrating the sincerity of the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi as expressed in the gradual fulfilment of all promises made during his campaign and even upon assumption of office.

The governor is a man who gives his word and stands by it."

Mrs Ajimobi said the project, rather than mere lip service, is borne out of her genuine passion.

"From now on, our children will no longer attend school in tattered uniforms, walk bare-footed or wear inappropriate shoes to school; neither shall they carry their books to school on their heads, hands or polythene bags as adequate provision has been made for them.

"This is just our own little way of showing that we will not only care for the people of Oyo State, but be

Ogun shuts 116 illegal schools

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

T

• Mrs Ajimobi dressing one of the benefiting pupils in the free school uniforms during ERC Intervention programme at Oriire Local Government Ogbomoso.

Ajimobi's wife empowers 1,337 pupils

By Tayo Johnson

responsive to their needs," she added.

Mrs Ajimobi enjoined parents to support ERC by making sure they release their children to attend classes. While appreciating friends of ERC for their support, she also praised the teachers for taking care

of the children by moulding them into future leaders. Mrs Ajimobi charged the children to face their studies and strive to achieve excellence in their careers.

She also promised to complete an on-going construction of blocks of classrooms embarked upon by Ikose community in Ogbomoso-

South local government within one month.

The Caretaker Chairmen in the five local governments and their wives praised ERC vision, which according to them, is giving hope and better future to the children in the rural areas.

Female pupils invent tracking device

F

IVE students of Princeton College, Surulere, Lagos have invented a device that would help traffic officials track traffic offenders across the country.

The pupils - Adeola Fasan, 14; Chikodi Ozoagu, 13; Joy Olufemi 14; Abisola Jegede 13; and Mary Okoro 14, represented the Africa region after emerging overall winner in the Technovation challenge, a competition that was organised by Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN) last month.

Their victoryqualified them to participate in the grand finale - the Africa in San Fransisco contest held in the United States, with nine other contestants from other parts of the country. It came up on May 2 and 3.

The application, which can only work on and roid phones, is targeted at traffic officials and other paramilitary agencies when fully completed.

The device will enable users track any traffic offender no matter the category of the offence or wherever the offender may be hiding.

gion," the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, noted that the much needed transformation of the education sector can only be achieved through adequate funding.

The Commissioner, represented by the Director Higher Education, Mae Solomon, said: "Education is the only channel we can use to transform the Southeast geo-political zone. Through the provision of qualitative and sound education, the zone can take back its true position in the country. We can recall that graduates from this region dominated the major positions in the civil service, corporate organisations and the military in the 60s because of the zeal of the youths to get educated."

Meanwhile the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof Julius Okojie represented by Prof Akaneren Essien, said the commission is always ready to contribute to the education advancement in the Southeast zone.

Okojie, said the NUC will continue to keep its doors open to state universities in the region and promised to organise interactive forum for university proprietors (the state governors).

• From left: Mr Oladunjoye, President, WITIN Mrs Martha Alade; Okoro, Fasan, Princeton Executive Director, Dr Dolapo Bankole, Jegede and Olufemi

By Adegunle Olugbamila

The management of the school praised the girls for their brilliance and their efforts at making their country proud, particularly at a time when technology education is not

encouraged.

Princeton ICT (Information and Telecommunications Technology) teacher, Mr Mayowa Oladujoye, said he was proud of the pupils for their commitment and dedication to their studies over time.

The school management called on the government to further inspire the young girls' ingenuity by embracing the new technology which it believes, would help in decongesting traffic and boost discipline among drivers.

HE Ogun State government has closed no fewer than 160 illegal schools operating in the state.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Mr Segun Odubela, while delivering a report in Abeokuta on the kick off of the second phase of the clampdown of illegal schools, said they were shut within the last two weeks of the exercise.

Odubela assured that the government is committed to ending the menace of illegal schools “because some people who are not qualified to provide education or whose premises do not meet the required standard are insistent on operating illegal schools as a money making venture.

Lamenting that such operators are damaging the future of children of Ogun State with their selfish objectives, the commissioner said some of the illegal schools employed people with only first school leaving certificates as qualification.

“There were some staffed by persons with no formal education beyond primary level. In one case, a proprietor housed children within her provision store, regularly leaving the children to attend to customers. Others were found operating in dangerous uncompleted buildings and other unsuitable premises,” he said.

Presently, the commissioner said government officials are being deployed to confirm the registration status of every private school in the state. He said those unregistered, but capable of meeting the requirements would be given the opportunity to regularise their status, whilst those considered not capable of meeting them would be closed immediately.

He added that the exercise has been planned to minimise disruption to the children, such that by the end of the current term, every school would know its status as it would be published, allowing parents to make informed choices for their wards.

He said Ogun State, being the cradle of modern education, would not be associated with sub standard education.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

40

EDUCATION Indian schools hold exhibition

T

HE Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Shri Mahesh Sachdev will declare open the second Indian Education Expo 2013 today.

The event, which will hold at the Indian Embassy on Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, will parade some colleges and

universities that offer various programmes and courses in Engineering, Medicine, Management and Health Science at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

In a statement, the organisers, Chartered Exhibition and Media (P) Limited, noted that the institutions would offer on the spot admission

to qualified candidates. They urged youths seeking places in tertiary institutions to consider India, which offers more affordable quality education than Europe and America.

They also added that getting visas will not be problematic because the Indian Embassy has promised to ease the process for prospective students.

• The contractor repairing one of the bad portions on the road

School repairs Lagos/Ibadan expressway W

ORRIED by the traffic gridlock and commuters’ agony caused by bad portions on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, Access International School in Magboro, Ogun State has embarked on some repairs of the ever-busy road.

The school’s Proprietor, Dr Jonathan Akpan said it has mobilised Mataba Construction for the exercise as part its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the society.

Akpan told The Nation that the bad portions in four major places between Mowe and Magboro opposite the NASFAT Praying Ground, Red Cross office at Ibafo, Yetkem Filling Station, and Mountain Top University were filled up.

Akpan said the school embarked on the project which cost up to half a million naira because of the pains

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

commuters, especially workers and pupils, have been going through since last year.

"Out of pity, I did this because both local and state governments are trading blames on who should repair the road and their conclusion has been that the road is a Federal road, so nobody was ready to repair it. I sought permission from the Federal Road Safety Commission and they appointed some of their men to work with us in order to help us control the traffic while the construction lasts.

"I believe this will be a big relief to many Nigerians who ply this road because of the trauma they have ex-

perienced in the past," he said.

Apart from the road, Akpan said Access has supported many areas, including donating four laptops to the Early Childhood Department of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun, Ogun State to ease the processing of students results.

The Proprietor, however, called on corporate bodies and individuals to emulate this kind gesture by giving back to their society while calling on governments at all levels to make the welfare of citizens a top priority.

He called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to come to the aid of Ikot Udofia community in Nsit-Atai Local Government Area of the state by providing basic amenities, such as public schools, electricity, hospitals, and potable water, saying he dug the only borehole in the community five years ago.

Don seeks return of teacher colleges

T

HE Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Prof Clement Olaniran Kolawole, is seeking the re-introduction of teacher training colleges.

The professor of Language Education also canvassed for Education to be extended to a five year course in the university.

Delivering the maiden Faculty of Education Lecture of the Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko, Ondo State, entitled: Imperatives for quality and quantity in teacher preparation for the 21st Century Educational Institutions in Nigeria, Kolawole, advised that course content for producing

teachers should be the same.

"There is an urgent need to harmonise all the academic content and professional teaching practice of all the programmes being used in teacher preparation programmes in Nigeria to promote uniformity of content and the practical aspects of the programmes.

“To facilitate this, the bachelor's programme in education should now become five years so that four years can be used to expose the students to adequate content knowledge while the fifth year will be devoted exclusively to professional practice," he said.

Kolawole also called for the reestablishment of the Grade II

Teachers Colleges, which were abolished decades back, to replace the programmes being run by the National Teachers Institute.

He said: "The intensity of the training and the depth of the physical, mental, moral and academic exposure at the Teachers Grade II programme is incomparable with what both the National Teachers Institute and the colleges of education carry out today in their teacher education programmes."

Kolawole recommended that Teachers Grade II colleges be made the starting point for the training of teachers for other higher levels in the country.

Elizade, Alabama varsities partner

E

LIZADE University, IlaraMokin, Ondo State is set to partner Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, United States on course development and content infusion, amomg others.

Speaking during a presentation to prepare the ground for the partnership, Stephen Babalola, a research Professor in College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Alabama A&M University, said the collaboration will also include joint proposal development workshops and training for professionals and career development for students.

Babalola, who is also the Manager, Centre of Irradiation of Materials, described Elizade University as a good representative of the American University given the quality of its facilities.

He said the students would gain the technical know-how of the operation of radiation detection for national security application which enables a compliant country to prevent terror attacks by detecting unauthorised weapons.

He added that his university would also provide mentorship for the students.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Prof. Valentine Aletor, expressed delight at the collaboration, saying the university was ready to partner top-rated institutions that would help achieve its vision of producing globally competitive graduates.

He said the university's entrepreneurial and start-up centre was designed to make its graduates employers of labour and not job seekers.

He promised the visitors that Elizade University will keep to its own side of the partnership and work harder to attract more beneficial collaborations.

EDUTALK

with

Fed Govt, please listen!

T

HE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is on strike over a number of issues. The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) is threatening strike to go on from May 31. Ironically, both unions have similar grievances they want the government to address.

Their demands border on an institutionalization of how the

Kofoworola

Belo-Osagie Kofosagie@yahoo.com 08054503077 (SMS only)

institutions are run - including a system to the appointment of provosts, governing council members, extension of retirement age to 65 years, among others.

Two among the demands that interest me are the ones that deal with appointments of people that manage the institutions - the principal officers, and the governing council.

Management slots in our educational institutions should not be used to reward party loyalists or godfathers. The appointment on governing councils of our tertiary institutions should not be viewed as an avenue for appointees to eat a portion of the national cake but to serve. That is why I think the Federal and state governments should listen to workers in our institutions who are demanding that seasoned academics, educationists, administrators and business men who are not hungry should be appointed on the councils. It is a call to serve, not one to extend 'tunnels' from the institutions to their private bank accounts.

I will always remember the likes of Chief Afe Babalola and Chief Wole Olanipekun, both learned men, who served as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the Universities of Lagos and Ibadan. They gave of their resources to improve both institutions. Chief Babalola donated his sitting allowances to the University of Lagos as part of an endowment fund for scholarships. He sponsored the construction of an auditorium, and attracted people to give to the university. Chief Olanipekun was bold to challenge anybody at the University of Ibadan to stand up and point out areas of corruption during his tenure.

We need people like them, who seek the best for their institutions, not people that will award contracts to themselves. We need people who are literate, not those that need interpreters to participate in intellectual discourse that hold during council meetings.

Regarding the appointment of rectors and provosts, we need qualified people, astute administrators, not yes men of the government.

Our institutions are struggling already under the burden of under funding and other challenges. We should not add to their woes by appointing enemies of progress.

‘We need people like them, who seek the best for their institutions, not people that will award contracts to themselves. We need people who are literate, not those that need interpreters to participate in intellectual discourse that hold during council meetings.

Regarding the appointment of rectors and provosts, we need qualified people, astute administrators, not yes men of the government.

Our institutions are struggling already under the burden of under funding and other challenges. We should not add to their woes by appointing enemies of progress’

From my Inbox Re: Vicious cycle of yearly admissions Hi Kofoworola, it is inhumane, or should I call it extortion for JAMB to have registered 1.7 million candidates instead of the 520,000 spaces available for the 2012/2013 academic session?

Prof Dibu Ojerinde has not been kind to candidates who studied hard to pass, but will be denied admission. Albert Simeon, Seme border, Badagry.

Good day Madam, please help us appeal to JAMB to release the results of our wards that wrote their UTME at Victory High School, Ikeja. The biometric fingerprint was not administered to any of the 540 candidates by the exam officials. It was not the fault of the innocent and hapless children. Mr Adenubi Ikorodu

42

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

43

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

POLITICS In this piece, lawyer and social critic Dr. Doyin Odebowale justifies the decision of the Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), to appeal the judgment of the Election Petitions Tribunal, which affirmed the victory of Governor Olusegun Mimiko in the October 20, 2012 election.

‘Which additional deficit has Aketi incurred?’

A

VERY good friend of mine and colleague in the University of Ibadan drew my at tention to the article titled: Aketi and Oke incurr additional deficits, written by one Niyi Akinnaso, published on the back page of the May 7 edition of The Punch Newspaper.

The piece is anything but intelligent, truthful and professional. The Special Assistant of the Ondo State Governor could not have done a better job of this hack writing. That such a heavily jaundiced and simple opinion could be given such prominence should be a cause for grave concern among all lovers of truth.

Granted that this person has the right to comment on any issues as a columnist, even those beyond his knowledge and competence, truth must always be treated as sacred. Nobody should be allowed to get away with blatant lies for whatever reasons.

I shall leave the issues concerning this man’s grouse against “ Tinubu, Aketi, ACN and the PDP and others associated with them”. Only he can explain why a columnist would bother himself about “negative propaganda” from those whose interest was in “capturing” power either for its own sake or for self-aggrandisement.

It appears not only ludicrous but also dishonest for anyone, who pretends to be an impartial commentator, and not a politician or a commercial analyst, to express that “my grouse was with the tactics used by the ACN, particularly the location of the planning and the logistics of the Ondo election in Lagos and Osogbo and the massive negative propaganda which defied decorum and truth”. He failed to mention how this affected him more than any other genuinely disinterested analyst.

One does not need to read the article far before reaching the conclusion that this man was paid to abuse Aketi while presenting Dr OlusegunMimiko as the victim of unwarranted attacks from Tinubu, Aketi, ACN and, as an after-thought, the PDP, to achieve a dubious balancing. He combined half- truths with outright concoctions to deceive unsuspecting members of the reading public. His attempt at sophistry was so amateurish that it takes even a barely literate person to see him as a willing tool in the hands of Mimiko. There are quite a few of his type around.

The very first lie written by this funny analyst concerns the “role” of Aketi when “he “… participated in the universally condemned arrest of Pa AdekunleAjasin, his townsman and the first civilian Governor of Ondo State, for his leadership role in NADECO.” A journalist, or anyone who has the rare privilege of having a generous space, such as the type grossly abused by this hack writer,NiyiAkinnaso, must always ensure that only the truth is disseminated to the public, however unpleasant.

Aketi was NOT the Attorney_General and Commissioner for Justice when the late sage, Pa AdekunleAjasin, was molested in his house by the Military Administrator, Late Navy Captain Anthony Onyearegbulem. Pa Ajasin was visited by the brash Milad in his home at Owo. He was not arrested. Not a few people believed that the choice of Aketi was meant to douse tension at that time because of his relationship with the Ajasin family. Mama Ajasin was Aketi’s godmother. This fact was revealed by no other person than Mama herself when the Administrator led an entourage on a condolence visit to the house after the demise of Pa Ajasin.

A serious commentator ought to have enquired before writing. The fact that this writer conveniently ignored the ignoble role of Mimiko and people of his ilk before and during the same period betrays hypocrisy of the worst kind. How could he have forgotten that this same man queued behind Akin Omoboriowo against the same Pa Michael AdekunleAjasin as a budding chameleon in the Second Republic? Mimiko served under BamideleOlumilua as the Commissioner for Health during the period of Babangida’s grand deceit called transition programme. Chief Michael Adefarati, the former governor of Ondo State, tasted of the treacherous broth dutifully prepared and served by Mimiko. He had served him as Commissioner for Health before he began the campaign of “one governor, one term”. He simply sold him to the PDP hawks. Aketi was Adefarati’s lawyer against Mimiko in spite of their being friends since their student days at the University of Ife, now ObafemiAwolowo University.

Tinubu will not be the first person who attempted to “capture” Ondo State for pecuniary or other benefits, assuming the charge is cor-

‘Who are the observers who certified the election as free, fair and transparent?

Why are lecturers and other staff of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, sacked, if the governor’s victory is genuine? How are the fountains and the markets faring?

How many roads have been touched since the so called victory? What is democracy without a viable and vigorous opposition?’

• Akeredolu

rect. Obasanjo did just that successfully with the active connivance of the unscrupulous politicians, prominent among whom, was Mimiko.

The rigging machine of the ruling party was oiled and constantly serviced by these scumbags. The whole of the south west was overrun by the sheer force of the invading marauders. Politics of “do-or-die” soon replaced the tenuous strive at engagement at the level of ideas. Outright assassination, arson and all unimaginable acts of brigandage took the centre stage in the region. This belated beatification of Mimiko can only be sold to our children who are taken in by the effective media propaganda of the Ondo State government because they were either not born at the time under reference or were too young to appreciate the nature of the narcissistic politics at that time. It is the duty of public analysts, whose main interest lies in the analysis of issues as they affect the society and are not enamoured with the colour or type of the currencies constantly doled out, to bring these notorious facts to their knowledge.

He soon settled in his natural habitat, PDP, after Adefarati had been ousted. The prize for treachery was the office of the SSG, Ondo State.

Dr OlusegunAgagu soon became a victim of this serial traitor. The first step was to ensure that the chord tying him and General OlusegunObasanjo was severed in his bid to become the new reference point in the state. He was handsomely rewarded with the ministerial portfolio. He soon declared his gubernatorial intention, the main reason why everyone who came his way was made unhappy. The PDP was about to be paid in his coin. General Obasanjo revealed during a political campaign in Akure that he came to solicit his support against Agagu, the incumbent governor of the state at that time. He said he advised this overtly ambitious fellow to allow him finish his second term. Mimiko refused and threatened to leave the PDP. Obasanjo then enquired if he had been cursed by his mother’s rivals. Let this writer go back into the archive and check if this did not happen.

This crude reference to his mother was the basis of public sympathy for him. He was rigged out as it has been the habit of his trainers. All the noise makers, including expiring and spent individuals who mounted the soap box in his support lately, were conspicuously absent during the struggle to retrieve the mandate secured through subterfuge. All the civil servants, members of staff in higher institutions and market women, who are now specimens of experiment in his political laboratory, supported him

openly. Official secrets were leaked to him routinely. The PDP was in government through coercion. The people looked up to him as the de jure leader waiting to claim his mandate. The Court of Appeal declared him as the winner and the rest, as it is said, is history.

The other attempt at confusing people concerns the writer’s comment on the recent judgement delivered by the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure. This “carpenter” wrote about “overwhelming evidence” in Mimiko’s favour. What evidence, if one may ask? As a lawyer, I do know that when a matter is still a subject of litigation, there is a permissible limit beyond which no one is expected to comment until the case is disposed of. I am also aware that once a judgement is delivered it becomes a public document and anybody can apply for a Certified True Copy of same. It is after then that comments will be based on knowledge. I can assert, confidently, that I have read that judgement and anxiously await the pronouncement of the appellate court on it for my own continuing education. I also have the written addresses of parties in my possession. I doubt, very strongly, if this man has read a page of the 85-page document before writing that mediocre piece, ostensibly on the promptings of Mimiko’s camp. He only depended on excerpts from the notes of journalists or agents of government to do his hatchet job.

This hack writer opines thus in his article; “In a unanimous ruling, the Tribunal concluded that the petitioners failed to prove that their complaints substantially affected the outcome of the election. It added that the petitioners also failed to show that they would have won the election the election or that Mimiko would not have won it. A careful reading of the judgment shows that the Kaak’an-led Tribunal further enhances the credibility of the court as a desirable arbiter of electoral disputes”.What logic!

What careful reading will ignore the salient points raised in the petition and draw a general conclusion after a facile reference to “beyond reasonable doubt”? If there was an allegation of illegal injection of voters to the tune of 164, 000 and INEC admitted that it “ADDED” over 100,000 when there was no review of voters’ register, which party has the burden of proof to discharge? What does the Electoral Act, 2010 (As Amended) provide with regard to the display of the register? If a matter is said to be a pre-election matter, what is the meaning in law?

Can a judge assume jurisdiction on the same matter after such pronouncement?

With respect, I submit that all other matters are ancillary to these posers. If the voters’ reg-

‘Challenging the judgment at the appellate court is expected of a lawyer. It is only a man who is not sure of his so-called victory that is unsettled as a result of this move. If Mimiko followed this path in 2007 and became the governor, it is not out of place for anyone to follow suit. Only a person suffering from deliberate amnesia or a hired hack will have issues with this noble move’

ister is heavily compromised through curious and conscious injection of unascertainable individuals contrary to the provision of the law, the onus rests squarely on the shoulders of INEC. It does not matter whether Aketi scored 0. It is true that the Act places almost an impossible burden on the petitioner who asserts that there are irregularities during the conduct of an election. To hide under a seemingly impregnable fortress of the required standard of proof in criminal matters to justify the voluminous injection of new voters, shortly before an election, smacks of fraud on the part of INEC. No vote cast under such sloppy arrangement should be considered valid.

The suggestion by the writer that once election results have been announced and a winner declared losers should not challenge the outcome is not only fraudulent but idiotic and hypocritical. From Amaechi through Aregbesola to Fayemi and Mimiko, experience has shown that issues formulated in election petitions are better appreciated and pronounced upon at the appellate court. Mimiko was a beneficiary of this review at the Court of Appeal.

Amaechi did not even contest any election save the primary conducted by his party, PDP. For any columnist, so called, to advise his betters to regard the matter as closed, based on the judgment of a Tribunal, because they are lawyers is the height of impudence. He wrote that candidates should begin to accept defeat, however contrived, with equanimity. The writer also insinuated that Aketi and Oke are desperate politicians who would not mind killing people to remain in power. He is, however, silent on the callous disposition of Mimiko, the incumbent, who enjoys “overwhelming” support of the electorate but still goes ahead to inflict pains on them.

Who are the observers who certified the election as free, fair and transparent? Why are lecturers and other staff of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, sacked, if the governor’s victory is genuine? How are the fountains and the markets faring? How many roads have been touched since the so called victory? What is democracy without a viable and vigorous opposition? In whose interest is the current harassment of civil servants and market women? What will make a man who enjoys “overwhelming” support of the people so paranoid to the point of sending political goons after his perceived opponents?

Why was the whole of Akure in a mournful mood after the judgment, if indeed they gave their mandate to Mimiko freely and fairly?

The writer also insinuated that some states under the ACN were “captured” by Tinubu.

The evidence in all these states is the massive infrastructural development and all-embracing peace. It means nothing to Mr Akinnaso that there has been a significant shift in the pervasive attitude of banditry. What this writer would want to see is the “democratisation” of looting. He harbours a lot of anxiety on what will become of the mineral resources of Ondo State. After five years in the saddle and over N600 billion received from revenue allocation from the centre and the internally generated revenue, the incumbent, Mimiko, has constructed “fountains” and markets. The Tomato factory in Arigidi Akoko is yet to take off. There is the Dome project, among several other white elephant aspirations that have become sources of unbridled corruption.

Those of us who know Aketi at close quarters are convinced, beyond doubt, that he will make any decent shortlist anywhere in the world. The Nigerian Bar Association, which he led as President between 2008 and 2010, became the main opposition party at a most crucial period in the country. Those who turned President Goodluck Jonathan into a senior clerk in Aso Rock attempted to lure him with heavy briefs. Aketi rejected all these overtures flatly. Ondo State will be the direct beneficiary of the quality accretion that will take place if Aketi becomes the governor.

Challenging the judgment at the appellate court is expected of a lawyer. It is only a man who is not sure of his so-called victory that is unsettled as a result of this move. If Mimiko followed this path in 2007 and became the governor, it is not out of place for anyone to follow suit. Only a person suffering from deliberate amnesia or a hired hack will have issues with this noble move.

Doyin Odebowale, PhD, LLB (Hons) B.L A Legal Practitioner, teaches Classics at the University of Ibadan

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

44

THE NATION

e-Business 08111813065 e-mail: lukajanaku02@yahoo.com

Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is a key element of cash-less banking, which was introduced last year by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). ATM is meant to ease certain banking activities. Rather than going to their banks, customers can make withdrawals using their debit cards at designated ATM points. But these days, it is not that easy as customers encounter problems such as poor network; system failure and long queues at ATM points.

LUCAS AJANAKU writes on the need for banks to increase the number of ATMs to alleviate depositors’ sufferings.

•Customers at an ATM point.

Making ATMs serve depositors better H

E had bandages on his head and hands. On seeing him, one would think he was a robbery victim.

Alhaji Zakarau Kangiwa, 54, was not a robbery victim. His problem was caused by the failure of an automated teller machine (ATM).

According to him, early this month, he travelled to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on business. Business over, he boarded his car for the journey back to Lagos.

When he got to Ifo, still in Ogun State, his car developed a fault.

He was directed to a nearby mechanic workshop by a passer-by. After examining the car, it was discovered that his alternator was faulty. He was told that the repair would cost him N16,000. He had only N6,000 and his ATM card. Confident that he could get some cash, he dashed into the premises of a nearby bank.

“I was directed to a nearby ATM in Ifo. When I got there, the vault was empty.

Since I don’t live in that area, I became worried, especially as it was getting dark.

There was no one around. Another good Samaritan told me that the only place I could get another ATM is Sango-Ota. I quickly boarded a bus to Sango. When we got there, the bus ran under a stationery articulated vehicle,” he said.

According to him, after the five occupants of the bus were rescued, they were taken to Ota General Hopital where they were attended to. “Pieces of the shattered windshield of the bus pierced my head and other body parts. The doctor carried out several minor surgeries to remove them,” he recalled, adding that if the first ATM had worked, he probably would have been saved the predicament.

A London-based businessman, Felix Ilori, will not forget the experience he had with an ATM when he came to the country recently. Shortly after his arrival, he converted his hard currencies into naira, opened an account and got an ATM card.

He travelled to Ilawe Ekiti in Ekiti State for

the wedding of a kinsman. He exhausted his money on fuel, hoping to withdraw from an ATM. At Ilawe, he went to the only ATM around. He was disappointed.

“When I got to the ATM point, I inserted the card only to be told my financial institution was not available. I tried it again and I got the same response. I was frustrated and my cousin saw it on my face,” he said. He was advised to go to Ado Ekiti, the state capital, which is about 25 minutes drive away. At Ado Ekiti, he got the same message. He would have been stranded if not for the assistance from his people.

These are, but a few of the pains bank customers who use ATMs go through in the country. If it is not network, it is nonavailability of cash for the machine to dispense to customers. At other times, it would be the refusal of the banks to load the ATMs with cash.

Idimu Road, Egbeda in Lagos has no fewer than eight banks. Some of these banks have between four and six ATMs installed on their premises, but most times, it is only one of the ATMs that is loaded with cash. This leads to long queues at the only functional ATM, subjecting the customers to the vagaries of the elements - the sun and rain.

Frustrated by the long queues outside the banking hall, customers who are even prepared to pay the bank charges that go with on-counter transactions, are not encouraged to do so because the halls are

usually filled to capacity without any arrangement made for their comfort.

Another problem with the ATMs is that they are deployed in cities and scarcely in rural communities. But this was not the case before the CBN rolled out a policy that saw to the removal of all off-site ATMs. Before then, there were quite some ATMs in strategic locations in the country.

Justifying the rationale for the removal of ATMs from off-site locations, the CBN said one of the policies guiding the operations of ATM consortium (ATMC) is that the ATMC shall have the mandate to deploy ATMs at public places while the banks shall deploy ATMs only within their premises.

The apex bank also said the banks were competing with the ATMC in the deployment of ATMs in public places, adding that a worrisome trend is the number of ATMs at the airports and hotel lobbies, which if unchecked could congest these public places. It added that in line with its policy on shared payments infrastructure by the industry and the need to respond to the rising demand for ATM services by the public, the CBN decided to license an additional ATM consortium.

But with the full roll-out of the cash-less exercise, the apex bank has since rescinded this decision.

But Deputy Governor (Operations), CBN, Tunde Lemo disagrees.

Said Lemo:“There was no reversal. Re-

‘Frustrated by the long queues outside the banking hall, customers who are even prepared to pay the bank charges that go with on-counter transactions, are not encouraged to do so because the halls are usually filled to capacity without any arrangement made for their comfort’

•Lemo

call that at the time, the CBN said banks should not put branded ATMs outside their banking premises in off-site, it was because then, when you get to some key locations, such as Hilton, you see 25 ATMs; virtually every bank is there and yet other areas are not well-served. So, we felt that instead of wasting resources, why not get licensed Independent ATM Deployers (IADS) to have those equipment there that will serve the industry. The IADs, then, were just three and so we had three in those important locations as opposed to having between 20 and 25 different machines, just to save cost. But recall that at that time, we did’t have a cashless programme. We decided to look away from that to encourage banks to invest heavily in ATMs. So, it was the cash-less programme that made it unnecessary to do that and of course, we have since ensured that they were compensated for the change in policy.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

45

THE NATION

NATURAL HEALTH E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Vegetables, fruits, others vital to life, say scientists W HICH meals are good for the body? Meals that are rich in nutrients and fibre, say Unilever scientists in the report of a cinical study. Such meals, they said, could also help combat obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The scientists presented their preliminary findings at the 20th European Congress on Obesity in Liverpool. The study compared two meals using readily available ingredients, a healthy modern meal and a Palaeolithic age-inspired meal, which is so called because its composition mirrors a range of foods that people have easy access to in the olden days.

The scientists compared a healthy modern meal comprising fish, rice, one portion of fruit and one portion of vegetables with a Palaeolithic-inspired meal

Stories by Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

comprising fish, no rice, a broad variety of different fruits and vegetables, nuts and mushrooms. All the meals contained the same amount of protein, fat, carbohydrates and calories.

The Paleolithic-inspired meals are majorly Phytonutrients.

Phytonutrients are bioactive plant-derived compounds often associated with a range of positive health effects. Some phytonutrients are orange colour- squach, mango, carrots; red/purple colour- grapes, cherries, strawberries; orange/yellow colour- orange, pineapples; green/yellow colour- avocado, spinach, green beans; red colourtomatoes, watermelon; green colour- brocolli, cabbage, dark green vegetables; brown colour-

nuts; white colour- coconut, maize.

Also incorporated in them, and a broader range of plant- based foods like nuts and spices such as cinnamon in addition to fresh fruit and vegetables.

The metabolism of these are used for the experiment, and was monitored three hours after eating and those that consumed the modified meal felt much fuller.

The results also showed that they had significantly higher levels of PYY, a hormone that tells the brain that a person has had enough to eat.

Explanatory reasons for the results include that the Palaeolithic-inspired meal had a low energy density resulting in a physically bigger meal for the same amount of calories than the modern meal. This could account for the increased satiety levels.

The meal was also designed using plant-based ingredients chosen to be both high in fibre and rich in phytonutrients.

Prof Mark Berry, Senior Scientist at Unilever who led the research said: “Initial findings from our study suggest we might do well to get back to basics and eat a diet for which our bodies have evolved. With its mix of lean meat, fresh fish and a very broad variety of plant-based foods, our ancient ancestors’ diet was different from what most of us consume today. Furthermore, the human genome has not had time to respond to radical recent changes in our diet and therefore human physiology is at odds with the vast majority of modern diets.

“The great thing is we didn’t have to invent a time machine to do this study – all the ingredi-

ents needed for the Palaeolithicmeal could be readily purchased.”

Prof Gary Frost from Imperial College London said the initial findings could have other profound benefits: “Up to now surgery has often been the only viable solution to tackle chronic obesity but this research has exciting future possibilities of opening up a genuine alternative to gastric surgery. The observation that Palaeolithic diet leads to an increase in PYY raises the possibility of designing a diet that would act as a sort of nutritional bypass.”

Dr Frances Bligh, Lead Scientist at Unilever said the team now plans to work with academic colleagues to investigate some of these effects further. “We want to see if the findings could be applied to foods of the future,” he stated.

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P

HARMACEUTICAL firms have been asked to fund research and development of indigenous herbal plants.

These herbs produce plant materials containing ingredients that can provide medical and health benefits, researchers at the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Lagos, have said.

Speaking when students from the Department of Plant Science and applied Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State visited the agency, a Chief Research Officer (CRO), Emmanuel Orgah, said if pharmaceutical companies fund researches, all stakeholders would be better for it.

The students, who are in their final year, came to acquaint themselves with the vast potentials of natural products, ethno-botany and its application, traditional

How firms can aid medical research medicine knowledge and practices.

Orgah said the students should not allow their interests in traditional medicine to wane, as there is a growing global interest in alternative health products and resurgence in the use of medicinal herbs to improve health or alleviate the symptoms of a wide range of ailments, which is on the increase.

“Herbs are leaves, roots and flowers of plants grown and processed for culinary, cosmetic, industrial, medicinal, decorative, flavoring and fragrance purposes. There are three ways raw flora can yield wealth: sold as raw material; sold as extracts of various degrees of refinement and sold as molecular models for synthesising new drugs. The most popular herbal products

are laxatives, weight-loss remedies, immune system enhancers, sexual performance aids, anti-ageing remedies and products to relieve anxiety and stress. Certified organic production increases the acceptance of herbs.”

Orgah who titled his presentation, “Exploiting the wealth in the green estate”, said opportunities abound in traditional medicine which the students can explore.

They include but not limited to enthusiasm to have ‘natural’ life styles and use environment friendly products; resurgence of interest on natural products drugs, cosmetics; absence of cures for deadly diseases; absence of proper cures for chronic ailments; disabilities during ageing and resistance build up by microbes to modern

drugs.

“I have identified threats to herbal plants to include lack of proper quality raw materials; banning of exports of medicinal plants; stringent regulations for control and loss of traditional knowledge. But with your determination and mine, traditional medicine will take its rightful place.”

The Director-General, Dr Tam Okujagu, hailed the students for their interest in traditional medicine, saying: “I am happy that these youths have expressed desire in herbal plants. It is my desire to stimulate greater enthusiasm and dedication in science, technology and innovation generally, especially with regards to natural product research and development and growth of

this great nation. You are following a right path. This exposure maximises the learning experience of the trainees, and has been fingered as perhaps a contributory factor to their outstanding performance among peers.”

The Course Coordinator, Dr Joseph Ashidi, said the excursion was a stimulating experience and has encouraged the students in choosing careers in Pharmaceutical Botany and Medicinal Plants Research and other natural products development activities.

“This excursion alone carries 15 per cent in the overall assessment of the course and also will help the students in preparation for their examinations.”

The students were guided on a tour of the agency by Director of Research, Mr Sam Etatuvie, another course coordinator, Mrs Roseline Feyisola.

46

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

NATURAL HEALTH

Urine leakage in adult men and women M

RS Ronke Nkpokor, my sister's daughter, reminds me always of one of her female friends who is a sad woman. She is one of the thousands of people who have no control over their bladders. That means urine leaks out of their bodies uncontrollably. In this woman's case, a catheter inserted into her urinary tract during childbirth was left there longer than it was medically safe. The result was that the muscle at the neck of the bladder which controls urine voiding became too relaxed from want of work to do, and never got into the mood to work again. Medically, doctors insert a catheter into the bladder to bring out urine when the patient appears unable to do this effectively. This sends the bladder controls on vacation which, as in this woman's case, became a permanent holiday. When Ronke brought her home and explained this woman's problem to all of us, we contributed money regularly to help her with lifestyle adjustment.

She had to wear sanitary pads to mop the leakage, and these had to be changed every few hours to prevent urine smelling on her body. Hers was a life one would not wish one's worst enemy.

This condition is medically known as urinary incontinence.

Many people suffer from different varieties of it for different reasons. There are men and women who are otherwise healthy but are unable to hold urine in the bladder until they arrive in a toilet and voluntarily let go. It is so embarrassing to some women that they have to carry an extra brief or two in their bags or wear a pad whenever they are outdoor. Men are not so lucky because the pad cannot come to their rescue in this matter.

Not a disease, but…

People who suffer from urinary incontinence will feel happy somewhat to learn that doctors do not classify this condition as disease. But, even then, it is the sign of a disease! As already stated, there are many possible causes, and that means different types, of urinary incontinence. Basically, this condition is often categorised into four • Stress incontinence • Urge incontinence • Overflow incontinence, and • Mixed incontinence

Stress incontinence In this type, there may have been damage to muscles of the bladder, or they may have become weakened by one factor or another. Naturally, there are stretch muscles in the bladder.

They keep stretching as the bladder is being filled with urine until they reach their elastic limit. That is when we feel the urge to void. The urge is a message the bladder sends to the brain which, in turn, the brain sends to us. We may decide to void immediately, or hold it for some time. Should we decide to hold it, we should remember we are making the stretch muscles overwork, and that this may be putting them under undue pressure which could make them age prematurely.

Someday, in old age, we would definitely reap a bountiful harvest of the seeds we had thus sown and possibly forgotten.

Sometimes, these muscles may have become so weakened from overwork or lack of proper muscle tone due to poor nutrition, that sneezing or coughing or laughing or a simple task such as lifting a baby may eject urine past the bladder sphinter muscle, the gatekeeper at the neck of the bladder.

Sometimes, the stress on the bladder may come from damage to muscles and nerves in the pelvis floor. This may occur during surgery to remove, say the uterus or the prostate gland.

Urge incontinence We feel a sudden urge. But, uncontrollably, we let go some urine before we arrive in the toilet. This may be due to damage to nerves which connect the brain to the bladder. This type is, sometimes, also called overactive bladder. The soft muscles of such a bladder contract and relax irreverently in a spasm which ejects urine.

Overflow incontinence The causes are still not well known. In this condition, the bladder is often full, and any top up from the kidneys stimulates a corresponding involuntary ejection below to maintain equilibrium. It has been suggested that, thorough fare in the bladder may have been obstructed by a number of events, such as prostate enlargement, infections, and nerve damage/ disturbances due to stroke, Parkinson's disease, anxiety, depression, fibromagalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), among many others.

There are other types of incontinence, such as gestational, which occurs during pregnancy when the womb presses on the bladder, and functional incontinence, developed when cognition diminishes or fails, such as in dementia, strokes and injuries, especially to the spinal column. Edgar Caycee would speak of "Spinal sublisation", a condition in which nerves from the spinal column which communicate with the urinary system cannot connect effectively.

Natural treatments These include improvement of nerve tone, clearance of bladder infections, and avoidance of foods which irritate the bladder such as black pepper and caffeine, and exercise of the pelvic floor muscles. Dr. Arnold H. Kegel gave the world the idea of the pelvic floor excises now named after him….

KEGEL'S EXERCISE. It involves contracting and relaxing pelvic floor muscles for one to two seconds initially, five times a day, and, increasing the tenure. As recommended by Dr. Kegel, I often suggest this exercise, which can be checked on the internet for details, to men who suffer from premature ejaculation caused by nerve Inco-ordination. Dr. Kegel himself reports a wide range of benefits, even for women who have

attracts more power through support from similar forms, and cause the manifesting and experiencing of that seed we sowed as fear.

I still long to see Ronke's friend, to know if she has been able to solve her problem. Before we lost contact, I had introduced her to a plant the Yorubas call PATANMO (r.r.m).

This name translates as "close the lap" you know, that's what Yoruba parents or elders tell girls or young women who don't sit right, throwing their legs anyhow. This plant called TOUCH ME NOT in English, has the characteristic of recoiling and literally closing up whenever anyone touches it.

That was how it came by this name. Research into Yoruba folklore medicinal plants suggests that it is astringent that stops bleeding which is why it may be good for excessive menstruation. If it helps to build nerve sensitivity and energy and nerve damage is the cause unabating urine flow in Ronke's friend, couldn't this plant help her? That was, and still is, my reasoning. Perhaps it will work also for everyone beset with urinary inconsistence challenge.

Farewell, Prof Akin - Adewo.

become frigid due to loss of muscle and nerve tone in the pelvic floor and vagina. He says: "Sexual feeling in the vagina is closely related to muscle tone and can be improved through muscle education and resistance exercise. 75 of 123 women complaining explicitly of sexual deficits achieved organism following the training. Says Mayo Clinic of Kegel Exercise: "Kegel's exercise can help you prevent or control urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor problems. Here's a step by step guide to doing Kegel's exercise correctly: • "Kegel's exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles which support the uteries, bladder, small intestine and rectum. You can do Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor muscle training, discreetly just about any time.

• "Start by understanding what Kegel's exercise can do for you - then, follow step-by-step instructions for contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles" Mayo Clinic says many factors can weaken the pelvic floor muscles of women. These include child bearing. It says women need this exercise if they…

• "leak a few drops of urine while sneezing, laughing or coughing • "Have a strong sudden urge to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine • "Leak stool (fecal incontinence)

The Mayo Clinic guide lines are • "Find the right muscles. To identify your pelvic floor muscles, stop urination in midstream. If you succeed, you've found the right muscle.

• "Perform your technique. Once you've identified your pelvic floor muscles, hold the contraction five seconds, try it four or five times in a row. Work up to keeping the muscles contracted for 10 seconds between contractions.

• "Maintain your focus. For best results, focus on tightening only your pelvic floor muscle. Be careful not to flex the muscles in your abdomen, thighs or buttocks. Avoid holding your breath. Instead, breathe freely during the exercises.

• "Repeat three times a day. Aim for at least three sets of 10 repetitions a day. Worldwide, many doctors give helpful tips on lifestyle adjustments.

In terms of therapy, incontinence caused by muscle and nerve spasms, and by infections is easier to deal with. Some researchers experimenting with magnesium for woman who had spasms of the calf muscles found, to their surprise, that women in the experiment group who had urinary incontinence attributabled to nerve and muscle spasms recovered from the condition as they did with their calf muscles problems. When it comes to infections, a large body of botanical medicines, including Aloe Vera, Crambery, Golden seal root, Echinacea, Apple Cider Vinegar, Grape Seed Extract and the likes of them are helpful. Two Canadian proprietary products which have been showing promise in the Nigerian market are Bell's Kidney Cleanse and Function Tea and Bell's Bladder Control for Women.

Doctors often advise that their patients keep a "bladder diary". That means, if they evacuate the bladder routinely every three hours, they can set for the toilet about 15 Minutes earlier. I noticed that I run a three or four -hour schedule. So, to prevent pressure on my bladder, I do not wait to develop the urge to void before I do, once I notice it is about time. It is suggested, also, that they go easy on fluids. This is a sore point in the Dr F. Batmanghelidj era in which many people gulp bucketfuls, having known of the importance of copious water intake for radiant health. For apart from the danger of dehydration and kidney problems, the body may become acidic. Cutting down on alcohol or abstaining from it is more reasonable, as it is for all diuretic foods and drinks, including grapefruit juice and coffee. Cranberry juice is an exception because, being acidic, it helps to kill off germs in the urinary system to which the bladder belongs. There is a nice point about losing some weight to cut belly fat, as abdominal pressure impacts pressure on the bladder. Fear is the worst enemy of everyone. It is an etheric or astral ladder led down to the world outside the soul. From this world, and through this ladder, those things which we intensively fear do happen to us. Fear is a thought form. When it is reinforced, it becomes more vigorous, it

e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com

Last week, Prof. Oluyemi Akin - Adewo sneaked out of this earth. I say "sneaked out" because he served no serious notice. I met him in the 1990s through Folashade Adetutu Koyi, who then was a natural health reporter at the Guardian newspaper of which I was Director of Publications and Editor - in - Chief. Prof Akin - Adewo was the director general of the Federal Government owned College of Natural Medicine at No 9, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Dr Omoseindemi an orthodox medical doctor, who is now the Chairman of the Traditional Medicine Board in Lagos State, was a teacher at the college.

Prof Akin - Adewo was sent to the college by the surprising ministry, the Federal Ministry of Sciences and Technology, whose minister, General Momah , approved the college after he was thrilled by the results of some herbs which Mrs. Elizabeth Kafaru, now of blessed memory, gave to some members of his staff to treat certain ailments. At that time the Federal Ministry of Health was distancing itself from herbalists because its leading lights were orthodox doctors.

The college was not the original idea of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. It was in the proposal of the then Nigerian Council of Physician of Natural Medicine led

by Dr (Bishop) Magnus Atilade as President, Dr Samuel Fafure as his deputy and Dr Marcus Dawodu as Secretary.

They wanted an institution in which they would impart their knowledge to young Nigerians, carry out research and produce Nigerian healing herbal formulas, develop them into proprietary products, which would be sold in Nigeria and overseas. As a re-assurance that government funds would not be spent irreverently, the Council proposed that Federal Ministry of Science and Technology appoint from the civil service a director-general as executive head of the college. The proposal was accepted and Akin-Adewo became the chief executive.

The dream was to become aborted because the Council would later withdraw in body and soul, claiming the civil service had hijacked the project. The Council had the guts to do so because, under the enabling protocol, it would sign and issue certificates to students and any appropriation of this function by another authority within that law would be illegal. Prof Akin - Adewo ably kept the boat sailing, nevertheless, until his retirement when he began to try his hands on other endeavors in Alternative Medicine. But there is no doubt that the crisis stalled advancement of Nigeria's Traditional Medicine. Dr. Marcus Dawodu set up a school in Ejigbo area of Lagos where he imparted his knowledge and his wife taught aromatherapy he even published a monthly journal. But death soon took him away. Dr Fafure had a beautiful product, PAPITEETH. When one of the reporters of The COMET newspaper suffered from an excruciating root canal problem and had no money for the expensive dental surgery, I told her I had a bottle of Papited which must have ‘expired’ by one year.

She tried it. And it resolved the problem. When a rift tore the Council apart, he offered his services to the splinter group which formed the Federal College of Alternative aid Complementary Medicine (FEDCAM) in Abuja with Federal government funding. But the group soon wound up business. Dr Atilade continued to soldier on, but feebly, with FEDCAM - Lagos which, often, was threatened with gross underfunding.

It was given to Otunba Olajuwon Okubena, who makes JOBELYN, to reconcile all the groups, including Prof Akin - Adewo's. Okubena wanted Nigeria to honour its treaty on traditional medicine with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Union (AU). In year 2000, WHO directed member nations to elevate traditional medicine, through law, funding education and supervision, to the level of orthodox medicine and perhaps beyond it, since about 80 percent of the world's population relies on it. Okubena financed about three reconciliation meetings, the fruits of which are yet to ripen for harvesting.

Meanwhile, in 2013, Nigeria is still a long way from 2010, whereas South Africa and Ghana, among other progressive countries, have honoured these treaties. This is the situation in which Prof Akin - Adewo left us all. I knew his blood sugar often fired dangerously up, and he once complained of floaters in the eyes. Two days before his passage, he telephoned me to say he was in hospital to treat an ulcer and he wanted me to follow up on it after his discharge. I little realised the "Ulcer" was a far more serious condition which had caused ascitis (fluid buildup) and respiratory emergency through which he took his bow. We will all remember him and miss

Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

47

INDUSTRY

Lekki Port to generate $361b

T

HE Lekki Deep Sea Port at the Lagos Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) will generate $361billion during its concession, Managing Director of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise, Mr. Haresh Aswani, has said.

The Port is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2016.

Speaking during a tour of the project, Aswani said it would be sponsored by a Singapore-based conglomerate, Tolaram Group, in collaboration with the Federal and Lagos State governments.

The company will hold 60 per cent shareholding equity and the Federal and Lagos State government, 20 per each.

He said N128 billion ($800 million) had so far been spent on the project.

“The $1.53 billion Lekki Port project will have an aggregate impact of $361billion on the Nigerian economy over the period of the concession,” he said.

According to him, when completed, the Port which occupies 90 hectres of land, will serve as a multipurpose facility that will handle major types of cargo such as containers and liquid bulk among others.

Stories by Toba Agboola

The port, he said, would bridge the projected demand capacity gap for Apapa Port.

He said $800 million about N128 billion had been provided by the banks , while Lagos has also made its financial commitment.

The Federal Government is yet to provide its own $117million Aswani said: “The new Lekki Port has capacity to accommodate larger vessels, offers optimised storage area and ease of expansion, the state-of-theart equipment as well to facilitate relocation of Tank Farms.

“In addition, it is expected to contribute more than $361billion to the economy while also creating close to 170,000 new jobs . Furthermore, Lekki Port will spur the economic development around the Lekki sub-region and on a wider perspective, the Lagos State through rapid industrialisation.

“In a bid to ensure, smooth and efficient operations, Lekki Port has engaged the services of leading global consultants

such as the Louis Berger Group Inc; Delta Marine Consultant and Berger ABAM .The container terminal has been subconcessioned to International Container Terminal Services, Inc, Philippines.

The EPC construction contract has been issued on a turn key basis to China Harbour Engineering Company which mobilized their men and machinery in August 2012 and is already in the last lap of pre-construction investigations and site preparation activities.

“Lekki Port has been conceptualized on the basis of a significant gap in projected demand and capacity, needed to be met in conveying goods to and from Nigeria”.

The Project manager , Lekki Port, Tejaswi Vanamali said the strategic location, optimal layout and modern facilities provide Lekki Port a distinct competitive edge over any other port facility in West Africa.

He said the Lagos State involvement and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in the project demonstrates their confidence in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to bridge

•From left: Chairman Shongai Packaging Inudistry Ltd., Mr. Arjan Mirchandani, Founder; Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga at an event in Abuja.

the gaps in infrastructure development.

He said: “Our commitment to ensuring that we meet the scheduled operational date has seen us spare nothing in achieving it. As at today, we are happy to confidently say that all market engineering and impact studies have been completed over the last six years, likewise the Lekki port site has been

gazetted as port area by the Federal Government.

It is important to note that the Environmental Import Assessment study (EIA) has been fully completed with World Bank guidelines.

“Container terminal sub-concession has been awarded to International Common User Terminal Operator (ICTSI) focusing on emerging markets af-

ter a tedious competitive bidding.

“Also, Shareholders agreement has been signed between the sponsors, NPA and the Lagos State Government.

We are very much on course and in no distant time, Nigerians and the entire West African region would witness a evolution never seen before”.

BoI wants AGOA amended

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•From left: Chairman,Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Lagos Chapter Mrs Catherine George; National President, BCPG, Mr Kunle Awobodu; Director - General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria(SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu and Director, Special Duties (SON) George Okeke during the BCPG delegates visit to SON office in Lagos

Govt to review Trade Fair Complex ally find a Special Purpose VeHE concessioning of hicle or concessionaire that will concession the Lagos Interna manage its own area of the comtional Trade Fair Com-

T

plex (LITFC) to Aulic Nigeria Limited, will be reviewed, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Invstment, Mr Samuel Ortom has said.

In a statement in Abuja at a meeting with a committee raised to resolve the dispute among operators at the complex,Ortom said the review was recommended by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) at its meeting in January.

Ortom is the Chairman of the committee set up by the NCP to implement its recommendations on the LITFC concession.

Among the NCP’s 15-point recommendations was renegotiation of the contract between the Ministry of Trade and LITFC Management Board by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

According to him, the NCP

recommendations are based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by parties to the dispute.

He said the MoU was brokered by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on activities of the BPE from 1999 to date.

The NCP also recommended that the area of the complex occupied by the traders associations should be removed from the total area of the concession to the concessionaire.

Ortom assured representatives of the aggrieved traders associations that they would be taken away from the concession contract.

“We are also going to undertake a facility and financial audit and verification of your own portion of the complex to ascertain who the operators are and their status.

“At the end, we will eventu-

plex.’’

The minister pledged the commitment of the committee toward amicable resolution of the dispute to pave way for the development of the complex to international standard.

Ortom urged the stakeholders to quickly correct the committee where they thought it was going wrong, saying that he had no personal interest in the dispute.

It was reported recently that the concession won by Aulic Nigeria Ltd. in 2008, had been halted by protracted dispute between LITFC Forum of Stakeholders and BPE. The stakeholders had petitioned the National Assembly describing the concessioning as a breach of subsisting lease agreements between them and the management of the complex.

HE Bank of Industry (BoI) has called on the United States to review the American Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA ). The BoI said the review is imperative because Nigerian products have not benefited from the Act .

BoI Managing Director, Ms Evelyn Oputa made this call during the visit of the delegates from the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs to the bank. who was represented by the General Manager, Operations BoI, Mr. Joseph Babatunde said the nation still faced with challenges hindering its products from entering the US market.

He called for a possible extension of the AGOA, which is scheduled to terminate by 2015.

She said the objective of the visit is to interact with officials from the United States to review the AGOA act which is scheduled to terminate by 2015.

According to her, the Nigerian businesses is faced with myriad of challenges in terms of packaging, high cost of doing business and the likes but stressed that the AGOA resource centre would address some of

these challenges.

“We expect that with the reforms in the power sector, before the end of next year, the power situation would have improved helping the huge Nigerian market witness significant improvements. We believe that if we put all this in the card and with a little extension of the act, we should be ready to benefit fully from the act,” she said.

The Head of the delegation and Senior Advisor, Global Economic Competitiveness, Mrs Gunaratine Rubin said the visit is to learn about the impact of AGOA in Nigeria.

She stated that Nigeria is the largest exporter to the United States under the AGOA act .She expressed satisfaction about the return on the act and also called for the need to build the relationship that exist between both countries.

She pointed out that there are lot of resources available in Nigeria to boost its export potentials maintaining that the nation has improved its competitiveness in its local market and the global market place.

“We want to commend BoI for the AGOA resource centre where it has embarked on different training

programmes training people that are interested in exporting to the United States, we are very hopeful and we see opportunities in this regard,” she said.

She said the act is a Statutory Trade Preference Program that allows duty-free entry of certain goods from Sub-Saharan Africa countries and noted that it is a comprehensive program of Trade preferences unilaterally applied by the United States.

“It was signed into law May 18, 2000 as part of the Commerce & Development Act of 2000. “AGOA III” extends legislation beyond its current expiration date of 2008 to 2015,” she said.

AGOA presents duty and quota free incentives to over 6,400 products. A total of 4,600 of these products qualify for elimination of tariffs under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) of the U.S.A and an additional 2000 products now included under AGOA that are import sensitive under the GSP. Nigeria and thirty-eight of the 48 Sub-Saharan African countries are eligible for AGOA. Nigeria secured its AGOA eligibility in October 2, 2000.

‘Technical, vocational training can create 3m jobs’

A

T least, three million jobs will be created if the Federal Government focuses on technical and vocational skills training to fight unemployment, the National Vice President , National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Oba Michael Adesina, has said.

Speaking with The Nation, Oba Adesina lamented that the

dearth of appropriate technical and vocational education in the country is responsible for the poor operation and maintenance of infrastructural facilities across the country.

He said the development has given foreign investors excuse to import middle level workers into the country and has also led to unemployment in the country.

He urged Federal Govern-

ment to develop research institutes by allocating adequate funds for them was noting that such institutions are crucial to job creation.

“What is required is linkages between relevant stakeholders here. Research institutions and organised private sector because science and technology are drivers of development” he said.

48

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N

S/N

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

1. Oriakhi Thomas late of Block 101 Flat 14, 34th Road, Gowon Estate, Ipaja Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of July, 2012 at Lagos.

2. Mrs Grace Akpan Sunday (Otherwise known as Mrs Grace Sunday Akpan ) late of Behinde Godo Blocks Ibereko Badagry , Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of August, 2011 at General Hospital Badagry.

3. Iredia Johnson Eronmonsele (Otherwise known as Johnson Eronmonsele Afekolu) late of 2, Wemi Akinsola Street, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of September, 2011 at Lagos.

4. Raimi Bello (Otherwise known as Bello Raheem ) late of 23, Franklin Street, Apapa road, Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of February, 2013 at Lagos.

5. Otuya Christopher (Mr) late of 20, Tunde Akinsola Street, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of July, 2012 at Lagoon Hospital Apapa.

6. Usman Mariam Lami (Miss) (Otherwise known as Mariam Usman) late of 7, Olori Shade Street, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of August, 2012 at Kogi State.

7. Agbeye Kolawole late of 32, Felix Aderi Street, Tedi Ojo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of April, 2012 at Abuja.

8. Mr Etima Ezekiel Udottong (Otherwise known as Etima Udottong ) late of 35, Jemtok Street, Ago, Okota Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of August, 2012 at Lagos.

9. Mr Micheal Alaba Onagoruwa (Otherwise known as Chief Onagoruwa Michael Alaba ) late of No. 7, Ayodele Street, Onike Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of May, 2007 at Onike Yaba.

10.Okolo Victor late of 16/18 Igbehinadun Street, Ojodu Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of December, 2012 at Lagos.

11.Emmanuel Olajide Ayara late of Customs House Onne, Port Harcourt Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of April, 2012 at Ikpeshi Akoko-Edo Local Government Area Edo State.

12.Madaki Philip (Otherwise known as Madaki CPL Philip) late of Police Workshop Block C Flat 6, Mopol 23 Barrack Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of August, 2012 at Koji State.

13.Pa Sanya David Olaniyan (Otherwise known as Pa David Olaniyan Sanya) late of 321, Agege Motor Road, Olorunsogo Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of August, 2000 at Lagos.

14.Udoh Okon Dennis (Otherwise known as Mr Dennis Udoh) late of 16, Faleye Street, Akute Via Ojodu Berger, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of May, 2012 at Ogun State.

15.Mr Friday Umoh Akpanta (Otherwise known as Akpanta Friday Umo) late of No. 1, Ogunbambi Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of August, 2010 at Akwa Ibom.

16.Mrs Tabansi Sophia Chika (Otherwise known as Igwilo and Chika Tabansi) late of No. 5, Olowe Street, Alemu Ijanikin Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of February, 2011 at Badagry Lagos State.

17.Madam Humani Jatto late of 2, Craig Street, Somolu Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of June, 1993 at Lagos.

18.Nwabudike Theresa Uzoemezie (otherwise known as Nwabudike Ozoemezie Theresa) late of Close 43, House 11, Satellite Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of July, 2012 at Lagos.

19.Mr Ayodeji Festus late of 6, Dele Ojo Street, Unity Estate, Ibiye, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of March, 2011 at General Hospital Igbokoda 20.Mr Okon Udoh (Otherwise known as Okon Udo Ikpoto) late of 21, Olori Street, Shogunle Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of November, 2012 at Ituk Mbang.

21.Ezra Jeremiah Kayode late of 1, J.K. Ezra Street, Agbado, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of October, 2008 at Lagos.

22.Okolie Patrick Chukwudobe (Otherwise known as Mr Patrick Chukwudode Okolie) late of 19, Bankole Odunse Abaranje Ikotun Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of April, 2011 at Ikotun, Lagos.

23.Mr Adisa Adesina (Otherwise known as Adesina Adisa) late lof 74, Oniwaya Road, Off Afa Nla Road, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of November, 2007 at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos.

24.Veronica Ibijoke Akesode late of Mission Road, ore Ondo State deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of July, 2002 at Lagos University Teaching Hospital Lagos.

25.Mukaila Abdulkareem O. (otherwise known as Abdulkareem Mukaila and Mukaila Olawale Abdulkareem) late of 6, Oshineye Street, Pedro Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of February, 2012 at Ilorin 26.Okonkwo- Ejeh Chinedu Paulinus (Otherwise known as Okonkwo Ejeh Chinedu and Okonkwoejeh Chinedu Paulinus) late of 17, Ladoke Akintola Street, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of July, 2012 at Luth, Idi Araba.

27.Mr Ezekiel Taiwo Adekunbi (Otherwise known as Adekunbi Ezekiel Taiwo) late of 19, Ayodele Street, Fadeyi Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of August, 1953 at Lagos.

28.Mr Sylvester Eseigbe (Otherwise known as Mr Eseigbe Sylvester and Mr Eseigbe Sylvester Imosili) late of 4, Asalu Street, Off Abaranje Road, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of November, 2012 at Lagos.

29.Alli-Balogun Wakilat Jokotola (otherwise known as Alhaja Jokotola Alli Balogun) late of AD13, Shagari Estate, Epe Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

30.Alo James Oladapo late of 5B, Onikoyi Savage Street, Off Fagba Road, Iju Ishaga,Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of October, 2012 at Ilesa Osun State.

31.Mwo John Ugwu (Otherwise known as Ugwu John) late of Flat 129, Senior Rates Quarters Navy Town, Ojo deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of May, 2011 at Navy Hospital, Ojo. 32.Mr Oladosu Lukumon Sunday (Otherwise known as Oladosu Lukman Sunday) late of 6, Onasanya Street, Shomolu Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of October, 2012 33.Corporal Matthew Andres (Otherwise known as Sunday Mathew Andrew) late of 2, Itoga Road, Badagry Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of December, 2012 at Lagos.

34.Kareem Yinusa Ayinla (Otherwise known as Mal. Yinusa Kareem) late of 26, Kumuyi Street, Ajegunle, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of September, 2007 at Lagos.

35.Mr Gabriel Ejogo (Otherwise known as Mr Gabriel Ifeanyi Ejogo) late of Flat 24, Block U, Police Barrack Ikeja deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of December, 2010 at Ikeja.

36.Hassan Momoh late of 2, Daniya Street, Oniwaya Road, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of September, 2009 at Lagos.

37.Adebayo Saudat Iyabode (Otherwise known as Mrs Saoudat Iyabode Adebayo) late of 15, Jam-Sheriff Street, Ijagemo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

38.Rev. (Dr) Ige Olumide Olatunbosun Ishola (Otherwise known as Ige Olumide Olatunbosun Ishola) late of 1,Faith Estate Along Abeokuta Expressway Sango, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of April, 2008 at Abeokuta.

39.James kalu Uzor late of 21, Akin Lasisi Street, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of October, 2012 at Lagos.

40.Sumaila Kadiri late of 92, Alhaji Mumuni Street, Ilogbo Road, Ajangbadi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

41.Olaiya Noah Ishola late of 2, Kayode Folawewo Street, Temidire Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of July, 2012 at Sango, Ota. 42.Shiroma Aliyu late of 11, Church Street, Shomolu Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of September, 2012 at Lagos.

43.79NA/188298 SGT Adeyemi Yakubu (Otherwise known as Adeyemi Yakubu Johnson ) late of House 64, Room 4, Barracks Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of August, 2012 at Portharcourt.

44.Subaru Kadijat Olamiposi (otherwise known as Mrs Subaru Olamiposi Kadijat) late of 20, Ojomo Amaka Street,Ikorodu, deceased who died iantestate on the 29th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

45.Jamiu Yusuff Olatunji (Otherwise known as J.Y.Olatunji Trading Store and Olatunji Jamiu Yusuff) late of 8, Olatunji Street, Egbe Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of July, 2012 at Lagos.

46.Mrs Adedoyin Dorcas Ayodele (otherwise known as Mrs Ayodele Adedoyin Dorcas) late of 14, Apostle Famuyiwa Avenue, Off College Road, Ifako Ijaye, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of July, 2011 at U.C.H. Ibadan.

47.Mr Samuel Amalachukwu Achunike Egbuna (Otherwise known as Egbuna Sam) late of 11, Dele Kuti Street, Ebute Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of August, 1987 at Enugu 48.Babatunde Sunmonu Akanni late of 13, Ilogbo Eremi Street, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of May, 2010 at Lagos.

49.Mr Johnson Adenuga Taiwo Idowu (Otherwise known as Johnson Adenuga Idowu ) late of 50, Owoseni Street, Bolade Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of June, 2008 50.Aliu Raufu (Aka Aliyu Raufu) (Otherwise known as Aliyu Raufu ) late of 10, Lawal Akapo Street, Ijora, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of February, 2008 at Lagos.

51.Azeez Amidu Onaolapo late of 4, Ayofe Adeniyi Street, Majiyagbe Layout Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of August, 2010 at Lasuth.

52.Mathaias Chukwujekwu Nwadiegwu (Otherwise known as Major Mathias C. Nwadiegwu) late of 7th Avenue, E Close, House 5, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of December, 2011 at Imo State.

53.Mr Okon Edet (otherwise known as Edet Okon) late of 27, Oyenuga Off Omilani Street, Ijeshatedo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of September, 2011 at Lagos State Medical Centre.

54.Michaed Edokhagba Imanah late of 9, Akanbi Street, Tapa Town Ikorodu, Laos, deceased who died ikntestate on the 19th day of September, 2010 55.Elder Senbanjo Tunde (Otherwise known as Motunde Olaseni Senbanjo) late of Plot 12, Block 33, Lekki Phase I, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of July, 2009 at Lagos 56.Kabir Ayodeji Abatan (Otherwise known as Mr Ayodeji Abatan Kabir) late of 1, Ibinuodankan Street, off Nureni Yusuf Road, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of January, 2012 at Owerri Imo State.

57.Mr Lasisi Oladeji (Otherwise known as Oladeji Lasisi ) late of 4, Akinjobi Street, Ijegun Road, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of May, 2007 at Lagos.

58.Mr Muda Salami (Otherwise known as Salami Muda) late of 6, Evelyn Onwuanmo Street, River Ville Ojodu Estate, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of December, 2012 at Lagos.

59.Mrs Emilia Ayodele Aboaba (Nee Pitt) (Otherwise known as Mrs Emilia Ayodele Soyombo Aboaba) late of House 7, P Close 3rd Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of October, 1985 at Lagos.

60.Ajing Raphael late of NO. 55, Mosalasi Street, Sari Iganmu Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of November, 2012 at Lagos.

61.Etukudo Akanimo Jonathan (Otherwise known as Mr Akanimo Jonathan Etukudo) late of 2, Oshidehinde Ore Off Realm Glory Church deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of December, 2011 at Emma -Mongs Hospital.

62.Mr Azamegbe John (otherwise known as Mr John Azamegbe) late of Line 'B' Room '2' Area 'F' Police Barrack Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of August, 2012 at Ogun State.

63.Bernard O.A.Orbih late of House 213, D Close, 208 Road, Festac Town, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of September, 1996 at Lagos.

64.Komolafe Ayoola (Otherwise known as Samson Ayoola Komolafe) late of 3, Mercy Avenue Ayetoro Ayobo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of November, 2012 at Igando , Lagos.

65.Popoola Oluwole, late of 9, Aloba Street, Moricaz Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

66.Samuel Fakayode Peter (Otherwise known as Mr Fakayode Peter Samuel) late of 18, Alabede Aboru Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of July, 2010 at Ogun State.

67.Nkagbu Bessie Nwobiara (Otherwise known as Nkagbu N. Bessie) late of 6, Onwudinati Close, Satelitte Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of March, 2012 at Abia State.

68.Alhaji Mukaila Adeshina (Otherwise known as Alh. Mukaila Adeshina) late of 5, Ebun Oluwa Street, Onilekere Off Cement Bus Stop Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of January, 2012 at Owode idi Iroko.

69.Lawal Olushola late of 4, Oyedeji Close, Ijaiye Ojokoro Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of November, 2012 at Ogun State.

70.Mrs Oluwafemi Olaitan Hanna (Otherwise known as Olaitan Oluwafemi) late of the Apostolic Faith Compound Anthony Village Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of August, 2012 at General Hospital Gbagada.

71.Adelegan Christopher Adegboyega late of 41, Agoro Street, Mushin Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

72.Mrs Udo Awasi Comfort late of 16, Ayinla Akinsola Street, Iyana Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of September, 2012 at Lagos 73.Orunto Ganiyu (Sgt) (Otherwise known as Mr Ganiyu Orunto) late of 112, Akowonjo Road, Akowonjo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

74.Alhaji Yusoof Hamed Adisa (Otherwise known as Alh. Yusoof Hamed Adisa) late of 91, Hospital Road, Badagry, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of September, 2012 at Badagry.

75.Eruemegbe Dickson late of 107, Mosafejo Road, Amukoko Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

1. Mrs Theresa Oriakhi and Faith Oriakhi both of Block 101, Flat 14 34th Road, Gowon Estate, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

2. Miss Akpan Glory Vera of Behinde Godo Blocks Ibereko, Badagry Lagos the only child of the said deceased.

3. Elizabeth Iredia and Iredia paul Efosa both of 10, Adekanbi Tailor Close, Oke Ira Ogba, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

4. Iyabo Bello and Bello Tajudeen both of 23, Franklin Street, Apapa Road, Ebute Metta, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

5. Mrs Otuya Ngozi and Oghali Christian both of 16, Alade Raji Street, Ikotun Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

6. Yusuf Usman, Aminat Yusuf Usman and Ahmodu Yusuf Usman all of 7, Olori Shade Street, Agege, Lagos, father, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

7. Olajide Agbeye of 32, Felix Aderi Street, Ojo and Bukola Agbeye of 23, Tedi Muwo Road, Ojo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

8. Mrs Iboro Etima Udottong of 35, Jemtok Street, Ago Okota, Mrs Mfoniso Udottong of IkotAkpankuk, Ukanafun Akwa Ibom and Miss Nkaiso Udottong of 1, Odejayi Crescent, Surulere, Lagos widow , mother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

9. Mrs Arinola Sadare and Mrs Bolajoko Adeyemi both of No. 7, Ayodele Street, Onike Yaba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

10.Christopher Okolo and Elizabeth Okolo both of 16/18 Igbehinadun Street, Ojodu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

11.Mrs Abigail Aduke Ayara and Ayara Clement Efi both of 19, Ganiyu Adeyinka Adeyiga Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

12.Grace Philip Madaki and James Sunday both of Police Workshop Block C Flat 6, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

13.Abiodun Sanya, Remi Adeyanju (Nee Sanya) Olufunmilayo Sanya and Victoria Adeyemi (Nee Sanya ) all of 321, Agege Motor Road, Olorunsogo Mushin, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased.

14.Mrs Alice Udoh and Udoh Ubonabasi Dennis both of 16, Faleye Street, Akute Via Ojodu Berger Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

15.Mrs Regina U. Akpanta and John Akpanta Umoh both of No. 1, Ogunbambi Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

16.Mr Tabansi Keluo of No. 5 Olowe Street, Alemu Ijanikin Lagos and Mr Rowland Igwilo of No. 1, Chief Rowland King Close, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Lagos widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

17.Alhaja Raliatu Ajoke Koleosho of 2, Craig Street, Somolu Lagos the only child of the said deceased.

18.Patrick Nwabudike and Florence Nwabudike both of Close 43 House 11, Satelite Town, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

19.Mrs Bukola Ayodeji and Mr Temitope Ayodeji both of 6, Dele Ojo Street, Ibiye Lagos, widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

20.Pastor Gabriel Okon Udoh and Usen Okon Udoh both of 21, Olori Street, Shogunle, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

21.Mrs Elizabeth Ebun Ezra, Dr Taiwo Olugbenga Ezra, Miss Idowu Victoria Ezra and Mr Morenikeji Bamidele Ezra all of I.J.K Ezra Street, Agbado Lagos widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

22.Mrs Ijeoma Okolie of 19, Bankole Odunse Street, Abranje and Mr Augustine Uzokah of No. 47, Oyewole Road, Agege, Lagos, widow and uncle respectively of the said deceased.

23.Alimota Adeshina and Suleha Adeshina both of 77, Oniwaya Road, Afa Nla Agege, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

24.Mr Babatunde Akesode and Adeola Akesode both of Mission road Ore, Ondo State widower and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

25.Shakirat Abdul Kareem and Babatunde Lawal both of No 6 Oshineye Street, Pedro Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

26.Okonkwo Ejeh Chinwendu Celestina and Okadigbo Ijeoma Ezinwanne both of 17, Ladoke Akintola Street, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

27.Miss Arinola Taiwo and Madam Ebunoluwa Taiwo both of 19, Ayodele Street, Fadeyi Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

28.Emmanuel Eseigbe and Mathias Eseigbe both of 4, Asalu Street, Abaranje Road, Two of the children of the said deceased.

29.Mrs Olubukola Adeyemo of 3, Ojo Road, Ijora Olopa Lagos, Temitope Busari of 23, Asiata Street, Orile Iganmu Lagos, and Iyabo Alli Balogun of 2, Oluwole Street, orile Oshodi, Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

30.Mrs Felicia Abeni Alo and Mr Mathew Alo both of No. 5B, Onikoyi Savage Street, Off Fagba Iju Road, Agege, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

31.Mrs Regina Ugwu and Miss Chinyere Ugwu both of Flat 129, Senior Rates Quarters Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

32.Oladosu Aminat of No. 6 Onasanya Street, Shomolu Bariga and Oladosu Olalekan Sakirudeen of 5, Bashua Close Fola Agoro, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

33.Mrs Alikeju Andrew and Mr Eneche Samuel both of 2, Itoga Road, Badagry, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

34.Morufat Kareem and Fatima Bintu Kareem both of 36, Kumuyi Street, Ajegunle , Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

35.Mrs Victoria Ejogo, Kenneth Ejogo and Florence Ejogo all of Flat 24, Block U, Highway Barracks Ikeja , widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

36.Momoh Ayisat (Mrs) and Momoh Adijat Oiza both of 2, Daniya Street, Oniwaya Road, Agege, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

37.Sodiq Adebayo and Mrs Olaide Adesope both of 15, Jam Sheriffs Street, Ijagemo, one of the children and sister respectively of the said deceased.

38.Mrs Ige Olumide Elizabeth Olabisi and Miss Ige Olumide Dolapo Olayinka both of 1, Faith Estate, Along Abeokuta Express way, Sango, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

39.Mrs Evelyn Uzor, Patrick Kalu and Wisdom Uzor Kalu all of 21, Akin Lasisi Street, Lagos, mother and two brothers presecitvely of the said deceased.

40.Mrs Barakatu Kadiri , Miss Moriamo Kadiri and Mr Abudu Kadiri all of 92, Alh. Muniru Street, Ilogbo Ajangbadi Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

41.Olaiya Mukaila Olabanji and Olaiya Toyin Gafar both of 2, Kayode Folawewo Street, Temidire Sango two brothers of the said deceased.

42.Sule Aliyu Shiroma and Muhammed Aliyu Shiroma both of 41/43 Adeyeri Crescent, Ogba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

43.Abidemi Adeyemi and Daniel Adeyemi both of House 64, Room 4 Barracks ,Ikeja , widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

44.Evang Oladeji Folasele of Road II Block 1, Irenitemi Street, Sabo Road, Odo and Mr Bamidele Folasele of Akinyemi Street, Agric Ikorodu Lagos, father and brother respectively of the said deceased.

45.Muritala Olatunji and Aliu Olatunji both of 8, Olatunji Street, Egbe, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

46.Ayodele Olusola and Ayodele Oyindamola both of 14, Apostle Famuyiwa Ifako Ijaiye , Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

47.Mrs Roselind Oguguo Egbuna and Mrs Adaobi Ngozi Ken-Owotor both of 11, Dele Kuti Street, Ebute Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

48.Latifat Adebisi and Adenike A. Babatunde both of 13, Ilogbo Eremi Street, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

49.Mrs Comfort Olayinka Idowu and Mrs Olubunmi A. Matthew both of 50, Owoseni Street, Bolade Oshodi, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased 50.Suwebat Aliu and Musibau Aliu both of No. 10, Lawal Akapo Street, Ijora Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

51.Azeez Bilikis Arike, Azeez Aminat Oyebola and Azeez Yakubu Oyebode all of 4, Ayofe Adeniyi Street, Majiyagbe Layout, Ipaja, Lagos State, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

52.Emeka Arthur Nwadiegwu and Chinua Matthias Anthony Nwadiegwu both of 7th Avenue E Close, , House 5, Festac , Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

53.Mrs Emilia Okon Edet and Miss Emem Okon Edet both of 27, Oyenuga Street, Ijesha, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

54.Imanah Ohiteme Paul, Imanah Michael Ohikhomounan and Imanah Josephine Blessing all of 9, Akanbi Street, Tapa Town,Ikorodu, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

55.Senbanjo Ronke Damilola, Senbanjo Bukola Kofoworola, Senbanjo Temitope Oreoluwa and Senbanjo Oluwatosin Olatunde all of Plot 12, Block 33, Lekki Phase I, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

56.Mr Oluremi Rebecca Abatan and Tajudeen Olaniyi Abatan both of 1, Ibinuodankan Street, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

57.Fidelia Azuka and Abayomi Yusuf both of Plot A. Block 5, Winners Estate Iyabo Ishefun Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

58.Mrs Yemisi Salami, Mrs Habibat Salami and Mr Kasali Salami all of 6, Evelyn Onwuanmo Street, River Ville Estate, Ojodu, Lagos two widows and father respectively of the said deceased.

59.Mr Michael Kehinde Pitt and Mr Rapheal Taiwo Pitt both of House 7, P close 3rd Avenue Festac Lagos, two cousins of the said deceased.

60.Mrs Enene Cecilia Ajing of 39, Mosalasi Street, Orile and Nkap Cyril Ajing of 39B, Blue Shield Street, Iba Lagos, widow and one of the children respectivedly of the said deceased.

61.Mrs Mary Nkoyo Etukudo and Mkpandiok Etukudo both of No. 2, Oshidehinde Crescent, Off Realm of Glory Church Okota, Isolo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

62.Mrs Bridget Ogbeifun and Mr Festus Ogbeifun both of 3, Lion Power Onmerunmi, Mowe widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

63.Sunday E. Orbih of Orbih's Compound Ivhido Quarters, Ogbona Etsako Central L.G. A. Edo State, the lawful son of the said deceased.

64.Komolafe Elizabeth Omolade and Komolafe Samuel Oluwapelumi both of 3, Mercy Avenue, Ayetoro Ayobo Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

65.Mrs Maria Popoola and Olakunle Popoola both of 9, Aloba Street, Moricaz Agege Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased 66.Samuel Adebimpe Yemisi and Fakayode Iranlowo Francis both of 18, Alabede Aboru Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

67.Chidi Charles Nkagbu of 6, Onwudinati Close, Satelitte Town, Lagos, the only surviving child of the said deceased.

68.Adeshina Abimbola Christiana and Adesina Jumoke both of 5, Ebun Oluwa Street, Onilekere Off Cement Bus Stop Ikeja, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

69.Lawal Kayode and Kunle Akerele both of 4, Oyedeji Close, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

70.Mr Oluwafemi Kayode Daniel and Oluwafemi Deborah Oluwapelumi both of the Apostolic Faith Compound Ground Anthony Village Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

71.Mrs Bukola Falade and Funke Tairu both of 13, Adeyemi Close, Oke Aro Ogun State two of the children of the said deceased.

72.Awasi-Udo Uriel and Udo- Awasi Ini both of 16, Ayinla Akinsola Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

73.Obaseun Davide Olorunto of 114, Akowonjo Road, Akowonjos, Lagos and Stanley Orimiran Olorunto of 25, Adetoro Street, Ikotun Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

74.Mrs Awotunde Ahisi Abosede(Nee Yusoof) and Miss Yusoof Nurat Seyide both of 91, Hospital Road, Badagry, two of the children of the said deceased.

75.Veronica Eruemegbe and Kenneth Eruemegbe both of 107, Mosafejo Road,Amukoko, Apapa, Lagos, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

49

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N

S/N

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

1. Yisa Shoremi late of 5, Seun Nwachi Avenue Idimu Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of September, 2008 at Lagos.

2. Akinola Ilubanwo (Otherwise known as Mr Ilubanwo Akinola Olukayode) late of 18, Sulaimon Soderu Powerline Eyita Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

3. Owhe Felicia Okemuta late of 17, Banire Street, Mushin,Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of September, 2012 at Lagos.

4. Mr Moshood Oladimeji Agbaje (Otherwise known as Agbaje Moshood) late of 33, Ebun Oloyede Street, Kuye Arinwo Off Badagry Express way deceased who died intestate on the 29th dayof April, 2012 at Lagos.

5. Mr Uchechukwuka Patrick (Otherwise known as Patrick Uchechukwukuka and Nwaobi ) late of 15, Sylvett Close Labak Estate Oko Oba Agege deceased who deid intestateonht he 26th day of July, 2012 at Malayisia.

6. Alayo Oluwatoyin Ayinde (Otherwise known as Alayo Oluwatoyin) late of 5, Akinleye Street, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of July, 2012 at Lagos.

7. Onumajuru Andrew (Otherwise known as Andrew Onumajuru) late of 22, Ebun Olorun Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of September, 2012 at Lagos.

8. Sheramang K. Joshua (Otherwise known as Mwocy Sheramang Kajo Joshua and Mwocy Sheramang K.J. ) late of Flat 6, Block 1, D 2 Close, 412 Road, Gowon Estate Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of August, 2012 at Lagos.

9. Elkanah Adedeji Jaiyesimi (Otherwise known as Pa Elkanah Ajibola Adedeji Jayesinmi) late of 14, Akinsanya Street, palm Grove Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

10.Nweke Chima late of 27, Edidi Street, Amukoko, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of November, 2009 at Ota, Ogun State 11.Mr Christopher Aruowa (Otherwise known as Mr Christopher Erhunmwunosere Aruoma) late of Obazuwa Village Ovia North East deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

12.Olubode Olumide late of 4, Arowosegbe Street, Shogunle, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

13.Dawodu Kudirat (Otherwise known as Mrs Kudirat Dawodu and Abiodun) late of 10, Graig Street, Shomolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

14.Mrs Mary Amoke Soyebi (Otherwise known as Mrs Shoyebi Mary) late of 26, Ogunbowale Street, Igbehin Village Ilasamaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

15.Asimiu Olurotimi Animashaun (Otherwise known as Animashaun Asimiu) late of No. 3, Femi Obadipe Street, Sango, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of November, 2008 at Lagos.

16.Mr Emeka Ugwuokemama (Otherwise known as Mr Emeka Manna) late of 14, Sanusi Street, Mushin Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of May, 2012 at Luth 17.Olawale Stephen late of 31, Adekunle Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of September, 2009 at Oke Aro, Ogun State.

18.Omole Alfred Ajibola late of 41, Wole Omosho Egbeda Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

19.Osakuni Benedict Mukoro (Otherwise known as Osakuni Benedict ) late of 7th Avenue I Close House 8, Festac Town, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of January, 2012 at UBTH Benin.

20.Mrs Comfort Abayomi Idowu (Otherwise known as sMrs Idowu Comfort) late of 17, Akinola Street, Igbobi Fadeyi Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

21.Audu Umoru (Otherwise known as Umoru Audu ) late of 27, Fadukade Street, Shogunle , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

22.Kenneth Nzogbu -Onyibe (Otherwise known as Nzogbu- Onyibe Kenneth) late of 6, Alhaji Moliki Street, Governor Road, Kotun , Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

23.Oshodi Josephine Abeke (Otherwise known as Mrs Josephine Oshodi) late of Plot 30, Enitan Street, Aguda Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of September, 1993 at Lagos.

24.Kosoko Kabiawu Rafiu (Otherwise known as Rafiu Kabiawu Kosoko) late of 27, Igiolugbon Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of September, 2012 at Lagos.

25.Effiong Anyang late of 11, Mustapha Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of November, 2011 at Lagos.

26.Ladeji Deborah Moromoke (Otherwise known as D.M. Ladeji) late of 8, Harvey Road Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of May, 2012 at Luth , Idi Araba 27.Bossman Dickson Abiama late of 8, Olagunju Alawaye Street, Alagbado Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of May, 2012 at Lagos.

28.Okeke Lawrence Etisiobinanwa (Otherwise known as Okeke Etisiobinanwa Lawrence) late of 44, Olusesi Street, Ejigbo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of March, 2009 at Osina General Hospital Imo State.

29.Jimoh Obendel late of 11, Ogagun Street, Mile 12, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of December, 2009 at Lagos.

30.Mr Omoigberai Dominic late of 13, Dada Street, Ojuoro Ikorodu Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of March, 2009 at Ondo State.

31.Captain Adegbotolu Francis Oluwole late of 47, Nnamdi Azikwe Road, Railway Compound Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of May, 1996 at Lagos.

32.Raimi Lasisi (Otherwise known as Lasisi Raimi ) late of 1, Rafiu Egemo , Lasu Road, Iyana Iba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of November, 2012 at Lagos State General Hospital Isolo, Lagos.

33.Miss Margaret Ogbekotse Ayemoba late of 1, Shodeinde Hughes Street, Off Iwaya Road, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of July, 2008 at Lagos.

34.Mr James Odeh (ASP) (Otherwise known as ASP James Odeh) late of Block B, Room 7 Ogbudu Mobile Police Barracks Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of August, 2012 at Benue 35.Mr Dolamu Ajibola Elemu (Otherwise known as Elemu Ajibola Dolamu) late of 7, Mosalasi Street, Iponri Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of March, 2011 at Niger State.

36.Igwe Chidera (Miss) late of 7, Sanusi Street, Shomolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of August, 2012 at Lagos.

37.Olayinka Apata (Otherwise known as Apata Olayinka Adewale) late of 3, Taiwo Lane , Adealu Papa Ashafa Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

38.Simon Ige Olutimayin (Otherwise known as Olutimayin Simon Ige) late of Ayo Oguntuga Street, Magodo Estate, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of July, 2012 at Lagos.

39.Evelyn Ojone Attah late of 44, Ajose Street, Ilasamaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

40.Christian Obunadike Mbanugo (Otherwise known as Mbanugo Christian Obunadike) late of 10, Mbanugo Street, Ikate Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of November, 2012 at Lagos.

41.Omoyele Oladapo Sikiru late of 19, Adeniyi Street, Itire Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of October, 2011 at Shajah United Arab Emirate 42.Sabitu Amoo late of 6, Jimoh Street, Abule Era Awori Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of August, 2010 at Lagos.

43.Bayode Nelson Olarinde (Otherwise known as Nelson Olarinde Bayode) late of 68, Nnobi Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of February, 2007 at Lagos.

44.Oyeniran Sola Sunmonu (Otherwise known as Oyeniran Sumonu) late of Block 529, Flat 5, Jakande Low Cost Estate, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of August, 2011 at Lagos.

45.Rasaki Adetola Jamiu (Otherwise known as Adetola Rasaki) late of 80, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos, deceased who died iantestate on the 1st day of July, 2007 at Lagos.

46.Alhaji Alade Lookman Oladotun (Otherwise known as Alhaji Oladotun Lukman Alade) late of 14/16 Abiodun Obayemi Street, Ikola Odunsi Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of June, 2012 at Lagos State.

47.Jacob Wosu (Otherwise known as Wosu Jacob O.) late of 32, Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of August, 1998 at Port Harcourt.

48.Mr Olubunmi Adedayo Onifade (Otherwise known as Mr Olubunmi Onifade) late of 77, Ojokoro Road, Eyita Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of December, 2012 at Lagos.

49.Sayemakin Felix Moyin late lof 10, Akodu Street, Epe Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of May, 2010 at Lagos.

50.Sunday Onyema Kpaduwa (Otherwise known as Sunday Kpaduwa and Sunday Onyema) late of 5, Malad Street, Idimu,Ejigbo Road, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of September, 2012 at Maiduguri.

51.Mr Ayodele Ajani Adeboye (Otherwise known as Ajani Ayodele Adeboye) late of Plot 155, Block 346, Flat 4, Iba Housing Estate Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of May, 2011 at Kogi 52.Mrs Umukoro Patricia (Otherwise known as Mrs Umukoro O. Patricia) late of 2, Obinna Street, Iba New Site, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

53.Nwaogwugwu Stanley Uchechukwu (Otherwise known as Nwaogwugwu Stanley Uche) late of No. 7 Adeyemi Street, Off Anyenero Street, Ajegunle deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of October, 2012 at Lagos.

54.Ikujuni Adeyemi Olu (Otherwise known as Ikujuni Adeyemi) late of 13, Oladapo Oke Street, Alagbado, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

55.Adeyinka Adejumo (Otherwise known as Adejumo Olayinka) late of 24, Arewa Street, Idimu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of November, 2009 at Lagos.

56.Mrs Mary Inonoje (Otherwise known as Inonoje Mary) late of 5, Araromi Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

57.Aghanenu Chibuzor Michael (Otherwise known as Aghanenu Mike, Aghanenu Chibuzor Norbert Michael) late of 15, Ambali Street, Liasu Road, Ikotun Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of April, 2012 at Lagos.

58.Silas Babatunde (Mr) (Otherwise known as Mr Silas Babatunde) late of 32, Oluyeye Mafoluku, Oja Oke Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of August, 2012 at Primi Prose Hospital Idimagbo Adegbe Abeokuta , Ogun State.

59.Ojeniyi Omolara Clara (Otherwise known as Ojeniyi O. Clara, Omolara Clara Ojeniyi , Ojeniyi Omolara , Ojeniyi O.C. and Omolara Ojeniyi) late of Block N30 Flat 2, Jakande Estate, Oke Afa Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of August, 2012 at lagos.

60.Akintan Mary Iyabo late of 42, Igi Olugbin Street, Ladi-Lak Bus Stop Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of June, 2008 at Lagos.

61.Balogun Adekunle (Otherwise known as Adekunle Balogun) late of No 12B, Fashola Street, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of December, 2007 at Lagos.

62.Mr Onanuga Joshua late of 16, Owolabi Street, Oshogun Bus Stop, Alapere Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of December, 2006 at Lagos.

63.Mr Temitayo Abiodun Abiola (Otherwise known as Abiola Abiodun Temitayo ) late of 1, Boyede Madojutimi Close, Olodi Apapa Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of September, 2012 at Lagos.

64.Adesina Raufu (Otherwise known as Mr Raufu Adesina) late of 24, Oyinkan Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of September, 2012 at Lagos.

65.Nwizugbo Peter late of 14, Wahab Folayan Street, Jakande, Ajangbadia, Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of July, 2011 at Ogun State.

66.Mr Akinwalire Akintayo (Otherwise known as Akintayo Oluwaseyi Akinwalire) late of 7, Famojuro Close, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of May, 2009 at Lagos.

67.Ogbagha Godwin Amos (Otherwise known as Godwin Amos Ogbagha) late of 57, Abeokuta Street, Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of May, 2009 at Uromi Edo State.

68.Ugaliegbule Gilbert late of 46, Bale Street, Iyana Ibiye deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

69.Salami Adewale (Otherwise known as Corporal Adewale Salami) late of No. 22 Police Barrack Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of September, 2009 at Ondo State.

70.Oamen Matthew (Otherwise known as Matthew Oamen and Oamen Mattew) late of 4/2 Road, A Close, Block 3, Flat 1, Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of November, 1999 at Lagos.

71.Mr Eliemenye Alex Nwaeke (Otherwise known as Mr Alex Nwaeke Eliemenye ) late of Block 6, Flat D, Kontagora Estate, Isheri, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of September, 2011 at Ajulu Clinic and Maternity Isseluku , Delta State.

72.Ibiam Treasure (otherwise known as Oko Nnenna Aluu) late of 23, Gbadamosi Street, Ojodu Berger, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

73.Kwaghe Tilson Ibrahim (Otherwise known as Kwaghe T. Ibrahim) late of 26, Henjinawa Street, Ajara Badagry, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of December, 2012 at Lagos.

74.Mr Godwin Oluku late of No. 61, Aina Street, Agility Mile 12, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

75.Isiaka Salau (Otherwise known as Salawu Isiaka) late of No. 1, Shodende Street, Off Dopemu Close, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of August, 2011 at Lagos.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

1. Idris Shoremi and Azeez Shoremi both of 5, Seun Nwachi Avenue Idimu, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

2. Omobola Oluyemisi Ilubanwo and Oluwaseyi Akinyele Ilubanwo both of 18, Sulaimon Soderu Powerline Eyita Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

3. Owhe Dennis and Owhe Clement both of 9, Bola Adedamola Street, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

4. Mr Olawale Rasaki Agbaje and Mr Olatunji Kamorudeen Agbaje both of 33, Ebun Oloyede Street, Kuye Arinwo Off Badagry, Express way two children of the said deceased.

5. Mrs Gloria Nwaobi of 15, Sylvett Close Labak Estate Agege and Mr Louis Nwaobi of Plot 68, Ayinde Adeleye Street, Off Toyin Street, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

6. Mrs Yetunde Alayo and Hakeem Alayo both of 5, Akinleye Street, Agege, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

7. Felicia Onumajuru of 22, Ebun Olorun Street, Bariga, Lagos, and Kyrian Ozuzu of 7, Odunsi Street, Bariga, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

8. Mrs Christiana Sheramang and Lucky Zitran Sheramang both of 38, Herimope Street, Ikola Odunsi Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

9. Mrs Folashade Ayodele, Mrs Adetutu Olokobi, Mr Babatunde Jaiyesimi and Mr Tunji Jaiyesimi all of 14,Akinsanya Street, Palm Grove Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

10.Nweke Johnson and Sunday Nweke both of 27, Edidi Street, Amukoko Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

11.Mrs Oduna Mercy Erhunmwunosere and Mr Osamuonyi Desmond Aruoma both of 5A, Aruoma Street, Off Obaseki Street, Off Okhoro Road, Benin City widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

12.Jumoke Olubode and Ronke Olubode both of 4, Arowosegbe Street, Shogunle Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

13.Oloruntoba Adewale Dawodu of 10 Craig Street, Shomolu Lagos, the only surviving child of the said deceased.

14.Soyebi Olanrewaju Akinniyi of 26, Ogunbowale Street, Ilasamaja, Adeniregun Olabisi T.K. of Block 7, Flat II Ijaiye Ojokoro Housing Estate Meiran , two of the children of the said deceased.

15.Mrs Ganiat Olaitan Animashaun and Miss Aminat Wuraola Animashaun both of 3, Femi Obadipe Street, Sango Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

16.Chinedu Ugwuokemama of 14, Sanusi Street, Mushin, Lagos, the only surviving brother of the said deceased.

17.Olawale Felicia, Mrs Bakare Idowu Comfort both of 7, Olatoye Street, Amubioya Oke Aro Ogun State and Olawale Samson Olayemi of 31, Adekunle Street, Church Bus Stop, Oshodi, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

18.Mrs Bola Omole and Ayo Omole both of 4, Wole Omosho Egbeda Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

19.Joseph Chukwudi Osakuni of 7th Avenue I Close House 8, Festac Town, Lagos, and Kenneth Azubuike Osakuni of 401, I Close Block 3, Flat 2, Festac Town, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

20.Mr Bamidele Idowu and Mr Seye Idowu both of 17, Akinola Street, Igbobi Fadeyi Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

21.Abusetu Umoru of 9, Suberu Street, Ladipo, Lagos, and Jimoh Sule of 9, Oyegunwa Street, Ladipo , widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

22.Mrs Helen Nzogbu-Onyibe and Henry Nzogbu-Onyibe both of 6, Alhaji Moliki Street, Governor Road, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

23.Caroline Olabisi Tay and Cynthia Olayinka Osunsan both of Plot 30, Enitan Street, Aguda Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

24.Kabiawu Kudirat and Kabiawu Temitope Modinat both of 27, Igiolugbon Street, Bariga, lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

25. Abraham Anyang and Samuel Anyang both of 200, Aka Road, Uyo Akwa Ibom , two brothers of the said deceased.

26.Ladeji Olukayode E. , Ladeji Gabriel O. and Ladeji Ayodele all of 8, Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos, three children of the said deceased 27.Abiama Bolouere Lorreta and Woyemi Gittare Abiama both of 8, Olagunju Alawaye Street, Alagbado , lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

28.Izuchukwu Okeke of 44, Olusesi Street, Ejigbo Lagos and Maurice Okeke of 99,Aka Road, Okokomaiko Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

29.Mrs Veronica Obendel and Miss Abiodun Obendel both of 11, Ojagun Street, Mile 12, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

30.Mrs Omoigberai Dominic Joy and Omoigberai Tracy both of 13, Dada Street, Ojuoro Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

31.Mrs Josephine T. Adegbotolu and Mrs Pauline A. Adegbotolu both of 37, Baruwa Street, Kuye Amuwo Lagos, two widows of the said deceased.

32.Maria Olutayo Raimi and Fatai Olajide Raheem both of 1, Rafiu Egemo Lasu Road, Iyana Iba Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

33.Mrs Elizabeth Ayemoba Popoola and Mr Charles Agbomiasomi Ayemoba both of 1, Shodeinde Hughes Street, Off Iwaya Road, Lagos, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased.

34.Mrs Franca Odeh of 4, Ogungbenro Street, Oke Ira Ogba, Lagos and Mr Manville Owuru of 12, Igbehin Adun Close, Off Ayayiro Ogba, Lagos , widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

35.Mrs Omolara Elemu, Oladayo A. Elemu and Adebare Joshua Elemu all of 7, Mosalasi Street, Iponri, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

36.Mr Ikechukwu Igwe of 1, Ekhebo Street, Awala Onitsha and Mrs Chidinma Umeh of 2, Ogunshola Street, Abule Egba, Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

37.Mr Adewale Apata and Mr Abayomi Apata both of 42, Ijoko Road, Akute Ogun State , two brothers of the said deceased.

38.Mrs Oluremi Abiodun Olutimayin, Mr Olumide Olufemi Olutimayin , Oluyori Oluwatimi Olutimayin and Olaniran Olukayode Olutimayin all of 3, Ayo Oguntuga Street, Magodo Estate, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

39.Victor Ikoojo Attah and Pearl Ojoache Attah both of 44, Ajose Stret, Ilasamaja Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

40.Ikem Ndubusi Mbanugo and Emeka Mbanugo both of 10, Mbanugo Street, Ikate, Surulere,Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

41.Omoyele Olalekan and Omoyele Mutairu Babatunde both of 19, Adeniyi Street, Itire, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

42.Taofik Sabitu and Taiwo Sabitu both of 6, Jimoh Street, Abule Ira Awori Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

43.Mrs Bolanle Khadijat Fasuyi and Miss Oluwakemi Folawe Bayode both of 68, Nnobi Street, Surulere, Lagos, two sisters of the said deceased.

44.Risikat Sunmonu and Oluremi Taiwo Sunmonu Mogaji both of Block 529, Flat 5, Jakande Estate, Oke Afa Isolo, Lagos, widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

45.Mr Jamiu Adetola and Miss Basirat Adetola both of 80, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

46.Oladotun Jokotade Khadijat and Oladotun Aminat Motunrayo both of 14/16, Abiodun Obayemi Street, Ikola Odunsi Ipaja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

47.Ojo Wosu and Capt. Francis Wosu both of 32, Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

48.Olayemi Emmanuel Onifade and Olubunmi Adebimpe Onifade both of 77, Ojokoro Road, Eyita Ikorodu, Lagos,widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

49.Sayemakin Oluwakemi and Sayemakin Bamidele V. both of 10, Akodu Street, Epe, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

50.Ijeoma Sunday Kpaduwa of 5, Malad Street, Idimu, Ejigbo Road, Lagos and Nkechinyere Ozowara of 10, Road 4, 5th Avenue Okemorosun Magbon Badagry, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

51.Mrs Khadijat Adeboye and Abayomi Enitan Adeboye both of Plot 155, Block 346, Flat 4, Iba Estate, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

52.Mrs Felicia Owumi and Mr Johnson Owumi both of 112, Federal Low Cost Abule Onilu Ejire Street, Lagos, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased.

53.Miss Ifeoma Nwaogwugwu of 7, Adeyemi Street, Off Anyanero Street, Ajegunle, Lagos, and Mr Christian Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu of C4 Flat 67, Central bank of Nigeria Estate, Satellite Town, Lagos, the only child and brother respectively of the said deceased.

54.Adeyemi Mercy Olayinka and Adeyemi Henry Olajide both of 7, Rasaki Ajao Street, Iyesi, two children of the said deceased.

55.Mrs Grace Moladun Adejumo of 24, Arewa Street, Idimu, Lagos and Mrs Emily Siju Komolafe 253, Ikotun Road, Idimu, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

56.Inonoje Fred Akpomiemie and Inonoje Kesiena Yvonne both of 5, Araromi Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

57.Mr Festus Aghanenu and Mrs Ifeoma Aghanenu both of 15, Ambali Street, Liasu Road, Ikotun, Lagos, father and mother respectively of the said deceased.

58.Mrs Mary S. Silas and Miss Oluwatoyin D. Silas both of 32, Oluyeye Mafoluku Oja Oke Lagos, mother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

59.Ojeniyi Olajide B. and Ojeniyi Ajibola Opeyemi both of Block N30, Flat 2, Low Cost Housing Estate, Isolo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

60.Akintan Francis and Akintan Abiodun Jeremiah both of 42, Igi Olugbin Street, Ladi/Lak Bus Stop Bariga, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

61.Mrs Idiat Balogun of No. 1, Akute Road, Ogun State and Adetoro Balogun of 1, Adeola Street, Shomolu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

62.Mrs Adebimpe Onanuga and Adetola Onanuga both of 16, Owolabi Street, Oshogun Bus Stop, Alapere Ketu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

63.Mrs Olubunmi Rotimi Abiola, Miss Susan Oluwashola Abiola and Mr Michael Oluwaseun Abiola all of 2, Igbala Street, Aboro, Ogun State, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

64.Modinat Sanni of 37, Community Street, Oworonsoki, Adesina Sulaimon of 22, Giwa Street, Fadeyi Lagos, and Adesina Kamorudeen and Adesina Sarafa both of 24, Oyinkan Street, Mushin, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased.

65.Celine Nwizugbo and Chukwuma Nwizugbo both of 14, Wahab Folayan Street, Jakande Ajangbadi, Ojo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

66.Mr Duro Akinwalire and Mrs Akangbe Olubukola both of 5, Omolara Allen Ikorodu, lagos, mother and sister respectively of the said deceased 67.John Ogbagha and Peter Ogbagha both of 15, Caje Street, Obawole Ogba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

68.Martha Ugaliebule and Ugaliegbule Chidi both of 46, Bale Street, Iyana Ibiye Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

69.Mrs Salami Bose and Salami Tobi both of 22, Police Barrack Ikeja Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

70.Mrs Grace Oamen and Mr Samuel Oamen both of 4/2 Road, A Close, Block 3, Flat 4, Gowon Estate Ipaja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

71.Mrs Agusta Eliemenye and Miss Jessica Eliemenye both of Block 6, Flat D, Kontagora Estate, Isheri Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased .

72.Ibiam Augustus Kayode and Nneka Aluu Oko both of 23, Gbadamosi Street, Ojodu Berger, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

73.Mrs Hajara Oyarekhua Ibrahim and Kumbi Jimmy Tizhe both of No. 26, Henjinawa Street, Ajara Badagry , Lagos, widow and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

74.Mrs Blessing Oluku and Master Samuel Oluku both of 61, Aina Street, Agility Mile 12, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased 75.Mrs Hadisa Isiaka and Mr Adeku Salau both of No. 1 Shodende Street, Off Dopemu Close, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

50

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

51

52

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

53

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-05-13

Equities rally N77b as index bounces back to 36,000 mark

T

HE main index at the Nigerian Stock Ex change (NSE), the All Share Index (ASI), bounced back to 36,000 mark yesterday, bracing against profittaking transactions that had moderated the market performance earlier this week.

The index improved by 0.67 per cent to close at 36,236.49 points while the market capitalisation improved by N77 billion to close at N11.583 trillion.

The market performance was due to the price appreciation recorded by some highly capitalised stocks such as financial services sector stocks, which represent 30.95 per cent of the 42 stocks on the gainers table.

In all, 117 stocks were traded upon with 42 advancers 22 decliners while the remaining 53 remained flat.

Leading the gainers, table was UTC with a price gain of N0.07 to close at N0.78 . It was followed by Eterna Oil and gas with a gain of N0.29 to close at N3.26. Others on the list were Ikeja Hotel, Costain, DN Meyer, Courtville, Transcorp, Evans Medical, Wapco and Total.

On the losers, table, Northern Nigeria FlourMills, led with a drop of N2.38 to close at N21.42.

It was followed by Ekocorp with a reduction of N0.48 to close at N4.32. Also on the list were Royal Exchange,

ABC Transport, Air Services, Unity Bank, UACProperty, AIICO, Cadbury and Japual Oil. Investors traded 371.255 million shares worth N4.726 billion in 6,122 deals. Financial services sector as usual led with 249.245 million shares followed by oil and gas with 27.546 million shares.

Others with relatively high volume were Conglomerates, construction/ real estate, consumer Goods and Services with 23.872 million shares, 20.192 million shares, 19.063 million shares and 12.759 million shares.

Meanwhile, the NSE yesterday took another step to stregthen corporate governance among listed companies in Nigeria.

According to the NSE, investor confidence in the Nigerian capital market has remained challenging based on perceived inadequate disclosures, corruption and poor understanding of fiduciary responsibilities on the part of directors; leading to weaknesses in the country’s business environment and corporate governance.

The NSE said it has entered into a partnership with The Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) to provide a steady flow of robust data that will be used to develop a Corporate Governance Ranking System for listed companies in Nigeria. Es-

tablished in 1997, CBi strives to empower people, their transactions, systems and institutions against corruption.

Speaking on this development, Chief Executive Officer NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema reiterated that the NSE places corporate governance on the front burner as one of the critical fundamentals for ensuring a sound investment environment and maximising investor returns.

He said that the creation of the Corporate Governance Index is in line with the NSE’s commitment to promoting firm and fair corporate governance regime for sustainable growth of the nation’s capital market.”We are proud to partner with CBi, and confident that this will contribute to our goal of becoming the gateway to African markets” he said.

According to Mr. Soji Apampa, Executive Director of CBi, the Corporate Governance Ranking project will be funded under the WorldBank supervised Siemens Integrity Initiative. Mr. Apampa, a former Managing Director of SAP Nigeria Ltd, further disclosed that IT systems and e-learning technology will be deployed to make the ranking process efficient and cost effective.

The Humboldt-Viadrina School of Governance, Berlin has been appointed as independent observers of the process to report independently to investor fora on the process applied to establish Nigeria’s Corporate Governance Ranking and help promote it internationally.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-05-13

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

55

MONEY LINK ‘Fed Govt to pay local debt with foreign loans’

Diamond Bank workers protest poor wage A

GGRIEVED workers of Dia-mond Bank Plc yester day crippled operations at the head office of the lender in Lagos, over alleged unfair practices and poor working conditions.

Over 5000 outsourced contract staff from various vendors and agencies, stormed the bank as early as 8.00 am, and shut down the lender’s operations at Victoria Island, Lagos.

The protesting workers, mainly secretaries, drivers, office assistants, technical crew, front desk operatives, lamented alleged inhuman treatment from the bank.

Chanting war and solidarity songs, they demanded from the management their tax clearance card, National Housing Fund, Pension Fund, gratuity and career progression, among other .

The bank drafted heavily armed policemen to keep watch probably to ensure that the aggrieved workers did not destroy the bank’s property.

T

HE Federal Government approved a debt-manage ment plan that will allow it to reduce short-term domestic borrowing in favour of cheaper, longer-term foreign loans, Minister of State for Finance,YerimaNgamahas said.

The strategy, which will run from this year to 2015, will increase foreign borrowing to about 40 percent of total debt from the current 14 percent, he told reporters in Abuja, yesterday “We are going to have a smooth transition so that everything is well managed and that there is no shock to the system,” Ngama said.

Nigeria’s domestic debt cur-

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

The workers accused Alex Otti led management of being selfish and insensitive to their plight.

“We the junior staff in Diamond Bank Plc down tools, today, Wednesday May 15 2013 to protest the following: tax clearance card, NHF, Pension Fund, gratuity and career progression.”

Reacting to the picketing, the bank in unsigned statement said: “The bank currently employs about 3000 full-time staff and approximately 5000 outsourced contract staff from various vendors and agencies. These contract staff include: secretaries, drivers, office assistants, technical crew etc.

“As a standard practice all over the world, we are not privy to the contract details between outsourced agencies and their staff. Development that requires our management

•Diamond Bank CEO, Alex Otti

intervention like the current issue will and is being discussed with the management of the outsourced company to resolve their issues in a swift and amicable manner.

“In the interim, we want to emphasize that the day to day activities of the bank will not be interrupted by third party persons with whom we do not have any contract or dispute.”

G

F

IDELITY Bank Plc has inaugurated ‘Managed SMEs’ business meant to address the rising mortality ratio of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

Speaking at the launch of the scheme in Lagos, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi said the move to create the ‘Fidelity Managed SMEs’ was necessitated by the need to address the challenges affecting small businesses, especially in the Nigerian business environment.

He explained that many small businesses find it difficult to sustain their

operations due to inadequate information on how to harness the opportunities in the market.

He said the scheme would help to guide small businesses in their efforts to penetrate the market by providing advisory support and enhancing capacity building programmes that support the survival of such businesses.

“Most times, small businesses feel access to capital is a major challenge but that is not the reality as there are avenues for funding. But, many of the SMEs lack the exposure to drive them through the necessary value chain. Each

business has its own future and to make this a reality, a lot of things need to be done.

“As a bank, we have concluded plans to focus on managed SMEs, those with commitments. We are looking at trying to convert opportunities to success,” he added.

The bank’s Division Head, Managed SMEsandConsumerSalesForce,KenOpara whileunveilingthebusinessexplainedthat the bank’s approach to the scheme would begearedtowardsprovidingadvisorysupport and catering for the mass SMEs.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

UTC ETERNA IKEJAHOTEL COSTAIN DNMEYER COURTVILLE TRANSCORP EVANSMED WAPCO TOTAL

0.71 2.97 0.82 0.72 1.66 0.73 1.15 1.49 87.17 158.00

0.78 3.26 0.90 0.79 1.82 0.80 1.26 1.63 95.00 172.00

0.07 0.29 0.08 0.07 0.16 0.07 0.11 0.14 7.83 14.00

NNFM EKOCORP ROYALEX ABCTRANS AIRSERVICE UNITYBNK UAC-PROP AIICO CADBURY JAPAULOIL

23.80 4.80 0.60 1.05 4.40 0.68 17.49 0.92 43.51 0.59

C/PRICE 21.42 4.32 0.55 0.97 4.07 0.64 16.50 0.88 42.01 0.57

Exchange Rate (N)

Date

350m

150m

150m

155.2

2-7-12

350m

138m

138m

155.8

27-6-12

350m

113m

113m

155.7

22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

(S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

Parallel Market

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

Name

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY • ARM AGGRESSIVE

LOSERS AS AT 15-05-13

O/PRICE

Amount Sold ($)

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 15-05-13

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He said that Global Scansystems currently operates the eight scanners at the Seme Border Post and also at the Ports and Terminal Multi-Services Ltd in TinCan Island Port.

The CEO said the scanners are also operating at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (NAHCO and Aviance Posts) as well as at the Warri and Calabar Ports.

“The 9MeV Scanner, which is a marvel to watch is the first of its kind in South of the Sahara.

“It is a bio-diversity scanner capable of separating organic and inorganic materials and can scan about 20 trucks per hour. The mobile Scanner which has been operating at Seme Border since 2006 now acts as a stand-by,’’ he said.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Global Sacnsystems installs scanner at border

LOBAL Scansystems has installed a 9MeV Stationary Scanner at the Seme Border Post.

The Chief Executive Officer, Global Scansystems Limited, Fred Udechukwu explained in a statement that the installment brings to eight, the number of scanners it currently operates.

The company is the only indigenous company executing the Federal Government ongoing Destination Inspection contract’.

According to the CEO, the eight scanners were manufactured, supplied and installed by Smiths Detection of France between 2006 and 2012, and jointly maintained with Smiths Detection of France.

Fidelity unveils Managed SMEs scheme

By Collins Nweze

rently stands at N6.49 trillion ($41 billion), or 86 persscent of the total owed as at March 31, according the website of the Debt Management Office.

The government will look to “access concessionary windows” from institutions including the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the World Bank to reduce its growing, and more expensive, domestic borrowing.

President Goodluck Jonathan on February 27 approved a N4.98 trillion spending plan for the year with recurrent expenditure, such as salaries, accounting for N2.3 trillion.

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 141.58 154.63 0.80 1.15 1.08 100.00 1,000.00 1,811.09 14.91 1.39 1.87 11,667.50

9.08 1.00 141.08 153.69 0.78 1.15 1.07 100.00 1,000.00 1,803.87 14.18 1.33 1.80 11,323.35

• KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 2.38 0.48 0.05 0.08 0.33 0.04 0.99 0.04 1.50 0.02

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2012

07, Aug, 2012

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

57

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

NEWS ACN, Tinubu, Sani kick as NLC, NBA, CAN back action Continued from page 2

desperate measure and uncalled for”.

Sani, president of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, in a statement last night in Abuja, said the militarisation of the three states would promote arbitrariness.

The statement said: “The declaration of the state of emergency by President Jonathan Goodluck in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa is desperate but uncalled for. It is a fruitless exercise that will neither lead to peace nor assist in ending the violence that has bedevilled some parts of northern Nigeria.

“It is an admission of failure on the side of the government to fashion out ways of addressing or tackling the root causes of insurgences, the state of emergency would only give licence to security agencies to sustain their already gross human rights violation and brigandage that has became the war on terror.”

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) described as lacking in original thinking the President’s declaration of emergency rule in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa. It urged the National Assembly to reject it.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said if force was capable of ending the Boko Haram crisis, it would have ended a long time ago.

The party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, also criticised the measure, warning it can scuttle democracy.

The ACN said while the President was right in expressing outrage over the mindless killings and wanton destruction by the insurgents, he was wrong in proposing more of the same measures that have failed to yield results. ‘’If the medicine given to a pa-

tient has not cured his or her illness, is it not futile to prescribe more of the same medicine for the patient? If the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 local government areas in four states in 2011 has not curbed the activities of the insurgents, why extend such measure to other areas? If the use of force in the affected states have failed to curtail the activities of the insurgents, why send in more troops? ‘’There is nothing new in the President’s action. It is more of the same: deployment of more troops to the affected states and the use of tougher, scorchedearth tactics against the insurgents. In the first instance, this stepped-up militarisation of the states amounts to an asymmetric use of force in an environment where the insurgents operate within a civilian population, hence it will ultimately be counter-productive as the death toll will continue to mount while the civilian population – who will be caught in the cross fire will be alienated. ‘’Secondly, the President should go ahead and disband the committee he recently inaugurated and saddled with reaching out to the insurgents, because by opting to flood the states with more troops under an ill-advised emergency rule, he has succeeded in pulling the carpet from under the Committee’s feet. Who negotiates genuinely with a gun to his head?

The committee’s job is over, the members can as well pack up and go home. ‘’Thirdly, one hopes the President’s action is not linked to the politics of 2015. With the three states militarised, there can neither be electioneering campaign nor voting there. We had warned earlier that as 2015 approaches, the Jonathan administration will increasingly take measures that will make it impossible to hold election in many

states The over militarisation of some states in the North, the plan to destabilise the Southwest, using slush funds from the so-called oil pipeline protection contract and the infantile threats from some Niger Delta militants seem to be part of this plan. ‘’Fourthly, what happens if and when the declaration of emergency rule fails to stem the violence, now that the President has gone for broke and played his last card? ‘’In view of the reasons stated above, we hereby reject the declaration of emergency rule in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, and we call on the National Assembly to also reject it and not allow itself to be used to rubber stamp a declaration that is largely cosmetic. ‘’We reiterate our earlier statements that the Boko Haram crisis has its roots in years of bad governance that have produced an army of unemployed, unemployable, disenchanted and demoralised youths who are now ready hands and willing tools for those seeking to perpetrate violence.

The unprecedented corruption across the land, as well as injustice and extra-judicial killings are also fuelling this crisis,’’ ACN said.

The party said while the shortterm solution to the Boko Haram crisis should be a combination of dialogue and a minimal use of force, the long term measure to deny Boko Haram of willing recruits and make the sect unattractive to anyone is to ensure that the state can adequately meet the yearnings and aspirations of its citizens. And the only way to do this is through good governance that delivers the dividends of democracy to the citizens; stamps out corruption and ensures a just and equitable society. ‘’Boko Haram is like a bad tree.

To kill it, it must be uprooted, instead of trimming its branches.

The measures announced by President Jonathan on Tuesday will

not deliver the killer punch to this reprehensible sect. There is need to think out of the box,’’ it said.

Asiwaju Tinubu said the decision is capable of scuttling democracy.

Tinubu in a three-page statement, said the declaration is a dangerous trend in the art of governance and a deliberate ploy to subvert constitutional democracy.

The ACN Leader said: “The response to the pervasive chaos in the Northern region of the country has been militarisation, mass arrests and extra judicial killings by the Joint Task Force, JTF, a convenient euphemism for an army of occupation seemingly set loose on the people of the localities concerned. “The tenor of the state of emergency declared by the Federal Government yesterday portends danger for the polity. The full militarisation of security operations in these states will compound the already tense situation.”

He held that the full militarisation of security operations in the three states would compound the already tense situation as the invading forces would simply embark on organised pogrom.

His words: “It is now abundantly clear that President Jonathan has finally bared his fangs. By declaring a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, he (Jonathan) has intimidated and emasculated the governors of these states.

“It is a display of unpardonable mediocrity and diabolic partisanship geared towards 2015. Borno and Yobe states have been literally under armies of occupation with the attendant excruciating hardship experienced daily by the indigenes and residents of these areas. This government now wants to use the excuse of the security challenges faced by the governors to

Troops deployed in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa Continued from page 2

He begged residents to avoid being caught by the strange rules.

He also warned the military to operate under the rules of engagement so that innocent lives and their properties are protected.

Shettima, in a broadcast, pleaded with Boko Haram to accept dialogue offer by the Federal Government.

He said: “Fellow citizens, as you may be aware, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has in exercise of his constitutional powers, declared a state of emergency in our dear State, following the spate of killings and destruction of properties, that have pervaded us.

“It is the constitutional responsibility of the President to take such measures. It is also the duty of any responsible state government, to support lawful efforts that would guarantee the security of lives and properties. “ It can never be the wish of any guarded democratic government to have the military directly involved in the affairs of any federating unit, except for unfortunate and painful causes.

“As the military leaders have said in discourses, the armoury of the Nigerian soldiers is not meant to fight fellow Nigerians; the armoury is meant to protect fellow Nigerians.

“A human life is sacred, more so, the life of every good Nigerian, no matter whose it is; and we all have moral, spiritual and social obligations to preserve and respect the lives of one another as we would want ours to be so preserved and respected. Allah has said emphatically in the Holy

Quran that he has dignified every human being, He has placed high premium on the sacredness of human lives and as His dignified creatures; we should obediently respect the lives of fellow creatures.

“Let us be our brothers’ keepers, hold our arms in the true Borno spirit that we were hitherto known for, so that we rise together as one people with shared passion for our collective progress.

“We are facing a trying time that I believe without blind optimism, that we will overcome in no distant time bi iznillah.”

The governor urged the people to avoid being caught by the strange rules of emergency situation.

He added: “A period of state of emergency is that which comes with rules that are different from those that guide our day-to-day lives. We must, therefore, take personal steps as citizens, to avoid being caught by the strange rules.

“I have directed the State Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture to work out public safety enlightenment programmes that should be regularly featured on the Borno State Television and Radio while I urge our partners and friends in other media organisations resident in the state to help in educating citizens on public conducts at this different time that we face together.

“Let me use this opportunity to importantly urge the military who are fellow Nigerians like all of us, to abide by the directive of Mr President in operating under the rules of engagement so that innocent lives and their properties are jealously preserved and protected.

“As time passes, we shall, as a

government, remain focused in our abiding fate and commitment to improve the welfare of all citizens through quality governance.”

He appealed to Boko Haram to sheathe its sword by embracing dialogue being offered by President Jonathan.

He said: “I will seize this opportunity for the umpteenth time, to call on our brothers in the Jama’atu ahliss Sunnah lil Da’awatu wal Jihad to embrace dialogue so that we can solve this problem on the table through collective bargaining, offers and compromises.

“I am glad to note that the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution, is still working round the clock as also emphasized by the President. I believe like I have always said since 2011, that by the end of the day, dialogue will be the last and sustainable resort. Let us embrace the spirit of live and let’s live.”

The governor admitted that he has been grieving over the situation in Borno State.

He said: “Dear fellow citizens, I address you today with heavy heart and grief. I join you in mourning your families, friends and other loved ones who may have lost their lives to the security challenges that we face in Borno State; I commiserate with you for the injuries, you or your loved ones may have suffered and for the properties you may have lost as we are confronted with a nightmare that has haunted us for far too long.

“I am usually thrown into emotional torture any time a life is lost in Borno, especially by man-made brutality, because as your governor, I am under obligation, constitutional and moral, to ensure your safety.

“As your leader, I consider myself a father to all orphans, a brother and friend to everyone of you, a son to every parent and a member of every family in Borno State, regardless of religion, tribe and geo-political affiliation.

“I share in your moments of despair more than you can ever imagine because regardless of the intrinsic worth of any programme and projects put in place by any government, however laudable, a citizen has to be alive or safe to enjoy the benefits of such programme or project. “ Therefore, the most important role of any responsible government is the security of lives and properties.”

Kashim unfolded plans to come out with social package which would address the mass poverty breeding crises in the state.

He said: “May I also add at the risk of sounding repetitive, that the best way to fight crime is to provide jobs through integrated agriculture and other industrial growth.

“We are very conscious of the fact that there is mass poverty and unemployment and as you may have confirmed from our ongoing programmes across the State, we are creating jobs and we will continue to do.

“I urge you to fervently pray for the return of peace in our dear Borno State and in all other parts of Nigeria, to pave the way for rapid recovery and the socioeconomic transformation that we so desperately seek to put in place as a government.

“I thank you so much for your support and wish every one of you, Allah’s guidance and protection.”

remove them from the states considered hostile to the 2015 PDP/ Jonathan project.”

The administration, by this action, he said, would be setting in motion a chain of events the end of which nobody can predict as, according to him, experience has shown that actions such as this often give root to radical ideologies and extremist tendencies.

He said: “The present scenario playing out in the country reminds one of the classical case of a mediocre craftsman who continually blames the tools of his trade for his serial failure but refuses to look at his pitiable state with a view to adjusting.”

Tinubu said though the country is adrift with the ship of state rudderless as insurgents have unleashed ferocious attacks on all parts of the country, particularly in Borno and Yobe, the uncoordinated approach adopted by the government betrays a grossly incompetent disposition, which is at variance with the realities in the country.

He said: “No governor of a state in Nigeria is the chief security officer. Putting the blame on the governors who have been effectively emasculated for the abysmal performance of the government at the centre, which controls all these security agencies, smacks of ignorance and mischief.”

“This government has failed, or does not know that it is necessary for it to avail itself of the benefit accruable from exchange of ideas and notes among nations of modern world. Technologically advanced countries will never discard the idea or the need for the establishment of an effective local intelligence outfit. Our suggestions along this path have always been met with suspicion and acerbic criticisms from both the informed and the ignorant alike.”

Tinubu added that militarisation, mass arrests and extra judicial killings by the army of occupation euphemistically called the Joint Task Force (JTF), set loose on the people will only compound the security challenges experienced in these states.

The full militarisation of security operations in these states, he said, will compound the already tense situation. The fact that security operatives are killed cheaply and reprisals from the state find expressions in organised pogroms in the immediate communities will further alienate the people who should ordinarily partner with the government in securing their immediate environments.

Tinubu said an army which in-

•Omar

vades a community, maiming, raping and killing defenceless civilians will end up radicalising the youths whose parents and younger ones have been wiped out most cowardly and recklessly.

For him, rather than hiding its incompetence in tackling the security challenges through the declaration of state of emergency, the administration should rather encourage the development of local intelligence which will inexorably lead to the practice of true federalism.

“Adopting the use of excessive force against those perceived as harbouring terrorists does not portray this government as possessing the wherewithal to find abiding solutions to the lingering security challenges,” Tinubu said.

He urged the Federal Government not to tinker with the mandate of the governors of the affected states under any guise as doing so is potentially destructive.

“If security of a society is about the protection of lives and property of the citizenry, the involvement of the people is sine qua non to effective intelligence gathering and any measure which seeks to alienate them and in particular their elected representatives should be considered as fundamentally defective,” Tinubu stated.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that the original copy of the lease agreement between Alhaji Ajagbe A. Akeredolu and Oyegoke Olakunle Akeredolu dated 12th February 1981 and registered as no 58 page 58 volume 1817 of the registrar of deed and original survey plan no KZ739, receipt no 0225144 and reference No R 24 Vol 967 148,of a property at 24 Adebola Ojomu Street, Aguda, Lagos is missing since 10th of October 2009 is missing. All effort to trace proved abortive. General public pleases take note.

58

C ITYBEATS Tallest cake for Silverbird Galleria

By Ahmed Boulor

AWARD-winning cake maker, Tosan Jemide, CEO of Cakes by Tosan (CBT), will be the cynosure of guest eyes today at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he unveils the tallest cake in Africa for a place in the Guinness Book of World records.

Expected at the event include government functionaries, captains of industry, cake enthusiasts, school pupils, friends and Jemide's fans.

The cake is a ten-tier spectacle designed with a fusion of global ingredients. The proposed cake is about 28 feet against the current the tallest cake by the Guinness Book of Records, which is about 26 feet.

Jemide, who said he was taught the art of cake making by his mother, said one of the major objectives of the project is to promote sugar craft, an arm of art yet to be fully explored in this part of the world.

"We are partnering with LEAP Africa on this project," he said.

• Jemide

Lagos warns masts' owners

PIQUED by the incessant deaths in Lagos State through falling masts, the state government has resolved to prosecute owners of such faulty masts.

Head of Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit (UFRU), Mr. Joe Igbokwe, yesterday raised the alarm that "collapsed masts are still killing people in the state," adding that, "time has come to prosecute their owners." It was during a chat with reporters in Lagos.

The series of Structural Integrity Tests (SIT) carried out, according to the UFRU boss, showed that "nearly all the masts in the metropolis used by banks and other small users are not only defective but accidents waiting to happen."

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013 CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Police chief arraigned for alleged murder

•2012 subsidy protest: Victims demand compensation

A

DEMOLA Abe was killed during the January 9 fuel subsidy removal protest last year. He was allegedly shot dead by former Divisional Police Officer (DPO), YayaAbatan Police Station, Agege, Lagos, Segun Fabunmi.

The DPO is standing trial, but for the late Abe's family and friends, the wheels of justice seem to be grinding too slowly. Now, they want the case disposed speedily to enable them seek compensation. But yesterday, the Lagos State Government arraigned the accused for murder at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

Gloom was all over Moses Daramola, the deceased's brother and guardian, when he spoke with The Nation on Monday, disclosing: "The family has not recovered from the shock of his killing. However, the truth is that Ademola is dead and nothing can bring him back. Right now, things are very hard for his family. He was the one providing for his mother and now, he is gone. I think the government should come up with appropriate compensation for the family as soon as possible."

Reacting to Fabunmi's dismissal and his pending trial over the murder, Daramola said: "Though I understand what the police are trying to do by the dismissal, that won't bring the boy back. We want the case ended and the family compensated."

He said the late Abe's mother is in serious distress. "His mother is not well at all. She is emotionally ill. One needs to see her; nobody could recognise her again," he said.

The late victim's friends and neighbours also want the accused ex-policeman punished. "What is the maximum sentence you can give to a murderer? That is what we want for the man who killed Ademola," one of them said.

Egujo Samuel, who was also shot at same day, decried the long process of justice and demanded immediate compensation.

"I heard that the DPO has been dismissed, but they should not stop at that; they must compensate us. After the police shot at us, I lost my job and have not been able to tie down any

By Seun Akioye and Adebisi Onanuga

job since then. If we don't get compensation, how are we going to manage our lives?" Samuel, who suffered broken knees after the shooting, queried.

Alimi Abubarkar, another victim, is said to have suffered a permanent disability as he cannot walk properly again. Others, including Chizorba Odoh and Joy Monday, are said to have relocated from their Ogba homes shortly after the incident.

Fabunmi's arraignment for the murder of Adedamola Daramola at Ogba, Ikeja, during the protest, held before Justice Olabisi Akinlade on a seven-count charge of murder, attempting to murder and injuring some protesters during the protest.

The state Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbesan, alleged that Fabunmi committed the offences at about 9.30am on January 9, 2012 at Yaya-Abatan, Agege, Lagos.

He alleged that Fabunmi murdered Daramola, attempted to murder and also caused bodily injury on three others by shooting at them with his AK 47 rifle.

The DPP listed those who the defendant allegedly attempted to kill and those he injured to include: Alimi Abubakar, Egbujor Samuel, Chizorba Odoh.

According to the DPP, Fabunmi allegedly shot Abubakar and Samuel on their left legs while Odoh was shot on his right index finger.

The alleged offence of murder was said to contravene Section 221 of the Criminal Law, No. 11, 2011, while the offences of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm contravene Sections 228 and 243 of the same law.

Fabunmi pleaded not guilty to the charges. His counsel, Mr. Ike Okafor, told the trial judge that he had an application for the defendant's bail and asked to be allowed to argue it. But Justice Akinlade rejected the request, saying it was not ripe for hearing.

The judge ordered the accused to be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison, and adjourned the matter till June 14 for the hearing of the application.

‘His (Abe’s) mother is not well at all. She is emotionally ill. One needs to see her; nobody could recognise her again’ • The late Abe

Eight to die by hanging

A

HIGH Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, yesterday, sentenced eight persons to death by hanging. Their offence: Their involvement in the murder of Nze Dominic Ohamadiaku Duru, an ex-police officer from Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.

The High Court 7, Owerri, presided over by Hon. Justice C.M.I. Egole, found the accused persons guilty of murder, following overwhelming evidence before it; even as it freed the ninth accused person, Sussana JamesDuru, for want of evidence that participated in the dastardly act.

The convicted persons are: James Ugwuoha Duru, Fester Nuforo, Alexander Nnadi aka Apollo; Friday Nuforo, Jonathan Chuddy Nnadi, Chifoanu Okorie, Mattias Ohazurike and Evans Egbujor.

The judgment in suit number: HOW/4C/2007, read in part: "You are to be hanged by your neck until you are drained of your life breath and you are dead and may God have mercy on your soul."

All the condemned eight were led away in handcuffs to a waiting Black Maria by armed security officials and prison guards. Gloomy silence ruled

Your Se xual Health & You: No velty Tips wer s Sexual Nov Tips,, Questions & Ans Answ ers 18 Please I am writing you on behalf of my sister who does not have the courage. Ever since my sister got married, she has stopped working and does not come outside. We never see her. She says her husband does not want her to go outside because men will chase her.

She is a prisoner in her own home and her husband beats her. She is so scared of him – Chinyere Dear Chinyere, the relationships we have with people don’t just happen by accident. Every relationship in life is negotiated. The kind of relationship we end up having with others is the result of good negotiation or bad negotiation. What I mean by this is that the way people treat us is the way we allow them to treat us and that is why at the beginning of every relationship, we must set the tone by spelling out how we want to be treated. Never assume a husband or boyfriend will treat you right all the time because they say, ‘I love you’.

Inspite of education and evolution, human beings are still animals in many ways. We are constantly testing other people to see what we can get away with. We bully people who cannot stand up for themselves and we fear people who do not tolerate crap from anybody.

That is the story of human relationships.

Yes your sister is a victim and while I sympathise with her, it is also important that you understand that she has also invited this kind of treatment by not standing up for herself. Fixing her problem is quite simple. She needs to stop tolerating it. She needs to put her foot down and say, ‘I have had enough and I will not be treated like a slave anymore otherwise I will leave’. And she needs to report her physical abuse to the authorities.

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fight. I know you want to help her but you and your parents cannot move into her house and fight her battles for her. She is an adult and a married woman. Being an adult means taking responsibility and taking care of your business. Believe me, if she doesn’t want to fight, there is nothing you can do to help her. She must stand up. It takes courage and a bit of risk but she must stand up for herself. Violent men only attack weak-minded women Uche Uche do you still have Max Width instant penis enlarger?

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the courtroom.

As they were being led out, Nuforo wailed: 'Nze Dominic was my father!

James Ugwuoha tried in vain to shake his wife's hand, saying that he knew that he would never return home.

Their journey to the hangman's noose started when they "murdered" the deceased on the March 3, 2005, following some protracted land and communal matters.

The persons had allegedly lured the deceased to his farm land in a bush (Okpouzi) in the village, where they had laid siege, and ended his life.

As a cover-up, the condemned had reportedly influenced the falsification of the autopsy conducted on the deceased, alleging that he died of a natural cause. They also said he was used for rituals.

However, a Federal High Court ruling nullified the falsified autopsy and ordered an independent one, which affirmed that Duru died of "multiple homicidal injuries…"

The matter lingered for seven years.

The deceased's first son, Chief Emmanuel Duru described the ruling as victory for justice.

He lamented the incessant killing of innocent people in the area and urged the government to urgently sanitise the area.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

59

NEWS Ijaw relive Gbaramatu invasion From Shola O’Neil,

T

HE Ijaw people of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have marked the fourth memorial of the 2009 invasion of their communities by troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF).

Dozens of people lost their lives in aerial, sea and land assaults by troops deployed in the wake of the killing of 10 soldiers and an army officer by militants, reportedly commanded by erstwhile leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo, popularly called Tompolo.

The May 15, 2009 invasion also led to the destruction of over 30 communities by troops.

Ijaw leader and President of the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities (FNDIC), Oboko Bello lamented that the destroyed communities are yet to be rebuilt by the government.

Bello said:“Four years ago today, the JTF military action was carried out in the Niger Delta under the late President Umar Yar’Adua.

“The Federal Government pulverised Ijaw communitiesOkerenkoko, Oporoza, Kunukunu-ama, Kurutie, Benikrukru, Kokodiagbene, Igoba, Azama- without rebuilding them.”

He accused the Federal Government of not keeping its promise on post-amnesty plans for the region.

The FNDIC president particularly lamented that the state’s construction of Kokodiagbene – Pepeama – Okerenkoko Road and construction of buildings destroyed in some communities have stopped.

Bricklayer to die by hanging in Delta

J

USTICE G.E Gbemre of the Effurun High Court yesterday sentenced a

Communities accused of crude theft

bricklayer, Michael Taiye, to death.

He was found guilty of a three-count charge of conspiracy to commit robbery, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

Taiye was arrested after he was injured in a gun battle with a police patrol team on January 11, 2006.

Items recovered from him include a short double barrel gun with live cartridge and a white Volvo, which had earlier been snatched from its owner.

The police also recovered three guns upon a search on the abandoned vehicle.

It was reported that the convict and his gang refused to stop at a police checkpoint.

In his confessional statement, Taiye admitted to committing the offence and also named Andrew, who escaped, as the gang leader and armourer.

Justice Gbemre said: “There is always a day of reckoning and for the accused, today is the day.

“The prosecution left no one

HE Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, yesterday paraded nine alleged abductors of a cleric, Daniel Onotere Onotere was abducted last week by gunmen, who demanded a ransom of N100 million.

The suspects include: Thomas Away, David Maye, Oyighan Nimibor, Beke Robinson, Gift Alex, Odiri Godwin, Felix James, Paul James and Eruwa Godfrey.

The rescue operation was carried out in conjunction with 19 Battalion, Koko Barracks, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion Lt-Col Frank Etim accused some communities, particularly Koko, Ajoloso, Obialegbe/Okogho in Warri North and Adeje in Okpe local governments of aiding and abetting crude oil theft across the region.

Five vehicles,including two trucks without registration plates, but with the inscription “CONOIL”, loaded with suspected petroleum products were impounded.

The suspects also admitted to engaging in pipeline vandalism and crude oil stealing across the riverine area.

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

in doubt as the essential ingredients of armed robbery against the accused were proved beyond reasonable doubt.

“I thereby find the accused guilty of conspiracy, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.”

He was subsequently sentenced to death on the count of

conspiracy and armed robbery while he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms.

The convict’s counsel, Ayo Asala, said his client will appeal the judgment, adding that there were sufficient grounds for appeal.

In a related development, an Asaba High Court has sentenced a 25-year-old man, Mo-

ses Chukwuemeka, to death by hanging for armed robbery.

He was on trial on a count charge of armed robbery committed behind the Ibori Golf and Country Club, Asaba in 2009.

He robbed a bike rider with a cutlass after pretending to be a passenger.

Prosecution called four witnesses and the accused testified for himself without calling any witness.

Also, Justice Marshall Mukoro of a Warri High Court has convicted and sentenced Efe Taire Jonathan (32) to death by hanging for armed robbery.

The convict, who hails from Ovwian, Udu Local Government, and claimed to be a bus driver with three others now at large robbed Tommy Etejire of his Toyota RAV 4 on January 21, 2011 at Upper Erejuwa, Warri.

He also attempted to sell the car to a popularly car dealer known as “Chief” at Agbor before he was arrested.

The convict and his gang members also held the owner of the car hostage and demanded for N30 million but negotiated to N1.2 million which was paid by his family before he finally regained his freedom.

•Dickson presenting a souvenir to Hawkins...at the Government House

Jonathan hailed

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HE Rights Monitoring Group (RMG) has hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for declaring emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The group, in a news conference held yesterday and addressed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Olufemi Aduwo, said that retaining the political structures in the affected states was another course of wisdom.

It urged the elite in the affected states to support the President and the military during the emergency rule.

The group said: “RMG commends President Jonathan for declaring emergency rule in the three states. It is a course of wisdom on the part of Mr. President to retain the political structures in the affected states, hoping also that the military and security agencies will tackle the insurgency.

“We appeal to the political leaders to rally round the military and President Jonathan during this period. It is obvious that those that canvassed the amnesty option did not carry out detailed study of the operations and needs of the terror group.

“Boko Haram is not a religious group but a politicallymotivated organisation with support from within and outside the country to destabilise the government and create insecurity in the country.”

No money missing in SUBEB, says Oshiomhole DO State GovernorAdams Oshiomhole has debunked allegations that money was missing from the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB).

The governor cleared the air at the swearing in of Washington Osifo as Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Education at the Government House in Benin City.

He said: “There are speculations as to why we made changes. The only thing constant in life, in public service, is change.

“What matters therefore is to know when to make that change.

“Let me clear the air that no money is missing. If money is missing we will find it because money doesn’t have legs.

“It is only in societies where public authority is dead that you talk of money missing.

“If money is stolen, we will find it. Money doesn’t simply get missing, not in government.

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“The challenge of running an efficient system is not just about money missing or not missing, it is about how money is applied and there are all sorts of procedures that the public service is obliged to follow.

“In this business, the end does not always justify the means. The means must be appropriate.

“My reply to the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) is that its name in this state is synonymous to theft of public recourses and Edo people agree to that.

“I ask it to explain to Edo people while it was in power for 11 years where the vote which was reflected in its budget went and it needs to show the schools that it built with those funds.

“I am happy that in this

hall, there is no one who cannot point to what this government has done in his or her area.

“I will appeal to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leaders not to be distracted by those tiny minds.”

Oshiomhole reassigned the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs Blessing Maigida, to the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Uduaghan: US perception of Delta wrong DELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has criticised the inclusion of the state in the United States’ State Department’s keep-off zones for its citizens.

Uduaghan spoke in Asaba when he hosted ConsulGeneral Jeffrey Hawkins Jr. at the Government House.

He said his administration has done a lot to improve security and curb its attendant challenges.

The governor said: “The state is peaceful and does not have serious security issues as being portrayed.

“Moreover, the government has done a lot to tackle security issues and ensure peace and security in all parts of the state.”

He said criminal activities have reduced because of the various strategies put in place to promote security.

We’ll not give in, says Dickson BAYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has underscored the need not to allow acts of terrorism re-define the country’s values.

The governor spoke when the Consul-General of the United States Consulate in Lagos, Jeffrey Hawkins Jr., visited him at the Government House, Yenagoa.

Commenting on the travel advisory issued by some Western embassies for their nationals not to visit parts of the country, the governor observed that despite the development, multinational oil companies still operate in Nigeria.

According to Dickson, there is a lot of stereotype and negative reportage of issues concerning the country, particularly the Niger Delta.

This, he said, will scuttle the developmental efforts of both the state and federal governments.

“There is a lot of stereotype and negative reportage of issues of safety that are of genuine concern to you and us.

“You have your nationals working and doing business and making money for their shareholders in this state.

“So the truth is that we all must not give in to terrorism because if we say people should not visit some areas and they don’t come, I consider that to be surrendering to terror, which is one thing we don’t want to do.

“We have to confront terrorism; we should not allow it to re-define our values and we want to live our lives.”

Rhodes-Vivour: Edo CP relocates to Ekiadolor forest

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DO State Police Commissioner Foluso Adebanjo yesterdaysaid he will relocate to the Ekiadolor/Ugbogui forest, the possible zone where kidnappers may be keeping Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, wife of the Supreme Court Justice Bode RhodesVivour.

The police boss said he was under pressure from the Inspector-General of Police, M.D. Abubakar to rescue the women alive.

He added that he has no

•Hunters, Neighbourhood Watch team up with police From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia and Osagie Otabor, Benin

option than to lead the retinue of security agencies in rescuing Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour, her daughter and driver.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has appealed to hunters in the area and Neighbourhood Watch to join in the search.

Following the appeal, the hunters in Ekiadolor axis

down to Ugbogui mobilised in their hundreds yesterday.

Hunters as well as vigilance groups in villages in Ovia North East Local Government Area have joined in the search.

Their leader, Nasogiarhu Edema, said they have resolved to take their destiny in their hands in making the Ekiadolor/ Ugbogui axis of the Benin/ Lagos uncomfortable for kidnappers and criminals alike.

The Chairman of the Neighbourhood Watch, MajGen Charles Omoregie yesterday met with Adebanjo.

When our reporter visited Gen. Omoregie’s office, he and the commissioner of police were still in a meeting.

Sources said the meeting is to strategise on how to rescue the victims.

Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour, her daughter and their driver were kidnapped on their way to Benin last Friday.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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NEWS Orji dissolves exco From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

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BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has announced the dissolution of the state Executive Council (EXCO) after almost two years.

Speaking with reporters on the outcome of the last exco meeting, the former Commissioner for Information, Eze Chikamnayo, said members of the outgoing EXCO thanked the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve.

Chikamnayo said the dissolution affected all commissioners, chief of staff to the governor, deputy chief of staff and Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mkpa Agu Mkpa.

He said the governor has directed all former commissioners to hand over all government property and documents in their care to the permanent secretaries.

Chikamnayo said all former EXCO members are expected to comply with immediate effect.

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APGA: Court vacates order

HERE is no end to the crisis rocking the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, yesterday vacated the ex parte order on Maxi Okwu from parading himself as the national chairman.

But the court was quick to say that the vacation of the order would not affect the stay of execution by the Court of Appeal reinstating Victor Umeh as the national chairman.

In his ruling, Justice M.T Salihu said an ex parte order of the court had a life span of 14 days.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

He said the order was meant to be obeyed.

“I hereby vacate the order.

But I must make it clear that the vacation of the ex parte order does not affect the stay of execution by the learned justices of the Appeal Court.”

Justice Salihu said the issue of the authentic leaders of APGA should await the Court of Appeal decision on the substantive appeal.

Umeh said the court was in order and by no circumstance did the High Court ruling affect his position as the party chairman.

Clampdown on MASSOB members

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EMBERS of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) may have become targets security operatives.

This is a calculated attempt to stop the planned sit–athome order on June 8.

Security operatives were said to have picked up MASSOB’s Awka North Regional Administrator Anthony Nwodo on Old Market Road, where he went to buy newspapers.

Sources said a girl, believed to be a security operative,

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

phoned him asking for his whereabouts.

“He told her where he was, not knowing that she was with her colleagues, who were hunting for MASSOB chieftains.

“When they got to Old Market Road, they parked their white SUV with revolving light at a petrol station.

“Four men came down and picked him from where he was waiting and whisked him away to an unknown destination.”

One killed in kingship tussle

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HERE is a crisis in Umuhu Onicha community in Ezinihitte Local Government of Imo State, following the killing of the driver of the Eze-elect, Christopher Ibeokwu, who was shot in his house by gunmen allegedly hired by Ibeokwu’s opponents.

The crisis escalated when youths of the community went on the rampage, razing down nine houses belonging to the perceived opponents and injuring several people.

It was gathered that the gunmen, who invaded the community at about 2am, apparently to kill the monarch inwaiting, could not get him.

They then went to his driver’s house and shot him in the presence of his wife and daughter.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

But for the quick intervention of the police, the mayhem would have continued as many people have fled the community, including elders.

The youth leader, Kingsley Ezurike, said: “What happened was an assassination attempt on the Eze-elect by his rivals, who have sworn that he will never become the Eze. “But when they did not see him, they decided to kill his driver. In fact, the opponents of the Eze-elect have already listed names of those they are going to kill.”

He disclosed that the youths protested because of the constant invasion of armed thugs allegedly been sponsored by the enemies of the community.

•The mast. INSET: Mr & Mrs. Eze...yesterday

Homes destroyed as storm pulls down mast in Anambra B UT for Providence, a 35feet mast would have killed a family of three in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The mast, which was pulled down by a late night storm, landed on the home of the Ezes’ in Udoka Phase I Housing Estate.

The mast belongs to a television station.

Electricity poles belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), fences and buildings were also destroyed.

Some residents said it was wrong to erect masts in residential areas because of its health hazards.

The Nation learnt that the State Housing Development Corporation (ASHDC) have written to the company on April 9, directing the company to dismantle the mast.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

The letter, signed by Ozoekwe P.E, Principal Architect and Head Development Control, reads: “We write to observe with serious concern that the above property allocated to you as a residential property is now being converted into a commercial complex with a mast under installation.

“The corporation was shocked when the development control team on routine inspection saw that a mast is being installed in the area.

“We plead that you will by this letter take appropriate steps to dismantle the part of the mast already installed and ensure that no further instal-

lation of the mast takes place at the site.”

The owners of the mast reportedly ignored the directive and went ahead to install it.

The patriarch of the family, Joseph Eze, said: “We were sleeping after eating dinner last night around 10pm when it started raining.

“The next thing we heard was a big sound on our building; we jumped out of bed and saw part of the mast resting on our bed.

“Look at it, the mast landed on our bed without touching anybody and we believe God directed it that way, please join us to thank God for saving our lives.”

His wife, Veronica, said:

“Nobody expected this kind of a thing, but it has rendered us homeless, we have no place to sleep.”

The Chairman of Udoka Housing Estate Phase II, Rev. Dr Obiora Nwosu, said: “This is a health hazard; this mast should not be here in the first instance; it is wrong to put such a mast here; and we really opposed this before now.”

The Coordinator of Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM), Obi Ochije, warned companies to stop erecting masts near residential homes.

“This endangers people’s lives. In Europe, masts are installed on hills and not close to people’s houses,” Ochije said.

Fraud rocks Imo electoral commission

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UTONOMOUS communities in Imo State have called for the probe of the State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) for failing to create new wards after allegedly collecting N300,000 from each of them.

Some of the communities, which struggled to raise the money and other administrative charges to get electoral wards ahead of the proposed council elections, were shocked when all arrangements were put on hold, including ward delineation.

The Nation learnt that the exercise, which sparked off controversy among opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party

•Aggrieved communities call for probe

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

(PDP), which raised the alarm over the payment, may not have got the blessing of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

A community leader from Oguta Local Government Area, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “Before some of us were able to raise the N300,000 paid to ISIEC, we went through hell.

“We won’t just fold our hands and allow that money go down the drain. We want Governor Rochas Okorocha to intervene and ask the commission to refund all the money collected.

“We have about 367 au-

tonomous communities in Imo State. If you multiply that number by N300, 000, you will find out the mind-boggling fraud that is going in that commission.

“If by the end of the month, we do not get a refund or new electoral wards, we will take to the streets.”

But the commission Chairman, Teddy Obi Akwara, said the process was still on.

He said: “We are committed to the exercise, which is still on. We are taking our time to ensure that the job is perfected to avoid flaws that may result to the scrapping of any ward created by the commission.”

The ISIEC chief threatened to delist any community that does not want to see reasons with the commission.

Akwara, who until his appointment, was a member of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), said the council election was put on hold because all parties were not prepared for the election.

He said: “We did not postpone the council elections to pave the way for the appointment of sole administrators; the parties were not ready for the exercise.

“In fact, the Conference for Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) wrote to us and asked that the election be postponed for five months.”

Emotions as NAF pilots are buried in Abuja

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HE two pilots who died in a Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet that crashed in Niamey, Niger Republic have been buried at the National Military Cemetery on Airport Road in Abuja.

The ill-fated jet crashed on May 6.

The two officers who were buried with full military honours are Sqn.-Ldr Benjamin Ado and Flying Officer Ayuba Layelmenson, who lost their lives while serving with the Africa-led International Support Mission in Mali.

At the sombre ceremony yesterday, the Minister of

State for Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada, said that Nigeria had lost two of its officers who gave their lives for the cause of peace.

Mrs Obada said the officers’ death in the line of duty was a gallant sacrifice for peace to reign in the African continent.

“As members of the armed forces and the Nigerian nation, we must be proud of the gallant efforts of these young gentlemen who proudly showcased the great spirit and tenacity of the country far away from home.

“We must see their death as a call to duty to serve humanity.

“We must not let the sacrifice they have made with their lives go in vain.

“As we continue to confront the present security challenges in some parts of the continent and at home, we must emulate the selflessness, courage and commitment, exhibited by the late officers,’’ she said.

Mrs Obada, while conveying the condolences of President Goodluck Jonathan, said “the president and the whole nation share in your grief of losing your husbands, fathers and sons.

The minister said the president appreciated the great sac-

rifice of the two men and other members of the armed forces who had continued to make sacrifices to ensure enduring peace in the nation and other parts of the continent.

“The president is committed to doing all that is necessary in support of the armed forces to enable it carry out its duties to ensure the sanctity of a united Nigeria.

“At times like this, I know words of comfort would be difficult to console or heal your losses. My plea to you is to take solace in God, who is the greatest comforter,’’ she added.

In his sermon, Wing Cdr.

Dogo Gani, the Air Force Protestant Chaplain, who took his text from Psalm 90, Verse 112, said that the people at the ceremony never expected that they would gather for such an event.

“As we are sitting here looking at our colleagues, what are we leaving behind and what are we going to be remembered for,’’ he asked.

Mr Joab Layelmenson, father of the late Ayuba Layelmenson, described his son as an intelligent young man who became a role model not only in the family but everywhere he went.

Layelmenson said that

wherever his son went, he came out with prizes and it made the family proud.

Noel Ado, brother of Benjamin Ado, also described his brother as a very caring officer, who was ready to help others to solve problems whenever called upon to do so.

Ado who hailed from Benue, was born on April 22, 1979 in Lagos and was admitted into Regular Course 50 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Aug. 17, 1998.

He was commissioned into the air force as a pilot officer in September, 2003.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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NEWS Insecurity: Govt deploys security operatives HE Kaduna State Govto southern Kaduna ernment yesterday de-

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ployed security operatives to investigate the incessant attacks in the southern part of the state.

The Director-General of Media and Publicity to the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, broke the news to the News Agency of the Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

Maiyaki said the security operatives are expected to investigate the series of attacks in the area to enable the govern-

ment proffer a lasting solution.

NAN recalls that Zantang chiefdom in Kaura Local Government Area of the state was on Monday night attacked by unknown gunmen who killed 12 residents.

Several others sustained various degrees of injury while properties worth millions of naira were burnt during the renewed mayhem.

Maiyaki condemned the at-

tack and urged the people to remain calm and law-abiding.

The governor’s aide promised that the Mukhtar Yero administration will address the security challenges.

He commiserated with the people of the community over the killings and loss of property.

Maiyaki assured that the government will soon end the spate of attacks in the area.

Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo (left) receiving 2006 census report from the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC) for Gombe, Alhaji Bala Magaji... on Tuesday.

‘More arms, bodies recovered in Nasarawa’

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HE Nasarawa State Government yesterday said it has recovered some arms and ammunition from the Ombatse militia group.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hajiya Zainab Abdulmumini, said some bodies have been recovered and handed over to the victim’s families. But the statement did not give any figure.

It also said some have been recovered and handed over to the police.

The statement reads: “The government has, through concerted efforts, recovered some bodies of the victims and handed them over to their bereaved families. The government has also recovered some arms and ammunition from some suspected members of the Ombatse cult group. The weapons have since been handed over to the police.”

Efforts to confirm her claims of the recovered arms and audition as well as the bodies of the slain police officers, however, were unsuccessful.

Police spokesman Michael Ada, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), declined to comment on the development.

He said only the Force Headquarters could make a statement on the matter.

At the time of filing this report yesterday night, Force Headquarters’ spokesman, Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), could

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

not be reached. The calls to his mobile phone did not go through.

A new Police Commissioner, Umar Shehu has resumed

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duty in Nasarawa State.

The new police chief, who assumed duty on Monday, yesterday said the police command is “totally committed to a full restoration of peace in the state”.

Achebe: Senate urges Fed Govt to name highway, others after writer

HE Senate yesterday eulogised world-acclaimed writer, Prof. Chinua Achebe, for his contributions to the emergence and growth of African literature.

Prof. Achebe, who died on March 21, will be buried in his home town, Ogidi, Anambra State, on May 23.

The Senate, in a motion sponsored by Chris Ngige (Anambra Central) and 108 others, resolved to urge the Federal Government to name a major federal highway or street in Abuja after the late Achebe.

It also urged the government to name a national monument after the late literary icon.

The lawmakers shelved any discussion on Tuesday’s declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by President Goodluck Jonathan, which many had thought would dominate discussions on the floor of the Senate yesterday.

But the senators instead held a valedictory session in honour of Achebe.

The upper chamber constituted a nine-man committee,

How to immortalise Achebe, by Igbo group AN Igbo socio-political group, Aka Ikenga, has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the late Prof. Chinua Achebe by fighting corruption, poverty and injustice across the land.

The group said these were the issues Achebe fought till his death.

The group’s President-General, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, spoke in Lagos at a day of tributes in honour of the late literary icon at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

He noted that Achebe would have loved to be remembered through academics.

Although he said it is not a bad idea if the government chooses to name an institution or a monument after the renowned novelist, Uwazurike added that Achebe, being a principled and dignified man, would have been happier if his death could serve a turning point in reclaiming the nation’s lost glory.

He described Achebe as a man who learnt the white man’s language but wrote his stoFrom Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

led by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, to commiserate with the government and people of Anambra State and Prof. Achebe’s family. They also observed a minute silence in honour of the late writer.

Other members of the Committee are: Uche Chukwumerije, Prof Shola Adeyeye, James Manager, Abdul Ningi, Mohammed Magoro, Philip Aduda, Remi Tinubu and Zainab Kure.

Achebe was described as a world figure and personality who brought fame and prestige to the country and humanity through his writings, including novels and essays, some of which have become instruments for his dogged activism.

Senate President David Mark said Achebe was “a detribalised Nigerian, a nationalist to the core and a nationalist till his death”.

According to him, Achebe deserves a befitting burial from the Federal Government as a

By Precious Igbonwelundu

ries with Igbo syntax, as a result of his dire need to protect and preserve the African culture.

“He (Achebe) was an icon and stood up without hiding his disgusts for injustice and corruption,” Uwazurike said. Uwuzurike recalled how Achebe rejected national honours because he felt the givers’ hands were stained.

According to him, the late writer, even at death, will insult anyone who tries to confer him a honour when scores of Nigerians are being killed by Boko Haram and other insurgents.

At the event were: President-General, Igbo Lagos, Prof. Anya Anya; former presidential aspirant, Prof Pat Utomi; a philanthropist, Chief Arthur Mbanefo; a former ambassador, Prof Goerge Obiozor; the brother to the deceased, Obi Achebe; a former Naval Chief, Admiral Ndubuisi Nkanu; House of Representatives member, Chude Uwazurike; the chairman of the Chinua Achebe Burial Committee, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, among others. mark of honour for the virtues he stood for.

Ngige, in his lead debate, noted that Nigerians have a lot of lessons to learn from the life and writings of Achebe. Among them is Achebe’s emphasis on the efficiency of Nigerian system, the senator said.

Ngige said: “These anecdotes include his merit-based access to secondary and tertiary education and on graduation to salaried jobs. He (Achebe) referred also to the efficiency of the postal system, which promptly delivered his unregistered mail to London and brought back a reply.

“However, the cheerfully hopeful ending to Achebe’s quiet musings and exhortation is that his disillusionment is not so much with the collapse of Biafra as with the failure of Nigeria of his youth’s dreams.

“If this generation of Nigerian leaders can still hear and heed the calm, steady voice of Achebe, they can still save Nigeria.”

Achebe, Ngige said, was a patriot who loved his country and was always in constant touch with

home, even when he was on his wheelchair in the United States (USA).

“He criticised governments at home when necessary, especially when they had not done well. He was an activist of prodigious intensity; he was very courageous and spoke truth to power.

“Through his works, like A Man of the People and The Trouble with Nigeria, Achebe deployed his literary gifts to mirror the ills of the Nigerian society with a view to building a better and prosperous country.

“As a non-effervescence radical and activist of the progressive bent, Achebe had a short stint in partisan politics as a founding member in 1978 of Mallam Aminu Kano’s Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), a people-oriented progressive party that had its interest in the uplifting of the downtrodden (Talakawas) in the society,” Ngige said.

Ganiyu Solomon (Lagos West) said Achebe made great impact with his writings and that this was an indication that Nigeria has what it takes to impact the world.

Solomon said: “Through his writings, Achebe introduced us to African culture. I learnt about the new yam festival first in: Things Fall Apart. His global impact, through his writings, shows that Nigeria has what it takes to impact the world.

“We still have a lot of Achebes in Nigeria and, by the Grace of God, they will come out one day for us to celebrate them.”

James Manager (Delta South) noted that though he never met Achebe, he admired him for his foresight about Nigeria.

Muslim students fault commissioner’s statement on Hijab

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HE Lagos State Area Unit of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) yesterday denied reaching an agreement with Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, on the government’s ban of Hijab (women’s veil) in the state’s public schools.

The Nation yesterday quoted Mrs Oladunjoye as saying that the decision to ban Hijab in Lagos public schools was a consensus reached at what she called a stakeholders’ meeting reportedly chaired by the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mr Oyinlomo Dan-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

mole.

A statement by the society’s Public Relations officer (PRO), Sulaimon Alamutu, said Mrs Oladunjoye was economical with the truth.

The statement reads: “We want to state unequivocally that the claim of Mrs Oladunjoye was …an attempt to obstruct the course of justice.

“The commissioner claimed in her statement that the MSSN representatives were at the socalled stakeholders’ meeting where the decision to ban Hijab was taken. This is ridiculous.

How can we be demanding that the right of Muslims to use Hijab in schools be given them and at the same time consent to a ‘consensus’ that is antithetical to our demand? We were never invited for any meeting at any time!

“Let us state here that the state government has reneged on its agreement to call us for dialogue since our mass protest on February 28, this year, at the Governor’s Office in Alausa. The government did not only renege on all the agreements but also ensured, through delay tactics, that the case is swept under the carpet.

“The pronouncement by the commissioner is an afterthought and a flagrant disrespect for the rule of law. We have already served the government a court notice on the issue and Justice Oyewole of the State High Court has fixed May 27 for hearing. So, we wonder why the commissioner, who we believe knows the position of the law, would come out to make such a pronouncement.

We are puzzled by her action.”

MSSN urged Governor Babatunde Fashola to caution Mrs Oladunjoye before she destroys his administration’s reputation.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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FOREIGN NEWS Nigerian students turn beggars in Russia From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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BOUT 160 Nigerian students on the Federal Government scholarship have turned to beggars in Russia, it was learnt yesterday.

The House of Representatives has however declared its readiness to take on the Federal Ministry of Eduction and others that were responsible for the plight of the students.

About 150 undergraduate and 10 post-graduate students are currently studying in Russia on the Federal government scholarship.

According to Godwin Ezinkwo, leader of the Association of the Federal Government Doctoral Candidates in Russia, the students have not been able to meet up with their financial obligations to the schools due to lack of payment of their allowances by the government.

Nigeria to support Mali From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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OWARDS rebuilding the war-torn Mali after months of conflict, the Federal Government has pledged more financial aid to the country.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, according to a statement yesterday, made the pledge at the International Donors Conference on the Development of Mali organised by the European Union and the Mali’s transitional government in Brussels.

Sambo represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the conference said Nigeria has so far committed over USD$45million in humanitarian assistance, rehabilitation, administration and maintenance of military operations for the restoration of peace in the country.

Palestinians mark 1948 displacement

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ENS of thousands of Palestinians marked the 65th anniversary of their mass displacement during the war over Israel’s 1948 creation, marching in the streets and in some parts of the West Bank clashing with Israeli security forces.

Every May 15, Palestinians hold rallies to commemorate the “nakba,” or “catastrophe” - the term they use to describe the displacement, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes during the fighting. The dispute over the fate of those Palestinians and their descendants, now numbering several million people, remains at the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The United Nations General Assembly approved a partition of British-ruled Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states in 1947. In May 1948 Israel declared independence.

Israel views the Palestinians’ return as demographic suicide and expects the displaced and their descendants to be taken in by a future Palestinian state. But intermittent Israeli-Palestinian attempts to agree on the terms of such a state have so far failed.

Across the West Bank yesterday, sirens wailed at noon for 65 seconds to commemorate the 65 years since the “nakba.”

Thousands marched in Ramallah from the grave of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to the city center. Many wore black in a sign of mourning, holding Palestinian flags and large keys symbolizing the homes they left behind.

In Ramallah, 38-year-old Manwal Awad brought her 11-year-old twins to the protest. “Every year I bring them with me to inherit the story of our nakba, and to keep the dream of return,” she said.

In east Jerusalem, Israeli police used water cannon and officers on horseback to disperse an “illegal march,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. Nineteen protesters were arrested for throwing rocks and bottles at police that injured three police officers, he said.

Seven other Palestinians suspected of attacking several Jews as they walked to the Western Wall in the Old City were also arrested, he said.

In Gaza, around a thousand

people marched to the U.N. headquarters in Gaza City, where the demonstrators chanted: “We shall return. We will never give up or compromise over our land.”

Militants in Gaza, which has been under the control of the militant Hamas group since 2007, fired a rocket into southern Israel that exploded in an open field causing no injuries, Israel’s military said.

In a televised speech on Tuesday night, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian cause earned international acceptance last year with the United Nations’ de facto recognition of a Palestinian state in east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

“We won the support of the world,” Abbas said, adding that Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians are “condemned internationally.”

Last year, Abbas created a stir when he told Israeli media that he himself has no wish to live in Safed, the city of his birth, in northern Israel.

Although widely condemned by Palestinians, Abbas’ remarks were seen as a reflection of a decades-old understanding among Palestinian officials that likely only a limited number of refugees would ever be able to return to their original homes in Israel as part of a compromise that would result in a future peace agreement. r live in the diaspora.

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S

OME 100 legislators are demanding a ban on two top independent candidates including expresident Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani from Iran’s June presidential election in what may be a further move to thwart any brewing challenge to the clerical supreme leader.

The petition by parliamentarians to Iran’s Guardian Council emerged three days after the electoral watchdog said outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may face charges for accompanying former aide Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, the other high-profile independent, to register on Saturday for the vote.

That warning raised speculation that the council would bar Mashaie. The parliamentarians - conservative hardliners loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - appeared to follow up by urging the watchdog to disqualify both independents.

After mass protests that followed the 2009 election, Khamenei may have counted on the June 14 vote to install a loyal conservative as president but the surprise candidacies of Rafsanjani and Mashaie scrambled that outlook.

Tunisia cracks down on extremists •Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces as they mark Nakba Day in Jerusalem ... yesterday.

PHOTO: AP

Syria rebels attack Aleppo prison YRIAN rebels attacked the main prison in the northern city of Aleppo yesterday with a pair of car bombs in an attempt to free hundreds of regime opponents believed to be held in the facility, activists said.

Meanwhile, the Internet went down across Syria on Wednesday - the second time in a week - but was restored

Iran MPs urge ban on Rafsanjani, Mashaie

after more than eight hours.

Aleppo emerged as one of the major fronts in the country’s civil war after a rebel offensive there in July, and the fighting since then has settled into a bloody stalemate.

The city, Syria’s largest, holds strategic and symbolic value, and both sides have

taken significant losses in the battle to expand the turf under their control.

Rebels detonated two car bombs simultaneously outside the walls of the central prison Wednesday morning before trying to storm the facility, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

That prompted fierce clashes between President Bashar Assad’s troops and opposition fighters around the detention center, with at least 15 soldiers killed, Observatory director Rami Abdul-Rahman said. He had no immediate information on casualties among rebels.

British PM, prince, visit NYC studio

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RITISH Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Harry visited a design studio in New York City on Tuesday as part of a campaign to promote their country as a tourist destination and U.S. business partner.

The two arrived at Milk Studios on a red double-decker bus. With a view of the Hudson River from a ninthfloor penthouse, the prince and prime minister participated in a demonstration of 3-

D computerized printing technology, including of two dolls that resembled the men.

Prince Harry looked amused holding a likeness of himself in his British army regiment uniform, commenting on the detail of the beret and proclaiming the technology to be “cool.”

Cameron spoke to about 100 guests including British and American entrepreneurs.

“I’m here to celebrate the special relationship between

our two countries,” he said. “It really struck me on this visit, first in Washington, with President Obama, talking about how our troops work together all over the world including Afghanistan, then in Boston, reflecting on the fact that both our countries have been victims of two appalling terrorist attacks, and now here in Manhattan, celebrating the immense technological collaboration between our two countries.”

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UNISIA is taking a harder line on preaching by ultraconservative Muslim groups, a crackdown that has sparked demonstrations by rockthrowing protesters and ominous warnings of terrorist attacks to come.

As it struggles to hunt down al-Qaida linked terrorists in its frontiers, the government has also been trying to rein in salafis emboldened by the fall of the country’s repressive dictatorship two years ago. The interior minister said last week that gatherings will require permission, a measure rarely enforced in the past that is an attempt to stop tent meetings springing up around the country to build support for the groups.

One of the most vocal of them threatened Monday that if the government cancels its annual conference this weekend — an event attended by 40,000 last year that featured martial arts displays and sword-wielding horsemen — its adherents who have experience in jihad could strike.

Ban Ki-moon to leaders: support pensioners

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HE United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon has urged decision makers, public institutions and policy makers to support and put the needs of family as top most priority.

This, he stated can be achieved by paying the pensions of older persons, which goes a long way in supporting and bonding families.

Unemployment, lack of affordable childcare; inadequate pensions and most of the aged members of the society relying on their children for shelter and care are some of the many problems eroding the society, he said.

By Nneka Nwaneri

Moon spoke yesterday through the United Nations Information Centre representative in Lagos, Mrs Olajumoke Araba in commemoration of the International Day of Families with the theme: Advancing Social Integration through Intergenerational Solidarity.

The secretary General urged that families be celebrated despite all odds of the social and economic trends in the country; they have a legacy of holding intergenerational relationships.

His words: “Unemploy-

ment is forcing many young people, often eager for independence, to rely on their parents longer than they would have hoped. The lack of affordable and quality childcare is complicating efforts by parents in dual earner families to combine their work and home obligations. Inadequate pensions and care for older persons demand more attention as we succeed in our goals of extending lives.

“These challenges make family support more important than ever-for the young person seeking a job while living with their parents, for

the grand parent who relies on their children for shelter and care, and for the many members of extended families who take on childcare responsibilities.

“Evidence shows that adequate pensions and caregiver support help not only older person’s whole families and brings opportunities for people of all ages to bond revilalise whole communities.”

He called on Civil Societies, families and individuals to support and bring forth initiatives that bring people together across generations towards building a healthier world for all.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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NEWS

SEC operation is sustained by prayer, says Ndanusa

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HE face-off between the National Assembly and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has gone spiritual.

The commission has decided to pray to sustain its

From Nduka Chiejina Assistant Editor

operations as a regulator of the nation’s Capital Market.

Chairman of the SEC Board, Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa, said this yester-

LOSS OF DOCUMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT DOCUMENTS RELATING TO GOVERNMENT ALLOCATION NO LU/ 2001/LF/RES/BL.8/PL.88 DATED 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2001 AND LU/2001/LF/RES/BL.8/PL.87 DATED 26 TH SEPTEMBER, 2001 BELONGING TO MR. EDWARD OSAKWE AND PMCIA GLOBAL INVESTMENT LIMITED RESPECTIVELY; TOGETHER WITH SOME OTHER DOCUMENTS AND VALUABLES WERE LOST IN A FIRE INCIDENT/ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED AT NO. 3, WUMEGO CRESCENT, LEKKI PHASE 1, LAGOS STATE ON THE 28TH MARCH, 2013.

Public notice HOLY MICHAEL EVANGELICAL CHERUBIN AND SERAPHIM CHURCH (IRETI-OGO) This is to inform the general public that the above named church has applied for registration under part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev’d Apostlic Mother Felicia Tinuade Shodipe (Founder) 2. Rev’d Prophet Daniel Oludare Shodipe (general Overseer) 3. Rev’d Superior Victor Olamide Shodipe 4. Prophet Obafemi Opanuga 5. Prince David Adekimoye AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach and teach the gospel of Christ to the entire world 2. To arrange revivals and conferences, Vigils 3. To establish churches and centre of worship, bible schools in all part of the world 4. To promote fellowship among the body of Christ Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the registrar general corporate affairs commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi street Maitama,Abuja P.M.B 198 within 28days of this publication SIGNED Obafemi Opanuga & Co 13, Thorborn Avenue Yaba (Solicitors)

day during the inauguration of the SEC Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) in Abuja.

He told reporters that they have been praying for a speedy and amicable resolution of the crisis.

The commission is currently operating without any budgetary allocation from the Federal Government at the insistence of the National Assembly After passing the 2013 budget, the House of Representatives denied the commission budgetary approval for the year and ordered that no budgetary or extra budgetary provisions be made available to the commission until its Director-General, Ms. Arunma Oteh, is removed from office.

When asked how the SEC is funding its operations without a budget, Ndanusa said: “The secret is prayer and prayer and prayer. We have been praying. But I tell you, there is nothing that cannot be resolved by God. So far, so good, to God be the glory. I urge you to join in the prayer so that this matter will be resolved amicably.”

The SEC Chairman noted that the commission is vital to the nation and its economy, stressing that “it is imperative that the country maintains a well funded SEC to have a very active, effective and efficient regulator that will ensure transparency and accountability in the market.”

TODAY IN THE NATION

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

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TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

HEN President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in beleaguered Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states on Tuesday, the news did not shock many. There had been speculations that a drastic measure to rein in insurgents was in the offing.

Dr Jonathan was fuming and frowning. The whole place was shaking under the unusual presidential anger. Gone were the broad smiles that usually brightened his boyish face to exhibit that innocent pastoral mien, the gesticulations of an artiste, the clumsy platitudes and the biblical allusions. No niceties.

The presidential proclamation was the climax of days of unprecedented violence against security agents. In one day last week, scores – 56 in Nasarawa and 38 in Bama, Borno State – were killed. Many innocent citizens bearing no arms have also been killed.

Schools, homes and many government facilities have been razed. Anarchy has been at the door in many parts of the Northeast.

Truck-loads of security agents were on their way to Alakyo, Nasarawa State, on a mission to arrest the leader of a hitherto unknown cult group, Ombatse, that had become a big pain in the neck for residents, forcing people to pledge allegiance to its chief, Baba Alakyo.

The security agents moved after a tip-off. The cultists, apparently after a tip-off, mounted an ambush for the invaders. The security men came under massive fire. They could barely reply. Apparently, they were unprepared for such a bloody resistance. Two key bolts went missing in the machine - the enemy was underestimated and the surprise element was lost. The security agents paid dearly for these mistakes.

It was a moving sight these past few days.

Enraged wives, decked in the police uniforms of their husbands who went on the disastrous mission, protesting and demanding the bodies of their loved ones. One lapped a baby, weeping, surrounded by her friends and relatives consoling her. Their kids have been talking about broken dreams and shattered lives.

Oh dear! I do not remember anywhere in our recent history where security agents have been so massacred, not even in the Niger Delta at the height of the militancy. What happened? How equipped were the security agents for that mission of no return? Who was the mole that gave the cultists the vital information about their movement?

Not all the bodies of the security agents have been recovered – one week after the failed operation. Are the cultists holding the bodies? Why is their leader yet to be arrested?

Now that the security agencies know that it will require a military operation to subdue the cultists, what next?

Since the proclamation of the emergency rule in those states, there have been many reactions. The resort to emergency rule is understandable. Desperation. It is like the case of a man who unknowingly touches a piece of iron that is red hot. He will dip his hand anywhere, including a gutter – in sheer desperation to restore the distressed hand.

The government shouldn’t have allowed itself to be boxed into this dark corner.

But, there are many questions arising from this major development. Is this the most crea-

VOL. 8, NO. 2,487

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

•Winner, DAME Award for Informed Commentary

Thoughts on state of emergency

• Dr Jonathan tive way of resolving this matter? If the government knew that emergency rule was the way to go, why did it wait for this long, until the body bags started coming in hundreds?

What will be the fate of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Security Challenges in the North, the one that claimed to have met the Madalla bomb suspect, Kabiru Sokoto - he denied ever seeing the committee – ? Will it continue its road show, despite this and the rejection of peace proposals by Boko Haram? Where are those blokes who called a press conference the other day in Maiduguri, renouncing violence and vowing to pursue a ceasefire? Can there be peace talks in an emergency?

The President spoke of “those who are directly or indirectly encouraging any form of rebellion against the Nigerian state, and their collaborators; those insurgents and terrorists who take delight in killing our security op-

eratives, whoever they may be… we will hunt them down … and we will bring them to justice.”

Some obfuscation there. Do we know the collaborators, the faces behind the masks? If Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and his lieutenants are hard to seize, are their sponsors also ghosts? Where are their weapons coming from? Can’t the government lean on Nigeria’s big weight to compel our neighbours to stop Boko Haram from planning and launching attacks from their countries?

The Bama attacks could not have been planned in Borno, considering its massiveness. How far has the Mali expedition helped in weakening the al-Qaeda backed insurgents? Isn’t this more of a technical-cum-intelligence war and not a game of mere brawn and weaponry?

The troops have been accused of extra-judicial killings. Now that they have got the licence to search homes, arrest and detain suspects, among other powers, will they be responsible in using these powers? I doubt it. Will this seeming hammer blow against the insurgents rein them in? For an enduring solution, the extra-judicial killings should stop; it can never help. The troops should find a way of ingratiating themselves with the locals so as to be able to separate the insurgents from the innocent folks who can give them information on how to track down the trouble makers.

There are those who believe that the compelling factor is politics, politics of 2015. Of the three troubled states, two are in the opposition. Adamawa belongs to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party’s power brokers and some hawks in the Presidency, it was learnt, insisted on full

HARDBALL

emergency rule –collapse of the democratic structure. Thankfully, they did not have their way. How will the military chiefs relate with the governors? Who takes orders from who?

Will the Assembly be making laws in a vacuum? Soon –mark my words – soon, the real motive for this action will emerge. The game players, the sincere guys and the jokers will all be exposed.

The government may need to be reminded of how this ogre was let loose on the land.

Mohammed Yusuf was a young man preaching against western education. He and his followers were merely exercising their freedom of association and expression. In fact, many saw them as no threat to peace. Then politicians found a window of opportunity in the group. They moved in. The authorities, apparently sensing some dangerous deviation, tried to stop the group. Yusuf was arrested by soldiers who handed him over to the police. The police, for some inexplicable reasons, killed Yusuf. Then, members of the sect became violent, attacking police stations, prisons and other government facilities.

Boko Haram has since stopped making so much fuss about its original goal of imposing sharia. Now, it is demanding the release of its members, their wives and children, who are in detention. On Monday, Shekau made a video appearance in which he claimed that women and children were being held captive by the sect, adding that they would not be released until their members in custody are let off.

No matter how the matter goes, it will be at a huge cost. The immediate solution may come from bombs and bullets. The enduring solution will come from a massive reorientation of our people, justice for all, separation of governance from politics and non pursuit of power not as a means to an end – the wellbeing of all – but as an end in itself – for self aggrandisement.

The government should not delude itself by thinking that those three are the only states that are ill. Kidnappers are yet to take a break in the Southeast. Armed robbers are at work, killing and maiming, in many states.

When will they get attention?

By the way, what happened to the emergency on power, the very one the President and his predecessor, the late Umaru Yar’Adua, declared at the beginning of their tenure, the one that is supposed to give us 6,000 megawatts and pave the way for a 24hour electricity supply? Is it still on?

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

State of emergency: Jonathan bites the bullet (2)

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HE National Assembly is expected to endorse the president’s declaration of state of emergency with little fuss, and will pretend to understand how to circumscribe his powers and how to limit the denudation of the political structures in the affected states. But in the end, the president and his security forces will have their way. That they will have their way, however, does not imply they will succeed, for the crisis obviously requires much more tact and nuanced solutions than the president and his cabinet JONATHAN SHOULD LEARN GOVERNANCE have given. Indeed, the president faces a herFROM OBASANJO -Ex-Oyo SSG culean battle to prove that he has acted altruistically in this big gamble upon which he is staking his presidency.

Two outcomes are possible from the imposition of emergency: it is either the Northeast is pacified and the president’s actions justified, or the crisis in the region worsens and dooms his presidency. It is more likely that the government may in no distant future find itself contending with flexible and rootless guerrilla warfare, with militants avoiding areas of strong troop concentrations in favour of more vulnerable targets, and pausing to fight only in order to score propaganda points.

It is feared that the crisis, which has so far been largely localised in the Northeast, may now begin to spread more insidiously to other parts of the North and the Middle Belt. ...yes BABAcracy!

It must also be recognised that the fanaticism

RIPPLES

‘‘We are sick of our people dying of blown out generators and of generator fumes. If we cannot provide ordinary power in the 21st Century, then the reason for the existence of government becomes unclear, especially in a situation where individuals are generating more power than the state itself.’

JIDE OSUNTOKUN

that drives Boko Haram militancy is akin to the one that propels the Taliban in Afghanistan. It is illogical, morally contradictory, non-ideological and offensive. For them, there is always enough deadly inspiration to make a few guerrilla fighters pin down a large force, as the Russians and Americans discovered in Afghanistan.

In spite of the popularity of the declaration of state of emergency, its efficacy is doubtful, for the government has not appeared to reflect deeply on why the Boko Haram militancy has festered. It has festered for the same reasons many other parts of the country are exploding into mini wars and sundry, troubling and uncontrollable criminality. There are millions of unemployed and embittered youths left in the lurch, with most of them possessing little or no skills. There is deep frustration and alienation which no amount of military deployment can mollify. In fact the excesses that often accompany military involvement in internal security operations tend to worsen the problems. To the perceptive, therefore, law and order has virtually broken down everywhere, and it has little to do with Boko Haram. Borno and Yobe mayhem merely present the government a test case and an opportunity to demonstrate it can scientifically grapple with complicated problems.

The crisis requires the president to show a deep understanding of the problem in the Northeast and other parts of the country, be wary of blaming so-called colluding elites, have the boldness to reappraise the defective paradigms of previous governments, such as a deformed federalism and an unwieldy 36-state structure, understand the psychology of the region, inspire them to support him and his initiatives, and reorganise his army into a disciplined fighting force that does not brook war crimes. If Boko Haram has taken the Northeast to the depths of depravity, Jonathan has an obligation to lead the country in a different direction where soldiers would embark on reconstruction projects, woo the local population with populist programmes in healthcare, education and entertainment, and showcase strategic thinking.

This column fears that with the declaration of emergency and the massing of tanks, armoured cars and heavy weapons, the president has all but given up on reaching an understanding with a large part of the North, preferring instead a gunboat diplomacy to defeat the militants. A state of emergency is indeed a strong statement, but the president has not shown he has the formula to translate military victory into victory over the fundamental causes of the crisis.

•Concluded

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