The Nation May 19 2011 by The Nation

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

NYSC girl ‘rape’: Osun Oba in court •Magistrate transfers case

NEWS – Page 2

Oyo PDP takes Ajimobi to tribunal NEWS

Page 59

•Akala: I’m not afraid of EFCC http://www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 6, NO. 1764 THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

Strauss-Khan’s ordeal

N150.00

•Latest on the IMF boss’s tribulation PAGE 3

Senate bars freshers from leadership positions

HE Senate yesterday called the bluff of critics. It amended certain clauses in its body of rules, making it impossible for freshers to vie for positions, particularly President of the Senate. Through a unanimous voice vote after a guided debate that lasted more than two hours, the lawmakers overwhelmingly endorsed the amendment with relish. Bringing

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

down the gavel on the amendment, Senate President David Mark said the Senate could not have chickened out of the amendment simply because a section of the public kicked against the move. Describing the opposition to the amendment as deliberate blackmail from outside the parliament,

Mark said the rule was not new and that the Senate only moved it from one section of the rules book to the other. His words: “This is not a rule that is new; it already exists. We only moved it from Section 97(1) (f) to 3(2). Any new senator who is not ranking today would be ranking tomorrow.” “It is for the strengthening of the Senate as an institution. This has

nothing to do with David Mark but the institution of Senate. Commentators are ignorant of the rules and they were trying to blackmail us. “There is nothing wrong with what we are doing now. If we chicken out because a few people are not comfortable with it, I think it is not the right thing to do.” However, the composition of principal officers in the current Senate appears to fault Mark’s

claim on the pre-existence of the rule. Of the 10 principal officers, seven are ranking members. The remaining three got the positions as first time members. The ranking members among the list are: David Mark (President of the Senate); Ike Ekweremadu (Deputy President of the Senate); Teslim Folarin (Majority Leader); Continued on page 2

Jonathan to Danjuma: small cabinet not now Seven-man panel to vet list of 120

From Yusuf Alli and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

ROPONENTS of a lean cabinet, who say the idea will save billions in cash and make the government more effective, may have lost the battle. A lean cabinet is not possible for now, President Goodluck Jonathan declared yesterday. According to him, the Constitution must first be amended before a smaller cabinet can be achieved. The President spoke at a valedictory meeting with members of the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) led by former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma. The PAC, at its inauguration in March, publicly advised Jonathan to run a lean government to reduce recurrent expenditure and free more funds for capital expenditure. A 42-man cabinet is in place now. Also yesterday, it was gathered that the President has raised a seven-man committee to vet a list of 120 names submitted to him through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for ministerial appointments. “Your suggestion for a smaller cabinet is excellent. I agree with you, but this cannot be achieved without constitutional amendment,” Jonathan told the PAC members, who rounded off their assignment yesterday. Continued on page 2

•Health workers protesting over the delay in passing the Health Bill by the National Assembly in Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

•BUSINESS P15 •INDUSTRY P17 •SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •N/HEALTH P47

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS

•Chairman of Associated Discount House Ltd., Mr Mohammed Lai Alabi (second right), flanked from left by Mr Larry Ettah (Director), Mr Segun Oloketuyi (Director) and Managing Director/CEO Mr Abubakr Jimoh, during the 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos ... PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA yesterday.

•Senate President David Mark (left) and Chairman of Senate Committee on Finance Sen. Ahmed Makarfi with pupils of Blue International Community School, Abuja when they visited the PHOTO: NAN National Assembly in Abuja ... yesterday.

‘Small cabinet not now’ Continued from page 1

The President also praised the council for its role in stabilising the administration. He assured them that the PAC’s final report would form part of the policy direction of his new administration. He thanked them for accepting to serve the nation in spite of their individual schedules, saying the Federal Government would continue to tap from their wealth of experience in the years ahead. Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the President to constitute his cabinet and appoint at least one minister from each of the 36 states and the FCT, Abuja. The Section reads: “There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President. “Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President,

“Any appointment under subsection(2) of this section by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of Section14(3) of this Constitution, provided that in giving effect to the provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each state, who shall be an indigene of such state.” Gen. Danjuma, said the PAC members were priviledged to have been selected to advise the administration. He said all members contributed immensely to the Council’s work, and advised Jonathan to apply the same diligence he applied in selecting the PAC to the appointment of his new cabinet from among the qualified Nigerians willing to serve the country. Notable among the PAC members are Prof. Ben Nwabueze, renowned constitutional lawyer, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, a frontline businessman and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. The seven-man in-house committee will collate and

vet all the nominated candidates. It was also learnt that more than 120 candidates have been nominated for ministerial appointments. The committee may submit its report on Monday. Members of the panel, according to sources include a representative of the office of the National Security Adviser, four key officials of the Presidency, an Assistant Director from the State Security Services (SSS) and a secretary. A source in the Presidency, who spoke in confidence, said the committee would prepare a brief on all the candidates to assist the President to form an opinion on them. He said: “The President wants to be fair to all and he has directed that all ministerial nominations/submissions should be considered by the ad-hoc committee. “The members of the committee are under instructions to review all nominations as long as the list bears the letter head of the PDP. “All factions in the states where PDP members are feud-

Election of Speaker: Jonathan, PDP NWC to whip Reps into line

F •Dr Jonathan

ing, will be given fair hearing. The President will make consultations based on his preference. “After vetting the resume of the candidates, the committee will put them in professional cadre before forwarding the comprehensive list to the President.” More than 120 candidates have been nominated from the 36 states and the FCT. Another top Presidency source said: “From the list from the PDP, most of the states and the FCT have an average of three nominees. “But where there were issues/disagreements, like in Osun, Ondo, Gombe, Oyo, Imo, Ogun and Lagos, we have separate nominations from parallel groups.”

Senate bars freshers from leadership positions Continued from page 1

Kanti Bello (Chief Whip); Victor Ndoma Egba (Deputy Majority Leader); Maina Ma’aji Lawan (Minority Leader) and Olorunnimbe Mamora (Deputy Minority Leader). First time senators who are principal officers are: Mohammed Mana (Deputy Chief Whip); Ahmad Sani (Minority Whip); and Kabiru Gaya (Deputy Minority Whip). None of them had any previous legislative experience at any level before they

got elected to the Senate. The amendment came through a motion by Majority Leader Teslim Folarin, entitled: “Amendment to Senate Standing Order 2007”. The new rule 3(2) states that “nomination of senators to serve as presiding officers and appointment of principal officers and other officers of the Senate or any parliamentary delegations shall be in accordance with ranking of senators.” By virtue of the amendment, senators are ranked in line with the number of times

re-elected, followed by senators who had been members of the House of Representatives; and senators elected for the first time in that order. A new clause was also inserted into Rule 111, which makes it possible for any unfinished legislative business to be carried over from a previous session to a new one. Unfinished legislative business used to terminate at the end of the session. “The legislative business of the Senate, which remains undetermined at the close of a session of the Senate, shall be resumed and proceeded

with in same manner as if no adjournment of the Senate had taken place. “And all papers referred to committees and not reported upon at the close of session of the Senate shall be returned to the office of the Clerk of the Senate and retained until the next session of the Senate when they shall be returned to the relevant committees to which they had previously been referred.” Among the senators who spoke in support of the amendment were Ekweremadu, Mamora, Annie Okwonkwo, Ndoma Egba and Lee Maeba.

OLLOWING a rebellious plot by new members-elect of the House of Representatives, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday resolved to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan. The meeting, which might hold on Sunday, it was gathered last night, will design ways of tackling the growing anti- ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo sentiments among newly-elected members from the North over the choice of a new Speaker. It was also learnt that the party may be forced to wield the big stick on new House members-elect should they fail to comply with the zoning formula approved by the party two weeks ago. The National Caucus and NWC of the party agreed to the following zoning formula: President (Southsouth); VicePresident (Northwest); Senate President (Northcentral); Speaker (Southwest); Deputy Senate President (Southeast); Deputy Speaker (Northeast); National Chairman (Northeast); SGF (Southeast); Senate Leader (Southwest);House Leader (Southsouth); Senate Chief Whip (Northwest); and House Chief Whip (Southeast). Besides the retention of David Mark as Senate President, the party has adopted Muraina Saubana Ajibola as the Speaker of the seventh House of Representatives. But some House memberselect of the PDP from the Northwest and the Southeast have rejected the zoning formula especially the alleged ‘imposition’ of Ajibola by Obasanjo. It was learnt that Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Monday attempted to pacify the ag-

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

grieved lawmakers-elect but his intervention is yet to yield fruits. It was gathered that the presidency was also disturbed by reports that some House members-elect met again in Yola on Tuesday and decided on two options. A source at the meeting said: “We opted for two plans which are either the Northwest produces the Speaker and the Southeast as Deputy Speaker or we will stick to the party’s zoning formula with a female Speaker from the Southwest and a Deputy Speaker from the Northeast or Northwest. “We have vowed that we won’t allow Obasanjo to dictate to us on who should be our leader. Nobody hates Ajibola as a high-ranking House member but we do not want him to be Speaker because he wrote a Minority Report to favour Obasanjo. That criterion is not good for him. “We don’t want a speaker who will be compensated for burying the truth.” Investigation revealed that the PDP leadership is unhappy with the adamant posture of the lawmakers-elect. A reliable source in the NWC said: “The acting National Chairman and the NWC members may meet with the President on Sunday to resolve this zoning challenge once and for all. “It is sad that these memberselect do not want to respect the wish of the party on zoning of offices. Our leaders in the presidency have also intervened but they have not accepted the party’s decision. “On Monday, the Vice President met with some of those aspiring to lead the House to sheathe the swords and allow Ajibola to be.

Osun monarch charged with rape of Corps member

HE courtroom was filled to the brim. A huge crowd of Corps members, officials of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), members of various Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and journalists. They came to witness the proceedings in a rape case involving a traditional ruler. The Alowa Ilowa-Ijesa in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Adebukola Alli, was yesterday arraigned at an Osogbo Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly

From Soji Adeniyi, Osogbo

raping a 24-year-old Corps member, Miss Hellen Okpara. Miss Okpara was undergoing her primary assignment in his domain. The traditional ruler was first arraigned on March 30. For lack of jurisdiction, presiding Magistrate, Mr. Olalekan Ijiyode, transfered the case to the Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Mr. Adewumi Makanjuola. After the case had been mentioned, the monarch, who was accompanied to

court by one of his wives rushed into the courtroom. He was ordered to remove his cap in the court, an order he promptly obeyed. Mr. Ijiyode said he was interested in the matter because of the challenges the case posed to his position and profession, but stressed that “as a Senior Magistrate Grade 1, I do not have the right to preside over such case”. “I’m constrained by the provisions of the law that sets up my jurisdiction. Only the Chief Magistrate can handle this kind of a matter. Ordinarily, I would

have loved to handle this case because of its sensitive nature, but the laws do not allow me. The case is hereby transferred to the Chief Magistrate’s Court for proper hearing,” he said. Oba Alli pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. His counsel, Mr. Tewo Lamuye, who pleaded with the court to allow his client continue with his bail, which the Magistrate’s Court had earlier granted him on liberal terms, argued that his client did not commit a capital offence. Lamuye assured the court

that his client being a traditional ruler, could not jump bail if granted, since the court had earlier granted him bail in liberal terms. Lamuye said his client should be presumed innocent until proved otherwise, assuring that the traditional ruler was ready to stand for trial and report in the court whenever he is needed. Police prosecutor Benjamin Akindoyin and counsel to the defendant, Mr. Hammeed Ibrahim, opposed the bail application, but the court granted the

•Oba Alli

accused bail in the sum of N250,000 and two sureties with three years tax clearance. The case was adjourned till August 11.

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS

FEC okays 10 road projects in Niger Delta

Strauss-Kahn gate: Guinean suspected victim fears for her life

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

• Accuser shocked by IMF boss’ status • Support base in France unaffected • Calls for replacement heightened

HE maid who has accused International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault is “scared” but will testify against him, her lawyer says. Jeffrey Shapiro says when the 32year-old woman discovered Mr Strauss-Kahn’s identity a day after the incident, she feared for herself and her daughter. He said there was “nothing consensual about what took place in that hotel room” in New York on May 14. Mr Strauss-Kahn denies all the charges. The woman told New York police Mr Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her and picked him out at an identity parade. He is charged with a criminal sexual act, attempted rape, sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching. Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, is currently on suicide watch at New York’s infamous Rikers Island prison. He will be back in court on tomorrow. His wife, former French television interviewer Anne Sinclair, is thought to be visiting him on Wednesday. United States Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has said Mr Strauss-Kahn is not in a position to run the IMF and an interim replacement should be named. ‘Man of great power’ Mr Shapiro told NBC television that his client was expected to testify before a grand jury last night. He said she had only become aware of Mr Strauss-Kahn’s identity “a day later when a friend called her to tell her, ‘do you have any idea who this man is who did this to you?’”. Mr Shapiro said his client was “scared and incredulous”. “When she found out this encounter was with a man of great power and wealth, she feared not only for herself but more importantly for her daughter.” The woman had now been reunited with her 15-year-old daughter in a “safe place”, he added. Mr Shapiro said she had tried to return to her home - a sub-let flat in the Bronx - but had found about 30 people waiting outside. He said: “She has been in a whirlwind since this has taken place... She has not had a moment of peace, has

not been able to return home or seek help. “She doesn’t know what her future will bring.” The woman came originally from the West African state of Guinea. She arrived in the US seven years ago with her daughter and had been in her job at the Sofitel hotel for three years. Mr Strauss-Kahn’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said on Monday that the defence believe the forensic evidence “will not be consistent with a forcible encounter”. But Mr Shapiro said that “when a jury hears her testimony and sees her in person” it would become clear that “there is nothing consensual about what took place in that hotel room”. He said that his client had “no agenda” and believed it was her responsibility to follow the judicial process “and she will do that”. Support in France Public opinion in France appears to be largely on the side of Mr Strauss-Kahn, who until his arrest was considered one of the leading candidates for the French presidential election next year. An opinion poll for RMC radio, BDM television and the 20Minutes website found 57 per cent of those who replied believed Mr StraussKahn was the victim of a conspiracy. That number rose to 70 per cent among those who identified themselves as favouring Mr StraussKahn’s centre-left Socialist Party. The philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, a friend of Mr Strauss-Kahn for 25 years, has spoken out in his defence. “Nothing in the world can authorise the way this man has been thrown to the dogs,” he wrote on his blog. “I do not know... how a chambermaid could enter on her own the room of one of the most watched people on the planet, against the normal practice in most big New York hotels, which provide for ‘cleaning brigades’ of at least two people.” But Mr Shapiro said: “The idea that someone would suggest she was involved in some form of conspiracy is ridiculous.” ‘Difficult position’ The US treasury secretary said the

• Strauss-Kahn in court on Monday

most important thing for the IMF was that it found a leader to fill Mr Strauss-Kahn’s shoes. “He is obviously not in a position to run the IMF,” Mr Geithner said. “It is important that the board of the IMF formally put in place for an interim period someone to act as managing director.” It is the first time that a top official from President Barack Obama’s administration has publicly spoken about the impact of Mr Strauss-Kahn’s alleged sexual assault. However, Mr Geithner refused to comment on the case or the details of the charges against Mr Strauss-

PHOTO: AFP

Kahn. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Mr Strauss-Kahn was in a “very difficult position” and it was “important that the IMF... is able to run effectively”. The BBC’s Steve Kingstone in Washington says that with the Americans seemingly distancing themselves from Mr Strauss-Kahn and some European figures saying similar things, there appears to be a groundswell of opinion that he should go. Since Mr Strauss-Kahn’s arrest last Saturday, his deputy John Lipsky has been serving as acting managing director.

ONTRACTS worth about N23.1 billion were yesterday approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for 10 key infrastructure projects that wll fasttrack development in the Niger Delta region. The government also said it is making efforts to reduce inflation rate which has climbed to 13.2 percent. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth rate in the country, put at 7.8 per cent, was also described as “good” being one of the highest in the world. According to the Minister of Information and Communications, Labaran Maku who briefed State House correspondents alongside his colleague in the National Planning Ministry, Dr. Shamusideen Usman after yesterday’s meeting, the road projects spread across the six states in the Southsouth. The states that are benefiting from the multibillion naira projects are: Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers and Delta. Maku stated that the road projects are being implemented as part of the Niger Delta development plan and the amnesty programme. Some of the roads are: the EastWest roads linking the entire Niger Delta region which was initially awarded at N25 billion. Another road, which the minister noted was critical to the area is the dualisation of the 99-kilometre East-West road Section 3 from Port Harcourt to Akwa Ibom, which has been neglected for long. He said the FEC after consideration of the memo brought before it by the Minister for the Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has now approved the augumentation of the contract sum from the initial N25 billion to N66 billion to be completed by December 2012. Usman who noted that the agricultural sector is growing very well at between eight and 10 per cent, traced the growth to the expansion of some factors of production rather than productivity. He said: ”So we are not improving productivity in agriculture and we have been lucky also because of the favorable weather that we have been enjoying in the last four to five years. “But you cannot continue to really on the weather alone, the emphasis is on the added value. The industrial sector is not doing very well as at now since it is contributing less than five per cent to GDP. ”Now that is very small by any standard and of course, you know the reasons which include the challenges of infrastructure, especially power. That suggests what actions we need to take say by the incoming minister.”

Lawmakers bicker over Petroleum Industry Bill

S yesterday’s sitting drew to a close - the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) pitched Rep members against each other. Members freely insulted one another and rained abuses on their parents as they exchanged opposing views on whether or not to consider the bill yesterday. The row started when Dino Melaye observed that the number of members at plenary were not sufficient to form a quorum to consider the report on the PIB. He said the bill was too important for a few members to consider. Independence Ogunewe urged the house to step down the bill. However, the desire of Igo Aguma, the Chairman, House Committee on Gas Resources, to have the bill considered sparked a hot exchange of words which culminated into the use of abusive language. Aguma, whose committee worked on the bill argued that it was

•Reps reject attempt to change Open-Secret ballot system From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

not the first time the lower house was passing a bill without forming a quorum. He said that if not for his age, he would have physically dealt with Ogunewe. But a member, Austin Nwanchukwu, cautioned against passing the PIB without forming a quorum. Thereafter, caution was thrown to the wind in the chamber as members with opposing views shouted at the top of the voices. Deputy Speaker Usman Bayero Nafada, who presided over the committee of the Whole House, tried without success to restore peace in the chamber. His fellow lawmakers refused to listen to him and Emeka Ihedioha,

the Chief Whip as they traded curses, insults and abuses. The situation almost resulted in a free-for-all between some members. As the rowdiness subsided, Nafada quickly stood down the bill and directed Ita Enang, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business to make copies available to members to eneable them peruse it before further consideration today. Also an attempt to reverse the Open-Secret voting system which was adopted by the House on Tuesday was vehemently rejected by its members. Enang had re-introduced the matter, saying it was not properly passed. According to him, the Votes and Proceedings of the House for Tuesday should not be approved by

Speaker Dimeji Bankole as the amendment of any aspect of the House rules that required a proper motion must be brought to floor of the House. He said the proper way to go about it was to put the House on notice for at least a period of seven days. Enang said the motion brought before the House by Cyril Maduabum to amend the rule in order to change the voting pattern was illegally done as it failed to put the House on notice for at least seven days as stipulated by section 15(6) of the House Standing Rule. However, no sooner had Enang spoken than the House went into a tantrum as members screamed: “No! No! No!” This nearly brought proceedings to a halt. Terngu Tsegba accused Enang of

double standards, saying he (Enang) was the person that moved a motion on Tuesday that section 15 (6) of the House rules be suspended to allow for expeditious amendment of the rule. Amidst the uproar, Bankole asked Enang to respond to Tsegba’s allegation. However, Enang denied ever moving such a motion and subsequently challenged any of his collegues to produce an evidence to buttress the allegation. Bankole thereafter announced that the amendment had become controversial and that there was the need to further consider the matter. Another uproar ensured and members began calling for the suspension of Enang. Bankole, however, quickly announced that he had decided to approve the votes and proceedings of Tuesday that contained the OpenSecret voting amendment.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS EU to partner Osun on development

HE European Union (EU) has signified interest to partner the Osun State Government on development. The EU’s support will enhance public financial management, potable water, health and sanitation in the state. EU Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. David MacRae made the disclosure on Tuesday at the Governor’s Office in Osogbo, the state capital, when the EU delegation visited Governor Rauf Aregbesola. He said: “It is necessary to work together to develop a mutual relationship and look for common grounds in those things you wish to do, while we are also keen to help. “We wish to work with you on public financial management because without it, you cannot effectively reform public administration. “Other areas are water and sanitation because they are

From Soji Adeniyi, Osogbo

fundamental for life and good health. They are also part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). “We’re working with the World Bank on public financial management and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) on water. “With what I have heard about your administration, I sense that you are serious. “Your plan to link Lagos on economic development through the railway is a good one. I commend your initiative on job provision and agriculture.” Aregbesola, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, said his administration was committing close to N6 billion to the development of infrastructure in the education sector. He reiterated his commitment to transparency and thanked the EU for assisting the state.

Alaafin urges Ajimobi to probe alleged sale of govt quarters by Alao-Akala

HE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has urged Oyo State governor-elect Senator Abiola Ajimobi to probe the alleged sale of government houses by Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala in 2009. He spoke at his palace while receiving leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria, who were on a “Thank you” visit. Oba Adeyemi said: “Government quarters in the Government Reservation Areas (GRA), housing estates and District Officers’ residences in the state were all sold be-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

tween N10 and N50 million. “How many people can afford such money if not those in government? They should be asked to give details of how they got the money to purchase the government buildings. There is need to ask questions and review the system.” He urged Ajimobi to always consult elders while making major decisions, saying: “We advised the outgoing administration during the heated period of industrial crises between it and the labour unions, but we were

shunned. “They said they did not need the advice of elders, who are their fathers. I don’t know anywhere in the world where the advice of elders are not sought on important issues. “In the United States, there are three basic governments: the visible government, the invisible government and the business conglomerates. They all determine how the country is run. “Do not let your government be obdurate to abandon the followers and give necessary support to the governor-elect. Emulate Lagos State

Governor Babatunde Fashola and develop this state.” ACN Chairman Chief Akin Oke thanked the monarch for his support during the election and pledged that Ajimobi’s administration would be responsive to the people’s needs. He said: “No one disrespects elders, particularly monarchs, and gets the support of the people. Your role was not appreciated in the past, but we assure you that your royal advice, laced with wisdom, will always be sought, lest we also go astray.”

Ondo ACN sues lawmaker-elect for alleged forgery •Govt to reposition Public Service From Damisi Ojo, Akure

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State and its House of Assembly candidate in Owo Constituency I, Mrs. Ogunoye Folashade, have filed a petition against the Labour Party (LP) legislator-elect, Mr. Samuel Arowele, before the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital. They accused him of forgery. In the 23-page petition filed by an Akure human rights lawyer, Titiloye Charles, and ACN Legal Adviser Bisi Ayeni, the party alleged that Arowele’s Primary School, WAEC/ GCE and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Diploma certificates were forged. The party averred that Arowele could not have gained admission to study business administration in any university with one credit in Yoruba in WAEC/GCE. It averred that the diploma certificate was issued from the office of an unspecified director and not that of the Registrar or Vice-Chancellor. The party urged to nullify Arowele’s election, order a fresh one and prosecute him. Also yesterday, Mimiko reiterated his administration’s determination to reposition the Public Service for effective service delivery. He spoke at a Stakeholders’ Forum on “COMSERVE” and the launch of the public service quarterly magazine. Mimiko said a vibrant public service is important to development, adding that his administration has repositioned the sector for future challenges through adequate training and incentives. He said: “To achieve our vision for change, this administration recognises the need for a vibrant, focused and responsive public service, with shared core values of hard work and integrity, which are important ingredients for the success of any organisation. “We believe creating equal opportunities for workers will guarantee job satisfaction and enhance productivity. Today’s programme is to consolidate the reform agenda of this administration for the public service. “This forum seeks to feel the pulse of the society about civil service and place before our workers a mirror of themselves.” The Guest Speaker, Chief Deji Fasuan, urged public servants to be non partisan and shun illegal financial inducement.

INEC urged to be fair From Musa Odoshimokhe

•Fromleft: Mimiko, Head of Service Mr. Ajose Kudehinbu and Fashuan at the forum ...yesterday

Mimiko calls for review of revenue allocation formula

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has called for a review of the revenue allocation formula. He said the current formula cannot facilitate meaningful development. Mimiko urged in-coming members of the National Assembly to enact legislation on forced compliance with the principles of true federalism. He spoke yesterday while declaring open an Induction Workshop for memberselect of the National Assembly in Akure, the state capital. Mimiko said: “A situation where a disproportionate percentage of national revenue goes to the Federal Government is crippling of development, subversive of the federal arrangement and oppressive to the constitut-

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency in Lagos State, Mr. Segun Adewale, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give him unrestricted access to materials needed to prove his case at the Election Petition Tribunal. Adewale is challenging the victory of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Olamilekan RESIDENT, African Women’s Adeola. Development Fund (AWDF), Speaking with reporters and Wife of Ekiti State Governor yesterday, he said: “INEC has Erelu Bisi Fayemi has urged the three flagrantly disrespected the women Action Congress of Nigeria court order on many occa- (ACN) legislators-elect to be active at the sions by deliberately with- House of Assembly. holding vital election mateShe spoke yesterday at her office in rials that would enable us Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while receivprove our case beyond rea- ing ACN women leaders, led by Chief sonable doubt at the tribu- (Mrs.) Ronke Okusanya. nal.”

•Activist seeks account of allocations From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

ing states.” On the solution to the rising rate of unemployment in the country, Mimiko said: “We need to concentrate on revamping the energy sector and resuscitating our moribund industries. This would create new jobs and possibly mop-up the army of unemployed youths.” He urged the legislatorselect to facilitate bitumen exploitation in the state to serve as a viable alternative to petroleum as the mainstay of the nation’s economy. Mimiko said: “Nigeria is a federation of states. You

must make laws that will enable states to harness their national resources and develop at their own pace. “Ondo State is naturally blessed with the largest bitumen deposit in West Africa and it is crying for exploitation, which falls within the exclusive list of the Federal Government.” He urged them to be true representatives of the people and to deliver on the dividends of democracy. Also yesterday, human rights activist and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chief, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, urged the government account for federal allocations it has received since Febru-

Fayemi’s wife advises women legislators

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

The legislators-elect are Mrs. Olajide Ayotunde (Moba II); Mrs Dupe Olayinka (Ado II) and Barr. Wunmi Ogunlola (Ijero). Erelu Fayemi urged them to protect the interest of women and enhance good governance. She said: “If you perform well, your constituents will have greater confidence in you. That will ensure your reelection and position

you for greater roles in future.” Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Mrs. Ogunlola thanked Erelu Fayemi for her support during the elections. She said they would be diligent in their duties and called for the support of all women in the state. Mrs. Okusanya thanked Erelu Fayemi for carrying women along in governance.

ary 2009. He spoke in Akure during a live programme on a private radio station, Adaba FM. Abayomi said the government’s alleged refusal to declare the financial situation of the state is unconstitutional. He accused the government of spending over N568 million on its second anniversary, while many projects are begging for attention. Abayomi said: “Most of the projects Mimiko and his party celebrated on their second anniversary are yet to be used. Why have auto dealers refused to relocate to the much celebrated auto mart three months after it was commissioned? “Mimiko should declare to indigenes the amount he has received from the federation account since his administration’s inception. It is unconstitutional to hide such information. “Even the widely criticised Olusegun Agagu administration always made its monthly allocation public. Mimiko’s case should not be an exception.” He condemned the government’s decision to get N30 billion loan to finance some capital projects, saying it amounts to mortgaging the state’s future.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS

The death of Chief Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu’s wife, Mimidoo was a great misfortune to her Benue’s kinsmen. But the calibre of guests attracted to her funeral brought the Tse Alu community into limelight, reports Uja Emmanuel.

Day Tse Alu bade bye to CJN’s wife

NTIL recently, Tse Alu, a sleepy Tiv village in Ushongo Local Government Area, tucked inside Benue-North Senatorial District of Benue State, was unknown. Its obscurity was despite being home to notable Nigerians, who have distinguished themselves in their various chosen fields, including the incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kastina Alu, who was born more than six decades ago. Residents, who are predominantly farmers, have been known for massive production of various species of fruits, such as mangos, oranges and puppet theatre craft, known in the local parlance as Kwagh Hir. Some prominent Nigerians, who hail from the Ushongo council area are: the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mike Aondokaa, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, Robert Orya. But rather than cash in on this parade to launch itself into prominence, Tse Alu, and indeed, Ushongo Local Government remained backward in infrastructural development. Before May 8, Tse Alu was hardly heard of, notwithstanding the fact that it was named after the CJN’s father. Many took the town for just any other rural settlement located on the Cross River/Benue Trunk A Federal Highway. But the unfortunate incident of Sunday, May 8, turned Tse Alu to a Mecca of sort for Nigerians from all walks of life, who found their way into the community to commiserate with the CJN over the sudden death of his heartthrob. The CJN’s spouse, Mimidoo, was mysteriously killed by a fallen tree inside the Katsina-Alu’s country home, after returning from a wedding.

•The widower, Katsina-Alu (left) and his sons

•The late Mrs. Katsina-Alu

•(L-R) Abubakar, Benue State Action Congress Governorship (ACN) candidate, Torkuma Ugba, Senator George and other guest

‘Before May 8, Tse Alu was hardly heard of, notwithstanding the fact that it was named after the CJN’s father’ Reports have it that staying awake beyond 9pm was alien to residents of the community in which only the bleating of sheep, goats and chirping of birds and crickets were heard in the night. However, since the demise of Mrs. Mimidoo Katsina-Alu, the story changed for the community and its residents, who have been witnessing

•President Jonathan (left) and Governor Suswam

an unprecedented number of guests. Among the ‘unusual visitors’, who came to Tse Alu to pay condolences to the Katsina-Alus are: President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President

Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Alhaji Yahale Ahmed, business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote, ministers,

governors and members of the Ni Bar and the Bench. A community leader, Chief Paul Alu, told The Nation that he never imagined that the community could ever host such important dignitaries during his life-time. He said it was a rare privilege for Tse Alu to host the President and his deputy within a week. As the crowd trooped into Tse Alu, residents turned the adversity into properity - somehow. They created make-shift foodstuff stalls and sheds for fresh farm pruduce including, fruits and tubers of yam. On May 14, when the remains of Mrs. Katsina-Alu was interred, Tse Alu actually stood still as President Jonathan led other well-wishers to pay their last respects to the CJN’s wife, described by many as a courageous woman. In his extempore remarks, President Jonathan recounted how the CJN had told him that his late wife was in the village taking care of the people anytime he asked after her. According to the President, the late Mrs. Katsina-Alu would be greatly missed. He prayed God to grant her soul internal rest. Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam described the late Mrs. Katsina-Alu as a woman of substance, who lived her life for others. Her interment last Saturday provided a rare opportunity for the Alu village to host its largest crowd ever, as sympathizers in their thousands thronged the community. Much as the CJN tried to hold himself, he betrayed his emotion as the pall bearers carried the cream colour casket to the burial site created within the compound. The tears rushed out of eyes which he buried in white handkerchief.

Akingbola: NBA President, others walk out on judge •Court declares ex-bank chief, Dada’s detention illegal •Judge grants perpetual order against EFCC

EARING in the case involving former Group Managing Director, Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola and one of his associates, Bayo Dada took a dramatic turn yesterday, as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu (SAN) and some other lawyers walked out on the presiding judge, Justice Charles Achibong. Daudu, who led a group of lawyers, including Konyinsola Ajayi (SAN) and Godwin Obla for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed out of the court because the judge dismissed their application for stay of

By Eric Ikhilae

proceedings and insisted on hearing Akingbola and Dada’s motions. Justice Charles Achibong of the Federal High Court in Lagos had, at the resumption of hearing in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Akingbola and Dada, asked why the EFCC refused to obey his orders for the applicants’ immediate release, a question Daudu failed to answer, consequent upon which the judge dismissed his application. The judge later heard Akingbola and Dada’s motions and declared as illegal, their arrest and continued detention by the anti-graft agency. In two short rulings, Achibong held

that the action of the EFCC in relation to the applicants amounted to a violation of their rights to liberty, movement and dignity of human person. He again ordered their immediate release and granted a perpetual injunction against the EFCC and its agents, restraining them from further arresting or detaining Akingbola and Dada in a manner that would violate their fundamental human rights. Proceedings had commenced on a peaceful note until the judge asked Daudu to explain why his client refused to obey the court’s earlier orders directing that Akingbola and

Dada be either released or produced in court. Akingbola and Dada are facing money laundry charges before the court. They had been in EFCC’s custody since May 3 when they were arrested during their visit to the Lagos office of the commission in fulfillment of the condition attached to the bail earlier granted them. In his response, Daudu said the answer to the judge’s question formed the essence of his application for stay of proceedings. He observed that since the applicants’ lawyer, Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) was yet to fully respond to it, he would not oppose an adjournment.

At that point, the judge dismissed Daudu’s application, saying it was misconceived, wondering why the EFCC would ask him to stay further proceedings when it refused to obey his earlier orders. He then directed Fagbohungbe to move his clients’ substantive motions, a development that infuriated Daudu who protested. When the judge stuck to his position, Daudu rose and declared: “In that case, we won’t be part of the proceedings.” He later stormed out of the court, with Ajayi and Obla trailing him. After listening to Fagbohungbe move his motions, the judge granted all his prayers.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS The Nation, AIT win awards From Tayo Owolabi and Genevieve Ajewole, Abuja

HE Nation and African Independent Television (AIT) have won awards for their outstanding coverage of last month’s elections. The Nation won the Print Media category as the Best Newspaper Corporation for the promotion of credible elections in Nigeria and AIT won the Electronic Media category for the Best Television House for the promotion of credible elections. President of the Nigeria Vote-Count Campaigners (NVCC), organisers of the awards, Comrade Emmanuel Nkweke, said the effective participation of the media houses in the elections contributed to the country’s democracy. Nkweke said the group was humbled by the commitment of AIT and The Nation to adequate coverage of the elections. According to him, the media houses were honoured for their unbiased and balanced news reporting, effective journalism and the ability to communicate event to the understanding of the average person. Nkweke said: “After observing the observers and monitoring the monitors, we were humbled by the commitment of the AIT and The Nation, whose field reporters were seen reporting from the hottest spots in the country at the risk of their lives. “Consequent to our field observation, assessment and evaluation of all media houses accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as observers in the April elections, we are pleased to confer an outstanding award on AIT, as the Best Television House for the promotion of credible elections in Nigeria, and The Nation as the Best Newspaper Corporation for the promotion of credible elections in Nigeria. “Today, both media houses are being honoured based on their unbiased and balanced news reporting all through the elections, for effective journalism and, above all, for their ability to communicate event to the understanding of the average person on the street.”

Aliyu urges appointees to declare assets

•Aliyu

Departments and Agencies (MDAs) summitted the nominal rolls of their workers, adding that public servants should present the asset declaration acknowledgement slip before any promotion. She appealed to the government to ensure that political office holders turned up for verification. She sought the cooperation of the government for the bureau to access relevant records and books in accordance with the law.

Lagos warns against drug abuse By Olamilekan Andu

Southern Kaduna residents advocate national conference, military base

From Jide Orintunsin and Justina Asishana, Minna

IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu has urged political appointees in his executive council to show evidence of asset declaration from the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) or forfeit their appointments. Aliyu gave the directive yesterday in Minna, the state capital, when he received the Federal Commissioner of the CCB in charge of Northcentral zone, Dr. Christy Okwori Ekoja, during his asset verification tour. Aliyu promised government assistance at ensuring that the bureau’s constitutional mandate was achieved. The governor said the government would collaborate with CCB to organise a retreat for elected and political officer holders to educate them on the need to declare their assets. Dr Ekoja urged the government to ensure that Ministries,

•Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr.Tola Kasali (right) answering reporters’ questions at the ministerial press briefing on the fourth year anniversary of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) administration, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday. With him are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr Afolabi KofoPHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES Abayomi (middle) and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Dr Aderemi Desalu.

AGOS State Government yesterday took its campaign against drug abuse to educational districts where it educated students on its dangers. The campaign was carried out through its Drug Abuse Control Committee in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Chaplain. A statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ministry of Health, Mr Jide Lawal, said it was aimed at curbing drug abuse among students. Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, who was represented by the Secretary of the Committee, Dr. Moyosore Adejumo, said the campaign became necessary because many youths had been victims of drug abuse, adding that one of the objectives of the campaign was how to curb the menace among youths. He said the government had been working with relevant agencies to stop the menace, which he described as “a hydraheaded monster that impacts negatively the economic and social potentials of the state”. Idris said the visit to Agege Educational 1 was the first of the six of such campaigns in government secondary schools. He said the campaign was to prepare for the commemoration of the United Nation (UN) World Drug Day on July 5. Idris said: “In pursuance of this aim, over 3,000 students from Yewa Junior High School; Dairy Farm Senior School; and Sango Secondary School, all under Educational District I, are in attendance at today’s enlightenment campaign. The drug abuse campaign, which will reach its peak with a final debate by the students on June 22, is slated to be taken to all educational districts with Educational District II coming next.”

ESIDENTS of southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, yesterday called for the convocation of a sovereign national conference to discuss fundamental issues concerning the coexistence of the various ethnic nationalities. They asked for a military base in Kafanchan to protect the lives and property of the residents following last month’s post-election violence. The southern Kaduna residents urged the creation of Gurara State to ensure peace, progress and stability of the area, noting that the source of mistrust between the residents and the Hausa/Fulani had been on political power. Addressing reporters under the auspices of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), its president, Prof Ishaya Nock, said the nation-

•Urge creation of new state From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

al conference should address zoning and religion, among others. Nock noted that from recent developments, power sharing should no longer be the preserve of political parties but an issue for ethnic nationalities for Nigeria’s existence. Lamenting the massive loss of lives and property during last month’s post-election violence in the state, Nock said a platform for dialogue should be created among northern minorities and the major tribes to discuss their differences, including religion, politics, culture, structure and the general interest of every ethnic nationality. According to him, there is

no need to continue to “fool or deceive ourselves that we are one Arewa when in reality we are deeply divided and even scheme from time to time to kill and destroy the property of the Christians”. He said: “Note that the lives of the minorities in the North have been and are still being threatened. The Hausa/Fulani are carrying out ethnic cleansing against minorities in the North by constantly destroying their churches, property and killing them.” Nock called for the introduction of free and compulsory primary and secondary education, urging the Federal Government to implement its policy on almajiri and “area boys” education and their likes across the country.

He said parents of young miscreants should be sanctioned for their parental failure, adding that there must be legislation against parents who breed children without inculcating the fear of God in them. Justifying the demand for Gurara State, Nock said: “The source of mistrust and acrimony is political power and the control of state resources, where politicians from the northern part have created the impression that they were born to rule and consequently always use Islam to whip up sentiments against southern Kaduna people.” He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that politicians abide by the code of conduct and Nigerians feel free to belong to any party of their choice.

Malaria kills 4,500 expectant mothers yearly in Nigeria

GUN State Commissioner for Health Dr Kunle Salako yesterday said malaria killed about 4,500 expectant women yearly in Nigeria. He urged Nigerians to take its prevention and treatment seriously because of its fatality. According to him, 80 out of 100,000 expectant women in Ogun State were killed

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

yearly by malaria, adding that the disease remained a major public health challenge in Nigeria. Salako spoke in Abeokuta, the state capital, at a symposium on Malaria in pregnancy, organised by a nongovernmental organisation, Support for National Malar-

ia Programme (SuNMaP). He said malaria is transmitted through anopheles mosquito bite, adding that Nigeria lost about N132billion to fighting the disease. Salako noted that children and expectant women were mostly at risk of severe malaria and resultant death from the disease. He urged expectant moth-

ers to go for regular antenatal care and adopt good sanitation habits as preventive measures. Dr Olufunmilayo Idowu of the Parasitology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, advocated the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and constant disinfecting of the environment.

My senatorial victory compensation from Kwara voters

WARA State Governor Bukola Saraki yesterday said his victory at last month’s senatorial election was a sign of appreciation from the electorate for his eight years of good governorship. Saraki was the Kwara Central Senatorial District candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He addressed reporters after seeing off President Goodluck Jonathan, who commissioned some projects in the state. Saraki said though he was not in a position to score himself, the residents had done

•Directs ward chairmen to reconcile defectors From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

so through their votes for him. The governor was elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2007, making him the first governor to have got two terms in the state. He said the projects commissioned by the President would have direct impact on the residents. According to him, the cargo terminal will create many jobs for the residents and boost economic activities.

Saraki said the establishment of the state university, which Dr Jonathan also commissioned, would ensure that more indigenes have easy access to tertiary education. He said he was motivated to establish the Aviation College to provide the same opportunity for the indigenes and other Nigerians. Saraki said: “Before now, 80 per cent of pilots in Nigeria were foreigners and this college will reverse the trend.” The governor noted that

the reactivation of Asa Dam and opening of inter- and intra-city rail transport would solve the 30-year suffering of the residents. He said he was privileged to be the first governor to receive the President on a working visit after his re-election, adding that this might also be the last before the May 29 inauguration. Saraki has directed PDP ward chairmen to ensure that aggrieved members that defected to other parties after the party’s primaries in January are reconciled.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS 20,000 men for council polls From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

HE Rivers State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has deployed 20,000 personnel for Saturday’s local government election. Commissioner of Police Sulaiman Abba made this known yesterday in Port Harcourt when he briefed reporters on the security arrangements. Abba said the police have made arrangements to monitor areas designated as flash points. He listed partnering agencies to include: the Prisons, Customs, Immigration, Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The police boss said there would be restriction of movement from 10pm tomorrow to 6am Saturday. Another restriction starts 9am till 6pm. Abba said apart from those on essential services like the media, health workers, fire fighters and others permitted to operate on election days, candidates sitting for the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Borokiri, Port Harcourt entrance examination would also be allowed to move. “Parents and guardians conveying such pupils will only be allowed to pass security checkpoints upon the production of the candidates’ examination slip,” he said.

Tribunal upholds application From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

HAIRMAN of the Election Petitions Tribunal in Delta State Justice Yakubu Dakwak yesterday granted an application by Mrs. Doris Uboh to amend her petition and file additional witness statements. Justice Dakwak said two issues for determination in the application were competence and merit. He said the application was filed within the specified time, stressing that the burden of responsibility of the petitioner ends after he files his application. He said the tribunal assumes responsibility thereafter. The first and third respondents are House of Representatives member-elect Victor Nwokolo and Accord Party. The second respondent, Independent National Election Commission (INEC), failed to show up. Uboh’s counsel Ken Mozia had sought leave of the tribunal to amend her petition and to file additional witness statements. But Nwokolo’s counsel Chike Ekeocha opposed the application. He argued that the application which sought to bring about a substantial amendment to the petition must be made within the 21 days prescribed by the Electoral Act.

JTF, lawyer disagree on Togo’s whereabouts I •Sylva:he is not in Bayelsa

S renegade leader of the Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) ‘Gen’ John Togo dead? The puzzle remained unsolved yesterday as the row over his wherabouts deepened. The Joint Task Force (JTF) and his legal adviser, Mr. Casely Omon-Irabor, differed on his fate. Omon-Irabor claimed that Togo has been flown abroad for treatment of the injuries he sustained during last week’s attack on his Israel Camp by JTF operatives. But JTF spokesman Lt-Col Timothy Antigha hinted of a calculated scheme to turn the heat off Togo. Togo’s death was reported in some national dailies yesterday. The report claimed that he died from injuries he sustained in an air raid by JTF, adding that he was summarily buried in a secret grave.

From Shola O’Neil, Warri and Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

Omon-Irabor, who is the National Coordinator of the Human Rights Defenders Watch, confirmed that Togo was injured during the raid and is still alive. He claimed that the militant has been flown to an unnamed country, where he is receiving treatment for gunshot injuries. Omon-Irabor said: “He was shot in the leg and the wound is not enough to kill. “He is alive but he was flown out of the country for treatment.” Lt. Col. Antigha said the Task Force was not buying the claim of Togo’s death or his escape . He described the report as a ploy by Togo and his co-

horts to hoodwink JTF into giving up the manhunt. Lt. Col. Antigha also debunked reports that Togo was being kept by a governor. His words: “Against the backdrop of recent reports in the media, the JTF wishes to state that the claim of “surrender” by John Togo, the allegation that he is a guest of a governor and his purported death and secret burial are all an intricate web of lies engineered by Togo and his managers. “The JTF as a professional military outfit can not fall victim of this elaborate deception plan. “Consequently, the JTF warns the media and the public to be mindful of the new tricks used by Togo.” Also, the Bayelsa State

Government has denied harbouring the wanted militant, advising the public to dismiss the allegation. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Timipre Sylva, Doifie Ola, tilted: ‘Sylva is not hiding John Togo’, said the report by Ekpein Appah that the governor is harbouring Togo is not true. “That report is unfair, irresponsible and disturbing. It is false. “Everyone who has followed the history of the amnesty knows that Bayelsa State represents the poster-child of its success. “It is, therefore, unthinkable that the governor would undermine a programme he has invested resources in. “Sylva has no reason whatsoever to shield John Togo or any wanted person from the law. “The idea that John Togo is in Yenagoa, when he is not even from Bayelsa State, is simply laughable.”

Akwa Ibom relocates children From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

HE Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs yesterday relocated 18 children accused of witchcraft from the custody of an orphanage, Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN). The abandoned children were brought to Uyo, the state capital, on the order of the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Thomas Eunice. The Chairman, Task Force on Human Trafficking and Child Rescue, Mr. Wisdom Udoka, was accompanied to the centre in Eket by the leader of the team, Mr. Atta Ikiddeh. The duo said they were acting on the directive of the commissioner. A May 16 letter entitled: “Authority to remove the children in your custody” was served on the centre by the officers from the ministry. The centre’s management objected to the procedure adopted by the team, saying there was no formal notification. The team claimed to be executing an order made by the Witchcraft Panel currently investigating the “Child Witch syndrome” that the centre be closed down. But investigations showed that the commission is yet to submit its report to the government, neither did it make any such order as claimed by the ministry.

Cross River to partner Canada From Kunle Johnson, Calabar

HE Cross River State Government will partner the Canadian Government to ensure the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Governor Liyel Imoke made this known when the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Chris Cooter, visited the Government House, Calabar. He said the partnership which has existed for over five years will be strengthened and expanded to cover all the MDGs’ programmes. Imoke thanked the Canadian government for its technical and material support for the attainment of the state’s health care delivery programme. Cooter hailed the government for its commitment to delivering health care services as well as education. He stated his readiness to collaborate with the state to meet the MDGs target.

DBS workers hail Uduaghan

EMBERS of the Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) in Delta State have commended the government for the provision of stateof-the-art-equipment for Delta Broadcasting service (DBS) in Asaba and Warri. RATTAWU Chairman DBS Warri chapter Onoriode Mukoro thanked the government for the provision of the equipment and pledged the workers’ readiness to put them to good use. At the Warri station, a 20-kilowatt UHF TV transmitter was delivered. Other items delivered to the station included; 120KVA industrial UPS, power surge suppressor, Manual Patch Panel, and a Dummy Load.

•Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio (second right) and Deputy Governor- elect Nsima Ekere displaying their certificates of return. With them are Ntisong Ibibio, Ntisong Ekidem (right) and Itai Afe Annang Okuku Pius Eside III

Military pensioners to enjoy 53 per cent increment

HE Military Pension Board (MPB) has assured ex-soldiers of the implementation of the 53 percent pension increase by the Federal Government. MFB Chairman Rear Admiral Bala Mshelia made this known at a briefing in Abuja and while receiving visiting members of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers Association. Addressing reporters on Monday’s protest in Ibadan, Oyo State, by some pensioners, Adm. Mshelia denounced the action. According to him, the group is illegal and the leader of the demonstrators is not an ex-service man. He said the 53 per cent increment would be paid as soon as the modalities for payment are completed by the Federal Government. His words: “It is known by everybody that this year’s budget has not been passed but as soon as it is passed and funds made available, the payment would be effected.” Adm. Mshelia said the financial projections since the approval last July have been included in the Board’s budg-

•’Ibadan protesters illegal’ From Dele Anofi, Abuja et. “The non-implementation is affecting other pension bodies as well but we are making efforts to ensure that ours would be made a priority”. The MPB boss declared the Ibadan protesters, known as Military Pensioners Pressure

Group of Nigeria illegal, noting that there was no reason for the protest as government has shown enough commitment to the payment of the arrears. “There is no reason for the demonstration because we are up- to-date on the payment of our pension arrears because all military pensioners have

been paid their increment arrears since June 2010. “What I can say here is that they will soon have reasons to smile because once the details are worked out, they will be paid,” he added. He warned that law enforcement agencies would no longer allow illegal groups to disrupt public peace under the disguise of demonstrating over non-payment of pension arrears.

Mark: more states to be created

HE issue of state creation will not end with the tenure of the present National Assembly, which expires in about 10 days, Senate President David Mark said yesterday. Mark spoke while receiving a delegation of Orimili State Creation Movement from Anambra State. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark reminded the delegation that the process of state creation requires tedious and painstaking efforts. He said the present National Assembly made efforts to

From Augustine Ehikioya Abuja

create more states as demanded by some Nigerians. His words: “The process of state creation is tedious and painstaking but it is possible and surmountable, we are doing everything possible to get the process right.” Mark said the National Assembly is committed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry, stressing that state creation is one of the issues desired by Nigerians. He also commented on the need to create a constitution-

al role for traditional rulers in order to empower them and give legal backing to their functions. Presenting the request for the creation of Orimili State, leader of the delegation and the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, said the proposed state is economically viable. Achebe said the proposed state has enough human and material resources, including good population which stood at 1, 866, 569, according to the 2006 National Population Census. He added that the demand is a consensus of the people.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS Katsina-Alu, Oteh, Idigbe advocate stricter regulation of capital markets

Alleged N10b loan: Group submits petition to EFCC, seeks Bankole’s probe •Speaker: petition politically motivated

By Eric Ikhilae

CHIEF Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) Aloysus Katsina-Alu, Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ms Arunma Oteh and Anthony Idigbe have advocated (SAN) stricter regulation of the securities and investment market. This, they said, could prevent a recurrence of the stock market crash in which many incured huge losses. Such regulation will help secure investors’ funds, enhance public confidence in securities trade and boost investment, they added. They spoke in Lagos yesterday at this year’s edition of Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors annual lecture with the theme: “The challenges of securities regulation in increasing changing world.” Justice Kastina-Alu observed that with its peculiar nature, traders in the capital market are exposed to high great risk because commodities traded in are not only intangible, investors rely mostly on information provided by companies to make decisions. “One of the purposes of securities regulation must therefore, be to ensure the sanctity of information given to investors to enable them take markets risk with their eyes open,” he said. Justice Katsina-Alu, represented by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour of the Supreme Court, charged the regulatory agencies, particularly SEC, to strengthen their regulatory capacity to ensure that abuses do not take place or are detected and addressed when they do. Oteh said it was now time for a review of the approach to the regulation of the markets because the old tools with which the financial system was regulated had become obsolete and indeed contributed to the global financial crises. She added that the inevitability of change could not be over emphasised, because after the great depression, the recent global financial crisis has brought to the fore the need for a paradigm shift in the way people think and perceive the financial markets. “The time has come for a change in the approach to the regulation of markets. This would require courage, determination, insight and sensitivity from policy makers, regulators, participants and other stakeholders, but it is the only way if we are not to relapse into the systemic financial abyss from which we are just recuperating,” she said. Idigbe, the Managing Partner, Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors, said, the lecture’s theme was informed by his firm’s experience in the cases it had been involved in, particularly in relation to SEC’s regulatory activities and its intervention in wonder banks’ operations. He noted that in the past, alluring promises of easy wealth were freely made with little or no attempt to bring to the investor’s attention those facts essential to estimating the worth of any security.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

•Bankole

GROUP has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking a probe of how N10billion loan obtained by the House of Representatives. The Youth Anti-Corrupt League (YACL) also asked the commission to arrest and prosecute Speaker Dimeji Bankole. Members of the group, suspected to be sponsored by some aggrieved members of the House, brandished a few placards at the premises of the

EFCC before being attended to by the Director of Operations, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde. Some of the inscriptions were as follows: “Bankole is not above the law,” “EFCC can’t keep quiet,” “N9b capital budget,” and “Justice with tax payers’ money.” But the EFCC later invited some leaders of the House for interaction on the petition. A one-page petition, which was presented by the President of Youth Anti-Corruption League, Jumoke Iliyasu, to the EFCC reads in part: “We are aware that your commission has received several petitions against Speaker Bankole, about the N2.3billion car scam arising

from the purchase of 407 Peugeot cars for the House sometimes in 2008. “We are further aware that certain members of the ‘Progressive’ group of legislators submitted a petition against the same Speaker on the abuse of due process and corrupt practices associated with the N9bilion capital budget of the House for 2008/2009 sessions. “To the best of our knowledge, no visible action has been taken against him upon any of the petitions. “Only recently, allegations that the Hon. Speaker approved a loan of about N10billion for the House without any resolution of the House supporting the said loan arose. “Consequently, it is public knowledge that the Honourable members have not received their due remunerations due to the inability of the House

to pay its members following the impoundment of their statutory allocation by the United Bank of Africa (UBA). “We are, therefore, calling upon the EFCC to enforce the anti-corruption policy of this government by arresting and prosecuting Hon. Bankole. He must be made to account for his excesses and EFCC must not allow the Nigerian people to believe that certain Nigerians are above the law. EFCC must act now.” Lamorde, who addressed the leaders of the League in his office, said: “I wish to commend you for your courage. I assure you that the commission will begin investigation into the petition immediately. “I will also personally brief the Chairman of the EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri, on your mission but the commission wants to seek your assistance and cooper-

ation as investigation progresses.” Reacting, the Speaker described the petition as politically motivated. Bankole, who spoke through his Special Adviser (Communications), Chief Kayode Odunaro, said: “We see political vendetta in all these petitions. “This is not the first time that a petition is being sent to EFCC on the issue of N2.3billion cars. It is an overflogged issue. It is being used to witch-hunt Bankole. “On the issue of N10billioon loan, I think every government at any point in time has to take overdraft facility from financial institution. “And as we speak, the House is not owing any financial institution. So, if anybody is writing a petition on a loan that is non-existent that will show that the petition is politically motivated.”

Army assures of peaceful hand-over

HE Army yesterday restated its support for democratic rule, promising a peaceful inauguration on May 29. The Director, Directorate of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Raphael Isa said the inauguration would not be disrupted. He spoke during a thank-you visit to the Corporate Office of Vintage Press Ltd, publishers of The Nation in Lagos. Gen Isa, who said the essence of the visit was to appreciate The Nation for its effective and balanced reporting, said security agencies especially the Army were fully prepared to prevent any form of disruption during the ceremony. “I want to say primarily the purpose of our visit is to come out of the office to say well done and thank you, and to solicit further support and partnership. We see you as watchdog of the society; we are security men but we recognise that we must partner with you to assist us do our jobs perfectly,” he said. “I am sure we will forge ahead in better ways; let me say well done and thank you to The Nation. Since we held our media/security parley in Abuja before the elections, I have seen that we have a very smooth interaction with the media. In fact, the relationship worked well during the last elections. This, we want to continue, all in the interest of our country,” he said. He said the Army was committed to building true democracy and good governance, adding: “We rely on this cordial relationship to forge ahead with our quest for true democracy and good governance in our country.” Gen. Isa noted that coups were “no longer” fashionable all over the world, saying: “It is a general trend that we have realised. We are sincerely very loyal to the government of the day and will do everything within our constitution-

•Brig. Gen. Raphael Isa...yesterday

By Amidu Arije

al powers to keep it growing.” Responding to a question on the behaviour of some soldiers, Gen. Isa admitted that there are bad eggs in the Army but said: “Those who still revel in acts of indiscipline are probably living in the past because the Army of today has changed considerably. There is no room for indiscipline any more.” On Niger Delta crises, he said what is happening there is not war; hence, full military force cannot be applied. “That is not war; those people are our sisters and brothers. Even before the activities in the Niger Delta, we had and still have units operating there. It is just an internal security operation unlike a full scale war. It something the police have to handle”. On the post-election crisis in some parts of the North, he said the riots were spontaneous , hoping that they will not happen again. “I can not deviate from what the National Security Adviser had told you but I can only add that it was spontaneous, most internal security situations are police duties and police matters so I agree with what he has said,” he said. Those who received him include the Chairman, Editorial Board, Sam Omatseye; the General Manger (Training and Development), Soji Omotunde; Editorial Page Editor, Sanya Oni; Editor, The Nation on Saturday, Dele Adeosun and member Editorial Board Kunle Abimbola. Omotunde pledge the newspaper’s readiness to sustain its collaboration with the Army and other institutions to build the nation.

Why states, local govts can’t pay minimum wage, by Falana

TATES and local governments can pay the N18,000 minimum wage if corruption and mismanagement of public funds are tackled, rights activist Femi Falana has said. According to him, if graft is tackled, governments will be in a position to pay more than the national minimum wage. This, he said, would require the political will of the administrators to use the commonwealth of the nation to promote the security and welfare of the citizens which is the primary purpose of the government. He was delivering a lecture at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Osun State University on Tuesday. Falana urged the anti-corruption agencies to pay

•’Graft is at the root By Joseph Jibueze

more attention to how money is spent at the federal level. “The anti-graft agencies have concentrated so much attention to the finances of states and local governments. They should now be made to investigate the mismanagement of the Federation Account by the Federal Government. “I submit, without any fear of contradiction, that the money involved in the criminal charges pending in courts against several state governments is a tip of the iceberg when compared to the illegal diversion of public funds from

the Federation Account,” Falana said. He said by virtue of Section 2(1) of the National Minimum Wage Act 2011, it has become a criminal offence on the part of any employer who fails to pay the national minimum wage of N18,000 per month to every worker under his establishment. Falana said state governments and other employers of labour who are dissatisfied with the new minimum wage are advised to mobilise the National Assembly for the amendment of the law. “I am convinced that they are not likely to succeed having regard to the belief of National Assembly members that state governments can

pay the new minimum wage if they re-order their priorities. “In one of the states in the Southwest where there has been a raging debate over the national minimum wage I discovered that in the Appropriation Law 2011 of the State the sum of N13 billion is allocated to workers’ wages. “During the same period the office of the governor will gulp N10.2 billion while his security vote is N2 billion. Furthermore, the sum of N270 million is set aside for the purchase of vehicles for the governor. This means that the state government will maintain the governor with the same amount that has been allocated to workers’ wages in one year!

“In that same state the legislators will collect N640 million to execute projects in their constituencies in the year. This does not form part of the jumbo pay of the legislators. Billions of Naira have also been allocated for unproductive overseas trips for the governor, legislators and top civil servants in the State. Such profligacy pales into significance if the budgets of other states are considered,” Falana said. Falana regretted that over 70 per cent of the country’s annual budget is channeled to service an unproductive bureaucracy, leaving little left for capital project. “Even then a lion share of the fund allocated to capital projects is stolen by a kleptomaniac governing class,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS

Scrapping NYSC against Nigeria’s unity, says DG

CRAPPING the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme is injurious to the unity of Nigeria, the Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga, has said. Some Nigerians have called for the abolition of the scheme following the violent protest that greeted the last presidential election in some states in the North. The protest claimed the lives of 10 corps members and scores of other Nigerians. But Tsiga identified the scheme as one of the unifying factors in the country, adding that rather call for its abolition, the people should call for the prosecution of the postelection dastardly act. The NYSC boss spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a conference entitled; “Reviving and strengthening discipline in the NYSC scheme.” He described those behind the calls for the scrapping of the NYSC as enemies of the country, noting that “soldier go sol-

276 evacuated Lagos NYSC members decline return to North

VER 276 members of the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) evacuated from the North by the Lagos State government in the wake of post presidential election violence that claimed the lives of some of their colleagues have vowed never to return to the region to complete the service. The revelation came yesterday by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Tola Kassali, while appraising his ministry’s activities in the past four years. He said the corps members have resolved that nothing will make them to return to complete the service year in the Northern part of the country, adding that their parents have also written series of petitions to the government demanding immediate redeployment of their children to the South. From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

dier come, NYSC remains.” The army officer also described the late corps members as patriotic and illustrious Nigerians “who have

By Miriam Ndikanwu

He, however, said the government will maintain its neutrality on the ongoing debate at the National Assembly on whether or not to scrap the scheme. According to him, “the NYSC being a central creation, Lagos as a federating unit, will not take a position regarding what should be done to the scheme in the light of the recent post-presidential election violence in which scores of corps members were gruesomely murdered in Northern Nigeria.” He said what to be done remained the decision of the Federal Government and specifically, the National Assembly and to some extent, the Houses of Assembly in the states, since the NYSC is a creation of the Act of the National Assembly. Kasali explained that whenever it be-

done the nation proud.” His words: “In the last one year, there has been an increase in our collaborative efforts with both government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The

comes necessary, the state will intervene where the lives of the corps members are in danger. The state, in response to distress calls by the corps members trapped in some Northern states in the wake of the postpresidential election violence, evacuated a total of 270 corps members of Lagos origin. Kasali disclosed that the evacuated corps members were yet to return to the states they were posted for the mandatory one year assignment, but frequently in touch with the Lagos secretariat of the NYSC for possible re-redeployment. Meanwhile, the state has changed its earlier plan to build a permanent site for the NYSC at Igando, along the Isher-LASU-Iba Expressway. A new site, according to the commissioner, has been found along Ikorodu road.

most recent being with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which culminated in the level of success recorded in the just concluded 2011 general elections.

“I, therefore, wish to seize this opportunity to congratulate and commend both staff and corps members for their commitment, patriotism and dedication, despite the hostile working environment. This

performance is a clear testimony of the fact that Nigeria has a great future and good asset in her youths. “The continuous showering of encomiums, appreciation and visits to the NYSC by the various stakeholders, particularly the international election observers, which included the International Republican Institute (IRI), National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the European Union (EU) are acknowledgement and recognition of the selfless work and sacrifices of these illustrious young men and women. “Unfortunately, just as all Nigerians were prepared to celebrate the successful conduct of the elections, we received the sad news of the outbreak of violence and unwarranted attacks on corps members. We commiserate with the families, Federal Government and the entire people of Nigeria on the demise of these patriotic and gallant youths who have done the nation proud.”

Nigeria needs fearless leaders, says cleric From Adimike George, Onitsha

HE Prelate of the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, His Most Eminence, Baba Aladura, Elder Lazarus Onyeleonu, yesterday said Nigeria needs fearless and courageous leaders who can impartially lead the different ethnic nationalities that make up the country without giving undue advantage to his region of origin. The Prelate, who spoke in Onitsha during his pastoral visit of the Onitsha Province, noted that President Goodluck Jonathan seems to be such a fearless man, adding that despite the daunting security challenges occasioned by the wave of terrorist attacks across the country, he remained focused and has mid-wifed the fairest and most credible election in the history of Nigeria. He said that if the President continues with the same passion and commitment, the country will experience tremendous socio-economic turnaround within the next four years. The cleric siad: “I believe that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a fearless and detribalised Nigerian who has the potentials of moving this country forward and change its fortune for the better even before 2015. What he has done within the period he has been in power showed all of us that he has killed the cankerworm that has been eating deep in the country’s fabrics.” He, however, charged Nigerian leaders to lead with the fear of God, advising that insatiable greed for wealth has been the bane of development in the continent. According to him, greed and dishonesty have destroyed many promising Nigerians who plundered the commonwealth of the people to the detriment of national development.

OPC advises govt, PDP to let Southwest retain Speaker

HE Founder and the President of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has advised the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against stripping the Southwest of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Fasehun said zoning the office away from the Southwest in the next dispensation while all other zones retained their slots would mean that the ruling party and the Presidency had used and dumped the Yoruba. Taking the position of the Speaker away from the zone, Fasehun insisted, would also violate the federal character principle enshrined in the nation’s constitution. In a press statement signed by the OPC leader, Fasehun said: “If the Senate maintains status quo and the Senate Pres-

By Oluwakemi Dauda

ident remains within the Northcentral and the Deputy Senate President is retained in the Southeast, then why should the Southwest lose the Speaker? “Maybe we should remind the nation too that the President legitimately comes from the Southsouth and the Vice President comes from the Northwest. The exit of Honourable Oladimeji Bankole after May 29 leaves the Southwest with virtually no share in the Federal Government. We hope the powers-that-be will consider that the Southwest zone is too big and too politically important to be left out in the current scheme of things. The Federal Government should not allow the Yoruba people to think that they are being marginalised and pushed out of the Federal Government.”

•Chief of Accounts and Budget, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Abdullahi Muraina (left) with Maj-Gen. Bello … yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Army pledges to uphold Constitution

HE Army has assured that it would continue to discharge her roles as enshrined in the nation’s constitution, even as it pledged its loyalty to the President and Commander–in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Declaring open the Nigerian Army Finance Corps Senior Non- Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) training week yesterday at the headquarters of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, used the forum “to

From Chris Oji, Enugu

remind the SNCOs and indeed all officers present at this training week and the entire NA of our constitutional roles and the need to remain committed to it at all times”. He said:“Our loyalty to the President, Commander-inChief and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should remain unalloyed”, stressing that the Nigerian Army is working assiduously to support the sustenance of democracy in the country. Represented by the Gener-

al Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 division Enugu, Major General Sarkin-Yarkin Bello, the COAS explained that the three-day exercise, with the theme: “Provision of Value Added Financial Services for the NA (Nigerian Army) to meet Contemporary Challenges:, The Role of NAFC SNCOs” was apt and timely, and would provide participants the opportunity of updating their service and regimental knowledge. He added that it would also sharpen their administrative and technical skills with a

view to keeping them abreast of contemporary financial best practices as obtained in other armies around the globe. The army chief further explained that the introduction of value for money audit, rendition of accounts for quarterly budget implementation report, as well as the involvement of the corps in project formation and implementation at all levels of command by the incumbent leadership are efforts aimed enhancing the professional competence of the corps in the management of the resources.

Opposition mounts against FCT minister on cabinet job

S the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) collates list of would-be ministers in the new government of President Goodluck Jonathan, a stalwart of the party in Ekiti State has petitioned the party’s acting National Chairman, Dr. Haliru Mohammed on why the incumbent Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Navy Captain Caleb Olubo-

By Nneka Nwaneri

lade (Rtd) should not be reappointed. The petitioner, Mr. Ojo Babatope, who is also the coordinator of Ekiti Restoration Group (ERG) and an indigene of Igede Ekiti, headquarters of Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state in a petition entitled; “Why Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade

should not be re-appointed minister”, dated May 17, stated 14 reasons to support his opposition to the consideration of the minister. He also deposed to an eight-paragraph affidavit in support of his averment in the High Court of Ekiti State. Some of the reasons listed in Babatope’s petition are that: “Navy Captain Olubolade while in office does not make

himself accessible to Ekiti indigenes; fails to facilitate the employment of Ekiti youths in federal appointments; polarizses the Ekiti State chapter of the PDP; spends funds meant for the party irrationally; causes decampment of PDP members to the rival parties in his Ijero Local Government Area and worked against the PDP senatorial candidates in the just concluded general elections.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS

Jonathan to restructure education ministry From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

RESTRUCTURED Ministry of Education is in the offing, President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday. He spoke at the State House, Abuja when he received the report of the Presidential Task Team on Education, chaired by Prof. Pai Obanya. The team’s report is in two volumes entitled “Necessary First Steps In Moving Education Forward in Nigeria”. The report recommended, among other things, the splitting of the ministry into two. Jonathan promised to implement the recommendations. He said: “Education is core to whatever we want to do as a nation. Nigeria cannot make much progress towards the attainment of its Vision 20-2020 unless we strengthen our educational system. We will, therefore, do our best in the next four years to reposition our educational sector in a way that the entire nation will appreciate.”

Gains of Sovereign Wealth Fund, by Aganga

INISTER of Finance Olusegun Aganga yesterday said the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) will help fast track the development of infrastructure. He also said SWF will help establish financial discipline in the country. Aganga spoke after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He also attributed the over subscription of the Euro Bond issued earlier in the year by Nigeria to the fund. “It was one of the reasons the international investors bought our Euro Bond. It was one of the reasons, when you look at Fitch revised outlook, it was one of the things they identified that we need to have in place for them to give us a positive outlook on our economy. So I cannot over emphasise the importance of this fund. “There are a number of benefits, one it is going to introduce transparency and accountability in how we manage our financial resources, that will be very clear to everybody, that is one area Nigerians and non-Nigerians are concerned with. “ It is going to strengthen our fiscal framework, meaning that we depend solely on oil and you know that oil prices are so volatile and because they are very volatile, you

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

cannot rely on that only until we fully diversify the economy. “Which means that we have to have something in place to cushion that and the stabilisation element of the fund would be there to provide the augmentation we need when we have dip in oil price. It will strengthen our fiscal framework, reducing or minimising the risk we have as a country, in terms of managing our revenue profile,” he said. Another gain of the fund, the minister said,” is the area of development. Meaning that one of the things that has been a major constraint to the development of our economy and country is infrastructure deficit, which we have. The third box will be there for investment in local infrastructure. So, it is going to act as a catalyst for both local and international investors and oth-

er sovereign wealth funds to come into the country and invest in local infrastructure, which will help us diversify our economy. “The third box is service, which is savings for future generation of Nigeria. We recognise that our children and grand children have the rights to benefit from what we have today. In a nutshell, it is converting a finite asset into wealth and tool for development. We should all be excited about it. All Nigerians should embrace it and make sure that it is fully implemented in the right way,” he stated. Aganga commended “the vision of the leadership, the President, the governors who supported this action from the beginning and the National Assembly, for passing the bill and passing it so quickly”. Aganga stated that the bill “is one of the fastest bills, that we have seen go to the National Assembly. He said it was

•Aganga

concluded within a record five-month period. It was submitted in December. It is the fastest bill. It is so important to Nigerians and to international investors.” On when the fund will fully become operational, Aganga said: “The National Assembly has now passed the bill. We need to get the document out as quickly as possible to the President for signature.”

Centre inducts 30 students

EADMODE Resource Centre will on Saturday induct 30 students into the United Kingdom universities. Speaking in Lagos, the Programme Manager of Leadmode Resource Centre, Miss Blessing Egbe said the programme would afford the students the opportunity to meet would be facilitators faceto- face for the first time and be intimated on how to tackle issues when it comes to assignment, the facts about distance learning, how to bridge the challenges of study, work, family and socials and above all, the foundation of knowledge and black-

board navigation. During the induction, according to Egbe, students would know what their respective universities is expected of them. For the first time, all the students would be under the same roof to integrate which would afford them the rare opportunity to network. She said unlike the faculty visit whereby facilitators are invited from the United Kingdom, the Saturday programme would be a Nigerian affair. The induction comes up later in Abuja.

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Three legislators are locking horns for the position of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker when the seventh House is inaugurated on June 6. Senior Correspondent OZIEGBE OKOEKI writes on schemings by the aspirants.

Battle for Lagos Assembly speakership T

WO incumbent lawmakers, who were re-elected last month, will be vying for Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly when the House is inaugurated on June 6. The two lawmakers are the Speaker, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and Majority Leader Kolawole Taiwo. A member o the House, Hon. Adelabu Onibiyo, who gave an insight into the contest, said that any other contestant would be a spectator. He said: “Strictly speaking, there are two people interested in the leadership of the House in the next dispensation. In fact, it is not three or four like some people are saying. I am an insider here; I have not seen any third or fourth person”. The person that will eventually emerge may undergo some stress. His or her emergence will be determined by a number of factors. If the zoning arrangement is applied by the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), then, the two aspirants would not be favoured. Governor Babatunde Fashola is from Lagos Central Senatorial District. His deputy, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, comes from Lagos West. So, if the zoning arrangement is to hold sway, then, the new Speaker must come from Lagos East. Hon. Taiwo (Ajegunle/Ifelodun) and Ikuforiji (Ikeja) are from the Lagos West. However, Ikuforiji is also an Epe indigene, which is Lagos East, a fact that cannot be overlooked. Party sources said zoning may have been jettisoned in the absence of contestants from the East District. Ikuforiji and Taiwo are experienced and ranking lawmakers. Ikuforiji is coming back for the third term. Taiwo is coming back for the fourth time. As the Majority Leader, he has been the right hand man of the Speaker. Many have argued that a new face was needed to inject new blood into the House. But, others feel that this argument is neither here nor there. It should be noted however, that this is the only reason being adduced by those opposed to the Speaker’s ambition to continue in the same ofice. Ikuoriji, observers contend, is the face of the legislative arm; assertive, accomodating and democratic in nature. He has displayed an unusual capacity for managing both human and material resources of the House. The House has experienced peace and stability more than any other state Assembly and he has shown maturity in the handling of matters on the floor of the House. He has exposed the lawmakers and legislative and staff to series of training, internationally and locally, thus enhancing their capacity and performance. This has reflected in the high turnover in terms of bills passed into law. Under his leadership, the Assembly has churned out not less than 45 bills into law and over 50 resolutions. He is also giving the Assembly a new facelook. An ultra-modern legislative chamber is nearing completion at the Assembly. There is also an L-shaped six storey administrative and lawmakers’ offices currently under construction at the complex. He has also started the publication of an in-house magazine, ‘Lagos Assembly’. Ikuforiji introduced the town hall meetings across the 40 constituencies in the state for residents to enable them make inputs into governance. The House self accounting law also became operational only last year and the Lagos State House of Assembly Commission also became a reality. The last two developments can best be appreciated by the fact that it would further enhance the independence of the legislature from the executive. Taiwo has been part of these achievements as a principal officer and number

•Ikuforiji

three man. But the man at the head dictates the pace and determines the flow of things. In terms of achievements therefore, Ikuforiji stands shoulder high above him. He even acknowledged the good works of the Speaker in a recent media interview. Other lawmakers in the House have also given the Speaker kudos for exposing them to international best practices in legislative duties. The two contestants have been reaching out to their colleagues. There is also no doubt that the party and its leadership would want to make inputs into who emerges as Speaker, considering the importance of the office. The party will certainly not leave the issue completely in the hands of the lawmakers. The other names bandied as interested

•Tejuoso

in the position are the former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin 1), Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1) and Hon. Rotimi Abiru (Somolu 11). What are their chances, if indeed they are interested? For Tejuosho who is from West District, her impeachment as Deputy Speaker leaves a dark spot on her political profile. Up to now, she has not been pardoned by the House. Neither has the removal been converted to resignation. It will be difficult therefore, to imagine that that singular blur will not work against her. However, sources said that she is only backing the Majority Leader for the position to get back at Ikuforiji for not halting her impeachment as Deputy Speaker. Agunbiade, who is a lawyer, remains one of the most vibrant, articulate and con-

structive lawmakers on the floor of the House. He has displayed exceptional intelligence and understanding of issues and love for his constituents during debate on the floor. But for the re-election of of Ikuforiji, Agunbiade, who is from East Senatorial District, would have been the major candidate for the position. However, he is a loyalist of Ikuforiji and cannot go into the contest with his mentor. Abiru is also from East District. He is nicknamed ‘Barometer’ by his colleagues because he is said to determine the mood of the House. He is matured, no doubt. Though he is qualified for the position, he would prefer to tow whatever decision the party and its leadership decide on the issue. He has thus not shown any serious desire for the position.

Why Ikeja is politically marginalised, by indigenes

NDIGENES of Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State, have appealed to the leader ship of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to appoint their members into important positions in the government to give them a sense of belonging. They made the appeal at the ‘2011 annual lecture and awards’ organised by the Ikeja Indigenes’ Forum led by Prince Ade Adefolami. Senator Ganiyu Solomon (Lagos West) delivered the lectured titled: “Creating political awareness among Ikeja indigenes as a panacea for human and environmental development of Ikejaland”. The ceremony, which held at the Ikeja Local Government Hall, was witnessed

By Emmanuel Oladesu

by traditional rulers, politicians and government officials. Adefolami lamented that, since the creation of the state in 1967 and Ikeja local government, “there has never been a local government chairman of ikeja descent; the highest position we have attained is that of the council vice chairman”. “We have never had a deputy governor, Secretary to the Government, commissioner and special adviser from Ikeja. In the just concluded elections, the two House of Assembly members and federal legislator are non-indigenes. This is not calling their ability to represent us ad-

equately to question”, he added. The forum’s leader said Ikeja is playing host to numerous personalities, industries and professionals, who are contributing to national development. He said the city has also stood behind the party in its race for power, urging its leaders to halt the trend of marginalisation. “We want more jobs for our children. We want the governor to appoint some of our people as state commissioners and special advisers. we also request that our people in politics be given apppointments in government’s parastatals and companies as board members’, he added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

POLITICS

Dele Daniel-Kalio is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. In this interview with BISI OLANIYI, he examines the challenges that would confront the Jonathan Administration.

‘Litigation is part of the electoral process’

O you think your door-todoor campaign was among the factors that ensured victory for Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi? From the results of the election, which came in quite expectedly, the campaign was very effective. We reached out to people through bulk SMS and ensured that everybody was informed and that helped immensely to make people show interest and go to the polling booths to cast their votes rightly. INEC also assured that there would be free and fair elections. All the people sent out for the campaign came back with very positive results and told me how effective it was, considering the people contesting against Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, especially the candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sir Celestine Omehia, and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Abiye Sekibo. Being a son of Okrika (Sekibo’s hometown, from where the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan, also hails), I was in a particular position to ensure that the people were well-informed and educated about what was at stake during the elections, especially since we had another Okrika son contesting under the platform of the ACN. What role did the President’s wife play? She visited Okrika and made it clear that it would not be right for Okrika people to waste their votes with the opposition party, when she was there as Okrika daughter. She also emphasised that it was necessary for the Okrika people to vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Amaechi and other candidates of the PDP during the elections, which was exactly what happened. We are delighted that Okrikans and other Rivers people heeded the voice and admonition of the First Lady. Won’t it be correct to accuse you and the President’s wife of betrayal for abandoning your kinsman, Dr. Abiye Sekibo? No, it is not correct because we had to go back to the past. Dr. Sekibo, an Okrika man, was Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) in the administration of Dr. Peter Odili and later became Transport Minister. During the period, the Okrika people underwent severe pains. It was clear at that time that Okrika people were wary of visiting their village because of insecurity. An Okrika man could not go to his country home and not be molested. It was until Governor Amaechi was inaugurated on October 26, 2007, follow-

• Daniel-Kalio

ing the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment the previous day that the state became calm and peaceful without people raising their hands while walking and being searched by soldiers. It thus made it easy for Rivers people to be visiting their hometowns. Okrika’s case was very bad. Even in Borokiri, Port Harcourt where I reside, one cannot go out, even during the day, without being hit by militants and cultists’ stray bullets. A lot of persons fled Rivers state then. The Okrika people therefore felt a sense of freedom and emancipation when Governor Amaechi came on board. But in your own view, what gave victory to Amaechi? The Okrika people have risen above ethnic politics to focus on performance. Governor Amaechi’s overwhelming victory in Okrika was due to the attention the governor paid to issues that were dear to the Okrika people, especially safety of lives and property, completion and commissioning of the Okrika Ring Road that had been abandoned and the building of the Okrika quota of the primary health centres, primary and secondary schools. There was an allegation of intimidation of the opposition politicians, especially his allegedly ordering the sealing off of Dr. Abiye Sekibo’s campaign office in GRA, Port Harcourt. How did he make it despite that? The governor’s victory was a triumph of good governance. His impressive performance in all the 23 LGAs of the state ensured that the people gave him massive support through their votes without rigging, intimidation or thuggery. In the last three-and-half years, Amaechi’s ad-

ministration built and equipped over 160 primary health centres across the state, over 200 of the 350 model primary schools have been completed; 24 model secondary schools are being built in each of the 23 LGAs of the state, with roads and flyovers being constructed, among others. The expatriate and investors, who fled, are now returning to Rivers State. There is nothing the APGA and ACN’s governorship candidates in Rivers state can say about the election. It was the freest, fairest and the most credible election in the history of the state. Rt. Hon. Amaechi did not order the sealing off of Dr. Sekibo’s campaign office. It was closed by Obio/Akpor Local Government Council over nonpayment of tenement rates for four years. Can you say Governor Amaechi performed up to people’s expectations, against the background of allegation of inflation of most of the contracts and awarded to his associates? Governor Amaechi has surpassed Rivers people’s expectations, considering what he met on the ground when he came in and the funds available to him. Look at it with reference to what happened between 1999 and 2007, when we were getting similar allocations, not to talk of recently, when there is dispute with Akwa Ibom State, over the 86 oil wells ceded to the neighbouring state, but which the Supreme Court said should be returned to Rivers state, but yet to be implemented, with outstanding money and interest, which reduced what was coming in. It is not true that contracts were inflated in the state or the governor’s associates were being favoured. We should avoid the pullhim-down syndrome. Allegations of massive rigging, multiple thumb-printing, inducement, intimidation of voters, snatching of ballot boxes and other irregularities prompted the ACN and APGA to challenge the elections at the tribunal. What is your reaction? Any opposition will always come up with one story or the other. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, ensured that the elections were free, fair and credible in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act. Governor Amaechi polled 1,178,529 votes, followed by Sir Omehia with 112,528 votes and Dr. Sekibo, a distant third with 60,241 votes. How can you then talk about intimidation or rigging? The allegations are laughable. There were independent monitors from within and outside the country all over the place. They all gave pass mark to the elections.

•From left: Ekiti State House of Assembly members-elect, Mrs Olatunji Ayotunde (Moba 11 Constituency), Ado II), Mrs Modupe Olayinka (Ado 11), wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, and Mrs Omowunmi Ogunlola (Ijero) during during a visit by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) female legislators-elect to Mrs Fayemi in Ado-Ekiti.

How Aregbesola can succeed, by Olorunda ACN leaders By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

EADERS of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, have urged the governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to sustain the tempo of achievements recorded by his administration till the end of his tenure. The leaders said in a congratulatory message also advised the governor never to depart from the progressive paths charted by Chief Bisi Akande, the late Chief Bola Ige and Chief Obafemi Awolowo. They said excellent performance in office would continue to endear the administration to the people, adding that the governor should improve on the feats achieved in the first six months. Signatories to the statement included Chief Olatunde Joseph, Mr Jeremiah Ajayi, Hon (Prince) Oladele Kosoko, Hon. Olatunji Ogabi, Pastor Israel Alagbe, Alhaji Olowo Awesu, Hon. Teliat Adeosun, Alhaji Abu Akilapa (LGA ACN chairman) and , Hon. Amida Abudu (Olorunda LCDA chairman) The leaders paid tribute to the martyrs who fell during the liberation struggle for the soul of the state, urging the administration to honour their memory and remember their bereaved survivors. Noting that Aregbesola has heroes and role models, they advised him to follow the footsteps of Awolowo, Ige, Akande and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, under whose administration he served as Commissioner for Works for eight years. The statement reads: “We the leaders and members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Olorunda LCDA, Lagos State, most heartily congratulate the true symbol of Oranmiyan and Executive Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, for another phase of the successful liberation battle in the ‘State of the Living Springs’. “The outcome of the recent federal and state parliamentary elections attested to your mega capability as a great mobiliser, astute politician and transformational leader, who could restore hope and demonstrate an uncanny ability to take the state to greater heights. “Since the restoration of your stolen mandate, Osun State has been soaring higher to the horizon of progress in a manner that bears eloquent testimony to the indisputable fact that the good people of the state voted wisely for you in 2007. More power to your elbow. “We congratulate the amiable, humble and kind ‘First Lady’, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola, for standing behind the symbol like the wall of Gibraltar; keeping the home front secure, acting as a source of dependable strength and carving an inch for herself in the most modest and dignifying calling of solemn philanthropy. “We also felicitate with Osun State Deputy Governor Mrs Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, a woman of substance, formidable ally in the continuous struggle for a better society and partner in progress and responsible public service for sustaining the harmonious working relationship”. The ACN leaders also called on the people of the state to support the progressive programmes initiated • Aregbesola by the governor.

Orji: my agenda for Abia By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has spoken on the agenda of the administration, saying he plans to focus on security, social services, health, rural development and housing in his second

term. The governor also said the Aba mega city project would be pursued vigorously, adding that it would have multiplier effects on the economy of the state. “In this second term, I will build on the super structures I have built in the state in the areas of education, health, security, housing and road construction”, said the governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media, Ugochukwu Emezue. He told reporters in Lagos that “Abia voted for the PDP because of the performance of the administration in the last four years”. Orji added: “With the resources available, we will erect lasting legacies. We will focus on Aba’s Independent Power Project (IPP) as part of efforts to make it bounce back as a buoyant mega city. We will sustain security to stem kidnapping . we will revatalise the civil service to make it productive. We will embark on massive road construction and work on the housing programmes”. The governor said, if Aba becomes the economic hub of the state again, government would earn more revenues from economic activities. Orji described himself as a silent worker, who was distracted by litigations during his first term. He said, despite the distractions, the administration established 165 health centers, embarked on rural electrification, rehabilitated many schools, and paid the salary arrears of civil servants. The governor applauded the people for the free and fair elections that took place last month, saying that their wishes prevailed. He however, said that his opponents at the poll have the right to approach the court because they felt the poll was not credible. Orji said: “Elections were free and fair in Abia State. The opponents were my former colleagues and associates. I campaigned based on what I have done in my first term. They were only making promises to the people. The voters preferred me to them. I will be vindicated at the tribunal. I am always a product of the rule of law”. The governor said that he was not elected a PDP governor but the governor of Abia State. He added: “”This is why we cannot afford to disappoint the people of this state. I appeal for the support of the people. I also urge our people to pay their taxes regularly. I have a covenant with the people to serve them and improve their lot”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

AMCON to buy banks’ debts to avert systemic risk

HE Asset Manage ment Corporation of (AMCON), will buy bad debts if they exceed 5 percent of banks’ “non-performing loans” or pose a risk to the banking system, Chief Executive Office Mustafa Chike-Obi said. Banks with such loans will need to ask the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to authorise AMCON to buy the debts, Chike-Obi said yesterday in a presentation at an investment conference organised by Renaissance Capital in the commercial capital, Lagos. AMCON was set up to buy toxic assets from the banks after a debt crisis in 2008 and 2009 threatened the banking industry with collapse. The CBN fired the chief executives of eight banks and bailed out the industry with N620 billion ($3.96 billion). The underlying value of assets bought by AMCON in its two phases of purchases to date is about N3 trillion, Executive Director, Foluke Dosumu said on April 7. By next month, the 24 deposit money banks and CBN are expected to contribute N110 billion to the banking sector resolution cost fund, the Sinking Fund, which will help AMCON reduce its cost of operations. The CBN will contribute N50 billion while the banks will pump in N60 billion. The AMCON Chief Executive Officer, Mustafa Chike-Obi recently told The Nation.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$115.9/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N8.1 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -11.3% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -7.50% Foreign Reserve -$33.86bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 216.9 £ 248.4 $ 153.05 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 245.85 RIYAL 39.3

In life and business, there are two cardinal sins. The first is to act precipitously without thought and the second is to not act at all. - Carl Icahn

Senate passes Financial Reporting Council Bill •Accounting Standards Board scrapped

HE Senate yesterday read for the third time and passed the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria bill to repeal the Nigerian Accounting Standards Board Act. The bill was passed after consideration of the 65 clauses of the bill from the report submitted by the Chairman of the Senate committee on Finance, Senator Ahmed Makarfi. As passed yesterday, the

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Senate deleted some clauses relating to pension, directorates of accounting standards private and public sectors, directorate of auditing practice standards. Also deleted were clauses on directorate of Actuarial Standards, directorate of inspection and monitoring, directorates of valuation standards, duration of registra-

tion, review and monitoring of accounting and financial reporting standards. The Senate equally deleted the clauses because a provision was made for the Council to set up directorates and prescribe functions for them. The Upper Legislative Chamber, however, yesterday rejected the recommendation of the Ad-Hoc committee to reduce the N500,000 fine to N100,000 for anybody who is not regis-

tered under the Act but holds appointment or offer any service for remuneration as a professional for public interest entities. After passage of the bill yesterday, the Senate President, Senator David Mark said: “It is a very important bill. It has international implication on our economy and I hope the council once inaugurated will work hard to perform their functions.”

Ajaokuta Transmission Station upgrade nears completion

HE ongoing upgrad ing of the Ajaokuta Transmission Station in Kogi, from 30 MVA to 60 MVA, has reached 95 per cent completion. Mr Abednego Akabuko, the Lokoja Business District Manager of the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN), made the disclosure yesterday. Akabuko told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the project which was started last year, to improve the quality of power supply to the state would be completed within the next couple of months. He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, saying that the PHCN was eagerly awaiting the completion of the project so that it could put it into immediate use. The manager also said that the organisation had similarly, embarked on the upgrading of the aluminum power conductor in Lokoja from 35mm to 150mm. He noted that over 100 wooden poles had been replaced with concrete ones, adding that that 35 high and low tension poles brought down by rainstorm recently were being gradually replaced. Akabuko said 10 new transformers were installed in strategic points within the state capital in April. He said that three additional transformers were also upgraded from 300KVA to 500KVA, saying that the city and other adjoining towns would soon start witnessing improved voltage profile.

•From left: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema during a courtesy call on the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa, at BPE in Abuja ... Tuesday.

Akinola Fitch, S&P give GTBank’s $500m bond B+ rating George is NMGS HE $500 million senior The CBN reforms have tory Receipts (GDR). The unsecured notes issued substantially strengthened fund had an unprecedented President by Guaranty Trust ment will be used partly to and stabilised the gover- concurrent global offering in

By Collins Nweze

Bank Plc has been assigned a long term rating of B+ (Stable) by both Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Rating. The notes, which will mature on May 19, 2016, carry a coupon rate of 7.5 percent per year and will be listed on the London Stock Exchange. The five-year $500 million issue is under the bank’s $2 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme. Proceeds from the place-

refinance the bank’s $350 million Eurobond maturing in January 2012, which was issued in 2007, and partly for general corporate purposes. The acceptance of the offer in international markets according to information, has been attributed to the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reforms, which have inspired international investors’ confidence in the banking sector.

nance and operational structures of the Nigerian banking sector. The $500 million issue will mark the third time the bank will successfully raise funding from the international capital markets. In July 2007, GTBank became the first Nigerian company and first African bank to be listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange with the listing of its $750 million Global Deposi-

the domestic and international capital markets. This was after a $350 million Eurobond issue in January 2007, which made the bank the first Nigerian company to issue Eurobonds and also, the first Nigerian institution to venture into the international capital markets without a sovereign guarantee or credit enhancement from any international financial institution.

Revised April inflation drops to 11.3%

HE National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has re vised April inflation from 11.6 per cent issued on May 16, to 11.3 per cent, after it detected a mistake in its calculation. The inflation rate fell from 12.8 per cent a month earlier, the statistics agency said in a statement yesterday in Abuja. The revision, according to Bloomberg news, may give

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Lamido Sanusi more room to keep interest rates unchanged next Tuesday as he looks to stimulate lending. The banking watchdog on March 22 raised the benchmark interest rate for a second time this year, lifting it one percentage point to 7.5 per cent to stabilise the naira and help bring inflation to its 10 per cent target.

The apex bank is expected to keep interest rates unchanged when the Monetary Policy Committee meets next week, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lagos-based brokerage Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, said on May 16. Nigeria’s economy, the third biggest on the continent after South Africa and Egypt, will grow about 7.9 per cent

in the second quarter, according to the statistics office. The economy is projected to expand 7.98 per cent this year, compared with 7.85 per cent in 2010. The mistake in calculating inflation came after statisticians took data for food prices and fed it into the index for food and non-alcoholic drinks, the statistics bureau said.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

R. Akin George has emerged the presi dent of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS). The 71-year-old new president, according to a statement, was elected at the election of the council of NMGS held in Minna. He succeeds Prof. Eluezu, who bowed out March 31, 2011. Akin George holds a B.Sc Hons Geology, from the University of Ibadan. He obtained a postgraduate diploma in 1975, and an M.sc with distinction in Exploration Geophysics in November 1976, from Delft University of Technology, Holland. Besides, he is a World Bank rated consultant in Exploration Geophysics. He is also the Managing Director of Geoexploration (Nig) Limited.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

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

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

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1. 2. 3. 4.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

“Statistics in our poverty report shows that there are states where 12.5 per cent of children below 16 years cannot read or write especially in the northern states. “This means that those people are disconnected from the mainstream economy. Poverty can only be eradicated by connecting these people to the mainstream through education and skill acquisition. The National Coordinator and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Poverty Alleviation, explained that NAPEP through its social safety net scheme, COPE and PKP, aims to bridge the ugly gap

between the rich and the poor by getting champions in the community to pull the less privileged ones through the crack of poverty. “The person-to-person approach we have been using before was not effective, so we revised the programme to be community driven so that all hands will be on deck in the fight against poverty. Kpakol, said NAPEP will be working together with communities and other faith based organisations to get champions who will be key players in the fight against poverty, stating that he wants to be remembered as a man who tried to sensitise Nigerians and policy makers on the issues and fight against poverty.

END

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.15 12.50 12.55 15.55

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00 08.00 18.00

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

RITISH Airways has awarded N60 million worth of business class travel to 50 Nigerian Small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to stimulate entrepreneurship and encourage local SMEs to expand internationally. Speaking at the presentation, held at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, British Airways Country Commercial Manager for Nigeria, Kola Olayinka, described the response by the SME sector in Nigeria to the grant as phenomenal and well beyond expectation.He said over 500 entries for the grants were received from Nigerian SMEs. This he said, indicated a robust SME sector, which appreciates that travel is essential for expansion. ”By providing 50 Club World tickets each to 50 SMEs to use anywhere on our global network, we’re investing in Nigerian business and our future customers. “We, certainly, hope that this will enable them to expand and develop their businesses, Olayinka said before presenting the grants to the awardees. “British Airways Business Opportunity Grants was launched in October last year. Nigeria is one of five countries to have launched this initiative. The programme has also run in South Africa, India, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

Continental-Re steps up pan-African insurance

09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

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

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

12.15 12.45

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

1. IRS 2. Arik

HE National Coordinator, National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Dr. Magnus Kpakol has disclosed that 80 million Nigerians live below the poverty line. Kpakol, who spoke during a oneday workshop on the Take-off of the in Care of the People (COPE) and Promise Keeper Programme (PKP), in Abuja, stated that about 4.5 per cent of Nigerians still live below the poverty line. He said: “This will reflect in the new statistics that will be released soon. Poverty cannot be eradicated in Nigeria based on the strength of government allocation alone, but by linking to the main stream through acquisition of skills.

08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20

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

1. Dana

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

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

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

Airways 80m Nigerians live below British gives N60m poverty line, says NAPEP tickets to SMEs T B

C •From left: The Area Executive, FinBank Plc, Bauchi, Mr. Tata Omar; Garba Adamu, one of the winners at the Northeast zonal draw of the Finsplash Savings Promo and Mr. Baba Adamu, an official of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission at the promo draw held in Bauchi State ... Tuesday.

Banks, multinationals vote N300m for Lagos

ANKS, multinationals and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating under the aegis of Lagos Island Millennium Group on Environment (LIMGE), are to raise the sum of N300 million for the development of the three Central Business Districts (CBDs) in Lagos State. Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on CBDs, Hon Oyinlomo Danmole, disclosed this yesterday while addressing journalists on the agency achievement in the last four years. He explained that group has so far raised the sum of N100 million while effort are on to raise the remaining N200 million need for the project.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

Danmole said the CBDs intends to create a conducive business environment in the state. The CBDs he explained, is categorised under the following: Ikeja, Apapa and Lagos Island, adding that the investment is expected to be injected into one of the projects such as the proposed Ajele Fire stations, among others. Danmole, said the current administration is committed to managing the CBDs in line with best practices in the developed world to serve as a model for decentralised city management. He recalled that CBDs during the tenure of former Governor Bola Tinubu, a total sum of N22 billion

was spent on the reinvigoration, revitalisation as well as upgrading of CBDs infrastructure. Danmole, however said, within the last four years, his office has provided jobs for over 450 unemployed men and women with attendant reduction in youth restiveness and criminal activities. “We have ensured and sustained free flow of traffic especially during business hours, and have recorded a significant improvement in the management of the environment through adequate sanitation measures while prevalent unwholesome practices have been bipped in the bud with our regulating and enforcement agents,” he stated.

LPG operators to establish gas cylinder plants

HE Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA) says its members will soon set up assembly plants for gas cylinders in major cities in the country. Alhaji Auwalu Ilu, President of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday that the aim was to increase the number of gas cylinders in circulation by about 100 per cent. As soon as the market is saturated with cylinders, operators will embark on enlightenment campaigns on the use of gas as better means of cooking,” he said. Ilu said the investment, worth

about N12 billion, would commence in the fourth quarter of this year. He said the operators also intended to purchase 100 distribution trucks to get cylinders to the people. According to him, the association is appealing to the Federal Government to make the sector more investor-friendly by removing the Value Added Tax on LPG. “The government should also reduce duties on cylinders and other accessories,” he said. Ilu said the imposition of VAT on the product at different points of the distribution chain was re-

sponsible for the high price of cylinders. `There is the need to raise awareness on the benefits of using cooking gas rather than other fuels such as firewood and charcoals, which cause deforestation that is inimical to the environment. ``Our grandmothers and grandfathers cannot continue to be felling trees for fuel, a trend they have maintained for ages, and then we don’t do something to change that trend,’’ he added. ``I know those who have never tried using cooking gas do have this fear about its ability to ignite and engulf a place easily.”

ONTINENTAL Reinsurance Plc has unveiled a new corpo rate logo designed to “transmit the company’s consolidating friendship, prosperity and dependability” in the local and international markets. Continental-Re is a Nigerian registered reinsurance firm with subsidiary companies in about five African countries. Explaining reasons, which necessitated the introduction of a new logo, Chairman of the company, Akin Laguda, said: “The new corporate image of Continental-Re defines our new strength predicated on improving returns to not only shareholders but members of staff and the insuring public. “Within the last 25 years of growing insurance industry in Nigeria, Continental-Re has remained the insurance company of choice and that has continued to drive us to our new found pan-Africanism and maturity ably encapsulated in the new logo. Corroborating the chairman’s views, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Femi Oyetunji, explained that the company upgraded her logo considering recent strategic upgrade of systems, operations and general outlook of the company ahead of new range of businesses and strength in insurance service delivery. He said: “Continental-Re has come of age in developing the sector and creating the needed awareness for the sector to grow and occupy its rightful place in the African and particularly the Nigerian economy where insurance penetration still remain very low or even under one per cent. “This new logo is clearly to demonstrate that we are moving away from a local player to a premier panAfrican re-insuring giant. With this new logo, we are trying to step up our command of the industry in terms of strength, dependability and prosperity.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

INDUSTRY

NESG’s income hits N184.3m T

HE Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has grown its income from N126 .44 million to N184.31 million, indicating a 45.7 per cent increase. Figures from the 2010 annual report of the Group showed that there was a 39.2 per cent rise over the baseline of N132.34 million in 2008. The net excess of income of the Group over expenditure was N70.4 million in 2010, an increase of 84.2 per cent from the base value of N38.2 million in 2009. It also showed a 99.4 per cent improvement over the N35.3 million baseline of 2008, NESG’s Director-General, Frank Nweke Jr. said. The chairman of the Group, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, said the year under review showed an excellent financial performance. He said: “It is gratifying that in the last four years, our finan-

•Calls for review of interest rate Stories by Toba Agboola

cial performance has continued to improve. For every single year from 2007 to 2010, we returned surplus income over expenditure.” The NESG also pointed out that the increase in interest rate from 6.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would cause manufacturers and industrialists intense pain.

Ohuabunwa, said although operators expected an increase in rates, but it was not by the massive 100 basis points announced by the CBN. “We understand the need to raise the rates but an increase of 100 basis point is rather steep. From the industrial point of view, it will push up the lending rates of the banks and when this happens it is usually great pain for us as manufacturers,” Ohuabunwa said.

‘It is gratifying that in the last four years, our financial performance has continued to improve. For every single year from 2007 to 2010, we returned surplus income over expenditure’

The OPS boss said the new policy will cause manufacturers and industrialists serious pain because it has a ripple effect on the cost of production across the entire value chain leading to a further spike in the already ballooned cost of production in the country. Ohuabunwa, however, stated that as the Chairman of NESG and considering the step taken by the CBN from the macroeconomic point of view, the intention of the apex bank is understandable. “As Chairman of the NESG and looking at the issue from the macroeconomic point of view, I appreciate the intense pressure on the CBN to tame the spiralling inflation.” Ohuabunwa explained that unfortunately the rates increase will cause a significant increase in the cost of money and every-

HE Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), in collaboration with Odekhoa Akhume Okaisabor Memorial Foundation, has trained 140 widows on entrepreneurship. In a statement, SMEDAN’s Director-General,Alhaji Muhammad Umar, said the agency would assist the Foundation to establish outreach and vocational training centres in the country’s six geo-political zones. SMEDAN will also expand the foundation’s scope to be an organisation through which the lives of widows and children would be secured financially and spiritually. Umar advised the participants to make good use of the training the agency offered them, adding that SMEDAN would assist them until their chosen businesses have grown enough to be sustainable. In her remarks, the founder of the Foundation, Justice Ngozika Okaisabor, commended SMEDAN for being a dependable partner in alleviating the plight of widows through the entrepreneurial sensitisation and awareness creation programmes. Okaisabor said: “The first batch of the Foundation’s beneficiaries have received their start-up equipment from SMEDAN. “The Foundation has also assisted widows with accommodation and medical aide, such as free eye-tests and eye-glasses.” She called on other organisations in the public and private sectors to partner with SMEDAN and foundations to alleviate the plights of widows. In a related event, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), has concluded arrangement to facilitate an interactive discussion

•From left: President, Nigeria - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Oye Akinsemoyin; President, Nigeria Association of Small Medium Enterprises (NASME), Dr. Ike Abugu and President, Lagos Chamber, Otunba Femi Deru, at an event in Lagos.

body in the chain will be affected. He noted, however, that this may be the inevitable price, which producers in the economy will have to pay for macroeconomic stability.

SMEDAN trains 140 widows

•Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abubakar (left) receiving a hand over note from Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Yerima Giade in Bauchi.

•Ohuabunwa

between women entrepreneurs and various banks to enhance the operations of indigenous small and medium enterprises through the provision of stimulus packages. The interactive meeting between the banks and women entrepreneurs is scheduled to hold today at Rockview Hotel, , Abuja. Already, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in line with the disbursement of multi-billion stimulus package recently positioned the Bank of Industry (BoI) and Diamond Bank to play key roles in the successful disbursement (and implementation) of the intervention fund for SMEs operators in identified key sectors. Under the special arrangement, CBN is working with the BoI to help enhance the operations of indigenous Small and Medium Enterprises; while Diamond Bank is also saddled with the same task through a special project named, ‘Diamond Bank Express Programme’. To allow for proper information dissemination, understanding, accessibility and proper implementation of the funding scheme for indigenous SMEs, NECA has facilitated a simultaneous interactive meeting in Abuja and Lagos between the banks, NERFUND and Nigerian women entrepreneurs to discuss modalities for the accessing of the funds meant to enhance the operations of indigenous small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. According to the statement released by the Co-ordinator of NECA’s Network of Women Entrepreneurs (NNEW), it is important that the banks be invited to come forward to enlighten the entrepreneurial women on how they can benefit from all these funding opportunities.

‘Ban on imported rice anti-people’

GROUP, Trans Border Traders Association of Nigeria (TBTAN) has criticised the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its inability to collect adequate import duty on rice imported through the borders. President of the group, Alhaji Mukaila Okunola, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, said the Customs Service has failed in its duty. Okunola said ban on rice importation through land border was anti-people, adding that it has caused the loss of jobs to thousands of Nigerians involved in the trade. The group’s president said a few Nigerian elites with their foreign cohorts who want to dominate the trade and control the price have been able to lobby the government

and convince the Minister of Finance to put a stop to importation of rice through approved borders. He noted that since the ban, the price of rice has sky-rocketed to the satisfaction of a few Nigerians and to the loss of thousands of people involved in the trade. He, however, challenged the leadership of the Customs to convince the government that it is capable of collecting duties and levies on rice and any other commodity. “Failure to do that is an acceptance to the fact that Customs has failed in its duty as revenue collector and if this is the case, then I think we should have a change of leadership in the agency.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

INDUSTRY

Experts make case for corporate Govt needs SMEs to boost economy governance codes W C

HAIRMAN, Nigerian Eco nomic Summit Group (NESG), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, has stressed the need for public and private business enterprises and corporate organizations to let good corporate governance be their watchword. Ohuabunwa stated this while delivering a lecture entitled :”Corporate Governance: A veritable Tool for a Stronger Nigeria.” He spoke at the annual Public Lecture of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos. He also attributed the recent postelection crisis in the North and social and religious malaise to high rate of unemployment in the country. The Neimeth Plc President in lack of good Corporate Governance led to the collapse of some business enterprises. “Recent global economic crisis was preceded by poor corporate governance and the Board is sleeping while the management became so greedy that they begin to build castles in the air without any foun-

By Biodun-Thomas Davids

dation. “Recent efforts by the government to provide some targeted funding to the real sector-agriculture, manufacturing and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), is praiseworthy. But all these will come to naught like in the NERFUND days, if the business and enterprises are not well run and they soon run into difficulties or die. “I, therefore, strongly recommend that to strengthen our companies and businesses; to ensure that they continue to grow and prosper, good corporate governance goals must be forced on all. It should no longer be voluntary. If this was done, then this ICSAN lecture would have been worth a while and Nigeria will be on its way to becoming a stronger economy,” Ohuabunwa said. He said the unacceptable high unemployment in Nigeria has weakened the country in many

ways. Besides, he noted that beyond the critical issue of poverty, other social malaise derivable from the army of unemployed “confronts us daily.” He said the militancy in the Niger Delta, which later degenerated into kidnapping for gain, was really exported to the South East and elsewhere in the country. “The growing rebellion of Boko Haram sect in the North East of Nigeria is swelled by the unemployed. The recent unjustifiable arson in parts of the country following the result of presidential election was swelled by the unemployed. Today, Nigeria is seen as a country with security challenges and this must be denying us the needed foreign direct investment (FDI). “Irrespective of what else the government can do, the only thing that can solve the problem is to promote enterprise development, create more businesses and expand existing ones,” he said.

ORRIED by the increase in the level of unemployment, the Managing Director, Exhibition and Trade Fair Limited, Mrs. Omonigbo Itoya, has urged the Federal Government to beam its searchlight on the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), as well as handicraft for the sustainability of the economy. Mrs Itoya, who was speaking in Lagos, ahead of the forthcoming international exhibition in September, stated that Nigerians have not really utilised the abundant resources at their disposal to boost the economic status of the country. She noted that the mission is to provide customised professional services tailored to specific needs of exhibitors and visitors to Messe Frankfurt International Trade Fair, as well as create a platform for business co-operation between manufacturers and buyers. “We are committed to satisfaction through efficient negotiation with

all relevant bodies and other tailor made services geared towards making our fairs the required platform to give any business the edge needed to succeed in a modern business community.” The exhibition boss also stressed the need for Nigeria to take a cue from the western world where exhibition and trade fairs form the basis of their major income in terms of small and medium scale enterprises. In her view, Messe Frankfurt and Nigeria enjoyed a very mutual business relationship right from 1984. Nigerians have been using the platform as a successful sale, marketing and as well as buying platform. She further explained that for the country to attain its rightful position in the comity of nations towards realisation of Vision 20:2020 it must put into plan the need for small and medium scale manufacturer as the alternative for unemployment.

Sweet Sensation hosts loyal customers

WEET Sensation has hosted its loyal customers to a blissful evening. It was indeed golden for Sweet Sensation as the leading and most innovative QSR brand shone like a million stars when she hosted her loyal customers in a unique way to an evening of bliss on Easter Monday. The innovative concept, which had already generated a lot of buzz and hype among customers and prospectives, featured a blend of music, rib-cracking jokes performed by A-list comedians, lots of amazing free gifts, lip-smacking meals and games without asking anything back in return from customers. According to the Marketing Manager of the customer-friendly

brand, Yemi Yusuf, this will be the first time any QSR brand in Nigeria will be giving so much to customers without any strings attached. The classy event, which was held at the nine selected outlets of Sweet Sensation had A-list comedians. The comedians sure lived up to their billing as they took customers to the climax of fun. To set customers in the mood for the much talked about event, the company doled out lots of fabulous gifts in all her outlets. According to the Marketing Manager of Sweet Sensation, Yemi Yusuf, the event was put together in a bid to create an atmosphere of bonding between the brand and her customers and give back to them for their loyalty over the years.

270 customers rewarded with ‘Customer Engagement Campaign’

•From left: Chairman Board of Directors Cadbury, Mr Atedo Peterside, Managing Director, Mr Alan Palmer, PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM during the former’s 50th Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

D-8 Business Council opens doors to local entrepreneurs T

HE D-8 Business Council, a new business group comprising Chambers of Commerce and Industry from eight countries , has signified its plan to open its door to Nigerian women and young entrepreneurs to join . Its Chairman, Dr. Ademola Ajayi, said although membership of the Council is for all those in the Chamber Movement in Nigeria, its doors are still opened to women and young entrepreneurs. He listed the gains of membership of the council to include regular business forum/exhibitions to showcase products and services, platform to discuss topical issues on priority economic indicators for countries within the D-8; trade missions to D-8 countries; networking among D-8 countries; and regular

By Toba Agboola

consultative meetings with other D8 countries’ embassies/high commissions. “As you are aware, Nigeria is a member of the eight developing (D8) member countries, comprising Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.” In addition, President Goodluck Jonathan, is the Chairman of the D8 member countries while the National President of NACCIMA, is the current Chairman of D-8 Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCI). The theme of the 2011 D-8 Business Forum/Exhibition has been

tagged “Multilateral Collaboration for Wealth Creation through Development of Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs).” The Business Forum will primarily showcase investment opportunities in these sectors – Commerce/ Trade; Agriculture: Manufacturing; Education – especially Skill Acquisition; Healthcare; Energy; Roads and Water Resources; Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); Women in Business, ICT; Science and Technology; Banking and Finance, etc. Alongside the trade exhibition of goods and services, the forum will also be a platform to discuss some topical issues on priority economic indicators for Nigeria that would be well exposed and x-rayed for the benefit and contribution of foreign delegates and Nigerians.

AVING successfully con cluded ‘Take the Lead’ pro motion last month, which 25 brand new Peugeot 407 cars were given out, Access Bank is set to reward 270 customers in its ‘Customer engagement Campaign’ between April and December 2011 with charges free transaction for life. Every month, the bank would give 30 customers the opportunity to earn themselves a tax-free transaction from the bank and the month of April has already produced 30 customers that would be enjoying such services from the bank. The 30 customers whose certificates of exemption from all bank charges would be given as soon as the harmonise/unified Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) account numbers are released. The charges that would be exempted are COT, cash handling charges, ATM charges, debit card charges, embassy enquiry charges, account maintenance charges, domiciliary account charges and other charges associated with the bank transaction. Some of the 30 customers who were contacted after the draw include Omeiza Dawood Yusuf of Apapa branch, Olawapo Franklin of Gusau branch, Ekpe James of Trans-Amadi brand Port Harcourt, Adegbite

Ademola of Osogbo branch, and Magawata Buza of Birnin Kebbi branch. Explaining reasons behind the commencement of another promotion after ending the Take the Lead, Ejikeme Victor Ohalete, Team Leader, Product Management of the bank said: “When CBN came out with the customers information update which just ended a lot of people viewed it from different sides, but we discovered that we can actually take it further and by so doing encourage our customers to entrench such habit any time they have such changes in their affairs to get the bank involved.” “The idea is that we take the contacts of our customer and their various change of status, their wedding anniversary, their birthday and when they change their addresses. We are using this medium of the campaign to reach out to our customers that this method is not punitive but a way of getting to know them to serve them better. Therefore, to encourage the customer to do so we decided to add this incentive to say if you update your details with the bank , you could be among the 30 winners that will be selected every month to be exempted from all bank charges.”

UAC, Tiger brands sign partnership agreement

AC of Nigeria Plc and Tiger Brands Limited of South Africa have signed an agreement on their strategic partnership and have now formed the new UAC Foods Limited. The transaction, which was approved by UAC shareholders at

their Extraordinary General Meeting, is aimed at strengthening the packaged snacks, dairies and bottled water categories of UAC’s portfolio of brands. Speaking on the deal, the Group Managing Director/CEO of UAC of Nigeria Plc, Mr Larry Ettah said: ‘’The strategic merits of this alli-

ance ensure best immediate and long term value for UAC shareholders and the company itself. It preserves our strong iconic brands, category focus and provides strong delivery capability for growth and innovation. “The terms negotiated are fair, reasonable and in the best inter-

est of our shareholders having taken into consideration the commercial assessment of UAC’s directors. “Our customers, employees and other stakeholders will benefit from the enlarged reach, size and competitiveness of the new UAC Foods Limited. We are proud to

have a global partner with such pedigree as Tiger Brands Limited.’’ The strategic partnership involves three of UACN’s current businesses in the snacks, dairies and bottled water categories – UAC Foods, UAC Dairies and Spring Waters Nigeria Limited.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Dominique StraussKahn in the dock

Wrong trip •President Jonathan had no business going for Museveni’s inauguration

HEN the import of the mob attack on his convoy in far-away Uganda on May 12 dawns on him, President Goodluck Jonathan will henceforth be circumspect about the company he keeps and the trips he embarks on. He was lucky to have escaped the mob attack, but suppose he was not? After all, one person was killed when police retaliated after missiles were thrown at the vehicle the president was travelling in, when he was returning from Kampala, the Ugandan capital, after attending the inauguration of President Yoweri Museveni. Heads of state and government from Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and South Sudan also attended the inauguration, Museveni’s fourth swearing in as Uganda’s president. He had earlier in

‘After 25 years in power, we wonder what new ideas Museveni wants to contribute to uplift his country. Even if his country’s constitution permits, he ought to decline participation in the election, if only on the grounds that he wants to leave the space for the injection of fresh blood into governance’

2001 promised to retire from politics. According to official results from the elections held in February, Kizza Besigye, 55, won 26 per cent of the vote while Museveni, 62, took 68 per cent. But Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) said the results were falsified, and that both candidates received just under 50 per cent of the vote, which would have required a run-off. Museveni on his part accused the opposition of trying to spread chaos in response to its loss in the election. He even threatened to introduce constitutional amendments that would prohibit bail for certain charges, including rioting and economic sabotage; a thing many of his contemporaries on the continent do as a matter of routine. After 25 years in power, we wonder what new ideas Museveni wants to contribute to uplift his country. Even if his country’s constitution permits, he ought to decline participation in the election, if only on the grounds that he wants to leave the space for the injection of fresh blood into governance. Obviously, President Museveni is not in any way perturbed by the wind of change now blowing across certain parts of the globe, and which has led to the fall of governments in Egypt, Tunisia and is threatening to bring down other governments in the least unexpected quarters, the Arab world. Africa is replete with sit-tight leaders who seem to have had a covenant to die in office. From Algeria to Zimbabwe, sittight so-called leaders dot the continent’s

political landscape. They wangled their way into power either through the barrel of the gun or by subverting democratic ethos and have clung on to it ever since. To them, no tricks are too mean to gain and retain power. Some, like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola see power as a reward for liberating their countries from colonial rule, or risking their lives for their nation during crises. They are the state; their words are law to govern the people. Museveni is one. Muammar Ghadaffi is another. The list is too long to be exhausted. There is nothing wrong in celebrating with those who are celebrating. But it is also important to gauge the mood of the immediate environment where the celebration is taking place. There is nothing wrong in the president going to witness the inauguration of a fellow African leader who has just been ‘reelected’, after all, that is the in-thing in many parts of the world. The inauguration of a new government is to be celebrated, especially if it is a democratically elected one. But the process leading to the emergence of such a winner must not only be free and fair, it must be so seen at least by majority of the people, including foreign observers whose reports now form a strong barometer to measure the success or otherwise of elections.

Deby’s shard •’Re-elected’ Deby must not be allowed to turn Chad into shards

T has all the trappings of the African “democratic” tale, in the worst tradition of the “African Big Man”: a sitting president has just got a thumping electoral victory. Idris Deby, veteran president of Chad, Nigeria’s neighbour to the north east, for 21 solid years, just got “re-elected” again! According to provisional official results, Mr. Deby hewed off a monstrous 89 per cent of the vote, with a voter turnout of 64 per cent. His Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) must have done a devilish lot to salvage power for the veteran president, since it obviously must have concluded Chad was inconceivable without his tender grip. The snag, however, was that MPS had done a nearcomplete steal of parliamentary elections in February that the vociferous opposition felt shell-shocked enough to pull out of the presidential race. Yet, in the midst of this opposition alienation, the election still boasted a 64 per cent voter turnout, of which the president made a clean sweep of almost nine of every 10 votes cast. This result is capable of only two interpretations. One: the president and his party are so popular that the noisy opposition leaders are only grand pretenders finally put in their place by the majesty of the people’s verdict. Or two: the president and his party mates simply cooked up the figures and dared anyone to prove them wrong. From the rather troubling trends with African Big Men, the second interpretation would appear more plausible.

The rise of Mr. Deby to power hardly earns him the benefit of doubt. After gaining power in 1990 by military coup d’état, he rebranded somewhat in 1996 by holding “democratic election” in the spirit of the times, even agreeing to term limits. But in 2004, he scrapped the two-term presidential limits, leaving the coast clear for himself to rule as long as he possibly could. So, between blazing his way into power and now as a fourth term “elected” leader, he has spent a cumulative 21 years in power – and he still yearns for more! That is, of course, the story of the proverbial African Big Man – the big man of power that would rather rule in perpetuity, even if his country “dies” under him – witness the tragic case of Muammar Ghaddafi of Libya, Chad’s northern neighbour, Ben Ali of Tunisia and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, the North African trio that set off the revolutionary fervour sweeping through much of the Arab world. Also witness the hero-turning-zero story of Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, at whose controversial inauguration President Goodluck Jonathan got caught in local protests, when protesting locals stoned one of the vehicles in the Nigerian president’s convoy. Still, the story of Chad, as far as political instability fuelling economic sterility goes, has been in a seedy class of its own. Since Nigeria mid-wifed uneasy transfer of power from the southern Gen. Felix Malloum to the northern stream of warlords, like Goukouni Weddeye, Hissen Habre

and Idris Deby himself, Chad has been a classical example of how not to be a state. Yet, Mr. Deby’s sit-tight syndrome has the potential to further make the country more unstable and make its economy even worse, never mind the discovery of petroleum. If Chad explodes into political shards, Nigeria and indeed the rest of West Africa would be hard hit, what with its 7.1 million population fleeing from trouble at home. That is why President Jonathan, with his fellow West African leaders, must initiate moves to commit Mr. Deby to some reforms that would allow free transfer of power. After 21 years in power, and with little or no difference in the welfare of Chadians, Mr. Deby must be told he is becoming part of the problem of that landlocked and infrastructure-starved country.

‘...President Jonathan, with his fellow West African leaders, must initiate moves to commit Mr. Deby to some reforms that would allow free transfer of power. After 21 years in power, and with little or no difference in the welfare of Chadians, Mr. Deby must be told he is becoming part of the problem of that land-locked and infrastructure-starved country’

OMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN, managing director of the International Monetary Fund and, until this weekend, a possible president of France, sits in a New York City jail, accused of sexually assaulting a hotel worker. Mr. Strauss-Kahn is innocent until proven guilty. But the incident, along with other accusations it is bringing to the surface, may well spell the end of Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s political career, and a sooner-than-planned conclusion to his five-year IMF term. What should the IMF do? The Fund is enmeshed in negotiations over rescuing Greece, Portugal and other troubled European economies, but Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s subordinates can probably handle those relatively technical matters on an interim basis. The next step is likely to be finding a new managing director, with many advocating a candidate not drawn from the traditional source, Europe’s technocrats: It may be time to give an Asian, Latin American or African a chance. But that discussion, too, is premature. Before it looks ahead, the IMF should take a look back — to its handling of sex-related charges in relation to Mr. Strauss-Kahn mere months after he took over as managing director in November 2007. At the time, both the IMF and the world economy were facing huge challenges. Yet Mr. Strauss-Kahn also busied himself with the sexual pursuit of Piroska Nagy, a female senior economist at the Fund, complete with racy emails, initiated by Mr. Strauss-Kahn but eventually reciprocated. This led to a “relationship” in January 2008 — as well as to consternation within the IMF staff, when the woman, who, like Mr. Strauss-Kahn, was married, left the Fund with a severance package shortly thereafter. Subsequent investigation by U.S. lawyers hired by the IMF found no overt threats or favoritism by Mr. Strauss-Kahn. After considering Ms. Nagy’s responses to Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s e-mails, and the fact that both she and he tried to cover up the affair, the lawyers ruled it “consensual.” At the end of October 2008, having determined that the managing director was guilty of “a serious error in judgment” but nothing worse, the IMF board let Mr. Strauss-Kahn off with an apology and a promise to behave better. The nine-page report on the investigation gives no hint that the IMF board considered sexual advances by a boss toward his subordinate inappropriate per se — that power as well as judgment is involved in such matters, and that sexual harassment can exist even if there is no explicit quid pro quo. Yet Ms. Nagy’s letter to investigators, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, makes this plain: “Despite my long professional life,” she wrote, “I was unprepared for the advances of the Managing Director of the IMF. I did not know how to handle this; as I told you I felt ‘I was damned if I did and damned if I didn’t.’ “ What sort of man would put a colleague in that predicament in the first place? In October 2008, the world economy was melting down. But it’s fair to ask whether IMF leaders paid enough attention when she wrote: “I fear that he is a man with a problem that may make him ill-equipped to lead an institution where women work under his command.” – The Washington Post

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: In June 2010, Ogun State government through the state Civil Service Commission rolled out employment forms for candidates seeking administrative officer cadre positions in the civil service. It was done in conjunction with Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON). The form was sold at the sum of ten thousand naira only (N10,000). Two hundred and eighty eight (288) applicants who purchased the forms later participated in the examination held at OGD Auditorium Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta on July 30 to 31, 2010.

“...YOU ARE WELCOME.”

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

Ogun Governor-elect Amosun must hear this! About 11 weeks after the examination, 157 applicants were short-listed for the commission’s written test held at the Staff Development Centre, Kobape Road, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta on November 22 - 23, 2010. Later, extended interviews were

conducted by the Civil Service Commission followed by selection board interview headed by Otunba Babatunde Oshokoya (chairman, civil service commission board) on December 15 – 16, 2010. Second week in February 2011,

31 applicants out of the 157 were enlisted into civil service, leaving out 126 applicants who passed the exams. Most curious – at least to those who passed and were not considered – was that a similar process was embarked upon two weeks

Cement price: the great deception

IR: Throughout the Presidency of the late Umaru Yar’Adua, cement price was on the high side, notwithstanding the promises to the contrary. And since Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan succeeded his late principal, he has made several unfulfilled promises in that regard. President Jonathan’s latest promise that cement price will fall in June jolted me. June marks the middle of the rainy season considered off-season for building and construction, and so, cement price usually falls, however small it may be. Is the promised fall in cement price the normal one, or an extraordinary one? Was the President around in the high building months of December to March? I could hear many Nigerians say: “there is no season that cement is not useful”. I concur. I hope that the reduction in price will be substantial and sustainable beyond the rainy season. President Jonathan promised to improve electricity supply drastically when he succeeded Yar’Adua. He used propaganda strategy to attract sympathy,

without delivering on electricity. Nigerian workers should stop resisting privatization of the power sector. I know that even in America, the government is not the supplier of electricity, even though it keeps watch; the private sector is in charge. President Jonathan should be assisted to succeed in that regard. But he should not rule by deception, and he must block all avenues for fraud. Former President Olusegun

IR: Nassarawa State has bucked the trend by being the only state in Nigeria with a Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) governor. The defeat of a sitting incumbent governor is always worth pondering about. For one, the state has virtually nothing to show for 12 years of control by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In spite of mouth-watering allocation from the federation account, everything is either at a standstill on in slow motion. The litany of woes cuts across all sectors. Health facilities are so rudimentary as to be laughable. Education as a sector has been equally buffeted during 12 years of

Obasanjo is the most traveled President Nigeria ever had. Yet, rather than ask how toll gates are maintained in western countries, he scrapped the tolls which the other nations use to maintain expensive roads. One would think Nigerian rulers get intoxicated with petrol dollars. Remember, one of them who was quoted as saying that Nigeria’s problem was not how to find money but what to do with it. From 1999 until now, self-

aggrandisement has been the order of the day. Even President Jonathan made outrageous budgets for toothpaste and shoe polish, so to say. The legislature complements the presidency with chop I chop approvals. We wait to see if Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s prediction that Nigeria shall never be ruled by wicked people again will be fulfilled. • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D University of Ilorin.

Change in Nassarawa the PDP’s all-motion-and-nomovement administration. To say that the educational infrastructure in Nassarawa is decrepit is to understate the case. Stone Age is more like it. The fictional Fred Flintstone would have been rather at home in Nassarawa State’s educational structure. Not only is education under-funded, for a state located in the Northern region, it does not give its students bursaries. In spite of all this, the state owned broadcasting corporation continued to live a lie. The corporation under the outgoing governor AkwaDoma was turned into a veritable tool for propaganda. For this reason, the current wind

of change should not come as a surprise. It was long over due. An interesting bunch led the movement for change. Solomon Ewuga who has just been elected as the Senator for Nassarawa North Senatorial District is one of the game changers. Suave, urbane, the lawyer, broadcaster of a technocratic mien will be an interesting figure in the new senate. In defeating the incumbent Senator Patricia Akwashiki, he made a statement loud and clear. The odds had been against him but he skilfully turned the tables. A versatile operator, he has had a successful stint as a junior minister in the important Federal Capital Territory ministry. In this position,

later. The same forms were rolled out for the same amount (N10,000) with 314 applicants expressing interest, even when the new intakes had not settled down. This second examination was held on March 24 – 25, 2011 at Abeokuta Grammar School, while the written test was conducted on April 18, 2011 for another 130 short-listed applicants. The extended interview was held on April 20-21 2011 while the final interview was held on May 5-6, 2011. My concerns are as follows; does the state civil service actually have those vacancies? If yes, what happened to the first 126 applicants that passed the examination and screening by the selection board? For a job seeker, the N10,000 cost of the form is certainly outrageous and exploitative. What were the criteria for selecting those enlisted? Is it the usual PDP/PPN family affair? Justice must be done to other 126 qualified applicants. The incoming ACN government should take another look at the process as it reeks of fraud and favouritism. • Idowu Oluwadare Adegbemiga Abeokuta.

he was instrumental to the creation of the Millennium Park. Senator Ewuga is a man of his people. He single-handedly bought a transformer for his village and the surrounding ones. While he was minister, he pushed for the award of a contract for the construction of a rural road from Akwanga to his village Alushi and the surrounding environs. He had already used his personal funds to grade the roads with laterite. No wonder the man is adored by his people. Regime change in Nassarawa state has brought with it renewed hope for the future. • Akin Ajidahun Lagos.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Colonial & Post Colonial Culture of Nigeria -4

HE so-called Africanisation gathered pace in the civil service, the church and the judiciary and it was only a matter of time before Africans began to occupy the commanding heights of the economy and the politics of Nigeria and this had its cultural dimension in African pride and the assertion of what was called the “African personality”. With independence in Nigeria came a rising tide of expectations. People wanted increased prices for their primary produce like cocoa, groundnuts, palm kernel and palm oil as well as cotton, rubber, hides and skins on which post independence Nigerian economy depended. The various governments of Nigeria tried to meet the expectation of the people but they were not always successful. With the decline in producer price of farm produce, there was increasing migration of the youth to swell the urban conurbation of Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Maiduguri, Benin, Aba and Port Harcourt. The cities therefore became melting pots of cultures. The various governments particularly the one in the western part of the country spent vast sums of money from accumulated funds of the marketing boards on social welfare schemes such as education, health, urban planning and renewal. The cities became more attractive to the youth who left the dreary existence of the villages for the cities in what has been appropriately described as rural-urban migration phenomenon. With too many people in the cities, the infrastructure could not cope and there began a gradual and slippery slope to a situation of urban decay and dilapidation. Crime increased and there was a corrosion of values everywhere. Money became the most desirable object without consideration of how it was acquired. Bribery graft, fraud and corruption alien to our culture have become the order of the day. This phenomenon was accentuated and exacerbated by the incursion of the military into governance. Force was seen as a veritable instrument of success. There has been growing culture of aggression in Nigeria and a noticeable breakdown of the culture of respect for elders and others. Some have ascribed this decline to exploding population which has led to increased competition for resources and jobs particularly among the people. Nigerian fraudulent practices have even gone international with advance fee fraud, drug and human trafficking being increasingly, associated with Nigerians. Sur-

This tribunal will neither be corrupt nor coerced into taking any wrong decision -Justice Kasali of the Kano Tribunal. ITH the elections over, some losers have headed for the tribunals to seek redress. The tribunals may not have much to do this time around because many contestants have decided to let sleeping dogs lie. Those who made such resolve believe that the elections were to some extent, free and fair, and that they should not bother going to the tribunal to waste their precious time and money. So, the tribunals are not expected to be as busy as they were after the 2007 elections, which were characterised by large scale malpractices. There were more than enough grounds for those who wanted to contest the outcome of the 2007 elections to do so because the polls were a charade. As far as elections go, those of 2007 were nothing but a mere selection of candidates by the ruling party with the active support of the electoral umpire. The Indepedent National Electoral Commission(INEC) contributed in no small measure to the failed polls. If INEC had been impartial the elections would not have gone the way they did. But because it decided to shut its eyes to glaring incidence of malpractices and even defended these in-

prisingly or perhaps because of the prevailing hardship, the religion of Islam and Christianity have witnessed revival. The orthodox aspect or traditions of these religions are increasingly challenged by sometimes extremist or even millenarian tendencies sometimes leading to a clash of votaries of these religious. Sometimes the battle-line as in the north of Nigeria is between the traditional Islamic religion and groups preaching a Shiite form of Islam in a largely Sunni milieu. Among the Christian orthodox traditions such as the Catholics and Protestants have seen huge erosion of membership, who now troop to the socalled Pentecostal churches. Founding of churches have become big business and many of the churches have gone beyond what orthodox Catholic and Protestants missions used to do in terms of establishment of schools and hospitals. Some now have housing estates where the ordinary lives of the people are rigidly controlled. Pentecostalism shares much in common with Islam in the sense that it is not just a religion but a way of life. This has radically affected the culture of Christians, particularly as it affects marriages, child naming and burials. The absence of government has also been replaced by the role Pentecostal churches play in the lives of Nigerians. Some now provide educational facilities from kindergarten to universities. This is also being emulated rather slowly by Muslims in a struggle for the souls of the people. Religion has become so fundamental in the lives of Nigerians that the role of men of God and Mallamai has become much pronounced. Traditional greetings have been replaced by “shalom” of Salaamu a laikun” one is daily met with “In Jesus name” after every statement or “Insha Allah”, “God bless”, “To God be the glory” and Bismillahi are heard everywhere depending on one’s faith. Nigerians from their external appearances and what they say appear to be very religious. This however is not reflected in the morality and behavior of the people. There is therefore, a feeling of superficiality in the religious cultures of our people. The churches and mosques are full every worship day and even political leaders have appropriated God while continuing with their nefarious looting of the state and national exchequers. The culture of insincerity perfidy and religious perversion is everywhere. Syncretism in our religious belief has led many observers to say our religion is skin deep, yet the culture of religious confronta-

tion occasioning mass slaughter of the innocents has become a recurring decimal in Nigeria. The culture of religious intolerance is sometimes fed by events outside our shores with many Muslim youth either out of frustration or Jide fad being found to Osuntokun support the call for Jihad against non-Muslims or those Muslims who are seen to be deviating from Islamic orthodoxy. While all this is going on there is also the effect of globalization on Nigerian culture. Our economy is open to the rest of the world and with this openness come the importation of all kinds of things namely wine, food, films, educational materials and other things promoting particularly western culture. It is not unheard of nowadays to hear calls for gay rights that would have been met with the worst kind of reaction in the past. The modes of dressing of the youth, even the kind of English spoken are pitifully American. The dot.com generations have also exploited computers to perpetrate fraud internationally. Nigerians like other people in the globalised world are not immune to the spread of pornography and even paedophilia and other kinds of sexual perversion unheard of in times past.

‘The churches and mosques are full every worship day and even political leaders have appropriated God while continuing with their nefarious looting of the state and national exchequers. The culture of insincerity perfidy and religious perversion is everywhere’

Will election tribunals deliver? defensible cases, INEC turned Nigeria into a laughing stock before the comity of nations. The controversy which trailed the elections nearly turned into a dog fight between INEC and the observers and monitors from all over the world that witnessed the elections first hand. It was only INEC that described the elections as free and fair. Nigerians and the observers disagreed, but INEC stuck to its gun. Latter developments proved them right and INEC wrong. It was the tribunals that proved INEC wrong with their judgments. The tribunals upturned elections right, left and centre to the bewilderment of INEC. The rate at which some of the results of the 2007 elections were voided had never been witnessed before in the annals of the country. Since we had an electoral umpire, Prof Maurice Iwu, who has no shame, he saw nothing wrong in the harsh verdicts of the tribunals. Iwu chose to forget that with those verdicts, history has also passed a damning verdict on his tenure. So much for Iwu. But the digression was necessary to remind us all from where we are coming. There is no dispute that the last elections were far better than those of 2007, eventhough they

‘In the past, the tribunals just like Iwu’s INEC were for sale to the highest bidder. The judges were on the take collecting from all the parties, with a promise to rule in their favour. They were not discreet at all in their desperation to make fast bucks. They threw caution to the wind and in the process dragged the name of the judiciary in the mud’

were not perfect. But then can we get perfect elections anywhere? The answer is no. Even in the best democracies of the world, elections are not entirely free and fair. There is an allowance for a margin of error of a few percentages. Nobody is saying that the elections conducted under the watch of Prof Attahiru Jega are perfect. What we are saying is that they are freer and fairer than the Iwu elections. There are no arguments about that. That is, however, not to say that people cannot contest the outcome at the tribunal as some have chosen to do. What many could not get at the polls because there was no room to exploit to foist themselves on the people they may try to get at the tribunals by inducement. In the past, the tribunals just like Iwu’s INEC were for sale to the highest bidder. The judges were on the take collecting from all the parties, with a promise to rule in their favour. They were not discreet at all in their desperation to make fast bucks. They threw caution to the wind and in the process dragged the name of the judiciary in the mud. The judiciary lost its shine as the last hope of the common man to become a place where justice could be purchased. Eventhough, it is not Oyingbo or Dugbe market, our politicians turned it into a market all the same in their quest for power at all cost. HEN judges jostled to be appointed into tribunals because they believed that they would make money by serving on them. Indeed, many made a killing serving on the tribunals.The era of making money on the tribunals seems to

have gone forever going by what happened after the 2007 polls. The judges appear to have become more careful as they know that the world has been let into their tricks. To a certain extent many of the judges were more circumspect the way they handled their job the last time. They have been called to duty again after last month’s elections. As they begin sitting across the country all eyes are on them to do justice to all litigants that will appear before them.Many of us believe that the elections were free and fair, but we can never say what the tribunals may come up with after looking at the petitions before them on their merit. No matter how credible and transparent an election may be, there will always be those who are aggrieved and they have only one place to take their grievance to and that is the tribunal. Being the last leg of the electoral process, the tribunals owe it a public duty to ensure that they are fair, equitable and just to all parties. If they are not, they will scuttle the

•Justice Ayo Salami

Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

electoral process which many have hailed as transparent. Many of the tribunals seem to know that a lot is at stake. It is heartening to hear the way some of them have been speaking since they began sitting. But we expect much more than rhetorics from them. Talking is good, but action is better. What is the essence of talking and allowing evil to thrive under one’s nose. The tribunals know that they have an Herculean task in their hands. How they will discharge this onerous responsibility is theirs alone. As ‘’learned men’’ they have what it takes to do the job . My appeal is that they should not abuse this privilege so that the world will really know whether there is anything to the claim in certain quarters that the elections were manipulated in some states. As things are now, whether or not the last elections will stand lies in the hands of the tribunals. Will they live up to expectations? Or will they allow extraneous factors to interfere with the discharge of their duty? The people are waiting and watching. And milords cannot afford to disappoint them.

SMS ONLY: 08056504763

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

AST Thursday, it was reported that President Jonathan was caught in the web of political crisis in Uganda. Protesters threw stones and smashed some of the windows of the cars in the president convoy. He was given a safe passage to Kampala airport by the police and soldiers but not until one of the opposition protesters had been shot dead. President Jonathan’s special adviser on media and publicity, Ima Niboro has since made further, albeit unhelpful clarifications. The president, he said, was not the target of the protest. Besides, other victim of Uganda opposition’s misplaced aggression included heads of state and governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Southern Sudan. But Niboro missed the point. The principle of enforced vicinity in international relations has made it necessary for the countries mentioned to be in Kampala. Besides, Uganda under Yoweri Museveni, has been an active participant in the unending cycle of violence that has claimed over 5.4 million lives in the ‘Great Lakes Area’ since 1998. Their fate is interwoven. The alternative is to live in self denial. But what Nigerians would have wanted to know from Niboro is the motive for Jonathan’s disastrous diplomatic outing boycotted by serious African leaders. He has thus left many cynical Nigerians to conclude that the ill-advised outing was not just a further demonstration of incompetence, but also the total absence of a clear cut foreign policy objective of his administration. Here is Jonathan, still cultivating the support of international community, hobnobbing with Yoweri Museveni, a ruthless dictator in the league of Robert Mugabe, Muhammar Gaddafi and Laurent Gbagbo. It is increasingly becoming apparent to even the West that Museveni, they once proclaimed ‘the new hope of Africa’ is not different from Milton Obote and Idi Amin who have jointly misruled Uganda for 49 years since indepen-

‘Those who therefore advised President Jonathan to attend Museveni’s near disastrous inauguration in Kampala did a great disservice to President Jonathan and to Nigeria’

Jonathan’s ill-advised Uganda trip dence in 1962. They are all blood thirsty dictators in spite of having been thrown up by different social and historical circumstances. The only difference is that Museveni, once a Marxist, who studied under Walter Rodney, knew when to embrace the reigning ideology in the world with World Bank and IMF directing his country’s economic policies. Uganda, ‘the pearl of Africa’ like most African post colonial states was programmed to fail. The only human resources Uganda had in abundance on the eve of independence in 1962 were Roman Catholic priests and Anglican clerics that ministered to the spiritual needs of Christians that constituted about 84 percent of the population. There were few Ugandans in the top hierarchy of the bureaucracy. There were fewer professionals like teachers, lawyers and physicians. In fact there were only two commissioned military officers in the Ugandan military at independence in 1962. And one of the two was Idi Amin who was next to an illiterate, recruited into the Kings army as a trainee cook in 1946. Milton Obote, a blood thirsty dictator, who emerged as Uganda prime minister on April 26 1962, seemed to have set a standard of behaviour for his successors. In 1964, the parliament asked for his resignation following allegation of smuggling of diamond along with Idi Amin, then deputy commander of the Ugandan army. But Obote declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution and made himself an executive president with unlimited powers. After arresting and detaining his political opponents, the parliament went ahead to amend the constitution and

abolished the federal arrangement put in placed at independence. Idi Amin deposed Milton Obote his benefactor in 1971 with the tacit support of the West. Idi Amin ‘the butcher of Uganda’ backed by Muhammar Gaddafi embarked on a reign of terror against his own people. His legacy included over 500,000 Ugandan deaths. He was chased out of Uganda by the combined troops of Tanzania, Yusuf Kironde Lulle’s ‘Uganda National Liberation Front’ (UNLF) and Yoweri Museveni’s ‘Front for National Liberation’ (FRONADA). Gaddafi rehabilitated him in Libya. Milton Obote once again emerged as president in 1980, following the victory of his Ugandan People Congress (UPC). But his second coming brought greater agony. It was estimated that between 100,000 and 300,000 Ugandans died during the period. As the regime became unpopular, Museveni once again formed the ‘Popular Resistance Army (PRA) which along with other groups like Okello’s National Resistance Movement liberated Kampala on 25, January 1985 At his swearing in ceremony in January, 26 1986, Museveni had said ‘the people of Africa, the people of Uganda are entitled to a democratic government. It is not a favour from any regime. The sovereign people must be the public, not the government’ But in power, Museveni has shown he is not different from Obote. After 25 years in power, he has gone into the archives to retrieve Obote’s handbook of political intrigue. In spite of protests from well meaning Ugandans and his Western aid donors, Museveni has managed to secure a constitutional

amendment that removed term restrictions on elected presidents. Museveni’s election victories have always been trailed by controversies. His 2001 victory was challenged by Dr.Kizza Bessigye, his opponent and personal doctor. Although the Supreme Court upheld the result by 3-2 decision in his favour, it averred that ‘there was evidence that in a significant number of polling stations, there was cheating ‘and that ‘the principle of free and fair election was compromised’. Bessigye, shortly after was detained and quizzed for treason before escaping to United States. As for his 2006 disputed victory, the Uganda Supreme court that upheld it by 4-3 decision said ’the election was marred by intimidation, violence, voter disenfranchisement and other irregularities’ As Museveni moves towards life presidency, he has dared the West that criticized his nonadherence to democratic norms. Sounding like Mugabe, he had declared “let the people give advice and leave it to the country to decide. The problem is not the third term, or fighting corruption or multi-partysm, they want to keep us there without growth”. The West has become impatient with their creation and his democratic aberration such as his 1986 ‘Movement System’ which only allowed individual’s participation in presidential elections as independent candidates but not as political party representatives. The 2005 referendum, amended lifted constitutional terms restriction to pave the way for Museveni’s life presidency. Participating in Museveni’s $1.2 million fourth term bash, following a victory rejected by the opposition and the European Union on account of which UK, Norway and Ireland had cut their aids ,claiming ‘the electoral process was marred with avoidable administrative and logistical failures’ was ill advised. Celebrating with Museveni who the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) had accused of engaging in a ‘Life Presidency Project’, who Jonnie Carson, former US ambassador to Uganda has described as a study of another ‘Mugabe and Zimbabwe’ can neither be seen as a pragmatic association with any form of utilitarian promise for our nation. Those who therefore advised President Jonathan to attend Museveni’s near disastrous inauguration in Kampala did a great disservice to President Jonathan and to Nigeria. • joluwajuyitan@gmail.com 08087852000 (sms only)

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

N the life of every nation, throughout history, God, in his infinite mercies, has always used a particular individual to effect change, to introduce order and move the society forward. At a time in the life of the United States of America (USA), there was General George Washington, who led the people to achieve independence from Great Britain. At another time, there was Abraham Lincoln, who stood and fought for the unity of the country. At another time, there was Martin Luther King (Jr), who used his God-given oratory power and doctrine of non-violence to fight for the emancipation of black Americans. It was that struggle that paved the way for the ascendancy of Barak Obama, a black man, as the President of USA. In India, God gave Mahatma Gandhi to the people. He rallied them for emancipation from the same Great Britain. In South Africa, God raised Nelson Mandela to fight for freedom, liberty and universal suffrage. Now, the flag of that country bears almost all the colours of the rainbow. God also gave Nigeria at a time people like Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello, who genuinely had the interest of the people at heart, although their activities had their foundations in their respective regions. Nigeria had groaned under the repressive military rule for too long before it eventually bounced back into civil rule in 1999. Since then, this country has been under the over bearing influence of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party of strange bedfellows completely bereft of ideology; a motley crowd of vested interests. In 1999, the voting pattern was such that the Southwest went for the progressive politics as usual. In 2003, by some abracadabra, aided by the federal might, all Southwest states, except Lagos, were captured by the PDP. Only

Now, na Tinubu de laugh o By Adewale Ahmed Lagos State survived the onslaught. The same festival of rigging was repeated in 2007. I watched General Ibrahim Babangida on television the other day. He used one of the phrases I have not forgotten: ‘The system throws up a leader’. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu arose out of the necessity for the progressives to get out of the PDP shackles and for this nation to move forward, so that Nigeria can enjoy the dividends of democracy. After a meritorious service to Lagos State for eight years as governor, Tinubu has been the last bastion of hope for progressives and other Nigerians, who want to see nothing but a virile democracy, based on the rule of law, true federalism, economic development and stability of our polity. He has also been crisis-crossing the nation, building the party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), in the hearts of the people. The confidence is growing in the mind of the people that ACN has manifesto that takes cognisance of their progressive needs. That is why ACN is the most nationally spread party today. The acceptance of ACN shows that people have embraced it as a credible alternative. Nigeria wants ACN to replicate the achievements of its governors in other parts of the country. This is a tribute to Asiwaju, the arrowhead of eminent Nigerians who have built the party. A particular leadership attribute of Tinubu is the hunt for talents. This he displayed as governor of Lagos State, where he set up a cabinet of talents, which laid a solid

foundation upon which the actualiser, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has successfully built. The same search for credible people led to the discovery of the Lagos East Senator-elect, Gbenga Ashafa, a gentleman of impeccable character, and his counterpart in the Lagos Central District, Yeye Asiwaju Oluremi Tinubu. I am not unaware of the noise made by detractors about the candidature of the former First Lady of Lagos State. Her education, pedigree and carriage made her eminently qualified to run for the senate. Mrs Tinubu only follows the footpaths of Senator Hillary Clinton, former US First Lady, who became a legislator after leaving the State House, and others like Senator Daisy Danjuma and Senator Stella Omu, whose husbands have played important roles at critical times in the life of the country. Painstakingly and selflessly, Asiwaju worked through legal means and ballot box to liberate the Southwest from the PDP. He was anointed by God for the task. It also takes divine intervention to throw up a competent successor like BRF, who has performed so creditably well and become a reference point in the country. Another scion of Tinubu political family, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, has demonstrated, without equivocation, in his first 100 days in office, that governance is not a tea party. He has provided jobs for 10,000 youths, and by that, those youths are now useful to themselves, their families and the society. Their attention has been steered away from criminality and other deviant

behaviours. This is a landmark achievement and a good example of what is to come. The victory of the ACN in Oyo and Ogun states, and in practically all other positions that were in contention in those states is a recognition of the acceptability of the party and its leadership. It is victory for the Southwest, and by extension, Nigeria. It is a victory for democracy. Tinubu has proved himself as a nationalist fighting for true federalism and entrenchment of due process. But we cannot remove the fact that he is of the Yoruba stock. Our paramount rulers- the Ooni of Ife and Alaafin of Oyo, should take necessary steps to give him a deserved and long overdue appropriate recognition. Ati hun, ati hen (for those who accept and those who refuse to acknowledge it), all hail the Asiwaju of Yorubaland. • Dr Ahmed is a chieftain of Lagos State ACN.

‘The victory of the ACN in Oyo and Ogun states, and in practically all other positions that were in contention in those states is a recognition of the acceptability of the party and its leadership. It is victory for the Southwest, and by extension, Nigeria. It is a victory for democracy’

ARGENTINA, ETHIOPIA TIES

No plan to sack Eucharia —NFF

Eagles list out today

Pg. 24

Pg. 41

Nation Thursday, May 19, 2011

FREE COPY

PAGE 23

AC MILAN DEAL

Taiwo completes medical N

igerian hot shot defender and AC Milan’s new left-back Taye Taiwo has finally landed in Italy and has completed his medical check-up after it was confirmed in the past week that he was all set to join Milan on a free-transfer. Despite being offered a contract extension with Olympique de Marseille, Taiwo (26) decided that it was time for another adventure and he will be joining the squad of

Massimiliano Allegri as soon as the market opens. “I have decided to sign for Milan because they are an excellent team who play great football,” Taiwo said. “In my opinion, they are at the same level as clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea. “I am not saying that the other teams that were after my signature are not good teams, though. It is just that ever

since making my international debut for Nigeria, I have dreamt of playing for an absolute top club. Milan have superb players like [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, [Clarence] Seedorf and [Alexandre] Pato.” Taiwo is said to have signed a three-year deal with Milan.

•Taye Taiwo

FIFA WORLD RANKINGS

FIFA in Malaysia on Bafana displaces Eagles match-fixing probe Pg. 41

•Nigeria drops to 5th in Africa

Pg. 24

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NATION SPORT

FIFA in Malaysia on Irabor, Obafemi, Uneke, make list match-fixing probe T

ARGENTINA , ETHIOPIA TIES

CAF REFEREES INSTRUCTORS TECHNICAL COURSE

FIFA is investigating claims that more than 300 matches on three continents were influenced by match-fixers Three officials from football ruling body FIFA will arrive in Malaysia today as part of a global investigation into match-fixing and illegal gambling. The anti-corruption unit will be led by FIFA's head of security Chris Eaton, Azzuddin Ahmad, general secretary of the Football Federation of Malaysia (FAM), told AFP on Wednesday. Azzuddin said Eaton would meet FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and top police officers from the vice and antigaming unit as part of FIFA's global crackdown on match-fixing on three continents.

"I believe FIFA's visit is about matchfixing. We never condone any form of match-fixing. Hopefully the FIFA team can help shed some light over the allegations of corruption. "We are in the dark over the claims," he added. Azzuddin, however, said the allegations must be investigated since failure to do so "will destroy the image of the game". FIFA is investigating claims that more than 300 matches on three continents were influenced by matchfixers. Last week, the New Straits Times newspaper said FIFA's full investigation into match-fixing had led to two Malaysians, adding that its investigators would interview several people here.

AFTERMATH OF TSUNAMI

Japan FA reassures FIFA on Club World Cup JAPAN will seek to reassure Sepp Blatter that it is a safe venue for hosting world football as the FIFA president visits in the wake of a tsunami which sparked the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl, Japan's FA said. Junji Ogura, head of the Japan Football Association, told local media Tuesday he would try to confirm that the money-spinning Club World Cup, which FIFA has yet to schedule officially, will be held in Japan in December in spite of the March 11 disaster. "In his meetings with senior Japanese officials, I hope he will be assured that conditions allow hosting," Ogura told reporters. The annual tournament, held in Japan four times before the United Arab Emirates took over hosting duties in 2009, pits the champion

teams from all six continental confederations against one another. Ogura said Blatter would discuss various aid programmes, including repairing stadiums with earthquake damage and a possible charity match to raise funds for reconstruction across the nation. The JFA was unavailable to confirm Ogura's comments. Many foreigners fled Japan after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake unleashed a tsunami which knocked out cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, sparking a nuclear emergency. The power station has continued to release radioactive material into the environment, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate homes, farms and businesses in a 20kilometre (12-mile) zone around the plant.

HE Referees committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rose from its meeting in Cairo on Monday, approving 58 members for its panel of Referees instructors for technical courses. On the whole 48 Men are on the list as well as 9 Women Instructors. While the women are being introduced into the system for the first time, with Nigeria’s Faith Irabor having the distinction of featuring, half of the list for Men are from those classified under Group A during the CAF Re-evaluation conducted for the Instructors who had attended the CAF Zonal Courses in 2004. While 25 new entrants were sanctioned, 25 former members retained their

•Ancelotti

a trophy, so it is very certain he will be replaced this summer. It has been previously thought that Ancelotti would move to Roma next season, but the Corriere dello Sport has come up with a fantastic report that Arsene Wenger will be leaving the Emirates for Roma while Ancelotti will take over at Arsenal! Ancelotti refused to deny any rumours at all as he still doesn’t know whether he still has a future at Stamford Bridge or not, but he is pleased that he has been linked with such a prestigious job as coach of Arsenal. The Italian said: “I’m never surprised about the rumours. I’ve said a lot of times I hope to stay but if something changes I will find another solution without any problems. “I don’t want to speak about my future – it’s not the right time. But if your name is linked to very important club, like Arsenal, then its good news,” I can see that Ancelotti would appeal to Arsenal as he does not get involved in any transfer dealings. He left it to the owner at AC Milan, and he has done the same thing at Chelsea.

Defoe threatens to leave Tottenham if... ENGLAND STRIKER Jermain Defoe has said he will consider leaving Tottenham if he fails to make it back as a regular starter in the side. Defoe has dropped out of Harry Redknapp's first-choice team this season as he has struggled for goals, with only four in the league all campaign. "I want to help the club achieve things, win trophies and get in the Champions League, but when you feel like you are working hard, training hard and being

professional, and then for some reason you are not playing, it is difficult," Defoe told Sky Sports News. "It is frustrating. At the end of the day I am ambitious. I want to play in every game and score goals, especially when you score goals for a fantastic club like Tottenham. "I have always been like that from the first day I walked through the door and I truly believe that if I am playing games I will score goals. I think my record shows that.

Eagles’ list out today S

UPER EAGLES’ Head Coach, Samson Siasia will

on Thursday at the Media Centre of the National Stadium, Abuja

unveil his list of players for the high-profile international friendly against Argentina and the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia.

NSC meets NFF over inauguration From Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja

FFICIALS of the National Sports Commission (NSC) are expected to meet the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) today to decide the local clubs that would play the May 28 inauguration. According to our source at the commission, the option of the Super Eagles playing an international friendly against another country fell through, as the tight schedule of the Eagles did not give room for that. Another option that was considered was playing last year league champion and the federation, this could not also be concluded because of the continental assignments involving both Enyimba and Kaduna United "to this end, after our meeting today, we would make public the two local club that will play the inauguration for the new government of Goodluck Jonathan" our source concluded.

Ancelotti pleased to be linked with THERE have been some reports Arsenal job circulating in Italy that Carlo Ancelotti is being lined up to replace Arsene Wenger when he gets sacked up by Chelsea. Roman Abramovich has never let any Chelsea manager stay after ending the season without

positions. A new entrant for Nigeria is Uneke Emmanuel, while Obafemi Emmanuel retains his position. Those being delisted are considered as VETERANS who are expected to be prepared to serve again as the occasion demands. Women Instructors will be featuring more frequently in activities involved in women refereeing development. Very few countries have the opportunity of having two instructors.

•Aminu Maigari

IGERIA Football Federation’ head of technical committee, Barrister Chris Green has rubbished reports that the committee’s meeting on today is aimed at getting a replacement for embattled Super Falcons coach Eucharia Uche. He equally denied knowledge of any directive from the NFF prior to the Accra battle giving the Falcons coach an ultimatum to beat Ghana or quit her position as the head coach of the women national team. Following the elimination of the six-time African champions from the 2011 All Africa Games by Ghana’s Black Queens at the Ohene Djan stadium, there has been speculation that the former Nigerian international will be sacked or made to work under a yet to be appointed technical adviser. But while he admitted that the committee would deliberate on matters affect all national teams including Super Falcons, he maintains that the discussion on Falcons will not be to remove coach Uche from the team. “We are meeting tomorrow to review the activities of the national teams, Under-20 (Flying Eagles), Under-23 (Dream Team IV), Super Eagles and Super Falcons. As regards to Super Falcons our attention will be on the way forward, how to ensure that Falcons excel at the World Cup.” “I am not aware that the FA told the coach to win the tie against Ghana in order to stay as the head

•Eucharia coach or lose the game and be sacked. There was nothing like that and nothing of such will come up in our discussion tomorrow. We are only interested in finding solutions and ways that will help the team do well at the World Cup,” he told SuperSport.com. The FIFA Women World Cup is due to kick off in June and Nigeria will contest the group qualification with host and world champions, Germany, Canada and France.

ACCORDING to a report in this mornings Daily Mirror, Manchester City are prepared to smash the world transfer record in order to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to Eastlands. Manchester City have recently won the FA Cup and secured their place in next season’s Champions League. While the Blues have much to offer,Ronaldo has had a great season in Spain and may not be an easy target. With still one game to go in the La Liga season, the player has already equalled the goals-in-a-season record, netting 38 times. Ronaldo began his career as a youth player for Andorinha, where he played for two years, then moved to Nacional. In 1997, he made a move to Portuguese giants Sporting Clube de Portugal. Ronaldo’s precocious talent caught the attention of City’s bitter rivals Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and signed the 18-year-old for £12.24 million in 2003 where he had six great years ,before making an £80 million move in 2009. He signed a six-year deal worth £100 million with Real Madrid.

FIFA WORLD RANKINGS •Super Eagles forward, Ike Uche (l) vies for the against a Kenyian player in an international friendly

Bafana displaces Eagles •Nigeria drops to 5th in Africa

Ehiosun eyes foreign league A T

HE highest Nigerian goal scorer at the just concluded WAFU Cup of Nations held in Abeouka, Ogun State, Ekiogu Ehiosun is not left out in the chase to play in the foreign league as he has declared his intention to ply his trade abroad very soon. In a chat with NationSport, Ehiosun claimed he had got so many offers from clubs abroad but was only bidding for time to opt for the best offer. The Warri Wolves striker said: "Definitely that is the dream of every home-based player to play in Europe. I see myself playing there. I have had many offers from Abroad but I dont want to talk about that now. When there is any confirmation, the press will be the first

Tevez wants to stay, says Mancini MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini has said captain Carlos Tevez wants to stay at Eastlands after the 3-0 Premier League win over Stoke. Argentine Tevez's future has been in doubt since the 27-year-old handed in a transfer request in January. "He has a five-year contract and has told us he wants to stay," said Mancini after seeing Tevez score twice to help lift City to third in the table. The Italian added: "He said it before. He never had any problem." Mancini's comments seem to be at odds with those coming from Tevez himself. Immediately after Saturday's 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Stoke on Saturday, the South American stated that "there is an issue we need to sort out and that's the long distance between me and my family". And it has been widely thought that Tevez will choose to move to Spain or Italy at the end of this season. But not according to Mancini, who continued after his side's final home Premier League game of the campaign: "I think he will stay here next year. He doesn't have a problem. "I spoke with him many times in the

The World Press Conference, which begins at 2pm, commences after Siasia would have finished defending the list before members of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation at the NFF Secretariat earlier in the day. The big Guinness The Match comes up eight years after the Super Eagles clashed with another South American and global giant, Brazil in an international friendly also at the National Stadium, Abuja on 11th June, 2003. It was the first big game at the then newlyconstructed National Stadium, with the Eagles losing by three goals. Argentina’s Head Coach, Sergio Batista, who also squared off against Siasia in the final match of the 2008 Olympic Games Men’s Football Tournament in Beijing, China released his team list for the game on Monday. Siasia will use the same set of players for Guinness The Match as well as the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on Sunday, 5th June.

NATION SPORT No plan to sack Eucharia –NFF Man City moves for Ronaldo

last 20 days. It is my opinion that Carlos stays here next season. "In December he had a problem. But everyone can change his opinion. "Carlos is an important player here. Carlos has scored 20 goals this season. Every time we say Carlos is an important player. Carlos is Carlos. He is a fantastic striker and a fantastic player for us. The feeling for him is good. Nowhere else can he find behaviour that all people have for him."

•Mancini

By Stella Bamawo to know." However, Ehiosun has also downplayed his goal-scoring streak at the WAFU Cup tournaments where the country was dethroned of its title as he said: "The team is the rave of the moment, not me, Nigeria has a lot of expectation, the WAFU game is still a gradual process for the team, but if given the opportunity, we would do what we know how to do best. What I want to tell Nigerians is that we need prayers, without prayers we can do nothing. Give the national team their dues. "

Song gets Cameroon recall Arsenal's Alex Song has been recalled to Cameroon's squad for the first time since last year's World Cup finals. The combative midfielder is in the frame to face Senegal in an African Nations Cup qualifier on 4 June. He was included in a 23-man squad named by coach Javier Clemente for a game that the Indomitable Lions must win to keep alive hopes of qualifying for the 2012 finals. Cameroon are five points off the pace in Group E with three matches left. "It has always been the wish of the national coach that this very talented young midfielder should return to play for his country," Cameroon's football association (FECAFOOT) secretary general Tombi Aroko Sidiki said. "But each time he has been invited he has always asked for some time to think over it and never showed up at the last minute. "Our greatest hope is that he makes it this time."

Although Ehiosun got his first chance to play in the aborted USA invitational tournament but he finally made waves at the Super Eagles friendly game against Sierra-Leone where he scored one of the two goals that gave Nigeria victory against the Sierra-Leonian side. He went on to stamp his authority in the U-23 squad where he scored in all matches so far for the All Africa Games qualifiers. Ehiosun has been tipped as a replacement for former Nigerian goal king, Rashidi Yekini or another Nigerian ace, Julius Aghahowa.

NIGERIA has lost it’s place as Africa’s fourth best team to South Africa according to the latest rankings released by the Federation International Football Association (FIFA). Although the nation still retains it’s 39th position in the world, South Africa has now moved a step higher than the West Africans on the log. This feat remains South Africa’s highest position since the calculation system was revamped in July 2006. Nigeria, one of Africa’s five representatives at the last World Cup

By Innocent Amomoh in South Africa dropped from 4th to 5th in Africa but Ghana, Ivory Coast and Egypt still occupy the first three spots in Africa. Senegal made another big move in the rankings, jumping 11 places into 40th on the global list. Despite not playing a game since April's rankings, when they moved up 18 places, Senegal is now 6th in Africa. With changes thin on the ground Ghana are still top in Africa, followed by Ivory Coast and Egypt.

South Africa's 1-0 win over Tanzania on May14, does see them leap frog over Nigeria into fourth in Africa. The top 12 in the world remained unchanged with Spain at number one ahead of Holland. Africa's Top Ten (global ranking in brackets): 1. Ghana (15) 2. Ivory Coast (21) 3. Egypt (36) 4. South Africa (38) 5. Nigeria (39) 6. Senegal (40) 7. Algeria (41) 8. Burkina Faso (44) 9. Cameroon (49) 10. Libya (58)

Nigeria rallies to another Golf victory in Cameroon Pacquiao opposes birth control IGERIA continues its number one player of the MANNY PACQUIAO, the boxing in Philippines international dominance in leaderboard. champion turned politician, has professional golf across the Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports...Other Sports

weighed into a charged debate about the use of condoms in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines by saying he would never have been born if contraceptives were freely available. Mr Pacquiao, who was elected to the

•Pacquiao

Filipino parliament last year, has sided with the local Church against a new government bill to introduce free contraception and information about safe sex. “God said go forth and multiply,” he said, after a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. “He did not say go and have just one or two children.” The boxer said that he would never have been born to become the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter had his parents used birth control. Mr Pacquiao, 32, is the fourth of six children, although his parents separated when he was young after his mother found out his father was living with another woman. He himself has four children, including a daughter named Queen Elizabeth. The boxer is so popular in the Philippines that many observers expect he will eventually become president. Mr Pacquiao is a devout Catholic, often making the sign of the cross inside the boxing ring and always celebrating his victories with a Mass at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Manila.

sub-Saharan Africa last weekend as Gboyega Oyebanji recorded a back to back victory for the country at the Cameroon International Golf Championship in Yaounde. Oyebanji, present Nigeria’s number one player, who finished runner up to another Nigeria (Ali Abdulahi now late) last year, registered his winning intention from the day one of the event. He shot 70, two under par then to lead the pack of international players that had gathered at the Yaounde Golf course. “I guess having played the course several times last year allowed me make some strong plans on how to go by the course at this event” he said, after pocketing the 10, 000 Euros that was stakes at the event. Two other players wrested the title from Oyebanji on the way to shooting his 290, +2 winning score. The first was Togolese star Agbavon Kosivi Francois, who was briefly in the lead in the second round round courtesy of 77, +5 carding that knocked the Nigeria

According to him,“I think that was my most difficult round. No birdies at all; I made all the mistakes on the front nine: and managed to keep nine pars on the back nine. Any other player would have led that round and that was Agbavon did” Oche Odoh, the returning former Nigeria ace player also shot temporarily to lead in the last round and was on hand to claim victory, if Oyebanji had faulted on his closing round. He eventually finished 293, +5 to claim the runner up spot and a cash prize of 5,000 Euros. Agbavon placed third at the event, beating Cameroonian best ranked player, Ebela Desire to the fourth place. Eleven Nigerian players had featured in the event, two of the lot failed to proceed to the final two rounds (Ineye Wesley and Basiru Bakare). Gift Willy winner of the Open du Port Gentil placed seventh at the event, the trio of Femi Olagbenro, Mark Joseph and Martin odoh finished in joint tenth place while Kingsley Oparaku placed fifteenth at the event.

•Ronaldo

Kaka dismisses Chelsea move talk REAL MADRID star Kaka has insisted he is happy in Spain and has ruled out making a summer switch to Chelsea. The Brazil international has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League with Chelsea and Manchester City both said to be weighing up whether to make a summer offer for the 29-year-old. Kaka's season in Spain has been disrupted by injury and he has often had to settle for a place on the bench under boss Jose Mourinho. However, the former Milan ace says he has no plans to leave Real and has dismissed talk of a move to England. "I want to stay in Madrid and play for Real - thats the truth," he said. "I have a contract with them and I don't even think about playing in the Premier League or going back to Brazil or Italy," Chelsea's interest in Kaka has been sparked by the fact he played under Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti at Milan but the playmaker insists, while he knows the Italian coach well, he does not want a reunion with him. "I have a good relationship with Carlo but it's the same with Sao Paulo and other places I have played. I'm at Madrid and I want to stay," he added.

•Kaka

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

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

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

In 225 days, the Principal of Queen’s College, Yaba, Mrs Adekunbi Ogunnaike, turned the school around. Following her retirement on Monday, parents, teachers and pupils are yearning for a successor like her, reports KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE

•Mrs Ogunnaike with Mr Iyanda and Mrs Juba (right) surrounded by teachers and pupils as she cuts her birthday and retirement cake

When a selfless principal retires T

HE Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Abuja, has a huge task on its hands — finding a replacement for Mrs Adekunbi Ogunnaike who retired as principal of Queen’s College (PQC), Yaba, on Monday. The ministry will have to find someone who, like Mrs Ogunnaike, would be willing to work long hours, sometimes up to 11.30pm and midnight; be dogged in motivating the teaching and non-teaching staff to put in their best; not be ashamed to persuade parents to bend over backwards to support the school; be unrelenting in wooing old girls to remember their alma mater, and love the current pupils like their own children. Mrs Ogunnaike spent 225 days as principal and has left parents, teachers, and her girls asking for more of her – not because she got more funds from the Federal Government to run the 83-year-old college – but because she found a way around seemingly insurmountable infrastructural and administrative challenges. If the Federal Civil Service

‘She has had the shortest stay and the biggest achievements if it can be put that way. Rather than work eight hours required as a government official, she was working 24 hours. As we are accomplishing one project, she is coming back kneeling down, begging that if we could just do this for ‘my daughters’ as she called the girls’ Commission rules on retirement be amended, they would have asked that she spends two or three more years to consolidate on her grains. When she resumed last October, there was no potable water, the toilets were so bad that parents withdrew their children for fear of contracting sexuallytransmitted diseases (STDs), the dormitories, dining halls,

classrooms were in poor shape. There was almost no part of the school without a scar. Having spent 27 years (1977 to 2003) teaching in the foremost college which produced many of Nigeria’s first women professionals, the Fine Art graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, was familiar with what once obtained at the col-

lege – the high academic standard and the quality of life the girls were accustomed to. As a youth corps member in 1977 till the time she was redeployed to the FME Headquarters in Abuja, in 2003, she worked under eight principals, who demanded teachers should give their best in the discharge of their duties. So, returning to meet the college in a state of disrepair last year broke her heart.

“When I came in October, everywhere was dilapidated. The toilets were bad. Parents were withdrawing their children because they didn’t want them to catch STDs. When I went round the school on September 30, I was weeping. I could not imagine this was Queen’s College,” she said. Ironically, that was the period (last quarter of 2010) the Federal Government also slashed funding to all 104 unity colleges by 40 per cent, despite that they were admitting JSS1 again for the first time since 2005. With no help coming from the ministry, Mrs Ogunnaike took her appeal for assistance to the parents of her 1,910 girls and the old girls. Rather than dwell on past glory, during the college’s 83rd anniversary last October, Mrs Ogunnaike flashed photographs of decaying infrastructure on projectors during the thanksgiving service held to commemorate the event. She also posted the ugly pictures on the college’s website. This got the attention of the old girls and they have •Continued on page 26

•N2.9M FRAUD: EBONYI SUSPENDS 12 PRINCIPALS - Page 28 •ONDO MOVES TO REFORM EDUCATION SECTOR - Page 39

RUN FILE THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EDUCATION ACE FILE

UNILORIN FILE

Study Centre for Ilaje

UK Varsity explores pact with UNILORIN A PROFESSOR of nursing at the Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom, Melanie Jasper, who led a delegation of three to the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) last week, said both universities could gain a lot from each other when a partnership is eventually worked out. Prof. Jasper spoke last Monday, during the initial interaction between the delegates, including Drs. Paul Rees and Pauline Griffiths and top officials of UNILORIN. Introducing her school, Prof. Jasper said Swansea University was founded in 1920 and it is a research institution which focuses on providing quality social services and giving professional training to its postgraduate students. Prof. Jasper also disclosed that the College of Human and Health Sciences has 227 academic staff and 59 support staff. The number of students in the university is over 14,000. The UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor Prof. Is-haq Oloyede was delighted to receive the delegates and he noted that without the interaction with faculties, an MoU’s worth ends on the shelf. He also expressed his happiness over the Nursing and Social Work Programmes of Swansea University while noting that the University of Ilorin has a lot to benefit from the programme given that the University of Ilorin is just introducing a Nursing degree programme.

WAUG website underway RISING from a meeting on May 5, the Local Organising Committee of the 13th West Africa Universities Games (WAUG) has approved the creation of a website for the upcoming sub-regional games at the University of Ilorin. Preparations are gathering momentum with different subcommittees scaling up actions. The website will contain essential information on the games. It will provide a comprehensive account of what is to be expected of participants and other stakeholders at the event. The website will also include a registration platform through which athletes and officials will register for the events.

371 to graduate from UNIOSUN ON Saturday, 371 pioneer students of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) will graduate. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Sola Akinrinad, said at a briefing at the university’s main campus in Osogbo on Monday that graduands are from five of the institution’s eight colleges which started academic activities in October 2007. The graduands are from the Colleges of Education (27), Human Resource Development and Lifelong Learning (05), Humanities and Culture (96), Management and Social Sciences (192), and Science, Engineering and Technology (51). Of the lot, nine of them are graduating with first class honours, 168, with Second Class Upper, 183 with Second Class Lower and 11 with Third Class. Akinrinade expressed joy that their academic activities went on smoothly without interruption for four sessions and hoped the university would sustain the practice.

•The Ochestra of Starland Private School, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos performing at the Easter concert held in the school

When a selfless principal retires •Continued from page 25

been responding by taking up one project or the other. Her dissatisfaction with the executive of the Parents-Teacher Association (PTA) at the time led to a change which produced a vibrant leadership led by Mr Jide Iyanda that partnered with her to rehabilitate boarding facilities to the tune of N43 million within four months. The PTA changed toilets in all the dormitories, tiled the floors, changed windows and mosquito nets, invested in water treatment plants so that drinking water was readily available, provided laundry areas, and painted the buildings – all of which happened when the girls were on the Christmas holidays. On her part, Mrs Ogunnaike employed more cleaners to keep the school premises clean and female security guards to stay with the girls, especially at night. When they resumed, Mrs Ogunnaike said the pupils were more than grateful. “They came kneeling down saying ‘thank you’,’ your children will not suffer’, ‘God bless you’”, she said. In an interview with The Nation, Iyanda said only Mrs Ogunnaike could have got the PTA to respond the way it did because of her humility, hard work and undying love for the girls. “She has had the shortest stay and the biggest achievements if it can be put that way. Rather than work eight hours required as a government official, she was working 24 hours. As we are accomplishing one project, she is coming back kneeling down, begging that if we could just do this for ‘my daughters’ as she called the girls. She was interested in the welfare of the girls. Not once did she ask for anything for the principal. “If they could just grant her a contract to stay may be two more years, in the interest of the school, it would be good. If you actually saw her closing at 11pm where she would be in the students’ hostel, then you would join me in clamouring for same.” Given her selfless service, the PTA held a reception for her on Monday evening, during which she was presented with an undisclosed gift. Iyanda said it was not

a gift to celebrate her 60th birthday or retirement, but to celebrate excellence. The PTA was not the only one to honour her. On her last assembly that morning, she had been presented with many gifts by members of staff, chief of which was a washing machine. The coup of the unusual assembly, during which many of the girls burst into tears, was plotted by the VicePrincipal (Administration), Mrs Oluremi Juba, and other top management staff. On many nights, they had joined Mrs Ogunnaike in closing late. She drove members of staff to work hard, insisting on the very best. Mrs Juba attested to her former boss’s virtues of hard work, discipline and love for the children. “She has always been very hard working. I cannot recall anytime she left before the close of the day when she was a teacher. Coming back to QC, she has been excellent. She worked so tirelessly and carried everybody along. Since she came back there hasn’t been anytime we left early. Sometimes, after closing at 10.30pm, she would say we should go to the hostels to see the girls and I tell you that is another two hours. “The way she related to the children was something else. Even when they erred, she would lovingly counsel them. She is an administrator par excellence,” she said. Despite being so exerting, Mrs Catherine Nnakwe, Head of Mathematics and Computer Department, said the workers were aware that she genuinely cared about them. “She worked round the clock but everybody was touched by her administration. She does not discriminate. She is caring and a counsellor. I remember once I went to her with a problem and she counselled me,” she said. Even the non-academic workers were not left out. Mr Godwin Madubuike, who works in the VP Special Duties office, said: “She is wonderful, hardworking and does not discriminate. She delegates duties to people so that everyone is working. I am not happy that she is going because there are not many like her.” The pupils will not forget her in a hurry. The Head Girl, Olusegun

Kayode, said they would remember she used to call them “My dear daughters”, and in admonishing them to be ladies would say: “don’t rush like Oshodi girls, be VGC girls”. They won’t also forget her counsel that “A beautiful person without character is going nowhere”. The girls are already casting Mrs Ogunnaike’s successor, whoever she may be, in her mould, hoping she would be kind, loving, caring, and the biggest wish of the junior girls: “protect them from bullying seniors.” “To fill Mrs Ogunnaike’s shoes will be very hard for anybody. Anybody that wants to fill her shoes must be loving because you cannot achieve anything without love.” While giving her final words to members of staff during the PTA reception that wound up a long day of partying, Mrs Ogunnaike urged them to treat the girls well. “I will say it loud and clear that we have beautiful hearted children. All they need are adults to show them the way,” she said. She thanked them for cooperating with her despite her demands, and challenged them to keep the standard irrespective of the attitude of the person who succeeds her.

ADEYEMI College of Education, Ondo, Academic Board has approved guidelines for the running of NCE Part Time Study Centre in Ilaje Local Government Area. The management of the council has designated Ilaje High School, Igbokoda, as the study centre and also assented to the guidelines for running of the programme. The programmes will be mounted at the study centres approved by the College Academic Board and only approved courses in the NCCE minimum standard will be considered for the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE). The certificate will be awarded to students that fulfill all requirements and have achieved a standard of professional competence which merit the award. The council had on March 5, 2011 written to the college seeking approval for the establishment of a part-time NCE programme. In a letter endorsed by the Senior Community Development Officer, Mr. Dasebu Michael Taiwo, the Local Government lacked qualified teachers in its schools which is affecting the development of the area.

College on midweek semester break THE College Academic Board on Monday approved a three-week mid-semester break for students. The mid-semester break takes immediate effect. Students are expected to resume for lectures with effect from May 30.

...Holds commendation service

THE college on Thursday held a commendation service for the Chairman, Sport Committee, Mr. Reuben Akinloye Ogunyemi, who died recently. The service, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo auditorium, was attend by members of the management, staff and students and family members of the deceased. In a sermon, Pastor J.O. Falade described life as short and human beings must learn to invest life and time wisely. According to him, a life wisely invested in things of God and for God can never be lost but when we invest in ourselves we are likely to lose.

“I prefer the letters to bear insurance cover instead!”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EDUCATION UNAAB FILE Varsity applies for police station THE management of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) has formally applied for the establishment of a police station on its campus, for protection of life and property. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Balogun disclosed this on a field trip to programme sites of the university’s Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR). He said a formal application has been processed through the Ogun State Police headquarters to the Inspector-General of Police. According to him, UNAAB has concluded arrangement to build a befitting office and residential accommodation for the police personnel that would be deployed to the institution, while a patrolvan would also be procured to facilitate effective and round-theclock surveillance of facilities.

VC makes case for Man O’ War THE UNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof Balogun, has called on government establishments, corporate organisations and well meaning Nigerians to engage the Man ‘O’ War volunteers as means of stemming the tide of social vices among the youths, especially in tertiary institutions. Balogun, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Development), Prof Segun Lagoke, made the call at the Passing Out Parade/Investiture of the Man ‘O’ War, UNAAB, Area Command. The VC, who noted with dismay the alarming rate of cultism and other social vices among Nigerian youths, blamed the negative tendencies on idleness and unbridled peer influence. The VC described Man ‘O’ War as a highly disciplined youthoriented organisation, and commended the UNAAB Branch for contributing towards the prevailing peace on the university cam-

NASU members’ wards get scholarships From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

THE Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, has awarded university scholarships to no fewer than six children of members of the Non Academic staff Union of Universities (NASU)of the institution. Besides, children of staff of the university who performed excellently in their Senior School Certificate Examination and in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and postUTME, were given automatic and discretional admission. This was disclosed by UNAAB NASU Chairman, Mr Fadairo Olalekan, as he briefed journalists on how Balogun had come to the aid of their members in the area of admission for their children without compromising “merit and quality.” Olalekan spoke while taken the journalists on tour of the NASU Estate and newly built N3.1m car wash located near the university which he said, were designed to enhance members’ welfare and commitment to work. The NASU chair noted that the challenges of funding university education in Nigeria in recent times has become challenging.

N2.9m fraud: Ebonyi suspends 12 principals T HE Ebonyi State Ministry of Education has suspended 12 principals indefinitely for allegedly including names of ghost candidates in their register for the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO). The principals were said to have used the ghost names to defraud the state government of N2.9 million, which they collected to register the candidates. The Ministry of Education and the State Auditor General had last year asked them to refund the money following a directive by Governor Martin Elechi that the allegations investigated. Briefing journalists on the development, the Commissioner for Education, Chief Hyacinth Ikpo said the principals were wrong to have collected fees since the government had already paid for the examination. “The state government paid examination subsidy to all the students of government-owned schools in the state who are taking WEAC and NECO. “We normally pay this to the principals using their register which they supply to us. We use the SSS3 register to give this money. If at the end we find out that there are

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

some names in this SSS3 register which were not in the SSS 2 it means you have padded the names to defraud the government,” he said. “At the last West African Examination Council sitting, after the auditing of the register, it was discovered that some principals injected names into the register amounting to N2.9 million and the auditor general of the state invited them. “After the exercise, they saw that the auditing was correct and they were given three months to refund the amount, those who refunded were allowed to go but after the three months, we extended it to another two months to allow those who have not refunded to do so but they still failed to do so, they are the ones we suspended”. Those suspended include, Nworgu Osondu of Community

Secondary School (CSS) Obeagu, who failed to refund N24,000; Nwikpo O, CSS Okpu Itumo, Ikwo (N636,000); Nwafor G.N CSS Ndiagu Inyimagu (N12,000); Ahamefula C.J CSS, Oshiegbe, Ezza North (N909,000); Igwe E.N, CSS, Ekka Ezza North (N138,000) and Nweke A.E CSS, Ndiagu Igbudu (N42, 000). Others are, Nweke V.N, CSS Abina Ikwo, (N225,000), Ude Aloysius CSS Umunna Afikpo, (N42,000), Nkama Kenneth, Ugwuangwu Secondary School, Afikpo (N438,000), Nwankwo I.O, Union Secondary School, Agueke, Isu, N201,000, Nnachi, M.N, Government Secondary School, Owutu Eddah (N84,000) and Onu, M.I Amasiri Secondary School, Amasiri, (N168,000). According to the Commissioner, “the affected principals can only be recalled, if they refund the amount they collected with official receipt payment adding that they would be recalled as classroom teachers”. he said.

‘At the last West African Examination Council sitting, it was discovered that some principals injected names into the register amounting to N2.9 million’

•Mrs Mujota, Emuobo Ekpiwhre, Assistant National Secretary, FEGOCOWOSA, and Ambode, National President, FEGOCOWOS at the official signing ceremony of the school’s N1 billion Endowment Fund

Firm to manage FGC, Warri endowment fund

HE Federal Government College, Warri Old Students Association (FEGOCOWOSA), has engaged BGL Asset Management Limited as Financial Adviser/ Fund Manager for the school’s N1 billion Endowment Fund. The pact was signed at the premises of BGL Asset Management Limited in Lagos. The Federal Government College (FGC), Warri, one of the 104 unity schools, was established on February 17, 1966 with Mr. Norman Miners as principal. Overtime, It developed an early reputation for remarkable success in the areas of academics and discipline, as well as character building, as a result of which it has produced reputable leaders in various aspects of the economy. Unfortunately, as the years went by, the school witnessed a decline. It became evident that the pupis lacked the required infrastructure imperative for achieving their learning objectives. In an effort to reverse this trend, the national executives of the old students association under the aegis of FEGOCOWOSA, led by their National President, Mr. Akin Ambode, have partnered with BGL,

a leading Asset Management firm, on its Endowment Fund, which will be targeted at infrastructure development, inputs to improve quality of tuition, scholarships for outstanding students, among others. At the signing ceremony, Ambode said the endowment fund aims to create an independent structure that would ensure the continuous inflow of funds which would be strategically utilised for projects that would directly impact on the standards of the school. He added that the fund would have an independent Board of Trustees that would be responsible for policy formation and implementation in line with the overall objective of the association. “This initiative is a radical shift from the present situation where former students sporadically donate to the school with little coordination. In achieving this, the na-

tional executives of the association will leverage on the expertise of BGL Asset Management Limited in areas of advisory services, wealth creation, management of asset, specialty asset management, fund management and most importantly capital raising, which is a prime objective of the endowment fund,” he said. Mrs Modupe Mujota, Managing Director of BGL expressed her excitement at the opportunity to partner on such an important initiative. “Many educational institutions are presently living on past glory. The primary reason for this is lack of sustainable funding to provide the necessary infrastructure for proper learning and development of students. FEGOCOWOSA has raised the bar for unity schools and BGL Asset Management Limited is proud to be associated with this welcome development,” she said.

‘This initiative is a radical shift from the present situation where former students sporadically donate to the school with little coordination’

LASU FILE Students win scholarships IT was simply a moment of ecstasy as some students of the Lagos State University (LASU) were basking in the euphoria of celebrating 10 of the 13 students of the university for being awarded MTN Foundation Science & Technology Scholarship Scheme. The lucky students received their scholarships awards at the MTN office in Ikoyi last Wednesday. The awardees were drawn from the various faculties including the College of Medicine, Ikeja, and the Faculty of Management Sciences, Ojo. Same day also, some students of the Faculty of Management Sciences, were celebrated at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria office for passing excellently their professional examinations and thus becoming chartered accountants.

…Suspends suspected cultists LAGOS State University Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has approved the immediate suspension of five students of Faculty of Management Sciences as suspected cultists at the Ojo Campus of the university. The suspects were alleged for gross misconduct and violation of the university’s rules and regulations. The suspects are in their 400, 300 and 200 levels in the departments of Business Administration, Accounting, Public Administration and Banking and Finance. The suspects have since been barred from entering the university and its premises except on invitation to face Student Disciplinary Committee for fair hearing. Following their arrest on last Wednesday by the security unit of LASU, another set of two boys were again nabbed with a pistol the following day. The security unit of the Vice Chancellor’s office had since handed the non students over to the police for necessary actions.

Mgt reiterates war on cultism THE university has vowed not to allow cultism to raise its ugly head again in the citadel of learning. Upholding the views of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Lateef Akanni Hussain, (on leave) that ‘’cultism is gone and gone forever in LASU” the management has promised to go the extra mile in dealing with the menace of cultism. “The management is ready to disallow the emergence or anything that looks like it or have the appearance of cultism or gross misconduct in the university (LASU). Those reforms, norms and values are still in place. LASU is competing with the best world university. In no distant time, LASU, I bet, will get there without compromising the values and virtues and standard,” said the management. Management further stated that the Visitor to the university, His Excellency, Mr Babatunde Raji Fahola (SAN)and the university authorities are working round the clock in ensuring that the deaccredited nine courses and one faculty by the National University Commission (NUC) regains accreditation in no distance time. Prospective candidates are therefore advised to hold their peace and hope for the best.

‘You don’t need academic excellence to be a good leader’

Girl dies on eve of matriculation Page 31

Page 30

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

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE

0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Wanted: A students Research Fund Research is a major component of university education; but not many students are aware of this. STANLEY IBEKU (NYSC member, Rivers State) seeks the reason for the lack of the research culture. ERTIARY institutions, especially universities, are known as centres of teaching, learning, and research. These core areas, especially research, help place institutions on their deserved status-ranking. But happenings in Nigerian universities show that there is no longer emphasis on research. The trend has affected students the most. Findings by CAMPUSLIFE show that many of them are unaware that researches – except for final year projects - is part of academic enterprise. As students and lecturers in universities in advanced countries continue to make giant strides with robust researches, discoveries and inventions, their Nigerian counterparts are fed daily with what a student who wouldn’t want his name in print referred to as “recycled knowledge.” Research, also called “careful study or investigation”, helps to discover new facts or information that could reduce unemployment and contribute maximally to the development of the nation. It is believed that without adequate attention paid to this area, Nigeria may not get it right, especially with the muchtouted Vision 20 2020 and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs). New products are developed which could match realities of the present time and even the future. According to Chima Uzowulu, a student of Materials/Metallurgical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO): “Research, supposed to be a major feature of our stay in the university, is a weapon to tackle most of the nation’s needs, especially in the power sector and poverty alleviation”. Most students who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE believe that with greater attention to research, they in collaboration with their lecturers could make breakthroughs in science and technology and innovations that could meet the needs

•Projects submitted by students of Engineering, rotting away.

•The car made by FUTO students, nicknamed Formula 1

of industries. A respondent, who didn’t want to be, named chided the nation’s leadership and university managers for showing what he called “unfair concern”. Hear him: “You know the truth. I bet you, over 96 percent of Nigerian undergraduates are unaware of their responsibility of carrying out researches. It’s not that we are weak brains, but we are not inspired enough. Period! What do you expect when you have a government that is yet to realise the importance of education or what do you say of university authorities that do not care if researches are embarked upon or not.” A major challenge hampering research is the poor budget for education. Even though the United Nation Education Scientific and

Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommends that countries should devote at least 26 percent of their annual budget to education, Nigeria has never exceeded 13 percent which was the case in 2008. It was 7.9 percent in 2009 and 6.4 percent in 2010. Even when funds are earmarked for research purposes, findings show that less or no attention is paid to students. Also, from investigation, most universities have not yet placed research in their priority list. Across campuses, there are empty laboratories or bare rooms referred to as labs. Labs are no doubt essential to carrying out researches and furthering scientific and technological advancement. From investigations, virtually all the labs are ill-equipped with

obsolete items and not-so-qualified personnel. With this sorry state, no meaningful progress will be made, some students said. Libraries, unarguably, the first port of call for information-seekers on the campuses, have become warehouses for old books, journals, and magazines. The effect is that the users are not offered up-to-date information in their areas. Though some institutions have made appreciable progress in the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), a lot more needs to be done for students to take advantage of this global approach to make head•Continued on page 30

• Okorocha’s win marked by name ‘change’ - Pg32 •Ekiti to immortalise slain corps member - Pg33

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE

Needed, mentors

WO weeks ago, writing on the killing of 10 serving corps members and hundreds more in the mindless election violence in some northern states, I made the point that tears and compensation alone would not solve what has become a recurring bloodbath. I added that a focused and sustained resolve to educate the almajiris and other aimless youth would go a long way in stopping the blood cycle. I continue along that line today as I concentrate on mentoring. My personal definition of mentoring is that it is a process of informal education, based on one-on-one relationships and respect, which starts from birth and continues through a lifetime. An important part of mentoring, for me, is that it is education first and foremost. Mentoring can also be defined as a process that involves communication for the informal transmission of knowledge, social capital, and the psychosocial support perceived by the recipient as relevant to work, career, or professional development. This informal communication, usually face-to-face and during a sustained period of time, is between a person who is perceived to have greater relevant knowledge, wisdom, or experience (called the mentor) and a person who is perceived to have less (called the mentee). Prof Eric Parsloe is a senior member of faculty at the Oxford School of Coaching and Mentoring. He defines the term thus: “Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be.” It is not over flogging the issue if I add that mentoring is a powerful personal development

Pushing Out with

Ngozi Nwozor 08054503104 (SMS only)

•campuslife@thenationonlineng.net •ladycampus@yahoo.com and empowerment tool. It is an effective way of helping people to progress in their careers (life). It is becoming increasing popular as its potential is realised; and this even in developed countries. Mentoring is a partnership. At birth, the child looks up to the parents and other older family members; he mimics them in words, attitude and dressing. This is why we see children, once they are old enough, begin to dress and try to talk like Daddy or Mummy. They have been adequately impacted by the parents that they want to be like them. As soon as they start formal schooling, their models enlarge to include teachers. Secondary school boarders are encouraged to have school fathers/mothers. In the universities, no one really bothers that much, but somehow mentoring continues for some who get involved with students in higher levels. Some have enlarged the definition of mentoring to include large distances where a reader who gets into a book is allowing the author to mentor him. However, here I am interested strictly with mentoring as a partnership between two people (mentor and mentee). These persons normally work in a similar field or share similar experiences. The best people to educate (mentor) the

almajiris are those from among them who managed to escape the aimlessness of that life. I may not know any but because I know that life always gives lucky breaks, I believe that plenty of such flukes abound in this country. Let the northern states governors and even the Federal Government work hand-in-hand to fish them out and use them to educate the thousands roaming the streets, willing tools in the hands of the devious. Earlier this year, President Goodluck Jonathan gave bite to his promise of more universities and located six of the nine in the north. I had written that coming close to the elections, it was aimed

at building political capital. I maintain that position; not that there is anything wrong with building such capital – for a politician. But now that the politicking has ended, I ask the President to go back to the drawing board and come up with an aggressive education policy that will ensure that the incidence of the almajiris are reduced to the barest. Such aggressive policy must include mentoring. We may not have many models especially amongst public office holders, but if we start with what we have, we will make headway, even if gradually. Just last Sunday in Lagos, popular American preacher and author, Dr. Myles Munroe, spoke at an event organised by a mentoring–oriented outfit, Strategy for Mentoring Initiative and Leadership Empowerment (SMILE). He attributed Nigeria’s failure to groom the right leaders and develop to lack of mentoring. He added: “The first act of a true leader is to identify your successor when you assume office and begin to train them. Mentoring is a non-negotiable function of successful leadership…. The ultimate goal of true leaders is not to maintain followers but to produce other leaders. Good leaders are not selfish; they don’t build buildings around themselves; they build people”. Truth is that the almajiris who go out to kill and

maim do so to get the approval of their crooked mentors who had armed and sent them out. What this means is that as long as nothing is done to properly channel these youth, the warped and disingenuous use them at will. Such mentors rely on similar experiences to gain an empathy with the mentees. I pray someone is listening.

ASUU growls again The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to down tools “in the coming days”. This was the ominous message to the nation after a meeting it held at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, on Monday. According to the President, Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie, the lecturers are angry with the Federal Government, especially the National Assembly, for failing to pass into law the bill that would increase the retirement age of their members to 70. It is currently 65. The new age is part of the agreement between both parties in 2009. “ASUU wishes to warn the country that it should not be held responsible for the consequences, if at the end of the current legislative year the National Assembly fails to enact the required law,” Awuzie added. Now what? Another strike in the next two weeks? Shame shame shame! While I sympathise with ASUU and roundly condemn government officials for failing to honour an agreement (almost two years after), I must state that the recourse to strikes at this point is not flattering to the lecturers. Why wait until two weeks to the end of the National Assembly to give this ultimatum? So, who suffers should the lawmakers refuse to heed the deadline (as they are known to do)? I urge the lecturers to rethink this strike for now, at least, for the sake of their mentees, the students. Again, I hope someone is listening. A deaf government and deaf teachers make a lethal combination. Ciao

‘You don’t need academic excellence to be a good leader’

•Oladele

VERY student in this department sees you as a good leader and it is like your office is free of challenges. How possible is that? I try to put my challenges behind me and selflessness has been the key for me; I help others first. That part of me is hereditary, my mum once told me: “Put your challenges behind and help others overcome theirs; then someone will help with yours”. I do not run away from my challenges because it is like piling them up. Academically, I am not inclined to studying because I used to hate reading till I found out that I have got a lot of it to do based on my discipline. I cannot read for a long time, so, I read for an hour daily and pay attention in class. The challenge makes me accept whatever grade that comes my way. How do you help those who have academic challenges as a leader who is not strong academically? Leadership skill is different from academic skill. I may not be an “A” student academically but nature makes up for the lapses in the sense that when a person is weak physically, nature makes him strong mentally. Leadership wise, I am strong. In fact, I know the principles and skills for academic excellence and I try to teach others. Can you tell us your challenges since you assumed office? It has not been easy, to be sincere. Financially, students of this department are not helping the association at all. Those of them who refused to pay their due are even the ones criticising the executive. We really need financial assistance and that has been my ache. On the other hand, some of the officials are not functioning to the best of their capacity and some of us have to do their job for them so as to keep things from falling apart. I thank God for the team spirit I imbibed from before coming to OAU. I worked

Oladele Madamidola is President of the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) chapter. He shares his experience with OYINDAMOLA FADIMU (300-L English). for five years before I gained admission, working with people with different temperaments and attitude is a great help and that has stood me well. As a writer, what are your achievement so far? I have a collection of poems in form of an anthology and I have a book I just finished and I’m looking forward to having it published. I have also written some short stories but I do not have the financial ability to have them published. Tomorrow for sale, my book, was borne out of my academic and family challenges. I have always been independent since I was a young boy. My dad did not have time for us and my mum was always busy. Other titles of mine are Juvenile fantasies and Friends and lovers. How do you manage to distinguish yourself from the crowd? If you do not compromise, you cannot get to where you want in life. Compromising makes you flexible and flexibility rules the world. Let us take language for instance: Latin is so principled and does not borrow from other languages of the world. It is fading away but English on the contrary borrows from other languages of the world and so new words are added to the English dictionary yearly. There is this belief that NASELS presidents are flirts. What have you to say on that? I love ladies and I enjoy their company. I cannot do without being around them daily or I get bored. I have an open mind to every female on this campus because I do not have a girlfriend in OAU.

•Digital library equipment, many institutions lack this.

Wanted: A students Research Fund •Continued from page 29

way. Instutition like Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Osun State University, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and others with some form of digital collection of journals/books, incur enormous cost in maintaining the facilities. In some schools, tales of woes as they cannot access materials online or subscribe to international journals. As it is in labs and libraries, so it is in engineering workshops. These workshops have become junkyards for outdated machines and equipment - some procured in the 1970s. Aside these challenges, students said they are not motivated enough to embark on researches. Nigerian undergraduates are hardly taught research-methodology and how to write proposals, investigations have shown. At the moment, only a few disciplines offer such courses as report writing which is not enough to propel students to embark on research. Some of them accused the lecturers of plagiarism. “What do you expect from us (students) when some lecturers merely reproduce other people’s work? They don’t even embark on researches themselves. Let’s be sincere, most of the students including I merely study to pass the examinations and get the certificates. Not that we don’t have excellent ideas but where are the funds/infrastructure that we need to actualise our desires,” asked Friday Edeh, a science student. However, in the face of these daunting challenges, students over the years have proved that if motivated and provided with the required infrastructure, they could compete with their mates anywhere. There have been products of research. At FUTO, there is the first indigenous car - FUTO formula 1- which was built in 2008 by some mechanical engineer-

ing students. The following year, another car which uses electricity (battery) in place of fuel, was manufactured. Nigerian students have also showed great skills in ICT, machines, software development, components and others. CAMPUSLIFE learnt that some schools have set aside funds for lecturers, who come up with viable research projects but no mention is made for students who could also embark on meaningful projects. In FUTO, a N25 million research grant was approved by the council for staff members. Similarly, the University of Ilorin released N26 million for its staff. Of the amount, N15.6 million was disbursed to the Central Senate Research Grant Scheme while N10.4 million was released to the 10 faculties. Since 2008, students of FUTO, through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Enterprise (IAESTE) an exchange programme- are exposed to research-environment across the globe as they join their counterparts from across the world. Last year, 26 students were in Poland, Germany, China and the United Kingdom where they engaged in research ventures. But, despite these efforts, students believe that little or nothing has been done in making them realise their “academic right” of embarking on research projects with the aim of coming out with useful results. They want the establishment of a Students Research Fund which could assist students with viable research proposals with funds and provide some form of mentorship. A student at the University of Port Harcourt Yusuf Mohammed, said: “There is the need to form more partnership/collaboration with industries and research institutes elsewhere; this would encourage synergy towards coming out with viable results”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE

Girl dies on eve of matriculation I

FUNANYA Nwabufor had written the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in April, last year. When she was expected to be a member of the campus community, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was on an industrial action which grounded the five Southeast-owned universities for six months, between July 22, 2010, and early January, 2011. She waited impatiently. Thus, on receiving news of her admission to the Department of Administration and Planning, Faculty of Education at the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki, she was ecstatic. She, like other freshers, was through with registration and had even started lectures. Then, news came that EBSU had fixed a date for their matriculation. This is a ceremony eagerly awaited by every fresher. The date was May 7. The

From Maduabuchi Ikpe EBSU

ceremony was to hold on the four campuses of the institution: PRESCO, for the medical science and related courses; CAS for Law and Agricultural faculties; Ishieke, for Education courses; the Permanent Site, for Social Sciences and Management faculties. Just as others made arrangements, Ifunanya did. She paid all the fees and collected her matric gown. Then, ostensibly to practise for the D-day, she took pictures in the gown. For her parents, it would be the first as she was the first child and only daughter. But fate dealt them a cruel blow on the eve of the matriculation. On her way back to school from town, Ifunanya, on a bike, was crushed to death by a heavy duty vehicle. This happened near the

Ishieke Motor Park. According to eyewitnesses, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, the truck driver was over-speeding not minding the bad road and the fact that it was approaching a busy junction. Ifunanya, who took the main impact of the crash, was hit badly; people began to scream at the sight of her remains. It took a while before some bystanders could pull themselves together to run to the aid of the cyclist who was thrown to the road side and groaning. He was taken to the nearest hospital. By the time news of the accident hit campus, students were shaken. Ifunanya, born on June 6, 1993, hailed from Anambra East. She had gone to invite some friends for the next day’s matriculation and was on her way back when she met her untimely death. Her ro o m m a t e w h o d i d n ’ t want to be named described her

Students have often been blamed for being “unserious,” especially with their studies. DAYO IBITOYE (500-L Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) examines the reason for a parlance that has become popular as the “rush hour”.

as “one happy girl to be with; she was always smiling and had a way of infecting everyone around her at all times.” A member of her campus fellowship, the Redeemed Campus Fellowship (RCF), said Ifunanya “identified with us in the early days of her admission. I can’t remember not seeing her at any service since her admission”. In a similar incident on the matriculation day, on the same road, two students narrowly escaped death. The boys, who were on a bike, were hit by a car. Following the two events, students have called on the state government to repair the road “as a matter of urgency”. Chika Aboh, a 300-Level student of Education Economics, said the government promised to repair the road, adding that the absence of road bumps makes drivers drive recklessly.

•Ifunanya, in her matriculation gown, hours before she was killed.

UNIZIK Radio marks day of excellence

ICE-CHANCELLOR of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Prof Boniface Egboka, has praised the dedication of students and artistes who volunteered to keep the university-owned radio station, UNIZIK 94.1FM, on air. He gave the commendation at the day of excellence and award ceremony of the station. Expressing joy with the operations of the young station, the VC promised to approve the working stipends of all the volunteer workers and to give the station the needed support within the management’s power. In her remarks at the occasion, Mass Communication HOD, Dr. Kate Omenugha, noted that the radio station has progressed beyond expectation despite odds. She appealed to staff and students to always patronise UNIZIK FM. In her comments, the station man-

From Emeka Attah UNIZIK

ager, Mrs. Ify Obi, praised the volunteer workers of the station “who have shown a lot of zeal, commitment and dedication to the success being witnessed presently”. Mrs. Obi also extended gratitude to the management for its support. Awards were given to outstanding personnel of the station such as the Best Presenter which was won by Michael Ugokwe. Others are Best Programme, Extra Time sports anchored by Ikenna Nwokedi and Aliu John, Soul to Soul anchored by Michael Ugokwe, Best Disc Jockey won by Benjamin Ani. Best Newscaster went to Ifeyinwa Aronu. Other awards include, the Best News Producer won by CAMPUSLIFE correspondent, Ngozi Emmanuel and three most dedicated Continuity Announcers awards won by the trio of Sam Kelechi, Dennis Ohia and Kelechi Nduka.

•UNN English Department girls in class. They took time out from their reading just before their last paper in first PHOTO: OLADELE OGE semester exams... last week.

OPULARLY referred to as the “rush hour period” at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, examination periods bring out various tales from students. While some are usually happy and eager to witness it, others are sad when this period approaches, wishing it should never come or it should just pass away in a hurry. This categorisation aptly describes the different kinds of students found on campuses; they range from the less ambitious who do not read or attend lectures but prefer to seek fun and catch every available trip on campus; the nottoo-serious who believe all they need do is read little and bribe their way to pass exams; the serious who get serious when exam calls and the over-serious ones popularly known as “jackometers” who start sleeping in class immediately the semester starts. A popular notion, however, is that students do not start studying until examination is right at the corner. This is, however, true as many fall into this category; they do not become serious until it’s a week or two to exams. Many students have the habit of wasting their time in the early days of the semester; the die-hard party goers, the long-time sleepers, the everything-in-skirt chasers, are all guilty of this charge. A few take their studies serious from the beginning of the semester. What is responsible for the “campus rush hour?” CAMPUSLIFE sought the answers.

Campus rush hour Some students who spoke said there is “really no reason to read at the beginning of the semester since much has not been taught”. At this time, there is neither test nor examination to spur them to read. Thus, they can afford to relax. Another reason is that many institutions run a very irregular calendar. A semester could be monotonously long or ridiculously short. In the event of strikes that seem to have become annual fixtures, the semester or session is at first protracted, then it becomes short on resumption, in which case, students are stampeded with neck–breaking academic loads. In this scenario, students would be left with no choice but to burn the midnight candle. This is the origin of crash work and reckless cramming. This explains why, shortly after, many students are not able to remember a trifle of what was written so masterfully during the examination. Another line of argument is that at the middle of the semester, most of the time is spent on attending lectures, or in the library or internet sourcing for material to execute one assignment or the other. Many students give these reasons as to why they do not have time for studies at the beginning of the semester. A 300-Level student of Law who preferred to be called Jibrin que-

ried: “How many indeed really participate in assignments? Almost everyone is guilty of ‘general dubbing’. That reason may just suffice for some students to push their studying further towards examination period”. However, those who manage to balance their time by spreading their academic work over the semester always have the advantage over their counterparts. When examination period gets closer, the library and lecture halls become eyesores; hardly would one find breathing spaces as the whole place would be filled to capacity simply because students always fail to prepare early enough for exams. Lecturers have another name for the rush hour period; they call it “Imust-pass-by-force attitude”. One thing it does is to make students race against time to learn in two weeks what should have been learnt over three months. But students argue that some lecturers contribute to the problem “as they do not start lecturing until the last two or three weeks to the exams.” Another student, Emmanuel Salau, in 300-Level Mechanical Engineering, said students should be blamed for the rush hour. “Some students are, indeed, very lazy, they prefer to pile up their work and do a crash programme during exams.”

•Some of the students at the end of the programme.

Nsukka students hold dinner

HE Federation of Nsukka Students Association, Ebonyi State University (EBSU) chapter, has held a dinner and a gettogether for its members. The event which was chaired by Mr Emma Ezeugwu, a senior lecturer from Computer Science department, was attended by dignitaries from Nsukka zone. In his remarks, President of the association, Chukwuemeka Eze, said the aim of the association was to unite students of Nsukka origin in EBSU. This, he said, was necessary “to achieve a common goal and to address any challenges that may

From Emeka Ugwu EBSU

arise time to time”. In his address, Mr Ezeugwu said he was fulfilled to see the large turnout of students from Nsukka zone. He enjoined them to always seek advice from one another, especially lecturers from the same zone and urged the executive not to relent in its effort to unite their students. Other attractions include the launching of an almanac, drama presentation and Nsukka language competition from representatives of all the seven local government areas in the zone.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE Okorocha’s win marked by name ‘change’

Procession for slain Corps member

T was a charged moment for members of the Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA), Ondo State, especially students of Banking and Finance. They had gathered for a candle-light procession in honour of their past departmental president, Kehinde Adeniji, who was among the NYSC 10 murdered in the post-presidential election violence in some parts of the north. Amid singing of dirges, the students wore black shirts for the slain corps member, who was described as “someone who did not want to succeed alone but had the interest and success of all in mind”. The President of Banking and Fi-

From Babatunde Alao AAUA

nance department, Mosiu Haruna, said: “He was the most efficient president the department has had.” The procession was attended by students as well as some of the de classmates of the deceased who travelled from far distances to pay their last respect. In a emotion-laden voice, Akinyemi Akintan, who is a close friend to Kehinde, described him as a family friend, adding: “I saw him last during the convocation and the last time I spoke to him was in camp when I wasn’t feeling well. He called back and kept encouraging me.”

“In my project thesis, I specifically acknowledged him because we were so close that we did virtually everything together and, during the convocation, I paid for his gown because he couldn’t come back soon enough from Bauchi. On the day, we sat and danced together.” On his take on the crisis that led to the death of his friend, Akinyemi said: “When the crisis began, I had to text the NYSC Director-General exercising my faith in his capability to protect the corps members in the north but I never knew I was going to be affected.” The procession was brought to an end with a prayer session led by the former fellowship president in the department, Abiodun Adamolekun.

ELEBRATION took over the town of Owerri, Imo State capital, as people trooped into the streets, dancing, singing and jubilating after Chief Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was declared winner of the Imo gubernatorial race. No sooner had the returning officer, Prof Hilary Edoga, Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, announced the results than students of Evans Enwerem University (EEU), Owerri, went into wild excitement. Some of them rushed out of their hostels wearing wrappers and boxer shorts chanting victory songs. Major roads in the university were blocked by the jubilating crowd, who clutched emblems of APGA. Some of the students got a tin of paint, and assisted by others, climbed the main gate using a ladder. Their mission? To change the name of the university back to Imo State University. The mob equally defaced bill boards bearing the pictures of the outgoing governor, Ikedi Ohakim, and the name of Evans Enwerem University that were near the campus. At the same time, some others marched to the school’s back gate which had recently been closed and fenced by the school authorities. The fence was pulled down. Off campus residents living at the back gate areas such as Aladinma and Ikenegbu were, especially relieved as they had to spend

College holds matriculation for 300

From Oladele Oge NACOED

persevere if they want to achieve the tasks ahead of them. He equally urged them to be good ambassadors to their families and communities. He said the college awards certificates in character and learning, stressing that anyone found want-

ing in character cannot earn the ertificate. The Registrar, Mr. Marcel Hillson, congratulated the students and admonished them to be focused. “Stay in school, work hard, set noble goals for yourselves and pursue them aggressively,” he added. The event was well attended by parents.

RIDAY, May 6 will remain a sad day for some students of the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, as they were served with letters of expulsion. Their crime: examination malpractice. Three days after, the names of the affected students were also pasted on the notice board by the disciplinary committee. Some of the students were caught cheating during their first semester exams, while others were caught in 200-Level first semester. In another development, students are unhappy with the erratic power supply by the power Holding

New VC for UNIJOS

•The renovated Block 7 of Obafemi Awolowo Hall.

S part of preparations towards the hosting of the 2012 Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) and golden anniversary celebration, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IleIfe, has commenced the upgrading of major facilities. The chairman of the university NUGA committee, Prof O. Orafidiya, was seen inspecting facilities at the Sports Complex while technicians were working at Awolowo, Moremi, ETF, Fajuyi and Akintola halls as well as the Murtala Muhammad Postgraduate Hall. The main bowl of the Maracana stadium, OAU football pitch, is receiving a touch while

Campus wears new look From Sikiru Akinola and Gbenro Oladipo OAU

electricity cables are undergoing repairs and change. Meanwhile, the much anticipated demolition and relocation of Aluta and old Buka markets have been carried out. The occupants have since been allocated portions at a site behind the new Buka market. On the demolition of the markets, Samuel Olaseinde, in 200-Level Law and Director of Socials,

more on transport fares to school. A student in the crowd, who simply gave his name as Dominic told CAMPUSLIFE: “We are not being violent at all; this is a celebration of our liberation.” Some of them spoke to our correspondent. Amarachi Okpara, 400-Level English and Literary Studies, said: “I jumped spontaneously when I heard the result.” Emmanuel Onyekwere, 400-Level Philosophy, added: “For the first time, Imo State has experienced a very commendable election. And to show our joy, we have trooped out to demonstrate the justice served at the right time.” Another, who simply gave his name as Michael, said: “This is the first time the will of the people prevailed. So, I want Okorocha to fulfill his promise of free education at lower levels and reduction of tuition at higher levels.” Donald Obioma wants the governorelect to ensure there is no strike and that students graduate “as and when due.” However, a 400-Level student of English and Literary Studies, Emeka Chukwuaku, appealed to the students to be patient. “It is obvious that students expect a lot from Rochas, but I want us to be patient and allow him settle in office.”

Students expelled for exam malpractices

•Some of the happy matriculants in a procession.

HE National College of Education, Agu-Echara, Nsukka Enugu State, has matriculated 300 students for the 2010/ 2011 academic session. The matriculation ceremony was held last Thursday at the main block of the college. In his opening address, the Provost, Dr. Christian Ele, charged the students on self discipline and to

From Onyinye Nkwocha EEU

Angola, said the markets should not have been relocated now.”Considering the usefulness of the markets which serves five halls, they should have considered us. What they did was anti-student. We will now walk for 20 minutes before getting foodstuff.” Idris Olayiwola of the department of English said: “They should have considered the security implication before relocating the markets. Only last week, a female student was raped and there were cases of assault.”

ROF Hayward Babale Mafuyai has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS). He will succeed the incumbent, Prof Sonny Tyoden, whose tenure will end next month. According to a statement posted at the university website and signed by the Registrar, Mr. Danjuma Dandam, the governing council took the decision at its Eight regular meeting held on May 4 during which it considered the report of the senate selection board for the appointment of a new VC. “The council, in accordance with the powers conferred on it by the

From Chidiebere Umeorizu and Ogechi Ajah FCE PANKSHIN

Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Currently, there is no electricity supply in the hostels. The students complain they cannot read with their rechargeable lamps as they are unable to charge them “except you carry the lamp to school to charge it,” one of them said. They also travel distances to have their electronic devices charged for use. In an appeal to the Provost, the students want the management reconnect the hostel back to the campus generator. From Hope Ofobike UNIJOS

provisions of the universities (miscellaneous provision) Amendment Act 2003, considered the three candidates recommended to it by the selection board and appointed Hayward Babale Mafuyai as the Vice-Chancellor of University of Jos,” the statement said. It was learnt that 11 professors jostled for the position but three were recommended to the council for further consideration. Prior to his appointment, Prof Mafuyai, a professor of Public Health Entomology, has held several positions in the university which include, deputy Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences in 2002, acting Head, Department of Remedial Sciences (2004-2005) and Director, Students Industrial Work Scheme Experience (SIWES), among others.

UNN ends first semester

TUDENTS of English and Literary Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), held a dinner last Thursday. They were marking the end of first semester. One of their lecturers, Mr. M.C. Onunkwo, attended. The event was organised by the 200-Level class. Mr. Onunkwo told the students to see themselves as a generation that will liberate the literary world. He urged the students to be creative and deviate from all acts of plagiarism or piracy, saying piracy destroys

From Oladele Oge UNN

creativity. He added that the essence of the dinner was to bring together bright students in the class. In a related development, physically challenged students marked of the irst semester; venue was the Institute of African Studies. About 22 members were in attendance. the students, through their President, David Okpala, thanked the university for supporting them.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE Dagrin remembered in Owerri From Ugochukwu Egwumba EEU

•Corps members acting as pall bearers, carrying Seun’s remains into the open field.

Ekiti to immortalise slain corps member

HE post-election violence, which rocked some northern cities, claimed the lives of 10 corps members, among them Seun Adewunmi, from Ogotun-Ekiti in Ekiti State. He was a graduate of Political Science from the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ogun State. On Friday, May 6, Seun was given a state burial by his state government. Scores of corps members gathered to witness the event held in an open ground, after his corpse left the University of Ado-Ekiti Teaching Hospital. The programme, which started with an opening prayer by Rev E.O. Adebisi and Rev Billy

From Nicholas Osagiede NYSC ADO-EKITI

Adewale, had in attendance Governor Kayode Fayemi. Others were the state’s First Lady, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, and other top government functionaries. The Director-General of NYSC was represented by Director of Finance and Accounts, NYSC headquarters, Abuja. In an emotion-laden speech, the governor called for a review of the NYSC scheme. He promised to take responsibility for the education of the siblings of the

Fayemi condoles the deceased’s younger sister. Behind him is Mrs. Olayinka.

deceased. The governor, who evacuated 215 corps members of Ekiti origin serving in crisis-

prone areas in the north, promised to name an appropriate monument in the state in Seun’s memory.

Rector renders stewardship

•Isaiah and Vivian (right) taking the oath as administered by Mr. Lawal.

Accounting students get new leaders IGERIAN Universities Accounting Students Association (NUASA), University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter, has inaugurated a new set of leaders for the next academic session. The exercise which lasted three hours was attended by Mr Emmanuel Igbeng, the staff adviser; Pastor Wealth Effanga, the faculty fellowship minister, Edem Ukorebi, Kayode Lawal, the commissioner for oath and Blaise Akpan, President of National Association of Abak Students. Mr Igbeng congratulated the new executive members and urged them to be diligent in their duties as well as their academic activities, and shun vices.

•Ebonyi students congratulate Elechi From Stanley Uchegbu UNICAL

Isaiah Ugwueke emerged the President while Vivan Tasie was elected as Vice-President. Others are Lordvinsaint Okoi (Secretary General), Essien Ndotenyin (Deputy Secretary General), Bassey Ovat (Financial Secretary), Joseph Oru (Treasurer), Gregory Okonkwo (Director of Social) and Emmanuel Bassey (Director of Information). In his acceptance speech, Isaiah thanked the outgoing president for what he called her selfless service to the association as well as the

cooperation she gave during the transition period. He equally urged members to join him in building NUASA that “defines the success of one by the happiness of many.” He pledged to strengthen the staff-students relationship through regular interaction. In another development, the National Association of Ebonyi State Students (NAESS), UNICAL chapter, has congratulated its home state governor, Martin Elechi, on his re-election. This was contained in a statement signed by the NAESS President, Nnamdi Nwaezeodi, in 300-Level Electronic and Computer Technology.

ECTOR of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi, (AUCHIPOLY), Edo State, Dr. Philipha Idogho, has given account of her stewardship in the past four years. Dr. Idogho also advised students to shun acts that can truncate their future “bearing in mind that you are the leaders of tomorrow.” Idogho spoke even as there was a vandalisation of property in the institution, allegedly by a group of Part-time Studies students. The incident occurred ostensibly as a result of the threat that students who had not paid their tuition fees would not be allowed to sit

T was a night of glamour as Jazz Entertainment, an events organiser at the Evans Enwerem University (EEU), Owerri, hosted students and fans of the late rapper, Olaitan Olaonipekun, otherwise known as Dagrin. It was part of activities to mark the one-year memorial of the musician’s death. The red carpet event, which was held at the Orange Groove Viva Restaurant and Bar, was well attended by important personalities on campus, part of who were the Students Union President, Chinonye Ekwujuru and his predecessor. EEU comedians in attendance included MC Tall, MC Yellow Mouth, MC School Boy and many others who doled out jokes to thrill guests. Exciting performances from various student artistes like Grip Entertainment Crew, C-flow, Bishop Dyke, 2 sleek, AJ All Stars, were also part of the highlights. The students wore customized black shirts with pictures and lyrics of the late Dagrin embossed on them. The fans were further entertained to a documentary video of Dagrin and free styling, for which the late rapper was known. The brains behind Jazz, Ikechukwu Onuoha, in 400-Level Economics, and Jesse Nwoke, a graduate of Banking and Finance, told CAMPUSLIFE that they were inspired to put up the show because of “Dagrin’s impact on the Nigeria music industry despite his short time on earth.” Adding that they intend to make it an annual event, they said they are soliciting for partnership with corporate bodies. From Tosin Ajuwon AUCHI POLY

for the first semester examination. Ostensibly annoyed by the development, the students were alleged to have vandalised louvers at the School of Engineering and some departments in the School of Art and Design. Some of the students who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE in anonymity said they could not find their names in a list pasted on the notice board as it had only names of those who had paid. The students, who pleaded with management to allow them write the exams, claimed the economic situation of the country and the long election holidays made it difficult for them to pay by now. Efforts to get the Dean of Students Affairs to’ hear management’s decision proved abortive as his office was under lock and his mobile phones were not reachable as at press time.

Corps members call for probe

EMBERS of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) who served as ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the recently concluded elections want the federal government to fish out and prosecute the killers of “NYSC 10”. They also want a headcount of all corps members to be done by the NYSC authority to ensure that no corps member is missing. The corps members condemned, in strong terms, the actions of the youths, who according to them, were instigated by the comments of

From Stanley Ibeku NYSC PORT HARCOURT

some northern leaders before the elections. According to a corps member, Tony Adeyinka: “The federal government must go beyond setting up a panel. Those who killed the corps members, together with their sponsors, must be exposed and punished.” They also want their allowances for the elections paid. They said they have only received part payment as against INEC’s Director of Public Affairs, Emmanuel Umenga’s claim that the commission has already paid all their allowances.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE

Ex-UNAD VC’s ‘glorious exit’

OR many students and staff of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), Ekiti State, May and June have become harbingers of unpalatable developments. On June 8, 2006, cultists invaded the institution, killing one student. A year later, in May, they struck again. Their target was the Students’ Affairs Division where files on suspected cult members were kept. No life was lost. On May 8, 2009, students revolted against fellow students who were members of the Cadet Peace Corps. The corps was accused of highhandedness. No student died, but many were injured while university property was destroyed. Students were sent home. By the time they were recalled after two months, it was with stringent conditions. Last year, the Student Union Government (SUG), under the then president, Sola Fayemi, declared May 8 the “SUG Peace Remembrance Day”. The students decided that May would henceforth be “a month of peace.” CAMPUSLIFE learnt that students were still marking the May 8 Peace Day 2011 when news broke on May 11 that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dipo Kolawole, had been sacked. He was asked to hand over immediately to the most senior professor. Kolawole was sent home together with two other vice-chancellors and provost of the state-owned College of Education. The university community was thrown into confusion as students and lecturers abandoned classes while the non-academic staff also left their offices. Within 20 minutes of the news breaking, a large number of them had gathered in front of the Omolayo Administrative Building, the UNAD “power house”. They stood waiting for the man they fondly call “Moses of UNAD” and “Baba DK”. Prof Kolawole, an early bird, had resumed work as usual before 8am. As the crowd continued to grow, eventually the VC came out. It was 11:03am. Sighting him, members of the staff and students began to shout: “Power! Power!!, Power!!!” Addressing them, he thanked them for their support and show of love, but urged them to be “of good cheer

•The students in an emotional farewell to Prof Kolawole as he stepped out of the Omolayo Building... last Wednesday

Members of the University of Ado-Ekiti (UNAD) community received news of the sudden sack of their vice-chancellor with shock. OLUSEGUN ADEGBENRO and OLATUNJI AWE (100-L Political Science) report. because a good name is better than silver and gold.” As he made to enter his car and drive off, some students and staff began to weep. A member of staff, who did not want her name in print, said: “This is the exit of a legend, a human and administrative manager.” As Kolawole’s car started to leave, some students barricaded the road, saying he shouldn’t leave. Many posed with him as others took pictures with their phones. Thereafter, they serenaded his car in front and behind in a long convoy of cars and buses. The students immediately declared the rest of the day lecture-free. As they sang the man’s praise, one of them described the event as “a glorious exit.” As soon as the former VC’s car managed to drive free of the crowd, students gave vent to the aluta spirit. Still singing, they made to march on the Governor’s Office, but were stopped by the police who threw teargas canisters at them. A student, Adewole Falegan, in 200-Level Biochemistry, said: “This a breach of my right of movement. We are not protesting the decision

of Governor Fayemi, but the men in uniform have just displayed militancy towards us. Don’t we have the right to movement? This man is (was) our Vice-Chancellor who did well. He needs to be celebrated.” Femi Ijalana, a student, said: “I chose to join the convoy because Baba DK’s time as VC taught me leadership and discipline lessons. The days of extortion by lecturers disappeared. Governor Fayemi understands better as a Ph.D holder, but I must admit Prof Dipo’s exit is a loss. We urge Fayemi to justify his good intentions by giving us another brilliant vice-chancellor.” Describing the exit, the Student Union President, Kehinde Okunnuga, said: “We cannot express our appreciation enough for the man called Prof Dipo Kolawole. His days in UNAD have been the best so far. But I urge our students to understand that the only constant thing in life is change, which can come at anytime. We urge for a good working relationship with the Ag VC.” CAMPUSLIFE gathered that those students who stay off-campus and

didn’t leave their homes earlier were also stopped from coming into Ado town, at the Odo-Eje Bridge. One of them narrated his experience: “On getting to the bridge, we were stopped by armed mobile policemen. As a Law student, I tried to tell them that as a citizen of Nigeria I’m entitled to freedom of movement and what they were doing was an infringement on my right. But the reply I received was a heavy slap. I had to run, even forgetting my shoes in the process. They chased me and the rest of the students as far back as the radio station of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State. They were driving their trucks while we ran. It was a frightening experience.” Kehinde, the SUG President, and some of his executive, on getting to the site, were not allowed to go in by the police. The students, when they managed to come together, barricaded the road saying: “If they refuse us going to town, no vehicle should also go through the road that leads to our school”. They held stones as missiles threatening the policemen that they would pelt them

if they shot teargas again. They chanted anti-police songs like “How many students Mopol go kill o”, “Every junction wey dem dey na 20, 20 Naira”, among others. The new Acting Vice-Chancellor is the most senior professor in UNAD; he is Prof Dada Adelowo, a professor of Comparative Religion. He told CAMPUSLIFE: “My appointment is divine because I never imagined I would sit on this seat. I had applied for the position in other universities but not UNAD. Then, I have never met the state governor or talked with him even on phone, until this appointment.” He urged staff and students to support him as he has their welfare uppermost on his mind. Further, he called on students to shun cultism and anything that could cause unrest in the institution as the school calendar “remains intact.” Meanwhile, the JCC Chairman, Segun Akogun, and the SUG, in a joint release last Thursday, denied that their demonstration was against the will of government. Addressing journalists, Segun said they accepted the change in good faith but needed to “celebrate the leadership dexterity” of Prof Kolawole. He, however, urged the government to carry students along in reforming the education sector in the state.

The Gani Fawehinmi Students’ Chambers, Faculty of Law, Lagos State University (LASU), held an event in honour of the late legal luminary. NURUDEEN YUSUF (100-Level Common and Islamic Law) reports that the event was one that attracted the big “fish” in the legal profession.

LASU students remember Gani

HIEF Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi cannot be forgotten by Nigerians, both rich and poor, because of what he lived for. It’s almost two years since he died in September, 2009, but, last week, members of the Gani Fawehinmi Students’ Chambers of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, held a posthumous birthday lecture and award in his honour. The theme was “Law: an instrument for the abolition of poverty”. The programme began with a debate at the MBA Hall. Mr. Pedro Lawal, Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice; Mr. Bamidele Aturu (guest

lecturer) and Mr. Hamzat Edu of the Department of Islamic Law, LASU, were among those in attendance. Delivering his welcome speech, Head of the chambers, Principal Oluwole Fola, said the lecture was to show that Gani lives on and to remind the people of the one thing he lived for which is abolition of poverty. Lawal urged the students to emulate the good practices of the respected lawyer which is what law stands for in our society. “You must know that as Law students, you have to cultivate the right habits for the people to learn from. Learn how to be punctual and always keep to time”. In his paper, Aturu said Gani’s first

•Aturu (right) presenting an award to Mr Lawal (left).

book was on free education. According to him: “It is possible to abolish poverty with the law but not with the kind of law we operate in Nigeria, today, because one abiding law of capitalism is uneven distribution of wealth. Law is not a

reflection of everybody’s will but an agreement of certain members of the ruling class, our politicians’ character of primitively amassing national wealth. The international capitalist system allows the big countries to

exploit small ones,” he posited. To get out of these states, “we must deal with corruption realistically, the citizens need to participate actively, change our orientation. The •Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE

I did not set out to be a hero

By Hannah Ojo hannah_ojo@yahoo.com

“T

HEY came alive to Bauchi state to serve the nation; but when it was time to leave, they left as dead heroes”. This was not how I planned to end my life. Being immortalised was not part of the bargain with my Creator. Hadn’t Ismail Kadare, the Albanian writer said “in the nocturnal realm of sleep are to be found both the light and darkness of humanity - its honey and its poison, its greatness and vulnerability?” So, I dreamt the dream of big mansions and state-of-the-art

T all started like a drama even before President Goodluck Jonathan was declared winner of the April 9 presidential polls. Young men who are supporters of Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), hit the streets to protest the results of the election. Chanting some words in Hausa language, these folks started unleashing terror on innocent lives and property, claiming that the election was rigged. During the protest, I offered prayers that God should save all my fellow corps members serving in the region from the clubs of the fanatic youths. My prayer was late or perhaps it was answered in part. But the following morning, a big headline read that some youth corps members had been killed.

automobiles. I wanted to live, to enjoy. I wanted my reward here manifested here on earth in the physical since heaven is a paradise where suffering is alien. I wanted to be married, bear children that would swarm my household like bees in a honey’s nest. I didn’t believe in vulnerability. If I had ever failed, it was failing forward because I had never seen myself as a victim but as a soldier wading through the storm called life. Even when it seemed all was crashing down, I stood in the rain. I didn’t allow my dream to frizzle out. I created a perfect picture and I held it close to my heart. It was this picture that I looked into and smiled when I walked long distances to school in tattered uniform clutching a polythene bag. I didn’t mind that I was not chauffeured to school like the children of the privileged but I minded being called poor. No! I was not poor; I was only lessprivileged. What I lacked in money, I made up in virtues and values. I didn’t have the finesse of my mates in Queens College and other Ivy League schools but I invested in self

development. I became an adult before my time, treading life’s path meticulously since mistakes could cost me chances and opportunities. My quest took my time, my energy and all the strength I could muster. That I had to die this way is most brutal. That I died in the service of a nation that offered me low quality of life; a nation which knows better to protect the children of the rich and send those of the less-privileged to death pegs. It is even painful to have died in the hands of young barbarians blinded by ignorance and befuddled by sentiment. Young people who unlike me, have no modicum of vision and so live each day as they see it. I was tortured and lynched for a cause I did not cause. That I had to be a sacrificial lamb for a credible poll is most ironic. The guilty still walks freely on the streets. It took more than 48 hours to get the first disclaimer from their master. Our supposed security officer said it was our destiny to be slaughtered. Did we deserve to expire so gruesomely? I did not plan to be martyred. I did not set out to be a hero.

Time, how short, immortality, how long! This was not how I planned to pay you back, mother. You did not lose me to the leaches in the floods of Gbamaturu Kingdom when we were ambushed by men of the task force in the Niger Delta. You did not lose me to the hostile nurses at the General Hospital who vent their anger of being underpaid on poor patients. It was you and I through thick and thin back in the days. You once took me on an escape into elitism by predicting how life would be better for both of us when I finally finish school and get a good job. You were my own messiah; you gave it all up for me to not just live but live well. I was a product of a filial mistake. Like Sam Omatseye’s Baby Ramatu, I was the love fruit of misbegotten loins. “You did not love him; he who made the love loved it and lost it in his own conscience”. Yet you did not vent the anger on me even when I came in the image of another man - which to you is a symbolism of a hard nut. How come it is what you have always warned about, that one must not always behave like a dog with reversed wisdom which after receiving

By Dayo Ibitoye

M Y

Y few years stay in the north has afforded me an opportunity to experience a

OUR Excellency, I want to congratulate you on your victory at the presidential polls. It was a landmark victory which I expected. In fact, it could not have gone any other way because Nigerians have been clamouring for a break from the past where they voted and their votes never counted. I also want to thank you on a promise kept. You promised to give us free and fair election and you delivered on your promise despite the fact that some disgruntled elements somewhere want to tear this country to shreds because their man did not win. Your Excellency, the purpose of writing this letter is to let you know that to whom much is given, much is expected. It is not that you do not know the problems bedevilling this country; this is a sort of a reminder that Nigerians in particular and the world at large expect you to work wonders. Yes, you are not Harry Potter, but you just have to hit the ground running.

Hannah, 300-L English OAU Ile-Ife

Heroes of democracy “Oh! Jesus” I screamed and kept saying to myself “it could have been me”. Nine of our national heroes were slain in Bauchi State. The lives of these youths, in the course of national duty, were cut short in their prime. Who knows if one of them would have become the president some day? My heart goes out to the families of these young men and I pray that God would give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. I fought back tears as I saw the casket carrying the remains of one of the corps member who was laid to rest in Osun State. It was not a palatable sight, seeing family members and friends mourning the death of their son, in whom

they invested money, resources and hope, only to be felled by the cutlass of wicked illiterates who abhor education with passion. What a loss! The only honour we can do to the memories of the slain corps members is transformation of national life from the present state to a level where we all dream to be. I hope the President would not forget his promises after being sworn in. I read the reckless statement credited to the governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, on the death of corps members under his jurisdiction. The corps members “are destined to die the way they did”, says Yuguda. What a gaffe unbecoming of a person occupying such position! I think

the governor should apologise for that indecorous statement, which rather rubbed insult on injury. Our leaders should always weigh words before opening their mouths. I hope the Jonathan would make sure that the killers who cut short the lives of these fallen heroes would be brought to justice. Justice must be done! To our slain heroes, we love you. The history of Nigeria can never be complete without mention of your efforts to enthrone credible elections. You sacrificed your lives so that our country can be united. Sleep well, our heroes of democracy. God bless Nigeria. Tayo, NYSC member Abuja

This madness must stop

dayoz4realer@yahoo.com

a stab at it ears, went and hid the machete to return another day that surrounded my death. Perhaps, the most painful part of all this is that I didn’t have the opportunity to warn you of my imminent demise before the wicked struck. Mama, I’m so sorry! That peace is costly but well worth its price is an indelible fact as violence often destroys treasures stored up over the years. Yet it has been said that war comes as a failure of human wisdom, a failure which often causes irreparable loss in the mind of the helpless. Our people say if winning a race depended on one’s number of legs, then the millipede would beat the dog hands down. I knew this all the while so I did not set out to do anything extraordinary. I knew I was not the proverbial cat with nine lives, so I kept to the rules and shielded to safety in times of crisis. I have read Daniel Webster’s words that no man can suffer too much and no man falls too soon if he suffers or if he falls in defense of the liberties and constitution of his country. For the first time, I tried to do something different. I wanted to be responsible and courageous by bringing sanity into a decried system. For that first time I paid; I died. I did not set out to be a hero.

whole lot of things. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. The good in it: I’m attending one of the most prestigious universities in the country. The bad and ugly part of it is that I have seen people killed like mere chickens all in the name of religion. I have seen places of worship burnt, I have seen a whole lot terrible happenings and I begin to wonder why life is handled with levity here? Why do people snuff life out of innocent people at will? During the needless post-election crisis, I received a call from a friend who stays off-campus. With a shivering tone, I noticed there was something going on. She said: “Please find your way to the school, there is riot

in my area and I just managed to escape. Now, I’m in school” and she hung up immediately. “Riot in town”, what could have caused riot in Zaria which has been known to be peaceful at least for a very long time now? I then remembered the result for the presidential election was being announced before I slept. “Could it have been the election results?” I muttered in disbelief. Almost immediately, my phone rang again and the voice from the other end said “Dayo, I hope you are in school, this Hausa people have started again”. I tried to ask the caller what was going on, he replied “just find your way into school, a lecturer has just been killed and two churches

burnt close to where I live. Please take care of yourself”. When will all this madness stop? My sadness even increased when I switched on my transistor radio and heard the details of the damage wrought in the name of election: youth corps members killed! An election that was adjudged the freest and fairest so far even by international observers, who had never seen anything good in Nigeria’s electoral process, has caused a whole lot of bloodshed. Where are we heading then, if we cannot live for a year without violence? I will not blame the illiterate al-majiris who were used to cause

By Tayo Owolabi tayoowolabi4real@gmail.com this carnage but northern political elite who have failed to educate this set of misguided youths on the virtue of peaceful coexistence. Government should not treat killings with kid gloves; let the message be passed across that Nigeria belongs to all of us – whether Muslim or Christian, Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba. I would be disappointed if the perpetrators and their sponsors are not brought to book. Also, I suggest that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme must undergo reforms. Life is too precious to be toyed with. This piece is dedicated to the corps members that were killed in the service of their fatherland. Dayo, 500-Level Chemical Engineering, ABU Zaria

Open letter to President Jonathan By Obinna Ufomba on_ray82@yahoo.co.uks

One of the problems is our roads. What we have are death traps. I cannot count the number of lives that have been lost on our roads. Yet every year, billions of Naira are earmarked for this capital project. Your Excellency, a real state of emergency, as politicians say, is all we need on our roads. Another area that needs your urgent attention is security. Security of lives and property has become a worrisome issue to Nigerians. Human life has become worthless in Nigeria as a result of the incompetence of the police. An urgent reorganisation of the police force should be among your top priorities. The big issue here, Your Excellency,

which concerns me directly, is the manner the timeless ideals of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme have turned into tearful values. You cannot continue to watch us die like chickens all in the name of serving our fatherland. Between 2007 and 2011, statistics shows that more than 200 corps members have lost their lives through preventable crises. And what are their offenses? They went to serve their fatherland. Your Excellency, I want to ask: why is it only in the northern part of the country that corps members die? I am scared because soon I will be due for this forced adventure called NYSC. Instead of us dying after painstaking studies, I suggest you take a look at the law establishing this scheme since 1973. Or better still, every corps member should serve in his or her state of

origin. That is still part of the fatherland. This is only my personal opinion and I am sure some other Nigerians share this view. We cannot continue like this. Something must be done about this, Your Excellency. There is also the nagging issue of unemployment. Over 70 per cent of Nigerian youths are unemployed. Yet, our country is the 6th largest oil producing country in the world. Nigerians who voted for you look up to you in the area of job creation. Creating employment should not be an uphill task unless your retinue of aides do not tell you the truth. Once there is employment, the menace of kidnapping will be reduced to the barest minimum. Armed robbery and other criminal vices would be a thing of the past. Corruption equally deserves attention. We expect you to fight this evil

with all your might. Corrupt politicians live with us and even within your government. Fish them out and deal with them to serve as deterrent to others who might want to attempt it. If we have less incidence of corruption, other facets of our lives will receive a boost. Education sector should be looked into. Our higher institutions have become glorified secondary schools. Incessant strikes have contributed in no small measure in lowering our standards. Academic infrastructure should be upgraded to meet international standards. With all these done, you would have written your name in gold. Thank you for the time you took to read this letter, and in anticipation of your commitment to make the stated changes. Yours faithfully, Obinna, 200-L Philosophy ABSU Uturu

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE

A Eight tips to savvy savings!

OUNG people seem to have an amazing flair for spending on clothes and accessories. It isn’t out of order though because the age range that young people fall into is one that is defined by appearance, hence the penchant to buy and buy and buy. Systematic and planned purchasing isn’t wrong. In fact it may even be cost effective, but spontaneous buying is a problem as many times people spend monies budgeted on other important things on unplanned accessories or clothes. Can we do anything to help this urge to buy new clothes and things? Well here are a few tips. Carry less cash. Keep more of your money in accounts and carry cards. Carrying cards gives you the comfort of knowing that your money is available in the event of an emergency but also restricts spontaneous unnecessary purchases. It isn’t foolproof, but it helps. Open a Fidelity Flex account with Fidelity Bank and obtain a card now. Pay yourself. Students receive allowances and stipends and other gifts and supports from time to time. Learn to pay yourself a wage. Speak to yourself and say, “Hey Bunmi, you’ve done a great job and you deserve to earn 20 percent of all monies received”. Pay that 20 percent into an account. Once it reaches the minimum benchmark for a fixed deposit, fix it! Fixed deposit accounts are not easily spent. Speak with a Customer Service Officer in any Branch of Fidelity Bank and find out how to get yourself a fixed deposit account. Avoid shopaholic crews! You can spot them in any market or shop. Groups of threes and fours, who troop in and buy and buy and buy! With a keen eye you may spot that one person who is spending because others are spending. If you have no plan on shopping, avoid going with friends who are on a shopping spree. You may end up spending what you had no intention to spend….and trust me, after they have all gone back to their rooms, you are going to be sad! Plan your shopping. Find a way to structure certain portions of your spending. Especially those pertaining to clothes and accessories. Maybe once every three months etc. stick to

By Uche Ogbonna (uche.ogbonna@fidelitybankplc.com)

that and let all your friends know your routine. Let no one talk you out of it. Say boldly “I don’t need a new shirt, I just shopped in April and I’ve concluded my shopping till June or July”. Think future! Instant gratification is cool, but not so wise. Think always in the future tense and that will help you cut down on unnecessary instant purchases. Gucci, Fendi, Prada and other cool designer labels are not going out of production very soon. Save and be wise. Say no to what you do not need today so you can afford a boat load of them tomorrow! Be finance savvy! As boring as financial literature may seem, you must begin to pay particular interest in them! Decoding investment opportunities is a skill that is acquired over time by those who take the pains to flip the money pages. So read a little soft sell literature but also read a little financial literature. Ask questions! In fact, walk into any Fidelity Bank Branch today and ask a few questions on the way your account runs. Speak with anyone in Customer Service. Be finance savvy. Think cash! That sounds materialistic and vain but then compare that with your friends who think clothes, or perfumes, or shoes. This is what I mean…think right now…if you had an emergency and cash is involved, how much can you draw up now without reaching out to your folks, friends or loan sharks? How much cash do you have right now in hard cash? Good news is you can start right now and change this if your cash base is low. Go on an aggressive savings drive. Get the Fidelity Flex account right now and start loading it up and save and save and save! Get it started! Years back, MC Hammer released a hit track titled Let’s get it started, and foremost sports brand name NIKE says “Just do it!” So, stop talking about it and start saving. Get to the Bank now! Developing a savings culture isn’t easy, but it is possible. I would love to hear some of your own savings tips and also your thoughts concerning those listed above.

LASU students remember Gani •Continued from page 34

youths, the vital life force of the society, must stand up to their responsibilities,” he added. The debate competition followed immediately after the lecture. It was between LASU and the Adekunle Ajasin University AkungbaAkoko (AAUA), Ondo State. In the first round of the debate, LASU opposed the motion “Law: an Instrument for the Abolition of Poverty” while AAUA supported it. It was moderated by Dr. Adedoyin Adebukola from LASU and Mr. Edu. Paul Udor and Joy Ajulo Joy represented LASU while Opeyemi Longe and Oluwatope Fagbamila represented AAUA. In the second round, AAUA opposed the motion while LASU supported it with Kujembola Adeoye and Yetunde Onagorowa representing LASU and Ebunoluwa Bamboye and Joshua Akinloye speaking for AAUA. Paul emerged the overall best speaker for the first round, Ebunoluwa the overall best speaker for second and AAUA carried the day defeating LASU with 56.8 points to 56.2 points. The next day, in attendance were Dr. Frederick Faseun, founder of the Odua Peoples Congress; Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General of Edo State, representing Comrade Adams Oshiomole, the Governor; Oba Babatunde Idris

Alagbeji of Lagos, representing the Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu; Muhammed Fawehinmi, the son of the late lawyer; Hon. Suru Avoshe, member, Lagos State House of Assembly from Badagry constituency; Sub Dean, LASU Faculty of Law, Mr. Abdul Kareem Olatoye; Staff Adviser to the Chambers, Mr. Gbenga Ojo and Mr Lateef Kelani, a lecturer of Islamic Law, among others. Faseun described Gani as an enigma. “To those in power, he was an uncompromising figure, to the students he was a role model, to the poor he was a philanthropist, to the dictators he was a torn on the flesh and like a candle in the in breeze he was restlessly disturbed. He believed an eye for an eye will leave the nation blind.” Obayuwana thanked the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja, for coming up with Fawehinminism- his thoughts and speeches. He also congratulated the students for keeping aglow Gani’s ideologies. Ojo, speaking on behalf of Prof Olusegun Yerokun, Dean, Faculty of Law, said Gani was “the epitome of a just and egalitarian society”. It was not all about lectures as The Same, twin brothers and RnB cro istry student, performed a song dedicated to those who come from humble backgrounds to the limelight like Gani. Deji Yusuf, in 200-Level Law, ‘cracked’ the people’s ribs with jokes.

N entitlement can be called “the right to guaranteed benefits”. This is usually common in western countries where governments have programmes for unemployed citizens that guarantee a small income enough to ensure sur- By Atinuke Badejo e-mail:atinuke@badejo.com vival. Africans are known to be hospitable and have a sense of community. We believe that a whole village raises a child. This is even more so within families where any of the older siblings can assume the responsibility of raising younger siblings. This often goes beyond the case of a nuclear family and extends to aunties, uncles and second and third cousins. Even in cases where there isn’t any particularly definable family tie, a successful relative is expected to share in the responsibility of “helping” younger and struggling family memyou anything. This means the wealthy uncle, aunt bers. Whilst this is a noble idea that has worked well or cousin may or may not be able to assist you over many decades, it has also become a case of financially or get you a job. If they are able to do people believing that they have an “entitlement” so, of course, this should be appreciated. If howto certain privileges from their well-to-do rela- ever they are unable to do so, there should be no tives. I have seen cases where a family member hard feelings. Even if they are perceived to be stingy or mean, secured a good paying job and has the “misfortune” of rising to a senior post. The misfortune is it is still their prerogative whether they give out due to the fact that his siblings and extended fam- money or not. It is only fair that they are allowed ily members all believe that he has the power to the privilege of making such a choice freely. No one has a right to another man’s pocket, even secure them jobs in the same company. He is deif the pocket is running over with money. It is the clared a persona non grata if he doesn’t deliver. It is common knowledge that nowadays, jobs choice of the owner where he offloads his overare secured after candidates sit for exams and pass flowing pocket. Having a mindset that there are no guaranteed interviews. However, some people believe that having a relative who works in Chevron, for in- entitlements would mean that a person is set free stance, automatically negates the need to excel to relate well with others without expecting anyacademically and to strive to pass the interview. It thing in return. If there are no expectations, there is now a case where the “Chevron uncle” becomes is no disappointment and no damaged relationan enemy because he failed to deliver a fantastic ships. Sadly, many relationships end abruptly when job. Sadly, this may not be the opinion of just one person; he may have the misfortune of having an unreasonable demand has been made. An example is a young person who decides he wants to many relations. The mentality of people that they are entitled to start a business and needs N300,000 to do so. He some benefit from a family member or even a writes out a plan of how to get this money by close older friend who is wealthy often destroys thinking of all the people on his contact list and relationships. Sometimes it is a case of a young chooses those who he thinks would have the person who becomes acquainted with an older money. Usually the criteria for choosing these person in their community or religious setting. It people would be the size, brand and age of their could also be a technician who visits a house to cars; the size and cost of their homes or their carry out maintenance work or domestic workers lifestyle. The reality is that these factors can be within a home. It may be a mentee to mentor highly misleading in judging someone’s pocket. relationship. It may even just be someone who The fact that a person appears rich doesn’t mean has extended a helping hand to a young person in they have the cash readily available. Placing a huge demand on them will strain a their time of need. In many of these relationships, a person who believes he is not as well-to-do as relationship as often the person who is assumed the other assumes that he has an eternal entitle- to be rich is trying to find money to pay for ment to help, money or other privileges from the children’s school fees or for rent that is due. Making such a request makes a person uneasy as they better to do person in the relationship. There is nothing wrong in asking for assistance ponder over why such a large sum is being refrom anyone who may seem in a position to be quested and the dilemma of how to convince able to offer. It is however absolutely imperative people they do not have the money. It is never a that one seeks such assistance within reason, to pleasant experience. Let’s avoid the culture of entitlement as it only avoid destroying relationships that would have been otherwise mutually beneficial. It is impor- destroys relationships. We all benefit when we do things right! tant to start from the position that no one owes

Avoid the ‘entitlement’ culture

On and Off Campus

By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EDUCATION Igbinedion Varsity regains medical accreditation

HE Medical Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has restored the accreditation of the medical programme of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State. A statement by the Registrar of the University, Mr Edwin Okoro, quoted a letter to the Vice-Chancellor dated May 9 (reference number MDCN/713/vol.11/180), signed by MDCN Registrar, Dr A.A. Ibrahim, as saying: “Following the re-accreditation visitation to your College of Health Sciences on Tuesday 12th

April 2011 by the team from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria in which the facilities and personnel in the College and the Teaching Hospital were inspected and appraised, I hereby on behalf of the Council convey the lifting of the withdrawal sanction on your MBBS programme by Council with immediate effect.” “This is against the backdrop of substantial compliance with established criteria, which MDCN noted to include the efforts of the authorities at addressing issues of qualitative medical education at the university.”

FEDPOFFA resumes for 2nd Semester

T •From: Left: Dr Adetoun Idowu, University Librarian, Lagos State University (LASU), Registrar, Lateef Animashaun, Vice-Chancellor, Boras University, Sweden, Prof Lena Nordholm, Acting Vice-Chancellor, LASU, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Dean Engineering, Boras, Dr Haus Bjork, Bursar LASU, Olapeju Awoliyi & Director Communication, Boras, Mr Sten Dellby during a visit by Boras contingent to LASU.

NUC, LAUTECH set for Distance Learning T HE Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, in collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC), is building capacity to begin running Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode of education. When ready, the institution would be listed as one of the nation’s ODL universities. The first phase of training anchored by NUC was held for more than 200 academic staff of the university, including professors from its 33 departments at the school’s Conference Hall, last Saturday . On the workshop, Dr Suleiman Ramon-Yussuf , Head, ODL, NUC, Abuja, who was the guest lecturer, explained that the NUC has selected six universities for the pilot project. He said the aim of ODL is to further expand the scope of univer-

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

sity intake and offer admission to millions of Nigerians who could not be absorbed into the university through the conventional mode. He cited the University of New Delhi, India, with an intake of about 1.5 million students as an example of what ODL can achieve. The total intake of all Nigerian universities is less than two million. Explaining what ODL is to the participants , Ramon-Yusuff said: “ Distance Learning is not parttime studies, it does not involve daily or weekend lectures, it does require lecturing and it is not for lazy students who need to be spoon-fed“. He listed the advantages of ODL to include overcom-

Don laments high students’ poverty rate

ing physical distance, solving time or scheduling problems, expanding limited number of places available and accommodating low/dispersed enrolments, and making best use of limited number of teachers available. He, however, dispelled the rumour making the rounds that the ODL would render hundreds of university teachers jobless, explaining that such fear was baseless because all ICT-compliant lecturers would have much to do except the analog teachers who continue to recycle outdated course outlines. The LAUTECH Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mashood Nassir, in his remarks, charged the participants to explore the opportunities offered by the workshop to build capacities for the enhancement of the ODL which, he said, the university is hoping to utilise to reach more students desirous of university education.

HE Federal Polytechnic Offa (FEDPOFFA) has reopened for the Second Semester of the 2010/2011 Academic Session. The Revised Academic Calendar signed by the Registrar, Alhaji AbdulHamid Raji, indicated that registration of students starts immediately and ends on May 27. Lectures resumed at the two campuses of the Polytechnic yesterday and will end on August 12

2011 the Second Semester Examinations will begin on October 14. The Registrar has restated the commitment of the FEDPOFFA Management to academic development and excellence in the Polytechnic. He reiterated the management’s determination to fulfil the mandate of the polytechnic as enshrined in the enabling documents especially in meeting the technological needs of the Nigerian nation.

College gets ETF furniture donation

HE Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, has received N6 million worth of furniture from the Education Tax Fund (ETF). The Provost, Prof Abdullahi Bayero, told reporters that the donation was made under the agency’s special intervention projects. “The project was done under the special allocation of the fund to alleviate the dearth of furniture in the college’’, he said. Bayero said before the donation, the college was concerned about lack of adequate furniture. Meanwhile, Bayero said the management of the college had commenced the repair of some

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

broken furniture through direct labour. “We have provided funds to the Department of Vocational and Technical Education. After collecting all the broken furniture across the college, it will take same to the department for the repairs,” he said. According to him, Governor Aliyu Wamakko recently paid an unscheduled visit to the college and learnt of the problem of inadequate furniture. He lauded Wamakko for his moral and financial support to the college. “We acknowledge his consistency in promoting the standard and activities of the college’’

•MTNF gives scholarship to 976

EAN, Student Affairs, University of Lagos, (UNILAG), Prof Olukayode Amund, has lamented the financial challenges facing students of tertiary institutions. This, he said, has denied the brilliant ones the opportunity to attain their dreams. He spoke at the MTN Foundation Science and Technology Scholarship Award held at the MTN head office in Ikoyi, Lagos. “I’m aware of the pervasiveness of poverty among students that led a student with 4.76 GPA to be denied access to write her final exam because she could not afford to pay N100. Only a sizable per cent of students can pay the fees. Some students have been pushed to the edge because of poverty. “There is poverty in this country amidst plenty. We are endowed in terms of excellent and brilliant students, yet, we are not developing enough,” he said. MTN Foundation started a scholarship two years ago for students in tertiary institutions in 200 level with a G.P.A of 3.5 and above. The first phase last year produced 492 students while there are 484 beneficiaries in the second phase. Executive Secretary, MTN Foun-

By Seun Olalude

dation, Ms Nonny Ugboma, said the scholarship would take care of the recipients’ tuition fees and book allowances. She said: “In this second phase, each beneficiary will receive N200,000, covering tuition and book allowances. We understand that education is the key to national development, which is why we will continue to invest significantly in the sector.” Ms Ugboma advised students to make use of their scholarships wisely. Director, MTN Foundation, Mr Dennis Okoro, said MTN’s commitment to education was unshakeable. “We are convinced that Nigeria has the requisite human capital to achieve its dream of being a major force to reckon with in the world in no distant future. As a responsible corporate citizen, we share the view of the government and other stakeholders that qualitative education plays a critical role in our collective march towards this desirable destination.” Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the foundation. Abiola Gbadamosi, a 300 level

•From left: Dr. Bilikis Bidemi Idowu, Dean ofStudents Affairs, Lagos State University (LASU), Mr. Okoro, Ms Nonny Ugboma, and Prof. Amund standing with them are some of the beneficiaries.

student of Accounting at the Lagos State University (LASU), said the schorlaship would encourage the less-privileged. “I got to know online last year and I registered. All you need to do is drop your bio-data which I did. 500 students participated from each region. I wrote the exam at

the University of Lagos which was meant for only students in 200 Level. The questions cut across English Language, Verbal Reasoning and Current Affairs. It was very encouraging and it is going to help the less- privileged. It will pay for my ICAN exam, text books and it will relieve my parents,”

she said. Edunjobi Adebimpe, a student of Lagos State University (LASU) said she was happy for the financial support she received from MTN. Her words: “I’m so happy to be a partaker of this, financially it is going to help me. I’m grateful to MTN for the support.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EDUCATION UNAD FILE Adelowo is Ag VC THE Governor of Ekiti State and Visitor to the University of AdoEkiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has appointed Prof Dada Adelowo as the Acting Vice-Chancellor with effect from May 11. Adelowo was born in Ibadan on November 10, 1948. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts First Class degree in Religious Studies from the University of Ibadan in1973 and a Ph.D. in Comparative Religions in 1977. He started his academic career as Assistant Lecturer in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, in 1977. He was appointed a professor of Religious Studies in UNAD on October 1, 1988. He was the Dean, Faculty of Arts between 1994 and 1996.

Ag VC prioritises capacity building THE Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Dipo Adelowo, has described human development as one of his priorities. Speaking with reporters in Ado Ekiti, Adelowo promised to make his mark in all facets of the university. According to him, he has the experience and the capability as the most senior professor in the to move the institution forward. He called on the various unions, staff and students to join hands with him in the development of institution.He also promised an open administration.

Students’ Union seek adequate funding OUTGOING president of the UNAD Students Union, Kehinde Okunuga, has advocated the adequate funding of the institution by the government He also asked the students to shun violence and protest over the leadership change in the university, saying development could only take place in a peaceful atmosphere. Okunuga noted that the students have accepted the leadership change with good faith.

From OAU, a Knowledge Park

AVE for a huge signboard on the Ilesa-Abuja Expressway, there is little to show that a knowledge park exists on a huge tract of land on that axis. But the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Michael Faborode, and members of the Board of Directors of the OAU TechExcel Foundation (OTF), have a vision of what to expect. They see industries, laboratories, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other facilities that would make use of research outputs and talents of academics and students instead of the 200 hectares of virgin land. With the ground breaking of the OTF Knowledge Park last Tuesday, their dream would soon become reality. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, joined members of the board to lay the foundation of what would soon metamorphose into administrative blocks, factories and the like. The Chairman of the Board, Prince Adebambo Ademiluyi, and members, Mr Kola Awodein (Legal Adviser); Mrs Florence Seriki (Director of Finance); Justice Fati Abubakar; Mr Demola Aladekomo; Prof Titilayo Kuku; Mr Olu Awoyinfa; Prince Michael Ponnle and Mr Babajide Ohu (Secretary), all alumni of the university, were present at the event and took turns at the ground breaking. They are confident of the viability of the project, which is expected to evolve into Nigeria’s Silicon Valley where ideas become finished products to solve national problems. Ademiluyi said the board employed PriceWaterhouse Coopers at the cost of $190,000 and the consult-

•From left: Mrs Seriki, Chief Ademiluyi and Oba Sijuade watch as Hon Justice Fati Abubakar lays a block By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

ants came up with a strategic plan and feasibility study that convinced the visioners that there is, indeed, a place for a knowledge park in Nigeria’s economy. He added that an incubation centre would be on ground within the next six months as part of the first phase of development of the park, while expressing confidence that the foundation would raise the N2 billion needed to get started. “We need about N2 billion to start off. We hope to get it from the lease of land, funding and government agencies that would benefit from

the project. We want to open an incubation centre within six months and start seminars, workshops and training for people while we start the main administrative building. The first phase of development should be between now and 2012,” he said. When fully in place, Ademiluyi said all categories of people would be able to gain skills to be self employed from the knowledge park. “We see a future where youths in the Southwest would not be jobless; we want a situation where every youth can have access to skills that will put food on the table. We want

OAU gets new VC THE Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has approved the appointment of Prof Idowu Bamitale Omole as ViceChancellor with effect from June 24. Omole takes over from Prof Michael Faborode as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the university. A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the Council made the announcement after its meeting last Saturday. Born on September 7, 1954 at Oye-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Omole attended Methodist High School, Ilesa between 1966 and 1971 and Government College Ibadan between 1971 and 1973 for his secondary education. He was admitted into the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University in September 1973 and graduated with Second Class Bachelor of Arts (B.A) History in 1976 before proceeding to the prestigious University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France where he had his Ph.D. (International Relations) in June 1986. Omole joined the services of the University as an Assistant Lecturer in December 1986 and rose through the ranks to become a Professor of International Relations on October 1, 2000.

•From left: Dotun Awoyemi, Deputy Registar, OAU, Ile-Ife; Prof Benjamin Adefemi Ogunbodede, Executive Director Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan and the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Michael Faborode, during the 228th Inaugural Lecture of OAU, delivered by Ogunbodede last week.

to reduce unemployment rate drastically in the Southwest,” he said. Mrs Seriki, who runs Omatek Computers, expects that the park would stimulate the growth of SMEs from projects developed by the university. Some organisations have already booked spaces as anchor tenants. “We involved the university so that some of the thesis/projects of the university can be actualised as SME projects. We have a lot of prospective investors coming on board. Omatek is coming as well as many others,” she said. Apart from Omatek, Chams Plc, Quaint Agencies, Bi-Courtney Nigeria Ltd and some others are anchor tenants at the park. Prof Faborode lauded the enthusiasm of the OTF Board and the response of the Southwest governors to the project and expressed confidence that, soon, many other private organisations will come on board. “This is the culmination of a journey that started years ago. The knowledge park is a special component of the science and technology infrastructure of the university. What gladdens my heart most is the way the OTF Board has been able to convince corporate bodies, community leaders, royal fathers, and the Southwest state governments. The board went on a road show and the governors were excited about it. “This is like our own Silicon Valley. The university cannot carry out this project alone. The park is going to create jobs for young Nigerians,” he said. Mrs Adenike Fatogun, Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Higher Education, who represented her boss, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, said the park will open up the Southwest.

Council demands more funding for Okopoly

FTER inspection of on going projects at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, the Governing Council has called for more funding to facilitate their completion. The committee on project inspected over 10 buildings estimated at over N1 billion. It expressed worries that the institution could not receive up to 50 per cent of its 2010 annual budget even after it was slashed. The Council Chairman Dr Anene

From Adimike George, Onitsha

Uzuakpunwa, noted that many contracts were awarded based on earlier expectations. The Council expressed hope that despite the shortcomings, the projects were still progressing through Internally Generated Revenue. It charged contractors handling the projects to deliver early and according to specifications, stressing that the authority would decisively deal with anyone who defaults.

It called on other stakeholders and the rich to support the development of the institution especially now that there is agitation for its upgrading to a university of science and technology. The Council promised that whatever support is given to the Institution would be judiciously utilised, arguing that the Polytechnic is in good shape to take off smoothly as a university. The Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu in company of the Director of Physi-

cal Planning, Okechukwu Odumodu, an engineer, while taking council members round the projects expressed his desire to complete most of the projects, before the convocation billed for October. Onu said the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqqyatu Rufa’i would commission completed projects during the convocation. He however added that insufficiency of fund might be the only barrier against the completion

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EDUCATION

Ondo moves to reform education sector

O curb the excesses of pupils, the Ondo State Government will ensure discipline in primary and secondary schools, the Commissioner for education, Dr Pius Osunyikanmi, he said. Before the Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration, indiscipline was rife as many pupils roamed the streets during school hours. They were seen at recreation centres in their uniforms – playing table tennis and snooker during school hours. Worried by this development, Osunyikanmi swung into action to ensure that pupils do not roam about during school hours. He met with principals of secondary schools, parents and guardians and they reached an agreement that stiffer punishment be meted out to errant pupils. Radio and television jingles were used to sensitise parents and pupils about appropriate punishment for defaulters. Osunyikanmi said: “It was disturbing to see students of secondary schools moving round during school hours in their uniforms. Students who are supposed to be in their classes should not be out there playing table tennis or snookers. “Our government cannot allow such to continue unchecked, so we took a decisive action and, today, things have changed totally. You cannot find a single student roaming about the streets again. You can only find students on the streets of Akure after closing hours. This is also applicable to our schools in other local governments. This feat

•Punishes pupils for defrauding government From Damisi Ojo, Akure

was made possible through the cooperation of parents and principals”. The Ministry of Education also demonstrated its zero tolerance for indiscipline recently when eight SS 3 pupils of Saint Peter’s Unity Secondary School, Akure, were stopped from writing the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examinations for fraudulent activities. The affected students defrauded the state government by paying their school fees into the account of one of them after which they presented fake duplicate tellers to the school for clearance. Initially, one of the pupils mooted the idea to others and after they were successful in the first attempt, they invited more pupils to join them. The initial number was three

which increased to five, then eight. The culprits arrested are: Adenuga Abiodun, Ewegbemi Tope, Imafidon Tope, Akinnawonu Nelson, Olorunusi Ayodeji, Ayinnuola Damola, Umeric Michael and Akindowa O. They have since been arraigned in court for allegedly forging Spring Bank Teller, an offence that is contrary to Section 467(2) of the Criminal Code cap 30 Vol 11 of the laws of the state. While the charges were read against them in court, the students pleaded not guilty. Their counsel consequently applied for their bail. The Magistrate, however, granted the suspects bail of N150, 000 each with sureties in like sum and said the sureties must be their fathers or residents of Akure Magistrate district. Osunyikanmi said the govern-

‘The action of the students is highly condemnable. It is worrisome that students of secondary school will go that far to defraud the state government. We decided to charge them to court to ensure that we discourage others from venturing into similar acts’

ment took the drastic action to serve as a deterrent to others, adding that the present administration would not allow miscreants to turn schools to places where criminals are bred. “The action of the students is highly condemnable. It is worrisome that students of secondary school will go that far to defraud the state government. These are students that are supposed to be world leaders in the future; they have turned themselves to hardened criminals. We decided to charge them to court to ensure that we discourage others from venturing into similar acts. I want to advise parents to instill discipline into their children,” he said. To monitor academic performance and restore quality in education service delivery, Mimiko established the Ondo State Education Quality Assurance Agency. The agency has, as part of its mandate, to reduce examination malpractices, enforce discipline, and reduce truancy by teachers and pupils. Professionals with impeccable integrity and remarkable records of achievements were employed by the agency to ensure that the gap between private and public schools is bridged. Osunyikanmi said the government decided to establish the agency to fast-track development, using a virile education sector as a viable and veritable instrument. He said: “The Ondo State Quality Assurance Agency as we envisioned

Corona holds trade fair

HE trade fair held at Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State, was the fallout of a summit organised by the Business Group of the school last term. The school premises looked like a market with make-shift stalls having an array of household goods from sets of furniture, beads, to edibles and others. About 14 companies participated in the fair. They include Unilever, Cool Money Enterprises, Belloxi Foods Pleasant Surprises and Prosperous Ventures, among others. While the ‘shoppers’, comprising mostly teachers, a few parents and guests of the schools, shopped, they subconsciously moved to scintillating sounds from big loud speakers at strategic corners. The exhibitors, eager to make quick money too, beamed smiles to prospective buyers.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Speaking with The Nation the Vice Principal (Pastoral), Mr Adeshina Okunnubi, said the aim was to inculcate entrepreneurial mindset in the pupils. Okunnubi said: “Last term, the Business Group had a business summit and it was all a lot of talks, teaching pupils how to make money and developing entrepreneurial spirit. But we now came back and asked ourselves, can we practicalise this? And that is what you see us doing this term. “We said to ourselves: ‘Let’s do meaningful trade fair so that we bring in entrepreneurs and smallscale industries and see how they make these things; maybe it will inspire our children and they can learn to be job creators rather than waiting for paid employment.’”

School marks Nigeria-China ties

RACE Schools, Gbagada, Lagos, has celebrated the 40th anniversary of Nigeria-China relations. During the ceremony, cultural dressing and songs of both countries were showcased. The school has introduced Chinese into its curriculum. The Consul-General of Chinese Consulate, Mr Guo Kun, said Grace Schools would produce ambassadors. “Children are the flowers of the mother land; very soon, you will need them. I know one day Grace Schools will produce a few ambassadors to the Republic of China,” he said. Kun said language is a bridge that links people. He, urged schools to introduce their pupils to foreign languages. The School Administrator, Mrs Tokunbo Edun, said additional skills would distinguish the pupils from their contemporaries. “We have discovered, over the years, that paper qualifications are

•Some exhibition stands during the fair

By Seun Olalude

not enough as additional skills are also important to create a niche for our students and distinguish them from their contemporaries. To achieve this, we introduced Chinese into our curriculum. Our pupils can communicate in Chinese language,” she said. The Principal, Mr Ronald Cilliers, said the school is a pacesetter in many fields. His words: “We consider ourselves as trendsetters and pioneer in different fields and one of the most important fields is the adoption of Chinese into our curriculum. Our students have realised the impact of learning not only the language, but also the culture and traditions of China.” Parents, gorgeously dressed, graced the occasion in their cultural attires. Some of the cultural displays included Igbo, Yoruba, Calabar, Chinese ancient poems and songs, among many others.

•Pupils presenting Chinese dance during the event

Dr Osunyikanmi

would serve as a coherent framework that is expected to provide operational guidelines to ameliorate the glaring lapses in the education sector. This approach would integrate effectively the concept of the Whole School Education where all relevant stakeholders would, henceforth, be involved in the evaluation process. This model would place emphasis on all the aspects of the school system such as inputs, processes and output. “The newly-adopted inspection approach is a partnership-driven strategy and it advocates a decentralised system in which significant stakeholders inputs are articulated at every level for desired productivity in the education sector.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EDUCATION

Parents tasked on children’s I education F children are not to become miscreats in future, parents have a major role to play in ensuring their education, a university teacher, Dr Michael Kunnuji, has said. Kunnuji spoke at a forum organised by Action Health Incorporation (AHI) for community leaders, education stakeholders and pupils who dropped out of schools. Kunnuji, a lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of Lagos (UNILAG), said:“No child wants to go to school. When I was young I never wanted to go to school but my elders were all educated so I didn’t have any excuse than to be. My parents were very strict, they never left me alone. So, if parents can stand by their children and supply the necessary things, there will be low level of drop outs.” He noted that there can’t be national transformation if issues pertaining education are not tackled. AHI conducted a research on the rate of drop outs from school. From the research, which focused on Iwaya and Ago Egun Community, it was discovered that there was a high percentage of drop outs among girls whose opinions were sampled. Specifically, about 480

By Seun Olalude

girls interviewed were drop outs. AHI Executive Director Mrs. Adenike Esiet said necessary things have been neglected. Her words: “The transition from primary to secondary school which takes place around puberty creates added pressures on girls to drop out, further compounding an already disquieting situation. Many adolescent girls are not targeted in the ongoing processes of securing access to the sexuality education curriculum simply because they are not in school even though we know that they are much more sexually vulnerable.” Mrs. Esiet, therefore, promised that her organisation with the support of Ford Foundation would not hesitate to help drop outs to go back to school or learn a trade. She commended Ford Foundation for its contribution to the organisation. Mrs Olanrewaju Fausat, who represented Yaba Local Council Development Area, said parents needed to wake up to their responsibilities by making sure their wards are educated.

“The problem facing the educational sector in this country is that parents are not ready to release their wards to get educated in spite of free education. I believe with this forum there will be changes on the part of parents and the local government will also help,” she said. Mrs Olanrewaju said efforts have been made to educate every child, urging parents to help by contributing their quota. Prof. Friday Okonofua of Ford Foundation said this was the right time to help the community. His words: “It is high time we rose to the help of this community. Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) can’t change things alone. The government should assist them in order to make things better.” He commended AHI for the work it is doing in the community. Some of the girls spoke with The Nation. Rebecca Ateji said she had never been to school. Her words: “I have never been to school because there was no money, but even with my age I’m ready to go back to school because I know the importance of education now that I’m grown up.” Gbemisola Adebayo also said she stopped schooling while in primary school.

•The Nigerian contingent to the competition in Ghana

Nigeria excels at chess contest

IGERIA stood tall in Ghana recently when its nationals won the Second African Schools Chess Tournament. Master Ifeoluwa teriba (13), a JSS2 pupil of Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State, was adjudged the Most Valuable Player(MVP) of the tournament. He was the only player who won all his four games. The 31 Nigerian representatives comprising pupils of Vivian Fowler Memorial College, Oregun; Atlantic Hall, Epe; Laureate College, Ikeja; Cayley College, Ogba and Corona Secondary School, had left Nigeria for Ghana aboard an Aero Airline flight last Sunday. After three days of fierce chess duel at the Media Centre of the National Stadium in Accra, Teriban won in the junior category. “It was faith and optimism that saw me through. I believed in God, I also believed I could win. I did not allow the fact that I’m playing outside my country to affect my ability to win,” Ifeoluwa said of his victory. The senior category was based on the Swiss Chess system where players with comparable points played against each other and all participants played the same number of

By Adegunle Olugbamila

games. In this individual event, the best performance came from Umoh Michael of Cayley College who won five games, while Nosagie Asaolu (Corona) and Kelechi Ojukwu ( Laureates College ) tied for the second position having won four of the five games. Ololade Martins of Vivian Fowler College, the only female to break into the prize zone in the senior section, tied for third position with three games. Away from the competition, the participants went on tours, including a trip to a notable resort where some of the participants learnt Salsa dance. The team also visited the Nigeria High Commission in Ghana and was warmly received by one Mr Hamman, the head of Chancery on behalf of the commissioner who was not in town. Hamman congratulated the participants for making their country proud. He also explained the commission’s operation to satisfy the pupils’ curiosity. And for each participant, there was one or more lessons to learn. “I learnt not to lose hope even in tne midst of tribulations and challenges,” said one.

“For me, there is success in teamwork than individual effort,” said another. “Prayer works! I’d earlier prayed before the competition and God gave me an easier opponent to beat,” stated yet another. Daniel Stephen, Dotun Oluwaji, Akin Olunloyo, Dayo Arogunmati and Dapo Okeowo, all from Atlantic Hall, had this to say: “We feel great winning gold medals for Nigeria and Atlantic Hall. Ghana is good, with nice steady power supply and nice recreational centres. It’s simply a wonderful place to visit. We felt very proud to be Nigerian when we walked into the Nigerian High Commission in Accra. We are looking forward to the next edition of this tournament, next year.” The Nigerian contingent that participated in the maiden competition last year, clinched trophies in various categories, winning 24, and drawing one, in 27 games. However, Mr Kunle Fasan, coordinator of the Chessspread, an outfit that organises the annual Nigerian-International Schools Chess League competition, and who led the contingent, said Nigeria’s victory has again proved to all that chess can be employed as a pedagogical tool in learning.

EDUTALK

with

Reward for hard work

GOT to ride with a teacher, Mrs Adebayo, Monday night after a reception the PTA of Queen’s Kofoworola College held in honour of outgoing principal, Mrs Adekunbi Ogunnaike. Kofosagie@yahoo.com I was witness to only the tail end 08054503077 (SMS only) of a day-long programme of activities to celebrate the excellence with which Mrs Ogunnaike discharged her responsibilities for each of the 225 days she was in charge of the 83-year old college. In the morning, the teachers, pupils and non-teaching staff celebrated her on the assembly ground, showering her with gifts and love. This was followed by a thanksgiving service at the Hoares Memorial Baptist Church, Sabo, Yaba and a reception at her lodge afterwards. The PTA programme in the evening was the icing on the cake and gave her girls and the teachers the last chance to dance with her after the parents had presented her with a gift that was not made public. Mrs Adebayo said the honour bestowed on Mrs Ogunnaike was the reward she earned for working so hard based on her personal drive, not because anybody was watching. Mrs Ogunnaike’s first daughter, Mrs Adesola Obunge, testified to this. She said while she and her siblings attended the Queen’s College Staff (Primary) School, it was a routine for them to meet their mother in the staff room after school. While she worked for several hours QC had closed, they ate their packed lunches and did their homework until she was done before they left for home. Mrs Adebayo also said that as a teacher, when there was work to be done around the school, Mrs Ogunnaike and her friend, Mrs Olawumi Togonu-Bickersteth (also a former principal of the school) were likely to be called to take up such responsibilities. Those were the years they were unknowingly building themselves up for future leadership positions. Undoubtedly, the lessons they learnt in those years paid up when the time came for them to run schools. When I interviewed one of Mrs Ogunnaike’s lieutenants, Mrs Oluremi Juba, she said this was the first time a principal would be so celebrated by the PTA. Ironically, she made the PTA spend a lot of money – on the welfare of the pupils. Rehabilitating the facilities to the present state cost the association N43 million. However, they are happy about every naira they have spent so far and are willing to spend more as long as they are working with somebody that cares about the welfare of their children. A parent, Alhaji Azees Amusat, who Mrs Ogunnaike acknowledged for spending his personal funds to make the school more conducive, had a lot to praise the principal for. He said she achieved what the Federal Ministry of Education had said was impossible to do, claiming there was no funds. He added that her humility, wealth of experience and good human relations bought the parents over to her side. But Mrs Ogunnaike did not just concern herself with infrastructure. She pushed for academic excellence as well. As she admonished her teachers for the last time, she urged them not to relent in improving lesson plan and the curriculum. She also encouraged Heads of Department to “breathe down the necks of your teachers”. “Do not allow them to bring down QC any longer.” I have not come across someone like Mrs Ogunnaike in a long time. I did not know her for long. But from my interaction with her in the course of doing my job, she came across as somebody who is warm and passionate and gives the best of herself in whatever she does. Who knows what the future holds for Mrs Ogunnaike? The reward for hard work is usually more work. I hope she gets the recognition she deserves and is allowed to do more for Nigeria. However, even if she does not, the 1,910 pupils and the 161 teachers she left behind, not to mention the numerous academic staff and parents, will always remember her selflessness.

Belo-Osagie

‘Who knows what the future holds for Mrs Ogunnaike? The reward for hard work is usually more work. I hope she gets the recognition she deserves and is allowed to do more for Nigeria. However, even if she does not, the 1,910 pupils and the 161 teachers she left behind, not to mention the numerous academic staff and parents, will always remember her selflessness’

From my Inbox Re: NYSC Scheme needs adjustment (2) (Thursday, May 05) Kofoworola, watch your pen when you wrote: “The killers are uneducated youths who are left to their own devices by ignorant parents”. The north knows about education (Quranic) long before your much adored west who only have paper qualification to show. Mohammed Bokana Ayu, Kaduna State. Re: Nah! Success is no fluke (April 7, 2011) Hi, I just stumbled on your write up (Nah! Success is no fluke). It’s awesome stuff. Keep it up. 07038997—.

SLIDING TACKLE

“We are already on course the league is on. We are not promising any overseas camping programme. The league is on for us to prepare ourselves and be in a position to play. The league is a good way of preparation. If you judge us by what is happening in the league we have beaten Dolphins 3-0 and also very close to winning in Yenagoa Thursday, May 19, 2011

NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE...NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE...

Enyimba FC chairman, Felix Anyansi declaring the management of the Aba Club does not have plans for foreign tour.

Itodo unfazed with Ittihad’s UNSHINE Stars striker pairing Cletus Itodo has said the

‘No foreign tour for Enyimba’ S

club is not losing any sleep over their CAF Confederation Cup opponent in the last eight, Al-Ittihad of Libya. Itodo who admitted that the North African team is a good side given their recent face-off with Enyimba in Aba, in the Champions League, told SuperSport.com that it will be a different ball game when both teams meet. “It is a good pairing, AlIttihad is a good side; we saw them against Enyimba. I see all teams at this stage as good teams, teams nobody should underrate. We are not going to underrate them.” “Of course, our style and that of Enyimba is quite different, so there is no basis for

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

UPPORTERS’ of the E n y i m b a International, hoping that their darling club would proceed on training tour in order to prepare for the group stages of the CAF Champions League which kicks-off in July, may now need to have a rethink as the club has no plans for such. The Chairman of the sole surviving Nigerian Club in the African lucrative club competition, Felix Anyansi Agwu in an interview on telephone told NationSport that the club intends to perfect strategy ahead of the duel with Al Hilal of Sudan, Raja Casablanca of Morocco and Coton Sport of Cameroun in the country with the ongoing Nigeria premier League (NPL) matches. “We are already on course the league is on. We are not promising any overseas camping programme. The league is on for us to prepare ourselves and be in a position to play. The league is a good way of preparation. If you judge us by what is happening in the league we have beaten Dolphins 3-0 and also very close to winning in Yenagoa where I will implore you to make your own investigation what I heard happened to our supporters and officials was indeed terrible after the conclusion of the match against Ocean Boys. Hooliganism should not be encouraged in the Nigerian league hoping drastic actions would be taken by the NPL.” Anyansi informed NationSport. It would be recalled that the draws for the group stages of the CAF Champions League was made last Sunday in Cairo, Egypt with top two teams in each group advancing to the semi final and the winner of the 2011 edition will cart home 1.5 million dollars including a berth at the World Club Cup later in the year.

Sunshine slams Dolphins over allegation

T •Enyimba player (r) tackles a Congolese player in an encounter recently.

ECUPERATING Super Eagles and Heartland of Owerri defender, Chibuzo Okonkwo has no plans to return to Vitesse Arnhem of Holland when the transfer window re-opens in June. Speaking with NationSport from Holland, one of the hard tackling defender’s representatives, who broke the news of Chibuzo’s trip to Vitesse recently, told our correspondent that the former Bayelsa United captain would not be too keen to return to the Dutch Eredevisie side owing to the club’s inability to allow him train with the club’s main team during his trial spell with them recently.

Chibuzo Okonkwo won’t return to Vitesse—Agent From Tunde Liadi, Owerri The representative opined that Chibuzo was looking for other alternatives in the Dutch League where he hopes to make another attempt to land a contract that would make him leave this shores after spending some time in the local league. “I doubted it if Chibuzo will come back to Vitesse based on what he told me he faced the other time. He told me they didn’t allow him to train with the main team adding that he would like

to find a new club than one that will not respect him as a professional even with some Super Eagles caps under his belt. “It was because of that reason he returned to Nigeria before the WAFU Cup since he scooped that Vitesse was not serious with offering him a contract. The person of Chibuzo’s potential should not be seeking for a club and I believe he will get one very soon.” The representative hinted in a chat.

SuperSport United wants Arokoyo O

UTGOING Premier Soccer League c h a m p i o n s , SuperSport United, has expressed interest in the services of Nigerian junior international, Gbenga Arokoyo. SuperSport.com has learnt that the South African club was impressed with the performance of the young defender during the just concluded Africa Youth Championship, in South Africa. Arokoyo, who played all Nigeria’s matches during the AYC and was brilliant in the

comparison between the encounter with Enyimba and Al-Ittihad, when we meet them it will be an entirely different game.” Itodo who has been off and on the pitch due to injury, said he was looking forward to the clash especially as they start away in Libya. “We are happy with the fixture as we were praying that out first leg is away. It is an advantage in that it will help us to come back home and finish up the game.” “I am fully recovered and anxiously waiting for the clash, our target is to win the Confederation Cup trophy and we are working very hard towards it,” he added.

heart of the defence, confirmed the development, "SuperSport United has made a serious bid for me and they want me in South Africa for medical.” Arokoyo is the second Nigerian defender after former Enyimba captain, Ajibade Omolade, to be linked to Matsatsantsa as Gavin Hunt continues to re-build his side ahead of next season. However, SuperSport.com understands that the South African side will face stiff competition from French and Belgian clubs in their quest to secure the Kwara United

defender, who is on loan from the Ilorin based Kwara Football Academy. “We’re still monitoring the situation considering all the options available. I know some clubs in France and Belgium want me to join them. I’m also looking forward to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Columbia so as to maximize on opportunities available,” he said. Arokoyo revealed that Nigeria’s victory at the AYC and his first international goal at the 4-nation invitational tournament in South Korea was a big boost to his

fledgling football career. “I joined the national Under-20 team this year after returning from trials with Azerbaijani Premier League side, Gabala FC, which is coached by former England and Arsenal legend, Tony Adams. I thank God that I was able to convince the coaches of my abilities and did my best for the team. The team had a good competition in South Africa." “I’ve always wanted to score a goal for Nigeria and that chance came in Korea. The goal made me the happiest person that day,” he added.

HE management of Sunshine Stars of Akure has reacted to a statement credited to an unnamed official of Dolphins accusing them of working to derail their title ambition. According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of Sunshine Stars, Joseph Akinwunmi, the management wouldn’t have responded to an unsigned statement but decide otherwise to put the record straight. Dolphins had accused respected CAF and FIFA instructor, Paul Bassey of conspiring with Sunshine Stars to derail their title ambition, citing the incident, which happened in their 3-0 defeat to Enyimba in Aba with Bassey as the match commissioner. “Paul Bassey is on the pay roll of Sunshine Stars. It is not a secret and there is no way we would have gotten a good result in such a scenario,” Dolphins alleged. And Akinwunmi said: “Although Bassey has replied

the allegations but we are compel to add that Dolphins’ allegations are not only baseless but lack substance”. “Bassey is a consultant to Sunshine for the Confederation Cup same as Callistus Chukwujekwu was to Dolphins when they played in the Champions League as it is well known but he doesn’t consult for us in the league. So, Dolphins should stop this unsubstantiated claim. We are focused and believe in God rather than chasing shadows like Dolphins are doing now. “In Week one when Dolphins beat Plateau United in Jos as well as in their 3-1 win over JUTH, also in Jos, Ondo referees officiated the matches and they did not complain. That Enyimba beat them 3-0 with Ondo referees should not be misconstrued that we are working for their downfall. They should check Enyimba’s matches of recent and they will discover that the team has really picked”, Akinwunmi explained.

•Idoko

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

INDUSTRY

Nigeria, six others to promote African Development initiative

ITH the aim of promot ing a developmental ini tiative among African countries, a regional movement based on transformation and responsibility has been launched in Addis Ababa. National Co-ordinators in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo and Uganda are working to operationalise the action plan that will anchor the movement in their communities. At the end of an inaugural symposium held at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), an Africa Unbound Movement was also launched . According to the Founder and Executive Director of Africa Unbound, Dr. Rahel Kassahun: “The Movement seeks to establish peace, prosperity and freedom in Africa through awakened and enlightened individuals. We will find innovative solutions to all of our problems on the continent when we start looking inward to discover our inherent talents and put them to productive use.” In a statement, chairperson of

Stories by Toba Agboola

the African Union Commission , Dr. Jean Ping, pointed out that the the focus on individual responsibility and empowerment is pertinent at this time when it is critical for Africa to harness its full human potential for the development of the continent. UNECA Executive Secretary, Mr Abdoulie Janneh, called on the Africa Unbound team to help maximise the can-do attitude that is emerging across Africa today. “It is my hope that your innovative and highly relevant initiative will push the levers to transform individuals who will change our continent,” he said. Pointing to what she said was a journey of self-discovery and change, the Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Dr. Frannie Leautier emphasised the analytical, intellectual and practical approach of the initiative which, she noted, should contribute to producing concrete results. “It is time now to project forward. Bringing on one individual at a time,” Leautier said.

‘Rail system revival, a boost to economy’

HAIRMAN of Nigeria Breweries Plc, Mr Kolawole Jamodu, has commended the effort of the government in reviving the rail system, to create a multi-modal transport system. At the company’s 2010 pre-Annual General Meeting (AGM) press conference in Lagos Kolawole acknowledged that government’s rehabilitation of the power sector would impact positively on the economy and the living standard of Nigerians. On the achievements of the company, he said: “ The socio-economic situation in the country impacted on the industry in the year under review though the growth picked up eventually. Despite the stiff competition, we still maintain our leadership position in the market. “We added a new brand to our portfolio with the launch of the herbal energy drink —Climax. The biggest consumer promotion in the history of the company —

the Star Consumer Promotion — was successfully carried. Jamodu said the company had received several awards, including the Pearl Award for sectoral leadership, and Brand of the Year, won by Maltina. The Breweries’ Managing Director, Nicolas Vervelde, said: “As a leading beverage company in Nigeria, we will deliver high quality brands to satisfy our customers in an friendly way. We all look forward with expectation that the successful election will usher in a better business environment for the benefit of all. “The government has projected seven per cent growth in the economy in 2011, we expect improvement in the credit market, power, security and transportation system.” Convinced that a healthy workforce translates into higher productivity, Vervelde said the company would continue to pay more attention to the safety and welfare of its employees.

Nigeria, UK trade on upswing

RADE figures between Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) have been on the upward trend in the early part of 2011. According to British High Commissiner to Nigeria, Andrew Lloyd, UK exports rose to 85 per cent in the first two months of 2011, while Nigeria’s exports to the UK was up by 69 per cent over the same period. Speaking in Lagos, the High Commissioner said he would work with Nigeria to build the trade figure up with programmes in both directions and targeted events in the country and in UK. “Following Mr Bellingham’s visit, my UK Trade and Investment team based here in Lagos put together two high profile roadshows in London and Manchester which highlighted the opprtunities and showed again the interest from UK companies in

expanding to Nigeria,” he said. He announced that the Lord Mayor of the city of London, Alderman Michael Bear, in September would visit Nigeria to explore opportunities in financial services, construction and other expanding as well as established sectors in Lagos and Abuja. The High Commissioner expressed optimism with the successful conduct of elections, saying that it portends potential for progress by reformist administrations with credible mandates at national and state levels. “The UK remains keen to work with Lagos State to support principles which we too value, including accountability in public service, development through taxbased revenue and other innovative public policy, and attention to key infrastructure and security issues to encourage business and investors’ confidence,” Lloyd said.

• Chairman, First City Monument Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun and Gen. Oladipo Diya at the inauguration of the Oba Sikiru Adetona Jubilee Centre in Ijebu Ode,Ogun State.

• From left: Odumodu, Vice-President, Neimeth International Pharmaceutical, Mr Emmanuel Ekunno and Assistant Director, Industrial Inspectorate, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mrs Awobokun, at the event.

80 % imported goods are substandard

IRECTOR-General Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Joseph Odumodu has said over 80 per cent of goods shipped into the country are substandard. Speaking at 2011 crystal award organised by the Commerce and Industry Correspondent Association of Nigeria(CICAN), held in Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Odumodu said SON will do everything possible to stop the influx of these goods into the country. He said SON will set up offices in all markets nationwide in its renewed crusade against patronage and sale of substandard in the country, adding that the market desk will check every product in the markets before it is sold to Nigerians. “If the product escapes at the ports or the border and gets to our markets, our officials will be able to track them,” he said. He urged marketers and distributors of imported goods to check for certificates of standard issued by SON before collecting goods from importers. Speaking further, Odumodu said

SON has given one-month ultimatum to all products’ manufacturers and vendors who have non-conforming products in the market to withdraw them or face the wrath of the law. “We shall arrest and prosecute enemies of the Nigerian consumers and indeed the nation, who decide to dump counterfeit products on our people,” he said. Odumodu added that SON would also collaborate with major market associations such as ASPAAMDA, Alaba International Market Association, and similar bodies in major markets across the country to get their members to buy into the project. “We intend to stringently enforce compliance at the level where consumers come in contact with products to ensure that no Nigerian is exposed to non-conforming goods anymore. But I must add that Nigerian consumers have major roles to play in rejecting substandard products. People should learn to question products that are sold to them. They must take steps to reject and re-

port any short changing or suspicion of substandard products offered them. “It is only when people stop patronising substandard goods that the producer and vendors will stop their illicit trade because it will become unprofitable,” he said. President of the Association, Babatola Adeyemi, said the awards were given out to the individuals and companies, in recognition of sterling contribution to the nation’s economy. He said the companies/individuals that got the award have added value to the lives of Nigerians and has continued to do so with the creation of jobs, adding that the association cannot overlook the contributions of such a great individual. Winners of this year’s awards include: Olofa of Ofa and President Rice millers Association of Nigeria, Oba Mohammed Okikiola Gbadamosi , Ayoola Food Limited, Lafarge WAPCO Plc, President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, among others.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The passions of the academia for integrity (Concluding the series on How can intelligence enforce integrity?) “The children of this generation stand at the summit of the ages. They also stand at the crossroads of two great paths: one is the broad well-travelled path that leads to mediocrity of mind and character and to social decline. The other, a less travelled, narrower, uphill path that leads to limitless human possibilities and progress...”- Steven Covey

F all that we have discussed so far this is the sum: that corporate governance is a 21st century subject; it arrived on the nations of the world suddenly and caught the academia unprepared; most of the efforts to explain it have had to work backwards from the recurring scandals of recent global economic crises that triggered the subject; this aposteori approach to scholarship is millennial, and made fit for scholars to be able to switch and re-format accordingly. But there is Resistance (in the academia), which is consistent with the phenomenom of change. Incidentally change itself is reforming to a new mode that is consistent with the new imperatives of the millennium (Concept of A New Society: of the 3Es). With these attending facts (and more) there is the need for all of them to align, to give meaningful intellection to the subject of Corporate Governance. This matrix is what the whole forces and stakeholders involved in the CG field are working at, but without coming together. Accordingly the desired result so far is nil, to the extent that a current generation of scholars on the subject such as Nell Minow, A .G. Monks, A Z Mizruchi et al, are at a dilemma over how to resolve what they call the inherent conflicts, even as they are under pressure to deliver, lest they lose locus; though that is unthinkable because the academia is a monopoly. However, unable to define the phenomenom -corporate governance-, for the time being they take refuge temporarily under the notion of: “certain underlying assumptions” that have to be resolved (a la Geoff Truman).

A large expanse of space, subject and time Accordingly, the evolution of the subject of Corporate Governance has been a struggle, ranging from the conflict about its component subjects, to the methodology of imparting its knowledge. According to Geoff Truman (International Conference on Corporate Governance, Covenant University/FISL of UK, 2009)...It is about power in the managing of corporate organisations, while in fact its definition and underlying concepts are yet to crystallise. The flow of the discourse oscillate on one hand between the character (of man) and a conceivable tuition (about Leadership and man’s compliance to Ethics), while on another hand is the question about the experience of CG in reality-

whether it is wisdom upfront or wisdom in hindsight, whichever way and how can it be structured into a teachable curriculum as in for instance a typical MBA programme. For about one century the three subject areas that initially supplied its syllabus (Corporate law, Economics and Organisational theory) have been fought to a standstill by scholars from other disciplines considered to be related: Sociology, Psychology, Metaphysics, Medicine, Human Behavioural sciences, Religion, etc. Even now at this transitional moment under one decade of the 21st century there have been three movements of the new subject already, accounting progressively for better improved clones: Corporate Governance; Good Corporate Governance and; Better Corporate Governance. Coping with the millennial difference and perception Not the least is the fact that CG is basically a platform for the comparison of systems. For instance we may try a diachronic comparison between the present epoch (as portrayed by the latest authors, Minow et al) to yet another epoch, e.g. just before the Enlightenment Age, in which Classical models defined the trajectory of human aspiration. In the latter, there was a template used that entailed a severe profoundness in the attention given to human ideals or process of making such as could eliminate extraneous things as human foibles. At that point in time the options for achieving an enviable fulfilment in life were not left open-ended as in Minow’s postulation. Someone had said, if you won’t have something to stand up for you’d sooner fall for anything. Such landmarks of the time were created either by art, scripture, philosophy or any of the supra-human avenues for expressing the inner nature and which exacted a higher ideal for which man was made to aspire. Even though some of the above referred were edited in subsequent Ages as either overreaching or unedifying of the human condition, and so discarded, yet at no time was there a lack of framework to start with which is quite distinct from this moment’s. What do we have? At best the present Millennia age has a permissive template that seems to admit everything, not in terms of

post-modernism as a creation of form, but a sort of numerousity for its own sake. In the same fashion that even ‘Art for art’s sake’, at one time was tagged irresponsible. Therefore control is essential to guide. Unfortunately Model-ism today permits a schema that accommodates money-bags and tarts, football brats and media-packaged Hollywood wrecks as well as the so-called corporate/boardroom czars, at least until they crash, without a reserve. At the bottom of such a societal choice is a system of values. Model-ism and nuisance value Yet not even Post-Modernism right now with its many sided possibilities that can accommodate some of the difficult issues that the 21st century has to offer is assured of a place in our generation. But even at that, will it be enough for the scholar in Nell Minow to conjecture as in above hypothesis? That, “Just as people will always be imaginative and aggressive in creating new ways to make money legally, there will be some who will devote that same talent to doing it illegally, and there will always be people who are naive or avaricious enough to fall for it. Scam artists used to use faxes to entice suckers into Ponzi schemes and Nigerian fortunes..”. He put it quite simply and “beautifully too like a hip-hop song on ‘419’ (the motif of DEFIANCE culture among the youths that celebrates everything rebellious against the establishment and its management team of adults: lady Gaga-ism; minimalism, animalism, deliberate opposite dressing that show bums and boobs through boxer shorts and lycra, etc, just to make a statement. Therefore one cannot but wonder at the mindset that shaped the writer’s apprehension.” (THE NATION, November 4, 2010). Definitely, it is a speck of the deviance trail that is already noted in the formation process of human character; but specifically it’s a multiplied viral of a prevalent lack of moral more common in the macro environment, presently. But not to tell to the Nigerian academia because right now it is not even in a stage where they can make a response to any affront of the Nell Minows, because of the spiral nature of its mesh of conflicts. To date not even the basic curriculum to teach Corporate Governance (as STRUCTURE) is crystallised in the universities. But if anything above proves at least that Nigeria is not only a part of the world-wideweb on this subject of market-failure and the sundry scenarios which have attracted the call for the unclassified subject called Corporate Governance to run in her Business Schools. There is a compelling imperative not only to teach it now, as it is happening in all of the universal market, but notably to roll back the toxic overload which is bound to pile up on her shores if the authorities and the academia failed to act on time. In Minow’s eyes the

GBENGA OGUNSAKIN naivity of Nigeria’s micro environment correlates to the IMF kind of recent conjecture for instance, given to devalue the naira. But at least in that instance, acting from a position of knowledge the CBN Governor through the Minister of Finance stood and resisted the psyche, for once. In summary In sum the import of the on-going series simply is: • To highlight the exclusiveness of the virtue called Integrity in corporate governance; • To underline its poignancy on the question of whether it is available in Nigeria or not, ascertaining in what version it does exist; and • The universal relevance of integrity as a classic product which the 20th century failed to mind; and which the 21st century is beginning to consider, and currently which is the source of a dilemma over what content and methodology to adopt to make it available to endusers. Even though the issue of man’s greed and integrity are classified universal products, the market environments are not equally positioned to roll it back. Because the view of those who package the proposition also matter; moreover there is already a fight in the academia that inveighs unfairly against the micro/ subordinate / emerging markets in two ways: • The macro market perception, like Nell Minow’s position (who are currently the leading voice in the industry), is already under fire, unknown to the aspiring scholars in the micro market who are just about to join the fray. There is an unusual opportunity open to convert the perceived innocence (naivety) of the micro environment to a dynamic currency of integrity. • Gbenga Ogunsakin Email:greenhavenfoundation@gmail.com tel: 08037250343

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

HP slashes outlook, spends on services overhaul

EWLETT-Packard Co slashed its 2011 profit forecast as it prepares to spend heavily to revamp a troubled corporate services division. Chief Executive Leo Apotheker, who took the helm in September, blamed the division's "missed opportunities" under his predecessor, Mark Hurd. Apotheker vowed on Tuesday to revamp the division to focus on consulting, cloud computing and higher-margin businesses, and away from less profitable endeavors such as computer maintenance. HP also trimmed its sales forecast for the second straight quarter, sending its shares down nine per cent to its lowest level since June 2009. The expansion in services comes as the global PC industry is under siege from the growing popularity of mobile devices such as Apple Inc's iPad. HP's sales of PCs in the second quarter slid five per cent to $9.4 billion. "It sounds like Hurd took too many costs out of (the services) business and didn't reinvest in positioning it in cloud and other things," said Cross Research analyst Shannon

Cross. "Leo is doing that now." The sluggish industry-wide consumer PC market plus the lingering supply impact of Japan's earthquake are expected to hurt the world's largest technology company's profits for the rest of the year. Apotheker indirectly blamed the services unit's problems on Hurd, who left the company in August amid allegations of sexual harassment. HP acquired the division when it bought Electronic Data Systems in 2008, adding services ranging from help-desk support for personal computers to advising corporations on rebuilding their data centers to take advantage of new "cloud computing" technologies. Cloud computing refers to the use of Webbased servers to deliver a range of services to large businesses and organisations. Apotheker said that business had failed to expand quickly enough into more profitable services such as consulting, where it competes with IBM and Oracle Corp Accenture. "We are missing significant market opportunities," Apotheker said in an interview with Reuters. In a signal that HP intends a serious expan-

sion of the services division, Apotheker also stripped the group's previous manager of responsibility and put the arm under the direct control of HP veteran Ann Livermore -who heads up the enterprise division -- until a new chief can be found. He also plans to hire more people to shore up the consulting business, Apotheker wants to boost earnings by pushing into sectors such as cloud computing, which for HP involves helping companies to revamp their data centers. Investors are looking for signs of progress on that strategy. "HP has been known historically for consistency," said Gleacher & Co analyst Brian Marshall. "Now they are known for inconsistency." The spending on services may have to be offset by tight cost control elsewhere. It comes as HP grapples with newfound competition in the server market from Cisco Systems Inc and Oracle Corp, limp consumer spending on PCs, and the expansion into cloud computing. "We will manage our costs very prudently ..., including our salary costs," Apotheker

said. "We want to create enough resources to expand our business." The company is not planning any job cuts but will watch its headcount, he added. HP cut its outlook for full-year profit, excluding items, to "at least $5.00 per share" from a previous "$5.20 to $5.28." It also cut its full year revenue outlook to $129 billion to $130 billion from a previous $130 billion to $131.5 billion. Revenue in the fiscal second quarter ended April 30 rose to $31.63 billion, up three per cent from the previous year and slightly above the average estimate of $31.52 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/ S. Strength in the quarter was driven by its commercial and enterprise businesses as businesses continued to spend on technology. The company reported net income of $2.3 billion, or $1.05 a share, up from $2.2 billion, or 91 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding items, HP earned $1.24 a share, better than the average analyst estimate of $1.21 a share. Its shares were down nine per cent at $36.15 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

THE NATION

NATURAL HEALTH E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

‘How to sanitise herbal medicine practice’ Delivering quality herbs and ensuring patients’ safety is top on the agenda of Herbal Therapy Society of Nigeria (HTSN). This task, the society claims, is difficult to achieve. The group spoke to WALE ADEPOJU at its Shogunle Secretariat, on its determination to stamp out quacks.

ITH branches in six states and membership of over 100 across the country, traditional medicine group, Herbal Therapy Society of Nigeria (HTSN), has said there is no going back on its quest to fish out quacks. Its Media Consultant, Dr Raphael Obafemi said stamping out quackery and counterfeiting by people is a big task that the HTSN must achieve. According to him, getting rid of the practices that negate the ideals of herbal medicine is difficult, yet achievable. “If we could collaborate then we would be able to identify those who are not genuine herbal practitioners.” Obafemi said the body was set to foster unity among members. Other objectives, he said, are: “To maintain standard and quality of herbal therapy, its use and practice throughout Nigeria, to promote the use herbal therapy in Nigeria and the word at large and to establish herbal resort for herbal therapy and enter into partnership with institutions, bodies and associations sharing similar objectives with Herbal Therapy Society of Nigeria.” He said the society would also

publish findings in local and international journals to improve and encourage the use of herbal therapy and to identify with international organisations, such as the United Nations organisations (UNO), the World Health Orgaisation (WHO) and other agencies, to promote the use of herbal therapies throughout the world. On professionalism, he said: “This has taken the front burner as the body had been organising training and retraining programmes for members. This type of thing is on the increase worldwide and herbal practitioners must embrace same to move the practice forward. We have been educating our members on how to identify medicinal plants and apply them correctly. Sound education will surely improve the quality of what members gives out to patients.” Professionalism, he said, ensures that the association is run in a formal manner, adding that this attracted other well-meaning herbal practitioners to join the association, “while cautious approach is being adopted to screen prospective applicants before they could be admitted to join the association.” Obafemi said the aim of the soci-

•From left: Dr Suleimon Gbelero, Obafemi and Ayodele

ety is to increase herbal production and formulation Ayodele of herbs that can compete favourably with the best across the world. He said membership is opened to all qualified traditional medicine practitioners, adding the group has branches in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, ekiti and Edo States. Obafemi said training programmes are being planned for herbalists on packaging herbs, registration and approval of the products by NAFDAC. The training will enhance the capabilities of members as they would be taught how to keep records and diagnose patients, he added. Hydrotherapist and member of the association, Dr Akin Ayodele said the society is planning an extra-ordinary herbal hospital similar to what obtains in Europe and other developed countries. He said consultation is ongoing with both the Federal and Lagos

the most powerful antioxidants so far discovered. • Vitamin warehouse Loaded with Vitamin C and packed with Vitamin A (due to its concentration of beta-carotene). • Stop getting the cold Vitamin C is something most people associate to oranges. But watermelon has a lot of it, and it contributes to a strong immune system as well as slower aging. • Lycopene A potent antioxidant that gives watermelon its bright red colour. Up until recently, it was thought to be only in tomatoes. But recent studies have shown watermelon to have the highest lycopene content out of any fruit or vegetable. • Prevents prostate cancer This is due to the antioxidants, especially lycopene. • Rehydration Rich in electrolytes and 90 per cent water so it’s a healthy alternative to Gatorade, as well as tasting downright amazing. • Increased energy Truckloads of Vitamin B contribute to increased energy production. Some food experts recommend watermelon for

in April 2004, it took us over two years to surmount several impediments against our application both by CAC and some Orthodox Alternative Medicine Practitioners that objected to the incorporation of our initial name.” According to him, the diligent pursuit of the incorporation yielded result as the society was granted the Certificate of Incorporation on July 26, 2006. Ayodele said the society would uphold its objectives to encourage the people to believe and seek solution to their Medicare needs on professional pedestal and instill etiquette and standardisation in the practice of Herbal Medicine and not as a social merry making group. He praised the National Agency for Food and drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for its role in ensuring that good behavior was implanted in Herbal Medicine Practice.

Natural ways to cure hypertension

Health benefits of watermelon

NE of the first things to understand about watermelon is that it contains plenty of powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants are best understood as little warriors fighting a war. The war they fight isn’t for money or land or oil, instead, it’s for dominion over your body. Antioxidants pack some heavy firepower, and are very well equipped to defeat their enemies. Luckily, antioxidants are on your side. Their enemies are things like cancers, tumours and anything which acts to have a negative effect on your body. They have been linked to preventing and even curing cancer, and are found mainly in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in watermelon have been found to reduce the severity of asthma, and also to reduce the risk of various diseases including colon cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and prostate cancer. Talk about amazing health benefits of watermelon right! • Antioxidant firepower Watermelon contains some of

State governments on its proposed botanical garden. Ayodele said the society was an initiative of some frontline traditional medicine practitioners, who had strived in their individual capacity to bring dynamism, decency and finesse to the practice of herbal medicine and introduces standardisation to the practice and care of herbal medicine. “The idea was nurtured in the first quarter of year 2004 with the President of the Association, Prince Akintunde Ayeni, in conjunction with the Chairman Board of Trustees, Dr Fatai Yusuf OkoOloyun, who invited herbal practitioners of like minds to come together to advance the course of traditional medicine.” Forming the association, Ayodele said, was met with opposition from different entities who were against its registration. “While we filed our application for incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission

H •Watermelon

Vitamin B1, B6 and magnesium deficiencies. • Cope with anxiety and panic Vitamin B6 increases the brains ability to cope with anxiety and panic. • Cooling effect Scientists have found that watermelon has a special cooling effect. • Lose weight Watermelon is completely, 100 per cent fat free. • Cholesterol free No need to worry if you have cholesterol problems. •Prevents macular degeneration Another word for loss of vision, macular degeneration can be prevented by eating or drinking watermelon. Carrots are also in this boat. •Culled from www.healthyjuicing.com

YPERTENSION is a condition where your blood pressure has risen to an unhealthy level, above 140 for systolic pressure and above 90 for diastolic pressure. Having an elevated blood pressure will put a person at risk for several dangerous conditions, such as heart attack and stroke. While there are many ways to treat hypertension with medicine, there are also several natural remedies that can be used to lower blood pressure to a more manageable level.

Diet

One of the best things someone can do to lower blood pressure is to change diet. Fatty and fried foods all lead to hardening of the arteries, which are the primary causes of hypertension. A good change is to include potassium-rich foods in your diet, such as bananas or raisins. Getting six to eight servings of potassium per day can greatly help combat high blood pressure. Also, celery helps due to the chemical 3-Nbutylphthalide, which is found only in celery and helps to reduce high blood pressure that results from stress. Other foods that help treat hypertension include: bread, milk,

broccoli (and high-fiber leafy vegetables), cayenne pepper, and any food containing vitamin C. Finally, many studies have shown a link between a high-salt diet and high blood pressure. Cutting back your salt intake will help lower your blood pressure.

Exercise

Another factor in hypertension is a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, it is vital that anyone who may be diagnosed with high blood pressure should get a daily dose of cardio. Studies suggest that a regimen of moderate intensity exercise is one of the best ways to help with blood pressure levels. However, people diagnosed with hypertension should only do low intensity workouts. If you have hypertension and want to start exercising, speak to your doctor as he will be able to help you build a customised workout that will be the most beneficial to your condition. Lifestyle Changes Finally, a person’s lifestyle greatly affects his blood pressure. Prolonged high stress will begin to raise your blood pressure. •Culled from www.livestrong.com

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NATURAL HEALTH

Pregnancy possible without menstruation! N

OT many words attract a woman’s attention as seriously as menstruation. It is the monthly vaginal bleeding caused by a withering and, then, shedding of the lining (endometrium) of the womb when, at that time of her menstrual calendar, she is not pregnant. Viewed generally as a cleansing of the womb in preparation for a possible pregnancy the month after, many menstruating women (from-age 15 or below to 45 or above) have come to regard menstruation as a prerequisite for getting pregnant. That’s why women who are approaching 40 and have no children yet, like young women in their 20s who are not menstruating, or women who have irregular, scanty, excessive or painful menstruation, literally run helter skelter for help. Evidence abounds, however, that women who do not menstruate do ovulate (produce eggs), are fertile and actually get pregnant. In fact, there is growing assumption in the medical field that menstruation may, indeed, be a gynaecological disorder which has been accepted as normal and natural only because it is widespread. I learned about these possibilities from The New Raw Energy, a revolutionary best seller by two sisters, Susan and Leslie Kenton, who tried to show that a diet that is 75 to 80 per cent raw and 25 to 30 per cent cooked not only enhance energy and prevents diseases but does in fact reverse them, buttressing, thereby, the popular saying that “you are what you eat”. It was my familiarity with this book, and several studies on subjects it discussed, which helped my appreciation about 10 years later of a paper presented at the Goethe Institut in Lagos. We were all there. I gave a paper on popular Nigerian medicinal plants which grow around the house. So was Dr Ema Omobong, an orthodox medic who had just begun to modernise the native art of his father, a village medicine man. His father would work copper wire into a ring which he immersed in the potion of some herbs and give to women to wear on their fingers as a contraceptive against pregnancy. Dr Emobong used the wedding rings of these women instead, and gave them a two-year guarantee. The principle, as he explained it, was that contraceptive principles in the molecules of the herbal portion were carried into the bloodstream by molecules of copper or some other metal. We all know that arthritic people are copper-defient, among other deficiencies which is why copper bracelets are worn by those who know of it, as a way of getting some copper into the body via absorption through the skin. Some of such copper bracelet wearers may not know, however, that they need to increase their consumption of Zinc, which is in a 4:1 ration with copper in the body, should they wear these bracelets for a prolonged period of time. Dr Emonobong wasn’t at the Goethe Institut on that occasion to popularise his art, but to speak about herbs in his region of the country which made pregnancy and childbirth easy. One of the most striking presentations was that by a woman from the North of Nigeria. I simply remember her as Hajia. She brought a young mother of three from Benue State who was ostracised from her community when it became that she was not menstruating but nevertheless bearing children. Many people did not understand the phenomenom. Perhaps Mrs Elizabeth Kaafaru would have ventured a helpful opinion. She’d been involved a lot with women’s reproductive challenges. My opinion, first published in The Guardian newspaper which I edited at that time, was based strictly on the explanation of this phenomenon by Susan and Leslie Kenton. I am reminded of this subject today by three cases which came my way this month in the process of caregiving. There’s a woman who lived abroad, has an only near teenage child, has not menstruated for about a year since she lost her last pregnancy on her return home to Nigeria, and is anxious, if not desperate, to have another child before the curtain falls. There’s a 27-year-old girl who doesn’t menstruate. Her doctors induced the cycle with a drug. The period came alright, but refused to stop. She became so dangerously anaemic that she had to have blood transfusion, and was given another drug to stop the bleeding. She has gone through this cycle about three times and is fed up. Yet another woman in her prime has no child and would not menstruate. Before I go to the explanations of Susan and Leslie Kenton, which may be therapeutic, I would like to say that whatever they say should not be seen in any way as foreclosing the need for laboratory and other investigations of the possible causes of the conditions or of the roles herbs and other medicines may play in restoring the system to a balance. After all, we know of many possible causes other than nutrition, although they all dovetail to nutrition at the end of the day. Only last Thursday, this column suggested from the One Minute Cure of Madson Cannaugh suggested that deoxygenation was the basis of all illnesses. It hypothesised that if the body is 70 to 75 per cent water, if oxygen accounts for about 80 per cent of that water content, if about 92 per cent of the body’s metabolic energy comes from Oxygen, then the body is almost all about oxygen. In the reproductive organs of many women, it is evident that there is a shortage of oxygen. The menstruation comes in clumps of dark blood, which is a testimonial of deoxygenation and poor blood circulation in the pelvic region. Through these, the organs are stressed, and become residences for many microganisms. A doctor may not be aware of these undesirable guests taking advantage of deoxygenation and poor blood circulation unless samples of the cells of these organs are extracted and tested. Many of these organs, being

of their menstruation or because they cannot have a child easily. S I said earlier, we cannot wish all of these away when we consider the explanation of Susan and Leslie Kenton for the absence of the menstruation (amenorrhoea) in women who are nevertheless fertile and reproductive. In the section of their book they entitled FOR WOMEN ONLY, they start off with scientific findings which showed that many American and British women were calcium deficient while nine in 10 were iron deficient. Calcium deficiency would create a magnesium surplus in the calcium/ magnesium ratio and this may lead to overrelaxation of uterine muscles, for example. This may lead the muscles not to expel all of the menstrual waste, and back-up of menstrual matter may sow the seeds of uterine fibroids and endometriosis, as is now being argued. That, indeed, may be one reason why uterine fibroids surgically removed regrow because the problem was not tackled at the roots, dietarily. Iron deficiency, of course, means anaemia and excessive menstrual bleeding. The section of the book that is most relevant to this subject is entitled CAROTENE AND THE CESSATION OF PERIODS. The authors say: “Amemorrhoea (absence of periods) in women who follow unusual dietary habits has often been attributed to high levels of estrogen in the diet. Carotene is a precursor to Vitamin A; it turns into the vitamin during the digestive process. Carrots, spinach and other green vegetables contain large quantities of carotene. “Medicine has long remarked that people who take in exceptionally large quantities of carotene sometimes exhibit a change in skin tone, a golden tinge rather than a gentle tan. This phenomenom, known as carotenemia was first recorded in the British Medical Journal in 1904. It appears to have no consequences for health, apart from a general strengthening of the body’s immune system. Indeed, so innocuous is carotenemia that in some countries carotene tablets are sold over the counter as artifical tanners. “Recently, a team of researchers from the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Rutger’s University in New Jessey studied a group of women who exhibited both carotenemia and amenorrhoea. They wanted to find out if there was a direct casual relationship between carotene intake and cessation of periods. The normal diet of these women consisted mainly of raw vegetables, including lots or carrots. None of them ate red meat although a few ate fish and chicken. The researchers were careful to emphasise the fact that all these women were in excellent health; amenorrhoea did not appear to affect them adversely in any way. What happened when carotene was excluded from their diet? Those women who did manage to exclude carotene rich foods and substitute foods with little or no carotene in them resumed menstrual bleeding. Those who chose to revert to their high-caroten diet became amenorrhoeic again. “The casual relationship between high carotene intake and amenorrhea is fairly clear, then. But what is one to make of it? Does carotene counteract the effects of estrogen? We know that when estrogen levels are always low, or always high, menstruation ceases. Whatever the mechanism by which carotene exerts its amenerrhoei effects, the lessening and eventual disappearance of menstrual flow in some women who eat a high –raw diet appears to have no adverse consequences as far as fertility and conception are concerned. The picture that emerges, there is that raw foods generally, and some foods in particular, namely those high in the bioflavorioids, Vitamine C and carotene, reduce menstrual flow and alleviate other discomforts connected with the menstrual cycle.” This poses a big question which Susan and Leslie call “an evolutionary footnote” They say the conclusion of the women researched is that “…menstruation is not the natural phenomenom we take it to be. “They refer to primate researchers who have shown that “old world monkeys do not menstruate”, although the higher relatives, the baboons, do. Intriguingly, when the baboons are fed vegetarian diet, they stop menstruating. Then the authors ask: Does that mean that in Homosapiens, the highest primate of all, menstruation is one of the consequences of omnivorous rather than vegetarian eating habits?” I recommend that every woman who seeks radiant health have a copy of this book in her library. It offers solutions through the diet for cellulite problems and excess fat baggage. If women check their pubic region, many will find it overstuffed. It shows through all their power dressing. The hips, like the buttocks and the arms and abdomen, are bulgy. These are cites where cells make the extra estrogen which menaces them. The book shows that women who are zinc deficient are likely to have stretch marks. “on the breasts and stomach when they are pregnant or they lose weight”. They remind us that two French doctors, L. Meus-Blatter and G. Laroche, discovered the “relationship between cellulite formation and body toxicity”. They also let us know that many of us are constipated when we hardly realise we are. These doctors found out, say Susan and Leslie, “that constipation – the incomplete removal of wastes from the colon, whether or not you have the standard one bowel movement a day – was common in cellulite prone women”. The foregoing thoughts give us an opportunity, in my view, to again think first of detoxification, oxygenation, alkalnisation, immune boosting, dietary lifestyle changes in resolving biochemical imbalances in the body, such as amenorrhoea, before the resort to powerful dangerous drugs.

fat-loaded, are, besides not protected by essential fatty acids (EFAs) which are missing in the diet. EFA deficiency had been linked to fatty degeneration and to such ailments in the woman’s reproductive system as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, vaginal problems, fibrocystic breast disease (FBD) and to even breast cancer. Evidence is now growing that EFAs play a significant role, like Potassium, in extracting oxygen from the blood plasma for transfer to the cell through election manipulatons. What about hormones? They must be in balance for menstruation to work right. Often, the Estrogen /Progesterone ratio is unbalanced with too little progesterone Estrogen excess my be helped by such herbs as Vitex, Dong quai, Macca, or the proprietesy products Maharani and Udo’s oil. Zinc, taken on an empty stomach last thing to bed; has been shown to raise low progesterone levels to match estrogen and reduce high prolactin levels which prevent menstruation and terrorise the breast. HE thyroid gland is a key player in all these. Most women who suffer from spontaneous abortions which have nothing to do with incompetent cervix or whose menstruation is problematic may be hypothyrodic. This means the thyroid gland, in the neck region, is underfunctioning and, because the thyroid determines the rate of the body living process, the body is in a slow, cold mode and the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) will be low to support health. The BBT may be checked on the Internet using goggle to search for it or for Dr Bate’s method. This method is more reliable than blood tests for thyroid function which often, report positive trends while every symptom is negative, and thereby misleads the doctor. As for the hypothyroid, the organ is held down by infurions of chlorine from chlorinated water, fluoride from foridised water or food and bromine from potassium bromate used in baking bread. Massive infurions of iodine, the natural resident of the thyroid, chase them out. Radioactive iodide given in hospitals is dangerous. Safer iodine is in homeopathic forms found in sea weed such as Kelp or Dulse, and in the proprietary potassium iodide formula IODORAL, which has been found beneficial for resolving even goiters. That’s what Americans troubled by the radiation problem in Japan now use the protect their goiters! Stress raises cortisol blood levels, and prolonged high catisol blood levels increases blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels thicken the blood, slows blood circulation, acidifies the blood and cuts oxyen supply apart from damaging the cells through the process of glycation. Cortisol and other hormones with the sympathetic autonomic nervous system, which shuts down the cells and opens up only the muscles. Cellular shut down means nutrients can’t get easily into the cells and wastes can’t be easily removed. The cells are wrinkled, age and wither. Many women emotionally stress themselves beyond all bounds because

‘Menstruation may, indeed, be a gynaecological disorder which has been accepted as normal and natural only because it is widespread ... a young mother of three from Benue State was ostracised from her community when it became that she was not menstruating but nevertheless bearing children’

e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

DISCOURSE

The nature of national narratives: The Press and evolution of modern Nigeria Text of the Keynote Lecture delivered by Prof Adebayo Williams at the Second Idowu Sobowale Annual Lecture Series, Caleb University, Imota, 11th May, 2011. Preliminary Observations Mr Chairman, distinguished members of the high table, illustrious scholars and academics, and ,of course, Professor Idowu Sobowale, the man in whose honour we are all gathered this morning. Let me begin by thanking the organisers of this conference for finding me worthy of the honour and reputation of the iconic and accomplished man we are honouring today. I believe that a few preliminary remarks are in order. Permit me to open proceedings by saluting the courage and integrity of the celebrant, a man who has been a beacon of hope for many and a redemptive lodestar worthy of emulation in a land that is in need of heroes and great pathfinders. Let me confess to being a stalker, but a stalker of excellence and notable achievement. I have been stalking the celebrant since his days as Editor of Evening Times, lecturer of Mass Communication and Commissioner of Education in Lagos state. In all these fields of human endeavours, Sobowale has left an enviable record of steadfastness and commitment to principles as well as an abiding loyalty to noble ideals. This oldfashioned code of conduct may appear quaint and anomalous particularly in our modern ethically neutered age with it free trade zones and moral leprosy and Sobowale himself may even come across as unduly fastidious and punitively meticulous. But there can be no doubt that the teacher of journalism belongs to the rarest breed of men. In honouring Professor Idowu Sobowale, therefore, we are honouring the finest and noblest tradition of the cult of heroic example. We are also doing justice to many unsung heroes of this country who have contributed their best to the arduous task of nation-building in a quiet and unobtrusive manner. That he happens to be one of us only makes it to be infinitely more satisfying. A man who started out as a farmhand and who went to school very late in day but who rose by sheer grit and hard work to become a notable journalist, an accomplished editor, a professor of journalism and distinguished media scholar and of course a political practitioner cannot by any stretch of the imagination be an ordinary man. From the basement of social deprivation and grinding economic poverty, Sobowale has slogged his way to the pinnacle of excellence and societal stardom. It is not how you begin that matters but how you end up. Sobowale has ended up very well indeed. Distinguished audience, there is another reason why our gathering this morning is particularly auspicious. Coming at a time when Nigeria appears to have turned the corner in its tortuous journey to democratic rule and the empowerment of the electorate, it affords us an opportunity as theorists and practitioners of journalism to look ourselves squarely in the face to see how much we have contributed to the growth of the nation and the development of journalism. As an intellectual forum, this should not be an occasion for partisan sabrerattling or abstract moral denunciation but an opportunity for sober reflection and a conceptual encapsulation of the problem with Nigeria. Although we seem to have conducted passable elections, the elections themselves seem to have opened up the old fault lines of regional, ethnic and religious divisions. The demons of electoralism are here with us. Yet without a nation, we cannot even begin to talk about democracy. Elections in themselves do not resolve national contradictions. They merely provide an enabling and ennobling platform that throws up those who will solve the national problems provided a nation is not hobbled by disfiguring disabilities. Once again, and despite electoral success, Nigeria has arrived at a critical crossroads. Like Siamese twins, the history of journalism is congenitally bound with the history of the nation. The narrative of the nation is also the narrative of its press. Perhaps more than any other profession, the health and state of journalism always provide compelling medical evidence about the health of the nation. The physician must heal himself first. To what extent have the ravages of a post-colonial state in utter disrepair and disorientation affected the fortunes of journalism in Nigeria? Has the phenomenon of cash and carry poli-

tics also turned journalism into a cash and carry profession? If Nigeria is administered like a badly run estate in perilous dereliction can we also say that the press itself has been transformed from the Fourth Estate of the realm to the Fourth Realm of the estate complete with its own estate agents, rentier class and rent collectors? But let us not race ahead of the narrative. Let us return to more salutary circumstances.

From Flotsam to Avatar The story of the Nigerian press often reads like some powerful magical narrative of Arabian night provenance. It is the story of how a flotsam rose to become an avatar. In a famous stricture, Chief Obafemi Awolowo has described the journalism profession of his youth as a repository for the dregs and rejects of the society; a haven for its flotsam and jetsam. Sobowale, the man we have all gathered to honour this morning, started his professional career in this editorial dungeon and garbage heap reserved for the ne’er do well who logically did not quite know what to do with themselves. Perhaps in order to realise the gravity of the situation we need to bring the full weight of Awolowo’s magisterial severity and astringent pen to bear on the situation. According to him, the journalism profession at that point in time was “unprofitable, frustrating and soul-destroying, a refuge for the flotsam and jetsam of the growing community of the Nigerian intelligentsia—people who took to journalism because they were no good at anything else.” Awolowo was even more caustic in his dismissal of the Daily Times, arguably the best newspaper then and certainly the best produced and most widely circulated. [It was] “an unpardonably dull journalistic and literary product: a veritable stagnant pool of colourless news, and a musty reservoir of articles which lacked animation, pungency and nationalist flavour”. Awolowo’s point was very well made and it was not very hard to detect in this abrasive critique a backhanded compliment and yearning for the founding tradition of the Nigerian press. But even more important for the subsequent course and development of Nigerian journalism were the throwaway phrases such as “literary” and “pungency” which betrayed a bias for journalism as it was practised on the European continent, particularly in Great Britain. It was not for nothing that the Times of London was known as the “Old Thunderer”. The trajectory of a nation influences the course of its journalism. In late nineteenth century Europe and early twentieth century, particularly in France and generally in Britain, the ultimate ambition of the journalist was for his work to attain the status of a sacred historical document and a literary classic. In America of the same period, on the other hand, the emphasis was on bone-bare and objective presentation of facts and pared down reportage. The reason may not be far-fetched. American journalism had to cater for an increasingly prosperous populace which was more interested in the news and happenings rather than in highfalutin opinionating. But on the continent, particularly in Great Britain, journalism remained for a long time a narrow elitist affair; a war of the classes fought among the intelligentsia in colourful and fanciful prose. It was not a mere coincidence that America was quick to incorporate the practice of advertising and public relations as an integral part of modern journalism, whereas in Europe, the habit was scorned and scoffed at for a long time as an aberration meant to demean and diminish true journalism. Although overwhelmingly concentrated in the industrialised north of the nation as opposed to the rural and defeated south, the post-bellum press in America reflected the dynamics of a national

institution ceaselessly attempting to recreate itself. In Europe on the other hand, journalism reflected the old fault lines and was a continuation of class war by other means. In any case, it is a curious and consuming irony that the haven of flotsam and jetsam in Nigeria also doubled as the greatest nursery bed of greatness and human distinction for many who went on to distinguish themselves in journalism, politics and other spheres of human distinction in post-Independence Nigeria. Apart from Awolowo himself, there was S.L Akintola, his deputy. There were Anthony Enahoro, Bisi Onabanjo, Lateef Jakande, Ismail Babatunde Jose, Abiodun Aloba, a.k.a Ebenezer Williams, Akinsanya, the future Odemo of Ishara, MCK Ajaluchukwu, Mokwugo Okoye, Alade Odunewu, Ayo Ojewumi and the generation of Idowu Sobowale and the Segun Osobas. The history of modern Nigeria reads like the private biography of these great men who lifted themselves up by the bootstraps to reach journalistic and political stardom. Is there something, then, to be said for early Nigerian journalism as the incubator of human greatness and distinction? How and why did this haven for the flotsam and jetsam of the society become the preferred route to self-actualisation and future distinction? Babatunde Jose, one of the most illustrious in this galaxy of illustrious men, provides a most intriguing clue. After he was thrown out of secondary school due to his father’s precarious finances, it was time to learn a trade. According to the great publisher: “When therefore my father asked me what trade I wanted to learn, I told him I wanted to be a newspaper man like Zik. But it was not to Zik’s Pilot that my father took me. It was to his friend, Sir Adeyemo Alakija, the founder and Chairman of the Daily Times. Sir Adeyemo contacted the Editor of the Daily Times, Ayodele Lijadu….He said there was no job in the editorial department and suggested that I could be employed in the editorial department as a technical trainee.” It can be seen from the above that early Nigerian journalism, more than any other profession, exerted a tremendous pull on the imagination of young and impressionable Nigerians. It was a time of anti-colonial ferment and huge nationalist stirring. The fame and instant name recognition it brought, the constant flirting with colonial danger, the heroic and nationalist exertions in the service of the nascent fatherland, and above all, the excellent opportunities provided to cock a snook at the imperialist tormentors, proved irresistible to young and adventurous minds. These young men had political imagination and precocious awareness if nothing else. The low level entry qualification, or in fact the absence of formal entry qualification, proved eventually to be a blessing in disguise for it provided an excellent opportunity for the barely literate to dream of future greatness while being marooned in dingy and badly lit typesetting rooms. Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, arguably the founding father of modern Nigerian journalism, provided the lightning rod for this cultural and intellectual revolution and was without doubt its principal conductor. In the wake of the bitter regionalist politics that ensued, it seems enough credit has not been given to Zik as the Benjamin Franklin of the new nation. Born in the northern junction town of Zungeru in 1904 and the son of a postal clerk, Zik did not enter journalism at the lowest rung but as an accomplished publisher and notable intellectual who had plied his trade in the then Gold Coast. A man of magnificent and charismatic presence, Zik was a master of the grand verbal flourish, an oratorical warrior who carried his

‘The history of modern Nigeria reads like the private biography of these great men who lifted themselves up by the bootstraps to reach journalistic and political stardom. Is there something, then, to be said for early Nigerian journalism as the incubator of human greatness and distinction? How and why did this haven for the flotsam and jetsam of the society becaome the preferred route to self-actualisation and future distinction?’

• Prof Williams

stirring rhetoric to the colonial battlements at grave personal risks. He was a pan-Nigerian hero who quickly became a household word among the coastal elite. No other profession could have boasted of such a titan. A demotic genius with the flair of an American Anabaptist preacher, Zik fired the imagination of young Nigerians with his political derring-do and through his numerous lectures and speeches. It was thus in the Nigerian press that the intellectual and political foundation of modern Nigerian nationalism was laid. It is to the origins of this nationalism that we must now turn.

Politics and the Press: Some conceptual clarifications History is often described as nothing but a record of the exertion of great men. Although some scholars of the materialist and structuralist schools have faulted this notion of history for its overt reliance on human agency to the detriment of the social and economic forces which determine the trajectory in the first instance, there can be no doubt that exceptional individuals can play a lead role in the drama of history. Often, their superhuman courage and heroic exertions leave one with the impression that they are in control of the economic and material forces that shape their fate when in fact nothing can be farthest from the truth. The point to note is that this is a perfectly tuned affair; a dialectical tug of war in which nothing and nobody remains the same. For example, had Zik come in quietly from Ghana to join the political fray without his tumultuous foray into journalism, he might not have given the game away to the colonialists and his local competitors. His fate and the course of Nigeria’s history might have been different. But by this same token, the trajectory of journalism and politics in Nigeria might have also taken a different route. There is no point in dwelling on these counterfactual perspectives except as a source of fascinating intellectual entertainment. Suffice it to note that journalism itself is often regarded as history in a hurry or more benignly as the first draft of history. But since as we have noted there is an umbilical cord between the story of a nation and the history of its journalism, it follows that the nature of national narrative is also a narrative on the nature of the press. The fate of the nation is therefore inextricably bound with the fate of the press. Journalism itself can therefore be described as political power in hurry. The first generation of Nigerian politicians who started out in journalism before acceding to political power attests to this fact. Apart from Azikiwe, the doyen himself, there were Obafemi Awolowo, S.L Akintola, Enahoro, Onabanjo, Jakande among others. The first Prime-minister, Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, was not a journalist, but he was a superior yarn spinner from another branch of the narrative profession. He was a novelist. Despite this heady momentum, it is an instance of supreme irony that the first mass circulation newspaper in Nigeria was founded by a non-Nigerian. On December 3, 1859, an Anglican minister, the Rev Henry Townsend, rolled out Iwe Irohin fun Awon Ara Egba ati Yoruba (Newspaper for the Egba and the Yoruba). In an earlier essay on this historic development, I had asserted that it was an indication of the level of literacy and the degree of westernization among the Egba Yoruba by the middle of the nineteenth century.

To be continued

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS Parents beg Fed Govt to avert ASUU strike

OME parents and undergraduates yesterday in Lagos appealed to the Federal Government to meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to avert another strike further strikes. The stakeholders made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The appeal followed a warning by ASUU that it would take action if the National Assembly failed to enact laws for the smooth operation of universities. The ASUU President, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, said recently that the union would also take an action if the Federal Government failed to implement a 2009 agreement with ASUU in 2009. He said the National Executive Committee of ASUU had directed its state branches to meet and pass a resolution on the issue. NAN reports that Awuzia did not specify the type of action ASUU would take. The President of the Lagos State University Students’ Union, Mr Layiwola Adebayo, urged the National Assembly to urgently enact the required laws.

British Airways awards N60m business class travels

RITISH Airways yesterday awarded N60 million business class travels to 50 Nigerian small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) to encourage them to expand internationally. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria was one of the five countries that benefitted from the airways initiative. The programme, also meant to stimulate entrepreneurship, was also launched in South Africa, India, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). At the award ceremony, Mr Kola Olayinka, British Airways Country Commercial Manager for Nigeria, described the response by the SME sector to the grant as phenomenal and beyond expectation. Olayinka explained that more than 500 entries were received from Nigerian SMEs, compared to the 1041 from South Africa, 614 from India, 180 from Hong Kong and 270 from the UAE. He said the response was an indication of a robust SME sector. “As you are aware, Nigerians are among the most enterprising people on the planet. “This occasion gives us a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the small and medium scale enterprises in the country.

Adebayo told NAN that ASUU’s demand for the implementation of the 2009 agreement was in order. “Why should the government be delaying the implementation? “I do not see why the demand should be dragging this far, considering the fact that the aim is to develop the education sector. “We students are saying enough is enough; we are totally in support of the demand for the implementation of the said agreement,” he said. Adebayo said that the government should do its best to avert another ASUU strike.

A parent and civil servant, Mrs Ruth Igwe urged the government to meet the demands of the union to avoid overstretching academic sessions. “The economy is not good, we are only managing to ensure that they (students) go through school so that they can come out and support our efforts. “If the government allows the strike, it will tell a lot on us,” she said. A third year student of political science at the University of Lagos, Michael Ibe, told NAN that he was fed up with incessant strikes by ASUU. “We cannot continue to fold our arms and watch anybody joke with our future in the name of not implementing an agreement willfully entered into.

Bank manager summoned over ‘illegal’ diversion

FEDERAL High Court yesterday ordered the Ado-Ekiti Branch Manager of First Bank Plc to appear before it on June 9 for alleged illegal diversion of funds . The bank, and mine others are diversion have diverted millions of naira in taxes paid by the Ekiti State Ministry of Educatin and some councils to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) into personal acounts, in breach of the 1999 constitution. A 41-count charge of criminal conspiracy to steal and forgery was preferred against them. They are accused of forg-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ing documents belonging to FIRS to deceive the bank and divert a large sum of money being the taxes paid by Ekiti State establishments into the coffers of the Federal Government. The accused are: First Bank of Nigeria, Ulayin Micro-Finance Bank, Ado Ekiti, Wema Bank PLC, Aramoko Micro-Finance Bank, Ogunleye Adekunle, James Olaleye, Olajide Augustine Ayinla, Ikusemoran Funsho, Adaramoye Remi, Fatokun Adekunle Olusuyi and David Babatunde. Mr Justice Emmanuel

Obile of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, held that the parties should appear in court on June 9, noting that since First Bank was allegedly fingered in the alleged diversion, it became compulsory for it to also appear. At yesterday’s hearing , the prosecution counsel, Mr Basir Hamis, prayed the court to summon the First Bank branch manager, in Ado-Ekiti. Hamis told the court that the non-appearance of the 12th accused, Mr Umoru Amidu, who is Head of Operations of Aramoko MicroFinance Bank, had impeded the trial of the other accused.

NEWS

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

Student remanded for stabbing friend to death

N Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos yesterday re-

manded a 19-year-old student, Adedayo Abubakar, at the Ikoyi Prisons for alleg-

edly stabbing his friend to death. Abubakar appeared before Magistrate Mr Tubosun Abolarinwa on a one count charge of unlawfully stabbing Ismaila Oris with a broken bottle. The accused plea was not taken by the court. The magistrate ordered him to be locked up in prison custody pending the advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions. The prosecutor, Sgt. Ebi Ajala, told the court that the accused and his elder brother were friends to Oris, who later died as a result of the injury sustained during the attack. According to him, the accused allegedly committed the offence on March 20 along Idowu Street in OlodiApapa. He said Abubakar, his elder brother and Oris were together when the deceased took a broken bottle and stabbed Abubakar’s brother on the neck. “Abubakar thought that his elder brother was dead as a result of the attack so he took the broken bottle and stabbed Oris in retaliation,” he said. The prosecutor said that Abubakar’s elder brother survived the cut while Oris later died due to loss of blood. Ajala said the offence contravened Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State and punishable with death on conviction. The case was adjourned to June 23 for further hearing.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS

PDP to summon lawmakers-elect over Speaker T HE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may soon

invite all elected lawmakers during the 2011 general election for an “orientation”, it was learnt yesterday. A source said the issue was part of the matters discussed by the National Working Committee (NWC) at its meeting in Abuja yesterday. According to the source, the unanimous adoption of the open-secret ballot system for the election of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other principal officers of the House did not go down well with the party leadership. He said that the party fears that its zoning of the position of the Speaker to the Southwest may be jeopardised if the House is given free hand to decide the voting pattern “where nobody will know who voted for whom.” The orientation tagged “interactive session” by its

From Sanni Ologun, Abuja

planners, according to the source, is meant to whip dissenting members into line since the party feels that its zoning formula may be under threat. He said the party leadership is not comfortable with the decision of the Lower House to change its voting arrangement and thus would use the occasion to reiterate its stand on the zoning of offices in the party. It would also be used to lay out the party directives on who gets what in the emerging power sharing arrangement and warn the “perceived rebels” not to disregard the party position, the source added. The House of Representatives would elect its principal officers on June 7. The expanded national caucus of the PDP had ratified the zoning formula arrived at during the president

Goodluck Jonathan’s retreat at the Obudu Cattle Ranch, in Cross River State. While the Senate presidency and the Speaker of the House of Representatives were zoned to the North Central and South West respectively, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) was said to have been zoned to the South East. The president and his vice are from the South-South and North West respectively. The arrangement was later ratified by the expanded national caucus of the party. The House had on Tuesday amended its House rules to allow members vote by open-secret ballot, as against open ballot system. The new rule would allow members of the House to elect their new leaders under an atmosphere shrouded in secrecy, a situation that

many fear may undermine the zoning formula already agreed upon by the PDP hierarchy. It was further learnt that the party plans to mete out appropriate punishment on its members who refuse to abide by the party’s directives in line with Article 21.1 [c] and [f] of the PDP constitution which frowns at disobedience to lawful directives of the party. The section reads: ‘’Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the party shall have power to discipline any member who disobeys or neglects to carry out lawful directives of the party or any organ or officer of the party; Engages in anti-party activities.’’ A highly placed PDP source was however not forthcoming on the date for the proposed interactive session with the elected lawmakers. He simply said: “Whenever we conclude arrangements for that we will let you know.”

May 29 : Elechi sets up Planning Committee From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

HE Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi has inaugurated a 163-member Planning Committee for his inauguration and Democracy Day celebration. His Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Onyekachi Eni yesterday made this known during a news conference in Abakaliki. The theme of the event:‘Celebration of Excellence and Consolidation.’ He said the theme was in appreciation of Elechi’s performance in the last four years. Eni extolled Elechi’s visionary leadership. The CPS said this year’s Democracy Day celebration, which coincides with the inauguration of Governor Elechi, will cut across every segment of the society. The programme, according to him, will kick off on May 27 with Jumat Prayers and end on June 5 with a Church service. Elechi is expected to present his blue print for the next four years on May 29.

I‘ve completed over 500 roads, says Obi NAMBRA State has completed over 500 roads, Governor Peter Obi has said. He made this known yesterday while inspecting Osungwu-Nkwo OkijaOgharaegbu-Umuzu-Okija and Mbosi-Ubuluisiuzo roads. 15 bridges are under construction,he said Obi assured on the construction of the Ulasi River Bridge in the second phase. The bridge will link Ihiala local government with Ogbaru; open up all the rural communities and boost Agricultural activities in the benefiting communities. He said: “My government is constructing a road to link Ihiala- Ogbaru through Ugwuaniosha and another road to link Ozubulu-

Obi

Ogbaru through Atani.” The member representing Ihiala II Constituency in the House of Assembly, Uzama Okpaleke, expressed appreciation to the governor. He said the road would facilitate evacuation of agricultural produce. Obi also inspected the N1b Mbosi-Ubuluisiuzo road which he described as one of the most challenging ongoing road projects. He launched over N240m road equipment in Awka.

Middle Belt group rejects Lemu as head of probe panel From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

T •From Left: Director-General, National Institute of Cultural Orientation, Dr Barclays Ayakoroma; Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Malam Yusuf Usman; and Director of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mrs Olusola Olumeko, at the World Museum Day celebration in Abuja…yesterday.

Abia LP, PPA to inspect election materials

HE Abia State Governorship Election Tribunal has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the Labour Party (LP) and Progressives People Alliance (PPA) to inspect all materials used in the April 26 election. LP governorship candidate Stanley Ohajuruka had challenge the election of Governor Theodore Orji in the tribunal. Also the governorship candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance(PPA) Chris Akomas is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the election. Akomas alleged that Governor Theodore Orji did not score majority of the valid votes.He claimed that he scored the highest number of lawful and valid votes. He urged the tribunal to nullify the as it was marred by corrupt and fraudulent practices. The former deputy governor of the state said he would

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

bring forensic and handwriting experts from Europe to examine the materials used in the election. The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Abiodun Adebara, granted all the prayers sought by the petitioner. The order directed INEC

to allow the Petitioners and their Counsel to inspect and make photocopies of the documents used in the conduct of the election. The materials listed for inspection include Forms EC8A, EC8B and all ballot papers used in the conduct of the election. Others are ‘rejected’ ‘unused’

and ‘invalid’ ballot papers; Forms EC8D, EC8E, EC25B (Electoral Material Receipt) and EC60E; as well as the list of all Presiding Officers and Supervisors used for the conduct of the elections. Justice Adebara directed INEC to give the petitioners certified true copies of Form EC40C, D and E used in the conduct of the election.

HE Middle Belt Dialogue (MBD) yesterday rejected the appointment of Sheikh Ahmed Lemu by President Goodluck Jonathan as Chairman of the 22-man panel to investigate the post-election violence in some parts of the north. The group accused the former Niger State Grand Khadi of being anti-Christians. It vowed never to appear before his panel. The group urged government to either appoint a more acceptable person to head the committee or appoint a Christian as co- Chairman. In a statement signed by MBD Kaduna state Chairman Dominic Simon Bature, the group said it had no faith in the ability of Lemu to dispense justice to Christians having being in the forefront of oppressing them in the country. While commending the President for keeping to his words and constituting the panel to look into the unwarranted and savage killings in the North, the MBD expressed shock and pain that the President chose Lemu to head the panel. “The people of the Middle Belt are greatly pained, shocked, disappointed and indeed feel insulted by the choice of an Islamic cleric whose hate for the entire Middle Belt and Christian community is not hidden, to chair the panel.

Anambra tribunal gives ALP candidate go- ahead to HE Anambra Election inspect election materials Ukachukwu and SenatorTribunal has ordered elect for Anambra South

the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu to allow African Libration Party (ALP) House of Representatives candidate for Awka North/South in the April 9 election, Princess Kate Egwu, inspect election materials. The Tribunal ordered the REC to subject Form CF001

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

to Egwu’s verification. Egwu was the ALP House of Representatives candidate for Awka North/South. Her name was allegedly excluded by INEC on the ballot paper during the election. Egwu’s lawyer, Amechi Onwualor, yesterday prayed the Tribunal to compel INEC to make available the form to his client. Chair-

man of the three- man Tribunal, Justice Usman Bwala, ordered INEC to make available form CF001 to Egwu and to allow her inspect other materials used in the election. He also ordered that the inspection be done at the INEC premises and adjourned the case till June 3. The Tribunal also adjourned till June 1 the case between Prince Nicholas

Andy Uba. Justice Bwala adjourned till June 2 for pre-trial the matter between the case between Lady Marggery Okadigbo and the Senatorelect for Anambra North John Emeka. Justice Bwala assured that the Tribunal will complete its assignment within the stipulated 180 days.He warned lawyers against adjournments.

Troubled Lagos market shut

FIVE--man management team has been appointed to manage the affairs of the crisisridden Aguiyi-Ironsi International Market, Ladipo, Mushin, Lagos State. Council Chairman Olatunde Adepitan said the decision was informed by a breakdown in earlier efforts to reconcile feuding parties. He said the market has been shut. He said: “As a responsible and responsive government, we need to intervene to halt bloodbath, hooliganism, terrorism and other social ills that are taking place in the market. To us, despite the fact that there are over 22 sections in the market, Aguiyi-Ironsi International Market has become a thorn in the flesh.”

NEWS

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

M-payment deadline won’t be extended, says CBN T HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it will not extend the operational period given to the 16 companies granted approvalin-principle to offer mobile payment services in the nation’s financial sector. CBN’s Director of Banking and Payment Systems, Abayomi Atoloye, disclosed at a forum organised by the Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (e-PPAN) in Lagos. The forum was part of the techno-interactive forum series of e-PPAN, aimed at charting the way forward for mobile payment in Nigeria. The CBN had offered the prospective 16 mobile money operators approval-in-principle spanning December 2010 to March 31, 2011 to run a point project to prove to the apex bank that they have the technical and managerial expertise to be issued licences for operating m-payment business in Nigeria. The 16 operators include: Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Fortis Micro finance bank, UBA/Afripay, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc/MTN and First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Others are Pagatech, Paycom, M-Kudi, Chams, Eartholeum, eTranzact, Parkway, Monitise, FET and Corpreti. Atoloye explained that at the expiration of the initial pilot period on March 31, 2011, the CBN had extended the pilot period by two months, to enable the operators more time to get their acts together. This, according to him, would end on

By Adline Atili

May 31, 2011. He said: “The initial pilot of four months expired in March and we extended it for an extra two months. This will expire at the end of this month.” The CBN, he said, considered the additional two months grace adequate enough for the operators to prove their worth. Atoloye, who was represented by his deputy in the department, Emmanuel Obaigbona, said any operator that fails to meet the required criteria for assessment on the pilot by the CBN would not be given a substantial licence. “We want to get our mobile payment system implementation right. The CBN has tried by extending the pilot period. So, what will happen after May 31 is that we would not give licence to operators that fail to show us after our assessment that, it has the capacity to operate mpayment business in Nigeria. “The issuance of the licence would not be by favouritism or discrimination. CBN has an objective to achieve ansubstantive licence,” he said. Asked what happens to the investments made so far by the operators during the pilot, in the event that such operator fails to sail through CBN’s post-pilot assessment,

said: “Once an operator fails in the pilot, it would not be issued a licence; it is better we do this now than give an unqualified operator a licence as that may create systemic risks in the economy. We don’t want the scheme to fail like it has done in some other countries,” he said. He explained that rather than show undue considerations for those that fail to prove their ability to run the business after the extended pilot period, “we would deny them that at the onset of the pilot.” CBN had banned prospective operators from running advertisements in the media so as not to cause confusion to customers especially in the event of failure of such operators to sail through the licensing stage. Atoloye said that since the operation of m-payment is mobile network-dependent, the CBN has been working in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on technical issues on the interoperability and pricing. He added that the draft of a technical report from the outcome of the various meetings that have been held by the two regulators would soon be ratified and made available to the industry stakeholders for them to see the guidelines on the interoperability of the m-payment system among the key players in the chain of transactions, from regulatory perspectives.

BPE pledges to deepen capital market with NSE

HE Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) will partner with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to deepen the capital market Director General of the Privatisation agency, Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa said. A statement from the BPE spokesman, Mr. Chukwuma Nwokoh, yesterday quoted Onagoruwa to have said that the Bureau has earmarked some privatised enterprises to be listed on the Stock Exchange as part of the Bureau’s effort to boost the capital market. She made this known while receiving the new chief executive officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, who led other officials on a courtesy visit to BPE last Tuesday. He listed some of these institutions as Transcorp Hilton Hotel where the Federal Government plans to divest 24 per

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

cent out of its 49 percent equity and Eleme Petrochemicals in which the Federal Government intends to give out its remaining five percent holding in the company. On Transcorp Hilton Hotel, she said the process is ongoing save for a little hiccup over the shareholding structure. In the case of Eleme Petrochemicals, the process would be consummated in a few years. She added that negotiations are on-going with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and that once the apex bank hands off the running of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC), it would also be listed on the Stock Exchange in 2015. Onagoruwa added there

were prospects that some of the successor companies created out of the unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) would also be listed in the capital market. She explained that the Bureau intended to privatise the nation’s refineries so that they would be listed on the Stock Exchange but for the political climate in the country. The BPE boss pointed out that 24 out the nation’s 26 seaports had been concessioned and are doing well. She added that investment opportunities were still open in the maritime sector through the inland water ways. Earlier, the new Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Onyema, explained that he embarked on interactive visits to various stakeholders in the economy to partner with them on how to deepen and broaden Nigeria’s capital market.

•Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Francisco Bolaji Abosede addressing a press briefing to mark the fourth year anniversary of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration at the press centre, Alausa, Ikeja.... yesterday. With him are Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ajayi (middle) and Director of Finance and Administration PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES Mr. Tairu Olajide

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-05-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 1 8 11

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.50 6,648 3,324.00 0.50 200 100.00 7.57 228,720 1,705,517.19 235,568 1,708,941.19

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 50 53

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2.11 55,298 111,148.98 9.00 409,181 3,696,050.35 464,479 3,807,199.33

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 11 12

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.50 222,754 111,377.00 2.72 207,732 564,129.42 430,486 675,506.42

BANKING Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC BANK PHB PLC SKYE BANK PLC. SPRING BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 177 65 72 46 74 117 668 71 616 41 76 105 75 234 10 44 223 140 43 50 305 3,252

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 8.39 6,303,031 52,781,767.37 1.86 2,691,611 4,688,771.06 6.55 2,101,760 13,851,806.60 4.09 823,789 3,436,068.05 7.58 821,821 6,208,424.19 2.67 9,890,630 26,327,481.14 13.70 62,401,638 855,286,043.96 0.67 2,429,400 1,628,223.00 16.06 51,579,618 828,014,162.29 10.01 1,790,040 17,836,972.61 1.41 8,494,659 11,901,964.60 2.07 5,692,365 11,683,412.84 1.50 19,693,456 28,680,240.89 8.70 12,096,346 105,812,703.20 1.09 60,882 63,317.28 2.24 948,957 2,125,300.63 6.70 29,633,485 196,637,404.81 3.08 10,353,413 31,202,753.85 1.08 5,816,670 6,120,324.48 1.22 5,456,487 6,382,522.67 15.51 17,281,969 267,839,642.61 256,362,027 2,478,509,308.13

BREWERIES Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 38 17 117 172

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 226.01 123,995 28,024,109.95 6.65 229,353 1,458,285.00 87.51 674,334 58,082,474.70 1,027,682 87,564,869.65

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 80 27 31 41 179

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 24.20 1,086,668 26,293,631.48 11.05 893,508 9,937,417.24 127.32 149,771 19,305,814.66 42.00 1,157,638 49,232,253.92 3,287,585 104,769,117.30

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name AFRICAN PAINTS (NIG.) PLC BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC NIGERIAN-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 5 7 1 14

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 3.16 100 301.00 12.34 64,623 761,537.79 24.28 29,500 751,955.00 10.53 100 1,001.00 94,323 1,514,794.79

NSE: 31 firms await regulatory approval I N line with meeting the deadline of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on compliance, it was learnt that 31 quoted companies at the close of business yesterday, are yet to get regulatory approval as regards their financial reports. During the tenor of the immediate past Interim Administrator of the NSE, zero tolerance was adopted as regards meeting all the post listing requirements which includes companies submitting their quarterly and yearly reports as at when due. According to the NSE, out of the 194 companies assessed, non submission which the exchange tagged no communication from them stands at 52 while the remaining 111, submitted their results as at when due. On the list of awaiting regulatory approval, were five banks, 23 insurance companies, two under mortgage companies sector and one company under the other financial institution sector. However, trading on the floor of the NSE reflects a further drop in key indicators with market capitalisation and All-Share-Index reducing by 0.13 per cent

No of Deals 13 1 14

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2.95 423,200 1,240,580.00 5.78 900 4,950.00 424,100 1,245,530.00

No of Deals 1 2 3

No of Deals 51 90 73 49 263

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 36.00 423,022 15,217,594.58 1.09 12,710,463 13,098,902.25 41.00 1,952,281 80,787,278.94 27.99 292,543 7,951,745.31 15,378,309 117,055,521.08

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 16 47 2 1 66

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 5.22 232,530 1,213,806.60 52.11 1,038,350 55,860,196.50 0.50 87,500 43,750.00 3.01 333 1,052.28 1,358,713 57,118,805.38

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 3 6

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2.00 157,540 315,080.00 0.52 2,378,875 1,237,015.00 2,536,415 1,552,095.00

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 10 40 122 71 45 29 45 15 57 2 15 16 467

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 46.00 7,830 373,866.50 21.75 752,794 16,284,287.04 18.50 2,322,387 42,935,211.27 14.00 2,272,866 31,534,301.81 88.00 168,496 14,978,043.28 5.07 592,545 2,999,929.65 5.78 1,250,469 7,114,724.49 37.50 84,639 3,122,164.48 395.00 124,220 49,633,399.41 30.73 6,000 175,200.00 0.51 2,227,268 1,131,556.68 0.66 454,350 291,100.50 10,263,864 170,573,785.11

HEALTHCARE Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 10 17 9 15 2 53

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1.17 195,160 232,583.44 2.03 2,152,150 4,388,374.50 27.18 78,820 2,102,125.60 4.35 87,610 381,383.50 1.96 6,580 12,304.60 2,520,320 7,116,771.64

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 16 16

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1.50 364,522 535,790.28 364,522 535,790.28

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION INDUSTRIES PLC B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 4 5 26 36

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-05-11

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1.38 2,500 3,300.00 3.42 7,560 24,570.00 10,060 27,870.00

CONGLOMERATES Company Name PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

‘The banking stocks are hot cake and can be sold easily for those taking positions for future prospects’

PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STACO INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name THOMAS WYATT PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

each. Capitalisation dropped by N11 billion to close at N8.240 trillion while the index dropped by 33.79 point to close at 25,788.06 points. Despite the fact that the list of gainers out numbered those on the losers table, heavy drop recorded by highly capitalised stocks pulled the key indicators down. At the close of business, activities on the exchange reflect that there was heavy sale on the banking stocks. This operators said, was due to demand for money.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

By Tonia Osundolire and Eshiet Uyoatta

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 11.20 100 1,064.00 8.20 195,881 1,601,507.10 0.55 40,760 22,322.00 5.60 666,861 3,534,430.33 903,602 5,159,323.43

No of Deals 26 17 43

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.50 28,383,800 14,191,900.00 0.72 618,020 445,016.40 29,001,820 14,636,916.40

No of Deals 9 9

No of Deals 61 5 2 6 1 14 5 1 2 3 3 7 1 2 22 2

2.03 0.51 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.51

4,000 426,250 13,750 99,000 100,000 73,114 49,283 21,797,494

8,120.00 213,125.00 6,875.00 49,500.00 50,000.00 36,557.00 25,552.33 12,856,073.44

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1.22 123,448 153,023.52 123,448 153,023.52

MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 76 76

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1.37 2,874,512 3,822,119.47 2,874,512 3,822,119.47

MEDIA Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 12 15

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.51 8,000 4,080.00 0.50 86,745 43,372.50 94,745 47,452.50

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 1 1 32 36

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1.44 1,100 1,507.00 0.50 1,000 500.00 0.50 1,000 500.00 0.63 3,329,565 2,100,563.50 3,332,665 2,103,070.50

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 5 8

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.50 97,000 48,500.00 0.50 22,720 11,559.18 119,720 60,059.18

PACKAGING Company Name AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS PLC. NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC NAMPAK NIGERIA PLC POLY PRODUCTS (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 70 5 3 79

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 6.57 2,000 12,500.00 2.60 1,155,609 3,004,360.82 3.60 7,344 25,116.48 1.46 5,810 8,075.90 1,170,763 3,050,053.20

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name AFRICAN PETROLEUM PLC. BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 35 6 6 41 21 12 163 14 298

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 20.50 320,057 6,509,487.69 0.50 208,562 104,281.00 72.00 4,490 323,292.00 35.00 348,342 12,428,701.75 5.59 168,369 918,657.30 163.00 7,261 1,154,153.93 54.20 931,563 50,468,844.43 195.50 10,068 1,973,733.78 1,998,712 73,881,151.88

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 3 4

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 3.68 7,000 24,500.00 5.05 14,700 72,166.00 21,700 96,666.00

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 23 23

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 17.11 318,727 5,581,937.73 318,727 5,581,937.73

ROAD TRANSPORTATION

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC.

2 16 1 10 1 1 6 174 LEASING

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

“It was evident that investors were selling not necessarily for profit taking but more for the need for money to meet personal need. The banking stocks are hot cake and can be sold easily for those taking positions for future prospects, “they said. Present on the losers table were 11 banking stocks out of the total number of 25 stocks with price drop. Zenith Bank, First Bank, UBA, GT Bank, ETI, Stanbic IBTC and Sterling Bank among others. On the gainers table, 32 stocks recorded appreciation with the top two having as high as the five per cent maximum allowed per day. ABC Transport and Guinness Nigeria Plc led the list. In all, investors traded 365.644 million shares worth N3.296 billion across 5,421 deals. The banking stocks recorded the highest volume of 256.362 million shares followed by the Information and Communication Technology 29.002 million shares, Insurance 21.797 million shares, Conglomerates 15.378 million shares and Food Beverages 10.264 million shares.

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.92 2,548,470 2,299,597.60 1.08 287,100 300,868.00 0.50 201,000 100,500.00 3.00 90,125 274,470.00 0.50 10,000 5,000.00 0.50 2,187,045 1,093,522.50 1.65 133,000 219,567.80 0.50 500,000 250,000.00 0.50 100,000 50,000.00 0.50 291,666 145,833.00 0.50 1,600,000 800,000.00 0.57 432,270 248,590.90 0.50 650,000 325,000.00 0.50 400,000 200,000.00 0.53 11,581,470 6,139,229.10 0.74 19,951 14,165.21

Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.63 164,000 102,420.00 164,000 102,420.00

TEXTILES Company Name UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 0.65 864 561.60 864 561.60

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 33 33

Quotation(N)Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 15.60 8,962,513 140,710,560.30 8,962,513 140,710,560.30 5,421

365,643,738

3,296,037,294.45

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

CHANGE OF NAME

NEWS

OSHODI-GLOVER

Reps under fire over rejection of N50m for ‘NYSC 10’ HE Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Mashood Erubami, yesterday chided the House of Representatives for rejecting the N50 million compensation for families of the 10 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members killed during the post-election violence in Bauchi State. Erubami, who spoke in Abuja, said: “It is unfortunate that the legislators are leaving the substance and chasing the shadow.” The floor of the House got rowdy again last Tuesday, but Speaker Dimeji Bankole moved fast to prevent a serious debate on the killing of the ‘NYSC 10’ and the future of the scheme from degenerating into a brawl. The House moved a motion describing the N50 million compesation as inadequate. A member, Dino Melaye, who moved the motion said: “I want this House to

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

urge the Federal Government to reconsider the compensation of N5 Million it gave to each of the families of the 10 NYSC members…To promote patriotism and selfless service to our fatherland, the Federal Government must be advised to increase this compensation.” Erubami said he was surprised that Melaye moved the ‘wrong’ motion, adding that anything is possible in the National Assembly. President Goodluck Jonathan’s Federal Government, Erubami said, should be commended for the money given the families of the ‘NYSC 10’. He said it was to show that government is not happy with the situation. The lawmakers major concern, the TMG chairman, said should be how the perpetrators of the act would be brought to book and not the amount given.

‘Why PPA performed ATIONAL Chairman woefully’ of the Progressive

Peoples Alliance (PPA), Lisa Olu Akerele, has debunked claims that his party was robbed of victory in the last elections. Akerele blamed the poor performance on the inordinate ambition of some people who still regarded PPA as their personal estates. Giving a pass mark to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) for doing a fairly good job in the 2011 elections, he said the party’s woes were selfinflicted by “a bastion of pseudo-tyrants who parade themselves as democrats.”

He urged the party “to look within for the bug that destroyed the very fabric of cohesiveness of the PPA.” Akerele urged members who lost in the elections to ignore calls to seek legal redress, but rather join hands with him for the progress of what is left of the party. He disclosed that the National Executive Committee would soon be summoned to forge the way forward for the party, advising members to remain calm.

APGA warns Jonathan not to appoint election failures as ministers

LL Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has advised President Goodluck Jonathan against appointing personalities it called “political failures” into his incoming cabinet. The party said from what it gathered, Jonathan is about to appoint politicians who failed elections either as Governorship or National Assembly candidates in their different states, as Ministers. National Publicity Secretary of APGA Bernard Akoma in a statement yesterday, drew the President’s attention to the overwhelming support he during the April 16 election saying it evident of the trust the people repose in him. APGA warned that if Jonathan appoint those “political failures”, it would amount to turning around to impose “rejected” political job seekers on the same electorate using a different pedestal.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

The party, reminded the President that the April elections were adjudged the freest and fairest in the history of Nigerian elections, adding that it would amount to contradiction if the President goes ahead to appoint losers of those elections as ministers. “It is expected, therefore, that his government policies both in appointment of principal officers and execution of projects should be in tandem with the same decision which the people demonstrated with their votes during the general elections. “The reported moves by the defeated members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to recycle themselves back to the system either as ministers or advisers is a negation of the wishes of the people and purely an insult on the electorate who rejected them at the polls as their representatives at any level,” APGA said.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oshodi-Glover Shiyanbola Munirat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bankole Shiyanbola Munirat .All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EZEAKUNNE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogechi Sabina Ezeakunne, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogechi Sabina Okafor .All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

FAMAKINWA I,formally known as FAMAKINWA TOLULOPE COMFORT, now wish to be known as MRS FATIREGUN TOLULOPE COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Government, NTI Kaduna, and the general public please take note.

IHEMEJE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Carolyn Ngozi Ihemeje, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ngozi Stephen Amaraihu.All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

OJO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Olajoke Abigail, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akinlosotu Olajoke Abigail.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

KPEKON

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kpekon Nora Kabari, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwate Nora Kabari.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ILIYA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Iliya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Esther Thankgod.All former documents remain valid. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, NYSC and general public should take note.

AHMED

I formerly known and addressed as Ahmed Opeyemi Samuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Ola-Rich Opeyemi Samuel.All former documents remain valid.General public should take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME I,Joseph Babalola Poloamina is the same as Tomonitemeka Poloamina & Joseph Tomonitemeke Poloamina, now wish to be known and addressed as Joseph Babalola Poloamina. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ESESINDU I formerly known and addressed as Esesindu Elisus Chuks (Chukwujekwu), now wish to be known and addressed as Esesindu Chuks Elisha.All former documents remain valid. Resource Intermediaries Ltd., Nnamdi Azikwe University and general public should take note.

OTONE I, formaly know and addressed as Mrs Joy Misan Otone, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs Joy Misan Amatoritsero henceforth, that the First bank Plc and others Banks, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries and the General public should take note.

UWALAKA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Happiness Amarachi Uwalaka now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Happiness Amarachi Kingsley Uwaemelulam. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

IFENUGA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifenuga Fausat Adebowale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adesiji Fausat Adebowale. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission and general public should take note.

ADEKA

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Adeka Michael Akpong, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Eka Godwin Eka. All former documents remain valid. Outsourcing Service Limited (OSL) and general public should take note.

YUSSUF

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Yussuf Nazeefat Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyewo-Yussuf Nazeefat Temitope. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ABDULRAHMAN

I formerly known and addressed as Abdulrahman Ramatu, now wish to be known and addressed as Barrister (Mrs.) Ramatu Abdulrahman Isiaq. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ABAOGBANJE

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Alex Ifene Aaogbanje, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Alex Ifene Abah.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EZEAKUNNE

CHANGE OF NAME KUYORO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kuyoro Omowunmi Adetutu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akindoyeni Omowunmi Adetutu.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AFOLABI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogechi Sabina Ezeakunne, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogechi Sabina Okafor .All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Afolabi Adijat Ayobami, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Jimoh Adijat Ayobami.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

UGO

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Osayabamwen Opelada Williams, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osayabamwen Opelada Idowu.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Comfort Nwamaka Ugo, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. (Mrs.) Comfort Nwamaka Christian Okoroike. All formal documents remains valid. Abia State University, NYSC and General Public take note.

SOLAHUDEEN

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Solahudeen Rofihat Ololade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olakunle Rofihat Ololade.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OKE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oke Joy Kofoworola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ayanbeku Joy Koforola.All former documents remain valid. Odo Otin Local govt, Okuku, Osun State and general public should take note.

UGWU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Lovina Chinasa Ugwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lovina Chinasa Akunoko.All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and general public should take note.

AKEUSOLA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akeusola Fatimah Olanike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sanni Fatimah Olanike.All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission, Abeokuta and general public should take note.

WILLIAMS

TAO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Tao Olalekan Abiola Morenikeji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Job Edekere Abiola Morenikeji.All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission and general public should take note.

OJO I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Toyin Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajayi Toyin Elizabeth.All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, EKiti State Local govt. Education Authority, Oye LG and general public should take note.

OYABIYI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyabiyi Felicia Opeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oshakuade Felicia Opeyemi.All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, EKiti State Local govt. Education Authority, Oye LG and general public should take note.

LIJADU I formerly known and addressed as Miss Enitan Hannah Lijadu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Enitan Hannah KilasoAdelaja.All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta and general public should take note.

OKIGBO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okigbo Martha Chika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onyechi Martha Chika.All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

UMEADI

ADEGBEHIN

AMBALI

SHITTU

EDOKPA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Edokpa Orevaoghene Omamuzo Patricia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Amaobi Orevaoghene Omamuzo Patricia.All former documents remain valid.Teaching Service Commission and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Salami Sariyu Olabisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olasuyi Sariyu Olabisi.All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Centre, Owo and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Onasanya Oluwatoyin Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akoni Oluwatoyin Temitope.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bukola Atoke Shittu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bukola Atoke John.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ODEFENWA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Odefenwa Ayobami Folashade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onada Ayobami Folashade.All former documents remain valid. SUBEB, Yewa North LGEA and general public should take note.

TALABI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Talabi Arike Eunice, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ilesanmi Arike Eunice.All former documents remain valid. Ijero-Local government and general public should take note.

AFEBIOYE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Afusat Oluwakemi Ambali, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gbindin-Aina Afusat Oluwakemi.All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Commission, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Ijebu-East LG and general public should take note.

ORJI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Orji Victoria Onuabuchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Obiorah Victoria Onuabuchi.All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Enugu State University of Science and Technology and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Umeadi Oluchukwu Stella, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aduaka Oluchukwu Stella.All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegbehin Adedotun Adedamola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sodeinde Adedotun Adedamola.All former documents remain valid. Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade Isara and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Afebioye Ganiyat Afolake, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fehintola Folakemi Garnny.All former documents remain valid. Ijebu-Ode Local Government and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SALAMI

OJO

ONASANYA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Abiodun Catherine, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olugbenga Abiodun Catherine.All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti and general public should take note.

EBOH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ananti Ifeoma Veronica, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lucky Ifeoma Abam.All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs Eboh Fauziat Olaitan, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Sakariyah Fauziat Olaitan.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AKINWUNMI

ANANTI

OLATUNDE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olatunde Olaide, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Gbolagade Olaide Olatunde.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SANI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinwunmi Omolara Omowunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aiyenimelo Omolara Omowunmi.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Sani Hauwa Modupe, now wish to be known and addressed as Osifeko Hauwa Modupe.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MERAYEBU

CONFIRMATION OF NAME That Chidi Theophilus Kamalu and Chidi Theophilus Kalu refers to one and same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Chidi Theophilus Aloy-Nzofutachi.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Loveth Nkiru Ezema, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Loveth Nkiru Ezugwu.All former documents remain valid. NYSC, IMT, Enugu and general public should take note.

AKANDE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Agwu Chituru Doreen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anosiri Chituru Doreen.All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public should take note.

OKE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oke Wemimo Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aina Wemimo Temitope.All former documents remain valid. Ogun SUBEB, Odogbolu LGEA and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Opeoluwa Merayebu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elizabeth Opeoluwa Olaniyi.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akande Ramota Titilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeola Ramota Titilayo.All former documents remain valid. Tai Solarin University of Education and general public should take note.

AYANPITAN

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Oluwaseyi Ayanpitan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elizabeth Oluwaseyi Ogundipe.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SALUTA

I formerly known and addressed as Saluta Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Saluta Onowoareke Blessing.All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AGWU

ABERE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Abere Oluseyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anosiri Chituru Doreen.All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public should take note.

UGBOGU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugbogu Gift Chioma, now wished to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obu Gift Chioma. All former document bearing my name remain valid. General puplic please take note.

NWAOGU I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chika Linda Nwaogu.Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chika Olivia Peter. All former documents bearing my name rmain valid. General pulic please take note.

EZEMA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I comfirm that Charles Edward Cookey refereds to one and the same person as Charles Edward Cookey-Gam. All documents and Cirtificate bearing my former name remain valid. Nigerian Bar Association, Rivers State House Of Assembly Service Commission and general publici please take note. ADVERT: Simply produce your marriage certificate or sworn affidavit for a change of name publication, with just (N3,500.) The payment can be made through FIRST BANK of Nigeria Plc. Account number 1892030011219 Account Name - VINTAGE PRESS LIMITED Scan the details of your advert and teller to gbengaodejide@yahoo.com or thenation_advert@yahoo.com For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, Email- gbengaodejide @yahoo.com or our offices nationwide. Note this! Change of name is now publish every Thursdays and Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NEWS Thunder strike kills man From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

RESIDENTS of Basiri community, a suburb of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Tuesday said a bricklayer in the community, identified as Kunle, was stricken to death by thunder. It was gathered that the man was working at a building site at Ilamodi Street when the incident occurred. The residents reportedly withdrew into their homes and shop owners closed early when it was rumoured that traditional worshippers would soon storm the area to perform rituals to remove the body and cleanse the area. But the body was said to have remained at the scene as of yesterday afternoon when the reporter made enquiries about the incident. Ekiti State Police Command’s spokesman, Mohammed Jimoh, confirmed the incident, adding that the deceased’s family and not the Police would be responsible for the evacuation of the body.

‘Don’t cause disaffection in Saraki family’ From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

AN Islamic cleric, Sheikh Shuaib Erubu, has cautioned supporters of Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki and his father, Dr Olusola Saraki, against fanning the ember of discord in the family. Dr Olusola Saraki, a former Senate Leader, is the leader of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and his son, Bukola, is the outgoing governor of the state and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. Father and son parted ways because of some political differences before last month’s elections, which made the elder Saraki to opt out of PDP to form the ACPN. Sheikh Erubu, who is the Imam of Maraba Jumat Mosque, Ilorin, the state capital, spoke at the 78th birthday of Dr Olusola Saraki. He urged those who wanted to destabilise the Saraki family to desist, because “by their acts, they would invoke the wrath of Allah on the Day of Judgment”. Shuaib said the people should realize that those who reap from any conflict without doing anything to settle it were doing so at a great peril. The cleric advised political leaders to emulate Saraki whom he said lived his productive life to the benefit of mankind. The chairman of ACPN Elders’ Forum, Amasa Jiddah said Saraki contributed to the development of Ilorin and the state, praising those who stood by him in his 47 years in politics. At the ceremony were the state’s ACPN chair, Abubakar Zubair; Alarape Ayinla; Mogaji Nda, Mohammed Woru; Senator Ishaq Salman; former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Saka Onimago; past chairman, Moro Local Government, Abdulraheem Adisa; and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, James Ayeni.

Lagos may demolish 1,000 bank branches

AGOS State Government has said over 1,000 bank branches in the state may be demolished for not having approved building plans. Addressing reporters yesterday at a ministerial briefing heralding the fourth year anniversary of the Babatunde Fashola administration, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Francisco Abosede said out of 1,653 branches of banks operating in the state, only 100 had approved building plans and 1,325 were undergoing evaluation. Abosede lamented that the

By Miriam Ndikanwu

banks took the state’s physical planning laws for granted, adding that the government would sanction any of the affected banks. He said: “Sanctioning the erring banks would be misunderstood by the public and international community but we urge management of the banks that operate branches but have no approved plans to comply with the state Model City Development Law of 2009 and the state Urban and Regional Planning Law of the state. “If we are to go after over 1,000 bank branches that fail

‘If we are to go after over 1,000 bank branches that fail to comply with developmental law in the state, what message would we be sending to the international community? ‘ to comply with developmental law in the state, what message would we be sending to the international communi-

ty? They will not look at it from the angle of enforcing the law; rather, they would look at it from an economic perspective.” Abosede said the the planning laws of 2009 and 2010 were to firm up extant regulations on building control to ensure professionalism among workers, quality of buildings and compliance with physical planning and building control regulations. He said since the introduction of the laws, Lagos had a better environment, a healthier living condition and an increase in the life expectancy. Abosede said emphasis

would be placed on the conduct of the Building Control Agency officials and compliance with the development permit to ensure that the aims of the planning laws were not defeated. He said 7,393 building contraventions were detected in 2010 and 162 illegal structures demolished, adding that 12,804 building permit applications were received the previous year. He explained that 7,600 had been processed and approved and 5,204 were being processed for approval, adding that out of the 90 layout plans it received, 31 had been approved.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 Ondo 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 pharmacists join 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 doctors’ strike 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 From Damisi Ojo, Akure 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 S the strike by medical 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 doctors in Ondo State 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 enters one week, their 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 in the Pharma1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 counterparts ceutical Society of Nigeria 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 yesterday joined it for 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 (PSN) 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 solidarity. The pharmacists, at the end 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 of their extra-ordinary meet1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 ing, resolved to embark on 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 indefinite strike if the gov1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 an ernment failed to meet their 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 demands. In a statement by its state 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 Chairman, Mr. Oluwaoromi1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 pin Adekola and Secretary, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 Mr. Abayomi Ogunjemiyo, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 pharmacists demanded 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 the immediate implementa1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 the tion of Consolidated Health 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 Salary Scale for their 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012 Sector members in government

•From left: Chairman, Presidential Advicesory Council, Gen. Theophilus Danjuman; Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke; Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; and Secretary of the Council, Chief Ben Nwabueze at the meeting of the council with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja... yesterday. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Oyo PDP challenges Ajimobi’s victory

YO State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it has filed a petition against the victory of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)in the governorship election. ACN’s candidate Senator Abiola Ajimobi defeated Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala. The governor’s Special Adviser on Public Communication Dotun Oyelade said the PDP and not the governor petitioned the tribunal. Oyelade said: “While it is true that Governor Akala congratulated Senator Ajimobi after the April election and cited the need to reduce tension and actively support the growth of our fledgling democracy as his reason for his public remark, the issue must not be confused with the determination of the Party to challenge his victory at the Tribunal, which it has done yesterday.

•I’m not afraid of EFCC, says Alao-Akala From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

“Governor Akala is not in a position to stop the decision of the Party to contest the result in the face of more daunting evidences which it may have in its possession.” Alao-Akala yesterday said he was not afraid of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which he alleged was being used to intimidate him. He said he had not committed any financial crime that would make him lose sleep over the intimidation he alleged some people made on the pages of newspapers. The governor described the threats of arrest against him as abstract, spurious and empty, adding that he had not committed any crime to make them tenable. He said he had not soiled the good name his father left

behind for generations. Alao-Akala spoke when he received members of the state chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan. He urged reporters to be fair on him and members of his executive council when they write about his administration’s four years and 11 months. Alao-Akala said: “I want you to be very fair on us after we have left office. I beg you journalists, when you hear anything about Akala, please call me. My phone numbers remain the same; call me and crosscheck your facts. We know what we have done while in office. As a government, we have been able to put a lot of smiles on the faces of the people of the state. So, we can always walk tall wherever we go. “We have been able to

make a difference in the lives of our people and we have been able to adhere strictly to our 13-Point Agenda since the inception of this administration. We have indeed added value to the infrastructure and we’ve ruled the state with the fear of God. We leave every other thing for posterity to judge. I saw a headline last time that said Akala, and …are on the list of EFCC. I’m not afraid of EFCC.” Praising journalists for shaping the society, the governor warned them against receiving money to tarnish the reputation of fellow beings, adding that those who did so in the past had not fared well in the profession. NUJ Chairman, Comrade Gbenga Opadotun said the visit was for a farewell to the governor whom he said had supported the union.

PDP sacks Unongo as local caucus chair

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has sacked its caucus chairman in Kwande Local Government, Dr Paul Unongo. Unongo was reportedly sacked for allegedly saying the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) won last month’s governorship election in the state.

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

In a statement by its chairman in the local government, Chief Terlumun Akputu, the party alleged that Unongo was an “ambitious and a frustrated man” who could no longer be trusted with the position. Akputu said Governor

Gabriel Suswam rehabilitated Unongo, a Second Republic minister, and made his wife a commissioner. He expressed concern that Unongo’s comments were capable of desecrating the swem, the Tiv oracle in Kwande. The chairman, board of directors of Radio Benue, Dr Terkula Suswam said Unon-

go never won an election, adding that he lacked the capacity to determine when and who won an election. He said: “Governor Suswam did not count on Unongo to win the governorship poll because the man has not won any election and all the people he has ever supported lost their elections.”

employ. According to them, the payment of the new salary would drive the programmes better. They said: “The society (PSN), with all sense of modesty, advocates for the immediate implementation of both the CONHESS and CONMESS for health workers...”

Customs chief warns against smuggling From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

HE ComptrollerGeneral of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko yesterday urged Nigerians to desist from smuggling to protect the nation’s economy. Dikko addressed reporters in Maigatari, a border town with Niger Republic, where he commissioned the newly renovated staff quarters. He said the major challenge confronting the service was how to attain compliance with the rules and regulations governing international trade. Dikko said: “My major challenge is how to attain a high level of compliance. What we are doing is for the betterment of Nigeria, and we are urging people to stop smuggling because it is an act of economic sabotage and we, as customs officers, have the duty to protect our economy against the vices of saboteurs. “My officers are working 24 hours to ensure that smuggling is reduced to the barest minimum across our borders.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

FOREIGN NEWS Yemeni President resignation deal to be signed

EMEN’S government and opposition say a Gulf-brokered deal to end the country’s crisis will be sealed. Last month veteran leader President Ali Abdullah Saleh backed out of signing such a deal at the last minute. The new deal has been agreed with amendments after intervention by United States and European diplomats, officials say. The General People’s Congress party and the opposition coalition, the Common Front, have both agreed to take part in a national unity government. Opposition officials said the deal would see Mr Saleh, who has ruled for 33 years, out of power within a month. “After American, European and Gulf efforts, there was agreement by the president on the Gulf initiative after simple changes, and the signing will be today,” opposition official Yahya Abu Usbua told Reuters news agency. President Saleh’s aide, Ahmed al-Sufi, told AFP news agency on Wednesday: “Yes, it will be today.” Last month’s signing was thwarted when Mr Saleh reportedly said he would only sign the deal in his capacity as head of the ruling party; the opposition had insisted he must sign as president.

French appalled by treatment of detained T IMF chief

HE trans-Atlantic gap separating the United States and French justice systems and moral codes is as wide as the ocean itself — appalling a nation witnessing the unraveling fortunes of a favorite son, detained IMF chief Dominique StraussKahn. Some of the charges leveled against Strauss-Kahn in the alleged sexual assault of a hotel maid in New York do not exist in France. And if the case was being heard in France, the 62-year-old IMF chief might risk three to five years in prison instead of scores in the United States, a leading expert says. Strauss-Kahn also likely wouldn’t be sitting in a no-

torious jail right now on a suicide watch. According to the BBC, a poll in France found 57 percent of those who replied believed Strauss-Kahn was the victim of a conspiracy. That number rose to 70 percent among those who identified themselves as favoring his Socialist Party. The photos of a potential French president — handcuffed, stooped, unshaven, tieless and whisked away to court before photographers — knocked the breath out of the French public. The initial response was a collective “that would not

happen here.” Not in a country whose laws protect even a petty thief from flashing cameras in a public space and televised court hearings like the one broadcast Monday from Manhattan Criminal Court. Not in a country whose traditions have long shielded the philandering of the powerful, at the risk of failing to uncover travesties of the law. So different are French laws and mores, it is conceivable that Strauss-Kahn — innocent or guilty — failed to grasp the speed by which American justice runs its

course, the weight given to alleged sex offenses and the egalitarian premise on which the U.S. judicial system is based until he sat in the infamous Rikers Island prison. Despite the weight of the charges, it is likely, experts say, that had the alleged hotel scene taken place in Paris, Strauss-Kahn’s dignity would have remained intact. In France, unlike the U.S., the judicial process takes place largely behind closed doors and the political powers-that-be hold sway over prosecutors. It is also a country where for centuries, infidelities were a royal ritual and bedroom secrets known to all were never more than

court chatter. That unwritten bedroom code of silence is still largely respected, although the practice is bit by bit giving way to a demand for more public accountability. “The French accept many more moral transgressions of their president, of their political class, of their elite. There is something ... a bit aristocratic” in French moral and legal culture, said Antoine Garapon, a magistrate and author of the book “To Judge in America and in France.” “The American culture is more democratic. You can head the IMF and be a citizen like others,” he told The Associated Press.

Russia expels Israeli military attache

SRAEL’S military has rejected Russian charges that a military attache to Moscow was a spy as “unfounded.” The military said in a statement yesterday that the officer underwent a “thorough investigation” after he returned to Israel. Israeli media identified the officer as Col. Vadim Leiderman. The military statement said the officer “was detained for investigation last week by Russian authorities,on suspicion of spying.” Channel 2 TV reported he was taken away by Russian agents during dinner. He was questioned and expelled. Russian intelligence accused the officer of passing sensitive information to Israel, the station reported. There was no immediate comment from the Russian government.

•Queen Elizabeth (middle), Irish President Mary McAleese (left) and GAA President Christy Cooney at Croke Park, Dublin...yesterday

Queen visits site of massacre in Ireland

HE Queen has visited sports stadium Croke Park in Dublin, where 14 people were killed by British forces during a Gaelic football match 91 years ago. Gaelic Athletic Association president Christy Cooney said her presence “does honour to our Association”. Earlier on day two of her visit to the Republic of Ireland, the Queen laid a wreath honouring Ireland’s war dead. She is the first British monarch to visit the country for 100 years.

The Queen was met at the main entrance of Croke Park by Mr Cooney and President Mary McAleese, who is hosting the visit. A display of Irish set dancing was followed by a meeting with GAA officials. Addressing the Queen, Mr Cooney said the visit would underpin and advance the peace process and “go down in the history of the GAA”. He said: “Your presence does honour to our Association, to its special place in Irish life, and to its hundreds of thousands of members.” On Tuesday, the Queen

had laid a wreath in memory of those who died fighting for Ireland against her own country’s forces. Less than 24 hours later, she was on the opposite side of Dublin for another memorial - this time, honouring Irishmen who fought and died for Britain in WWI. Dignitaries, including the Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and many other representatives from the unionist community, looked on as the Queen laid a wreath of poppies. A lone piper played a lament and the band the Last

Post before the Queen went to look at the Roll of Honour - the names of 49,400 men who went to war for the crown and did not return. He added that he was “deeply saddened” to attend the funeral of GAA member PSNI Constable Ronan Kerr last month. The Queen was presented with a limited edition book outlining the GAA’s history, and Prince Philip was presented with a hurley stick and a sliothar (hurling ball), with the aside that he should use it “in the back garden”.

Russian President Medvedev promises election decision ‘soon’

USSIAN President Dmitry Medvedev has promised journalists he will reveal whether or not he will stand for re-election in 2012 “soon”. His predecessor and mentor, Vladimir Putin, is eligible to stand again as president next year, after two previous terms in the Kremlin. Mr Medvedev gave his first full news conference after three years in office. Questioned about Syria, he said he would not back

any UN resolutions paving the way for intervention. Russia, he said, was not happy with the way the West had used the UN resolution on Libya. Medvedev also warned the US about the need to cooperate on missile defence. Yesterday’s news conference was broadcast live by Russian TV channels. The president frequently smiled in response to questions and sought to create an easy atmosphere with the journalists questioning

him. “Political life is not just show business and it’s not show business at all, it’s quite a complex job that is subject to certain processes which must be respected,” Medvedev said, when asked about re-election. “A decision like this has to be taken when the time is right.” Medvedev has spent most of his years in office in the shadow of Putin and many have expected him to step aside in 2012, says the

BBC’s Moscow correspondent Daniel Sandford. Suggestions of a power struggle were fuelled by recent public disputes between the two men - most notably over Libya, our correspondent says. Asked about their relationship on Wednesday, Medvedev said he had known Mr Putin for more than 20 years and they were “truly like-minded”. “This does not mean however that we see eye to eye on everything,” he added.

“But we are close in our strategies, otherwise we would simply be unable to work together.” Medvedev added: “I hope that when taking corresponding decisions on which of us is to stand for which post and what to do in the future, we will be guided by this responsible approach - responsible, first of all, towards this country and its people.” Other questions touched on familiar themes such as the need for Russia to modernise.

British military advisers set up ‘joint operations centre’ in Libya

RITISH military advisers have helped Libyan rebels set up a “joint operations centre” in Benghazi feeding information to Nato for the targeting of air strikes against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s military forces and bunkers. Eleven British trainers have joined “significant numbers” of military advisers from France and Italy to help the Libya’s rebel Transitional National Council set up an operational command structure capable of taking on the Gaddafi regime. A senior European diplomat, active in building ties with the Benghazi based rebels, said that the creation of a “joint operations centre” with the help of Western trainers had increased “military capacity”. “The main job is to coordinate and make more effective the processing of military and tactical information back to Nato so air operations are based on the best information available,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

FOREIGN NEWS

South Africans vote in crucial local elections SOUTH Africans have been voting in local elections after one of the most bitterly fought campaigns in years. The delivery of basic services like water, housing and jobs has been among the issues dominating campaigning. Long queues were seen in the most hotly contested areas, such as Johannesburg and Cape Town, with the vote said to be fairly smooth. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) controls all of South Africa’s nine provinces except the Western Cape. The BBC’s Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says it is one of the most hotly contested local elections in recent years. The battle for control of municipalities in the key economic provinces like the Western Cape, currently controlled by the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), and Gauteng has seen mud-slinging from party officials and aggressive door-to-door campaigning by senior party officials to rarely visited parts of the country, she says.

Libya frees four western journalists THE Libyan government says it has freed four foreign journalists detained for illegally entering the country. Those freed were two Americans, James Foley and Clare Morgana Gillis, Spanish photographer Manu Brabo and a Briton named as Nigel Chandler. The fate of a South African photographer is unclear. Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said those freed could stay and report in the country, Reuters said. The Libyan government has been fighting an uprising since February. James Foley works for GlobalPost and Clare Morgana Gillis is a freelancer. They were detained with Manu Brabo on 4 April.

Syrian president: security services made mistakes SYRIAN President Bashar al-Assad has said the authorities have made some mistakes in their handling of anti-government protests since mid-March. Assad told a group of dignitaries that most of the blame lay with poorly trained members of the security services, the alWatan newspaper said. But he said Syria had now “overcome the crisis” and it was coming to an end. The admission came as the BBC received new reports of attacks on civilians in a town near the border with Lebanon. Syrian refugees in Lebanon told the BBC they had fled scenes of great violence in the town of Tal Kalakh, which has been under siege by the army for several days. Activists say at least 27 people have been killed.

•South African President Jacob Zuma voting in Nkaandla in Kwazulu •Enstranged wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, Winnie voting PHOTOS: AFP ...yesterday Natal Proviince...yesterday

US slaps sanctions on Syrian president

HE United States slapped sanctions on Syrian President Bashar Assad and six senior Syrian officials for human rights abuses over their brutal crackdown on anti-government protests. It is the first time US is penalising the Syrian leader for actions of his security forces. The White House announced the sanctions yesterday, a day before President Barack Obama delivers a major speech on the uprisings throughout the Arab world with prominent mentions of Syria. The Obama administration had pinned hopes on Assad, seen until recent months as a pragmatist and potential reformer who could buck Iranian influence

and help broker an eventual Arab peace deal with Israel. Assad’s increasingly brutal crackdown left US officials with what they saw as little choice but to abandon the effort to woo Assad and to stop exempting him from the same sort of sanctions already applied to Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi. In a letter to congressional leaders, Obama said he issued the new sanctions order as a response to the Syrian government’s “continuous escalation of violence against the people of Syria.” Obama cited “attacks on protesters, arrests and harassment of protesters and political activists, and repression of democratic change, overseen and executed by numerous elements of the Syrian

government.” The sanctions will freeze any assets Assad and the six Syrian government officials have in U.S. jurisdiction and make it illegal for Americans to do business with them. The U.S. had imposed similar sanctions on two of Assad’s relatives and another top Syrian official last month but had thus far refrained from going after Assad himself. “The actions the administration has taken today send an unequivocal message to President Assad, the Syrian leadership and regime insiders that they will be held accountable for the ongoing violence and repression in Syria,” said David S. Cohen, Treasury’s acting under secretary for terrorism, said in a statement.

“President al-Assad and his regime must immediately end the use of violence, answer the calls of the Syrian people for a more representative government and embark upon the path of meaningful democratic reform,” Cohen said. The move comes as Assad said earlier Wednesday that his security forces had made mistakes during the twomonth uprising and blamed poorly trained police at least in part for the crackdown that has killed more than 850 people. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she was increasingly alarmed by developments in Syria and called out Assad and his allies for failing to follow through on earlier pledges of reform.

Museveni lashes out at ‘media enemies’

GANDA’S President Yoweri Museveni has lashed out at the media for their coverage of recent opposition protests over the cost of living. In a letter published in the state-owned New Vision paper, he called them “the enemies of Uganda’s recovery”. He named Al-Jazeera, the BBC, regional NTV and Uganda’s privately owned Daily Monitor as cheering on those behind the monthlong “walk-to-work” campaign.

Rights groups have criticised the police crackdown on the protests. At least nine people have died, according to Human Rights Watch. Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, was sworn in for a fourth term as president a week ago, as thousands of opposition supporters turned out to welcome opposition leader Kizza Besigye home from neighbouring Kenya. Dr Besigye, a former ally of Mr Museveni, sought medical treatment in Nairo-

bi after being injured when he was arrested during the protests. “If you look at the way these media houses have been reporting what has been going on in our country, you realise they were inciting people” In his letter, entitled We shall know them by their fruits, Museveni referred to the walk-to-work campaign over rising fuel and food prices led by Dr Besigye as “treacherous”. “The media houses both local and international such

as Al-Jazeera, BBC, NTV, The Daily Monitor, etc, that cheer on these irresponsible people are enemies of Uganda’s recovery and they will have to be treated as such,” he said. “Why do they not also report the negative acts of these elements?” Ugandan Information Minister Kabakumba Masiko told the BBC’s Network Africa programme that laws would be amended to deal with any journalist who became an “enemy of the state”.

Egypt says no immunity deal for Mubarak

GYPT’S interim military leaders said Wednesday that they are not considering granting ousted president Hosni Mubarak immunity from prosecution on charges of corruption. The statement, posted on the Facebook page of the Supreme Council of the

Armed Forces, came in response to a flurry of reports in Egyptian media earlier this week that suggested the former president was trying to cut a deal. The military command “does not interfere” with the judicial process that is underway, the statement said.

The military rulers warned Egyptians about the risk of believing “news and rumors that aim to cause a rift between the people.” On Tuesday, Egyptian news was dominated by reports that Mubarak intended to deliver a speech to apologize for misdeeds

during his three decades in office. The reports said he would offer to return assets in exchange for immunity from prosecution. The speech did not take place. Mubarak, 83, has been in custody at a hospital in the Sinai resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh since early April.

Libyan oil Minister Shukri Ghanem ‘defects’

IBYAN Oil Minister Shukri Ghanem has left the country, amid reports that he has defected. Tunisian officials say Mr Ghanem - a former prime minister - crossed into Tunisia by road before going to the island of Djerba. A spokesman for the Libyan rebels told the BBC the minister had defected, and was on his way to a European country. The Libyan government said he had been on official business in Tunisia, but that Tripoli had lost touch with him. The BBC correspondent in Tripoli, says that if Mr Ghanem’s defection is confirmed, he would be the highest-level figure to go since Libya’s former Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa fled to the UK in March. “Shukri Ghanem has left Libya,” a Tunisian official told AFP news agency. The official added that Mr Ghanem had gone to a hotel in Djerba but “not tried to contact the Tunisian authorities”. A UK-based spokesman for the rebel Transitional National Council, Jumaa el Gamaty, told the BBC: “Mr Shukri Ghanem has defected. I think as we speak he’s in [a] transitory European country.” Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said Tripoli had lost contact with him. Ibrahim told the New York Times newspaper that the government’s fight against rebels “doesn’t depend on individuals, even if they are high-ranking officials”. Ghanem is also the head of Libya’s National Oil Corporation. The incident comes a day after the chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced he was seeking the arrest of Col Gadaffi and two other senior figures on war crimes charges.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011

NATION SPORT

NFF TO CLUBS

Rest Flying Eagles players T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has written to clubs with a request to exclude members of the Flying Eagles from playing matches in order to enable them have

enough rest. Deputy General Secretary, technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme told 2muchsports.com that the football house had told the players to proceed on a two weeks break so as to recover from the long pe-

riod of camping while preparing for the AYC and even for attending the invitational tournament in Korea immediately after the AYC. "We have told the clubs to exclude the players from

Abuja ready for NSCDC/AFN Golden League

HE third leg of the 2011 NSCDC/AFN Golden League has been scheduled for this weekend at the National Stadium in Abuja. After the first and second rounds, which held in Port Harcourt and Ado Ekiti respectively, the AFN Secretary General, Maria Wophil said yesterday that a lot of surprises are expected, especially with more incentives in the pipeline for athletes to pick up. “We are expecting spectacular performances from the athletes on the trail of the jackpot prize. For this leg, there are additional incentives from our sponsors for the athletes who perform well, in addition to the prize monies they will get,” observed the Federation scribe. Already, all the top athletes who won in the previous legs have signified their intentions to continue the hunt to have a share in the jackpot prize money. Delta athlete, Ogho Oghene Egwero at the weekend continued his hunt for the jackpot prize when he stormed to a 10.33 to win the 100m event in Ado Ekiti. Fred Agbaje (10.56) of CDA and Navy athlete, Chukwuma Onyeaku (10.65) finished second and third respectively. At the first leg in Port Harcourt penultimate weekend, Egwero started his season with a slow 10.55 to lead the field. In the female version of the

Falcons to camp in Austria

ATEST information coming out of the Nigeria Football Federation has it that the Falcons will no longer be camping in Germany ahead of their participation at this year's world cup as the camp has now been moved to Austria. 2muchsports.com gathered from a top management staff of the football house that the decision to shift the camp site from Germany arose from the fact that the girls should be kept away from the host country radar who are also in the same group with Falcons. The team which has been given a one week break after their disastrous elimination from the All Africa Games is expected to get some of the best training ahead of the world cup. "We are not leaving any stone unturned in ensuring that the girls get the best training for the world cup. We still have the believe that our girls can do the Nation proud at the world cup." Said the NFF top management staff that preferred not to be mentioned.

race, Deborah Odeyemi of AClass club out-sprint both Blessing Ibirah of the Police (11.92) and Susan Akene (12.00) to win the race. Odeyemi powered home in 11.77. Tobi Ogunmola of ICDO won the quarter mile in 46.49 to leave Abiola Onakoya (46.66) and Godday James (47.15) both of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps struggling for the sec-

ond and third positions. Bukola Abogunloko had no serious contest in the women 400m as the 2010 World Junior Championships 4x400m silver medalist coasted home in 52.83. Josephine Ehigie (53.10) of the Police team and Rita Ossai (53.94) of Mausi Club picked the silver and bronze. Attached here is the list of events and the athletes expected in Abuja for this third leg:

their immediate plans as the boys need to have enough rest to be able to recover from the several months of preparing and participating at the Africa Youth Championship, and going over to South Korea for the invitational tournament after the South Africa competition. You will agree with me that they need to be rested from football for some weeks." The head of the technical department assured that the football house will ensure that the team gets the best of preparation for the world youth championship in Columbia. "The team will definitely get the best of preparation ahead of their participation at the WYC. By the time they resume, they would have been freshened up enough to be able to face the next round of preparation for the world cup."

Benfica may disrupt Taiwo's Milan move ENFICA may block the much-publicised transfer of Nigeria international Taye Taiwo to Italian champions AC Milan as he has signed a pre-contract with the top Portuguese club. Taiwo, 26, is a free agent in the summer after he refused to renew his contract with French club Olympique Marseille, but MTNFootball.com has now been told that Benfica had already tied the former Lobi Stars ace to a pre-contract before Milan even came into the picture. “It’s really left to be seen what would become of the pre-contract Taiwo signed with Benfica,”informed a source, who was privy to the Benfica interest. “Would they agree for Milan to buy them out or will they insist the player honour his side of the deal as stipulated in the contract?” The source further told MTNFootball.com: “This is the

biggest deal involving a Nigerian player since Mikel moved to Chelsea, but because of the Benfica pre-contract, you could see that Taiwo has not been all that forthcoming about his switch to Milan. “He is very mindful of the agreement he has in place with Benfica.” ‘TT’ became one of the most sought after players in Europe once he made it public that he will not extend his six-season stay at Marseille. Spanish media reports linked him with Real Madrid and another top source informed MTNFootball.com that there was a serious interest in the defender by “a top German club”. Taiwo is believed to have bagged a three-year contract with newly crown Italian champions Milan despite his earlier commitment to Benfica. UEFA EUROPA CUP FINAL

FC Porto 1-0 Braga

TOMORROW In The Nation ‘This ‘new dawn,’ we shall continue to pretend that we have answers to everything. As Nigeria ruins and stagnates like cocoyam sodden in a mud field, you and I shall continue to rant and articulate highfaluting remedies to the problems that persist and smother’ OLATUNJI OLOLADE

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO. 1,764

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

OOR Isa Yuguda. Since the Bauchi governor opened his mouth too wide in commenting on the murder of the 10 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) boys and girl, he has been deeply troubled. His Excellency has been derided by many who feel his comments were heartless and unbecoming of a father, a politician and a governor. The timing could not have been worse, they said, with the comments coming when parents of the dead were grieving and many were wondering whether we still had any legitimate claim to being members of the human community. Yuguda has denied ever “spitting on the graves’’ of the youths. He issued a statement, which he felt would clear the air. No luck. Then he rushed to Abuja to tell a group of reporters how he, in fact, shed tears over the incident, which he examined spiritually and concluded that destiny – that unseen hand in man’s affairs – was at work. He was sorry his view was misrepresented, according to him. The governor dedicated his victory at the poll to the slain “NYSC 10”. Besides, he plans to visit the mourning families. Yuguda’s ordeal has shown how a man can get into trouble when he lacks circumspection – and wisdom, if you don’t mind – while speaking on sensitive issues? But aren’t such follies the forte of many public officials? Former President Olusegun Obasanjo once went to Jos where there had been killings and arson. Seeing the devastation, he shed tears. But the chief missed his line and destroyed what would have been a good performance when he told the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman to shut up. “CAN my foot!” he said, scorning the body the man represented, right before NTA’s 30 million viewers. Many have not forgotten this verbal assault on a man of God. Also fresh is Obasanjo’s tirade on ailing former President Umaru Yar’Adua, a man he backed – forced, some insist - to be president, despite his frailty. Amid the campaign for the job, the late Yar’Adua fell ill and was flown overseas, yet Obasanjo insisted he was fit as a fiddle. And when the man eventually broke down, Obasanjo unleashed a verbal blow that kept many wondering whether he was the same man who mounted a dramatic road show selling Yar’Adua to the electorate. “If you take up an appointment, a job, elected, appointed, whatever it is and then your health starts failing… then there is a path of honour you are supposed to take…and if you don’t know that, then you don’t know anything.” That was Obasanjo on the late Yar’Adua. Many insisted they knew the reason for his bellicosity. When bombs went off in Lagos on January 28, 2002, many ran the race of their lives – the race that took their lives – and ended it all in the Ejigbo canal. Obasanjo visited the Ikeja Cantonment to, as they say, see things for himself. There was a crowd of dejected people desperate for that soothing balm expected from their leader. As they struggled to tell him about

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

Tongues of trouble

•Yuguda

their condition, the then president raised his hand, dismissing them: “Look; I’m not supposed to be here!” It was a disastrous situation for his minders. Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chair Vincent Ogbulafor, a prince, is yet to recover from the ditch in which he suddenly found himself after announcing that the party would respect zoning. He knew that President Goodluck Jonathan was interested in carrying on, yet he lacked the tact of a good politician and the simple street wisdom to dodge an attempt to stir a controversy. His time was up. Now, Ogbulafor is fighting to free himself from a legal web of fraud woven around him by the very people he claimed to be serving. Pity. General Muhammadu Buhari has been widely blamed for inciting those miscreants who went on a killing spree in the North after the announcement of President Jonathan as winner of the April 16 election. First, he reportedly told his supporters to lynch whoever stole their votes. There was uproar. Buhari, an ordinarily ascetic fellow, denied ever saying so. What he told them, according to him, was that if their votes were stolen, they knew what to do. And in Abuja, Buhari announced that he would not run again after the last election. To bring home the full impact of the message, he added some drama. He shed tears. Now, many are saying those tears were, in fact, weapons of mass

RIPPLES We’ve put WAFU Cup loss behind us– Eagles Asst Coach

...after giving us HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

destruction. But, to his Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the killings were justifiable. Its Legal Adviser Abubakar Malami said it was all because incumbents would do anything to retain power, adding that the violence was a spontaneous reaction to that. What logic? Just before the April elections, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio was quoted as saying no presidential candidate, except Dr Jonathan, was permitted to campaign in the state. Besides, his Ikot Ekpene hometown was declared a no-go area for other parties. When the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) dared to campaign in the town, its supporters came under a hail of bullets. The campaign was aborted. Hours after, the violence resurged in Uyo where properties were destroyed. Those who lost loved ones in the violence are still mourning. Former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nasir el-Rufai once accused senators of demanding bribe from him. He aroused a huge legislative anger, but the world saw him an anti-corruption crusader. Since then, he became a marked man. So, when a new man mounted the saddle, it was time to see how elRufai fared at the FCT. What a cesspool of fraud! Rather than being sober, el-Rufai told his interrogators at the Senate that he had no apology taking plots of land from people to allocate to his wife, concubines and kids. Now, he is battling in court to free himself from allegations of fraud levelled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It is good to be sober. Even the holy book admonishes: “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” Isn’t this true?

…And woman palaver

OMINIQUE Strauss-Khan is under pressure to quit his job as head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after being detained in a notorious jail for alleged attempted rape of a New York hotel maid. Arguably the most powerful man in the financial world, Strauss-Khan did not bargain for this moment in his life. Many stars have been dimmed by “woman

HARDBALL

N Tuesday, an attempt by the House of Representatives to debate the killing of 10 National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members in some Northern states during the just concluded general elections almost degenerated into a brawl. The resort by some legislators to strong arm tactics to frustrate the open discussion of an incident that has gravely damaged national unity is further evidence that many in Nigeria’s ruling elite are living in denial about the problems of this country. House Speaker Dimeji Bankole may have convinced the proponent of the motion to withdraw it as a means of dousing tension, but he only succeeded in sweeping the problem under the carpet where all can see its huge bulge. So who’s fooling who? Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Mr Abdul Ningi, who rather than allow debate resorted to shouting and making threatening gestures at his promotion colleagues may have temporarily

‘NYSC 10’ and vain gestures disrupted proceedings of the House, but he has not done much to change sentiments in parts of the country where parents have vowed not to allow their wards serve in certain states for safety reasons. The hard reality is that there is no substitute to a reasoned discussion of the future of the NYSC after the brutal killing of the 10 young people. In having that discussion there cannot be any no-go areas. As things stand, opinion is divided between an extreme that has called for the outright scrapping of the scheme, and a middle course that wants to see it reformed. Unless that discussion begins urgently we are set for the slow, but sure, collapse of the NYSC as young Nigerians posted to states where the killings took place begin to vote

trouble”. Great careers have crashed on the hot laps of women. And that is for the lucky ones; the not-so-lucky ones have paid with their lives. Since former World Bank chief Paul Wolfonsen got into trouble pampering his girlfriend with hefty allowances and lost his job, he has gone into oblivion. Mike “Iron” Tyson went to jail for raping a former beauty queen, Desireee Washington. Until then, he was one of the best boxers the world had ever seen. Fame and wealth came his way, but he never ceased to be wayward. In the end, Tyson lost it all. His daughter died recently and the man who once boasted of having the strength to kill a lion with his bare hands cried like a baby. From the Olympian height of number one on the world chart, golfer Tiger Woods has crashed to number eight, following his marital problems. Many women who claimed to have slept with him went public. Gone are endorsements worth millions of dollars. His reputation as a role model is in tatters. Now, many are asking: will this Tiger ever regain his tigritude? Kenya is mourning the death of Olympic marathon champion Samuel “Sammy” Wanjiru, who died after falling from a first-floor balcony at his home in Nyahururu. Sammy’s wife, with whom he had a turbulent relationship, was said to have found him with a woman when the incident happened. Now, people are asking: was that why he jumped to his death? Suicide? Accident? We may never know. Silvio Berlusconi, the wealthy businessman and media baron who is Italy’s president, keeps moving from one scandal to another. Many girls are claiming they attended his parlour parties. Some say they have shared his presidential bed. Bill Clinton almost kissed his presidency a tearful final bye when an intern said he had an affair with her. Till date, the argument is yet unresolved the kind of action that followed that presidential concupiscence for an intern. Clinton insisted there was no sexual relationship because certain acts were performed “on him” and not “by him”. He later admitted having “inappropriate intimate contact” with Monica Lewinsky. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s son, Gbenga, accused his ex of sleeping with his dad. The matter went to court. Senator Ahmed Yerima is yet to free himself from the avalanche of criticisms following his acquisition of an Egyptian kid bride. Child activists are in court to, among others, compel the groom to declare his bride’s age. For the popular press, the sexual peccadilloes of celebrities is big news. Why? People love salacious stories, particularly when they border on conjugal infidelity. But, aren’t all men peccable? In the end, it is the grace of God that saves when temptation marries human frailty. But, one fact remains incontestable: The easiest way to bring down an empire without firing a shot is through a woman. •For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above with their feet. In the process, a programme designed to foster national cohesion then becomes a mirror of how divided we have become. In the course of the aborted debate, members raised the issue of the N5million compensation paid to families of the victims. Several speakers felt the amount was too small. Others called for the NYSC members to be immortalised by having streets and public buildings named after them. Frankly, in the context of what has just happened these are just vain gestures that do nothing to restore that which has been lost, or address the root causes of regular mass slaughter in parts of Nigeria. As their family members have rightly observed, no amount of money would bring back their loved ones. The best way to immortalise the innocent who have been killed is to ensure that those involved in their murder are brought to justice. Let those who are used to treating human lives like some cheap commodity now realise that impunity no longer pays.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO