May 29, 2014 by The Nation

MAY 29

•EDITORIAL ON PAGE 17

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It is unfortunate that, despite this democratic dispensation being the most sustained in the country’s history since independence, the structure of governance remains as rickety as ever. It took only a little more than five years to truncate the process in the First Republic …

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VOL. 9, NO. 2861 THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

EKITI 2014

Senate panel orders NNPC to refund $262m •’Neither $49.8b nor $20b is missing’ •Fuel subsidy must go, says report

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

HE Senate Committee on Finance yesterday recommended that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should refund $262 million to the Federation Account. See story on page 2

•www.thenationonlineng.net

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•Violence: Monarchs to meet Jonathan, INEC, others •AND MORE •Fayose, police chief trade words over violence ON PAGE 10 •Sniffer dogs, horses join security for election •Chairman of Skye Bank Plc. Mr. Olatunde Ayeni speaking during the bank’s eighth annual general meeting in Lagos…yesterday. With him (from left) are: Group Manging Director/CEO Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, Company Secretary Abimbola Izu and Deputy Managing Director Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Boko Haram frees four girls Ailing pupils allowed to go Insurgents kill 51 more in Borno

From Yusuf Alli , Franca Ochigbo and Bukola Amusan, Abuja

OUR of the over 200 abducted Chibok school girls have regained their freedom. They were freed by the Boko Haram insurgents when they took ill, the Chairman of Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, Mr. Bana Lawan, said in Abuja yesterday. The state government confirmed last night that the girls have reunited with their family members. Lawan, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting for validation draft on humanitarian response plan for the abducted girls, did not say when the four were freed. He also did not give their names. Lawan was represented WHERE ARE at the stakeholders’ meetTHE CHIBOK ing organised by the National Emergency ManageGIRLS KIDNAPPED ment Agency (NEMA), by •Students from Midreshet Shalhevet High School for Girls protesting outside the Nigerian Consulate in New York for more action to be taken to ON APRIL 15? Continued on page 6 rescue the Chibok schoolgirls…yesterday

•ETISALAT’S SUBSCRIBER BASE NOW 19.3M P12 •IKEJADISCO RECALLS 567 P12

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

NEWS

Refund $262m to F T

•L-R: Company Secretary, Wema Bank, Wole Ajimisinmi; Chairman, Mr. Adeyinka Asekun; Managing Director/CEO, Segun Oloketuyi, and Executive Director, Nurudeen Fagbenro, during the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the company, held at Civic Centre, Lekki, Lagos...yesterday. Photo: Solomon Adeola

•From Left: Executive Director, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc; Mrs Mayen Adetiba; Company Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Amade; Chairman/Managing Director, Mr Adetunji Oyebanji, and Executive Director, Mr Alastair Macnaughton, at the Company's Annual General Meeting in Lagos... yesterday

•L-R: Ibrahim Maigari, Phamaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) liason officer; Idris Pada, deputy president PSN; Dr Femi Thomas, CEO of NHIS; Olumide Akintayo, president of PSN, and Femi Adebayo, national chaiman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria during a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary/CEO of NHIS in abuja.

• Joy Njoku, Manager, Winasbet Ltd, Banex Branch Abuja, Solomon Makolo, winner of N3.3m Sports Betting and Kingsley Efim, Manager, Winasbet Ltd, Suleja Branch, during the presentation of N3.3m cheque to Mr. Makolo who won from bet placed at the Winasbet Betting Shop, Abuja.

HE Senate Committee on Finance yesterday recommended that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should refund $262 million to the Federation Account. The committee said $665.896m was yet to be remitted by the NNPC. It also asked the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) to remit to the Federation Account $447.817,884, being balance of royalty and Petroleum Profit tax (PPT). The committee urged the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy. The committee, headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, since was never any unremitted $49.8billion as alleged by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. It stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria, NNPC, Ministries of Finance and Petroleum agreed that the NNPC should account for $20billion. These assertions were contained in the report of the committee, which was laid before the Senate yesterday. The committee noted that the sum of $218.069 million remains unremitted, being Federation Account share from the Third Party Financing arrangement. It said that royalties and taxes amounting to $447.827million, being Federation Account share from the $6.815billion liftings by NNPC on behalf of NPDC, remain unremitted. The report urged the Senate to note, among others, that the “total crude oil liftings January to July 2013 was $67 billion and not $65billion as the CBN Governor had presented. There was never any unremitted $49.8billion. All the agencies: CBN, NNPC, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Petroleum Resources had agreed after reconciliation meeting that $47billion out of the $67billion had been credited to the Federation Account. Amount to be accounted for therefore was $20billion. The sum of $5.254billion PMS subsidy certified by PPPRA, part of the $20billion to be accounted for, was adequately covered by the Appropriation Acts 2012 and 2013. “The sum of $3,512billion DPK subsidy certified by PPPRA for the period January 2012 - July 2013, being part of the $20billion to be accounted for, was not appropriated for by the National Assembly. The total sum certified by PPPRA for Kerosene DPK) subsidy not appropriated for by the National Assembly was N353.370billion ($2.148billion) for 2013 respectively, making total for the two years N685.91billion ($4.430billion).” The committee report only covers accounting for $67billion crude oil revenue between January 2012July 2013. “The Committee together with Appropriations Committee will continue its investigation on causes of shortfall in revenues, which covers issues such as SWAP, Strategic Alliance etc, as relates to the petroleum industry as par Senate Resolution S/RES/007/03/13.” The committee recommended among others that the Senate should accept the subsidy deducted by NNPC from January 2012 - July 2013 of $5.254billion (N823,803billion) since it was certified by PPPRA and appropriated by National Assembly. “This is without prejudice to the outcome of the Forensic Audit conducted by the Office of the AuditorGeneral for the Federation and Pricewaterkhouse Coopers Limited (PWC),” the report added. It said further that: “whereas it may be good policy to encourage indigenous players by giving them greater participation, however continuing transfer of Federation OMLs to NPDC who in turn transfer same to Third Parties with lots of tax and other revenue concessions will de-

•Dr. Jonathan From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

prive the federation of vital income. Therefore, all such transactions should be conducted in a transparent and competitive manner and devoid of revenue concessions. NNPC to refund and remit to the Federation Account the sum of $262million being expenses it could not satisfactorily defend in respect of Holding Strategic Stock Reserve; Pipeline Maintenance and Management Cost; and Capital Expenditure. There is the need for the subsidy regime to be totally discontinued with. All stakeholders should be consulted and carried along as much as possible before abolishing the subsidy. “Further legislative action by the Senate should be taken after receipt of the forensic check/audit currently being undertaken at NNPC by the Auditor-General of the Federation and PWC. The NNPC should strictly adhere to international best practices in keeping records. NNPC should not control the revenue account of NPDC in order not to undermine its separate legal status and make accountability more difficult. That PPPRA should henceforth not certify subsidy payments/deductions when there is no appropriation for such. “NNPC should always ensure due process and diligence in their operations. The Senate also mandates the Committed to follow up and receive the forensic audit/ checks reports from the AuditorGeneral for the Federation and PWC, study same and report back to Senate.” The committee noted that after a careful study of all submissions, it found: "That all parties, i.e. CBN, NNPC, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Petroleum Resources had resolved through reconciliation undertaken by them that $47billion had been received into the Federation Account out of the total oil lifting valued at $67billion between January 2012 and July 2013. That on the remaining $20billion to be reconciled, the committee's findings are as follows: "The amount deducted /withheld/expended by NNPC on fuel subsidy between January 2012 to July 2013 was $5.254billion (N823.802billion). This was certified by PPPRA and the National Assem-

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

Federation Account, Senate panel orders NNPC

•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

bly has appropriated funds in 2012 and 2013 fuel subsidy in the sums of N888.101 billion ($5.737billion) and $971.274 billion ($6.274billion respectively. The amount expended on subsidy on kerosene (DPK) between January to July 2013 was $3.512billion (N543.890billion). This was certified by PPPRA. This was not appropriated for by the National Assembly in both 2012 and 2013 Appropriation Acts. "The subsidy deduction in the sum of N180billion ($1.2billion) by NNPC in 2012 bug relating to fourth quarter 2011 was certified by PPPRA. The CBN position was that this deduction needed PPPRA certification. PPPRA verification alluded to on the NNPC subsidy claims are in practice book keeping verification rather than physical verification of products and claims." The committee said it also found that on Third Part Financing liftings

• Mrs. Alison-Madueke

by NNPC which CBN put at $2billion and called for more explanations, as follows: "That the actual value of Third Party Financing lifting was $2,430,750,973. That the amount confirmed by the Accountant-General as having been remitted into the Federation Account between January, 2012 and July, 2013 was $1,370,172,650.36. That the share belonging to Mobile Producing Nigeria Limited in Third Party Financing arrangement with NNPC confirmed by them orally and in writing was $848,687,581. "That the amount confirmed by the Accountant-General of the Federation as having been remitted into the Federation Account in December, 2013 which is outside the period January 2012 - July 2013 was $300,000,000. Therefore, the sum of $218,069,354 remains outstanding or unremitted by NNPC which it explained was in escrow account and

•Sanusi

will be remitted when it matures." On the $6billion liftings by NNPC on behalf of NPDC, which CBN observed that part of the revenue belongs to the Federation Account, the committee said it found as follows: "NPDC strategic alliance are within the laws of the Federation as submitted by the Attorney-General for the Federation and Minister of Justice. Total liftings during the period in question was $6,815,188,626. Share of revenue to go to the Federation A. Lung was $2,175,635,436. Amount of Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) confirmed received by Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) from the NPDC and remitted to the Federation Account was $863,000,000. Amount of Royalty confirmed received by Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) from NPDC and remitted to the Federation Account was $864,817,552. Royalties and Taxes not remitted to the Federation

Account by NPDC within the period under consideration was $447,817,884." On other expenses and crude losses, which the Committee appointed Independent Professional Accountants to audit, the committee said it found as follows: "Crude and refined oil losses were certified by Committee Consultants as $0.809billion against the $0.760 reported by NNPC. Pipeline surveillance cost increased from $2.23million in 2012 to $11.15million in 2013 without corresponding decrease in pipeline oil losses. Actual PPMC's Staff Salaries and upfront benefit claimed in NNPC submission were overstated by $7.58million and $29.35million for the 2012 and 2013 respectively." The committee gave the amount expended above budgeted or not budgeted for at all in respect of PMS and DPK in 2012 and 2013 as fol-

lows: "2012 PMS = N90.693billion ($585million) 2013 PMS = "Over expenditure expected since certification of AugDec 2013 was only an interim one. 2012 Kerosene (Expended but not budgeted) N353,370,145,245.07 ($2.282billion), 2013 kerosene (amount expended but not budgeted) N332,539,367,830.95 ($2.148billion)." In respect of a motion moved by Senator Babajide Omoworare (Osun East) that N700million was expended illegally on Kerosene subsidy daily, the committee said it found based on PPPRA certification that: "In year 2012 amount expended was N353.370billion which gives N965.49million daily; and "In year 2013 (interim) amount expended was N332.539 billion which gives N908.578 million daily."

We’re committed to sustenance of democracy, says Senate

HE Senate yesterday said the National Assembly is committed to pursuing legislative actions that would guarantee the gains of democracy to the people. The resolution was the outcome of the senate’s felicitation on Nigeria’s 15th Democracy Anniversary contained in a motion was moved by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba and supported by all senators. “The National Assembly is determined to enact legislations that would facilitate the Transformation Agenda to deliver on the bountiful dividends of democracy to her citizens. The National Assembly also remains single-minded in its pursuit of enduring peace and security in all parts of the country,” he said. Ndoma-Egba noted that Nigeria’s democracy was maturing as she celebrates the 15th anniversary of democracy tomorrow. Deputy Senate Leader Abdul Ningi said although Nigeria’s democracy has made appreciable progress, attention must be focused on how to address national problems. He identified the problem of disunity among the citizenry, godfatherism, and nonimplementation of budgets as some of the major issues holding down Nigeria’s progress. “The problem of godfatherism should be addressed so that people are elected based on their performance and character,” he stressed. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu called for entrenchment of the principle of

rule of law in every level of government to check the rising impunity. Ekweremadu advised that there should be massive establishment of industries to create jobs for the teeming populace who are clamouring for the few existing jobs in the public sector. “For a country to make progress, we must have fear of God and of the law. The rule of law should guide all our dealings and activities in our private and public life. We should set up industries as is done in other places like China, to create jobs for our populace because the public sector cannot provide jobs to the teeming populace,” he advised. Senator Smart Adeyemi (PDP-Kogi) called for the restructuring of the country to allow every section of the country to develop at its own pace. “There is a lot of misplacement of priorities. We must restructure this country to engender equality. The time to restructure the country is now. The security challenge in the Northeast should open our eyes on the need to restructure our federalism,” he said. Senator Ahmed Lawal (APC-Yobe) stressed the need to revamp the nation’s economy to make it bring tangible benefits to the people. “We need to re-work the economy to make it work for Nigerians. Nigerians are not living better lives to reflect our status as the largest economy in Africa. The executives should show respect to the resolutions of the senate because they are in the best interest of the people we represent,” Lawal said. Senator Ayogu Eze (PDP-Enugu) urged

Nigerians to desist from projecting the image of the leadership in bad light because this impacts negatively on the nation’s external image. He advised the people to show pride in the achievements of our various national institutions. “We should have pride and faith in what belongs to us and in what we are doing. We have to keep faith in what our leaders are doing to move the country forward without denigrating them before the outside world,” Eze admonished. Senate President David Mark said besides the development of infrastructure, the greatest gain of the nation’s democracy was the freedom of expression for all. “Today, all of us here can get up and criticise the government. Under this democracy, we can discuss our problems and if we can identify and discuss the problem, half of the problem is solved. So, that to me is the greatest gain of the current democratic dispensation.” He urged all stakeholders to work towards entrenching a participatory democracy where only credible people are elected to handle the mandate of the people. “We want a government where everybody would be a participant, a government that would look after the welfare of the people. We must ensure that there is a credible election so that any government that is elected has the mandate of the people. So that whoever is elected has the mandate and he can work with the people and for the people,” Mark

•Mark

said. The Senate also paid tribute to all patriots who are pillars of Nigeria’s collective democratic journey and the armed forces for their steadfast subordination to civil authority.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

NEWS We are fighting Al-Qaeda, not Boko Haram, says CDS

HIEF of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh said yesterday that the nation is at war with the international terror organisation, Al-Qaeda, in North and West Africa, and not Boko Haram. Speaking in Abuja while receiving a Civil Society Organisation, the Social Welfare Network Initiative (SWNI), during a solidarity visit at the Defence Headquarters, Marshal Badeh said Al-Qeada forces were now fully in charge of terrorist activities in Nigeria. He said despite the formidable nature of the global terror network, Nigeria would defeat the insurgents, starting with the rescue of the over •Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Lateef Ibirogba (second right) giving the account of his ministy’s stewardship as part of the third anniversary of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s second term at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos…yesterday. With him (from right) are: Special Adviser for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji, Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olusegun Olulade and the Permanent Secretary, Lagos Television, Mr. Tunde Ajanaku

APC lawmakers ask NJC to dismiss judge

HIRTY-SIX former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the House of Representatives, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), have launched a campaign for the dismissal of Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court for alleged bias. In a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), the lawmakers are claiming that the judge is not “a fit and proper person to occupy a judicial office and should be dismissed, having contravened the provisions of the code of conduct for judicial officer.” The lawmakers accused Justice Ademola of “judicial misconduct” while adjudicating on suit FHC/ABJ/CS/ 4/2014 filed by the PDP to challenge their defection to APC on December 18, last year. The petitioners urged the NJC to investigate Justice Ademola in order to cleanse the judiciary.

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

They hinged their demand for his dismissal on the grounds that Ademola “ overruled a superior court in issuing preservatory order while jurisdiction was being challenged”; that he made “pronouncements on the substantive issue (of vacation of members’ seats) before another judge that was not before him,” and that he was “ a serially controversial judge.” The lawmakers said they “owe it a duty to the judiciary and the state to report what we consider as travesty of justice occasioned by a judge whose disposition from the outset of the case showed undiluted bias”. They asked: “How would a judge rule that a political party has locus to stop a legislative house from carrying out its internal affairs; that a legislative house would be restrained perpetually from voting somehow or from changing its leadership.”

They claimed that Justice Ademola went beyond the brief before him which was to stop members of the House of Representatives who defected from PDP to APC from changing the House leadership. “In principle, judges must not ordinarily fiddle suo motu into matters not canvassed before them. However, because this judge was so ready to rule against the defendants for reasons best known to him, he became even more political than the plaintiff. The plaintiff nowhere sought for a relief under Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution. Indeed, their lawyer, Yunus Usman (SAN), in open court said that the matter had nothing to do with Section 68 (1) (g) of the constitution,” they said. The lawmakers added: “The judgment of Justice Ademola and the orders he made and the passing comments were clearly politically motivated and did not demonstrate legal jurispru-

dential erudition”. The lawmakers expressed surprise that the judge refused to hear the preliminary objections on the case. “All the defendants to the suit including those who belong to PDP filed preliminary objections to the jurisdiction of Justice Ademola on various grounds, among which were issue of non-justifiability of the case,” The lawmakers went on: “Lawyers to the defendants addressed the court that since the preliminary objections were challenging the jurisdiction of the judge, it must be ruled first and that the judge could not as yet issue any preservatory orders. “ The judge (Justice Ademola) after long hours of argument, though agreeing with the positions taken by the defence (House Leadership), decided to make orders that the status quo be maintained leadership should not be changed until determination of the main case.” Continued on page 67

the council’s Director of Personnel/Management, Mr. Musa Elijah Kolo, said the girls fell ill and were released by their captors. With their release, he said the number of freed girls is now 57. Yesterday, Boko Haram killed another 51 in some Borno State villages. Lawan said: “The people of Chibok are anxiously waiting for the safe return of their children. Except for the unfortunate situation where two of the parents have passed on. They were known to be suffering from High Blood pressure.” Recalling how the girls were abducted, he said: “Those that registered for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) are not all that sat for the exam. Over 500 registered and those who had relatives around decided to move to various places like Kaduna and Maiduguri to write the exams. Those that were left with no relations decided to stay back to take the risk and among

200 Chibok school girls abducted by Boko Haram on April 14. He said: “We are fighting more than Boko Haram. We are no longer fighting Boko Haram but Al-Qaeda in North and West Africa. AlQaeda is formidable but we will defeat them. As for our girls, we will bring them back”. He warned those attacking the military and urged them to desist. The CDS explained that the sustained attacks and criticisms against the military could prove counter-productive, stressing that it could impact negatively on nation-

Continued on page 67

Gunmen kill 51 in Borno villages

O fewer than 51 people were yesterday killed in attacks on Borno State villages by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents. The terrorists killed 42 people at Gurmushi village in Marte Local Government area. About 12 others sustained gunshot injuries. Most of the houses in the village were burnt down by the attackers, forcing the villagers to flee to Cameroun Republic. A resident, Mallam Abacha Umar, said the gunmen invaded the village in the early hours of yesterday. The BBC Hausa Service monitored in Maiduguri yesterday quoted a woman as saying: “I counted over 40

bodies littered on the ground, while the village was razed down completely. Most of us ran into the bush for our safety.” She also said 12 people were injured. Another resident said she fled the village to neighboring Cameroun for fear of another attack from the Boko Haram terrorists because “they have intensified their attacks in the area in recent times”. Also yesterday, the terrorists attacked Amuda and Arbokko border villages, killing nine residents. They were alleged to have invaded the village in Toyota Hilux vehicles, motorcycles and an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC. Continued on page 67

Four killed in Plateau

OUR people were yesterday killed in a village near Jos, the Plateau State capital which was last week bombed by terrorists. The police said the killings took place on Tuesday night in Wat village, Kuru, in the Jos South Local Government Area . Police spokesperson Felicia Anslem confirmed the killings in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria

Boko Haram frees four ailing Chibok schoolgirls Continued from page 1

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

(NAN) . Anslem said the village was attacked by unknown gunmen when the people were asleep. She said investigation into the killings had commenced, and called on members of the community to remain calm. Captain Ikedichi Iweha, Media Officer of the Special Task Force in charge of security in state, also confirmed the attack but declined to give details.

Why we met Obasanjo, by Shehu Sani

HY did former President Olusegun Obasanjo join the rescue mission for the over 200 abducted Chibok girls? It was to open new channel of dialogue for the girls’ release, says the President, Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Shehu Sani. Sani said yesterday that some Boko Haram contacts had audience with Obasanjo to open a new channel of negotiation with the sect members to rescue the girls. He said the Federal Government’s indecision to swap the girls or storm the insurgents’ hideout is unhelpful. Sani urged Nigerians not to vilify Ahmed Salkida, who negotiated the botched backdoor deal between the government and Boko Haram. them 221 were abducted.” He added that with the abduction of the girls, the morale of the girl-child in the Northeast is now low. “The school in particular has been existing for long and the quality of education there has been diminishing. So, I want to appeal to the Federal Government, through NEMA and the presidential commit-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

In a statement in Abuja, Sani said Salkida should be praised for his initiative to free the girls. He said: “This statement is in response to the reports and the enquiries on the Abeokuta meeting with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some family members of the Boko Haram group: This is to confirm that the meeting actually took place and I was part of it. “The meeting was solely aimed at exploring the possibility of opening a new channel for dialogue or negotiation with the sect members towards securing the release of the abducted Chibok girls held in captivity for over a month. “The meeting appraised the report-

tee, to intervene in rebuilding the school,” he added. NEMA’s Director-General Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi said the agency would validate a draft humanitarian response plan for Chibok which had become imperative to build synergy and strengthen coordination mechanism for humanitarian assistance to the affected per-

edly collapsed back door deal that was later cancelled by the government. I wish to also confirm that the report of the intervention of Mr. Ahmed Salkida in negotiating the release of the Chibok girls is credible. “I personally introduced Salkida to the Government and spoke about him in many of my previous interviews. He has tried his best in the past and of recent to help in resolving the insurgency through dialogue but was on all occasions frustrated by the government. “Mr. Salkida should not be vilified but should be appreciated. Mr. Salkida’s attempt could have actually seen to the release of the abducted girls. “The meeting in Abeokuta was aimed at repackaging and salvaging the dia-

sons and community. He said: “While the Federal Government is working assiduously towards the safe release of the abducted girls and reunite them with their family members, it is important that a sectoral response plan be prepared for their rehabilitation and re-integration into normal life.” The United Nations (UN)

Continued on page 67

Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Dr Dauda Toure, said the organisation had earmarked a $75 million intervention plan for Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states which are under emergency. The UN system in Nigeria had developed an integrated response package to address the humanitarian needs in Chibok.

•Sani

The UN system would intervene in the areas of health, peace and conflict resolution, water and sanitation, among others. Speaking in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, last night, a top government official said the four freed girls are believed to be among those that escaped to the bush and lost direction during the April 15 Continued on page 67

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

NEWS National Conference chairman’s wife dies at 70

•From left: President, Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, Sheikh Ahmad Lemu; Supreme Court, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad; former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Alfa Belgore; Vice Chairman, National Conference Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and the widower, former CJN Idris Kutigi praying for the repose of Hajia Maryam Kutigi’s soul, at her funeral at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Museveni can’t teach Nigeria any lesson, says Falana By Adebisi Onanuga

•Falana

AGOS lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has said Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni lacks the moral competence to teach Nigeria any lesson on terrorism. He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that Museveni does not get away with the comments he made about the security situation in Nigeria, following the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State. Museveni had said: “I have never invited the United Nations to guard our security. Me, Yoweni Museveni, to say that I have failed to protect my people and I call in the UN ...I would rather hang myself. We prioritised national security by developing a strong army; otherwise, our Uganda would be like DRC, South Sudan, Soma-

lia or Nigeria, where militias have disappeared with school children. It will be a vote of no confidence in our country and our citizens, if we can’t guarantee our security. What kind of persons would we be?” In a statement yesterday in Lagos over the Ugandan President’s comment, Falana noted that Museveni was entitled to berate the Jonathan administration for its failure to check the Boko Haram sect. But the frontline lawyer said Museveni’s comment was the height of hypocrisy, because it was an attempt to ridicule Nigeria in the ongoing war on terror. He added that such unsavoury comment should not be allowed against Nigeria. Falana said his position stemmed from the fact that Uganda, with a “prioritised national security” had not been able to defeat the rag tag Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), led by Joseph Kony, for over two decades. The activist noted that though President Museveni would not invite the United

Nations (UN) to provide security for his country, he had never hesitated to call on the United States (U.S) and other Western countries to provide troops, arms and ammunition as well as funds to curb the menace of the LRA. “Just on March 24, this year, the U.S government was reported to have deployed “military aircraft as well as an increased number of troops to Uganda to assist in the hunt for Joseph Kony, the fugitive Ugandan leader of the LRA,” Falana said. He added: “...Is President Museveni not aware that Joseph Kony has gone underground because he and his army commanders have been declared wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), an organ of the UN? “Yet, President Museveni would never call in the UN to take part in the maintenance of internal security in Uganda!” He noted that the Ugandan leader also boasted that he would not allow his country to descend to the level of insecurity that obtains in Nigeria, where school children have disappeared. Falana asked: “Has Presi-

2016 census will cost N100b, says NPC chair

HE National Population Commission (NPC) will need about N100 billion to conduct the 2016 national population census, its Chairman, Chief Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), said yesterday. Duruiheoma, who addressed reporters on the imperative of the census, noted that delaying its conduct might lead to a crisis. The NPC chief said it might also cause financial wastage. President Goodluck Jonathan, he said, had given the commission an order to ensure the success of the national headcount. NPC officials, Duruiheoma emphasised, were following the presidential order with their earnest preparations for the census. He said the commission was convinced that conducting an accurate and reliable census in 2016 was feasible, adding that its result would aid the sustenance of the achievements recorded in the last few years. Duruiheoma said: “The

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

conduct of a national population census, in 2016, will consolidate the impressive legacies the nation laid through the historic conduct of the 2006 population and housing census. Periodicity is one of the basic attributes of a good census. Censuses are conducted over a period of either five or 10 years. He said: “Nigerian should not be an exception to this international best practice. It is interesting to note that some of these countries, which have conducted censuses regularly, including Rwanda, have also experienced internal crises like we have in Nigeria, while virtually all these countries have smaller population and are less endowed with resources like Nigeria. “You will agree with me that we are in changing times and we have to be realistic on certain issues. We are not unwilling to name a cost. We are still working it out. But I can

tell you: we are looking at a cost of about N100 billion. This is realistic for the 2016 census exercise. The fund will be used in preparation for the census. What we intend to do will not only be done on the ground but also in the air. I want to assure Nigerians that the cost of the next census will not be too much of a burden on public finances as the process will be supported by the development partners like the previous census. “Further delay in the conduct of the census beyond 2016 will lead to the attrition of the structures, making it difficult to deploy such for later censuses. In particular, the human resources base for the census from the 1991 and 2006 census would have been further depleted, if the census is conducted beyond 2016. “This, therefore, means that the nation has to start building new structures whenever it decides to conduct a census at later date. To avoid wastage Nigeria must conduct the 2016 census.”

dent Museveni quickly forgotten that the LRA invaded St. Mary Secondary Grammar School in October 1996, where they abducted 150 girls? “It is on record that it was not the strong army of Uganda but the vice-principal of the school, Rev. Sister Faresa who rescued 109 of the abducted girls. “Several years later, President Museveni wrote a letter to Mr. Kofi Anan, the then Secretary-General of the UN to intervene in respect of the abductees, who were still in the captivity of the terrorists.”

ROCEEDINGS at the plenary of the National Conference were adjourned yesterday, following the death of Maryam, wife of the chairman Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi. The conference will reconvene next Monday. Maryam, 70, died at the National Hospital in Abuja at 2am yesterday and was buried at the Gudu Muslim Cemetery, Abuja, in line with Islamic rites. Deputy Chairman and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof Bolaji Akinyemi presided over a brief session of the conference yesterday. He said it was proper for the conference to adjourn to enable delegates participate in the burial of the chairman’s wife. Scores of delegates, who later made their way to the conference, expressed surprised at the turn of event. They said the secretariat did not inform them about the death of the chairman’s wife. A member, who spoke in confidence, said: “In this age of technology, the secretariat could not send messages electronically to each and every member of the conference informing us of this sad development. “I heard that the death took place since around 2am; yet, the secretariat did nothing to inform us. As you can see, many of us got here, heading to the cham-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

ber before being told by either security operatives or journalists hanging around that plenary had been adjourned because of the development. “It’s sad; I don’t expect such sloppy things from the secretariat. We should be very proactive.” Two members of the conference, a former senior police officer, Hamman Misau and Dr. Mohammed Jumare, had died. Prior to the death of Mrs Kutigi, the conference was expected to be divided over f the retention of the National Hajj Commission, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) and State Pilgrims Welfare Boards. The conference was also expected to discuss the report of the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue. On Tuesday, the conference was unable to decide on the scrapping of the agencies after a delegate complained that the voice vote adopted on the matter was not clear. Prof Akinyemi ruled that the house would be decided today. The division would have made it the first time the conference would decide a matter though that option. Most contentious issues were usually resolved through consensus.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

NEWS

•From left: Fashola; Mrs. Otedola; Lagos Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Oyinlola; Alhaja Ojikutu; Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Mrs. Florence Ogutuase...yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Fashola, Tinubu, others eulogise Otedola

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola; All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Bola Tinubu and other eminent Nigerians eulogised yesterday the late former Governor Michael Otedola. They spoke at a tribute session organised by the government in honour of Otedola, who died on May 5 in his Odoragunshin home in Epe. He was 88. His widow, Lady Doja, and children - Lola Segun-Idaho and Femi Otedola, among others, were at the event, which was held at Onikan Stadium. Others present include former Governor Lateef Jakande; Rear Admiral Ndubusi Kanu (rtd); former Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Otunba Adekunle Ojora and top government officials, among others. Fashola said the late Otedola left a good legacy for his successors to build on, adding that the tribute in his honour will help to define a path of progress for the people in their developmental journey.

•’My father was contented’ •Oil magnate funds N1b scholarship By Miriam Ekene-Okoro and Oziegbe Okoeki

He described him as a great leader, who did a lot to promote the state’s interest. The governor said the late Otedola’s strong convictions in the face of uncertainties made him even more remarkable, adding: “In my view, it is the idea behind his foray into politics that endures beyond his physical contributions. An idea that every generation must borrow from the idea that nothing is impossible and that convictions and hard work can make dreams possible. “That is one legacy of the late Otedola that will not die. It is a lesson for both the old and the young that nothing can be considered impossible or lost until genuine attempts have been made to achieve it.” Thanking the former governor’s family for allowing the government to be part of what ordinarily should be a family programme, Fashola said: “I thank Lady Doja for allowing

us to play a role. I say this because a funeral is first and foremost a family and personal affair. But in life’s journey, men and women renounce their personal space to undertake a noble calling of public service. When this happens, it changes many things; not only during their lifetime, but also in death.” The governor described the late Otedola as a model of excellence, saying his choice of the sobriquet, “Centre of Excellence”, for the state reflected his hunger for excellence. He said: “As one of his successors, I have found this inspiring in my work. The standard of excellence is high, difficult to attain and constantly changing. Every Lagos governor who remembers that Lagos is the Centre of Excellence will never lie at ease because in the race for excellence, there is no finish line. We remain inspired and grateful for these ideas as we celebrate the life and times of a great man.” Fashola said the deceased’s

son, Femi, an oil magnate, has donated N1 billion for scholarships to indigent students. He said the funds would be disbursed through the Otedola Foundation, adding: “Femi Otedola has requested me to announce that he will be making a contribution of N1 billion towards funding scholarships in the state. I have told him that our government will work with him and the Otedola Foundation to develop modalities to ensure that the fund achieves its purpose in a transparent and sustainable manner.” Tinubu said the late Otedola’s tenure, though brief, achieved enough progress to prove that he was a leader of high quality and principle. The former governor, who was represented by his former deputy, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, said: “He was modest and unassuming, yet brave and focused. He is an individual one would always want to have in the room and on his side. Baba was a key player in directing the politics of Lagos State in a

‘G.O.K. Ajayi was a great advocate’

HE remains of erudite lawyer Mr. G.O.K. Ajayi (SAN) will be interred in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, today. The late Ajayi’s daughter, Mrs. Oyetola Oyekanmi, announced this yesterday at the valedictory court session held in her father’s honour at the foyer of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere. Speaking for the family, Mrs. Oyekanmi thanked the organisers for honouring her father, urging them to uphold his virtues. The session was presided over by the Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Philips. Many speakers recounted the impact the late Ajayi had in their lives and careers. First Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Adeshina Ogunlana narrated how the late Ajayi came to his rescue when he was condemned by the NBA disciplinary committee and referred to the Body of Benchers for ratification to be disbarred. Ogunlana said: The late Ajayi took it upon himself and also paid his bills to and from Abuja to defend me. He

stood for me at a time I was nobody. I had no one and knew no one and was almost being de-robed, but he came to my aid and defended me against strong forces, who were not comfortable with my Squib magazine.” For Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner of Justice Ade Ipaye, the late Ajayi lives on. He said the nation got a great advocate when the late Ajayi was called to the Bar, describing him as affectionate, amiable, considerate, progressive and peaceful. Ipaye said: “He is survived today by his several beneficiaries; lawyers that will continue to read reports of many great cases he advocated; his several endowments that will benefit many yet unborn. Indeed, G.O.K. is survived by numberless individuals, friends, family, professional colleagues and casual acquaintances, who will continue to benefit from his wisdom and generosity. “Is this then curtains drawn on the finest era of legal activism in Nigeria? Is G.O.K. the

last of the finest breed of advocates? My Lords, I look around today and I see that the soaring story of our profession will certainly continue. From lessons left by the great departed, the Nigerian Bar is already much enriched. “We have no reason for decline or failure. As the Lagos Bar holds in its vision the ultimate goal of fairness and justice, as we continue to strive for our clients -rich and poor, I dare say that the best is yet to come, both for our

•The late Ajayi

country and profession. I am sure G.O.K. would strongly repudiate any suggestions to the contrary.”

Ogun targets N7b IGR monthly

HE Ogun State government has said it is working hard to increase its monthly Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) from N4 billion to N7 billion. The government said it would continue to focus on its cashless policy, ensure that funds due to it are received, promote voluntary compliance and cooperation in revenue payment. It said this would help it to achieve the IGR target. Commissioner for Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosun spoke with reporters yesterday in

the late Otedola was the face of Epe and his charisma epitomised the nature of an average Epe indigene. He said: “There is no doubt that the late Otedola was a man of peace, who governed with a human face during his time as governor of our dear state. He is a father of the nation, an exemplary statesman, a genuine philanthropist, an icon and eminent Nigerian. Excellence was his core pursuit for Lagos State. Lagos will never forget him because his indelible record of service has given him immortality.” Lola Segun-Idaho said her father was attentive to his children, trustworthy, honourable, principled and disciplined. She said her father had a good home because he was contented, adding: “When daddy retired, he did not settle in Ikoyi or Victoria-Island as people thought he would; he returned to his Odoragunshin home town in Epe and contributed immensely to the development of the area.”

‘Probe shooting of OAU students’

•Lawyer for burial today By Precious Igbonwelundu

positive and progressive direction.” Oyinlola, a former Lagos Military Administrator, who succeeded the late Otedola, said: “As a governor of Lagos State flying the flag of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), the late Otedola’s ability to hold members of the executive and legislature together in relative peace was a strong indication of his respectability, integrity and acceptability in a political setting, whose legislature was dominated by an opposition party, the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).” The late Otedola’s former deputy, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, said he was “a good listener, who always took his time to deliberate on issues”. House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji described the late Otedola as “the Lion of Odoragunsin, a pathfinder for Epe Kingdom, a giant of Epe and a pacesetter for Epe Division”. Ikuforiji said for a long time,

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Abeokuta on her ministry’s activities in the last. The press briefing was part of activities marking the third anniversary of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s administration. Mrs. Adeosun identified factors that would enable improved IGR as increased number of individual tax payers and compliance with Residency Rules requiring taxes to be remitted to the state of residence of an employee.

INISTER for Defense Ahmed Gusau has been urged to probe the shooting of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students by soldiers attached to a Niger-Delta militant, Chief Okubo Robert, who, last week Tuesday, was in a riotous convoy of cars marked “Presidency”. The O’odua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC), a pan Yoruba group, described the shooting of innocent students by soldiers attached to an individual as “state-sponsored terrorism”. It said the authorities must bring to justice those responsible for the “deliberate assault” on peaceful students. ONAC said it received reliable information that Roberts was coming from a security meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) organised by its Southwest caucus, adding: “We received information that the NigerDelta militant is in the security committee of the Osun and Ekiti PDP aspirants.” In a statement by its Publicity Director, Tolu Adeyanju, the group urged the Defense Ministry to establish whether the soldiers are from the Nigerian military; identify them; explain why they

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

were attached to Robert, why they shot at students and Robert’s mission in Ekiti and Osun states. It said: “We were informed that the Niger-Delta militant held extensive meetings with PDP governorship aspirants in Ekiti and Osun states with the main purpose of importing armed militants and vagabonds to cause chaos in the two states, which have recently been known for stability and sustainable development.” ONAC said one of the soldiers, Idris Ajisesin, with registration number 448318, shot several times at a crowd of students protesting fee hike at OAU, injuring many. It said Robert was in a vehicle marked FG 902 B02. The group said: “We see this unprovoked act of terror on innocent students as a dent on the image of Nigeria. It represents the low water level of official gansterism and a despondent assault on a centre of knowledge.” The group warned that the Yoruba will resist any attempt to rig the June 21 and August 9 polls.

THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 29, 2014

NEWS

Police disrupt protest by polytechnic, college students

PEACEFUL protest by students of polytechnics, colleges of education and some NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) was disrupted yesterday by the police. The protest was to urge the Federal Government to resolve its dispute with the striking Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU). ASUP went on strike last September and COEASU, last December. Policemen fired tear gas and shot into the air to disperse the students. Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide said tear gas was used to disperse the students because they were becoming violent. Braide said: “The students hijacked BRT buses and forced their drivers to take them towards the Third

•’They were becoming violent’ By Jude Isiguzo

Mainland Bridge through Murtala Muhammed Way in an attempt to block the bridge. When all entreaties made to the students by the police to change their mind failed, tear gas smoke was used to disperse them as they were becoming violent”. The protest was organised by the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Education Rights Campaign and Concerned Students Against Education Commercialisation (COSATEC). The protest took off from the Yaba College of Technology and was disrupted at Evans Square in Ebute Meta. Armed policemen allegedly stormed Evans Square in Hilux vans and fired tear

gas and gun shots into the air. At the sound of gunshots, the protesters, passers-by and residents of Adekunle, Carter and Simpson streets took to their heels. A protester said a stray bullet hit an unidentified male student in the hand. Some students were arrested. The protest caused traffic gridlock at Ojuelegba, Ikorodu Road, Herbert Macaulay Way, Jibowu, Mushin, Yaba and Sabo. National Coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign Hassan Soweto said: “We are here to demand that the government does the needful. It seems to be neglecting us. Every Nigerian child has the right to qualitative education, but we are being robbed of our rights.

Lagos gets 12 magistrates

HE Lagos State government swore in 12 magistrates yesterday to quicken the dispensation of justice. The magistrates are Feyikemi George; Abimbola Davies; Adenike Onilogbo; Funmilayo Dalley; Oluwatosin Ojuromi; Adenike Adepoju; Olanike Olagbende; Oluwabunmi Osinbajo; Kofoworola Ariyo; Adeola Erinle; Owolabi Lateef and Atanda Layeni. They were sworn in at the Lagos State High Court,

By Adebisi Onanuga

Ikeja, by the Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Phillips. This brings the number of Lagos magistrates to 119. Justice Phillips said their appointments were informed by the increase in the scope of the jurisdiction of Magistrate’s Courts, adding: “Additionally, your appointment would help to decongest the court and ensure speedy dispensation of justice, especially relating to pre-trial or awaiting trial in

our prison system.” She said their new jurisdiction covers landlord and tenant cases, in addition to civil and criminal matters. Justice Phillips said adjudication in landlord and tenant matters would be limited to cases where the annual rent does not exceed N10 million, adding: “These cases in addition to your regular jurisdiction would keep you extremely busy to justify your appointment at this time.” She urged them to be mindful of their conduct and dedi-

Aregbesola makes case for rural areas

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said rural communities need more attention than urban areas, urging governments to focus on developing those areas. He spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, at the opening of a three-day workshop on the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP). Aregbesola, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, urged the Federal Government to increase the allocation to states

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

to accelerate development at the grassroots. He regretted that rural areas were backward and called for a reversal of the trend. Aregbesola said the only way to develop rural areas was to provide social and physical infrastructure there, adding: “State governments are closer to the people and are logistically better positioned to reach and provide the people’s needs. It is crucial for states to get

Lagos wins Presidential award

We need to defend the rights of the Nigerian child to go to school. This strike will ruin the careers of these students and increase crime. We humbly appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan to meet demands for the transformation of the polytechnic system.” NAPS Senate President Salaudeen Lukman said the protest would be replicated in other parts of the country, regretting that polytechnics had suffered too many strikes. He said: “While we commend the move by the government to end the dichotomy between HND and B.Sc graduates, we urge it to meet all the demands of the unions so that we can go back to the classrooms. This protest is not just by polytechnic students, but also by students of colleges of education and technical colleges.”

HRIST Assembly Primary School at Araromi in Ajegunle, a popular Lagos suburb, has received the 2013 President’s Teachers’ School Excellence award. The school was adjudged the best in the primary category because of its infrastructural facilities and the quality of teaching. Lagos Education Secretary Adewale Adeogun yesterday led pupils of the school and members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to present the award to former Deputy Governor Mrs. Sarah Sosan. Adeogun said they presented the award to her because of the huge role she played in the school’s infrastructural development.

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

He said: “Our school is the alma matter of the former deputy governor, and one of the projects she carried out before leaving office was the building of a block of classrooms. We developed on this and, today, we are proud that our school has been chosen as the best in the country.” Adeogun listed some of the facilities in the school as: a sick bay, garden, fish pond and poultry. He said the pupils were involved in the feeding of the birds and tendering to the garden. Mrs. Sosan urged them to build on the school’s legacy, saying: “I am very excited about this, because this is my alma matter and I was once

the necessary support in their drive to facilitate the realisation of the country’s development needs. Against this background, the RAMP project is a positive contribution towards helping state governments to accelerate economic growth. “In a developing economy like ours, a large number of our population resides in rural areas. Even a greater number of people in the cities visit their rural communities and wish to retire to their villages, if basic amenities are in place.”

‘I am very excited about this, because this is my alma matter and I was once like these pupils.’ like these pupils. I thank God and the Lagos State government’s efforts in rebuilding the school, which have earned us this award. “Your school came first among other primary schools in the country because of the hard work of your teachers, the education secretary and everyone that has helped to maintain the facilities you have. You have a poultry and garden, hold them dearly and be good ambassadors of the school.”

cated to their job. Speaking for the new magistrates, Mr. Owolabi Lateef thanked the Chief Judge for finding them worthy of the appointment. Lateef said they would do their best to ensure fair and speedy dispensation of justice.

Ondo Assembly extends council chiefs’ tenure

•‘Your election is a divine call’

HE Ondo State House of Assembly has extended the tenure of the 18 local government caretaker chairmen by six months. The motion for the extension was moved at plenary yesterday by the Majority Leader, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu (Ondo West II). It was seconded by Mr. Banso Adeyinka (Akoko Northwest I). The motion followed Governor Segun Mimiko’s request for an extension of the caretaker chairmen’s tenure. Akinsoyinu said since local government elections could not hold due to a pending law suit, there was need to extend the tenure of the caretaker chairmen. The House, presided over by the Speaker, Jumoke Akindele, said the extension would enable the chairmen complete on-going projects in their councils. Former Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Afolabi Akinsiku said Section 12 of the Local Government Law allowed such extension. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Assembly embarked on a two-week recess and would resume on June 10. Also yesterday, Akure lawyer Charles Titiloye urged the Speaker to see her elec-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

tion as a divine call to strengthen the state’s “weak democratic institutions”. In a statement, Titiloye said the election of a woman speaker marked the gradual involvement of Ondo women in politics. He said the Assembly “had not found its voice in support of the masses in the past four years”, adding: “You should make history and rise above the partisan interest that brought you into office. Be a good ambassador of women in politics by restoring the confidence of the people in the Assembly, which many feel has failed to check the excesses of the executive.” Titiloye advised the Speaker to respect the principles of separation of power and checks and balances between the three arms of government. He urged other lawmakers to support her.

•Princess Akindele

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

BUSINESS

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014 At the moment there is an average of about 18 hours per day of constant power supply to different parts of the country. This feat was brought about by the implementation of the integrated power sector reform programme anchored on the power roadmap. - Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

Lawmakers want electricity fixed rates scrapped

119 foreign firms for Lagos fair

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

DO State House of As sembly has adopted a resolution calling on the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to abolish the fixed charge. They said it is illegal for customers to pay for what they have not consumed. The adoption of the resolution was sequel to the consideration of a report of the House’s Standing Committee on Energy and Water Resources, based on a petition titled: ‘Re-Electricity fixed charges and other fraudulent charges of the good people of Edo State being perpetuated by Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)’ at the Committee of the Whole. The Legislature, while adopting the nine-point findings and four-point recommendations of the committee, urged BEDC, to supply meters to customers starting with those who have paid. The House urged the firm to stop estimated billing in the state as well as improve on their services, through constant power supply. The House further urged BEDC to comply with the relevant sections of the NERC Act, by organising seminars to enlighten people on their responsibilities and expectations as advocated by the Committee. It would be recalled that a few months ago, the coalition of civil societies in Edo protested to the House the illegal collection of fees by IKEDC under the guise of fixed charge.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

•Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Nteranya Sanginga (right), addressing members of IITA Youth Agripreneurs at a workshop on Engagement of Youth Entrepreneurship for Agricultural Transformation in africa in Ibadan, Oyo State... yesterday.

Ikeja DISCO re-engages 567 ex-PHCN staff I

KEJA Electricity Distribu tion Company (IKDC) has re-engaged 567 former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to complement the 2,070 it inherited, the Managing Director, Abiodun Aifwobaje, has said. Head, Public Communications of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Chigbo Anichebe, made this known in a statement yesterday. He said Aifwobaje spoke when members of the Senate Committee on Privatisation, visited the company in continuation of their oversight visit to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Successor Companies (SCs) in the Lagos and Ibadan zones. He told the lawmakers, led by its Chairman, Senator Olugbenga Obadara, of the commitment of the company to become a leading utility business firm in the country, by providing safe,

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

reliable and quality service to customers at a fair and reasonable costs. He explained that the new owners have taken some initiatives to reposition the company, saying these include, training and retraining for staff, repair, or replacement of malfunctioning transformers and completion of abandoned distribution projects, among others. On the challenges facing the company, he told the committee that IKDC has an installed capacity of 1684MW, but is only able to distribute 421MW out of the maximum demand of 938MW due to shortage of supply from the generation companies, power theft and vandalism of power installations. At the Eko Electricity Dis-

tribution Company (EKEDC), the Managing Director, Oladele Amuda, assured that the company was committed to uninterrupted and sustainable power supply to its customers. He said the company plans to invest N45billion in the next five years, while $150 million would be spent immediately on capital projects to meet customers’ needs, network rehabilitation and reinforcement. He however mentioned poor power supply from the National Grid, power theft, illegal connections and vandalism of power installations as some of the problems of the Committee to intervene so that generation companies could supply adequate power to the distribution companies for adequate distribution of

power to consumers and for increased financial returns. At the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Atoy Leynes, expressed the readiness of IBEDC to meet consumers’ needs as long as the generation firms can keep up with their demand. He listed the challenges facing IBEDC as poor asset performance due to age, poor transmission infrastructure and the absence of land to build its headquarters. He requested for tariff structuring that is cost reflective, as well as the review of asset classification (core/ non- core) of DISCOs as some assets classified as Non Core were essential to the distribution network. Obadara assured the distribution companies that the committee would do everything to find a lasting solution to shortage of power supply.

Etisalat grows subscriber base to 19.3m

TISALAT Nigeria said it has grown its subscriber base from 16million to 19.3million. Its Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, Matthew Willsher, spoke yesterday during what the telco tagged, ‘Etisalat MNP Testimonials,’ in Lagos. He said the firm benefited immensely from the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in April, last year, adding that it allowed dissatisfied subscribers of other networks to port into its network. Willsher said over 45 per cent of those who engaged in the MNP scheme, ported into the telco’s network. When the firm began operations over five ago, he said there were doubts as to the necessity or otherwise of

• Says MNP gave it edge By Lucas Ajanaku

a fourth Global Service for Mobile (GSM) communication carrier, adding that the coming of the telco to the scene redefined service provision to customers. “MNP is one of the greatest things the NCC has done for the industry, because it has provided the subscribers the freedom to choose,” he said, adding that it provided opportunity for customers to dump their inefficient service providers. Willsher identified lack of education and awareness about MNP as factors that inhibited its embrace by many subscribers, adding that a lot still needed to be done to improve on these. On steps taken by the management to guarantee effi-

cient service delivery to customers, he said the firm has been working with famous Chinese telecoms equipment vendors, such as Huawei AND ZTE to ensure that customers keep getting value for their money. He said the NCC has commended the telco for meeting key performance indicators (KPIs), promising that the telco will not rest on its oars investing on latest technology to improve on service quality. Willsher added that pursuant to steeping up its game in the sector, the firm’s 2,800 kilometre (Km) optic fibre cable (OFC) it is laying will soon be completed. He said the level of the deficit in infrastructure in the country and particularly, the telecoms sector,

could only be bridged through constant investment. “There is huge demand for infrastructure in the country with about 167 million people. We need to invest more and we are doing that. It will only take years to fill the gap. There is a lot more to be done to meet the demands of the telecommunications sector,” he said. Etisalat started operation in the country after three other operators were already on the turf. While its competitors enjoyed incentives such as zero duty on importation of equipment into the country and tax holidays, the firm did not. When the NCC imposed fines on the three other GSM operators and barred them from adding new subscribers, Etisalat was spared because it met the regulator’s KPIs.

VER 119 foreign firms have indicated interest to attend the third Specialised International Trade Exhibition at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex in June. At a briefing on the exhibition with the theme: ‘Boosting Nigeria’s Development through Creative and Innovative Industrialisation,’ the Managing Director of Aulic Nigeria Limited (the organisers of the event), Dr. Chika Eze, said 29 of the investors were already in the country, while eight have sent in their goods. However, unlike the previous exhibitions held outside, Eze, who is also the boss of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board, said this exhibition would hold in the trade fair complex. He said: “In the past, the exhibitions were held outside, basically because the halls were in bad shapes, but since the concession, we have been making concerted efforts to put them in order and we can say now that they are ready. ‘’But, we are not ruling out extension outside, if the numbers are more than what the halls can take,” he added.

Ajimobi praises Airtel

YO State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has praised Airtel Nigeria, for enriching the people of the state through its investments, innovative value offerings and robust Corporate Social Responsibility programmes. Ajimobi, who spoke when some top Airtel executives visited him, lauded Airtel for its positive contributions towards uplifting the indigenes and for creating employment opportunities through its Business Process Outsourcing programme. He pledged further partnership with Airtel on more initiatives within the state, just as he unfolded to the Airtel team, his vision for the state, indicating development plans, projects and key achievements. He said: “I want to thank Airtel for its partnership with Oyo State Government and for its investment in human capital development and employment creation through its BPO programme. “As a responsible and proactive government, we shall continue to create an enabling environment for corporate organisations to thrive,” he added. Airtel’s Managing Director, Segun Ogunsanya, expressed appreciation to the state government for being a great host to the company in all communities it has offices in the state.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Wobbling democracy

•Still a long way to go, 15 years after

T is 15 years today since the current democratic dispensation started. As usual, at the beginning, many people were full of expectations that things would turn out well. Despite reservations about the military establishment and the system it had foisted on Nigeria, Nigerians, optimistic as ever, chose to trust the General Abdulsalami Abubakar administration with sincerity of purpose. And, when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo emerged President on May 29, 1999, it was thought that his wide experience as a former military Head of State, post-office involvement in negotiating peace and promoting good governance at home and abroad, would serve the country well. He was regarded by many as one who had seen enough of conflicts to understand that only good governance could promote peace, development and stability. However, 15 years after the civilians took over from the military, the journey to development has been very slow and jerky. Communal and religious conflicts and crises have threatened the very fabric of the society. Development has suffered greatly, despite token advancement in a few states, and the growth rates usually published as evidence of performance remain mere statistics that have failed to reflect in the general quality of living. The people are disenchanted. Democracy remains defined by tentativeness and tokenism. Those who largely buy their way into power sit on the throne belching out orders like potentates. They regard the people as foot mats and are adept at devising means of sidetracking the electorate in the electoral process. The result is impunity. They act to override the General Will. Over the years, Nigerians have become cynical. They do not trust governments at all levels, regarding office holders more as dealers than leaders. And, this is borne out by the mind-boggling corruption that has eaten very deep into the polity. The court registries are littered with files of corruption charges pressed by the •Jonathan Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former holders of high offices, whereas no progress is being made in justice delivery. For almost one decade, cases against the men of power charged with gross abuse of office are kept at the level of speculation and the same men and women desecrate higher offices, taking decisions binding on the people. Almost all institutions of state have failed. The Labour Movement that used to be a bulwark against autocracy, even under military rule, has suddenly lost its voice. The activism and vibrancy that underscored its operations as watchdog for the people have been lost to inexplicable docility. The political parties have not improved over the very primitive practices of the First Republic - candidates are imposed as rules are serially breached. Strongmen dictate the running of institutions expected to aggregate values and offer choice at the polls. Local governments remain mere tools in the hands of state chief executives and the ruling parties. When a governor mercifully permits an election to be held, he considers it sacrilegious that any party other than his could win the chairmanship of any council. In some cases, a few opposition councillors are allowed to emerge. In effect, the people at the grassroots are fenced off the democratic process and, when they choose to throw their hands in the air, the potentates continue looting the treasury and directing affairs. On the other hand, where there are strong opposition parties, realising that the ballot box is not a viable means of effecting regime

change, local armies are created by candidates and parties, leading to blood-letting and the emergence of the strongest. Not the most popular. It is unfortunate that, despite this democratic dispensation being the most sustained in the country’s history since independence, the structure of governance remains as rickety as ever. It took only a little more than five years to truncate the process in the First Republic. Self-serving leaders had no compunction dealing mortal blows at the system and assailing democratic institutions. The legislature was used to subvert the constitution and an emergency rule was imposed on the Western Region. It was no surprise that the system collapsed on them all and an opportunistic and rapacious military elite took over, leading to a pogrom and a costly civil war. For 13 years, the military continued to bungle national affairs, inappropriately imposing a unitary system on a plural society. When the civilians returned in 1979, it was

expected that things would have been set right. That was not the case. The National Party of Nigeria (NPN) that was installed in power could not manage victory, failed to be a rallying point for galvanising action for national development and utterly failed the democracy test. Again, it inexorably led to military take-over. Rotation of powers among different tendencies within the military set-up continued for almost 16 years at no benefit to the country and its people. The last six years of the military rule almost led to the country’s disintegration. General Ibrahim Babangida was literally chased out of power for playing games through a phony transition to a Third Republic. General Sani Abacha was a barefaced dictator. The anchorman for rule by the jackboots, General Abubakar, was therefore left with no choice but to hurry out of the power sanctum. He hurriedly organised another transition to civil rule during which a constitution

was not agreed and those who contested did not know the terms spelt out in the grundnorm. Hence, the Fourth Republic started on a false and wobbly note. A critical section of the society boycotted the transition process and those who had lent their weight to the Abacha transmutation plot reaped the reward. But, it was expected that, in due course, the politicians would realise the benefits accruable to all by playing by the rule. They did not. They have kept subverting the constitution and the process and the President kept aggrandising power. The economy suffered the consequences, social relations ebbed. Insecurity has gripped the land, not just by armed robbers and kidnappers, but also by the Boko Haram Islamic sect that has become a blood-sucking demon in the last five years. But the sect stole too much for the owner to notice when on April 15 it abducted more than 200 female students of Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. This has drawn the attention of the world to Nigeria, with the world powers now involved in efforts to get freedom for the abducted students, since the matter seems beyond the capability of our security agencies. In all, we find it difficult to award pass mark to the democratic system as practised in the past 15 years. Of course we acknowledge that democracy is not a destination, but a journey. No doubt some progress has been made in policy formulation and a few oases of sanity could be located in some institutions and states. This is an indication that sustenance of the system could lead to eventual stability and deepening of the democratic culture. But the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan has to be more alive to his presidential responsibilities. The way and manner he has carried on so far does not inspire hope. He must change his style. For a leader to solve his country’s problems, he must believe those problems are there. We wonder how a president who says there is no poverty in Nigeria can take measures to address poverty; or how a president who distinguishes between stealing and corruption can see the need to vigorously curb stealing and corruption. Yet, unless we address these cankerworms, the country cannot make progress. There is no reason why democracy cannot work here if it is working in other places. That is why we urge active engagement by Nigerians and the civil society in resisting impunity and tyranny for Nigeria to survive. The civil society must wake up from its slumber. We are not yet there, and we cannot rest until we get there. What we need is not just the letter of democracy but the spirit of it. We can make it happen, if we want.

‘There is no reason why democracy cannot work here if it is working in other places. That is why we urge active engagement by Nigerians and the civil society in resisting impunity and tyranny for Nigeria to survive. The civil society must wake up from its slumber. We are not yet there, and we cannot rest until we get there. What we need is not just the letter of democracy but the spirit of it. We can make it happen, if we want’

The role of forests in cutting carbon

– Rich carbon emitters must pay to preserve this crucial resource

AST September the world’s climate change experts presented the latest scientific evidence of the extent of global warming. They were unequivocal in their judgment: the world has been heating up at a remarkable rate since the 1950s and this has largely been the result of greenhouse gas emissions by industrialised nations. A substantial amount of harmful emissions, however, result not from industrial activity but the destruction of forests, mainly in the developing world. The burning of trees for fuel directly emits carbon. But more importantly, the destruction of forests removes a vital part of the world’s natural carbon cycle, releasing the carbon stored in their soil. An area the size of Greece is estimated by the UN to be lost each year. The UN says the world must cut carbon emissions by some 40-70 per cent by 2050. This target cannot be reached if the current rate of deforestation does not dramatically slow. But any action to protect the world’s forests creates a dilemma: how can these vital areas be protected without unfairly holding back the economic growth of developing countries? An important part of the solution is to enable richnation emitters to pay developing countries to maintain their forests. Compared to other carbon-reducing policies – such as investment in renewables – this is a very cheap option. Schemes such as this are already sponsored by some western states. Last week the Democratic Republic of Congo made a request for such funding to protect its unique ecosystem. Norway has committed a total of $2bn to protect the rainforests in Indonesia and Brazil. But all told, such projects are too limited in number and scope. In addition, they are funded largely by international donors rather than the people who should be paying for them, namely the emitters of carbon. There are not more of these so-called “avoided deforestation” schemes because of considerable hurdles. At least three steps must be taken by the international community to overcome them. First, the US, China and the EU should work harder to agree a binding global commitment to reduce carbon with clear national targets. If this could be put in place, carbon emitters should be given access to a market that allows them to offset their emissions by purchasing a credit that will fund protection of a forest. This would benefit both sides. Second, developing countries need more international support to overcome specific problems with the operation of schemes to save forests. At present there is a constant risk that the protection of one part of a forest merely leads to another part of it being chopped down instead. Even if the government is fully committed to a scheme, its governance systems may not be able to protect an area from illegal destruction. International bodies therefore need to put in place agreed systems to certify that forests have both truly been protected and that the schemes are additional to plans that existed without the extra funding. Finally, national governments across the rich world should put more funding into forest protection schemes in the poorest countries, especially in Africa. This is all the more important because it will take time for deforestation schemes to become an integral part of carbon trading markets. The task facing the world to ensure all countries are free to share in the benefits of growth whilst dramatically cutting carbon is enormous. That nature herself presents such a low-cost method to help must be embraced. Developing countries are providing a global service by absorbing the carbon emitted by the industrial nations. Paying them for doing so will not hold them back. On the contrary – it will provide a vital source of income that can be invested in their development.

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

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THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: He directed the affairs of Nigeria with the late General Tunde Idiagbon and sought to develop her competitively when they held sway as leaders of government in the 1980s. Analysts say that the country was plagued with a lot of ills and needed a knight in shining armour to redeem her from a state of ruin. One of such recently said, “Let’s be brutally frank, if Mohammadu Buhari had ruled this country in the fourth republic, Nigeria wouldn’t have been in this jumble we find ourselves in.” But news media coverage about the General is frequently negative leading some to describe him as Nigeria’s most acerbic leader. Are the elites truly frightened of Buhari’s popularity? If not, why is he misjudged, blackmailed and smeared by the cream of the crop who many have said are determined to erase him from the pages of the nation’s history? Why do people revel in his foibles in the press and other media? No mortal is free from errors. The enactment of Decree 4 to confine press freedom which saw to the detention of Tunde Thomson and Nduka Irabor of the Guardian newspapers etc., has been his greatest encumbrance but again, how many military rulers in the history of Nigeria have interacted with the press without restraints? He remains one amongst a small number of poor heads of state who led a Spartan life whilst in office unlike some who saw the nation as their fiefdom. He could have become very wealthy, but bucked the trend. Every country in the world turns out to be great when the people in it and their leaders set and promote the indices for greatness. Buhari’s supporters say that he earned the trust of Nigerians by imprinting his power on important aspects of our national life, including the economy, security, citizens’ rights, responsibilities and the fight against sleaze. He was not known to waffle on important issues that border on national security nor does he submit to kinsmen or people with the same religious leanings as he, typified by the slipshod deportation of Umaru Dikko from

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Are Nigerian elites scared of Buhari? the United Kingdom. To the disappointment of his attackers who have written him off as a religious zealot, Buhari made an impassioned comment recently in the papers condemning the upsurge of insurgency in the land despite the threat to his life as a result of that intervention. Maybe people with influence do not love him because of his painstaking, serious, non-partisan demeanor. Maybe they don’t see him as a perfect gentleman because he never tolerated idle talk, illogical arguments, laziness or poor judgment.

Maybe because he is intolerant of corruption, a major fault of the privileged elite. This country needs leaders whose body language bespeaks action and who will not waffle when it matters most. Waffling on big decisions has today made Nigeria a laughingstock, needing foreign intervention, because leaders can’t handle internal challenges leading to international embarrassment. This country needs leaders who, in the bid to fight corruption, will be audacious enough to jail corrupt politicians and spare no-one, be they Hausa,Igbo,Yoruba, Chris-

tian, Muslim or traditionalists. A leader the military can trust and who can inspire them to perform their constitutional duties of protecting the sovereignty of our land. This nation requires a leader who will, without fail, follow sharply the unambiguous title role and responsibilities of President. Such a leader’s performance will not be abysmal, conflicting with the high expectations of the people and will not be a partisan administrator damaging the high calling of that office. The ever-burgeoning state and private armies of opposition

Convention, the deaf have virtually been reduced to the status of second class citizens in this country. This should not be allowed to continue in view of the enormous advantages inherent in integrating people in this category into the society. The deaf are often jettisoned and neglected when it comes to provision of social welfare, education, employment opportunities and right to information. The present situation whereby the deaf are always grouped alongside people with structural disabilities should change. As a matter of fact, the deaf should also be integrated into the conventional public school system. Deaf education and sign language should be part of the national basic education system as this will allow every other normal child to learn sign language as this is the only way integration of the deaf can be enhanced. A deaf person should be able to communicate with people around him/her. As a matter of urgency, the National Assembly should carry the deaf along in its proceedings and

plenary by employing a sign language professional who will interpret legislative proceedings and should always be captured by cameras of TV stations and channels. The deaf have the right to know what goes on at the Federal Executive Council, judicial proceedings etc. To this end, the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) should make dissemination of information to deaf Nigerians a priority. News and major television programmes like the presidential media chats, documentaries, personal interviews etc should always be interpreted in sign language. In terms of employment, a special quota should be set aside for the deaf so as to give this category of Nigerians a chance to contribute to the economic well-being of their fatherland. These healthy, agile and intelligent men and women should be given the opportunity to channel their productivity to nation-building.

Protect the rights of the deaf

IR: Nigeria ratified the United Nations convention and optional protocol signatures and ratifications of human rights for all on October 24, 2010. This was after the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and optional protocol were formally opened for signatures at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on March 30, 2007. The convention strengthened the linguistic and cultural viewpoints of deaf people all over the world. It recognised sign language and the linguistic human rights of deaf people. The convention specifically states that government are to recognise sign language as an official language in the constitution, ensure professional interpreter services and guarantee education to deaf people in their sign language, in addition to recognising and supporting their cultural and linguistic identity. The deaf in Nigeria have suffered untold rejection, relegation and abuses of various forms. Contrary to what obtains elsewhere in the world and the specifications of the

• Hussain Obaro, Ilorin, Kwara State

against Buhari should eschew religion, tribal bias, regionalism, and promote the cause of humanity which would leave our doors open to all people and also forgives them. They should also concentrate more on encouraging national consciousness for a greater Nigeria by rousing the youths and all people from their state of disinterest for national growth. Why are the elites scared of letting Muhammadu Buhari become President of Nigeria? • Simon Abah, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Ibadan’s Total Garden traffic light headache

IR: The traffic light at Total Garden in Ibadan was supposedly installed to reduce the traffic jam at the junction. For the past two and half years that I have been working in this neighbourhood, I have never experienced the kind of traffic delay we are going through now since the traffic light was installed. This is not to discredit the effort of Governor Abiola Ajimobi in repositioning and restructuring Oyo State. The effort is highly commendable, but the traffic light is not the solution to traffic jam at this junction due to the interlocking nature of the junction. The traffic light is daily adding to the pains of people passing through this roundabout. Oritamefa is too complex for a robot like traffic light to handle. The solution we have now is to leave the job for the traffic warders or Oyo State government should construct an overhead bridge at this junction like that of Mokola. The light should be disabled as a matter of necessity not minding the financial investment that has gone into this project because the initial rationale of the project has been defeated. • Taiwo O. Adigun, Total Garden, Ibadan.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

COMMENTS

Professor Ade-Ajayi at 85

ROFESSOR Ade-Ajayi turned 85 last week. A book with the title of J.F Ade-Ajayi, His Life and Works was presented last week with pomp and pageantry at the new University of Ibadan Conference Centre to celebrate an iconic figure in the history of African academia. Professor Ajayi was born in Ikole, Ekiti State to a doting father and an enterprising mother. His father was a local post man and a counsellor in the palace of the Elekole. Even with his limited exposure to western education, his father knew that the key to a bright future for his young son was education. He therefore billeted the young Jacob in the house of a local teacher so that he could have a head-start among his colleagues. Later, he was sent to Ado-Ekiti where he also lived with a teacher and friend of his father while he was going to the Ekiti Central School that later metamorphosed into the famous Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti. It was from Ado-Ekiti that at the age of 11 in 1940, Ajayi left for Lagos, the frontier of opportunity at that time and enrolled in Igbobi College for his secondary education. Igbobi College brought the young man into contact with other Nigerians. While in school, he never took the second position he also never played any games and rose to become as was expected school library prefect and from that time onwards, he and the world of books could not be separated. He was not only a bibliophile and a bookworm, he was also determined to go as far as his brain would take him. On leaving Igbobi College, he was too young to go to Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, the only university in West Africa affiliated with Durham University in England. He also did not have rich parents who could have sent him abroad. He contented himself with taking examination to the Yaba Higher College to read English, Latin and History. The establishment of the Yaba Higher College was something of a sop to nationalists who were agitating for a tertiary institution in Nigeria. They did not get what they wanted; rather, what they got was some kind of what today will be called a polytechnic where people in the fields of Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy, Surveying and General Education were taught. As providence will have it, University of Ibadan opened its gate in 1948 and Ade-Ajayi crossed over and was one of its first students. Three years later, he graduated with a general degree in English, Latin and History. He later went to Leicester University where he took a first class honours degree in History and he later went to the University of London for a PhD in History. He returned to Nigeria in 1958 and his rise to a chair of History was meteoric. Within five years of returning home, he had not only become a professor but one whose views were very much sought after at home but particularly abroad. With Professor Onwuka Dike, he blazed the trail of the study of African History and African Historiography generally. Before this time, Euro-American historians dismissed the idea of African history and asserted that Africa had no history and that if it had any, it must be the activities of the Europeans in Africa. One even famously said,

HIS WEEK is the kind that we have never seen as a nation because of its peculiarity. No doubt, we have always celebrated Children’s Day, which came up two days ago, and Democracy Day, which is today, during the same week, but the two events never came up at a time like this when we are grieving over the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. In a way, the shine has been taken out of these celebrations by their abduction. All over the world, the girls' abduction has become an issue. World powers have joined in the search for them. The United States (US) has since moved men and materials to nearby Chad to facilitate their movement into Nigeria if need be. There is nothing to celebrate about the Children’s and Democracy Days because of these girls. In fact, there is nothing to celebrate about Nigeria as long as these children are in captivity. What an irony. The Children’s Day celebration came up when these girls, who are also children, are still in captivity. It would have been a worthy Children’s Day to kids worldwide if , as a nation, we have been able to rescue these girls from their abductors. These girls have been in their abductors'

45DAYS AFTER

WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

Africa was a dark continent and darkness was not a subject of history. Ajayi and others both in Africa and some in Europe and America embarked on the diligent search and study of the African past. The absence of written documentation, they asserted did not mean the absence of history and that in any case, it is not the entire African continent that lacked written civilisation as can be evidenced by written materials on North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Sudan belt of Africa, the eastern coast of Africa and the southern part of Africa where European and Arab accounts of the places provided substantial material for the study of the African past. Even where there were no documents, Ajayi and others led the world in the understanding of the usefulness of remembered accounts as contained in oriki, cognomen, oral poetry, kinglist, festival re-enactments of the past etc. Memorised history by griots and other professional historians in the courts of rulers who must remember their histories or lose their lives also provide materials for understanding the African past. Ajayi and others were able to unearth these golden materials for the purpose of elucidating the past of Africa and even foreshadowing the future. He and others taught Africa and the world, the fact that availability of written documents should not be equated with objectivity in history and that African history and other histories of other parts of the world should be studied from a multi-disciplinary approach from which even the sciences of archaeology, anthropology, botany, zoology, linguistics and the use of radio carbon-dating could be enlisted in unravelling the past of Africa. After Dike became the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and after he left in 1966 because of engulfing political problems in Nigeria, Ajayi became the torch-bearer of what later evolved into the Ibadan School of History. This school succeeded in establishing the fact and reality of African history and that it was a serious academic discipline worthy of pursuit. The impact of this school was in helping Africans and their leaders have confidence in themselves in the face of European denigration and psychological undermining. This led to the description of the Ibadan School as “a nationalist school of history” designed to challenge western orthodoxy that tended to see non-Europeans as inferior who had no history at all and that if they had any history at all, such history was not important. Ajayi’s place in the academic firmament is secure. He was sought after and given generous grants to teach in American universities such as Stanford, Wisconsin, and North Western to mention a few as well as in British universities such as Birmingham, the School of African and Oriental studies of the University of London and even in Moscow. His reputation was so formidable that the Rockefeller Foundation generously endowed the University of Ibadan as Centre for African Studies. Ajayi’s scholarship carried him to the membership of the board of governors of the United Nations’ university in Tokyo of which he later became chairman. Ajayi does not just believe

in the esoteric nature of scholarship, he applied his scholarship to give historical backing to the idea of the Lagos Plan of Action in 1970 arguing that African frontiers and boundaries were new phenomena associated with the ephemeral colonial phase of African development and that in the African past, African territories were open with no frontiers and that they meshed imperceptibly into one another. He was also Jide one of those who set up Osuntokun the Association of African Universities (AAU) and he was active in the Association of Commonwealth Universities while he was Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos. Apart from helping to build the faculty of arts at the University of Ibadan and to help develop graduate studies in Ibadan, Ajayi was the one who built the University of Lagos from the ashes of ethnic rivalry to the pinnacle of a first class African university. When he got to the University of Lagos, it is fair to say, the university had little academic reputation but by time he left, the university was firmly set on what it has become today. Most of the physical landmarks existing in the University of Lagos today were built by Ajayi when he was Vice Chancellor. Ajayi’s life has touched the lives of several people in Nigeria and in the outside world. A grateful nation has honoured him with the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) and he is also a winner of the academic laurel of the national merit (NNOM). Ajayi is an author of several books and has written widely on several topics, he has mentored several students and he is a professor of professors because many of his former students have occupied and are occupying important academic positions in Nigeria and outside Nigeria today. Apart from being a seasoned academic, Ajayi is a thoroughly civilised man and a gentleman. When he has occasion to disagree with somebody, he does it effortlessly and without offense and with empathy for the other party. He is a quiet worker not given to the loud noise of many of his compatriots and in his evening years, he has devoted himself to the study of the Bible and the word of God. In all his endeavours, he is complimented by a virtuous and lively wife, Christine Ajayi who had made the home environment so convivial for the flowering of the academic tree into which the academic mustard seed had grown. Ajayi’s life is also enriched by his four daughters and a son who are well grounded in their various academic and professional callings.

Voices from beyond den since April 14. Between then and now, there was ample time to rescue them if we had been up and doing. We left things to chance for too long. Having said that, I still believe that all hope is not lost. We brought this shame of external help on ourselves by not acting early enough, as expected of a caring government, to stop the abduction of these girls. Are we saying that we cannot stop Boko Haram without the help of the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and France? So, if these countries succeed in helping us to get back these girls, does it mean that we will again run to them in future if we find ourselves in a similar situation? There are certain things worse than shame and this is surely one of them. There is no better way for these girls to have celebrated the Children’s Day than to have been at home with their parents and friends. And there would have been no better way for them to celebrate today's Democracy Day too than to be in the midst of loved ones. Unfortunately, they are in the hands of infidels, people who do not mean well and who may not bat an eyelid before doing them harm. Our prayer is that no matter how long they spend in cap-

tivity, they will come to no harm. More than ever, this should be a time for sober reflection for us as a nation. Where did we get it wrong? How did we get to this pass? When did rain start beating us? This is time for introspection. We need to look back in order to determine how we can move forward as a nation. And the government has to take the lead in this. What the government should understand is that it is being criticised because much is expected from it. As a government, it should be able to win the people's confidence in its ability to defend them. Sadly, the stark reality is that many, if not all Nigerians, do not have faith in our government to save us in times of trouble. Other countries will go to any length to save their citizens in times of crisis or come for them anywhere they may be trapped in any part of the world, but we cannot expect that of our own government, which appears not to value human lives. What is bad in the government admitting that it made a mistake in not swiftly responding to the girls' abduction and promising that such would not happen again? Instead of doing that, the government and its agents are busy exchanging words with per-

‘If the girls want to be swapped, the president should oblige them and save them from this ordeal. It is not a sign of weakness to accept the prisoner swap deal. What will it profit the government if these girls are wasted just because of its refusal to swap them’

ceived opponents. The government should realise that to whom much is given, much is expected. Whether it likes it or not, it is its lot to fish out these girls wherever they may have been taken to by Boko Haram. That is why it is the government and that is why it is in power. The little we can do as a people is to assist in whatever way we can to get these girls back. We note the efforts so far made, but more needs to be done. During Tuesday's Children’s Day's celebration nationwide, , the plaintive cry was bring back our girls. This cry is not going to stop until the girls are found, no matter how uncomfortable the government may be with it. This is where President Goodluck Jonathan comes in. Since the buck stops on his table, he should directly monitor everything concerning these girls' rescue. By so doing, the president will know what is happening first hand and not rely on second hand information. he danger in relying on such information is that he will not be told the truth, but only juicy stories that everything is in order when they are not. Last week, he missed another opportunity in letting Nigerians know his feelings on the issue when he did not see the protesting Citizens Group, which was stopped by the police from reaching the Villa. He sent representatives led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, to receive the group. If he had come out to talk that day it would have gone a long way to assure the nation that yes,

Lawal Ogienagbon

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our president is not sleeping over the matter. What would he have lost in receiving those people? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Rather, he would have gained a lot. As their father, the girls have sent a save our soul (SOS) to the president from the lair of Boko Haram. In a soulstirring message, they asked the president to save their lives through a prisoner swap. The president is said to have rejected the prisoner swap deal with the sect and settled for a ceasefire. He may have good reasons for doing so. But then, he is not wearing the shoe just as these girls and their parents are. So, if the girls want to be swapped, the president should oblige them and save them from this ordeal. It is not a sign of weakness to accept the prisoner swap deal, it is to save the lives of these precious kids. What will it profit the government if they are wasted just because of its refusal to swap them. Talking about Democracy Day, what is there to celebrate about 15 years of democracy when part of our future is in captivity? It is in the national interest to chuck the celebration until the girls are freed.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

COMMENTS

HE challenges of President Jonathan as a leader of a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society like Nigeria are enormous. Overwhelmed by myriad of problems bedevilling the nation, he was forced to remind his tormentors how a lot easier it is to criticize than govern. I am sure Jonathan couldn’t have fought so hard for the presidency if he didn’t mean well for the country. I am sure many Nigerians shared his passion for the country as he bellowed during his inauguration “Today, our unity is firm, and our purpose is strong, our determination unshakable. Together, we will unite our nation and improve the living standards of all our peoples whether in the North or in the South; in the East or in the West. Our decade of development has begun”. The fate of Jonathan is not different from those of his predecessors in office who had assumed power promising to change our country for the better but ended up leaving behind more problems than they inherited. Their failures have not been due to absence of passion or lack of trying, but in their character flaws effectively exploited by self-serving ministers and advisers. From Balewa to Obasanjo, all our past Nigerian leaders have been humbled by these men who operate without scruples. Although we have rightly placed the blame for our failures on the door steps of our successive leaders because the buck stops on their desk, this has only emboldened many of our permanent men in government to move unscathed from the ruins of one administration to emerge as key players in the new one. In the first republic it was ministers and advisers that sold to Balewa government that stable and peace post-independent Nigeria could only be attained by cutting the wings of high flying Action Group, creating Mid West out of Western Region to spite the advocates of regions for restive ethnic nationalities. They emerged from the ashes of the collapsed first republic as key players in Ironsi regime. It was the same set of advisers who convinced ill-equipped Ironsi that the trouble with our nation was the regional framework of our federal structure and that what was required to remove the stranglehold of one region on the rest of the nation was the imposition of a unitary system on a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society. Ironsi’s self-serving advisers who plunged the nation into civil war outlived him to play prominent role as NPN members in the shortlived second republic. Operating without principles outside the desire to serve self, they supported the reckless consumption of Shagari government

Ministers and advisers in time of crisis which in three years erased the foreign reserve left behind by Obasanjo in 1979. They embarked on the battle over the control of the minds of the people through heavy propaganda on government-controlled NTA and the Daily Times to denounce those who had warned of the imminent collapse of the economy. They went ahead to supervise the rigging of the 1983 elections remorselessly and gleefully awarding ‘landslide and sea-slide’ victories on the NTA to NPN. In the end, they laid waste the Shagari administration and buried the second republic. For eight years General Babangida took the nation for a ride. His ministers and advisers told Nigerians there was no alternative to Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP); that political parties can be decreed and that democracy can be taught in classrooms. Babangida’s economic and political advisers who destroyed our economy and took us through eight years of fraudulent transition emerged as key players in the aborted third republic while others that fervently worked and schemed for him to remain in power later became foreign ministers and ambassadors under Abacha. Those ministers and advisers behind “Abacha today, Abacha tomorrow and Abacha forever” band became prominent actors in the politics of the forth republic. And of course Obasanjo’s recent admonition to President Jonathan to be wary of advisers was an indirect admission that his larger-than-life image was destroyed by advisers and ministers who fraudulently organized loans for him to buy Transcorp

shares, secretly financed the collapsed third term agenda claiming without Obasanjo there will be no Nigeria only to turn up as Yar’Adua and Jonathan ministers, advisers and board chairmen. In the last three and half years, Jonathan who came after a landslide victory, has been a captive of his self-serving ministers and advisers made up of repentant militants, elder statesmen as militants who once advised General Gowon against handing over power, and others imposed on him by PDP wheelers and dealers. Events and activities of these men in the run up to and after the abduction of our Chibok girls have clearly shown that they, like their predecessors, are neither loyal to Jonathan nor to Nigeria. For weeks they unleashed their caustic tongues on critics who tried to link the relative ease with which insurgents overran military barracks, police stations and maximum security detention facilities to underhand practices by those in charge of procurement of needed weapons for our armed forces. Now the US and Britain after tongue-lashing the president for presiding over a corrupt administration have brought in their sophisticated planes, drones and other war-heads to aid intelligence-gathering for our ill-equipped soldiers blindly fighting insurgents without borders. Ministers and advisers who have for months insisted our soldiers were well kitted have not told us why a nation that spent 130 billion in four months on war against insurgents could not afford at least two drones at a

total cost of about a million dollars from South Africa’s defence industry . If the president needed the help of international community to come to terms with corruption in his government, the only evidence needed to validate the thesis of his political adversaries who had accused him of running kindergarten government were the recent embarrassing and disastrous outings of some of his ministers. If the tenure of the immediate past Minister of Police Affairs who spent most of the time politicking instead of equipping police stations routinely sacked by Boko Haram insurgents was a disaster, the response of the current one to the abduction of the Chibok girls was tragic. Asked by reporters about government’s plan to rescue the abducted girls when sighted at a birthday bash for the Olubadan of Ibadan a day after the kidnapping, the minister drew blank, first doubting the event took place before appealing to the insurgents to release the girls because such act was unislamic. Last week’s confrontation between Olajumoke Akinjide’s and the weeping ‘Bring back our girls’ group led by Obiageli Ezekwesili, a smart, sharp, razor-tongued intellectual who will give Hillary Clinton a run for her money in a debate contest, and who like Obasanjo fights like a bull holding no hostages, was a total disaster for government which many believe indulges more in politicking than governance. First, Akinjide, whose father recently rated President Jonathan as one of the best Nigerian presidents, was ill-suited to confront impassioned protesters against Jonathan’s inept handling of the abduction of the Chibok girls. Then the minister falsely claimed government acted from day one of the abduction when it was in fact government’s indifference and politics of buck-passing that sparked off demonstrations by Nigerian women and the international community to wake President Jonathan from his deep slumber. And finally, as if to confirm people’s fears that the president and his ministers do not give a damn about governance, Akinjide asked those who traded their freedom and liberty for government protection to direct the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ plea at those who abducted their daughters. It cannot be any more tragic. As it is in Police Affairs Ministry and Ministry of Abuja Territory, so it is in Defence, Aviation, and Petroleum and Education ministries. All we see is politicking by self-serving ministers.

Abia: Of development and succession

ABIA State governor, Chief Theodore Ahamuefule Orji assumed office as governor of Abia State in May 2007, 17 years after the creation of the state from Old Imo State. Within those years, military administrators were incharge for eight-years, while their civilian counterparts held sway for nine years. Within this period also, the state received monthly federation allocations and generated Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) that ran into billions of naira with nothing on ground in terms of infrastructural, economic and social developments to show for it. Those who presided over the affairs of the state for the 17 locust years and their allies were never brought to book. During this era, the state haemorrhaged and decayed in all ramifications, while the looters of the era smiled to the banks, and even ploughed the loots into the state politics in 1999 to hijack the democratic process. They took charge, and decided who got what. By 2007, there was no concrete or solid foundation as the state was laid waste. That was the sorry state of affairs in Abia State in 2007 which one Uche Igwe in a recent article in The Punch of May 21 titled “The Struggle to succeed failure in Abia State” failed to acknowledge in his bid to run down Abia State governor and his family, his government, and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan ahead of 2015 general elections. It is said that a man who was not around when a corpse is buried would definitely exhume it from the head. I do not know when last Igwe came to Abia State before engaging in his fictitious article. However, every Nigerian familiar with Enugu/ Aba/ Port-Harcourt Expressway, a major federal road that has suffered severe neglect by successive governments in the country, will appreciate how much it has received and continue to receive attention since President Goodluck

‘The State PDP and Governor Orji have not endorsed or anointed anybody as Orji’s likely successor, having known that such will amount to distraction and illegality at this point in time. Meanwhile, the senator representing Abia Central zone, Nkechi Nworgu has not said anywhere that she has been anointed by the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan to succeed Governor Orji come 2015’

By Goddy Chukwu Jonathan assumed office. Several portions of the road have been removed completely and asphalted afresh, thereby making it accessible. The Aba axis of the road such as Osisioma junction which was an eyesore for several years before now is wearing a new look today with a well-flowered garden and streetlights courtesy of the present government in the state. The same effort has been extended to major intercity roads and federal roads in the commercial city of Aba and environs, a city that was once made a pariah by the rampaging kidnappers for months. The present government expended billions in tackling the kidnapping saga which brought about the restoration of peace and security in the state without minding whose ox is gored or apportioning blame to anybody. If such funds had been channelled into developmental projects, it would have gone far, but there will no development in an unsecured environment. To pontificate that nothing is happening in Abia state in terms of infrastructural, economic and social-cultural developments is the height of hypocrisy and cynicism as there are so many verifiable on-going and completed legacy projects across the state today. Among them are the Ubani Ibeku Modern market, Amuba Housing Estate, Isieke Housing Estate, Abia Diagnostic Hospital, Abia Eye Centre, Amachara General Hospital, Ohiya Power station, the International Conference Centre, the new Government House, 250 health centres in rural areas, 350 kilometres of roads constructed and rehabilitated, the radical reformation of the state civil service, the intervention in education sector with the building and rebuilding of state-owned public schools and tertiary institutions and other achievements. These legacy projects were non-existent before 2007. So the question should be; what happened to the state funds for 17 years before the present government came into office in 2007? The reality is that despite the initial menace of a godfather that hamstrung Governor Orji’s government for the first three years, the government has continued to turn the state round with massive infrastructural developments to the admiration and acknowledgement of the people, and disappointment and envy of the cabal who had always wanted status quo to remain. What the armchair critics of the state government have failed to realize is that the government since 2007 has been using state funds of seven years plus to address the ineptitude and failure of successive governments before it. As for allegations that Governor Orji’s son is one of the

major contractors in the state, it is part of the Pull Him Down syndrome orchestrated by the known enemies of the state ahead of 2015. It is unfortunate that these days when Freedom of Information (FoI) Act has been signed into law, people still peddle fiction on the pages of newspapers. Clearly and expectedly, all these sponsored machinations against Governor Orji and his family are not unconnected with politics of 2015, and who succeeds him office. To douse unnecessary tension and political acrimony among the party stakeholders in the state, the governor, who also doubles as the state leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after due consultation announced that his party will be zoning the governorship seat in 2015 to Abia South senatorial zone. A good student of political history of the state since 1999 will agree that PDP’s decision in that direction is equitable and justifiable, considering that Abia South is the only zone that has not produced governor for the state since 1999. Orji and his party’s position on the governorship seat in 2015 is not far from what obtained in the last Anambra governorship election, and the position of Enugu State governor, Sullivan Chime and the state PDP ahead of 2015 gubernatorial election in the state. This is fast becoming a political trend in our polity, especially in states that are not dominated by one particular major ethnic group like Benue State that are predominantly Tiv against the minority Idoma. Again the State PDP and Governor Orji have not endorsed or anointed anybody as Orji’s likely successor, having known that such will amount to distraction and illegality at this point in time. Meanwhile, the senator representing Abia Central zone, Nkechi Nworgu has not said anywhere that she has been anointed by the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan to succeed Governor Orji come 2015. Governor Orji has also not publicly or privately declared that he will be running for the senatorial seat in 2015 talk less of swapping seat with Senator Nworgu. On the issue of non-conduct of local government election by the state government, what needs to be borne in mind is that the exercise requires huge funds. Besides, the state government is yet to offset the huge debts incurred by the last council chairmen under the watch of the past administration. Finally, measuring the performance in public office like that of a state governor in Abia requires assessing the performance of successive governments in the state before 2007, where were on ground in the area of infrastructural developments, the challenges and the human indices and then compare them with what are on ground now. • Chukwu, wrote Bende, Abia State

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

COMMENTS

HERE is only one way to preserve Nigeria. If we follow that one way, we succeed. If we do not, we fail, sooner or later. And that one way is to be realistic – to accept the FACT of things as they are, and to make our nation-building steps strictly follow that fact. Otherwise, we are just messing around. We have been messing around since independence in 1960 – and we have brought Nigeria not nearer to unity but very much farther away from unity. In fact we have brought Nigeria to the verge of breaking up. The fact, the indubitable fact, is that we Nigerians are not one people or one nation. We are many nations. We are many different nations – in most cases, very different nations. For thousands of years our different nations lived in their own separate homelands in this area of Africa before the British came, threw a boundary around us together and called us Nigeria. Each had its own language and its own defining culture. Each organized and ruled its people in its own way. Each responded in its own way to external influences – such as longdistance trade, and contacts with foreign peoples and foreign religions. Each has its own way of responding to the many changes and influences of the modern world – such as Western education, science, technology, industrialization, etc. Each has its own way of responding to close relationships with other nations in the same country. Even though we have all lived in one country of Nigeria for a century, each of our nations has its own kind of desires, ambitions and expectations in that country. And each cherishes its own image of itself and its own pride. All these are true of every one of our nations, even though some nations are large and some are small. This is THE

‘It is only by seriously accepting these facts as sovereign, by respecting them, and by working sincerely with them, by structuring Nigeria into a true federation, that we can build a stable and lasting Nigeria’

KNOW that silence is an ill-wind. Those who keep silent in the face of great moral crisis diminish humanity and the very essence of living. Nothing exemplifies this reprehensible culture of silence like the eternal words of Martin Neimoller, the great antiNazi theologian and preacher: “First, they came for the communist; I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics and I did not speak up because I was a protestant. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me”, Neimoller said in 1946. The anti-Nazi theologian made these timeless remarks while addressing German intellectuals and leaders of thought following the Nazi rise to power and the annihilation of their targets that triggered world-wide condemnation. Today, Nigeria faces global outrage on account of terrorism and particularly the abducted Chibok girls which still continue to dominate headlines across the world. To be honest, I feel low anytime the story and the accompanying horrific pictures of those innocent girls and their abductors are shown on international media. I do not think we need to overemphasize the fact that we live in a globalised world and that the voices of our neighbours matter. But we did not get here overnight. The principal role of government is the protection of lives and properties. When government fails in this responsibility it has a moral crisis of legitimacy at hand. The international community has expressed concern about the role of government in this whole saga but our people have maintained unusual and troubling silence. Government regrettably views every criticism, no matter how constructive, as voice of detractors. Religious, traditional, political and economic leaders have refused to speak out against government apathy and even against insurgents. We all appreciate the fact that the fight

No, Nigeria will not be preserved FACT OF THINGS AS THEY ARE in, and for, our country Nigeria. It is only by seriously accepting these facts as sovereign, by respecting them, and by working sincerely with them, by structuring Nigeria into a true federation, that we can build a stable and lasting Nigeria. In the last years of British rule, the British helped us to start correctly along these lines. The structure they helped us to create was rough and imperfect, no doubt. Unable and unwilling to do the detailed structuring that they knew we needed, they helped us to create three broad regions – each region appearing somewhat plausible. In spite of the anger and agitations of many of the nations in each region, the three regions succeeded quite well, and they brought considerable socio-economic progress into the lives of their citizens. Of course, there was no doubt that we needed to carry the system further, and the British left with the hope that we ourselves would do that. As we celebrated independence, there was a lot of hope among us that we would do it and make a success of it. It was fortunate, most observers thought, that the politicians – the Hausa-Fulani political leaders – who were dominant in the independence federal government, were known to be strong defenders of regional and local autonomy. In the years before independence, they had stood very stoutly for such principles; in fact, at some point, they had suggested that Nigeria should be constituted into three separate countries joined together by only a customs union. Now that our country was independent and they were in control, what doubt could there be that the federal principle, with strong regions managing most of their own affairs, would go on to triumph? But it did not happen. Someday, some bright historian will reveal to the world the causes and details of this most unfortunate turn in Hausa-Fulani attitudes to the political development of Nigeria. Much of what we know is encapsulated in the statement credited to Sir Ahmadu Bello, the leader of the Hausa-Fulani political elite, only 11

days after the day of independence. “This new country called Nigeria,” he was reported to have said, “should be an extension of the empire of our great-grandfather Othman dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of government. We use the peoples of the Middle Belt as willing tools and the peoples of the South as conquered territory, and never let them rule over us, and never let them control their own future”. That is the path that Hausa-Fulani politics has pursued ruthlessly since then. The central piece of it is to hold the power of the federal government by all means, and to use it to subdue the other peoples of Nigeria, in order to mould Nigeria into a de facto Fulani empire – what some now call a “Sultanate”. The Hausa-Fulani agenda has succeeded wonderfully. But, unhappily, that success has brought a whole lot of disasters with it. Thirty-six small and essentially impotent states, created to ensure unrestrained federal power and control, sit over the progressive impoverishment of Nigerians. At the fond wish of the controllers of federal power, all sections of Nigeria depend more and more on the revenue from oil, and abandon all efforts at developing local resources. Corruption becomes the soul of Nigeria’s public management and public life, and every election, because of crookedness and criminalities, becomes almost a war of all against all. The spirit of enterprise plunges everywhere, as most ambitious citizens become hustlers for some share of the oil money. Poverty escalates relentlessly, until the federal government itself acknowledges that 62% of Nigerians now live in “absolute poverty” – that is, subsisting on about one US dollar per day. Unemployment among Nigerian young adults is estimated at over 70%. Crimes, conflicts and insecurity grow exponentially, making Nigeria one of the most unsafe places in peace time in the world. Terrorism, veiled with cloaks of religion, subdues a whole region of Nigeria. Nigeria’s mili-

Gbogun gboro tary and security establishments, heavily riddled with corruption, are in a shambles. Almost visibly daily, Nigeria stumbles towards disintegration or implosion. But this dubious success is not slowing down by any means. The news from the National Conference in Abuja is that the Hausa-Fulani leaders, greatly empowered by nearly 50 years of control of Nigeria, are succeeding yet again in defeating every attempt at change. The South-west, South-east and South-south delegations all went to the National Conference with proposals strongly demanding the restructuring of the Nigerian federation. But, talk with these delegates now, and you will find that very many have become ambivalent at best. Close observers believe that many delegates have been “settled”. South-east and South-south delegates are now commonly saying that their chief concern is that President Jonathan should win re-election in 2015 for a second term, or that the South-east should have one more state! In short, returning Nigeria to a true federal structure is not going to happen. But this can only be a pyrrhic victory for the champions of total federal power and control. When the National Conference has finished compiling its unrealistic and foolish decisions, the masses of Nigerians will still be faced with the awful and hopeless conditions that they have been living with. Then, the world will see what happens. It is becoming more and more unlikely that Nigeria will remain on the map.

Nigerians and terrorism: Conspiracy of silence By Dakuku Peterside against terror in Nigeria has stretched the citizenry who are the real victims, and the government. Every day, from Maiduguri, Yobe and Yola to Jos, Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna, we watch helplessly as lives are snuffed and dreams aborted. Sadly, one could almost predict the hypocrisy and cyclic response that greet these bombings, abductions and arson that now threaten our country. Since this devastating act of extreme evil took a new turn on February 25, with the fatal raid on Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State where over 30 male students were murdered and undisclosed number of female students abducted, Nigerians have not known peace. Today, Boko Haram literally keeps everybody on the edge, creating fear, confusion and uncertainty in the minds of our country men and women. What is baffling for me, however, is our attitude generally as a people. I hasten to add here that this does not in any way preclude government of the day from blame. In fact, government is the chief culprit. Take for instance this unfortunate Chibok abduction. At the beginning, a deafening silence from government greeted news of the kidnap. It took sometime before there was noticeable seriousness on the part of government, that is, after some of its apologists had openly expressed doubts over the veracity of the abduction. There are also a good number of Nigerians who claim that they have not seen enough will and commitment on the part of government to inspire confidence and hope. As Nigerians, a few people would argue the fact that as citizens, we have also not done enough to assist our law enforcement agents. Have we volunteered enough information that would necessarily support our embattled military and others in the law enforcement chain? Have we, in our thoughts and action genuinely shown enough patriotism

and concern in seeing that we defeat this evil? What about this conspiracy of silence that is still lurking around us? The plain truth is that our armed forces and the police are not spirits, the bulk of their work depends largely on intelligence and if we hope to circumvent the antics of this deadly sect, we must be willing to go beyond the surface. I must commend the efforts of our vibrant civil society organisations and volunteers who are bracing all odds in an attempt to draw more attention to this needless crisis but there is still a huge deficit. I am nonetheless happy that part of this deficit is already been addressed by some groups. I am proud of the Oby Ezekwesili-led Bring Back Our Girls Campaign and must commend them for the now popular 10 questions for the federal government. The 2Face Idibia’s Million Voices for Peace (MVP) Project also deserves commendation. Some artists under the umbrella of the MVP, in an attempt to draw attention to the global call for the release of the abducted girls have recorded a major song of peace and unity titled Break the Silence to raise funds to support the ongoing campaign for the girls. But we must go beyond the MVP initiative if we truly hope to break this silence. We must therefore enlist the support and understanding of all Nigerians to defeat Boko Haram. Members of Boko Haram are not ghosts. But we must be vigilant because we have in our midst, their admirers, confidants, siblings and other relatives who know that they deal and live on the blood of the poor, the innocent and the vulnerable. This is the most disturbing part of our tragedy today. So, we are faced with the truth that many Nigerians would consciously support evil rather than repudiate it because they know the roles of their kith and kin, and this reality of the present says a mouthful. There are also those who fear to upset the

apple cart because of the dire consequences. In our society, Boko Haram therefore thrives because men and women are afraid of any form of discomfort in their different comfort zones. Others regrettably see the sect as a distant phenomenon that is already constrained by geography and weather. But both the leadership and the led must urgently embark on attitude change because we are already reaping the awful dividends of insurgency. I also know there is a strong belief in some quarters that there is a colossal failure of policy and management of men and materials in the execution of this on-going war that is dragging for too long. For that reason, the executive must look inwards for solutions. The federal government should also be amenable to criticism. A situation where the executive misconstrues every critical point is further exacerbating the situation and widening the already existing gulf between the leadership and the led. The federal government in my considered opinion should also be magnanimous enough to accept criticism and desist from the practice of branding critics as opposition and detractors. This is, therefore, a time to stand up and be counted. After all according to Martin Luther King Jnr, “in the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends”. • Peterside, a member of the House of Representatives, is chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).

‘Religious, traditional, political and economic leaders have refused to speak out against government apathy and even against insurgents’

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

On May 10, the temporary site of the Nigerian Maritime University (NIMU) at Kurutie in Delta State was opened by President Goodluck Jonathan. Is there a need for the university? Yes, say its champions, who note that it is to train youths, develop a robust pool of seafarers and reduce foreign domination in an industry reputed to be the second biggest after oil and gas. OLUWAKEMI DAUDA and BOLAJI OGUNDELE report.

•President Jonathan and Akpobolokemi (right) at the temporary site.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Here comes Maritime University C ‘ ’

ALL it a university like no other, you may not be wrong. The Nigerian Maritime University (NIMU) at Kurutie in Delta State which temporary site President Goodluck Jonathan opened last May 10 is special in a way. It is the first specialised Maritime University in Nigeria and West Africa. Its funding was informed by the need to train locally seafarer and stop foreign domination of the maritime business. Before now, only four of the existing 129 universities are doing marine engineering and the course is being sponsored by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which championed the establishment of NIMU.

The university holds a lot of prospect for youth employment, given the demand for more than 50,000 seafarers in the industry. The institution is expected to train those to take over from foreign seafarers who dominate the maritime sector. Of the 5,000 seafarers in the country, gov-

We believe that in the next 10 years, Nigeria must have overcome the challenges of manpower supply. This is why the agency is looking at achieving a long-term goal and legacy like building a maritime university and a shipyard

INSIDE

Snakes overrun Benue schools as strike enters sixth month -Page 27

ernment sources say, no fewer than 1,000 are Nigerians. The majority are Malaysians, Filipinos and Indians. The Federal Government, according to sources, established the university because lack of certified training had denied Nigerians jobs in the industry.

SSANU-LASU joins ASUU’s strike -Page 45

CAMPUS LIFE

President Jonathan, who was conducted round the facilities at the temporary site by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar and NIMASA Director-General, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi expressed pleasure at the progress of work. The NIMASA Dockyard and Shipyard are also located there. The president noted that maritime business is global and lucrative, hence, his administration is serious about empowering youths through maritime education at the university. With the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act of 2003 (Cabotage Act) providing for local content in the industry, the President said the university would further increase the • Continued on Page 26

•A 10-page section on campus news, people etc

UNIJOS mourns seven blast victims -Page 29

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

EDUCATION • Continued from Page 25

number of Nigerians who would benefit from the law. "This piece of legislation has today ensured that over 3,000 vessels of different sizes and functions, which operate in our coastal trade, have significant Nigerian content. It has also generated employment for no fewer than 21,000 shipboard personnel and close to half a million shore personnel, lending credence to assertions that the sector has potentials to contribute significantly to the Nation's GDP,” he said. Umar said the investment in maritime training was key given that the industry could fast-track economic development. “In Nigeria, (maritime) is responsible for the carriage of 95 per cent of the exports and imports of trade in oil and non-oil products. In the sub-region, it also accounts for a significant portion of the movement of goods and passengers largely on account of the connectivity of these countries by waterways and its economic efficiency. This is perhaps why it has been contended severally that the maritime industry has the potential to unlock the economic development of our country, Nigeria," he said. He added that Okerenkoko was chosen because of its closeness to the sea and need for development. "The reasons for the situating of these projects in this community are based on the natural endowments of these areas such as natural affinity, proximity to the shipping routes, the volume of shipping activities and the high hydrocarbon reserves in this area. It is also a fulfilment of Mr. President's desire to spread development to the nooks and crannies of our great country, Nigeria," he said. The Cabotage Act states that: "A vessel other than a vessel wholly owned and manned by a Nigerian citizen, built and registered in Nigeria shall not engage in the domestic coastal carriage of cargo and passengers within the coastal, territorial, and inland waters, island or any point within the waters of the exclusive economic zone of Nigeria." However, Akpobolokemi said though the Cabotage Act created a level playing field for indigenous firms in the shipping business, the sector remained in the grip of foreigners. He attributed the situation to the liquidation of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) in 1995. Since then, he said the industry suffered a generational vacuum in manpower training, making succession a herculean task The NIMASA boss said the country could only break this hold if it trained the right personnel to do the job in large numbers. Nigeria urgently requires more than 50,000 seafarers to take its rightful position among maritime nations. With the establishment of the university, Akpobolokemi expects that the agency would no longer need to send seafarers abroad for training. Currently, he said it has 2,500 students studying in Egypt, India, the Philippines, and Romania on scholarship under the Nigeria Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). They are studying course like Nautical Sciences, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture. He said: "Next year, we would go far with the building of structures for the university because NIMASA is currently spending largely on training cadets abroad under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), in which the agency has about 2,500 cadets studying in different maritime schools abroad. "We believe that in the next 10 years, Nigeria must have overcome the challenges of manpower supply. This is why the agency is looking at achieving a long-term goal and legacy like building a maritime university and a shipyard."

The university Barring any hitch, the Nigeria Maritime University should open for

•A structure on the temporary site. On it is the university’s plan.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Here comes Maritime varsity academic activities by September. The institution, to be anchored by the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), is the first specialised citadel of learning to be established purely for the growth of the maritime sector of the economy, and the first of its kind in West Africa. Some of the proposed courses to be offered by the university include: Naval Architecture and Naval Engineering, Logistics Management and Marine Engineering, Marine Engineering, Marine Electrical and Electronics Engineering; Nautical Science and Computer Engineering. Others are: Ports and Shipping Administration; Ports and Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Ship Engineering Industry and Maritime Law. Though no vice chancellor has been named, sources at the Ministry of Transport said the search was on for one and other principal officers, lecturers and administrative staff that will make up the 500-strong workforce of the university. Among others, the institution’s objectives are: • Facilitate and promote maritime studies, training, research and extension work with focus on emerging areas of studies like oceanography, maritime history, maritime laws, maritime security, search and rescue, transportation of dangerous cargo, environmental studies and other related fields, and also to achieve excellence in these and connected fields and other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. • Promote advanced knowledge by providing institutional and research facilities in such branches of learning as it may deem fit and to make provisions for integrated courses in science and other key and frontier areas of Technology and allied disciplines in the educational programmes of the University; • Extend the benefits of knowledge and skills for development of individuals, the communities and the nation by associating the university closely with local, regional and national issues of development among others.

There are only two means of transportation to the university from Warri, air and the sea. It takes 15 minutes on a speed boat to move from the temporary in Kurutie to the permanent site in Okerenkoko. Students and members of staff of the university will mostly depend on the sea to get to the university. The journey to and from the two campuses to Warri Club jetty is about three hours. Given the cost of transportation, a parent whose ward is a beneficiary of the NIMASA overseas scholarship, underscored the need to make the university residential to attract many students outside the region. Another parent, Chief Solomon Eromonsele, said the location of the university on top of the Niger Delta waters spoke volumes of the readiness of the Federal Government to provide sound maritime education for the youth and end foreign domination of the sector. Academic activities will start at the temporary site which has been provided with an administrative block, a library, lecture rooms and the auditorium, all built on water.

Permanent site It was gathered that NIMASA has allocated N58.7 billion to build a shipyard and dockyard close to the permanent site of the university. Of the amount, N40.2 billion was set aside for equipment, structures, ancillary buildings and electro-mechanical work facilities in the ship building and dockyard facility. The construction work has been awarded to Nairda Limited, and the company is expected to deliver within 36 months (three years) of commencement of the job. The remaining N18.5 billion, sources said, was earmarked for financing the civil and infrastructure construction. It would be handled by Mangrovetech Construction Engineering Nigeria Limited and would be delivered in less than three years. When completed, Akpobolokemi said the shipyard would be used in training cadets from the university, especially those who would major in Naval Architecture and Naval Engineering.

He said the institution would also establish a working relationship with other universities in the sub-region, including those at which NIMASA had sponsored the establishment of their maritime institutes (University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Niger Delta University, Amasoma, Bayelsa State, and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State). The relationship would be to promote regional co-operation in the maritime industry through on the training and research to ensure the sustained growth and development of the industry.

Succour for Niger Delta For the people of the Niger Delta region, particularly the Ijaw, the university takes their environment and one of their natural professional callings into consideration. Niger Delta is the Nigerian door to the seas, and there is no way to divorce the people from their environment. The enthusiasm of the people over the university is shown in the release 400 acres of land by 100 communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State to the Federal Government for the university's permanent site at Okerenkoko, a town along the Escravos channel. Members of Okerenkoko community are overjoyed. The traditional ruler of the area, His Majesty, Pere Godwin Bebenibo of Gbaramatu Kingdom and the Chairman of Okerenkoko Federated Communities, Chief James Tangbowei as well as the spokesman of the kingdom, Chief Dan Ekpebide, were delighted at the government's decision to site the university in their area. Tangbowei promised that Okerenkoko community would protect government properties in the area. He said the community, founded in 1480 when Duaote Pacheco Perrareira christened the River Escravos, prospered when shipping and other maritime activities started in the region in 1860. The British trading firm established their presence in Akassa along the coast, until it became too small for bigger vessels. "Shipping activities continued to boom until when the Ogulagha chan-

This is one of the best things that have happened to the ‘ people of Gbaramatu because there had been a huge lack of education in that area, from the basic to secondary and then tertiary education. For instance, going to primary school from Okorenkoko, I know what I passed through. Then, after primary school, there was no secondary school in the whole of Gbaramatu at that time

’

nel became difficult to navigate because of the introduction of bigger vessels, leading to the discovery of the Escravos Channel with the help of fishermen who were the pilots in those days," he said. However. in recent times, he said things have been difficult in the community, especially following the invasion of the Joint Task Force (JTF) because of militancy. "My people have been passing through a great hardship. As you can see for yourself, people still live in makeshift structures. Okerenkoko Federated Community in Gbaramatu kingdom is blessed with enormous petroleum recourses deposits," he said. Also, ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a Tompolo) and other opinion leaders in the area said they were happy over the development and assured the government of their cooperation. For Paul Bebenimibo, an Ijaw rights activist and Ekpemupolo's close friend, the university means a lot for a community that did not have a secondary school when he was growing up. "This is one of the best things that have happened to the people of Gbaramatu because there had been a huge lack of education in that area, from the basic to secondary and then tertiary education. For instance, going to primary school from Okorenkoko, I know what I passed through. Then, after primary school, there was no secondary school in the whole of Gbaramatu at that time. The closest to us was in Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom and the school was shut down the same year I left primary school so I had to wait another four years before I could get a place to stay in Warri to be able to attend a secondary school," Bebenimibo said. The activist said maritime was Nigeria's future after oil; he hoped that soon the university will produce enough experts to serve in different countries. "With the coming of this university, you will realise that, in the nearest future, the university is going to turn out so many personnel in the industry that we will even be able to export to other countries, just like the Philippines. It will be like the postoil industry for the people of the Niger Delta. It will go a long way to create employment for many people in this country. The industry will grow astronomically. "The maritime sector is the second most important sector of the Nigerian economy after the oil and gas sector. As a matter of fact, the maritime sector coordinates the oil and gas sector; therefore, there is much to do in that sector in Nigeria."

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

EDUCATION Imo wins NPC zonal quiz From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Territory (FCT), they are the only ones eligible to participate in the second stage which holds in four regions across the country, namely Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom. For being among the top three in each state in the first stage examination held March 15, the 216 pupils (108 each for the junior secondary and senior secondary categories) were rewarded with cash and gift prizes. Announcing the results of the examination, Mr. Kachi Onubogu,

Executive Director, Commercial, Promasidor Nigeria, said the top 10 candidates in the second stage examination will be invited for the prize-giving ceremony scheduled to hold at the prestigious Le' Meridian Hotel, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State on June 26. At the occasion, the top three in the junior category, will be presented with cash prizes of between N150,000 and N250,000 and other gifts; while winners of the senior category will get between N200,000 and N300,000.

MO State beat others in the Southeastern zone to win the 2014 Zonal Finals of the National Schools Quiz Competition organised by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation [NNPC] last week. The state won with 60 points, followed by Anambra State which garnered 50 Points and Enugu State which had 45 points to finish in third place. Ebonyi State came fourth with 30 Points while the host, Abia State finished in fifth position with 25 Points in the competition which tested their knowledge of English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics Each of the five states was represented by three pupils who were tops during the preliminaries. Imo State was represented by Adolalom Obinna Tony and Aputazie Ijeoma Sylvia, both of Living Word Academy Secondary School, Nkwerre, and Okezie Emmanuel Tochukwu of Christ The King Grammar School, Okigwe. At the start of the competition held at Ibeku High School, Umuahia, the Abia State Education Commissioner, Mrs Monica Philips, praised NNPC for organising the competition in the past 13 years. "This competition is a rare grand philanthropic gesture extended to our growing generation," she said, adding that it would help pupils to always be prepared and read wide to do better in similar competitions. The NNPC General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr Ohi Alegbe, represented by Sonny Odiete said that the competition has helped promote healthy rivalry among participants. "Since it commenced, the competition has been characterised by very keen and healthy contest from participating states," he said. Alegbe added that participating in the competition would help the pupils prepare themselves for the rigours of the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) as well as the tertiary education. He listed five objectives of the competition as: supporting the federal government campaigns towards uplifting education standards; stimulating the interest of the younger ones in the study of science subjects; creating an atmosphere of challenge within schools in order to improve teaching and learning process; sharing ideas and building a solid foundation for science development within Nigeria; and promoting unity among the various youths of the country.

• Mrs Christiana Babatunde

•Mrs Joy Daniel

•Mrs Toyin Akindele

false pretence and converting the money for personal use. Praise Akintayo, her husband and founder of the school, is at large. Parents of some of the candidates witnessed the hearing. Some of them expressed their displeasure that the school has reopened for business, despite the atrocities committed by the proprietor. Mrs Joy Daniel, a parent, affirmed that the school has been reopened and pupils in other classes have also resumed normal school activities. She added that

she saw a sign outside the school advertising for teachers. She said she has transferred her younger son, Solomon, a JSS3 pupil, to another school for him not to suffer the same fate as his sister, Abigail, who missed writing the 2014 WASSCE. "I will not take them back to the school; I have enrolled both of them in another private school. Though I have been paid N25,000 but the school still owes me N15, 000 meant for my daughter’s (Abigail) WAEC fees," she said.

Another parent, Mrs. Toyin Akindele, said she has also changed her son's school. "I have enrolled him in another school for his JSCE examination. I will not risk the unforeseen in this case; my son's education must not be altered," she said. Mrs. Christiana Babatunde, a teacher in another school but a parent of one of the affected pupils said her child has already started tutorial classes in preparation for the November/December WASSCE.

•A public school devoid of life because of the strike.

Snakes overrun Benue schools as strike enters sixth month

REMISES of public primary schools in Benue State have been overgrown by weeds and are now homes to reptiles as the strike by primary school teachers, enters its sixth month. The reason for the strike is the non implementation of National Minimum Wage by Governor Gabriel Suswam. Suswam said the government could not afford to pay the minimum wage, which he said would cost the state N2.6 billion. He expected the teachers to understand, especially as he increased their emolument when he assumed duty as the governor without any strike. He also said he was the first governor in the Northcentral zone to implement the 27 per cent salary increase for teachers, and paid backlog of salaries and leave bonuses, which he said is up to date as no teachers in the state is earning below the minimum wage of #18,000. The governor said the Federal Government fixed the National Minimum Wage without increasing the state’s allocation from the federation account. He said the state receives N1.8 billion from the federation account, out of which N1.4 billion is deducted for teachers’ salaries alone. He said the balance is grossly inadequate to pay over 26,000 local government workers, pension, and other sundry expenses. With the 40 per cent reduction in federal allocation nationwide,

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Suswam said the state would shut down if he implements the minimum wage. Teachers on their part have refused to shift ground. They said the national minimum wage is a law. Chairman NUT, Benue State wing, Comrade Godwin Anya said the state government has no choice

‘

but to implement it. Anya said: “For the past six months, the teachers have gone without salaries with attendant consequences, which include death, hunger and inability to meet their family obligations. Pupils, whose parents cannot afford private school, have turned to traders, hawking groundnut, sachet water and maize in motor parks.

For the past six months, the teachers have gone without salaries with attendant consequences, which include death, hunger and inability to meet their family obligations

’

Classroom blocks have been turned to hideout for reptiles, cockroaches, goats and all kinds of animals, as weeds have taken over. The buildings are also degenerating, while people defecate in some of the classrooms. Some primary schools blocks in Wurukum, North bank and Asukunya have been turned into temporary camps for the internally displaced persons as a result of TivFulani crisis. Prince Solomon Wombo of Sankera and Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs however told The Nation that teachers would return to classrooms very soon. However, he said government has engaged teachers through the leadership of NUT and may resolve the impasse before the end of the month.

72 pupils for NASSMAC second stage exam

EVENTY-TWO pupils who emerged tops in the first stage examination of the 2014 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) will write the second and final stage examination on Saturday. They were among the 216 pupils rewarded nationwide for making the best three scores for each state during the first stage examination. However, as the best in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital

WASSCE fees saga: Court insists on full refund F Mrs Dora Akintayo, proprietor of Mentors Secondary School, Dalemo, Ogun State, fails to refund the examination fees of all SS3 candidates she allegedly registered for the 2014 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) by June 16, she will be denied bail. It was discovered that the school was not registered by the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and therefore not recognised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) as a centre. The school failed to make alternative arrangement for its pupils to write the examination in another centre. They missed the examination. Mrs Akintayo's lawyer's plea that the case be struck out because only N126,000 is left to be paid as at last week's court hearing of the case at the Magistrate’s Court I, Ota, was rejected by the Magistrate, Mrs S.T. Bello. She had granted the defendant bail at the second hearing which

By Mojisola Clement

held on April 11 and directed that the proprietor should refund the WASSCE registration fees totaling N546,000 for over 30 candidates by May 15, according to a written agreement signed by Mrs Akintayo's father (names withheld). The Magistrate ruled against the withdrawal of the case because the defendant did not fulfill the agreement and warned that the defendant would be remanded in custody if the balance is not paid by June 16. However, Mrs Akintayo may not be able to heave a sigh of relief just yet even after she might have paid the balance as parents of the affected candidates are planning a fresh suit against her, this time, for failing to register JSS3 pupils for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) coming up in July, and issuance of fake results for past junior certificate examinations. Mrs Akintayo faces a 39-count charge for obtaining money under

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

EDUCATION AOCOED FILE

Provost appoints director THE Provost, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Otto/ Ijanikin has approved the appointment of Mrs Bola Akeusola as the Director, Centre for Outreach Programme. The development follows the appointment of Mr. Wole Ajose, the former director, as the Deputy Provost. Mr. Keshinro Femi is the new deputy director of the centre. Their two-year term began May 19.

HoDs elect head

• Senator Oluremi Tinubu receiving an award from the Chairman, Governing Council, of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ambassador Musa John Jen (middle) during the 50th Anniversary/Convocation of the College . With them is Provost of the college,Prof Adeyemi Idowu.

• Aare Afe Babalola, Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD (left) with Senator Tinubu after he was conferred with a Fellowship of the college.

MEMBERS of the Committee of Heads of Department have elected Dr. Buraimoh Durojaiye as their new leader. Buraimoh, is a Chief Lecturer in the School of Education, and heads the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Honour for ex-Dep. Provost THE male football team of the college has organised a novelty match in honour of the former Deputy Provost, Mr Oludayo Adebowale who retired last December at 65. The team, which played against the Lagos State University (LASU) team in the novelty match, however suffered a 2-1 defeat. Before his retirement, ''Chief'' as Adebowale is fondly called by friends and colleagues was the HoD, Fine and Applied Arts, as well as the chief coach of the male football team.

•Senator Tinubu (middle) flanked by Senator Babafemi Ojudu (right), Hon Akinsola Adebimpe, Hon Dipo Okeyomi (third right), Prof Ajayi Boroffice (fourth right), Hon Lola Akande (seventh right), Mrs Mayowa Ikuforiji (eighth right); Otunba Yetunde Arobieke (sixth left), Hon Risikat Adegeye (fifth left), Hon Omowunmi Edet (third left) and Mrs Shakirat Bayewu (left)

Not long after the Federal Government announced plans to re-introduce school feeding at the basic level of education, the Osun State government opened its doors to education, health and agricultural stakeholders from other states of the federation to learn how its Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) programme works and its multi-faceted impact on the pupils, community and the economy. KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE reports on the benefits and challenges of the imitative.

Osun shares O’Meals experience

HE plans by the Federal Government through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to re-introduce school feeding may go a long way to reduce the number of children out of school, which has been put at over 10 million nationwide. The initiative failed when it was first introduced as a pilot programme in 12 states in 2009. However, two states, Osun and Kano, have been successful in feeding their pupils in schools. Last week, Osun shared its experience with representatives of various states and the international community. Many participants who attended the four-day technical meeting on the Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (OMeals) left Osogbo with a resolve to convince their respective governors about the role school feeding can play in improving enrolment, retention, and completion as well as the health of pupils. They believe their governments will also be interested in learning that the initiative has the potential to boost the economy by enhancing agriculture, and providing avenues for small businesses along the value chain. They learnt from Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs Titi LaoyeTomori, who spoke on the third day of the meeting, that since the O’Meals project started April 2012, it has revolutionised basic educa-

tion and improved enrolment by 25 per cent. The school menu, which includes meals such as yam and fish stew/orange; rice/ beans with chicken stew/orange; and cocoyam porridge/vegetable and meat/ pawpaw, was drawn up by nutritionists from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. It is designed to ensure the pupils get adequate nourishment in every meal they ate in school. Aregbesola said of the benefits of the project: "School feeding programme is a revolutionary development in education and indeed governance because it integrates at least four areas of governance with education. These are agriculture, health, job creation and local empowerment. "The O'MEALS implementation is institutionally integrated within the overall framework of the government's agricultural development plan. There are 3007 community food vendors employed and empowered with tools and funds to make the recommended menu available to each pupil as and when due. "The community food vendors are also fully integrated into the well-structured supply chain through which our designated local farmers provide them with the necessary food materials required for the meals. This does not only assure cost-effectiveness, it ensures that the money expended on the programme by government sinks back into

the state's economy, helps to reinflate it, and generates maximum multiplier effects on our people." Mrs Laoye-Tomori, who doubles as the Commissioner for Education, said though expensive, costing N3.6 billion annually, the increase in enrolment makes the initiative worth the investment. "School feeding is very expensive but the positive impact on the pupils and the economy cannot be ignored. We reviewed cost of feeding each child from N30 to N50 and we expend a total of N3.6 billion annually on the programme. "We started with the feeding of pupils within Elementary 1-3, totalling 155,318 pupils with one meal a day as at 30th April, 2012, which increased to 194,253 pupils by 30th June 2012. The government was encouraged by the increased enrolment and expanded the programme to include pupils in elementary four. The data presented by the Nigeria National Bureau of Statistics, by December 2013 shows that the State of Osun has the highest enrolment figure of public primary school pupils in the country," she said. To successfully run the school feeding programme, Prof Don Bundy a specialist in nutrition and health at the World Bank said the government must check corruption like Osun has successfully done. “School feeding gives room

• Some pupils enjoying their school lunch

• Aregbesola (middle) with (from left) Tajudeen Gambo, Kano State Commissioner for Education, Prof Bundy, Lesly Drake and another guest

for corruption. But in Osun, it is cash free. There is no cash changing hands. Money is transferred through the banks,” he said.

Lesley Drake, Executive Director, Patrnership for Child Development (PCD) added that states should not be cost should not deter states

from implementing school feeding. If well run to involve agriculture, she said it can be sustainable, especially if turned into a policy.

*CAMPUSES

Forever in their hearts

*NEWS

All for charity

*PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS

Page 31

*GRANTS

Page 42

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Seven final year Medical Laboratory Science students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) were among those killed in the twin blasts of May 20 in the Plateau State capital. ESTHER MARK (UNIJOS graduate) reports.

UNIJOS mourns seven blast victims • Two nursing mothers among the dead

•The late Vivian

•The late Monday

•The late Mike

•The late Francisca

OS, the Plateau State capital, was in the news last week, following the twin blasts at the Terminus Market. No fewer than 118 people, mainly traders, died in the blasts; scores were injured. The University of Jos (UNIJOS) lost seven final year Medical Laboratory Science students - Francisca Nwafor, Oluwadolapo Komolafe, Vivian Chioma Obilor, Mike Ogbole, Millicent Yusuf, Monday Wingak and Doris Udegbunem. That fateful day, the late Mike called out Christian faithful in the hostels for prayer - he had been doing this for years as a member of the G-Force Fellowship. After the prayer, he left for lectures. By 1pm, he was done and he headed home to eat. That was the last his classmates saw of him. The late Millicent was said to have got up early to prepare her eight-month-old baby for the crèche. She left for school afterwards. By 1:30pm, the lectures were over. The late Millicent, according to her classmates, left the school immediately to take her baby and return to her off-campus hostel. The late Francisca, the late Lydia, the late Vivian, the late Monday and the late Doris also had one or two things to do that day. They might have looked forward to returning home to rest, but they never had that chance. About 30 minutes after Haematology lecture, they left for the Terminus Market, close to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where medical students receive lectures. They all died in the blasts. Some of their colleagues were still in the classroom when the incident occurred. Following the blasts, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Daisy Odey, the victims’ classmate, told others that the deceased would have been on the scene. She mobilised others to search for their seven classmates.

The late Mike, who hailed from Benue State, was described as a “dedicated Christian” by hostel mates, who were still in shock when they spoke to our correspondent. His close friend, Hendrick Idajo, who was in tears, said: “If I were to receive virtues from you, I would have your zeal to serve God, moral decency and wisdom to handle issues. I love you, Mike, but God loves you more.”

A classmate of the late Mike, who did not give his name, wrote on the board: “Mike, to think you are no more is rather shocking. What a life you have lived. Since our paths crossed in 100-Level, you became my Bible teacher. It was just like yesterday. It is so hard to believe you are gone.

•Continued on page 30

•Students bemoan ‘double fee’ as varsity resumes -P32 •Panic as JTF chases Boko Haram suspect -P41

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

Ngozi: Pushing Remembering Out an Amazon with Agbo Agbo who dreamt 08116759750 (SMS only)

OME June 6, 2014, the Press Club, University of Lagos will be honouring late Mrs. Ngozi Agbo, their mentor and initiator of the Campus Life pullout in this great newspaper who passed on on May 28, 2012. The event would be the third annual Ngozi Agbo Memorial Lecture, which the Club, an organisation with members drawn from all faculties within the campuses of the university undertook on their own to keep the vision, ideals and dreams of this great woman – and my late wife - alive. They also intend using the event to launch their Journal - UNILAG Gong - a monthly magazine to be freely distributed within the university community. This singular act goes to reinforce the fact that great ideas and visions don’t die; they blossom even if the visionary is no longer alive. Being a mental picture or concept in the imagination, a vision is also the ability to anticipate the direction a worthy cause or future an event will take, such is the power of vision. Ngozi dreamt years before she passed on that Nigeria - despite the socio-economic and other challenges she faces - has the potentials of being a great nation. She believed that the potentials lie in the hands of the youths and she birthed an idea that would give them the platform to express their dreams for the nation. A veritable platform, The Nation newspaper employed her and gave her wings to soar. Ngozi, the lovely lady who wrote this column for four years, passed on two years ago and the mantle fell on me to “run with the vision.” Her vision is anchored on building the total man and looking at the core values and attributes that defines him, attributes that always emphasises the highest level of moral and ethical regeneration and the molding of sound character which she instilled in her “children.” She never failed to remind them that they are always a shining light to their generation, and coming into contact with these students you will realise that the ob-

•aagboa@gmail.com

•The late Mrs Agbo

‘

The child she died giving birth to is now a strong and happy toddler with visibly signs of intelligence which goes to show that her blood runs in his veins

’

jective is bearing fruit as the UNILAG students clearly demonstrated by their instituting an annual lecture in her memory.

Does that mean her preoccupation is only with undergraduates? Absolutely not, Ngozi was also a student of leadership and those who were familiar with this column when she handled it know too well of her passion for leadership; from leadership in the home to religious and secular leadership. She often drive the point home to her undergraduates to steer clear of ethnic jingoists and divisive individuals who have the innate capacity of filling their minds with xenophobic ideologies that have the tendency of creating hatred, rancour and bitterness in the society. This they can only do if they are inculcated with the right value system. The annual capacity building Workshops and Award ceremonies she undertook every year with the support of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company Limited is a pointer to the fact that apart from merely sending in articles for publication she ensures she has one-on-one contact with her undergraduates to be certain that the venture they are undertaking is far bigger than having their stories published in the newspaper. Another sterling quality of the vision is the molding of character. Ngozi was a disciplinarian to the core and she doesn’t mince words when it comes to discipline and her students know that, I will point out two instances here. Two weeks before her death she held her 9th Annual Campus Life workshop in Lagos where she invited more than 50 students from tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Some undergraduates who could not make it to the workshop called her and pleaded that she sends them their certificate of attendance. She took her time to patiently lecture them that it is morally wrong for her to send certificate to someone who did not attend the workshop; she equally told them that it will be against the tenet of what she teaches them. Some of the students called back to apologise for their misdemeanor saying they never saw it that way. What actually touched me was how she linked the whole incident to the vision of Campus Life. There are countless other encounters that I can’t mention here for lack of space. So what are the marks of true leadership that she bore? I will list five clear attributes that I identified in my time with her. The first is deep insight. Authentic leaders have

insight which we sometimes refer to this as vision, but that usually has exclusive reference to the future – the project at hand clearly demonstrates that. While leaders must have vision, they need more, they need wisdom and discernment. Secondly, initiative plays a fundamental role. In this regard, authentic leaders go first. They don’t sit on the sidelines. They don’t ask others to do what they are unwilling to do themselves. Instead, they lead by example. Ngozi blazed the trail by introducing Campus Life which almost all the newspapers today have variants of. Thirdly, authentic leaders exert influence. Ngozi did. I found out that it is no coincidence that influence and influenza (the flu) come from the same root word. Real leaders are contagious. People “catch” what they have. People are drawn to their vision and their values. They are able to gather a following and move people to act. In essence, they create ripple effect wherever they go. Ngozi did. True leaders have impact. At the end of the day, leaders make a difference. Ngozi made a huge impact on a generation of Nigerian students, she did not sit and bemoan “our falling standard of education,” she just did what she needed to do. The measure of leadership cannot be found in the leader; it is found in the impact the leader has on his or her followers. A true leader has integrity which in a sense is the foundation of authentic leadership. Those who knew her can attest to this sterling character in her. She abhors mediocrity and sloppiness, she dots her “i’s” and crosses her “t’s” always. There is no better epitaph to write for this bold, unique, courageous and determined lady than to say that some of her “children” are now living out what she taught them, her efforts were not in vain. Wale Ajetunmobi now oversees the Campus Life pages in The Nation every Thursday, Gbenga Ojo now publishes Exceptional Magazine, Faith Olaniran now runs a Youth Development programme, David Osu of FUTA is a United Nations Ambassador on Education, and Jumoke Awe runs a girl-child NGO. Again, there are more of Ngozi’s former students contributing positively toward the emergence of a better society which space will not allow me to recount, they will tell their own stories someday. The child she died giving birth to is now a strong and happy toddler with visibly signs of intelligence which goes to show that her blood runs in his veins. No doubt, Ngozi the trailblazer lives on.

ESSAY CONTEST FOR UNDERGRADS THE Nation CAMPUSLIFE, in collaboration with AfricanLiberty.org and Network for a Free Society, is calling for entries into an essay competition. Details are as follows: Question: Freedom creates prosperity. It unleashes human talent, invention and innovation, creating wealth where none existed before. Discuss. Eligibility: All African Students in any tertiary institutions (university, polytechnic, college of education and technical schools) in Africa. The format of the text should be in Microsoft word and not more than 1,500 words. Interested students can visit www.africanliberty.org for background materials. Note that plagiarism is not allowed; any text or sentences copied from other people works must be indicated in quotation marks and credit must be given at the bottom of the paper to the author. Any entry that contains plagiarised work will be disqualified. On the first page of the completed essay, please write your full names, department, level of study and name of institution. Also include your email address and mobile phone number. Send your entries to adedayo.thomas@gmail.com Entries will be received between March 6 and June 6, 2014. Late entries will not be accepted. Winners will be announced on July 3 , 2014. All entries will get a free book titled Why Liberty by Tom G. Palmer OR Foundation of a Free Society by Eamonn Butler. Please be sure you include your postal address if different from your school address. Prizes: 1st - George Ayittey (Platinum Prize): $1,000 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at the University of Cape Town Business School, South Africa, from August 14-17, 2014 2nd - Anthony Fisher (Gold Prize): $700 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at the University of Cape Town Business School, South Africa, from August 14- 17, 2014 3rd - Derenle Edun (Silver Prize): $500 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at University of Cape Town Business School. South Africa, from August 14- 17, 2014 4th – The Nation CAMPUSLIFE Media Prize (Bronze): $300 and scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA)/ASFL at the University of Cape Town Business School, South Africa, from August 14- 17, 2014. We also have eight consolation prizes of $50 each.

•The late Oluwadolapo

•The late Doris

•The late Millicent

UNIJOS mourns seven blast victims •Continued from page 29 You were an icon; the bearer of the light. I will continue to remember you until we meet to part no more.” Mike’s remains were buried last Thursday in Benue State. The late Monday was also a member of the G-Force Fellowship. The late Francisca was described as a “beautiful scientist” by classmates. Unlike others, the late Doris and the late Millicent left behind ba-

bies whose ages are between eight months and one year. The duo got married before their final year. While others seem to have accepted their fate, friends and family members of the late Vivian believe she is not dead. To them, she is missing and admitted in a hospital where she has not been identified among the charred bodies removed from the scene. Chizaram Orji wrote on the late Vivian’s Facebook page: “My sister cannot die now. It is not yet her time. I believe she is somewhere. She is not dead. She is still

alive. May Almighty God protect her and make her to find her way back home, in Jesus Name. Amen.” In honour of the late students, the UNIJOS management declared last Friday a lecture–free day. The Students’ Union Government (SUG) urged the Federal Government to find the masterminds of the blasts, urging proactive steps in dealing with the rising menace. The Deputy Registrar (Information), Steve Otowo, urged members of the university community to be security-conscious.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE It was two years ago yesterday that Ngozi Agbo, popularly known as Aunty Ngozi by her admirers, especially campus journalists she took under her wings, died. These journalists that cut across higher institutions nationwide, who she fondly referred to as “my children”, pay tribute to her. OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI (Language Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University) writes.

Forever in their hearts

“S

WEET is the remembrance of the righteous.” This biblical verse aptly describes the feelings of students, who passed through the tutelage of the late Mrs Ngozi Agbo (Nee Nwozor). Yesterday made it two years that their mentor and pioneer Editor of CAMPUSLIFE died. To them, the time they shared with Aunty Ngozi, as she was fondly called, remains fresh. To the students, she lives on. The late Mrs Agbo, according to them, left a platform for youths to pursue their dreams. Through her weekly Pushing Out, she reached out to them, counselling them to be responsible citizens. Two years have gone, but the tributes have not ceased coming. NANS Aunty Ngozi left us two years ago, but her memory cannot be erased from our mind. Her absence cannot make us to forget her values and legacies. We believe she is not dead because the platform through which she reached out to us is still intact. We are also proud of CAMPUSLIFE because it promoted and is still promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability on campuses. We acknowledge the role the platform played during the last Academic Staff Union

good values. For me, writing for CAMPUSLIFE was not just an experience in campus journalism; it taught me journalism with social responsibility, value, character and the quest for excellence. Msonter Anzaa, 300-Level Medicine, Benue State University Since I joined CAMPUSLIFE, I have never had cause to regret because it is a network of young leaders, who are writing to make Nigeria a better place. While I really wished Aunty Ngozi lived longer, we must not lose sight of her immense contributions to this country. I firmly believe that in the years to come, when the story of this nation is told, people will remember that Aunty Ngozi was a significant part of it.

of Universities (ASUU) strike; indeed, there is no way we can talk about CAMPUSLFE without mentioning Aunty Ngozi. Taiwo Isola, 300-Level Anatomy, University of Maiduguri Indeed, great men die but death can never kill their names or erase their impact. Really, Aunty Ngozi’s brief stay on earth was a blessing to us. She touched and impacted the lives of youths within the short period. She promoted good virtues and detested vices. She was a motivator par excellence. Through the CAMPUSLIFE, I developed passion for writing, and each time I put pen on paper, I remember the person who encouraged me to do so. That was Aunty Ngozi.” Hammed Hamzat, 300-Level Educational Administration, University of Ibadan For me, CAMPUSLIFE represents hope because of the quality of young people it is breeding for the nation’s future. Personally, it gave me the opportunity to contribute my quota through writing to develop my university. Hannah Ojo, NYSC, Delta State. Aunty Ngozi remains that gallant heroine who bridged the genera-

•The late Aunty Ngozi

tional gap by advocating a forwardthinking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through the annual workshop being sponsored by Coca

Cola System for students in higher institutions. She saw a need and she gave her all to ensure that young people are moulded in character and

Dhikrullah Akinola, Political Science Graduate, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife My biography cannot be complete without the mention of the late Aunty Ngozi. This is because she influenced me to write. Apart from the fame my writing skill gave me on the campus, Aunty Ngozi taught me morality and selflessness through her weekly column. She mentored many of us to the extent that some of us are being celebrated within and beyond. However, we must take solace in the fact that someone has been able to maintain the platform. We are happy that one of us continued from where Aunty Ngozi left it. This means that Aunty is not dead; she’s alive and with us.

Keeping faith with tradition Occupants of Awolowo Hall at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have celebrated the traditional Ewa Day and Aro Night. KEMI BUSARI (Political Science) reports.

HE event began at 2pm with shouts of Ewa ti jina ooo (the beans is ready) by a student. No sooner did he finished than students came out with assorted of containers, such as bathroom buckets, bowls, pails, pots, cups, milk tins and nylons. They lined up to be served. Those unaware of what was going on joined the queue without any container. Asked what they wanted to use to take the meal, one answered in Pidgin English: “Brother, na for my hand I go take am o.” As they were served, they moved

•Students dressed in funny attires at the Aro Night

to a corner to savour the meal. It was a sight to behold as students sang various Aro (hilarious) songs. That was the scene at the Ewa Day and Aro (hilarity) Night held at the Awolowo Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in IleIfe, Osun State. Preparation for the day was slow because of the absence of the Hall Executive Council (HEC), which usually coordinated the event. Occupants of the hall came out and picked the beans. A bag of beans was used for the celebration. A set of students brought firewood, local stoves and aluminum pots to cook the food. They poured the beans in a pot of water and placed it on fire. Some students stayed around, entertaining the cooks with songs. Female students were not left out. Some of them were spotted, sitting

at a corner preparing the drink to be taken during the Aro Night. One of them, Aderonke Adeyemi, a student of Computer Science, said they came to assist the boys and catch fun. The Aro Night started at 10 o’clock after Awolowo Hall occupants visited the female halls, singing and dancing. The venue of the programme Awo Café - was filled up by students, dressed in funny attires. The event started with a formal introduction by the masters of ceremony, who gave an insight into what to expect. “We are here tonight to uphold the tradition of Aro Night as we use to do every year. We enjoin every weere (mad men) and were’birin (mad women) present here tonight to relax and be courteous throughout the programme,” one of the

•Two students demolishing a pot of beans

comperes, who was dressed in tattered Agbada, said in Yoruba. Being called a mad man is enough to cause friction, but the reverse was the case at Awo Café; every student that attended the Night event was a mad man. The Night featured hilarious displays from the Awo ‘choir’ and ‘mad legends’, such as Ogidiolu and Woli Agba. In the comic display, Adewale Adesina, the Director of Socialselect, said: “I wonder why the management decided to site the zoological garden far from the Halls of Residence. If I am elected as the Director of Socials and Culture, I will ensure all the animals in the zoo are relocated to the hostels. I will also ensure that no student pays fees next session.” The speech was greeted with laughter and applause from the

‘mad men’. The Night also featured music and dance performances. Adedayo Adeleye, one of the organisers, said putting the programme together was tedious because students did not contribute money. “We spent up to N30,000 in getting things together. We requested each room to pay N200 but when we moved around for the money, some gave us N10 and N5. But we kept on with the motivation that the tradition must not die,” he said. Daniel Arohunfara, a 400-Level Educational Administration and Planning student, described the Ewa Day as a culture, which no one could tell when it began. He said: “The consumption of the beans is not the most important thing but the enjoyment we derive in doing this together.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE UNILAG students protest ‘water shortage’

• Members of the club during the exercise

Club moves to prevent accident

EMBERS of the Rotaract Club of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto have drawn Zebra Crossing mark on the busy university road to prevent accident. The initiative, which was part of the club’s agenda for the year, began at Dandima Bus Stop. The students also moved to the City Campus area to carry out the exercise. The club members said the move was aimed at reducing accident accidents on campus. The club’s president, Isa Dangulbi, said the project was to contribute to the socio-economic development of

From Ismat Anifowose UDUS university. “We organised this project to invest in Sokoto because we believed that youths are the eyes of today and future of any society; our aim is service to humanity,” he stated. The Staff Adviser, Dr Danjuma Abubakar, praised members of the club for the project. He said: “It is a privilege for young people to come together, organise and accomplish a successful project like this. This is a step in the right direction.” A student said disorganisation and

impatience were responsible for accidents on the roads, saying he project would help to reduce the rate of accident on the roads. At the inauguration of the project Dr Abubakar, Dangulbi, Vice President Shukurat Lawal, former president of the club, Sunday Oche, Administrative District Representative, Olalekan Olaniyi and students. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were drafted to co-ordinate traffic on the road while the exercise was going on.

Students bemoan ‘double fee’ as varsity resumes

OGI State University (KSU) in Ayingba has just resumed session but students are not happy with the fee regime introduced by the management. They describe it as anti-student. Some of them, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, said the new fee was not in the interest of students. A 300-Level student, who did not want his name in print, said management disappointed students with the increment, saying: “I think it is not a wise thing for the authorities to increase the fees at this period because things are not easy for us.” He urged the management to be considerate. A fresher said the management was ripping off students through “double charge” for one item. “I don’t know why this people decided to increase the fees at this critical time. I was told that the fees

From Mohammed Yabagi KSU that fresh students used to pay was tN35, 500. I don’t know how it became N57,500 for those of us that are indigenes. We are also paying departmental fees and association fees even after they have been included in the school’s fees.” However, a student, James Yusuf, said the fee increment was in order, noting the new fee was affordable compare to the fees being charged in Southwest universities. He said: “Look my brother, the increment is considerate enough, owing to the fact that if you look at

it, other institutions are collecting even higher fees. Other universities collect as high as one hundred thousand and above, even for their students. Consider the Lagos State University, for instance and others in the West.” While some kicked against the fee increment, others commended the school for the upward review of fees, saying its in line with realities of the 21st century education. It was gathered that the Students’ Union Government (SUG) met with the school’s Visitor, Governor Idris Wada, following rumour that there would be fee hike, but the government said it was untrue.

CCUPANTS of Biobaku Hall in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have protested what they call “lack of water and partial closure of toilets” in the hostel. The students said they were unhappy with poor water service in the hostel and the stress of fetching water from far distance. The students took to the street with placards and singing solidarity songs. They demanded immediate repair of facilities in the hall. The students complained that water had stopped running for a long time, saying the development made over 500 occupants to go through stress of fetching water from three water taps outside the building. An occupant, Seyi Olabisi, a 400Level Urban and Regional Planning student, said: “We stay in queue for several minutes every morning to fecth water to have our bath. That is abnormal.” Modiu Olaguro, President of the University’s Press Club, expressed displeasure on the situation, describing it as stress to both the students and the cleaners who would have to carry buckets of water from the ground floor to the third floor daily. The protesters planned to take the demonstration to the residence of the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Kayode Amund, but some of them

From Adeyemi Olalemi UNILAG opposed the plan. Razaq Olamilekan, President of the Education Students’ Association (NUESA), was quoted to have said that as a student leader, he could not lead a protest against the school authorities. The students carried placards with inscriptions such as “#BringBackOurWater” and “Students are suffering, DSA is snoring”, among others. The angry students were addressed by an official, who identified himself as Engr Adeyemi from the Department of Works. He pleaded with the students, explaining that the delay in restoring water back to the hostel was because of a logistic problem. In response to the to the protest, management has commenced repair work on the water facility and the construction of new water pipes to serve all floors in the hostel. At the time of this report, two water taps were being repaired and plumbers were seen running pipes to different floors. Speaking on the protest, the Hall Chairman, Moyosore Adebanjo, said the beauty of the protest was that it was peaceful, saying management’s quick intervention was commendable.

Osun varsity wins debate

HE Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has emerged the second runner up in the 2014 Africa Regional Inter-University Debate Competition organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Institute for African Culture and International Understanding in partnership with the Centre for Human Security and Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. The university was represented by Temiloluwa Ogundele, a 200-Level Law student, and Olusegun Faleyimu, a 200Level Languages and Linguistics student. The objective of the debate was to enhance communication and literary skills of African students and provide a scholarship platform with a long-term benefit of promoting African unity and derive solutions to developmental challenges facing African countries. Thirteen African countries, including Benin Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Niger Republic,

From Abideen Olasupo UNIOSUN Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Nigeria participated in the debate. Crawford University and Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone won first and second positions respectively, while UNIOSUN came third. Temiloluwa was adjudged the best speaker in one of the sessions. The award was presented by the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Centre for Human Security, Professor Akin Mabogunje. The event was attended by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof Hassana Alidou, Director of UNESCO Regional Multi-Sectorial Office for West Africa, Dr Minkailu Bah; Minister of Education, Science and Technology in Sierra Leone, Prof Juma Shabani, Prof Tunde Babawale, Prof Peter Okebukola, Dr Mary Khimulu and Dr Christopher Kolade.

New VC for MAUTECH From Sa’ad Aliyu MAUTECH

ROF Kyari Mohammed has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) in Yola , Adamawa State. The Governing Council, during its 78th regular meeting, considered a report of Joint Council /Senate Selection Board and approved the appointment. Until his appointment, Prof Kyari was the Director of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies of the university. The Council’s letter signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Ibrahim Ahmadu Ribadu, stated that Prof Kyari’s appointment would be effective from June 10. He will be the seventh Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

•Godwin (middle) with some of the beneficiaries and members of the community

Corps member lifts widows, trains youths

ESIDENTS of Etioro in Akoko South-West of Ondo State have praised Godwin Afiene, a corps, for donating materials to widows in the community. Godwin, who is serving at the Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), also organised skills acquisition

From Seyi Oluwalade AAUA programme for youths in the community and donated two first-aid boxes and exercise books to indigent pupils. Speaking after the presentation of the materials, the community head,

Chief P. A. Adewumi, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, said: “Many corps members had served in this community, but this is the first time a corps member has done these remarkable things. Godwin has impacted on our community positively. We are happy and we appreciate you.”

He also lauded the skills acquisition programme of the corps member, saying the gesture had encouraged the youth and added value to their lives. Godwin thanked God for inspiring him to contribute to the development of the society, expressing determination to continue to make meaningful impact on humanity.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

Abia PFN condemns Chibok girls’ forced conversion •PAGE 34

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

PAGE 33

Jobs hopes for Imo youths

‘Obiano ‘ll win security battle’ •PAGE 35

•PAGE 36

•One of the traditional rulers displaying his staff of office

Okorocha inspires peace in Imo communities

HE dark cloud of strife has blown over in Imo State communities, thanks to the efforts of Governor Rochas Okorocha. No fewer than 632 communities are relishing a new era of harmony, many residents happy to have a king reign over them. Before the governor’s intervention, such a peaceful atmosphere was unheard-of for decades. Sev-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

eral communities were locked in endless rancour and even outright hostilities, monarchs against claimants or subjects against their kings. In some cases, lives and properties were lost when feuding factions took up arms against one another. Such tussles and communal crises have now been resolved by the

state government through the alternative crisis resolution mechanism initiated by Governor Okorocha. New kings have been crowned; pending court cases have been settled at no cost to the litigants and once again communal peace and genuine kinship have returned. One of the communities now enjoying its reprieve, after 28 years of a kingship tussle which polarised the

community and stagnated its development, is the Amaimo Ancient Kingdom in Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state. Tracing the history of the communiy’s crisis, Chief Japheth Duru said the last traditional ruler of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, Eze Jude Ohiri Alaribe, died in 1986, adding that since then the community had not known peace as the

battle of succession tore the people apart. He said that immediately after the death of the monarch, his eldest son, Prince Macilinus Obinna Alaribe, hijacked the throne, even though it was not hereditary. Duru said the younger Alaribe was crowned by ‘foreigners’ as the tra•Continued on page 34

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Okorocha inspires peace in Imo communities •Continued from page 33 ditional ruler of Amaimo Kingdom. According to him, “after the mourning of the king, Eze Godwin Ehirim was selected in line with the customs and traditions of Amaimo and subsequently presented as the traditional ruler to the local government authorities for onward presentation to the state government but the son to the late king who had already usurped the throne went to court and that was how the legal battle started. “The matter lingered until Governor Okorocha set up a committee to reconcile all kingship tussles in the communities that the will of the people prevailed and Eze Ehirim was recognised and presented with a Staff of Office, which no doubt has put to an end all litigations and crisis that had stagnated Amaimo for close to three decades”. Other communities also began to experience peace; in many of them, new kings were installed. Presenting the Staff of Office to over 103 traditional rulers in the first phase, the governor commended the leaders of the various communities for supporting the initiative of the government to restore peace and order which had eluded them for long. Okorocha stated that the crisis which had bedeviled the communities, which he said made most of the communities ungovernable, had impeded development and prosperity and hindered government’s plan of massive rural development. He added further that, “when we came into power, most of the communities were eaten up by crisis and hatred, some have been in Court for over 30 years over kingship tussle and such situation impedes development because nothing good can thrive under the atmosphere of rancor and acrimony. “So the first thing we did was to move in and summon the whole communities and enlighten them on the need for peaceful coexistence. And we adopted alternative crisis resolution and resolved the entire kingship crisis. At first the people were skeptic but we were confident that it will be possible and today peace has returned. “Now government is working with the new monarchs to fast-track development in the rural areas. Most of what we achieved in the rural communities would not have been possible without the cooperation of the people”. The Imo governor however urged the new monarchs to see their power as a trust that can only be justified when used for the good of the people and improvement on their wellbeing by attracting developmental projects and improved agriculture in the localities. He regretted that most communities in the state depend on farm produce cultivated in northern states, adding that with the return of peace and unity to the communities, every household should cue into the palm to palm programme of the government by investing the N300,000 given to each community to plant at least one hectare of palm seedling and other crops for their sustenance. The governor insisted that, “any society that cannot feed itself is a faulty society”. Okorocha expressed his happiness that most communities which were ungovernable due to kingship tussles will now experience peace, calling on the new traditional rulers to be honest, hard-working and treat their subjects with fairness and equity irrespective of past misunderstandings. He prayed thus; ”may the name of the Lord be glorified and may your ruler-ship bring peace, may you live long”. The governor informed royal fathers who still have disputes in their communities to resolve their differences before they will be recognised by government pointing out that “no Eze should be imposed on anyone.” The Commissioner for Community Government Council, Chief Val Mbamara said the presentation of the staff of office registers the prestige of Ezeship stool in the State and charged the new traditional rulers to live above reproach. Mbamara urged the monarchs to work without bias against any person or group of persons, stressing that government is for everybody; “handle your job with care so that the stable of justice will not collapse.” The Commissioner also charged the royal fathers to work in synergy with his Ministry and the CGC Officials to propagate the message of the Community Government Council (CGC) to the people at the grassroots.

•Chief Okwor (left) receiving the award

Award for ex-HOS F

ORMER Head of Service (HOS) in Enugu State, Chief Clement Okwor was among 21 people who were conferred with the award of ‘Special Servant of the People’. The award was given by the Reformed Enugu Diocesan Laity Council of the Enugu Diocese of the Catholic Church. The event which took place at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, attracted people from all walks of life who came to felicitate with the recipients most of who are well placed individuals and members of the Catholic Church. The award, preceded by a High Mass which started by 10 am, was celebrated by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Valentine Onaga. In his sermon, the Bishop described the awardees as “the chosen ones”, saying that it was in line with the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles 6, 1-7 when the 12 Apostles summoned the body of the disciples to pick out from among them, ‘seven men of good repute, full of the spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to do this duty”. He congratulated the awardees and said that the Laity Council which is the pillar of the Catholic

‘The award was in line with the reading from the Acts of the Apostles 6, 1-7 where the 12 Apostles summoned the body of the disciples to pick out from among them, ‘seven men of good repute, full of the spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to do this duty’ Church, selected them based on merit, pointing out that even though they were selected based on human judgment, “only God know the deep character of individuals”. The Bishop expressed his deep worry about what is currently going in the country and warned politicians to give peace a chance. “Politicians in this country should give peace a chance especially as we approach 2015 elections. We have witnessed a lot of violence in recent time and we should pray that all this must stop”. He also prayed for the release of the abducted Chibok girls in Borno state. In his reaction to the award, Chief Okwor, who was also Secretary to the State Government (SSG), thanked the Reformed Laity Council for finding him worthy for the award and pledged to devote more time for charity and Church work. “I accepted the Award with all

humility and mix feelings. Mix feelings in the sense that my better half, who was with me during my working days is no more. But apart from that, the award means much to me, I value it so much and it is a call to duty especially as it came from the Church”, he said. Some of the Awardees include the Governors of Anambra and Ebonyi states respectively, Chief Willie Obiano and Chief Martins Elechi. Others are former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, and Traditional Ruler of Nike, HRH, Igwe Julius Nnaji, among other recipients. Governor of Enugu State, Bar Sullivan Chime was represented by his Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory Eng. Ugwu Egede, while the Chairman, Enugu East Local Government Area. Hon Collins Nnaji also attended the ceremony.

Abia PFN condemns Chibok girls’ forced conversion

HE Abia State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has condemned the reported forceful conversion to Islam of the Chibok schoolgirl abducted by Boko Haram on April 14. The body described it as a barbaric act and gross violation of the girls’ fundamental human rights. A recent video clip released by the insurgents who claimed responsibility for the abduction, showed the girls mostly Christians prior to their kidnapping, dressed in hijab and reciting Islamic incantations apparently being teleguided. In a press statement signed by the chairman of the state chapter of the PFN, Rev. Dr. Theophilus Anyimson, and made available to the press, the Christian body renewed its earlier call for a global action against the Islamic fundamentalists and their sponsors. The Abia PFN said that the conversion by coercion is a sin both against humanity and “God who has always given man the right to make choices in any matter especially as they concern the issue of religion”. The PFN group said, “Kidnapping and converting Christians to Islam by force is an affront to Christianity which cannot be accepted ,” and called on the international community to stand up against the evil tide which they said is capable of plunging Nigeria into religious crisis if not checked .

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

The Christian group also called on the international community to see the heinous act of forceful conversion of the schoolgirls to Islam against their wishes as war crime, and ensure the perpetrators are brought to book. The statement read in parts, “The abduction of the innocent schoolgirls is a crime condemnable by all but more criminal is their forceful conversion to a strange religion contrary to their faith. “Even God does not compel anyone to repent, repentance has always been by choice, and anyone who claims God has commanded him to make converts by force is suffering from religious malady”. Abia PFN however expressed faith in the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government in partnership with some foreign assistance to rescue the girls, however, called on Christians all over the country not to relent in prayers until the girls are released. The Christian body vowed to persist in prayers until the abducted girls are rescued and returned to their families. It also assured Christians in the northern parts of the country who are often targets of Boko Haram of the continued prayers of the church to bring their ordeal to an end.

•GRAND ALLIANCE AGAINST TERRORISM PRAYING IN ABUJA

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Insurgency affects NIPOST’s finances

A prime member of the Peter Obi administration, Chief Dubem Obaze, in this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, speaks on various issues in Anambra State, including Governor Willie Obiano’s crackdown on criminals and the proposal at the National Conference to scrap the local government councils. Excerpts:

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

‘Obiano ‘ll win security battle’ S

INCE the end of the Peter Obi administration in which you served as a commissioner, some of your former colleagues returned to the farm. What are you doing now? Do you have a farm? I do, (laughs), I am from Ogbaru; we all have farmlands, as a matter of fact, but I am also still helping out politically whenever I can. Considering the crises in communities, what should town union Presidents-General do to ensure peace? Well, as you know, I just came back from giving a public lecture to the presidents-general of our communities. Among the things I discussed were peace and security because without peace there will be no progress. I am not the serving commissioner for local government or Special Adviser on town union matters who will be in a better position to know what the issues are on ground. However, my advice, like I told them up there is that, were there is no peace, there can’t be progress, is the same thing for the state, if there is problem in communities in Anambra state, if there is problem in some states in Nigeria, there is problem in Nigeria. On the security that Obiano is tackling headlong, what would be done to sustain it? I believe he is going to sustain it. I believe so, because if you know Chief Willie Obiano, you will know that he is somebody that can remain focused for a very long time. He is an accountant, also an auditor. You know auditors have the capacity to look at papers for months and audit them. So, I believe he can sustain that and it is also very important that he does, because that’s the only way he will work. During your tenure as commissioner, there was this arrangement with communities to act as an informal fourth tier of government. What informed that idea? Well, it was to get development to the grassroots. Everything is local,

every development is local but unfortunately our local government areas are not functioning the way they should. When I said that, I mean national and not just in Anambra state, I think we have some of the best ones that are functioning. The whole idea is to take development to the people directly and the local government is the people that have the capacity and capability to do that, because you can’t sit in Awka and know what is happening in all the communities in Anambra state. So, you better be in a deal with the presidents general of these communities who will tell you what is happening there. If you use them to impact that development, it will be more sustainable and the people will have that sense of belonging, especially if they generate projects that government will do for them. There appears to be this unhealthy rivalry between town union Presidents-General and traditional rulers. What should be done about this? It is urging the presidents-general especially to as much as possible carry the traditional rulers along. If you see most communities where there is peace, there is respect for the traditional rulers there. Then, the traditional rulers will also respect the presidents-general and they will find it very easy to work, for peace and harmony. But the important thing is for both of them to realize that it is for the good of the community; once they don’t personalise it, even if both quarrel, as far as they are working for the progress of the community, there is nothing to worry about. But in most cases, if you look deeply, you will found out that somebody is trying to corner the community’s money or cheat them. Why did you choose to partner with the community leaders rather than councilors and local government chairmen? We were also working with them through the local governments. But, you will found out that the councilors were not the most experience persons

•Mr Dubem Obaze

‘If you see most communities where there is peace, there is respect for the traditional rulers there. Then, the traditional rulers will also respect the presidents-general and they will find it very easy to work, for peace and harmony. But the important thing is for both of them to realise that it is for the good of the community’ in the community. When you go to Anambra communities, you have retired Architects, Engineers, teachers and journalists, we have all kinds of quality people that are living in the villages and if you can tape into those people, most times they are ten times more experienced than those councilors. So, if you get all of them to work together and get the result then it will bring back the success of Anambra local government system. Does the present administration intend to adopt that approach? I think with the continuation of the same government, I don’t think Chief Willie Obiano will do any other thing totally different from what Mr. Peter

•NIGERIAN WOMEN PROTEST IN ABUJA

Obi was doing, apart from adding the ones he intends to add, like oil and gas and again in agriculture which is the major thing, but you know agriculture will be very successful because Mr. Peter Obi had done an elaborate network of roads and this is the second stage of it. Also, on security where Obi did the groundwork, Chief Obiano is taking off from where Obi stopped. On the proposals at the National Conference that the local government councils be scrapped, what is your take? I don’t agree that the local govern•Continued on page 36

HE continuous activities of the members of the Boko Haram sect in the Northeast of the country have adversely affected the financial profile of the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) and the movement of mails and other postal services. The service has also suffered because of the number of retirees who served the agency and disrupted the operations of the service which equally affected the earnings of the service in the past one year. Speaking in Umuahia, Abia State capital, during the Southeast zonal merit award ceremony for deserving staff of the service, the Post Master General (PMG) Mallam Ibrahim Mori Baba said that despite the challenges, they have been able to forge ahead through the efforts of the dutiful staff. The PMG said, “These challenges notwithstanding, you demonstrated unalloyed commitment to duty and undaunted resolved to move the organisation forward through improving on your services to our numerous customers”. The PMG who was represented by the deputy DPMG mails, Leonard Nwankwo said that the zonal awards programme has been made a yearly event, “Because of management’s belief that it will impact on the morale of staff and also boost productivity”. Baba noted that the award programme has also generated intense and healthy competition among the staff and bringing out the best in them in terms of innovations and better ways of improving on the productivity level of all levels of staff in the service. He said that the occasion of the award programme is based on the belief of the NIPOST that their staffers are their greatest asset, which is the reason behind the management idea to introduce the programme as a way of showing gratitude to the staff who had distinguished themselves in their various duties. The PMG told them that management had continued to explore ways of improving on the condition o the workers, which they has exemplified in the recent payment of outstanding bonuses owed to staff, “Despite our precarious financial condition”. Baba regretted that some of the staff have refused to change their ugly attitude to work, “Like coming to work late, loitering around from office to office peddling rumors, counter officers eating while at the counter and exhibiting rudeness and lack of courtesy to our customers”. Earlier in his welcome speech, the Area Postal Manager, Abia territory, Ignatius Umeadi said that the employee reward is a monetary or non monetary recognition that an organisation provides to its employees in order to express appreciation form good performance or behaviour. Umeadi said that it is also a systematic approach to employee rewarding, which is a part of corporate strategy which stands for continual rising of the performance level of the whole organisation. He said, “The token gifts that will be presented to you today are not intended to compensate your hard work, but to serve as symbolic tonic to stimulate and motivate you to work harder, while those who did not make it should work harder to make it next time”. On the reason for choosing the war museum for the occasion, Umeadi said, “This venue was chosen especially for those who are not from this territory and who were not born or were too young during the civil war to use the opportunity to see and know about the 30-month civil war”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT ‘Obiano ‘ll win security battle’ •Continued from page 35 ment should be scrapped. It needs strengthening, not scrapping. If you can get quality people to become local government chairmen, there must be some kind of control, supervision and oversight functions. If you take Anambra State, for example, most of the success of Obi’s administration is in our communities: light, water, roads, etc, so if you say you are scraping the local government it does not in any way make any sense. Another day, they will be talking about scraping the state and we will have a unitary government. We are talking of bringing government closer to the people here in Anambra. There is a law we are trying to create, a fourth tier of government and if the town unions will actually serve as a fourth tir of government. So, when we are talking of brining government to the people, some people are talking of scraping the ones that are there? Will it be somebody that is Awka that will make decisions about Anambra west? It doesn’t go well or you will be here and know what is happening in Anaocha or Ogbaru? You can’t possibly do it. The man in Anaocha or Ihiala is better equipped to discuss and know what the problems in those areas are and we promptly handle them. If what they need is more funding and if there is need for them to be funded, we will look into it and monitor the project. Any regrets as a commissioner? I regret nothing. I am only thankful to God for giving me a great opportunity to serve. I have absolutely nothing to regret. How were you able to manage town union issues? I asked a lot of questions, I listened attentively and calmed down people. Like I said during the lectures, I gave to ASATU members. Most of these problems can be solved with a phone call. It can be solved with a visit, can be solved with my brother, I am sorry. It can also be solved with my son don’t do this again. I told them that they are powerful but it takes a very powerful person to know that you are powerful and not use that power. Peter Obi did a lot of that, that’s why we have peace in Anambra today. He used to get out of the way for other people to pass and I would ask him, Your Excellency why would you do this? And he said, No, I am still the governor, the fact that I left the road for somebody to cross does not stop me from being the governor. It is when they now come to my seat to sit down, that’s when you will know I can fight. But other than that, there is peace is Anambra, he didn’t quarrel with anybody. He left successfully. So, managing those communities then was the matter of listening to them, making phone calls when it is necessary and ensuring that some problems do not escalate into violence. You wanted to succeed Obi and all of a sudden, the whole thing changed. What actually transpired? (Laughs) Well, you know power belongs to God and He also chooses whoever He wants. That is my take on that. Our party chose Chief Willie Obiano, after all the series of issues and problems and we are thankful to God that He allowed us to have an APGA candidate as governor of Anambra State as a successor of His Excellency Governor Peter Obi. I can assure you that if it wasn’t managed well in the last minute, it would have been another story. Victor Umeh or Maxi Okwu, which way do we go? I am not competent to comment on that but let me tell you that APGA is one united family, we cannot be separated. You know one time in Imo state they said they had APGA- PDD, APGA – APGA, they have APGA – LABOUR but the unifying factor is that, there was an APGA in all of them. What I see in Anambra state is

‘The local government needs strengthening, not scrapping. If you can get quality people to become local chairmen, there must be some kind of control, supervision and oversight functions. If you take Anambra State, for example, most of the success of Obi’s administration is in our communities: light, water, roads, etc, so if you say you are scraping the local government it does not in any way make any sense’ that, there are some of us, that are APGA at heart and APGA is bigger than any one person, we will stand one united and indivisible party. The state governor, Secretary to the State Government and Speaker of the House are from Anambra North; are you comfortable with that? Let me tell you that our governor is of course duly elected. The speaker has been the speaker for two years before the current governor was elected and it was not coincidence. Obi was governor for four years (central), Rtd Hon. Anayo Nnebe my good friend was speaker for four years and he is also from central. So, the speaker does not have any problem because she was elected before we knew that governor will come from Anambra north. So, you won’t say because the governor came from North that you are going to throw her away. The SSG who happens to be my elder brother, he was the number three man in the United Nations. He is the most competent administrator we can afford. He took a cut off his 60% to 70% of his salary to serve in Anambra state and if you can get that kind of person, I don’t care where that person comes from, at some point, we must choose competent, integrity and choose quality over quantity. If there is a better person to serve as SSG, is not necessary to start checking if the person is from West, North, South and East. He is the best person for now. Has Anambra North senatorial zone been represented very well in the Senate? Yes, we have our sister there, Senator Margery Okadigbo. She has done well. However, I believe APGA producing a senator will do a whole lot better. Look at our people in the National Assembly, they are doing fantastically well: Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Hon. Afam Ogene and Chris Azubogu. All of them are doing well, they are serving very well. You can’t say that of other parties that are representing Anambra State. We have fantastic senators in other places like the Senate president, David mark; we thank God we have him at this time. He is helping Mr. President to stabilise things. We have Aminu Tambuwal, a young man doing very well. Are you going to contest for the Senate in 2015? Am I contesting for senate 2015? (Laughs) You see, such things require a lot of consultation. They require talking to your leaders, the people. The only thing I will tell you is that my party has zoned the senatorial seat to my zone, which is Onitsha and Ogbaru axis. Are you under pressure to context? I am not under any pressure but I will consult my people first (laughs).

•The beneficiaries

•Participants

•Odom (left) and Prof Anya

Over 400 youths from Imo State gathered at the Links Hotel, Owerri, on May 17 for a workshop on entrepreneurship. The workshop was part of the activities lined up for the formal inauguration of the Chuka Odom Foundation, a non-governmental organisation established by Chief Chuka Julius Odom, former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE reports.

Jobs hopes for Imo youths T

HE presence of several prominent personalities from Imo State, among them the erudite scholar and social communicator, Professor Anya O. Anya, who led two other scholars, Professor Placid Njoku, former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State and now President, the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science as well as Mr. Ugochukwu Omeogu, Principal Partner of Lagos-based Joseph Consulting and Marketing Limited, added colour to an event meant to give Imo youths a new sense of direction. Coming against the backdrop of the clamour for the teeming unemployed Nigerian youths to drop their search for white collar jobs, and be job creators, the workshop presented the participants with a guideline for developing the right attitude towards self employment. The workshop had a single mandate- to bridge the “skills gap,” which experts say, is principally responsible for the mass unemployment in the country and it succeeded in priming the youths to fill this gap. The former Minister, Chief Odom, who was one of the facilitators, gave a simple definition of “skills gap” to mean “the difference between skills required for a job or venture versus skills possessed by a prospective worker.” He said one of the major causes of the massive unemployment is that majority do not possess the skills needed for the jobs that are available.

‘What did you read in school? What are doing now? What would you like to do? What skills other than formal college certificate training do you have?’ Participants located the initial problem to be some youths considering the available jobs as “menial” and far below their academic attainments. The workshop agreed that whereas young university undergraduates in the Southeast find it difficult to learn skills for trades like auto mechanics and electrical, building and construction technology, electronic and electrical installations, barbing and hair salons, farming etc, these vocations remain quite popular in the area and skills on them in great demand. One of the resource persons, Professor Njoku, put the matter in proper perspective when he posed some rhetorical questions before the youths: “What did you read in school? What are doing now? What would you like to do? What skills other than formal college certificate training do you have?” Professor Njoku pointed out that this mismatch of “possessed skills” and “required skills” has led to what

he described as “wasting energy” among young people as a result of which there now exist pervasive social vices, human capital loss and economic losses. Njoku then brought in the experiences of other countries on this matter and what they did to tackle the problem. In countries like Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, India and China, he told the audience, the problem was tackled in three major ways: retuning the capacity of unemployed youths and underemployed adults; changing of school curricula from single academic model to dual academic model (academic and vocational models); guided enrolment in favour of the Dual Model. In Germany and Brazil, for example, the guided Dual Model was as follows: 30 per cent academic; 70 percent vocational and in Brazil 32 percent academic, 68 percent vocational. Njoku pointed out that the result of the dual model was that while

• Participants at the event

the Academic Mode led to 4 – 8 per cent unemployment, the vocational model led to as low as 0 – 1 per cent unemployment. He said it may take governments in Nigeria some time to effect the necessary changes in the school curricula for these models to be in place. In the meantime, the problem will continue to mount. This is where organisations like the Chuka Odom Foundation come in. According to the former Minister of State, the foundation intends to approach its programme for fighting mass unemployment through two major prongs, namely, graduate upskilling and technical and vocational apprenticeship. Here, the organisation, according to Chief Odom, “shall adopt world class competency modelling” among which are the following steps: competency mapping, skills gap analysis, skills development and competency monitoring. The ultimate objective of the intervention, Odom says, will be to prepare the youths for entrepreneurship and wealth creation. “We believe that entrepreneurship in itself can drive employment through innovation and creation of ventures that provide avenues for further

•Participants at the event

employment and birth of new industries…”, Odom told the participants. Njoku agrees. “Skills training, entrepreneur development and management training for capacity re-tuning gives young people an alternative life sustaining career,” he told the audience. Njoku, who supervised the Federal Governments’ “Out-of-School Boy Child Project,” in the Southeast and Southsouth a few years ago, then put it more succinctly before the youths who listened with rapt attention: “…It’s important for each of us to map out a personal survival strategy. The most viable and respectful survival strategy is to embrace entrepreneurship,” Njoku told the youths. Management whizkid and motivational speaker, Ugochukwu Omeogu, himself a youth, gladdened the hearts of the participants a great deal with his presentation which, while harping on the imperatives of retuning, gave practical examples with his personal experiences. He gave the rather hilarious story of his having to learn American phonetics, when he newly arrived in the U.S, in order to enhance his skill for job searching. In a rather touchy account,

‘It’s important for each of us to map out a personal survival strategy. The most viable and respectful survival strategy is to embrace entrepreneurship. There is nothing impossible for you once you are determined’ Ugochukwu who walks on crutches, told his fellow youths that with a degree from a Nigerian University, nobody gave him any chance of getting a job in the U.S, when there were hundreds of American-trained graduates competing with him. But by the time he brushed up his skills which included improving his diction, he bagged a job with one of the biggest banking groups in the U.S, J.P Morgan. He now told his fellow youths. “There is nothing impossible for you once you are determined”. But, all that would not have sank into the minds of the youth if the main resource person and chair-

man of the occasion, Prof. Anya O. Anya had not first embarked on a brief orientation talk for the youth. The thrust of Anya’s talk was for the Imo youths to first situate the cultural context in which they seek to improve their lot. Anya told the youths that they are first and foremost Igbo who are known for enterprise and indeed entrepreneurship. He went down the memory lane to tell the youths that their parents were among the best in the country and that they should not allow the present economic and social conditions to detract them from living up to the ideals (of independence and enterprise) for

which the Igbo are known. It was not a one-sided affair, however. The young men and women, apart from paying great attention to the speakers, participated actively especially during the question and answer session. Perhaps to the surprise of their teachers, the youths exhibited a good grasp of the issues at hand. Though some also showed the usual traces of impatience that are known among young people, the general comportment was that of a crop of young men and women who are ready to be shown the way for bettering their lives. They were both eager and anxious. Naturally, some made reservations over government’s attitude to the issue of unemployment and general social decadence. To this, Chief Odom advices that, “…this is no time to apportion blames or point accusing fingers. We have been doing that for a long time and nothing has changed…” It is easy to view Odom’s advice as one coming from an establishment man. But he has shown a difference. His initiative with the Chuka Odom Foundation, which focuses on eradicating unemployment among the youths in Imo state, may well be blazing a trail.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•Stored fake drinks packaged for the market

•A brewing equipment used by the fakers

Day of reckoning for fakers A

S part of its commitment to sanitize markets and ensure that consumers of various consumables were protected from adulterated products, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Aba Zone recently embarked on product inspection at Eziukwu Market, Aba Abia State where they uncovered a parking store used by an unidentified person(s) as a production and packaging factory for assorted kinds of fake beverage drinks. They also uncovered and sealed off other stores in the market that were used to store some of the adulterated products by perpetrators who were currently at large. NAFDAC officials who came in company of police officers also arrested two persons suspected to be part of the unlawful business in the market. Though some of the traders around the said location of the lockup shops denied knowledge of such act being carried out in the area, it was gathered that the raid was carried by NAFDAC officials after a tip off re-

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

vealed that such an illicit activity has been going on in the market for a long time and as a result, putting the lives of beverage consumers to risk owing to the health hazards associated with the consumption of adulterated drinks by unsuspecting members of the public. Nation learnt that two male suspects arrested in the raid were later handed over to the police for continued investigation and explanation over their role in the business. A NAFDAC official who spoke anonymously said that the suspects would be released or charged to court depending on police investigation into the matter. According to the food agency staff, “Before the raid, a trader which I will not tell you her name for security reasons was arrested in Akwa Ibom State for dealing on a particular adulterated drink. The dealer denied that she didn’t know that the drink was adulterated, but however disclosed that they were supplied to them in Akwa Ibom by another dealer from Aba.

Based on that arrest and revelation, we dispatched our intelligent officers into the market who did well by spotting out some of the shops were that particular drink was sold. It was after they concluded their investigation and the outcome corroborating the woman’s claim that we now decided to raid the market. I would say the operation was more than successful as we in the process, discovered a parking store used by this unscrupulous element to brew, cock and push the adulterated products into the market for unsuspecting members of the public to buy. We equally discovered and sealed off some other parking stores where other brands of alcoholic drinks were parked with the intent to sell to the public”, adding that NAFDAC “is committed to ensure that packaged foods and drinks in our markets are safe for consumption by the general public and will not fold its hands to watch few individuals endangering the lives of millions Nigerians because of their selfish interest”. The source said that the agency will make sure that the owners of shops

•The illegal breweries sealed up by NAFDAC

where the drinks were found would be punished accordingly through the provisions of the law prohibiting

storing and selling of fake and adulterated products.

Former governor of Ebonyi State and a delegate at the National Conference on various issues, including the propriety of the confab and the agitation fo

•Dr Egwu

‘Southeast deserv

N NATIONAL Conference The National Conference, like you know, has been very controversial whether it will be or it will not be but I thank God that Mr President thought it wise to convoke the conference for people to sit down to talk because it has always been said that it is better to talk than to war. Nigeria is overdue for this type of discussion. Remember the Igbos that is the Southeast started this request for this discussion under the Aburi Accord. And prominent Nigerians went to Ghana and it was agreed that we will sit down and talk so that the people will air their grievances especially the people of the southeast, the Igbos. At that time other nationalities started their own agitations. The Southsouth started, the Southwest started, the North started and it became so confusing. But this was what the Igbos started agitating for a long time ago. And like in a family where people are disgruntled, people are

annoyed; it is always good for them to come together and find a lasting solution to the problems. If we agree that we want to stay together as a country, there is need to sit down together, all the nationalities and this is a country that has more than 250 ethnic nationalities. And they all have their different problems, issues and we want to move forward, we have to hear ourselves and try to accommodate ourselves for the country to move up. In the very first place, this a very good thing the President Goodluck Jonathan has done. Before, it was like we were going to box ourselves but now we are understanding ourselves, everybody is settling down and we are hearing ourselves and I think at the end of the day, we will come out with something that will be acceptable by everybody. If you listened to the President’s speech, he said that at the end of the day, our decision will go to referendum and that he is happy that the National Assembly is also

working towards that. So there is no way you will go for referendum without National Assembly. Additional state for the Southeast After discussing Mr President’s speech, we went into committees and incidentally I am in the committee of restructuring of the politics and government. And this is a very important committee. And there, we discussed whether we are going to be a federation or confederation. And generally, we said we want to be a federation unit and one major issue that concerns the Southeast is the issue of creating an additional state in the region to remove that imbalance which everybody acknowledges. If in every zone, we have six states and the highest has seven, why should the Southeast have five states as a zone? The southeast came out with their own position, saying they believe in zonal arrangement. And they have very good reasons for

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

HE Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District in the Senate, Nkechi Nwaogu has advocated that traditional rulers’ functions should be entrenched in the constitution. Senator Nwaogu, speaking at Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State during the 40th anniversary of the ascendance of Eze G.I Ezekwesiri (Ochi I of Isuochi) as the traditional ruler of the community, said that traditional rulers in the country should be constitutionally empowered to discharge their functions, which she said were paramount. The Senator who extolled the contributions of traditional rulers in the sustenance of peace, security and stability in the country, said their roles should be entrenched in the constitution, adding that the Senate was already considering entrenching the roles of traditional monarchs in the constitution to give their functions and activities legal backing. Nwaogu who is also the chairman, Senate Committee on Oil and Gas was honoured with the title of” “Ihe Abia I of Isuochi” (the first Light of Abia in Isuochi). She stated that given the role of the traditional a place in the constitution would not only make people and even government agencies to respect and adopt logical decisions made by traditional rulers. “I believe that the role of the traditional rulers should be entrenched in the Nigerian constitution so that the decisions they take as they settle disputes in their domains should be recognised.” She used the opportunity to eulogise the place and role of traditional rulers in Abia State, she said have been playing collaboratively with the state government in the maintenance of peace and security in the state. She further said that she was humbled by the recognition by such a revered monarch outside her senatorial district. “My joy knows no bounds. This title given to me by the Ochi of Isuochi is unique and explanatory and will continue to shine for the people,” she said, adding “my representation as well as democratic dividends are spread across Abia State. I have spread scholarships and employments across the three senatorial zones by the grace of God because I believe that Abia is one. Appealing to all Abians to put their resources and efforts

Ebonyi steps up mother-child healthcare From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

•Senator Nwaogu and Eze Ezekwesiri

‘Traditional rulers should be recognised by Constitution’ From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

together to help further develop the state, she said I will continue to offer my services not only to my Ngwa people but the whole of Igbo race. In his remarks the President General of Isuochi Development Union, Dr G U Mgborukwe said the 40 years reign of HRM Ezekwesi has witnessed peace and prosperity in the community and maintained peace with border communities in Imo, Anambra and Enugu that share boundaries with Isuochi. Other prominent individuals conferred with chieftancy titles are Chiefs Ude Oko Chukwu, Speaker, Abia House of Assembly and Acho Ihim, Deputy Majority Leader, Imo State House of Assembly.

‘I believe that the role of the traditional rulers should be entrenched in the Nigerian constitution so that the decisions they take as they settle disputes in their domains should be recognised’ The event also marked the 40th anniversary of the ascendance of Eze G.I. Ezekwesiri (Ochi 1 of Isuochi) as the traditional ruler of the community. In his address, the President- General of Isuochi Development Union (IDU), Chief G.U Mgborukwe re-

marked that the traditional ruler in his 40 years reign has never had any disagreement with any PresidentGeneral of the union. He requested a national award for the traditional ruler to encourage other Nigerians to pursue peace wherever they are located.

nce, Dr Sam Egwu spoke, in this interview with OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE, n for a sixth state in the Southeast. Excerpts:

they were no more following the regional agitation; they are now following Ebonyi for Centre and States. So the entire committee agreed that it is better to have a centre and states. However, when they asked other delegates in that committee, Peter Odili is from Southsouth and all members from the zone said they preferred states. So it was a national issue. The whole Northern states said they are not for a region or zone. So, our position was popular at the end of the day. While we were at the zonal level, we were like a minority, at the national level we carried the day. Then on the issue of making the states a federating unit, so money will now come to us directly. Remember there was a time in this country when all the schools in the Southeast were on strike because of Labour, Ebonyi was the only state working because I paid our workers. Ebonyi had the highest salary for workers under the Minimum Wage. Remember, I gave Ebonyi the highest. And when others were on strike, Ebonyi was busy going to school because of our peculiarity and many other examples. Federal Government’s partnership with US and other country’s against insurgency

ves another state’ that. The reasons are that if things are shared on the zonal basis we are now sure that nobody is shortchanged. Whatever you want to do with your own, you do; if you want to create 10 states, you do; if you want to create 20 states, you create, we have the same amount. Others, if you want to merge your states, you merge. At least one thing is sure that there is equal distribution. However, within the Southeast caucus, we said that Ebonyi differs from other states in the southeast, the reason being that we told them our position that under the East Central State or even down to Enugu, Anambra states, many parts of our state suffered serious marginalisation and parts of Abia state also suffered this marginalisation. For us, our state was like an independent state for the first time. That is when we started having what we never had for the first time. Why we agree that regional arrangement is good, in our own

‘The southeast came out with their own position, saying they believe in zonal arrangement. And they have very good reasons for that. The reasons are that if things are shared on the zonal basis we are now sure that nobody is shortchanged’ peculiar situation, we will prefer states to be a federating unit. The implication is that if you make a zone a federating unit, ie the centre and the zone, it means that in terms of allocation, the Federal Government will take their own allocation and they give to zone. When Ebonyi was created, we were among the Igbo states that are least developed, educationally back-

ward. To us it was a very pathetic situation. For us it was when we got our state that we now because of our free education which I initiated, which the current governor continued, we started having the number of graduates, we started having professionals we never had before. We started being like others. When I enumerated the story of our position, Enugu immediately said

•Continued on page 40

HE wife of Ebonyi State governor, Mrs Josephine Elechi set the tone. Determined to scale back infant and maternal mortality rate in the state, she established the Mother and Child Care Initiative (MCCI). Since the inception of the programme a few years ago, the state has witnessed a great reduction in the death of mothers and their children. The downward trend can be attributed to various interventions of government through the MCCI in collaboration with development partners such as UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, USAID etc. Taking a cue from Mrs Elechi, Ohaozara Local Government Area has also flagged off its maternal and child health week. The event was hosted by Okposi Development Centre led by a veteran journalist and public relations expert, Mr Magnus Eze. In his remarks at the occassion, Mr Eze, advised expectant mothers not to patronise quack child-delivery centres. Eze noted that such patronage has inherent dangers that could lead to death of women and children. “They should instead use the various health facilities provided in the area, as we have embarked on aggressive enlightenment campaign to sensitise expectant mothers on the benefits of using the health facilities for childbirth.” He urged them not be deceived because most of the child-delivery centres are owned by nurses, as they do not have the necessary facilities needed for safe child-birth. He continued, “The common childhood killer diseases include Diarrhea Disease, Malaria, Pneumonia, Malnutrition and Measles”. “All these conditions are preventable and treatable and we must not allow them to claim the lives of our children in Ohaozara Local Government Area”. “There is a whole lot to be done. No woman deserves to die in the process of giving life. That is where we commend and celebrate the efforts of the wife of our dear Governor, Chief Mrs. Josephine Elechi”. “Her giant strides in the area of maternal and child health through the Mother and Child Care Initiative (MCCI) is second to none in Nigeria”. “More than ever before, Okposi Development Centre is going to strengthen the primary health care system to provide more effective and satisfactory maternal and child health services including antenatal care, immunization etc”. “We are going to carry out massive and aggressive sensitization campaigns, through community education and public enlightenment in all the healthcare facilities, markets, churches and other public institutions across the twelve villages that make up the Development Centre. Every mother and child counts!” Chairman of Ohaozara local government area Hon Ogbuefi Enekwachi Akpa, called on expectant mothers in the area to bring out their children for immunization in order to make the programme successful. “The council has paid for all services to be provided during this period because we want to compliment the efforts of the Wife of the State Governor, Mrs Josephine Elechi in uplifting women and children. “Today, we have assembled to further the frontiers of the fight against infant and maternal mortality and morbidity”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT ‘Southeast deserves another state’ •Continued from page 39

•Participants at the anniversary celebrations

Alumni celebrate Enugu Queens School anniversary I

T was indeed a gathering of queens. They had poise, grace and many are achievers in their own right. When they assembled to celebrate the coming of age of their school, their good breeding and excellence were in bold relief. And they were there to celebrate their alma mater, Queens School, Enugu’s Diamond Jubilee. . Among the prominent names that passed from the school are the former Chief Judge of the Fedral High Court, Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), president of Customary Court of Appeal, Enugu, Justice Victoria Nebo, Minister of Finance, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, deputy vice chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Ifeoma Enemuo and renowned pediatrician, Prof. Ifeoma Egbuonu. There were also Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Justina Offia, renowned United States-based physician, Dr. Henrietta Ukwu, Prof. Gloria Chukwukere, and so many others. The occasion was ushered in by lectures from tthree distinguished academics and professionals who are also old students of the school. The first speaker, Dr. Ann OkigboFisher, a seasoned professional in human capital development sectors spoke on the topic: “Inspiring a Girl Child to Success”, the second speaker, Prof. Janet Ajuluchukwu, a professor of medicine, spoke on the topic: “Health a Key to Success” while the third speaker, Justice Ije Onwuamegbu presented the topic “Environment an Instrument to Success”. The keynote speaker was Prof. Henrietta Ukwu, an expert in infectious diseases who presented the paper, “Knowledge a Vehicle to Power.” Queens School, Enugu was founded on October 4, 1954 by the defunct Government of Eastern Nigeria. Its firstPrincipal, Mrs. Evelyn Doris Mather who was a seasoned administrator and educator and a rare combination of strict discipline and sweet motherliness. It was the only Girl’s Government Secondary School in the then Eastern Nigeria. As a result, it had the best things among which were an all graduate teaching staff, large infrastructural facilities, dormitory blocks, administrative blocks, classrooms, wellequipped science laboratories, a school library, school hall, home economics block and very good catering services The school started with a student

‘The occasion was ushered in by lectures from three distinguished academics and professionals who are also old students of the school. The first speaker, Dr. Ann Okigbo-Fisher, a seasoned professional in human capital development, spoke on the topic: “Inspiring a Girl-Child to Success’ From Chris Oji, Enugu

population of thirty, who were all boarders. These days, the student’s population is a staggering figure ranging between three thousand to four thousand. In those early years of its existence when admission into the school was gained only through a very competitive examination and an interview, the school attracted a high concentration of brains. As a result, excellence persisted as a tradition throughout the pre-civil war years. Queen’s School, Enugu distinguished itself in sports both at the regional and international levels. It maintained a hundred percent tradition at the West African

•A tree-planting campaign in Enugu

School Certificate Examinations. It excelled in dance and drama, especially during the Regional Festival of Arts. The second Principal was Mrs. Kirik Patrick whose tenure lasted from 1957-1967. Her benevolence and motherliness earned her the nickname “Mater” (Latin for “Mother”). She continued the tradition of excellence, elegance and unity. Queen’s School, Enugu was closed during the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 - 1970. After the civil war, Queen’s School’s tradition of excellence was maintained by its postwar principals, who are seasoned Educational Administrators. Right from its inception, Queen’s School has remained a veritable agent of national integration. The

student population was drawn from all over the country. The composition of the student body therefore lent itself easily to national integration. Queen’s School culture of tolerance, and co-operation symbolized in the school motto LABORARE UNO ANIMO (working with one mind) is a guiding principle for unity among the staff and students. The creation of states will definitely not confine the student population to the school’s geographical area. Queen’s School Enugu is indeed one of the pioneers of “Unity School”. In its 60 years of existence, Queen’s School Enugu has turned out sets of high achievers in various fields of learning, including Architecture, Engineering, Accountancy, Banking and Financing, Computer Science, Medicine, Agriculture and Education. Queen’s School instills in its students a remarkable sense of dignity and selfconfidence in whatever they are doing. Queen’s School’s achievements over the years are too many to be enumerated here. Queen’s School, Enugu is treasured by its Old Girls’ Association, the Parent-Teacher Association, Friends of the School, the Staff, Students and the State Government who collectively contribute· towards making it a centre of excellence for women education.

It is long overdue. The truth of the matter is that we have to tell ourselves the truth. We should be able to acknowledge our sufficiency and insufficiency at every particular point in time. Nigeria because of our population has gone to the level where our population has outgrown our facilities. And subsequent governments have not been able to address these issues. This did not start with Jonathan. It is something that started many years ago. And it is not just in one sector. We are saying insecurity because of its prevalence rate. In the education sector, it is also there. That is why you see, JAMB for instance, we have more than one million candidates every year but at the end of the year, we can only admit 15% or highest 20 %. We don’t have the school facility to absolve all of these people. And what happens to the other 80%? The facilities, schools, infrastructures we have are not enough to cope with the massive population of people we have. The same in the health sector. And in the military, it is the same thing. Incidentally and unfortunately, the previous governments have not taken time to address these issues. They have not planned ahead to know that with our country coming up with population explosion, we need to plan ahead on these issues on the education, health, military. Many other countries have done that. We are interested in politics. The problem has now overwhelmed us. And that is why I say that we should acknowledge that as a country we have failed in trying to address these issues that are presently confronting us. And if we have not been able to confront them, to address them adequately, what we could do is to address it is to have two approaches to it. Short term plan and long term plan. Short term plan is under the current situation, get to governments or countries that have had similar situations that have been able to overcome it or have the technologies to handle it. In the long term, why they are here, try to see what we will be able to do to handle the situations when they leave. And what you do is massive employment and recruitment. I have gone to many countries, when I look at our soldiers, the number of people we have today, I always ask, can we adequately say at a time of serious war that we have enough men? This is population. We are talking of equipment and training. Israel is a small country bordered by hostile Arab countries but they are able to contain them not by their number but they have their technology where the stay in a particular place and monitor their entire boundaries with a satellite. Why we called these people to come and help, we should put efforts so that by the time they would have finished, we must have been able to make do with the training they must given to us and our massive employment. A lot of our people are roaming around the street and we are in the state of war, for Christ sake, whether you like it or not. What we should do is massive employment or conscription. Let our young boys, graduates be recruited into the Army to avoid roaming about, they can be of help to Nigeria. The amount of money we spend in politics is not worth it at all. Let’s face our security, health, education. The current position of the President accepting foreign assistance is in right direction. You don’t fight modern war with the kind of technologies we have.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

•Some of the male beneficiaries

•Female beneficiaries

21 students bag MSSN’s scholarship

O motivate its members to achieve good academic performance, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), University of Lagos branch, has awarded scholarships to 21 students whose Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is 3.5 and above. They received the awards during the annual Academic Counselling Seminar organised by the association at the institution’s main auditorium. The awardees included Adebisi Abdul Ganiy, Chemistry Department with a CGPA of 3.92, Adegbite Afeez, Metallurgical and Mathemetics, 3.88; Adeniji Kazeem, Chemistry, 3.61 and Ojubanire Nurein, Marine Science. They were given 50,000 each for the indigent category. Others included Adekomi AbdulMeheez, Petroleum and Gas, 4.72, Toyiba Amusa, Economics, 3.78; Adeyanju Kazeem, Chemistry Education, 4.10; Monsurat Alimi, Business Administration, 4.41; Azeez Mariam, Finance, 4.68;

From Ibrahim Yusuff UNILAG Olajide Tawakalitu, Chemistry Science, 4.51 and AdebayoFaruq, Computer Science, 4.23. In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Rahaman Bello, hailed MSSN for the laudable initiative. Bello urged the students not to allow their religious engagements to affect their academic activities, saying they should acquire the requisite skills needed in the labour market and finish their studies with good grades. “Be religious, because being religious will prevent you from joining bad gangs on campus. But do not allow your religious activities to affect your academic pursuits. Do not rush out and get a third class, go at your pace and graduate with first class or second class upper,” he said. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Kampala International University, Uganda, Dr Ahmed Adedeji, who

spoke on the theme: “Relevance of Nigeria’s education to nation building”, stressed the need for re-designing Nigeria curriculum to make students acquire relevant knowledge that will make them productive and contribute meaningfully to the development of the country. Adedeji called on politicians and academics to salvage the country’s dwindling educational system. He urged the youth to wake up from their slumber, make judicious use of their

time and come up with innovative ideas that would lead to the advancement of the country. “As youths, we need to wake up. Our time should not be wasted on things that are euphemeral. Let our energy speak for us. Let us generate ideas, let us put the ideas into practice,” he said. One of the awardees, a 300-Level student of the Department of Chemistry, AbdulGaniy Adebisi, said the money would go a long way in as-

sisting his academic pursuit. “ I thanks Allah for counting me among the lucky ones that won this scholarship. I appreciates MSSN UNILAG for putting up this type of programme to encourage and improve the lives of the Muslim students on campus. By the special grace of God, I am going to use the money judiciously to improve my academic performance by buying the necessary materials for my courses,” he said.

Panic as JTF chases Boko Haram suspect

EAFENING sound woke up residents of Mairi, a studentcommunity close the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) last week. Students living in the community were jolted by the sound suspected

From Taiwo Isola UNIMAID to be bomb explosion. The incident, which occurred at 12:30am, led to chaos in the community for hours. It was gathered that members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) stationed in the community got information that a suspected Boko Haram member was in a hotel in the neighbourhood. Sources said the suspect took to his heels before the arrival of the JTF operatives. This made the JTF men to search houses in the area, asking the occupants to watch out for the suspect. Aliyu Abubakar, a student living in the community, said: “It happened at 12:30am when the civilian JTF banged our doors and asked us to come out. They kept on shouting ‘wake up and preserve your life. Come out now and safe guard your home’. All of us came out and we kept watch till day break. Those who did not come out early had their doors smashed and forced out.” Aliyu said students were asked to produce their identity cards. Panicky residents took to their heels when they heard the sound, thinking it was an attack.

Simon Obialu, a resident of Titanic Male Hostel, said: “When I heard the noise coming from Mairi, I was very scared. I thought it was an attack. The story of Yobe College massacre two days earlier surfaced on my mind. And the only thing I could do was stay awake till the following day.” Some students placed distress calls to their parents, which heightened tension in the community. At the time of this report, it could not be ascertained if the suspect was captured by the JTF. The school management swung into action to secure the lives of students by drafting security operatives to strategic points within the university community. A final year student said: “We have never had it this tough. I can say that students are under tension; it is visible on our faces. The Yobe College massacre was a bad omen to us. It sent fear down our spine. That was why any little uproar makes students to run. Our only hope at a time is the protection from God.” Idris Suleiman, a medical student, said: “We are living on survival mode. Each night casts dark shadows on our minds due to the fear of the unknown. Nevertheless, I’m optimistic that we will survive these moments and everything will soon return back to normalcy.”

Corps member renovates toilet •Rankin (second left) cutting the cake with members of the church

Student-pastor gets suprise birthday cake

T was beautiful moment for Rankin Ndipmong, a studentpastor in the University of Calabar (UNICAL), when members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) presented a cake designed like a keyboard to him as birthday gift. The baker, Afia Ndah, who brought the cake to the church during service, said: “There is no difference between the church keyboard and the cake. The keyboard-cake has an octave made up red and white keys. The white

From Emmanuel Shebbs UNICAL keys signify the word of God while the black and red keys signify the blood of Christ.” Rankin, a student of Marketing, hosted members of congregation born in the month of May to an exciting celebration. He cut the cake with all May-born members, after which prayers were said for them. Rankin noted that there was no better place to celebrate his birthday

than in the presence of God’s people. He charged members to always glorify God for the mercy they had to be alive. Eyo Bassey, a student, congratulated the student-pastor. He said: “In most cases, we fail to recognise and thank God for keeping us alive. We may not know how many May-born who may not have been able to make it up till this point but God has kept us alive.” The congregation also prayed for peace in the land and Northeast, where Boko Haram insurgents have killed thousands.

CORPS member serving in Bakassi in Cross River State, Johnpaul Nnamdi, has renovated the toilet of Community Secondary School in Esighi Bakassi. The youth also donated toilet facilities to the school. Johnpaul said the renovation was necessary because the toilet was in a deplorable condition. He said the pupils and staff of the school deserved a good environment to promote learning, noting that as part of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) initiative of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), he would ensure a clean environment in the school to achieve the MDGs and impact positively on his host community. In promoting the MDGs, Johnpaul has held hand washing campaign

From Comfort Ogon CALABAR across various schools in Bakassi and trained volunteers to achieve the objective. He also donated clothes, bags and sporting kits to schools in the community. When the toilet was unveiled, the school principal and teachers praised the corps member for the effort. Johnpaul said: “I carried out several projects in fulfilment of my duty as a MDGs volunteer and I believe it will lead to sustainable development in my host community and beyond.” He added that he actualised the projects with the help of the community residents, political and traditional leaders.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

•Students with some of the children

Members of the Gospel Students’ Fellowship of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have visited the Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare Treatment Home School and Physiotherapy Clinic to donate gifts to the inmates. GODWIN SIMON (400Level Mass Communication) reports.

HEY were abandoned by those supposed to care for them. They are children with deformities. Last Saturday, some students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) visited the Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare Treatment Home School and Physiotherapy Clinic in Akoka, Lagos State, to donate gifts to the inmates. When the students arrived, the physically-challenged children beamed with smiles. Some fixed their gaze on the floor as if ruminating on a crucial issue; others were lively, playing football and running around with the students. Without moving close to them, it will be difficult to know their state of health. However, not all of them are healthy. Their dull grimace, staggered movements, twisted or paralysed legs, and abnormal stature, showed that the children are far from being healthy. The students are members of the

All for charity institution’s chapter of the Gospel Students’ Fellowship. They donated food items and other materials to the children. They were received by Mr. Musa Kareem, an official of the clinic, who said the organisation was established in 1960 by the late Miss Modupe Cole to care for the physically-challenged free of charge. Kareem said most of the children were not born with deformities, noting that they became incapacitated after being afflicted by diseases. He said the home had become where the children get the care they were denied by their parents. Kareem said: “We have three categories of children here. There are ones who can get education, while some can be trained in various vocations and others are perpetually dependent. The ones that can get

education are those who can still cope with academics, and therefore are being taught how to read and write. The trainable ones are those who cannot be taught in academic line. They can only be exposed to vocational training while the perpetually dependents are those who don’t belong to any of the two groups. They are just being taken care of here.” Noting that funding is a challenge facing the home, Kareem appealed to wealthy individuals and corporate bodies for assistance. Mrs Tonia Ikemefuna, a nurse, said staff were poorly paid, disclosing that some of them receive as low as N5,000 monthly. She urged well-to-do individuals to assist the organisation to improve the care given to the children. Kareem praised the Lagos State Government for its support to the

•Some of the works of the children displayed for patronage

home. He said Governor Babatunde Fashola gives financial assistance to the home every month. The Welfare Secretary of the fellowship, Toluwalope Oduneye, said the visit was part of the fellowship’s quest to support the less-privileged in the society and to also make members imbibe the habit of sharing the burden of others and giving back to the society.

She appealed to privileged Nigerians to assist the children with deformities with finance and materials to ameliorate their suffering. The students were later ushered into the home’s showroom where the craftworks of the children were displayed for sale. Some of the materials bought by the students included beads, shoes, soaps and wrist bands.

Dentistry students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have organised a Fashion Challenge and Dinner to mark their Health Week. EDDY UWOGHIREN (200-Level Medicine) reports.

Fashion at its best

HE gathering hooted in excitement as models emerged from a section in wedding outfits and fitted suits. Their synchronised movement was greeted with applause by the audience. They waved back to the crowd, smiling. Moments later, the models came out in different attires, this time – in flowing gowns and native dresses. This was the scene at the 2014 edition of the Fashion Challenge and Dinner organised by the Benin University Dental Students Association (BUDSA) in collaboration with Evol Fashion World. The event, with the theme: Through the eyes of a dental surgeon, took place at the multipurpose hall of the Women Health and Action Research (WHARC) last Friday. It had top fashion designers, beauty queens, models and students in attendance. It started at 7:30pm with a red carpet session, where guests were interviewed on their mode of dressing. At 8:45 pm, the stage was set for the show. Samuel Ajagba, BUDSA president, said the event was part of the programmes commemorating the association’s Health Week. Accord-

•Participants at the event

ing to him, the fashion show was held to enable students relieve tension of medical school and foster friendship among them. This year, he said, the association brought top models to spice up the event with their runway skills. He said: “Thus far, we have had a picnic, campus blast, free blood donation, symposium, dental out-

reaches to Edo State Government House and an Africana Night. Our theme for this year’s health week was carefully selected to proffer solution to the nation’s dental challenges.” There was excitement while the event, anchored by MC Casino, lasted. Campus comedians dished out hilarious jokes. Hip hop artistes,

such as Chiblaze, Emmanuella and Acrobatic Dancers dazzled the crowd with their stunts. Fashion designers had a field day showcasing beautifully sewn attires. Photographers made brisk business taking shots of the participants. There was a lot to eat and drink. The highpoint was the presentation of awards to students who dis-

tinguished themselves in their academics. Linda Iheme won the Scholar of the School of Dentistry Award. She has a record of distinctions in all courses since she was admitted into the school. “There is always a reward for hard work,” the excited Linda said after she received the award. Other students were also rewarded for their academic feats. At the event were the National Vice President of Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr Harrison Omokhua; chairman of Committee on Dental Education and Health (CODEH) Osahon Okeaya-Inneh; former president of University of Benin Medical Student Association (UBEMSA) Osagie Eigbodion and former Vice President of the National Association of Edo State Students Ovenserin Iyekeoretin. Chuks Obuse, a student, said the event provided an opportunity to socialise and relax after a hectic dental posting to teaching hospital. He described the association as the most vibrant, despite having a few members. He said: “We believe it is not about the number. Each class in dentistry has not more than 25 students, and the association is vibrant. The welfare of each member is the primary objective.” The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Topleg-K Models praised BUDSA for the partnership. He said his outfit would participate in subsequent BUDSA programmes.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

Aunty Ngozi: Forever is thy memory

HILIP James Bailey, an English poet, rightly observed that “it matters not how long we live, but how.” An anonymous writer also said: “What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone. What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.” I totally agree with these opinions. Exactly two years ago, student-writers across campuses woke up on Democracy Day and got a shocking news of the death of Mrs Ngozi Agbo, who was fondly called Aunty Ngozi

“It won’t be out of place if the whole nation marches up to the insurgents to demand for the release of the youngsters”- Zainab Okino, Executive Editor, Blueprint Newspaper.

HERE are the 276 schoolgirls kidnapped on April 15 at the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State? This is a question the authorities have not been able to answer for the agitated citizens since Boko Haram insurgents kidnapped the helpless pupils. For weeks, there have confusion in the land. There have been protests and mourning everywhere; ceaseless outcries, uncomplimentary remarks and severe criticism of the Federal Government’s inability to rescue the girls. Given his handling of the abduction, many people had urged President Goodluck Jonathan to take after the South Korean Prime Minister, Chung Hong-Won, who threw

by CAMPUSLIFE correspondents. Like a wild fire, the news spread across campuses and higher institutions were almost shut as though, she was the Visitor to all Nigerian schools. Aunty Ngozi’s demise dealt a terrible blow on students’ collective psyche. The matriarch of our muchcherished pen family, we learnt, had kicked the bucket on Monday, May 28, after giving birth to a baby boy. We were sad and, indeed, we almost thought an end had come for the well-thought CAMPUSLIFE project. However, two years after her departure, it is heart-warming that her brainchild, a weekly pullout in The Nation, is still making impact across campuses. Since its inception, CAMPUSLIFE has been a veritable platform for students in higher institutions to make their voice heard, and has given them a rare opportunity to practise journalism, as it were, regardless of their disciplines. Her Page 30 column - Pushing Out - spoke volumes about her passion for youth development

and rebirth of the country through morality and spirituality. Like I wrote in my piece titled: Good night, Aunty Ngozi Agbo, published on this page on May 31, 2012, “she (Aunty Ngozi) was an Amazon; tall and strong. She bestrode the journalism firmament like a colossus, armed with a tall dream and a strong determination. Her dream was to salvage the future of the Nigerian youth; to raise role models in a depraved society through the instrumentality of the media. So, she launched into her dream, believing passionately in its reality and efficacy. And then she hit the ground running.” It needs to be repeated here that the late Aunty Ngozie was not only a trailblazer as her brainchild – CAMPUSLIFE - became a template for several other newspapers, she was also a mentor, a teacher, a source of inspiration, a friend, a change agent, and an enabler of dreams to many young persons, not only to those of us in the pen family. The fact that Wale Ajetunmobi, one of her mentees in the University of

Ilorin (UNILORIN), has been coordinating the affairs of CAMPUSLIFE since her demise speaks volumes about Aunty Ngozi’s efforts at mentoring and building young people for the good future she dreamt about. Wale, who observed his National Youth Service at The Nation, worked closely with her for two years until her “leap into the dark”, apologies to Thomas Brown. To be sure, the story of my journey into journalism as a career, after a hard-earned strong 2:1 degree in Accounting, cannot be complete without a mention of the impact Aunty Ngozi made in my life through CAMPUSLIFE. The first time I met her in 2009, my passion for writing literally shot up because her advice boosted my confidence in honing my writing skills. Like I wrote in 2012, “she will eternally be etched in my memory because she made positive indelible impact on me.” And I know there are many young people, who are very grateful that they met her because she left them better than the

way she met them. “A teacher affects eternity,” said Henry Brooks Adams. “He can never tell where his influence stops.” Although Aunty Ngozi is no more, her impact is very much alive. It is alive in me and many others who are poised to make the society better in our own unique ways. Femi, a former CAMPUSLIFE reporter in Ekiti State University, is a reporter with a Lagos-based finacial newspaper

Our girls must come back alive in the towel 11 days after a ferry carrying school children on a field trip to the Island of Jeju capsiszed, killing over 300 people. Hong-Won said: “I offer my apology for having been unable to prevent this accident from happening and unable to properly respond to it afterwards. I believed I, as the Prime Minister, certainly had to take responsibility and resign.” But many, who had expected the same expression from President Jonathan on his inability to rescue the abducted girls, were disappointed when the Nigerian leader flew to Kano for a political rally. This generated criticisms but the presidency explained away the action as one to “shame Boko Haram” that wants to bring down the government. However, with the unabated killings by Boko Haram in the Northeast, it appears nobody is safe again in the country. Critics have said Nigeria is fast becoming a banana republic. Weeks after the much-publicised security meeting was held in the

By Azeezat Sanni Presidential Villa, the whereabouts of the abducted girls is still unknown. Already, we are beginning to hear different stories about the teenagers’ wellbeing. There is a rumour that the girls are being taken away from Sambisa Forest, where they were kept to unknown destinations. A report said some of them have been married off with N2,000 bride price. Another report said the helpless girls have been scattered and are being taken to neighbouring countries, such as Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic. In case of full war against the insurgents, the girls would be used as a shield. This would make rescue operation by government and allied forces ineffective. It is becoming worrisome and frustrating that the exact figure of the abducted girls and how many of them that escaped are not known. With this inaccuracy, the agony of the girls’ parents would be compounded.

The reason for the abduction of the girls has been said to discourage girl-child education. Some said, perhaps, the Boko Haram fighters are in desperate need of wives, which may have informed the comment by Abubakar Shekau, the sect leader, who said the girls would be married off? In her article titled: These schoolgirls must not die, Zainab Okino observed: “It is criminally repulsive and no responsive and responsible government watches and allows this kind of things to happen to one or two teenage girls, not to talk of almost 200… My heart goes out to these schoolgirls and their parents. It is understandable to lose a loved one, but to think of them as hostages in the midst of mindless insurgents is incredulously ludicrous…” The psychological trauma the girls and their parents are going through cannot be quantified. It disturbs every sane human to imagine what the gun-wielding criminals would be doing to the innocent girls. But, the nation is waiting for who will lead

In times like this, who do we trust? HE news of a bomb blast hit the newsstand again. The scene is gory as usual: dismembered limbs, ruptured bellies, the flowing blood and the dead bodies. In their numbers, innocent citizens are slaughtered by criminals whose ideology is in anathema with codes of all peaceful religion. Right under the nose of military personnel, bombs went off in Nyanya, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the seat of power. Afterwards, we began to hear series of assurances from the presidency, which is supposed to go all out to arrest the masterminds. But they always rush to the media after their incompetence to remind us that they are on top of the situation. Just two weeks after the first blast in Nyanya, which killed 76 people, according to official figure, another devastating explosion hit the same spot, killing 20. Scores were injured. Last week, yet another blast hit Jos, the Plateau State capital, killing 118 people. Many were injured. As usual, Nigerians are hapless and are subjected to the liturgy of the Federal Government’s promises, assuring them that the situation is under control. Who is in control? After the first Abuja bombing, the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, in empathy, promised that the government would install more Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV)

By Femi Asu

cameras in the metropolis. Empty promises. Days after, he said that, terrorists struck again. Of course, the series of attacks are also a wake-up call to our military agencies, that there is so much to be done in securing the lives of the citizens and their property. May I cast readers’ minds back to the reported broadcast by the acclaimed leader of the Boko Haram sect after the Abuja blast? Well, it is interesting to know that Abubakar Shekau did not only accept responsibility for the blast, he bragged (apparently mocking the the president) that “we are in your city”. He emphatically told whoever that cared to listen that the Nyanya motor park blast was the beginning of the onslaught against the FCT. Now, if we juxtapose promises from the government and the terrorist leader, we would see that one is consistent in carrying out its promises with vigour. The government told the citizens after the Nyanya bombings that there was no reason to panic, urging residents to go about their normal businesses as the situation was under control. This was not the case. The residents were slaughtered again by another blast just 17 days after the first one. On the other hand, Shekau promised more attacks and matched his words with action less than three weeks after. Who should Nigerians

believe in? Who should we trust? Should we continue to have faith in a clueless government that cannot defend us while many are being killed by criminals? Should we believe the presidency that does little to strengthen security around the citizens while its officials cruise around town in bullet-proof vehicles? Well, your guess, I believe, would not be different from mine. Over the years, the unreliability and ingenuity of our leaders is one that has caused many (of course, this writer is no exception) to falter and cast aspersions on the ability of such leaders to direct the affairs of the nation. Not long ago, we saw our president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, would rather celebrate the return of a lost sheep in Kano than to seek the whereabouts of over 200 teenage girls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok. I guess the so-called defection of one Ibrahim Shekarau and his supporters to the PDP was compulsory for the president to witness than to rescue Nigerians being killed by the terrorists. I am sure the president’s pastor would be very proud of him for playing Jesus Christ while the country burns. Some clueless fellows under the president’s payroll would ask: “Should he kill himself?” Some myopic among the yes men would let us know that the president is just

the rescue mission to Sambisa Forest. Even, the military resorted to prayers, asking Nigerians to join in prayers for the safe release of the victims. This smacks of helplessness. It’s pertinent that collaborative efforts among relevant agencies and political will on the part of the president must be shown to secure the girls’ release. The decision by the president to set up committee is not appropriate and one wonders how far can the committee go in securing the release of the schoolgirls. Without mincing words, there is no alternative method to secure release of these girls; government and its troops must show action and convince Nigerians that they are up to the task. None of the girls must die in the process. If any of the dies (God forbid), it may generate an outcry whose magnitude may be too large for the government to contain. In any way the authorities plan to rescue the girls from their captors, all of them must be brought back alive. Azeezat, 400-Level Mass Comm., UNILORIN

Song for our Amazon, Aunty Ngozi By Chidiebere Enyia Still fresh in the monument of time The timeline of a great woman For she was a beautiful soul Giving fresh breath to our ideas.

By Joseph Njoku being distracted by opposition politicians. Such suggestions can make one extremely stupefied. Like a lady beckoned upon by two suitors, the citizens may have to, either by right or coercion, be made to make a choice between her two suitors: Jonathan-led government on the one hand and Shekau’s murderous Boko Haram on the other. But which option is good: a government that has continued to fail on its promises and a terrorist group that seems to have mastered the art of not disappointing? Well, we should hope the crisis should not consume the country. Joseph, 300-Level Business Administration, UNIBEN

A woman of impeccable beauty and character A model of divine strength In whom there was no guile For she was a woman of valour Dutiful, cheerful and passionate An epitome of womanhood. Army of informed youths shall Re-echo your name And your legacy Shall forever be written on the Cast stone of time. Chidiebere, 300-Level English and Literary Studies, IMSU

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE ‘Our Rector must be professor’

HE National Association of Unwana Undergraduates (NAUUG) has warned the Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) against disrupting the peace of the polytechnic in the attempt to enthrone its candidate as Rector. The association’s General Secretary, Chris Osuu, gave the warning in response to a statement credited to the chairman of ASUP, Dr Edmund Ezeh Onyeneho. Dr Onyeneho was quaoted to have called for the removal of the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr Nyelsom Wike, on his wish to appoint a professor to succeed the outgoing Rector, Prof Francis Otunta, whose tenure would end in June. Onyeheho had insisted that the next Rector must be a senior lecturer in the polytechnic. Reacting, Osuu said Onyeneho and his colleagues were hiding under the umbrella of ASUP to pursue their selfish agenda. He questioned the rationality behind the ASUP’s position, saying polytechnics were being headed by professors. “Dr. Onyeneho and his ASUP might have forgotten or are appar-

From Inya Agha UNN ently unaware that the incumbent Rector, Prof Otunta, his predecessor, Prof Zak Obanu, were not lecturers in the school before they were appointed. Under the watch of Onyeneho, Prof Otunta served his two tenures without any complaint from ASUP. Why did Onyeheho and his cohorts choose to make trouble now in a polytechnic that has been enjoying peace since its inception?”he queried. Osuu revealed that the institution had witnessed the bad times when Mr Godwin Ikechukwu Amasiatu, a Chief lecturer from the school, was Rector. He disclosed that the grievance of Dr.Onyeneho and his group were informed by their fear that the Minister of Education might replace the outgoing rector with a university professor who would not tolerate their excesses, including intimidation and compulsory sales of substandard textbooks to students. He advised Onyeneho’s ASUP to concentrate their efforts on pursuing academic excellence and better infrastructure for the polytechnic instead of orchestrating parochial interest.

Be health-conscious, don urges

ROF James Atolagbe of the Public Health Department of Adeleke University, has advised individuals to be health conscious at all time. He made the remark during a programme held in Ede, Osun State, by the Adeleke University Health Centre in collaboration with the university’s Public Health Unit to commemorate the 2014 World Hypertension Day. The programme which took place at the Ede Town Hall, witnessed a lecture delivered by Head of University Medical Services, Dr T. Olagunju with the theme: ”Hypertension :causes,

From Adewale Babarinde ADELEKE risks, reduction and management.” Dr Olagunju urged participants to avoid drugs abuse, unhealthy life style, stress, adding that regular exercise was essential to their health. He pointed out that there was need to tackle hypertension in our society, advising people that suffer from hypertension to seek medical attention. During the programme, free blood pressure checks, body mass index and free medical counselling were held for participants.

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•One of the medical personnel attending to a donor

Students, others donate blood at MSSN Week S TUDENTS and staff of College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) turned out en masse for the blood donation exercise organised by members of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria as part of its 24th Islam Propagation Week (IPW). The exercise was held at the New Great Hall, College of Medicine, LUTH and the old Multipurpose Hall, Federal College of Education, Technical, Akoka, Lagos. Prior to the commencement of the donation, the blood pressure and fitness of donors were checked. Head of Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, LUTH, Prof Akanmu Alani Sulaiman, described the exercise as a big campaign which

From Ibrahim Adam LAGOS

would help to save lives. “The relevance of this exercise to transfusion medicine practice is great. Great in the sense that, without it, there will be nothing that will be referred to as emergency practice in the hospital which implies that a life is about to be lost in a couple of minutes if an intervention is not provided. “Persons involved in mass casualty like ghastly road accidents, are always at risk because a lot of them usually die on the spot of the accident. It becomes even cruel for such persons to die just because there is

no blood in the hospital.” The Chief Donor Officer, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Mrs Onofomi Mercy, praised the turn-out of the donors, urging LUTH management to see the exercise as a valuable one. Ogundowole Oluwatosin, a 200Level student of Medicine, said: “This programme is for the benefit of others and it is not about religion. The underlying philosophy is to help people in need of blood.” Salman Akeem Olatunji, a staff of Albarka Microfinance Bank in Ladipo, said the programme was well organised. In his remark, President of the group, Yusuf Adebowale, described as a success and thanked donors for their contribution.

VC tells freshers to pursue excellence

HE Vice -Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Prof Femi Mimiko, has urged the newly admitted students of the university to embrace hard work and culture of excellence as they resume their academic journey in the university. The VC, represented by his deputy, Prof Rotimi Ajayi, spoke at the orientation held for the fresh students. He advised the students to shun act that may jeopardise their admission, saying the university does not condone examination misconduct, cultism, indecent dressing, rape,

From Damilola Olisa AAUA theft, and other forms of vices. The VC noted that there had been increase in the number of candidates applying to the university because of the qualitative teaching the institution is known for. He said: “First, students receive a world-class and qualitative education at the most affordable cost. It is on record that this university charges the least school fees in Nigeria, making the university an institution of choice for many applicants. “We are noted for a culture of excellence and we strive to be on top

all the time. The university was adjudged by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as the best state university in Nigeria in terms of the quality of academic staff. This month, an American Agency, United States Transparency International Standards, ranked AAUA as the best state university in Nigeria in its 2013 co-ordinated school survey in Nigeria.” The Acting Director of Health Services, Dr Grace Ajayi, who spoke on health matters, advised the freshers to shun self-medication, urging them to always visit the health centre whenever they encounter health challenges.

Corps member gives volley ball, books to school

N her quest to impact on her host community, Chinenye Amanonye, a corps member serving in Owerri, Imo State, has built a volleyball court to Urban Development Secondary School, Owerri. At the ceremony where the facility was unveiled, Chinenye also donated books to the school library. The event was witnessed by Head of Community Development Service (CDS), represented by Local Government Inspector, Mrs Benedicta Abboh, Vice Principal, Mrs Mgbe Ahuru, teachers, corps members and students. Chinenye said the objectives of the project was to develop the talent of the pupils in sport.

From Stanley Uchegbu CALABAR Mrs Mgbeahuru praised the corps member for the gesture, urging other youths serving in the community to emulate the gesture. She noted that the volleyball court would benefit the pupils and improve sporting activities in the school. She recommended that the state and the Federal Governments should honour the corps member for keeping the core values of the NYSC scheme alive. She advised the pupils to emulate the corps member and study hard to become graduates and impact their communities.

The local government officials praised the corps member for the projects, appreciating the school management for their support to the corps member. The highpoint was the commissioning of the 19×9m standard volleyball court. Copies of a novel, The Rising Sun, which was written by the corps member, was donated to the school. Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Chinenye said she was motivated with what she saw around her and the leadership potential she has, urging other corps members to make impact in their host communities. Matthew, a SSS 2 pupil, who spoke on behalf of the students, appreciated the corps member.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

SSANU-LASU joins ASUU’s strike

•’No work No Pay,’ says govt

IX days after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) chapter declared an indefinite strike, their nonteaching counterpart, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has followed suit. Like ASUU, SSANU, which started their indefinite strike last Monday, are protesting the 'No vacancy, no Promotion' policy of the university; the hike in school fees that has resulted in a sharp drop in enrolment, and the non-implementation of the 65-year retirement age for nonteaching staff. SSANU's action followed a resolution by the union's congress last Friday. On Monday, SSANU members also held another congress after which it staged a peaceful protest around the university's Ojo campus, calling on the management to compel the Lagos State government walk its talk with

By Adegunle Olugbamila

respect to its agreement with the union in 2010. Incidentally, the union's strike is starting at a time the government has threatened to invoke the 'no work, no pay' rule. SSANU-LASU Chairman, Comrade Oseni Adewale Saheed, however waved the threat. He said the union had faced more punitive sanctions in the past and is not afraid to maintain its stand. "There was a time we went on strike for six months in this university while our salaries were withheld; but we did not die. This strike will be total! No member of ours will be allowed to work in any office. If the management wants to stop our salary, let them go ahead. "No meeting by management should hold in any office manned by our members otherwise we shall disrupt it," he said.

•Oseni

• Dr Idris

On January 13, SSANU suspended its three month-old strike following the intervention of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga. He said: "We had a meeting with the committee set up by the state government to look into the matter and resolve it. But to date this has not been done. Our management also held a meeting with SSANU national executive where it was resolved that all affected staff that were due for promotion should be promoted in accordance with

(Governing) Council directive that worker that scored 65 per cent in their Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (APER), but that has not been done." At the declaration of the ASUU strike on Tuesday last week, its Chairman Dr Adekunle Idris said the union had explored all avenues to get government to implement the agreement to no avail. He said when the hike in tuition was introduced in 2011, ASUU decided to study the outcome of the policy, which according to him, has

Fed Govt to transform public libraries into ICT hubs

F plans by the Federal Government work out well, public libraries will soon become the hub of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria. The plan is to transform the libraries into public access points, where Nigerians can access timely and reliable information, enlightenment and training at an affordable cost. Minister of State and Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike said the Federal Government would partner state governments in its turnaround programme for the public libraries. Wike said this at the opening of the first Conference of Certified Librarians organised by the Librarians' Registration Council of Nigeria

(LRCN) in Abuja. He said: "The Federal Government is planning many strategic interventions in the library and information science sector. Plans are underway to work with state governments to reposition public libraries in Nigeria as Public Access Venues. As public access venues, libraries will engage with communities to provide such services as e-Learning Services, Skills-for-Life Services, Community Enlightenment and Civic Education Services, Health and Gender Information Services, Career Counseling Services, Youth Collection and Gaming Stations and Small Business Counseling, among others." The minister then urged the certified librarians and relevant stake-

holders in the information sector to rise up to this challenge. In line with this vision, the Registrar, LRCN, Dr Victoria Okojie, said the council has surveyed all public libraries in Nigeria to determine their needs. "A database of the over 300 public libraries in Nigeria has been created for the first time in the history of Nigeria. One of the main aims of the survey is to write a proposal to the Federal Ministry

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

OING back to a technical college years after making good grades in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was not something Mrs Juliana Idowu wanted for her son, Adebowale Ayobami. But she had no choice as her husband's mind was made up. Adebowale was not going to sit around writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) any longer and fail to secure admission. He had to go back to technical college to learn vocational skills. Today, Mrs Idowu is glad that he did. Adebowale was one of the 72 students who graduated from the Samsung Engineering Academy last Tuesday after an intensive one-year programme learning to repair elec-

of Communications Technology justifying why public libraries should be used as public access venues which will provide e-governance services to the community," she said. Dr Okojie said 21st century library services are characterised by advancement in the use of ICTs in accessing, retrieving and disseminating information to the public. "In this regard, Nigerian public libraries in the digital age should,

among others: provide universal access to online resources for reading, information and education and the resources provided must be consistent and customer focused; help to build vibrant communities by encouraging community, based activities which target social capital creation and civic engagement; help to promote social, financial and digital inclusion as well as support learning in the information society," she said.

Governor’s aide lights up UNILORIN

HE Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Kwara State Governor on Information Technol-

• From left: Mr Dickinson Odikayor, Training Manager Samsung Engineering Academy and Mr Kim presenting prize to Ogundipe Oluwaseun at the event.

resulted in dwindling enrolment every year. Rather than raise tuition fees, ASUU said management should have leveraged on its consultancy services, which he said has not operated for the past two years, to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Following government's cold shoulder, Idris said the union approached parents, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Lagos to prevail on the government to accede to their demands. Following the breakdown of talks, ASUU declared a trade dispute on March 24 with 21-day ultimatum, and another 14-day ultimatum which expired on April 29. All through the ultimatums, Idris noted that neither the government nor the Governing Council responded to letters written to them. "We are at a loss as to why the authorities have refused to frontally address these issues for over one year. Of course, rather than dialogue and take steps to reverse the unacceptable trend, the university authority has engaged the use of propaganda, divisive tactics and twisted logic to justify a very bad case," he said.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ogy, Hamza Usman, has donated about N5million worth of Light Emitting Diode (LED) outdoor display unit to the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). The device, comprising a perspective viewing LED, attached air conditioner, casing and inner cooling system was recently donated to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali. Usman graduated from the Department of Computer Science of the Vice Chancellor university about 12 years ago. Speaking of the initiative, Usman said that the donation was an opportunity to give back to his alma mater. "Running of a university like this should not be left in the hands of the administration alone," he said. The SSA dedicated the donation to his parents. He said: "The device is an LED display unit rated P10. Its size is 2.65square meter. I wish to dedicate this donation to my wonderful parents, especially, in loving

memory of my late mother, Hajiya L. A. U. Sadik who strived hard to see me through this university, and was always my source of encouragement. This donation is further predicated on the evidential growth which the University of Ilorin has recorded under the successive administrations and particularly, the present one, which is deeply focused on fostering CSR and other intervention projects from the private sector, and indeed the alumni of the University." Usman also said the device can be useful for communication purposes. "It is a communication device that the university can use in showcasing some of its activities to visitors and that informed its positioning at the Senate building arena," he said. In a remark, Ambali thanked the donor for his contribution. "I thank you most sincerely for this donation of LED board which is better than what we had. You are actually helping us to make the University of Ilorin better by far. We are grateful and we need people like you," he said.

Academy renews graduates’ hopes By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

tronics. This is in addition to his certificate after completing the three-year progarmme from the Government Technical College, Agidingbi. Adebowale was one of the prize winners at the graduation but was absent because he is already working in Uyo, thanks to the training. An elated Mrs Idowu who stood in for him, said: "The training is very good. At first I did not want my son to go to a technical college because he had passed out of Specialist College, Ogba, with good results in WAEC. Even his brother was against it. But his father had the final say. After he finished from

the technical college, he was sent to Samsung. After that, he got employment at Uyo and we are happy." The Samsung Engineering Academy was established in 2012 in collaboration with the Lagos State government through the World Banksupported Lagos State Eko Project, which focuses on improving secondary and technical education. The students went through training in different areas of specialisation, including Audio Visuals, Home Appliances (HA), Information Technology Mobiles, which imbued them with skills to repair smart TVs, smart phones, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and laptops among others.

In her speech, Ms. Ronke Azeez, Special Adviser to the Governor on Eko Project, who was represented by Mr Kayode Adeleye, said the graduation showed the partnership is working. He admonished the graduands to build on their training to improve even more. "What you have acquired here is a seed which if sown will germinate into a big tree. The skills you have gained will differentiate you from the rest of your colleage if you decide to seek employment. If you decide to further your education, your skills will still be useful; or if you decide to go into entrepreneurship, you will be different," she said. In his keynote address, Managing

Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim said, the firm hopes to train 2,000 electronics engineers at its facility at Government Technical College, Agidingbi, and 10,000 engineers across Africa through the academy by the end of 2015 to fill the gap for technical skills in the labour market. "More skilled engineers are needed to fill the supply and demand gap that has emerged in the mobile and digital consumer electronics industry for technical skills. I am so proud of you today and you should too. I want to emphasise that technical and vocational education are not inferior type of education," he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS

AAUAFILE

VC gets IIPS THE International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), has honoured the Vice- Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, (AAUA) Prof. Femi Mimiko, with the 2013/2014 Best Security Conscious ViceChancellor award. Mimiko was honoured with the Sokoto State Governor,Aliyu Wamakko, at the institute’s seventh International Conference and awards held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Since his inception over four years ago, Prof Mimiko has ensured adequate security of lives and property in and around the university community. Mimiko also instituted the Work-Study Scheme to expose students to the kernels of industry while at school. Under the arrangement, interested students work for two hours daily to earn money to augment their income, a development which has drastically reduced students vices while also empowering them. The VC established the Fire and Safety Unit and regularly approves training and re-training programmes for workers in the unit to enhance their skills.

Women’s staged ‘Bring Back our Girls’ WOMEN in AAUA last week staged a rally to protest the abduction of over 200 girls of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram and other forms of social vices ravaging the nation. The women’s protest formed a part of activities marking this year’s Women’s Day celebration organised by the AAUA’s Women Studies and Development Centre, WSDC. The Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi, who declared the rally open, said: “We condemn in strong terms, abduction of our children, co-habitation of male and female students, indecent dressing and other vices. Our students should please desist from these vices; they are not good for their future.” The protesters displayed many placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Bring Back Our Girls’, ‘No to Cult Activities’, ‘No to Abduction’, ‘Put on a gender lens’;’ ‘No to examination misconduct’, “No to teenage marriage”, and No to campus couples life’. They appealed to stakeholders to ensure that the abducted girls are safely rescued and urged families to join hands in ridding the society of vices.

APPROACHING DEADLINES Henley Informatics MSc Scholarship for EU and International Students in UK, 2014 •Continued from last edition

Selection Criteria: The Informatics Scholarship panel making the awards will consider all relevant factors including academic

qualities, the original application, the application form, and any other relevant information (such as evidence of leadership contributions to an organisation, community or society) provided on your CV. The decision of the panel is final. Notification: Students being awarded scholarships will be notified within one month of the dead-

lines. How to Apply: Submit the form and your CV to bisa-at-henley.ac.uk. Before making a scholarship application, you must accept an offer of a place on one of the full time MSc programmes in Information Management at Henley Business School based in Reading (MSc Business Information Management, MSc Infor-

‘How endowment impacts UCT Centre for Comparative Law in Africa’

HE $5million endowment fund by the TY Danjuma Foundation to the University of Cape Town (UCT) Centre for Comparative Law in Africa (CCLA) will enable the beneficiaries get a postgraduate scholarship and cash to pursue their studies, UCT Vice Chancellor, Dr Max Price, has said. Earlier in the month, the TY Foundation initiated the endowment in Ikoyi, which saw a memorandum of Understanding between CCLA-UCT and the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS). With this pact, two beneficiaries yearly - one from Nigeria, and the other from any African nation, can engage in research in Comparative Law. Price said: “The UCT is founded by the South African government as a public university. But the South African government does not provide scholarships for students from outside the country whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. What this (endowment) does is that it creates funding for scholarships from people from Nigeria to come and study in South Africa

By Adegunle Olugbamila

or from people all over the continent in Comparative Law in Africa. "Secondly, it also provides some of the core infrastructure because the South African government seems more interested in South Africa; so it's like getting a continental focus to pool money from all parts of the continent. So this helps fund part of the centre itself, fund the research team, and production of journals and research." "The TY Danjuma endowment is to fund the centre and the collaborations with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced legal Studies to ensuring academics and students can move between them. They can research and publish together. It promotes collaboration which the centre is all about-aligning legal system. Nigerians understand the West African legal system much better, we understand the South African system much better and so the aim is to create the alignment, "he said. The UCT is a public research university in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It was founded in 1829 as the South African Col-

lege, and is the oldest university in South Africa and the second oldest in Africa. Besides, UCL is the highest-ranked African university in the QS World University Rankings, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Price praised the initiator Gen. Theophilus Danjuma for the endowment which according to him, is the largest UCL has had over the last decade. On the CCLA, he said the university conceived the centre as a bridge to connect to the continent on Comparative Law. Price said: "What makes UCT stand out in the continent is because of our focus on research on Postgraduate studies and one of our focus is Law. One of the reasons Comparative Law in Africa has been established is that we see our mission and role as a university to be a link for and act on behalf of the continent. We know we can do it for the whole continent; so we are establishing a link with individuals and academic institutions and that gives us the strength to do comparative work.

UI inaugurates research foundation

HE University of Ibadan Research Foundation (UIRF) has been inaugurated to serve as a platform to foster cutting-edge research, nuture talents among staff, and maintain a high scholastic environment necessary to meet the mission of the university. Speaking at the inauguration held at Senate Chamber, UI, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Isaac Adewole, said UIRF is to boost the university’s effort to support high quality staff, who would deliver research results and services to meet the university's mission. According to him, the foundation was approved in December 2012 by the development committee of the

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

university, while the Senate also approved it for final take off same month. Adewole, who disclosed that the foundation will take off with N100 million grant, pointed out that for UIRF to succeed, its board members need to be transparent, committed, and raise funds at national and international level. "We are the first university in the country to set up this type of foundation. The foundation will focus its N100 million research grant on food security, renewable energy, health and infrastructure,” he said. The Chairman Board of UIRF, Chevalier Itsueli, hopes the foundation would groom future lead-

ers on research platforms, empowering them with knowledge and expertise useful for addressing national challenges in a unique way. "We are the largest economy in Africa but we don't seem to have a direction yet, but UI can assist the nation to address this within the next 12 months. We need to make researches for the benefit of mankind. We must take the gown to the world by creating inventions and commercialising them for the socio-economic development of the country.” Itsueli charged its members to solicit for funds for researches in all sectors of the economy to attain the Vision 20:2020 for the country.

Corps member donates relief materials THE Etioro Community of Akoko Southwest, Ondo State, Nigeria, has praised a corps member serving at AAUA Mr. Godwin Afiene, for providing the community with relief materials. Mr. Afiene, a 2013 Batch ‘B’ corps member, among other services, organised skills acquisition programme on carpentry (PVC ceiling fixing) for youths in the community, distributed domestic materials to widows, donated two first-aid boxes to the community and gave exercise books to some indigent pupils. Speaking after the presentation of the materials, the Head of the community, Chief P. A. Adewumi, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, said: “Many corps members had served in this community, but this is the first time a corps member has done these remarkable things. Mr. Afiene has impacted our community positively. We are happy and we appreciate you.”

mation Management & Systems, MSc Business Technology Consulting, MRes Informatics) for entry in 2014/15. Scholarship applications must be made before the start of your programme as any retrospective applications will not be considered. Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is June 27th 2014.

•Founder Afe Babalola University Aare Afe Babalola, (SAN) (centre) with Provost, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Prof. Adeyemi Idowu (left) and Chairman of Council, Ambassador Musa John Jen at the conferment of Fellowship award on Aare Babalola during the college convocation/Golden Jubilee anniversary celebrations at the college premises in Ondo.

•Dr Price

"One of the things many people realise when you think about the problem of development is that the legal systems of the old colonial powers are very different; they don't speak with each other. The text in one country is different from another country. Anywhere you got the multinationals which works in two countries, it's usually complicated for the multinationals, and for the people who live across the borders. So, what this is trying to do is to help align the legal system, to say we can create a greater sense of economic unity by understanding the differences in their origin and by looking at how we align them."

Fashola for CIAPS lecture

AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has been voted the most preferred guest to speak at the inaugural Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) OBE Programmes to be held at the CIAPS located in AdeniyiJones, Lagos State on June 3. Fashola emerged as the most preferred guest speaker in a survey conducted amongst students, graduates and friends of CIAPS. Other nominated speakers that gained a lot of votes during the survey include Ms. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Prof. Pat Utomi. Fashola is expected to speak on "Ethics, Education and Employability" at the event which would signal the beginning of the centre's fast track programmes. Director of the centre, Prof Anthony Kila, said the theme is in line with the focus of the institution to groom students who can fit seamlessly into the needs of the work place. The OBE Programmes, he said, "are outcome based educational programmes built on research and inputs obtained from dynamic organisations about their recruitment needs as well as their employment and development strategies." To this end, he said CIAPS is working with businesses and other kinds of organisations and employers to train the kind of graduates they need. Kila said the centre's three-month fast track programmes, is open to BSc and HND holders. The courses include: Journalism, Business Administration, Banking and Finance , Office management , Education and Project Management.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

EDUCATION

Edu District II celebrates teachers/pupils

HE Lagos State Education District II last week Tuesday, held its eigth annual merit award. It was a memorable day for principals, teachers and students of the district who clinched one award or the other for outstanding performances in varying cadres. The annual event is set to encourage outstanding performance by both teaching and non-teaching staff as well as students in the district. Congratulating the awardees, the

By Sampson Unamka

Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary Mrs Magret Solarin, congratulated the recipients whom she explained, must have gone through rigorous task before their emergence. "The joy of it is that you have all been identified and associated with altruistic traits such as diligence, innovativeness, loyalty, resourcefulness, resilience, honesty and high sense of responsibility. In essence,

you have all been individually and collectively adjudged men and women; boys and girls of honour who are worthy of emulation.” Solarin also praised pupils of the district for their exemplary performance as reflected in their internal and external exams including quiz competitions. She, however, advised those who are yet to be nominated for the awards to brace up and strive for greater heights saying: “the reward

of hard work is more hard work.” Solarin urged all to be security conscious considering the precarious security situation in the country. The Chairperson of the occasion, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised the Lagos State government for ensuring public schools in the state are attaining higher standards. And for the students, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye also saw light at the end of the tunnel.

Firm inaugurates education projects in host communities

S part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the United Cement Company (UNICEM), has inaugurated two projects in its host communities in Cross River State. The projects- teachers quarters, a four-room self contained at Mbobui Primary School, Akampka Local Government Area and a twin twobedroom flat at the Youth Corps Members' Lodge at Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Akwa Ikot Effanga community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, were to provide accommodation for teachers and corps members’ posted to both schools in the communities. At the commissioning of the multimillion naira project, UNICEM Managing Director Olivier Lenoir said he was pleased to be part of the development the education sector is experiencing in both communities. His words: "In line with developmental governance, these projects were conceived by the communities and supported by UNICEM to ad-

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

dress accommodation problem experienced by teachers and corps members, which often discourages them from accepting postings to the schools. By supporting this initiative; we believe we will be addressing that challenge and promoting education which is one of the focuses of our Corporate Social Responsibility programme." Lenoir praised the partner communities for their peaceful disposition which has not only presented a conducive working environment for their operations but has also led to the expansion of their plant. In separate remarks, the Chairperson of the Community Trust Committee(CTC), Akwa Ikot Effanga, Mrs Christy Ise and Chairman Mbobui( CTC),Sir Donators Etta described UNICEM as a responsive and responsible corporate citizen. "Our children will learn more and become better people in the society because we will accommodate good

•Mr Lenoir (right) in company of traditional rulers of Mbobui inaugurating the teachers’ quarters.

corps members as more of them will be willing to stay where they are posted," Christy said. "The teachers' quarters was conceived on the need to provide a be-

Fashola to artisans: practise your trades

AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has advised the newly trained artisans and traders in the state to practise their trades. Fashola, who spoke last week at the grand finale of the fifth Tradesmen and Artisans' Week and Graduation for re-trained artisans and traders in Ikeja, said the exercise was meant to enhance workers’ capacity. He said the programme, an initiative of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Educational Board (LASTVEB), would spur workers' growth. He said through the training, artisans and traders have been given opportunities to access skills similar to those in technical schools. Also, the Special Adviser to the governor on Commerce and Industry, Oluseye Oladejo, said many vocational workers have been trained in the state. He said: "I am pleased to inform you that a total of 5,780 members of

She said: "Tomorrow is there for them (students), the government is doing its bits. As much as they can do, they should continue to work very hard for their parents, for the community at large, and for the state government, while teachers should continue to work hard so that these children’s results get better." Mrs Ogunniyi Abiodun from Oriwu Senior Model College Ikorodu, who won the best principal award (Senior Category) had this to say: "As a recipient of this award, I'm promising to continue to put in my best to move education in the state to the next level and be able to compete."

By Oluyemisi Awe

different registered associations, made up of 3,780 artisans and 2000 trades from various vocations and trades have been trained to date.'' Also, the General Manager, British American Tobacco Foundation, Abimbola Okoya, said statistics have shown that eight out of 10 new businesses in Nigeria collapse in their first five years. Okoya said the

A total of 5,780 ‘members of different

registered associations, made up of 3,780 artisans and 2000 trades from various vocations and trades have been trained to date

’

development prompted the foundation to extend a hand of partnership to the state government to build young entrepreneurs. She said: "We trained about 700 during the eight week programme. They were taught how to keep track of transactions, and maintain good human relations with their customers.” The foundation, she explained, also gave mobile phones and barges to 50 participants for performing well during the training, hoping the devices would help them communicate effectively with their customers. She advised participants, to utilise knowledge acquired well and look out for what would make them succeed in business. A trainee, Mrs Adelakun Atinuke, thanked the government and the foundation for the exercise, saying but for the opportunity, the knowledge gained would have eluded them.

fitting accommodation for their primary school teachers for effective teaching considering the place of primary education in every child's life,” added Etta.

“This will also encourage teachers to redouble their efforts in the task of giving proper training which will invariably boost learning in the school.”

NAPPS rewards quiz winners

FAKO International School, Kolebest International School and Providence Height College have set the record of being the pioneer winners of the maiden National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Quiz Competition. They emerged winners in the primary, junior and senior secondary school categories at the grand finale of the competition held at Victory Grammar School last Wednesday. Some 285 schools took part in the preliminaries of the competition about three months ago and were weeded out as it progressed through the ward, local and state levels. Out of the 18 schools that competed at the state level, which was the final, Ifako International School came first in the primary school category, Kolebest International School won in the Junior Secondary School category, while Providence Height College topped at the Senior Secondary stage. Mrs Bola Falore, chairperson,

• The Managing Director, Vast Stream Limited, Mr. Ogboka Ebiware Thomas, (in black suit), with the Queen of Egbe-Idimu-Ikotun Beauty Pageant, Miss Uthman Olabisi Shakira (left) and the company's pageant team members, Miss Olasunbomi Osho, Miss Olakitan Ojo, and Mr. Alex Elege, on a visit to Muslim Junior College, Egbe, Lagos.

By Jane Chijioke

NAPPS Quiz Competition Committee, said the essence of the contest is to enhance academic excellence, foster good relationships, and establish healthy rivalry among private schools in Lagos State. Oluchime Promise, a JSS3 pupil and member of Kolebest International School winning team said the competition exposed him to the importance of contesting with other schools. "The competition has made me understand that it is not only about wining; it is about getting to know your strength and weakness. If it is just within the school, you wouldn't know whether you are actually good enough and when you come out and compete with schools, you will be able to see your weaknesses which will prompt you to work harder. My challenge at first was tension and I also saw my competitors as a threat because I believe everyone is a winner," he said. On her part, representative of Providence Height College, Wemimo Opeyemi, said government and Literatures in English were two subjects that challenged her during the competition, while she viewed the Maths questions too complex for the limited time given to answer them. Falegan Toyosi, her partner, was glad that despite entering the final stage with the least score, his school won the trophy. "My school came fifth in the semi final and thank God we made it to the top at this final level. Definitely a winner will emerge but it does not mean others are losers," he added. The winners were rewarded with trophies and other gifts.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

EDUCATION

Education commissioners seek security in schools

HE State Commissioners for Education Forum in Nigeria has called on the government to provide adequate security in schools, especially in the northeast, until the Boko Haram insurgency is fully crushed. They also sympathised with the parents of the abducted Chibok girls urging them to be patient with the Federal Government as it makes efforts with the international community to rescue the girls. A statement by chairman of the forum, Prof Offiong Offiong, also urged all concerned should intensify efforts in securing the release of the abducted Chiboks girls without any further delay. Offiong, who is also commissioner in Cross River State, said: "The forum urges provision of adequate security in all our schools to prevent future reoccurrence of this unfortunate act as it appears no student is safe in the country until this insurgence is crushed totally. Accordingly we enjoin all parents of the girls to

EDUTALK

Sullen Children’s Day

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

exercise patience as the Federal Government in collaboration with her allies carries out rescue mission and the girls are safely back to the comfort of their homes. "This, indeed,, is a trying period for the nation's education sector and the casualties of this dastardly act are not the girls alone, though they are directly the victims; not the parents alone, who have been waiting endlessly for the news of the release of their daughters and not the Borno State Government alone. Although this inhuman act was perpetrated on its soil. We are all collectively victims as Nigerians because the victims are Nigerians, they are our children and our jewel, the future mothers of the nation. All hands must be on deck to ensure their release. "The forum is, particularly, worried over the plight of education in the Northeast Geopolitical Zone in general and Borno in particular. The

•Prof Offiong

need to restore law and order in the region has become more urgent chiefly as there is a high rate of outof-school children there. Continuous closure of school gates against our children in the region due to insecurity would continue to adversely affect the future of education in the north east and Nigeria as a whole. "It is against this background that the forum welcomes the assistance offered by the nation's international friends towards ensuring the release of our children. We cannot afford to wait helplessly as our children our being degraded."

• Mrs Oladunjoye (middle) presenting a cheque and a trophy to Zainab (right) and Kaosarat. PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Rising stars bring glory to Epe

UST one week after displaying brilliance at the BRF Quiz Competition, Epe Grammar School shone again at the Lagos State Secondary Schools’ debate held at the LTV8 Blue Roof last week. In the quiz, the school's representative, Yeko Joseph, proved that he was a genius in mathematics, winning the best individual category in a performance that wooed the audience. He also helped his school to win the second place trophy in the senior secondary school category of the same competition. Last week, it was the duo of Zainab Amusa and Kaosarat Olabode who made the school proud, lifting the Schools Debate trophy with 79.63 points. They narrowly edged out Bukola Orekoya and Victoria Ayenuro of CMS Girls Senior Grammar School, Bariga, whose score was 79.13 proved how difficult it was for the judges to decide the winner. The two teams argued on the topic: Leadership is not the problem but followership. They marshalled out their points in a manner that kept the audience at the edges of their seats, arguing for and against various issues of societal importance. The second speakers of both teams, Kaosarat (for Epe) and

‘

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Victoria (for CMS) also played commendable roles in their team's performance, helping their chief speakers bounce back stronger after failing to conclude properly before their time expired during their first appearance. For winning the debate, Epe Grammar School got a prize of N500,000, a trophy and other gifts. CMS Girls Grammar School was rewarded with N350,000 and a trophy, while third placed Meiran Community Senior High School represented by the pair of Oluwabukola Ogunmuko and James Oluwatomisin won N200,000. Reacting to their victory, 13-year old Zainab, an SS1 pupil, gave glory to God. "We feel privileged. I thank God for helping us to win. I did not believe we could win, but l had second thoughts and stayed awake in the midnight to prepare," she said. On her part, Bukky though disappointed at the narrow miss, yet said she was grateful her school did well. "Actually, I cannot say I am happy or sad. But I want to thank God for this opportunity even though this is not our expectation," she said.

‘We feel privileged. I thank God for helping us to win. I did not believe we could win, but l had second thoughts and stayed awake in the midnight to prepare’

’

with

In the Individual Speakers' category, Kehinde Adeyemi of Vetland Senior Grammar School, Agege, Lagos came first with 35 points for her excellent presentation on "Oil wealth: A blessing or a curse." She was followed in the second position by Jeremiah Lawal of Isheri Senior Grammar School, Isheri and Toheeb Edun of Egan Senior Grammar School, Egan who came third. They were presented with N75,000, N50,000 and N25,000 respectively. The Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, praised the participants for putting up a good performance. "My children, you all did very well. But someone had to win. I am really impressed by your courage and performance," she said, urging them to work harder in their studies. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, said the event has helped pupils to deliberate on issues that affect society. "I am grateful that I am part of this success of imbibing in our students the culture of being outspoken and attacking issues. Most of the topics they spoke on are issues affecting this nation and they spoke well," he said. About 276 pupils from public and private schools started the race for the school's debate trophy in January.

UESDAY'S Children's Day celebration did not feature the usual razzmatazz associated with the yearly celebration of the programme. Government celebrations were toned down, while Kofoworola the number of corporate organisations felicitating with the young ones were greatly reduced. Kofosagie@yahoo.com Given the mood of the nation, the 08054503077 (SMS only) low key celebration was in order. The over 200 girls abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State on April 15 are yet to be found over six weeks later. In Chibok, we do not know if the children there remembered the day as special. Since the Boko Haram insurgency intensified in the town and other parts of the north, schools have been shut, denying them of an education that should be compulsory at their level. If the terrorists succeed in keeping many children out of school, then we cannot expect the affected communities to enjoy social and economic success. If these communities suffer underdevelopment, it is likely to create a vicious cycle. We should not expect the young ones to behave better as adults. Now is the time for the government and people of Nigeria to take a stand and bring the situation under control. To many, Chibok may seem far geographically; but it is only a matter of time before what is happening there spreads if nothing serious is done. Failure to act would be interpreted as those of us on the 'safe' side not caring about those in the troubled region. The Federal Government needs to lead by example. A few days ago, the Chibok community complained that the Presidential Fact-Finding Committee set up to investigate the abduction failed to visit the town. They stopped at Maiduguri, probably out of fear of attack. Yet, members of these communities, who have nowhere to go, live with this fear every day. Visiting them would make them feel a sense of belonging and probably rekindle in them feelings of patriotism for their country. With the involvement of the international community, Nigerians expected they should have been found, though we got some cheering news on Monday that the military has at least located their whereabouts. We hope that soon, they will be able to rescue the girls alive. We also hope that after they return, they will not turn their backs on education and Nigeria. But that depends on what we do to help them re-integrate into the society. I pray for the best.

Belo-Osagie

In Chibok, we do not know if the children there remembered the day as special. Since the Boko Haram insurgency intensified in the town and other parts of the north, schools have been shut, denying them of an education that should be compulsory at their level.

Opportunities of school feeding programme THIS year, many states across the federation are making efforts to reduce the over 10 million school-aged children roaming the streets instead of being in school learning. They may as well learn from Osun State which has received praises for its Home Grown School Feeding and Health programme (O'MEAL). I have visited some of the schools in Osun myself and witnessed how excited the pupils were to eat meals they most likely do not get to eat at home. The project is commendable. However, like many experts have noted, it takes careful planning, transparency, strong leadership and commitment to implement the programme. School feeding is very expensive, and so the relevant implementing agencies have to ensure that the investment is put into good use. This can be achieved by having clear cut procedures, involving experts already familiar with the process, blocking loop holes through which officials can fritter away funds, and enforcing rules that deal with breaches. Given its potential to improve agricultural output, the initiative is also worth the investment. Despite boasting of hundreds of thousands of hectares of arable land nationwide, Nigeria cannot feed its 165 million people. We are dependent on exports which drive up prices of food items. If we can use the school feeding initiative to revamp the agricultural sector, then let us do it with all seriousness so that as our children get fed with nutritious meals in school, we can enjoy the benefits when we go to the market to purchase food items. Beyond making foodstuff more readily available, it means, there will more jobs for people to do. We would have more farmers, food processors, food sellers and the like. The school feeding really sounds like a very exciting programme. We only pray that years into it, it will still be as exciting as it sounds today.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

POLITICS

THURSDAY MAY 29, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

FIFTEEN YEARS OF CIVIL RULE The country is marking 15 years of uninterrupted civilian rule with mixed feelings. Indices from all sectors suggest that the political leadership has not lived up to expectation, writes Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI.

15 years after, democracy on trial

HE return of democracy in 1999 presented Nigeria with an opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world. After the prolonged military rule, the country was a pariah state. Between the time of the first military coup in 1966 and 1999 when the men in uniform finally disengaged from politics, the country had lost 33 valuable years that could have been used to nurture and deepen democracy. Besides, the military had reduced the country’s federal structure to that of a unitary state, because the Generals in power characteristically infused a command culture into governance, created dozens of states that are not viable, removed the principle of derivation from revenue allocation and decreed that each state governor should go cap in hand to the centre for a share of the oil earnings to sustain their administrations. The rot in the Nigerian society today gradually crept in within those years, with the enthronement of the culture of indolence, indiscipline and corruption. The return of civilian rule in 1999 was received with so much hope and enthusiasm by Nigerians from all walks of life. But, 15 years after the return of civil rule, critics are of the view that the political leadership did not rise up to the challenge. As the country marks the anniversary of the return of civilian rule today, the atmosphere is one of mixed feelings. On the positive side, with the number of years that civilian rule has lasted so far, many are optimistic that the country has made history. This is by far the longest since independence in 1960. In the First Republic, civil rule lasted for less than six years. The Second Republic was even shorter –- a mere four years, notwithstanding the advancement in technology, knowledge and political sophistication. Much worse was the giddy and experimental Third Republic, which endured for one crazy year and a few months before it expired under the weight of insincerity, immaturity, presumptions and societal and judicial contradictions. This explains the optimism in several quarters. However, there is evidence of growing dissatisfaction among citizens. A lot of Nigerians are of the view that the civilians have not fared much better between 1999 and today. For instance, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Mr. Kunle Famoriyo, believe that there is nothing to celebrate, as the country marks 15 years of uninterrupted civilian rule today. Famoriyo said it is a positive development that Nigerians have tried as much as possible to keep the so-called democracy on, and the country has not experienced the ugly incident of another military intervention. But he added that what is supposed to be the benefits to the populace has not been forthcoming. “So, I cannot say I want to celebrate 15 years of civilian regime, because there is nothing to celebrate,” he told The Nation in an interview last week. Similarly, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, believes the country has performed woefully in the last 15 years. In Umeagbalasi’s view, for any country to qualify to become a noble member of the modern global community, it must have a solid foundation of democracy & good governance, civil liberties & rule of law and security & safety. In fact, he says the three are inseparable and indivisible. He added: “They are called the three pillars of a modern government. Any assessment of civilian rule in the country in the last 15 years must take cognissance of its standing on these three pillars?” Where did Nigeria go wrong in the last 15 years? Umeagbalasi said Nigeria took a wrong path, when it allowed the very enemies of the society and democracy to take over the public affairs in the country in 1999. “The classes of people being referred to here are military apologists, military practitioners, advance fee fraudsters and other malcontents. These people saw and still see the art of governance as a crude business enterprise, not a call to serve,” he noted. Famoriyo simply said Nigeria got it wrong in

the last 15 years in the area of leadership. His words: “We have not been able to elect leaders that are people-oriented. Such leader would be able to mobilize the people on the right path to development. The world is about economy, the world is about marketing and business. Therefore any leader who cannot understand and propel the country to excel in those areas, would end up a failure; he is not ready to be a leader.” Poverty rate remains significantly high in the country, particularly in the rural areas, despite high economic growth recorded over the last 10 years. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 60.9 per cent of Nigerians were living in “absolute poverty” in 2010; the figure had risen from 54.7 per cent in 2004. The bureau has predicted that the trend is likely to continue. According to the report, absolute poverty is measured by the number of people who can afford only the bare essentials of shelter, food and clothing. The NBS, a government agency, said there was a paradox at the heart of Nigeria as the economy was going from strength to strength, mainly because of oil production. Yet, Nigerians were getting poorer. Famoriyo said the only way Nigerians can get out of poverty is regional autonomy, which would help to ensure that the country is not dependent on only one source of revenue. “We must create the enabling environment to enable people to develop at their own pace. This starts with the issue of electricity, which is the bedrock of development for any modern nation,” he noted, adding: “When you look around, money is just begging to be made on our streets. But the unitary system we are operating in Nigeria today has not allowed us to be able to think and come up with the necessary strategy that would push us ahead. Nigeria is the only country in the world where people go to the centre to collect allocation.” With regards to political leadership, observers say square pegs have not been fitted into square holes in the in the last 15 years. According to critics, a very bad precedent was laid when the Presidency was delivered to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on a platter of gold, ostensibly to placate the Southwest region for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election and for the death of the presumed winner of that election, Chief Moshood Abiola. Obasanjo himself did not help matters, when he engineered the emergence of Umaru Yar’Adua, who was terminally ill, as his successor, in a manner that ensured that power remained in the South after his exit. This precedent, it is said, has ensured that the leadership of the country remains in the hands of people who were not adequately prepared for the task beforehand. Without exception, all the political parties in Nigeria lack internal democracy. In deciding who gets a political party’s ticket for one position or the other, much emphasis are usually placed on the political correctness of the aspirant’s ethnic nationality, religion or the part of the country where the aspirant in question hails from; rather than competence. Besides, money plays a significant role in Nigerian politics; individuals with deep pockets are invariably the ones that call the shots, particularly when it comes to determining who gets the party’s tickets for elective positions and manning of important positions. Umeagbalasi said one of the major problems militating against the growth and efficiency of the political parties in Nigeria is lack of ideology and credibility. He added: “One of their two main stocks in trade is to capture political office at all cost. Another is their mercantile attitude towards politics; whereby they see politics not as a call to serve, but as business enterprise or an avenue for primitive accumulation of wealth. Squabble and infighting are much expected in both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the centre and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2015 poll and the most problematic issue remains the race for the office of the president.”

•Former President Olusegun Obasanjo receiving the baton from his predecessor, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

•The late President Umaru Yar ‘Adua being sworn-in on May 29, 2007. With him was his deputy, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

•President Jonathan during his swearing ceremony.

Concerning the issue of godfatherism in politics, President Barack Obama of the United States hit the nail on the head when he visited Ghana in 2009, and was quoted as saying that “Africa doesn’t need strong men, it needs strong institutions.” This means independent courts, legislatures, and electoral commissions. It means a free press, the rule of law, and the mushrooming of civil society organisations whose mandate is to advance the interests of the masses. It also means respecting opposition parties’ ability to hold peaceful public protests and openly criticise those in power and voting for candidates based on their political agenda and what benefits they hope to bring to the people, rather than what part of the country they come from. Nigeria’s democracy has been marred by a record of allegations of mass rigging and all manner of electoral misconduct. There are usually accusations of ballot boxes being stuffed in beer parlours, police stations or homes of local politicians. When he came to power in May 2007, President Yar Adua acknowledged that there were indeed problems with Nigeria’s electoral process. He promised to embark on a reform; and with that he launched a committee under the chairmanship of former chief justice,

Mohammed Uwais. The Uwais committed toured Nigeria and came up with a number of recommendations that stakeholders believe would clean up the country’s electoral process. But the Yar’ Adua-led administration took out some clauses in the Uwais report. For instance, the committee recommended that the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be appointed by the judiciary, rather than by the President. But this recommendation was one of those rejected by the administration. Political analysts like Dr. Junaid Mohammed noted that it was precisely those clauses that were “most needed if any positive change was to be brought” that were expunged. In spite of the foregoing, Nigerians have not given up on democracy. This is probably a testimony of the people’s resilience, having suffered indescribable torment of past military governments to the point of preferring anything else but military dictatorships. Nevertheless, some states have made significant strides in the last 15 years, particularly in the area of provision of physical infrastructure. But essentially the story of the past 15 years is one frustrating and herculean effort of trying to build a great edifice on a badly constructed foundation.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

MONEYLINK

CBN laments skills gap of Compliance Officers

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is worried over poor qualification of Compliance Officers in some banks and discount houses. In a circular to banks released yesterday and endorsed by K.O. Balogun for Director, Banking Supervision, the apex bank said information availabl to it revealed that the qualifications of Chief Compliance Officers of some banks and Discount Houses, are below the grade of General Manager, required by the CBN. Equally worrisome, the apex bank said, is the fact that most of them do not report directly to the Board of Directors, stating that “this is a flagrant disregard to the extant laws and regulations on the subject.” Balogun said the CBN circular ref BSD/2/2002 dated 8th August, 2002

CIBN chief harps on capacity building for workforce

and FPR/DIR/GEN/001/022, dated 18th July 2013, directed that banks and discount houses should designate Chief Compliance Officers, not below the grade of a General Manager to, among other things, apply the provisions of the relevant Acts and circulars on money laundering at various levels of their institutions. According to the circular, Section 9(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011(as amended) also requires them to designate, at management level, Chief Compliance Officers in their Head Offices and branches, who have the relevant competence, authority and independence to implement their institutions AML/CFT Compliance Programme. It said that section 7(2) of Central Bank of Nigeria (AML/CFT in

•Acting CBN Governor, Dr Sarah Alade

Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria) Regulations, 2013, stipulates that the Chief Compliance Officer shall be appointed at management level and shall report directly to the Board on all matters under the Regulations. The regulator therefore directed that no Chief Compliance Officer in any institution should be rated below the grade of General Manager without the CBN prior approval.

Wema Bank assures shareholders on performance

EMA Bank yesterday assured shareholders that the lender would sustain its performance in the last financial year which saw operating income rising by 68 per cent and a return to full profitability. Speaking at the bank’s Annual General Meeting held yesterday in Lagos, its chairman, Adeyinka Asekun, said the lender has turned the corner, and is now on the path of profitability. “We recorded significant growth in our customer deposit base and lending to productive sectors of the economy. The capital raise of 2013 has also ensured the bank now has a stronger capi-

tal base, robust capital adequacy ratio and sound technology,” he said. Asekun said the Board of Directors and management of the bank, also commenced the execution of a medium-term growth plan project, LEAP, to transform the lender from a small and niche player to one of the most dynamic and efficient retail banks in the country. “We have set ourselves a target of rapidly growing our core business, and increasing the deployment of alternative banking channels, as well as leveraging on our speed and efficiency to serve cus-

Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

Emerging Markets Payments sponsors African Banker awards

tomers’ businesses promptly and quickly,” he said. The Managing Director, Segun Oloketuyi, said the lender has emerged as a bank to reckon with, especially within the retail and small and medium enterprises business segments, and would continue to differentiate itself in the industry by the quality of its service, product offerings and best-in-class alternative channels. Shareholders also applauded the bank’s financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2013, which saw operating income up by 68 per cent and a return to full profitability by the bank.

NIDF

OBB Rate

DATA BANK WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m

Price Loss 2754.67

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

Date 28-04-2012 “

GAINERS AS AT 28-5-14

SYMBOL O/PRICE FCMB 3.97 NEM 0.79 ASHAKACEM 20.40 LEARNAFRCA 1.67 NEIMETH 0.98 CUSTODYINS 3.08 AIICO 0.82 FIDSON 2.80 AFRIPRUD 3.24 UACN 63.00 DANGSUGAR 9.50

C/PRICE 4.18 0.83 21.40 1.75 1.02 3.20 0.85 2.90 3.35 65.00 9.80

CHANGE 0.21 0.83 1.00 0.08 0.04 0.12 0.03 0.10 0.11 2.00 0.30

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR 212.4997 NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) 149.7450 (S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

LOSERS AS AT 28-5-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

TRANSEXPR RTBRISCOE CONTINSURE PRESTIGE VITAFOAM AIRSERVICE ABCTRANS AGLEVENT INTBREW WAPIC

2.31 1.09 1.09 0.55 4.12 2.05 0.83 1.38 26.00 0.79

C/PRICE 2.20 1.04 1.04 0.53 4.01 2.00 0.81 1.35 25.61 0.78

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96%

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

Date 2-5-14 2-3-14 1-29-14

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGET FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIGFUND INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND KAKAWA GUARANTEED INCOME FUND

Offer Price Bid Price 155.90 156.93 9.17 9.08 1.06 1.05 1.17 1.17 0.72 0.71 1.39 1.33 1,646.05 1,634.24 1,646.05 1,643.24 1,081.88 1,081.39 116.74 115.95 1,087.30 1,087.00 1.67 1.62 1.05 1.03

LEGACY FUND NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND STANBIC IBTC ETHICAL FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

CHANGE -0.11 -0.05 -0.05 -0.02 -0.11 -0.05 -0.02 -0.03 -0.39 -0.01

ting edge innovations and vision for advancing the payment card industry at the annual event which took place in Kigali, Rwanda. “Supporting the development of the payments industry is one of EMP’s key objectives and we work closely with our partners in order to do so,” said Paul Edwards, Chairman of EMP. “Sponsoring an event such as the African Banker Awards provides us with a great opportunity to continue to support the industry through a platform that recognizes the talent, determination and innovation that is moving the industry forward.”

MERGING Markets Payments (EMP), the leading electronic payments processing company in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), recently participated as a sponsor at the African Banker Awards. The EMP has been sponsoring the regional awards ceremony for several years, with this time being the first as the Platinum sponsor. During the event, EMP Chairman, Paul Edwards had the honor of presenting the award for African Bank of the Year to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. In addition, EMP showcased its cut-

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

job performance and productivity are vital in stimulating Nigeria’s growth. They described human capital as the fulcrum for enhancing any nation’s productivity. The Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ben Akabueze, said the importance of productivity to economic growth and development cannot be overemphasised in the public and private sectors, adding that steady growth in productivity guarantees better economic growth. “The need for improved productivity in an organisation has become a universally accepted phenomenon that depends on efficient and effective manpower development. “The need for organisations to take staff development programme for their employees seriously has become an undisputable imperative. “Absence of such staff development programmes often manifests tripartite problems of incompetence, inefficiency and ineffectiveness,” he added.

HE Registrar, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Uju Ogubunka, has stressed the need for capacity building for employees of companies, saying such would impact positively on job performance and productivity. Speaking during a Performance Intelligence conference organised by Profiles International, in Lagos, he said such act is also vital in stimulating Nigeria’s economic growth. He described human capital as the fulcrum for enhancing any nation’s productivity. He noted that the effectiveness and success of an organisation basically depends on the people who form and work within the organisation. “For any organisation to succeed, training and re-training of its staff should be vigorously pursued and made compulsory. The training programmes should focus on what manpower the organisation has and on the skills that are lacking,” he said. Experts have stressed that improved

Stories by Collins Nweze

Movement

143.11

142.62

0.78 1,944.64 12.72 1.07

0.76 1,936.31 12.40 1.05

1.2655 1.3132 0.9270 1.1597

1.2543 1.3132 0.9098 1.1597

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 28-05-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 28-05-14

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

EQUITIES wins Skye Bank assures shareholders, pays Caverton contract N4b dividend O S KYE Bank Plc would continue to add value and grow investors’ return as it continues implementation of growth plans aimed at making it the most efficient customer-centric bank. Speaking at the annual general meeting of the bank in Lagos, chairman, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Olatunde Ayeni, said the board and management of the bank would not misplace the confidence reposed in them by the shareholders. According to him, the bank would continue to add value and make shareholders’ investments in the bank worthwhile. The meeting approved the distribution of N3.96 billion as gross dividend to shareholders, representing a dividend per share of 30 kobo. Ayeni said the dividend payout was in tandem with bank’s commitment of delivering value to the

shareholder in appreciation of their support at all times. “In 2014, the board assures shareholders that all efforts would continue toward implementing the bank’s plans in the medium term and well into the future. The quest to provide the most efficient customer service, as espoused in the service charter, remains unchanged,” Ayeni said. In his remarks, managing director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, told shareholders that the bank’s capital raising exercise had started to gather momentum and is expected to continue in 2014 to enhance the sustained growth of the bank.

He expressed optimism about the bank’s appreciable growth in the current year as the bank continued with the implementation of its strategy while increasing its customer base and market share. Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of the bank for the year ended December 31, 2013 made available yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that net profit rose from N12.64 billion in 2012 to N16.02 billion in 2013. The board of directors of the bank has recommended distribution of N3.97 billion to shareholders, representing a dividend per share of 30 kobo. Earnings per share had risen to N1.21 in 2013 as against N1.01 in 2012. At the bank’s opening market consideration today at the NSE, this

Mobil Oil optimistic on future returns

OBIL Oil Nigeria Plc would continue to seek to deliver superior shareholders’ returns and long-term value as it invests in additional capacity to provide larger scale for increased sales and profitability. Chairman and managing director, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, gave this assurance yesterday at the annual general meeting of the company in Lagos. According to him, while the business environment in the downstream sector will remain challenging, the company would continue to focus on growing sales of nonregulated products and its property business to complement the regulated product segment. He outlined that the company is

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

represents an impressive yield of 8.3 per cent. The report showed a profit before tax of N17.136 billion in 2013, a modest increase on N16.510 billion recorded in 2012. Other highlights of the result include growth in total assets from N1.073 trillion to N1.116 trillion, while deposit liabilities also increased from N966 billion to N996 billion. Gross earnings stood at N127.3billion in 2013 compared with N127.73 billion in 2012. The bank’s total equity grew during the review period from 106.8 billion in 2012 to N120 billion in 2013, indicating the bank’s financial stability. Loans and receivables also rose to N549.8 billion from N540.3 billion. As a measure of its growing good loan portfolio, the bank’s net interest income shot up to N61.69 billion from N44.5 billion in 2012, an increase of 38 per cent.

currently constructing a new gasoline tank which will increase storage capacity and provide greater flexibility for its operations. “Additional investments are planned to upgrade our loading rack and tank farm for improved operating safety and efficiency. The retail chain has also benefited from selective investments consistent with the returns earned on regulated products. These investments will help MON to remain competitive in the market place,” Oyebanji said. He added that the company would continue to add capacity in the lube oil blending plant by building additional storage tanks for bulk activities noting that it has already started automation and upgrade of a filling line.

He said the company’s property business is becoming stronger and has the potential to add substantial income to the company in the period ahead. According to him, the first phase of the Mobil House capacity enhancement project has been completed while it has also made significant progress in the Mobil Court refurbishment, which is expected to be completed this year. Oyebanji said the 20 per cent increase in dividend for the 2013 business year from N5 to N6 demonstrated the company’s commitment to shareholders’ interest. He however called on the government to review the fixed margins on regulated products to allow the downstream petroleum marketers to have a fair return on their invest-

ments. He noted that the regulated margins on gasoline sales are barely sufficient to cover operating costs while delays in reimbursing subsidies on fuel imports continue to be a concern. Audited report and accounts of the company for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed that turnover dropped by three per cent from N80.8 billion in 2012 to N78.74 billion in 2013. Profit before tax rose by 26 per cent from N4.08 billion to N5.12 billion. Profit after tax also rose by 21 per cent from N2.88 billion to N3.48 billion. Earnings per share stood at N9.65 in 2013, 13 per cent above N8.56 in 2012. Total assets rose by 21 per cent from N33.56 billion to N40.73 billion.

ket potential. Oduoza, who was represented by the bank’s director of consumer banking, Mr. Ilesanmi Owoeye, listed several factors driving the growth of Nigeria’s retail industry. According to him, the growth factors for the retail sector include the ongoing reforms in key sectors of the Nigerian economy aimed at bridging infrastructural gap, reducing unemployment levels, improving literacy level and improving access to funding by SMEs, which will significantly impact the level of disposable income and effective demand in the near future, affording the sector unprecedented growth opportunity. He also identified increasing technology penetration in Nigeria as another factor driving the growth of the retail sector as this is giving

retailers access to valuable market information about purchasing trends as well as segment preferences, making it increasingly easy to adapt sales and marketing approaches and improve consumer experiences. Another factor is the increasing penetration of the informal sector by retailers. “Without doubt, the continuous rise in mobile technology will be pivotal to the next stage of the retail market development, fuelling its integration with the global retail trade economy and significantly increasing its ease of doing business. This prospect is already becoming evident in the rising trend of online retailers are increasingly gaining traction and matching the emerging sophistication of Nigerian consumers’ changing demand and payment patterns.” Oduoza said.

UBA calls for better funding of retailers

ANKS need to adopt more collaborative financing mechanisms to enable retailers develop their capacities, expand operations and adopt innovative practice production standards to reduce operating cost and optimize value. Group managing director, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, who spoke at the 2014 retail leaders’ conference in Lagos, advocated for innovative partnerships among retail financial service providers will increase focus on the funding of retail-based infrastructure development and product distribution projects. According to him, in an environment of collaborative partnerships, banks will partner retailers in promoting the acceptance and mobility of innovative payment platforms. Cheaper mobile-based

point-of-sales will replace the expensive terminals currently in use, and mobile-to-mobile funds transfer will be added to the bouquet of payment platforms. “UBA recognizes the growth potential of the Nigerian economy and the retail sector in particular, so we have and will continue to intensify our support for the sector through provision of innovative payment, cash management solutions and appropriate funding options along the entire value chain,” Oduoza said. He noted that the banking sector is collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to deploy an industry-wide biometric system which will significantly improve consumers’ access to both secured and unsecured financing, thereby increasing the retail mar-

N the heels of its recent listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Caverton has won a two-year contract extension with Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and is expecting a brand new AW139 helicopter which will be devoted to its longterm contract with Shell Petroleum Development Company. It would be recalled that Cavertonhad won a three year contract with Total in 2011 for the operation of four helicopters into Total’s offshore fields. That contract would have come to an end this year but Total has exercised the option to extend the contract by two years, which puts Caverton in contract with the oil company till 2016. “We are pleased to continue rendering offshore and onshore oil field logistics to Total. This contract extension demonstrates Caverton’s service reliability and our commitment to provide safe and efficient services to our clientele. We are confident that this will positively impact our revenue over the next few years,” chief executive officer, Caaverton, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola said. In a related development, Caverton is expecting a new AW139 helicopter from AgustaWestland, the AngloItalian manufacturer of commercial and military aircraft. The new helicopter will be dedicated to the Shell Petroleum Development Company contract which Caverton won in 2010 through a competitive bidding process. The expected aircraft will ramp up the number of AW139 in Caverton’s fleet to seven and is part of Caverton’searlier stated plans to embark on fleet expansion. At the moment, Caverton has the largest fleet of AgustaWestland aircraft in subSaharan Africa and was two years ago designated a regional service centre for AW139s by the aircraft manufacturer. It will be recalled that the Shell contract, valued at $648 million, is on record as the biggest ever awarded to an indigenous company by the oil giant. The Shell contract opened the floodgate for Caverton, with more contracts pouring in from other oil majors such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, Total and Addax Petroleum. In 2013, the company commenced its first international operation after it won the contract to provide passenger transfer and pipeline surveillance services to the Cameroon Oil Transport Company (COTCO), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil.

SEC suspends Shalom Investment over fraud

ECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday suspended a stockbroking firm, Shalom Investment and Financial Services Limited, over sundry fraudulent practices and failure to take remedial measures to redress the complaints. In a circular circulated to other stockbrokers and operators yesterday, SEC stated that it has suspended Shalom Investment and all its sponsored individuals from all capital market activities with effect from May 20, 2014. According to the circular, the suspension was as a result of Shalom Investment’s refusal and failure to comply with the Commission’s directive to completely purchase some shares that had been paid for since 2008. The stockbroking firm also failed to resolve other complaints against it while it was also unable to pay the penalty imposed on the firm by the Commission.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 29, 2014

NEWS

EKITI 2014

HE need to avoid violence in the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State took the centre-stage at a sensitisation workshop held for political parties yesterday in Ado-Ekiti. The one-day “Sensitisation Workshop for Political Parties, Gubernatorial Candidates and Stakeholders in Ekiti 2014 Governorship Election,” convened by, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, was chaired by Gen. David Jemibewon. Speakers and other participants attempted to locate the root cause of violence in Nigerian elections. Things came to a head when the governorship candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ayodele Fayose, accused security agencies, especially the police of not doing enough

From Sam Egburonu (Associate Editor) and Suleiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

to curb violence ahead the June 21 governorship election. “Armed robbers cannot operate indefinitely without the support of security agencies,” he said, adding: “There is little the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can do if security fails. We are under siege in Ekiti here. We suspect this election is about to be rigged. We suspect the police may be abetting violence...” Responding, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Felix Uyanna, said: “It is not the police that cause electoral violence. It is the political leaders, especially the major political actors in the state. It’s unfortunate that some of them are accusing the police.” Uyanna accused the All Pro-

•Parties vow to eschew hostility ,

Fayose, police chief trade words over violence It is not the police that cause electoral violence. It is the political leaders, especially the major political actors in the state. It’s unfortunate that some of them are accusing the police

gressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) of being responsible for political violence in the state. He spoke of the preparations made to ensure a violence-free election, warning that security agencies know the trouble-makers in Ekiti. “We have their dossier and are ready to ensure a successful election,” he said. The workshop, which was at-

tended by the executives and candidates of the 18 political parties contesting the governorship election, representatives of civil society organisations, the media and members of the diplomatic corps, in a communique, resolved among others, that: •Political parties, politicians and all stakeholders should strive to promote free and fair election; that political parties should enlighten their supporters on the

need to shun electoral malpractices and destruction of lives and properties; and •The use of violent language and physical intimidation must be avoided and discouraged by all political parties and their supporters and that a level-playing ground must be provided for all contesting political parties. Former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Dr. Eddie Iroh gave the keynote address; Executive Director, Centre for Peace-building and Socio-Economic Resources Development Kunle Fagbemi, who was the guest speaker, spoke on ‘Democratic Sustenance for Development through Peaceful Partisan Politics.’ In his welcome address, Obi said the political atmosphere in

Ekiti monarchs to meet Jonathan, INEC, others

•Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi (right) addressing a cross-section of pensioners after an interactive session with them at their secretariat in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday.

Security plan for June 21 poll unveiled

O fewer than 25 sniffer dogs and horses would be deployed to provide security during the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State. The Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police in charge of Operations, Mr. Mike Zuokoumor, announced this yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at an interactive session with police officers to assess the Command’s preparedness for the poll. The police chief said 200 counter-terrorism specialists and 200 crime prevention officers would be deployed during the election. Zuokoumor said he would lead the police team that would provide security during the poll. The DIG said some Assistant Inspectors-General and

Commissioners of Police would also be deployed. Zuokoumor, who did not give the number of policemen that would be deployed, said the state would be “heavily policed before, during and after the election.” He said enough personnel and equipment would be deployed by the police to prevent electoral malpractice and other criminal offences. “We shall be in Ekiti in full force to ensure security of lives and property. I can assure Nigerians and indeed Ekiti people that this election will come and go without a hitch. I stand firm on this. “Therefore, anybody trying to constitute evil or any form of disturbance is advised to steer clear before it is too late,” he said.

PDP, Ekiti differ over non-remittance of workers’ cooperative deductions

he camp of the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government yesterday differed over an allegation that the administration is pilfering co-operative societies’ funds deducted from workers’ salaries. Fayose urged “all government workers to reject the Kayode Fayemi-led government” at next month’s election, owing to the issue. He promised to pay deductions made from workers’ salaries into their cooperative societies as when due, if elected.

Ekiti “is already passionate, emotional and highly charged.” He warned that “we should therefore eschew all wanton acts that could spite the situation and escalate political insecurity, acrimony and rancour.” Gen. Jemibewon warned that “the June 2014 Ekiti governorship election must conform to the United Nations (UN) resolution that recognises the responsibility of the government for ensuring free and fair elections, free of intimidation, coercion and tampering with votes.” One of the diplomats in attendance, the Consul-General of the United States of America in Nigeria, Jeffrey Hawkins, said the world is watching the forthcoming election just like the world will also watch Nigeria in 2015. Hawkins advised Nigerians to do all within their power to ensure that the rules of the game are obeyed.

Fayose, who spoke through the director-general of his campaign organisation, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, alleged that over N2 billion meant for the cooperative societies had not been remitted. He also claimed that the fund was being used for APC campaign for the June 21 election. But reacting, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dipo Kolawole, explained that monthly deductions from workers’ salaries regarding cooperative dealings were “essentially a private affair of the workers”. Kolawole said it was not

possible not to remit deducted sums from the salaries of workers “because whatever is removed from the workers salaries this month, is what will be used to offset requests of some other cooperative participants the following month”. The deductions of workers’ salaries, he added, is being handled by the established official accounts departents. “Government has nothing to benefit. It is like a social responsibility on the part of government. “If Fayose now claims government would deduct that and pocket it, I don’t see how

•Fayose

that is possible and why such a move would be made at all. It continues to baffle me why a governorship candidate would revel in such puerile lies to win unmerited favours”, Kolawole said.

RADITIONAL rulers in Ekiti State have resolved to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and top security officials to curtail violence by some political actors ahead next month’s governorship election. The Council of Traditional Rulers, during its 165th meeting held on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, expressed worry over the increasing violent attacks. The idea of meeting the president during his campaign visit to the state had earlier generated controversy between the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP alleged that Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration told the monarchs not to receive the president since he was coming for political campaign. This was, however, denied by the government. At their meeting, the traditional rulers also agreed to invite the REC, Alhaji Halilu Pai, on the yet-to-be collected voters’ cards and security operatives on plans to curb the violence. The monarchs on Tuesday, invited Fayemi for an interface on the state of security. They then decided that it was pertinent to meet the president since Fayemi is also a candidate in the election. According to them, any step taken by the governor might be interpreted as partisan. At the council meeting presided over by its Chairman, Oba Adamo Babalola, the monarchs reportedly expressed concern that the parties are not keeping their promises not to resort to violence during campaigns as agreed at a parley held with all the candidates early this month. Oba Babalola, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, Obanla of Ijesa Isu, Oba Oso Adeniyi and Alara of Aramoko, Oba Olu Adeyemi, decried the violence caused by some parties’ members. Oba Adejugbe expressed worry that if pre-election violence could characterise the Ekiti poll, which is expected to be a model for the 2015 general elections, there was need to inform the President, so that the trend could be addressed. The traditional ruler said if necessary, the monarchs would meet the president and let him know that “Ekiti State need peace before, during and after the election.” “Secondly, we need to meet with the security operatives in the state so that we can let them know that we are worried and concerned, and for them to get prepared for the June 21 election. “And thirdly, it is necessary for us to meet INEC officials because we are told that some voters cards are still there and some people are anxious to collect their cards”, the monarch said. Earlier, the Ewi and the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Idowu Faboro, expressed concern at INEC’s failure to produce voter’s cards for some members of their households despite registering at the same time with those who have collected theirs. Oba Faboro said if the development was not addressed in time, it might hinder many people in the same category from exercising their civic rights during the election. Fayemi, in his remarks during his meeting with the monarchs, thanked them for their support in ensuring that peace reign in their communities. The governor added that they still need to intensify efforts at curbing violence which is beginning to characterise politics in the state. He urged the traditional rulers to talk to politicians in their domains to shun politics of bitterness and acrimony, adding that if the 2011 general elections could be done peacefully, why then would campaigns for June 21 poll be full of violence.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

NEWS Be vigilant, Atiku tells Nigerians From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

ORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar urged Ni-

gerians yesterday to protect the country's democracy. He said the current civilian government was won after years of struggle against military rule. In a message by his media office in Abuja on today's Democracy Day, the former vice-president advised Nigerians to emulate the examples of statesmen and women like the late Moshood Abiola, Bola Ige, Kudirat Abiola and Gani Fawehinmi, whose lives were fully committed to the nation's democracy. Atiku noted that the end of military rule brought a new era of regular elections as well as the return of civil liberties, free press and an end to arbitrary arrests and torture, regretting however, that the country was gradually deviating from that path. "The responsibility for our country's democracy lies with each and every one of us. We must participate actively in the process of governance, and ensure that the constitution and the rule of law are upheld at all times," the statement added. He described as pitiful a situation where the government and the Armed Forces debate critical issues bordering on national security in public. "Relations between civil-military authorities should be managed with care and maturity to safeguard our democracy. Some of the issues being discussed in public are not matters for the market square", Atiku said. The former vice-president urged Nigerians to contribute their quota to national security, by reporting suspicious activities to the police.

Dickson seeks Chibok girls’ freedom From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has condemned the abduction of over 200 pupils of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram insurgents. The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, demanded immediate and unconditional release of the innocent schoolgirls by their abductors. Dickson spoke on Tuesday evening at the Government House in Yenagoa, the state capital, at a low-key Children’s Day celebration with some select children. The governor had cancelled the traditional march past and children’s party to reflect the mood of the people against the backdrop of the insecurity in the land. But he said some children would be hosted at the Governor’s Lodge in the evening to give them a sense of belonging. Dickson told the children that the low-key celebration was because of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. The governor regretted that some people were playing politics with terrorism, adding that such politicians were behind the abduction. He said: “As a result of a few developments in our country, I would also like to use this opportunity to call to order those evil people in our midst who want to use the children of this country. Whoever they may be and wherever they are; who want to use the children of the world to play politics.”

Chibok girls: Protesters clash in Abuja

ROTESTERS on the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls of the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, clashed yesterday at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. The #Release Our Girls group, organised by a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA), was alleged to have been paid to disrupt the original group with the global campaign slogan, #BringBack Our Girls, led by former Education Minister, Dr Oby Ezekwesili. Members of the NGO allegedly attacked the members of the Ezekwesili group, breaking their chairs and seizing cameras. The CISA group converged at the fountain in their hundreds, displayed foodstuffs, such as yams, tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, among others. Its members chanted war songs, running around with sticks, tree branches. They rang bells and blew whistles to disrupt the peaceful members of the Ezekweili group. An eyewitness said members

From Grace Obike and Faith Yahaya, Abuja

of the CISA group began converging at the Unity Fountain last Tuesday. The place had been the meeting point of the Ezekwesili's group for over 28 days. The CISA group allegedly forced the Ezekwesili’s group out of its usual spot on Tuesday and returned in their hundreds yesterday, chanting war songs and attacking members of the original group. Our reporters noted that policemen and other security operatives at the venue watched the drama without helping the group being attacked or astop the attackers. The women in the Ezekwesili’s group decried the attack but did not attempt to retaliate. They said it was a game of courage and conviction for them, adding that they would not be deterred from continuing their campaign. Ezekwesili said: "I took this kind of nonsense during the military rule; I was beaten by the police in Lagos. So, this one

is not new. I cannot allow anyone in a democractic era to intimidate me into cowardice. "I feel sorry for our fellow women who are being used. I feel sad and pained. And this shows that there is a lot to do as regards citizen enlightenment." Reporting the incident to a police chief in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dodo Hussaini, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), the Ezekwesili group said: "The Commissioner of Police, after letting loose and inspiring the hooligans, decided to send you to come and curtail the situation. "They brought hooligans, pouncing on women. They took seats and banged the heads of women in Nigeria, in a democracy. After that had happened, you said your police commissioner told you to come here. Tell your CP that I have a message for him: Nigeria will not always be like this. People have to be careful about what they do with the citizens of this country. "We sent a letter today and it was acknowledged. We told you that we could see clearly

that there was a rising trend of aggression towards us; yet, you deployed the police to guard the rented crowd.” A member of the #BringBackOurGirls protest, Hadiza Usman said: "I still spoke to the CP on the telephone at noon, that this was happening. I said I was submitting a letter at 1pm and that we were being attacked. I said there was confrontation. We submitted same to the office of the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP). "The police stood and watched it happen. Then you come and say you are guarding us. That’s a lie is a lie. It is a lie, no matter how long it travels. It is not going to become truth. A lie remains a lie. "While this was happening, I called the CP again, to notify him that we were being attacked. The letter was received in the IGP's office and the CP’s office...” Hussaini said: "I can see it! I don't need to go there; i can see. I will pass the message to the CP; there’s no problem. I will deliver the letter to him... Idid not know that the letter was sent earlier.”

all odds. The Deputy Sepaker regretted the spate of killings and violence in parts of the country. He advised Nigerians, irrespective of tribal, religious or political party affiliations, to build a formidable coalition against insurgency and ensure peace in the country. According to him, there can never be development without peace and security. Ihedioha pledged the commitment of the federal legislature to redouble its efforts towards ensuring security in the country in

order to improve the lives and living conditions of Nigerians through purposeful law-making and other legislative activities.

Tambuwal, Ihedioha call for peaceful coexistence

OUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, have said peaceful coexistence and faith in the ideals of nationhood are necessary ingredients for deepening democracy in the country. In a message to Nigerians on today’s Democracy Day, Tambuwal, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, noted that despite various challenges confronting the nation, democracy remained the only option available to Nigerians to weather the storm and build a prosperous nation. According to the Speaker, sincerity of purpose, peaceful coexistence and rapid socio-economic development of all sectors are critical elements in deepening democracy and rule of of law. He urged all leaders to work collectively to reduce poverty and promote the quality of life of all Nigerians. Tambuwal explained that democracy does not thrive on an empty stomach.

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

According to him, Nigerians have shown great faith in democracy and its institutions. The Speaker said no challenge should be allowed to dampen their enthusiasm and desire for progress. Ihedioha, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Oke Epia, called for peace among Nigerians. He urged the people to remain faithful to the ideals of nationalism and nation-building against

•Tambuwa

Abia cancels Democracy Day for Chibok girls

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji directed yesterday that activities scheduled for today’s celebration of Democracy Day be cancelled. The governor said the residents should stay at home and pray to God for the safe rescue of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted over a month ago by Boko Haram insurgents in Chibok, Borno State. A statement yesterday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ajunwa, quoted Orji as saying there is nothing to celebrate because the over 200 girls who are students of government girls secondary school were yet to be released. The statement reads: “...Chief Orji has cancelled all activities lined up for the celebration of the 2014

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Democracy Day in sympathy with the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State abducted by Boko Haram. “The governor directs that all citizens and others resident in Abia should devote May 29 to prayers and fasting for the safe release of the Chibok schoolgirls. “The governor says the present mood of the nation calls for a sober reflection to enable Nigerians find solutions to the many problems facing the country.” Orji advised the residents to pray for the safe release of the kidnapped girls, adding that the situation required sober reflection.

•Students protesting alledged government’s refusal to meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), which led to protracted strikes in the affected institutions, in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

Mark: Nigerians want ‘welfarist’ govt From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

ENATE President David Mark has said Nigerians look forward to having a government that will look after their welfare. He said freedom of speech is the greatest benefit of democracy in the last 15 years. Also yesterday, the Senate unanimously adopted a resolution to pay “tribute to all those patriots who are pillars of our collective democratic journey, and the Armed Forces, which have steadfastly subordinated themselves to civil authority, in the past 15 years”. Mark spoke yesterday in Abuja during debate on a motion, titled: Felicitation to Nigeria’s 15th Democracy Anniversary. The motion was sponsored by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba and 107 other senators. Mark noted that Nigerians were looking forward to an allinclusive participatory government. He said: “What we have gained most in the current dispensation in the last 15 years is the freedom for us to speak freely. Today, we can discuss our problems and, if we can identify and discuss the problems, half of the problems is solved. “Sixteen, 17 years ago, there was no way in which anybody here, no matter who you were, would have got up to criticise the government. “One or two persons who did it had to run away for their dear lives. But today, all of us here can get up and criticise the government, say what our problems are. So, that to me is the greatest gain of the current democratic dispensation. He added: “All of you have spoken like genuine, patriotic statesmen and women. That is because the issues you have raised are very germane to our current democratic dispensation.”

IGP promises hitch-free celebrations From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

HE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has assured that effective security measures have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free Democracy Day celebrations today. A statement yesterday by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the IGP had directed police formations to be on the alert and ensure the security of Nigerians and the diplomatic community during the celebrations. Mba also said Mohammed directed zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Intelligence, Command Commissioners of Police and the Commissioners of Police in-charge of the various Police Special Squads, such as the Counter-Terrorism Unit, Police Mobile Force and the Special Protection Unit (SPU) to ensure effective and strategic deployment of police personnel. The IGP promised total commitment and focus of the police along with other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of the citizenry at all times. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and security-conscious.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

NEWS We are fighting Al-Qaeda, not Boko Haram, says CDS Continued from page 6

al security . He continued: “In those days when we had nationstate, every able bodied man was a soldier. Even when they started separating the military profession from other activities, the society supported them. “We have people here, all they do is to criticise the military. If you disparage the military and demoralise them, what next will you do. “Are you going to give guns to civilians? When you

know that to be a military takes some processes. If you continue to criticise, disparage and demoralise the military, what do you think will happen”. The National Coordinator of the SWNI, Mr. Emmanuel Osemeka, assured members of the armed forces of the group’s support, saying: “We are not worried about our capacity to prosecute this war, as we are all witnesses to the exploits of our military in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and many other African countries in the recent past.

“As a network of CSOs operating in Nigeria, we are queuing behind our troops and government because this war is our war. We are proud of our Armed Forces and we will continue to support your efforts irrespective of the reports of the media and unscrupulous individuals” Osemeka urged Nigerians not to see the war as President Goodluck Jonathan’s or that of the Federal Government alone, saying it’s a Nigerian war which every Nigerian must stand up to fight. Osemeka canvassed for a

sustained civil-military engagement in the ongoing war against terrorism and other security challenges through effective media outreach. This, he said, would go a long way in sensitising the public and the international community to the efforts being made by the security agencies in the war against terrorism. “This is the time to fight for a patriotic citizenry and we stand to partner with you in order to actualise this goal”, he submitted.

turing and visits to parents that it was discovered that four girls who were among those declared missing had reunited with their parents but the parents failed to inform the school authority.”The Commissioner was said to have been furious with the parents for keeping the government in the dark. “The four girls are believed to be among those that escaped to the bush and lost direction during the attack and abduction. “The Commissioner told the committee that with the discovery of the four girls, 219 girls are still missing. “He informed the committee that after the April 14, 2014 attack on the school, the government had made series of announcements calling on parents whose daughters might have run home following the attack to bring them

back so that the government could take record to ascertain the number of missing girls. “Many parents brought back their kids while others who escaped from captivity were also reunited with the school. “276 girls were initially said to have been attacked based on reports by the Borno State Police Commissioner and the Director of State Security Service. Out of this, 53 were found and 228 were missing. “However, with the four girls found, the number of those missing stands at 219 and those found stands at 57.” Also yesterday, the military denied that the Boko Haram sect had taken over some villages in Borno State and hoisted their flags there. Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General

Chris Olukolade, made the clarification. He said: “I have read the report also, but I can tell you that the military as security agency will not allow any strange flag to be hoisted in any part of the country. “It is our duty to defend the territorial integrity of this country, and we will not allow any portion of this country to hoist strange flag and be sure that such plan will not succeed.” The insurgents, according to a report, on Monday hoisted their flags in Ashigashiya ward and other hilly border villages. Gen. Olukolade also debunked rumours that there is division among the military. He said: “There is no such gap as it is being alleged,troops on ground or in the air are very responsive.”

Continued from page 6

ing residents. “I cannot imagine how I escaped the attacks It was God that saved my life; otherwise I would have been shot dead in my burnt house. Two of my neighbours were shot while

fleeing their houses. Others fell to the ground with sustained injuries,” Pirda Takweshe, a resident of Amuda, who escaped to Pulka said yesterday.

Boko Haram frees four girls

Continued from page 6

and abduction.He said with the development, 219 girls were still being held hostage by Boko Haram. The official said Commissioner for Education Musa Inuwa Kubo had officially informed the Presidential Fact-Finding Committee of this development, adding: “Four of the 223 schoolgirls missing following an attack and abduction by Boko Haram at the Government Secondary School in Chibok have reunited with their parents.”Borno’s Commissioner for Education, Musa Inuwa Kubo informed the Presidential Fact-finding committee on Chibok attack, when he made a presentation last Friday in Maiduguri. “Kubo who appeared before the committee on Friday at its sitting in Maiduguri, said the four girls were discovered after Governor Kashim Shettima directed the ministry of education to open data pages for families of all the girls which should include names and pictures of the girls, class, age etc as well as the pictures of their parents. “It was during the data cap-

APC lawmakers ask NJC to dismiss judge Continued from page 6

Justice Ademola, in his judgment on March 31, in a suit filed by the PDP declared that the defected legislators were not competent to sponsor, contribute or vote on any motion calling for a change

in the House leadership. According to the Judge, there was no division within the ranks of PDP which is the requirement of Section 68 (1) (g) of the constitution to warrant the lawmakers from defecting and continuing to hold on to their seats.

Why we met Obasanjo, by Sani Continued from page 6

logue option: It was generally agreed that the initiative cannot take off without the consent of the government”. Sani insisted on negotiation with the insurgents in the nation’s interest. He added: “It’s significant for Nigerians to note that negotiation is the only safer option to get the girls back home. The consequence of the use of force to rescue the

girls is clear. “The indecision whether to swap or to storm is also not helpful. Our children are our precious seeds for tomorrow’s harvest. We cannot celebrate democracy day with our children in chains. “The ongoing insurgency is now part of our history and the challenge before us is not to allow it to be our fate. With national solidarity and resilient spirit we shall overcome.”

Gunmen kill 51 in Borno villages

Eyewitnesses say the gunmen came through the 16-kilometre Kughum-Pulka border road at 2am, and stormed the two neigbouring villages, firing indiscriminately at flee-

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

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THE NATION THURSDAY MAY 29, 2014

NEWS

Dangote fetes Borno women, youths

RESIDENT of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote has disbursed N540 million to women and youths in Borno State. The disbursement, carried out under the Micro-Grant National Programme instituted by Dangote Foundation, was meant to empower women, widows and youths to meet family and livelihood needs. It will provide a grant to start up enterprises that will boost their economic and consumption activities and help reduce their vulnerability. Speaking at the ceremony in Maiduguri, Dangote said the Foundation in 2011 instituted a cash transfer intervention - the Dangote Micro-grants Programme- to provide cash transfers to select poor and vulnerable Nigerians. The disbursement is expected to be completed in 24 months.

Ahmed: no more abandoned projects in Kwara

WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed promised yesterday that “abandoned project syndrome” will disappear in the state. The governor promised not to leave any community unattended to by his administration’s projected development initiatives, noting however, that such efforts would be in phases. He called on indigenes leaving outside the state to come home and contribute to its development. The governor said his administration has provided the needed environment for investment to thrive, adding that there were many lucrative business opportunities in the state. Ahmed made the pledge at the

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

inauguration of the rehabilitated Ijara-Isin-Isanlu-Isin and OroIjomu-Oro roads in Isin and Irepodun local governments. He said most projects are being implemented through multiple financing windows, due to the current financial situation of the country. The governor described the promise as part of the commitment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the provision of infrastructure in the state. His words: “This government shall not rest on its oars in providing necessary infrastructures for its people. “ I assure all those communities whose road, education, health, and

other key required projects are yet to feature that these projects are being implemented in phases and funded through multiple financing windows. “No community, therefore, will be left out as we embark on the next phase of our state’s development. “Our choice of this road to kickstart the third year anniversary of our administration is not mere coincidence. “It is an expression of our love for the benefiting communities as well as Isin Local Government Area. “This commissioning also signifies our non-partisan approach to the distribution and location of critical infrastructure. “As a people focused-administration, we remain committed to even development across the state

by ensuring equity in the location of infrastructure. “As you are all aware, this road was awarded in 2010 during the administration of Senator Bukola Saraki. “In line with our commitment to projects of this nature and enhanced infrastructure development for the people, we ensured the completion of this project. “Anyone who opposes critically needed projects such as this road and others proposed for implementation across the state cannot be a friend of this community and indeed the people of Kwara State. “I assure you that we shall continue to emphasise road construction to promote the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of this state.”

Five killed in Rivers bank robbery From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

OBBERS yesterday killed four policemen and the Regional Manager of a new generation bank at the Igwuruta Roundabout in Port Harcourt , the Rivers State capital. The robbers escaped with the money in a bullion van. Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums laid ambush for the policemen and the bank manager and opened fire on the vehicle, killing all the occupants, when they came out of the bank. Policemen cordoned off the area, carrying out a stop and search. This led to heavy traffic. Police Commissioner Tunde Ogunsakin said: “Rivers State Police Command lost two of its men to a gang of robbers, who accosted a bank official, on his way to the airport. “The policemen were in mufti; they were not on official duty and were assisting the banker to move cash. We are on the trail of the robbers.”

Oyo APC hails return of chairmen From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE leadership and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the four local governments in Oyo zone have hailed Governor Abiola Ajimobi for returning the four transition committee chairmen of Afijio, Atiba, Oyo West and Oyo East local governments. This was contained in a statement by an APC chieftain in the zone, Pa Akin Ojebode. He described the return of the chairmen as a testimony of Ajimobi’s efforts at bringing the dividends of democracy to the people. “It is, indeed, our pleasure in Oyo that the caretaker chairmen were returned to continue the good work of this administration. We want to thank Governor Ajimobi, laud his wisdom and leadership style as well as the privilege given to the chairmen again to serve the state and their people. “Ajimobi has done a lot to improve the well-being of the indigenes through youth employment and empowerment, massive road construction and infrastructure development,” Pa Ojebode said. He appealed to the people to support the governor’s 2015 ambition.

CAN prays for peace, security By Tokunbo Ogunsami

HE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State chapter, yesterday prayed for peace and security in the country. Speaking after the prayer held at the Hoares Memorial Methodist Church in Sabo, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, the CAN Secretary, Archbishop George Amu, said: “We prayed because we believe in the efficacy of prayers. God has answered our prayers. Peace and security have been restored.” The Special Assistant to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Religion (Christian) and the chairman of the prayer organising committee, Dr. A.Y. Akitoye-Braimoh, said the prayer was also organised to secure the release of the Chibok girls. “We want our daughters to be released. Enough is enough. The elections are fast approaching. We want God to crush the Boko Haram insurgents so that free and fair elections will be conducted next year,” she added. The prayer was led by Rev. Oguntosin, Rev. S.T.V. Adegbite, Rev. Kehinde Babarinde, Apostle J.A. Akinnnusi, Prof. C.G. Awodipe, Primate Omoyele Adu, Apostle Mike Akinyoade and Deaconess Olaniran. Bishop Shola Ore delivered the homily.

Funeral

HE death has occurred of Mr. Stanley Anayo Umaoma. He died on April 30.

He was 60. He will be buried on May 30 in his village, Umukabia Okpuala in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.

•Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar inaugurating a road in Daki Takwas, Gumi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. With him are Governor Abdullazeez Yari and a contractor, Ziad Karam.

Ekweremadu: there’ll be elections in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe D EPUTY Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has said elections will hold in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, despite the emergency rule there. Ekweremadu spoke yesterday when a delegation of the European Union (EU) Observer Mission to Nigeria visited him in Abuja. He noted that even though certain human rights are curtailed during an emergency rule, it does not include the right to vote. His words: “On the specific issue of the state of emergency as you rightly pointed out, we ex-

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

tended it for six months, which will expire in November. “We are hoping that the issue of Boko Haram would have been curtailed by then so there may not be any need for further state of emergency after November. “So it may not be actually necessary. But just to say that assuming elections come today and there is a state of emergency, we will still hold elections in those places.

“We have had local government elections in the Northeast before now, despite the state of emergency. “So state of emergency in itself is not going to affect any election because essentially, what state of emergency is all about is that in dealing with an unusual situation you need to curtail certain human rights, like the right to go to somebody’s house and search him, the right to arrest somebody without warrant and to detain him beyond 24 hours. It is not going to affect

2015: Ikorodu leaders want APC, PDP MINENT persons in governorship tickets Ikorodu Division of Lagos State have appealed to

leading political parties in the state to zone their governorship tickets in 2015. The move, they said, is to correct alleged political marginalization of the area in the politics of the State.

By Dare Odufowokan

At the stakeholders’ summit of a group named Eminent Persons of Ikorodu Division (EPID) held at the palace of te Ayangbunren of Ikorodu, Oba

Ex-Osun speaker accuses Adeleke of violence

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

ORMER Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Adejare Bello has accused former Governor Isiaka Adeleke of using hoodlums to terrorise Ede people. Speaking with reporters yesterday in Osogbo, Bello, in the company of Police Affairs Minister Jelili Adesiyan, said: “For 24 years, the people of Ede followed Adeleke as a united town, but he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) without our support. Ede has a political history and it was a personal decision for Adeleke to move, based on a promise of a senatorial ticket by the APC. “Ede Descendants Union, Muslims and Christians did not follow Adeleke to APC. A few days ago, Adeleke gave out motorcycles and money to some hoodlums and these are the people going about terrorising Ede people. I urge security agencies to check this ugly trend. It is not compulsory that Ede people should move with him.”

Salaudeen Oyefusi last weekend, leaders of thoughts in the division said in the interest of justice and fairness, Ikorodu should be encouraged by other divisions in the state to produce the next governor of the state. The leaders also said they would request for intents from interested persons in the governorship race of Lagos State in 2015 from all political parties and urge the leading parties in the state to give priorities to aspirants of Ikorodu extraction in choosing their flag-bearers. The group, in a communiques signed by its chairman, Chief B. O Benson and Secretary, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, respectively, the group said the effort is directed towards ensuring that all leading political parties in the state present indigenes of Ikorodu division as governorship candidates during the 2015 election.

people’s right to vote anyway.” On the issue of electronic voting and electoral violence, the Deputy Senate President said the Electoral Act was being amended to enable the introduction of electronic voting. He said funds have been provided in the budget to recruit more policemen to boost manpower.

Sam Amuka loses mum

HE death is announced of Madam Teshoma AmukaPemu, mother of Vanguard publisher, Mr. Sam Amuka. Madam Teshoma died in Lagos last week at the grand old age of 109 years. She’s survived by four children, Sam, Godfrey, Israel Amuka; and Chuko Aminaghan. Funeral arrangement will be announced.

•The late Madam Amuka

•The late Umaoma

Ex-FRCN boss killed in Kogi From James Azania, Lokoja UNMEN killed yesterday a former Director of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Isa Edime and a vigilance group leader, Mohammed Wada in Ojikpada Egume, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. Commissioner of Police Sa’idu Madawaki said the killers, who struck at 9pm, dragged Edime to the road and shot him. Madawaki said the former FRCN boss last year reported a threat to his life; he promised to re-open the case file. His words: “Edime reported a threat to his life last year. I came to know about it yesterday. “They took him from the village and took him to the road and shot him. “A former chairman of a vigilance group was killed by the same people, who came in a Toyota Sienna.” The police paraded three suspects, Shehu Babazuma, who was allegedly caught with two shot guns, Haruna Oseni and Usman Ibrahim. Babazuwa, however, insisted he was innocent, claiming he was a herdsman from Zamfara State. The Nigeria Union of Journalists condemned the killing. Its Chairman, Ali Atabor, said human lives have no value in Nigeria.

Council boss to sink boreholes

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Transition Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government, Mr. Ladi Oluokun, has said that he would dig 24 boreholes in the 12 wards. He spoke yesterday at the council secretariat in Ibadan when addressing reporters on his agenda for the local government. Oluokun said two boreholes would be sunk in each ward to support Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s efforts to ensure every part of the state enjoyed potable water. He said he decided to sink the boreholes to reduce water scarcity in his local government.

THE NATION THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS

Obama outlines U.S. foreign policy •”Restraint, collective action” with allies abroad

RESIDENT Barack Obama has promised a new US foreign policy based on “collective action” with allies abroad. The US would still lead, he told graduates at the US Military Academy at West Point, New York, but would avoid the “costly mistakes” of the past. He announced a $5bn (£3bn) fund to fight global terror and promised the US “must not create more enemies than we take off the battlefield”. Under attack for a weak foreign policy, he hailed progress in Ukraine and Iran. “Sceptics often downplay the effectiveness of multilateral action. For them, working through international institutions, or respecting international law, is a sign of weakness. I think they’re wrong.” The end of the combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of the year would free up resources to tackle emerging threats elsewhere, such as a new $5bn (£3bn) “terrorism partnership fund” to help other countries fight extremists. The money would go towards missions such as training security forces in Yemen, supporting a multinational force to keep the peace in Somalia, working with European allies to train a functioning security force in Libya, and helping French operations in Mali, he said.

Turning to the civil war in Syria, he promised to “ramp up support” for those in opposition to the regime of President Assad, although he did not give details about what that would mean in practice. The cash will try to tackle Islamist threats in parts of Africa His speech attempted to recast US foreign policy as one which would use military force when necessary but primarily acts on a platform of international consensus. “We must broaden our tools to include diplomacy and development; sanctions and isolation; appeals to international law and - if just, necessary, and effective - multilateral military action. “We must do so because collective action in these circumstances is more likely to succeed, more likely to be sustained, and less likely to lead to costly mistakes.” In the wide-ranging address to West Point graduates Mr Obama touched on a range of foreign policy issues, such as: • “a strategy that involves invading every country that harbours terrorist networks is naïve and unsustainable” • small-scale capture and drone operations by the US military would continued to be used, but with increased transparency • US leadership had helped bring Iran to negotiate on nuclear issues and isolated

•President Obama

world opinion against Russia in the Ukrainian crisis • praise for the United Nations and Nato, which he said was “the strongest alliance the world has ever known” • “American influence is always stronger when we lead by example”, he said, while criticising domestic politicians for denying climate change and refusing to sign a UN maritime treaty • a continued push to close the US military prison at Guantanamo • US should focus on development and education as “no American security operation can eradicate the threat posed by an extremist group like Boko Haram” The address marks the start of a series of speeches from the president about foreign policy over the next 10 days, in an attempt to respond to critics who say current US foreign policy is weak. On a trip to Europe, he will give a speech about US commitment to Europe in Warsaw, meet with the G7 leaders in Brussels, and honour US veterans in Normandy at the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Maya Angelou: U.S. author, poet and activist dies at 86

OET, author and activist Maya Angelou has died at the age of 86. One of America’s leading literary voices, she made her name with the 1969 memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which dealt with the racism and family trauma of Angelou’s upbringing . It was the first of seven volumes of autobiography that traced her life from a childhood of abuse and oppression in the Deep South in the 1930s. Her family said: “She lived a life as a teacher, activist, artist and human being. She was a warrior for equality, tolerance and peace.” In a statement on Facebook, they said she passed away quietly at home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at 08:00 EST (12:00 GMT). “Her family is extremely grateful that her ascension was not belaboured by a loss of acuity or comprehension,” they said. “The family is extremely appreciative of the

•Barack Obama gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011

time we had with her and we know that she is looking down upon us with love.” A statement from Wake Forest University, where Angelou had been professor of American studies since 1982, said: “Dr Angelou was a national treasure whose life and teachings inspired millions around the world.” Harry Potter author JK Rowling tweeted one of Angelou’s quotes in tribute: “‘If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.’ Maya Angelou - who was utterly amazing.” Civil rights campaigner Reverend Jesse Jackson wrote: “The renaissance woman has made a peaceful transition. She acted, sang, danced & taught She used poetry as a road for peace.” Raised by her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, Angelou wrote about being raped by her mother’s boyfriend at the age of eight. After she told her family what had happened, the boyfriend was killed. “I thought my voice had killed him, so it was better not to speak - so I simply stopped speaking,” she said. She remained mute for five years, but read voraciously. Angelou later became a singer, a dancer, cocktail waitress, prostitute and an actress before beginning her writing career. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which dealt with the racism and family trauma of her upbringing, spent two years on the US best-seller list. Her career had many outlets, straddling television, theatre, film, children’s books and music.

Chechen leader denies sending troops to Ukraine

S the fighting becomes more ferocious in eastern Ukraine, Chechnya’s Moscow-backed leader, Akhmad Kadyrov did little yesterday to dispel suspicions that he had sent in some of his famously ruthless troops to help the pro-Russia insurgents. Scores of rebel fighters have been killed this week around the major eastern city of Donetsk, and Ukrainian border guards have reported at least one gun battle as they blocked groups of armed men trying to cross into Ukraine from Russia.

Ukraine and the West have accused Moscow of fomenting the unrest, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied sending any troops or intelligence agents to help the insurgents. Fighters who looked like Caucasus natives have been seen among the pro-Russia rebels who have seized government buildings, declared independence from Ukraine and are fighting government forces in the east. Kadyrov’s forces, known for their warrior spirit and deadly efficiency, helped Russia win a

quick victory in a 2008 war with neighboring Georgia. The 37-year-old leader has vowed unswerving fealty to Putin and has hailed his policy in Ukraine. If Kadyrov has sent fighters in to Ukraine, he most likely has done so with at least the Kremlin’s tacit consent. Putin praised Kadyrov last week after he negotiated the release of two Russian journalists arrested by Ukrainian forces and accused of assisting the rebels. The Chechen leader has not said how he got the journalists freed, but has directed threats at Ukrainian authorities.

TODAY IN THE NATION

THURSDAY, MAY 29 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 9, NO. 2861

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

ODAY is Democracy Day. Really? May 29 was so decreed in 1999 to mark the day the military returned to the barracks, having exhausted their big bag of intrigues in a complex power game among their leading lights. To the military, Nigeria - the envy of many and hope of the black man - was a conquered territory. And it was so run. Attempts to call them to order were brutally suppressed. Many patriots were jailed. But those were the lucky ones. The unlucky ones, such as the Ogoni Nine, got killed after a trial that mocked the very essence of justice and despite a global outcry. Now, Nigerians have realised that democracy is not just the absence of military rule, just as “good health is not just the absence of diseases”. The weird one, the late songster Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, saw it all a long time ago when he, in a remarkable pun, described the system as demoncrazy and its practice as demonstration of craze. Many derided May 29 as a caricature of June 12, 1993, the day the late Basorun Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola won the presidential election that was hailed at home and abroad as Nigeria’s fairest and freest ever. That historic election was annulled by the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime for no sane reason. Abiola, frontline businessman, charismatic politician, exceptional philanthropist, newspaper baron and sport enthusiast of a rare kind, fought the battle of his life to get the election revalidated. He failed. In fact, he died in detention, fighting to reclaim his mandate. His wife, Kudirat, was shot on a Lagos street in broad daylight. She died. Chief Ernest Shonekan, an accomplished businessman, was cajoled into heading a hurriedly cobbled Interim National Government (ING), the one Yoruba broadcasters derided as Ijoba fidi he (a government that is perching on the seat as it is temporary). It all became a joke. As the government, hobbled and humbled by a debilitating credibility crisis, fumbled on, it became obvious that the joke would not last long. It all blew up in Shonekan’s face and the Egba chief had to return home. But the pantomime continued, with the late Gen. Sani Abacha seizing the reins after beguiling a naïve Abiola into believing that he would restore his mandate. He stood like a rock in the way of the sacred mandate that was freely given by 14 million Nigerians. It was not to last for long. Nature supervened in its mysterious ways to end the misery that was the country’s lot. Gen. Abacha died in strange circumstances, rumoured to have foamed from the mouth after jerking like a motor engine with adulterated fuel as he was being ministered to by some expatriate prostitutes flown in specially to quench his lasciviousness. Talk of bedlam in the bedroom. The dreaded General, obviously one of the world’s worst dictators and corrupt rulers who defiled the treasury with a bizarre rapacity,

RIPPLES ELECTRICITY TARRIF TO GO UP FROM JUNE –NERC

I bet, there’s no other name for this, other than EXPENSIVE BLACKOUT

But, let’s get it right. It is not that the Jonathan administration sowed the seed of discord. No. Neither is it the cause of all that troubles this beautiful country. No. The question is, has it done enough to stem a dangerous tide? What will it be remembered for? The middle class is struggling to return as the division between the rich and the poor keeps widening. The economy is all figures; no facts. We are regaled with data, empty data, to show that it is growing, yet the citizens do not feel good. Recently, a rebasing of the economy put Nigeria at the head of others in Africa, but many insist it is all voodoo. Textile manufacturing companies that used to provide thousands of jobs remain dead, their factories becoming entertainment centres. The cost of doing business keeps flying up, with energy expenditure bursting the books. Small scale businesses are dying, done in by a seemingly intractable power problem. The level of infrastructural decay is beyond belief, even by Nigeria’s strange standards. Hospitals – remember Gen. Abacha called them mere consulting clinics – are sick. Good doctors have fled a system that mocked their training and oath. After a long university teachers’ strike, polytechnic teachers launched theirs. For almost a year, students have remained at home. Education is in crises. Roads are bad, destroyed by years of neglect that is fuelled by corruption – an ailment that has brought many sectors to their knees. Pensioners are dying, their sweat stolen by evil officials who do not know when they have stolen more than enough in a desperate race to secure their own future. Add these to the wave of insecurity from which nobody is insulated. Suicide bombers are here, killing and maiming. Jungle justice is back as many lose confidence in the system. Armed robbers are getting more sophisticated. Boko Haram says it wants an Islamic enclave for itself. The pursuit of this mission, says the sect, is by jihad in which innocent people must be killed in their thousands. Mili-

tary barracks and police stations are attacked at will. The police felt eliminating the sect’s leader, Mohammed Yusuf, would solve the problem. How wrong. His elimination sparked the conflagration that is threatening to take away our humanity. Boko Haram has killed thousands. It has burnt down homes and businesses that represented many years of toiling and sweating. But the April 15 abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, has got the world rushing down here to launch a rescue mission. Over one month after, the girls are yet to be found and reunited with their families. Suicide bombers have had bountiful harvests. Nyanya. Jos. Kaduna. Maiduguri. And many others. Our leaders have elevated politics above governance. Their dream is to “capture” power, not as a means to an end – service that will bring happiness to the majority of our people – but as an end in itself for the selfish interest of the holder and his henchmen. Despite the disenchantment and the disillusionment, Nigerians display an amazing sense of humour. Sardonic humour. They laugh when they are supposed to cry, perhaps because they are tired of crying. Consider this that once appeared on this page: “A man died and went to hell. There he finds that there are different hells for each country. He decides to go round and choose the least painful to spend his eternity. “He goes to the German hell and asks, ‘what do they do here?’ He is told, “first they put you in an electric chair for an hour, then lay you on a bed of nails for another hour. Then the German devil comes in and whips you for the rest of the day.’ “The man does not like that at all. He moves on. He checks out the USA, UK, Russian hells and many more. He discovers that they are all similar to the German hell. “Then he comes to the Nigerian hell and finds a long queue of people waiting to get in. Amazed, he asks, ‘what do they do here?’ He is told, ‘First, they put you in an electric chair for an hour and then they lay you on a bed of nails for another hour. Then the Nigerian devil comes in and whips you for the rest of the day.’ ‘But that is exactly the same as all the other hells; why are there so many people waiting to get in?’ asks the man. A fellow calls him aside and says, ‘because there is never stable electricity so the electric chair doesn’t work. The nails were paid for but were never supplied by the contractor, so the bed is comfortable to sleep on. And the Nigerian devil used to be a civil servant, so he comes in, signs his time sheet and leaves for his personal business.” It pays to be a Nigerian. And despite all its ailments, democracy – never to be confused with May 29 - is it. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

•Editor of the Year (NMMA)

Reflections on May 29

was said to be fond of Indian women. Gen. Abubakar Abdulsalami stepped in to stabilise the ship of state. He conducted an election that produced Chief Olusegun Aremu Okikiolakan Obasanjo, who never saw Abiola as the hero of democracy. After running the show for eight years, he reluctantly yielded the seat to the late Umaru Yar’Adua (May 29, 2007 –May 6, 2010). When President Goodluck Jonathan stepped in, there was so much hope that all would be well. The goodwill was tremendous. Pentecostal giants were excited. So were all youths and members of the academic community. Now, the Jonathan presidency is struggling to set its hands on the plough, even as its tenure is fast running out. The age-long division among Nigerians has never been this pronounced since the civil war. Nigeria, in the view of many a student of history, is at the brink. To spiritualists, the cycle is rushing to a cataclysmic end. Political scientists are warning against a return to the days of the jackboot. I don’t see that happening. Nigerians will rise against that. My fear is anarchy, the type that will be forcing the world to ask: “Hey! Who’s in charge here?”

ABA, and Hardball of course refers to former President Olusegun Obasanjo (a.k.a. Obj), must think himself a preeminent African leader. Even as his country gets heated up to a boiling point and totters to a tipping (no thanks to his misrule), he gallivants across the globe pontificating on leadership and handing sermons on morality. He must be a man bereft of any compunctious visiting of nature, to play Shakespeare, and Hardball wagers that he must have long traded his conscience for something more precious to him. He alone, one dares say, must know that thing that is better than a man’s conscience. Baba’s latest irksome baccalaureate was in faraway Kigali, Rwanda, last Wednesday. It was during the Annual General Meeting of the African Development Bank (ADB) and he was in the company of Mr. Festus Moghae, former president of Mozambique and a laureate of the MO Ibrahim Award for Leadership in Africa. For a man who is at his best perhaps only when he is put under the spotlight on the world stage, Obj did not waste the moment; he did what he knows how to do best, talk the talk. Not perturbed that bombs were going off in his country almost daily and that his compatriot are being slaughtered in a manner beyond the scale of a full blown war, he went on

Baba’s baccalaureate

his usual ego trip. On Boko Haram insurgency, he blamed it on leaders’ inability to professionally manage their human and capital resources creditably and transparently. Speaking on “Service Delivery and African Leadership Progress Tracking,” he said Nigeria in particular and African countries generally have no business being poor, yet the continent has remained let down due to corrupt tendencies of its leaders. On Nigeria specifically, he said the leaders often abandon their predecessors’ policies for new ones just to line themselves with wads of currencies through new contract plans. It is a shame that Obj still gets accorded so much respect and afforded global stage to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians. In a continent better endowed with quality leaders, this Baba would have been ostracised and left to convoke only with his chickens in his Ota farm. But because Africa cannot find respectable former African leaders to mount

her rostrum, it is often condemned to live with Obasanjo. But even he must know that each time he speaks about leadership, good governance and development, he sounds hollow and un-resounding. For the avoidance of doubt, Obasanjo ruled Nigeria for 11 years and for most part, he was un-exemplary. He was undisciplined, authoritarian, incorrigible, non-accountable and non-transparent. He disdained democratic ethos, had no respect for rule of law and failed to fight corruption. Under his watch for most of eight years as a civilian president, Nigeria was among the top-three most corrupt countries in the world. Nigerians ranked among the poorest people in the world during his time in spite of huge oil revenue and infrastructure went into further dereliction, especially critical ones like power and transportation. He added no value to critical national assets like abundant oil and gas and human resources. In fact, his time was a wholesale debacle that set the stage for the current crisis in the country. Particularly remarkable was the fact that he foisted on the country as successors, perhaps the worst leaders in her history just for his selfish motives. Let Baba teach leadership to his chickens.

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:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO