The Nation NOvember 03, 2011

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News Ondo police parade 10 suspected hardened criminals P8 Sport Ex-defence ace Keshi gets Super Eagles coaching job P63 Business Minister approves 50% pay rise for PHCN workers P10 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 1933 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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Teenagers arrested over Aso Villa bomb hoax SSS: pupils sent panic text messages From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

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WO secondary school pupils were arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) over purported plans by Islamic sect Boko Haram to attack the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly in Abuja, it was learnt yesterday.

They attend a secondary school in Kagara, Niger State. The SSS did not reveal the name of the school.

SSS spokesperson Marilyn Ogar said in a statement in Abuja that the suspects - 18 and 17 years - were picked up following investigations.

They have been handed over to their school authorities and parents for proper counselling.

The Boko Haram (western education is a sin) group is behind bombings in the North, especially the Northeast.

The group extended its operation to Abuja where it has struck twice.

It claimed responsibility for the suicide attacks on the police headquarters and the Unite Nations (UN) House in Abuja. In both incidents, lives were lost and properly damaged.

According to Ms Ogar, the circulation of text messages about plans by the Boko Haram to attack specific targets in Abuja, have become rampant, causing apprehension and panic among residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs.

“One of such messages alleged purported plans by Boko Haram to attack the Presidential Villa and National Assembly on the 28th October, 2011.

“However, following painstaking investiContinued on page 4

TIVE: An army of applicants waiting for screening at the June 12 Cultural Centre at Kuto, in Abeokuta, by Ogun •THE OGUN JOBS INITIA INITIATIVE State Civil Service Commission ... yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Sylva optimistic as PDP weighs options

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AYELSA State Governor Timipre Sylva’s camp was in upbeat mood last night – in anticipation of today’s release of the full list of eligible aspirants for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket.

Sylva’s name along with those

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

of former presidential adviser Timi Alaibe and ex-Silverbird president Ben Murray-Bruce were missing from the list of aspirants in the “first batch” released by the national secretariat of the PDP.

Those cleared are Orufa Justine Boloubo, Henry Seriake Dickson, Enai Christopher Fullpower and Kalango Michael Youppele.

Since the announcement of the “first batch”, there has been anxiety over the reported disqualification of Sylva, who insisted that

he is still in the race.

Some PDP governors reportedly met with President Goodluck Jonathan to persuade him to allow Sylva participate in the primary billed for November Continued on page 4

•POLITICS P17 •SPORT P24 •EDUCATION P25 •NATURAL HEALTH P43

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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NEWS SERAP sues PPPRA, Adoke over records on fuel subsidy

By Joseph Jibueze

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CIVIL society group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged a Federal High Court, Ikeja, to compel the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to furnish it with up-todate information on how much the government has spent on fuel subsidy this year.

It sought an order of mandamus directing the defendants to provide it with information on the basis and expectations on which the calculation of N250 billion as fuel ‘subsidy’ was made.

SERAP wants detailed information and justifications for the increase in the budget allocation for fuel ‘subsidy’ from N250 billion for 2011 to over N900 billion by August without supplementary appropriation authorising the expenditure.

Others joined as defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Muhammed Adoke (SAN), and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deziani Alison-Madueke.

The suit followed a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated October 19, 2011, and made by SERAP’s Solicitor, Mr Femi Falana.

PPPRA allegedly failed to provide the information.

The group also demanded detailed information about the full list of importers of petroleum products in Nigeria. It urged the court to declare as unlawful the alleged fact that PPPRA abdicated its statutory responsibility by the allowing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to operate without any control.

It sought a declaration that the spending of over N900 billion on fuel ‘subsidy’ by the end of August 2011 without extra-budgetary allocation while only N250 billion was budgeted for the whole of 2011 amounts to a breach of the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability and cannot be justified under any circumstances whatsoever.

N3.3 b fraud: Okereke-Onyike absence stalls trial

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HE absence of a former Director-General of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, on Tuesday stalled further hearing in the alleged N3.3 billion theft preferred against her before a Lagos High Court.

Okereke-Onyuike is standing trial before Justice Christopher Balogun, on charges of alleged stealing of N3.3 billion belonging to NSE. Also joined in the suit are Lance Elakama and Uzoma Onyekuru, both officials of the exchange and some companies allegedly owned by the accused persons.

The Companies are: Creative Financial Services Ltd, Mining System Ltd, OPDC Properties Ltd, OAK Business, Finance Company Ltd., and Kingdom Securities.

At the resumed hearing, prosecuting counsel, M r Moshood Olateju, informed the court of a letter written by the defence counsel over his inability to attend the proceeding.

“We have served them with all the court processes and we have also served them with our reply to their preliminary objection.

“Just yesterday (Monday) at about 3.30 p.m., we received a letter from the defence counsel, Mr Robert Clark (SAN), that he had an emergency and the case be adjourned to November 30,’’ Olateju said.

Balogunadjourned the case till Nov. 30.

Malaria: A disease Nigeria The United Nations has earmarked 2015 as the year to end death from malaria. Three years to this deadline, it is estimated that over 300,000 Nigerians, mostly children, die yearly from malaria. Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu is seeking $270 million to eradicate the disease, report OLUKOREDE YISHAU and NDUKA CHIEJINA

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ACH day, the waiting halls at the General Hospitals in Gbagada, Ikeja, Oke-Odo, Lagos Island and other government-owned hospitals in the country swell by early morning. The bulk of patients waiting to see doctors, especially children, are suffering from malaria and could die in 24 hours without prompt attention and effective treatment.

Health workers in these hospitals are sometimes forced to work overtime. Doctors and nurses can be on duty for over 12 hours a day, attending to close to 200 patients and unable to give them their best.

Still, women and children have to wait for hours before receiving treatment.

A paediatrician at a Specialist Hospital in Bauchi said: “Sixty per cent of the deaths in this hospital, especially children’s, are caused by malaria.” Of 525 deaths resulting from at the Specialist Hospital this year, the doctor said about 65 were children under five.

The Director, Improving Malaria Diagnostics, a United States Agency for International Developmentsupported organisation, Luis Benavente, said for the world to overcome malaria, it has to defeat it in Nigeria because its citizens are the largest exporters of malaria in the world.

“Nigeria is the biggest exporter of malaria in the world and it can only be reduced if it is controlled in Nigeria,” Benavent said.

He said studies had shown that Nigerians were very entreprising and travel a lot to other countries to transact businesses. Unknowingly, they spead malaria parasites wherever they go. He said for the world to control malaria, it must first be eradicated in Nigeria.

The malaria burden in the country is huge. The statistics: All over the world, seven countries are most

QUICK TAKES •Parasites transmitted through infected mosquito bites cause malaria •Nigeria accounts for 25 per cent of global malaria cases •Malaria often causes death without prompt and effective treatment •Malaria causes avoidable spending in households •85 per cent of malaria deaths occur in children under five years of age •It causes anaemia and other complications in the mother and newborn child •People Living With HIV/AIDS have a higher risk of recurrent malaria •Malaria can be reduced through use of insecticide-treated nets affected by malaria. Nigeria is one of them. Together, these countries account for two-thirds of all malaria cases and between 85 and 90 per cent of deaths caused by the disease. Nigeria alone accounts for 25 per cent of global malaria cases.

Figures supplied by the Carter Centre Malaria Control Programme show that over 300,000 Nigerians—mostly children—die from malaria attack each year.

Malaria is said to be responsible for about 66 per cent of all clinic visits in the country and 30 percent of hospital admissions. It also accounts for 25 per cent of deaths in children under one year old; and 11 per cent of maternal deaths —a heavy burden on Nigeria’s families, communities, health system, and workforce.

The malaria burden has come to be accepted as more than just a health challenge. World Bank’s Africa Region Vice-President Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili said: “Malaria is not just a health burden; it is a tax on the productivity and potential of a nation. Unhealthy, lessproductive populations are less able to generate the growth needed to lift themselves out of poverty. So, we need to keep our chil-

dren healthy so they can learn in school and become highly productive members of society. We need to keep adults healthy so they can work, provide for their families, and contribute to Africa’s economic growth.”

The National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) puts the financial loss to malaria annually at N132 billion. Said the agency: “The financial loss due to malaria annually is estimated to be about N132 billion ($906 million) in (the) form of treatment costs, prevention, loss of man-hours, etc.This chips away at Nigeria’s prospects for development.”

Through the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, Nigerians have been encouraged to sleep on insecticidetreated beds, improve diagnosis, get highly effective anti-malarial drugs and spray interior walls of houses with long-lasting insecticides. Pregnant women are encouraged to get two doses of an antimalarial to prevent them from getting malaria.

The United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has supported the Roll Back Malaria project by supplying safe, effective and affordable anti-malaria inter-

ventions. UNICEF also supports the provision of intermittent preventive treatment (ITP) for pregnant women through antenatal clinics.

ITP can prevent a child from contracting malaria before birth. It involves providing pregnant women with at least two doses of an anti-malarial drug at each scheduled antenatal visit after the first trimester.

For the Director-General of Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Prof Innocent Ujah, the issue of proper diagnosis has been a major challenge to rolling back malaria. He said Nigerian physicians have continued to rely on clinical diagnoses, whsose accuracy remains poor. He said: “Prompt parasitological confirmation by microscopy or where not available by rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) is recommended in all patients suspected to have malaria, before treatment.”

Ujah listed the benefits of parasitological diagnosis as: reduction in malaria mortality, improving clinical management of non-malarial illnesses for parasite negative patients, among others, to reduce the mortality related to overlooked

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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NEWS Nigeria placed 156 on UN quality of life index

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•From left: A female Anopheles mosquito whose bites cause malaria via its parasites transmitted from person to person; Chukwu, who is seeking $270 million to fight malaria; and a group of Nigerians campaigning against the malaria scourge to mark a World No Malaria Day.

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needs $270 million to eradicate illnesses and drug pressure. These, he said, are the key to the development of anti-malarial drug resistance.

Consultant Parasitologist, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Wellington Oyibo said some clinical examinations improperly diagnose every type of fever as malaria.

He added that when most people are feverish, they automatically think it is malaria and treat it as such.

Dr Oyibo warned that the intake of malaria medication for every type of illness would make the body drug-resistant and, therefore, make the illness very difficult to treat.

He stressed the need for microscopic diagnosis, which would assess the parasite and confirm if it was malaria or not.

Dr Oyibo urged governments to fund the training of microscopists and provide adequate microscopes in hospital laboratories to help in proper diagnosis of malaria.

The incidence of fake anti-malaria drugs also affects the war against the disease. Two days ago, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) seized fake drugs worth over N2.5 million in Ogbete Main Market, Enugu. The Acting Head, Southeast zone, Mr. Udekpo Ekpo, said NAFDAC swooped on the market following a tip-off that there were fake and substandard anti-malaria drugs in the market.

He said: “This exercise was actually necessitated by reports that there are some fake brands of antimalaria drugs in the market. Some of them are in the market without NAFDAC registration number.”

He added that the fake anti-malaria drugs seized were Lonat DS and Lofnac 100mg.

The Federal Government is not folding its arms. At the moment, Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has come up with a comprehensive package to curb the malaria burden. He has evolved what he said is capable of helping to eradicate malaria in the next few years. A document obtained exclusively by The Nation, which the

minister presented at a gathering of the Economic Management Implementation Team (EMIT) earlier this month, indicate that “a $270 million concessionary loan would be required for the execution of the programme.”

If secured, the Health Minister said the loan would be repaid in 15 years, with a two year moratorium, fixed interest rate of two per cent and a guarantee by the Ministry of Finance.

The goal, he said, is to reduce by 50 per cent malaria related morbidity and mortality in Nigeria by 2013 and minimise the socio-economic impact of the disease.

Chukwu said “the integrated malaria test, treatment and eradication programme would bring all the current malaria control strategies under a single project, and that the project would lead to total eradication.”

The minister said the country needed to execute the programme to end a situation whereby “about N88 billion or 12 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was being spent annually on the treatment of malaria related ailments” as well as “the high malaria burden and the devastating impact on the economy.”

The minister also said as part of the programme large scale Larvaciding will be carried out in the country. Larvaciding is the control or killing of the larvae of insects, especially mosquitos.

Chukwu told the meeting that “a technical evaluation of companies providing Larvaciding services was conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health and three companies, namely Ablantis Health Care Ltd (AHCL), Labiofam and Harvestfield industries were selected to provide the services.”

AHCL, he said, would cover 25 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, while the other two companies would cover the remaining 11 states.

The programme is expected to be funded from the Debt Relief Fund (Office of the SSA to the President on MDGs) and the Ministry of Health line budget as an “allout assault on the pandemic, great-

ly reducing it by at least 75 per cent in the next two years through an aggressive test, cure and eradication programme that would be the biggest in sub-Sahara Africa.”

The programme would include the provision of 53 million tests and cure packs, 750 million mosquito Larvicide (methoprenebased) and the test and cure packs to be made available in 25 states, plus FCT and every local government area.

The breakdown of the cost implication of the Integrated Malaria Solution the minister detailed would include: the 53 million Test and Cure packs and 750 million mosquito Larvicide Briquettes, that would cost $3.06 or N451.50 per pack of test and cure; and $22.72 or N3,450.50 per box of Larvicide briquette containing 250 units per box, which have been estimated to cost a total of $234,435,212.00 while other expenses, including training, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and logistics were estimated to cost $35, 564,788. “This gives a total fund requirement of $270,000,000,” the Health Minister told his colleagues at the EMIT. The minister was, however, asked to clarify the issue of sustainability, the adverse effects of the programme, the economic effect of malaria, the implications of the proposed borrowing on the 2012 budget, the institutional arrangement for procuring the loan and the terms of borrowing.

Chukwu was questioned on the use of Larvicide, which members said was controversial and the fact that there might be resistance from donor agencies to support the use of the chemical.

The members of the EMIT also suggested that the government explore grant financing, instead of concessionary borrowing. The minister was asked for clarification on why the programme was proposed for only 25 states, including FCT, instead of 36 states. It was suggested that the ministry should have a pilot test in the FCT before it could be extended to the states.

The controversy over the planned use of Larvicide was pushed further at the meeting when

the minister was asked “to ascertain how long the Larvicide has been in use, the degree of safety to both Nigerians and the environment, the need for a risk analysis before the implementation of the programme, in order to mitigate future disruptions to the programme.”

Chukwu also noted that “inadequate funding would not permit covering of all the states at the same time and that some states, such as Lagos, Jigawa and Rivers have done the pilot test.”

He insisted that “the programme would fail if it waits for states’ contributions; though the neighbouring states were planning to undertake similar exercises, however for sustainability of the programme, border states would be visited after four years; that Rivers State had started the programme, and the Federal Ministry of Health wanted to leverage on that.”

The minister said: “The economic impact analysis might not have been carried out but studies had shown that if malaria is reduced by 10 per cent , it would translate to four per cent increase in GDP.” The chairman of the meeting and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister for Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was said to have supported the proposal for a pilot test in FCT and the suggestion that states should contribute to the programme.

She told members of the team “that Nigeria could get grant from development partners despite the fact that Larviciding was very controversial within the international communities, but beneficial to Africa.”

She demanded for the report to be re-presented to members during the next meeting for consideration.

Until then, it is not clear whether or not Chukwu will get the goahead for the $270 million to battle malaria. May be then, the country can join other countries, such as Algeria, Botswana, Eritrea, Namibia, Madagascar and South Africa, which have, in the last few years, cut malaria by at least 50 per cent.

IGERIA is placed 156 out of 187 countries in a new UN study, which ranks countries on their education, income and life expectancy.

The 2011 Human Development Index (HDI) released on Wednesday by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) put Norway, Australia and the Netherlands on the top three countries to live in.

Nigeria placed 142 out of 169 a year ago and was listed among “least human development’’ countries in terms of wealth and low educational ranking.

However, the 2011 HDI covered a record 187 countries and territories, up from 169 in 2010 and according to the authors the 2011 country rankings “are therefore not comparable’’ to last years figures.

The 2011 report entitled “Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All’’, put Nigeria’s life expectancy at 51.9, below that of Libya 74, Mauritus 73.4, Gabon 62.7 and South Africa, 52.8.

On education, the index on Nigeria shows that the average number of years of schooling received by people’s ages 25 and older is 5.0.

The report puts the highest possible years of schooling for a child in Nigeria at 8.9, if the prevailing patterns of age-specific enrolment rates persist throughout the child’s life.

With a Gross national income (GNI) per capita of 2,069 dollars, Nigeria lags behind countries like Equatorial Guinea (17,608 dollars), Botswana (13,049 dollars) and Gabon (12,249 dollars).

However, the report shows Nigeria to be among sub-Saharan Africa countries that recorded the highest average HDI improvement over the past decade of any region in the world.

The report shows that extreme poverty has declined in both Kenya and Nigeria, noting that these advances are attributable in part to improvements in water, sanitation, health and other living standards.

Court grants bail to 3 suspects charged with possession of human head

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N Osogbo Magistrates’ Court has granted bail to three persons arraigned for being in possession of a human head.

The accused, Moshood Babatunde, 33; Babatunde Adebayo, 38 and Wasiu Oladimeji, 40, were remanded in prison on October 28. The accused were arrested on Oct. 13 at Kelebe area in Osogbo with a human head.

They were subsequently arraigned on charges of conspiracy and unlawful possession of a human head.

Magistrate Olusola Aluko had on Oct. 28 asked the counsel to the accused, Mr Remi Ayoade, to bring a written application for their bail on the next adjournment date.

When the case resumed on Tuesday, Ayoade presented the written bail application, which the court granted.

The court granted each of the three accused persons bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

He said each of the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, their addresses verified by the court bailiff and must swear to an affidavit of means, provide three years tax clearance certificates and two passport photographs.

Aluko adjourned the case to November 14 for hearing.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

NEWS Continued from page 1

gations, the Service succeeded in tracing it to two persons who issued the threat text message with the aim of inciting a frenzy of fear and panic in the society. Both suspects are boarding pupils in a secondary school in Kagara, Niger State.

“The two suspects claimed they were encouraged to send such panic messages by an advertorial they saw in a national news daily of 18th

Teenagers held over hoax October, 2011 that requested members of the public to volunteer information on the activities of Boko Haram.

“The service hereby wishes to urge parents to pay more attention to the activities of their children and wards both at home and in school.

Particularly, the culture of providing GSM mobile phones to pupils should be discouraged, as giving

young people of that age access to such devices distracts them from their academics and impacts negatively on their overall performance as seen in the recently released WAEC and NECO examination results.

“It also exposes them to vices associated with social networking which are easily accessed through mobile phones,” she said.

Reps investigate CBN, AMCON over intervention funds

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•Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke (left) shaking hands with Senator Bukola Saraki, during the inaugural meeting of the steering committee of the states peer review mechanism in Abuja ... yesterday. With them is Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has come under the searchlight of the House of Representatives.

Also under watch is the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

The intervention of the two bodies in the sale and rescue of banks and the massive cash injection into ailing banks are under the focus of the lawmakers.

The decision is sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion brought before the House by Uzo Nkem-Abonta, titled: “Expenditure of public funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the As-

Fed Govt, states, local govts share N615b

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HE September allocation shunned by the states over deductions by the Federal Government from the Federation Account has been shared.

Yesterday’s sharing of N615.757 billion by the federal, states and the local governments, followed the meeting of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The meeting – which statutorily shares the monthly cash from the Federation Account – failed to hold twice last month.

Governors protested the withdrawal of N250 billion by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to fund oil subsidy without recourse to the states.

But, a Tuesday night meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and governors doused the tension. The President reportedly agreed to stop further deductions to subsidise petrol.

However, there may be more trouble ahead as the Federal Government has insisted that the NNPC will continue to subside kerosene.

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

Addressing reporters at the end of the FAAC meeting, Minister of State for Finance Alhaji Yerima Lawan Ngama gave the breakdown of the disbursements as N554.150 billion for statutory disbursements to the three tiers of government and N61.607 billion as Value Added Tax (VAT) proceeds shared by the federal, state and local governments.

According to him, the gross revenue of N924.691 billion received for September was far in excess of what was projected for the month, thus necessitating a transfer of N257 billion into the excess crude account for the third consecutive month. By this development, no augmentation was needed to meet the disbursement requirements for the month.

However, the N924.691 billion realised in September is lower than the N969.691 billion received in August. This decline is attributed to operational constraints that affected crude oil production and lifting.

Ngama said a force majeure was declared at Bonny Terminal. The payment of PPT 13th

month instalment made in August by Total E and P and Mobil also affected the income.

Under the net statutory allocation for September, the Federal Government got N260.187 billion or 52.68 per cent; states N131.970 billion or 26.72 per cent and local governments N101.744 billion or 20.60 per cent. The oil producing states got N60.249billion as 13 per cent derivation.

For Value Added Tax (VAT) disbursements, the Federal Government got N9.241 billion or 15 per cent; states N30.804 billion or 50 per cent and local governments N21.562 billion or 35 per cent.

Following yesterday’s disbursements, the minister said state and federal employees could get paid latest tomorrow as the cash will hit the states’ accounts today.

The reason for the increase in subsidy in the last three months the minister said, is because the NNPC recouped its back log of subsidy. Ngama pointed out that the recovery of the back log on kerosene subsidy was what was agreed between him and the NNPC to be put on hold while the recovery of Premium Motor Spirit

•Ngama

(PMS) would continue.

The minister of state for finance said it will be better if the NNPC could recoup its investments on subsidies, but that the organisation believes that it can survive by holding back on recovering subsidy on kerosene.

The minister also said the NNPC has started repaying the N450 billion it owes the Federation Account but would only repay the portion that will go to the states and local governments. The NNPC has made two months instalments that will also be in the accounts of the states and local governments today.

The NNPC is expected to repay the N450 billion debt in 32 monthly instalments.

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

set Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON without approval”.

Ikem-Abonta, presenting the motion, said: “The CBN, a wholly owned government agency, has continually granted public funds to various entities and sectors, such as private banks (N620 billion), private manufacturers (N500 billion), textile industries (N200 billion) and the aviation industry (N100 billion).”

He said the Power sector and Entertainment industry have also benefited from the largesse, “without approval of the appropriate authority as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)”.

To Nkem-Abonta, it is also worrisome that the CBN “contrary to its core functions and mandate has reportedly acquired several hectares of land in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for the purpose of investing in hospitality and property business.”

The lawmaker noted that “the CBN has reportedly paid N17 billion for a Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) property earlier sold for N1.8 billion.”

Nkem-Abonta said besides the N620 billion public funds injected by the CBN to rescue private banks in 2009 and 2011, “the CBN, AMCON and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) injected another N679 billion to recapitalise the same banks”.

He noted that AMCON announced “that it will inject another N821 billion to revive some ailing banks again; it has also pledged to inject up to N3 trillion without the requisite approval”.

John Enoh, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, speaking in support of the motion, said if the Medium Term Expenditure

Framework from the Ministry of Finance for 2012 is to be meaningful, the budgets of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) must accompany the 2012 Appropriation proposals.

Other members, such as Deputy Leader Leo Ogor, Deputy Minority Leader Ismaila Kawu, Samson Osagie, Bush Alebiosu, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Jerry Manwe, Ganiyu Olukolu and Bitrus Kaze, supported the motion.

The House said President Jonathan must include “the statutory budgets of the Central Bank and all independent revenue generating agencies of government in the 2012 Appropriation Proposal as required by the Fiscal Responsibilities Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

It mandated its Committee on Banking and Currency to “conduct an investigative hearing on the sources of the funds, expenditures, and interventions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Asset Management Corporation (AMCON) in the various areas and in performance of its statutory duties and determine whether or not they conform with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)”.

Members also mandated the Committee to examine all existing laws with respect to banking, such as the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

They are to recommend amendments where necessary to bring the laws in conformity with the Constitution.

Bayelsa: Sylva optimistic as PDP weighs options Continued from page 1

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A marathon meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was held yesterday at the party’s national secretariat over the fate of Sylva and other aspirants who are yet to be cleared.

Party leaders did not comment on the agenda of the meeting, but sources told our correspondent that owing to the intervention of some governors, the leadership might have been prevailed upon to reconsider the party’s position on Sylva. According to the sources, the NWC may announce a definite position

on the matter today.

One of the cleared aspirants, Henry Seriake Dickson, decried what he described as undue pressure being mounted on Jonathan by the governors to push Sylva through the eligibility hurdle.

He urged the governors not to stand in the way of the legitimate desire of the Bayelsa people to effect a change in the political leadership, stressing that it is legitimate for the people to prefer one candidate to the other.

Dickson said: “Let us leave the President out of local Bayelsa politics. A situation where certain people black-

mail or mount pressure on a man saddled with very serious responsibilities at the national level does not augur well for our polity.”

Specifically, he decried the actions of some PDP governors and some members of the National Assembly and Bayelsa State legislators who, he said abandoned their responsibilities to be mounting pressure on the President on behalf of a particular aspirant.

“It does not help anybody putting pressure or blackmailing people here and there. We call on them to justify the mandate they were

given almost five years ago.

We agree with the Bayelsa People that the present government in the state does not deserve a renewal of the people’s mandate” “My camp is not blackmailing anybody. Rather, we are busy engaging stakeholders to win their support by selling our ideas and determination to change the destiny of our people, people that have been made hopeless by a government that has no desire to secure the people. A government that is oppressive against the people.”

“We are going to meet them ideas for ideas, not violence

for violence. We shall meet them in all hamlets, in all the villages and towns in Bayelsa. This election is about the future of Bayelsa people.

It is a referendum on the performance or lack of performance of the incumbent government.”

He went on: “The truth is that everything good about Bayelsa has been lost and we want to restore the glory of the state, in line with the aspiration of the founding fathers. Bayelsa is the Jerusalem of the Ijaw nation but has been turned into a pariah state. I am running on my ideas but the governor cannot

run on his performance in five years.”

The aspirant also urged legislators of Bayelsa origin at the state and federal level, who have been rooting for a particular candidate, to wait till the primary election to vote for a candidate of their choice, since they are all eligible delegates for the primary election.

Describing himself as the candidate to beat in the race, Dickson called on all aspirants and their supporters to play by the rule, saying that the decision on who emerges the governorship flag bearer should be left entirely to the delegates.

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 2011

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NEWS Family of alleged Police’s killing seeks culprits’ prosecution

By Eric Ikhilae

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HE family of the late Emmanuel Victor, a young man allegedly killed extra judicially by some policemen in Yengoa, Bayelsa State, has called for the immediate prosecution of the culprits.

It is also seeking a N200 million compensation from the Nigeria Police for what the family called unwarranted killing.

The family’s requests are contained in a letter dated October 31, written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) by its lawyer, Femi Falana.

Emmanuel was said to have bee killed on October 16, this year by armed policemen attached to the B Operations Department, Police Headquarters, Yenogoa with Patrol Vans-Bravo Teams A and B, along Sani Abacha Expressway Yenogoa, Bayelsa State , while on his way home from the Church.

Part of the letter reads: “The only basis for which our clients’ son was killed by the trigger happy cops was simply because on being flagging down on the motorcycle he was riding by the Mobile Policemen, the deceased jocularly quipped: ‘ Oga, Police no dey go church on Sundays’.

“Angered by that very statement, the armed policemen descended heavily on our clients’ son. They beat him with the butt of their guns and eventually shot and killed him.

“Sadly enough, this highly condemnable act which has provoked public outrage took place in the presence of the mother of the deceased.

“In the light of the foregoing, it is crystal clear that our clients’ son was murdered in cold blood by the trigger happy killer cops without any lawful excuse or justification as the deceased’s statement as captured above could not have passed for provocation to warrant the dastardly act.”

The family threatened to resort to court action should the IGP fail to accede to its requests within the next 14 days.

Awotesu dies days to 80th birthday

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

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RONTLINE lawyer and Awoist, Chief Olu Awotesu, has passed on in the United kingdom after a brief illness. He was aged 80. In fact, the eminent politician was planning to celebrate his 80th birthday in his Isara, Ogun State country home on November 22.

A disciple of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he was a former leader of the Action Group (AG) Youth Association, before travelling to London for legal studies. In 1978, he became a member of the Constituent Assembly, which prepared the 1979 Constitution.

However, his election into the Assembly was a bone of contention between him and his leader, Awo. owing to political disagreement, he joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) as a founding member. In 1979, President Shehu Shagari appointed him as Minister of State for Agriculture.

Ahead of his birthday, he had granted an exclusive interview with The Nation, where he lamented the state of the nation. Awotesu called for restructuring of the country, saying that Nigeria has not lived up to the vision of the founding fathers. The politician said the country faced a perilous future, unless urgent steps are made to rekindle national unity and foster deep sense of belonging among the different ethnic nationalities.

‘He kicked me, I fell flat on the ground’ Officials of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) manhandled The Nation’s reporter Toluwani Eniola for taking photographs of a road overtaken by refuse overflowing from Oko Filling depot in Igando, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

A

ROUTINE assignment has turned awry for a reporter.

The Nation’s Toluwani Eniola was attacked by some Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) workers on Tuesday night for taking a photograph of a road blocked with refuse in Igando, on the outskirts of the city.

The attack was led by Mr Felix Chukwu, a geologist with LAWMA and his assistant, Mr Ismail Agoro, a senior executive officer with the waste agency. They are site managers of the Oko Filling refuse dump site in Igando.

After beating Eniola, they ripped off his clothes and snatched his camera and identification card.

A retired naval officer, Mr Ofe Michael, and some residents of the area, saved the reporter from more blows.

Chukwu and Agoro were detained at the Igando Police Station last night.

Eniola, recounting his ordeal, said : “I was at Igando to do a follow-up on a story about the refuse dump at the area, which has been a source of worry to the residents.

After interviewing community leaders and residents at Odubanjo Street, I decided to take some photographs of the road.

“After taking some photographs, I was heading back to the office when a man who identified himself as Mr Felix Chukwu, a geolo-

•Eniola

gist with LAWMA accosted me, demanding the reason why I took photographs. I brought out my Identification Card and I told him I work with The Nation. He said I had no right to take any photographs there because the place is a government facility and a restricted area. I wondered when a road leading to a community suddenly became a restricted area.

“He suddenly became aggressive and called one of his bosses, whom he addressed as comptroller on the

phone. He then said I should release my camera, threatening he would not let me go. He started struggling with me, and forcefully took my camera.

“He alerted other operators at the area and they came out from nowhere in droves. One of his assistant, whom I identified as Mr Ismail Agoro, Senior Executive Officer, LAWMA, who didn’t even know what happened got there.

He too forcefully seized my ID card. He grabbed me on the neck and kicked me , I fell flat on the ground. I was trying to speak but they coudnt let me as another man tore one of the straps of the backpack. Another man took my bag containing my laptop and hit me on the head. I fell again on the ground. I stood up trying to leave the area, another man I coudn’t identify gave me a hard slap on the face. My trouser was ripped off.

My shirts changed colour immediately as it became smeared with dirts on their hand.

“As I tried effortlessly to leave the area so as not to be lynched, the daughter of one of the community leaders I interviewed, by name Mr Ofe Michael, was passing by.I told her to please call her dad to rescue me. She was so scared of the mob that she ran back home.

“Mr Chukwu and Mr Agoro refused to give me my ID card and camera, despite pleadings from the

residents.

“I left there and went to the Igando Police Station to report the incident. A group of policemen followed me to the dump site and arrested Mr Chukwu Felix and Mr Ismail Agoro. I was not surprised when they blatantly lied that they didn’t touch me. I showed my bag, trousers and some blood stains on my hand to the acting Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the police post.I also told him I had evidences that I was beaten up as some of the people I interviewed witnessed the attack.

“The Acting DPO condemned them for unlawfully withholding my ID Card and camera. I was told to write statement. Mr Felix Chukwu and Mr Ismail Agoro were making frantic efforts to call their boss. Mr Agoro put a call through to one of his bosses and gave it to one of the policemen, obviously to make the police release them.

“As I was leaving the police station, Mr Agoro, who still remained impenitent, was jeering at me. I went home devastated.”

Head of Public Relations of the agency, Mrs Sade Kadiri, described the incident as unfortunate. Kadiri said it should not have happened.

She said: “You should have informed us you were coming. Even international journalists take permission so that site managers will attend to them.”

•C & S @ THE NATION From left: SecretaryGeneral, Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Churhch Worldwide Ayo ni o Most Senior Apostle Bayo Ogunlusi, Chairman, C & S Idimu district, Special Apostle Iranloye Adewoye, the Most Rev. Abidoye, Most Senior Apostle Pastor Moses Oluyomi, Most Senior Apostle Pastor Isaac Adeyemi duringa visit to The Nation...yesterday PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

‘Nigeria has no business importing fuel’

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HE Spiritual Father of the Cherubum and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide Ayo Ni O, the Most Reverend Samuel Abidoye, has said Nigeria has no business importing fuel.

He spoke during a visit to The Nation yesterday, as part of activities marking the church’s 71st anniversary tagged Divine Approval.

The church, fondly called Ayo Ni o, he said, is aiming to be the largest in the world.

The cleric enjoined Christians to live in peace and harmony with their Muslim neighbours.

Rev. Abidoye, at a press conference yesterday morning before the visit, said the nation can only progress if there are peace and harmony.

He added that without peace, no meaningful development can be achieved in the nation.

He said the over one trillion claimed to have been spent to subsidise fuel has not reflected on the lives of Nigerians.

Rev. Abidoye said: “As an oil producing country, we have no business importing petroleum products if the government is to meet the expectation of the people.

“In reality, the over one trillion naira subsidy claimed by the government does not reflect on the cost of fuel products; Nigerians still pay so

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

much for fuel. My advice to the government is to use the subsidy to establish more refineries across the country and make the available ones functional.”

Rev. Abidoye hailed the security agencies for their efforts at maintaining peace and order, noting that more officers need to be deployed to areas prone to violence He praised the Federal Government’s agricultural initiatives, which, he said, would aid diversifying the nation’s economy.

This initiative, he noted, can only make appreciable impact, if the government establishes farm settlements across the nation.

“This mechanised farming should be embarked upon to improve food production in the country while graduates be encouraged to go back to the land by improving incentives like housing, transportation, soft loans and overseas training to them.

“Young school leavers should be encouraged to go back to the land by providing incentives like housing, transportation, soft loans and overseas training to them.

The cleric advised state governors to allow the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) to stand.

6

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

NEWS SIR OLANIWUN AJAYI’S BOOK LAUNCH

Why Jonathan may be the last President, by Ajayi •Afenifere chief presents two books in Lagos

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RONTLINE politician and Afenifere chieftain Sir Olaniwun Ajayi yesterday weighed the Jonathan administration, saying that the President is a weak leader who lacks the traits to confront Nigeria’s challenges.

He warned that President Goodluck Jonathan may be the last President, unless conscious efforts are made to prevent Nigeria’s disintegration through the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNG) and bold return to true fiscal federalism based on the non-compromising principles of equity, fairness, justice and love.

Ajayi said: “My considered view is that President Goodluck Jonathan portrays the image of a weak leader and so, his fitness and suitability for the office of President come to question.

However, the daily happenings in this country and other parts of the world have come with a lesson that the myth that some people are born to rule has come to an end.

“Any pursuit of such myth is bound, inexorably, to end in inevitable catastrophe. And in any event, with the instructive and salutary lessons which the last 51 years bring to us and in the light of the goings on in our country today, the prospect before us as a nation is not only blighted; it is disastrous. Consequently, if the scenarios continue, as indeed they may, President Jonathan may be the last President for this country”.

The 86-year old frontline lawyer spoke at the presentation of two books written by him: Lest We Forget, and Isara: Afotamodi: My Jerusalem, in Lagos. The ceremony, which was part of activities marking the 49th anniversary of his chambers, “Ajayi and Associates”, was chaired by his compatriot, Chief Ayo Adebanjo. The two books, which were reviewed by Mr. Leke Alder and former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe, were presented by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Highlight of the events also included a discussion session with the theme: “Ethics in a permissive society”, anchored by the Chairman of Leaders and Company, publishers of ThisDay titles, Prince Nduka Obaigbena. Discussants were former Nigerian High Commissioner to United Kingdom Dr Christopher Kolade, former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, former Information Minister Frank Nweke Jnr and former Presidential Adviser Bishop Sunday Onuoha.

Prelate of the Methodist Church, Rev Sunday Makinde, who dissected the polity, frowned at the proposed fuel subsidy removal, warning the Federal Government against incurring the wrath of Nigerians.

He said: “The President cannot afford to fight many battles with hungry civilians. If they cannot alleviate our condition, they should leave us as we are. People should not mislead the President that all is right. He will compound the problems of the masses and increase poverty in the land.

“You give N18,000 minimum wage with one hand and collect it back with another. Look at the revelations coming out from the investigation conducted by the National Assembly. Why are they not sensitive to what is happening in the Arab world? Why don’t we have functioning refineries? Why can’t they expose those benefiting from the subsidy? Revolution is looming. There is saturated unemployment rate.

•Ms Oteh and Chief Asemota

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

There is no electricity. People are angry. A hungry man is an angry man. People are hungry. They should not make them angry.

Those of us who are religious leaders know that there is poverty in the society. Tithes and offerings are dropping in the church.” el-Rufai said: “This is an incompetent government. They are spending over 70 per cent on recurrent expenditure. That is why I am against the removal of the subsidy”.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, a leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, Prelate of Methodist Church Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, former Lagos State Finance Commissioner Wale Edun, Erelu of Lagos, Princess Abiola Dosunmu, Bashorun J.K. Randle, Aare Kola Oyefeso, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Chief Pekun Awobona, Hon. Korede Duyile, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Chief Solomon Asemota (SAN), Hon. Adeola Mabinuori, and Babatunde Runsewe.

Other dignitaries included Bishop M. Stephen of Ibadan Methodist Diocese, Chief Kessington Adebutu, Chief Supo Shonibare, Prince Jide Akinbiyi, Princess Olayinka Sijuwade, Bishop Kehinde Adeyemi, Otunba Nicholas Tokowabo, Mr Dare Babarinsa, Bishop Ranti Odubogun of Ile-Ife Anglican Diocese, Justice E.S.O. Sanyaolu, Prof Tunde Onadeko, Prof. Afolabi, former Head of Federal Civil Service, Dr Kanyinsola Ajayi (SAN) and Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Aruma Oteh.

A minute silence was observed in memory of the deceased wife of the author, Adunola, who passed on a few years ago.

Adebanjo, who praised Ajayi for putting down his memoirs, said the books were not written for self-aggrandisement, noting that the author had risen from a humble background to become a giant in law and politics.

He condemned the penchant for defections by contemporary politicians, advising them to emulate Ajayi, who had been politically consistent for six decades.

Akinkugbe praised Ajayi and Adebanjo for their devotion to political principle.

Fayemi, who also represented his colleagues from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun, who presented the books with N500,000 each, lamented the trajectory of leadership in the country. He praised Ajayi for finding time to write worthwhile books in his old age.

Kolade, who opened the discussion on ethics, observed that society would be enveloped in moral crises when the boundary between positive and negative values dissolve.

He said it is important to investigate how the Nigerian society lost track and became a free for all society.

The former ambassador added: “There should be people who maintain the integrity of the society. Values do not start from society. They start from home. We lost track because the custodian of values in the family failed in their roles”.

•Prof. Akinkugbe

•Fayemi (left), Chiefs Ajayi and Adebanjo...yesterday

•Oba Sijuwade flanked by Dr. Ajayi (SAN) (left) and Dr. Ola Ajayi

•Erelu Dosunmu and Mr Edun

•Mr Alder

•Mr. Nweke (Jnr) (left), Prince Obaigbena and Bishop Onuoha PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

7

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

NEWS

Senate condemns pensioners’ verification

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HE Senate yesterday decried the harrowing experiences pensioners go through during verification. It noted that the exercise causes them pains and hardship.

The Senate urged President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the exercise, which it said is carried out under degrading and inhuman conditions.

The Senate’s resolution followed a motion brought by Heineken Lokpobiri and 25 other senators highlighting the plight of retired workers in Nigeria.

The motion, entitled: Plight of Pensioners of the Federal Government of Nigeria, caused a lot of emotional outbursts among the lawmakers during the debate.

They voted overwhelmingly in favour of the prayers of the motion, seeking to “condemn the subjection of our senior citizens to perpetual verification exercises, avoidable hardship and pain.”

They urged “the President… to direct relevant agencies to stop forthwith the subjection of pensioners to endless verification exercises under degrading conditions, promptly process pension papers, pay all arrears of pensions owed and make

•Urges Jonathan to stop exercise From Onyedi Ojiabor (Assistant Editor) and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

further monthly payments as at when due”.

The Senate also directed its committees on Establishment and Public Service and States and Local Governments to investigate the payment of pensions in Nigeria.

Lokpobiri noted that pension is the sum of money paid regularly to a person after a prescribed period of working life.

He said retirees are old men and women who have put their productive years in the service of their country, adding that pension is a safety valve Nigerian workers hope to have in their twilight years, after giving their best in their employment.

The lawmaker noted that pensions and gratuities are serious issues that border on the dignity of the human person, peace, security and survival of our dear country.

“Pensioners take as much as three years after initial retirement to process their papers and are in some cases owed arrears of payment for several years. The plight of these senior citizens of Ni-

geria is after serving our fatherland meritoriously is not only worrisome but unacceptable,” he said.

Smart Adeyemi said the troubles pensioners face during verification do not portray the nation in good light, adding that it is among the reasons younger generations would rather help themselves with public funds to prevent experiencing similar hardship.

“The problem with our pension scheme is that of corruption, misplacement of priorities and misappropriation of funds,” Adeyemi said.

Datti Baba-Ahmed drew the attention of the Senate to the fact that the civil service is believed to be corrupt, noting that the retirees form an integral part of the system while they are in service.

Ayogu Eze lamented a situation where old persons are made to travel from their villages to cities for verification, forcing them to pass through painful experiences.

He urged the Senate to ensure that pensioners do not go through horrible experi-

ences for their entitlements any more.

Ita Enang said while pensioners, who are not harmonised with the new contributory pension scheme go through pains, there is a looming danger in the new scheme.

Barnabas Gemade noted that since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted a voter registration in wards and local governments, it would be possible for any verification to be done in wards and local governments closer to pensioners.

Senate President David Mark after putting the questions on the prayers to vote, agreed with Gemade and noted that the system of registering voters could be adopted in the verification of pensioners.

He said: “The problem is not with the payment of the pensions but the sufferings they go through to get paid.

If INEC can register millions of Nigerians for elections, I don’t see why we cannot adopt the same method in the verification of our pensioners.”

INEC includes 16,401 new names in Kogi voter register

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kogi State yesterday said additional 16,401 eligible voters have been added to the voters register to be used for the December 3 governorship election in the state.

INEC Administrative Secretary Dakop Dawal told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja that the new voters were those registered during the continuous voter registration from October 7 to October 13.

He said the new voters are those who were not captured in the January national registration as well as those that had just clocked 18 years.

The INEC chief said the number also included the 17 voters that transferred their data from other states to Kogi, adding that nine others were also granted intrastate transfer.

With this development, Dawal said the total number of registered voters in the state had increased to 1,356,925 from 1,339,524 recorded in January.

He noted that in line with the Electoral Act, the con-

tinuous voter registration had been put on hold with effect from November 2, saying copies of the new voter register would be presented to political parties on November 3.

Dawal said some of the non-sensitive materials needed for the election were already on ground while sensitive election materials would arrive a week to the election.

He stated that arrangements had been concluded to organise training programmes for the over 7,000 personnel that would be involved in the election.

According to him, the inter-agency security committee set up by the commission has been meeting on how to handle some flashpoints identified during the April elections.

“Areas like Kupa and other riverine areas already marked out as difficult terrain will be provided with enough vehicles, materials, workers and security personnel during the election,” he said.

Kolade urges caution on cultural alignment with Britain

By Adebisi Onanuga

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•From left: British High Commissioner in Nigeria Andrew Lloyd; Dr Kolade; Mr Tunde Mati; Phil Hall and Mr Akintola Williams at the lecture...yesterday.

PHOTO:ADEJO DAVID

B

Dokpesi loses bid to stay hearing of bankruptcy suit

USINESSMAN Raymond Dokpesi yesterday lost the bid to stay further proceedings in a bankruptcy case filed against him by one of his bankers, Fidelity Bank Plc. A Federal High Court in Lagos dismissed his application to that effect.

Justice Mohammed Idris, in a ruling yesterday, held that the grounds on which the application was founded was baseless.

Dokpesi had, in his application, prayed the court to stay proceedings pending the hearing of an appeal he filed against a ruling of the court on October 5.

The court had, on October 5, elected to hear simultaneously Dokpesi’s objection

By Eric Ikhilae

and the bank’s petition (the substantive suit) on the grounds that they would be decided solely on documentary evidence.

Justice Idris, who upheld the counter-argument by Fidelity Bank’s lawyer, Joseph Nwobike (SAN), against the application, held that there was no pending appeal as claimed by Dokpesi.

Dokpesi’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), had, while moving the application, told the court that he filed a notice of appeal before the appellate court and accompanied same with a motion for leave to appeal out of time.

He contented that his notice of appeal, filed with the motion for extension of time to appeal, could pass as a valid appeal. The lawyer said the stay of proceedings at the lower court would serve the interest of justice as the success of the appeal could end the case.

Justice Idris agreed with Nwobike that what Ozekhome filed for his client was a motion for an extension of time to apply for leave to appeal out of time, an application that did not amount to a valid appeal.

The court held that an appeal could only be valid when filed at the Registry of the Court of Appeal and a receipt

Minister to consultants: omnibus payment history

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HE Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, yesterday urged contractors handling road projects to follow the guidelines of the Federal Ministry of Works for quality delivery.

He said the era of omnibus payments to consultants that add no value to work is over.

The minister spoke in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, at a two-day management retreat for the ministry’s workers.

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

At the retreat, entitled: Improving Road Sector Infrastructure for Socio-Economic Transformation, the minister expressed concern over poor road designs in the country.

He said the ministry’s engineer representatives (ERs) would henceforth be held accountable for any shoddy job done by any contractor.

obtained by the appellant to that effect. He noted that such a situation was absent in Dokpesi’s case.

Justice Idris said: “The filing of a motion for leave to appeal out of time cannot be said to be a valid appeal. It cannot be a basis or ground for stay of proceedings. There is no authority that supports the ground on which the application is grounded. It therefore fails and is accordingly dismissed.”

He awarded a N5,000 cost against Dokpesi and fixed December 1 for the hearing of the notice of preliminary objection by the businessman and the substantive suit.

The bank is praying the court to, among others, declare the businessman bankrupt over his alleged inability to repay some facilities, estimated at about N7.5billion it offered Daar Communications Plc in 2009 to part-finance its daily operations.

The loans also said to have been deployed to Daar Communication’s broadcast of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup hosted by the country, were said to have been guaranteed

by Dokpesi.

ORMER Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, yesterday urged Nigeria and Britain to be careful about the alignment of their culture and tradition to avoid a disaster.

Kolade spoke at the 2011 Akintola Williams Annual Lecture with the theme: The Human Factor in British-Nigerian Relations, organised by the Nigeria-Britain Association at the Nigerian Institute of international Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos.

He cited statements credited to the British Prime Minister David Cameron that Britain would cut aid to countries that do not accept its position on gay rights, a position that is in contrast to the position of Senate President David Mark, who last Monday at a public hearing described same sex marriage as a taboo and an offence to the culture and tradition of Nigeria.

Kolade urged Britain and Nigeria to avoid forcing their cultural practices into the alignment and ensure the continuation of the friendly relation existing between them.

He noted that the enforcement of the alignment could threaten the integrity and sustainability of their communities.

The former High Commissioner described children’s upbringing, care for the elderly and marriage as sensitive issues to both countries.

Though communities in both countries have developed customs and traditions that have become integral elements of their culture over the years, Kolade argued that the practices flowing from such cultures are different between Nigeria and Britain.

He stressed the need to study the reasons for those differences before the alignment of their practices.

Kolade said: “In these days of the ascendancy of the philosophy of ‘human rights’, each society is inclined to make adjustments based on the provisions that the community has installed to protect its bonding factors and insure its future as an entity.”

The former envoy noted that human factors, which often influence some of the actions of government, play a part in

NUC okays four faculties for Crowther University

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HE National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved four new faculties for Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo. The faculties are: Law, Environmental Sciences, Medicine and Pharmacy.

Its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kolawole Timothy Jaiyeoba, told The Nation that the new faculties would require space and infrastructure which the present site does not have.

He said the institution has, therefore, decided to de-

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

velop its permanent site.

Jaiyeoba said: “Construction of structures, which are essential to the take-off of the programmes, would begin as soon as the required funds are available. Law in particular will need structures that are not here at the temporary site. Even if some will be here, they may just be for 100-Level. Likewise the others. There is no space here to take any of them. So, we need to start thinking of developing the permanent site.”

8

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

NEWS

Protest in Osogbo over inactive companies

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NDIGENES of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, yesterday peacefully protested the lack of activities at the Osogbo Steel Company and Nigerian Machine Tools since they were privatised by the Bureau of Private Enterprise (BPE) in 2006.

The defunct Osogbo Steel Company was bought by Kura Holdings, a subsidiary of the Dangote Group.

Nigerian Machine Tools was taken over by Bronwen Energy Limited.

The protesters, led by the former President of the Osogbo Progressive Union, Alhaji Ajadi Badmus, lamented that both companies had not produced since they were bought.

They urged the BPE to reverse the sales, since the new owners have failed to comply

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

with the stipulation of the contract that they must start operations latest by December, 2009.

Among the protesters were youth groups, elders and market women, led by Mrs. Awawu Asindemade.

Managing Director of Integrated Steel Company Mr. Bharat Lal said the unavailability of some raw materials, such as billets, had been stalling the company’s operation.

He said the company would start operation next month and took reporters round the facilities in the company to prove the management’s commitment to commence production soon.

Lal said the company has recruited indigenes of the

•The protesters...yesterday

state, who are experts in various fields.

He said: “We have been preparing the ground for full

Lagos Speaker urges staff to partner lawmakers

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PEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji has urged workers of the Assembly to partner lawmakers to improve the state.

He spoke yesterday at the Assembly complex during an interactive session with the workers.

Ikuforiji said lawmakers cannot actualise their visions without them.

He said the reason for the forum was to find out “what the staff needed to perform at optimal level.”

Some workers raised the issues of welfare, discrimination in training and lack of access to the Speaker, among others.

Ikuforiji said training is crucial to a productive and supportive work force.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

He said: “It is wrong for management to discriminate, when it comes to training. I know some people have benefited more than others and I know quite a number of people do not have visas to travel.”

The Speaker explained that there had been cases where the management had to allow opportunities go to previous beneficiaries because it could not get visas on time for those entitled to the opportunity.

He said the House would no longer leave staff training in the hands of the management, but would be fully involved to prevent discrimination.

Ikuforiji promised to address other issues raised by the staff.

Ogun suspends transport unions in Ijebu-Ode

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HE Ogun State Government has suspended transport unions in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, following incessant violence among members.

The unions are the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

The government also ordered the arrest of union leaders, who are believed to have caused the crises.

The General Manager of Ogun State Parks and Garages, Alhaji Ayo Ogunsolu, and Chairman, Transition Committee of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Alhaji Raheem Sarumi are to constitute a task force that will oversee the affairs of motor parks.

Ondo Deputy Governor assures new LP members

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NDO State Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi has assured new members of the Labour Party (LP) of equal opportunities.

He spoke yesterday while receiving some new members into the LP. They include former House of Assembly aspirant Felix Olatunde, Mrs. Grace Akinsola from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dele Ademujimi from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). They are all from Odigbo Local Government Area.

Others are Alhaji Abass

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Abdulahi and Chief Abduraheem Badmus from Akure South Local Government.

Olanusi said: “In this party, everybody has equal rights. So, if you work very hard for the victory of our party in the next election, you may likely be considered for vital political positions, because it is what you sow that you will reap.”

Speaker of the House of Assembly Samuel Adesina and Acting LP State Chairman Chief Dele Akinyele urged the new members to contribute to the party’s development.

operation. I assure the people that Osogbo, the host community, would have so much to benefit from our existence

here. What we need is their support.

“They should not allow themselves to be used by a

selfish few, who have failed to get contracts from us. We are here to protect national interest and ensure that the people benefit from our activities.”

Police parade 30 suspects in Ondo

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HE Police in Ondo State yesterday paraded over 30 suspects at its headquarters in Akure, the state capital.

The suspects were arrested for various crimes, including kidnapping, robbery and fraud.

Commissioner of Police Sanni Mogaji said the suspected leader of a kidnap syndicate, Ogenekwweh Igagah, was arrested in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

•Recovers 10 vehicles From Damisi Ojo, Akure

He said 10 vehicles, including a Honda, Infinity Sport Utility Van (SUV) and Toyota Camry of various models, were recovered from the syndicate.

Mogaji took reporters round the suspect’s hideout in Alagbaka.

He said: “This hoodlum belongs to a gang that has been terrorising Delta, Rivers

and Ondo states.

“The gang usually collects ransom from its victims, rob them of their cars at gun point and sell the cars at cheaper rates to a dealer based in Port Harcourt.”

Funso Ajewole, Ayeni Kehinde, Segun Akinola and Gabriel Adeniyi were also paraded for allegedly defrauding a victim, simply identified as Temilola, of N78, 000.

Mogaji said N3.5 million, a Honda Saloon Car numbered ET726PHC and five AK 49 rifle with 11 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition were recovered from a gang of robbers that attacked a bank in Owo on October 6.

He said the police killed two of the hoodlums, but the others escaped.

Mogaji said the command is determined to curb crime and urged the public to volunteer information that could assist in the arrest of criminals.

PDP lawmaker hails Ajimobi’s administration

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INORITY Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly Rafiu Adekunle yesterday described the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi as the best since the inception of democratic governance in the state.

Adekunle, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said Ajimobi’s introduction of innovative governance and the ability to accommodate opposition members is highly commendable.

The lawmaker spoke with

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital.

Adekunle said: “My personal opinion about this government is that it is doing very well. It started well and is doing very well. I have never seen a governor appointing opposition members as commissioners, advisers etc.

“I have never seen such a government in Oyo State. The governor deemed it fit for the opposition in the Assembly to nominate a member of the caretaker committee in each

local government. I have never seen a government like that. The man is doing well as far as I am concerned.”

Adekunle, who represents Saki West, lamented the failure of the PDP in the Southwest during the April elections.

He blamed it on the overbearing attitude of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Adekunle described as “overdue,” the proposed bill

by President Goodluck Jonathan, seeking the separation of the joint account of the state and local governments.

He said: “Outright autonomy would strengthen local governments. The current system, where the state and local government councils operate a joint account does not give room for fast development at the grassroots.

“Local governments have been completely muzzled as a result of undue interference with funds that accrue to them by some state executives.”

Adekunle also said there is need for the constitution to spell out the oversight functions of chairmen, councilors and supervisory councilors.

UNILAG gets Bursar

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R. Lateef Alani Odekunle has been appointed Bursar of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

His appointment takes effect from today.

Until his appointment, Odekunle was the Deputy Bursar and Head, Directorate of Final Accounts.

He was born on October 10, 1963, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

He graduated from the University of Benin, Edo State, in 1990 with a BSC in Accounting and got a Masters Degree in Economics from UNILAG in 1999. Odekunle is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

He joined UNILAG after working in the banking in-

dustry.

Odekunle is also an Adjunct Lecturer at UNILAG Distance Learning Institute; Treasurer, UNILAG Muslim Community; and Resource Person, UNILAG Staff Training Center.

He has some publications to his credit and has presented papers at various conferences and workshops.

Odekunle is married with children.

•Odekunle

Ekiti to rebuild dilapidated school buildings

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HE Ekiti State Government has ordered the demolition and reconstruction of dilapidated buildings in schools across the 16 local government areas.

Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Professor Dupe Adelabu spoke with reporters yesterday.

Mrs. Adelabu said the government would prosecute parents who fail to obey the Universal Basic Education Act, Section 2(2), which makes primary and Junior Secondary School education compulsory.

She said the compulsory education law has started yielding

From Sulaiman Salawu, Ado-Ekiti

results, as about 155,296 pupils are currently enrolled in the 796 primary schools in the state.

The former World Bank Consultant said over 4,000 primary school teachers had been trained in the last few months to improve service delivery.

She said SUBEB has introduced systematic learning processes like quiz, debate and sports’competitions in schools to bring improve education in the state.

Mrs. Adelabu said three model schools would be established in three local government areas of the state.

9

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

NEWS

‘Kwankwaso won’t probe Shekarau’

K

ANO State Governor Musa Kwankwaso yesterday ruled out any plan to probe his predecessor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau. The governor said he has handed Shekarau over to God for judgment.

Kwankwaso addressed reporters after the ruling by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which reaffirmed his election.

He alleged that Shekarau plunged Kano State into huge debts that might take many years to settle.

According to him, God will judge Shekarau better than anyone, noting that the former governor set a trap for himself by deceiving the residents for eight years.

He said: “Anywhere

Journalists robbed in Kogi

•Governor: God will judge him From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Shekarau is now, he won’t be a happy man for the role he played in impoverishing the people of Kano… This is a man that Kano people know his background as well as what he was before he became the governor…”

The governor restated his administration’s commitment to the transformation of the state by providing potable water, health care, education and improved conditions for the residents.

Kwankwaso yesterday said he would spend the N50,000 cost the election tribunal awarded him to buy

‘This is a man that Kano people know his background as well as what he was before he became the governor’ confectionaries and distribute to the residents.

Tribunal Chairman Justice Iyabo Oludunni Kasali had awarded the governor the money as the cost against his All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) challenger, Shekarau.

Addressing reporters after

the verdict, Kwankwaso said: “I will use the N50,000 awarded me by the tribunal to buy sweets and give to the people who vote for me.

“You know that victory is sweet and sweet is sweet. So, I will buy the confectionaries and share them among the good people of our dear state because they are entitled to the money since they voted for us.

“This is a moment of joy for all of us and I thank everybody for what is happening, including our enemies, who went to court and made us all happy today.

“In 2003, when we lost the election, we did not give them this opportunity, be-

•The Nation man’s car vandalised From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

E •Kwankwaso

cause we decided not to go to court; we left our case in the hands of God. “But they went to court as soon as they lost the election.

But thank God that fortunately for us and unfortunately for them, the tribunal has upheld our election.”

Appeal Court okays sack of Benue Speaker

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HE Appeal Court sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, yesterday upheld the judgment of the State and National Election Petition Tribunal, which voided the election of the House of Assembly EXCLUDE YOURSELF! from all kinds of car frustrations etc.

GET MORE, SAVE MORE! from your car vehicles.

Get details send ‘more’ to 08035798911 or e-mail: onyemw034u@gmail.com

•ACN candidate wins From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Speaker Terhemen Tarzor, representing Makurdi North.

It granted the prayers of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Avine Agbum, that he should be declared winner of the election.

The court ordered the retrial of the election petition of the ACN candidate for Gwer/Gwer West, Asema

Achado, challenging the election of Mrs Christiana Alaaga (PDP); that of Jacob Ajene (ACN) challenging the victory of Samson Okwu (PDP) for Oju/Obi Federal Constituency; as well as that of Titus Terungwa Leta (ACN) challenging the election of Ayua (PDP).

Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenan okayed the tribunal’s decision to cancel the results of four of the five polling units, which were

rigged in favour of PDP candidates.

The court ordered the retrieval of the Certificate of Return from the Speaker and asked that it be issued it to Agbum.

Two hours before the verdict, Tarzor was said to have removed his personal belongings from his office and was absent from yesterday’s

plenary.

The battle for the replacement of the Speaker has begun with some PDP lawmakers reportedly holding a meeting at an undisclosed location in Makurdi.

They were said to have resolved to support David Iorhemn, the PDP member representing Guma State Constituency. He had stepped down for Tarzor.

Benue tribunal to hear witnesses Nov 9 From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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HE National and State Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, yesterday adjourned till November 9 the adoption of witnesses’ addresses. A petition filed by Terngu Tsegba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is challenging the election of George Akume of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the senator representing Benue North West.

Akume mounted the witness box yesterday as he opened his defence and tendered some documents, which were admitted in evidence.

Among the documents tendered by counsel to Akume, J.S. Orkuma, were Form EC8D and EC8E. They contained the summaries of the result sheets, Akume’s ACN membership card, ACN amended constitution and a letter of waiver.

But counsel to the PDP, S. A. Udaga, opposed the document containing the list of candidates, who won primaries on the ticket of ACN and sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But the tribunal over-ruled the objection, saying: “Since INEC, the custodian of the document, has no objection and the respondent (Akume) has stated where the document came from, the tribunal has no reason to reject it, and it is hereby admitted and marked R4.”

Former Speaker pro-tempore, Terngu Tsegba of the PDP, is challenging the election of Akume on the grounds that the senator was not qualified as he was a member of the PDP at the time of the election.

Tsegba is not contesting the result that produced Akume as senator.

Akume told the tribunal that he was given a waiver by the ACN executive to contest the senatorial election.

IGHT armed robbers yesterday dispossessed four reporters

of their money and other valuables on the LokojaOkene road in Kogi State.

The reporters were returning from an assignment in Okene at 4.45pm when they ran into the robbers at a roadblock. It was too late for the reporters to make a U-turn by the time they saw the robbers.

The robbers, who were suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, were armed with locally-made guns, cutlasses and daggers. They wore disguises.

At the illegal roadblock, they stopped a Toyota Avalon car, with registration number (Abuja) AX438KWL, belonging to The Nation Correspondent Bashir Mohammed at gun point.

They dispossessed the occupants of their money, cell phones and a digital camera belonging to the Daily Trust Correspondent in Kogi, Usman Bello.

Mohammed said he and his colleagues were returning to Lokoja from Okene when they ran into the armed gang, who ordered them to alight from the vehicle.

With Mohammed were Bello of Daily Trust; the publisher Okun People Newspaper, Seyi Omoribaun Olukotun; and the publisher of Democracy News, Femi Olugbemi.

Mohammed said he had to accelerate the car when he realised the intention of the hoodlums.

He said: “When they stopped us, I couldn’t put off the car engine. I left the car on the drive mode. I expected them to pass us after collecting our valuables. But I noticed that they were really poised to kill. They tried to force my car door open but they couldn’t. Then they began to vandalise the car, shattered its windscreen and the window glasses. Having realised what was they wanted to do, I sped off.”

Police Commissioner Amanana Abakasanga had expressed concern over the activities of armed robbers on Okene-Lokoja road.

Court remands suspected wife killer in prison

A

MINNA Chief Magistrate Mohammed Gimba Gabi yesterday ordered the detention of Mohammed Jameel Musa, who is standing trial for allegedly killing his wife, Tawakaltu, in a hotel room in New Wuse, Niger State, till December 1.

Musa is facing a count charge of culpable homicide, contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code Law, for allegedly strangling Tawakaltu on May 18, where he had lodged under a false name of Ademola Adeniyi with the deceased.

Adjourning the matter till December 1, Gimba noted that if Musa is found guilty, the case would be taken to the High Court as his court lacks the jurisdiction to try a murder case.

In company of his late wife, Musa had reportedly lodged at the hotel and fled after allegedly strangling the woman.

The prosecution alleged that the accused was on the run for five months after strangling the woman and was arrested at a commercial bank in Abuja.

Though no plea was taken in court yester-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

day, it was gathered that the accused had confessed to the crime during interrogation.

Police prosecutor Bartholomew Ameh urged the court to adjourn the matter to enable the police conclude their investigation.

He said the accused was charged with a capital offence, which is not bailable.

Ameh added that it took the police about six months to arrest Musa, arguing that if the accused is allowed bail, he might jump it.

He said: “My Lord, the accused person will run away just as he did the first time because of the gravity of the crime he committed. He is aware of the punishment of the case he is facing. He knows that he may face death sentence if he is found guilty.”

But counsel to the accused, Kehinde Olaitan said he would prefer to apply formally for bail.

Ordering Musa to be remanded in prison custody, Chief Magistrate Gabi also adjourned hearing in the matter till December 1 for further hearing.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

10

NEWS

T

Poor designs: FEC to review N49b contracts

HREE contracts worth N49 billion are to be reviewed.

The contracts are those of the dredging of River Niger, the Kubwa Satellite Town Infrastructure Development District III and IV as well as the Karshi Satellite Town Infrastructure Development District I and II. Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Transport, Senator Idris Umar; and Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, spoke to reporters after the meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Umar said: “Results of Independent and Confirmatory Surveys carried out by five different surveyors, especially on Lot 5 (from Baro-Lokoja) showed that the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) were not

‘Results of Independent and Confirmatory Surveys carried out by five different surveyors, especially on Lot 5 (from Baro-Lokoja) showed that the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) were not correct...’ correct as surveys indicated substantial increases in volumes of dredged materials which necessitated the request for the augmentation of the contract sums by a total of N8.528 billion,” he said.

Maku said the Federal Government has resolved that henceforth, no contracts would be approved without complete engineering designs.

He added that applications for the approval of the contracts are also expected to be accompanied by their Economic Impact Assessments as well as their employment benefits.

He said that monitoring teams would be set up to verify the claims of employment opportunities of such contracts to ensure that they are not mere claims.

Also,the FEC approved the concession of a part of the Apapa Port for $124.4million.

Umar said the firm is expected to use its resources to make the facility available in

Nnaji orders payment of 50 per cent salary increase to PHCN workers

M

•Jonathan the next 24 months.

Under the agreement, the investor would operate the facility for 20 years before returning it to the Federal Government.

It is however under obligation to return it to the government if it recouped its money earlier.

INISTER of Power Prof. Bart Nnaji has directed the Managing Director of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)and chief executives of the 18 firms created out of the company utility to pay the 50 per cent salary increase to its workers this week.

In an October 27 letter to the PHCN executives , the minister said the funds for the first three months have been made available.

The Federal Government accepted to pay for the first three months to enable the successor companies to adjust to the new salary structure.

However, there are indications that the government and the union of junior workers may clash over the implementation of the new pay.

Sources said while the minister has insisted that collection of biometric data of every staff member must precede the payment to ensure accountability and transparency, the leadership of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) wants payment without verification.

In fact, a source said: “The union’s leadership has decided to call a strike if all the 50,000 PHCN workers are not fully paid before the forthcoming Muslim holidays, verification or no verification”.

It was also revealed that the NUEE’s General Secretary, Joseph Ajaero, says only the casual PHCN workers should be verified, rather than both regular and casual staffers.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

The purchase of one good bulb ensures that one uses it for a longer period unlike inferior or substandard ones.

-Dr Joseph Odumodu, DG, SON

‘Deregulation’ll boost NNPC’s profits’

Naira gains at Interbank,WDAS

By Collins Nweze

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HE naira firmed slightly against the dollar yesterday, gaining N1.08.

This represents 0.68 per cent rise.

The rebound came after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and some oil firms sold dollars directly to banks at the interbank to help lift the local currency.

The naira closed at N157.10 to the dollar at the interbank market, recovering from the N158.18 it touched after the CBN announced its auction results, where it had failed to meet dollar demand. A separate intervention by the bank after the auction helped correct this lack of dollar supply. The bank sold an undisclosed amount of dollars to some banks.

Also, the naira gained 59kobo at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) after the currency was sold at N151.75, representing 0.38 per cent gain, as against N152.24 sold on Monday. At the auction, the CBN sold $180 million short of the $262.96 million demanded. The apex bank sold $200 million on Monday at N150.25 to the dollar.

Dealers told Reuters that Shell, Chevron and Agip sold a total of $150 million at the interbank as part of their month end dollar sales, which also helped spur a rebound in the naira.

The apex bank had sold extra dollars to the market on Tuesday, to firm up the currency, which had initially weakened to N160.90.

Another currency trader said the naira has been very volatile since the week, trading at around N156-160 levels, and that if more dollar sales do not come in either from the oil firms or CBN, current gains could lose steam.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$112/barrel Cocoa -$2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber -¢146.37pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.747 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -9.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.82% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -10.23% Time Deposit -7% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $30.8b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-

0.281 213.2 245.00 156.91 1.5652 245.8 40.57

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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• From left: Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries (NB)Plc, Mr Jacco Van Der Linden and winners - Mr Joseph Unufore, Mr Chima Amaechi and Igwe Obinna - at the 3rd car presentation, at the ongoing Star Mega Promo, at NB, Lagos ... yesterday.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

NNPC owes Federation Account N862b, says NEITTI • Corporation: Contentious sum remains N450b

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HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora tion (NNPC) owed the Federation Account N862billion between 2004 and 2008, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, has said.

But the NNPC denied this, saying that the figure presented by the NEITI boss does not reflect the transactions as well as current realities.

The debt was on domestic crude according to the audit report of the NNPC by the NEITI, she said.

She said there was no response from the NNPC when informed about the discrepancies in the report.

Ahmed disclosed these yesterday while making her presentation before House of Representatives’ Joint Committee investigating NNPC’s non-remittance of

From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

N450billion to the Federation Account.

She said the debt was through deductions from the proceeds of domestic crude oil accruing to the Federation Account that were neither authorised nor legalised.

Ahmed, however, defended the submission on the NNPC’s debt after being informed by the committee that the Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (FMFAC) Mr Elias Mbam had earlier confirmed N450billion debt to the Federation Account by the NNPC. But a former Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr Funsho Kupolokun, disputed the debt. He claimed that the Corporation was not in-

debted to the Federation Account during his tenure.

The investigation could not continue after the NEITI boss could not offer detailed explanations backed by documents on some raised questions.

Co-chairman of the panel, Bassey Ewa, requested for an audited report for the period under review and other documents that could assist the committee.

Speaking to reporters after the session, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, said it was obvious that the NEITI auditors failed to consider the peculiarities of the Corporation’s business processes and the terms of our commercial transactions.

He added that a principal term of the Corporation’s commercial arrangement is the credit period between crude sales and payments,

which the NEITI auditors did not capture.

“We are hopeful that when she concludes her presentation before the committee, she will correct the error.

“Don’t forget that what was presented is based on the audit report of the Corporation’s operations as at December 31, 2008 and since then, things have changed. Essentially, the N847 billion, which the report captured represents the cost of crude purchased by the Corporation from the Federation for September – December 2008, in addition to N450 billion under review’’ Ajuonuma stated.

He added:“In simple language, I can state without any fear of contradiction that the sum in question has since been settled at the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee(FAAC), meetings of January, February, March and April 2009.”

Striking workers ground MRS

O

PERATIONS of the MRS Plc, formerly Texaco, have been grounded following an indefinite strike by its workers.

According officials of the Petroleum and National Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) Lagos Zonal Area Office of the union, the workers are protesting a move by the management of MRS to lay off some of their colleagues without following due process.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

Problem started when the management of the company called a joint consultative committee meeting comprising members of in-house unions of PENGASSAN and NUPENG and informed them that the company wants to reorganise because it couldn’t meet its objective in the third quarter of this year.

Since Monday, all the filling stations belonging to company have been asked by the unions to stop selling petroleum products as well

as lifting of products from its depots across the country pending further directives.

The workers want the management to know the number of people that would be sacked and the method of disengagement to determine whether it complies with due process.

The management of the company was said to have frustrated efforts made by the union officials to sit with them and fashion out the process, which should be followed before such exercise is executed.

The union said before now, its members had explained to the management the four criti-

cal reasons the company had not been making profit, but it didn’t listen.

One of such reasons is the deliberate effort of the management to abandon the Apapa depot facilities of the former Chevron (Texaco), which was acquired by MRS and the diversion of products purchased by MRS Plc to the depots of MRS Holding Limited, which the workers claimed was im proper.

The headquarters of the company in Lagos as at yesterday was manned by heavily armed policemen.

HE Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, yesterday said without deregulation of the oil sector, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will be operating at a loss.

The minister, who spoke in Abuja while receiving the new elected National Executives of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) led by its President, Comrade Babatunde Ogun, said without deregulation, the government will continue to subsidise petroleum products.

His words: “If the system is regulated and a public corporation like NNPC is asked to operate, they will be operating at a loss and in addition the government will be subsidising.”

Wogu, according to a statement from the Assistant Director, Press to the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Samuel Olowookere, however, added that the planned deregulation will boost job creation.

Wogu said those licensed to operate refineries in the country have not been able to start because the sector is still regulated. ”The present regulated system is the reason those refineries that have been given licences to operate have not been able to take off. When the oil sector is deregulated, investors will come in and set up refineries and will be in a position to employ Nigerians,” he emphasised.

Shell lifts force majeure on Forcados oil

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OYAL Dutch Shell’s Nigerian venture has lifted a force majeure on exports of Forcados oil after repairs to a pipeline, Shell has said, signalling higher supplies from Africa’s top exporter.

Shell Petroleum Development Company had declared force majeure on Forcados loadings in October, November and December, on October 10, as it had to shut some production after a sabotage attack on the Trans Forcados Pipeline.

Nigeria’s high-quality oil is widely exported to the United States, Asia and Europe and disruptions to supplies can affect world prices because it is priced against the Brent oil benchmark.

A Shell spokeswoman had no information on production at the fields supplying Forcados. A trading source said supplies were returning and significant changes in cargoes’ loading dates were unlikely.

“It should be recovering. I don’t expect any impact on the programme,” the source said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

12

BUSINESS NEWS

Insurers to pay N.7m claims to election victims

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ICTIMS of last April election mishap will be paid claims of N700,000 each today, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Kayode Idowu, has said.

He told The Nation that the insurance companies that underwrote the election risks would hand over cheques to the surviving victims and families of those who lost their lives in the election mishap.

Idowu noted that the N168 billion insurance package covered all the officers and ad-hoc staff that partook in the election. He said only individuals who suffered lost would be indemnified.

By Chuks Udo Okonta

He could, however, not disclose the total claims to be paid to victims, stressing that there were many insurance companies that underwrote the risks.

He added that the claims are one of the compensations INEC has given to the victims.

INEC’s Secretary Abdullahi Kaugama, urged beneficiaries to contact INEC’s state offices nearest to them to confirm their invitation and obtain letters of introduction from the Commission’s state or Federal Capital Territory (FCT) offices that engaged their services for the 2011 election.

Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel, said the insurers that underwrote the risks would live up to expectations, adding that insurers live up to their claims responsibility.

The risk, which was covered by six insurance firms, provides a total life insurance compensation package of N168 billion. Each officer and ad-hoc staff has an insurance cover of N700, 000.

In the insurance package, INEC insured its vehicles on a zoning arrangement, with six insurance firms. Law Union & Rock Insurance is in charge of the Northeast (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States;), while Consolidated Hallmark Insurance

is in charge of North central (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau states, and the Federal Capital Territory).

Guaranty Trust Insurance covers South east (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States), while Fin Insurance oversees Southsouth (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers States).

Mutual Benefit Assurance covers Southwest (Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states ), while Leadway Assurance covers Northwest comprising Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States.

AIICO is responsible for vehicles at INEC headquarters.

Reps move to pass new BOFIA Act

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HE House of Representatives yesterday indicated its resolve to pass the re-enacted Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2011 by mandating the House Committee on Rules and Business to circulate clean copies of the Bill for discussion in the Committee of Whole.

The Bill for an Act to repeal the BOFIA Act 2004 and re-enact the BOFIA Act 2011 and for other matters connected thereto, sponsored by Hon. Betty Apiafi (Rivers State) was laid for consideration before the Committee of the Whole on July 27, last year in the Sixth Assembly.

The re-engineered Bill is meant to reform the financial system in the country to uphold international best practice.

In the Sixth House, a public hearing was held by the House Committee on Banking and Currency for the bill in which the Central Bank of

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

Nigeria, United Bank of Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria, First City tonument Bank, Skye Bank, The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CBN)and the Senior Citizens and Elders Forum of Nigeria among others made presentations.

Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who spoke at

the public hearing commended the sponsor for the BOFIA review bill.

According to Sanusi, the bill has brought in so many legislative innovations into the regulation of the sector.

Betty Apiafi, who brought the Bill for reconsideration yesterday via a motion entitled: Reconsideration of outstanding Bill from the proceeding Assembly, said she was doing so in line with Order XII, Rule 96 of the

Standing Rule of the House.

The Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the plenary yesterday said there was need to re-commit the Bill to the Committee of Whole in view of its importance to the financial sector.

The members on the floor unanimously voted that a clean copy of the Bill be circulated and the Bill be considered at the Committee of the Whole.

‘Forte Oil pays N26b inherited debt’

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ORTE Oil PLC has paid the N26billion debt inherited by the company from its previous owners, its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Michael Ahme, has said.

He disclosed this at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja.

A statement from Forte Oil said Ahme informed shareholders of the ongoing restructuring of the firm, which he explained, was in the best interest of the company.

Responding, the Chairman of the Southsouth Zone of AP shareholders, Francis Orji, praised the Ahme management-led team for their hardwork

in the last business year. He commended them for the steady reduction in revenue loss in the 2010 financial year.

As part of its re-engineering,Forte Oil had paid out N2.5billion as severance packages for long serving staff, bringing to a total N6.4billion paid out as severance packages recently.

Dangote Cement makes N98.3b profit

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HAREHOLDERS of Dangote Cement Plc (DCP) have an nounced a gross profit of N98.30 billion for the third quarter of te year which ended on September 30, 2011.

This indicates an increase of N18.7 billion over the N79.63 billion posted in the corresponding period of the previous year.

The results approved by the Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that the firm posted a turnover of N173.84 billion in the review period in contrast to N146.56 billion at the corresponding period in the preceding year. This depicts a N27.28 billion increase.

Dangote Sugar posted a profit before tax of N6.5 billion, indicating a drop of 49 per cent over the N12.6billion recorded in the previous year. Post-tax profit also dipped by 49 per cent, from N8.6billion to N4.4billion.

The company’s turnover however, rose by 22.1 per cent, from N65.2billion to N79.6 billion.

The drop in profitability was attributed to the increase in price of raw sugar in the international market, which has impacted negatively on the performance of sugar companies in the country.

With the introduction of a new retail Dangote Vitamin A fortified sugar package in one kilogramme, 500 grams and 250 grammes, the Management said it “strongly believes that the high activity expected in the retail market will boost the company’s activities by impacting positively on the sales volume, earnings and ultimately profitability.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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INDUSTRY

Nigeria loses over N500b yearly to industrial imports

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HE importation of raw materials and other machinery for industrial processes cost Nigeria over N500 billion annually, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has said.

Its Director-General, Mr Peter Onwualu told reporters in Lagos that Nigeria spends billions of naira yearly to import raw materials.

“When we tried to estimate, we were looking at over N200 bllion annually on importation of raw materials. Virtually, every manufacturer imports most of their raw materials.

“If you now add that to the equipment they are using, all the

Stories by Toba Agboola

factory machines they are using, that one is even over N500 billion and (it is) not only the production machines even the maintenance.

All the machines and components required for maintenance are also imported,” Onwualu said.

He said the situation would “remain as it is until proactive measures are taken to exploit and develop the raw materials as industrialists cannot utilise raw materials in their crude form.”

Onwualu said Nigeria has not been able to move technologies to a point where they can be used to add value to industrial processes.

“Our research institutes and universities have developed tech-

nologies which should be applied in adding value to these natural resources, but over the years, there has been a gap between research and industry and that is why we have not been able to translate these natural resources into goods and services,” he said.

“The manufacturers import raw materials because they are not

available in the form they need them. We have natural resources but they are in their raw forms. If they are minerals they contain impurities.

If they are agricultural products they are in their raw state and you will need to extract the ingredients. The manufacturer requires to be able to produce and they can-

not just go and take these things and put into their factories. There has to be another set of the industries that will take the raw materials from their raw forms and convert them to industrial inputs.

These are the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) sector and they are missing in Nigeria,” he added.

‘Our research institutes and universities have developed technologies which should be applied in adding value to these natural resources, but over the years, there has been a gap between research and industry and that is why we have not been able to translate these natural resources into goods and services’

SON signs MoU with Computer Village •Partners Commonwealth to train 150 SMEs

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HE Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has taken the battle against fake and substandard goods to the telecoms sector.

The agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Association of Phone and Computer Allied (APCA), Computer Village , Ikeja.

Speaking when the association paid a courtesy visit to the SON Lekki office, Director-General, SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu, said, SON, under the new management, is working in line with the policy of the Federal Government to enhance jobs and wealth creation for economic growth and development.

“The agency has mapped out various strategies to remove fake and substandard products from the economic environment, while at the same time looking inward to encourage the growth of the manufacturing sector,” Odumodu said.

Recently, SON raided Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos and sealed several companies dealing with substandard handsets.

According to the Director of Enforcement, Mr, Louis Njoku: “Before we embarked on that operation, we carried out a market survey on the quality of GSM phones coming into the market. We informed the dealers on the need to import quality products. We met with their union and agreed to have a desk in the market like what is done in Alaba International in order to enable us check the standard of phones. But the dealers are not complying with the necessary standards.

“The marketers were very violent and even tried to prevent our officials from sealing their shops.

Are there sanctions for such action?

“Their reaction was the usual way market people do and we are going to take appropriate steps. We

must remove killer-products from our markets to protect lives.”

The agency is to train 150 SMEs personnel on standardisation in collaboration with the organised private sector (OPS).

Speaking at the SON, Commonwealth , SME stakeholders meeting in Lagos, the Adviser, Enterprise Development of Commonwealth, Mr Roland Charles, said the training was carried out by Commonwealth in conjunction with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to encourage the SMEs to manufacture based on international standards.

According to him, the benefits of the SMEs when they produce to standards lies in integration of their markets and cost reduction as well as in helping them to export to increase the profitability of their enterprises.

Head, International Standards and SME, SON, Mr Robert Okiyi, pointed out that standard was a procedure agreed by all stakeholders.

He said the use of standards globally had become very competitiveand as such the SMEs should invest in research to improve the quality of their products.

The OPS said the forum showed that SON was committed to ensuring that standards were maintained and manufacturers were part of the development process.

It said: “The global economy is gradually developing and Nigeria must not lag behind in the development process, adding that competitiveness includes quality and standards and not just pricing of goods.

“The training would introduce SMEs to the ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 standards, encouraging more SMEs to begin the standard journey as well as embark on training of 150 SMEs under the pilot project.”

•From left: Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ogun State, Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi; President, Cool Alliance and Vice-President, NACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, and the state Commissioner for Local Government and Community, Chief Samuel Duro Aiyedogbon, displaying the Cool Certificate, at the NAWORG Co-operative meeting in the state.

•From left: Sweet Sensation, Alagomeji, Outlet Manager, Mr. Afolabi Benson, winner of the eatery’s Independence promo and the compere, Prince Chyke, during Independence day celebration at Alagomeji, Lagos.

‘Attract investors through tax incentives’

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XECUTIVE Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mustafa Bello, has advocated the use of tax incentives to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). He said taxes must be designed to support incentives for attracting FDI. He made this known during a meeting with stakeholders on the presentation of the incentives policy for Nigeria. It was held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said: “Taxation is to be used proactively to support and pro-

mote the growth and survival of industries/businesses. Taxation should be used to attract FDI into the economy; while also fasttracking the implementation of the various tax reforms being spearheaded by FIRS.” According to Bello, countries desiring to attract FDI have always used tax policies to create friendly environment for enhanced national competiveness of their economies.

“It is against this background that the tax system in Nigeria must

OPS set to tackle govt over oil subsidy removal

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HE Organised Private Sector (OPS), under the auspices of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has is to hold a conference to discuss government’s plan to remove subsidy on oil and other issues militating against the progress of businesses.

Addressing the media recently

in Lagos, NACCIMA President Dr. Ademola Ajayi said it is an effort by the OPS to forestall an undesirable scenario and offer a sincere partnership to the government in taking the economy from poverty to prosperity.

“NACCIMA has deemed it necessary to address some important, critical and threatening issues through the staging of the proposed conference, which will

discuss issues and proffer suggestions to government for the overall benefit of Nigerians and concerned international development partners,” Ajayi said.

Ajayi said the hope of the masses for an improved tomorrow has been threatened by all sorts of theories and imaginings since the Federal Government announced the removal of fuel subsidy in the nation.

He said: “The country’s security has been severely challenged by recent developments where the state of insecurity is embarrassing and frightening. The rampant occurrences of kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery and more recently, the indiscriminate acts of bombing and murder of Nigerians, even law enforcement agents, is simply terrorism, which is yet to be fully contained.”

support the growth and survival of businesses as only performing businesses can pay tax and employ Nigerians,” he added.

He also noted that the objective of taxation can be best realised if businesses are supported to operate profitably.

“There should, therefore, be a careful balancing between revenue generation of the tax system with the support of industries. For FDI to flow and be sustained in any economy, it is important that its investment climate is friendly and conducive for business.

“To, therefore, speed up economic development, more and more governments are embarking on programmes to reform their investment policy framework, empower investment promotion agencies and generally reposition their economies for global competitiveness.

This is why over 160 countries have set up National Investment Promotion Agencies and over 250 regional offices to compete for FDI -from the least developed to the most advanced economies,” Bello said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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INDUSTRY

VONO records N437.3m turnover

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ONO Products Plc recorded a turnover of N437.3 million last year as against N447.8 million in 2009.

This was disclosed by its Chairman, Mr Bashiru Lasisi, at the company’s 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, last Friday.

Lasisi said the reduction in the turnover was due to challenges the company encountered the previous year.

“Among the challenges faced by the company during the year which almost threatened its going concern status include lopsided gearing ration. The huge exposure to bank debt, which could not be reconciled against dwindling per-

ByToba Agboola and Laide Adeyanju

formance resulted in litigation by a bank lasting most part of the year preceding the current board.

“This, among other survival threats, became the immediate preoccupation of the board in the last quarter of the year. Under the circumstances, operations were at their lowest ebb,” Laisi said.

Lasisi said despite the seal of recognition of modest growth in the economy and favourable Fitch rating, the manufacturing sector faced a number of challenges.

His words: “The credit crunch that resulted from the banking sector reform persisted though with slight improvement. It is generally

felt that the reform of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was not without some kind of subjectivity and prejudices leading to mistrust and resentment in some quarters.

“The resultant loss of confidence and credit squeeze affected the manufacturing sector. The CBN governor must, however, be recommended for his bold initiative at engendering security in the banking sector.”

He said the economy did not fare well in this atmosphere of insecurity as foreign direct investment dropped from $3.31 billion in 2009 to $668 million last year while portfolio investment moved in the opposite direction signposting a short-term outlook for the economy.

T

HP partners LAWMA on ‘safe and clean environment’

HE campaign for environmental protection, development and government efforts at providing a cleaner and healthier, has received Aa boost from Hewlett Packard Nigeria. The company embarked on a clean-up exercise on Odunjo Street, Aguda, Surulere Lagos.

The event, tagged Clean Environment Project, is aimed at supporting the administration in Lagos State, in its campaign to ensure a clean and healthy environment for the masses.

According to its Managing Director, Mr Ime Umo, “ we decided to embark on this

laudable project because we don’t just believe in selling technology but for the community to feel our impact in ensuring that they keep a safe and clean environment.”

“It is a global initiative which is endorsed globally by HP in order to create a healthy atmosphere for the community and also by giving back to the society in terms of services.”

Umo also said that HP, as a global corporation, is turning to a shared value model, in which it works in alignment with the society rather than against it by producing mutual benefits to the community and the corporation.

Firm provides light for community

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S part of its continued efforts to light up the lives of communities through renewable energy resources, Emel Advanced Power Solution (EAPS), a part of the Emel Group, in partnership with Suntech, the world’s largest manufacturer of solar panels, has embarked on a project to make Ijora, the solar capital of Nigeria.

The Emel Group has installed world-class solar solutions around Ijora, which are geared towards bringing self-sustainability to the community, improving the environment and creating a more-promising future for the people of Ijora.

The group has set up a solar powered borehole at the Oba of Ijora’s palace, which supplies up to 20,000 litres of fresh water daily as well as

powering a fan in the local school and a phone charging centre; solar street lights which provide uninterrupted lighting from dusk till dawn; a solar-powered sound system at the local church and mosque; and solar LED lighting at the Ijora hospital.

Speaking at the inauguration of the solar-powered borehole, Emel Group Managing Director Mr Naresh Asnani said: “It is proven that there is a direct correlation between electricity and poverty reduction, educational attainment, health and quality of life.

“As good neighbours, we believe it is our responsibility to “light up the lives” of the people of Ijora by providing the vital resources that the community so desperately needs for survival.”

UNIDO praises Innoson Group

T •From left: Chairman, Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma; a director, Mr Alfred Nwosu and UNIDO representative in Nigeria , Dr. Patrick Korwama, at the Nnewi Motor Factory.

Fed Govt, US NEXIM bank partner on FDI

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INISTER of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga has expressed the Federal Government’s desire to cooperate with the United States (US) NEXIM Bank to attract investors into the real sector of the economy.

He spoke during the visit of the management team of the bank led by its President, Mr Fred Hochberg, to his office in Abuja.

Aganga said there were many investment opportunities due to the “deep, bold and creative” steps taken by the Federal Government to improve the investment climate.

He said Nigeria needs much investments to develop her infrastructure and grow the real sector, adding that the strategy of the government was to identify those areas that the country has comparative and competitive advantage.

“It is my responsibility and that of my Ministry to look for investment in the real sector and make sure that we improve the invest-

Stories by Toba Agboola

ment climate of the country.

“There are a lot of opportunities in the country. The opportunities are there, the risk is there but the return on investment here is much higher than that of any other developing economy,” Aganga said.

He informed the visiting team that many investors from Asia, Middle East and others have been coming to discuss their investment plans, adding that the government was ready to remove any barriers to make Nigeria an investment designation.

“Investment is coming in; I want more, that is the difference. I am not satisfied with where we are, we can do far more with the opportunities here. We will do whatever we need to make sure we have the best and make Nigeria the investment designation in terms of improving our investment climate.”

The Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof Ade Adefuye,

said the event of the past had shown that the government was more determined to deal with corruption, adding that the US investors have to show interest in the power and other sectors’ privatisation process in order not to lose out from the higher rate of return on investment.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terence McCulley, pointed out that his country has a robust collaboration with Nigeria to create a conducive atmosphere for business to thrive through capacity training with security agencies across board.

He added that US investors have shown interest in investing in 50,000 hectares of rice production in Sokoto State.

Hochberg said Nigeria was one of the top nine markets of 109 countries the bank was focusing on, stressing that they would cooperate with President Goodluck Jonathan to improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

Govt grants 10,000 investors mining titles

A

T least 10,000 investors have been granted mining titles to begin exploration activities in the solid minerals sector.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Mohammed Sada, who spoke with reporters recently in Abuja, said the ministry had started implementing the work of the Mining Cadastre System (an agency) to attract foreign investments into the sector.

“The outcome is the several

exploration activities going on in the country and the addition of five internationally renowned investors and 30 other operators,” he said.

Sada said the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG), Jos, a post-graduate institution for human capacity development in mining and minerals sector, has taken off.

He said the ministry was strengthening the Nigerian

Geological Survey Agency (NASA) for credible geological data gathering and dissemination. The outfit is based in Abuja.

According to him, the ministry will place the industry in a position to contribute substantially to the economy in the next few months.

He explained that in view of the abuse of explosives across the country, a one-day stakeholders’ forum on explosives was held in Abuja at the weekend.

HE United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) representative in Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Korwama, has expressed delight with the quality of Innoson products.

He spoke during his visit to Innoson Group of Companies, Nnewi, Anambra State.

Korwama was accompanied by the Director, Policy and Planning, National Automotive Council (NAC), Abuja, Mr Luqman Mamudu.

He said Innoson has the potential of placing Nigeria on the global economic map in view of its high profile products at Emene and Nnewi.

Korwama said: “I’m very much impressed with what Innoson Group is doing.

“The plastic products are better than imported ones. The motorcycle tyres and tubes leave lasting impression, and the vehicles are well branded with a touch of class.

“Above all, the company has done Nigeria proud by producing goods of international standard.

I’m equally overwhelmed by the performance of the management team led by its Chairman, Chief Innocent Chukwuma. He deserves commendation for the success story of this group,” he added.

Korwama said having money and bringing technology to Nigeria is not only good but a demonstration of true love for one’s country. He added that Chukwuma has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria’s economy.

He said the job opportunities created for the youth were not only laudable but would help in the eradication of poverty.

Chukwuma thanked Korwama for his visit. He said his visit marked a turning point in the government’s desire to assist local manufacturers.

“The visit of the UNIDO Rrepresentative and NAC Director is an indication of good things to come for manufacturers.

I believe very soon all the problems confronting us would be solved, and more industries are likely to be established,” he said.

Winners emerge in Binatone Raffle draw

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INATONE Nigeria Limited has held a raffle draw to commemorate the opening of a new outlet at Shoprite at the Polo Park in Enugu.

The draw took place at Shoprite Enugu, in the presence of Binatone Regional Manager, Mr Isaac Parasar, Shoprite staff, and the general public.

The first prize winner is Mr ChimejeArihi with raffle ticket number 2157 . He won a 42 inches LG plasma television while the second prize winner BasseyEaewamah with coupon number 479 won a Binatone 2.8 KVA generator.

The third and fourth winners, Obasi Anthony and NwankoNnandi with coupon numbers 2464 and 2587 went home with Binatone water dispenser and LG home theater system respectively.The elated winners commended Binatone for this raffle drawwhich they claimed was well executed with approximately 3000

lucky draw coupons registered during the event.

“It was an event done with precision and fairness. Through this raffle draw, I have become a proud owner of a 42 inches plasma television. I thank Binatone and urge all Nigerians to use Binatone products.

They are the best and they last very long” says ChimejeArihi, the first prize winner shortly after the draw.

During the four week long sales promotion, Binatone’s full range of products were displayed for sale at the new Shoprite store at Enugu.

The full range of Binatone products include fans, irons, blenders, rice cookers, pressure cookers, Electric hot plates, oven toasters, kettles, stablizers and UPS, sandwich makers, antennas, water dispensers, generators, and vacuum cleaners.

Binatoneis a leader in the market producing sensibly priced products, that surround our every day life style.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Will Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva contest the November 19 primary? There was no clear answer on Tuesday. He is confident he will, despite efforts in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop him. However, the man who appears to be favoured by recent developments, Hon. Seriake Dickson, insists that it is time for change. A Special Adviser to Sylva, Hon. Jude Tabai, insists Bayelsans are behind the governor.

My people want me in the race, says Dickson Y

OU are already serving your people in the House of Representatives and you had earlier served them at the state level as Commissioner for Justice. Why are you pushing to run as the PDP governorship candidate?

First, let me set the record straight on something you just said. You don’t push to be a governor, people who push to occupy positions don’t usually get them. I am in the race because that is what my people want, that is what they are asking for. I could not have just jumped up and say I am in the race if I do not have the go ahead from my people as conveyed to me by their various political leaders and Bayelsans home and abroad who said we cannot continue to live under the prevailing situation in the state. That said, yes, I am already serving my people as I have served them before. But is it also right to refuse to improve on something when there are opportunities for improvement, especially when the people say you are the competent person for the job at hand?

How about the person who is presently doing the job and some people say he is doing it well?

The people of Bayelsa say the job can be done better. They think there can be improvement in the way their resources are allocated. They are sure that security situation in Bayelsa can be better, they believe their youths can have more employment opportunities. They are certain that the name Bayelsa State can evoke images of paradise on earth and not affiliated with restiveness and militancy. The list is endless.

The areas you have mentioned, are they the key components of your manifesto?

My manifesto is already in the open and it addresses these areas, but it is more than all these put together. What we have in mind is to build a Bayelsa State that will see other nationals of Nigeria eager to migrate and settle down in the state. That is why education, health, tourism, transportation, sports, employment, water and agriculture, energy, family, governance and even the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta are all addressed at the same time with the sole purpose of attaining one goal. That goal is to bring about the emergence of a Bayelsa that conforms with a 21st century society. You saw the Arab Spring and the Occupy Wall Street incidents we don’t want Bayelsa state to come to that level even over the next five hundred years that is why it is important at this stage to work towards a society where no one is left out or left behind.

This sounds very theoretical…

Not at all. Don’t forget that I have had the benefits of experience in all the areas where Bayelsa State needs intervention. I started out as that youth who could not immediately pursue his university education due to not having money. I joined the police, raised a little

•Dickson

money and continued my education, so I know what our youths are facing and I am thinking of solutions to their problems in practical terms. I have been in the police and I served on the Bayelsa State Security Council, so I know where the shoe pinches in terms of the security challenges of the state. I am now in the legislature at the federal level. To take it further, I have also experienced being in the opposition for several years, so the programme we have drawn up is a direct response to the needs on ground. You will however find out that it differs from others in terms of the practicality of the approach we are adopting to address them.

What are your chances of being able to rally the support you need to get the PDP ticket considering that the incumbent is the leader of the party?

Much as there is the party I think the desire of the Ijaw nation is also a factor. So, to the extent that the people were the ones who called on me to come and serve, I don’t see much challenge there. It is a matter of sustaining this effort to build consensus. In fact, one of the challenges I envisage is that of rebuilding the PDP in the state. You know it is unfortunate that unlike his predecessors, the incumbent, who was elected governor at a time a Bayelsan was elected Vice president of our nation has shown disdain for the Ijaw national interest and has over and over again worked against the fundamental strategic interest of our people from day one through the days of our vice presidency and now presidency. The governor does not quite understand the problems and potentials of the people. You can see how he has manifested his penchant for starting unnecessary political battles, supremacy tussles and inability to build consensus, thus depriving the state and her people the opportunity of ben-

efiting from the incumbency of being Mr. President’s kith and kin. So these are areas I know must be corrected. We must return cohesion to the PDP in Bayelsa and be able to remind everyone that it is not about the individual, but about the party and common interest…

What do you mean when you said the governor does not understand the problems and potentials of the people?

If you take a look at my manifesto you will see that governance is an item on that list. It is not a tangible thing like roads, schools or hospitals, but it is a fundamental thing. This is where understanding the problems of the people and knowing their potentials come in. You don’t run a state by creating a cabal of cronies. You have to create room for transparency and accountability in the day-to-day activities of government. You need to create room for self-expression, even for dissenting views as this is an avenue for people to share ideas that will even help improve your administration. And, sincerely, when we talk about democracy that is a cardinal component…allowing people to tell you what is actually wrong from their own viewpoint. It is the only way you can understand their problems, it is the only way they can know where to contribute to the success of your government. That is an opportunity Bayelsans will have under my government.

You will agree that similar concepts have been articulated in the past without result, what will… (cuts in) Similar concept? Is it similar sincerity? As long as the people are suffering, any government in Bayelsa State ought to ensure transparency in its conduct and use the resources belonging to the state in a judicious way. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that this is presently the case. What we see now is evidence of conspiracy and funding of political activities aimed at undermining the Ijaw national position. In Yenegoa, we see a haven for criminals and criminality cutting short the lives of our youths in their prime as a result of cultism, drug abuse and the ineptitude of a state governor who looks on helplessly or is too distracted by politicking instead of focusing on governance.

Much as we are political animals as humans, it is also crucial that programmes be implemented with sincerity. When elected, I won’t be a governor of this camp or that camp. What Bayelsans have called upon me to be is their governor and when I focus on that and not some selfish interest it will be a matter of months before these same people calling on me will begin to see results. So when I said I will work for an environment that will create employment that is exactly what will happen.

Why Bayelsans are backing Sylva, by Tabai

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HY do you think Sylva should be given return ticket?

Bayelsans know the situation of their state before Sylva came on the saddle. Nigerians are aware of the problems in the Niger Delta, illegal oil bunkering, kidnapping and other forms of crime. Those who perpetrated these crimes had Bayelsa as their base. They almost crippled the state. Within a short period of time, Sylva has turned things around in the state. Those who are seeking power in the state today know that this is a man who came and said there will be peace and today there is peace. Despite all the problems Sylva had with some people who never wanted peace in the state, there is peace today in Bayelsa State. Sylva is focused, he is determined to develop the state, he is a man of peace and the people of the state love him.

Where is the opposition against him coming from if he is so loved by his people?

Whatever opposition you hear today is not opposition from Bayelsans.

It’s opposition by those who want to be governor at all cost; it is opposition from do-or-die politicians, those who want power for its sake. There is really no opposition against the governor, the noise you hear is from those who want to heat up the state for their selfish end. But the governor has thrown a challenge to them for an open debate. For them to show Bayelsans what they have for the people of the state. Unfortunately, none of them has accepted the challenge.

The governor wants them to show Bayelsans their programme of action.

The governor has said let us go on talk show where we can face one another and tell Bayelsans what we have for them. Nobody has accepted the challenge. Bayelsans are happy that a state peace eluded for many years is now very peaceful. They know that the governor staked his name and worked to achieve peace in the state.

What is the role of President Goodluck Jonathan in this whole affair?

As far as we are concerned, Mr. President as a PDP man is expected to play the role of a father. We have heard people who claimed to have received the endorsement of Mr. President for the primary election. It is not new. The fact is that Mr. President is from Bayelsa and since the election is taking place in his home state, you are bound to hear all sorts of stories. But Mr. President should ensure that nobody uses his name to overheat the state. He should not allow anybody to use the primary election to distort the peace that has been achieved in the state. Nigerians know that peace in Bayelsa means peace in the Niger Delta and peace in Nigeria at large.

Are saying that some aspirants are just dropping the name of Mr. President for political gain?

Yes, name dropping, but we know that Mr. President hails from Bayelsa and will not want people to use his name unduly. Mr. President knows that Nigerians want him to play the role of a father.

Before the court ruled to extend the tenure of five governors, including Sylva, the affected governors already

• Tabai

had their tickets to re-contest. How do you view the role of PDP on the issue?

PDP’s role in the whole affair is something to worry about in the sense that primary elections were conducted that produced candidates. The party still wants to do it again. There is some problem somewhere. Maybe they are trying to be transparent by insisting that everybody should be given a chance. They may be trying to create opening to accommodate people. Some people feel that a rerun primary is uncalled for.

So does Governor Sylva stand any chance come the November 19 PDP primary election?

Do you know what it means to be governor? The governor is the man on the ground. Sylva is the man to beat. Bayelsa is PDP state and what is happening, the pockets of opposition is normal. It is PDP family affair. As far as we are concerned, at the end of the day, we are going to sort out everything and move on as one family.

The pockets of opposition will fizzle out. We have had bigger crisis in PDP more than what is happening now.

This one will also be sorted out. The governor is not shaken at all. When you talk about the governor, you talk about some of us who are his allies.

We will get back to the grassroots, the game is played in the creeks and the hinterland. The game is not played in Abuja as some people erroneously believe.

With the level of performance of the governor especially in the area of peace building, road construction, housing projects one would have expected that PDP re-run ticket should have been handed over to him …

Yes, PDP ticket should have been given to him on a platter of gold. That should have been the ideal thing.

Considering that Bayelsa is Mr. President home state, you do not need the state to be in any crisis because we a have bigger challenge that requires a man like Sylva to confront. We should let go the unnecessary acrimony and bickering and push ahead. But you know that in politics it is not always easy to aggregate the opinion of everybody. We should be fair in all we do. Sylva is a man who always plays by the rule. Like Mr. President, he is always calm. You will be disap•Continued on page 44

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

POLITICS

My wishes for Nigeria, by Olaniwun Ajayi Being remarks by the author at the presentation of “Lest we forget” and “Isara Afotamodi: my Jerusalem” in Lagos yesterday.

I

F at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. The author of the say ing does not tell us the number of attempts we should make.

Applying the saying to our country which now is 51 years old as a sovereign state, we tried in 1960, we failed.

We tried again the following year, we failed. In the next five years, 19621966, not only did we fail, our failure was characterized by blood-letting, ending in a coup d’etat. The four years following – 1967-1970 was real bloodbath. We killed ourselves, with not less than two million lives lost to the bargain.

After some cessation following the civil war, kidnapping, armed robbery and such other crimes, apart from corruption which has become patently endemic, took over. There are aggravating political instability, ferocious anger, vulturous hunger and prevalent economic discontent.

Quoting Father Bishop Matthew Kukah in part, I ask: “When a Yoruba man is angry, what does he do?

When an Igbo man is angry, what does he do?

When a Fulani man is angry, what does he do?

When an Hausa man is angry, what does he do?

When an Ijaw man is angry, what does he do?

When an Urhobo man is angry what does he do?”

An average man or woman in this land is complaining sorrowfully and dismally because he/she is unable to meet his or her needs. Most of the basic necessities of life he cannot afford. Nonetheless, and relying on the hellish advice of IMF and World Bank, the Government plans to remove the subsidy on fuel with all the implications of that act.

It is disheartening to know that this country loses N3 trillion monthly due to petrol bunkering without the Government taking N1 trillion or more to procure equipment or appropriate apparatuses to deal with that economic crime on the land.

This country has abundant arable land and water resources, yet the government turns a blind eye to improving our agriculture and so make food available to the citizenry. Rather, most food is imported. In 2010, we spent $4.2 billion to import food.

On wheat, the country spent N635 billion, on rice, the country spent N356 billion, on sugar we spent N217 billion and on fish N97 billion was spent.

Instead of encouraging and assisting States and Local Governments in agriculture, the Government allocates, in its budget N63 billion for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture which does not have a single acre of land. The allocation is to serve, perhaps some sectional interest.

As at the moment, this country cannot boast of authentic census figures, just as the Government has nothing to show for the Identity Card Scheme which began in 1984 over which billions of Naira has been spent.

Since Independence election in 1959, all our election results have been disputed and contested save, perhaps, to some extent the last general election.

The allocations and the sharing of our revenue have not been satisfactory and generally acceptable. Not too long ago, the Vanguard Newspaper reported that none of the three northern zones contributed anything by

way of revenue generation to the national pool, and each of them received more, in revenue allocation, than either the South East or South West zone, the South-South zone being the greatest contributor was consequently, the highest beneficiary.

In Chapter One, Paragraph Two of the Report and Recommendations of the Human Rights Violation Investigations Commission chaired by the Hon. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa and published by the Civil Society Forum of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Honourable Justice Oputa raised some apt and soul searching questions namely: Where did Nigeria take the wrong turn? What is the root of its problems? Is it with its leadership or the followership (sic)? Have its resources been its undoing or is it the inability of the ruling elite to manage or distribute these resources in a prudent accountable and transparent manner?

What went wrong? Can we put Nigeria back on track again? Or else why would a nation so endowed turn so suicidal?

Although there are other causes of the problems of the country, the fundamental basic and the main answer or the most important relevant answer lies in the fact that the structure of the country defies political geometry which consequently brings into the system political imbalance which has, over the years, generated all the problems facing the country. The federalism which the country is running is purposely and perniciously distorted. The authors of the type of federalism the country is operating turned their back completely to the fact that this country is plainly heterogeneous in nature and character because it is naturally multinational, multilingual and multicultural. The outlook on religion and values is diverse. Traditions and custom are quite different. For a harmonious coexistence therefore, a federalism that will allow for self-determination which will cater for the interest of every one will be the correct, appropriate and suitable form of federalism for this country.

The present system has, since independence, created room for disaffection, for tension, genuine anger, unending conflict and political instability. Hitherto, of the 14 persons, including the current President, who have been at the helms of affairs of the country, none has been able to solve the intractable problems of the country. For our 51st Independence year celebration, our President could not keep a date with the land; rather, he and his officials, in apparent humiliating protection of their lives, ran away from the usual venue of such occasion, that is to say in time of crisis, our Government cannot guarantee safety for our people.

The President lamented the other day, that he feared that there were

• Sir Olaniwun

cruel Goliaths in some nooks and corners in the land, and that he could not save himself because he was not an army general and that he was not a David. My considered view is that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan portrays the image of a weak leader and so his fitness and suitability for the office of President come into question. However, the daily happenings in this country and other parts of the world have come with a lesson that the myth that some people are born to rule has come to the end. Any pursuit of such myth is bound, inexorably, to end in inevitable catastrophe.

And in any event, with the instructive and salutary lessons which the last fifty one years bring to us and in the light of the goings-on in our country today, the prospect before us as a nation is not only blighted, it is disastrous. Consequently, if the scenarios continue, as indeed they may, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will be the last President for this country.

But, before the end of his term of four years, he will fulfill the purpose for which he was overwhelmingly elected. A man, from the minority South-South being given such a strong and extraordinary mandate could not have been so lucky without a cause.

From that region of the country, he is the first to be accorded, by political friends and political opponents in the country, such overwhelming mandate.

In that regard, President Jonathan is stuck with the political image and likeness of Barack Obama, AfricanAmerican, principally from African stock becoming the President of the most powerful country in the world and achieving what all his predecessors-in-office, forty-three of them, failed to achieve namely, the enactment of two Acts — Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and,

Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. These are critical and controversial legislation which he, for the first time, has successfully accomplished.

I strongly believe that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in the manner of Obama, has been providentially elected President of this country at this time. Therefore, President Jonathan will emancipate the country from discordant ideological configuration that has been unleashing to the innocent and good people of this land all those economic, political, psychological and social illnesses that have been the lot of our people progressively for many years.

The power that be, over the years has been sweeping under the carpet, for the benefit of a very negligible few, the question of restructuring this multinational and multicultural nation. These are the few terrorizing Goliaths who have no foreheads.

They are like a dead cat in the midst of active scampering mice. If, there is any more undue delay in restructuring the country, then the inevitable consequence is that this nation will follow the unpleasant example of Yugoslavia which fell into pieces in 1990 and former Soviet Union (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) which, with the constituent republics, was constituted in 1922 as a big nation and which ceased to exist as from December 1991 as a result of ethnic tension, anger and disaffection.

But, our country can, and should avoid this disastrous cataclysmic collapse. President Jonathan can and, I am sure, will save the situation.

In this matter, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan should regard himself, henceforth, as President Barack Obama who has been made American President to tell the world that the black man has crucial roles to play in the affairs of the world. President Jonathan should see his coming at this time as President, as an overshadowing providence to save Nigeria, as providentially, Esther became the queen and consort of King Ahasuerus at a time, when Esther’s people, the Jews, could have been extirpated but for the heroism, courage, tact, selfdenial and patriotism of Esther. Majority of the people of this country are solidly and stoutly behind President Jonathan. God is powerfully behind him.

Providence will surely strengthen President Jonathan and uphold him in all his determination to establish and enthrone for this country, true democratic federalism, coupled with fiscal federalism, resource control, better, satisfactory and generally acceptable revenue sharing based on derivation principle.

In this connection, I sincerely and honestly advise our President to put into action a democratic and dynamic process by which a conference of the representatives of each geopolitical

zone, will be convened, possibly in the manner of the 1950 General Conference in this country held in Ibadan, where all the issues will be laid on the table and discussed democratically. With respect to this matter, the President will be advised not to refer this issue, for expedience and strategic reasons, to the National Assembly nor to a Sovereign National Conference.

Therefore, in the cherished and unshakable belief that President Jonathan will take my warning and advice, I will now PRONOUNCE, DECLARE and ASSERT MY ARDENT WISHES for this land as follows: Oranmiyan became the Alaafin of Oyo Empire, not with force of arms but by the power of love and God Almighty.

In like manner, the six geopolitical zones or such number of geopolitical zones as may be considered appropriate, that is, for now —NorthEast Zone North-West Zone Central Zone (which you call North-Central) South-South Zone South-East Zone and South-West Zone which shall be called Oduduwa Republic shall all come into being by the Omnipotence and Omniscience of God Almighty without any let or hindrance, and certainly without any ill-will or disaffection and surely with one love of heavenly union which shall have no comparison in human history.

Enthroned in this land, shall be, generally acceptable true democratic federalism, coupled with fair and equitable fiscal federalism and resource control and agreeable and agreed revenue derivation sharing.

That in addition to the foregoing, the Wisdom of God will guarantee for this land, profound and durable peace that will marvel the world ushering in its wake razor-keen political stability throughout the land.

That the Omnipotent and Omniscient shall endue and endow every individual in every and in each geopolitical zone in this land economic prosperity and permanent material welfare and real well-being.

That for the purpose of actualizing all the foregoing, God, in the plenitude of His grace and infinite mercy, shall provide and make available all those nationals of this land, at home and abroad, men and women of intellectual capability, patriotic zeal and equipped with the spirit of self-denial to render to our land, selfless, edifying and meritorious services and lastly.

That when the wishes are granted, all our people, irrespective of ethnic group or religion, may be endued with the grace of God to espouse passionately, the following four virtues: equity, fairness, justice and love in which true greatness lies.

Why Bayelsans are backing Sylva, by Tabai •Continued from page 43

pointed if you tell him to do any thing untoward.

Maybe the governor has not done enough in terms of communication with the people?

The challenge we have in Bayelsa is that the state is not like other states.

Bayelsa is not like Abuja. For you to move from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’, you have to go through the creeks. It is not a situation where development is centred on one area of the state.

Some people look at only what they see when they drive into Yenagoa, the state capital. People should consider what Yenagoa was four years ago and what it is today. As I speak with you I cannot even tell where some roads lead to in the state. People keep missing their way because they don’t know where a particular road leads to. Those who are in the

business of criticism should criticize, but they should also say the good side of the governor. God has a purpose for Bayelsa State at the end of the day we will all come together at a round table to discuss how to move Bayelsa forward and as a forgiving governor, Sylva will forgive everybody. He has done it before, he will do it again. He will always forgive.

Not too long ago, some Niger Deltans issued a statement that none Niger Deltans, particularly those from the northern part of the country, should leave the area. What does that portend for the corporate existence and unity of the country?

Such statement should have come much earlier than it did. What some elements in the north have done to people from other areas is more than tribal talk. They kill, maim, injure, burn places of worship, loot and destroy business places, kill youth

corpers. It is a clear signal that they are telling others we don’t want you in our area. They are telling others to leave their area. If they keep harassing and driving peoples away you too maybe forced to react. When you react, it maybe worse, it may maybe deadlier. Whatever you are seeing and hearing today about the menace of Boko Haram is call for negotiation of power. But it overheat the polity.

If today, the Movement for the Survival of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) begins to bomb everywhere and the police and soldiers begin to chase them about, what will it tell about the country. We know what is happening but we are just watching events as they continue to unfold. I had the privilege of assembling the first meeting of sea pirates about 15 years ago. That was after the activities of sea pirates became unbearable and we began to ask ques-

tions. We asked them why they were killing and harassing people in the creeks. Boko Haram wants to be noticed, they want patronage, they want power negotiated.

But they are using the wrong approach.

So what is the way out?

Very simple. Mr. President is proposing seven year single tenure for the presidency. We have six geo-political zones. If every zone knows that after seven years, power will rotate to their zone, it will go a long way in reducing the bitter struggle for power in the country. People will sit back in their zones with the knowledge that after seven years power will come to them. That is a fair deal and that is the way we should go. Once the seven year single tenure is adopted all the noise you hear will vanish. The heat and noise you hear are all about struggle for power.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Not yet a done deal •FG, states still need to agree for SWF to succeed

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S a seasoned global player in finance in his pre-minister days, you can excuse the triumphalism of Olusegun Aganga, Nigeria’s investment minister, when he declared in Perth, Australia, that the controversial Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) ought to be a done deal on the strength of its patent goodness.

For one, Mr. Aganga, as the then finance minister, takes credit for the passage of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Act (NSIA) 2011, the operating instrument of the SWF, which outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law on May 27, two days to his inauguration after his re-election.

For another, it is nice for Nigeria to rub shoulders with SWF nations like Norway, Kuwait, China, Singapore and even Ghaddaffi’s Libya (that, according to Mr. Aganga, has more than US $60 billion in its SWF account); and, at the same time, making great developmental strides in infrastructure and providing for the future generation. Aside, the fact that a portion of the fund would be available to cushion any dip in national earnings, resulting from the natural cycle of boom and bust, should naturally make everyone to

‘If the federal authorities are really determined to get on with SWF, they must realise not even the NSIA can stand without fulfilling the first generally accepted principles and practice (GAPP) of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF), called the Santiago Principles’

merrily queue behind SWF. Besides, Nigeria’s SWF stands on solid legal planks: NSIA 2011 is a fait accompli, which even the agitating governors could not wish away. So is the US $1bn SWF investment, which that legal instrument decreed should first be investible tranche. Therefore, gubernatorial dissent is only routine ranting that would soon fizzle out. Also Perth, where the Commonwealth of Nations was meeting, was an excellent place to pitch global finance, on the sweet opportunities of NSIA’s US $1 bn.

Still, the local rumbles are not about abating – why? Certainly, not because the SWF idea is repugnant – far from it. Any talk of savings for adversity is good, for it is the very foundation on which the Protestant ethic that fuels global capitalism is built. But why must the Federal Government force states’ hand to save, when it can save its own funds and move on?

Everything, therefore, seems wrong with the paternalistic way the federal authorities have carried out the campaign. Mr. Aganga is enthused that the NSIA was the fastest economic legislation ever because it only spent five months in parliament. What he did not reveal was that the governors, who had a modicum of consultation back then, were virtually blackmailed into acquiescence because of the public outcry over how rapidly the Excess Crude Account left by President Olusegun Obasanjo was depleted in the two years of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua presidency.

But blackmail, even for the noblest of causes, has its limit. So, some of the governors are fighting back. But instead of revisiting the basics of the SWF, the Federal Government has resorted to international blackmail: with the tri-

strategy of dazzling everyone with the alleged intrinsic goodness of the SWF, pitching global finance and of course, hoping that in the din of praise and razzmatazz of the foreign road show, the local opposition would take a cue and honourably shut up. Fond hope!

The most fatal mistake the federal authorities can make on the SWF is to deem it a done deal, brandishing NSIA 2011; and basking in the expected international acceptance in the West which, by the way needs every fund to rebuild its recessed economy.

Fortunately too for the West, most if not all of the funds would be invested outside Nigeria. But unfortunately for Nigeria, her hard earnings would be invested to create jobs abroad, while the real economy at home continues to gasp for breath; and millions of her youths pound the streets for phantom jobs. But maybe by the SWF, it would get worse before certainly getting better!

If the federal authorities are really determined to get on with SWF, they must realise not even the NSIA can stand without fulfilling the first generally accepted principles and practice (GAPP) of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF), called the Santiago Principles: that the legal framework for SWF should be sound; and should support its effective operation and the achievement of its stated objective.

It is doubtful therefore if NSIA 2011 can stand without the states passing corresponding legislations, because of Nigeria’s federal constitution. If that is not done, it would only be a matter of time before possible foreign investors give the Nigeria’s SWF a wide berth. No investor wants to be mired in an avoidable legal maze!

Disappointing CHOGM • Unless care is taken, Commonwealth will finally slide into irrelevance

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ESPITE the intense publicity and razzmatazz that characterised the 22 nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Western Australia, from October 28 to 30, members are, happily, sensitive to the fact that the organisation stands the danger of losing its relevance in a vastly transformed global context. The Commonwealth has indeed come a long way since it was originated over six decades ago by leaders of the self-governing colonies of the then omnipresent British Empire.

Membership of the organisation expanded swiftly after the colonial era, and it is today made up of 54 States. However, the Commonwealth’s clout and influence has considerably receded with the shrinking of British economic and military might on the global arena. In her book: ‘Below the Parapet’, Carol Thatcher, daughter of the former British Prime Minister revealed that her mother, Margaret Thatcher, used to joke that CHOGM stood for “Coons Holidaying on Government Money”! Even if this was in the lighter mood, it reflects the widespread perception of the present Commonwealth as a largely ceremonial social club.

It was in response to the challenge of change that the 2009 CHOGM commissioned an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) panel to propose reforms for the transformation and modernisation of the Commonwealth in the light of current realities. The EPG was mandated to recommend measures that would help in building a stronger, more resilient and

progressive Commonwealth capable of responding more effectively to such contemporary issues as the debilitating global economic crisis, climate change, terrorism, trade, investment, global pandemics and development. It was realised that member nations of the organisation would naturally look elsewhere for help they need if they find the Commonwealth irrelevant.

In pursuit of its mandate, the EPG led

by Abdullah Ahmand Badawi, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, made 106 “urgent recommendations” to the 2011 CHOGM to contain what it saw as a further decay of the Commonwealth. In particular, the EPG was concerned about the absence of a mechanism to censure member countries when they violate human rights or democratic norms. Among the central recommendations of the EPG were thus the adoption of a Charter of the Commonwealth to strengthen adherence to the organisation’s values and the creation of the office of a commissioner on the rule of law, democracy and human rights, to track persistent human rights abuses and allegations of political repression by Commonwealth member states.

Unfortunately, the attitude of the 2011 CHOGM to the recommendations of the EPG suggests either that member states are only paying lip service to their avowed commitment to change, or they do not realise how urgently the required changes must come on stream to prevent the organisation’s irreversible decline.

For instance, two-thirds of the EPG’s 106 recommendations were referred to study groups. Although the recommendation of

a charter of the Commonwealth bringing the principles contained in previous declarations into one single, consolidated document was approved, it was decided that such a charter would not be legally binding. The critical proposal on a commissioner for democracy, the rule of law and human rights was referred to the Secretary- General and the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) for further evaluation.

We cannot agree more with Ahmand Badawi’s view that “this CHOGM is expected to deliver meaningful reforms of the Commonwealth. If this CHOGM does not deliver such reforms, it is our duty to sound the caution to you that this CHOGM will be remembered not as the triumph it should be, but as a failure”.

It has been, to say the least, a dissapointing CHOGM.

‘Unfortunately, the attitude of the 2011 CHOGM to the recommendations of the EPG suggests either that member states are only paying lip service to their avowed commitment to change, or they do not realise how urgently the required changes must come on stream to prevent the organisation’s irreversible decline’

The $350 honk

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OR years, it has been illegal in New York City to use “any claxon installed on a motor vehicle” except in an emergency or, unfortunately, as one of those irritating car alarms. The fine for unnecessary horn-blowing is steep — $350 per summons — although very few tickets are given out, which may explain the din.

In a bid for a bit more peace and quiet, David Yassky, the taxi commissioner, has now sent word by text message to New York’s 13,000 taxi drivers that they should “honk ONLY in an emergency!” or risk getting a ticket, and he urged them to “be a good neighbor.”

Many taxi drivers were, how to say this, unimpressed. Fernando Mateo, head of the state’s Federation of Taxi Drivers, spoke for many when he said: “Come on, David. You try driving a taxi for 10 hours a day in this city, hustling for the next fare.” We suspect it might take a few of these costly tickets to change minds and habits.

Cities around the world began outlawing excessive horn honking as a safety measure as much as a way to improve quality of life.

Officials found that too many drivers used horns instead of brakes when they saw a car or a pedestrian in their way. Jeffrey Muttart, a crash safety expert at the University of Massachusetts, says that these days many drivers use their horns to “chastise” others, and that soon honking will be heard as an insult, not a warning of danger. Mr. Yassky is right to remind his drivers of why they have a horn in the first place. They should listen. So should the rest of the drivers out there.

– New York Times

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: The Libyan revolution which began over six months ago as a consequence of the popular uprisings in the Arab world across the Middle East and North Africa, reached a climax with the capture and subsequent termination of the Gaddafi dynasty by the National Transitional Committee.

With the success of the Libyan revolution and the eventual killing of Muammar Gaddafi after 42 years of autocratic rulership, the first thing comes to mind is that change, albeit may tarry and take some time, is a necessary and inevitable end that will come when it will come. Change, whether we like it or not, expect it or not, initiate it or not, will surely come at a point in

Sanitation exercise: one cancellation too many

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IR: I am writing to register my disappointment and displeasure at the decision of the Lagos State Government to cancel the monthly sanitation exercise of Saturday October 29.

Canceling the sanitation exercise for the second consecutive time is not good for a state that desires a cleaner environment. I see no reason why the sanitation exercise should not go on despite the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected officials at the local government level.

Suspending the restriction of movement for the exercise amounts to condoling the lackadaisical attitude of some Lagosians towards the exercise. As observed in the past, the restriction of movement during the monthly sanitation exercise has helped to ensure people engage in cleaning of their homes and surroundings.

At a time when we are fighting flooding and making efforts to manage the effect of climate change, the government must not be seen as encouraging people to neglect sanitation. Constant sanitation exercise remains the bedrock of a cleaner environment.

• Paul Oluwalere Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos

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Lessons from the fall of Gaddafi dynasty time. According to Geil Sheeshy, a renowned novelist and essayist, “if we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we are not really living”.

The first lesson to be learnt from the Libyan revolution is that any change this is propelled and driven by the collective will and desire of the people, no matter how long it may take, will always prevail.

Nobody can stop it. Nobody can prevent it. Although, it may be delayed, it will inevitably and inexorably come to pass.

The fall of the Gaddafi dynasty is a clear manifestation and unequivocal attestation to the fact that the people’s power and collective will, sustained determination, tenacity of purpose

S

IR: In 1975, the late Nigerian hero, General Mutala Mohammed appointed a committee on the new location of the Federal Capital of Nigeria. The terms of reference of the committee were: • To examine the dual role of Lagos as a federal and state capital, and advise on the desirability or otherwise of Lagos retaining that role; • In the event of the committee finding that the federal capital should move out of Lagos, to recommend suitable alternative locations.

The seven wise men cleverly avoided siting of the federal capital within one of the three major ethnic groups. In selecting Abuja, the great men avoided a densely populated area and settled for a sparsely populated area where there would be few inhabitants to resettle. When Mutala Mohammed died in 1976, the names suggested

by Nigerians were abandoned and it was named Abuja – a name in an existing northern emirate. The bottom line is that the successors of

and strong desire to effect the necessary change cannot be truncated by any leader, no matter how powerful he, or his army, might be. It underscores the Latin maxim “vox populi, vox dei” which translated means the voice of the people is the voice of God. This implies that the ultimate power belongs to God and rests with the people, from whom the leaders derive their power, authority and legitimacy, in the first place.

Simply put, a resistance to change by autocratic and sit-tight leaders can be broken by the people’s will power. The import of this is that leaders who resist voluntary and peaceful change bear the risk of a forceful and violent change. Such sit tight, autocratic and undemocratic

leaders must realize that everything that has a beginning, surely will, one day, come to an end.

Another key lesson to be learnt from the Libyan revolution is that people have to conquer their fears and be courageous and determined to ensure that the necessary and desired changes are effected. People have to dare the status quo, assert their rights, be prepared to confront the powers that be head-on and be willing to pay the price and make the necessary sacrifices, even if it means paying the supreme price, for the desired change to come about.

The Libyan revolution and indeed the entire Arab Awakening have also taught us – and this is very instructive – that change could be midwifed and initiated from

bottom-up that is, by the people themselves. The people of these countries took their destiny in their own hands, collectively resolved that “enough is enough” and decided to effect the necessary changes without waiting for, or indeed when they got tired of the leadership.

And the final word of advise is that leaders should be bold and courageous enough to willingly and voluntarily, in their best and enlightened self-interest, initiate, institute, entrench and embed broad-based socio-economic and political reforms to correct inherent anomalies and perceived imbalances. This is in order to assuage the frayed feelings of frustration and disenchantment among the people which, if not nip in the bud, may give rise to a state of despondency and militancy that may lead to civil unrests, popular revolts and mass uprisings and in some cases, violent and calamitous rebellion as witnessed in the Libyan revolution.

• Kayode Oluwa Lekki Lagos.

Killing the Abuja dream the Murtala-Obasanjo regime aborted the great dream of a federal capital of Nigeria which will be home to all Nigerians conceived

by General Mohammed.

Justice Akinola Aguda, chairman of the committee would later lament before his death that “the whole concept of a new federal capital territory as a symbol of our unity and nationhood has been completely assassinated and buried”.

In the peak of the June 12 1993 Presidential election debacle, the powers that be arraigned the winner of that election the late Chief MKO Abiola in an Abuja High Court for declaring himself President. Thousands of Nigerians from all walks of life were travelling to Abuja in solidarity with the President they elected with 14 million votes. On their way to Abuja, they were stopped by security agents who beat them up like common criminals, stripped some of the women naked and subsequently detained them for daring to travel to their capital city.

On September 20, the Action Con-

gress of Nigeria sympathizers travelling to Abuja to witness the trial of their national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Code of Conduct Bureau Tribunal were meted with the same ill- treatment.

They were as usual maltreated at Lokoja. We cried from the roof top that we are still being confronted with the remaining vestiges and incubus of military era.

Again October 25, 23 citizens of Osun State, travelling to Abuja in a branded Osun State government vehicle were again stopped at Lokoja by security operatives led by the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Amamama Ababakasanga and subjected to all manner of disgrace and humiliation. According to the CP “somebody that is going to Abuja should be able to tell us his mission. So since they don’t know their mission to Abuja we stopped them from moving further”.

The 23 Osun citizens were detained and compelled to return to Lagos. The Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Rauf Aregbesola raised an alarm and alerted the na-

tion of this terrible and inhuman assault meted to his people travelling to Abuja on government vehicle in a democracy. Now few days after the madness at Lokoja the Vice President Namadi Sambo had the need to travel to Osun State capital Oshogbo to commission the Federal High Court complex. In protest Governor Aregbesola stayed away from the ceremony.

Now, what did we expect the Vice President to do? Rather than calm frayed nerves, he asked the governor of Osun State to go to court to seek redress!

It is provocative and at best, catastrophic. Since 1993 those who have found themselves in the seat of power whether military or civilian have continued to do violence to the recommendations of the sevenman committee that led to the creation of Abuja. I do not know whether any of them is still alive today and if they are not, the justice we can do to them is to respect their dreams and make Abuja home for all Nigerians.

• Joe Igbokwe Lagos

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

Nigeria and the curse of elections – 9

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N spite of this, the 2011 elections have been adjudged to be generally fair by informed observers both locally and internationally. The United States for example applauded the 2011 elections as being better than 2007 election but expressed serious concerns about reports of alleged ballot box snatching and stuffing. A retired government official from the North observed “….Given our unenviable history of electoral misconduct spanning over the last 50 years, INEC under Prof. Attahiru Jega’s leadership can be said to have come out well in spite of the odds and the brief period of public skepticism occasioned by the commission’s initial tottering steps and seeming self doubt….

Relative to the 2003 and 2007 election, the 2011 election was more transparent as it generally reflected the votes openly cast, counted and recorded in the various polling booths. Many of the complaints centred around what transpired at the collation centres, where the voters appeared to have been shut out from defending their votes as much as they did at the polling booths. “……The overall verdict remains, however that in the 2011 election we have moved positively forward in our quest for electoral excellence, although we need to refine our methods to, make it transparent through and through…”

Writing on the same issue a retired senior academic wrote “……The 2011 elections….represent the beginning of a process which one hopes will culminate in the people choosing without much fuss or hassle those who will rule them. In this regard, the relative impartiality that attended the conduct of the polls, in which, for once, the electoral commission chairman appeared to have been truly independent of the ruling or any other party or interest, is welcome development. All the same, it has to be quickly added that in Nigeria…incumbent rulers and their parties enjoy far too many privileges and advantages vis a vis the opposition for elections to be truly fair. The political structure is also subject to the many deformities and inequalities to permit of equal opportunity of access to power….

There were malpractices at all levels of the balloting process –

‘The time may indeed have come for fiscal federalism and resource control so that Nigerians can go back to work instead of politics becoming the quickest means of individual riches, wealth and status’

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F Nigerians could turn back the hands of the clock, their wish may be that the April 16 presidential election be held all over again. The wish would have been informed by recent happenings in the country. These happenings are not palatable at all; they do not reflect their expectations of the leadership they voted for in the April poll. Many are today regretting the day they cast their votes for President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan did not win the election because he was more popular than the other candidates; he won because the electorate were taken in by his unassuming and meek nature.

But I daresay today it was a big mistake to have so voted. Jonathan has shown since the election that he does not have what it takes to lead us despite being surrounded by some of the best brains in the world.

These brainy men and women in his cabinet may be wondering what they brought upon themselves by agreeing to work with him. I still believe though that people did not vote blindly for him. The electorate knew what they were up to while voting for him. They probably chose him because, as it were, he was the lesser evil of the lot.

Jonathan is a child of circumstance; he has always been. The luck in his first name, Goodluck, has always stood him in good stead.

Where all else fails, luck has always smiled on Jonathan. But he needs more than luck to run the country.

As things are now, Nigeria has never had it this bad. The country is running on auto-pilot; nobody seems to be in charge because the president does not know what to do. If

bribing of INEC auxiliary staff to engage in multiple ballot – thumb printing, purchase of votes on voting queues, intimidation of opposition party agents at collation centres, some of the worst cases of electoral irregularities would appear to have taken place in PDP strongholds in Eastern Nigeria, in the Niger-Delta and in parts of Northern Nigeria. In Eastern Nigeria and the Niger-Delta for example PDP scores range between 97.67 and 99.63 per cent of the votes cast in Presidential polls. These are figures that are not replicated anywhere else in the country, they also defy all statistical analyses based on voter registration, turn out of voters, or the factor of candidates’ home constituency”.

What was obvious was that Goodluck Jonathan was personally preferred to the dour and ascetic general. In other words, people voted for Jonathan rather than the PDP and hoped that the newly returned President will in his policies transcend his party. Whether this is a forlorn hope lies in the pregnant future.

What is to be done and what is at the bottom of electoral heist in Nigeria? Why is it almost impossible to hold elections that losers can accept without resort to the courts or the streets of protest. In the last 50 years we have not had any election that was not a subject of disputation and challenge and rather for the situation to improve, it is getting worse. One of the reasons is the structural imbalance in the country in which political power for long was located in one part of the country to the detriment of free access to power by others no matter how qualified or talented they may be.

Some people have advocated everybody belonging to the “mainstream”. This would amount to having a one party state in which electoral disputes will be resolved at party level. Apart from being anachronistic, one party states tend to collapse if there is no avenue for alternative views. This was the case in the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. The recent dispute over zoning within the PDP occasioning regional animosity is also a point undermining advocacy for one party state. In the case of Nigeria there is need for reducing the power in the centre so that controlling the centre will not be a matter of political and economic life or death as it is presently. Weakening the centre would not automatically mean free elections at state level but events in Kano and the South-west, the two areas of political sophistication proves that the local people can vote in or remove parties if the electoral umpire is fair. There is also too much reliance on force and money in our elections with little or no emphasis o party platforms and ideology. Elections have become investments and like any business, people take risks with the hope of reaping bountiful dividends. In the distributive

system of governments that we run with little emphasis on production but all the emphasis on sharing what essentially is the bounty of nature, no consideration whatsoever is placed on honesty, probity and integrity. If the state had not been turned into a commissioned agent Jide skimming off profits Osuntokun from multinational oil corporations, the bitterness witnessed in recent times will not be there. In other words there is need to deemphasise this distributive and sharing aspect of governance in favour of production.

The time may indeed have come for fiscal federalism and resource control so that Nigerians can go back to work instead of politics becoming the quickest means of individual riches, wealth and status.

Elections since 1951 to the present have not been able to foster a feeling of common destiny and if we are to remain together we must find ways and means to harmonise individual and group rights within an overarching federal architecture. But the key to the removal of this curse of election lies in education, adoption of full proof technological electoral machinery to minimise tampering with the electoral process. We must also build a Nigerian economy in which people who wish to work would have work to do and in which politics will be a vocation rather than a profession.

This was what it was in the past and we must go back to the past in order to guarantee our future. Dissolution of the federation will not guarantee fair election in the successor states. This is the experience and verdict of history. The chaos in Somalia proves that common ethnic and religious identity is not a guarantee of stability, security, democracy and free elections. What is necessary is political restructuring of the country so as to have states, perhaps based on present six zones, which are viable and sustainable and deemphacising the centre so that political struggle and electoral contestation will be localised instead of the current struggle of seizure of the centre by all and every means possible including rigging of elections or through a military putsch or coup d’etat.

A nation adrift he knew that he lacks the capacity for the job, why then did he stand election? This is the question many are asking today in the confines of their homes, on the streets and in bars.

It is not a question too difficult to answer. In Nigeria, electoral contests are not for the best candidates. They also have nothing to do about competence. They are determined by godfathers who handpick those who run in the elections. In Jonathan’s case, he had everything going for him. He was the sitting president to whom all other contestants in his party looked up to for endorsement. So, Jonathan easily brushed aside every opposition, the strongest being from the north which wanted to capitalise on zoning to deny him the party’s ticket. He survived the onslaught.

Politics and leadership are poles apart. One can be a good politician without being a good leader and one can be a good leader without being a good politician. It takes the grace of God for one to have both attributes. Painfully, Jonathan is neither a good politician nor a good leader. He is just being propelled by luck. But can’t he utilise this luck to write his name in the league of leaders who rode to power on the crest of luck, but left their footprints in the sands of time.

Jonathan is unmindful of history.

To him, whatever posterity likes it may say about him. What matters to him is the here and now. Even at that, what is he doing to improve

‘Politics and leadership are poles apart. One can be a good politician without being a good leader and one can be a good leader without being a good politician. It takes the grace of God for one to have both attributes. Painfully, Jonathan is neither a good politician nor a good leader’

the lot of his countrymen? Nothing.

Jonathan is not bothered by the suffering of the people. He is even ready to add more to their pains by removing fuel subsidy. The president and his men are only interested in the money to be saved from the subsidy removal, which in any case will end up in the pockets of a few public officers. Those campaigning for subsidy removal are, contrary to their argument, not doing so for the love of the country but for what they can get from it at the end of the day.

Their argument in support of subsidy removal is at best specious. It is the same well worn argument that only a few people are benefiting from subsidy. If the beneficiaries are few, doesn’t that make the job of identifying them easy? Or is the government saying that they are sacred cows that cannot be touched? If these people are illegally benefiting from subsidy, isn’t it the job of government to bring them to book and plug the loopholes so that the masses can legally benefit from what is expected to improve their lot? A recourse to handwringing in this situation will

not help government, which has failed in its duty to police what ordinarily should have been the people’s benefit and not that of a privileged few.

Government knows these people.

This is why it cannot name them and damn the consequences. I will not be surprised if some top government officials are involved. This is their kettle of fish. It is also hogwash and bunkum to use the deregulation of diesel to support the need to remove fuel subsidy. How many Nigerians use diesel? At best, their contact with diesel is at work, where companies are powered by the commodity, or on the road, where a few buses make use of the product. We can count the number of vehicles running on diesel off our fingertips compared to those using petrol.

The people didn’t vote for Jonathan to make life more difficult for them.

They elected him to alleviate their suffering and if he cannot do that, it is not too late for him and his vice to throw in the towel. Nigerians are tired of this present situation. Many believe that we may be better off without this kind of leadership. May the Lord deliver us.

Baba Suwe: Baba Cherokee becomes real

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•Baba Suwe

ABATUNDE Omidina aka Baba Suwe is a delight to watch in Yoruba movies. When he appears in movies, viewers are sure of getting their money’s worth. His arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on October 12 was not make believe; it was real. I was returning from Abuja on October 13 when I ran into Kelvin Osa-Okunbor, our aviation correspondent, at the airport. He gave me a low down on Baba Suwe’s arrest the previous day as the ace actor was about boarding a flight to Paris,

Lawal Ogienagbon

lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

France. The comedian was arrested for alleged drug trafficking. According to NDLEA, he has a foreign object suspected to be hard drug in his system. Since then, NDLEA and the whole world have been waiting with bated breath for Baba Suwe to excrete the substance so as to confirm whether or not it is hard drug. So far, all his faeces have no trace of hard drug. But NDLEA is not ready to let go. It strongly believes that Baba Suwe has drugs deep down in his bowels, citing some CTscan reports to buttress its claim.

It also believes that with time, Baba Suwe will excrete the object. So, it wants to keep him in detention until then. This is, however, impossible because there is a limit to how long a suspect can be kept in detention. For Baba Suwe, this saga is a real life version of his movie : Baba Cherokee, in which he was suspected to have trafficked in hard drugs when he suddenly became rich. In that film, those close to him were the ones peddling rumours of his being a trafficker when he started riding series of Cherokee jeeps. Will this real life saga end just like the film, that is without evidence of his being a drug pusher? Time will tell.

SMS ONLY: 08056504763

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION OVERNMENT newly approved N30.6 billion expenditure on National Identity Management System(NIMS) seems to have, in the opinions of many, further damaged the already dented image of PDP, the ruling party. It is not that Nigerians ever expected the self-styled biggest party in Africa to harbour only angels; that will not be in the nature of political parties, often the refuge for all manners of ‘selfish interest’ groups. That PDP is equally a haven for a few scoundrels is therefore not totally unexpected. The misfortune of the party however, is that few villains have given the public the wrong impression that PDP is a party of crooks.

The sheer number of the party’s ex-governors and other office holders indicted by the courts or currently facing charges of financial malfeasance has not helped matters. As if to add to the injuries of PDP, Elvis Oglafa, the secretary to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences(ICPC) only this Monday spoke of ‘many projects that have become a cesspool of corruption that litter the landscape as abandoned projects after billions’ had been collected, as can be expected by PDP contractors. He revealed that the body had so far this year recovered N13 billion from some selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS).

Nigerians seem to have concluded that the allocation of N30.6 billion for the project is another avenue for PDP to fritter away public fund. And no one can blame the public for its cynicism. They have the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) ill-executed contract for the refineries, the PHCN $16 billion contract which the PDP dominated Lower House dismissed as ‘scam’, the abandoned rehabilitation of Lagos-Ibadan Express road under Ogunlewe as Minister for Works, the abandoned Shagamu-Benin rehabilitation contract under successive PDP ministers as evidences to support their mistrust of PDP. And in the specific case of the ID card project, it is not lost on Nigerians that contract awarded to a French firm, SAGEM under Obasanjo in 2001 for the same identity card project was illimplemented after expending $214 millions because of monumental fraud by PDP leading lights including three former ministers who were actually charged to court. The case like all others involving PDP ruling party was treated as ‘PDP family affair.’ .Well meaning Nigerians have asked questions about the motives for the desperation to spend this amount. For instance, people want to know the relevance of the INEC-registered

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National ID card contract as elixir to our problems 70 million Nigerians of above 18 years of age in the last one year using the Direct Data Capture biometric registration if the statistics collected cannot form a solid base to consolidate the NIMC new initiative. (Substantial part of N85billion the National Assembly approved for INEC was spent on the collection of the statistics). The question is also asked of what will become of the National Communications Commission (NCC} ongoing biometric data collection of Nigerian mobile phone users. That exercise which also should have been left to the mobile phones service providers who are smiling to the banks after recouping their investments is also costing Nigerian tax payers N6.1 Billion.

But, even the PDP dominated House of Representatives has questioned the sincerity of the federal executive council huge allocation that was not appropriated in the 2011 Appropriation Act. The House which was miffed by the lack of information on the state of the previous efforts on the project, a process that has been underlined by corruption, has mandated its committees on interior, national planning and economic development to investigate the state of the project.

Well meaning Nigerians have equally wondered whose interest is being served by the federal executive council’s approval of such project ‘without the full relevant facts, including source of fund’ As The Guardian puts it “This omission speaks volume about the integrity of the governing elite, and challenges of governance besetting the country.”

But neither President Jonathan nor his PDP

party think they owe Nigerians any explanation. Instead of rationalisation, the nation was presented with fait accompli. With the characteristic perfidy and usual disdain of our leaders for Nigerians, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on September 29 came out with a long list of the ‘benefits of the on-going implementation of the National Identity Management System (NIMS)’, which include improving of our economy, enhancement of the works of the law enforcement agencies, preservation of lives and property, eradication of corruption and Advanced Fee Fraud (419)’.

Whilst promising accelerated delivery of the National Identity Management System (NIMS) by December 2013, Anthony Okwudiafor, Head, Corporate Communications of the Commission did not forget to add that “It will deepen access to consumer credit and thus stimulate local production and commerce, create new economic and employment opportunities and help launder Nigeria’s image”. Finally, he assured Nigerians that it will guarantee good governance, through e-governance, revenue generation and administration of social policies”.

It will be a welcome news if President Jonathan has in the NIMC found a one timecure-elixir for all our nations economic and social problems starting from the collapsed manufacturing, pharmaceutical, textile and tyre industries to the looted privatised government firms that once guaranteed employment opportunities for young Nigerian University graduates and of course the eradication of cor-

ruption which has become more brazen in the last four years. As welcome as this may be, it will still not have answered the questions raised by repeatedly raped Nigerian taxpayers, including members of the Lower House that have, on this issue, chosen for once, to align with the people.

More intriguing is the fact that the desperate politicians championing the spending of this un-appropriated N30.6 billion have been silent on the advertised objectives of the project when first enunciated in 2001.We have also not been told how the commission hopes to address the issues of millions of non-Nigerians that got registered in the earlier exercise in some states of the North. They have similarly not told us the modalities for containing millions more, driven by poverty and war from southern Darfur, Chad and Niger that today work as security guards and ‘okada’ commercial motorcyle riders in Lagos and other cities of the South. The obsession is just to apply any form of subterfuge to fritter away N30.6 billion.

Except you are a PDP politician or an OkonjoIweala, the Minister for Finance and President Jonathan’s liberalisation spin-doctor, it is apparent that Nigerians will on the long run benefit more if instead of taking loan from the World Bank, as recently canvassed by the minister in New York, the amount is deployed to subsidise agriculture or to bail out our dead tyre industries. Donating N30.6 billion even as charity to save a quarter of the present over N600 billion we expend on importation of rice or save thousands of lives we lose yearly on account of usage of imported substandard and expired second hand tyres by Nigerian motorists, is alms well deployed. There must be a way to stop a few greedy PDP contractors from fooling the rest of us with a promise for “an accelerated implementation of the ‘back end’ component of the National Identity Management System (NIMS)” – what ever that meant.

‘But, even the PDP dominated House of Representatives has questioned the sincerity of the federal executive council’s huge allocation that was not appropriated in the 2011 Appropriation Act’

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS A critic is a legless man who teaches running.-Channing Pollock [188O-1946] in The Green Book

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T is increasingly turning out that Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, the man who wants to govern Bayelsa State is alas presenting credentials based on a sheer and idle criticism of sitting Governor Timipre Sylva. If critique is matched with a new and superior alternative view, the society could prospect for a healthy debate needed for the growth and development of the citizens and strategic institutions of governance and administration. But where you offer a bland and dismissive challenge in such a serious arena as a political campaign to win power through the ballot, you have lost the race before the gun blast.

Many analysts believe that with his less than impressive remarks on Sylva’s administration instead of a robust focus on what he has in store for the people, Dickson has shot himself in the foot.

For, in seeking an advantage by attempting to pummel the governor, the lawmaker has exposed himself as truly a poor candidate for the exalted office.

In politics, a poor candidate is defined as one who, bereft of the intellectual capacity to operate in the world of ideas and creativity, attempts a barren attack on the performance of those in power.

He hardly erects a viable shadow platform. He throws no fresh concepts of governance into the debate. Three quarters of a one -thousand –word presentation is a parade of criticism with the remaining one quarter a haranguing hotchpotch of politicking.

And so we have Seriake Dickson making sweeping statements that suggest

Sylva and legless critics

By Gesi Oyinkuro

he’s a stranger to the new face of Bayelsa under Timipre Sylva. He speaks of ‘poor and dismal performance to date’ in his Bayelsa Restoration Agenda.

Then he refers t o what he calls a ’reckless abuse of state power without a corresponding sense of honour, responsibility and compassion’, implying tragically that under him as governor he’d balance ‘reckless abuse of power’ with’ a …sense of honour, responsibility and compassion’.

What frightening recipe for anarchy.

Elsewhere Dickson says; ‘the present governor does not quite understand the problems and potentials[sic] of the people’. And on women he says the Bayelsa governor hasn’t given them equal opportunities to key into development programmers’ in the state.

It’s obvious the new Bayelsa has left Dickson far behind. Otherwise he’d realize governance has gone beyond the banal there. The debate is no longer about the personality of who is in power. It’s about ideas and leveraging popular participation in the institutions of government. Whoever is the helmsman, in this case Timipre Sylva, represents the collective symbol of our aspiration and dream. We are in an ideas realm that has given birth to several positive changes in Bayelsa.

For instance in 2008, in one fell swoop Sylva’s administration appointed seven women as Local Government chairpersons in the state. It was at a time most governments were still drawing a thick

gender line across the country!

Today, President Goodluck Jonathan has also appointed unprecedented number of women in the federal cabinet!

Talk of kindred spirits!

Of course, it is utter mischief to say Sylva “does not quite understand the problems and potentials (sic) of the people”. He does. Otherwise he’d not be embarking on policies that would steadily wean Bayelsa off the deadly trap of oil dependence. He is deploying agriculture, notably fish farming and rice cultivation, as weapons in his bid to replace oil as the chief revenue earner. He is targeting millions of tones of rice and fish.

His administration is planning the ultimate: the construction of an Agricultural City in Sagbama Local Government of Bayelsa! He says it’s going to be the first of its kind in Nigeria to “serve as a centre to produce agricultural commodities and run agric commerce with infrastructure to support ideas on modern farming techniques.”

Being a fore-sighted politician, Governor Sylva has looked beyond today and seen that in the not too distant future, oil will lose its allure and its fortunes will vanish. It happened in Oloibiri, which is today a metaphor for departed glory. Sylva says we can avert a bigger tragedy by taking urgent steps now to neutralize oil, with all the hardship it has caused Nigeria and her citizens, never mind the Pyrrhic victory it has often given.

Sylva’s strategy and vision as a politician are light years ahead of what Dickson is promising. The lawmaker is “to establish an Economic Advisory Council which will lay the foundation for a blue print (sic) to revamp the economy…” Do you lay the foundation for a blueprint or do you evolve a blueprint from which will emerge a prosperous society?

Besides this comment on a contradiction in terms in Dickson’s agenda, it must be pointed out that what Bayelsa and really every constituent state of Nigeria, need are committed and tested leaders. We must reject politicians who resort to dismissive criticisms when it is clear from their pedigree and body language that they won’t offer better service when voted into office.

Bayelsa under Sylva has posted significant achievements which must be consolidated.

Finally these two questions: who, between the one in the saddle who has proved his mettle and the one who is groping in the dark about a blueprint, would you entrust your fate to? Would you allow a legless man to teach you how to run?

• Dr. Oyinkuro is the Director of Research, New Bayelsa Forum, Yenagoa

‘We must reject politicians who resort to dismissive criticisms when it is clear from their pedigree and body language that they won’t offer better service when voted into office’

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

AFTERMATH OF 3-1 AWAY WIN OVER CROWN

Obuh mum on Sharks’ Continental hope

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ESPITE thrashing Crown FC of Ogbomosho 3-1 at the Ilorin Township Stadium on Tuesday, the Technical Adviser of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, John Obuh has decided against giving any false hope that the Blue Angels would nick a Continental spot at the end of the season.

Obuh who led the Flying Eagles to the African Youth Championship (AYC) victory in South Africa early this year and also guided same team to the quarter final at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Colombia after a cruel 3-5 extra time loss to France told NationSport that though he was happy with his club’s latest success on the road, he would wait till the end of the season before any pronouncement is made on his club’s quest for a berth in Africa.

He praised the doggedness and the fighting spirits of the Ajilete Boys stating that they fought till the end of the encounter despite the margin of the scoreline.

According to Obuh, “Both teams played well but we utilized the chances that came our way. It was good game. Despite the victory I will still say I am not in that position to start to design what the end of the

season will look like when we still have about two matches to its end. Lets wait till the end of the season and then we will now see how far we have gone.

But this win should give us some respite that there is still hope alive.”

Sharks with the away win now has 59 points from 36 matches while Crown FC which had already been relegated is just marking time with 34 points from same number of matches.

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ANO Pillars’ head coach, Ladan Bosso has backed Stephen Keshi to become the new manager of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

Bosso has also emerged as a front runner to become an assistant coach to Keshi though the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has refused to comment on the development.

But the 45-year-old Kano Pillars’ manager believes Keshi will come good for Nigeria as head coach.

“Keshi has the clout to manage the men’s senior national team of this country. He is someone that all coaches

FIFA picks Nigerian refs for World Cup qualifier

• Obuh

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Making this known to NationSport on Tuesday, the NPL Acting Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola stated that despite the slight change in the encounter, the two Weeks 36 and 37 fixtures would go ahead as planned with matches slated for next Wednesday (November 9th) and Sunday (November 13th) across the country.

Sunshine is on top with 67 points from 35 matches and leads others including second placed Dolphins of Port Harcourt by three points and with a measure of goals difference to its advantage too while Zamfara with 39 points from same number of matches needs all points to stage a late rally from avoiding the dreaded drop at the end of the season.

EDERATION Internationale De Football Association ( FIFA ) has appointed Nigerian referees for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Preliminary Competition Africa Zone round one first leg match between Chad and Tanzania to be played at the artificial turf of Idriss Mahamat Ouya stadium on November 11.

A letter signed by Gordon Savic, head of Competitions Division of FIFA, named the Nigerians so appointed as Ogunkolade Bunmi as referee, Abidoye Tunde and Baba Abel are first and second assistant referees respectively while Ago Abubakar is the fourth official.

The referees inspector so appointed is Idrissa Saar of Mauritania, while the match commissioner will be Algeria’s Haddadi Hamid.

In another development, Solomon Nwokoma and Peter Edibe stand the chance of officiating at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations to be co hosted by Gabon and Equitorial Guinea.

The duos are among the 58 referees invited by CAF to take part in the CAF elite Referees course that will commence in Cairo on November 13 through 19.

The course will include medical, technical and physical fitness training, after which the referees that will officiate in the Nation’s Cup will be selected.

Kanu kicks off Imo League November 11

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OTIVATED by his desire to discover more hidden talents on the streets of Owerri and his environs, the twice former African Footballer of the Year and Portsmouth of England striker, Kanu Nwankwo has reiterated his resolve to create an enduring legacy through football.

Ogunjobi backs local coaches

By David Onyeka HE Former Chairman of the Nigeria Technical Committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi declared that he wants the NFF to appoint an indigenous coach for the Super Eagles and not a foreign coach, who posses a required ability and will be an important figure before the players.

However, Ogunjobi said: “Coaching the Super Eagles National Team is a different ball game entirely from other National Teams”.

He said Nigeria needs a manager that will be respected by the players and have the interest of the country on heart and will have a cordial relationship with the Super Eagles Players.

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in this country have lots of respect for, and even the players have same for him. They don’t call him Big Boss for nothing.

“So if the NFF appoints him as coach of the Super Eagles, it will be a very good one for our football because he is knowledgeable and experienced,” Bosso told SuperSport.com on Tuesday night.

Bosso expressed readiness to serve Nigeria if he is eventually picked as an assistant to Keshi.

“Why won’t I take the job? I am always ready to serve my country in whatever capacity as a football coach.

And if I am picked by the NFF I will give my best,” the former Wikki Tourists coach said.

The NFF Technical Committee is expected to continue its meeting in Abuja on Wednesday in a bid to recommend a new coach for the Super Eagles following the sack

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Kanu who is the Imo State Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, made this known at a parley with Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Imo chapter on the activities of the Imo League which is billed to start on the 11th November with the opening ceremony while the actual games kick off on November 25th across the State.

The football talent hunt competition will be on display for close to eight months and it will have all the 27 Local Government Areas in the State in attendance and they have been grouped

into four zones with the first three having 7 teams and the last having 6.

Two teams would qualify from each zone and the eight teams would slug it out for the ultimate diadem which includes a selection of 25 players from the participating teams for a trip to an undisclosed European nation on a training tour among other freebies.

This was made known to SWAN members Tuesday through Kanu’s Senior Personal Assistant, Ray Ebede who came along with the officials of the Imo League which is another innovation of the Imo State Government toward ensuring that young ones think less of vices through the use of football.

LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Inter gives condition for Obi's release

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NTER MILAN will release Joel Obi to Nigeria for the final Olympic qualifiers once they qualify for the next round of the UEFA Champions League.

The Italian giants are top of the UEFA Group B with six points from three matches and host French champions Lille later Wednesday at the San Siro.

“Inter gave us a condition – Obi will be released to the team as soon as they have reached the next round of the Champions League,” a top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official told MTNFootball.com.

Twenty-year-old Obi is eligible for the U23 championship in Morocco from November 26. He has expressed his willingness to feature for Dream Team V at the Olympics after he missed out on

featuring at the recent FIFA U20 world Cup in Colombia.

It is now left for Olympic team coach Austin Eguavoen to decide whether he could take a chance on the full international midfielder by including him on his final 21-man squad.

Dutch club PSV Eindhoven will not release midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim, but negotiations are still ongoing with another Dutch club VVV Venlo over the release of four of their players for the Morocco tournament.

The players are Ahmed Musa, Michael Uchebo, Alex Nkume and Uche Nwofor.

Officials have not ruled out an arrangement for these players to shuttle between their European base and Morocco during the qualifiers, which pitches Nigeria with the host country, Algeria and Senegal.

Blackwell wants Nigerian post

England FA probes Akpan’s Twitter slur K

UNLAWFUL SACK

Siasia slams NFF with lawsuit S

ACKED Super Eagles’ coach, Samson Siasia’s agents have served the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) a court summon over claims of unlawful termination of his contract as Coach of the senior national team on Wednesday.

Siasia also alleged that the highest football governing body in the country owed him two months’ salary which amounts to ten million naira, while he claimed that the terms of contract between the duo was violated.

The Nationsports also scooped that the summons was served on Wednesday afternoon while Chieftains of the NFF were having a closed-door meeting at the Glass House.

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NPL moves Sunshine/ Zamfara Utd tie to Friday UNSHINE Stars FC of Akure will play its NPL Week 38 encounter with Zamfara United on Friday this week as against the initial Wednesday fixture after the CAF Confederations Cup semi finalists returned late from the second leg of the last four of the second rated African club competition played against Club Africain of Tunisia last Saturday in Tunis.

The Mimiko Boys got back from Tunisia Tuesday and have been excused from the Wednesday fixtures to allow them recover from the long trip exertion and to be well motivated for the tie with relegation troubled Zamfara fixed for the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode after a respectable goalless draw with Club Africain on the road.

Keshi will be good for Nigeria—Bosso

• Siasia

• Calls football body illegal • Says NFF owes him N10m

By Stella Bamawo The erstwhile Eagles Coach who was booted out for his inability to qualify the Eagles for the 2012 Africa Nations Cup slammed his former employers for their insensitivity while he proclaimed them as an unlawful body in the summon served.

The Nationsport also learnt from the Assistant Secretary of the NFF, Musa Ahmadu that the Aminu Maigari led board had received the summon and

would meet Siasia in court to thrash out issues.

Coach Samson Siasia had been one of the few indigenous coaches employed on the prompting of the general public for his track records as a coach of the junior team and his bundle of skills while he was a player. The Bayelsaborn coach also had a running battle with some ofhis players while on the saddle as a coach. He finally incurred wrath of the Nigerian football fans that loved him so much when the Super Eagles lost to the Syli National of Guinea 3-2 at the make or mar Africa Nations Cup qualifying match which was held at the National Stadium, Abuja some weeks back.

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NGLAND FA is probing a homophobic slur made on the Twitter page of a Crawley Town player on Sunday night.

Hope Akpan’s Twitter account read: ‘Gays all over the tele what’s wrong with Britain! Sorry I’m The 20-year-old midfielder, who signed from Everton in the summer, has since deleted the comment from the social But the youngster is now facing an FA charge after Wembley chiefs were made aware of the remarks, which were Crawley Town claim that the homophobic comment was posted on the website by one of Akpan’s family members.

A statement issued by the League Two club, on behalf of manager Steve Evans, read: ‘I was made aware on Monday morning about comments made on Hope Akpan’s Twitter account.

‘I find such opinions totally unacceptable and immediately met the player. Hope confirmed that he had been made aware of the comment by a team-mate, was astonished by its content and deleted it immediately.

‘Having spoken to Hope at length, I accept that the comments were added to his Twitter account by a young member of his family without Hope’s knowledge.

‘The view expressed on Hope’s Twitter account are not shared by any member of the staff of Crawley Town FC. As a club we do not condone discrimination of any kind.’

Akpan, who was born in Liverpool to Nigerian parents, made just one senior appearance for the Toffees in a 10 Europa League defeat against BATE Borisov in December 2009.

• Akpan

DUBAI 8-NATION BEACH SOCCER TOURNEY

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Adamu calls-up 18 players

HIEF Coach of the Nigeria’s beach soccer team, Super Sand Eagles, Audu Adamu has called up 18 players to camp ahead of 8Nation Tournament, scheduled to hold from 22nd- 30th November in Dubai.

Among the countries that will also feature in the competition includes Brazil, Japan, and Oman.

The list of players invited by Adamu is dominated by the beach team that featured at the 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup that was held in Ravenna, Italy, where Nigeria narrowly lost to Brazil in the quarter final.

They are: Abdullahi Isa, Ogbonnaya Okemiri, Shehu Maijama, Emmanuel Kyande, Victor Tale, Isiaka Olawale, Azeez Abu, Musa Najare,

• Joel Obi

• Camp opens Saturday

By Akeem Lawal Bartholomew Ibenebu, James Okwuosa, Olalekan Oladepo The seven new faces were also included in the list of players that are expected to converge at their Lagos camp in Badagri. They are Ogbona Emeka (Owibesebe FC), Friday Achinbu, Kelechi Ojo (Akwa United), Olaide Ogundele (Zamfara United), Agada Patrick (Zamfara United), William Jacob (Dolphins FC) and Arome Moses (Wazobia FC, Abuja).

In a chat with Nationsports, Adamu said the players have been asked to resume early to camp.

Ike Thankgod survives gun attack W ARRI Wolves' defender, Ike Thankgod exclusively told SuperSport.com of the ordeal he was forced to endure last week that almost cost him his life.

Thankgod ran into a gang of robbers at the Ekpan area of Warri on Friday, October 28. The four armed men opened fire on his Honda car and only left after other vehicles came into sight.

“I have never seen anything like that in my life,” a shocked Thankgod told SuperSport.com.

“I went out around 7pm that evening to eat and drove into the robbers. They opened fire on my car and continued shooting until other cars started coming towards our direction. That was when they decided to leave,” he said.

The former Heartland defender, who described the incident as the most scary thing he had ever had to face in his life, also revealed that he was left with minor injuries as a result of the attack.

“I know I am very lucky to still be alive and the injuries I sustained after the incident were not life threatening.

My car was badly damaged but the most important thing is that I still have my life,” he concluded.

“We have been invited for an 8 Nation tournament in Dubai following our exploit at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. So to the end I have invited 18 players to camp which will be opened in on Saturday. The players is a mixture of both old and new players because I have to give other players the chance to prove themselves.

“The resumption is Saturday, but those players that will be involved in the Nigeria Premier League games this weekend’s like Olawale, Okemiri, Ibenebu have all been given grace to return latest by Monday. I have told every one of them that I will not condole any act of lateness to the camp.

We have to prepare and hope to do well at the competition in order to justify the country’s invitation.

“We have to give kudos to the Nigeria Football Federation for making all the arrangements to ensure that we take part in the tourney. I have to thank them because we don’t play league and it is this kind of competition that keeps us on. It will not be easy staying for two years without any competition. This one now will make my team to be alright”.

UACN promotes Sailing

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HE Lagos Yacht Club will be the beehive of activity this weekend as lovers of sailing converge to watch teams vie for laurels in the 2011 edition of the UAC Trophy Race.

Sponsored by UAC of Nigeria Plc, a leading conglomerate in the country, the championship has aroused interest in the game of sailing as a recreational sport.

According to Mr Larry Ettah, Group Managing Director, UAC of Nigeria Plc, the sponsorship of the competition is informed by UACN’s resolve to spur the interest of Nigerians in sailing as a

sporting activity which engenders better quality of life.

“Sailing is one sport that can aid better quality of life and as a responsible corporate citizen, we have taken it upon ourselves to always promote activities that add values to life,” Ettah explained.

He further said that the sponsorship of the competition would keep alive the existing relationship between UACN and the Lagos Yacht Club, two institutions of great heritage. He believed that in no distant future, Nigeria would begin to harvest medals

EVIN Blackwell, the former Leeds, Luton Town and Sheffield United manager, has applied to become the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Blackwell, 52, threw his hat into the ring after the NFF announced last week that they were casting the post to give direction to the national teams and develop football in the country.

Frederick Kanu, who represents Blackwell in Nigeria, tells KickOffNigeria.com that his client understands Nigeria and was keen to develop football in the country.

"Kevin has been in the country a number of times and has come to understand the Nigeria football situation. He has applied for the job because he believes he can bring his experience to bear in developing football in the country," Kanu said.

The NFF Technical Committee began meeting on Tuesday as they look to appoint a new coach for Nigeria's Super Eagles after the sacking of Samson Siasia.

But a top member of the committee informs KickOffNigeria.com that although they had received Blackwell's application, they were yet to get to it.

Dolphins keep Continental hope alive From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt OLPHINS Football Club of Port Harcourt kept the hope of continental ticket alive when they defeated visiting 3SC of Ibadan by a lone goal in the week 36 of the Nigeria Premier League matches played across the nation yesterday.

Having lost to Sunshine last weekend at Ijebu Ode in a make or mar encounter to finally lose the top spot for the season, the Garden City side needed a must win to keep the continental ticket at sight.

The encounter had been goalless in the first half and would have had 3SC stealing the show save for 75th minute goal mouth struggle which Victor Michael headed in.

Fatai Amoo of 3SC called it a well deserved victory for their hosts.

"We wanted to hold Dolphins to a draw but unfortunately we could not.

Dolphins came out for a win knowing fully well that if they should lose this match, they would be in trouble.

Dolphins created chances and out of the chances they were able to convert one.

If you try to balance the game, they had more attempts at goal than we did"he said.

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from major international championships as a result of the enthusiasm for the sport.

Winners and runners-up in the Hobie, Lightning and Mixed Monohull categories will be awarded trophies as well as attractive prizes.

Ettah assured that the competition would continue to enjoy UACN’s backing as a result of its commitment to the development of the game in the country. He encouraged Nigerians to embrace sailing.

Last year’s edition of the championship witnessed a large number of participants who rated it high.

Edo mourns death of two athletes

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WO female athletes, Miss Osayomwanbor Arasomwan and Miss Rosemary Umeh in the Edo State Sports Council are dead.

Miss Arasomwan was said to have complained of stomach ache during training last Friday and was rushed to the hospital where she died on Sunday, while Miss Umeh died after a brief illness.

Public Relation Officer of the state Ministry of Youths and Sports, Miss Precious Igbonwelundu in a press statement said Miss Arasomwan

From Osagie Otabor, Benin participated in two National Sports festivals where she won a gold and silver medal at Gateway Games 2006 and Garden City games.

She was said to have represented Nigeria at the 2010 Delhi Common Wealth Games where she won a Bronze medal.

The statement said Miss Umeh who hails from Imo State joined the sports council as a footballer and later moved to join the handball and rugby

team.

It said she won two gold medals in Bauchi and as a Rugby player her team won 3Gold medals in Gateway in Kaduna 2009.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Miss Anita Evbuomwan has expressed shock over the death of the two athletes.

Miss Evbuomwan described the late athletes as very committed sportsman who lived beyond their physical disability and ‘hated to be pitied'.

• Oshiomole

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

•Prospective university students writing the post-UTME examination.

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) are at loggerheads. The committee wants the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scrapped. JAMB is urging an end to the post-UTME test being conducted by universities. The National Assembly, the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) and others have joined the fray. Who will carry the day? OLUKOREDE YISHAU reports.

VCs, JAMB battle over admission mode

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HEY all seek something similar: a place in the country’s many but not enough universities. Joseph Ayinla, Chioma Nwogwu, Idris Adeleke and many others have passed the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Until a few years ago, that was enough to get them a place in their first choice university.

Ayinla, Nwogwu and Adeleke believe that their woes should be blamed on the Committee of Vice Chancellors, which introduced a ‘burden’ called the post UTME test.

Ayinla said instead of solving the problem of aspiring candidates, the post-UTME screening has compounded it.

‘JAMB has no exclusive power on admission’

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N October 14, 2011 both the electronic and print media in Nigeria widely reported the motion passed the country’s highest law making body, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to the media the motion brought by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiori, Bayelsa West and co-sponsored by 35 Senators including Smart Adeyemi, Ayogu Eze, Zainab Kure, Chris Anyawu and Dahiru Kuta was passed by the SenHe said: “Candidates have to pay for accommodation as well as reading rigorously to pass the postUTME screening examination. I support the idea of abolishing the

By Afe Babalola

ate declaring illegal what he described a postUTME examination conducted by Nigerian Universities for the purpose of admitting fresh students to the institution.

According to the Senator, only the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has the legal power to conduct entrance examinations for

post-UTME screening by the National Assembly because it has inflicted more hardship on prospective candidates. Many poor candidates, after working hard to pur-

•Continued on Page 27

chase JAMB forms and passed JAMB, are now being exploited by the various universities’ management with the sale of post-UTME forms.”

• Chief Afe Babalola

•Continued on Page 26

• FIRM ENDOWS N15M PROFESSIORIAL CHAIR AT UNIPORT - PAGE 28 • FED GOVT TO PRUNE EDUCATION PARASTATALS - PAGE 37

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

26

EDUCATION UNILORIN FILE Jonathan lauds varsity for stability THE Visitor to the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has lauded the varsity for maintaining a stable academic calendar for nearly a decade.

He said: “It is gratifying to note that the University of Ilorin has consistently maintained a robust academic tradition which has resulted in the graduation of another set of students in record time.”

The president, who spoke during the second day of the 27th convocation of the university, congratulated management, staff and students for what he called the important achievement being celebrated with the event.

Dr. Jonathan who was represented by Minister of Youth Development, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, noted that the government also appreciates the fact that the UNILORIN takes an impressive position among universities in African, saying that the ranking confirms the quality of leadership in the University.

According to him, “while the task of building a great institution cannot be done within the tenure of a single leadership, I must, however, appreciate, especially the Vice –Chancellor, Prof Is-haq O. Oloyede”.

‘Register for medical exam’ THE returning students in health services of Unilorin that are yet to register for their medical examination, are hereby advised to, as same had already commenced on Monday.

In a statement signed by Dr M.O. Ajiboye, the medical examination, which is for two months, will hold at the main campus clinic between 8am and 3pm daily.

Students are also urged to print out the medical registration form from the university Portal.

‘We are standardising campus eateries’ THE Chairman, Board of Health and Chairman, Campus Eatery Regulatory Board, Prof. W Johnson, has called on eatery operators on the university campus to co-operate with the campus regulatory board to ensure all campus eateries are safe and standardised.

Prof. Johnson made the call during a workshop organised by the regulatory board for eatery operators.

At the workshop, which had as its theme, Towards acceptable food hygiene, safety and quality on the campus: bringing the eatery operators on Board, Prof Johnson, who is the Dean of Clinical Sciences, told participants that the commitment of the university to standardise eateries on the campus informed the workshop.

According to him, “A cafeteria or any form of eatery centre in an academic environment, such as the University of Ilorin should be made to conform to public health, safety regulations, provide a high standard of cleanliness, sanitation and provide balanced food. This is our major term of reference and, therefore, the responsibility of all of us to ensure that food provided to consumers is safe and does not become a source of disease outbreak or in the transmission of communicable diseases.”

VCs, JAMB battle over admission mode •Continued from Page 25

Nwogwu said if the post-UTME cannot be abolished, it should be redefined to save prospective candidates from the hassles they now go through.

She said: “I don’t like the process of the post-UTME screening; it is stressful to purchase the form from the institution of choice and also to travel to both institutions for the examination. If it can be abolished, fine, but if not, the university authorities should soft-pedal on their screening criteria.”

Adeleke said the monetary gains to the universities seem to have beclouded their sense of fairness. The candidates have allies in Senator Chris Ngige and the registrar of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde. Ngige said candidates in his constituency are going through harrowing experiences because of the bottlenecks associated with the exercise. Prof Ojerinde believes the VCs have converted the post UTME into a revenue generating exercise, despite a subsisting directive that the charges should not exceed N1, 000.

Ojerinde said: “The results of the post-UTME test are being used dis- •Entrance of the University of Lagos criminatingly by different universities for different purposes, even as they invite candidates far more than solved.”

He also accepted the suggestion their carrying capacities to boost their revenue from the exercise, even that a single payment be made by when they know that they will not candidates for both JAMB examinations and the post-JAMB test. admit them.”

The Vice-chancellors have an The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) wants the Fed- ally in prominent lawyer and eral Government to proscribe the founder of Afe Babalola Univerpost-UTME test. Its President, Com- sity, Chief Afe Babalola, who told rade Dauda Mohammed, in a state- reporters in Ibadan at the weekment, described the Post-UTME as end that the post-UTME screening extortionist and designed to milk re- was necessary to guarantee only sources from unsuspecting tertiary the best are admitted into the universities. education seekers.

The initiator of post-UTME exby He said it contradicted the essence of the law which made statutory pro- students and their performances visions for the conduct of matricula- in class after they had been admittion examination for entry into all ted. It was obvious at the time that universities, polytechnics and col- JAMB was messing up the admissions, with various kinds of lists.” leges of education in the country.

Obaji said the post-JAMB test For the Prof. Ishaq Oloyede-led Committee of Vice-Chancellors, was a credible means of screening prospective students and others candidates. She also admitted that clamouring for the abolition of the the post-JAMB examination had post UTME screening only want the been abused. The former minisuniversities to admit half-baked ter, however, said instead of stopproducts. Oloyede said the test was ping it, universities should be costing the universities so much made to follow the guidelines for money to conduct, denying that the scheme.

A former registrar of JAMB, money was being made from it.

Significantly, the committee also Prof. Salim Bello, does not believe faults the logic behind conducting the post-UTME test is the answer the same examination for pupils to whatever lapses the UTME has. seeking admission to the universi- Salim, who was registrar of the ties, polytechnics and colleges of matriculation body when the education when their curricula are screening was introduced, said there were more malpractices in not the same.

The Senate has just concluded a the universities than outside probe into the quarrel between the them.

But, the Academic Staff Union of parties. Oloyede told the Senate Committee on Education that it was Universities (ASUU), University wrong to use the same examination of Uyo Branch, believe the postto admit students into universities, UTME screening test should stay. polytechnics and colleges of educa- Its Chairman, Mr Nwachukwu tion. He said JAMB should return to Anyim, at the end of a congress Universities Matriculation Examina- meeting last Thursday in Uyo, said tion (UME) for the universities and that since the university was opseparate examinations for polytech- erating as an autonomous institunics and colleges of education as it tion, the university senate had the right to regulate the admission of was before 2009.

Oloyede, who is also the vice-chan- students.

He said: “Based on the aucellor of the University of Ilorin, argued that the screening conducted tonomy of universities, the differby the universities was to determine ent universities’ senate has the if prospective candidates were suit- power to regulate the admission of students, without prejudice to able for university education.

He, however, admitted that there the policies of the Joint Admiswere some abuses in the conduct of sions and Matriculation Board the post-JAMB tests, adding that (JAMB).” Anyim, however, said those abuses were being addressed the union was against any form of by the Committee of vice-chancel- exploitation of candidates through the screening. lors.

For now, the screening stays.

He said: “We are addressing the problems right now. We have met But, there will obviously be some and discussed all these problems and review, which will curb any form if we put in place what we have of exploitation of prospective canagreed, the problems will be didates. Minister of Education,

Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, said in order to ensure quality, the postUTME should continue.

She said: “At this time of Nigeria’s history, we are particularly interested in quality. Quality is what everybody is emphasizing now. We know that we are emphasising another aspect too, because we have to ensure equity. But definitely, our mission is to ensure quality cuts across the entire sector.

So, that is why we are saying that post-UTME, at least for now, is something that we should continue.

And we are pleading with the senators.”

The minister added that there would be a stakeholders’ forum to determine the future of post-UTME. She said: “But I feel that the issue of ensuring quality is one thing we should be interested in. JAMB is also our product. It is our baby and part of us. We are proud of what JAMB is doing. If universities are going to admit 3,000 students, 5,000 would have applied and through JAMB, we may have about 800 or so. So, you can have fewer people coming but each of the universities also has embedded in their own Act to now have a say in who they actually admit. So, it is very technical. I am sure the senators are also looking into this.”

The Senate is expected to make the

•Prof Oloyede

outcome of its enquiry known soon.

This, said analysts, will play a vital role in determining the fate of both the UTME and the post UTME screening test.

“... Yet, 80 per cent of available jobs are for a privileged few!”

27

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

EDUCATION

‘JAMB has no exclusive power on admission’ •Continued on Page 27

candidates seeking to gain admission into Nigerian Universities.

He therefore declared as illegal, unconstitutional and wicked the current practice whereby universities conduct screening exercises for candidates submitted to them

by JAMB before admitting them into their universities.

In furtherance to this proposition taken by the senate, it mandated its education committee to investigate the actions of the Universities which the sponsors of the motion condemn in strong terms as “a real-off of our people and a rape of our laws”.

However, some senators opposed the motion. For example senator Aisha Hassan was reported to have “slammed her colleagues who opposed the postUTME exercise. She argued that quality education which the exercise seeks to entrench should not be sacrifice because it does not favour some. According to her, “we should be saying thank you to the universities for the post-UTME”.

They are to give qualitative education to our children. People condemn when it suits them and tend to condone when it suits them. It is common knowledge that JAMB has failed, I therefore oppose in total the scrapping of post-UTME. Considering the pre-eminent position which the law-makers occupy, as the highest representative law-making body of the people in Nigeria, and in view of the decay in the nations educational system.

It has become virtually necessary to address the following issues which emanate from the Senate proceedings: •The purport, scope and powers of JAMB under Section 5(a), (c)(ii) of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Act, CAP J1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 •The Statutory Powers of Universities to make guidelines for admission of students to universities.

•The 2002-2007 deafening protests of Concerned Parents coupled with Committee of Pro-Chancellors, Council of Vice Chancellor on the compromised results paraded

by JAMB and the call to scrap JAMB. •The final decision of the Federal Government to continue to use JAMB as benchmark while the universities were to commence postUTME screening exercise.

•The salutary effect of the screening exercise carried out by universities on students armed with JAMB results.

•Cost of Screening exercise •Conclusion •THE PURPORT, SCOPE AND POWERS OF JAMB UNDER SECTION 5(A), (C)(II) OF THE JOINT ADMISSIONS AND MATRICULATION BOARD ACT, CAP J1, LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2004 Section 5(1)(a) of JAMB Act, provides as follows: (a) The general control of the conduct of matriculation examinations for admissions into all Universities, Polytechnics (by whatever name called) and Colleges of Education (by whatever name called) in Nigeria Section 5(1)(b) provides as follows: (b) The appointment of examiners, moderators, invigilators, members of subject panels and committees and other persons with respect to matriculation examinations and any other matter incidental thereto or connected therewith The combined effect of Section 5(1), (a) and 5(1(i) is that the JAMB is statutorily empowered to set and

conduct examinations, appoint examiners and other invigilators for the purpose of the examination set by the board.

There is nothing strange in this practice. The world all-over, each country usually sets up joint admission board for their universities.

What is in issue is whether the JAMB board is the all in law or one stop shop with regard to university’s admission process?

OR do the universities have no role to play in admission process?

Put in another way, is it the position that anybody who passes JAMB examination must be admitted willy-nilly to university of his choice.

The JAMB Act is very clear on the role of JAMB in admission process.

To gain admission into any university, there is more than mere passing of the JAMB examination.

This is clear from the provisions of Section 5(1)(c)(ii) of JAMB Act which provides that…………………….

The placement of suitably qualified candidates shall be in collaboration with the tertiary institutions after taking into account(ii) the guidelines approved for each tertiary institution by its proprietor or other competent authority; It is clear from the JAMB Act that the guidelines approved by each university by its proprietors are essential factors in the placement of statutes The universities are not meant to be arm-chair participants in the admission process.

•THE STATUTORY POWERS OF UNIVERSITIES TO MAKE GUIDELINES FOR ADMISSION OF STUDENTS TO UNIVERSITIES. All Nigerian Universities hold their existence to law. The various universities statute contain the objects of each university and the composition and powers of universities organs and officers. A careful examination of these statutes reveals that they share a common provisions in relation to the power to determine the suitability of candidates who can be admitted to the university out of those who passed JAMB examination.

There is therefore nothing illegal in universities setting up guidelines and giving effect to such guidelines. The given effect to the guidelines of each university is only possible through screening by each university. This is a task that is beyond the JAMB and cannot in any case be undertaken by it. If university certificates are awarded based on character and learning, the quality assurance for these must be instituted right from the beginning. Universities like ABUAD make guidelines to test the good character of their candidates, preparedness of candidates to abide by the rules and regulations of the university, their readiness to uphold the ideal of the institution, comportment, ability to communicate, physical fitness, the genuineness of certificate the candidate parades, failing health etc. All these

are matters outside the admission competence of JAMB Board. The foregoing is underscored by Section 5 of the JAMB Act which recognizes the collaboration of JAMB with the university.

Screening and Evaluation in other Countries As advance as England is, whether to admit a student to a course is entirely the decision of each university. Students are expected to provide personal statement on why they want to study the particular subject and evidence that they would be committed students. Academic reference must also be attached from their former school. Universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, Kings College London, University College London, require students to attend interview and or complete special admission test before the university makes an offer.

In America, each college evaluates the candidates using its own criteria and each college has its own criteria even when using a common application form. In Portugal, there is final evaluation by each university. In India, interviews are organized following the national test. In Germany additional entrance examination has recently been introduced for those who passed the entrance examination.

•THE 2002-2007 DEAFENING PROTESTS OF CONCERNED PARENTS COUPLED WITH COMMITTEE OF PRO-CHANCELLORS, COUNCIL OF VICE CHANCELLOR ON THE COMPROMISED RESULTS PARADED

BY JAMB AND THE CALL TO SCRAP JAMB For a long time after its inception, the Board conducted on a yearly basis, separate matriculation examinations into Nigerian Universities on the one hand and Polytechnics and Colleges of education on the other hand. In recent years the Board conducted a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

For a long time the Board was able to discharge its functions with some level of credibility. To a large extent, the students who were admitted to the Universities through the Board seemed to justify the creation of the Board in the first place.

However with the passage of time and the advent of other factors such as National population increase, things took a turn for the worse. Factors such as corruption began to have an effect on the quality of students admitted to the Universities through JAMB. No longer could the Universities be assured of the fact that they were admitting the best qualified students. In many instances examinations papers were openly compromised and sold to students even within the premises of the examination venue. Students who had scored very high marks in the examination conducted by the Board were in most cases unable to cope academically after admission by Uni-

versities of their choices.

Effect of drop in standards The above stated scenario was bound to have and indeed had an effect on the educational fortunes of the country. Graduates of Nigerian Universities who hitherto were able to compete with their counterparts from other parts of the world for placement in Post Graduate Programs of some notable foreign Universities became totally disadvantaged for no other reason but the fact that they possessed degrees of Nigerian Universities.

The same thing applied to graduates who suddenly discovered that possession of a Nigerian awarded degree was an immediate factor for disqualification for not only foreign job openings but also some local but highly competitive positions. To make matters worse Nigerian Universities lost their appeal so much so that no Nigerian University was ranked amongst the first 1000 in Africa. Whilst this poor ranking is often attributable to the poor funding by Government of the Universities, the role played by the poor state of the graduates of the Universities cannot be downplayed. A University, much like a commercial company is after all only as good as its product or services.

It was with this state of affairs in mind as the Pro-Chancellor of University of Lagos and the Chairman of Committee of Pro-Chancellor that I began the advocacy for the introduction of some form of further screening, after the conduct of the UTME examination for applicants into the Nation’s tertiary institutions. I gave the first public hint of the introduction of such a system during the 2002 Convocation of the University of Lagos of which I was at the time, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council. My remarks regarding the planned introduction of the Post-JAMB screening received wide applause from all present. On the 15th of December 2003 I renewed my call for the introduction of the said test. This was on the occasion of the presentation of an award by the National Universities Commission to the Governing Council of the University of Lagos as the best in the Country. At the said occasion I stated as follows: “The situation is now such that unscrupulous parents and guardians of candidates and even candidates themselves act in collusion with elements in JAMB to forge and falsify results of JAMB examinations. The good candidates who score averagely and who would have been able to sustain any rigorous academic activity are thus edged out by this evil contrivance.

As a matter of fact , the integrity of JAMB is so much in question now in addition to the integrity of its published results such that in my speech at the 2002 convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos there was noticeable spontaneous applause from all sections of the congregated audience, including His Excellency the President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR when I stated our intention in the Uni-

‘As advance as England is, whether to admit a student to a course is entirely the decision of each university. Students are expected to provide personal statement on why they want to study the particular subject and evidence that they would be committed students’

versity of Lagos to introduce ‘weeding’ tests for those students admitted into our university from this year.

What JAMB does not appreciate is that JAMB’s statutory powers is subject to the powers conferred by the Universities Act on the University authorities which were in existence before JAMB came into existence. Whilst JAMB has the power to conduct admissions and matriculation examinations for admission into universities, there is no obligation after admission for UNILAG to keep students of sub standard intellectual ability on the basis of a flawed process whose very integrity suffers monumental questions of credibility.

In the days before JAMB was established when each university was in control of its own admission and matriculation process, our degrees, diplomas, certificates and qualifications suffered no credibility locally and abroad.

Nobody questioned our degrees outside the borders of Nigeria. Regrettably, the flaws in JAMB process which was not in existence in its early years of existence is now a big factor to this inimical and sorry state of our degrees in Nigeria which each University must reverse and halt. The university authority in Unilag is bent on improving the quality of admission and afortiori the quality of its degrees. The holders of Unilag degrees shall not be subject to qualifying tests overseas which their own graduates will not be subject to.

In pursuance of our goal of restoring the old glory of our qualifications, diplomas and certificates the University of Lagos will guard jealously and ensure that those fraudulent students who are admitted through false JAMB results and whose intellect are not reasonably justifiable or sustainable in any credible academic environment will be “weeded”.

•THE FINAL DECISION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO USE JAMB AS BENCHMARK WHILE THE UNIVERSITIES WERE TO COMMENCE POST-UTME SCREENING EXERCISE. Consequent upon this address, the body of Vice-Chancellors and Committee of Pro-Chancellor of Nigerian Universities met several times on the matter.

After careful examination of the issues involved, the Federal Government resolved that there was no need to scrap JAMB. It stated however that JAMB should continue to conduct its matriculation examinations to provide minimum benchmark for suitability for university education the universities should intensify their own statutory roles by conducting elaborate screening of the successful JAMB candidates to determine among them those who are prepared for effective and quality university education.

•THE SALUTARY EFFECT OF THE SCREENING EXERCISE CARRIED OUT BY UNIVERSITIES ON THE STUDENTS TURNED OVER BY JAMB TO THE UNIVERSITIES The Post-UTME Tests have had a profound effect. It has greatly increased the quality of students admitted in the Universities. At the inception some students who scored very high marks in the examination conducted by the Board failed to justify such high ratings in the Post-UTME screening. In one hilarious example an applicant who had performed “brilliantly” in the JAMB examination and who had chosen Law as his preferred course of study inexplicably stated in response to a question posed to him during the PostUTME screening that the popular novel “Things Fall Apart” was •Continued on Page 28

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

EDUCATION UNAAB FILE Varsity reverts to original name THE Governing Council of University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) has directed that the University should revert to its original name, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB) as specified in the enabling laws that established the university.

Consequently, the institution will assume the new name and cease to bear the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), which it has hitherto known.

The development was contained in the Decision Extracts of the 68th Statutory Meeting of the Governing Council, signed by the Acting Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mrs. Christiana Kuforiji.

Co-ordinator for Radio station A SEASONED media practitioner, Mr Ayo Arowojolu, has been appointed the Coordinator, UNAAB Radio FM. Mr Arowojolu brings to the institution a wealth of media and corporate experience, garnered over the last 21 years, to drive, add value and make meaningful inputs towards the successful takeoff and sustenance of a broadcasting service for the University.

VC appeals to govt on road THE Vice-Chancellor UNAAB, Prof Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun, has appealed to the Federal Government, to start the reconstruction of the deplorable Abeokuta/Ibadan Highway, as well as the adjoining 6.5km Camp - UNAAB Road.

The appeal came on the heels of the harrowing ordeal, daily experienced by motorists, particularly staff and students of the university, plying the roads.

Balogun expressed dismay that the roads were neglected to such state of deterioration, and the situation had worsen to a critical point, as incessant gridlock, which often last for hours, had become a regular nightmare to motorists and commuters.

The Vice-Chancellor said the state of the road”is so disturbing that I leave the Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge as early as 6:30a.m, for me to be able to be on campus by 8:00a.m. At times, I don’t get to the campus until 9:00a.m.”

Balogun maintained that both Abeokuta/Ibadan and the Camp/UNAABAlabata roads would require total reconstruction.

Oil firm endows N15m professorial chair at UNIPORT

T

HE Chairman of Moni Pulo Limited, Chief Olu LuluBriggs, has endowed a N15 million professorial chair in Petroleum Geosciences at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

He also assured that the oil firm would remain committed to the development of local content in the oil industry and that the stakeholders would be adequately empowerment, to have a sense of belonging.

Lulu-Briggs stated this at the old Government Reservation Area (GRA), near Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while signing an agreement for the chair and pre-

Foundation donates to Lagos schools

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

sentation of a N15 million cheque for the endowment.

At the event were MoniPulo’s Executive ViceChairman, Mrs. Seinye Lulu-Briggs; the ViceChancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Joseph Ajienka; the first occupant of the chair, Prof. Minapuye Odigi, a renowned geologist and UNIPORT lecturer, among other eminent personalities.

Lulu-Briggs, who spoke through Seinye, said: “Moni Pulo has a corporate determination to be a learning organisation. We are focused on developing and encouraging the habit of excellence in profes-

sional endeavour.

“This determination and focus are reflected in our decision to establish the chair. A forerunner in the area of local content, Moni Pulo Limited is committed to honing the skills of the best and brightest local talents available.

“The programme brings joy to our hearts. UNIPORT is a peculiar university and has a way of bringing out the best in Moni Pulo.

“Not only Moni Pulo will be the beneficiary, but the entire oil industry and people all over the world.

This (chair) is not the first intervention that we have academically. The first was at the University of Texas, Houston, United States, with Lulu-Briggs, a philan-

thropist and also a recipient of honorary doctoral degree at the convocation of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt this year, also assured that the oil firm would continue to work with UNIPORT, other institutions and the stakeholders.”

UNIPORT’s Vice-Chancellor, in his remarks, described the initiative as a step in the right direction.

He described Lulu-Briggs and Moni Pulo as “great” friends of the “entrepreneurial” university.

He recalled when the presentation for the chair was made about a year ago. He said Lulu-Briggs immediately embraced the idea.

Ajienka also admonished other oil and gas firms and eminent persons to emulate the gesture of the company.

The vice-chancellor added that it is part of best practices to affiliate with a higher institution of learning, thereby giving intellectual backing to the company.

Earlier in his remarks, Odigi, who is also the Director, Centre for Petroleum Geosciences, Institute of Petroleum Studies, UNIPORT, had announced that the chair would be for research and development, thereby improving the business of oil and gas, as well as training of the youths, especially young graduates.

By Temitope Fatuase

T

HE United for Kids Foundation (UKF) Lagos has given study materials and stationery to over 1,000 pupils in public primary schools in the state. The group said the donations which were part of its Backto-School Programme, were to complement the efforts of the Lagos State government in assisting public primary school pupils in the state.

Some of the beneficiaries are: Wright Memorial Primary School, Somolu; Wesley Memorial Pimary School, Somolu, and Ojodu Primary Schools 1 and 2. Some orphanages and hospitals in the state also benefited.

One of the trustees of UKF, Mrs Abimbola Bello, told The Nation that the aim of the initiative is for the pupils to read, study hard and grow to be professionals in their various fields.

“We started this Back-toSchool initiative in 2007due to the fact that some of us decided to give back to the community because of the falling standard of education in these schools. Also, we discovered that public primary schools were not catching up with their private school counterparts.

We actually started in 2002 with hospitals and the orphanages. We are putting smiles on the faces of the leaders of tomorrow.” she said.

The criteria for selecting the public schools she said, was on the basisi of the need of the schools.

Another trustee, Tunde Olukoya, said the schools have benefited immensely from UKF in the past.

•From right: Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha and Vice-Chancellor, Delta State University (DELSU), Prof. Eric Arubayi, during the swearing-in/oath-taking of the first set of Medical Doctors from Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Delta State.

‘JAMB has no exclusive power •Continued page Page 27

written by the Late Military President, General Sani Abacha! Yet, this was a candidate who by reason of his course of choice was expected to have studied Literature in English.

There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of students who are often asked to withdraw after the first academic session for reason of poor performance.

This in turn has increased the quality of scholarship in the Universities as Lecturers now have students who are truly interested in academic pursuits and are thus more easily engaged in class.

•COST OF SCREENING EXERCISE Another issue emphasised by the members of the Senate in their motion is that of charging of fees by the universities for the exercise, which they described as a rip-off. Since the starting of the post-UTME exercise, the issue of fees charged by the universities for the exercise have always been in the front burner. It is wrong for any university to adopt an extortionist approach to this. However,

on admission’ there is no gainsaying the fact that an elaborate screening exercise will involve some administrative cost. Minimal fees need to be charged by the universities to cover for the cost.

An alternative way to this is for the government to mandate JAMB to remit to the universities some of the fees it collects from candidates during the application process. This will help cover the costs the universities incur.

But for the flawed JAMB process, there would probably no need for intensive screening.

Initially some universities charged as much as N20,000 for post-UTME screening exercise.

There were protests, we met and agreed that public universities should charge N2,000 while private universities should charge N5,000.

In ABUAD which is reputed for strict compliance with law, we charge the agreed fees of N5,000 which hardly covers the expenses incurred by the university. As a new university there is the need to conduct screening in different centres in many stats of the country.

CONCLUSION

Finally, it must always be borne in mind that the postUTME exercise was conceived as a rescue mechanism in response to the falling standard of education in Nigeria. Notwithstanding whatever shortcomings that may have been noticed in its execution a proper approach to it is not to declare it illegal. It is already serving its purpose and will continue to serve as part of a bouquet of policy measure to restore the lost glory in our educational sector. There are already noticeable and encouraging results coming from the exercise.

Before now, it had been the case that many students who entered the university with high marks in their UME results ended up average or even at the bottom of the class. The experience we had at the university of Lagos immediately after the introduction of the exercise encouraged us to continue in it. For example, there was a case of a candidate who applied for law in the university. His UME result was so impressive that we could easily have passed him as a first class candidate. During the

post-UME exercise, he was asked whether, as a literature student, he knew a novel called “Things Fall Apart”. He quickly responded yes. We asked him who the author is and he responded ABACHA! That was an example of many other heart-rending experiences we had on that day. This has been the case in almost all the universities in Nigeria.

The screening exercise is however helping the universities to reverse this trend. Bearing this in mind, it therefore serves the interest of the nation for the Senate to support the exercise rather than condemn it. While it is a worthy course for the activities of the universities on this exercise to be investigated to ensure compliance with best practices, it is wrong to declare it illegal as reported by the media even before mandating its committee on education to investigate it.

•Aare Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, FNIALS, FCI.Arb, is former Chairman & ProChancellor, University of Lagos; Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigeria and Founder/ President, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti

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Accommodation blues at UNILAG

*CAMPUSES

A postUTME like no other

*NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS

Page 33

Page 31

*GRANTS

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

From UNILORIN, a radio station Projects worth N1.5billion were inaugurated when the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) held its 27th convocation.

OLAWALE AJETUNMOBI, WALE BAKARE (200-Level Zoology) and IFEOLUWA ONIFADE (300-Level Mass Communication, UNILORIN) report.

S

TUDENTS of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) will not forget the institution’s 27th convocation in a hurry.

In the history of convocations, that of October 22 stood out because of the inauguration of projects worth about N1.5 billion by President Goodluck Jonathan. Among the projects is a campus community radio station.

Represented by the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufai, Jonathan lauded the university management for making judicious use of its resources and maintaining peace on campus.

While inaugurating the radio station, Jonathan described the project as a manifestation of transforming ideas into development. He stressed the role of radio in the promotion of qualitative learning through broadcasts. He said radio broadcast is the medium that reaches the generality of the people.

The Vice-Chancellor VC, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, who said the contract for the supply and installation of the modern digital broadcast equipment was awarded two months ago to a Lagos-based company, Sound Broadcast Communications (SBC), praised the contractor for “proving to be very reliable by delivering promptly a job well done.”

Oloyede said most of the projects were executed with internally generated revenue.

He said the university made an effort to promote scholarship and research through the disbursement of N8.9 million to 96 brilliant students. He added that the university spent N40 million on the sponsorship of 470 workers to international conferences last academic session.

At the inauguration was the Keagborrekuzi 1, the Dein of Agbor Benjamin Ikechukwu, who is the Chancellor of the university.

Others were the former DirectorGeneral, Voice of Nigeria, Aremo Taiwo Allimi; Kwara State Com-

missioner for Information Prince Olatunji Moronfoye and students.

Other projects inaugurated included an office complex, a new lecture hall, office of the Provost of the College of Medicine, a hostel complex library , laboratory building, Communication and Information Science complex, computer building and Dam Resort Centre.

About 5,330 graduates including first degree, diploma and postgraduate students participated in the convocation that lasted two days. Twenty-three graduated with First Class, 875 (Second Class Upper division), 2,544 Lower Division, 1,019 Third Class and 99 through with a Pass.

In an address entitled: The life of purpose, Oloyede said university education was strategic to the development of any nation. He said the development of advanced countries originated from fertile minds and the intellectual resourcefulness of their academia.

“University education is the key to unlocking human minds and transforming the society,” the VC said.

He added: “While congratulating our graduands whose successes are being celebrated today, I will like to portray the need to live purposefully. The life of purpose is that which is devoted to the pursuit of the golden rule and ultimate good.”

The Dein of Agbor congratulated the graduands, saying he was elated to witness the convocation of another set of UNILORIN students.

“We are glad that your efforts over the years have been crowned with success. As you go into the world, we expect you to succeed and deliver the character and learning which the university has inculcated you,” he said.

A professor of Medicine from Australia, Prof J.A. Hamilton, was the guest lecturer at the ceremony.

One of the graduating students from the English Department, and a contributor to CAMPUSLIFE, Tunmise Oladipo, expressed hap-

•From Left: Prof Oloyede, Mr Friday Aizeboje (CEO SBC), Chancellor, Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchukwu and Minister for Education Prof Ruqqayat

• From Left: Mr Aizeboje welcoming a guest into UNILORIN 89.3FM

piness. He said:“The dawn is finally here, having spent four years of my life under stress.”

She added: “I believe the future is

pregnant for me and I will bring everything I learned to bear on my future endeavour.”

Toheeb Biala, who graduated with

a First Class in Mathematics, said: “Not only would I go into the world to make a difference; I will leave my own footprints on the sands of time.”

•Protesting students disrupt exam- PG32 •Student dies of graduation excitement- PG33

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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CAMPUS LIFE People curse him and in the long run, these return to him.

In the same way, the Danfo driver or “ordinary” motorist like me who ignores the traffic light or warden is guilty of presumptuousness.

In the campus, there are lecturers who arrogate nothing short of divine powers to themselves when it comes with to students. The students must contribute money for him, must buy him a new laptop, must load his phone 08054503104 with N10, 000 each month, must buy (SMS only) his empty handout which he loaded down from the internet or someone •campuslife@thenationonlineng.net else’s book, and so on. Presumptu•ladycampus@yahoo.com ousness is rudeness; it’s unforgivable in anyone. to come down from my high horse and tell What about the student who wants to eat myself some hard truths. his cake and have it? You don’t attend lecThis is what I want to share today. We all tures and you want to graduate with a 2:1? need to take objective looks at the attitudes You are best at cutting corners and when we exhibit and work on improving ourselves. eventually life cuts you some, you wonder This is as true for the parent as it is for the who is “doing” you? Confidence is a virtue; child; it is as true for the management offi- overconfidence is foolhardiness. cial and lecturer as it is for the student. The We just have to shake off this vice and go boss and the subordinate each needs to ap- back to that ancient virtue which is the direct ply this as well. opposite of presumptuousness: humility.

Presumptuousness is what makes us take That is the only way to move Nigeria forthe short cut; where there is none, we create ward, if we really care about that oft misone. The presumptuous person has no respect quoted phrase. for authority and discipline; in his heart, he Ciao knows it all and should not be told what to do. It is presumptuousness that makes a man convince himself that he is above the law, Re: Someone please train the policemen! not to obey rules and should be served by I read your article tagged “Someone please others. Presumptuousness is the height of train the policemen”. I really love your courimpertinence; it is about the most destruc- age. Keep it up; I pray that the almighty God tive image someone can have of himself. It is will guide, protect and give you more wisdom destructive in the sense that, in the long run, in Jesus’ Name. it helps neither the man/woman nor other 0805 660 3640 people around. We see it all over in our pubPlease your article deeply inspired me. I want lic and even private lives as Nigerians. to encourage you; do not stop writing. The Let’s take for example the man who amasses world reads and feels your thoughts and I can such wealth (through crooked or fair means) see the light at the end of the tunnel. that he decides he must move about in a con0815 266 3429 voy complete with mobile police escort and Without sounding defensive about the posirens. This person is not a government offi- lice, let me state clearly that a society gets the cial (not that this is allowed in sane climes) type of police it pays for. The police we have in but by virtue of his connections, knows one Nigeria reflects everything that has gone or two people in power. So, he has his goons wrong with our dear country. Remedy? An intimidate and harass other motorists when- urgent ethical reorientation of all citizens from ever his convoy is on the road. He has taken the leadership to the led. I am a senior police upon himself rights he does not have. Even officer who is not pleased with the police bewhen he is not in the convoy, the seed he has ing made the weeping baby for the ills that are sown is there as his drivers terrorise others. disturbing our country. To help our job, try

Tackling our Pushing presumptuousness Out HAVE a conviction that Nigeria, and indeed all chaotic states, is the way it is because it is made up of a bunch of presumptuous people.

Like I have said many times on this column, if in other words, I’m one of those unrepentant old fashioned folks who believe that no nation can make a headway which does not put God first. Put differently, until we take our professions of faith in God seriously and walk the talk as Christians, Muslims or whatever else we profess even if plain humanism (as atheists would claim), we would be suffering heavy doses of selfdelusion.

What is presumptuousness? It is derived from the word “presumption” which means the assumption of something as true. This assumption, often not fully established, is taken for granted in a piece of reasoning. It is unwarrantable, unbecoming, or impertinent boldness; a behaviour or attitude that is boldly arrogant or offensive; an effrontery. The history of the word connotes “seizure and occupation without right;” also “taking upon oneself more than is warranted.”

Thus, we can infer that presumptuousness is to be unwarrantedly or impertinently bold; forward. Its synonyms include arrogance, audacity, cheekiness, conceit, foolhardiness, insolence, overconfidence, pretentiousness, rashness, rudeness and smugness.

Please note that there is a difference between “presumptive” and “presumptuous”.

While the former means “based on grounds of probability”, the latter means “assuming an unwarranted, unauthorised responsibility”. The opposite of presumptuous is humility and modesty.

It is all too easy to affect a holier-thanthou attitude and beam the searchlight on those in authority, our excuse of political leaders (some of their religious counterparts even). That was my initial stance… until it dawned on me that that, in itself, was an act of presumptuousness! So, I had

I

Ngozi Agbo

‘Govt must increase education budget’ Ehimemenn Moreno is the vice-president of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

OSATOHANMWEN EDOKPAYI (300 Level, Crop Science) met him.

G

IVE us an insight into your political background?

Prior to my election as the vice president of NANS, I was a member of the congress of the Nigerian Universities Engineering Students Association (NUESA) in the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and a member of Parliament of the Students Union Government of UNIBEN. What are your plans for students?

I plan to organise programmes and workshops that will benefit the students in terms of skill acquisition.

Plans are already in progress for a programme tagged:“Orienting the minds of the youth in politics”. I shall also organise workshops that will make our graduates employable in labour market.

What are the problems affecting students today?

The first problem is the poor conditions under which students learn.

The lecture theatres are not con-

reporting from the policemen’s angle too.

Come to think of it, who is well trained in Nigeria today? The universities of today, are they what we used to know? Let’s keep writing, though.

0803 334 2628 Dear friends, you are all welcome to the immigration post of the peoples’ republic of Kogi State. Be warned: our police force is different from the farce you people from Nigeria call police force. We have no rules and no common sense. Partisanship is our motto.

That was why we deported those illegal immigrants back to Osun State in Odua republic.

This just puts another lie to the “one nation; one destiny” slogan.

0806 428 6736 As far as the policemen should be trained, I think it is high time the body called NANS wakes up to the reality of its assignment. I was surprised that over the weeks, NANS could not even get in touch with Stephen’s parents nor could it set up a committee to look at curbing such excesses perpetrated on students. It is disheartening that Victor’s story would die without being investigated by NANS. I suggest you please write an article to awake the sleeping giant in NANS. -Habeeb Whyte, UNILORIN What is the content of the curriculum of our police training colleges? And what are the qualifications cum experience of the teaching staff? Would it make any difference if the entry requirement is raised to a degree or HND with attractive remuneration?

Frankly, can our police work ethics be isolated from those of the society in which they live and operate? Our pervading culture of impunity where people are not held accountable for their misdeeds but are instead shielded from punishment? This is a major obstacle. Then we have a problem with general discipline!

I think the police should in their various units and divisions hold regular brainstorming sessions to sharpen their skills, improve their PR and curb their hitherto lackadaisical attitude to their job.

0803 472 6625 I have always been a lover of your column and your pages, CAMPUSLIFE. I salute your efforts. More grease to your elbow and ink to your pen.

Segun, Ikole-Ekiti

‘Dog business is serious business’ Oluwapelumi Oyebanji is a final year student of Microbiology at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU). He told MODESTUS DIKO (300-Level Microbiology) the challenges of combining studies with dog rearing business.

H •Ehimemenn

ducive for learning and our halls of residence are in a terrible shape.

These, among other problems, adversely affect the learning capability of most students as they cause undue stress on their mental health.

If the Federal Government implements 26 per cent budgetary allocation to the education sector, things are bound to change. This is nonnegotiable.

How do you think students can make themselves employable?

Students should make the effort to improve themselves and take advantage of the opportunities in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and even agriculture.

They should also endeavour to be more innovative so as to create their own business without depending on white-collar jobs.

What is your advice for students?

I implore all students to eschew violence and vices, such as cultism, kidnapping and robbery. Most importantly, I would like to use this opportunity to admonish students to participate in union activities so as to revive the spirit of unionism on our campuses.

OW did you start this business?

I started in my first year when I felt I needed to do something with my time. I wanted something I could do to help myself financially and depend less on my parents. Because I have always loved dogs, I started the business with one small dog.

Have you ever thought of giving up?

Honestly, I have. There was a time

T

HE Law Students Society (LSS), Obafemi Awolowo Univeisty (OAU), last Tuesday hosted personalities in the judiciary at the 7th annual Justice Kayode Eso Lecture.

The event, which took place at the Oduduwa Hall, also featured the launch of Advocate, a journal published

by LSS. The lecture started six years ago when Eso, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, turned 80.

The inaugural lecture was delivered in 2005 by Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka. Subsequent ones were delivered by Prof Ben Nwabueze; former Central Bank Governor, Prof Charles Soludo; former Minister of Information Prof Dora Akunyili and presidential spokesman Dr. Rueben Abati.

The theme of this year’s lecture was “Public interest litigation: Enforcing social and economic rights.” It was delivered by the immediate past At-

one of my dogs gave birth to five puppies and three of them died. Those three puppies would have earned me N160,000. But I took it as one of those things I have to face in the business.

That was the only time I felt discouraged.

How do you get your dogs?

I get my dogs from Dog Pound; it is a popular company that is registered in the Dog World magazine.

How do you combine business and studies?

•Oluwapelumi

This business does not affect my studies at all. Dogs are friends of man so they help in managing your time.

I schedule my time in a way that reading and doing other things is flexible.

I really don’t do much with the dogs, all I do is feed and bath them.

Law students hold lecture •Honour CBN Governor, Babalakin, others From Opeoluwa Sonuga OAU

torney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Olasupo Sasore (SAN), under the chairmanship of former Independent Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC) Justice Olayinka Ayoola (rtd).

Justice Ayoola described Justice Eso as “a man who set unprecedented records in terms of sound judgments,” saying Justice Eso is a man who held the tenets of fairness, equity and justice as a judge.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Tale Omole, said: “Justice Eso is an icon of integrity.”

Dignitaries in attendance included Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice

Dahiru Musdapher, represented

by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour Justice Eso’s daughter and Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs. Funmilayo Eso-Williams; Prof F.A. Ijalaiye, Prof A.O Muzan, Dr. Wale Babalakin, OAU Dean of Law faculty, and other Related Officers Prof Ademola Popoola, Prof Olu Adeniran, Mr. S. N. Onaputu, who represented CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi, and representatives of Ooni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade Okunade Olubuse II. After the lecture, Sanusi, Sasore and Babalakin were honoured. Songs were rendered by a 100-Level student to appreciate the honorees, who thanked the students for the gesture.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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CAMPUS LIFE

Accommodation blues at UNILAG After weeks of resumption, students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) are still lamenting the inability of the management to provide them accommodation.

KAYODE ODUMBONI (200-L English, UNILAG) writes.

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OR many students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), these are not the best of times. Settling down for the new academic session is proving difficult because of the acute accommodation hitches. Three weeks into the new session, many students still come to school from outside the campus. Although some halls of residence have been opened, with a few students moving in, a greater percentage of them is ei-

•King Jaja hostels in UNILAG: Inset UNILAG VC, Prof. Shofoluwe

ther still clearing their bed-spaces or have not even been allocated bed-spaces at all. Fresh intakes fall in the latter category.

This development has made life harder for many students as they have to grapple with challenges of transportation within Lagos.

There are usually long queues of students waiting to board the campus shuttle buses at Yaba and Bariga parks.

Oyinkansola Adekunle, a student of English, who lives in Lambe in Ogun State, said: “I don’t even know how I look when I leave home in the morning. I am out of the house as early as 5.30 a.m. That notwithstanding, I have already missed some important lectures, especially early morning lectures. And the lecturers don’t want to understand you.

“After spending a lot of time in

the usual Lagos hold-up, I get to Yaba only to be welcomed by frustrating queues that stretch endlessly. It is really stressful and frustrating,” Oyinkansola said.

For another student, Ighalo Joel, coming to school every day is a luxury traffic afford. Joel who just gained admission to read Law stays in Oke-Aro, Ogun State. In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, he said: “I spend about N1,200 daily. I leave

home around 5 a.m. and I get back home late at night. In fact, there was a day I got home around midnight.”

Consequently, Joel said he doesn’t go to school every day for now. He said he looks forward to being allocated accommodation on campus. According to him, that is the only time he will be able to really settle down for serious academic work.

While Joel eagerly awaits his room allocation on campus, some students do not have such hope.

Such students are mostly thoses who are neither freshmen nor in the final year. This is because according to the present arrangement in UNILAG, accommodation is only guaranteed for fresh and final year students.

For students not in this category, what the session holds is nothing but a scary reflection of tough times with their academics. It becomes more complicating as the Dean of Students Affairs (DSA), Prof Kayode Amund, has shown that his administration would not condone squatting.

The DSA’s stance notwithstanding, some students that spoke with CAMPUSLIFE said it is quite impossible to completely eradicate squatting. A student in the Faculty of Engineering who does not want his name mentioned said: “DSA may only try but cannot completely put an end to squatting. The available hostels can barely accommodate 30 percent of the total population of students in school. So, where do you expect the others to stay?”

Falling in love is not uncommon on campuses. But the premise upon which the love is conceived complicates issues for lovers. ZEENAT IBRAHIM (400-Level Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano) samples the opinion of students.

The money link in campus love

A

SKED what she understands by “love”, a visibly angry female student of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), who would not want her name in print, retorted: “It is such a crazy word being uttered only by fools.”

Why is she so vehement in her response? CAMPUSLIFE asked.

The 400-Level Mass Communication student, who has been a victim of Casanovas’ sweet words, said: “I used to believe love is a one-meaning word that emphasised fidelity to one’s lover rather being promiscuous.

However, after I was jilted by men, I have got to know that love is a vague term that is meant for fools.”

The question that may arise from readers is: how many other girls hold the same view? Of course, if all men were to be asked the same question, their response may not be different from that of the female anonymous student.

When a relationship breaks up, allegations and counter-allegation start flying from all sides, and lovers end up feeding outsiders their sentiments. They start propounding various definitions of love according to their own dictate.

Many students have argued that the definition of love is loose, something whose nature transcends the understanding of humanity. Others believe it is a phrase employed by some to express affection to others.

“Even, for centuries, many philosophers, writers, mystics, poets, artists and scientists exhausted their academic prowess to situate the meaning of this word.

I think their explanations were not more than a hypothetical conjecture,” Aminat Salihu, a 300Level student at BUK. “Love is a wicked feeling one has for the opposite sex, especially on campus,” said Haliru Abubakar, a 200-Level student of Sociology.

Asked why love is wicked, Haliru said: “I am entitled to my opinion but nobody can deny the fact that love dies whenever we guys see another fine girl or when girls see bigger boys. So, when this happens, what would you call love?”

To buttress his argument, Haliru asked this reporter: “Do you want to tell me that you are still dating the guy you met in your 100-Level days?”

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that in a recent survey carried out on 300Level and 400-Level students in BUK, many respondents gave different meanings to love.

A few maintained that love does not exist. It was learnt that the students used their personal experiences to arrive at the judgement, which categorised love into distinct varieties.

There are students who believe love is like a conduit that conveys one’s feelings to the next person.

There were others who believed that the best way to lose one’s personal freedom and privacy is to fall in love with another person.

Yet another imagined love as an avenue to make money especially for girls that demand from their boyfriends.

Asked by CAMPUSLIFE if loving someone is, indeed, a pathway to success, a 300-Level Geography student, Fatimah Balarabe, said: “How can I be dating a guy without taking care of my basic need? That is how you know a good husband material. If my boyfriend cannot give me money to feel good, why then should I remain in the relationship?”

Sadiq Adbulazeez, 400-Level Sociology, said: “I don’t believe in money as a foundation for true love, especially on campus. I can’t give any girl my money to love me except the person is my wife or fiancée. If money is the foundation of love, then poor boys like me

•A couple on campus

•Another lover boy with Hajia

will not marry.”

On privacy issue, Sadiq said: “Yes, you will lose your privacy immediately you fall in love with a girl or a man. Especially on campus, you can’t love someone without answering one stupid question or another that invades one’s privacy every day. Whereas such things would not happen in the life of a single guy or girl.”

“See, I cannot imagine myself

being controlled by a man I have not married. Though, I will give him respect being my boyfriend but there are questions I can’t answer from him because I am not legally married to him. On the issue of money, I believe it should be a mutual thing and not necessarily by one person. What if the girl is richer than the guy? was the submission of Zuliat Aliyu, a 200-Level student of English.

Whether money is a positive or negative factor in campus love, one thing that is obvious is that students fall in love. However, whether the lovebirds place heavy burden of responsibility on their partners to make life better for them or not, it is obvious those personal expectations are influenced by individual conception of love that can change overtime.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE Eatery operators hold workshop HE Campus Eatery Regulatory Board (CERB) at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has held its maiden workshop for operators on campus. The theme was: Towards acceptable food hygiene, safety and quality on the campus: bringing the eatery operators on board. The workshop was attended by resource persons from faculties in UNILORIN. In his welcome address, CERB Chairman and Dean of Clinical Sciences, Prof Wahab Johnson, reiterated the objective of the board which is “to regulate the activities of eateries as a way of safeguarding the health of the staff, students and visitors as well as the image of the university.” The chairman also noted that the board is not to victimise or make life difficult for eatery operators.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, represented by his deputy on Management, Prof Albert Olayemi, noted that the deregulation of that system has made

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•Some of the protesting students at Alausa

Protesting students disrupt exam

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GGRIEVED students of Lagos State University (LASU) have again disrupted the General Studies (GNS) exam scheduled for last week. The exam was to be written by the 100 to 300-Level students last Thursday, but was postponed because of students protesting the hike in school fees.

The university management issued a bulletin on October 24, informing students that the postponed papers had been rescheduled for October 26. However, students who came to write the exam last Wednesday were shocked when protesters besieged the examination halls to disrupt the exercise.

As early as 7: 30am, the protesting students led by the union leaders went round to inform their colleagues that the exam would not hold.

The Students’ Union president, Akeem Durojaiye, said: “If we accept to write the exam, we would have been defeated. If this GNS can hold, it means that the man-

From Nurudeen Yusuf LASU

agement has defeated us in our struggle against the unjust fee increment. The management would not be bothered and would assume we are through with this academic session.”

At about noon, the management issued another circular that the exam has been rescheduled indefinitely. Eniola Oredun, 100-Level Economics, who was disturbed by the development, said: “They should allow us to write our final paper so that we can go home.”

The protesting students later visited some media houses in Alausa, to register their displeasure on the fee increment. The following day, the SUG leaders in company of hundreds of students stormed Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa to honour the invitation of the House of Assembly.

The SUG leaders were summoned along with the Commissioner for Education, Olayinka Oladunjoye, Special Adviser to

the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatayi Olukoga, and the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello.

On arrival, the students were denied access into the assembly. Carrying placards with the inscriptions: “We are students, not investors”, “LASU is for sale,” “LASU should not be profit-making enterprise,” “Education is a right and not privilege, no change no increment” among others. The protesters chanted solidarity songs.

The Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji ordered the SUG president to calm the students and maintain decorum. Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, a lawmaker from Ikorodu, who is an expresident of LASU students’ union, assured the students the House would find solution to the problem.

The House set up a committee constituted by two leaders of the students’ union, two lawmakers of the House, two officials from the Ministry of Education, two officials of the university and two parents.

The committee is to report back to the House on November 10.

Students receive lecture on field

A

T the sight of the students last Friday, passersby would think the gathering was one of the indigenous associations’ meetings on campus.

But no. It was a Religion and Human Values (REL202) lecture. The students were forced to hold their lecture in the open at the popular motion ground. Motion ground is a place for students who want to take pictures and the rendezvous for campus love birds.

The venue of the lecture, Health Sciences Lecture theatre B, was in use and other lecture theatres they could use for the lecture were also not free. The lecturer and students, therefore, roamed under the scorching sun in search for a free venue, which they did not get. They resigned to fate by having the class on the motion ground even as the sun was intense. The passing students shouted “Great Ife!” as they watched the lecturer delivering his topic.

The lecturer, Dr. David Ogungbile, a graduate of Harvard University, took attendance after the lecture came to an end. Several students spoke to CAMPUSLIFE. Adavise Alao, 200-Level Law, said: “Staying under the sun to receive lecture is another point scored by the Nigerian education sector.

Rather than listening to what Dr. Ogungbile was saying, I was busy blocking the rays of the sun. The main reason we could not find a venue is because they are inadequate.”

Kingsley Amadu, 200-Level Religious Studies, said: “Receiving a lecture under the sun at motion ground of all places wasn’t funny

From Opeoluwa Sonuga OAU

at all. I got to understand there was no available venue and the lecturer didn’t waste the hour. This has shown that the government is to be blamed for not funding sufficiently the education sector, yet they are not listening to the demands of ASUU”.

Victoria Akanmu, 200-Level Fine and Applied Arts, said: “The lecture at motion ground is a fulfillment of the saying that ‘When the needed is not available, the available becomes needed’. It was a tough decision for students to receive lectures under the sun, but thanks to the lecturer who didn’t mind what people may say.”

it difficult to control standards of food by various vendors making CERB necessary and highly needed.

The VC said the workshop should be delivered in any language that will best drive home the points and to that effect, most of the papers were delivered in Yoruba.

In a paper delivered by Dr. R. O. Karim, deputy chair of CERB acting HOD, Home Economics and Food Science, she stressed the importance of hygienic food and listed some common food-borne diseases that were wrongfully attributed to other factors. She urged the operators to shun the use of adulterated or substandard ingredients.

During the interactive session, the participants disclosed their satisfaction with the workshop. They commended the board for organising the seminar and urged the management to ensure continuation of the workshops.

•Participants at the workshop

Class holds get together

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HE 200-Level students of the Department of Foreign Languages at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have celebrated their annual week. The event, tagged: “Fraternisons”, was used to prepare the students for the impending picnic in Togo/ Badagry next year.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the Governing Council of the university had mandated students of the department to undergo an immersion programme in Togo and

From Gilbert Alasa UNIBEN

Badagry after completion of their 200-Level session.

The occasion, which was chaired by the department Director of Socials, Bobbipetrus Isiakpona, started with a symposium which was delivered by a lecturer in the department, Mr. Osawaru Terry. It was later followed by the Cultural Day and awards night.

Varsity launches history book

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BOOK chronicling the events that led to the establishment of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State has been launched by the management of the institution. It is entitled “30 years of Nnamdi Azikiwe University”.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Boniface Egboka, said the book was necessary to inform the students and stakeholders about the ideals

•Some of the students during the lecture

From Dayo Akinola UNILORIN

From Ngozi Emmanuel UNIZIK

of the institution. He said the book would help the students and staff to know from where they started, where they are and where they are heading.

The VC reinstated that it was the desire of UNIZIK to be among the top 200 universities in the world.

Present at the launch were top personalities from within Anambra State.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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CAMPUS LIFE Festival of book reading

D

ESPITE a few decorations, Pit Theatre, the venue of the event was not too different from what it used to look like. But when the event played itself out, many agreed that it was a gathering befitting of kings.

This was the outlook last Thursday when the Oladele Madamidolaled National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS) marked its annual week featuring a book reading by renowned writer, Prof. Karen King Aribisala from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

After an address by the head of English department, Prof Segun

From Hannah Ojo OAU

Adekoya, and a speech by the father figure in the department, Dr. Chima Anyadike, Poetomania, a poetry group did a satirical presentation on education.

Afterwards, Prof Karen stepped unto the stage. She held the audience spell bound with her voice which she employed to project a narrative autobiographical poem entitled Another Kingdom. Also, Queen Honey Bee, a political poem and short stories such as Hero Material, Shylock in me and The Wife were read off memory by Prof

Karen, a two time Common Wealth Literature Prize winner.

She thanked the audience for paying attention and also praised Dr. Niyi Okunoye of English department for facilitating her visit and appreciated the university, saying “even the trees and grass are generous with their hospitality.”

Another book reading organised by the Institute of Cultural Studies and coordinated by Dr Gbemisola Adeoti was held the previous day with Wale Okediran, a former National House of Representative member.

Varsity gets new VC

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PROFESSOR of labour and human resource management, Prof Sola Fajana, has been named ViceChancellor of the Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), IkejiArakeji, Osun State.

Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Prof Fajana stated that his vision for the university was to see that the university ranked among the best five in Nigeria.

The new VC further promised that he would continue to build upon the solid foundation laid by its predecessor, Prof

From Mariam Adeyemi JABU

C.O Oshun, who he said made a lot of sacrifices towards the development of the institution.

He pointed out that with the cooperation of the staff of the university, the vision of the founding fathers would be achieved. He regretted the falling standard of education in the country where graduates are said to be halfbaked, saying that the quality of graduate is reducing due to poor funding of education by the government at levels. He, however, maintained that the church that owns the institution is highly committed to the funding of the university.

Edo students hold day •Clamour for payment of Bursary

E

DO students in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) under the aegis of National Association of Edo State Students (NAESS) have held their cultural day and awards.

The event, which featured a lecture on the theme: “The role of intellectuals in nation building with respect to African culture”, was held at the Conference Center, OAU on October 22, 2011. It was kicked off by the traditional rite of breaking kola nut and prayers in native dialect.

A lecture was delivered by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who was the guest lecturer at the event. Other personalities that graced the event included Chief Judge of Edo State, C. Idahosa, OAU Alumni Benin Branch,

From Opeoluwa Sonuga OAU

Mrs. Ola Deselu, A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Samson Osagie, representatives of Oba of Benin and Prof Greg Erhabor, a Physician.

Colourful features of the events were Drama, Language competition and Benin cultural dance. Awards were given to the guest lecturer and some other invited persons. Okunbor Osadebawen, president of the association, said: “This programme was put up to promote unity and cultural heritage of all Edo natives in Ife community.”

The students used the opportunity to reach out to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, to pay the bursary and scholarship of Edo State students.

•Prof Adekoya and Prof Karen

“J

Students read poem on Baba Suwe

ester, what have you done?

Is this another Joke? An Expensive one.

This is the beginning stanza of a poem entitled: An Expensive Joke read at a poetry reading with the theme: Baba Suwe.

The reading, held last Friday evening, was organised by Poetic Hood, a poetry group in the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

One of the poems that made the reading was written in Yoruba but

From Opeoluwa Sonuga OAU

presented in smattering English.

It was entitled: Iriri Aye Suwe. The line reads: “Na wa o, make person dey follow am tango, Esu pofo, Jesu gbogo. One, two, three, hope the count stops, what else would you pray to turn over than the cups, t’alo se?, Se ekute ni abi pepeye? Babtunde Omidina, Kuuse na, Won so e di ATM kan, Ti n po’wo losan gangan.

Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE,

Tope Arowosegbe, a student, said: “ Babatunde Omidina alias Baba Suwe is a man well respected in the Nigerian movie industry and serves as a source of inspiration to some up-coming artistes. The rationale behind the reading is to exercise our creative minds, and to pour out the minds of the scribes to what they feel about him and his ordeal and also use the medium to ask relevant questions and hope for a laudable judgement.”

Students mark ‘Old School’ Day

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S part of their “Health Week “, students of Human Physiology at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) have marked their Old School Day. The students marched out in old dresses.

The parade, which started early last Wednesday lasted till 5pm. Responding to questions from CAMPUSLIFE, a parent who gave her name as Mrs. Maureen Kiaka, said the “outing by these students has filled me with nostalgia, this is just so beautiful.”

A staff of the university, Mr Chinedu Nnabueze, said: “These students are wonderful, what on earth gave them

From Chris Okafor UNIPORT

this idea? I feel greatly drawn back to yesterday right now, the time when bongo trousers and jump up trousers on high shoes were in vogue. Those days, if you didn’t shape this way, you sure were ‘juu’ (local) man like they say today, but these days it has become outdated that even we that were born in it dare not put them on again except we want to create scenes.”

A cab driver, Mr Boniface Baridabdo, said: “I am being reminded by these students that a lot of things have changed in this generation. A lot has changed and most times I wish to be taken back to those days.”

Answering questions from CAMPUSLIFE, President of the department, Charles Agbodoghai disclosed that “this is the first time anybody will bring this idea in UNIP0RT, so we have made an indelible impression.”

Student dies of graduation excitement

A •Students at the seminar

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F students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have their way, cancer would be wiped out totally. The students gathered at a symposium, last week, to celebrate the 2011 Students’ Week, organised by the Students Union Government (SUG) Vice-President, Lawrence Osahenkhuen.

Tagged: “The monster called cancer”, the symposium took place at All Saints Chapel. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Anthony Okonkwo of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

He advised young women to check their breasts regularly for painless lumps and to shun sexual activities which predispose them to having cervical cancer.

SUG battles cancer From Gilbert Alasa UNIBEN In attendance were the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Ekpenesi Omorotionwan, who represented the governor, former Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tony Moses, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Matters, Musa Alechenu, former UNIBEN Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Eddy Erhagbe, and Business Development Manager of Silverbird Television in Benin, Mr Shola Adeoye.

Omorotionwan said the war

against cancer must be won, saying victory would only be achieved if private sector partners with the government help subsidise the cost of drugs. The event, which was anchored by fast-rising comedian, Efex, provided a platform for upcoming artists to express their musical and dancing talents.

Lawrence said the awareness on cancer was poor in Nigeria when compared with that on HIV/AIDS. “Today, if you ask a five-year-old what HIV/AIDS is, he would say it point blank. Yet, many graduates have limited information on cancer,” he said.

STUDENT of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) has died while celebrating his impending graduation.

Chidy, a final year geology student, was said to have joined his colleagues from other departments in a drinking spree to celebrate the successful writing of their exams. Though the deceased was said to still have a paper to write, it is believed that he died of exhaustion from the celebration.

CAMPUSLIFE learnt that students who were around rushed Chidy to the

From Gerald Nwokocha and Chimere Orji, FUTO

Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, but he was said to have died before reaching the hospital.

But his parents suspect foul play. They alleged that a group of policemen delayed the students that rushed Chidy to the hospital by harassing and threatening them with murder. They said if the students had been allowed to convey him to the hospital without hindrance, Chidy might have survived.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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CAMPUS LIFE Activities at the Ekiti State University were paralysed when the Federal University of Technology, Oye (FUTOYE) conducted an entrance exam for candidates. SEGUN ADEGBENRO and TUNJI AWE (200-Level Political Science, Ekiti State University) report.

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HE Ekiti State University (EKSU) registered its busiest time last week. About 70,000 candidates seeking admission into the newly-established Federal University of Technology, Oye-Ekiti (FUTOYE), thronged the campus for the first post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam (postUTME).

From October 20 to 22, that the exercise lasted, academic activities in EKSU were paralysed and some students could not attend lectures.

The venues for the post-UTME were filled as the candidates were grouped into centres and according to departments. Officials of the university and some EKSU lecturers coordinated and invigilated the applicants.

FUTOYE is one of the seven federal universities established last year following the recommendation of a committee set up by the Federal Government. However, the location of the university generated controversy when the former Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni, sited the school in Oye, Ekiti, instead of Ikole where the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqqayat Rufai, announced as the host community.

The crisis generated was later settled as six faculties of the institution were divided among the two communities.

Prior to the conduct of the entrance examination, the criterion for eligibility for the exam was an aggregate score of 180 and above by students who chose the school

•Long queue of admission seekers during the exam

A post-UTME like no other as either their first or second choice. Candidates who did not choose the school as first or second choice were required to score at least 200.

The examination started as scheduled but it was not without hitches as there were a lot of logistical problems. The applicants who earlier thought they were to come to exam centres with pro-

posed course printouts were startled when they were asked to provide examination schedule which displayed candidates’ names, examination hall and registration number. Some rushed back to cyber cafés to print the required document.

During the process, one of the candidates collapsed for several

minutes. The female candidate who would not tell CAMPUSLIFE her name said: “I have never gone through this type of experience before, which probably explains why I collapsed. I was supposed to write my exam at 8am and I did have my breakfast before leaving for the exam hall. But I can assure you that I am now feeling better.”

Idera Adetoki, a candidate, told CAMPUSLIFE: “We went through a lot of difficulties because the examination halls were filled and we had to run from one end of the school to another to look for available spaces. I just hope most of us are admitted after going through stress.”

Sola Adeyemo, a candidate from Kogi State who did not initially choose the university, narrated his ordeal to CAMPUSLIFE. He said: “I scored below 200 in UTME exam which disqualifies me from participating in the postUTME of institutions like the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and University of Benin (UNIBEN), which I chose in my form. I heard of FUTOYE through a family friend and I jumped at the offer. I have written the entrance exam and I hope to gain admission.”

Also, Funke Osinowo, an applicant from Ogun State who want to study Computer Science, commended the peaceful conduct of the examination. She said: I have been seeking admission for the past three years, but I hope this opportunity in Ekiti succeeds.”

During the exercise, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the commercial drivers inflated the fare for their services beyond reasonable price. Travelling to Ado Ekiti from Lagos, for instance, cost N2,500 instead of N1,400. And from Ibadan to the same destination cost N2,000 instead of N1,200.

As part of the programmes to mark the World Polio Day, members of the Rotaract Club from three states distributed items to the physically-challenged children in Ondo State. DAYO OJERINDE (400-Level Mass Communication, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko) reports.

Rotaract shows love for polio children

“P

OLIO still cripples thousands of children across the world. With your help, we can wipe this disease off the face of the earth”. “End polio now”.

These were some comments by some Rotaract Clubs last week as the world marked the Polio Day. October is set aside by the club to fight against polio. In marking the Polio Day, the Rotaract Club of Adekunle University, AkugbaAkoko (AAUA) alongside its counterparts in the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Lagos, took the fight against the dreaded disease to Ondo State School for the Physically-Challenged at Ikare-Akoko.

Speaking on their mission to the school, the District 9110 Rotaract representative, Olayinka Folarin, said: “We are here to fulfill one of the purpose of Rotaract club which is making life easier for the less privileged.” Mosquito nets, customised notebooks and other items were distributed to the physically-challenged children in what was termed as a joint project of the club in three states.”

Appreciating the gesture of the students, the home head, Mr. Johnson Oladunni, said: “This is not the first time the club will be coming here to make these children happy. We quite appreciate your efforts to make life meaningful to the physically challenged. I pray that God will continue to help and provide for the club.”

The president of the club in UNIBEN, Efficient Olaoye, said: “Poilio is a deadly disease that Rotaract club is out to fight. We cannot do it alone as we need the support of members of the community”. His AAUA counterpart, Olaoluwa Olugbodi, added: “The first time we came here to distribute gift items to the children, I cried at the sight of crippled children. We at the Rotaract club see reasons to make life meaningful to these lads.”

The Alagbado, Lagos Rotaract president, Miss Adetomiwa Olubunmi, enjoined every member of the community to stand against the spread of polio in the society.

She advised mothers to make their children available for anti-polio vaccine as at when due.

‘This is not the first time the club will be coming here to make these children happy. We quite appreciate your efforts to make life meaningful to the physically challenged. I pray that God will continue to help and provide for the club.”

• Mr Oladuni (right)receiving the gifts from the Rotaract Members

•Pupils of the school showcasing their books

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

35

CAMPUS LIFE

Why oil subsidy must stay

By Akinola Oluyi akinolajohn25@yahoo.com

A

MONG the natural resources beneath the Nigerian landscape, the one that generates quick revenue and serves millions of Nigerian citizens in different segments through its finished products is crude oil. Since its discovery in Oloibiri in 1958, crude

oil has generated respectable income into the purse of the Federal Government, needless to state its day-by-day usefulness of its numerous refined products for Nigerians.

With over 445,000 barrels of petroleum from our land, Nigeria is ranked the sixth most endowed nation in terms of crude oil production. Alas, despite the gift and the limitless human resources, our refineries are nothing to write home about. Gone are the days when the extracted barrels of oil were refined in Nigeria; the petrol that is derived from the crude oil is being imported.

The years of maladministration and bad governance on the part of successive federal governments have left our refineries in shambles and this has made oil to be exported for processing abroad. The imported products, according to the Federal Government, are

subsidised to cushion the effect of high cost on Nigerians. Whereas if the crude oil were to be refined here, the cost of petrol, diesel, kerosene, and other consumables would have gone down per litre even below the subsidised price.

Between 1999 and 2010, reports had it that fortunes running into billions of dollars was earmarked for rehabilitation of Nigeria’s four refineries, yet they are working below capacity. In the period under reference, trillions of dollars were earned from oil sales, yet there are no results in the provision of critical infrastructure for the benefit of Nigerians.

Now, with dysfunctional refineries, the Federal Government intends to threaten Nigerians with a move to remove the “oil subsidy”.

The presidency said the subsidy, which runs into N1.2 trillion yearly

would be channelled to other sectors of the economy. The labour unions, which have called the bluff of the Federal Government, have argued that even without removing the subsidy, the cost of living is ever on the increase. So why would President Goodluck Jonathan think the best way to get the nation transformed is by removing the subsidy?

I reason with the labour union because if the planned subsidy removal succeeds, it means the prices of cheap commodities would naturally go up and landlords would increase the rent, thereby strangulating the low-income earners who have been at the receiving end of the bad policies of government.

Already, there is virtually nothing government does for the impoverished citizens. Education is bad, roads are deplorable, hous-

ing scheme is meant for the rich, electricity is erratic and the rail system is anything but dysfunctional.

If at all subsidy is real, President Jonathan must know that this is the only way Nigerians enjoy largesse from the government. If the Federal Government insists on removing the subsidy, crisis looms as Nigerians will fight this satanic policy. Already, Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Trade Union Congress and other labour unions have hinted of their plan to ground the nation should the subsidy removal scales through. But this should not be the affairs of the labour unions alone, all progressive-minded Nigerians must be prepared to fight on the side of the masses.

Akinola, ND 1 Mass Comm., OFFA POLY

Students in the BlackBerry world

“I’

M pinging”. “Can I have your pin?” “I need to pay for my BIS”. These phrases are not new to students who use Blackberry phones. Blackberry is a mobile device developed by a Canadian company, Research in Motion (RIM) in 1999. It has 14.8 per cent share of worldwide Smartphone sales and it is the fifth most popular device manufacturer after Nokia, Samsung, LG and Apple.

Various people use BlackBerry phones for different purposes.

From professionals in industry to businessmen in financial institutions, BlackBerry is useful to aid instant communication. But, here

T

ODAY, I will stir the hornet’s nest for the good of all. I will go against the tide. I will speak the truth and nothing but the truth.

As a typical Nigerian, I know many of you will not believe me. Some of you will accuse me of exaggeration and partisanship, but I will not be deterred. After all George Orwell once said: “In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act.” Let me be that revolutionist by telling you what my eyes have seen.

Not all governors are liars.

Not all politicians are hypocrites. A few of them are different and deserve our accolades when they merit it. Let us separate the wheat from the chaff.

I know how you feel. I know where the shoes hurt because I wear them as well. As Nigerians our minds have been configured to see the unusual as the usual. So, when things are done the way they are supposed to be done we are surprised.

Take for instance, when the Lagos State Government introduced the Bus Rapid Transportation system (BRT), Lagosian (Nigerians) were surprised that they could queue for buses as it is done in civilized climes.

The surprise was borne out of the fact that the unusual had become the usual. Any one in Lagos who uses public transportation to get to his destination was used to running and hopping on a moving vehicle.

It is the same with governance. We are used to politicians uttering familiar rhetorics without performing. We are used to people singing praises of governors and presidents who have done nothing to better the lot of the com-

in Nigeria, it does appear the phone is meant for students. For them, it offers services such as instant email access, downloads and most importantly the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), a software for sending and receiving instant messaging via BlackBerry pin. The BBM is popularly known as “pinging” and it excites the youth the most.

Maintaining a BlackBerry phone in Nigeria seems to be costly because of the BIS service, except the user does not want to subscribe for the instant messaging. It is amazing how students who use this phone are able to cope with the financial implication of having a BlackBerry. Among them, the

phones have created a large gap between those who have it and those who do not. This has caused students, especially the girls, to go to any length in getting the phone to belong to this world.

The new fashion for the ladies is holding their blackBerry phones on their palm which has turned into a handbag. For the guys, they put the phones in their trouser pockets in a way that part of the phone peeps out. For a guy to truly prove his love for a lady nowadays, he has to get her a BlackBerry.

Some students have become so desperate to belong to this world that some of them go to the extent of buying “China” BlackBerry that

have the same external features of a real BlackBerry but lacks the internal features such as pinging, instant Internet access and so on.

However, it cannot be denied that BlackBerry has a lot of advantages, especially in this new world of information technology. The problem, here, is that majority of the students who belong to this world have made the phone a distraction to their academics. Is there any solution to this problem? It is the trend of the moment and would last till the era of BlackBerry is over.

Esther, 300-L Mass Comm., UNN

By Esther Abu chickala_0123@yahoo.com

Let the ‘Sylva’ linings continue Accommodation

By Jenifer Tamarabrakemi helenajones24@gmail.com

mon man.

Our apathy has gotten to that point where we don’t see anything good in our leaders even when they are good. To the average Nigerian, every politician is a crook whose main occupation is plundering the treasury at the expense of the impoverished masses.

But the irony of this stereotype attitude is that when we eventually have good people at the helms of affairs, we treat them with the same disdain.

We downplay their achievements and amplify their shortcomings because that is what we are used to. We are like Nathanael in the Bible who questioned Philip about the existence of the Messiah with his famous question: “Can anything good come out Nazareth?”

It is, therefore, not a surprise that one of the youngest and best performing governors in Nigeria, today, is ignored, in spite of his sterling achievements.

At the risk of being termed a sycophant, I dare to speak the truth. I will not be economical with the truth because Governor Timipre Sylva deserves to be celebrated.

If this 47 years old man were to be an American, Nigerians as they are wont to do, would have joined millions of people around the world to laud him. But prophets are seldom celebrated in their own home, so we see him as another run-off- the- mill governor.

If nothing else is worth mentioning, his giant strides

in the educational sector will suffice to put him on the global front as one of the few Nigerian governors with a passion for education and human capital development.

You may think I’m rubbing his back, but this is one governor who goes the extramile to ensure things are done the right way. He understands the purpose and importance of government which includes making life better for the citizens.

As a Medical student of the Niger Delta University, it will be a failure on my part if I fail to acknowledge his contributions in my educational pursuit.

Just as it obtains in many Nigerian universities, accreditation of courses is a big issue. I have heard countless testimonies of students admitted to a department and forced to withdraw midway because the course was not accredited by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC).

It was the fear of this midway withdrawal syndrome that made me turn down an opportunity to study Medicine in a popular federal university. I gathered from impeccable sources that the course had not been fully accredited and there was no visible sign that it will be done before I graduate.

But, as they say, life itself is a risk. You can’t win lotto if you don’t buy the ticket; I had to settle for Medicine at the Niger Delta University when I knew it was not fully accredited.

It was a big risk, but I thank God that it paid off for me.

Today, the Niger Delta Uni-

versity Medical School and College of Pharmacy are fully accredited. Not only that, it is well equipped and can compete with any other institution in the country.

Thanks to Governor Sylva for bringing the sun into my life and other students of the institution. Now I will complete my Medical Degree without any interruption.

Aside these laudable achievements, this 47 years old governor should also be commended for bringing peace to the volatile Niger- Delta region. Today militancy, kidnapping and bloodletting have been reduced to the barest minimum, because Timipre Sylva took the initiative to talk with the militants. He went into the creeks and encouraged the militants to accept the federal government’s amnesty offer. We praise Yar’adua for granting amnesty but we forget the man who came up with the idea.

Like the Yoruba’s will say, when we close our eyes in order to avoid seeing bad people, good people may pass by”. We miss the chance to honour great men in our midst because we have a preconceived view of politicians as bad people.

Governor Timipre Sylva is just not another governor, he is and achiever who deserves to be celebrated.

If everyone in Bayelsa sincerely take out time to x-ray Timipre Sylva’s achievements in since he came on board, they will agree with me that this Sylva linings must continue.

Jenifer, 300-Level Medical Biochemistry, NDU Wilberforce Island

woes in UNIJOS

A

S the University of Jos (UNIJOS) reopens for the new session, the excitement of catching up with friends and drawing closer to graduating from the institution is cut short by the thought of the normal hustle for accommodation.

The institution is known as one of the best in the country, but lacks enough hostels to accommodate most of its students. It has three main hostels which include the Naraguta, Abuja and the Village hostels.

These hostels are reserved for freshers and final year students, but the question is what becomes the fate of other students?

The university has over nine faculties, and runs other programmes apart from its degree courses.

These include Remedial, Diploma, Post-graduate, Masters among others. It is quite unfortunate that most of these students do not stay in the hostel due to limited number of bed space and they end up being extorted by inconsiderate landlords and victims of the incessant crisis in Jos. I feel happy and grateful to God since I am among those entitled to accommodation this session, but as a Jossite, the outgoing SUG president, Nantok Dashuwar, has always

By Omah Agbo agboomah@yahoo.com

emphasised that an injury to one is an injury to all.

The pain of fellow students who lost their lives in the crisis due to lack of hostels still makes my heart bleed and affects my sense of reasoning.

It is now obvious in our world today that Christians and Muslims no longer live together as one and this has affected students who stay off-campus, most of them, especially those who had never being to Jos fall victims to the crisis.

The university needs to act fast in this crucial aspect, it is a pity that more structures are being built at the permanent site but none is to house the students. It is time for the management to act fast.

Omah, 400-Level Geography and Planning, UNIJOS

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

36

CAMPUS LIFE

Why young leaders fail (1)

T

HE very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.

Theodore M. Hesburgh

Leadership at any level is not an easy thing to pull off. So many young people are drawn to the lime light of leadership but many times they are unprepared for what that limelight may require of them.

The essence of Education, though many times lost on us is to mature us through the various experiences of the campus community into men and women who understand the demands, intrigues and responsibilities of Leadership! Failing to get this imbibed in our psyche and subconscious is arguably one of the strongest reasons why we have such deplorable leadership in our daily experiences of life.

With all the levels of leadership around us, and with an even greater number of people vying for some leadership post or the other, why do leaders still fail? Why do young men and woman who have so much potential end up failing the country and its citizens at a time of great need?

Why is there a massive disillusionment among the campus citizenry and why does this disenchantment grow all the way out of the university walls and into the streets?

All these and more are the central focus of our discussion today.

Young leaders fail for many reasons and dear reader, I would love that you personalize this article. Do not read it with the aloofness that some young men are wont to. Read it putting yourself on the hot seat, and see if the items expounded here happen to be indicative of you in terms of character and wit.

Many young leaders have failed simply because they are lazy. Laziness is quite easy to define and includes all who are involved in giving excuses why they cannot deliver on the expectations people have of them. Every leader has people waiting on him or her to deliver on a direct promise or a derived promise. A derived promise has to do with the expectations of a group of people taking cognizance of the capacity and the empowerment to impact the people expecting dividends of that leader. If a leader becomes Lethargic, suffers from Mind Inertia or simply cannot gather enough momentum to act, his appeal gradually and certainly begins to wane.

Who will ever respect a lazy leader? No one has the time for leaders who need to be prodded, cajoled and enthused into working or achieving

On and Off Campus

By Uche Ogbonna marketingcommunication@fidelitybankplc.com uche.ogbonna@fidelitybankplc.com 08055061278

things for the people, so even though an incomplete list, it is important that we start from here.

Leaders who are noted as lazy will lose the loyalty of those led in just a moment.

Foresight is related to vision and is one of the basic building blocks of leadership. Leaders who have no foresight or Vision cannot tell the next phase of any idea. This is a serious matter where leadership is concerned. Visionless leadership has been the bane of many enterprises. No venture will succeed if the Helmsman has no idea of what direction the ship (enterprise) should steer. It is a matter that should give students and all young people deep food for thought for they are indeed the leaders of tomorrow. The reason for visionless leadership and foresight are many. Young folk are very easily distracted. Easy to switch from one program to something that seems more interesting and more inviting but which at the same time might be lacking in real substance. Too many times young people walk away from the path they intend to follow simply because someone else’s path seems more alluring or exciting. Yet every young leader has potential to be a trail blazer. If his vision is clear and he has foresight, the ability to look into tomorrow and choose what will be relevant in the future, he will very easily be able to steer his ship and the people he leads into a place of prosperity.

Let us look briefly at one more reason why young people fail; commitment and dedication.

This is a very serious virus that robs many a young talent of the potency to deliver. Though they may be amazingly endued with raw talent and ability, many young people have truncated their quests to be visionary leaders by failing to commit to the dreams they have. Every leader will make sacrifices. The size of the sacrifice is determined by the size of the commitment and determination to the quest. If you have a vision and you are willing to pursue the vision, you will inevitably succeed. You cannot move from dreams to reality if you are not willing to pay the price of commitment. Even the people who follow the leader desire to see a sense of dedication and commitment to the cause because this is the real indicator that their trust in the leader is not misplaced.

This article is sponsored by Fidelity Flex Account. Have you got the Flex factor?

By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Law students dancing after their final exam

Students mark week amid fanfare

M

AGNA Curia, a club for Law students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has just concluded its week just as final year Law students danced round the campus to celebrate their graduation from the institution.

The week was kicked off with awareness last Monday. The following day, games were held in the faculty for students just as a film show was organised. A traditional night was equally held to showcase the cooking talents of the students.

The event also marked the launch of The

From Caleb Adebayo OAU

Juristic Consult, a magazine, in honour of Justice Francis Fedode Tabai, a Justice of the Supreme Court. Justice Tabai was physically present at the event and witnessed a mock trial proceeding, where he outlined his story of growing up and the challenges he faced trying to read law.

The event was followed by a dinner that was held at Yellow House Foyer, Ile-Ife. Oluwasegun Fagbewesa, a student, said the week was full of fun. At the dinner, the Magna Curia new executives and new members were also inducted.

Fellowship organises Nativity Nite

T

HE Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) chapter, has organised a programme called Nativity Nite, which took place at the fellowship ground. During the programme, various ethnic groups display their cultural heritage, as students were seen in their cultural attires.

One of the students, who was clad in Agbada and Sokoto, remarked: “I feel so happy today, because I have the opportunity to display my cultural attire in a school environment that

From Taiwo Isola UNIMAID

is far away from my native land.”

Programmes featured at the event include chants, panegyrics, poetry, eulogy, dances, and drama. The event was brought to a climax when each ethnic group displayed their culture. The performance of students made the guest excited. Officials of the fellowship said the event was organised to show love for all ethnic groups on campus.

Rotaract marks month with career talk

T

HE Rotaract Club at University of Calabar (UNICAL) has marked its vocational service month with seminars on career in schools within the state capital.

Delivering a lecture at Ntiat Mbaki Comprehensive Secondary School, the club’s president, Joel Bassey, told students to make choice of career based on available employment chances, and their passion for the career in question. He noted that students make wrong choices because of influences from parents and peers, advising that parents should give their children the free hand to make choice of career based on their love and talent. The club equally held career talk

From Isaac Mensah UNICAL

at Community Secondary School, Mbak Atai, Calabar.

Joel remarked that the choice of career talk as part of activities marking the annual vocational service month was borne out of the desire to clear the confusion students frequently confronted when it comes to choosing a career.

A Principal at one of the secondary schools, Mr. E. Emah, lauded the efforts of the club, saying “it is good to see youths embark on initiative that will open the eyes of the young ones”.

•From left: CAMPUSLIFE reporter, Tunmise Oladipo; Kabeerah Yusuf; Omowunmi Jide and Abisola Akintunde during the convocation at UNILORIN last Monday

37

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

EDUCATION FEDPOFFA FILE

Dr. Shina Yekini, a chartered accountant and a lecturer in Accounting at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom speaks on why most Nigerians opt for foreign degrees, Nigerian universities and many other issues. In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, Dr Yekini, who was on an official visit to Leadmode Resource Centre, an education consultancy outfit, with branches in Nigeria and Ghana, also speaks on why it may be difficult for those who study overseas to come back home. Excerpts.

Poly conducts online screening THE Federal Polytechnic, Offa, has completed its online screening tests for candidates test into the institution. The new method, which eliminated the stress of physical conduct of the postUTME and other test, is being understudied by other institutions. It also saved the students from the problem of long-distance travel to write screening test.

It would be recalled that the institution was among others that started conducting admissions online in the country.

‘Employers no longer believe in Nigerian certificates’ I

T has become a trend for Nigerians to go for foreign degrees.

Why is this so?

There are many reasons for that. I think the first is that people find out that employers do not believe in Nigerian certificates any longer.

Some of these employers actually come to overseas countries to recruit. They believe that if you have gone abroad to read, you will add some values they may not be able to get locally. Consequently, so many people want to have such values and that might be one of the reasons so many people are going after foreign degrees.

What is the implication of this to the Nigerian educational system, especially universities?

The meaning is that stakeholders, the people who employ graduates do not have confidence in our certificates; the implication is that many good heads will go outside the country so that they may have some certificates, some of them will like to come back, some will like to stay. In my case, I decided to stay because I was able to find a job which matched my degree. That was what I did. Some would like to come back and organisations will take them.

What do you think about the Ni-

gerian universities?

Honestly, there is the need to restructure the university education system in Nigeria. The university system needs to change focus, more especially, they need to look at the need for academic writing, the way they can be more critical in the educational system as a whole. As it is, a lot of theories are being taught, most of them cannot be put into practice in industries and companies. The companies are looking for people who can proffer solutions to issues. That is basically what is absent in the Nigerian educational system, which people are teaching in foreign institutions.

Where do you see Nigerian university education in 10 years?

In the next 10 years, I don’t know.

But I know that many Nigerian universities are trying. They are sending some of their lecturers abroad now to go and study for PhD. That means they know that the quality of our education is not up to standard. As many of these graduates come back, I expect increase in standard of education in this country, I hope that happens. I hope all of them come back. I know some may

not come back if they find juicy appointment abroad.

Would you allow your children to attend any of the Nigerian universities?

No. Not now. They have lots and lots of opportunities of universities in Europe. Apart from me, they would not also want to come. They are used to the education system in Europe and they would want to complete their education there. This not unconnected with the security, standard of education, the environment; so many factors would not allow anybody who has the opportunity of to be an home student in a place, such as the UK to head for Nigeria or Africa. Nobody would want to do this.

Would you be fulfilled were you to teach in Nigeria?

I’m seriously satisfied with working in the UK, because teaching is very interesting and enjoyable. The opportunity of imparting knowledge and enlightening people is also there. Those theories you have learnt, you have the opportunity of putting them into practice. As a chartered accountant that has worked in accounting firms and the banking industry, those experiences I have obtained in those institutions, and I have been able to use in the classroom so that they can see how

•Dr Yekini

accounting from theoretical point of view can be put into practice, and many of my students have been appreciating that.

What is the relationship between Leadmode Resource Centre and the University of Leicester?

Leadmode is an agent of the University of Leicester. The centre is partnering with the University of Leicester on distance learning.

They admit students on behalf of the University of Leicester. These students go through different courses ranging from MBA to Msc. in Finance and Msc in other subjects. They obtain the University of Leicester certificates and also obtain teaching instructions and teaching aids. They will be learning the same way on-campus students learn. The certificates are the same because the content of the module are the same.

Vet. council inducts UNAAB’s graduates

A

TOTAL of 28 graduate doctors of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture (formerly University of Agriculture), Abeokuta were inducted into the veterinary profession by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) during the fourth

AUN organises career fair

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

induction for UNAAB’s graduates.

The inductees, who took their oaths with a pledge to uphold ethics of their profession, would have their names listed in the register of VCN. There are about 5,000 veterinary doctors practising in Nigeria and

only 10 universities in the country offer training in the discipline, according to Prof. Gabriel Ogundipe, President, VCN. Ogundipe urged the fresh veterinary doctors to count themselves fortunate, saying, “employment opportunities for the veterinary surgeons are many, but registration with the Veterinary

Council of Nigeria and renewal of annual practicing licence is mandatory.”

The university Vice – Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Olaiya Balogun, warned the inductees against taking their call to the Veterinary Medicine profession “lightly,” advising that it should be embraced with “sense of responsibility.”

T

HE America University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola has organised its maiden career fair for her undergraduates in Lekki, Lagos. The fair is aimed at reducing graduate unemployment.

Several blue-chip organisations in banking, telecommunications, oil and gas, media, and aviation sectors featured at the fair An undergraduate of AUN, Stephanie Attahiru, who commended AUN authorities for introducing on the initiative, said the programme has prepared her for job opportunities.

Her words: “I have benefited from the programme. We were privileged to approach professionals.”

She urged the government to key into the programme “The government should also introduce programmes like this to students. This will create opportunity for students in the higher institutions of learning to be prepared for what employers really wanted from their employees,” Attahiru said.

Another student, Folake Cole, said the initiative by AUIN shows the university is also interested in her students’ future.

“This is a rare opportunity where you meet professionals. We were taught how to dress as well as likely question a prospective job seeker get during interviews,” she said.

A representative of Guaranty Trust Bank, one of the banks that had a stand at the fair, She Nzeka, likened the event to an eye opener

Rep lauds students A MEMBER of the House of Representative Hon. Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim, representing Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun in the House of Representatives, has commended the students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa for contributing to the development of their institution through various department and school projects.

Hon Ibrahim stated this when he inaugurated the 20 concrete chairs and tables, digital television set, projectors and directional concrete boards at the School of Applied Sciences of the polytechnic. They were constructed by the National Association of Applied Sciences Students (NAASS).

Ibrahim thanked the student leaders for executing projects, which according to him, would not only be beneficial to present students in the school but also others would pass through the school in future.

‘Curtail strikes’ THE Rector, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo, has challenged the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) to evolve a formula that would curtail disruptions of academic activities in higher institutions.

Dr. Olatinwo made the call while addressing a congress of ASUP during the Zone C meeting of the union, at the polytechnic.

Dr. Olatinwo said :”I must also call your attention to the need to ensure peace and harmony in our various institutions and evolve what I could describe as inter-stakeholders understanding and co-operation to move the polytechnic sector forward. We, the stakeholders, must resolve within ourselves to work for peace in our institutions and we must endeavour to make sacrifice. Trust is very important as lack of it brings suspicion and acrimony.”

School for re-accreditation •Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN) (third right). Others from left are: Prof Bayo Odebiyi,Prof Jide Owoeye, Dr Rahman Adedoyin, Prof. Emmanuel Fayose, Mr Tiamiyu Bodunde and Prof. David Ker, at a conference of Proprietors of Private Universities in Nigeria, at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO ADEJO DAVID

By Seun Olalude

to students. Miss Nzeka expressed satisfaction with the students’ performances so far.

Mr Lukemon Owolabi, a representative of Standard Alliance Insurance, scored the students high.

“They are bright and sharp students. It is a plus for the institution. I’m impressed with what I wit-

nessed. Most of them never struggled. We did not experience interrupted sessions. They (students) need the benefit of career talk to prepare them for outside politics and to let them know that the outside world is not rosy,” he said.

The career Services Director, AUN, Mrs Grace Nwokoma hopes the programme would relieve

employer’s burden.

“This will provide the employers here to see for themselves the products they want. They don’t need to go far before they discover able graduates who can meet their expectations. The students also have the opportunity to meet employers to know their requirements, which we know it will benefit both students and the employers.”

EFFORTS are in top gear by the School of Business and Management Studies (SBMS) of FEDPOFFA, for the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) re-accreditation scheduled to hold soon. The school’s Director, Mr. Kamaldeen Arowomole has said.

According to him, the exercise would affect three departments - Business Administration, Accountancy and Marketing.

Arowomole expressed the hope that the departments would get a clean bill of health from the exercise.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

38

EDUCATION Rector applauds Fed Govt on tech education THE Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr. Margaret Ibiyeye-Ladipo, has applauded Federal Government policies on technical education for the technological advancement and industrial growth of the country and education system in the last six decades.

She gave the commendation at the opening of the first national conference on technical education of the School of Technical Education of the college.

The event’s theme is Emerging challenges in technical education in Nigeria for sustainable development.

Dr. Ibiyeye-Ladipo, in her assessment of government’s policies on Technical Education in the last 60 years, asserted that successive governments have on different occasions formulated well-articulated policies on technical education, in an effort to chart viable educational road map for the country.

She added: “The national conference on technical education will further propel and offer suitable and pragmatic ideas to strengthening the achieved government goals and as a veritable strategy to addressing emerging challenges of the 21st Century with the arrays of resource persons as speakers.”

SCHOLARSHIP APPROACHING DEADLINES Study Subject(s):Social and Agricultural Sciences Course Level: PhD Scholarship Provider: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship can be taken at: Germany, India, Brazil, Mexico, Ghana Eligibility: a completed or almost completed MA/MSc degree, with excellent results, in a discipline related to the above topics ;the applicant’s last academic degree should not be more than six years ago ;if an applicant already started with his/her PhD project, it should have started not more than three years ago ; a high proficiency of English (CEFR level: C1 or above), demonstrated by one of the following language certificates: TOEFL, with a minimum score of 550 PBT (paperbased test) / 80 IBT (Internetbased test); IELTS 6.5 or above; the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English or an equivalent (native speakers and applicants who have completed their first degree fully in English do not have to provide an English proficiency certificate) ; 3 of 4 ○ Academic or vocational experience in one of the disciplines related to the thematic field of development and decent work; Citizenship of an ODA recipient country (cf. list attached) Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries: ODA Countries Scholarship Description: PhD students of the ICDD Graduate School will be based at the partner university they chose (see above) and enrolled in its PhD training programme. A joint international workshop programme on subjects of the ICDD, research methods, the connection between theory and empirical research and for the presentation of the prospective PhD projects will take place every year within the Graduate School. The scholarship will be awarded for three years under the precondition of successful admission as a PhD candidate at the host university and a positive progress evaluation by the ICDD in the first scholarship year. The scholarships will cover a country-specific monthly allowance according to DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) standards, tuition fees (if applicable), the participation in Graduate School activities as well

as the opportunity to apply for field research funding.

How to Apply: By Email Scholarship Application Deadline: November 20, 2011 Undergraduate scholarship scheme is being launched in 2012 for students undertaking the new BA Liberal Arts at King’s College London.

Study Subject(s):Arts Course Level:Undergraduate Scholarship Provider: King’s College Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility: Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria: ; you should be undertaking your first degree; ; you should be applying for the BA Liberal Arts undergraduate programme 2012 entry; ; you should have a household income of £42,600 or less (or international equivalent); if you are a Home/EU student, you should have applied for your maximum entitlement to UK government help with tuition fees and loans/grants for living costs support; ; if you are a Home student, you must have given Student Finance England ‘consent’ to share your financial information with the College; ; if you are an International student, you should demonstrate that you have applied for your maximum entitlement to help with tuition fees and living costs support from you home government Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Description: The School of Arts & Humanities will be offering up to five Liberal Arts Scholarships of £15,000 each (£5,000 per annum) to those successfully applying for entry into the BA Liberal Arts in September 2012. The scholarships are designed to offer assistance to outstanding candidates who are in need of extra financial support to undertake the degree.

Scholarships will therefore be awarded on the basis of: ● the strength of candidates’ applications, particularly their academic achievements and; the applicant’s financial assessment.

How to Apply: Electronically Scholarship Application Deadline: January 31, 2012

Fed Govt to prune education parastatals

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ORRIED by duplication of service and non-efficiency of some parastastals under the Ministry of Education and in line with Mr. President’s transformation agenda, the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, has disclosed the Federal Government’s plan to cut the number of parastatals under the supervision of the ministry from 22 to 17.

Making the disclosure in Abuja ,

O

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

when she appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Education, the minister noted that there is the need for quality, efficient and effective administration of the education sector.

In the same vein, the minister has revealed Federal Government’s effort to enhance Universal Basic Education Com-

120 public servants receive training

NE hundred and twenty senior public officers, who underwent a two-week training at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, have completed their courses.

The training included classroom brainstorming, discussions, case analysis , lectures, group analyses and educational tour in relevant fields, aimed at equipping participants with knowledge, skills and attitude for the effective execution of their duties and responsibilities.

ASCON’s Director-General, Mr Ajibade Peters, said productive and effective service requires material resources and human capacity to enable it to function.

“Training and retraining as emphasised by various public service reforms is one methodology for raising a productive and result oriented workforce. It is in recognition of this and given the centrality of the human capital development for transformation of the public service that we, ASCON, have responded to the training need by designing and offering courses in different areas of competencies. For we know that the quality of any government policies and programmes and the result and deliverables, ultimately, will be as good as the quality of human capital in the pubic sector,” he said.

By Sampson Unamka

He noted that any nation that desires guaranteed economic progress, self-sufficiency and qualitative life for its citizens, must, of necessity, place high premium on the development of its human capital.

“ASCON has not rested on its oars in discharging its statutory mandates of consistently providing excellent management training, consultancy, research and allied services for performance improvement in all sectors of the economy.

The chronic underdevelopment of many African countries today, is a direct consequence of the paucity of the right number and quality of human capital of these countries.

Indeed, the quality of human capital is critical for attracting and sustaining the needed flow of investments and, hence economic growth, he said.

He commended the participants for their commitment to the training and enjoined them to join the nearest ASCON alumni chapter in their various places of work and zones.

The courses were in General Management, Advanced Train-the Trainers, Conflict Management and Resolution Organisational Security Management, Advanced Records Management and Financial Management.

mission to incorporate secondary education which is hanging and when scaled through, would now be known as Basic and Secondary Education Commission.

With the proposed amendment, all the Federal Government colleges would be catered for by the proposed basic and secondary education commission.

She stated that Federal Government has been working assiduously to revitalise the Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) to ensure that the nation’s graduates are not liabilities, but assets to the society.

Rufa’i, who spoke on President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda of putting things in their right perspective, maintained that human resources are

paramount in the transformation agenda and without education sector being in its rightful place, no other sector can make any meaningful impact.

In his remark, the Chairman House Committee on Education, Hon. Farouk Lawan, assured the minister of continuous support to move the education sector to a greater height.

Lawan, who frowned at the proliferation of illegal degree institutions across the country, assured that the lawmakers will soon enact a law to criminalise the activities of operators of these illegal degree schools, and to ensure that justice is done.

The law maker noted that illegal degree schools’ operation is

an economic sabotage where the operator cheats the unsuspecting students, parents and the society at large.

He called on the state and local governments as well as private and corporate entities to continue to partner the Federal Government in the provision of education to the teeming masses , saying the Federal Government cannot do it alone.

In the Minister’s entourage to the National Assembly were the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike; the ministry’s Permanent Prof Nicholas Damachi; Director of Finance and Administration, Director Policy Planning, Deputy Director, Press, among other top officials.

•From left: Games Prefect, Ibeneme Chidinma; Head Boy, Ibeneme Uchechukwu; Principal, Mrs Olufunke Oke; Head Girl, Idonije Jeniffer; Vice-Principal, Mr Alaba Rufus; Assistant Head Boy, Ogunkanmbi Olarewaju and Assistant Head Girl, Adeola-Bello Zuliath, during the inauguration of prefects of Excel College, Lagos, for 2011/ 2012 academic session.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

39

EDUCATION

Fed Govt okays teaching of consumer education

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EGINNING from the next academic session, the teaching of consumer education will start in all the nation’s primary and junior secondary schools.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof Godswill Obioma, disclosed this in Lagos while addressing stakeholders at a workshop organised for the development of Consumer Education Curriculum (CEC).

Obioma,a professor of Mathematics Education and Evaluation, revealed that the introduction of the curriculum has become necessary to equip school children with consumer protection, and rights, and responsibilities as well as the obligations of service providers which, he added, will help in ridding the nation of substandard products and poor quality service.

Obioma said the curriculum is being developed in collaboration with the Consumer Protection Council, the apex consumer protection agency of the Federal Government.

He said the three-day workshop was organised for experts in economics, commerce and other related subjects to enable them to plan the curriculum by identifying the themes and the relevant topics under them.

Essentially, the writing of the curriculum will be based on six themes, including consumer rights and responsibilities, business obligations, consumer laws and guidelines, consumer needs and wants, competition and market and consumer projects, he further said.

While the implementation of the curriculum will start in primary and junior secondary schools nation-

By Adegunle Olugbamila and Sampson Unamka

wide from September next year, it is expected to start in senior secondary schools from September 2015.

The development of the curriculum, however, does not imply that a new school subject will be introduced. Rather, the curriculum, according to the NERDC boss, will be infused into relevant subjects in primary and secondary schools in the country.

According to Obioma, the development of the curriculum will be in line with the format of the national curriculum, adding that the number of stakeholders involved in the exercise will be expanded as the work progresses to the stages of generating teachers’ activities, listing of teaching and learning materials as well as generating evaluation guides.

His words: “The issue of getting teachers to teach the new curriculum will not be a problem. We already have many competent teachers in business education, commerce and economics.

“We will produce teachers’ guides, which will explain how the subject should be taught. We will also carry out sensitisation and advocacy workshop on the consumer education curriculum nationwide.”

The Director of Curriculum Development Centre, NERDC, Dr. Ismail Junaidu, said the curriculum aims at increasing consumer awareness among young consumers in the nation’s school system, to use the pupils as informed agents, who will disseminate consumer education to their families, communities and peers, and to prepare them as future responsible producers,

‘We will produce teachers’ guide, which will explain how the subject should be taught. We will also carry out sensitisation and advocacy workshop on the consumer education curriculum nationwide’

• From Left: Dr. Junaidu, Prof. Obioma and Mrs. Umenyi, with other stakeholders.

manufacturers and service providers who have consumer rights at the centre of their businesses.

The Director-General of Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs Ify Umenyi, said her council in 2006 introduced the Learning for Life programme meant to educate young consumers from their formative stage through adulthood to enable them to imbibe the tenets of consumer protection and the best consumption culture.

She said the implementation of the Learning for Life programme led to the formation by her council of consumer clubs in 10 pilot secondary schools in Abuja in 2006,

which was expanded in 2008 to at least three states in each geo – political zone of the country, and subsequently extended to all the states of the federation through the help of the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID). She explained that the number of consumer clubs has risen to 542 junior and senior secondary schools across the country.

She added that the immediate goal of the CPC in the implementation of the Learning for Life programme is the introduction of consumer education in primary and secondary schools curriculum in Nigeria, adding that her council plans also to es-

tablish consumer clubs in all schools in the country.

She added that the infusion of consumer education curriculum into relevant school subjects will lead to the production of an army of highly knowledgeable and assertive consumers in the country.

Umenyi said: “No doubt, this will go a long way in sanitising the marketplace as it will get business to be committed to improving standards for products and services, thereby gaining consumer confidence. Ultimately, this will enhance the welfare of our citizens and improve the growth of our economy.”

Group sets 2014 deadline for exam fraud eradication

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XAM Ethics Marshals International has planned to eradicate examination malpractice by 2014 in commemoration of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates into Nigeria in 1914.

Under its centenary project to be

•Vivien Odenigbo of MultiChoice Nigeria, Enugu, branch (left) presentating a gift to Precious Ezea; a pupil of Government Technical College, Enugu, who emerged a runner-up winner in the essay category of the DSTV Eutelsat Star Awards.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

launched at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Monday, November 17, this year, the marshals aim to recruit one million education stakeholders to support its cause of entrenching exam ethics, best practices and integrity in education within two years.

The organisation would, in the period, also distribute four million copies of four books propagating its cause entitled: promoting best practices in education, defending the Integrity of education, how to excel in exams and campus sense) and an audio CD for training marshals, establish exam ethics clubs in schools, and recognise individuals and institutions that promote ethical practices in the education system.

In an interview with The Nation, Mr Ike Onyechere, chairman, Exam Ethics Movement, said the project is aimed at removing the polluting elements hindering the training of quality human capital needed to aid national transformation.

Onyechere further said the event will serve as platform to relaunch of the body formerly called Exam Ethics International. He said the new name reflects the need for the campaign for best practices to be carried out by marshals – stakeholders in the education sector – including teachers, principals, school owners, policy makers, government officials, schools, students, organisations and others.

He explained that if marshals are committed to the campaign, the examination malpractice index of the country which is the highest in the eradication world, would drastically reduce.

“If we do things right, there will be nothing like examination malpractice. Every marshal must be committed and take responsibility for the failure in the system.

We want to make sure that between now and 2014, we inaugurate one million marshals, who would propagate best practices and establish exam ethics clubs in schools. Our target is that by May/ June of that year when we see the level of exam malpractice has reduced, we can say we have done well in the first centenary,” he said.

However, despite the rot in the system, Onyechere said some individuals and organisations have done well in promoting ethics in the conduct of examinations and deserve to be recognised. He said some would be celebrated during the centenary launch.

“Even as bad as things are, there are people who are working to make the system work – vice-chancellors, lecturers, PTAs, proprietors and the like. Part of what we want to do is to get these people and recognise them as a way of encouraging people to do what is right.”

As part of its war against examination malpractice and other corrupt practices in education, Onyechere said Exam Ethics Marshal International is pushing for the repeal of the Exam Malpractice Decree/Act and the establishment of a commission, such as EFCC to enforce penalties against malpractices.

The body is also seeking a broader definition of examination malpractice to include the selling of handouts for marks, demand of sex for marks and other related offences.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

Sanusi’s hard knocks

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•Dr Alex Ekweme (left) exchanging pleasantries with Odumodu at the event

Be good ambassadors, says Oko Poly rector G

RADUATES of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State have been advised to good representatives of the institution.

Its Rector, Prof Godwin Onu, gave the advice at the 18th Convocation of the instution.

He congratulated the 4,000 graduates, expressing the hope that the quality of training that they had received from the polytechnic would make them ready to move into the world such that they too strong to be swept by its whirlwind and too vigilant to be deceived by its calm.

He urged them never to be daunted or despaired by the limited job opportunities before them, adding that tough times are surmounted by tough people.

“So, go out and put all your training to good and honest use and the world will be at your feet. You must therefore, remain worthy and excellent ambassadors of your alma mater by insisting on the virtues of hard work, honesty, diligence and discipline,” Onu advised the graduates.

The Rector also noted that the school had faced a lot of challenges in the areas of infrastructural development and maintained that the school would do better if upgraded to a university of science and technology.

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, reminded the graduates of the limited job opportunities around the country, charging them to be determined and focused in whatever would do.

He urged them to impact positively on the society by towing the line of hard work, and also remembering the next generation.

Obi blamed the present generation for a systematic failure, which he said, has resulted in the chaotic situation in the country, adding that if nothing was done, the society we abused

From Adimike George, Onitsha

today would take its toll on the children tomorrow.

At the event were former VicePresident Alex Ekwueme, Senator Andy Uba, House of Representative member Mrs. Uche Ekwunife; Minister of Education, Ruqayyatu Rufa’i and Director-General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria, (SON) Joseph Odumodu, among others.

In her remark, the Minister for Education, Prof Rufa’i, who was represented by a Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mr Aaron Rankwar, enjoined Nigerians to help salvage education through proper funding.

The minister noted that Federal Polytechnic, Oko, is among the federal institutions of higher learning, which has excelled in the offering of standard education to graduates in the country.

The Education minister commended the polytechnic for upgrading the institution through additional courses which he said made the school the envy of other institutions across the country.

In his speech Uba, who bagged the institution’s fellowship award, decried what he described as high level of unemployment among Nigerian teeming graduates.

Uba, who donated N5million to the institution, said the present administration in the country have made concerted efforts to rebuild education sub-sector, noting that funding of education sector should be a collective responsibility.

Odumodu, another recipient of the award, also decried what he described as high level of substandard products in Nigeria markets which he said had subjected Nigerians to untold hardship.

According to Odumodu, Nigerians have been groaning under hardship of economic depression, adding that at times, the country looked as home to fake products.

He said that the country has been losing over N500 million annually on electric bulbs alone, adding that as a result, unemployment has hit the country which he estimated at over 40 per cent.

“Substandard products have been the major challenge in the country, at times, one would wonder if Nigerians are substandard human beings. Nigeria loses over N500million annually on electric bulb alone,” he said.

He advised Nigerians to help solve the problem inherent in patronising fake products and urged them to report any substandard products in the market, which he said, would facilitate the total eradication of fake products from markets.

‘You must, therefore, remain worthy and excellent ambassadors of your alma mater by insisting on the virtues of hard work, honesty, diligence and discipline’

‘Free education, my priority’

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HE Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has reiterated his commitment to sustain the free and compulsory education declared by his administration.

The governor had, on assumption of office after the April general election, declared free education up to secondary level in public schools in the state.

During an interactive session with principals, head teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector at Rochas Convention Centre, Owerri, Okorocha emphasised that his administration would not hesitate to deal with anyone who frustrates the programme.

He disclosed that training would be organised to build the capacity

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

of teachers as to add quality to the programme, adding that more teachers were being recruited into the system.

Okorocha added that while arrangements have been made to build European standard schools in the 305 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wards in the state, his administration has approved funds for the running of schools as well as pupils’ monthly allowance.

Okorocha who reiterated that the government would not tolerate any levy imposed on pupils, also disclosed that December has been marked as Cultural Day to enable

pupils to display their cultural talents.

Okorocha, who lamented that his predecessor left behind a very bad school system, promised to build a lasting legacy to prove that Imo State remains an intellectual leader Nigeria.

In her earlier remarks, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof.

Adaobi Obasi, expressed gratitude to Okorocha for implementing the free education programme.

Also speaking, the Rector, Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies (ICAPS), Mr David Brave, promised to offer guidance and counselling that will guarantee smooth implementation of free education in the state.

CENTRAL Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi must have made many governors, top public servants and perhaps the presidency uncomfortable with his comments on the viability of states’ economies and its effect on funding education and other key sectors.

However prickly his criticisms of the country’s political structure at a lecture he delivered in Kaduna recently are, they merit closer scrutiny so that whatever problems they have brought to light can be solved.

As he said, it may not be in his place to comment on education policies however, with access to data on the financial implications of how our money is being spent, it is only proper for him to notify us of the consequences of our actions and inactions.

Sanusi said there are about 71,000 Nigerians students in Ghana spending N155 billion annually on their education. We do not have the statistics for those in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia or other European and African countries but we should expect that spending in those places double what is exported to Ghana.

This is happening because we have an education market with demands that cannot be met locally. While basic and secondary education can be said to be well catered for in terms of the involvement of public and private sectors in providing educational services, when it comes to higher/tertiary education, we experience a funnel effect. The number of places narrows such that we have only one in five of qualified candidates getting into our universities, where the qualification preferred by the society can be earned. While we have more than 12,000 secondary schools – a conservative estimate – our tertiary institutions put together – universities, polytechnics and colleges of education number less than 1,000. They are grossly inadequate and should be increased. That is why though I understand the criticism that the Federal Government has not paid enough attention to older Federal Universities I am not against the establishment of the new ones because there are students to take up every single space they have to offer. Any parent who has had children shut out of the universities year after year when it is not as if they did not qualify will understand what I am talking about.

With less than a fifth of the estimated 1.4 million candidates that write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) yearly getting admission, it is no surprise that those who can afford it are traveling out. They are spending money in other countries that is not even available to our own public institutions to spend. Mr CBN Governor said all federal universities put together get N121billion – N34 billion less than what Nigerians spend in Ghana.

This brings us to the problems of our political structure. As Sanusi noted, the business of governance is costing the country too much. While states spend 96 per cent of their allocation on salaries, the federal government spends 70 per cent on salaries and overhead. If we investigate, we will find that half of the civil servants being paid these salaries are not productive. Some are even ghost

Kofoworola

Belo-Osagie Kofosagie@yahoo.com 08054503077 (SMS only)

workers. The presidency and governors employ so many aides – some who are just brought on board to enjoy a share of the national cake.

The legislative arm of government is not any better. Our lawmakers earn ridiculous amount of money in salaries and allowances. They too employ numerous aides. It has been claimed that Nigerian senators are the highest paid in the world. No wonder at the end of the day, despite our huge oil wealth, we have nothing to show for it. As Sanusi said, after expenses, government is left with only 30 per cent to spend on 150 million Nigerians.

We need the President, governors and lawmakers to agree to do something drastically to reduce the burden of governance. When we mean that governments at various levels should provide jobs, we do not mean that they should employ people in non-productive capacities but create opportunities for selfemployment and wealth creation.

We need government to prune the system of governance to be more effective so that it can free more funds to build schools with firstclass facilities and teachers. When this happens, more of our youth will get opportunities to study in Nigeria. We also need government to be innovative in attracting foreign investment into our education system. Like I wrote some weeks back, since we have such a large education market, we should woo top flight institutions around the world to start universities in Nigeria. We can do this by copying from countries like Singapore, Dubai that have succeeded in doing same. It is now fashionable for world-class institutions to run campuses in different countries and may sometime in future contribute to their claim of being international in approach.

In addition to making room for more conventional universities, we also need to expand our higher education system such that technical and vocational education has pride of place. We need to provide platforms for skills development needed by our industries – construction, oil and gas, others. Not everyone will become a lawyer, banker or doctor. Even these professionals need office spaces, furniture, and clothes that have to be provided by skilled workers who do not necessarily need to study for a degree to do wonders in these fields. We have to make room for capacity development in such skills as well. We are thankful that our fashion designers and hairdressers are Nigerians. We do not want them to go extinct – like our plumbers, iron benders, tillers and masons who are now employed from Ghana.

From my Inbox Re: Techno palaver (Thursday, October 27) Phones are welcome development in our society.

Let those who are able use them, including children. Enya Enge

42

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

43

THE NATION

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

‘Medicinal plants are dying’

‘How Nigeria can benefit from biodiversity’

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ESEARCH by the Ministry of Science and Technology has revealed that the stock of medicinal plants in the country are depleting at an alarming rate due to environmental degradation, inappropriate harvesting methods, bio-piracy and illegal commercialisation. The growing demand and activities, the ministry said, is threatening the sustainability of the country’s vast biodiversity.

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HE Federal Government has been urged to avail itself of the abundant biodiversity in the country.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Ita Okon, stated this at this year’s Herbal Festival (HerbFest) organised

by Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, (NNMDA) with Bio-Resources Development and Conservation Programme (BDCP).

Its theme was: Herbvest 2011Investment opportunities for herbal, food and natural products.

According to the Minister, Nigeria’s biodiversity is an important source of medicinal, food and chemical products.

He said: “It holds great potential to transform the nation’s agricultural and industrial systems and contribute not only to health care improvement, but also provide investment opportunities to assist poverty reduction, wealth creation and contribute to national socio-economic growth and development.

“The unique species of plants and animals as well as other ecosystems contribute to the nation’s natural wealth. However, this diversity is underutilised, unsustainably utilised and is being lost at an alarming rate.”

The Minister, represented by the Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, (FIIRO), Lagos, Mrs Gloria Elemo, further said for the nation’s bio-business to thrive and be sustained, her bio-diversity development needs to be properly identified, made readily available and backed with specific evidence-based information and technological infrastructure to enable their cultivation and conservation.

He further said: “The timeliness of this workshop cannot be over-emphasied as herbal products have become a source of job and wealth creation with an estimated global trade worth of over USD 100 billion.

Given the important contribution that trade makes to economic growth and poverty reduction, we must strive to develop Africa’s bio-resources and diversity to encourage value added export focused on development of her abundant natural resources.

“The African continent has suffered great economic losses from unauthorised and non-value added exploitation of her bio-resources and biodiversity, as well as the inability of her people to properly utilise science, technology and innovation to convert and harness these resources to standardise commercialisable products and services that attract international acceptance as China, India, and the two Koreas among others have done.”

Similarly, the Director-General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council ((RMRDC), Abuja, Prof Azikiwe P. Onwualu, said there are some challenges that must be overcome before the nation’s herbal products can be globally accept-

Mister Guarantee is alive

A • A cross section of participants at the event Stories by Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

able. “These are unfair competition with imported herbal drugs, inadequate information on the medicinal plants and their uses, issues of certainty of efficacy, safety and quality, lack of easy access to finance for drug development.

“Others are intellectual property issues and difficulties in getting information out of the practitioners, lack of technical knowledge and relevant equipment in drug manufacture (extraction, formulation clinical trials and

packaging), mixing of herbal practice with traditional religion and incantations, poor access to Technology for extraction of active ingredients from herbs, lack of education on the part of the practitioners making some of their operations to be unhygienic and not acceptable to some elites, poor mainstreaming of traditional medicine into national health care system and long development cycle of bio-ventures making the business of herbal drug development unattractive to the average entrepreneur,” he added.

The National Co-ordinator,

‘The African continent has suffered great economic losses from unauthorised and non-value added exploitation of her bio-resources and biodiversity, as well as the inability of her people to properly utilise science, technology and innovation to convert and harness these resources to standardise commercialisable products and services that attract international acceptance as China, India, and the two Koreas among others have done’

Bio-Resources Development and Conservation Programme (BDCP), Prof Elijah Sokomba, expressed optimism that the event added value to participants in many ways. “Having one-on-one communication with industry leaders and policy makers, finding new investment opportunities in herbal and natural products, understanding intellectual property rights and access and benefits sharing, discovering incentives for developing natural products business, learning about regional and international regulations for herbal and natural products, exhibiting herbal and natural products ready for local and export markets, identify various sources or raw materials and market outlets and meet investors, buyers, future partners and manufacturers,” he said.

The event was graced by the Director-General, NNMDA, Tamuno Okujagu; Olajuwon Okubena of Health Forever Limited; Mrs Bolanle Alabede of Pax Herbals; Mrs Sumbo Ayodele of Quincy Herbal Slimers among others.

PRIME practitioner, Segun Fahuwa, popularly called Mister Guarantee has dispelled rumours of his death.

In a phone call to The Nation, the photographer-turned-trado-medical-practitioner said the rumour could be traced to some competitors who are bent on misinforming Nigerians and his customers.

In a statement, he also stated: “As the first practitioner to have his product duly registered by NAFDAC and not defaulting in following standards of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and improving in my patients-caregiver relationship, there is no limit to the extent competitiors can go.

“All I can say is halleluyah. People said I am dead, I don’t know where they got their news. I am in good health. I was in my office when I received calls regarding my being alive. I dey kampe. No shaking,” he added.

• Fahuwa

Firm introduces weight-loss products A

SOUTH African-based herbal pharmaceutical company, Herbex, has introduced its weight-loss herbal products to the Nigerian market.

Its Managing Director, Eddie Bisset, said the products are expected to be distributed by an Ibadan-based pharmaceutical company, Troy Health, following its approval by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Bisset and Troy Health Managing Director, Olatunde Bakare, told reporters in Lagos that the products, which are in forms of herbal tea, tablets and syrups, could manage obesity, hypertension and stress, espe-

By Emmanuel Oladesu

cially among womenfolk.

Bisset said the herbs are products of orthodox and traditional medical practices, adding that apart from distributing them through Trony Health, the parent company has planned to set up a factory in Nigeria in future.

Bakare said the products, which are of good quality, safe, efficacious, affordable and cost-effective, would create awareness about healthy lifestyles among consumers.

Over 50 herbal products are on the stable of Herbex, since it started operations in South Africa 16 years ago.

The products, said Bisset, are popu-

lar in Bostwana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, adding that they may reach their zenith in popularity in Africa, following its introduction to the over 150 million people in Nigeria. He emphasised that the core of the African market is Nigeria.

He added: “Nigeria is a promising economy. In 90 days, NAFDAC will give its verdict early next year, and would be concurrently launched. Expected at the ceremony are pharmacists, doctors, chemists and retailers.

In South Africa, the brand is power-

ful and it will impact positively on the Nigerian consumers.

“The Nigerian market is bigger than the South African market. South Africa is more structured, but the Nigerian economy is more dynamic as a cash economy. A lot of money is changing hands in Nigeria. The market is emerging stronger.”

Praising NAFDAC for its efficient services, Bisset added: “NAFDAC is doing an efficient job. It’s protecting the consumers and creating a barrier for the inflow of bad products.”

ADDENDUM Clinic Day gives way today to Natural Health stories. It will be published next Week Thursday. Do keep a date.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

NATURAL HEALTH

‘Alternative medicine needs regulator’

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EGISTRAR, Federal Col lege of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM), Lagos, Dr Gilbert Ezengige has said an independent regulatory body for alternative medicine would ensure the growth of the practice in Nigeria.

According to him, the practice is lumped with the Medical and Dental council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Ezengige, who spoke to The Nation, said some natural medicine practitioners were interviewed

by MDCN eight years ago to be certified, but up till now nothing has been done and some of them had even died of waiting.

For example, a homeopath, Prof M.A. Awudu died.

He said: “In as much as practitioners are calling for an independent alternative medicine council, each state should

Tips for natural skin care

By Wale Adepoju

endeavour to have a Medicine Board to oversee the affairs of the practice. A notable example is the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB), which regulates the affairs of traditional medicine in the state. It helps to sanitise the practice.”

Ezengige said there was the need for the Federal Government to fast track its implementation of policies to have FEDCAM Lagos, Abuja and Enugu.

“The government recognise alternative medicine, but the implementation is slow and affecting the progress of the practice.

So, it needs to fast-track the implementation of the policies on the practice,” he added.

He identified other challenges in the practice as inability of practitioners to have a common

•Ezengige front because there is so much division due to in-house fighting.

He urged practitioners to forget personal interest and come together to move the practice forward. Ezengige said there is a need to forge ahead in the practice.

What is type two diabetes?

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YPE 2 diabetes strikes people of all ages, and early symptoms are subtle. In fact, about one out of three people with type 2 diabetes don't know they have it. Diabetes is a chronic condition that thwarts the body's ability to change food into energy. This allows sugar levels to build up in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease, loss of vision, and other serious complication.

Insulin: turning glucose into energy •After eating, the stomach breaks carbohydrates down into sugars, including glucose.

• Glucose enters the bloodstream and stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas.

• Insulin and glucose travel in the blood to all the body's cells. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells and be used as fuel. Excess glucose is

stored in the liver.

Type 2 diabetes

In diabetes, the cells cannot absorb glucose properly. That means glucose levels in the blood become elevated. With insulin resistance, the body makes excess insulin but the muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use or respond properly to insulin.

With long-standing, uncontrolled type 2 diabetes the pancreas will reduce the amount of insulin it produces.

Diabetes warning sign: Thirst

One of the first symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be an increase in thirst. This is often accompanied by additional problems, including dry mouth, increased appetite, frequent urination — sometimes as often as every hour — and unusual weight loss or gain.

Headaches As blood sugar levels become more abnormal, additional symptoms may include headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue.

In most cases, type 2 diabetes is not discovered until it takes a noticeable toll on health. One red flag is troubling infections, such as: •Cuts or sores that are slow to heal.

•Frequent yeast infections or urinary tract infections.

•Itchy skin, especially in the groin area.

Erectile Dysfunction Erectile dysfunction could be a complication of diabetes. Diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels and nerve endings in the penis causing impotence.

•Culled from www.medicinenet.com

• Give yourself a dry brush exfoliation A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the morning before you shower. It eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox (skin is the largest organ of elimination). Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you’ll need a soft, natural bristle brush.

• Rev up your digestion In alternative medicine, good skin is a reflection of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced ‘good’ versus ‘bad’ bacteria, leaky gut, and other digestive conditions. The two most common sluggish digestion culprits are: • Not enough water: Water bathes cells and eliminates waste products, preventing constipation.

•Not enough fibre: Most people lack fiber in their diets - the average person eats only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50 years, 38g fibre is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fibre is recommended, and for women over 50, 21g fibre is recommended.

Some suggestions

•Add whole grains - Choose whole grain products over refined.

Have brown rice instead of white or make your own 50:50 combination.

• An apple a day - Have an apple, skin on, as a snack.

•Eat cauliflower - Try this delicious roasted cauliflower recipe!

•High-fibre snacks - Snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs, and prunes.

• Try a ‘prune power’ smoothie Prunes are a great source of fibre.

Start your day with this tasty prune power smoothie.

•Eat beans and legumes - Open a can of your favuorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well and add them to your meal.

•Ground flaxseeds - For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available at health food stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store flaxseeds in the fridge.

•Invigorate sluggish circulation Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin, stress level, and overall health is to get moving! Inactivity may affect skin and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone. You’ll learn more about exercise in step nine of the wellness makeover. Here are some quick suggestions: • Take a quick break to go outside and walk around the block.

• Book a massage therapy appointment.

• Close your door and stretch.

• Go to the gym.

• Start each morning by stretching.

• Get a skipping rope.

• Avoid excess sugar Most people do not realise this but excess sugar is considered one of the main causes of premature aging. The more sugar we eat, the more sugar we have entering our bloodstream. Over time, this can result in a process known as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar) molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity.

Wrinkles form and skin begins to sag.

• Try this: It may seem impossible to reduce your sugar intake, but it can be done! A gradual approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you’re going to do to decrease the amount of sugar you consume.

•Culled from altmedicine.about.com

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

e-Business The domination of the telecommunications market by Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) players is threatening the bottom line of the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators. But the CDMA operators are not taking things lying low. They are devising aggressive sales and marketing strategies to win subscribers, ADLINE ATILI reports

CDMA in the throes of GSM challenge

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OR Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators, surviving in the harsh telecom world is not easy. They are facing enormous challenges from the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) operators.

Plagued by decreasing subscriber base and economic uncertainty, they are struggling to maintain a sound footing and competitive edge providing crucial, uninterrupted service to customers.

CDMA is a digital cellular technology that uses spreadspectrum techniques, unlike the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM).

Proponents of the technology say this spread-spectrum technique enables it to consistently provide better capacity for voice and data communications than other commercial mobile technologies, allowing more subscribers to connect at any given time, and is the common platform on which 3G technologies are built.

However, despite the positive offerings of CDMA, GSM enjoys more patronage and popularity in Nigeria.

Chief Operating Officer, Visafone, Srinivasa Venkatappa, noted that of all telecommunications technologies available today, CDMA delivers the best and most robust voice and data services.

He said: “CDMA was the chosen technology by the US military and Defence forces because it is the most secure technology. The technology supports various services, absolute quality of service, good coverage.

This gives an experience that cannot be got in other technologies. Here in Nigeria, we only look at GSM and not CDMAs. In other countries, CDMAs rule.”

The most visible of the four CDMA operators, Visafone and Starcomms, are developing innovative products, services to woo subscribers. Visafone, for instance has launched an array of smart phones and feature phones to cater to the needs of all its subscriber segments.

Deputy General Manager, Marketing at Visafone, Mr Clifford Onyeike noted that: “At Visafone, we have different categories of phones for the masses, high income earners and low income earners , with exciting products and offers.

We have phones with dual SIM. “For Internet services, if you own a small office, instead of using two or more modems for Internet connectivity, we have routers that create hot spot for all workers. You can create a PIN to disallow unauthorised use. We also have packages for SOHOs and SMEs to enable businesses and organisations brace up to the changing face of today’s business terrain. Such products include Visa Profit, Visa Call Hunting. We also have Visa Voice SMS, Visa Chat, Friends and Family.”

Starcomms recently launched a service to enable its subscribers ‘borrow’ airtime credit from the operators, which the subscriber pays back on next recharge.

Specifically, the service, called the S-Credit is designed to ease subscribers of difficulties of

•Iyer

•Pather

recharging their phones in emergency situations.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Logan Pather said the service allows pre-paid subscribers a post-paid lifestyle where airtime can be accessed when recharge cards are difficult to purchase.

Pather said: “Today the telecom industry needs reliable solutions for pre-paid recharge. Traditional recharge card purchase and distribution is cost-intensive and lacks flexibility in terms of intelligent sales support. Also, airtime can get exhausted as subscribers make calls. Alternative top-up solutions and simple airtime credit borrowing systems are thus desirable. That is why we are introducing the S-Credit solution.

“With S-Credit, customers can top up their airtime anytime, make calls at critical periods and also initiate calls even when their balance is zero naira. A customer using the service will instantly receive airtime worth N80 by dialling a code. However, on next recharge, N100 will be deducted from the customer’s account, that being the cost of airtime ‘borrowed’ and N20 for the cost of the service.”

In order to win more subscribers to its network, the company also introduced a service which enables new customers to the network notify old contacts automatically of migration to the Starcomms network. Tagged, I don move, the service enables Starcomms customers to receive calls made to their old numbers by their contacts with their Starcomms phones while at the same time sending information to the callers that the customers now has a new number.

According to Starcomms, this will ensure that the customer does not lose valuable contacts or miss important calls as a result of

migration to the Starcomms network.

Product Manager, Value-Added Services at Starcomms, Arthur Onwuegbuzie said: “Lately, we have been inundated with enquiries by our new customers concerned about contacts who may not yet know they have new Starcomms numbers. We therefore devised a method that will eliminate the stress of manually notifying contacts of change of number. We believe this will go a long way in making their experience with Starcomms unique and satisfactory.”

Another service introduced by Starcomms to make business easier for subscribers is the Star@email, and Star Archiving.

The Chief Executive Officer, Pather said: “Star@Email enables the user access to their mails, calendar, contacts, tasks and notes from just one application. It can also help users edit their calendars, maintain and track task lists, create group contact lists in multiples of 2 gigabytes mailboxes, capable of holding ten years e-mail.

“The service also allows 50 megabytes of attachment as well as mail filtering controls and enhanced searching. Star@email will also offer IT departments of companies, features like easy Webbased control panel administration, desktop client compatibility; domain and mailbox-level spam and virus filters as well as daily backups and optional email archiving service. Star Archiving, on the other hand, is designed to ease pressures on businesses to maintain solid email archiving and retention procedures.”

Investment on QoS Chief Operating Officer at Visafone, Srinivasa Venkatappa noted that contrary to claims of

‘In spite of the remarkable growth the industry has recorded following the advent of GSM in 2001, CDMA operators have continued to contend with challenges’

quality services by Telcos, subscribers still battle with poor quality of service in Nigeria. He noted that the CDMA technology offering gives the operators an edge over rival Telcos in offering quality voice and data services to subscribers.

He said: “Everybody claims to deliver a quality network. What we mean by quality network is that I should be able to experience voice clarity and get good coverage. At Visafone, we just don’t claim; we deliver. We have abundant capacity to deliver on promises. We support seamless roaming services. We’ve built a robust network and strong technological platform.

“What makes this possible is our exploits in technology. We have deployed the best internationallyrecognised network. If you are able to deploy smart technology, you’ll be able to offer competitive services. In months to come, we will be giving more Nigerians opportunity to experience the Visafone quality service as we will be moving to the remaining states.”

Chief Executive Officer of Visafone, Mr Sailesh Iyer identified customer churn, perception and ecosystem of the CDMA technology in Nigeria as among the challenges of operating a CDMA business in Nigeria. He, however said, despite the challenges, the company is committed to providing quality service to subscribers.

He said: “The biggest challenge facing the industry today is churn.

We have a positive track record in terms of activation, revenue growth and we are constantly delivering quality services to our subscribers.

We give total telecom solutions: voice, data, and enterprise requirements including Closed User Group and Virtual Private Network services. This means we spend a lot of money to maintain our subscribers.

We spend huge amount of money on handsets, because the ecosystem of CDMAs is not developed enough; the ecosystem is not friendly enough unlike China, India, Brazil, where you have more subscribers and more recognition given to CDMAs. This does not enable prices of devices to come down.

“Cost of a minimum quality handset is about $25 to $27. We invest on every customer that comes on our network. We invest about $7-8 a day to enable a customer use our service.

However, despite the challenges, we are holding up fine because we’ve been able to find a balancing act.”

Early this year Starcomms invested N1.3bn to improve capacity and strengthen its network in ten Nigerian cities. The company’s CEO, Pather said the investment which covered equipment and logistics, will see

Starcomms rolling out services in parts of the country where the company previously had no coverage and also improving capacity in congested sites in areas where it currently has coverage.

He said: “Starcomms has continued to make significant investments in the telecommunications industry, despite the difficulties that characterise the business climate in Nigeria. In spite of the remarkable growth the industry has recorded following the advent of GSM in 2001, CDMA operators have continued to contend with challenges.

“In a bid to further enhance our operation for sustainable performance, we made huge investments to strengthen our network. This investment will see us rolling out services to other parts of the country where we previously had no coverage and also improving capacity in congested sites in existing areas where we currently have coverage.

It will also enable us deliver quality telecom services to our subscribers.”

He noted that the investment would have expected impact on the company’s financial performance in the short and long term, as well as create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

Pricing As part of measures of wooing more subscribers, operators in the CDMA segment have slashed their tariff rates to as low as N6 per minute to international destinations and 1K for on-net calls.

Visafone boss, Iyer said: “We have the most competitive pricing today in the market. We observed that the biggest traffic today is to India, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. So, we’ve been able to offer calls as low as N6 per minute to these countries.

Chief Marketing Officer of the company, Mr Parag Sen added: “We offer the best tariff for international calls at N6 per minute. Our closest competition offers N9 per minute to these destinations. We are coming out with lower international tariff plans for our customers to celebrate Christmas and New Year in style.”

A telecom consultant, Francis Ajayi, noted that the effort of the operators at gaining subscribers was commendable.

He, however, said in the face of rapidly developing technology, fierce competition, and threat to revenue earning, CDMAs should not relent in pursuing innovative products and services that will win them more subscribers from the GSM segment, at a time the industry is bracing for Mobile Number Portability.

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e-Business NigComSat 1R to bridge gap in digital broadcasting

T

•From left: Borno State Manager, Globacom, Mr Fatai Kilani; Glo Business Director, North East 2, Mr Ernest Amarie; representative of the Emir of Biu, Alhaji Kadafur Yamta; operator of GloZone, Biu, Alhaji Abdullahi of Balmari Investments and Head of GloZone, Mr Mike Ehumadu, at the inauguration of Globacom’s neighbourhood customer care shop in Biu, Borno State.

GSM has aided growth, says NCC chief T EN years after its inception, the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) has contributed immensely in the growth of the economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Eugene Juwah and his predecessor, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, said the award of digital mobile licences to operators in 2001 brought in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) of about $18 billion.

It also led to an increase of about N500 billion, in the Federation Account following spectrum sales and auction and mass direct employment of Nigerians by service providers, they said.

Juwah and Ndukwe spoke at the eighth anniversary of the Telecom Consumer Parliament and celebration of a decade of telecom revolution in Nigeria.

Juwah said in realisation of changes in the global economy, there was deregulation of the Information and Communication

Stories by Adline Atili Technology (ICT) industry which paved the way for investments.

On his part, Ndukwe said in 10 years, the telecom sector has recorded phenomenal growth in terms of subscriber base and infrastructural development.

Ndukwe, who said telephone ownership has been democratised, noted that by the end of August 2011, active subscriber base was 92.1 million, resulting in 65.8 per cent tele-density.

He was, however, quick to add that Nigeria still needs to grow her tele-density figure from the current level of 66 per cent to over 100 per cent to achieve the Vision 20:2020, adding that over 70 countries in the world have passed the 100 per cent tele-density level.

He said the progress recorded in the sector within the last decade has

improved the nation’s ICT ranking in the world and positively impacted nearly all sectors of the economy.

According to him, to sustain the progress made in the industry, it is critical for government to continue to maintain stability in the policy and regulatory space.

He said: “The high investment level that has been attained in the sector was not because Nigeria suddenly became one of the most desired investment destinations for ICT in Africa or because of its large population, but largely because of the stable policy and regulatory regime the industry enjoyed since 2000. This must be maintained.”

According to him, to increase the over $18 billion investment in the sector, emphasis must be on growing broadband infrastructure and catalysing adoption and usage of Internet and broadband services by citizens, stressing that broadband is the accelerator of social and economic development in the modern world.

Cisco introduces security solutions

C

ISCO, a technology solutions provider, has introduced security and communications solutions combining voice, video and data applications to provide protection for organisations.

According to the company, these solutions, powered by a comprehensive Medianet architecture, will enable Cisco customers and large security integrators build highly scalable network-based security systems that better protect people, property and critical infrastructure.

These innovations, the company, added, support the evolution of Cisco’s strategy towards a solutions-oriented and services-led approach.

The company is also for the first

time, extending its Medianet Services Interface software to certified video surveillance partners to automate and streamline the way in which Cisco networks recognise, configure and monitor service levels for third party Internet Protocol (IP) cameras.

As part of the company’s Smart+Connected Communities initiative, it is also introducing new interoperability solutions and enhancements for communications services.

General Manager, Cisco Nigeria, Said Rechchad said: “The security business is converging on IP and open standards, and Cisco is continuing to collaborate with the industry to underpin this evolution.

Real-time communication is critical

in times of emergency.

“Currently in many cases, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and public safety professionals communicate on different radio frequencies and with different systems. This creates barriers to providing a coordinated and efficient response during crises.

“The Video Surveillance Manager now supports third party cameras with extended edge storage. Additionally, the Cisco IPICS is a complete IP-based dispatch and incidence-response solution that enables rapid, reliable communication using any computer or mobile device to provide public safety personnel with continuous, real-time communication as well as video streaming.”

Glo in partnership for global airtime transfer

L

EADING Telco, Globacom, and airtime remittance services hub, TransferTo, have launched the Glo Mobile International Airtime Transfer Service.

The service, a low cost, high value complement to money remittances, enables the transfer of small amounts of money, in the form of pre-paid airtime credits from any part of the world to a receiver in Nigeria.

Globacom’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Jameel, noted that, while Nigerians abroad transfer billions of dollars home annually, they still lack a convenient and cost effective solution to transfer small amounts of value to their loved ones. “This is the gap

Glo Mobile International Airtime Transfer Service is designed to fill,” he stated.

He said Nigerian travellers requiring Glo Mobile top-ups while roaming or Nigerian expatriates wishing to send gift of airtime to friends and relatives will be able to perform cross-border top-ups through the service.

“This they can do real-time from the convenience of a mobile phone through SMS, via the net by visiting TransferTo’s Webstore or through partner mobile operators and retailers offering airtime transfer services powered by TransferTo in countries such as the USA, the United Kingdom, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Spain, Germany, South Af-

rica, the Netherlands and Japan.”

“With international airtime transfer, we are confirming our commitment to delivering solutions to meet customer needs within and across borders,” Jameel said.

He added: “Partnering with TransferTo enables Globacom expand its distribution internationally and reach the very important Nigerian emigrant segment.”

Chief Executive Officer of TransferTo, Eric Barbier, said: “The service will undoubtedly be of great value for Glo Mobile users.

The partnership is a key addition to TransferTo’s global airtime remittance hub that further improves offering to Nigerian travellers and expatriates.”

HE three-day stakeholders' conference on the proposed Nigeria's replacement satellite, the NigComSat 1R is expected to address prospects of Direct-To-Home (DTH) local platform and the need to migrate to digital broadcasting, the organisers have said.

In a statement by the company, the conference tagged, Prelaunch Marketing Sensitisation for NigComSat 1R will enable stakeholders address salient issues concerning the satellite which has been moved to its launch site in China.

Team leader for the conference scheduled for November 21 to 23 in Lagos, Mr Bala Mohammed said: "The conference is a prelaunch marketing sensitisation one where experts will speak on various subjects relating to satellite communications in general and NigComSat 1R in particular."

According to him, Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT Limited, Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai is

expected to flag off the discourse with a keynote paper on: Communications Satellite: Key Player in Digital Broadcasting.

Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Yomi Bolarinwa will speak on future trends in broadcasting technology while former Director of Engineering of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr Edward Amana will moderate the session.

The conference which is expected to be declared open by the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, will also address broadband Internet penetration, in light of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) directive to member countries to make broadband connectivity mandatory by 2015.

The ITU's resolution at Telecom World 2011 in Switzerland last week, was that all countries should achieve 40 per cent broadband connectivity in homes by 2015.

Samsung opens IT shop

S

AMSUNG Electronics West Africa (SEWA) has partnered Crista Digital Limited, to launch the first Samsung IT Plus shop in Nigeria .

According to Samsung, the shop, located at Sanusi Fafunwa Street , Victoria Island, Lagos is the flagship of SEWA IT products outlet in Nigeria, established to simplify individuals and businesses’ Information Technology procedures.

IT Director, SEWA, Mrs Chioma Iwuchukwu-Nweke said the shop was launched to enable customers purchase Samsung range of products with ease.

She said the shop will also serve to provide after sales and support services to customers, adding that a print solutions corner has been added to the shop to enable customers print photos directly from digital cameras, phones and USB flash drives.

She added that more IT Plus shops, including shops within other bigger shops, will be

launched in various parts of the country to increase Samsung customer service touch points.

General Manager, Crista Digital, Mrs Magdalene Ugoanusi said a variety of Samsung products like mobile phones, camcorders, projectors, printers, smart TVs, laptops and DVD players are available at the shop, with full warranty from Samsung.

She disclosed that the company is running a sales promotion that will give customers opportunity to win prizes like mobile phones, DVD players and other items.

“We are currently running a promo. Any of our customers who buys a Samsung SF 510 notebook computer will get one Samsung GT-E1085F mobile phone free.

“A customer who buys a Samsung Solar notebook computer gets one external DVD free and customers who buy items worth N200,000, get one Crista UPS for free. In addition, we have promo for our resellers.”

Cashless Nigeria: Interswitch drives policy with promo

T

O support the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and encourage Nigerians to adopt card as a means of payment, Interswitch, an electronic payment transaction and switching firm, has announced the commencement of the second edition of Verve National Consumer promo. The promo is specifically designed to encourage and reward Nigerians who comply with the CBN cashless policy.

According to a statement issued by the company, Director, Payment Solutions at Interswitch, Mr Charles Ifedi, described the promo as a means of encouraging existing and new cardholders to embrace the cashless culture prior to commencement of the policy.

“The previous edition of the Verve promo held in 2010 accommodated both existing and new cardholders.

This year’s edition of the Verve Get & Win is targeted at those who are yet to request and pick up their cards from the banks. However, the promo also provides a window of opportunity for existing Verve cardholders to participate in the draw.

“This is how it works: new cardholders request the Verve card at the bank and collect an instant gift. Once that is done, the cardholder should activate the new card in order to qualify for the draw.

Existing Verve cardholders would need to carry out five transactions with their cards on ATMs, PoS, Web or mobile channels on the Interswitch network every two weeks in order to qualify for the draw.”

He explained that Verve cardholders could qualify for the draw either by activating a new card or by using an existing card to carry out five transactions every two weeks.

He said the instant gift items available to new cardholders include branded pens, card wallets, T-shirts, MP3 players, flash drives and notebook jotters, while new card activation and usage during the promo period qualifies cardholders for the bi-weekly draw and a chance to win prizes such as iPads, deep freezers, generators, LCD TV sets and BlackBerry phones.

He said the promo, which runs till December 16, 2011 has 19 banks in participation: Ecobank, Enterprise Bank, Equatorial Trust Bank, First City Monument Bank, Fidelity Bank, FinBank and First Bank.

Others are Intercontinental Bank, Keystone Bank, Mainstreet Bank, Oceanic Bank, Skye Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Sterling Bank, United Bank for Africa, Union Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank and Zenith Bank.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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e-Business

Production Team: Femi Jolaolu, Lekan Hammed, Yomi Oseni, Ugo Ananaba, Mustapha Sulaimon, Dare Ojo, Lanre Malik Marketing: Adeline Atili, Nkechi Nwabaogu, Kemi Makinde, Lillian Nsi-Enodien, Mariam Adeyanju Edited by: O’seun Ogunseitan

Pls. send Questions to oseun2@gmail.com or text to

080 5511 9009

Unilag’s Post-UTM Examination candidates in last-minute rush for practice test software ...tutorials website for young students nears take off M ORE than 3,200 candidates, apparently preparing for the last leg of admission examinations into the University of Lagos, have downloaded the computer-based tutorials offered on the internet by The Nation.

Several hundreds of other student visitors to the Facebook page where the download weblinks are available, have been requesting practice test and tutorial software based on past questions of admission examinations into other tertiary institutions across the country.

The Unilag admissions examinations begin next week, with different days alloted for examinees seeking admission into different faculties. About 120,000 candidates have less than 12,000 admission slots.

The student visitors to the Facebook download page, have variously claimed the software enables live practice in real time while teaching them, since it juggles answer options for the same questions, every time it is run while also providing exciting interactivity.

The Nation’s Databank and Archives began making the post-UTM Examination practice software available as free downloads on the internet, four weeks ago. The move then, was a follow-up to the success of a trial-run last March, when ex-secondary schoolmates of Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, sponsored the release of free JAMB English Language examination Practice Test and Tutorial software, in a novel expression of the ex-students support for the governor’s second term bid.

By O’seun Ogunseitan

That software, named Fashola.exe, is currently undergoing a global peer review, as a teaching and learning software tool and technique. It may be Nigeria’s first contribution to the global pool of e-learning tools.

Now six in number and across three subjects, the downloadable collection of software is based on tested e-learning techniques which use answer options to examination questions to teach the principles of particular subjects.

Education tools and technology experts say the innovation promises to be an effective last minute examination revision technique.

Plans are afoot now, to broaden the adoption of the technique and spread its impact on learning in Nigeria. A coalition of education scholars, varsity teachers and the Nigerian media is now at the forefront of a quest to use as many novel tools as are available and applicable to reverse the mass failure of Nigerian secondary school students.

Several other Nigerian newspapers are teaming up with The Nation in what is now seen as a first hands-on effort at arresting a national decline.

The Nigerian creators of the novel software, have since moved on to creating regular television-viewable video versions of the software content. This has made it possible to create televisionviewable videos that will make the teaching of subjects such as Mathematics easier.

Many Science subjects, just like Mathematics, are said to be difficult to teach many youngsters who see them as too serious for the fun they expect in everything. The new video disc-based teaching which allows for interactive selfpaced learning, is expected to take care of the lack of interest, as well as the problem of short attention span, common among many secondary school students.

Two weeks ago, the same developers announced the creation of a new teaching technique that enables the use of mobile phones to deliver the same tutorials. The announcement served notice that mobile phones may play a major role in the fight to reverse mass failure among secondary school students in Nigeria.

Nigerian mobile phone operators are monitoring the new developments. More than 20 million mobile phone users in Nigeria are believed to be these young secondary school students, even as

The 3,000 Most Important English Words™& other Free downloads at

www.facebook.com/pcuser2user

virtually every one of the country’s near 60 million students, have access to at least one mobile phone.

Secondary School Certificate Examination results released just last week, indicated that another one million Nigerian secondary students again failed this years examinations. They join millions of others, who for the last two decades, have been becoming unemployable even as they join the country’s teeming millions of unemployed youths.

Three weeks ago, at meetings between worried interests and leading education scholars and researchers the shape of a national campaign to reverse mass failure of Nigerian secondary school students was unveiled.

At least 18 University teachers and professional educators across the country, are siding with the Nigerian media, led by The Nation in efforts to teach digital age students with digital-age tools.

Under plans now being perfected: • Selected mobile phone companies may offer phone-based tutorials and examination practice tests to interested Nigerian subscribers.

• A Nigerian secondary school student portal will be developed to offer free blog-type tutorials and interactive educational games to students who will have free all-year-round-access • Some Nigerian newspapers may similarly distribute free multimedia discs containing many hours of television-viewable video tutorials and computer software-based practice tests.

This is to cater for the larger majority of students who really do not have access to computers or the internet and or are too indigent to be able to afford the mobile phones or the phone airtime.

• Nigerian secondary school teachers will be offered comprehensive video and data disc-based teaching-aid packages to improve their knowledge of the subjects they teach, as well as provide regular and cost-effective refreshers of their teaching skills. This is expected to reduce the cost of providing training for teachers, while making their training and retraining, an all-year-round event.

• A Nigerian secondary school teachers portal may also be developed to offer free blog and forum-type tutorials to teachers who will have free access to download tutorials and teaching-aid tests, as well as sit periodic examinations which will attract a Certificate of Proficiency in the subjects they teach.

• Education tools researchers in several Nigerian Universities will study and monitor the students, using any of the many learning-aid tools, in a bid to find any correlation between the use of the learning aids and the success of the students in examinations.

Leading Nigerian Educational tools and methods researcher, Professor Peter Okebukola, has taken up the gantlet.

Okebukola successfully ran a similar decline reversal program for Nigerian university teachers.

He and many experts have hinted that the continued use of yesterday’s analogue blackboard and chalk techniques to teach today’s digital age students, is largely to blame for the recurring mass failure in Nigerian secondary schools.

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

No of Deals 3 6 9

Quotation(N) 0.50 7.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 75,000 37,500.00 165,650 1,297,537.00 240,650 1,335,037.00

Quotation(N) 1.97 5.61

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 565,000 1,143,549.18 246,237 1,396,456.74 811,237 2,540,005.92

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.62

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 10,000,000 5,000,000.00 384,054 629,999.28 10,384,054 5,629,999.28

Quotation(N) 5.10 3.30 1.89 4.19 1.76 9.90 14.61 8.15 4.80 1.27 2.99 0.56 0.61 12.60

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 3,692,800 19,009,717.18 1,510,662 4,966,355.40 612,050 1,172,539.50 2,990,441 11,989,026.00 3,262,260 5,739,695.27 18,324,164 180,475,920.28 57,452,540 837,954,106.16 816,585 6,612,337.80 632,722 3,036,774.41 2,248,600 2,897,702.00 37,829,415 113,739,208.17 2,692,127 1,440,186.70 1,503,344 927,807.40 38,838,291 489,413,638.45 172,406,001 1,679,375,014.72

Quotation(N) 210.00 91.51

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 104,996 21,621,280.00 1,844,463 168,756,744.40 1,949,459 190,378,024.40

Quotation(N) 15.00 5.03 102.99 39.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 962,861 14,473,660.50 423,650 2,183,414.27 202,238 20,837,812.62 252,505 10,023,888.80 1,841,254 47,518,776.19

Quotation(N) 9.45 17.10 1.09 0.65

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 5,650 50,737.00 710,078 12,217,140.25 20,000 21,800.00 2,000 1,360.00 737,728 12,291,037.25

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

No of Deals 20 26 46

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

No of Deals 1 15 16 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 113 33 29 32 70 409 488 46 43 40 209 38 30 301 1,881 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 36 121 157 BUILDING MATERIALS

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

No of Deals 56 17 21 23 117 CHEMICAL & PAINTS

Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 23 4 1 33

Investors lose N105b as bears rattle high-cap stocks

T

HE bearish run at the stock market bit harder yesterday with investors losing N105 billion to widespread declines in share prices of quoted companies.

Two out of every three companies that recorded price changes ended on the negative side.

The downtrend was particularly noticeable within the Dangote Group, which accounts for a significant proportion of market capitalisation.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted companies dropped from N6.612 trillion to N6.507 trillion, representing a drop of 1.61 per cent or N105 billion.

The All Share Index (ASI), which serves as benchmark for the stock market, also shrank by 1.61 per cent to 20,502.13 points as against 20,837.58 points. With this, the year-to-date loss at the stock market worsened to 17.23 per cent.

Further analysis showed that all tracked group indices, except oil and gas index, ended on the downtrend.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) 30 Index, which gauges the 30 most capitalized companies, dropped from 928.03 points to 914.60 points.

No of Deals 1 9 10

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.30

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 200 100.00 878,000 2,020,400.00 878,200 2,020,500.00

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 7.67

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 5,300 42,665.00 5,300 42,665.00

Quotation(N) 29.01 0.64 30.45 26.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,232,869 65,130,642.09 1,354,100 871,652.00 666,782 20,788,947.44 3,531,959 92,857,443.78 7,785,710 179,648,685.31

Quotation(N) 38.43 7.17

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 115,600 4,241,846.25 50,000 358,500.00 165,600 4,600,346.25

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

No of Deals 37 28 100 74 239

The NSE Banking Index, slipped from 296.11 points to 293.62 points, while the NSE Insurance Index declined to 152.72 points as against its opening index of 153.10 points.

NSE Food and Beverages Index had dropped from 627.67 points to 623.22 points. However, the NSE Oil and Gas Index rode on the back of impressive results by Conoil to close at 242.08 points as against its opening index of 241.51 points.

The decline was exacerbated by losses suffered by highly capitalized stocks in the building materials, foods and banking sectors.

Three companies within the Dangote Group recorded losses with Dangote Cement leading the decliners with a drop of N5.01 to close at N102.99.

Dangote Sugar Refinery and Dangote Flour Mills, lost 28 kobo each to close at N5.40 and N5.32 respectively. Dangote Sugar’s third quarter report had showed 22 per cent growth in sales, but pre and post tax profits dropped by 48 per cent and 49 per cent respectively.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 2-11-11 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 7 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 3 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 2 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 1 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 37 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 4 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 10 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 1 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 1 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 1 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 1 Sector Totals 230

No of Deals 22 1 23

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 1.70

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 26,502 45,583.44 26,502 45,583.44

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

No of Deals 8 28 63 68 37 10 14 49 277

Quotation(N) 48.00 14.20 5.32 5.40 61.50 3.18 4.28 400.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 279,974 13,438,660.40 149,076 2,022,135.38 1,258,957 6,860,587.83 3,917,186 21,154,601.50 99,651 6,119,001.34 185,750 590,110.00 304,300 1,302,470.00 156,311 62,524,912.15 6,351,205 114,012,478.60

No of Deals 5 10 7 17 39

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 48 50

No of Deals 6 6

No of Deals 2 1 3

No of Deals 152 1 6

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 0.89

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 4,000 3,420.00 4,000 3,420.00

Quotation(N) 0.75

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 3,355,910 2,541,087.11 3,355,910 2,541,087.11

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 500.00 1,000 500.00

Quotation(N) 1.75

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 554,523 953,874.14 554,523 953,874.14

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 33 33

PETROLEUM(MARKETING)

Quotation(N) 0.87 1.37 27.00 2.40

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 195,689 171,209.43 141,677 198,242.99 47,341 1,214,296.65 188,743 456,733.67 573,450 2,040,482.74

Quotation(N) 7.50 2.36

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 105,000 787,500.00 2,617,740 6,082,592.40 2,722,740 6,870,092.40

Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 263,230 1,469,306.30 263,230 1,469,306.30

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 10,306,828 5,153,414.00 103,800 51,900.00 10,410,628 5,205,314.00

Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 11 4 9 14 91 19 149

Quotation(N) 0.50 35.00 4.56 9.57 141.00 27.46 200.00

Quantity Traded Value 5,000 15,407 66,800 83,540 24,931 458,029 25,109 678,816

of Shares (N) 2,500.00 512,804.75 304,608.00 799,477.80 3,339,507.45 12,110,093.38 4,900,445.16 21,969,436.54

PRINTING & PUBLISHING

Quotation(N) 5.87

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50

No of Deals 4 17 21

Quotation(N) 2.24 3.79

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 652,465 1,461,521.60 532,120 1,892,943.60 1,184,585 3,354,465.20

Quotation(N) 12.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,551,347 17,857,899.25 1,551,347 17,857,899.25

REAL ESTATE No of Deals 36 36

ROAD TRANSPORTATION No of Deals 4 4

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 54,300 27,443.00 54,300 27,443.00

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC

1,203,011.50 65,322.20 5,000,000.00 3,500,000.00 25,000.00 85,266.00 22,000,000.00 140,500.00 1,061,853.00 28,363.00 165,000.00 5,000.00 50,000.00 2,000,000.00 37,148,634.88

MORTGAGE COMPANIES

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

No of Deals 62 62

Company Name RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

2,351,150 46,373 10,000,000 7,000,000 50,000 170,532 44,000,000 281,000 2,123,706 25,100 330,000 10,000 100,000 4,000,000 73,153,826

MARITIME

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

Company Name BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

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

0.52 1.40 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.18 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

LEASING

CONSTRUCTION Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Other top losers included Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria, which lost N1.01 to close at N39; PZ Cussons Nigeria dropped 99 kobo to close at N29.01, CAP lost 90 kobo to close at N17.10, Ashaka Cement dropped by 43 kobo to close at N15, Zenith Bank and Presco lost 30 kobo each to close at N12.60 and N7.50, while Nigerian Aviation Handling Company lost 29 kobo to close at N5.61 per share.

Meanwhile, Forte Oil and Unilever Nigeria topped the gainers’ list with a gain of 45 kobo each to close at N9.57 and N26.50. Roads Nigeria added 34 kobo to close at N7.17. First City Monument Bank gained 19 kobo to close at N4.19. University Press gathered 14 kobo to close at N3.79, while Ikeja Hotel added 11 kobo to close at N2.36 per share.

Total turnover stood at 298.17 million shares valued at N2.34 billion in 3,459 deals. Banking sub-sector recorded a turnover of 172.47 million shares worth N1.68 billion in 1,889 deals. Insurance sub-sector followed with a turnover of 73.15 million shares valued at N37.15 million in 230 deals.

Consumer goods ranked third with a turnover of 24.33 million shares valued at N468.85 million in 552 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Quotation(N) 0.53 1.01 2.78

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,468,715 1,317,114.18 16,000 15,680.00 181,250 486,525.00

Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 8 8

Quotation(N) 11.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 61,344 704,700.50 61,344 704,700.50

3,456

298,152,599

2,339,584,809.42

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

53

MONEY LINK

T

OTAL banks’ deposits and li abilities have increased by 4.3 per cent to N19.4 trillion, the August Economic Report issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday, has shown.

The apex bank said funds sourced mainly from increased capitalisation, draw-down on reserves and increases in unclassified liabilities were used, largely to extend credit to the private sector and purchase of Federal Government securities. It said banks’ credit to the economy rose by 12.5 per cent to N12.1 trillion.

The breakdown, on a month-onmonth basis, showed that credit to states and local governments and credits to the core-private sector rose by

Banks’ total assets, liabilities hit N19.4tr

By Collins Nweze

11.5 and 9.8 per cent, respectively, above their levels in previous month.

However, the CBN’s credit to banks, such as loans and advances, fell marginally by 0.04 per cent to N384.61 billion at end of August 2011, while specified liquid assets of the banks stood at N3116.62 billion, representing 21.5 per cent of their total current liabilities.

The level of liquid assets was 12.9 percentage points above the preceding month’s ratio, but 8.5 percentage points below the stipulated minimum ratio of 30 per cent for fiscal 2011. The

respectively.

Meanwhile, the average naira exchange rate compared with the dollar at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS), depreciated at both the WDAS and interbank segments from the preceding month’s levels. However, it appreciated at the bureaux-dechange segment of the market. Nonoil export earnings declined by 0.5 per cent from the level in the preceding month. This was attributed largely, to the decline in export proceeds from the manufactured and agricultural sub-sectors.

According to the report, growth in the major monetary aggregate was moderate at end of August, relative to the level at the end of the preceding month. Broad money supply (M2), at N12.5 trillion, rose by 1.0 per cent, compared with the increase of 1.8 per cent at the end of the preceding month.

The development was accounted for, largely, by the 22.7 per cent in-

loan-to-deposit ratio was 43.6 per cent, indicating 36.4 percentage points below the stipulated maximum target of 80.0 per cent.

Foreign exchange inflow and outflow through the CBN in August, the report revealed, were $4.32 billion and $4.23 billion, respectively, and this resulted in a net inflow of $0.09 billion. Foreign exchange sales by the apex bank to the authorised dealers, amounted to $3.68 billion, showing an increase of 11.6 and 53.2 per cent over the level in the preceding month and the corresponding period of 2010,

‘StanChart not exposed to troubled Europe’

T

HE Standard Chareterd Bank has said it has no direct expo sure to the financially troubled European countries.

A statement from the bank said its balance sheet remains liquid, well funded and diversified, with a conservative risk profile. “We have no direct sovereign exposure to Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece or Spain.

Our direct sovereign exposure in Europe is immaterial. As evidenced by the recent highly successful Euro 1.25 billion senior unsecured issuance and the SGD750 million Tier two issuance in Hong Kong, both of which were effected in October, we continue to see strong counterparty appetite for the Group’s name.

We have limited levels of refinancing obligations over the next few years. The Group is in excellent shape and well positioned in growth mar-

kets. The group stated this in its interim management statement for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

The bank explained it has no direct sovereign exposure to Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece or Spain. It said it has limited levels of re-financing obligations over the next few years adding that the group is in excellent shape and well positioned in growth markets.

The bank reported a growth in income in the first nine months of 2011 by a high single digit percentage over the corresponding period of 2010 and operating profit before tax of a double digit rate over the same period.

However, Income in the quarter under review remained resilient and diverse and well above the level of the comparable period of 2010. Looking across the main income streams

of the bank, it showed that consumer banking and transaction banking showed double digit income momentum on a year to date basis.

Also the financial markets client income performed well and corporate finance income was ahead of the level seen in the third quarter of 2010 level, but principal finance has been affected by the uncertain market environment.

The statement said income remained well spread by geography; while there was further slowdown in India, and Korea remained muted, but the bank has continued to see strong performances in Hong Kong and Singapore, noting that despite competition remaining strong across its markets, it is seeing a number of opportunities to improve business and increase market share.

Fidelity Q3 profit up by 80%

F

IDELITY Bank made a Profit Before Tax of N3.72 billion in its third quarter covering the period ended 30th September, 2011.

This represents an increase of 80 per cent from its second quarter performance of N2.07 billion. At the same, time the bank’s Year-ToDate result for the same period stood at N7.6 billion.

The result indicates a steady growth in net interest margin which rose from 6.8 per cent in the second quarter to 7.8 per cent, while gross earnings also shot up by 17 per cent to N17.10 billion. Also, the bank’s total assets increased by 31 per cent to N658.47 billion as at September 30, 2011, as against N502.59 billion it recorded in June, this year.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Reginald

Deloitte reinforces commitment to IFRS

A

KINTOLA Williams Deloitte has reiterated its commit ment to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The accounting firm stated this during its third Alumni dinner held in Lagos I which over 100 Deloitte and ex-Deloitte executives, manag-

ers, and self-employed professionals from all sectors of the economy were present.

The Managing Partner of Akintola Williams Deloitte, Lagos Office, Mr. Adeniyi Obe reiterated the firm’s commitment to IFRS. He said the standard will improve the quality

of accounting system in the country.

Akintola Williams Deloitte, a member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL), is a foremost accounting firm in the country, which handled many of the failed banks’ accounts during the financial crises.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 2-11-11 SYMBOL ROADS FO IKEJAHOTEL FCMB GOLDINSURE UPL UNITYBNK BAGCO UNILEVER HONYFLOUR

O/PRICE 6.83 9.12 2.25 4.00 0.50 3.65 0.54 1.70 26.05 3.13

C/PRICE 7.17 9.57 2.36 4.19 0.52 3.79 0.56 1.75 26.50 3.18

CHANGE 0.34 0.45 0.11 0.19 0.02 0.14 0.02 0.05 0.45 0.05

LOSER AS AT 2-11-11 SYMBOL ETERNAOIL CAP DANGFLOUR REDSTAREX DANGSUGAR NAHCO NASCON ACCESS RTBRISCOE WEMABANK

O/PRICE 4.80 18.00 5.60 2.42 5.68 5.90 4.50 5.36 1.70 0.64

C/PRICE 4.56 17.10 5.32 2.30 5.40 5.61 4.28 5.10 1.62 0.61

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

Ihejiahi, described the review period as, exciting. “The third quarter of 2011 has been an exciting one for us. We are thrilled by the progress made in improving profit and other operating indicators in our business during the quarter ended September, 30 2011.”

He explained that the bank’s focus during the review period was on “reworking our funding base to a more sustainable and balanced deposit mix, through excellent branch roll-out strategy and increased recruitment of key businesses,” adding that the strategy has continued to show in strong positive growth in low cost deposits and reduction in overall cost of funds. He said, overall, the steps have continued to improve the bank’s net interest margin, while expanding the base for non interest income.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

crease in domestic credit (net) of the banking system. Similarly, narrow money supply (M1), at N5.8 trillion, rose marginally by 0.1 per cent, compared with the increase of 4.0 per cent at the end of the preceding month. The development reflected, wholly, the 2.0 per cent increase in the currency component.

The figure also showed that N1.3 trillion currency in circulation at end of August rose by 2.7 per cent. The development reflected wholly the increase in currency outside banks by 2.0 per cent. Similarly, it rose by 0.1 per cent over the level at end of December 2010.

Total deposits at the CBN amounted to N4.7 trillion, indicating a decline of 13.2 per cent from the level at the end of the preceding month. The development reflected, largely, the 44.0 and 9.3 per cent decline in banks and Federal Government deposits, respectively.

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 118.31 100.28 0.77 1.02 0.91 1,639.36 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,230.13 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.70 99.71 0.74 1.02 0.90 1,634.12 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,028.67 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 0.24 0.90 0.28 0.12 0.28 0.29 0.22 0.26 0.08 0.03

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

54

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

55

NEWS Jonathan’s win a pyrrhic victory, says CPC

T

HE Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) yesterday said the affirmation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s victory means Nigeria will deal with “leadership deficit” for a longer period.

It insisted that the election which brought Jonathan to power reflected “travesties not assented to by the people.”

Describing the President’s declaration as a pyrrhic victory, CPC added: “Indeed, it is sad day for the nation and a sad reminder that the perils of leadership deficit shall afflict the nation for more period than envisaged.”

CPC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, said it would continue to expand the frontiers of national interaction.

It added: “We shall continue to galvanise the support of progressive people of the nation so that true democratic culture shall be birthed.

“Ordinarily, affirmation of an electoral mandate by a Court of Law should

ACN aspirant flags off campaign for Ondo governorship race

By Joseph Jibueze

evoke feelings of hard-won victory but not this one! The reason is not far-fetched in that this is one judicial victory that came at very huge cost.

“First, in the build up to the final judgment, the nation’s judiciary as an institution has become badly bruised without any scintilla of confidence by the Nigerian Citizenry.

“Second, the electoral history of the nation would need to be updated to accommodate the denigrating level of malfeasance of the electoral umpire-ship of the April 2011 elections.

“It is hardly conceivable that the apathy (by the nation’s electorate) for future elections may become too great a price to pay.

“Third, the decided outcome of the election petition has provided another option for ventilation of electoral grievance other than the law court!

“What is pre-eminently important is the continual truncation of the quest of the Nigerian nation in establishing democratic maturi-

A

•Buhari

ty.

“Whilst the Ghanaian nation and lately, Zambia, have crossed the tenacioushold-of-incumbent-at allcost-political syndrome, Nigeria is still wallowing in the dirt of this affliction.

“The import of this is seen in the vain-glorious boasting by the chieftains of the ruling PDP to continue to rule for another 60 years!

Does that not indicate that electoral future is very bleak?”

KURE, the Ondo State capital, came alive yesterday when human rights lawyer, Dr Tunji Abayomi, of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) flagged off his campaign for the 2013 governorship election.

Members of the party from the 18 local government areas converged on the Akure City Hall, venue of the event, at 8am for the event.

Members of the human rights community, politicians from the ACN camp, artisans and market women were present.

Notable among the guests was the son of the late governor of Ondo State, Gboyega Adefarati, and former Commissioner for Finance under Adebayo Adefarati, Segun Ojo, among others.

Before the programme, Abayomi had paid homage to the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, in his palace.

The venue of the event came alive when Abayomi, accompanied by his wife, Foluke, and scores of party

‘We are going to run a transparent government that will be accountable to the people.

Ours is a government that will focus on the basic needs of the masses. Our programme will be masses-oriented.

We shall ensure that our youths have access to jobs’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

faithful, entered with brooms, the symbol of the ACN, in their hands.

The constitutional lawyer told the large crowd that his ambition to govern Ondo State was borne out of the desire to serve the people.

The Oke-Agbe-born politician noted that the present

Lawyers condemn arrest of ‘innocent Muslims’ over Boko haram

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GROUP of lawyers, the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on the State Security Services (SSS) to release detained Muslims arrested

By Joseph Jibueze

in connection with the controversial Islamic sect Boko haram or charge them to court.

It said “innocent” Muslims are still being held “in various prisons all over the

country.” For instance, it alleged that two men are in detention by the SSS in Abuja despite a Federal High Court ruling that they should be freed within 48 hours.

At a press conference in Lagos, the group’s branch Chairman, Musediq Sanni

said security agencies unduly “harass” Muslims across Nigeria.

MULAN urged the SSS to comply with the order of the court, adding that no Muslim should be arrested based on his faith, appearance, identity, or type

•First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan (second left); Governors Theodore Orji (Abia) (right), Rochas Okorocha (second right), Orji’s wife, Mercy (left) and Okorocha’s wife, Nkechi at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri

•Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc Mr Bob Steeskamp (middle) presenting the keys to a car and N1 million cheque to the Head of the Ogunsanya familywinners of the Three Crowns Royal Family Game Show in Lagos. With them is Mrs Ronke Osho, Senior Brand Manager PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE

of educational institution he is attending.

“No Muslim should be forbidden from traveling abroad for their educational career. We demand an unreserved apology from the SSS to the Muslim community in Lagos.

administration had failed to meet the yearnings of the people in infrastructural development.

He said most of the projects embarked upon by the Olusegun Mimiko-led administration do not have direct impact on the lives of the residents.

Abayomi said: “Ondo State is in total slavery in the hands of Mimiko and his cohorts, who do whatever they like with the people’s money. “ Since Mimiko took over the mantle of leadership in Ondo State, he has not for once told the people of how much he has received from the Federation Account.”

The lawyer promised to transform the state, using his wealth of experience as an activist.

He promised to focus on infrastructural development, revamping the education sector and providing jobs for scores of unemployed youths, if voted as the next governor of the Sunshine State.

Abayomi said he would build more roads and rehabilitate new ones; provide potable water and other amenities for cities and rural dwellers.

He said: “We are going to run a transparent government that will be accountable to the people. Ours is a government that will focus on the basic needs of the masses. Our programme will be masses-oriented. We shall ensure that our youths have access to jobs.”

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi(right) and his Osun State counterpart Rauf Aregbesola addressing reporters at the Ibadan airport, shortly after arriving from Abuja where they met with President Goodluck Jonathan.

•Oyo State Governor’s wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (left); her Ekiti State counterpart, Erelu Bisi Fayemi (middle) and the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, at the closing ceremony of a two-day Gender Summit, in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

56

NEWS

Ogboru, Uduaghan to know fate soon

Akhigbe: I didn’t reconcile with Anenih

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HE leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State is yet to be over as former Chief of General Staff Admiral Mike Akhigbe denied reports that he has recognised the Dan Orbih-led faction.

Akhigbe said he was not aware of a reconciliation meeting at Abuja with Chief Tony Anenih and PDP leaders.

Akhigbe was reacting to reports that he and Dr Samuel Ogbemudia had withdrawn their names as PDP factional leaders after a meeting with Anenih.

In a statement by Humphrey Uanseoje, Akhigbe said it was not possible to resolve the crisis in the absence of the principal actors and stakeholders.

The statement said: “This group is therefore not aware of any meeting or resolution of the long standing crisis in the state PDP, let alone Ad-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

miral Akhigbe withdrawing as leader of a faction.

“Much as the group is willing and prepared for settlement but it must be settlement anchored on the legal principles of justice, fairness and equity.

“This group will not allow itself to be arm twisted to an imposed settlement on the pages of newspapers.

“A point that needs clarification here is the constant reference to this group as a faction which, in all intent and purposes, is an offensive misrepresentation of facts.

“As a matter of fact, this group is the mainstream of PDP in Edo State, which emerged from the state congress held on February 28, 2008.

"It is the other side which certain elements at the PDP secretariat in Abuja illegally and unconstitutionally accorded recognition that constitutes a faction of PDP in Edo State. “

Jonathan praised GROUP, the Isoko Progressive Union (IPU), has hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for nominating Chief Solomon Ogba as commissioner representing Delta State in the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

In a statement by the Chairman, Ajiri Egbo and GeneralSecretary Mathias Adidi, the

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group affirmed Ogba’s nomination as the right choice, considering his pedigree, as a former Commissioner for Sports.

“We are confident that he will represent the full interest of every Deltan. This is because Ogba is credible, noted for uprightness and does not exhibit sentiments in performing his duties,” the statement said.

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TTORNEYS at the Delta State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday adopted their written addresses before the Justice Joy Unwana-led panel.

Justice Unwana said a date for judgment would be communicated to all parties.

Great Ogboru of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) is challenging the victory of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 26 governorship election.

Uduaghan’s counsel Alex Izinyon (SAN) urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition, arguing that the petitioners were not able to discharge the burden of proof which he insisted rested on them.

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

He said: “The petitioners failed to adduce credible, reliable and documentary evidence to discharge the burden of proof and once your Lordships arrived at that that is the end of the petition because no other thing can follow.

“It is only when the tribunal is satisfied that this burden has been discharged that you can consider the defence of the respondents.

“The petitioners failed woefully to discharge this burden. We submit that the first respondent led more credible evidence which laid credence to the rebuttal of the petitioners’ allegation of no election.”

Iziyon argued that the reliefs sought by the petitioners were ungrantable and

unconstitutional and urged the court to dismiss the petition as “it will amount to an academic exercise in the end.”

Ogboru’s counsel Mogbeji Sagay urged the tribunal to allow the petition and grant the reliefs sought.

He passed the burden of proof to the respondents, arguing that “the burden of proof based on the pleadings of the parties is on the party who alleges the positive and we allege that there was no election, they said there was election.

“We do not have to provide evidence; they have the documents and should dispose of it. The respondents failed woefully to discharge this burden of proof.”

He said failure on the part of the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce certain

electoral documents on the orders of the tribunal during the proceedings meant that the petition has been proven and judgment ought to be given in favour of the petitioners.”

Sagay said: “In the alternative, if the burden was placed on us, it was completely and fully discharged.”

He referred to certain electoral materials that were not made available by INEC on request.

The counsel submitted that INEC could not produce critical forms EC25B in 245 units of the disputed six council areas.

Sagay said this means that election did not hold in those units as the result sheets (form EC8A) cannot exist independently without materials upon which the results were declared.

Medical lab scientists suspend strike

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HE Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) yesterday suspended its five-day nationwide strike.

In a statement yesterday by its National President, Dr. Godswill Chikwe Okara, he said the association decided to call off the strike because of the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health.

The statement reads: “In the light of the on-going

BOLAWOLE ENTERPRISES NIGERIA LTD

•Three children die in Delta From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja and Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

discussions with top officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and the display of goodwill and understanding so far by them, I hereby direct all Medical Laboratory Scientists currently involved in the nation-wide warning strike to resume full activities and return to normalcy immediately in the interest of patients and

the public.

“I do also appeal to the management and authorities of our health institutions to support medical laboratory scientists in their employment to ensure a speedy return to normalcy, and to avoid victimisation of the scientists on account of this action.

“We received with rude shock the sad news of the attempt on the life of the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, by

faceless criminals. Our association condemns in strongest terms this ignoble act.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go to the Medical Director, while we pray for his speedy recovery.”

Three children have reportedly died due to lack of blood transfusion services at the Central Hospital, Agbor, Ika South Local Government of Delta State.

Their death followed the on-going nationwide strike by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSCN).

We your Cocoa suppliers in Osun State Congratulate and Fraternise with our Cocoa buyer – Bolawole Enterprises Nig. Ltd. – on the occasion of her award today as the

Most Outstanding Cocoa Exporter in Nigeria At The 2011 Presidential Export Awards of The 2nd Nigerian Non-oil Export Conference Exhibition and Awards (NNECEA 2011) holding at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja, Sheraton Hotels & Towers, today, 3rd November 2011.

We are proud to celebrate your ascendancy to the pinnacle of the Non-oil Export of Cocoa in Nigeria.

We toast your coveted landmark achievements in Cocoa export business in Nigeria especially in Osun State and wish the company more success in future endeavors.

For and on behalf of The Suppliers: •Chief Benjamin Adeyemi •Mr. Gbenga Ogundipe •Mr. Johnson Akinniyi •Mr. Wale Oduwoye •Mr. G. A. Olarewaju

•Oshiomhole presenting the keys of a patrol van to Brig-Gen Umahi ...yesterday

Police get 10 patrol vans in Edo

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HE Joint Military Task Force in Edo State yesterday received 10 patrol vans from Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Oshiomhole urged the task force, codenamed ‘Operation Thunder Storm’, to maintain the vehicles.

Presenting the vehicles at the Government House, the governor praised the security agencies for arresting over 400 suspected kidnappers.

He said the security outfit has helped to combat crimes in the state, adding that it should not relent in its effort to fight criminals.

His words: “We are happy to re-inforce the capacity of Operation Thunderstorm to deal with its mandate of preventing and fighting

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

crime.

“We commend the security agencies for their achievements in the fight to end the activities of kidnappers and criminals in the state.

“I’ll like to appreciate the leadership which the army commander, the police and SSS have provided to the officers and men of the joint patrol, whose effort has helped to keep criminals in check”.

“Please ensure the vehicles are properly maintained; the state will bear the cost.”

Commander 4 Mechanised Brigade Brigadier-General Abel Umahi said the security outfit needs information from the public to tackle crimes in the state.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

NEWS ‘Transfer of non-indigenes final’ From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

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HE transfer of non- indigenes in Abia State Civil Service to their states of origin is final, Governor Theodore Orji has said.

The governor has ordered his media team to stop talking about the issue as the state government will not rescind the policy.

Addressing reporters on his trip to America, Orji said the issue of non-indigenes going back to their states of origin is final.

“I have ordered my media team to stop responding to issues concerning the transfer of non-indigenes to their states of origin. The issue is a government policy and we cannot go back on that decision. Anybody talking about it is living in the past,” he said.

The governor said his trip to America was not only to rest but to meet Abia indigenes resident there.He said one of them has resolved to establish a dialysis centre in the state for the treatment of kidney diseases.

Orji also said another group would be coming to build a child and women centre in the state.

The other group will be coming to establish an oil and gas refinery in Ukwa West Local Government, where there is a large deposit of oil and gas.

Police kill suspected robber in Ebonyi From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

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HE Ebonyi State Police Command has killed a suspected armed robber during a gun duel in a hide-out at Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government of the state. Eight others were arrested.

Addressing reporters in Abakaliki, police spokesman John Eluu said the 10 armed robbers were sharing their loot when a team of the Anti -Robbery Squad (ARS) mobilised to the scene.

Eluu said on sighting the men of the Anti -Robbery Squad, the robbers opened fire on them. He said his men responded and killed one of the robbers, Friday Nwokwu.

“The suspected armed robbers have been terrorising innocent citizens within the area.The Anti- Robbery Squad swooped on the suspected armed robbers following a tip off and they immediately opened fire on our men. But our men over powered the hoodlums, killing one and arresting eight”.

The police spokesman said three locally made pistols with 10 live cartridges, two expanded cartridges, one tiger generator and cutlasses were recovered from the hoodlums.

He reiterated the commitment of the command to minimise crime in the state during the “ember” months and urged the public to volunteer information to the police.

Eluu also urged the people to report unscrupulous elements in their communities to the police.

One of the suspects, Ekene Eguji, denied involvement in the robbery incident.

Irish group takes over Imo palm plantation From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

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N Irish Company, Roche Group, has formerly taken over the management of Imo Palm Plantation at Ohaji / Egbema Local Government , under Public Partnership [PPP].

Speaking during the handing over ceremony at the company’s office in Ohaji, Governor Rochas Okorocha described Imo Palm Plantation as one of the greatest investment of the state that was mismanaged by the previous administrations.

The governor explained that the plantation was not sold by the government, but handed over to a competent organisation for effective management to enhance its productivity and generate more revenue to the government.

He added that under the partnership with Roche Group, Imo Palm Plantation would generate 1,500 jobs and provide corporate social responsibilities to boost the development of the host communities.

Okorocha enjoined the people of Ohaji / Egbema to cooperate with the new management.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Adaora Ijezie, hailed the governor for his intervention to resuscitate the plantation.

She said the establishment remains the property of Imo State Government, even under the new management.

T

Methodist old girls reunite

HE Methodist Girls’ High School Yaba Old Girls’ Association (MGHS OGA) will hold its annual reunion with the theme African Day on Saturday at the school premises by 10am. According to Mrs Yomi Afolabi, National Secretary of the Association, all the old girls are expected to come with their family members.

From left: Bayo Adesina, Head, Public Sector,IBTC Stanbic Bank, Mrs Shola David Bora,Managing Director, IBTC Stanbic Bank, Otunba Fatai Olukoya, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education and Otunba Obajimi Ayobade, Education District Four during the handing over f tripod schools by the bank in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA.

Ojukwu’s birthday: MASSOB , police to collaborate on security M

EMBERS of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Nigerian police would be on hand to provide security at Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu’s Enugu home ahead of the Ikemba of Nnewi’s 78th birthday celebration on Friday, it was learnt.

Addressing reporters in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, the Izzi Local Government District Administrator of MASSOB, Chief Vincent Okemini said the organisation has notified the police and other security agencies of MASSOB’s plans to sponsor Ojukwu’s birthday celebration.

Okemini said for the first time since the commencement of the struggle for the creation of thesovereign state of Biafra,the police and MASSOB personnel would join forces to protect the people.

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

He regretted that the police has been suspicious of the activities of the movement, leading to the arrest and killing of their members in some Southeast states. Okemini urged the Inspector- General of Police Hafiz Ringim and the Enugu State Police Commissioner to warn the police officers against intimidation of its members during the event.

“We are aware that the Nigeria Police and other security agencies are always apprehensive whenever MASSOB is having any function. This has led to the illegal arrest, detention and killing of our members in some parts of the Southeast. MASSOB is a vio-

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From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

judgment.

His counsel, A.J. Owonikoko described the judgment as a miscarriage of justice.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court pronounced Orji as the authentic candidate of the PDP for the governorship slot in the state for the April 20 election.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the court, Emenike,

unwarranted arrest and intimidation of our members that would be coming from the five states of the Southeast. We also wish to call on the Enugu State Police Commissioner to address his men on the need to avoid intimidation of our members because we know the havoc overzealous policemen could cause,” he said.

Okemini, who is the spokesman of the District Administrators in Ebonyi state, urged members of the movement to remain calm even in the height of provocation by security agents.

The MASSOB leader said this year’s celebration would be unique and assured that all the Southeast governors would attend the occasion.

Post-UTME tests: Pro-Chancellors back varsities

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HE Chairman of the Committee of ProChancellors of stateowned universities, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, has said the pro-chancellors of Nigerian Universities are in support of the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations’ (UTME) tests.

He said the Post-UTME tests being conducted by tertiary institutions were to determine the suitability of the candidates for admissions, after writing the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) examinations, whose reliability could not be guaranteed.

Karibi-Whyte, who is a retired Justice of the Supreme Court (JSC), spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He called on the Senators,

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

who were making moves to stop the post-UTME tests, to rescind the decision.

All the candidates seeking admissions into universities, polytechnics, colleges of technology and colleges of education, write the same examinations. But each institution later tests candidates to determine their suitability and confirm their UTME scores.

Karibi-Whyte, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, said postUTME test was the best option.

He said: “Besides the fact that writing the JAMB-run UTME alone to determine suitability for university educa-

Appeal Court affirms Orji as PDP candidate HE Appeal Court in Abuja yesterday affirmed the judgment of an Abuja Federal High Court, which declared Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State as the Peoples Democratic Party candidate (PDP) in the state.

The three-man panel dismissed the appeal filed by a chieftain of the party, Ikechi Emenike.

But Emenike said yesterday that he would appeal the

lent-free organisation and our leader’s birthday would be celebrated in grand style.

“All MASSOB members, Igbo leaders, friends of Ndigbo and other ethnic nationalities would grace the occasion and we are expecting a violent- free celebration. To achieve this, we have decided that MASSOB members would not appear that day with our flags, our security personnel would not wear their uniforms and all our identity would not be displayed to forestall possible breakdown of law and order during the event.

“The President, InspectorGeneral of Police, Enugu State Commissioner of Police and Governor Sullivan Chime are all aware of this great celebration. We are not expecting

who was a governorship aspirant of the party, prayed the Appeal Court to set aside the judgment.

Emenike, who emerged as the governorship candidate of the party in parallel primaries, contended that the Judge erred in law.

But Justice Jimmy Bada, in the lead judgment, held that the nomination and selection of candidates for an election is the domestic affairs of a

party. He added that courts have no jurisdiction to select a candidate for a party.

Besides, he further held that appellant did not participate in the screening exercise empowered by the National Executive Committee [NEC] of the party which was the appropriate Committee for the purpose of the governorship election, but only participated in the state screening panel.

tion has proven unrealistic, as it has resulted in production of half-baked graduates, the ultimate authority to admit any candidate into a university rests with the institution’s Senate.

“The ultimate authority to determine suitability for admitting students into the university is vested in the Senate of each of the universities.

“There is very little correlation between success at the JAMB’s examinations and suitability for university education.

“The post-UTME tests have

completely disclosed that there is still a need for the universities to test those who have been certified suitable

by JAMB. There are so many examples of those who scored high marks in JAMB’s examinations, but were unable to cope with the university education.”

The eminent jurist also called on universities’ staff unions to bring patriotism and other noble considerations into bear, when in conflict with university authorities and government.

AUCTION! AUCTION!! AUCTION!!!

GOING! GOING!! GOING!!!

With the authority of Union Bank Plc, we, OMAS DYNAMICS Nig. Company under the authority of M.A Olundegun, invite interested bidders to partake in a special asset auction to dispose of mortgaged property of Chief Nnadozie Boniface.

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Payment: All payments should be made through OMAS DYNAMICS Nig. Company.

Contact: 08034246798,08122667357 Send offers through sms or email us at omasdynamics@yahoo.com

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

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FOREIGN NEWS

vWikileaks’ Julian Assange loses extradition appeal •Assange

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IKILEAKS founder Julian Assange has failed in his appeal against extradition from the UK to Sweden over allegations of rape and sexual assault.

Two judges at the High Court in London decided that a previous ruling in favour of extradition must be upheld.

Swedish authorities want him to answer accusations of raping one woman and sexu-

ally molesting and coercing another in Stockholm last year.

Mr Assange’s lawyers say they will appeal at the Supreme Court.

They have 14 days to bring the case to the highest court in the land, on the grounds that it raises issues of general public importance.

However, Mr Assange’s legal team will first need to seek permission from the High Court to launch the appeal.

In February, District Judge Howard Riddle ruled that Mr Assange should be extradited to face investigation following a hearing at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

This is self evidently not a case relating to a trivial of-

fence, but to serious sexual offences. “ The 40-year-old Australian denies the allegations and says they are politically motivated.

However, in their ruling the judges, the President of the Queen’s Bench Division Sir John Thomas, sitting with Mr Justice Ouseley, said that the issuing of the European arrest warrant (EAW) that led to Mr Assange’s arrest and all subsequent proceedings to achieve extradition was “lawful” and “proportionate”.

They dismissed Mr Assange’s argument that the warrant was invalid because it had been issued by a prosecutor, and not a “judicial authority”.

Ghana refuses to grant gays’ rights despite UK’s aid threat

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HANA’S President John Atta Mills has rejected the UK’s threat to cut aid if he refuses to legalise homosexuality.

Mr Mills said the UK could not impose its values on Ghana and he would never legalise homosexuality.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said at the weekend that aid would be cut to countries which failed to respect gay rights.

Uganda also rejected the threat, with an official accusing the UK of showing a “bullying mentality”.

Most Africans argue that homosexuality violates their religious and cultural beliefs.

Mr Mills said Mr Cameron was entitled to his views, but he did not have the right to “direct to other sovereign nations as to what they should do”.

He said Ghana’s “societal norms” were different from those in the UK. “I, as president, will never initiate or support any attempt to legalise homosexuality in Ghana,” Mr Atta Mills said.

On Monday, Ugandan presidential adviser John Nagenda said Mr Cameron was showing a “bullying mentality” and Ugandans

would not tolerate being treated like “children”.

If that aid is going to be tied to things that will destroy the moral fibre of society, do you really want that?”

“If they must take their money, so be it,” Mr Nagenda said.

Mr Cameron said he had raised the issue of gay rights at last week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia.

Ending the bans on homosexuality was one of the recommendations of an internal report into the future relevance of the Commonwealth.

Mr Cameron’s threat applies only to one type of bilateral aid known as general budget support, and would not reduce the overall amount of aid to any one country, correspondents say.

Ghana received bilateral aid from the UK of about £90m ($144m) during the last financial year, of which about £36m was as general budget support.

Mr Mills’ communications chief Koku Anyidoho told the BBC the government would not compromise its morals for money.

Syria accepts Arab League peace proposal

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YRIA has accepted a peace plan proposed by the Arab League to end more than seven months of violence, the League says.

The statement came after Arab League officials met in Cairo to negotiate a solution to the turmoil.

The agreement includes the release of prisoners, the withdrawal of security forces from the streets and talks between the government and opposition.

President Bashar al-Assad has sought to put down protests since March.

Correspondents say it is not yet clear whether it will make a difference on the ground.

“The Arab League welcomes the Syrian government’s agreement to the Arab plan,” the statement said, according to Reuters news agency.

The statement added that the League “emphasised the need for the immediate, full

and exact implementation of the articles in the plan.”

Syria will also allow journalists, rights groups and Arab League representatives to move freely in Syria to monitor the situation.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim alThani told a news conference after a ministerial meeting in Cairo: “We are happy to have reached this agreement and we will be even happier when it is implemented immediately.”

French satirical newspaper attacked in Paris

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HE offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris have been destroyed in a petrol bomb attack.

It comes a day after the publication named the Prophet Muhammad as its “editor-in-chief” for its next issue.

The cover of the magazine carried a caricature of the Prophet making a facetious comment.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has described the petrol-bombing as an unjustifable attack on the freedom of the press.

The editor-in-chief of the magazine, Stephane Charbonnier, said Islam could not be excluded from freedom of the press.

He said: “If we can poke fun at everything in France, if we can talk about anything in France apart from Islam or the consequences of Islamism, that is annoying.”

Mr Charbonnier, also known as Charb, said he did not see the attack on the magazine as the work of French Muslims, but of what he called

“idiot extremists”.

The magazine said Wednesday’s edition was intended to “celebrate” the victory of an Islamist party in last month’s Tunisian elections.

Freedom of expression is an inalienable right in our democracy and all attacks on the freedom of the press must be condemned with the greatest firmness. “ “This is the first time we have been physically attacked, but we won’t let it get to us,” he said.

Police said Charlie Hebdo’s headquarters had been petrol-bombed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

There have been no reports of injuries.

Charlie Hebdo’s website has also been hacked with a message in English and Turkish attacking the magazine.

The edition of the paper published on Wednesday was called Charia Hebdo - a play on the Islamic word sharia.

The cover shows Muhammad saying: “100 lashes if you are not dying of laughter”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

61

Congratulations To

Bolawole Enterprises Nigeria Ltd For An

Award in the category of Outstanding cocoa exporter At The Presidential Export Awards of The 2nd Nigerian Non-oil Export Conference Exhibition and Award (NNECEA 2011) holding at The Abuja Sheraton Hotels & Towers, today, 3rd November 2011.

We are proud to be associated with your modest contributions to the growth of The Nigerian economy especially in the field of Non-oil Export.

This is an award well deserved. We believe that your growing business operations in Nigeria will bring forth greater dividends to the agricultural sector of this country in no distant future.

Once more accept our congratulations!

Signed

Gbemitan Investments Ltd and Olatunde International Nig. Ltd

IBADAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS PROPERTIES COMPANY LIMITED OLD TOWN PLANNING, RING ROAD, IBADAN

PUBLIC NOTICE It has been discovered that our Company’s i.e. (Ibadan Local Governments Properties Company Limited) Letters of Allocation and that of Sublease documents are being signed and back dated by some unauthorized agents.

This untoward act is not only adversely affecting the status of the Company but also denting its image.

The management hereby warns the perpetrators to desist from these untoward acts and to also warn that anybody that patronizes these unscrupulous elements does so at his/her own risk.

Also any prospective allottees on our various Schemes namely, (i) Oke ’Badan Estate Akobo (ii) Oluyole Estate (iii) Oluyole Estate & Its Extension (iv) Lagelu Estate, Lagos Road (v) Mechanic Resettlement Scheme, New Garage (vi) Olomi/Olunde Scheme (vii) Tade Scheme at Tade Village and (viii) Sukuru Scheme at Sukuru Village, Iyana-Offa, should contact the Office of Ibadan Local Governments Properties Company at Ring Road, Ibadan for further enquires.

Signed: MANAGEMENT

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NATION SPORT

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Reina just focused W L on winning

Hennessey unfazed by error

IVERPOOL goalkeeper Pepe Reina admits he is not bothered about keeping clean sheets as long as the team are winning.

Reina kept only his third clean sheet in the Premier League this season with the shut-out against West Brom last weekend.

The Spaniard insists confidence in the camp is high after they stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with the 2-0 victory at The Hawthorns.

“It’s always nice when the team is defending well and we keep a clean sheet,” Reina told the Liverpool Echo.

“But I just want to win matches and I’d take a 2-1 for us every time.

“After beating West Brom everyone is happy. The team is playing really well so we are confident.

“We know that if we are playing to our level not many teams will beat us so we have to keep that level up.

“We just want to keep the momentum going and keep playing the same as we are now.”

OLVES goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey insists he will be unfazed by his error that led to Manchester City’s first goal on Saturday.

The Wales international’s clearance was charged down

by Sergio Aguero before the ball bounced to Edin Dzeko to shoot into an empty net in the 3-1 win for Roberto Mancini’s side.

Wolves held out until 52 minutes before conceding the goal and the defeat left them without a top-flight win in eight games.

Hennessey has played in all ten of Wolves’ games this season, but it has been in attack where Mick McCarthy’s side have struggled.

They have a crunch clash on Sunday against Wigan who are rooted to the foot of the Premier League table.

But Hennessey believes he will not be affected by last weekend’s mistake although he has accepted his role in the defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

He told the Express and Star: “I thought I’d done quite well

•Reina

M

ICK McCarthy has said what everyone else at the club is already thinking, that the clash with Wigan this weekend is ‘huge’.

After a run of seven matches without a win and just one draw to show for themselves, McCarthy knows they have to perform when they take on the other Premier League side with the current worst run of form, Wigan.

The Latics have manged to lose seven games on the bounce to find themselves at

A

•Bannan

•Wayne

Latics clash ‘huge’ - McCarthy

Bannan back in training STON Villa midfielder Barry Bannan has returned to training after he was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

The 21-year-old was also suspended by the club after the incident that occurred in the early hours on Sunday 23rd October.

But manager Alex McLeish has revealed that Villa have put the suspension on hold while they await the outcome of the decision from the police.

It follows a motorway crash involving Bannan and former Aston Villa striker James Collins at 5.30am near junction 26 of the M1.

The Scotland international had been a regular feature of Aston Villa this season, playing in eight of their nine Premier League clashes at the time of the crash.

But he has not played for the club after being suspended two days after his arrest.

McLeish said: “Barry Bannan returned to training today.

“The club has suspended internal enquiries into allegations which arose a couple of weeks ago pending the outcome of police enquiries.

“We will not be commenting further.”

up until the goal but then it was a mistake.

“Kicking is one of my strengths and it’s never happened to me before.

“I was feeling good with the saves I’d made in the first half.

I know on another day I would just whack the ball clear.

“I was disappointed with it but I won’t let it bother me.”

the bottom of the league, three points behind Wolves.

The two clubs fought a running battle against the drop last season, with both succeeding, and the Latics took six points from Wolves in their two clashes.

McCarthy is looking for a better return this time, he told the Express and Star: “Clearly everybody knows Wolves versus Wigan is a huge game.

“Sunday’s clearly one we need to take care of. We know how big a game Wigan is and we’ll look after that this week.”

Rodwell eyes regular starting spot

J

Ba thrilled by unbeaten run

N

EWCASTLE’s hattrick hero Demba Ba is keen to maintain the feel-good factor around the club after they moved into the top three.

The Magpies beat Stoke 3-1 on Monday night to leapfrog Chelsea into third place in the Premier League.

The result, inspired by Ba’s treble, continued Newcastle’s unbeaten start to the season their best run for 61 years.

The next team to test their resolve is Everton, who are the visitors to St James’ Park on Saturday and a win could move them up to second.

But Alan Pardew’s side then face a trio of games likely to push them to their limit, with trips to Manchester City and Manchester United preceding a home clash with Chelsea.

Ba, who signed from West Ham in the summer, took his tally to eight for the season in the win at the Britannia Stadium, which is over half of the Magpies’ goals in the top flight this term.

He told the club’s official website: “We are really enjoying it and that gives us a lot of confidence, so we are just

going to try to keep on doing the same things every week.

“I’m happy to tell you the truth. I am very happy. I am just going to enjoy it for the next few days.

“I am very happy for the team as well because we worked hard.”

The Senegalese striker has predominantly been playing

•Demba Ba

alongside Leon Best, who has scored just three times for the club this season.

But Ba believes his colleague has played a significant role in the side this season.

He said: “He’s a good strike partner. He is strong, he can hold the ball and I just come around him and play football.

That’s nice.”

ACK Rodwell is confident that he can hold down a regular place in Everton‘s first eleven.

The 20 year old was blighted by injuries last season, which resulted in a loss of confidence and form for the midfielder, but the departure of Mikel Arteta has seen Rodwell given more time on the field this term, and the England Under-21 star believes he is reaping the benefits of a consisten run of matches in the Premier League.

“I am pleased to get games under my belt,” he stated.

“Last season I was injured a lot so it feels really good to be getting games for both Everton and England.

“I feel a lot fitter, that match fitness is there; I feel sharper in the matches and also the confidence is there as well.

It is all part of it and I feel strong at the moment.

“There are a lot of players who have seen their progress interrupted by injury and, regretfully, that was the case for me last season, so hopefully I can stay fit this time and get the games and the experience I need.

“It is out of my hands really but you can only do what you can. Make sure you are as fit as you can be, not take any chances or cut

any corners in training and do your extra work in the gym.

“You know you are going to get knocks and niggles over the course of the season – that is inevitable – but hopefully I can avoid any serious injuries and play plenty of games.”

•Rodwell

THE NATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

63

NATION SPORT SUPER EAGLES COACH

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Keshi gets Eagles job

Ronaldo scores 100th Real Madrid goal with brace against Lyon

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed former Eagles assistant and Captain, Stephen Keshi as Super Eagles’ Coach. Keshi was unanimously endorsed by the chieftains of the NFF behind a closed-door meeting on Wednesday night.

Contrary to speculations that the former Mali Coach would be given a six months contract to supervise the senior national team, the members of the Glass House have insisted that the contract should be on a full term.

However,Keshi was given a target by NFF to qualify the country for the 2014 World Cup slated for Rio, Brazil. The Edo-born coach must also ensure that the Super Eagles get to the quarter finals of the World Cup. In the same vein, Keshi also known as the ‘big boss’ must qualify the country for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa.

Keshi has also been given a free hand to pick his assistants while the NFF is expected to UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS Bayern 3 - 2 Napoli Villarreal 0 - 3 Man C. Inter Milan 2 - 1 Lille Trabzonspor 0 - 0 CSKA Benfica 1 - 1 Basel Man U. 2 - 0 Otelul Galati Ajax 4 - 0 D. Zagreb Lyon 0 - 2 Real Madrid

• Offered full contract • Gets 2014 W/Cup quarter-finals mandate • Expected to qualify team for 2013 Africa Nations Cup From Andrew Abah and Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja renegotiate the terms of contract once he has been able to meet the targets set for him by the NFF. Meanwhile, Keshi is expected to meet with the NFF today in Abuja to accept the terms of contract. Nationsports gathered that Keshi was already aware of the good news as he is already in the country.

It is worthy of note that Keshi went to the United States to acquire a coaching

certificate.Between 2004 and 2006 Keshi coached the Togo national football team and was sacked after bringing them to their first World Cup tournament, Germany 2006.

In 2007,Togo re-engaged Keshi in time for a friendly against Cameroon.

He worked as manager of the Mali national football team, after being appointed in April 2008 on a two-year deal.Keshi was sacked in January 2010, after Mali's early exit in the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.

•Keshi

•••Agrees pay cut of N3m

S

TEPHEN Keshi will initially be on a salary less than predecessor Samson Siasia and his initial contract will be for six months.

Siasia earned a monthly pay of five million Naira, but Keshi will be placed on a reduced salary of three million Naira, which would be reviewed upwards once his interim appointment is confirmed.

A communique from the executive committee of the NFF stated that Keshi's appointment was unanimous.

His targets are to qualify Ni-

geria to the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa as well as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he is expected to guide his team to at least the quarter-finals.

Like Siasia, Keshi will be allowed to pick his own assistants, according to the NFF. Keshi himself had insisted he would pick his own staff amid speculations that his Super Eagles teammate Sunday Oliseh will be appointed as his number two man.

‘Big Boss’ will also not be given the full powers that Siasia enjoyed during his 11-month

reign as Eagles supremo.

MTNFootball.com exclusively gathered that these conditions were put forward by the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after their meeting Wednesday for the executive committee, which they later ratified wholesale.

Keshi, officials told MTNFootball.com, is set to arrive Abuja later Wednesday.

He has asked that he be given time to study the contract, but it is expected he will eventually accept to lead Nigeria as coach.

T

HE Portuguese forward struck with a first-half free-kick and added a second from the spot after the interval to make it a century of strikes in just over two seasons in Spain Cristiano Ronaldo's two goals at Lyon in the sides' Champions League clash on Wednesday night brought up a century of Real Madrid strikes for the Portuguese forward since joining the Spanish side in the summer of 2009.

Ronaldo, who had netted 12 times this term prior to the clash at the Stade Gerland, opened the scoring with a free-kick in the first half and made it two in the second period as he converted from the penalty spot.

The 26-year-old netted 33 times in an injury-hit first campaign in Madrid following his •94 million

move from Manchester United in the summer of 2009, before adding a hugelyimpressive 53 more - the same total as Barcelona's Lionel Messi - last term.

Spanish sports paper Marca had credited the Portuguese with another goal as they awarded Ronaldo the Pichichi prize last season, for a record total of 41 league strikes, but one of those - a deflected free-kick against Real Sociedad - was actually awarded to Pepe by the match officials and does not count.

Nevertheless, the Portuguese's second strike on Wednesday dispelled all doubts and just a day after Messi reached 200th goal for Barca, the Portuguese has now racked up an impressive milestone of his own in France.

Cristiano's 100th goal for Madrid have come in just 105 competitive matches.

Man United beats Otelul Gulati 2-0

M

ANCHESTER United stayed on course for qualification to the Champions League knock-out phases with a comfortable victory over Romanian minnows Otelul Galati at Old Trafford.

Antonio Valencia scored after just eight minutes and Wayne Rooney's deflected effort three minutes from time sealed the win.

The only negative was what looked to be a thigh injury sustained by Michael Owen after 10 minutes.

TOMORROW

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7, NO. 1,933

‘‘In fact it was as if nemesis came to town one afternoon when an ACN aspirant’s campaign van got stuck in the mire of a road along Idimu-Ejigbo road (among the worst areas in the state). People could be seen gloating at the scene perhaps wishing the van never got unstuck’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

P

OOR chap. By now he must be ruing the day he decided to visit Paris for an engagement. He may have had a premonition that it was all going to turn awry.

He may even have been advised to shelve the trip for other engagements. His instinct may have warned him to pull the brakes on the plan. Who knows? But the trip was not to be.

It collapsed just at the airport.

Now, Lagos comedian Babatunde Omidina, aka Baba Suwe, sure must have known that life is not all about humour. When the mind is troubled, laughter stops and the Muse goes on break. But, it is unimaginable to see the 53year old in action and not laugh. The turtle neck sweater in the sweltering sun, the winter cap and the big kembe trousers tailored in old fabric, with a long rope fastened to keep them from falling off and the darkened face that transforms his looks into that of a big, scary clown. His queer mannerism.

Baba Suwe has been with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for 23 days after he was suspected to be hiding a narcotic drug in his body. The artiste has gone to the restroom several times- 15, he said, as of the time he appeared in court on Tuesday - but no strange substance has been found in his excreta. But the NDLEA insists that two scans have shown that the comedian has a strange object in his body. Stalemate. If he excretes no drug tomorrow, a court said on Tuesday, Baba Suwe should be allowed to go home.

The Baba Suwe matter, which began as a routine NDLEA show, has taken on a life of its own. Each time he defecates, the world is informed of such minute details as the timing and the contents. Never in history has a man’s toilet habit drawn so much public attention, with people seeking information on what ordinarily should be a very private and confidential matter and the NDLEA dutifully and faithfully issuing a bulletin on such trips to the restroom.

How many times does he go to the toilet?

What of his feeding habit? Is it true he told his interrogators that he eats once in three days?

If this is true, how come he looks fat and well fed? Who is in charge of defecation at the NDLEA? How tested is his virtuosity? When last did he go on training to ensure that this critical national assignment is never bungled?

Is it possible to keep any indigestible substance in the stomach for days without any medical problem? Dis na real expensive shit, somebody said, in a comical allusion to the late Afrobeat king Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s song after his detention for marijuana at Alagbon.

Another described the situation as shit and quench. In fact, when he showed up before Justice Yetunde Idowu on Tuesday, her Lordship asked Baba Suwe: “You’ve been to the toilet how many times?” And when he emerged from the courtroom, the crowd hailed: O ya’gbe ti! (He can’t be forced to defecate). See how this routine exercise done secretly in the closet has become the subject of seminal discourses in academic, legal and political circles. Beer parlours and tombo joints are also animated by the story of “the comedian who has re-

RIPPLES REPS TO FIGHT ILLEGAL BUNKERING – News

from ABUJA?

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

A comedian’s fate

‘

Can the machine be wrong? If it insists there is a strange substance in Baba Suwe’s stomach and he is not excreting it, what next? Surgery? Has the state a right to order that a citizen be opened up just to prove an allegation?

•Baba Suwe

fused to pass excreta”.

The questions are as many as the comedian’s befuddled fans, who keep on wondering why he couldn’t disarm the NDLEA officials with his humour. He is off the stage, yet Baba Suwe keeps many laughing as they make inquiries about his situation, recalling scenes from one of his movies, Baba Cherokee, in which he mirrors the lifestyle of drug barons. Now, what a cold irony of life. Imagination has been elbowed off the scene by reality in the battle of life. The result: a life of comedy has become a subject of tragedy.

Besides, the matter has sparked off a huge debate about the precision of the scanning machine. Can the machine be wrong? If it insists there is a strange substance in Baba Suwe’s stomach and he is not excreting it, what next?

Surgery? Has the state a right to order that a citizen be opened up just to prove an allegation? At what point should a citizen in the Baba Suwe situation run to the law to enforce his rights? What are the options open to the drug agency?

Apparently discombobulated, the NDLEA insists it has the right to keep the suspect, until he passes out the substance it claims the comedian is hiding in his body. “How do we take him to court when he has not excreted the substance? What will be our evidence?” the agency’s lawyer said in court. But, Baba Suwe’s counsel, the no-nonsense rights activ-

’

ist, Bamidele Aturu, insists the court should restore his client’s rights. The NDLEA, said Aturu, is merely fishing for evidence after arresting the suspect. Isn’t he right, in the present circumstances? If there is no result in 21 days, shouldn’t the suspect be allowed to go home in peace after the agency must have apologised to him? Will compensation be out of place?

These are the issues being discussed in enlightened circles. In fact, I am told that many adventurous medical students have got so much inspiration from the Baba Suwe saga.

For their dissertations, I learnt, are such exclusive topics as: “Strategies, issues and risks in the clinical management of chronic and acute constipation in a traumatic situation. An overview of the Baba Suwe experience” ; “Genetic, traumatic and environmental factors in the etiology of obesity: The case of Baba Suwe after detention” and “ Clinical and roentgen features of the intestinal polyposis syndromes; An overview of a comedian’s case”.

There are also, I am told, those who, like an NDLEA official, believe that Baba Suwe may have been holding the said substance in his stomach with the aid of a powerful juju. They are ready to pay more than a fortune to get even a more powerful juju that will not only keep the prying eyes of anti-narcotic officials off them, but enable them to choose what to excrete - if they are caught. Talk of a boom

HARDBALL

F

ORMER Abia State governor, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu, launched into the rarefied field of metaphysics a few days ago when, according to The Sun, he attempted an explanation governing the winning of presidential elections in Nigeria. The race always ended in an anti-climax, he concluded. There was no one who won the highest election in Nigeria who was really prepared for it or who had the ambition to do so. Alhaji Shehu Shagari, he reminded us, had the subdued ambition to be a senator, not president. But before he knew it, he had been catapulted into the highest office. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Kalu also said, battled to escape the hangman’s noose under the Gen Sani Abacha government, and thought nothing of the presidency until he was dragooned by Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar into the race. Many of us would remember Obasanjo protestingly asking how many presidents we wanted to make of him, of course in a tone that spoke volumes about his illusory self-effacement.

Not done, Kalu also recalled that the late Umaru Yar’Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan’s predecessor, was preparing for life

IN THE NATION

Kalu’s mystery and God’s providence out of office, after governing Katsina State for two terms, when Obasanjo played to his vanity and dragged him into the presidential race.

And the one that took the biscuit, according to Kalu, was none other than Jonathan himself.

He was not prepared for the position of governor when he became one. He also did not have the ambition to become vice president when he was rocketed into that office. And before he could bat an eyelid, or express a yawn, a celestial conspiracy had drained the life out of Yar’Adua’s kidneys and gave the coveted seat to Jonathan.

Thereafter, Kalu concluded that if anyone aspired to become the president of Nigeria, the best way to make sure it happened was not to aspire to that great office. Don’t have the ambition, and don’t plan for it, or else you will never get it, he summed up nicely. Kalu’s hypothesis is tantalising, but it is undermined by

STEVE OSUJI

coming for juju men.

The case has propelled Baba Suwe from a local jester plying his trade in Yoruba movies into an international star. His story was on the BBC. The Washington Post ran it on its website, courtesy of the wire service, AP. “Sweet are the uses of adversity”, indeed.

In one of Nigeria’s strange ironies, the Baba Suwe matter has come at a time of significant national stress. Boko Haram. Kidnappings.

Robberies. Extrajudicial killings. Road accidents. A long list of absurdities that diminish our claim to civilisation. Imagine the Kogi police asking some Osun residents to show cause why they should not be barred from travelling to Abuja. Soon, we will all require visas to visit Abuja through Kogi, courtesy of innovative Police Commissioner Amamama Ababakasanga, acting for his ever-dutiful Inspector-General Hafiz Ringim. If the Kogi test-run works, according to a source, it will be replicated in other states and the police will have solved the problems of crime for ever.

Nigerians keep laughing. Sardonic laughter? More like it. The kind of laughter you laugh when you should put your two hands on your head, crying. The comedian in us all finds vivid expression in the messages we pass round on our mobile phones. Consider this, which I got the other day: “We have all learned to live with ‘voice mail’ as a necessary part of modern life. But, have you wondered, what if God decided to install a voice mail? Imagine praying and hearing this: “Thank you for calling my father’s house.

Please, select one of the following options: For requests, press 1, for thanksgiving, press 2, for complaints, press 3 and for all other inquiries, press 4.

“What if God used the familiar excuse, I’m sorry, all our angels are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and will be answered in the order it was received. So, please, stay on the line.

“Can you imagine getting these responses as you call God in prayer? If you would like to speak to Gabriel, press 1, Michael, press 2.

For a directory of other angels, press 3. If you’d like to hear King David sing a psalm while you are holding, please, press 4.

“To find out if a loved one has been assigned to heaven, press 5, enter his or her social security number, then press the pound key. If you get a negative response, try area code 666. If you heard our computers show that you have already prayed once today, please hang up and try again tomorrow or ‘ this office is closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday’. Please, pray again Monday after 9.30am. If you need emergency assistance, contact your local pastor.

“Thank God, He doesn’t have a voice mail.”

Isn’t there a comedian in us all?

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above the Barber Paradox. That paradox, attributed to British philosopher, Bertrand Russell, says: “In a village, the barber shaves everyone who does not shave himself, but no one else. So, who shaves the barber?” If Kalu can solve this puzzle, we will elevate his hypothesis of winning the Nigerian presidency to a theory and ram it down the throats of Americans who can tell us why Abraham Lincoln won the presidency, of course with God’s providence.

If Kalu had limited himself to observing the lack of preparedness and lack of ambition of our presidents, he would have been spot on. But by presuming to know the formula for winning the presidency, Kalu walks on unfamiliar territory. It is true that brilliant and prepared politicians like Obafemi Awolowo, Adamu Ciroma and Aminu Kano, et al, failed to clinch the ultimate prize. However, if they had played their politics right rather than trust in their brilliance or preparedness, perhaps they would have won. It would indeed be strange if there was a metaphysical reason to explain their loss, and if that reason, stranger still, applied only to Nigeria.

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